Sixth Grade Class Studies Earthquakes

Sixth graders in Mrs. Cathy Wilkes’s class at LHS have been learning about earthquakes. Students demonstrated P-waves and S-waves using springs (Slinkys).  Students simulated the amplitude of earthquake waves as they moved the spring from side to side and pushed the springs. Students conducted timed trials and got the average of each.  They repeated this investigation to test whether changing the amplitude (the size of the initial jerk on the spring) affects the speed of the wave.  

After researching the best designs of of earthquake-resistant buildings, students worked in groups to design and build a house that could withstand the shaking of an “earthquake”.  The students used mini-marshmallows and toothpicks to build their houses.  Each group had a different foundation.  Both of these activities are AMSTI activities.  Students also have enjoyed checking the Drudge Earthquake Report daily to find out where earthquakes have occurred around the world, especially in the United States.  

College and Career Ready = IV on ARMT+ ???

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) was developed to provide objective, nonpartisan information that will lead to the improvement of state and local government in Alabama.  PARCA believes that schools that are making progress use data to understand where they are, to know what their challenges are, and to monitor gains in student achievement.   PARCA and many others deem that much of that data is derived from statewide tests of reading and math competence. These tests serve a valuable purpose in assessing the quality of teaching and learning in public schools.

PARCA has been collecting and analyzing test score data for the Alabama Reading and Math Test (ARMT) since 2005. They have just released our 2012 ARMT Test Score Comparisons for every school system in Alabama. These annual assessments are important to the goal of raising academic skills throughout the state. They provide information that students, parents, teachers, policy makers, and taxpayers can use to evaluate progress and direct improvement efforts where results are below expectation.

In analyzing the data PARCA found that one of the most difficult challenges facing education in Alabama is improving the education of students in poverty level families. This student subgroup has been low-performing on the ARMT. Nevertheless, the state is making improvements in this area. Gains have ranged from 6 to 16 percent in Reading and 9 and 31 percent in Math. The largest increase in the ARMT for Poverty Students was in Math for 5th Grade. For more trends, by system and by school, click here.  

Crenshaw County is also making student achievement gains per subgroups.

Green cells denote positive change and red cells denote negative change. 

Green cells denote positive change and red cells denote negative change.

Tiger Leaders Named

Congratulations to the most recent Team T.I.G.E.R. members!  Below are the recipients for the last two weeks.

October 29, 2012:Left to Right: Amber Morse,
Jailen Jones, Nathan Lee, Jayden Carlos,
Makayla Burgess, Kaley Armendarez, and Macy Miller.

October 22, 2012: Left to Right – Carson Simmons, Shelby Malone, Desmond Mahone, Dakovyon Oliver, Aaliyah Harris, Sophie Kelly (not pictured: Brodie Simmons)

Who Works Here

This week our story "Who Works Here" was about our community and community helpers. We had Nurse Michell Crowe come in and speak about nursing.   Mr. Steve Jackson from the local water company did a wonderful presentation along with drawings and pictures to show students the process of getting clean water etc.. Marilyn Self, a student, demonstrated on Blake Chesser how to take blood pressure and Hannah Patterson dressed as and presented material on what a firefighter does to help our community. 

HHS Receives PTA's Golden Apple Award

Congratulations to the Highland Home School PTA!  They are the recipient of PTA's Golden Apple Award.  The certificate was awarded to Principal Barry Gross at Thursday night's PTA meeting. HHS's PTA boasts a 100% faculty membership.  

Partially due to this type of support, HHS reported that it had an outstanding Fall Festival collecting over $15,700.  Total revenue for the past two months was in excess of $18,000.  The school collected more than 10,000 box tops.

Thank you to all who support OUR schools via the Parent Teacher Association.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Picture left to right (PTA Officers and Administration):  

Robyn Williams, Belinda Duett, Yours Truly, 

Principal Barry Gross, Amanda White, and Brenda Herring

Drug-Free Week

Luverne School celebrated “Red Ribbon” week, Oct. 29-Nov. 2.  Dress up days were: Monday—“Sock It To Drugs”—Wear crazy socks, Tuesday—“Put a Lid on Drugs”—Wear a hat,Wednesday—“Black-out Drugs”—Wear black in elementary-“Scare Away Drugs”—Wear a costume in High School,Thursday—“Boot Out Drugs”—Wear boots, Friday—“Tigers ‘Just Say No’—Show your Tiger Spirit.   

            
Ms. Heather Sanders, Elementary Counselor, presented lessons to all Kindergarten-6^th Grade students about staying “Drug Free” during their Library time. 

  

Who Is Playing Who This Weekend

Two system teams are playing at home this Friday night.  Please remember that ALL are subject to the $7 ticket charge.  Sorry employees, your badge will not get you in this week.

Go Bulldogs and Tigers!!!!

Class 1A
Kinston (5-5) at Linden (9-1)
St. Jude (6-4) at Keith (8-2), Memorial Stadium, Selma
Fruitdale (4-6) at Brantley (10-0)
Billingsley (7-3) at Loachapoka (6-4)
Winterboro (3-7) at Maplesville (9-1)
Pleasant Home (4-6) at St. Luke’s Episcopal (8-2), Mobile
Ellwood Christian (5-5) at Notasulga (7-3)
McIntosh (5-5) at Geneva County (8-2), Hartford
Meek (5-5) at Marion County (9-1), Guin
R.A. Hubbard (6-4) at Collinsville (8-2)
Hubbertville (7-3) at Ragland (10-0)
Spring Garden (8-2) at Shoals Christian (6-4), Florence
Phillips (5-5) at Cedar Bluff (9-0)
Falkville (7-3) at Pickens County (8-2), Reform
Donoho (5-4) at Hackleburg (9-1), Vina HS Stadium
Berry (6-4) at Addison (7-2)

Class 2A
Samson (6-4) at Sweet Water (8-2)
Aliceville (6-4) at Elba (6-4)
Southern Choctaw (7-3) at G.W. Long (9-1), Skipperville
New Brockton (4-6) at Lamar County (7-3), Vernon
Hale County (4-6) at Luverne (7-3)
Houston Academy (6-3) at Washington County (9-1), Chatom
Goshen (5-5) at Oakman (9-1)
Mobile Christian (7-3) at Providence Christian (7-2), Dothan
Vincent (7-3) at Reeltown (9-1)
Sheffield (5-5) at North Sand Mountain (8-2), Higdon
Randolph County (5-4) at Woodland (8-2)
Westbrook Christian (7-3) at Red Bay (7-3)
Lexington (5-5) at Fyffe (10-0)
Fultondale (8-2) at Lanett (8-1)
Sand Rock (5-5) at Tanner (9-0)
Horseshoe Bend (8-2) at Walter Wellborn (8-2), Anniston