BEAUMONT HIGH SCHOOL CADETS MAKE THE GRADE IN SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT

Sergeant Major Walter Wright, senior army instructor at Beaumont High School, challenged his students before the holiday break. Wright asked his students if they could make a difference in their communities and they responded with a resounding yes! They gathered clothing and toys and donated the items to Annie Malone Family and Children’s Center and Salvation Army. Toys were also donated to selected Beaumont High School
families.

SLPS DELEGATION ATTENDS RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Four members of the 2003 Laclede Elementary Blue Ribbon School enjoyed an opportunity of a lifetime. They were guests of President George W. Bush at a special White House holiday reception in December. Those in attendance were: Laclede’s principal Yolanda Moss and husband Kerry, assistant superintendent for professional development Joyce Roberts and husband George, 2003 teacher of the year Audrey Ferguson and husband Ed and Laclede parents Regina and Mallory Davis.

PAULA KNIGHT IS SLPS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Lynn Spampinato has appointed Paula Knight as executive director for curriculum. Knight’s responsibilities include overseeing the new k-12 curriculum in the district. Knight began her career with the district in 1994 as a classroom teacher at Hamilton Elementary School. She has served as principal at Waring Academy of Basic Instruction and Washington and Euclid Montessori Schools. Knight has a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from St. Louis University and a masters of arts degree in education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is currently enrolled in UMSL’s doctoral program.

VASHON WOLVERINES BASKETBALL TEAM IS NUMBER FOUR IN THE NATION!

It’s official. Vashon High School’s basketball team is ranked number four in the country according to the USA TODAY newspaper. Congratulations to coach Floyd Irons and his
team!

Congratulations to Myrtle Reed, assistant superintendent. Reed was a guest panelist who helped launch the National Educational Technology Plan. The event was held
January 7 at the U.S. Department of Education.

Other panelists included U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

SLPS ADULT EDUCATION WINS BIG IN FIGHTING ILLITERACY

There is nothing like seeing hard work pay off. Just ask Bob Weng, supervisor of
Adult Education and Literacy for the district.

The program received a $2,500 Dollar General grant through ProLiteracy, a national volunteer literacy program. Persons who shop at any Dollar General store in St. Louis can help fight illiteracy by completing a referral card located at all stores. Dollar General and ProLiteracy are expanding the number of local literacy programs by building a student referral database. Shoppers can check whatever category that interests them. “We receive copies of the cards and give them assistance or refer them to an agency that can help them,” said Weng. “If they need help with reading, writing, learning how to speak English or just volunteering, they check the appropriate category.” The adult literacy program provides services to seven school districts. The goal is to provide quality educational services to adults and their families. For more information, call Bob Weng at 367-5000.

WANTED: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN SCIENCE CAREERS

The Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program is a four-week residential program that focuses on building students’ academic performance levels in the area of life and physical science and engineering. Girls who will be in high school (grades 9-12) in the fall of 2005 are now eligible to apply for the summer 2005 program. For more information, contact Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program, 413-585-3060,
or visit the following website: www.smith.edu/summerprograms/ssep

SLPS STUDENTS PERFORM WELL N HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY CONTEST

St. Louis Public Schools students represented the district at the Eighth Annual St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights essay contest. The event was co-sponsored by the SLPS alternative education program. Interim director Everette Carter believes the contest was beneficial for all students. “Students were allowed to think more globally in terms of human rights,” said Carter. “We’re very proud of our students.” The following students are SLPS winners:

Middle School Division: First prize ($100)- Danielle Cochran, McKinley CJA; third prize, ($50) Lucy Cohen, McKinley CJA;

High School Division: First prize- ($150) Keith Rogers, Roosevelt; second prize ($75)
Reginald Parker, Roosevelt; Honorable Mentions: Ralph Bunche International Studies Middle School: Breana Coopwood, Paula Martin, Mohammed Safi, and Abbas Baker; McKinley CJA: Sam Bender, Hannah Keel, Charlese Watson, Akia Jackson, Eddie Bolden, Alicia Gray,
Ariel Weber, Devin Wright, Baron Ross, Epiphany Eller, Leland Engels; Academic and Athletic Academy Busch Middle School: Alyce Kanabrocki and Rodney Pruitt.

MORE GOOD NEWS …

The culinary arts students at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy will prepare and serve lunch to the retired consultants/coaches on January 20. The organization supports new teachers in the district. They will also serve the professional development committee on January 26. Beaumont High School’s

New U.B.U. (you be you) Lounge has an Open House set for January 11 at 10 a.m. Compliments of Aramark’s School Support Services, the new eatery is a big plus. “The students are enjoying it,” said Leslie Fowler, Aramark’s marketing and communications