Confluence Connections Newsletter Fall 2013 FINAL

7/27/2019 Confluence Connections Newsletter Fall 2013 FINAL

1/81 CC Fall 2013

ts nice to be honored foryour work, especiallywhen the honor comes asan unexpected surprise.

Deitre Terrell, acommunication arts teacherin the Ultimate Purpose

Program at ConfluencePreparatory Academy, washonored by the St. LouisAmerican Foundation witha 2013 Excellence inEducation Award.

Terrell is among severa leducators who were honoredat the 26th Annual Salute toExcellence in EducationScholarship and Awards Galaon September 13.

Terrell has been withConfluence for five years, thelength of her career as an

educator. She has been asubstitute teacher, a tutor anda classroom teacher. She hasworked at ConfluenceAcademy-Old Nor th andConfluence Academy-WalnutPark. In 2012-13, she taughtcommunication arts to middleschool students in UPP atWalnut Park.

The St. Lou is AmericanFoundation acceptsnominations for the annualaward, but only a few arechosen.

I was nominated for theaward by a friend, a formerco-worker, who wasimpressed with the hard workthat I put in with the UltimatePurpose Program, as well asfor starting and running anafter-school program forfemale empowerment atWalnut Park, said Terrell. Shecoordinated the Satin DollsYouth Empowerment Programlast year and hopes to workwith Walnut Park to continuethe program.

I feel humbled and honoredthat anyone would recognizethe care and effort that I putinto reaching my students. Itruly enjoy the challenge ofmoving students in UPP in apositive direction. I enjoyfostering a positive

relationship with the studentsand watching them becomemore confident in themselvesand their academicachievements, shecontinued.

My philosophy on being aneducator is that every childhas the right to anencompassing education froma highly qualified teacher whocan reach each student atwhatever educational levelthey are on, said Terrell.

I would encourage any newteacher to hold the courseand never give up on thestudents. Even when they

fight against you, you have tokeep fighting for them.

Education is Terrells secondcareer. She was anoperations technician with atelevision station inChampaign, Ill. She has aBachelor of Science inbroadcast journalism. Sheearned certification to teachwith the American Board forCertification of TeacherExcellence.

Congratulations Ms. Terrell!

Confluence Prep teacher honoredreceives Excellence in Education Award

Deitre Terrell

working with

students at

Confluence

Preparatory

Academy

CONFLUENCECONNECTIONS

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all2013

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Progress continues innew school yearacademic success comeswhen all are involved

Welcome to Confluence Charter

Schools!

I am very happy to welcome our

students, families, teachers and staffto Confluence. The new school year

is going well and we are seeing lots

of excitement and energy in our

classrooms.

With a new year come new beginnings.

We have more than 100 new teachers

and staff among our five schools and we

are educating 3,645 students.

Confluence Preparatory Academy has its

third class of seniors, the class of 2014.

Grand Center Arts Academy is growing

into a high school and welcomed its firstclass of sophomores. Confluence

Academy-Walnut Park has a new

principal, and this summer, Old North,

South City and Walnut Park earned

recognition for their Positive Behavior

Intervention and Supports (PBIS)

programs. Each campus received a

bronze-level award for improving student

behavior and academic performance.

A few weeks ago, we shared our results

of the Missouri Assessment Program

(MAP) and End-of-Course (EOC) exams

for spring 2013. Parents, you should

have received a letter and a fact sheet

from your childs school with details

about the schools performance. Soon,

you will get individual MAP or EOC

results for your child.

The results show that our students and

teachers are making measurable academic

progress in English Language Arts, math

and science. Our attendance improved,

too. We are encouraged by our students

gains but we must keep working hard to

make more progress this year and beyond.

To help us make a difference, I want to

encourage you to be actively involved in

your childs academic success. You can

participate in school activities, read with

your child every day and practice math

facts. Please talk to your childs teacher

or principal if you have questions about

whats happening at school or if you have

concerns about your childs progress.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and

our schools, I want to thank you for

choosing Confluence Charter Schools for

your childs education. Our mission and

vision are focused on our students and

families. As we look ahead to 2013-2014,

we will be guided by the Confluence Core

Values of Wisdom, Justice, Courage,

Compassion, Hope, Respect,

Responsibility and Integrity.

With the support of our families, teachers,

staff, sponsors, board and communitypartners, we will have a successful and

meaningful school year.

Sonya G. HenryChairman

Confluence Academy Board

CHAIRMANSLETTER

Mission Statement

Confluence Charter Schools provides the highest quality

public education for our students. Every day, students are

engaged and encouraged to excel in reading, math, science,

technology, visual arts and performing arts.

Vision Statement

Confluence Charter Schools will provide a world-classpublic education to prepare our students for success in

college, career and life.

Board newsupcoming board ofdirectors meeting dates

Thursday, October 17, 5:30 p.m.

Confluence Academy-South City Campus

3112 Meramec St.

Friday, November 22, 8:00 a.m.

Confluence Academy-Old North Campus

3017 N. 13th St.

Friday, December 20, 8:00 a.m.

Confluence Preparatory Academy

310 N. 15th St.


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MilestonesConfluence recognizes service anniversaries

At the Welcome Back Breakfast to start the new school year, Confluence Charter Schoolsrecognized staff who have been part of the Confluence family for five years.Congratulations!

Five Year Honorees

Linda Walker, office manager, Confluence Preparatory Academy

Aisha Allen, lead teacher/second grade, Old North

Dr. Rochelle Bates, school social worker/Title I, Old North

Deborah Hoechst, guidance counselor, Old North

Heather Kristof, lead teacher/physical education, Old North

LaKisha Martin, data owner, Old North

LaShawn Thomas, lead teacher/first grade, Old North

Kent Obermeier, Title I teacher, Old North

Sara Patterson, lead teacher/third grade, Old North

Pearlie Smith, kindergarten teacher, Old North

Debra Weaver, academy director, Old North

Jan Antrim, lead coach/Title I li teracy, South City

Maria Casaleggi, instructional coach, South City

Ashley Clarke, lead teacher/second grade, South City

Jennifer Eckrich, special education lead teacher, South City

Ebony Sistrunk, student support manager, South City

Sheldon McAfee, principal, Walnut Park

Peggy Romer, first grade teacher, Walnut Park

Frank Watson, special education teacher, Walnut Park

Gregory Hill, director eLearning, technology/assessment, Resource Office

Retired

Ameenah Reed, guidance counselor, Old North*

Confluence will recognize 10-year staff in January 2014 at the Board of Directors meeting.

*See Reeds story on page 5 of this issue of Confluence Connections.

CA

MPUSHAPPENINGS

Digitalwere online, and social!Whats happening in our classrooms?Whats going on in our schools? To findout, check out our websites

www.confluenceacademy.org

www.grandcenterartsacademy.org

Confluence Charter Schools are onFacebook. Like us on Facebook tokeep up with whats new and exciting.Look for the official page for your childsschool and become a fan.
http://www.grandcenterartsacademy.org/http://www.grandcenterartsacademy.org/http://www.confluenceacademy.org/http://www.confluenceacademy.org/


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Post graduation optionscity-wide college fairscheduled for October

Parents and seniors - college fairs are agreat way to explore an educationbeyond high school. There are plenty ofchoices community college, four-yearschools, public or private colleges,career training programs or the military and a college fair is a good place tostart researching whats best for youand your future.

The St. Louis City-Wide College Fair isOctober 16 and October 17 at theBoys and Girls Clubs of Greater St.Louis. The fair will include local,regional and national colleges anduniversities, as well as trainingprograms and representatives from themilitary. Youll learn about degreeprograms, admission requirements,college applications, scholarshipopportunities and more.

The St. Louis City-Wide College Fair isfree for students and their families.

Students can register for the fair onlineat www.gotocollegefairs.com. Look forthe dates, October 16 and October 17,and select Herbert Hoover Boys Club St. Louis as the fair location.

Dont forget to put it on your calendar:

St. Louis City-wide College Fair

October 16 and October 17

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

2901 North Grand Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63107-2608

QUICKTAKES

Fore!GCAA golf scramblebenefit is October 6

Golfers experienced and those who

just want to have fun are invited to

the Grand Center Arts Academy Four-

Person Golf Scramble on October 6 at

11:00 a.m. at Ruth Park Golf Course in

University City.

The first-t ime event is a 9-hole

scramble to benefit the Student Art

Fund at GCAA. There will be art,

entertainment and fun throughout the

day. Door prizes and team prizes will be

awarded. Fees include green fees, cart,

entertainment and dinner; club rental is

available.

The fees are:

Individual Golfer $65Family Hole Sponsorship $100Business HoleSponsorship $250

All-day Beverage Pass $15Awards Dinner Only $20To reserve your spot in the GCAA Four-

Person Golf Scramble, contact

Katherine Palmer at (314) 744-0450 or

send her an email at:

[email protected]

Ruth Park Golf Course is located at

8211 Groby Road, University Ci ty,

MO 63122.

Mark your calendarsimportant upcomingdates to remember

October 18 Parent-Teacher Conferences, No School

November 11 Veterans Day, No School

November 27-29Thanksgiving Holiday, No SchoolDecember 20 Professional Development, No School

December 23 January 3, 2014Winter Break, No School

Parents Please check your childsmonthly school calendar for special events,PTO meetings, family nights and more.Events are also on our website -

www.confluenceacademy.org
http://www.gotocollegefairs.com/http://www.gotocollegefairs.com/http://www.gotocollegefairs.com/http://www.gotocollegefairs.com/http://www.confluenceacademy.org/http://www.confluenceacademy.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.gotocollegefairs.com/http://www.gotocollegefairs.com/


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First Confluence Charter Schools retiree

Ameenah Reed

F

ACULTYSPOTLIGHT

Confluence Academyrecognizes first retireeten-year veteran has

fond memoriesA little more than 10 years ago,Confluence Academy-Old Northopened its doors. It was a first forConfluence the first school, the firstteachers and staff members, the firststudents and families.

Now, 10 years later, Confluence hasexperienced another first a retiree.

Ameenah Reed started her first day atConfluence Academy-Old North on

August 3, 2003. It was the first day of

her career in education. Studentsarrived two weeks later. She had adual-role. She was the school nurseand the student support manager/counselor. A year later, she decided toserve as the student support managerand another nurse was hired.

Fast forward to 2013 Reed isretired. She ended her career as theguidance counselor at Old North. Theschool grew from 245 students toserving nearly 900 students inkindergarten through eighth grade.

Ive only worked at Old Northcampus, said Reed. She workedthrough the end of the 2012-2013school year.

How does she feel about being thefirst retiree?

Bittersweet, paused Reed.Bittersweet in the fact that Im 66years old and I just feel like its time foryounger legs and brains to take over.Im happy to start a new chapter inmy life, but the bittersweet part is not

being able to advocate for studentsand staff. Ive had the opportunity tovoice and address concerns in theschool. I will miss that. The students

were always my No. 1 priority.Most people dont retire after 10years, but education is not Reedsfirst career.

I was a nurse manager in Cleveland,Ohio. I left Cleveland to move backhome to East St. Louis. I got a job atBethesda Health Systems. I was hiredto open the adult day program fortherapy.

Although she said she would missthe family that Ive become a part ofwith the students, their families andstaff, Reed does have plans forretirement.

Im a grandmother and a recentgreat-grandmother. My grandchildrenare the light of my life. Ill spend moretime with them. With my church, Ill beable to get involved in more activities.One of the best things is that mymother will be 89 and Ill get to spendmore time with her. Ill do sometraveling, too, said Reed. Her mothercelebrated her birthday in July.

Reed called herself one of theoriginal settlers of Confluence. Nowthere are only two people left BradSlinkard and Leslie Sanford. Slinkardteaches physical education atConfluence Academy-Walnut Park.Leslie Sanford is a math coach at OldNorth.

When my life story is written it wontbe complete with Confluence

Academy-Old North. Old North wasone of the best things that everhappened to me.

Confluence Core Values

Wisdom Justice CourageCompassion HopeRespect

Responsibility IntegrityGrand Center Arts Academy

Core Values

AcademicsArtsSocial JusticeCommunity


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FIRSTDAY2013


7/87 CC Fall 2013

PA

RENTCONNECTION

Don't leave home without a book. Bring along a book or magazineany time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor's office. Always try tofit in reading!

Once is not enough. Encourage your child to re-read favorite booksand poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately.

Dig deeper into the story. Ask your child questions about the storyyou've just read. Say something like, "Why do you think Clifford didthat?"

Take control of the television. It's difficult for reading to compete withTV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.

Play word games. Have your child sound out the word as you change itfrom mat to fat to sat; from sat to sag to sap; and from sap to sip.

I read to you, you read to me. Take turns reading aloud at bedtime.Kids enjoy this special time with their parents.

Gently correct your young reader. When your child makes a mistake,gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Manybeginning readers will guess wildly at a word based on its first letter.

Talk, talk, talk! Talk with your child every day about school and thingsgoing on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into theconversation, and build on words you've talked about in the past.

Write, write, write! Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list,a thank you note to grandma, or to keep a journal of special things thathappen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letterand sound patterns he is learning at school.

Letsmakebetterreaders!

Give your child lots of opportunities to read

aloud. Inspire your young reader to practice

every day! The tips below offer some fun ways

you can help your child become a happy and

confident reader. Try a new tip each week and

see what works best for your child.

Here are some easy ways to instill a love of

reading in your child.

Tips for HelpingYour Child Become

a Better Reader

What was the setting?

What was the problem in the story and how was

it solved?

What do you predict will happen next in the story?

Why do you think the author chose the title for

the story?

Do you like the title of the story? Why or why not?

Can you think of a different title for the story?

Which character from the story would you choose

to be your friend? Why?

What part of the story was most exciting? Why?

What did you learn from reading the text?

Are there any words that you did not know what

they mean?

What are some new words you learned?

Do you have any questions after reading this?

Were there any features like charts, diagrams or

pictures that were important?

Where could you find more information about

this topic?

Did you like this text? Why or why not?

Questions to ask your child

when reading fiction:

Questions to ask your child

when reading non-fiction:


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Confluence Connections Newsletter Fall 2013 FINAL

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