October 15, 2015

Contact: Jill Moberley, Public Information Officer
Jmoberle@dps.k12.oh.us
For Immediate Release

• Primary literacy event rescheduled for Oct. 22

Students without a firm foundation in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to master reading by the end of third grade, a critical milestone for later success. Parent University looks at primary literacy from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Westwood PreK-8 School, 2805 Oakridge Drive. The event (originally scheduled Oct. 15) has been rescheduled to take place in conjunction with the school’s Trunk or Treat event.

• Young artists prepare installation for DAI

Students at Cleveland and Valerie preK-6 schools will work with Cincinnati artist Kate Kern to create an installation display in the ExperienCenter at the Dayton Art Institute. Following the artists’ visit to the schools to discuss her work, students in grades four through six will tour the museum before beginning the project. Valerie students begin their artist in residency program Oct. 15, with art lab from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday through Nov. 13. Cleveland students will work from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Cleveland’s art room on four consecutive Thursdays, beginning Oct. 29. The finished artwork will be on display at the DAI for approximately six months, following an opening celebration on Saturday, Dec. 12. For more information, contact Langston Watras (Cleveland) at 542-4351 or Katherine Holder (Valerie) at 542-5690.

• Belmont blood drives save thousands

Volunteering to help the Community Blood Center is a tradition at Belmont High School. National Honor Society and Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) students recently helped Belmont blood drive coordinator and school nurse Marian Doukoure, reach and surpass the school’s goal of donating 60 units of blood. The school donated 71 units-each one with the potential to save up to three lives, or a total of 213 lives in our community. More than half of the participants (45) were first-time donors.

“The Belmont blood drives are so well run and supported that you are fast becoming the leader within high schools. In the past three and a half years, Belmont High School blood donations have had the potential to save 1, 011 lives in our community,” wrote Donna Teuscher, Community Blood Center account representative, in a letter to Principal Walter. The next drive will be scheduled in April 2016.

• Teacher publishes children’s book

Kenya Baker, a third grade reading endorsed teacher at Louise Troy PreK-4 School, has published her second children’s book “Rain”y Days. The book is written for readers from birth to 11 years of age. “[My book] was purely inspired from the need to develop literature that helps our children cope with loss. Children experience change through eyes that are fresh. This book is metaphorically designed to enhance a child’s ability to see abstractly by stretching the imagination,” said Baker. “Rain”y Days” debuts the colorful illustrations of Baker’s niece, Jenai Coleman. Books are available online at www.kenyabakerbooks.com.

• DPS senior earns national recognition in intercollegiate competition

Demetrius Oglesby, a senior in the Radio and TV Media Arts Program at Ponitz Career Technology Center, recently entered an audio production competition sponsored by the School of Media Arts, Columbia College-Chicago and the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. Demetrius’ production “The Talking Phone” was selected for an Honorable Mention in this national student radio competition. The awards will be presented as part of the 12th Annual Columbia College Chicago High School and College Radio Conference Oct. 17, 2015.

Click HERE for the award winning audio production.