"Mr. I'mPossible" Keith Brown moves the crowd at the HMC-1 Back to School Rally on August 20.
Issue 13; September 30, 2016
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Ruskin Students Chosen for Federal Reserve's Student Board of Directors

Seniors Shadman Alam, Erin Jackson, Luis Jimenez, and Peter Nguyen
 have been chosen to serve on the Student Board of Directors for the 
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Four Ruskin seniors have been given the distinction of serving on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Student Board of Directors. This program gives 26 area students the opportunity to learn about the nation's central bank and its role in the United States' economy.
 
The selected Ruskin students were Shadman Alam, Erin Jackson, Luis Jimenez, and Peter Nguyen.
 
The Student Board of Directors program will prepare the students to become knowledgeable citizens, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's website. Students will increase their understanding of economic, financial, and occupational topics through collaboration with their peers and local business leaders.
 
"I believe this will significantly impact their learning and understanding of this nation's economy and how it functions," Robert Nellis, their dual credit economics instructor, said.
 
Nellis added that this is another example of how HMC-1 and Ruskin High School are developing a program that will ultimately help build the community. He stated that all four students have either taken or are currently taking the dual credit class Introduction to Economics through the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

NEWS
JROTC Makes Impression at Kansas City Royals Games
  
Ruskin's JROTC presenting the flags at a recent Kansas City Royals game.

It's an opportunity few students and adults can say they've had: Taking center stage at a Kansas City Royals baseball game. Yet for Ruskin's JROTC color guard, it's an occasion they have experienced multiple times.

Colonel Ivan Glasco, Ruskin's JROTC senior instructor, said the school's color guard has been participating in Royals games since approximately 2006. Glasco explained that it builds the cadets' pride and respect for the country, flag, and anthem. It also helps gives a positive image of Ruskin as the cadets always perform at a high level.

"I will tell you that everytime  we have gone, several fans specifically have complimented them on not only their performance, but their manner and bearing," Glasco said.

Cadets in Ruskin's JROTC pose with Mayor Sly James and Bill Johnson (center), a Ruskin alum. Johnson sang the national anthem at the August 9 game, and Ruskin's JRTOC also presented the colors.






Glasco said that Ruskin's color guard has built such a strong reputation, they have become a go-to organization for when others back out. Ruskin has filled in on a few occasions with only one day's notice.

Captain Zachary Laughery, a senior, has helped carry the flags (referred to as "presenting the colors") at Royals games since he was a sophomore. This year, he participated in four games. He says it is a unique opportunity, and you never know what will happen.

"We know Colonel is watching us, and so is everyone else in the crowd," Laughery explained.  "One game, my hat fell off after a gust of wind hit my pole into my hat." He was sure Glasco would mention it. Come to find out, Glasco had not even noticed.

This was Sergeant Major Alisha Palmer's first year presenting the colors at a Royals game. Palmer, a senior, described it as a nerve-racking, yet exciting, experience. Cadets also get to meet a wide range of people. They have met Kansas City Mayor Sly James, Korean superfan Sungwoo Lee, Royals legend George Brett, and Royals historian KayCee, who hangs the "W" after a win.

"Then as you are headed back after presenting the colors, the players are right there, running onto the field. Sometimes they run around you, or you have to move out of their way," Palmer said.

Presenting the colors and building a strong, dependable reputation is an opportunity not lost on the cadets. They know this is a special privilege.

"Who can say at the age of 17 or 18, they have presented the colors at a major league baseball game?" Laughery said.

Day One Celebrates, Welcomes Students Back to School

HMC-1 staff and over 200 community volunteers welcomed students to the 2016-2017 school year by greeting them as they arrived for the first day of school. 

There were lots of smiles, high fives, and "Great to see yous!"

Celebrating Students During Day One 2016
Celebrating Students During Day One 2016

Millennium  at Santa Fe Starts the Year Off Running

This year marks the beginning of the Millennium program at Santa Fe Elementary. This program utilizes project-based, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) curriculum.

Teachers at Millennium spent the first few days of school building relationships and setting up routines, then immediately began challenging their classes to become critical thinkers, artists, musicians, and athletes. First  and 2nd graders organized classroom libraries by genres, practicing important counting and addition skills.  Older students designed hot air balloons and explored how much it costs to build and furnish a home.

Here is a brief look at what a few specific classrooms have been up to thus far:
  • Susan Curry's 5th grade students worked in groups to brainstorm one way their classroom could be improved. Then they designed "Shark Tank" style presentations in order to convince Curry to implement their ideas. Some teams created models of their ideas, while others wrote and performed skits explaining why their innovation was the best.
  • Morgan Sydnor's 5th grade class collaborated to design, build, and test contraptions to keep an egg safe when dropped from several feet. The students' products were a success, but afterwards they still reflected on how their designs could be improved.
  • Kaye Daniels' 6th grade students created original pieces of art describing their own personal "I Can..." statements.
  • Aaron Gaddis' 6th grade class built towers to hold an object off the ground without falling. Towers were created using straws and pipe cleaners.
  • Students in Tara Henry's 6th grade class designed and tested marshmallow catapults.  After testing catapults, groups participated in an important aspect of the design process - revision. They analyzed the results and worked to improve the trajectory of their marshmallows.
The first few weeks of school flew by as students participated in these and many more learning experiences. Scholars collaborated and communicated with excitement as they learned important skills through hands-on, authentic activities. The new Millennium is off to a great start!

Back to School Rally a Hit; Thank You Volunteers

The 2016 HMC-1 Back to School Rally was a giant success! Approximately 1,000 people attended the event, featuring speaker Keith Brown, student performances, introduction of fall sports teams, and several outside activities. We gave away an estimated 800 bookbags, and free haircuts were very popular as well.
 
Thank you to the countless volunteers who helped make not only the Back to School Rally a success, but also our Day One celebration. Three years ago we had just 20 volunteers at Day One and about 300 parents and students at the Rally. This year we had over 200 volunteers at Day One and 1,000 parents and students at the Rally. We are grateful for all of your contributions.
 
We are already planning next year's Rally and want to see you there!



 


COMPASS Students Get Immersed in Shark Tank

In July, teams of 5th and 6th grade HMC-1 students  participated in a special camp at the UMKC School of Education. They were heralded for their ingenuity in developing products  that would be life-changing for the community.

Patterned after the "Shark Tank" reality television show, UMKC undergraduate and graduate education students served as teachers 
and instructional coaches as the students worked in teams to identify problems, design solutions and working prototypes, and research costs to mass produce their products.

COMPASS Students participating in UMKC/Shark Tank
COMPASS Students Participating in UMKC Shark Tank

At the conclusion of the week-long camp, students presented their proposals to "shark" experts/investors: Dennis Carpenter, Ed.D., HMC-1 superintendent; Carl Skinner, Ed.D., deputy superintendent; LaTanya Franklin, director of curriculum and instruction; Chris Brown, Ph.D., professor and chair at the UMKC School of Education; and LaVerne Berkel, Ph.D., associate dean and associate professor in the School of Education.

Ideas presented included 
  • "Trash tables" for recycling and disposing of school lunchtime waste to minimize spills on the floor and lessen the need for custodians
  • GPS tracking embedded in sports equipment (such as golf balls, basketballs) to assist in locating lost or stolen items
  • A revolutionary prison system focused on counseling services for drug offenders
  • Biodegradable "Clean Ups: The shower on the go!" for multi-age use when shower facilities are not available or to save on water bills.
The sharks presented the Best Product Award to the self-monikered Barf Bucket team for the GPS tracking sports equipment.

Audience feedback was that all student participants had great passion, were informative, and developed "reasonable answers and marketable products." The Audience Choice Award went to the "Clean Ups," developed by team The Crew.

Michael Camp, Ed.D., principal at Compass at Burke Elementary, and Leah Panther, instructor of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies at the UMKC School of Education, were instrumental in bringing the summer learning experience to fruition.  According to Panther, "This week showcased the best Kansas City has to offer. The partnership with Hickman Mills created an authentic project-based learning opportunity for urban students, an opportunity to showcase the excellent teacher candidates our school is preparing, and also provide our young people with a voice within our community."

This story is adapted from an original post in the UMKC  News  on  July 22, 2016 .

QUICK LINKS
NEWS
Gains Seen in MAP Scores Over the Last Three Years
Voters Approve HMC-1 No Tax Increase Bond
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Hickman Mills C-1 School District

Administration Building

9000 Old Santa Fe Road | Kansas City, MO 64138

Phone: (816) 316-7000 | Fax: (816) 316-7032 

 

The C-1 Messenger is a quick review of the latest Hickman Mills C-1 School District news, events, and special announcements. Complete information can be viewed on our website: www.hickmanmills.org.  Please feel free to contact us with questions or comments at pio@hickmanmills.org.