Alma Schrader Elementary

• Alma Schrader Elementary began Math Achievement Club on February 2nd. This club will last for seven weeks and is designed to help students feel comfortable with mathematics and become proficient or even advanced in their math capabilities. Club sponsors are Shawn Brooks and Miranda Petrea. Participating students were excited to further their mathematical efforts, and Mr. Brooks and Ms. Petrea have been diligent in searching out activities to present math in new and exciting ways.
• Students of Alma Schrader recognized Green Week the week of February 2-6. An assembly was held with a performance by the third grade students reminding everyone to reuse and recycle. We were honored to have Mr. Neil Glass and Ms. Pat Vogelsang from the Central Administrative Office at our assembly to recognize Alma Schrader’s recycling efforts. Mr. Glass gave some very interesting recycling facts and recognized the organizer of Alma Schrader’s recycling efforts, Alex Miller. Alex is a fourth grade student. He organized a Recycling Committee from students who had been selected as Character Council Ambassadors. These students have designated routes to pick up paper and cardboard from the classrooms. Alex was also instrumental in contacting Mr. Glass to place recycling bins at Alma Schrader to recycle plastic and aluminum as well as paper and plastic. We are very proud of this service project by our fourth grade students and commend Alex for his masterful coordination of Alma Schrader’s recycling efforts.
• Tami Bopp from Characterplus, Stacey Taylor from the THRIVE initiative, Adam Glueck from the Cape Girardeau Police Department, and John McGowen from the Cape Girardeau United Way were present at our assembly to kick off the second annual Peace Ball initiative. Peace Ball is a project from cooperating school districts in St. Louis and affiliated districts associated with the Characterplus initiative. Students are given pieces of yarn for acts of kindness performed at school. These pieces of yarn are tied together to form a Peace Ball. Last year, our Peace Ball was displayed at West Park Mall and grew from a ping-pong shaped ball into a ball approximately the size of a cantaloupe. Our aim this year is to form an even bigger ball which we hope to display throughout the community. The Peace Ball and Characterplus projects are coordinated by the school’s guidance counselor, Julia Unnerstall.

Barbara Blanchard Elementary

• Ms. Lainie Bohnsack, our new counselor at Blanchard, just completed classroom lessons on bullying and how to deal with teasing.  The character trait for the month of February is responsibility, and students are learning about how to be responsible at school, home and with friends.  We also celebrated National School Counselor week where we made bookmarks with colored yarn representing the Six Pillars of Character:  Respect, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Responsibility, Citizenship and Caring. 
• Third and fourth grade Explore students have been working hard since September to put some of their invention ideas to the test.  Children started with brainstorming things that ‘bugged’ them.  From that simple problem, wonderfully creative exhibits have sprouted.  Each student had to complete various parts to their invention display.  They had to come up with a title, create an advertisement, build a model, draw a blueprint explaining parts, and complete an information sheet which supplies all necessary details concerning their idea. Everyone is invited to come see the results of their hard work!  The Invention Convention Open House will be on March 5 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.  The Explore Program is the kindergarten through fourth grade gifted program for the elementary schools.  Check the Explore K-4 webpage for details.
  Barbara Blanchard Elementary
• Mr. Dave Hardesty, a retiree from Southwestern Bell, has been a volunteer at Blanchard for six years.  He has spent three mornings per week attending field trips, helping with academics, assisting with school fundraisers, and monitoring at risk children. The fourth grade student leaders recently completed a community service project in relation to a school-wide book read.  Under the direction of Mr. Hardesty, students created birdfeeders for the Veteran’s Home. Earlier this month Mr. Hardesty participated in the Polar Bear Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics. Mr. Hardesty’s guidance, once again, illustrated to our students the importance of giving through community service.  

Charles Clippard Elementary

• Clippard fourth graders recently participated in an art/essay contest sponsored by the Missouri Association for Family and Community Education. The theme for the contest was RESPONSIBILITY.  Students from Cape Girardeau and Jackson schools participated. Congratulations to first place winner Katherine Carns and third place winner, Katie Kinder.  We are very proud of them.
• The second Good Character assembly of 2009 was held on Tuesday, February 10.  Ms. Lacy's, Ms. Eichholz's, and Ms. Dunn's classes were recognized for bringing in 100+ cans of food to celebrate the 100th day of school. In all, the school donated 1,012 cans to the FISH food pantry in Cape Girardeau.
• We have had some fantastic artwork done by our students in the past few weeks.  Our art teachers are Beth Thomas and Becky Coleman.
• Third and fourth grade community service groups visited The Arbors Assisted Living facility on Monday, February 9.  The adopted grandparents are always so happy to see our students, and this is such a great experience for our kids.          

Franklin Elementary

• Our chili supper was our best yet! We had over 300 people attend. Entertainment was provided by our kindergarten students.
• Coach Powell has our students jumping all over the place. Students have started our “Jump Rope for Heart” campaign. The events will be capped off with a basketball/volleyball game of students against teachers.
• We had some very special volunteers come into the building to read to our students this month. It is very heartwarming to see our community members engage our students in reading. The students love it! Many have asked when they can come back.
• All students have become published authors. Students write, illustrate and publish books based on various themes. This has been a hit with our families for years. Kindergarten through second grade authors a class book, which can then be purchased. The classroom is given one free. The third and fourth grade students publish individual books and each student receives their own book free. They have some wonderful stories and their illustrations are outstanding.
  

Jefferson Elementary

• This month finds lots of activity in the Art Room.  Kindergarten is exploring what we can do with shapes, as we read books about shapes, make shape people and look at what we can create from a “mystery shape”. First grade is taking a break from the all the ice and snow to visit a tropical island.  We are making our own version of South Seas tapa cloth and creating patterns and designs on them. Second grade is looking at the work of author and artist Faith Ringgold and creating our own story quilts. We’ve read “Tar Beach” and are exploring storytelling, texture and the art of quilt making. In third grade, we are looking at the history of African American quilts.  We are comparing and contrasting the influences of African weavings and European American quilt designs on created by African American women.  We will be taking an especially close look at the wonderful quilts of the Gee’s Bend community.  We will be creating a collaborative paper quilt that will reflect what we’ve learned.In fourth grade we are analyzing Chinese landscapes, creating our own landscape with brushed chalk and creating descriptive poems for them using Chinese characters.  We will also look at Harlem artist Jacob Lawrence and his work.
• Jefferson is having aChili Supper on Friday, March 6 from 5:00 pm. until 7:30 p.m.  The Cake Walk is a very popular event among the young and old.  Please plan to attend.
• Students are volunteering to help raise money for St. Jude’s Hospital by having a Math-a-thon.
• February is National Heart Month.  Jefferson, along with the American Heart Association, will be hosting a “Jump Rope for Heart”. Students, along with staff members, will be jump roping in P.E. class to help riase money for the American Heart Association.
• Staff members are continuing to exercise before class every morning.  Staff members are making every effort to help students understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.  Jefferson will be hosting a “Get Movin’ Night’ in March.
  Students will be recognizing Black History in several ways this month.  Grade one will be discussing and reviewing the contribution of non-Missourians such as Martin Luther King, Jr.  Second graders will be making a book of biographies of influential African Americans of today and the past.  There will also be an online scavenger hunt related to Dr. King’s life.
• Third graders will do a study of Ruby Bridges, the Woolworth sit-ins and Little Rock Nine. Students will also study African artists. Fourth graders will read a book each day dealing with civil rights and listen to Dr. King’s speech, “I Have a Dream.” Jefferson will also be participating in the MLK Readathon in association with SEMO University.  Students from the university will come to our campus and read to the students about Black History Month.

Central Middle School

• Ten students in Mrs. Mehner’s fifth grade classroom stayed after school on Friday, January 23 to enjoy a good book, refreshments, and fun with their classmates. The students took their shoes off, got comfortable with their blankets and pillows, and read their AR books spread out in the gym until their parents picked them up at 5:00 pm.
  Students in Mrs. Smith’s Explore 56 class participated in the Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl. The contest is projected from a computer and consists of 100 multiple-choice areas of math, geography, government, science, English, history, and general information. The sixth grade team placed first out of 23 teams. Team members included Max Abbott, Mackenzie Cannon, Zach Clark, Jackie Crawford, Raleigh Davis, Dymond Gardner, Alex Gentle, Elizabeth Green, Ryan Helle, Luc Helwege, Emily Holman, Melissa Hopkins, Alec Hutson, Maya Kelch, George Kester, Luke Kinder, Lexie McClanahan, Josh Morse, Christian Retter, Winnie Smee, Abby Sundstrom, Bridgett Trepasso, and Tessa Valleroy. The fifth grade team came in sixth place our of 20 teams. Team members included Brooke Anderson, Sarah Boerboom, Madison Boyer, Reed Dickson, Devyn Ford, Kendra Gosche, Tim Huey, Garrett Jackson, Riley Knight, Peyton Mink, Shelby Powers, Chanse Pullen, Shenandoah Richardson, Bailey Sheehan, Megan Sheeley, Samartha Shrestha, Katie Stinnett, Adrienne Underwood, Kade Weaver, Rachel Williams, and Shane Wright.
• Samartha Shrestha, fifth grader, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 6, 2009, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.
• The students and staff popped popcorn and sold water with flavor packets to raise money to send packages to military personnel overseas. Over $300 was raised. The Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Marine Corps League Auxiliary donated $125 to pay the postage to mail the packages. The packages were shipped in time for Christmas. We have already received several letters from package recipients.
• Students in Mrs. Brown’s Communication Arts classes have been studying Greek Mythology.  They read stories and skits, and watched short videos to learn about the characters. The final assignment required each student to research an assigned character and tell that person’s story. The students dressed as the character and gave a speech written in first person point of view. The students traveled through the building and performed for the other sixth grade classes.
• CMS will be having their Annual Hoops for Heart Student/Staff Basketball game on February 27.  The two classes who collect the most money for the American Heart Association will get to play a basketball game against the mighty CMS staff.  We were honored last year as one of the top ten contributing school in the Hoops program.
• Students in Mrs. Richardet’s art class painted windows in the upstairs hallway for the fall and winter seasons.  The students painted during their recess time.  The students enjoyed seeing their creative ideas come to life as they painted the windows.

Central Junior High School

• CJHS recently held its Geography Bee.  Each social studies class sent a winner to compete in the school-wide bee.  Congratulations to the students who shared their superior knowledge during the Geography Bee.  Runners up were Ashley Thornton and Andrew Miller.  The winner of the 2009 School-Wide Geography Bee was Joshua Sanders. 
• Students in Challenge participated in the Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl contest on Friday, January 16.  This computer contest consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Areas covered include math, geography, government, sports, spelling, science, literature, English, history, general information and just plain fun trivia. It is meant to be a team activity with all participants around one computer. Two chances to answer correctly are given. Points are awarded based on how fast they answer as well as on accuracy. The seventh grade team placed second out of nine seventh grade teams in Missouri and sixth in the overall category of seventh and eighth grade teams from Missouri.  Participants included Jacklyn Allen, Bailey Bliss, Martez Carter, Cadie Crites, Josh Greaser, Kendra Kelch, Bailey Kralemann, Rachel Long, Nathan Lutes, Jesse Mahan, Aaron Mehner, Alex Mehner, Sydney Messerli, Abby Ritter, Vikas Rudrappa, Jordan Stone, and Bo Wilferth.  The 8th grade team placed 2nd out of 14 8th grade teams in Missouri and 3rd in the overall category of  7th and 8th grade teams from Missouri.  Participants included Taylor Bain, Jennifer Boston, Umar Brimah, Parker Browne, Allyson Busch, Mallory Dickson, Brandy Guinter, Christian Hampton, Claire Herbst, Ben Hinton, Dale Hoover, Katey Lastrapes, Chleo Legrand, Caroline Retter, Taylor Rinda, Megan Sample, Joshua Sander, Sydney Santschi, Emily Sheets, Chelsea Vinson, Emily Weisenberger, Joseph Wolsey, and Daniel Yang.
• The CJHS Cheerleaders went to national competition and did an amazing job!  Out of about 30 squads our girls took first place in spirit.  Their overall score placed them 11th with a final score less than 1.5 out of first place (very close competition).  We are very proud of them!
• The BETA Club sold “puppy chow” as a fundraiser for the Humane Society. A spokesperson from the Humane Society was present at our fundraising table. The spokesperson brought one of the adoptable animals and discussed volunteer opportunities with kids. Beta Club was able to donate $400 to the Humane Society from this fundraiser.
• On Friday, February 6 all eighth grade students took a tour of the Career and Technical Center. The students enjoyed the opportunity and were surprised to see all of the programs available through CTC.  The conversations among the students after the tour were a huge indicator that the students benefited from the experience. 
• The Eighth Grade Orchestra played at the River Campus on February 5, as part of the 12th Annual Junior High Orchestra Festival. The Junior High Jazz Band performed at the PHI MU ALPHA Jazz Festival on February13 at the River Campus. Students performed their festival tunes for three judges and received a rating. 

Central High School

• Congratulations to our Cape Central Academic Department Students of the Month for February: Art-Natalie Metzger, Business—Courtney Marquis, Communication Arts—Brittany Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences—Taylre Scott, Industrial Technology—Robert Myers, Mathematics—Olivia Swanks, Music—Quitman McBride, Preparing for Academic Success—Alyssa Gutwein, Physical Education and Health—Ashley Butner, Science—Jasmine Davis, Social Studies—Sam Gerlach, World Languages—Matthew Deisher.
• Congratulations to our Cape Central Speech, Drama and Debate Team and to Coaches Al Nicolai and Joe Bradshaw on hosting another successful Invitational Tournament and for helping our fourteen guest schools feel at home on our campus.
  Congratulations to our Cape Central Wrestling Team and to Coaches James Brake and Aaron Ross on hosting our eleven conference schools in our SEMO Conference Wrestling Tournament.  Finally, congratulations to senior Trey Grovenor who won the heavy-weight SEMO conference championship for 2008-09.
• Congratulations to our Cape Central Art Department on the success they had in the 2008 Krueger Pottery Ceramic Show in St. Louis.  Once the results of the show were posted on-line, we were so very pleased to see not only that we had the greatest number of entries selected but also that we had the greatest number from a field that includes many of the leading high schools in the state—public and private.   Once again, this is a credible validation of our Cape Central art program and a reminder that we are more than capable of being the best even among the best in the state of Missouri in everything we do. 
• Congratulations to Cape Central junior Lauren Bishop who has been selected to participate in this summer’s Missouri Fine Arts Academy. 
• Congratulations also to our arts faculty—art and music—who collaborate annually under the leadership of Music Department chairperson Steve Schaffner to nominate our students for consideration. 
• Congratulations to our Cape Central Athletic Department, our Cape Central Cheerleaders, our Tiger Dance Team and our Student Senate on a successful Winter Homecoming Assembly and Dance.  Congratulations to seniors Rachel Berry and Josh Harris who were selected by our student body as this year’s Winter Homecoming Queen and King.