Students Of The Month Named At Area Schools
November 24, 2008
The following students were selected from North Escambia schools as Students of the Month:
- Bratt: Kyle D. Smith, fifth grade; Jonathan B. Windham, Kindergarten.
- Carver/Century K-8: Hillary B. Moye, eighth grade, Skyler A. Macks, eighth grade.
- Ernest Ward Middle School: Jenny Spears, Kaitlyn Gunn, Logan Lee, Brannen Bateman
- Molino Park: Shelby M. Jackson, third grade; Jacob A. White, third grade
- Northview: Lanie J. Eubanks, 12th grade; Mark A. Shipps, 11th grade.
Pictured above: Ernest Ward Middle Students of the Month (L-R) Jenny Spears, Kaitlyn Gunn, (back) Logan Lee, Brannen Bateman. Pictured below: Northview Students of the Month Lanie Eubanks and Mark Shipps. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
EWMS Holds Honor Society Induction
November 12, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School recently inducted several new members into the National Junior Honor Society in an induction ceremony at the school.
New seventh grade members are: Mariah Albritton, Madison Arrington, Timothy Born, Kasie Braun, Katelynne Calloway, Kira Cartwright, Lana Clayton, Madalyn Coon, Morgan Digmon, Anna Donald, Anna Fischer, Marina Gray, Tamara Green, Paeton Hadley, Casey Jackson, Wade Jernigan, Courtney Jones, Chloe Leonard, Courtney Lewis, Jessica Lowery, Lakota Maloney, Ali Martin, Audra Martin, Rachel Presley, Tiffani Pritchett, Mikaela Santos, Danielle Scott, Colton Singleton, Courtney Solari, Jennifer Spears, Jeremy Stacey, Danielle Steadham, Lily Townson, Courtney Weaver, Raven Weaver, Mallory Wiggins and Victoria Wright.
New eighth grade members are : Alison Bardin, Harley Caraway, Beni Joe Deron, Georgia Goetter, Michael Glick, Zachary Johnson, Angel Mitchell, Dylan Nowlin and Hannah Ziglar.
Current officers for the EWMS National Junior Honor Society are: La’Derious Franklin, president; Trey Johnson , vice president; Justice Agerton , secretary ; Ashley Mooney, treasurer; Ashton Gibbs, historian; Jessica Warner, reporter; and Justin Halteman, parliamentarian.
Other members of the National Junior Honor Society at Ernest Ward are: Reid Bell, Cody Chapman, Mitchell Colvin, Ashley Cunningham, Hannah Fiellin, Jazzlyn Franklin, Kaitlyn Gunn, Josh Inghram, Alanna Johnson, Jonathan Moretz, Dustin Parker, Jarrett Parker, Blake Presley, Stephanie Roach, Johnny Robbins, Tyler Roley, Natasha Suggs and Dezarae Turner.
Submitted photos.
Don’t Say No To The USO
November 11, 2008
Northview High School honored area veterans with a one act play “Don’t Say No To The USO” Monday morning at the school during the school’s annual Veterans Day program.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from “Don’t Say No To The USA”, click here.
Pictured above: A scene from “Don’t Say No To The USO” at Northview High School. Pictured below: Veterans from all branches of service were honored Monday during the annual Veterans Day program at Northview. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
A Boy’s Army Hero: Remembering His Father
November 11, 2008
Sgt. Joe Louis Thames died July 2, 2007, from complications from chemical exposure during the Vietnam war. He died a hero in America’s eyes, and he died a hero in the eyes of his son.
Ladarius Thames held a triangle folded flag close to his heart during a Veterans Day ceremony at Bratt Elementary School. It was the flag that covered his father’s casket. The flag was given to his family after the military honors funeral for his father.
“I am the son of Sgt. Joe Louis Thames,” Ladarius told the crowd at Bratt’s Veterans Day program. “He fought in the Vietnam War, and he was a very brave soldier.”
Sgt. Thames joined the United State Army in 1968. He served two years in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Air Medal and a Purple Heart.
“His citation for the Bronze star stated ‘Specialist 5 Joe L Thames gave outstanding service against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He used good judgement and extensive knowledge. He showed loyalty, diligence and devotion to the United States Army’,” Ladarius read.
“I am going to join the Army and follow in my father’s footsteps,” Ladarius said. “I want to serve our country. I want to make the world safe for my wife and kids. I want to be like my father. He was a hero.”
Ladarius held the flag close to his heart as the Bratt students sang The Star Spangled Banner, a song that was undoubtedly close to his father’s heart.
“At his funeral, my family received this American flag,” Ladarius said. “It was a very special tribute to a very special man.”
Pictured above and below: Bratt fifth grader Ladarius Thames holds the American flag that covered the casket of his father, Army Sgt. Joe Louis Thames. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park P.E. Program Using Video Games To Get Kids Moving
November 7, 2008
One North Escambia school is using video games to get students up and moving.
Molino Park Elementary School demonstrated its “exergaming” program Thursday morning for the media and physical education teachers across the area.
“It is just awesome,” fifth grader Jalyn Bodiford said while following along in “Dance, Dance Revolution”. “I like the way it keeps you feet moving, and how it has different levels.”
Molino Park’s physical fitness program has implemented four gaming systems into the program, allowing students to enjoy not only the dance program, but other sports like golf, boxing, bowling and tennis.
“This is not meant to replace regular physical activity,” Molino Park physical education teacher Rod Voss said. “It is meant to teach them how to play a sport and how to be active. It can’t replace getting outside and doing something. But love this stuff.”
And love it they do.
“It’s awesome. It’s such a cool learning experience to be able to play these games,” Kristopher Reber, a fifth grader, said.
“It’s a lot of fun, and it really gets you up and moving,” Haley Brown said of Dance Dance Revolution. “This is the coolest thing.”
“Everything is like the real sport,” Molino Park physical education teacher Chad Hetherington said. For example, playing the tennis game requires the correct combination of backhand and forehand swings; just randomly swinging the club toward the video ball will not work.
“It add a whole new excitement to our program,” he said. “It’s really a great thing.”
The equipment was purchased with funds the school received from school picture sales. The school has about $3,000 invested in the program.
For more photos from Molino Park’s exergaming demonstration, click here.
Pictured above: Molino Park Elementary students demostrate “Dance Dance Revolution” Thursday morning. Pictured below: A game of Wii tennis at Molino Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
What Will New Board, Superintendent Mean For Carver/Century, Other North Escambia Schools?
November 5, 2008
[NorthEscambia.com Exclusive]
Carver/Century K-8 School may have won a temporary reprieve at the polls on Tuesday, and Tuesday’s vote could spell an increased voice for North Escambia on the county’s school board.
“The cloud over Carver/Century has been lifted,” newly elected District 5 school board member Bill Slayton told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday night. “We need to step back and look at what we are going to do there.”
Current Superintendent Jim Paul, who did not seek re-election after a drunk driving arrest, was expected for months to call for the closure of Carver/Century before next school year, but he did not. Any closure recommendation would now come from Malcolm Thomas who will take office as superintendent on November 18.
“We have to pause a minute on closing Carver/Century,” Thomas said. “It is not that I am in opposition to closing that school, but I don’t want to close it now to find out that we just have to reopen it next year.”
Project Green Leaf could the school’s saving grace. The electric car manufacturing facility with up to 1,100 jobs proposed for Century could drastically change the future of Carver/Century.
“I want specific answers, not just the (Project Green Leaf) sales pitch before making a decision. I want the facts,” Thomas said. “That does not mean that it is over. It just means we are pressing the pause button on closing the school.”
But once the district has exercised “due diligence” and explored Carver/Century and Project Green Leaf’s future, the district will move forward. That may mean closing the school, Thomas said, and it may not. He said he is not opposed to closing and consolidating schools if warranted. In fact, he said a handful of smaller Pensacola area schools could be on the chopping block very soon.
As for the rest of the schools in North Escambia, Thomas had nothing but praise. From Molino Park Elementary to Bratt Elementary, North Escambia’s other elementary schools are in great shape, he said, noting the Bratt is the top school in the entire county according to numbers from the Florida Department of Education. He expects no changes at Ernest Ward Middle, an “A” school several years running, or at Northview High School, a “B” rated school with improving state test scores.
“The problem area that we must address is Carver/Century,” he said. The school improved to a “B” school this past year, up from an “F” the year before. It has also failed to make the state’s definition of adequate yearly progress, leading to state-funded student transfers out of the school.
“There are great schools in the north end,” Slayton said. “I want to continue to make sure that they receive equal treatement in the educational system, and that they are part of the plan in this county.”
Pictured above: Malcolm Thomas was elected as the new Escambia County School Superintendent. NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Byrneville Students Vote: Brown Pelican Wins
November 4, 2008
Students at Byrneville Elementary School headed to the polls Tuesday to vote, and the brown pelican won.
The students were voting not for Barack Obama or John McCain, but for Florida’s new state bird.
Fourth grade supported the osprey, and the fifth grade rallied behind the brown pelican.
The school had four precincts set up around campus, and each voter had to register by the deadline and was given his or her voter registration card.
Byrneville used the electoral college as a guideline for voting, so it is possible that the popular vote may not actually win. School officials say the students and adults alike have enjoyed the process of learning how an election really works.
The state bird vote was held at schools across the state. For more information, visit www.vote4bird.org.
Pictured above: Warren Suggs, a fifth grade student, casts his vote. There are eight pictures below; scroll down to see each photo. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Carla Payne, PTO Treasurer and volunteer poll worker, is ready to begin!
Emily Black, a fifth grade student, votes.
Jacke Johnston, fifth grade teacher, and Joy Walker, fifth grade teacher assistant, show off their registration cards.
Barbara Ryals, office clerk and custodian, gets an “I voted” sticker by poll worker, Carla Payne.
David Smith, Byrneville’s PTO President and volunteer poll worker, has a student sign for her ballot.
Look at the lines for voting in Precinct 1! Those third graders are ready to make their choice!
Susan Diamond, teacher assistant, shows her registration card and signs for her ballot.
Stephanie Gilmore, fourth grade teacher, is getting her ballot to vote!
Ernest Ward Red Ribbon Rally; Pies In The Face
November 1, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School held a rally to celebrate the end of Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug campaign.
As part of the fun afternoon Friday, students were award prizes for learning goal gains, and they had the opportunity to serve up a pie in the face to members of the faculty and staff.
$50 gift cards were awarded to the highest scores from various schools clubs and sports. Gift cards were awarded to (pictured bottom of page): Jazzlyn Franklin, girls basketball; Christina Donald, swim team; Trey Johnson, boys basketball; Jamie Gafford, football; Chelsea Ward, FFA; Jeremy Stacey, newspaper; Dezara Turner, SGA; Tiffany Chavers, yearbook; and Johnny Robbins, honor society. Ipod Nano’s were awarded to Hunter Poston and Da’Michael Fountain for the highest overall scores.
For a complete photo gallery, include more pies-in-the-face, click here.
Pictured above and below: Ernest Ward Middle School Red Ribbon Rally sponsor Sara McGinnis takes pies in the face as part of Friday afternoon’s event. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Holds Career Day
November 1, 2008
Career Day was held Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Students were able to talk to representatives from a wide variety of businesses, including pharmacists, nurses, teachers, performing artist, taxidermists and a reporter from NorthEscambia.com.
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia photo gallery from the Ernest Ward Career Day.
Deputy Reggie Bruster and his K-9 Gunner talk to student at Ernest Ward Middle School’s Career Day Friday. Pictured below: Student pose after visiting with NorthEscambia.com at the EWMS Career Day. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Elects Officers, Wins At The Fair, Sells Sweet Potatoes
October 30, 2008
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School are only about a quarter of the way into the school year, and it has been a busy one so far for members of the school’s FFA chapter.
EWMS Reporter Courtney Solari contributed the following report for NorthEscambia.com:
This year has been off to a great start for the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA Chapter. So far, we have about 60 members and have just recently selected our 2008 – 2009 officers which include Harley Caraway – president, Devin Bell – vice president, Shelby Lewis – secretary, Chelsea Ward – treasurer, Courtney Solari – reporter, Anna Donald – sentinel, Cody Chapman – 1st parliamentarian, Tyler Roley – 2nd parliamentarian, Nathan Waters – chaplain, Sandy Rainwater – historian, and Marisa Penland and Katelyn Zisa – photographers .
The FFA members recently finished the Pensacola Interstate Fair booth and placed second. This is a major accomplishment because Ernest Ward was the only middle school competing against four high schools. The theme was “ Wearing Official FFA Dress is Priceless!!!!” We also had to include various agricultural products including a jar of honey donated by our own beekeeper, Aden Davis, a sixth grader at EWMS.
Also at the fair, EWMS students Marisa Penland and Devin Bell each showed various livestock.
Our annual sweet potato sale will be November 3rd through November 14th. We will be selling twenty pound bags for $7.00 each, and they will be available in white or red. Bags of potatoes can be ordered from any EWMS FFA member. Call the school for more information, 327-4283.
Pictured above: The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA booth at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Pictured below: FFA members work on the fair booth. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
