volume 7, issu1

Welcome

Back!

This is your October

2010 edition of

Innovative Edge Online.

We invite you to flip the

pages, read the articles,

and let us know what

you think. Check out

important dates, the 1st

nine weeks Honor Roll,

Service Learning, and

Student Spotlight

section.

We want you to enjoy

Innovative Edge Online

and to continue reading

news about the good

things happening at the

Innovative and Charter

schools.

Please take this

opportunity to find out

about the people,

places, and things that

make the Division of

Innovative and Charter

Schools a success.

Dr. Joris M. Ray,

Director

Division of Innovative &

Charter Schools

995 S. Lauderdale

Memphis, TN 38126

(901) 416-2200

(901) 416-2212 (fax)

Division of Innovative and Charter Schools

Since 2003

Ebony Suggs, Editor

Renee Stewart, Ed.D.Web Designer

News/Kudos

Student Spotlight

Service LearningCommunity

Service

Honor Roll

Think Show

Calendar

Vol. 7, Issue 1

Division of Innovative and Charter SchoolsSince 2003Vol 7, Issue 1

NewsSoutheast Success Academy

Representative Karen Camper presents a

$50.00 gift card to Southeast Success

Academy to support the Emerald Park

Community Service Project. This project

was held on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

Southeast Success had so many activities last

month. Click here to view their Activities

and Recognition of students.

http://www.mcsk12.net/schools/sesuccess.aca/site/activities.shtml

http://www.mcsk12.net/schools/sesuccess.aca/site/recognition.shtml



Mr. Greer, Guest Speaker at Honors Program

Honor Roll Students



Student Demarcus Smith at Town Hall Meeting

Mayor AC Wharton and Councilman Bill Morrisman


NewsAdolescent Parenting Program

Fridays Are For Reading at APPFridays Are For Reading at APPBy Jasmine Jolly (student reporter/Junior)

Every Friday, everyone at APP, including

staff, teachers, and students, stop what

we’re doing for 45 minutes. Everyone

uses this time in a special way. We all

read. Students go to the nursery or

toddler classroom and read to their

babies. A wonderful time is had by all.

Babies love to be read to and learn so

much when interacting with their mothers in a learning environment!


NewsNortheast Prep Academy

“It’s Magic to Me”

So says Bettie Northcross, Read 180 teacher at Northeast Prep. Since the

beginning of the new school year, eighteen teachers at Northeast Prep Academy

have been experimenting with “magic” in the classroom. This magic was the

brainchild of principal Melita Jordan-Thomas who researched and purchased

e-beam technology for the faculty at Northeast Prep. E-beam enables teachers

to transform their static whiteboards into exciting interactive communication

devices.

Teachers are thrilled with the new technology. According to English teacher

Shenise Anderson, “E-beam allows me to be more hands-on and my students

are motivated and excited about participating. In fact, students compete for the

chance to write or draw on the board with the e-beam stylus.” History teacher

Jeremy Martin particularly enjoys using the tablet, which gives him the freedom

to move around the classroom as he teaches. All the teachers love the

opportunity to incorporate various websites into their lessons and by saving their

work in the e-beam scrapbook, they are able to preserve lessons for future use.

There is no turning back for the teachers at Northeast Prep. The new technology

has been such a success that many teachers have stated unequivocally that

they would fight anyone who tried to remove this new asset from their

instructional toolbox.


NewsBridge Span - MCS Prep Academies


KudosNortheast Prep Academy

Save the Date

Need an excuse to be absent from school? Northeast Prep student

Marcedes Davis has a unique excuse for her upcoming absence in February.

Marcedes will be appearing on the BET show 106 & Park with her rap group

Gutta.ent.

Although she is just fourteen years old, Marcedes already has a record deal

and a contract. When she performs with her group on BET, Marcedes will be

dancing, but she also loves to rap. Her rap name is M.Marie and she says

she’s always working on new ideas for her “hooks”. As much as Marcedes is

looking forward to her all-expenses paid trip to New York City, she’s very

happy to have found a new home at Northeast Prep.


KudosNorthside Innovative Academy

“Celebrating 40 Days Fight Free”

Northside Innovative Academy is celebrating “40 Days Fight Free”. Robert

Washington, Sr. had a lunch catered for the scholars and the professors to say

Thank You for an outstanding job. The principal and staff are encouraging scholars

to remain academically focused by praising appropriate behavior and celebrating

their success. Our scholars coming from different schools have one goal in common

and that is learning within a safe environment. It is the goal of MCS and Northside

Innovative Academy to increase our scholar’s achievement on a global level. It is a

distinguish honor of having 40 Days Fight Free.


KudosHamilton Success Academy

The Hamilton Success Tribute

The Walking School BusBy Phyllis Whitney-Ousley

The Physical Education Department of Hamilton Success sponsored a

“Walking School Bus Day” for the entire school , on Wednesday, October 6,

2010. This event was designed to encourage all adults and children,

especially those who are suffering with obesity and chronic obesity, to begin a

lifetime dietary and physical activity program for themselves and their families.

This day symbolized the combined efforts of adults and youths increasing

physical activity to combat obesity, improve their environment by reducing the

pollutants emitted by automobiles, and improve safer routes to schools. The

staff and students of Hamilton Success came together and walked from Wilson

Ave around the entire block of the Hamilton Middle School and Hamilton

Elementary. We were sending a message to the neighborhood by showing our

leadership in leading Memphis to better health.

Thanks to Dr. James Suggs, Principal, the staff, and student body for making

this day a successful event. The students’ participation and behavior was

excellent. You could feel their excitement throughout the journey!


Kudos

Kudos to Felicia Tuggle

Congratulations to Felicia Tuggle who

graduated from Canyon University with a

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business

Administration of Applied Math.

MLK Academy Seniors Host Food Drive

We had a Nonperishable Food Drive that was conducted

by the Seniors of Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy.

Students and staff at Martin Luther King, Jr. donated

nonperishable food items that will be donated to the

Emanuel Episcopal Center on St. Paul Street.

Martin Luther King Transition Center


NewsMartin Luther King Transition Center

PBIS Proves Successful at MLK Academy

PBIS is up and running and fully implemented at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy.

P.A.S.S., which is currently used for behavior management within Innovative

Schools, was merged with the Tier's identified in PBIS. The current system in place

allows the students to be held accountable for their own behavior and gives them the

opportunity to seek out ways to improve their behavior so that they can advance

through P.A.S.S. The levels are evaluated each progress report and report card period

based on the students' conduct grades. Students at MLK Academy have what is called

a Behavior Point Average (BPA). The scale is as follows:

E (Excellent)= 4.0

S (Satisfactory)= 3.0

N (Needs Improvement)= 2.0

U (Unsatisfactory)= 1.0

Students are required to have a 3.0, or higher,

in order to transition back to their neighborhood

at the end of their assigned periods at

MLK Academy



MLK Female Scholars

Made to Glam

MLK female scholars

participated in group

sessions with Deidra Chism,

graduate of Fisk University.

Mrs. Chism’s program is

four weeks long. The name

of the program is “MADE

TO GLAM”. The goals of

the program are for young

ladies to develop their self

esteem and positive self

image. Mrs. Chism enjoys

helping young ladies realize

their fullest beauty

potential.



Transition Students Participate in T.A.L.K.S.S. Sessions

MLK scholars set to transition after the conclusion of the first quarter participated in T.A.L.K.S.S.

(Talking Adult-Like Keeps Students Safe) sessions. The session included dialogue between students

set to transition back to their neighborhood schools and a panel which consisted of MLK staff

members and community members who addressed questions the scholars asked anonymously. The

topics covered included military, careers, family, parenting, criminal justice, and health/wellness.

MLK Speakers Include Award-Winning Alumni

Every Wednesday is Dress for Success Day at MLK Student Transition Academy. The students dress

in professional business attire on this day and learn about the importance of making a professional

presentation. Each Dress for Success Day is commenced by a motivational speaker at the end of the

day. Recently, one such speaker was none other then Martin "Taz" Hopkins, alumni who graduated

from Westwood High School and recent recipient of the 106 and Park Award. He spoke to them

about the importance of making good decisions and the importance of education, stressing that

despite his recent success he was returning to school in January. Of particular interest to the

students, he spoke to them about details of the recording industry.

Taz , recipient of the 106 and Park Award Ms. Thornton, Taz, and Mr. Hobson



A Surprise Visit

Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash visited Martin Luther King Transition

Center on Thursday, October 28, 2010.

Dr. Cash, Ms. Jones (teacher), Principal Clarence Daniel and MLKTC students


Student Spotlight

Hollywood Success

Annayiah Nicks-5th

Westhaven Success

Nathaniel Garza, 2nd

Southeast Success

Demarcus Smith-7th

Humes Academy

James E. Wright-8th

Hamilton Success

Deneishia Williams-8th

Northside Academy

Kimberly Brown-9th

Ida B. Wells Academy

Kiera Dale-6th

Martin Luther King

Christopher Longmire

9th

Northwest Prep

Dessie Ellington-12th

Southeast Prep

Ronzie Peeples-12th

Southwest Prep

Nia Gordon-11th

Northeast Prep

Antony Mbaruku-12th

StudentsExemplify:

Good Behavior

Positive Attitude

Respectful

Responsible

Leadership Qualities

Perseverance

Good Grades

Good Attendance

Adolescent Parenting Program

Angel Wallace

11thCongratulations!


Service Learning/Community Service


Presents

Join the Race2010 Race for a CURE . . .

When: Saturday, October 30, 2010

Where: The Shops of Saddle CreekGermantown, TN

Time: 8:00 AM

Register online @www.komenmemphis.org

http://www.komenmemphis.org/


Since 2003Vol 7, Issue 1


During the 2009-2010 School Year, a total of 13 elementary, middle and

high schools within the Division of Innovative Schools had the

opportunity to participate in service learning and compete for the honor

of Service Learning School of the Year. The Division of Innovative

Schools was also selected as an official certifying organization for the

President’s Volunteer Service Award program. This is a national service

organization which recognizes and honors youth and adult volunteers for

their cumulative hours of earned volunteer service. Adults and youth are

recognized at the bronze, silver, and gold levels. Students and staff

receive a bronze, silver or gold pin, volunteer certificate, and a personal

letter of recognition from President Barack Obama for the accumulation

of service in the community.

During the 2009-2010 year the division had two schools who received

distinguished service awards at the bronze, silver and gold levels:

Serving the Memphis Community with Distinction




Southeast Success Academy

Southeast Success Academy staff and students received the distinguished silver level

service award for their service learning project: Blankets for Mary Charlotte.

Students designed and made textured fleece blankets for children with Sensory

Integration Dysfunction (SID), a neurological disorder which causes stimulation

deficiencies. Students delivered and presented the blankets to Lebonheur Children’s

Hospital staff as their culmination activity. Mrs. Judith Hines was the Service Learning

Coordinator for this program.

Judith Hines and students display blankets.

Division of Innovative and Charter Schools Since 2003Vol 7, Issue 1



IBWA receives Service Learning School of the Year.

Ida B. Wells Academy staff and students received distinguished service awards at the

bronze and gold levels. Ida B. Wells had a school wide service learning program

which included student participation in the following projects: Soaring Eagles

Cross-Age Tutors, Youth Energized for Service (Y.E.S.) and Student Leadership.

Students received Bronze level awards for contributing at least 50 hours of volunteer

service in their community. The IBW Service Learning Teaching Team received the

highest level of distinction at the gold level. This level of participants contributed at

least 500 hours of service which included classroom preparation, instruction and

coaching of students. Teachers participating were Kenyatta Kelley, Angelia Nance,

Toria Brown, Ajay Kansal, and Magdalun Horton.

Ida B. Wells Academy contributed approximately 5,200 hours of total service learning

and volunteer service to receive the award for Division of Innovative Schools Service

Learning School of the Year. The award, a division banner for display as Service

Learning School of the Year, was presented to the students and staff of Ida B. Wells

Academy during their end of school year awards program.



L to R (Cheryl Cathey, Service

Learning Coordinator; Kenyatta

Kelly, Instructor; and one of many

students receiving this prestigious

award)

Congratulations to Ida B. Wells

Academy for receiving the

Service Learning School of the

Year Award!



Pine Hill Golf Club Healthy Families DaySaturday, Oct. 9

10-12pmPine Hill Golf Course

1005 Alice Ave.

Students and family members from Northwest Prep Academy and Humes Academy attended

the Innovative Schools first community service project of the school year at the Pine Hill

Golf Course. Humes Academy Education Specialist Mr. Anthony Cooper led the effort in

encouraging strong participation of students, their parents and family members in the Healthy

families activity. Mr. Bobby Towns, Northwest Prep Education Specialist, shared his skills

and talents as a Certified Golf Instructor and provided mini golf sessions for students and

families. Mr. Towns states that golf is a healthy sport which can also assist persons in

behavioral areas such as mental focus and discipline. Young men from the Northwest Prep

MOD club also participated in the health activity. Mr. Charles Hudson, Pine Hill Golf Club

Director and Certified Golf Instructor, assisted with sponsoring mini golf sessions for our

families. Mr. Hudson noted to innovative families that golf is a “gentleman’s game” which

many athletes and celebrities including Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway play as a

healthy form of exercise. Christ Community Clinic provided general health services for the

public which included blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar screenings. This was the

second year of partnership with the Pine Hill Golf Course and Christ Community Clinic to

expose Innovative School families and the community to healthy choice activities and

opportunities to receive free health services. It was also the first opportunity for some of our

students and parents to be exposed to the popular sport of golf.

Students in attendance to Service on Saturday activities earn credit towards volunteer hours

required during innovative school enrollment. Congratulations to Humes Academy and

Northwest Prep Academy for their great participation with this service activity!



Pine Hill Golf Club Healthy Families Day

Ddd

Pine Hill Golfer taking opportunity of Christ

Community health services before hitting the

golf course!

Education Specialist Bobby Towns and members

of the Northwest Prep Academy MOD Club pose

before enjoying a day of Golf!

Humes Academy student Kelly Hardin

practices his golf game with instructor

Bobby Towns

Pine Hill Director Charles Hudson shares

his professional golf skills with innovative

students.



Pine Hill Golf Club Healthy Families Day

Humes Academy student Marcus Aldridge and mother

Ms. Sutton enjoy a family moment at Pine Hill Golf

Course.

Pine Hill Director Charles Hudson

shows his professional form to

innovative families.

Northwest Prep Academy MOD students practice

golf strokes under the watchful eye of instructor

Charles Hudson



Hollywood Success Academy

The students at Hollywood Success Academy enjoyed their first Service Learning

excursion with the residents of Ashton Place Rehabilitation and Care Center. What

would a group of nine to eleven year olds have in common with a group of over sixty

year olds? Mexico! The residents were exploring the geography, culture, and language

of Mexico. Prior to our visit, the students did a quick study of the country and learned

some basic words, such as greetings, colors, and numbers. The students were asked to

greet the residents and recite their numbers through ten, in Spanish. Then, they played a

game where they acted out common Spanish words and the residents guessed the

English word. Lastly, students mingled and provided general companionship and

conversation with the individual residents. Near the end of the visit, the residents

named the student whose interaction impacted them the most on the visit. The students

were pleased that their companionship and conversation were valued and appreciated.

At the end of this service learning event, there were many hugs and promises of good

behavior. The students are eager to return next month.


NEWS

A Team Collaboration

Under the guidance of Dr. Joris Ray, Director of the Division of

Innovative & Charter Schools has cemented a collaborative team effort

with the Gang Intervention & Truancy Division. Dr. Ray states that the

academic service that is provided to our students is first and foremost.

According to policy, once students have been identified by the Pupil

Service Center as having been involved in any gang related activity

and expelled as a result, they must receive Gang Education Awareness.

As a conditional requirement for a transitional recommendation the

student must complete the assigned curriculum.

It is the division’s responsibility to coordinate the educational

awareness and ensure that students do not suffer a loss of academic

time. Cooperation from both divisions has accomplished this goal and

our students will benefit as a result. The Gang Education Awareness

curriculum will be administered over a six week period during the 2nd,

3rd, and 4th nine week grading period each year with the sessions

beginning the second week of the grading period. Dr. Ray thanks the

Gang Intervention & Truancy Division for the attention to detail given

to this most important collaboration as we move forward to provide

legendary service to the students and parents of Memphis City Schools.


Kudos

Northwest Prep Academy

MEA "Invest In My Future" Student Art Contest

The M-Pace Council of the Memphis Education Association sponsored the "Invest in

My Future" student art contest. The contest encourages students to voice their ideas

about the importance of the Greater Memphis community investing in them and in

Memphis public education. Students create d drawings, political cartoons, collages,

sculptures, or other visual arts. Winners received cash prizes.

We are happy to announce the following winners from Northwest Prep Academy:

1st Place Winner

Christopher Roby - $300

2nd Place Winner

Quintell Gray - $200

Teacher – Mr. Stanley



Congratulations

Honor Roll Students

Hollywood SuccessWhite, DarnellMcKinney, Akil

Humes Learning CenterJames Wright

Northside Learning CenterJones, Quartavious

Southeast SuccessSmith, DemarcusBolding, TannerBrown, TarnishaHolmes, John

Hamilton Success


Adolescent Parenting Center

Allen, ChardaishaApplewhite, CassandraArnold, AlexanderBaker, AkelaCrowley, CorneciaCrowley, CyranicGraham, OrmanLivingston, KennedyTowns, Loren

Mayes, SarinaOnry, TaquirahSmith, DianeshaStewart, JasonTownsend, ReshawnTuggle, AlekseiVaughn, MiyahVeasley, KenteraWright, Kashuna

Owens, TaronzaPayne, KenavaWilliams, DeneishiaJohnson, MarquezBeard, Andarius

Honor RollBoyd, MarquettaBrown, EricaBuntyn, MyaishaCotton, FredrekaGibson, TyneshaJohnson, ShebaJolly, JasmineNorman, KeamraPrice, TeRhiaTate, FrankieshaWallace, AngelWells, CarmenWilson, Kebrina

DistinguishedHonor RollBobo, CrystalynBobo, ShaniquaFleming, Bre’AnnaMorgan, AmishaSimpson, ParisWare, Jasmine

Blair, FreddricaChristian , LaDarriusGrove, AshleyHeard , AnthonyJohnson, Javunte

Nelvis, CurtisSherrod, Isaac Speaks, SeanYoung, Nicholas

Martin Luther King Transition Center


Projects from Innovative Schools

Music and Lyrics by Michael Griffith II-Northwest Prep Academy(click black box) This video is viewed in PowerPoint only.

http://animoto.com/play/pq4jm8MXUBqw1hkvT2r4JA


Click Westhaven Success (below)

and Ida B. Wells Academy (right)

to view Think Show video.

Humes AcademyClick below to view Power Point

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/uv9EB8tF

http://www.ibwainsider.com/

../HumesAcademyThinkShow.ppsx

Division of Innovative and Charter SchoolsSince 2003

Vol 7, Issue 1

Click the calendar to view Innovative Schools Events for 2010 -2011

http://www.localendar.com/public/mcsinno

Innovative Schools Charter Schools

Hollywood Success Academy Circles of Success Learning Academy

Westhaven Success Academy Promise Academy

Humes Learning Center Memphis College Prep

Southeast Success Academy Omni Prep-North Pointe Lower and Middle School

Hamilton Success Academy Southern Avenue Charter School

Northside Learning Center STAR Academy

MCS PREP ACADEMIES City University School of Liberal Arts

Northeast Prep Academy City University School Boys Preparatory

Southwest Prep Academy Freedom Preparatory Academy

Northwest Prep Academy KIPP DIAMOND Academy

Southeast Prep Academy Memphis Academy for Health Sciences

(Middle and High)

CHOICE SCHOOLS Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering

Ida B. Wells Academy Memphis Business Academy Middle/High

Adolescent Parenting Program Memphis School of Excellence

Dr. Benjamin Hooks Job Corps Academy New Consortium of Law and Business

TRANSITION SCHOOLS Power Center Academy

MLK Transition Center Southern Avenue Middle School

Hope Academy The Soulsville Charter School

Veritas College Prep

volume 7, issu1

Documents

charter schoolssince

faxdivision of innovative

edition of innovative

ebeam technology

ebeam stylus

new technology

toddler classroom

learning environment