Volume 8, issu2

Happy New Year!

This is your January 2012 edition of Innovative Edge Online.

We invite you to flip the pages, read the articles, and let us know what you think.

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. LauderdaleMemphis, 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

Apple Awards

Service Learning

Community Service

Honor Roll

Vol. 8, Issue 2

Division of Innovative and Charter SchoolsVol 8, Issue 2 Since 2003

Subscribe to Innovative Edge

Just click the newsletter logo to your left to type in your email address and submit. A message will be delivered to you when new content is posted. Your events/announcements will be posted immediately on our new weblog.

The new flipbook Innovative Edge will still launch every nine weeks after report cards are issued. You will continue to send news articles to Ebony Suggs, Editor. Send events, announcements, honor roll/perfect attendance, and photos to Renee Stewart, Ed.D., Webmaster.

Share the Innovative Edge with your students! Give your students the web address and give them extra credit for comments. All comments will be approved by the editor and/or webmaster before publishing. We also have a service learning poll where we would like students to vote on where they would like to serve in their community.

Send your announcements and news today!

mailto:[email protected]




http://innovativecharter.blogspot.com/2011/08/subscribe-to-your-innovative-edge.html


And the winner is . . .

Congratulations to Bobby Towns/caseworker at Northwest Prep Academy for

being the winner in the Education Support Category "My Favorite Educator

Golden Apple Awards."

This event was the kick-off to American Education Week, November 13-19.

The purpose of this activity was to provide students an opportunity to improve

their writing skills and give voice to the unique qualities of public school

educators.

Golden Apple Awards

We would also like to congratulate the following finalists nominated:

Preston King and Allan Watson

Adolescent Parenting

Jamaica Pryor Burnett and Toria Brown

Ida B. Wells Academy


The seniors’ journey to Huntsville, AL to visit the Space Institute and to tour Alabama A&M was a huge success. Students were given a tour of the school and allowed a opportunity to complete applications during the visit.

The Men of Distinction gathered food baskets to give to the Union Mission for the Thanksgiving season and continued their generosity during Christmas by sponsoring Toys for Tots with MIFA. The Men of Distinction also welcomed a guest speaker, Tony Wade who inspired the men to become better citizens and encourage other people. The men appeared to react positively to his message and encouragement.

The last nine weeks have been busy with testing, senior activities and other extra-curricular activities but a good time has been had by all.

Northwest Prep Academy

The last few weeks have been busy ones at Northwest Prep. In October, Alex Eilers, a Pink Palace educational researcher spoke to the Social Studies students about her upcoming research expedition to Antarctica. The students were able to gain hands on experiences by trying on the cold-weather clothes and touch the research equipment.Alex Eilers

Space Shuttle

Toys for Tots

http://www.polartrec.com/member/alex-eilers

http://blog.liveatmadison.com/files/2010/11/toys.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USSRC_Rocket_Park.JPG


Congratulations to Stacey Taylor, Visual Art teacher,

on being accepted to Family Dynamics online

Gallery! Ms. Taylor shared her art with The Kiernan

Gallery. Juror Henry Horenstein selected 30 images

for display in the main gallery in Lexington, Virginia,

and another 40 images for display in the online

gallery. Henry Horenstein selected Stacey Taylor’s

art for the online gallery.

All selected work will be reproduced in an exhibition

catalogue available for purchase from Blurb Books.

To view the selected work, please visit Family

Dynamics and click #40.

This was a nationwide submission.

Northside Innovative Academy

Stacey Taylor

Stacey Taylor, Artist

Pianist (#40)

http://www.kiernangallery.com/3/Gallery.asp?GalleryID=104969&AKey=8JMSW35S

http://www.kiernangallery.com/3/Gallery.asp?GalleryID=104969&AKey=8JMSW35S


The Grizzlies Poetry Slam here at

The Adolescent Parenting Program

was a great experience. Candace

Smith, an eleventh grader, did an

excellent job despite the fear of

speaking in front of crowds. When

she recited her poem, it was

amazing! The strong emotional

interpretation, great eye contact,

and the words of the poem all made

the delivery exceptional!

The school staff, students and

Grizzlies Poetry Slam

representatives congratulated her

on her performance. She won first

place here at the school. Now, it

was time to compete at the district

level. Candace continued to

practice her poem and awaited the

big competition to come.

Grizzlies Poetry Slam at Adolescent Parenting Program

The district level competition took place on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at

Southwest Community College’s Macon Road campus. Candace attended

the competition with her mom and her son. She was a bit nervous, but

confident. Although she did not win, she performed very well and enjoyed

being on stage. Candace believes this was a great opportunity and

promises to continue to do her best in everything she pursues.


Hollywood Success Academy

A Cozy Christmas Reading

On Monday, December 12, 2011, employees

from Cummings visited Hollywood Success

Academy. Representatives Linda Mosby-Brooks,

Wendel Coleman, Clarence Carr, James Wall and

Raiford Lomax got students into the holiday

spirit by reading the Christmas tale “The New

Secrets of Saint Nicholas” authored by Ina Taffet.

This Christmas tale helped the students to learn

the true meaning of kindness through the

Christmas spirit. The tale showed that the spirit

of kindness can be given through love, helping

others in need, and being nice. Cummings

proceeded in showing the children the true

meaning of kindness and Christmas spirit through

leading by example. The Cummings staff spread

Christmas cheer to the students not only by

reading, but also giving them gifts. Although

candy filled canes were given to the students to

warm their hearts, clothing such as hats, pants,

shirts, and coats were given to the students to

keep them cozy during this winter season. Even

students that normally would not have a good day

seemed very grateful and refreshed because of

the “holiday elves” from Cummings. The

students of Hollywood Success Academy were

very appreciative to the Cummings staff and left

with a new perspective on kindness and the

Christmas spirit.


Freedom Awards

Students at Ida B. Wells Academy and Hollywood Success attended the 2011

Freedom Award Public Forum at Temple of Deliverance COGIC.


Friday, October 29, 2011 was a

very busy day for the students

and staff of Southeast Success

Academy. Students and staff

participated in a Breast Cancer

walk over to Newberry

Elementary School, where the

students distributed treat bags

to the kindergarten and 1st

grade students. Southeast

Success Academy also

supported Team Innovators by

donating $100 to the Susan G.

Komen Breast Cancer

Foundation. After completing the

Breast Cancer Walk, we then

had our second twenty day

Fight Free Celebration in

conjunction with our Reading Is

Fundamental (RIF) Celebration.

Thanks to our Chef Coach

Pulley for grilling hotdogs and

hamburgers, students and staff

enjoyed good food and sodas

plus had an opportunity to select

a free book of their choice to

take home for reading pleasure.

Southeast Success Academy


Southeast Success AcademyRIF Celebration


Star Students

Westhaven Success Academy

congratulated twelve students for

outstanding behavior on Friday,

December 2, 2011. The hallway was

decorated like a restaurant with

placemats and balloons for the

McDonald's hotcake and sausage

breakfast. For lunch, the students

had a choice of cheese, pepperoni,

or sausage pizza from Little Caesars.

A few parents came and joined in

when the students walked the red

carpet to receive their goodie bags

and certificates. The faculty and staff

of Westhaven celebrated these

students all day.




Canned Goods Drive Community Service ProjectWesthaven Success Academy sponsored a Canned Goods Drive as a Community

Service Project. Students in each class collected canned goods and non-perishable

items. The class with the most received an Incredible Pizza and Sun Drop party

sponsored by our adopter, Building Blocks Mentoring Program. All of the donations went

to the Memphis Food Bank.


Lizzie Temple (Facilitator), Tammy Williams (Educational Specialist), and

Kenneth Dickerson (Assistant Principal) were speakers for this event. The

honor roll students played educational games, good food was served, and

the fathers/veterans received certificates

(L to R) Micheal Foster, Sr, James Kendrick, Lee R. Jordan,Sr.,

Kenneth Dickerson (Assistant Principal), and Mike Curry

Northeast Prep Academy

Veterans Day Program


Mr. Lee Jordan (Father of Melita Jordan-Thomas, Principal)

told students to do their best and never give up on their

dreams. Mr. Jordan also shared some of his experiences

he had in the military. He gave a soul-stirring message to

NEP students!


Veterans Day Program


Hope Academy’s Career Fair

Hope Academy held a very

successful career fair on

October 25, 2011. Many fields

were represented. The students

seemed to learn from and enjoy

each speaker’s diverse

style. Some presenters spoke,

some showed videos, some

hugged, and some sang. No

matter the style, each did a

fantastic job of sending the

message that Hope Academy

strives to instill in all students.

“Hold on Possibilities Exist”.

The speakers were:

Anthony Glen(pilot) and Linda Hall

(airplane engineer) from Federal

Express,

Laurie Neale (attorney) from Shelby

County Juvenile Court,

Lt. Harold Jackson, Deputy Jailer for

Shelby County Sheriff’s Department

Judy McEwen, Juvenile Manager for

Shelby County Sheriff’s department

Justin Merrick Co- Director and

Instructor at Stax Music Academy

Federal Express:

Anthony Glen (pilot) and

Linda Hall (airplane engineer

Laurie Neale (attorney)

from Shelby County

Juvenile Court

Justin Merrick

Co-Director and Instructor

at Stax Music Academy

Lt. Harold Jackson, Deputy

Jailer for Shelby County

Sheriff’s Department &

Judy McEwen, Juvenile

Manager for Shelby County

Sheriff’s Department

Michael Smith, Program Manager

and Dr. Dillihunt


Hope Academy

Toney Armstrong (Police Director), Mr. Zaylid Saleem (Toney Armstrong's Legal

Advisor), and Detective Caroline Mason visit Hope Academy.


Hope Academy

Each month Hope Academy has

designated a thematic unit involving all

core teachers in the areas of math,

language, and science. October

(Fall Expressions), November

(the detainees wrote thank you letters)

December (traditions around the

world), January (social justice),

February (African-American history),

March (Think Show), April (Community

Service), and May (Mother's of the Nile

essay contest).

The month of September was HBCU

(Historical Black College and University)

month at HOPE Academy. Detainees were

busy navigating the internet with the

assistance of their teachers researching

13 HBCU's in this region. The students

work was displayed on a tri-fold-board for

one week. As an extension of their

learning, and research probation

counselors who graduated from those

HBCU's stopped by their classes to share

their experiences with the detainees when

they were students at those historical

colleges and universities. The detainees

also showed power point presentations of

the particular HBCU they researched.


MLK Student Transition Center

Human Trafficking

These days, a lot of people are worried about personal safety. Many people

say they just don’t feel safe anymore. Such fears are not completely

unfounded. Kidnapping and selling human beings is a real crime and it

happens right here in Memphis. For this reason, Kimberly Benson, from A

Bridge of Hope, travels across throughout the Mid South preaching about

the dangers of human trafficking. Mrs. Benson came to MLK Academy on

Wednesday, November 9, 2011, to share her experiences. Mrs. Benson

shared a story of two young high school students who received letters from

a supposed basketball coach who was interested in giving them a college

basketball scholarship. The letter instructed the young men to meet the

coach in one of the parking lots at a local college. However, when the

young men arrived, they were told the meeting had been moved to another

location. Unfortunately, the young men got in the vehicle with the

anonymous messenger and woke up in Thailand. As a result of the stories

shared, MLK scholars vowed to the following:

•To increase the awareness of human trafficking

•To safeguard themselves and their peers from human trafficking

Two students, Keshun Renfroe and Keariney Minor, from MLK Academy

were chosen as ambassadors about human trafficking. Thank you Mrs.

Kimberly Benson for spreading the word about human trafficking. This is a

particularly important message for our students, considering many of them

walk the streets alone!



Preparing for College

In an effort to increase the number of MLK scholars who go to college, the

Guidance Department at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy has increased its efforts

to make sure scholars receive the necessary information to make informed

decisions about post-secondary plans. For this reasons, local colleges have been

scheduled multiple opportunities to visit at recruit from MLK Academy. Additionally,

Felicia Orr from TSAC (Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation) in Nashville

has made multiple trips to MLK Academy to explain to students the importance of

completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In January 2012, MLK

seniors will be afforded the opportunity to complete their 2012 FAFSA online at

MLK with the assistance of TSAC. The dates and times are as follows:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 10 a.m. and Thursday, January 12, 2012 @ 6 p.m.

All sessions will be held in the MLK Academy computer lab.

MLK Goes to

On November 16, 2011, MLK juniors and seniors boarded a chartered bus for a day

in the life of a college student. Students were provided a tour of the campus, which

included information on how to utilize library resources, a visit to the dorms, and a

look at the mummies on exhibit at the University of Memphis. Lunch was in Jones

Hall, where the students eat.

Following lunch MLK English Teacher and the person responsible for making this trip

a possibility, Casie Jones, switched places with Professor Tammy Jones. MLK

students attended a 4000 level English class on Children’s Literature. MLK students

were given the opportunity to read excerpts from a variety of children’s literature and

were taught literary techniques. The students really enjoyed the visit and many were

surprised how interesting a children’s literature class could be. The students really

enjoyed the trip and wish to thank their teacher, Mrs. Casie Jones, for making this

innovative trip possible. Many students who previously believed college was out of

reach or not an option they wished to pursue, now believe they would like to attend

college!

http://www.memphis.edu/



Students with Exceptionalities Succeed

Mr. Michael White, teacher at MLK Academy, recently took a select group

of scholars to visit an auto mechanic shop in South Memphis. The shop is

located behind Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. Students learned

firsthand what it takes to run a business. MLK scholars observed

everything from routine oil changes to complex engine diagnosis.

Additionally, they learned what is involved in starting a business and

making it successful from a business perspective. The best part of the trip

was discovering that the man who owns and operates the shop was a

former special education student. This gave many of our own students

with disabilities hope that they might too one day be a successful business

operator and owner. After all, seeing is believing!

Freedom Awards

The month of November was busy with many opportunities for students to

learn outside the traditional classroom. Mr. Ron Davis, Mr. Michael White,

and Mr. Rodney Smith took a group of students to the Freedom Awards at

Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ. Students were able to see

famous individuals, such as Danny Glover, receive awards for

Humanitarian Awards. Among the recipients were a school teacher from

New York City!



MLK Seniors Receive scholarships from

Nine students received scholarships from TN Achieves. These scholarships

will be used to assist with tuition and other post-secondary education

expenses. MLK Academy wishes to thank the City of Memphis and Shelby

County for their efforts in making so many scholarships available to students

throughout Shelby County!

Faculty Bonding

MLK faculty are more than just coworkers, they are family. This is evident to all

who have ever spent any amount of time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student

Transition Academy. The staff know that they have a good thing going and do

not take it for granted. One way the staff stay connected is by participating in

monthly outings away from school. This gives the staff to get to know each

other on another level and talk about things other than PBIS and RtI. It really

helps to build a sense of camaraderie and actually helps them to work better as

a team where it counts- with the students.

Last year the men held a barbecue cook off and a pizza baking competition.

The men proved to be pretty good cooks. This year it was the ladies turn and

on Friday, November 18, the ladies prepared what has been called

International Dinner Day. The menu consisted of panadas, fried turkey, shrimp

& cheese grits, Mexican Corn, quiche, shrimp & rice, chicken quesadillas, and

creamy pasta bake. The food was delicious and everyone left full and satisfied.

The meal ended with birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate the November

birthdays- another tradition at MLK that helps keep the staff close!

The next celebration will be our first annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Breakfast, which is scheduled to take place Friday, January 13, 2012!


Congratulations Prep Academy Graduates

~214 Graduates~

The Memphis City Schools Prep Academies Fall 2011 Graduation

Ceremony was held on December 16, 2011, 6 p.m., at the Cannon Center,

255 North Main Street. Two-Hundred Fourteen students received their high

school diplomas during the graduation. The MCS Prep Academies are

specialized schools that offer an accelerated innovative, rich and engaging

program of study specific to the academic and social needs of individual

students. These schools are unique in the fact that they offer students:

*Individual Learning Plans

*No Sequential Grade Structure

*Extended Day/Extended Year

*Accelerated Credit Accumulation

*Integration of Careers and Technology

*Service Learning

*Internships/Externship

Many MCS Prep graduates have post-secondary options, and have been

offered full scholarships to four year colleges and universities.

http://www.mcsk12.net/prep/[email protected]


On Saturday, October 30, 2011, the Division of Innovative and Charter Schools

joined the 2012 Race for a Cure at The Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown

Tn. Sponsored by the Memphis Mid-South Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for

the Cure Foundation, the local association contributes funds to provide services

including free mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast self-exam

information to women in Memphis and surrounding counties.

Founded in 1982 upon a sister’s promise, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure is

the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists

fighting to save lives, ensure quality care for all women, and energize research

efforts to find a cure for breast cancer. It is also the largest source of nonprofit

funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. Today, there are

more than two million breast cancer survivors alive in the United States. That’s

because breast cancer is found earlier due to increased awareness, greater use

of screening tests and better treatment options due to programs like Komen for

the Cure.

This was the division’s second year of participation in the Race for a Cure 5k

event. The division formalized a team called “Team Innovators”. A total of 42

teams joined under the category of public schools. Team Innovators was one of

37 which received pledges towards the fundraising goal. Fundraising efforts

through pledges assisted with raising a record amount of $476,531.00, which

was above the local fundraising goal of $350,000.00.

Thanks to Faye Tolbert, Project Specialist at our divisional office, for serving as

this year’s Team Captain. Thanks to all staff, students, parents who supported

the division in this community service cause.

Division of Innovative and Charter Schools

Joins the Race for a Cure



Ida B. Wells AcademyPrincipal’s ListJennifer FitzgeraldTretarius CainDistinguished Honor RollDonaleya BrownArian LoganHonor RollKeirra AllenDamesha BooneCornesha ButtsCourtney CarterBrianna CorneliousAlura DavisDestiny HolmesJevonte JohnsonMarReasha JonesKyana KylesSarina MayesTaquirah OnryLavesha ParishDineash SmithJina Smith-MoreFelicia TaylorRaquone ThomasLoren TownsMalik VisorDantonio Washington

Adolescent Parenting ProgramPrincipal’s ListDonisha EatmonTomasa Flores Candace SmithHonor RollNotoria BrooksLinda ParteeDonisha EatmonUrsela ThomasLaVedra YoungIsaura EspinozaMyasia BuntynTomasa FloresMelisha LampkinUlvonda BassMarquetta BoydLytea CraigKendal CurrieShantoniqua HayesLaNosha JohnsonDemeka MooreCandace SmithShenterrial SmithKierra WashingtonAmber WattJasmine JollyJulia LeeAngel Wallace

HONOR ROLL STUDENTS


MLK Transition CenterJacquez BrownNotorian CruthirdO’Brien FreemanOntrael JohnsonKeariny MinorMozella MooreTaylor MorrowLazerrick PruittKeshun RenfroeJerry SmithKabrina SpenceAlicia TaylorSteven WeathersbyMagic WilliamsLaJarrian Gilkey

Humes AlternativeJarrell WilliamsAdrianna BaxterDeidra Finley

Southeast Success AcademyMar’quell Dailey

Southwest Prep AdacemyTrinies BoboJavin BondsJustin DavisKelsey WilliamsArneisia BanksDeRika BlueLatarion ClarkTinmeshia CooperwoodAngelique Thomas

Hollywood Success AcademyNya HendersonCorDarius AlexanderJernell BondsCaleb Hardin

Westhaven Success AcademyTony StreetTyler TaborAntonio Freeman

HONOR ROLL STUDENTS

Northwest Prep AcademyCamera SlapppyRenarld GardnerAntonio KingBrea JeffersonVictoria HillJulia SwiftMarico BarberTonmeke DavisJavontay AndersonEbony MatthewsHeven PlochEarl MonroeLetitia HeadKornelius JohnsonMatthews, AliciaHenry, MonterioAnthony PopeMonica RobinsonChinetha SmithTynesha GibsonMarketa PerryShelby CampbellFrankshekia HurtJalen NewsonBreonna Stanley

Tiara JohnsonLawrence James


Distinguished Honor RollTyreona DavidsonJanisha Deshay Jennifer FaheyTania GarciaBenjamin HeardRashad JohnsonComedria MorrisKimberly TraywicksHonor RollLamar ChristopherSherrod BryanDacorean ByarsAhmed Al HusseiniKim CalvinQuameka OsbyTeairean ParkerAiyannah RainerCrystal ThurmondKelsey FergusonWilliam GarnerCharlise HodgesDemetri JonesToran MaboneJoshua MarchSametra MooreDanielle ToddMaria Wells Divin WilliamsCaterrios Wise


HONOR ROLL STUDENTS


Hamilton Success AcademyKejuan BoothTardarious FergusonBria FordMyneishia JohnsonOmar JohnsonCalvinisia MasseyStephanie MurrayChatterney SmithJessica Weathers

Southeast Prep AcademyCerairr DavisClifton HoustonMarvin NicholsAlexis WilliamsRayshell GreenAsha AllenAlexis BoldenJacqueline ConnerJoshua GossettKadijah LewisTraevion LincolnJasmine MathenaEunice MbeyuMarquita PottsMarkel RussellJanaki SellersRaven ShippTybreanna Wren

Southeast Prep Academycontinued

Manshello ClarkDarius DavisCrystal DouglasJoneshia HartmanTaDerrio KeyCourtney LewisFrankiesha TateKeinesha WilliamsRhema HarrisJerrica Shelton

HONOR ROLL STUDENTS

Hollywood Success AcademyCaleb HardinLavon MilamKentasha GunnCedric DotsonCarlos RossCorey Mack

Ida B. Wells AcademyMalcom BellOrlandra BlakelyJayla BuchananDeja ColeMikia CrumpJennifer FitzgeraldJames GrandberryCameron HaywordBrekenya JonesMcNeil LadashaArian LoganLandarius McNeilSabria McNeilOtisa McQueenDeterricka MillerTyram MooreShakiya MuskinLavesha ParishRaquone ThomasTraRon WashingtonJatterious WilliamsTony Williams

Westhaven Success AcademyAlexander CannonJoseph ColeJahlon HughesJalen JonesJahiem MaddenKylen WiseDerrick JonesEdward MoodyElijah MurrayJoshua EwingJamarion Jackson


Innovative Schools Charter Schools

Hollywood Success Circles of Success Learning Academy

Westhaven Success Promise Academy

Humes Alternative Center Memphis College Prep

Southeast Success Omni Prep-North Pointe Lower and Middle School

Hamilton Success Southern Avenue Charter School

Northside Alternative Center STAR Academy

CHOICE SCHOOLS City University School of Liberal Arts

Ida B. Wells Academy City University School Boys Preparatory

Adolescent Parenting Program Freedom Preparatory Academy

TRANSITION SCHOOLS KIPP Memphis Collegiate Elementary/Middle/High

MLK Transition Center Memphis Academy for Health Sciences

(Middle and High)

Hope Academy Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering

Memphis Business Academy Elementary/Middle/High

Charter Schools Memphis School of Excellence

MCS PREP ACADEMIES New Consortium of Law and Business

Northeast Prep Power Center Academy

Southwest Prep Southern Avenue Middle School

Northwest Prep The Soulsville Charter School

Southeast Prep

Veritas College Prep


2012 Calendar


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Volume 8, issu2

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