Saint Louis Public Schools

SLPS Spotlight News

News Edition                                                                                         December 14, 2012

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SLPS has important news to share with its community. From recognizing student accomplishments, announcing teacher recognitions and promoting upcoming events, Spotlight News fills a critical role by sharing District news with more than 4,500 people across the city, including reporters, community partners, elected officials, parents, and SLPS faculty and staff.  To submit information to be included in the next edition, please contact Julie Linder by calling (314) 345-2367 or via email to Julie.Linder@slps.org

Important Announcement

Help Gateway Middle Win a Power a Bright Future grant from Clorox!

After a competitive nomination period, voting is now open and Gateway Middle needs your help to win up to $50,000 in The Clorox Company’s Power A Bright Future grant program! Help the school secure funding for a trip to Washington DC by visiting www.PowerABrightFuture.com and texting 1768pbf to 95248. Supporters can vote once per day per person through Dec. 19, 2012 until 11:59pm EDT for Gateway Middle.

SLPS News

SLPS Students Earn Recognition at 8^th Annual Poetry SLAM

At the 8th annual Poetry SLAM, America SCORES St. Louis youth from seven urban elementary schools took to the Metro High school stage to perform original poems they created, to celebrate the completion of a successful fall season of creative writing.  Over 250 community members and families attended. All SLPS students participating gave stellar performances with the following students earning awards:

Individual Poems:

·         Alana Wilson 5th grader, Nance Elementary placed second with” When I was a Balloon.”

·         Rodnell Singleton of Nance Elementary placed third with “Free Verse.”

Group Poem:

·         Walbridge Boys won first place with “I am Just a Kid You Know.”

·         Nance Boys placed third, with “Bullying is not Cool.”

Kennard Math & Science Family Night a Success

The Kennard CJA gymnasium was buzzing with activity thanks to Kennard’s PTO Enrichment Committee, who hosted a very successful Math and Science Family Night.  More than 130 family members had the opportunity to have quality time together exploring math and science in a fun, hands-on way. A key component in planning the event was creating experiences with common household objects and recycled materials, reinforcing that math and science are everywhere and that family time isn't about expensive activities. Kennard would also like to thank the following groups for supporting the event:

• The Science Center, who sent the MySci Van, and provided a hands-on forensic activity and an alchemy show  
• The Chemistry Club from South East Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, who put on a demonstration showing the relation between chemistry and electricity, and explore architectural engineering
• The Gateway STEM Academy Robotics Team, who hosted a robot exhibit. 
• Kennard’s own Techno-Girls, who had their own Lego Robot demonstrate its three mechanical missions
• Faculty and parents, who hosted four different math strategy games from around the world, including Kalah, Nim, and The Tower of Hanoi 

Soldan Takes Top Honors at the Missouri Council for Economic Education Stock Market Game

Soldan International Studies High School had the top team out of 867 teams in the latest Missouri Council for Economic Education Stock Market competition!  Shannon Gillera’s team grew the initial $100,000 to $122,710 in a four-week time span of careful investing. Overall, the school claimed 6 of the top 10 spots, and 23 of the top 40 spots.

Northwest Students Earn Awards at Clark Convention

Eighteen Northwest student delegates (12 judicial, four legislators, and two media) attended the Missouri Youth in Government‘s Clark Convention. There, they participated in all areas of the simulated take-over of state government, and earned several awards recognizing their outstanding performances. Please congratulate:

·   BEST Trial Brief (defense)  - Deionna and Dewonna Ferguson

• BEST Video production - Khory Stark (see MoYIG facebook for the video)
• MOST Creative media work - Regine Brown
• Best Mentor (in Judicial branch) - Deionna Ferguson
• Best Judge - Dewonna Ferguson

Santa and Mrs. Claus visit Oak Hill

Students at Oak Hill were pleasantly surprised by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus this week.  Each student received a candy cane and an activity book before taking turns to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. It was a lot of fun for the students and the staff at the school.

Dorris McGahee Proudly Graduates from the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s Citizens Academy

The Citizens Academy meets one night per week for 12 weeks. Actual police officers teach nearly all of the classes which include sessions on the department’s history and structure, crime patterns, gang intelligence, homicide investigations and community policing techniques among other things. Class members also participate in role-play, using their knowledge to diffuse situations our officers encounter every day. At the end of the course, a graduation ceremony is held to honor those who have completed the course. Graduates of the program are able to apply the knowledge they’ve learned to better serve their neighborhoods and assist police when needed.

Upcoming Events

Musical Montage

The Arts Department at Shaw VPA would like to present a Musical Montage from some the most magical and beloved musicals ever produced in the theater.  These wonderful musicals have been inspiring children of all ages and have been used to elevate the academic achievements in such educational fields of study as; writing, music, dance, reading, math and more. So sit back and enjoy these productions that have been promoting the wonderful world of children in all of us.    

Date: December 19

Time: 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Location: Shaw VPA, 5329 Columbia Ave.

Grades Performing:  1^st, 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th      

Yeatman Students to go Caroling

Fifty Yeatman-Liddell students are excited to go caroling at Latter Glory Manor and Ashland Elementary on December 20^th from 10am to 1pm.  Not only will this serve as an opportunity to build relationships with the elders in the community, the students will then be asked to write a one-page summary of the experience, providing a unique writing assignment.

Soldan Students to Sing with Symphony at Powell Hall

Danii Hogue, Jada Jefferson, Sadiah Mumin, and Darrin Little will be joining the St. Louis Symphony at Powell Hall for their Holiday Celebration Concerts December 21, 22, and 23. A special thanks goes to Ms. Telaar, Soldan’s music teacher, and Ms. Kay Harrelson, SLPS Curriculum Specialist-Music, for making these students’ accomplishments possible.

News Articles of Interest

·     “Bar Exam” Proposed For Aspiring Teachers

•  Brittany Packnett comes home to lead Teach for America St. Louis

·     Retirement options recommended for Missouri's public school teachers

•  SLPS honors PE Teachers of the Year
•  St. Louis Now Largest School District in Missouri

·      St. Louis Public School Retirement System commits to private debt fund

·      STL Today: Michael Ball Makes All-State Football Team

Opportunities

Young Futurists Wanted!

The Root, an African-American news and views website founded by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and owned by the Washington Post, is seeking nominations for its 2013 Young Futurists list, which will launch in February.

Young Futurists are African Americans between the ages of 16 and 22 who are committed to making the world a better place in which to live. We're seeking candidates who are not only achievers but also innovators in the worlds of green innovation, science and technology, arts and culture, social activism and business enterprise. Previous Young Futurists ( http://www.theroot.com/young-futurists-2012) have started nonprofits and invented unique technologies, among other creative and praiseworthy ventures.