RENAISSANCE FAIRE WINNERS 2011 ART CONTEST

Congratulations to Mrs. Denise Willingham, Mrs. Amy Young and MHBS art students for excelling in the annual Renaissance Art Faire:

KINDERGARTEN:
First Place - Kalyn Robbins; Honorable Mention - Avery Burnley
GRADES 1-3:
Third Place - John Salsbury
GRADES 4-6:
Second Place - Brooks Jackson; Honorable Mention - Celee Beth Powers

AUTHOR DAY HIGHLIGHTS THE ELEMENTARY PROGRAM

Nationally-known authors and illustrators visit campus each year to motivate students to read and write as well as to explore other creative talents. This spring, author Mr. Jerry Pallotta, will spend a day on campus working with each of the elementary classes. Others in the series include storyteller Mr. Donald Davis, author Dr. Michael Shoulders, illustrator Mr. Rick Anderson, author Ms. Diane Z. Shore, and author Mr. Kevin Baldwin. The program in 2008 also involved the famous traveling therapy dog Amadeus.

NEW TECHNOLOGY ADDED (UPDATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2011)

Remaining on the cutting edge of new educational technological advances is important to the elementary program.

In the summer of 2011, the elementary program was blessed by adding four new components to the 21st Century Technology Initiative: 1. One Smart Table Interactive Learning Center.  It is a SmartBoard-like device that lies flat and is on wheels and can be moved from classroom to classroom for student use.  Children manipulate objects, shapes, letters, words, and numbers as they stand around the board. 2. Two classroom sets (40 total) of interwrite student response pulse clickers. These hand-held devices allow students to take assessments at their seats as they appear on the SmartBoard. Teachers are given immediate feedback of each student’s individual response.  The data can appear in various forms for teachers to assess learning outcomes immediately. 3. Two classroom sets (3 per dock and one teacher board) of interwrite wireless slates with charging docks.  These hand-held interactive mobile whiteboards allow students to write and respond at their seats or at a station or anywhere in the room while the teacher can view the students’ work from her own board anywhere in the room.  4. A VariQuest Digital Cutout Maker.  This machine, hooked to a computer and accessible on a rolling cart, allows access to nearly 4,000 graphics and fonts that can be cut out of paper for bulletin boards, projects, and other classroom use.

VITAL COMPONENTS OF THE ELEMENTARY PROGRAM:

• Child-centered instruction
• Developmentally appropriate instruction
• Literacy centers
• Educational field trips
• Educating the total child (Luke 2:52)
• Differentiated, data-driven instruction
• Learning centers
• Patriotism, service, character education, community awareness
• Peer tutors
• Kindergarten preparatory program (K4) if not ready for kindergarten
• Family-centered environment

 

EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS:

• A strong scouting program
• Piano Classes
• After-School Art Classes
• Drama and Musicals
• Before- and After-School Care
• Junior Pro Basketball
• Florence Recreation League Football
• Renaissance Faire Art Competition
• Arts Alive
• Duke Talent Search
• Book buddies