Roby Sends Thank You

Girls Scouts Make Contribution to LES

Kindergarteners A Step Ahead with AMSTI Math

In planning for instruction HHS Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Amanda Hughes, realized that the next lesson seemed just a little too easy for her students. So, as any good teacher would do, she tweaked the directions slightly and was floored with results. The original directions were for students to come up with as many combinations of 6 as they could. Mrs. Hughes adjusted and directed students to come up with combinations of 12 for one group of students and 15 for another. Check out a couple of the results she got… Keep in mind subtraction has not been a huge focus and there was no other assistance from Mrs. Hughes. And yes, again, this is kindergarten work. 

` Submitted by Mrs. Melanie Matthews

Southeast Alabama Gas Awards CCBOE

The Southeast Alabama Gas District presented the Crenshaw County Board of Education a check for  $15,011 this past Monday night.  Said funds will be used to support classroom instruction via technology.  Pictured left to right are:  Board Members Ronald Rhodes, Dr. Charles Tompkins, SEAL Gas Representative Mitch Thorn, Yours Truly, SEAL Gas Board Member Joe Rex Sport, Board Members Bertha Jones, Troy Hudson and Steve Sanders.

Legislative Update

Well, we have a first look at a proposed ETF budget for FY 13 and it is not looking good.  From the Senate, the proposal is for an increase in divisors of 0.4 across all grade levels.   The loss of teachers statewide would be more than 1100 with an additional 600 support jobs lost.   Locally, the SDE is showing us losing 4.57 total units. The Senate has included a provision to lower the divisors by 0.15 if the Start Date bill passes.   There is an allocation of $31.35 per pupil for textbooks and $300 for teacher materials and supplies.  Other Current Expense and Transportation may also see cuts. Interestingly enough, there is a $1,000,000 allocation to pilot digital textbooks in State School Board District II.

Speaking of such, the School Start Date bill has left the House (by a vote of 62-30) and is in the Senate.  This bill states that students may not start school prior to 2 weeks before Labor Day (Aug. 20, 2012) and must end by Memorial Day.  There is a flexible language that will give Boards the option of selecting a calendar with hour equivalencies in lieu of 180 instruction days.  Passage of this bill would mean that we would have to adopt a new calendar.

There will be much more to come in the days ahead.  Stay tuned.

PALS Essay Winner Announced

This past Tuesday, at the weekly Luverne Kiwanis Club Meeting, Hannah Barron of BHS was recognized as the 2011 PALS Essay contest winner.  Hannah was the recipient of a certificate, t-shirt and $300 cash.  Pictured are:  Kiwanian Ronnie Hudson, Hannah Barron, Jon Hayden Sanders of LHS, and Jonathan Phillips of HHS.

Safety Grant Awarded to BHS

The Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Department of Education recently awarded a grant to Brantley School for a digital speed indicator to be placed in proximity to the campus. The grant value is approximately $6,000. Pictured below are, Mayor Bernie Sullivan, Principal Dodd Hawthorne, Yours Truly and Alabama State Department of Education representative Michael Bassett.  

LHS and WAKA Team Up for Ink

The LHS Class of 1964 responded to a request from the school for funds for ink cartridges.  To read more, go the school's website:  Luverne School.

LHS Futures Are Looking up

The Stock Market Game is over and Luverne’s ten teams collectively finished in 6^th place. Not too shabby for our first time in the competition. The highlight is that we were actually in 1^st place going into the last week of competition. This was great considering we were once in last place. It was exciting to have students come to class excited about market changes. Some students even downloaded an app for the stock ticker tape to scroll across their cell phones for market updates while traveling to ball games. It was not uncommon to hear a shout from the back of the bus saying, “Mr. Williams, Apple closed up today at $595 but Wal-Mart is down again.” We even incorporated this language into Kid’s College for the 8^th grade participants. Their market was up or down depending on their performance in math and reading. This was a fun project based learning activity.

Please be sure to congratulate these students when they come to your class and let them know how proud we are of them and their 6^th place finish. Following are the ten teams and their performance:

                                                                                                            Regional

Team ID        Team Members                               LHS Rank     Rank              Total Equity

A246                C. Worthington, S Adams,                    1                       41 of 286           $112, 331.95

                        B. Odum, J. Wilson,

                        B. Townsend

A247                 Kamron Womack                                2                      43 of 286           $112, 265.23                   

                        D. Boyd, T. Byrd, J. Chambers

                        L. Defee, M. Hansell, H. Helms

                        M. Johnson, Q. McMillian

                        T. Pouncey, J. Raybon, C. Steele

                        S. Upshaw,

A253                 Max McDougald                                   3                     49 of 286           $111, 710.11

                        M. Smith, L. Sanders

                        Demarcus Oliver

A252                 Kelly Morgan                                       4                      62 of 286           $109, 883.95

                        B. Taylor, D. Knott

                        C. Rocha, K. Washington

A248                 D. Thomas, K. Cole,                             5                      84 of 286           $105, 226.12

                        E. Stroud, D. Gibson

                        A. McLeod

A249                 Amber McFarland                                6                      40 of 286           $104, 986.39

                        N. Person, G. Jeffcoat

                        D. Brantley

A244                 Shaye Walker                                      7                      90 of 286           $104, 472.42

                        J. Sims, D. Phillips

                        E. Bradley, D. Jones

A251                 Ny’Keith Harris                                      8                     112 of 286          $101, 747.05

                        J. Sasser, N. Debose,

                        C. Woo, B. Wilson                               

A245                 Ellise Pinckard

                        M. Pinckney, D. Marsh                           9                      134of 286           $100, 759.58

                        A. Gorey,

A250                 Zoe Bloodsworth                                 10                    176 of 286           $100,164.28

A.      Odum, A. Bryant

L. Barber

Bob Williams

Winners of PALS Essay Announced

Congratulations to 10th grade students Hannah Barron of BHS, Jon Hayden Sanders of LHS and Jonathan Phillips of HHS for winning their school's PALS essay contest. Each school winner receives $100 and the county winner receives $300.  All three will attend the Kiwanis program next week to read their essay and for the announcement of the county winner.

Alabama PALS (People Against A Littered State)  is a non-profit 501C3 organization dedicated to working with Alabama communities to promote a cleaner and healthier Alabama. The programs of Alabama PALS are designed to assist Alabama cities, counties, schools and communities by providing programs that address litter prevention, cleanup and litter control.

Kristi Sport Crowned Miss HHS

Highland Home School held its Beauty Pageant on Saturday, March 30, 2012, in which junior Kristi Sport was crowned Miss Highland Home School.  Congratulations to all who participated and a special thanks to the directors

3rd Runner Up-  Lauren Davis, 1st Runner-Up Sydney Rogers, Miss HHS Kristi Sport, 2nd Runner Up- Shannon Taylor,
Ms. Congeniality and Miss Photogenic- Khadijah Shepherd 

Easter Parade

2011-12 JV Cheerleaders

The Mike Davis 1978-80 FFA Band

Students Perform to Thriller

Alvin and the Chipmunks Make Appearance

It's Raining Men- Can 

Clint Kilcrease and Raheem Berry Attend Bryant Jordan Banquet

Ninety-six (96)  of 150,000 Alabama high school student athletes  were honored at the Bryant Jordan Banquet this past Monday Night at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center's ballroom. Crenshaw County was well represented by Highland Home School senior Raheem Berry and Brantley High School Senior Clint Kilcrease.

Coach Scott Graham, Mother Rhonda Berry, Raheem Berry, Sister Kiyana Holley, Father Willie Armstrong,
Wiltasha Armstrong, Yours Truly, and Athletic Director Doug Bailey

Yours Truly, Father Terry Kilcrease, Clint Kilcrease, Mother Kelly Kilcrease, Brother Cade Kilcrease,
Grandparents Jerry and Sharon Kilcrease and Principal Dodd Hawthorne

Dillion McCardle Places First In State Geometry Contest

Congratulations to Highland Home School's Dillion McCardle.  He placed first in the recent STATE Geometry test (and he took Geometry last year).  Kudos to Mrs. Eva Russell for assembling the team and taking them to State.  This year's County Math Competition should be exciting!

BHS Land Judging Finishes 4th in the State

Congrats to Caleb Perry, Trent Warrick, Arron Hendrick, Zach Bryan, Matthew Judson and Brandon Horn for placing 4th in the State's Land Judging Contest.  Please know that there is no consideration given to the size of schools and that all schools compete and are placed according to performance.  Great Job!

HHS Prepares for ARMT

After years of  stagnant math and reading scores, HHS administrations and staff made the decision to step it up a notch (Turn Up the Heat) for the 2011-2012 school year. The staff, realizing that pedagogy needed to change, began ‘real’ conversations about instruction.  In an attempt to shift instruction from lecture, teacher guided, worksheet style instruction, teachers in grades K-8^th were AMSTI trained in math. In reading, adjustments were made in grades 3-6 to eliminate guided reading and instead engage students through strategic instruction. In grades 7 and 8, teachers received Content Literacy Training by ARI which helped them to understand the importance of and how to teach comprehension skills in any content.  Teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators have maximized their efforts in motivating students to do well academically. Through a plethora of innovative ideas, one can conclude that students are more prepared than ever. To celebrate this year's progress and to wish students the best of luck on the upcoming ARMT+, on Monday, lead by Elementary Guidance Counselor Danielle Butts, a pep-rally was held. The HHS band, cheerleaders, and motivational speakers celebrated with students and teachers in grades 3-8. There were a few grade levels who had their own motivational strategies, such as 3^rd grade who held ARMT+ Boot Camp. Students also participated in a poster contest and are currently in competition for daily door prizes, which reward attendance and those who are putting forth 110% when testing. Hopefully, all efforts will pay off and scores will increase!   

Third Grade ARMT Boot Camp

ARMT King and Queen

Poster Contest

Senior Class Members:  Erica Caroll- Valedictorian, Nikki Davis- Class President,
Kase Kelly- Football Player, Jason Sankey- Football Player

Highland Home School 5K Run for Reading

On Saturday, April 7^th HHS held its first 5K run/walk. This fundraiser, directed by Reading Coach Melanie Matthews, was supported by a number of sponsors and profited from registration as well totaling over $2200. With 75 participants, the race began at 8:30 a.m., followed by ‘Fun Runs’ for the whole family! To wrap up the morning, an awards ceremony was held to recognize lead runners. All proceeds will be used to purchase iPads for grades 7-12. What a wonderful way to raise money for a much needed cause and just as wonderful to promote and model what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to all who participated and contributed! Every dollar brings us closer to higher student achievement.

Sponsors:

Gold Sponsorships:

Baptist Health, Montgomery, AL

The Ramer Bank, Manager: Cindy Overstreet

Sassy Kids Consignment, Owners: Tina McGough & Denise Strength

Cousins Insurance Agency, Owner: Joe Bennett

Bulk Material & Transport, Owners: Derek & Shae McCullough

Kathy Horne

Road I.D.

TTS Trucking, Owner: Timothy Woodson

Silver Sponsorships:

Sikes & Kohn’s Country Mall, Owner: James Sikes

Acme Propane Gas Company, Manager: Keenar Kelly

Rickey McElwain, Crenshaw County Commission

Faulk Construction, Owner: C.J. Faulk

Flying K  Farm, Owners: Phillip & Glenda Kelliher

Merle Norman Cosmetics, Owner: Peggy Perdue

First Citizens Bank, Highland Home Branch, Branch Manager: Brenda Herring

Bronze Sponsorships:

Wayne & Mary Ann Wilson

Dee & Eileen Bennett

Giggles & Grins Daycare, Owners: Kim Rogers & Wendy Davis

Randall Free Trucking, Owner: Randall Free

Alfredia’s Style Shop, Owner: Alfredia McGhee

Extreme Heating  & Air, Owner: Daryl McGough

Beasley’s Grocery, Owner: Rita Beasley

Randolph Hall

Nelson’s Grocery, Owner: Lamar Nelson, Sr.

Initial Outfitters, Representative: Leesa Massey

Kelly’s Kids, Representative: Melanie Matthews

Winners:	Division:	Place:	Time:
5K
Arthur Teague	19 & Under	Bronze	34:18
Justin Brown	19 & Under	Silver	28:43
Raheem Berry	19 & Under	Gold	28:23
Joe Ballreich	20-29	Bronze	35:05
Jessica Jones	20-29	Silver	31:32
Saundra Perrett	20-29	Gold	31:06
Brandi Norman	30-39	Bronze	28:54
Jamie Brown	30-39	Silver	28:44
Shanna Malone	30-39	Gold	28:27
Phillip Kelliher	40-49	Bronze	40:19
Knox Crowe	40-49	Silver	35:33
James Littlejohn	40-49	Gold	21:53
NA	50-59	Bronze	NA
Jenny Holladay	50-59	Silver	43:27
Johnny Acreman	50-59	Gold	36:28
Shanna Malone	Overall	Female Masters	28:27
James Littlejohn	Overall	Male Masters	21:53
1MILE FUN RUN
Sydney Malone		Bronze
Kollon Brown		Silver
James Littlejohn		Gold
Raheem Berry		Master

Winners Row

Ava Matthews and Alee Jacobs Crossing the Finish Line

Teachers Tara Bailey and Jenny Holladay

Trot Trot and Kinder Dash Participants

Assistant Principal Sherry Sport and
James Littlejohn

LHS Implement "Sit and Think" Strategy in Restrooms

...Or you can stand and think...so long as you think...whatever it takes.  This is one teacher's notion as demonstrated by her strategic placement of reading strategies on the walls and stalls of LHS's Junior High restrooms.  Point well made and I am sure well received.