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.

HHS Celebrates Read Across America

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Its not!” – The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Oh, the fun (and learning) that went on at HHS on March 2^nd, 2012, Read Across America Day! Throughout the day teachers incorporated Dr. Seuss books, activities, and projects within each classroom followed by an afternoon of fun filled engaging activities!  To begin the afternoon reading coach, Melanie Matthews, read The Lorax. The focus of the lesson was to teach students that our environmental surroundings affect everyone and everything, with a targeted focus on pollution and the value of trees. In the story an industrial plant was responsible for polluting the environment and cutting down all the Truffula Trees in a small town, which in turn, left this town empty and barren. So, ‘The Lorax’ assigned students to replenish the ‘trees’ by replanting, with hopes that ‘the town’ would once flourish again. K-8^th grade students began the replanting process – with the assistance of Jake Dean and Cassidy Balkcom - by designing their own Truffula Tree using cupcakes, pretzel sticks, green icing, and cotton candy. (Yes, Mrs. Janette Moseley and our WONDERFUL lunchroom staff made 560 cupcakes!!!) To extend this lesson, each grade level then experienced the process of planting one-year-old oak and maple trees (donated by Adam Worthington, AL Forestry Commission). These trees are now flourishing in planters and will be transplanted when maturity is reached. Until then, students must “care a whole awful lot” for these trees so that one day we may all enjoy them on the HHS campus.

The following Friday students enjoyed watching The Lorax at The Edge Theater in Greenville followed by a picnic style lunch. To say the least, Read Across America 2012 was exciting, educational, and engaging for HHS students! 

~Special To the Blog-  Reading Coach Melanie Matthews 

Brianna Taylor Selected for D.C. Trip

Luverne School eleventh grader, Brianna Taylor, participated in this years AREA Youth Tour and Your Tour Interview Day at South Alabama Electric Cooperative.  For over 40 years, electric cooperatives have sponsored high school students from across America to visit the nation's capitol and meet their member of congress. Brianna is one of two students selected from the South Alabama Electric Cooperative region to go to Washington, D.C.

Congratulations Brianna!

Martha Roby Visits Crenshaw County

Mr. Hawthorne placed Representative Roby's visit in proper perspective when he said that in his 17 years as an educator, he had never seen a member of the U.S. House of Representative visit a school.  I will go a step further to say that in my 39 years of life, I do not recall such a visit (o.k., I am a little older than 39).

Congressman Roby actually spent the entire afternoon with the citizenry of Crenshaw County.  She was the guest at the joint Rotary-Kiwanis meeting, visited the town of Glenwood, spoke to an assembly at Brantley School and addressed the system's teachers via ACCESS labs.  In addition to addressing the works of the committees that she currently serves on, she spoke of the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.  To the liking of our ears, she is in favor of abolishing AYP, granting more local control, and the reliance of growth models to determine the success of our efforts.

We appreciate the efforts of all who assisted in the visit, especially the faculty and staff of Brantley School and the members of Highland Home School and Luverne School who attended the after-school session.  Additional thanks to Jay Mullis who performed during lunch, LHS seniors and BHS Ag students for representing their schools, and the brave BHS students who participated in the question and answer period.

We will share the details of the bills in which Congressman Roby spoke as soon as they are in hand.

Left to Right:  Rotarian President Helen Saffold, Kiwanis President Melissa Bush, Representative Martha Roby, and Yours Truly

LHS Musician Jay Mullis, LHS Senior Class President Andy Ackerman, Representative Martha Roby, Senior Key Club and Interact Member Ryan Wilkes

Principal Dodd Hawthorne, Superintendent Wilkes, Representative Martha Roby, Curriculum Director Ashley Catrett, Special Education Director Bille Thompson 
and Chief School Financial Officer Ken Wesley

Front Row left to right: Emily Alverson, Katie Mount, Chelsea Smith; Back

Row left to right: Caleb Petty, Aaron Hendrick, Matthew Hudson, 

Trent Warrick, Brian Compton

Congratulations to Matthew Holmes

Matthew Holmes signed a scholarship to play baseball with Jeff Davis Community College in Brewton this past week. He is the son of Larry and Tammy Holmes.   Congratulations Matthew!

Front:  Larry, Matthew and Tammy Holmes
BHS Assistant Coach Greg Evans, Jeff Davis Head Coach Darrell Blevins,
and BHS Head Coach Ashley Kilcrease