Lucy Livingston, assistant principal at Dan D. Rogers Elementary, recently won the Pace Award (Partnership of Arts, Culture and Education) for her efforts to incorporate art into the school’s curriculum.
Livingston initiated arts and crafts classes as part of Rogers’ after-school program. Classes were taught by the Ridgewood Recreation staff, who also sponsored art contests and displayed the students’ creations.
Rogers made arrangements to ensure bused students participated in the program, holding classes at an apartment complex at which most of the students live.
Students also participated in drama classes taught by Vence Dunbar of the Dallas Childrens’ Theater. The drama classes will be offered this summer to students in grades 1-6.
Livingston is working with Rogers’ corporate sponsor, NorthPark Bank, to create an art gallery in the school’s foyer.
Livingston is seeking art donations for the project. Call 987-8480 to help.
Livingston also is the sixth East Dallas winner of the Apple Award, sponsored by the Positive Parents of Dallas. Other Apple Award winners throughout the school year included Alton Paris, Stonewall Jackson; Linda Brown, Lakewood Elementary; Julie Scharr, Mount Auburn and Robert E. Lee elementaries; Tuyet Do, Woodrow Wilson; and Joan Hall, Stonewall Jackson.
Lee PTA Wins State Award
The Robert E. Lee Elementary PTA recently received the Texas Child Advocate Award. Created by the National PTA and World Book Educational Products, the award recognizes the outstanding PTA in Texas. The Lee PTA was chosen from among approximately 2,600 PTAs statewide.
Lee PTA president Phyllis Unger credited numerous groups with assisting the PTA, including Lower Greenville Avenue merchants, the Mansion Hotel and Southwest Life Insurance.
FBA Senior receives scholarship
First Baptist Academy Senior Grant Gregory recently received a scholarship to Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of Art. Gregory’s art teacher at the Downtown academy, Deborah Clem, is excited his talent is being recognized.
“Grant won many awards at this year’s art competition of Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) held in Waco,” Clem says, “but winning a scholarship to SMU is very special.”
At the TAPPS competition, Gregory won second place in graphic design, second and fourth in ink drawing, first in mixed media, second and third in print making, and third in senior portfolio.
Lakewood Elementary Plans Opera
Lakewood Elementary School was one of 20 schools selected nationwide to participate in the Southern Regional Metropolitan Opera Guild National Teacher Workshop.
Two Lakewood music teachers will attend the 10-day workshop this summer at Auburn University. They plan to create and perform an opera with next year’s Lakewood students.
Lakewood was selected on the basis of an exemplary school program and the qualifications and experience of the music and classroom teachers.
Stonewall Parents Dress the Part for Reading Program
A new program started this year at Stonewall Jackson Elementary encourages children to read. SPARKS (Stonewall Parents Reading to our Kids) was initiated by parent Nancy Cunningham and school librarian Vickie Hankins.
Parents dressed in costume and read fiction and non-fiction to students. Topics included Native American and Pilgrim stories, Civil War fiction and non-fiction stories, pioneer and western fiction, and storybook tales.
Cunningham wants to continue the program next year and is seeking volunteer readers and costumes. If you can contribute to this program, contact Cunningham at 823-9366.
