MCPSSMCPSS M O B I L E C O U N T Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S Y S T E M

March 16, 2009

Debra Howell, MCPSS elementary nominee, Alabama Teacher of the Year

Greg Mutchnick, MCPSS secondary nominee, Alabama Teacher of the Year

Vera Sheets, MCPSS nominee, Jacksonville State Teacher Hall of Fame

Terry Janes, MCPSS nominee, Jacksonville State Teacher Hall of Fame

DODGE STUDENTS PASS A CITY RESOLUTION

Dauphin Island Students Achieve National Certification

Jack Cochran, a senior at Citronelle High School, is very pleased about his deci-sion to donate blood at the Citronelle school blood drive. The American Red Cross has a regional incentive program each month in which a drawing is held for various prizes. During the month of the blood drive the drawing was for a $1000 Visa gift card and Jack was the lucky winner! The prize was presented to

him by Brandi Cousin, American Red Cross Consultant, dur-ing the Black History program. Ms. Cousin explained that the drawing consists of everyone who donates blood at an American Red Cross blood drive in the Alabama - Central Gulf Coast Region which includes the state of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The blood collected at these blood drives is given back to the medical needs of the people in this region. Congratulations to Jack, and many thanks to all who support our school blood drives.

Student Receives Prize for Giving

Dauphin Island Elementary second grade students have been awarded the highest national certification level for out-standing performance in education, Renaissance Learning. Master Classroom certification indicates that Second grade

teacher, Ms. Camille McGuire's efforts to adopt Renaissance best classroom practices to a high degree resulted in meas-urable improvement in class-wide student growth and performance over a minimum of one semes-ter. The second grade students in Camille McGuire's class have worked hard to reach this

prestigious certification level of Reading Renais-sance Master Class- room. They are now

celebrating with Master T-shirts and Webkinz, thanks, in part, to a gift from a local shop, Marti's

of Dauphin Island. Marti Harding is the owner of this unique fashion and gift shop. The class has read 1,900 books with a comprehension average

of 94% on computer generated quizzes that go with books. The students met or exceeded their goals and have improved in their reading ability:

one year and three months, in one semes-ter. This program not only helps improve indi-

vidual student achievement, but creates performance gains in the entire classroom over an extended period of time.

March: 19th-Board Work Session in the Board Room at 1:00 p.m. 24th– Regular Meeting at Causey Mid-dle School at 6:00 p.m. 27th-Parent University at Mobile County Training at 10:00 a.m. 28th-MCPSS Parent University Alma Bryant High School at 8:00 a.m.

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Mr. McCall is a custodian at Hillsdale Middle, where he once was a student!

According to school principal, Ms. Allinder, Mr. McCall’s duties can not

be named-he takes on everything-without ever complaining! He is

known to staff and teachers for his sincere offer to help in every capacity. Each morning he greets all who enters the school with a smile, Mr. McCall is there before the staff arrives and is the last to close the doors at the end of the day. He has been employed with the Mobile County Public School System

for fourteen years. He started off at Old Shell Road Magnet. Before working in the school system, Mr. McCall was a

Plant Supervisor for 16 years, where he was notorious for drinking 4 pots of coffee a DAY! In his spare time he

reads fiction novels, goes to the movies and spends time with his parents who

live just down the street from the school.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were a student? My Science

teacher, Mr. Finkley. He was a great role model and motivated me during

Middle School.

David McCall

MMARKARK YYOUROUR CCALENDARALENDAR

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Hayli Casey, a softball player for Theodore High School, was named the regional winner for the Bryant/Jordan achievement scholarship award. The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Pro-gram was created in 1986 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with the

Alabama High School Athletic Association. It is super-vised by the Board of Directors of the Bryant-Jordan Foundation. The objectives of the program are: To recog-nize Alabama students who have by ability achieved a level of excellence in the areas of academics and athlet-ics, make aware to not only athletes but all segments of the student population that it is important for them to strive to be the best that they can be and to encourage the involvement and commitment of Alabama corporations in helping improve the academic levels of all students.

Theodore Student a Regional Winner

January 9th is historically an important day in the life of the USS Alabama Battleship. It was decommissioned from the Navy on January 9th. Battleship Park was established on January 9th in 1965 and it was the date used to re-open after Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina. Now, thanks to the effort of Ms. Leffard and her PACE students, it is also known as "USS Alabama Day" in Mobile, Alabama. After studying government and how it works, and as an example for her students she wrote the resolution requesting the City Council, County Commission, and Mayor to declare January 9th as USS Ala-bama Day. The proclamation reads as follows: Whereas, the students of Dodge Elementary School have respectfully requested that the City of Mobile honor the bravery of American sailors who served aboard the USS Alabama and helped liberate citizens across the globe. Now, Therefore, We, the Mayor and members of the Mobile City Council, do hereby proclaim Friday, January 9, 2009 as "USS ALABAMA DAY"

BUILDING BETTER LINES OF COMMUNICATION: HOME, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

During the weeks of April 20 through May 1, 2009 the Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS) will administer climate surveys to teachers, students (kindergarten – sixth grade), parents, business partners, community members, school staff, and central office employees. The result of the surveys will provide baseline data on how we can improve lines of communication. Surveys will be provided on the MCPSS website and school messenger parent notification system. The survey results will be analyzed by the Mobile County Public School System administration in cooperation with Univer-sity of South Alabama. A communication plan will be designed based on the data. This survey will assist in determining the areas of growth in communication between MCPSS and home, schools and the community.

John Will Elementary Students Take an Educational Voyage

Awards, Contests and Opportunities KAPPA DELTA PI HONOR SOCIETY is a well-respected international honor society in Education. The South Alabama chapter with more than 90 active members is offering volun-teer service in the schools. They are interested in tutoring, school clean up days, even summer help! Contact, Dr. Peggy Delmas at 251-380-2782 or pdelmas@usouthal.edu. SEEDS IN SPACE is presented by Exploreum Science Center and NASA. This is a free pro-gram for schools who take on the Engineering Design Process. Schools will be given 1 packet of Space Seeds and 1 packet of Earth seeds. Students must design and create a plant growth chamber to grow the seeds. Contact, Robin Fenton rfenton@exploreum.com or 251-208-6849 PRESENTATION DISPLAY: May 2, 2009 FREE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS Izzit.org provides U.S. teachers in grades 4-12 one free video per school year. All they ask in return is for feedback. Currently they have “Unstoppable Solar Cycles” and a new one on Global Warming. VISIT: www.izzit.org

These new educational policies and procedures in Alabama and Mobile County Public Schools are

better preparing today’s youth for the opportunities and responsibilities of tomorrow.

Under FIRST CHOICE, all students entering high school beginning with the 9th-grade class of 2009-2010, will be automatically enrolled to pursue the Advanced Academic Endorsement. Having the Advanced Academic Endorsement puts all students in position to strive for a higher standard. For students who choose to opt out of the Advanced Academic Diploma Endorsement (FIRST CHOICE), there are no consequences. The choice to opt out can be made at the end of any semester in any grade as long as the student and his or her (parent(s) agree. Students who opt out of FIRST CHOICE can pursue an Alabama High School Diploma with a Career and Technical Endorsement or the Alabama High School Diploma (no endorsement). For any of these options, the student must complete all coursework and pass all five sections of the Alabama High School Gradation Exam (AHSGE). There are two high school diploma options in the Mobile County Public School System. These options include the Alabama High School Diploma and the Alabama Occupational Diploma. The Alabama High School Diploma is available with various endorsements: • Advanced Honors Endorsement • Advanced Academic Endorsement (FIRST CHOICE) • Advanced Career Technical Endorsement • No Endorsement • Career Technical Endorsement • Credit-Based Endorsement FIRST CHOICE was recently created by the Alabama State Board of Education to: 1. Increase the level of expectation and learning for high school students, tapping their potential and better preparing them for

more education, the work force, and life in the 21st Century. 2. Help those students who have successfully completed all of their curriculum requirements, but have been unable to pass all

five sections of the AHSGE, complete high school with a recognized Diploma. 3. Improve high school graduation rate and decrease the amount of high school drop outs by providing effective intervention

and academic flexibility that removes barriers between students and high school graduation.

The fourth and fifth grade students in John Will Elementary, who scored a III or a IV on the 2007—2008 ARMT test were treated to a special Dauphin Island field trip aboard The Duke this month. This excursion was free to the students as a reward for meeting or exceeding standards on this important test. The students boarded the boat and motored into the sound. The shrimp nets were put out in the water and after a short time, they were pulled in with a variety of sea animals for the students to see and touch. The students also learned which animals were too dangerous to keep. Will Administrators state the field trip was a learn-ing experience for students and teachers.

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The fifth graders at Eichold-Mertz Elementary school participated in the recent National Puzzle Day. Classes rotated throughout the day to allow students to com-plete a puzzle. Students learned the skills of coopera-tive work and utilizing patience during the event.

Hutchens Students Display Leadership Skills Hutchens Elementary Student Council Officers attended a Leadership Conference at the University of South Alabama. Student council representatives from elemen-tary schools in the region met to display their work. This year the student council’s featured project: Read to Feed. The students received pledges from friends and family and they read and read! The students collected $610 to go towards Heifer Interna-tional, a non- profit organiza-tion providing farm animals to the impoverished world wide.

FIRST CHOICE: Advanced Academic Diploma Endorsement for High School

Along with FIRST CHOICE, new academic tools are being implemented to help guide students through their high school process with efficient use of time and ability.

• MULTIPLE PROGRAM PATH-WAYS will provide opportunities for students to be engaged in programs that lead to high school graduation and the work force.

• CREDIT RECOVERY allows students to prove they are knowledge-able on a segment of a course without retaking the entire course.

• CREDIT ADVANCEMENT – Mobile County Public School System has made application to pilot Credit Advancement in the area of Language Arts for 2009-2010.

• INTERVENTION PROGRAMS will be provided through NovaNet, to remediate student academic deficien-cies and strengthen basic skills.

• DISTANCE LEARNING will be provided to extend course offerings.

• THE COMPREHENSIVE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN will be implemented to prepare students to compete in the work force.

Mobile County Public School System 1 Magnum Pass Mobile, Alabama 36618 (251) 221-4000 SUPERINTENDENT Dr. Roy D. Nichols, Jr. BOARD OF EDUCATION District 1 Mr. Ken Megginson District 2 Dr. Judy Stout District 3 Dr. Reginald Crenshaw District 4 Rev. Levon Manzie District 5 Mr. William Meredith

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MCPSSMCPSS messengermessenger is published by the Office of Communication for the Mobile County Public School System, P.O Box 180069, Mobile, AL 36618 / 251.221.4000 www.mcpss.com / Editor, Marcie McNeal-mmcneal@mcpss.com/ 251.221.4008; Communication Supervisor, Nancy Pierce-nancypierce@mcpss.com/ 251.221.4010The Mobile County Public School System does not

discriminate in its education and employment programs on the basis of religion, age, color, national origin, gender, marital or parental status or disability. This system complies with all federal and state discrimination laws and regulations.

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Area Teachers Treated to Shopping Spectacular Saturday, March 21, 2009

Mobile & Spanish Fort

Area teachers will want to put their lesson plans aside and take advan-tage of a special shopping event being held just for them at dressbarn

in Mobile at the Festival Center and Spanish Fort at the Eastern Shore Plaza, Saturday, March 21, 2009. dressbarn is hosting the

Teachers V.I.P. event nationally (833 stores in 46 states) to express its appreciation for those who shape the youth of our communities.

dressbarn is a women’s specialty retailer in Mobile and Spanish Fort,

Alabama that features our own as well as branded women’s casual

and dressy fashions in sizes 4-24. We at dressbarn believe that every

woman can look like a million without having to spend a fortune. We

will indulge you with top-notch service, great refreshment, door

prizes and a special gift for our teachers. Come enjoy a fun-filled

shopping experience at dressbarn.

And, best of all each guest will receive a 15% dis-count off their total purchase, no exclusions!

Just bring in the coupon (on the right) Saturday, March 21, 2009.

This includes teachers and all Mobile County Public School System

employees. If you have any questions, contact: Robin Petelinski Store Manager

10200 Eastern Shore Plaza Spanish Fort, AL 36527

251-625-6505