Ervin Students Welcome Guests at Ribbon Cutting
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Last month, Ervin Early Leaning Center hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of their new wonderful facility. Over 125 guests attended the event including representatives from federal, state, and local political offices; as well as HMC-1 Board Members, staff and parents.
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| Ervin Early Learning Center Welcome Song |
The school's Pre-K and Kindergarten student council members kicked off the ribbon cutting singing the "Good Morning" and "I Can" songs.
The student council representatives, who were appointed by their teachers, voted earlier in the year that the song should be used on a regular basis at the school. The group encouraged teachers to use the "Welcome Song" and "I Can" songs as the morning opener for each class.
June LaMonthe, Ervin's school counselor, taught the songs to the students.
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Pilot Program Helps Students Earn College Credits
Superintendent Dr. Dennis L. Carpenter visits students in the
Metro Community College program
The Hickman Mills C-1 School District and Metropolitan Community College (MCC) have teamed up to offer a pilot program to Ruskin juniors and seniors. This year, Ruskin students had the opportunity to enroll in dual credit courses with MCC to go towards an associate's degree and/or certificate. Courses are part of the MCC's Business and Technology school.
"By the time they graduate high school, a junior who completes two years of this program will only be about one semester away from receiving their associates degree," said Dr. Carl Skinner, HMC-1's deputy superintendent curriculum and instruction.
The purpose of the partnership is to offer HMC-1 students an early college experience, in which they will be able to earn credits towards an associate's degree or transfer to a four-year college.
Another major benefit for students is that they are taught
in-demand skills and earn certificates they can then use for internships or entry-level jobs immediately out of high school. "With those certificates, they can get hired as interns and ultimately garner a larger salary," Skinner explained.
Ruskin High School Principal Jesse Rivers said students have been excited about the program and are already realizing some of the benefits associated with the partnership. "This is a great opportunity, especially for juniors," Rivers said. The program currently has 34 students, but Rivers said this will increase for next year.
Students in the MCC early college program can elect to focus on construction management, computer science, engineering technology, industrial technology, and more. "It has been an eye-opening experience for some of the students," Skinner said. "The students quickly realized they first have to learn background information, such as OSHA and CPR, before they can begin more hands-on classes."
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390 Students Participate in Career Jumping
Hickman Mills Freshman Center students had the opportunity to meet with local professionals. With the help of Prep-KC, 9th graders participated in career Jumping allowing them to speak with a wide range of professionals from 42 Kansas City businesses and post secondary institutions. Students spoke with professionals in entertainment, media, journalism, business, health sciences, and architecture.
 Career jumping provides an opportunity for students to meet one on one with career professionals. Students were able to ask questions about their careers and educational background. This type of opportunity allowed students to gain a broader knowledge on numerous career choices and business industries to consider as they look towards preparing for college and their future.
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| PREP-KC Thanks You: Hickman Mills Freshman Center & KC Career Jumping Professionals |
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Applause Applause
In honor of Black History Month, Symington Elementary students presented a Living Museum at the Board of Education meeting.
Students portrayed African Americans who have made great contributions to the American society. Maya Angelou (Ginicia Griffen), Aretha Franklin (Kyra Savage), Thurgood Marshall (Steven Randall), and President Obama (Isaiah Garrett) were all represented.
Fellow Symington students pressed "buttons" to activate each figure, allowing the audience to hear and see a snippet of their lives and accomplishments.
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District Perfect Attendance Winners - February
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| Smith-Hale Student, Bennard Darrell |
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| Hickman Mills Freshman Center Student, Dimond Hill |
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| Ruskin High Student, Ronald Dean |
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Reading Rocks! Reading Aloud 123 Program Begins
The countless benefits of reading with your children are no secret. That is why Hickman Mills C-1 School District has teamed up with the Mid-Continent Public Library Blue Ridge Branch to provide library cards for all students. The library is also sponsoring the Read Aloud 123 program, in which every Hickman Mills elementary school is participating.
Read Aloud 123 encourages elementary students grades 1, 2, and 3 to read age-level books, either by themselves or have an adult read it to them. The program uses Magic Tree House books because they are simple to follow and are chapter books.
Debbie Atwood with the Mid-Continent Public Library Blue Ridge Branch Atwood said that more than 1,400 HMC-1 students are involved. "We delivered Magic Tree House books to every participating classroom in the district, and then the teacher read the book aloud to the students," Atwood explained. "Then the students were challenged to read a second book out loud or listen to another person read the book to them. After they have successfully read all of their books, the students receive a bookmark and can present the bookmark at the library to receive a free Magic Tree House book."
Atwood said she has seen a lot of students and families in the library. A 2nd grader from Ingels was the first student in the District to complete her Read 123 bookmark. "Kids are checking out a lot of books, especially Magic Tree House books," she said.
The Read Aloud 123 program runs through March 31.
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JROTC Wins Big - 1st Place Honors
 In early February, the JROTC Drill Team competed at the Knob Noster High JROTC competition, bringing home the overall 1st place trophy! The JRTOC team competed in four categories, earning one 2nd place and two 3rd place trophies. Those wins earned the team enough points to win 1st place overall.
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Cadet Lance Corporal
Miguel Morgin-Valencia |
Another big winner was Cadet Lance Corporal Miguel Morgin-Valencia, who medaled in the individual armed knock-out event. Morgin-Valendcia competed against 70-plus fellow cadets and took 3rd place. "When I won, I couldn't believe it!" Morgin-Valendcia said. "I was happy. I looked at the left to look at my peers and smiled. Then I thanked God and I kissed my rifle, then I sat with my friend and we motivated each other."
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Dance Provides Magical Night for Fathers & Daughters
Truman Elementary fathers and daughters had very special night on February 20.
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| Father David Nichols poses with daughters Aneesah, Emani, and Faith Rivera Nichols. |
The Truman PTA held
their first Father-Daughter Dance. The magical
night drew 160 attendees and featured father-themed songs. There was even a few throwback numbers the fathers particularly enjoyed!
Everyone had a great time, and the crowd even clapped and cheered at the end of the night.
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