Monticello Live

The Court Appointed Special Advocates serve the abused and neglected children in our area. CASA advocates for the 10th judicial district which contains the following counties: Ashley, Drew, Chicot, Bradley and Desha. There are 219 children in need of services. Right now, Drew Central EAST is currently working on a clothing drive to raise money for CASA. The clothing is donated to homeless shelters and orphanages. Due to a reduction in government funding, CASA is in dire need of monetary donations to keep the program active. All funds collected are used to train advocates and keep the program operational and serve more children.

To make donations, please contact Jeni Smith at 1-870-831-9536 or 1-870-367-9449.

Mrs. Mary Hobbs, a fourth grade teacher at Drew Central Elementary, is shown with her students and Read (a homophone for the color red) their new classroom pet.

Read was rescued by Mrs. Hobbs from a snake’s mouth when she was only four days old and still has the shredded ear to prove it.

Through Read, the. Students are learning responsibility, the history and care of domesticated rabbits, and empathy for animals.

Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funds Local Coalition to Continue Tobacco Control Efforts in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program (TPCP) has given the Drew Central School District $47,053.00 to continue efforts to decrease and eliminate tobacco use in the Monticello area. Local coalitions play an integral part in preventing youth from starting and helping tobacco users quit.

“Coalitions and other grantees are an important part of TPCP’s tobacco control strategy,” said Carolyn Dresler, MD, TPCP’s Medical Director. “They act as our hands and feet in local Arkansas communities, interacting with real citizens and providing feedback on how we can improve our efforts statewide.”

The DCSD has experienced growth and success since its collaboration with TPCP. Funding was first received during the 2009-2010 school year in the amount of $74,000. The district has sponsored a health fair, tobacco cessations programs and activities, and sponsored various activities for students and parents focused on the dangers of tobacco use.

DCSD partners with their local communities to implement a variety of activities that teach Arkansas youth about the dangers of tobacco. They distribute information to tobacco users about services available to help them quit, and they act as tobacco control advocates, raising awareness about the burden tobacco use places on the user, their families and all Arkansans.

Drew Central Sxhool administrators are updating blogs this yeat, and encourage parents and students to check in throughout the new school year.

Here are their blog’s web addresses.

Mr. Fawcett- wfawcettsuperintendent.blogspot.com  Superintendent

Ms. Greer – kgsdcblog.blogspot.com Dir. of Instruction/Curriculum Coordinator

Mr. Noble – snobledchs.blogspot.com HS Principal

Mrs. Vincent – mvincentdchs.blogspot.com Asst HS Principal

Mrs. Graham – jgrahamdcms.blogspot.com MS Principal

Mrs. Jackson – trudygjackson.blogspot.com ES Principal

Frank Ferguson – frank-ferguson1.blogspot.com Instructional Technology Coordinator

http://www.monticellolive.com/mes-kindergarten-school-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/mes-1st-grade-school-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/mes-2nd-grade-school-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/mis-3rd-grade-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/mis-4th-grade-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/mis-5th-grade-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-school-supplies-kindergarten/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-school-supplies-1st-grade/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-school-supplies-2nd-grade/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-school-supplies-3rd-grade/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-school-supplies-4th-grade/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-5th-grade-school-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-6th-grade-school-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-7th-grade-school-supply-list/

http://www.monticellolive.com/dc-8th-grade-school-supply-list/

Story by Mandy Moss.

Principal Noble discussed with the board that it has been decided to allow high school students to bring their own smart phones and/or laptops to class. “I think it’s time we step into the 21st century,” Noble said.

Phones and computers will be allowed to use for homework assignments, research, and other learning and school related agendas. Students with smart phones that are not on a “media package plan” and therefore cannot access the internet will still benefit from this new privilege.

(more…)

Story by Mandy Moss

Drew Central High School Principal Steve Noble began his report at the school board meeting by stating that, according to his calculations, DCHS had met AYP. He then stated that the Department of Education will not accept the school as having met AYP based upon too few students being tested.

(more…)

The Arkansas Dept. of Education has released the statewide benchmark results for Arkansas school.

This link to Arkansas Dept. of Health’s website will take you to their links to the 2005-2011 Benchmark Comparisons and Annual Measurable Objectives.

Under the “Grades Results within a District, ” you can view specific results from Monticello and Drew Central districts.

The Drew Central FFA students, shown here, along with students from across the state attended the 2011 Arkansas Leadership Conference (ALC) this summer at Camp Couchdale, Arkansas FFA’s campgrounds on Lake Catherine, near Hot Springs.

The conference is an activity of the Arkansas FFA Association. Members of the Drew Central FFA Chapter attended the conference from July 4-8.

(more…)

Drew Central Elementary

School Supply list is posted in the following stories, so you can print them off by individual grades.

Please remember, no rolling backpacks, trapper keepers, or mechanical pencils for any grade.

Also, Open House is set for Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

First Day of School for students is Monday, August 15, 2011

The Drew Central school board met in a special called meeting, Thursday evening, where they planned to approve changes in school policies, for the new school year; but they also officially approved the hiring of a new football coach, all that meeting.

(more…)

Drew Central Elementary collected Box Tops for Education for Mrs. Eubanks’ music class this school year. The top three winning classes were:

The DC PTO hosted a ”kiss the goat” fundraiser to raise money for an awning. The goal was to raise $400.00 to add to the funds from various fundraiser to purchase an awning to go from the kindergarten building to the elementary building.

The event raised $622.67, making more than expected. Jars were placed in the libraries of each building with the name of each teacher or staff member. Students were allowed to put their loose change in the jar of their choose.

The teachers who raised the most money and had to kiss a goat were Mr. Noble high school principal, Mr. Johnston elementary principal, and Coach Curtis cross country coach and 5th grade teacher.

The DC PTO would like to thank everyone who participated in the fundraiser. A special thank you to Monticello School for loaning us their school mascot. DC PTO raised enough to put the awning up. Construction of the awning will start on June 8th 2011.

Here is the list of 2011-2012 Drew Central Senior High Cheerleaders.

(more…)

Drew Central Superintendent Wayne Fawcett, far left, responds to questions from an attorney at a Drew Central personnel hearing Thursday night. The school board rejected Fawcett's recommendations to not renew portions of football coach James Bell and cheer coach Melaine Brotherton's personnel contracts.

After nearly four hours of testimony at a pair of personnel hearings Thursday night the Drew Central School Board with no dissenting votes rejected Superintendent Wayne Fawcett’s recommendation not to renew the football coach and junior high cheer coach’s contracts.

Fawcett recommended that James Bell’s head football coach and athletic director contracts not be renewed for the 2011-12 school year. He also recommended that Melanie Brotherton’s contracts as the junior high head cheer coach and high school assistant cheer coach not be renewed. He did not recommend that the teaching portions of their contracts not be renewed.

The board rejected Fawcett’s recommendations. Board member Rene Knowles did not attend the hearings.

Bell, along with Brotherton, requested a public hearing at which Bell was represented by Dr. Carolyn Jones, with the Arkansas Education Association, and Brotherton was represented by Little Rock attorney Greg Alagood.

Below are reports from each hearing. 

(more…)

Back Row: Fabiana Franklin, Kaitlynn Harris, Mary Kaitlyn Otwell, Claudia Morrison,
Brittany Hodges, Lacey Rea, Caroline Adair, Christain Greer, and Ashley Berryman
Middle row: April Vincent, Sammie Sanders, and Aalexus Jones
Bottom row: Captain Brooke Rekow and Co Captain Chandolyn Watson

On Saturday May 14th, the Drew Central 7th- 12th grade band competed in the Magic Springs Music Festival in Hot Springs.

The event was held at the Cutter Morning Star High School, where bands from all over Arkansas competed. Drew Central earned all Superior ratings and were awarded a trophy.

Those in the band are: Allanah Hensley, Brian Hillyard, Martin Garcia, Caleb Bodiford, Noemi Garcia, Brandon Bauknight, Aaron Jones, Savannah Jones, Mistee Knight, Marcus Lytle, Moesha Martin, Britany Nall, Morgan Nall, Hunter Neptun, Brooke Rekow, Jazmine Rivera, David Rodriguez, Katlyn Shackleford, Jodilynn Stewart, Hannah Webb, Olevia Young, Kwame Bailey, Tysha Burton, Billie Connard, Delaney Davis, Annabelle Morrison, Sarah Porter, Dezaraye Simpson, Keith Simpson, Brittany Sullivan. The Drew Central Band is under the direction of Mr. Truman Self.

Congratulation to the following 2011-2012 Drew Central Junior Cheerleaders!

Here’s the list of the cheerleaders. (more…)

Drew Central HS Graduation from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Arkansas Leadershp Academy announced recently that, Wayne Fawcett,Superintendent at Drew Central school district, was  honored for completing the Superintendents’ Institute; Advancing Systems Change at the academy’s recent session.  Fawcett was among 20 Arkansas superintendents selected to participate in the institute at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean Mountain, Morrilton, Arkansas.

(more…)

(more…)

Drew Central School Districts fourth grade teacher Eva Arrington was named by President Obama as recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching to represent Arkansas. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at each state level. (more…)

(more…)

L to R: Lauren Horn, Jazmine Rivera, Rebecca Moss, Coleman Herman, Christina Stewart, Jessica Wishard, Pamela Nelson (Director), Kathleen Waddle, Mario Mondragon, Jake Wishard, Danielle Miles, Kyle Kunkle, Aaron Jones, Caleb Eubanks.

DC Jazz, the new jazz vocal ensemble from Drew Central High School won the honor to compete at the state competition for the Arkansas Choral Directors’ Association in Conway on Friday, April 13.

The group is under the direction of new choral director, Pamela Nelson, who had only been working with the group for 8 days. “It was remarkable how the singers pulled together and really worked hard to accomplish an incredible amount in a very short time,” Nelson said. ” I am very proud of them!”

The ensemble earned two “excellent” ratings and one “superior.”

The 7th through 12th grades will be presenting their spring concert in the Drew Central Auditorium, May 6 at 6:30 pm. The public is encouraged to attend.

Today, Drew Central school will be in session, due to their first scheduled inclement weather make-up date.  The remaining make up-dates are scheduled for

Monday, May 2nd
Friday, June 3rd
Monday, June 6th
Tuesday, June 7th

Drew Central is still in need of awnings on campus. Awnings have been installed between the cafeteria and the elementary building and have been a great asset to the campus. We still need some going from the Kindergarten building to the elementary to provide shelter during inclement weather.

Thus far, Drew Central PTO has raised approximately $6,500 through various fundraising efforts to purchase the awnings. Although, we have come a long way we still have not met our goal of $8,675. Thanks to everyone who has supported the cause. If you are willing and able to make a donation of any amount then please fill out the form below.

We will mail you a receipt for your tax deductible donation.

A submission form is attached below. (more…)

Drew Central Schools held their annual All-School-Reunion, Saturday, with decades of former students attending.   After a meal and a couple hours of visiting, everyone moved into the Earl Willis Auditorium for the program.

Former principal and superintendent Leeman Ngar was honored, posthumously, for his dedication to the school, as his family was presented a “book of memories’ and the high school was dedicated to him.

The Drew Central School District Hall of Fame  inducted Thomas “Houston” Berryman, R.D. “Sonny” Jones, and Hershel W. Gober. 

Distinguish Service Awards were presented to Glynn Gibson, the family of the late Jerry Eubanks, and Mrs. Aundry Sue Collins Paschall.  Brief biographies of these six worthy honorees are posted below.

Amanda Brazier was awarded the memorial scholarship during Saturday’s event.

(more…)

Sandy Savage addressed the Drew Central School Board, thursday night,  on behalf of a group of Drew Central alumni who attended school during Mr. Leeman Ngar’s tenure.

(more…)

Superintendent Wayne Fawcett presented the topic of not adopting new English textbooks. He explained that Drew Central has made a commitment to move into the electronic and digital education arena. Fawcett stated that Drew Central will continue to pour more of their budget into electronic instructional media and technology such as laptops and iPads. (more…)

Supporters of Drew Central's millage increase smile in relief, after their request was passed by voters.

Tuesday’s election to decide the fate of Drew Central’s request for a Millage increase was approved by voters, by a margin of 291 for and 253 against.

The angry parent is accused of crashing a Drew Central school bus and a teacher’s car, appeared in Circuit Court Monday, before Judge Sam Pope.  Christiana White was appointed a public defender as her attorney and informed of her charges by the judge.

The charge of criminal mischief, 2nd degree, carries a possible sentence of 0 to 6 years in the Department of Correction and/or a $10,000 fine.  The unauthorized use charge carries a possible penalty of one year in the county jail.

Her next court date, May 13, will be her plea and arraignment date.

(more…)

Drew Central Elementary teachers Eva Arrington and Mary Hobbs were selected as awardees of $500 scholarships from Delta Kappa Gamma, Arkansas’ Kappa State to assist with costs of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. Delta Kappa Gamma is a women educators’ society.

The teachers became National Board for Professional Teaching Standards first year candidates in August. The certification process is a rigorous process to establish teachers as accomplished educators.

Both teachers were awarded $2,500 to pay the certification process fee from the Arkansas State Department after their papers were selected for funding. This funding is a competitive process.

The teachers were also selected to attend classes once a week in Little Rock at Cloverdale aerospace Technology Conversion Charter Middle School. Each teacher was selected for $750 in funding from the Arkansas Department of Education to pay for the classes.

Drew Central EAST Lab was awarded a superior ranking at the National EAST Conference which was held in Hot Springs, AR on March 1st – 3rd, 2011. For the fourth year in a row, the Drew Central EAST has received the highest ranking possible at EAST conference.

At the conference, EAST students presented the projects that they have been working on for the past year. The students are scored on the overall presentation of their EAST lab, and the professionalism demonstrated by the students. In a business like atmosphere, student representatives presented how their projects have influenced their community, school, and their lives.

The Drew Central representatives consisted of: Alex Morrison, Daniel Wedgeworth, Brad Baughn, Chanler Furguson, Danielle Miles, Jason Palmer, Tommy Wilmoth, and the EAST facilitator Clark Wilmoth. These High School students represented Drew Central in front of the entire EAST community. Ethan Williams, a Drew Central senior, was one of the two leaders of the national ambassador team. With this honor, Williams was over a team of 18 other ambassadors who were responsible for organizing and keeping the overall conference, of more than 2,000 people, running smoothly.

After listening to a presentation from the CASA director, Jenny Smith, the Drew Central EAST students decided to get involved.

CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates. These advocates volunteer their time to monitor a child’s current situation, research case background, review documents, interview all concerned parties, and evaluate the child’s needs. CASA provides help to many children in the Drew and Ashley county area.

After Mrs. Smith’s visit, the students in Drew Central EAST lab began collecting clothing to donate to the CASA program. On Tuesday, March 8th, Mrs. Smith came to Drew Central to collect the donated clothing. During her visit, Mrs. Smith informed the students that CASA is always looking for dependable volunteers, 21 or older, to help support the program’s needs. If you have any unwanted clothing in good condition, please send it to the Drew Central EAST lab to be delivered to the CASA program. If you are interested in helping with the CASA program, please contact Jenny Smith at 870-853-0814 or 870-367-9449. Your support is greatly appreciated.