5th Grade Campus Tour The staff at the "Geat" DeSoto East Middle School cordially invites you to our  2011-2012 5th Grade Campus Tour on Tuesday, May 29, from 5:30-6:30 pm.  PDFInvitation            Parent Workshop Participants Recognized  The “Great” DeSoto East Middle School honored Parent Academy Workshop and PTA participants at the 2012 Parent Involvement Banquet on Thursday, May 17, at East Middle School. This event offered a unique opportunity to pay tribute to these special parents for their dedication to their children and East Middle School. Parents were treated to a night out for dinner with food from Mason Restaurant, Catfish Connection, and DeSoto East staff members.   DeSoto ISD Superintendent, Dr. David Harris, offered words of encouragement and support to parents and staff. Plaques and certificates were presented to both parents and staff by DeSoto I.S.D. Board Member, Sandra Wheeler.  The Parent Involvement Workshop program is our avenue to inform and encourage parents to become more involved in their children’s education. Workshops focus on building a parent networking system, homework strategies, projects, STAAR Test preparation, and personal and professional growth. These workshops are augmented by our PTA programs which encourage parents to become more involved in the school’s decision making processes and volunteering.  Drawings were held for door prizes donated by the PTA Vice President, Education is Freedom, and Starbucks at the close of the banquet. Those in attendance included Dr. David Harris, DISD Superintendent, DISD Board Members  Ms. Sandra Wheeler, Mr. Warren Seay, Mr. Hooper, and  Mrs. Donna S. Blackburn, Principal, Mrs. Jackie Vaugh, Assistant Principal, and DeSoto East staff members.  S.O.A.R.ing With High Honors East Middle School recognized the dedication and effort it takes to academically excel during the S.O.A.R. Awards Ceremony.  The philosophy behind the presention of the S.O.A.R. award is twofold.  First, this award serves as a tangible recognition of students with an overall grade average of 95 or above.  Second, the award and presentation serve as a prime motivation for all students striving to excel academically.  The students and staff proudly recognize the following 2011-2012 S.O.A.R. honorees:  Faith Sparks, Jada Starling, Miriam Regis, Yasser Bibi, Marcus Cazares, Juany Reyna Rosales, Everett Johnson, Nyja Edwards, Amber Gilchrist, Thomas Hatton, Kamry Waters, Zachary Timms, Antony Nguyen, Paige Lucas-Smith, Jala Howard, Jalisa Abram, and Ben Alvarado.  Congratulations,  EMS Beginner Band!        The East Middle School Beginner Band, under the leadership of music directors Mr. Webb and Mr. Weathersby, was awarded the First Division Superior Rating, on April 28th, at the Sandy Lake FunFest Music Festival in Carrollton, Texas. The Beginner Band impressed a panel of three judges during the competition with twenty other bands to earn their rating and serve notice that EMS bands are on the move. Our group of talented musicians opened with the piece Gentle River, a slow moving ballad by Rob Grice and ended with the exciting, upbeat Malagueña, arranged by Paul Lavender. As you might expect, Mr. Webb and Mr. Weathersby are overjoyed with the band’s rating.  The students worked extremely hard throughout the year to achieve this level of success, which was evident during the performance at Sandy Lake.    Read Across America! Reading, is it important?  Of course, we all know the answer is a resounding "Yes!"  But why?  Professor A.C. Graying said in his review of 'A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel,' that "to read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experiences and fruits of many inquiries."  Studies show that children who read generally do better academically and are more likely to get a higher level  of education than students who do not read regularly.  It is important if we want our children to be competitive in the 21st century, that we encourage our children to read regularly.  With that effort in mind, the students, faculty, visitors, and administrators picked up their favorite book at 2:00 pm on March 2, Read Across America day, and read together.  Help us continue this effort.  Set aside a time for your family to read together.  Talk to the school librarian or go by the public library to find out what books or magazines your child might find interesting.  And, stress the importance of reading by becoming a reading role model. Phenominal Fiction Showcase  Our 6th grade reading classes held a local competition for the best Fiction Book Reading Project.  This project required students to read and analyze a fiction book of their choice.  Components of the project included a summary, personal review, information about the main and supporting characters, setting, figurative language, mood, and a conflict/resolution timeline. Congratulations to the winners on a project well done!          1st Place:  Naudia Cannon                           2nd Place:  Jada Starling                       3rd Place:  William Smith         4th Place:  Rich'ard Conner                       5th Place:  Brittany Sharp                 Honorable Mention:  Jordan Cox Naudia Cannon's first place entry book:  Gilda Joyce: Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer Allison Jada Starling's second place entry:  Gossip Times Three by Amy Goldman William Smith's third place book:  The Pigman's Legacy by Paul Zindel Rich'ard Conner's fourth place book:  Claws by Dan Greenburg Brittany Sharp's fifth place read:  Jackie & Me  by Dan Gutman Jordan Cox's Honorable Mention:  The Curse of the Blue Figurine by John Bellairs  Bubble, Bubble, Toil and ...   What are the students at EMS brewing up now?  They have been actively participating in a Mad Science experiment to learn about the properties and classification of matter.  Just another great day of innovative instruction and hands-on-learning at the great DeSoto East Middle School.  Finding the GROOVE                                                                                  Band students receive instruction on how to find the "Groove" Visiting music educator and author, Christine Sipes, showed EMS students how to find their “groove.”  Students began their lesson with a West African heartbeat rhythm. Everyone sat in a circle, located their heartbeats, and echoed that beat on their drums.   When students found their personal rhythms the circle shifted counterclockwise as each student competed to win their own African style drum by leading the group as the master drummer.  After all students found their rhythms they effectively created a community of sound known as a Groove.  Emerging Young Leaders Induction  On January 25, Alpha XI Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. inducted twenty young women from DeSoto East Middle School into their signature program, Emerging Young Leaders.  This signature program is designed to impact young women in grades six through eight in four areas:  leadership development, civic engagement, enhanced academic preparation, and character building.   Participation in this program will help our young women develop the skills and talents necessary to become leaders in their school and community.   Those in attendance from Alpha Xi Omega included Rita Cloman (President), Donnetta Henry (Past President), Rosemary Bolden (Chairperson of EYL) and Sheila Patterson, member of the chapter.  For more information on this program, visit the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. website.   Discovering Science DeSoto East Middle School students competed against each other for top honors in our campus Science Fair.  Students have  been conducting research, performing experiments, applying testing criteria, and preparing a final presentation over the last few weeks and months for this important competition.  The value of this competition and the science fair project cannot be underestimated.  It is a valuable instructional tool that allows students to use active learning or inquiry (hands-on-learning) through a vehicle that is meaningful to them.  It is one of the best learning experiences a student can undertake.  While learning about science is at the core of the project, science fairs also provide a means for students to become more knowledgeable about the world around them and how it works. Winners of this competition will be moving on to compete against other students at the district Science Fair on January 28 at the Beltline Conference Center (next to administration building).  The awards presentation and public viewing of projects will be held on January 31, at the same location, from 6:00-6:30PM.   Awards will begin at 6:30 pm.  8th Grade             1st Place – Nya Abrom                      2nd Place – Amber Gilchrist                3rd Place – Thomas Hatton       8th Grade Honorable Mention:  Christopher Draughn, Jada Burse & Kamey Waters                                          7th Grade    1st Place - Brittany Washington            2nd Place - Vanessa Calderon         3rd Place Spencer Cunningham 7th Grade Honorable Mention: Sophia Cazares, Katilyn Pettigrew   6th Grade          1st Place - Carson Traylor             2nd Place - Chance Galloway &             3rd Place -  Doug Walker                                                                                 Marcell McKissic  6th Grade Honorable Mention:  Emory Price, Jada Starling

 

Education is Freedom DeSoto East Middle School is leading the way to help students further their education.  In support of the effort East Middle School students participated in their first academic pep rally for our new "Education is Freedom" program.  DeSoto ISD is partnering with the non-profit organization, "Education is Freedom," in order to provide our students with a comprehensive college planning and readiness program byoffering academic guidance, academic recognition events, college information sessions, weekly life skills training, and parent information sessions.  In order to participate in this exciting program, students must meet the following criteria:  GPA of 85 or above, no more than 3 unexcused absences in a school year, and no behavior issues.  Students who do not currently meet the requirements may join the program at a later date by supplying additional information.  East Middle School is looking forward to working with Bianca Allen, our Academic Freedom Advisor, to help our students navigate toward their final destination - high school graduation and ultimately a college degree.  In attendance were DeSoto ISD Board President Warren Seay, Interim Chief Academic Officer Carol Brown and DeSoto East Principal Donna S. Blackburn.      For more information, visit www.educationisfreedom.com

Generation Texas This year Generation Texas was held on each campus throughout the district. Generation Texas is designated and set aside every year to educate DeSoto ISD students about the importance of higher education. To enforce our commitment to promoting higher education, East Middle School became DeSoto East University for the week. Teachers became college professors dressed in college robes and regalia. Special programs included Professor Hasaan Rasheed from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, who spoke to our eighth grade students about the importance of staying in school, maintaining good grades, leadership, athletics and education, obtaining scholarships, and maintaining a good GPA. As part of our day-to-day instruction, teachers engaged students in conversations about college and spoke about their college experiences. Doors were decorated to reflect the theme of high education, and hallways became a billboard to inform students about university clubs, organizations, sororities, and fraternities. Friday, throughout the district, everyone celebrated the importance of higher education by wearing college shirts. EMS rewarded teachers’ efforts by holding a “Best College/University Door” contest and awarding prizes.

11-11-11: Special Numbers for a Special Reading Activity Everyone at DeSoto East Middle School believes that it is important to engage in the act of reading, not only for academic purposes, but to help students become better informed and well rounded as individuals.  To encourage reading activities, East Middle School designated the historic date of November 11, 2011, as a time to emphasize the importance of reading.  At 11:00 o'clock on November 11, Mrs. Blackburn announced the time, and everyone on campus - parents, custodial and office staff, board members, classroom teachers, administrators, and students - dropped what they were doing and picked up a good book for 11 minutes of revolutionary reading.  The "Drop Everything and Read" for 11 minutes on 11-11-11 was a great success and served as a prime opportunity to model the importance of reading for our students.   Board Member Van Stripling reads for 11 minutes along side East Middle School students.

Starting With the Face in the Mirror Members of the Great DeSoto East Cham-ettes strive to change the world, one person at a time, beginning with the face they see in the mirror.  How are they making a change?  They are approaching this challenge by developing skills and behaviors that will transform them into the best that they can be.  The young women in Charm-ettes are attending sessions with Helene Royal, CEO of H.R. Enterprises, the parent company of Wonderfully Made Finishing School.  "Helene uses traditional principles to teach etiquette savvy, character development, and life skills she calls 'Training to Transform.'  The principles taught help young ladies become more self-confident in different types of settings, learn timeless social skills, prepare for 'soft skills' presence in the workforce, and become a positive influence in our society."  Helene Royal       Slideshow:  Transforming

World Renowned Musician Visits the "Great" EMS World renowned flutist, Ian Clarke visited the East Middle School band class. Our 120 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade band students were enthralled with his performance of The Great Train Race, Zoomtube, and Hatching Aliens. Clarke gave students insight into music that is not usually heard or experienced. He challenged the students to think with an open mind, to stretch themselves beyond their normal limits, and to change how they think of themselves.  You can read more about Ian Clarke’s visit in the Focus Daily News http://focusdailynews.com/ian-clarke-inspires-desoto-east-students-p5076-1.htm

The Great DeSoto East Charm-ettes Helping Others  The Great EMS Charm-ettes began making pillowcase dresses to donate to “Little Dresses for Africa,”  a non-profit organization which provides relief to the children of  Africa, last month. They worked several weeks with volunteers to create dresses that children in Africa can wear proudly. The Charmettes would like to thank all those who volunteered their time, talent, and resources to make this endeavor a great success that the girls will remember for years to come.

 Welcome to the "Great" DeSoto East Middle School! 

"Recognized is not an option, but a reality;  Exemplary Education Everyday!"

Donna S. Blackburn
Proud Principal
DeSoto East Middle School