Marauders Musical Debut
When Marcus High School’s (Marcus) varsity treble choir performs at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) convention Feb. 8-11, they will make history. The choir, under the direction of William Dove, will debut three pieces: “Gloria Kajoniensis” by Levente Gyonyosi, “Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead” by Gustav Holst, and “Sach’idao” by Otar Taktakishvili.
The first piece by Gyonyosi is a modern work by a young Hungarian composer and Dove believes this is the first time it will be performed in Texas.
The second piece is an unpublished piece by Holst who also wrote “The Planets.” As Dove explains, their debut is a personal accomplishment.
“A friend helped me get a file of Holst’s manuscript and I arranged it for our choir,” Dove said. “There is only one recording of the piece by an English choir, the Holst Singers, so this will be a debut arranged by me.”
The final piece, by Taktakishvili, was a collaboration with DePaul University in Chicago, IL. When performed at the TMEA convention, it will be the U.S. debut of the piece and dedicated in honor of the Marcus choir. The piece will be published by Earth Songs in late spring or summer.
For Dove, teaching music is more than just musical debuts and notes on a page. He researches the composers and the pieces, then teaches his students while engaging them in dialogue. Dove’s instructional method aligns with the district’s Strategic Design by informing and inspiring students for continuous improvement and growth.
Timber Creek Elementary Learns the “Science of Spin”
Students at Timber Creek Elementary learn about the "Science of Spin"!
Students at Timber Creek Elementary may be able to teach everyone a thing or two about yo-yo’s, courtesy of “Science of Spin” which combines physical education (P.E.) concepts with those of science.
Valerie Oliver, vice-president of Spintastics Skill Toys, Inc. and Science of Spin LLC, spent the day with students teaching everything from the importance of practice and hand/eye coordination, to friction and kinetic energy.
The program consists of an entertaining and educational assembly, followed by hands-on instructional clinics in P.E. classes. Timber Creek Principal Vickie Abshier said, “Students need to learn there is a reason a yo-yo operates the way it does. We hope this presentation will inspire critical thinking and a further understanding of the ‘Science of Spin’.”
Marauders Make it Official
From L to R: MHS soccer players Colin Cullum, Matt Smith, Nicole Henderson, Meagan Edwards, Molly Weeks, Sidney Blaney, Kailey Tue, Lauren Long.
Matt Smith: UT Tyler, Soccer
Collin Cullum: St. Edwards, Soccer
Lauren Long: La. Tech, Soccer
Sidney Blaney: TWU, Soccer
Kailey Tue: TWU, Soccer
Molly Weeks: Houston Baptist University, soccer
Nicole Henderson: Concordia University, Soccer
Meagan Edwards: Troy University, Soccer
MHS football players on signing day.
Cameron Hajok: Benedictine College, Football
Zach Miterko: West Texas A & M, Football
Alex Olsen: West Texas A & M, Football
Josh Carraway: Texas Christian University, Football
Jake Blount: Tarleton State University, Football
Jeff Smiley: Southeast Louisiana, Football
Ryan Rentfro: University of North Texas, Football
Harvey Giddens: Midwestern University, Football
Joe Sikes: Texas A & M at Kingsville, Football
Kyle Matheson: Northeast Oklahoma, Football
Michael O’Connell: Johns Hopkins University, Football
Kathleen “Katie” Canavin: Southern Mississippi, Cross Country and Track
Marcus High School Principal Gary Shafferman commended the students on their achievements on and off the field.
“We have an amazing group of student athletes at Marcus,” Shafferman said. “They have worn the Marcus uniform with pride and we look forward to seeing them in a different uniform next year.”
While Feb. 1 is recognized as the National Signing Day, several student athletes have already signed letters of intent earlier in the year. They are:
Madison Carr: University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Tennis
Shannon Malone: University of Wisconsin, Basketball
Ali Smith: University of Alabama, Swimming
Funky Monkeys Visit Flower Mound Elementary
Dennis Lee and the Funky Monkey Bunch discussed character with students at Flower Mound Elementary.
Who knew talking monkeys in space suits knew so much about character?! Dennis Lee did and now so do kindergarten through second-grade students at Flower Mound Elementary.
Dennis Lee is a ventriloquist who travels to elementary schools with his monkeys to inspire students to think about their character and how that will help them blast into the future; a future that LISD hopes these students will help create.
According to his website, “Blast Off is based on the six pillars of good character. The space theme is simply a vehicle to remind the students and staff to fuel up their body, heart, and mind, before they ‘Blast Off’. Using symbols from math, science, and history, the monkeys are reminded to be a symbol for good character as they journey into the future.”
The six pillars of good character are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Students at FME listen intently to Dennis Lee and his Funky Monkey Bunch!
Lee also reminds students they need to be superstars by eating right, getting plenty of rest and exercise, and listening to their heart. He engages students by using humor and with the help of his friends, the Funky Monkey Bunch.
Flower Mound Elementary Principal Gayle Nurre expressed her excitement at having Dennis Lee come to their campus. “Dennis Lee and the Funky Monkey Bunch are a great way for our students to learn important life lessons” Nurre said. “Sure, they are having fun and laughing, but we also believe they are learning what it means to have character.”
A writing activity with no writing?
Students in Mrs. Fulton's fourth-grade class participate in an expository writing activity.
Students in Mrs. Fulton’s fourth-grade classroom at Flower Mound Elementary worked on expository writing with one guideline: no writing, just talking. The focus of the lesson was ‘telling the story, asking questions.”
The students brainstormed ideas about a trip they took and then took turns retelling their story to their table group. The group listened and in turn asked clarifying questions to get more information. By going through this process the students were able to capture all of the details and not leave anything out.
The storytelling continued until every student at the table told their story. Afterward, each student was able to sit down and write a first draft of their story using the feedback and questions they received during the activity.
Downing Middle School: Sticks and Stones
Downing Middle School recently participated in its fourth annual “No Name Calling Week.” The week is designed to raise awareness of name calling that goes on in schools and its harm on students. Daily announcements, video clips, and classroom discussions were held Friday.
“No Name Calling Week” was Downing’s third activity in its quest to be recognized as a “No Place for Hate” campus. No Place for Hate is an innovative Anti-Defamation League initiative that supports schools’ commitment to combating hate and building respect for all its members. In order to achieve this recognition, campuses must host at least three anti-bias or diversity activities before the end of April.
For information on “No Name Calling Week”, click here. To learn more about “No Place For Hate”, click here.
Homework Hotline: How May I Help You?
In a world where the Internet permeates almost everything we do, students at Marcus High School (Marcus) are using it to help one another. Students in the five honor societies (national, English, science, math, and Spanish) have started a homework hotline after school to assist fellow classmates with online tutoring. Jan Hutley teaches Advanced Placement chemistry at Marcus and also serves as the homework hotline adviser. Hutley explains how the students use Elluminate, a live web conferencing system made for higher education.
“Students enter the Elluminate platform through SchoolWeb,” Hutley said. “When the students enter SchoolWeb through the Marcus homepage, the four core area hotlines are visible on the screen: English, math, science, and social studies. They click on the hotline of their choice and then given a prompt to join the meeting.”
Once in the meeting, students can use the chat space to ask questions or receive feedback on a writing assignment. This feedback is in the form of advice, not revisions or rewriting parts of the assignment. For example, on a compare and contrast essay, a tutor may acknowledge a student did a good job discussing similarities, but was weak in highlighting differences. The students who work the homework hotline receive service hours toward their honor society’s requirements. The tutoring is open to any Marcus student.
Marcus Principal Gary Shafferman said the homework hotline is student driven.
“The idea of the hotline was actually brought to us by the students,” Shafferman said. “We simply helped them use Elluminate to deliver the assistance.”
Are you a Marcus student who needs homework help? Logon to Elluminate through SchoolWeb to access the homework hotline Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.
Mebra Memorial Blood Drive
Carter Blood Care working the Mabra memorial blood drive
Downing Middle School partnered with the Double Oak Volunteer Fire department to host a blood drive in honor of beloved local resident, Becky Mabra. Thank you to every one of the 100 donors who helped make this wonderful event such a success.
Bridlewood Elementary Making Change
Students at Bridlewood making Change for Cystic Fibrosis.
Students at Bridlewood Elementary made ‘Change for Cystic Fibrosis’…$3,112 to be exact. The Bridlewood Student Council stood outside last week and held buckets for parents and students to drop in loose change. The money collected is donated to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.
This was also a chance for students to learn what the disease is and what families go through to live with the disease. Brett Grizzle, the father of a child with cystic fibrosis, spoke at a special assembly to educate students. Grizzle explained to students one of the treatment techniques: a high-frequency chest wall oscillation vest. This vest is worn by a patient for 10 to 40 minutes to clear the air passage of the lungs. He also showed a video about the disease and then answered questions from the students.
Brett Grizzle spoke to students during an assembly to kick off Change for Cystic Fibrosis
Giving a New Meaning to McDonald’s
When most people think of McDonald’s, they picture Happy Meals, a Big Mac, and the PlayPlace. For Phillip Forte, Marcus Smart and Shannon Malone, McDonald’s now has a new meaning. Forte, Smart and Malone play varsity basketball at Marcus High School and they have received nominations for the 2012 McDonald’s All-American Team.
This is a proud moment for all of these student-athletes; but especially Malone who is the first female to receive this honor in Marcus history. The field of nominees will be narrowed down to 24 players selected during the official announcement on February 9 at 4 p.m. on ESPNU. If selected, the McDonald’s All-American Game will be in Chicago on March 28.
