FORMER CARNAHAN MIDDLE TO TRANSFORM INTO “SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE”

Superintendent Creg E. Williams, AT&T and Dell, Inc. announced plans to open a “School of the Future,” a technology-driven high school that will provide area students with some of the most advanced technology being used in classrooms around the country.

The “School of the Future” initiative will be located at Carnahan Middle School, which is scheduled to become a high school in September, 2006. The new school will house
ninth grade students. Student admission is based on application acceptance, with thirty-five percent of enrollment set aside for neighborhood students and the remaining sixty-five percent designated for students from the surrounding area.

“We believe that students and teachers who have up-to-date and relevant technology fully integrated into the curriculum will be more motivated learners and instructors,” said Superintendent Williams. “Our goal is to help reduce the dropout rate and improve morale by showing our students how exciting their futures can be.”

VASHON HIGH SCHOOL MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM WINS 11TH STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!

Congratulations to the Vashon Wolverines men’s basketball team. They won their 11th Missouri Class 5 state championship title March 11, beating Kickapoo High School by a final score of 58-55.

Students and staff sponsored a pep rally/spirit day celebration filled with cheerleading and drum line performances. Coach Irons was presented with a plaque symbolizing his 10th state championship. Congressman Lacy Clay’s office presented a proclamation to the team. “Having a coach win ten championships is a rarity, so we wanted to celebrate that accomplishment,” said principal Calvin Starks. “It’s a milestone not just for our school but for the St. Louis Public Schools.”

This is Vashon’s eleventh state win, ten under Irons’ leadership. Vashon ranks number 14 in USA Today’s Super 25 rankings and number 2 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch large school rankings. “It makes me feel elated for our district,” said Irons. “They are a group of great kids and I am proud of them.”

TALENTED SLPS STUDENTS RECEIVE TOP AWARDS AT ANNUAL ART COMPETITION

Thirty-two St. Louis Public Schools students were winners in the school district’s annual art
competition held March 10. Students based their creations on the theme “Animals Forever… Conservation.” Students were required to do extensive research on an animal of their choice by unifying their research with their visual drawings.

The winners’ artwork was on display at the St. Louis Zoo’s Living World Auditorium from February through March 10. “It was a district- wide competition that provided an opportunity for talented students to display their creative work to the community,” said art supervisor Linda Kraiberg.

Artwork is currently on display at the Board of Educations headquarters on the first and second floor corridors.

SLPS WINS TOP AWARD IN REGIONAL ROBOTICS COMPETITION

Twenty-six students from SLPS won a top award at the St. Louis Regional Robotics Competition March 9-11 at the St. Charles Arena. They received the Engineering Aspiration Award given by Emerson Electric, Ranken Technical College and Tuell Tool Company. Gateway teacher Frank Dressel coached the students, representing Gateway Institute of Technology and Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. They ranked 35th in the overall competition.

Students and their mentors from Emerson Electric, Ranken School and Washington University designed and created the 120 pound robot Gearmo V, which has several features including ten motors, omni-directional wheels, and an integrated optic sensor sighting alignment system.

“The competition is an outstanding opportunity for our students to apply problem solving skills and experience science and technology at a personal level,” said John Petsch, practical arts supervisor.
“They learn the importance of teamwork.”

BLEWETT MIDDLE SCHOOL’S STUDENTS AND STAFF WALK FOR WELLNESS

Students and staff at Blewett Middle School are committed to healthy eating and a daily exercise routine. In an effort to get ready for the MAP test, students and staff take daily walks and jogs around the schoolyard.

“Due to the district wide menu item changes, the food has a positive impact on our body, mind and spirit,” said teacher assistant Constance Myers.
If you want to know how to get a walking wellness group started at your school, call Contance Myers at 231-7738.

Save the Date… St. Louis Public Schools teacher job fair at Gateway Complex, 1200 North Jefferson. The event will be held Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Critical areas are math, science, music and art. For more info, go to www.Teach4slps.org.

DID YOU KNOW… that Dunbar Elementary School recently received the Waterford Best Practice Award? The national recognition honors schools that have used technology to increase student reading skills. Congrats to principal Darlynn Bosley.

KUDOS COLUMN….
Congrats to four students at Mark Twain Elementary School. They were inducted into the 2006 edition of Anthology of Poetry. The sixth graders are DaBorah Allen, Darrin Moore, Martin Woods and Marci Woods…The official canned food for the Hearts for Hunger Drive collection is 80,781 according to Peg Pederson, Citywide Specialist with Office of Community Education. Here are the top winners: first place winner, Humboldt Middle, 7,818; second place, Shaw Visual and Performing Arts CEC 4,543; third place, Gateway Institute of Technology, 2,449 and CAJT at Nottingham, 1,000…Mar-Naye Whittaker, first grader at Shaw VPA, took the Maestro’s Award in the St. Louis Symphony’s Picture the Music Art Competition. Other winners include: Matthew Austin, third grade, Shaw VPA, St. Louis Symphony Choice Award; Blue Ribbon winner awards are: Jasmine Coney, third grade, Shaw VPA; Sadik Music, fourth grade, Oak Hill Elementary; David Patterson, fifth grade, Gateway Elementary; Jasia Dickerson, fourth grade, Gateway Elementary. Special recognition award winners are: Mikell Davis, kindergarten, Bryan Hill; Jasmine Cooney, third grade Shaw; Ariana Ledbetter, third grade, Shaw VPA; Azad Saleem, third grade, Oak Hill; Adam Thorpe, fourth grade, Kennard CJA; Terenna Bryant, fifth grade, Shenandoah; Kevin Neil, fifth grade, Monroe Elementary; Kalice Walker, fifth grade, Gateway Elementary; and Timyah Kinsey, sixth grade, Gateway Elementary… At Bunche International Studies Middle School, six students submitted their essays to the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.’s Annual Black History Essay and Oratorical Contest.

Contest winners are students Nolan Rimson ($100) and Cheron Quinn ($75), who received cash prizes…Congrats to Carol Barnes, principal at Langston Middle School. She was recently featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for her outstanding leadership… Clay Elementary’s fourth and fifth grade boys are participating in a leadership program at Christian Brothers College High School. The program focuses on leadership, responsibility, cooperation, community and educational enhancement… Students from East Texas Christian Academy in Tyler, Texas recently gave community service at Farragut Elementary School. They assisted teachers and made a backdrop for the school’s television room… Students at Baden Elementary School presented the event entitled “The Faces of Color Behind the Mask.” The program featured song, drama and dance. Applause for thirty Buder Elementary students who had first semester perfect attendance! Students at Kottmeyer ECC are bringing in new and unused books to help restore a school library that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The book drive is in cooperation with the National Education Association Read Across America. One hundred and sixty-eight books have been collected so far… Patrick Henry School has a program called “Get Caught Doing Good” where students who do good things will receive donated items from community partners… Congrats to the following Gateway Elementary student winners of the U.S. Cellular Black History Month Art Competition: first place, Marche Hill, $500 savings bond; second place, Keiara Watkins, $200 savings bond; and t