From the Desk of…
Diana Bourisaw, Superintendent
Get in the MAP Spirit!
It’s MAP testing time again. It’s important for students to come to school every day rested, fed, and ready to do their best. Testing is important, and we appreciate the efforts of our parents and staff to ensure that students are prepared. It’s not always easy to stay motivated and focused during testing. That’s why some schools have come up with innovative ways to keep their students engaged.
Third grade students at Shepard have MAP spirit. They’re encouraging each other with clever MAP “raps.” Principal Brian Zimerman at Mann Elementary also has spirit. He’s going to serenade the entire school with a Hannah Montana song!
“Hard Map and You Can Rap”
By Seqoui, Donta and Chaz
Shepard Elementary 3rd Grade Class
MAP is fun
MAP is cool
Can you score high
for your school?
Study well
You’re number one
You can cheer
And have some fun.
If you don’t worry
You will pass.
I just wouldn’t worry
I’ll pass the MAP.
We will pass
We just have some fun in class
We will study hard
And put on our cap
So when it comes to take the test
We will pass the MAP.
Time to Celebrate
We did it! Our “Million Minutes By March” reading initiative was a huge success. SLPS students read a total of 5,852,829 minutes between January 3 and March 31. We’ve designated April 7-11 as our celebration week. Throughout the week, we have lots of exciting activities planned. Some of the highlights include:
• Borders will host a breakfast to honor our librarians and library aides.
• St. Louis Rams players will visit various schools throughout the district.
• Build-A-Bear will give prizes to high-reading schools.
• A special reception for top readers will take place at the central office on Thursday, April 17.
• Top readers will be recognized at the SAB meeting on Thursday, April 17.
• Representative Jeanette Mott Oxford and Alderwoman Phyllis Young will make proclamations.
We are very proud of our students for making this initiative such a tremendous success. A very special thank you goes to the parents and staff for motivating and encouraging our students to read. We would also like to thank our guest readers and the wonderful organizations that generously supported “A Million Minutes by March.”
SLPS and Parkway Announce Partnership to Improve Math Achievement
St. Louis Public Schools and Parkway School District have been awarded a three-year $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to focus on middle school mathematics instruction. The goal of the program is to improve achievement in middle school mathematics by developing teacher strategies that effectively develop student understanding of mathematics, and to package and share those strategies with others. Partners in the grant include Parkway, Maryville University faculty, and several nationally known professional consultants in the fields of mathematics education and program evaluation. The program will begin in the summer of 2008.
Spend a Fabulous Night at The Fabulous Fox
Talented students from the St. Louis metropolitan area take center stage at The Fox Theatre on Monday, April 7, as part of The Fox’s annual Performing Arts Night. This event showcases some of the best and brightest students in the region. This year, seven ensembles from St. Louis Public Schools will be participating:
• Ames VPA “Top Hats”
• Carr Lane Dancers
• Central VPA Guitar Ensemble
• Laclede Elementary Honors Choir
• McKinley Concert Choir
• Soldan Concert Band
• Metro Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble
Admission is free, but tickets are required. Contact Kaye Harrelson at 345-4455 in the Curriculum and Instruction Department for tickets. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m.
Washington University Announces New Environmental Biology Field Research Experience for Current 10th Grade Students
The National Science Foundation is sponsoring an exciting new educational program for high school students. This is an opportunity for current tenth graders interested in studying the natural environment and gaining research skills.
The program begins with a one-week summer session, June 9-13 or June 23-27, with ecology educators at the Shaw Nature Reserve. Students will learn about advanced field research techniques, plant and animal identification, census taking, and use of GPS and GIS technology. The deadline to apply is April 18.
Details and application forms are online at http://www.so.wustl.edu/science_outreach/courses/desc/envbioresearch.html
For more information, contact Susan K. Flowers at Washington University Science Outreach, (314) 935-4217 or flowers@wustl.edu.
University of Missouri Offers Bridge Program for Students
Since 1986, the University of Missouri-St. Louis Bridge Program has provided high school students with stimulating educational experiences that build strong academic proficiency essential to collegiate success. The Bridge Program offers a variety of summer components, which include: Summer Academy, Saturday Academy, Parent Academy, Afterschool Clubs, and College Preparation Workshops. For details or to access the application, visit the website at www.umslbridge.org. For more information, call the Office of Precollegiate Programs at (314) 516-5196.
April Is Blue Ribbon Month to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Since 1989, the blue ribbon has been recognized as the national symbol of child abuse prevention. April Blue Ribbon Month calls community attention to the ongoing problem of child abuse and encourages the public to support efforts to strengthen families to prevent child abuse from developing.
The St. Louis Blue Ribbon Month kickoff ceremony will be held on Monday, April 7, at 10 a.m. in the St. Louis City Hall Rotunda. Join city officials, community leaders and child advocates in signing a 30-foot blue ribbon commemorating the start of April Blue Ribbon Month. Awards will be presented to winners of the St. Louis Public Schools poster contest on strong families. Entertainment will be provided by the Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Concert Choir.
"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men."
-Herman Melville
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