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M O B I L E C O U N T Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S Y S T E M

October 7, 2008

“ These Blue Ribbon Schools are an

example of what teachers and

students can achieve.” -U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings

George Hall ElementaryGeorge Hall Elementary

READ MORE: -Happy Birthday Griggs -Maryvale Students join the FBI -Partner page

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They’ve been selected as a Torchbearer school, the recipient of the 2008 Pana-sonic National School Change Award, now the faculty and students of George Hall Elementary have another accolade to celebrate-2008 Blue Ribbon School award. The school held a ceremony with Washington representative, Ms. Lavin Gartland, in which she congratulated the students and faculty on behalf of U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings. The ceremony featured a musical presentation from Hall 5th graders, and a special treat-blue wristbands titled GHE-BLUE RIB-BON SCHOOL for each student from Partners in Education, Alabama Power. This

award distinguishes and honors schools across the nation for helping students achieve at high levels and for making tremendous progress in closing the achievement gap. To be selected a school must have at least forty percent of its students from a disadvantaged background and they must achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state assessment tests. George Hall is one of 2 elemen-tary schools in the state of Alabama to receive the award. Later this year, Princi-pal Tomlinson will be honored at an awards ceremony in our nation’s capitol.

National School of Excellence-George Hall Elementary

Maryvale Students Become Junior Agents

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The Leadership classes of Alma Bryant High School volunteered for the Habitat for Humanity during the month of September. After studying the Law of Sacrifice and the Generosity Factor, the students of Mrs. Marcy Miller’s classes decided to give their time, talent and touch to help build houses in their community. The students put in a full day’s work, and all involved are willing to volunteer in the near future. Pictured (back row, l to r)-Daniel Phillips, Jonathan Smith, Michelle McClinton, Marc Mouton, Shey Thorn, Jacob Day, and Frank Nelson. (middle row, l to r) Oma Jones, Cecily King, Kelsie Barber, Skylar Kelly, Stuart Wilson, Kelsie Ramires, and Matt Bosarge. (front row, l to r) Kristyn Cliburn, Rachel Blocker, Calli Dyess, and Shayna Orso.

Alma Bryant’s Leadership Classes Lend a Helping Hand

L to R: Carolyn Akers, Founder of the Mobile Area Education Foundation and Angel Mooneyham, Alabama Power rep. and Partner in Education both congratulate and praise George Hall Elemen-tary faculty, staff and students on a job well done.

The Mobile District FBI office now has eighty- nine additional recruits thanks to the help of Maryvale Elementary. Members of the school’s 5th grade class took the oath to become a part of the FBI’s Junior Agent program. The nation-wide program is part of the FBI’s Adopt a School/Community Outreach program. FBI agents and office personnel will visit the school once a month to share with students the different aspects of the Federal Bureau.

JROTC Recognizes Top Five Students

Council Traditional Sends Care Items

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During the Week of Caring, Council Traditional students visited Allen Memorial Home where they delivered care packages for the senior residents. The school collected various items for a week to place in baskets, and studied the importance of service.

Griggs Celebrates the Big 5-0 W.C. Griggs feels it is ‘nifty to be fifty’! The elementary school decided to bring in its birthday with a bang. During the PTA meeting the faculty announced a 50th Birthday Kick-off celebration. Parents were treated to a rockin’ performance by the school’s third graders, who learned a ’signing’ rendition to the hit single, Celebration. The kick-off is the beginning of

events to be held throughout the school year in honor of Griggs Elementary and more successful

years to come of educating children.

During the 2008 Alabama Science Teacher Associa-tion Conference, MCPSS was repre-sented in true leader-ship form.

Ms. Tiara Bailey, a teacher at Booker T. Washington Middle served on the ASTA’s Executive Board as Alabama’s Middle School Director. The conference helps Alabama science teachers from all over the state collaborate, create and increase student achievement in science.

The best of the best Cadet students in the Mobile County Army JROTC program

were recognized and honored recently in the annual Brigade Officers Recognition ceremony. The Cadets had to undergo a series of interviews to be considered for the brigade level leadership positions. Student academic performance, service to the community, and participation in the Junior ROTC Pro-gram played a factor in earning a position on the five member student leadership team which is over all the Mobile County Public JROTC students. The Brigade Officer program was de-veloped to teach young people to be better citizens and ac-tively involved in community service and activities outside of the JROTC program, along with maintaining a 3.0 grade point average or better. Look for these outstanding Cadets in the Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11th. They will be lead-ing the way for Mobile County JROTC Corp of Cadets.

Introducing the 2008 Brigade Officers: l to r, Deputy Brigade Commander, Nakia Edwards-LeFlore, Deputy Brigade Commander, Shamichael Kittler-Murphy, Bri-gade Commander, Timothy Powell-Baker, Deputy Brigade Commander, Ambor Millar-Rain, and Brigade Command Sergeant Major, Quintin Howard, Jr.-Murphy

Washington Middle Teacher Serves as Association Director

Debra Mack (left), Head of the Mobile FBI office donated more than forty desktop and lap-top computers as well as printers to Principal Katryna Ellis for Mary-vale’s computer lab. They will be used to further technology educa-tion for the stu-dents.

FBI Gives Maryvale School Computers and Printers Eichold-Mertz fifth grade students of the month were invited by Partner in

Education, The Rotary Club, to a luncheon at the Heron Lake Country Club-complete with a limo ride! Students arrived in a limo and were recog-nized at the luncheon with a presentation, gift pens and a delicious lunch. Thank you Heron Lakes and The Rotary Club for a day of fine dining.

MCPSSMCPSS messengermessenger is published by the Office of Communication for the Mobile County Public School System, P.O Box 180069, Mobile, AL 36618 / 251.221.4000 www.mcpss.com / Editor, Marcie McNeal-mmcneal@mcpss.com/ 251.221.4008; Communication Supervisor, Nancy Pierce-nancypierce@mcpss.com/ 251.221.4010The Mobile County Public School System does not

discriminate in its education and employment programs on the basis of religion, age, color, national origin, gender, marital or parental status or disability. This system complies with all federal and state discrimination laws and regulations.

Ellis Wood Mr. Wood is the Building Engineer for Allentown Elementary. He has worked for the Mobile County Public School System for eleven years. Starting as a custodian at Allentown he now maintains the facility and grounds. Mr. Wood’s commitment goes above the call of duty, comments Principal , Ms. Cleveland, “He is an outstanding Build-ing Engineer who doesn’t just complete

tasks-but goes beyond.” In his spare time, Mr. Wood enjoys attending his grandchildren’s basketball games and playing golf. Who was your favor-ite teacher when you were a student? Mr. Lloyd Black, who taught me World History at Vigor High. He kept your attention by always putting you in the situation-he kept you involved with interesting questions.

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Employee Spotlight...

Rotary Club Treats Mertz Students

The Mobile County Public School System is teaming up with the American Cancer Society to raise money to

fight breast cancer. Our very own talented LeFlore High School Marching BandLeFlore High School Marching BandLeFlore High School Marching Band will start off the walk! We challenge our parents, partners and the

community to get involved! HOPE STARTS WITH YOU

October 25, 2008October 25, 2008October 25, 2008 555---Mile WalkMile WalkMile Walk

Cooper Riverside Cooper Riverside Cooper Riverside ParkParkPark

www.cancer.org/makingstrides

Tommy and Barbara O’Bryant, the parents of Matthew O’ Bryant, a former Theodore High student , made a $100.00 donation towards a school wide service project. Matthew recently lost his life in the line of duty in Islamabad, Paki-stan. Theodore High School is collecting school supplies and monetary donations for the Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, schools that were destroyed by the recent hurricane. This generous gift from the O’Bryant’s is sincerely appreciated and Theodore High School extends heartfelt sympathy to their family at this time of loss.

O’Bryant Family Supports Theodore’s Relief Effort