Saint Louis Public Schools

SLPS Spotlight News

March 23, 2012, Edition

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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 at Julie.Linder@slps.org

SLPS Important Announcements

Public Forum Regarding the Proposed Fiscal Year 2013 General Operating Budget

Date: Tuesday, March 27

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Vashon High School, 3035 Cass Ave. 

*Read more by clicking here. 

SLPS has a Scholarship Page

College Summit provides a list of current scholarships, updated daily, on the District’s website. Please click: Scholarships

SLPS News

·         2012 Hearts for Hunger

·         Kennard Equations

·         Soldan Tigers Earn Class 4 Basketball Title

·         Saturday Scholars Awards Luncheon

·         SLU Bridge Contest

·         11th Annual SLPS Art Fair

Sumner Athlete Honored by National Football Foundation

Yadah Smith, a senior at Sumner High School, has been chosen as a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, and will be recognized and awarded a $1,000 scholarship on May 6, 2012. To be nominated for the honor, Smith had to demonstrate exceptional football abilities, a 3.0 G.P.A. or higher and involvement in community service.

Smith has maintained honor roll status and is involved in the AVID and the AP programs. In addition, he has been accepted into Bowling Green State University where he plans to attend next year majoring in Engineering or Criminal Justice.

Roosevelt Students Celebrate Local Designers at 2^nd Annual Fashion Show

The Roosevelt Fashion Show was a fun-filled day of style as 60 different modes of fashion, including student designed and created skirts, blouses, dresses, shorts, and vests, were modeled on stage. These budding fashion designers are part of the school’s Fashion Merchandising & Design program. 

Special thanks to the Men’s Warehouse who donated 15 tuxedos for the gentlemen participating in the show.

McKinley CLA Successfully Competes in High School Science Competition

Recently, three McKinley CLA Middle students participated in a District science competition hosted by the Missouri Academy of Science - Junior Division at St. Louis University.  During the competition, students presented their completed science projects to a panel of university experts and then fielded questions from the experts.  These three students from McKinley were the ONLY middle school students in attendance at the competition. The other competitors were high school students from across the city and county. Please recognize:

·         Andrew Benckendorf (8th grade) - 1st place and eligible for the State competition held in Columbia, MO, on April 13 & 14, 2012.

·         Richard Benjamin Scott (7th grade) - 2nd place

·         Cassandra Bako (8th grade) - 2nd place

The success of these students in such a rigorous competition is admirable and the District will be cheering Andrew Benckendorf on as he heads to State.

Ashland Welcomes Renowned Children’s Author

Ashland Elementary had the distinct pleasure of hosting renowned children’s author, Mrs. Patricia McKissack. She was warmly received in the beautifully decorated library specially done for storytelling and a writing workshop. One student was overwhelmed by the experience and said, "You actually wrote that book? It is my favorite." This was indeed an awesome authentic learning experience. At the end of the visit Mrs. McKissack was presented with a resolution from the St. Louis Board of Alderman.

SLPS Students to be featured on “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s”

The students in Ms. Leto’s class at Gateway Institute of Technology High School had a delicious field experience at Sweetie Pie's which resulted in the students being featured in “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” on Oprah’s network, OWN. The segment will air on March 31^st. Walking out of the restaurant after filming, Ben, a student, seemed to speak for the class when he announced that "he had a splendid day!"

PAT Receives Large Book Donation from AT&T

 AT&T Pioneers, a long-standing service organization within AT&T, has donated 477 books, 5 different titles, to the District’s Parents as Teachers program.  Each book is in a “Read to Me” bag that also includes a bookmark, a sheet of reading tips for parents, and a handout describing literacy milestones.  These books will be given to families at home visits to encourage reading in the home. AT&T Pioneers has been a strong supporter for the St. Louis Public School District, and should be recognized and thanked for their longstanding dedication to students.

Washington Montessori Kicks-Off Reading Project

Washington Montessori’s Principal, Ms. DeAdrienne Torrey, would like to congratulate students on the successful launch of their reading campaign. The classrooms and library stocked so grab a book and start reading! Each student is asked to read 25 books by May 18^th.

Parents and Area Businesses Boost Technology at Kennard CJA

Due to the efforts of two Kennard parents, Kennard has increased the number of its student laptop computers by 200.  Parent, Lisa Granich-Kovarik persuaded a division of Boeing Corporation to donate 200 of its used laptops to Kennard School.  The District’s technology department spent hours re-imaging and reprogramming the computers to make them useable in the classroom. Parent, Livia Konkel of Thomson –Reuters arranged a donation of four laptop carts needed to move the laptop computers from classroom to classroom. 

The laptop carts alone represented a value of $15,000.   “This is a terrific boost for our technology capabilities at Kennard,” said Kennard Principal, Wanda LeFlore, “Not only do we have more student laptops because of these donations, but instead of spending my technology budget on laptops, which I had planned to do, I was able to devote school technology funds to SmartBoards for classrooms.  Our whole school benefitted.”   

SLPS Students Honored at Powell Hall

The following vocal music and instrumental students were presented awards at Powell Hall for exceptional musicianship. Please congratulate-

Ames Vocal Music: 

Jazmine Anderson- 5th Grade     

Nyrah-Mason Crawford-5th Grade

Demetria Thomas-5th Grade

Daviyona Wilson-5th Grade

Tonlya Ziyad-5th Grade

Ames Instrumental:

Xia  Brown 4th Grade-Tuba

Ashlynn Howard 4th Grade-Flute

Anastasia Jacobs 4th Grade- Alto Saxophone    

 Mykah Massey 5th Grade- Alto Saxophone 

 Alondra Santos 5th Grade- Flute

Shaw Band:

Karlos Culberson

Eliyah Bevly

Faith Shakoor

John Frost

Kevon Chambers

 Shaw Strings:

Torri Lindsey

Tyler Harry-Wheeler

Teylor Rogers

Janneh Woods

 Shaw Recorder:

Katelyn Blessing

Marcus Masterson

Shaw General Music:

Oyinloluwa Ganiya

Hamaad Hatcher

Lily Collins

Cameron Lee 

Shaw Musical Theatre - Drama:

Nya Fifer

Imani Anderson

Jalen Sherrod

Natel Knox

Arianna Warren

Shaw Musical Theatre - Dance:

Maliena Dace

Jayelynn Bordeaux

Symeon Coleman

Alisha Naylor

Audrianna Black

Demanuel Love

Dorris McGahee Selected for Citizens Academy

Dorris McGahee, a longtime SLPS employee, has been selected to attend 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

Northwest Students Featured in Panel Discussion at 12^th Annual Access to Equal Justice Colloquium

The 12th Annual Access to Equal Justice Colloquium will be held at Washington U. Law School on Friday, March 23rd. This year's topic will focus on "Juvenile Justice”. Nick Bowen and Shamika Hill, both seniors at Northwest Academy of Law, will participate in the panel discussion. Northwest principal, Ms. Valerie Carter-Thomas, will also be a panel discussion member in a different session during the conference.

St. Louis Guitar Society to Donate Guitars to Lyon@Blow

Date: Monday, March 26

Time: TBD

Location: Lyon@Blow

Details: The St. Louis Guitar Society will be bringing by 40 full-size guitars in hard-shell cases, with foot stands, music stands, and clip-on tuners for the school’s music department.

Central Visual and Performing Arts High School presents Peter Pan and Wendy

Journey to Neverland in this exciting 75-minute adaptation of the classic tale! Promising to be a mother for Peter and the Lost Boys, Wendy and her brothers embark on an incredible adventure filled with swashbuckling pirates, fantastic natives, and the fearsome Captain Hook.  In the end, Wendy must choose whether to stay with the Lost Boys forever or face the adventure of a lifetime: growing up!

Performance dates and time:     March 28, 29 and 30 at 9:30 am and 7:00 pm

                                                                                Central VPA’s Black Box Theater

                                                                                cost:       $3⁰⁰   daytime performance  

                                                                                                $10⁰⁰ evening performance

(Limited to 60 seats each performance)

Middle School Tour Dates:           April 13 and 20 (limit 2 performances daily)

Contact Diane Bahlinger or Donna Watson @ (314) 771-2722 for reserve seating or to schedule a performance with our Tour Group.

St. Louis Symphony Adopt-a-School program to perform at Dewey International Studies Elementary School

Date: Thursday, March 29

Time: 3:00pm

Location: Dewey’s library.

Details: The three second grade classes will perform for each other their versions of the story of the Magic Flute with music they've composed.

IWS Students Named Top 100 Finalists in St. Louis Symphony’s Picture the Music Contest

Two students from the International Welcome School, Emmanuella Brown (4^th grade) and Phyit Sone Tway (6^th grade), have been named top 100 finalists in the St. Louis Symphony's Picture the Music Contest.  Over 19,000 students and 107 schools participated in the contest, with more than 600 works of art submitted.  They will be honored with an awards ceremony on March 1st at Powell Hall where the overall winners will be announced. To view the artwork of the top 100 finalists, please visit the following locations on the listed dates: 

·         Plaza Frontenac: March 31- April 9

·         The Magic House: April 10- 18

·         St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre April 19- 28

Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School is hosting a Spring Arts and Crafts Expo

When:  Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Where:        Carr Lane Gymnasium

Cost:               Vendors - $20 per booth

Admission:  Free to public

If you are interested in participating in the Expo and need further information, please contact Jacqueline Rogers, (314) 231-0413 or (314) 337-3754 Email: jacqueline.rogers@slps.org

SLPS to host the 5th annual “And Still I Rise” Celebration

The 5th annual “And Still I Rise” Celebration will commence on April 24, 2012 at 6:30 pm at 801 N. 11th Street, Room 108.  During the ceremony, SLPS will honor special education students in accordance to this year’s theme, “Recognizing our Exceptional Students who are doing extraordinary things.”

SLPS to Present at Missouri Institute of Mental Health’s Conference

Deidra Thomas-Murray, SLPS Students-in-Transition coordinator, will be giving her nationally recognized “Although I’m Homeless, I’m Not Alone” presentation to the members of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health during their annual conference on Friday, June 1, from 9:15-10:45am.

News Articles of Interest

·         After Three Days Of Testimony, School Transfer Case In Judge's Hands

·         Behind the Minds: Sydney Everett

·         Cash-poor schools raid rivals in bid to boost student rosters

·         Charter schools beyond the city?

·         Clayton schools say conforming with student transfer law would be impossible

·         Demoff Celebrates Dr. Seuss's Birthday

·         Dr. Seuss Birthday To Be Celebrated In St. Louis Grade Schools

·         Editorial: Legislature, like court, should limit itself in school transfer ...

·         Editorial: Missouri needs to make education its top priority

·         Efforts to fix Missouri's school aid formula, transfers appear knotted -- again

·         Enter the Innovation Officer: Districts Design New Jobs

·         House Concurrent Resolution No. 27

·         Many grade schools de-emphasize cursive writing

·         Mental Health Systems Under Stress

·         Missouri Baptist U. called on carpet for charter sponsorship

·         Missouri Baptist University put in squeeze over charter schools

·         Missouri Baptist University put in squeeze over charter schools

·         Nixon aids schools with busing costs

·         Officials review sponsor of troubled Mo. charters

·         Photos: Mural honoring black aviators rededicated at St. Louis airport

·         SLPS honors early childhood educator

·         St. Louis Public School District announces sale of two surplus properties

·         St. Louis public school district sells 2 elementary school buildings

·         St. Louis Public Schools get offers for vacant buildings for sale

·         St. Louis Public Schools proposes budget, staff reductions - St. Louis ...

·         St. Louis Public Schools sell vacant building for use as charter ...

·         St. Louis Public Schools steps up selling of vacant buildings

·         St. Louis School Chief Hoping Test Scores Ride to the Rescue ...

·         St. Louis schools couldn't function if students left for county, says ...

·         St. Louis schools officials point to progress | MERRF

·         St. Louis schools' progress would be lost if transfer law were enforced ...

·         State defends Missouri student transfer law in Clayton court case

·         Student transfer law is "completely unworkable," school districts tell judge.

·         Superintendent offers $264 million budget

·         Supreme Court Sides With Webster Schools In Student Transfer Case

·         Woods Earns Good Neighbor Award