What could be more frustrating than being a band student without an instrument? That’s what some Mt. Auburn Elementary School band students are experiencing.
During the summer, many of the school’s musical instruments were stolen, leaving the band without flutes, cornets, clarinets and saxophones.
Band instructor Gwen Barker has combed local pawn shops in hopes of recovering the instruments, but so far, none have been found.
“This is such a disappointment for the children who were so excited about being in band this year,” Barker says.
In response to the situation, several Mt. Auburn teachers donated their old band instruments. Other school supporters have donated a trumpet and three clarinets.
If you are interested in donating instruments, particularly saxophones, contact Barker or principal Arturo Cantu at 841-5170.
Hearing-Impaired Students Make History at Long
Coach Mike Phillips of J.L. Long Middle School requires his 7th and 8th grade football players to run drills and review plays each afternoon. He communicates through loud voice commands to everyone on the team, except for three players. A sign-language interpreter handles that task.
The three seventh-graders are deaf, and for the first time in Long history, they are part of the school’s football team. The three players, Jose Mendez, Jeremy Baron and Rashad Ford, all play defense.
Long volleyball coach Armelia King also has three deaf students on her team: Rebecca Goldenbaum, Candice Kuesel and Christina Mannings. Last year’s volleyball team included Emily Renda, who is also deaf. Renda, who started most games, was the first deaf student to participate in athletics at Long.
This is the first year that Long has enrolled hearing-impaired students from Stonewall Jackson Elementary School. Most of the hearing-impaired students are bused to Stonewall throughout DISD.
Upon promotion to the 7th grade, the deaf students usually returned to their original middle school, while hearing friends were promoted to Long..
According to Stonewall’s principal, Olivia Henderson, the move often was difficult for the deaf students.
“These kids have been together since kindergarten,” Henderson says,”When the deaf children went off to a different middle school, there were no hearing students that knew sign language (as they do at Stonewall). They were in a new environment altogether.
Even though Long is a different school, the hearing-impaired children have the security of having their Stonewall friends nearby,” Henderson says.
Currently, 34 hearing-impaired students are enrolled at Long, which offers three sign language classes for hearing students. Each class has been filled with students eager to learn signing.
“Most of the girls on my volleyball team know sign language already, and I also use an interpreter,” says assistant volleyball coach Deborah Barnd. “Communication is not a problem, and these girls love to play.”
On the football field, the situation is basically the same.
“I’ve discovered that the hearing-impaired kids work harder and are much more enthusiastic and determined than some of my other players,” coach Phillips says.
“They are doing a great job. I had 95 kids sign up for football, and already 35 have left. I know these guys will be here though the end of the season.”
Improvements Net Cash For Four Area Schools
Stonewall Jackson and Lakewood elementary, and Spence Academy and J.L. Long middle schools were among winners of DISD’s School Performance Improvement Awards Program, which awarded a total of $2.4 million to 41 schools.
Each school will receive $2,000. In addition, each eligible member of the school’s professional staff will receive $1,000, and each eligible member of the support staff will receive $500.
The award fund was established by DISD’s Board of Education last fall. Half of the $2.4 million was budgeted by DISD, one-fourth was raised through foundation and individual donations, and one-fourth came from corporate donations.
Schools were evaluated based upon student performance and attendance, and the winners were judged most effective in exceeding achievement expectations.
“These are the schools that have moved the most students the furthest in performance improvement,” says Marvin Edwards, DISD superintendent.
“The staffs, students and parents of these schools can be justifiably proud of their accomplishments.”
Lipscomb Elementary Student Published
Andrew Bazan, a sixth grader at Lipscomb Elementary School, had a portion of an essay published in the September issue of Cobblestone Magazine, a history publication for children.
Andrew’s topic was “The First Gentleman; if a woman became president,” and read: “If I were the first gentleman, I would guard the president and do things to help her.”
According to assistant principal Elizabeth Ahearn, Lipscomb is stressing the importance of writing, and many non-language-arts classes (math, science and social studies) are incorporating more writing into the curriculums.
“We are very proud of Andrew,” Ahearn says. “His recent popularity has encouraged many students to write and enter writing contests.”
In other Lipscomb news, Lipscomb has organized a chess club and received a $10,000 grant from the American Federation of Chess Players. Lipscomb is the only DISD elementary school offering a chess club.
Approximately 30 students meet twice weekly under the direction of fourth-grade teacher Carolyn Dean, who teaches them how to outwit their opponents.
And Lipscomb’s new Saturday morning club, called the Good News Gang, began last year to offer organized and supervised activities to students.
Volunteers meet each Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-noon at the school and offer students a variety of activities, including sports, crafts and songs. The students also receive points and prizes for attending.
East Dallas Students Join DISD’s ‘A’ Team
Many East Dallas middle and high school students were recently recognized for achieving an ‘A’ in each subject throughout the 1991-92 school year.
Positive Parents of Dallas, a non-profit volunteer organization, began the program six years ago to spotlight academic excellence in secondary schools. A permanent endowment fund administered by Communities Foundation of Texas guarantees the continuance of the “A” Team.
Key speakers at the ceremony, held at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, included KERA talk-show host Karen Denard, State Board of Education trustee Tincy Miller, DISD superintendent Marvin Edwards and Mayor Steve Bartlett.
Students from Woodrow Wilson High School making the “A” Team include Bennett Aufill, Stephen Bert, Kara Burch, Stephanie Cagley, Elsa Delgado, Shelley Ferguson, Robert Hall, Amy Jones, Molly Brimer, Tate Henderson, Shannon McBride, Harriett Patterson, Jeffrey Boortz, Lara Johnson and Natalie Tello.
Students from Long include Erin Armstrong, John Casey, Caroline Clore, Jeffrey Cook, Khoa Dang, Scott Danaghe, Brooke Ferguson, Kevin Johnson, Kristin Lambert, Jeremy Liebman, Matthew Liebman, Nancy Lira, Elizabeth Milbank, Janna Nelson, Megan Ohm, Kathryn Oswalt, Armanda Platt, Elva Vasquez, Phillip Boone, Joan Dolance, Stephen Holley, Sandra Lerma, Jodi Overfield, Theresa Palmquist, Raegan Payne, Zachary Redington, Emily Renda, Brandon Story, Elizabeth Vint and Lyndsay Wright.
Spence students include Richard Anderson, David Antonio, Sarah Arant, Abigail Baca, Carlos Barcena, Brian Bilnoski, Elizabeth Gan, Lorraine Graw, Erin Hurt, Emily Hurt, Le Thi Nguyen, Shamma Romanowski, Noelia Saenz, Quenby Swinson, Kelly West, Letha Allen, Ginny Allen, Paul Andres, Sara Bennett, Catherine Castaneto, Antonio Contreras, John Espinosa, Cameron Glenn, Hopethe Hubbard, Sarah Kirby, Larisa Laivins, Sara Miller, Lowry Minton, Jason Rosenfeld and Kristy Yok.
DISD Homework Hotline Offers Help
Last year, approximately 23,000 students called the DISD Homework Hotline to receive assistance with school work and guidance in personal matters.
The hotline is one of many efforts of the district’s Networks for Student Success, which seeks to encourage students to stay in school.
Calls to the hotline (490-8701) are free. Spanish- and English-speaking teachers answer questions Monday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m. about science, social studies, math and language arts.
According to coordinator Linda Perez Yater: “The hotline had been very successful among students in grades 4-12 who don’t have to wait until the next day to solve a problem.
“We believe the successful completion of homework fosters improvements in student grades and helps keep students in school,” Yater says.
Counselors also are available to help with the questions concerning district policies, course requirements, stress-management and personal problems that may interfere with school performance.
For more information about this service, contact Yater at 824-1620.
Education Calendar
Oct. 3 – James W. Fannin Elementary and Altrusa will honor 44 students for their efforts to attend after-school and Saturday tutoring programs. Special recognition will be given to Altrusa director Sandy Sayers and Fannin principal Gilbert Barrera.
Oct. 10 – Training for Lipscomb Elementary reading assistants for grades 4-6 is scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the school, 5801 Worth. Bring a sack lunch; contact Suzanne Wallace, 827-4039, for information.
Oct. 21 – Stonewall Jackson’s PTA presents an educational program and video, “HIV/AIDS: A Challenge to Us All,” at 7 p.m. in the school library, Contact Nancy Cunningham, 823-9366, for information.
Oct. 24 – St. John’s Episcopal School, 848 Harter, hosts its third annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Included are an art gift and food fair; a pumpkin patch; pumpkin decorating contests for children; and refreshment stands. Admission is free. Call 824-6306 for information.
Nov. 7 – Lipscomb Elementary hosts “Tamalada.” Tamales will be made and sold at the school; orders can be placed by calling 841-5150.
