MonticelloLive

Students from Monticello School District’s Intermediate School, Middle School, and High School will host the first annual “EAST Night Out” on Tonight, at the Monticello High School’s EAST classroom. Beginning at 6:30pm, EAST students will present visitors with an overview of the district’s EAST program and will demonstrate a sample of the community work and service provided and facilitated by their EAST classroom. The event is open to the public and is designed to inform the community about their school’s EAST accomplishments.

EAST is a nonprofit organization that provides new ways of learning for modern students. EAST focuses on student-driven service projects through the use of the latest “high-end” technology.

Monticello began its EAST program in 2004 at Monticello High School where Keturah West is the EAST facilitator. West has been responsible for building several EAST programs in Southeast Arkansas. In 2007, the district added a middle school program to target students in grades 6-8. Both programs have been heavily involved in targeting problems or issues in the community and finding creative ways to solve these identified problems. Students have designed and implemented projects that have benefitted local organizations such as the Humane Society, the city of Monticello, and national organizations such as Autism Speaks, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and Make-A-Wish Foundation. EAST students use technology like GPS mapping, Engineering and Architectural software, video production equipment, and animation software to implement these projects. This year, the district added a third program at Monticello Intermediate School. This program is under the direction of Mrs. Lisa Brown, a veteran teacher in the Monticello school district.

“EAST is one of several initiatives we have implemented at MMS to make learning better and improve student outcomes,” says Monticello Middle School Principal Jay Hughes. “Giving middle school students access to the latest technology and the non-traditional structure to design and implement service learning projects has helped our students learn the value of teamwork, leadership, and self-motivation.”

For more information about any of Monticello Schools’ EAST program or EAST Night Out, please contact Ryan Copico (Monticello Middle School EAST Facilitator) at 870.367.4043.