| In This Issue |
Westdale Heights Academic Magnet Earns 2010 Intel Elementary School of Distinction Award for Science
Mayor Surprises Ryan Elementary Staff, Students Celebrating School's Blue Ribbon Status
Scotlandville Magnet Students Going to Washington, D.C., for Chance to Present Sustainable House Engineering Projects
15 EBR Students Make Semifinalist Status in 2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition
Retired Judge Teaches Buchanan Elementary Students the Importance of the U.S. Constitution
Dilworth Hits the Mat for Reading |
| Calendar of Events |
Friday, October 1,
9:30 a.m., Micro-Society Opening Ceremony, The Dufrocq School
Monday, October 4,
3:30 p.m., Teacher Advisory Panel - Elementary Schools, IRC Building
Thursday, October 7,
5 p.m., Committee of the Whole Board Meeting, Central Office Board Room. A Special Board Meeting Will Follow.
Monday, October 11,
3 p.m., Teacher Advisory Panel - Middle/High Schools, IRC Building
Monday, October 11,
5 p.m. School Board Oversight Committee Meeting, Central Office Board Room. A Board Workshop Will Follow.
Friday, October 15,
District-Wide United Way Campaign Kick-Off (Runs through October 29)
Thursday, October 21,
5 p.m., Regular School Board Meeting, Central Office Board Room |
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Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School (WHAM) is one of just six schools nationwide, and the only Louisiana school, to be named a winner in the 2010 Intel Schools of Distinction program. The announcement was made during a ceremony September 14 in Washington, D.C.
Every year, Intel honors U.S. schools demonstrating excellence in math and science education through innovative teaching and learning environments. To be considered as an Intel School of Distinction, schools must develop an environment and curricula that meet or exceed benchmarks put forth by national mathematics and science content standards.
Principal Darlene Brister has used a lot of keys over the years to get Ryan Elementary School on the right educational track - keys of learning that open doors of opportunity for her students. Now she has the biggest key of all, the Key to the City, thanks to Mayor-President Melvin L. "Kip" Holden. Holden (pictured, right) presented the award to Brister (left) as a surprise during a school-wide assembly September 15 to celebrate the school receiving the national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence distinction. The award was announced earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Education and is the highest honor bestowed by the federal government on a U.S. school. Brister had a surprise for Holden, as well -- presenting him with a certificate and a blue ribbon to wear on his lapel. "You're a blue ribbon mayor," Brister said. The city-parish Homeland Security's robotic talking safety mouse, Raising Cane's canine mascot and special student and staff performances also highlighted the event. |
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| Scotlandville Magnet Students Going to Washington, D.C., for Chance to Present Sustainable House Engineering Projects
 For weeks now, three teams totaling 13 students and their architecture student partners from Southern University have been working on Tuesdays, Fridays and sometimes weekends to design and create models for a sustainable "dream house." The Scotlandville Pre-Engineering Magnet Academy students and their teachers hope all the hard work will pay off if they get to make a presentation of their entry in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE) Sustainable Dream House Contest. |
| Louisiana First Lady Reads
to Students About 'Snowy Day'
 Although it was a hot and humid day Thursday, September 9, at the Baton Rouge Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (BRCVPA), Louisiana First Lady Supriya Jindal read kindergarteners "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats. It is the official book of Jumpstart's national Read for the Record campaign, which also is sponsored by Penguin Young Readers Group and the Pearson Foundation. |
| 15 EBR Students Make Semifinalist Status
in 2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition
Out of 40 student public and private school honorees in Baton Rouge named Semifinalists for the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program competition, a little less than half were from East Baton Rouge Parish School System schools. Once again, Baton Rouge Magnet High School and McKinley High School swept the local competition with 11 and four Semifinalists, respectively. In fact, Baton Rouge Magnet High School had the most Semifinalists of any other public or private school in the Baton Rouge area. |
| Retired Judge Teaches Buchanan Elementary Students the Importance of the U.S. Constitution
 Retired Baton Rouge City Judge Darrell White, who has a child who previously attended Buchanan Elementary School, spoke to the school's students about the U.S. Constitution September 17 as part of Constitution Day and Constitution Week. Students serenaded White (pictured, back row) with patriotic songs, and a few kindergarteners visited him personally (left to right, ShaNyia Perkins, Anthony Hayes and MaKaylee Rankins).
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| Dilworth Hits the Mat for Reading
 East Baton Rouge Parish School System Superintendent John Dilworth took time out of his busy schedule in mid-September to read students "How Dinosaurs Go to School" by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. After finishing, he joined Brownfields Elementary kindergarteners on the mat to take part in a phonics review conducted by teacher Tanme Jones.
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Awards
Park Elementary School was awarded a grant through Capital One's partnership with the Heart of America Foundation to redesign a reading corner in the school library. On Thursday, September 9, the school celebrated with a ribbon cutting for the corner that included students, faculty and staff; Colleen Noland of Heart of America; Steve Lousteau, Baton Rouge Marketing president for Capital One; State Rep. Steve Carter (District 68); retired teacher Marion King; and School Board member W.T. Winfield. Two Schools Receive Walmart Teacher Rewards
Two East Baton Rouge public schools recently received reward cards for their teachers from area Walmart stores. For instance, Siegen Lane Walmart is helping 10 teachers at Woodlawn Middle School purchase much-needed supplies as part of its Teacher Rewards program. A ceremony to present teachers with reward cards was held September 16 at the school, and Principal Shelly Colvin presided. In addition, on September 13, Northeast Elementary School teachers were recognized by the Zachary Walmart as recipients of the store's Teacher Rewards Program. Walmart associates awarded 10 teachers with a $100 gift card each to spend on classroom supplies. |
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John Dilworth, Superintendent of Schools
Chris Trahan, Director for Communications & Community Engagement
Sonya Gordon, Public Information Officer/eNews Editor
Demetris Blakes, Webmaster and Special Events Coordinator
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