'The Angel Tree That Wasn't' Made Possible by Community Partnerships

Over the past several years we have been able to send our students home for Christmas break with food, hygiene items and toy. With the orchestration of our wonderful counselor, Mrs. Cartwright, this year was no exception. This effort would not be possible without the continued support of our wonderful partners in education. We sent the below letter describing our endeavor and they definitely answered the call.  This is one of our favorite days of the year and hope to continue this tradition of giving for years to come. 

The Angel Tree That Wasn’t

Our Fairytale continues again this year…………

Once upon a time there was a beautiful school with beautiful children and teachers.  Everyone there had beautiful hearts, but not much money. And every year when holiday time came, parents started asking, “Where is the Angel Tree at this beautiful school?”

Our school has 98% poverty, 643 kids, and many warm and generous hearts. Nearly everyone here could use an angel; everybody could use a tree. In reality, our“Angels” depend on the generous donations of our churches, community, and other quiet angels who offer help.  

Last year we successfully came up with enough donations to provide EACH student with a Holiday gift bag! Their sweet smiling faces and their giddy excitement was a magical Christmas moment for us all.   Our plan again this year is to make “Holiday Bags” filled with Goodness for every single Jones Jaguar. We would like to fill the bags with some of (but not limited to) the following items:   basic hygiene items:  shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, lip balms, hair accessories for girls, etc.

(Do YOU have an idea or donation for this bag, Dear Angel???)

We would also like to include “Winter Holiday Snack Packs,” one for every student, with Christmas candy, snack crackers, granola bars, jerky, juices, fruits, Little Debbies, hot chocolate, beef jerky, Ramen Noodles, nutritious snacks…individually packaged items for kids to eat over the winter break when there are no free lunches on the table.

Between now and December 15th, if you have an idea to contribute or spare cash in any amount, or a donation of some kind you would like to make to this endeavor, we heartily invite you to do so.

Farmers Insurance Names Winners Of The Thank A Million Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge,

Farmers Insurance Names Winners Of The Thank A Million Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge, Awarding Five Educators With $100,000 Grants Each
Winning Teachers to be featured on Insurer's Rose Parade® Float on January 1, 2015

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance announced today the five winners of the Thank A Million Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge, rewarding each of these educators with $100,000 grants and providing them the means to transform their schools and communities. Each of the five winners went through a rigorous proposal submission and review process and competed for votes from the American public to be crowned winners of the Dream Big Teacher Challenge. The winners will celebrate at the 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda as they ride atop the insurer's "Dream Big: World of Possibility" float alongside actor Jack Black and his longtime mentor and former teacher, Debbie Devine of 24th Street Theatre.

Each of the five winners will use the $100,000 to transform their communities and help show their students that the limits are endless promoting a world of possibility and opportunity outside the classroom. The winning teachers are:

(Blackfoot, ID) Melissa Hunt, IT Stoddard Elementary: Melissa Hunt's proposal, "Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow" will enhance the learning environment through the implementation of a variety of programs including Discovery Education, PD 360, Schoolnet and other online resources. Hunt along with the other IT Stoddard Elementary teachers will create formative and summative assessments through IFAP, and will deliver those through Schoolnet. All of these programs will support one another in the application phase for student "flipped learning." IT Stoddard Elementary will then serve as a model school of how to integrate all of these programs together.

(Bridgewater, VA) Cindy Ferek, Turner Ashby High School: Cindy Ferek's proposal, "Two Wheels Squared Driving Course Challenge" is a multi-faceted program that will challenge high school students physically, emotionally, and cognitively. The grant money will be used to build a physical course that trains future drivers for the challenges and problem solving situations they will face once they get a license and drive on the roadways in our communities. As vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, this course will prepare them for the dangers of the road.

(Chicago, IL) Maggie Kendall, Chicago School for Agricultural Sciences: Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences is home to Chicago's only working farm and hosts an equestrian program for regular and special needs kids and adults. Currently, students can only ride outside and with Chicago winter weather, this limits the time when students can enjoy the equestrian program. Kendall's proposal entitled "Raise the Barn Roof" will fund an indoor arena, allowing the school to extend the program year-round and also offer more opportunities to special needs children and adults throughout the area.

(Henderson, NV) Brenda Moynihan, C.T. Sewell Elementary: Moynihan's proposal, "C.T. Sewell Student and Family Technology Center" features a plan to incorporate technology into the classroom and learning center so the C.T. Sewell students, who rarely have access to computers or tablets at home, can more readily meet today's academic expectations. Moynihan will also use the grant money to create and provide career guidance programs for parents to help promote healthy home environments for the students of C.T. Sewell.

(Springdale, AR) Justin Minkel & Amber Stout, Jones Elementary: Justin Minkel and Amber Stout's proposal, "The Home Library Effect" will transform 1,000 of the world's at-risk readers by creating a statewide literacy initiative that has not only been recognized by Sec. Ducan but President Obama as well. The program initially started on a smaller scale with a 1,000 Books Project for their 2nd graders in 2010, but now they will take the project to a larger scale of 25,000 books for 1,000 children. The program will allow children to create a space in their homes for a library and choose books to fill it.
The Thank A Million Teachers program was launched earlier this year, inviting individuals across America to offer heartfelt thanks to teachers, present and past, for their positive impact on students and local communities. Teachers were then invited to participate in the Dream Big Teacher Challenge, in which they submitted detailed proposals for the chance to be considered as one of the five outstanding teachers nationwide.

"Over the past few months, we received hundreds of proposals from teachers across the country with incredible stories, visions and dreams to take their classroom to the next level and help inspire students," said Erin Freeman, Chief Communications Officer for Farmers Insurance. "Today, we are thrilled to make these dreams a reality for five deserving educators. Their stories inspired us and we know that this funding will transform education and promote endless opportunities for current and future students."

On January 1, 2015, actor Jack Black and his longtime mentor and former teacher, Debbie Devine of 24th Street Theatre will join the five Thank a Million Teachers Dream Big Teacher Challenge Winners to say thanks to teachers across the country as they ride the Farmers "Dream Big: World of Possibility" float in the 126th Rose Parade.

Check local listings and tune in on January 1 to see Farmers honor teachers in a big way. Visit www.thankamillionteachers.com to learn more about the program.

About Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer group of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and approximately 22,000 employees.

For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. The Tournament's 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed "Inspiring Stories," will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130731/LA56061LOGO

SOURCE Farmers Insurance

Thank a Million Teacher: Jones Elementary wins $100K

Jones Elementary teachers Justin Minkel and Amber Stout have won the $100,000 grant from Farmer's Insurance! Thank you to all who voted for the Jones teachers in the Thank A Million Teachers Dream Big Challenge. Jones is one of five schools (out of 15 candidates) in the entire country to win. The money will be used to purchase books for every student at Jones plus students at Lee and Harp Elementary.
Read the interview after the big surprise.

Girls on the Run

Saturday students participated in the Girls on the Run 5K. This is an amazing opportunity for all involved. The mission of Girls on the Run is our hope for these girls.
We believe that every girl can embrace who she is, can define who she wants to be, can rise to any challenge, can change the world. Can.

Springdale Schools | World Class Education

Once again Springdale Schools recognized as a top school district through AdvanceEd Accreditation.

Unlocking Language for English-Learners Justin Minkel

Teacher Justin Minkel gives a glimpse into effective strategies of teaching English Language Learners. 

Department of Education Highlights Success of Local School - NWAhomepage.com

  Department of Education Highlights Success of Local School - NWAhomepage.com

SPRINGDALE, AR -- One local school's secrets to success will now be used as a tool to help other schools around the nation. A film crew filled the halls of Jones elementary in Springdale Tuesday. They are making a video highlighting how successful students are there, despite a high level of low-income students and students who speak English as a second language.

The Department of Education chose Jones as one of only four schools in the nation to be featured. They credit principal Melissa Fink as a huge part in helping students and teachers. 

"She's got just really high standards for students and teachers, but she communicates them in such a loving way," said Laurie Calvert with the U.S. Department of Education. "We are really impressed on how it is paying off in the school."

Once the videos are finished, teachers from all over the country will be able to watch them, and use them as tools to help deal with issues in their own classrooms.

Two Jones Elementary Teachers Recognized As Finalists For Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Jones Elementary is first school to have 2 teachers selected as finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Third grade teacher, Mindy Epp, and fifth grade teacher, Ashley Kasnicka, were acknowledged at the November district school board meeting for such an amazing achievement.

 

Camp War Eagle After School Program Students Giving Back

With the help of Camp War Eagle, Jones Elementary has added a new Smashball court to the playground! Students participating in Camp War Eagle's after school program were apart of the entire building process. They were eager to dedicate the court for their school. 

Camp War Eagle program S.O.A.R. (Service, Opportunity, Academics, Recreation) is the Camp War Eagle After School Program hosted at The Jones Center for Families. In partnership with The Jones Center and Jones Elementary School, CWE invites 2nd-6th grade students from Jones Elementary School to attend our daily activities. The S.O.A.R. After School Program includes fun recreation and games, educational activities ad homework help, exciting art projects and rewarding community service opportunities. Give your child the opportunity to S.O.A.R. by learning, playing, creating, and serving with CWE after school!

Jones Principal Receives National Recognition

Jones Principal Receives National Recognition

posted Oct 28, 2014, 12:29 PM by Lauren Taylor   [ updated Nov 3, 2014, 9:22 AM ]

Written by: Rick Schaeffer

Melissa Fink directs her staff daily to teach students whose background is high poverty. All but a very few of Jones Elementary students are on free or reduced lunch. As principal at Jones, Fink has earned several awards but she may be about to receive her highest recognition.

Laurie Calvert, Teacher Liason in the Office of Communications and Outreach at the United States Department of Education was in town Tuesday to observe Melissa for most of the day. She spent time in several classrooms in trying to determine the angle she would take in producing a video that will be made available to every teacher in the country. That’s right. EVERY teacher in the entire country.

Only four principals and/or teachers in the U.S. were selected. Why Melissa Fink?

“We have six categories we are trying to cover and the more we looked at her work, we discovered Melissa Fink could serve as an example in any of the six,” Calvert said while visiting Justin Minkel’s classroom at Jones.

How did she know about Melissa in the first place?

“I have had several opportunities to communicate with Justin Minkel and have a great deal of respect for his insights,” said Calvert. Minkel was one of four finalists for national teacher of the year a few years ago and is highly connected. “I was asking Justin for a teacher who would be good for this video and he kept coming back to his principal. We realized she was a perfect candidate.”

Candidate for what? What is the video about?

“It’s a video to encourage teachers to know that the changes being made in education are meaningful and progress is being made,” Calvert said. “We are reaching kids we never would have reached before and Jones is a perfect example. At Jones they believe that every child will succeed and they are doing what it takes to make sure that happens. They have high expectations for their students. It’s exciting to hear what some of these kids want to do.”

Calvert and her crew will return some time during the next two weeks to begin work on the video. Melissa and her staff will be ready.

“This is a great honor,” Fink said. “We are thrilled they chose Jones.”

https://sites.google.com/a/sdale.org/springdale-schools/home/-springdalestories-blog/jonesprincipalreceivesnationalrecognition

4th Graders Speaking About Economics

Our 4th grade students, along with teacher Amanda Gunther and principal Melissa Fink, were invited to a special luncheon presented by Economics Arkansas. They spoke before Mike Duke, retired president and CEO of Walmart Stores, Inc. who received the Excellence in Free Enterprise Award and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who was the keynote speaker. 

Economics Arkansas believes that economic education is real life, because all young people grow up and become part of the marketplace. Read more Economics Arkansas here. 

Ms. Browsberger Good Choices Book Grant

We Can Make Good Choices!

Ms. Brownsberger's books project at Jones Elementary 

Completed!

October 23, 2014
$234 given

We begin each day by talking about our group goals that the students will be focusing on that day. The students love to help each other to get better with both behavior and academics.

I teach a kindergarten classroom of twenty students from low income households. I want to teach my students the value of being a good person, friend, student, and citizen. Kindergarten is a very important grade for them to learn and utilize these skills

I have requested books like How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food?, Recess Queen, Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully, and Time to Say Please. My students will use these books to learn and discuss important character traits that will help them to be better students, friends, and people. We will read the books as a group and will discuss the important lessons the books are teaching. The students will use these books to set personal and group goals to improve their behavior at school.

This project will help my students understand the importance of making good choices and how their choices will influence their lives. I want my students to take ownership of their decisions and begin to think more carefully about their choices. My students need books to help them learn the value of manners and being a good friend and student.

I am so excited and grateful for your donation to our class project! My students are going to be elated to hear that we are getting new books for our room to learn about manners and making good choices. As you know, my class consists of mostly English Language Learners and we have recently begun learning new English vocabulary related to manners and being polite. These books are going to be an incredible resource that will help instill these behaviors and vocabulary into my students daily lives. I am hoping this new language will transfer to situations outside of the classroom as well as outside of the school. I am immensely grateful for your donation, and I know that it will have a positive impact on the lives of my students!

With gratitude,
Ms. Brownsberger

Anna Dellinger Shaw Recognized as Jones Elementary Teacher of the Year

Anna Dellinger Shaw was recognized at the October Springdale school board meeting as Jones Elementary teacher of the year.


TubeChop - Springdale School Board: October Meeting (00:28)

Principal Melissa Fink Goes Above and Beyond

Jones Elementary Principal Melissa Fink received a service award for going above and beyond. 

Although teachers and staff observe her daily dedication to go above and beyond in making Jones Elementary a place that supports students to live the life they dream, it is wonderful to see her recognized. She leads by example and inspires us all to do the same.

Shifts in Writing Instruction

Lucy Calkins helped guide our uncertainty when it came to the shift in instruction under common core with her book Pathways to Common Core. She states, "As challenging as it must have been to write and finesse the adoption of the Common Core State Standards, that accomplishment is nothing compared to the work of teaching in ways that bring all students to these ambitious expectations. The goal is clear. The pathway is not." 
This book was our starting point a few years ago and read at the building level to help staff begin unpacking the standards and understand the key shifts with instructional implications. It was only natural that we returned to her resources when struggling to figure out what writing should look like.  
Because our curriculum units are collaboratively designed by teachers across the district, writing conversations within planning meetings included the benefits of using her resources by teachers in other buildings. Mrs. Pianalto, a first grade teacher passionate about writing, approached me about the Units of Study resources to support our writing instruction. Our journey with her resources began during our back-to-school professional development where I highlighted many common concerns with writing and how her resources could begin to bridge the instructional gaps. Some of the obstacles I see these resources helping to tackle are:

1. I want to communicate expectations to my students in a way they can understand and use when the current rubric doesn't.
2. How can I make sure my writing workshop supports common core standards?
3. I don’t understand the writing process for my students several grade levels behind?
4. Help me know specific skills my kids should be able to do throughout the year to reach end of the year standards.
5. I need grade level common core writing samples for all three types of writing from a credible source.
6. I always need more examples of anchor charts and annotated student work.
7. I’m out of ideas for specific feedback and next steps for my students
8. Sharing resources is difficult.

As an instructional facilitator, I continuously look for solutions to problems. During our professional development, I was able to address these concerns and point to resources. We found that the Writing Pathways Book (in each grade level set) includes student-friendly checklists for each domain of writing at grade levels K-5. A Common Core alignment is given on the back cover of each of the 4 writing area books. Writing Pathways shows grade specific alignment of the writing process learning progression K-8 throughout the year based on CCSS’ Levels of Proficiency. In the Writing Pathways book, you can see grade level samples across level in each of the areas of writing as well as annotated writing samples organized by type of writing and grade level. If...Then...Curriculum organizes student or conferring group descriptor, suggested conversation/strategy, and an artifact to leave with the student in their notebook when conferring with writers. To help make materials easy to access, a Google folder was shared with staff that organizes checklists, student samples, anchor chart examples, continuums, etc. by grade level.

The hunger for these resources was amplified as teachers incorporated further study with these books into professional growth plans and PLCs. This step is only the prologue as our journey has just begun, but I appreciate the teacher enthusiasm and the feedback I have received in just a short time. I can't wait to continue these words with teacher and student success. 

Ms. Green's Earning By Learning Grant

Earning By Learning

Ms. Green's supplies project at Jones Elementary School in Springdale, AR

Completed!

August 16, 2014
$551 given
3 donors

A typical day in my classroom is filled with reading (including academic vocabulary), math, and language understanding. I firmly believe that every moment is a teachable moment. And that each teachable moment is vital to student success. ... more
My students need activities such as board games, puzzles and arts and craft materials at home to aid in thinking skills, creativity and language building skills. Critical thinking skills and creativity are often mastered during play. I ... more

My students need activities such as board games, puzzles and arts and craft materials at home to aid in thinking skills, creativity and language building skills.

I am amazed at how successful Earning By Learning has been in my classroom this school year. I was able to implement this reward system the very first day because of your generous gift! No more spending huge amounts of personal money for unimportant treasure chest trinkets. These prizes were items the children really wanted and were willing to work hard to earn the money to purchase them.

Today was our first "store" where the students were allowed to spend their hard earned cash! The first place student earned $205.00 while the twenty-fourth student only had $6.00. Please understand I began to take money from them also for behavior issues, lack of self-control, etc. All of the students were extremely excited about their new educational games, floor puzzles, play dough and tools that they could bring home for Thanksgiving and play with their families.

My volunteers today said that all of the students did a fantastic job counting out all of their money and really have a better understanding of base 10. This is a huge standard in first grade! 

All in all I believe it has been a great success and everyone is ready to begin to earn money again after Thanksgiving holiday is over. "Will you work harder to earn more money," I said. "You bet I will!" was the unanimous response. We all are excited to see who will earn the most money this next semester!

With gratitude,
Ms. Green

Mrs. Fisher's Science Savvy Pre-K Grant

Science Savvy in Pre-K

Mrs. Fisher's supplies project at Jones Elementary School in Springdale, AR | Highest Poverty

Completed!

June 15, 2014
$229 given
6 donors

Mad Scientists in action! My classroom uses a total hands on approach at learning. I would like to provide materials for my students so that the literacy and language skills we work on can be accompanied by real world examples and manipulatives for better understanding!

I am a pre-k teacher for a small school that is considered high poverty. 18 of my 20 students are ESL students and many if not all of my students do not get real life rigorous experiences in the science world. I have a very active and eager to learn class this year and I have quickly run out of experiments and manipulatives for their busy minds! I am hoping that this donation will add to our last unit of study for this year which is Earth and Life science. We will be learning how to take care of our Earth and how a healthy Earth benefits our well being in the long run. This unit will be a first experience for my students and I would love to provide them with fun hands on examples so that they enjoy this unit to the fullest and leave for kindergarten on a positive well rounded note!

My students will use these materials to learn more about recycling and taking care of our Earth. We will also be studying animals, insects and life cycles as well as weather and seasons. These materials will give my curious students hands on opportunities as well as activities I can do with small groups to go deeper with their thinking. Because my students are ESL students, hands on materials are a vital resource to have to make their learning more relevant.

My students are all considered high poverty at risk students. Any donations will greatly help them have a fair and comparable educational experience to other schools that may have more resources. My students will be able to gain more understand of Earth and Life Sciences when they can do experiments and activities with hands on manipulatives instead of just gaining knowledge from a book. Being able to share literacy and language skills ALONG with hands on activities is every teachers dream. My students need science kits with hands on manipulatives.

My students were beyond thrilled to receive these great science resources. I teach a class of 98% ESL students and it is important to their education to provide them as many hands on experiences as possible. By you providing these tools for my class they were not only able to learn new vocabulary but they were also able to use that vocabulary while working together on projects. They gained some experience with weather, insects and earth science that was much more rigorous and relevant than it would have been by just looking at a book. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with these tools and my students as well as myself are so appreciative. We are very grateful that you chose our class this year!

With gratitude,
Mrs. Fisher

Jones Teachers Reflect On Race To The Top Grant

Jones Elementary School teachers reflect on the impact the race to the top grant will have on student learning.

Jones Elementary Trip to the Arkansas Capitol

Join the Jones Elementary choir as they go on a once in a lifetime trip to Little Rock, the State Capitol of Arkansas, to perform a variety of Christmas melodies. View the entire concert  here.