RETIRED SLPS TEACHER TURNS 101 YEARS YOUNG!

Iola C. Henson, who taught 50 years in the district, will celebrate her 101st birthday! She began her teaching career in 1924 teaching at Banneker, Carver and Cook elementary schools. March 6 will be declared as “Iola C. Henson Day” by Mayor Francis Slay.

BADEN SCHOOL SPONSORS 3-DAY RELIEF EFFORT

The Peace Ambassadors Leadership Club of Baden Elementary School sponsored a 3-day relief effort drive for the victims of the tsunami tidal wave. Letters went home to parents asking for donations. In three days, students raised $175.00 for the relief effort. Students, parents and staff members made contributions. This was the club’s first humanitarian effort. Sixth grader Janay Altemus is the club’s president. Counselor Jewell Hickman is the sponsor. Congratulations!

SLPS RAISE MONEY FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS

Students and staff at Nottingham Community Access and Job Training High School raised
a total of $743.25 for victims in southeast Asia and surrounding countries… and third graders at Shepard Accelerated Elementary School read newspaper articles. After reading the articles, they decided to help. They donated snacks for their students and staff to raise monies to send to the American Red Cross. The first week they raised $75.00. The total amount raised was $150.00.
VASHON HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM IS NUMBER 1 IN THE NATION!

It’s official. The Vashon High School basketball team is ranked number 1 in the nation according to the USA TODAY newspaper.To earn a spot in the Super 25 high school rankings, a basketball team must have hot shooters, tough defense and great coaching.
“This is the first time in my 31-year career that a basketball team I have coached has been ranked number one in the nation,” said coach Irons. “What many fans may not know is that we have won 50 consecutive games and that’s an accomplishments in itself.” Coach Irons began his coaching career at Vashon in 1974 and was inducted in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

SOLDAN INTERNATIONAL STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE 95 YEARS!All alumni, former students and staff are invited to attend the 95th anniversary celebration of Soldan High School on Saturday, March 12 from 1-4 p.m., at the school,
located at 918 North Union. The formal program will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will feature the induction ceremony for the first Soldan Hall of Fame. To make reservations, call the Soldan Almuni Hotline at 314-345-2237.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…

There will be a “Family Technology Expo” Workshop entitled “Bridging the Digital Divide… One Family at a Time.” The event will be held Saturday, February 12, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at Turner MEGA Magnet Middle Community Education Center, at 2615 North Billups Ave. There will be speakers, an Internet café, math and science games, children’s workshops, free electronic tax preparation and more. The event is free. For more information, call Kelli Jordan at 314-252-6226.

FREE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM

There will be a free school board candidate forum at McKinley Classical Junior Academy on Thursday, March 10, from 6:30 until 8 p.m. The school is located at 2156 Russell Blvd. The school’s parent organization is the forum sponsor.

MILLSTONE IS ENJOYING 98 YEARS!

Kudos to St. Louis businessman and philanthropist I.E. Millstone. He celebrated his 98th birthday at Soldan High School, his alma mater. Millstone is responsible for the school’s LEAP mentoring program. Students, staff and community members celebrated by decorating the cafeteria and creating a collage of what it was like growing up in the 20th century.

CONGRATULATIONS CORNER…

Kudos to Dunbar Elementary School choir for being selected to sing at the unveiling of the new Marian Anderson stamp. The African- American Heritage celebration will be held on Wednesday, February 23, at Harris-Stowe State College, at 10 a.m.

JEFFERSON SCHOOL PLANS BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

Students and staff at Jefferson Elementary School will host a Black History program featuring the Bristol Jazz Ensemble, Carr Lane students and guest soloists. During the month of February, the school will be reconstructed as the Underground Railroad. The salute will honor African-Americans who fought to win freedom.

SHEPARD ACCELERATED SCHOOL CHALLENGES BADEN SCHOOL TO READ BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

Last year, Carol Hall-Whittier, principal at Shepard Elementary, challenged her students to read 2,000 books. She promised them that if they were successful, she would agree to be dunked in a water tank. Her students surpassed their goal, reading a total of 2,632 books! Into the water she went. Now, she has challenged Baden School to enter a reading contest. Whittier and Baden’s principal, Alila Barr, have decided to challenge each student to read 100 books. Both principals have decided to let the students determine what each principal will do if the goals are met. Some of the student’s suggestions have been interesting: the principals should dye their hair blue; cover the principals with crazy string and parade them around the school; dunk them in a water tank; dress as their school mascot all day or walk around dressed as a chicken and cluck throughout the day. Stay tuned for the final outcome!