School News and Updates

Due to a field trip conflict, the final round of the spelling bee will be on Monday, 12/14.  It will still begin at 9:00 AM.

Events of the Week:

• Turkey Trot: 11/24
• School out for holiday: 11/25-11/27 (Wed-Fri)

Deidra explores a new cruise ship and interviews the captain, cruise director, and passengers aboard the Dream.

Thank you to all the jurors who made our Exhibition of Student Work a great experience for our kids!

Events of the Week:

• Be sure to get sponsors for the Turkey Trot.  You need at least $5.00 in donations to participate.  $10 will get you an additional commemorative wrist band.  Bring a canned good to donate to the Memphis Food Bank.

Check out the sixth grade Animoto slide shows created about Ancient Egypt.

After working on her first assignment on the national morning news program, Deidra Shores, former Downtown Elementary School student, found out today that she has been voted the winner in the nationwide search for a cub reporter for NBC’s Today Show.  Congratulations, Deidra!

Read more information here.

Get ready for some fun! Gobble! Gobble! It’s the Downtown Elementary Turkey Trot!

The Turkey Trot is the kick-off event for a new initiative created by the Downtown Elementary Leadership Council called Downtown C.A.R.E.S. that promotes Community. Academics. Responsibility. Excellence. Service.

Who: Downtown students, teachers, staff, tutors, family, and friends

What: All are invited to participate in an old-fashioned Walk-a-Thon benefitting technology improvements at the school and a food drive for the Mid-South Food Bank.

When: Tuesday–November 24, 2009 (staggered walk times)

• 9:00 Pre-K/K
• 9:45 3rd
• 10:30 5th
• 11:15 4th
• 12:00 1st
• 12:45 2nd
• 1:30 6th

Where: Memphis Redbirds Autozone Park

Why: Help the schools, help feed the hungry, and help promote health and fitness.

How: Raise at least $5.00 through sponsors to get out of class, wear jeans, and join the Walk-a-Thon.  Bring a canned, non-perishable good to donate to the Memphis Food Bank.

Grand Prize: The student who raises the most money will be the principal for the day.

Sponsor sign-up sheets have been sent home!

Week of November 9, 2009

Events of the Week:

• Make-Up Picture Day: 11/10
• District-Wide Exhibition of Student Work: 11/12, Building is open until 6PM for parents to view student work.

Week of November 2, 2009

Events of the Week:

Our annual pumpkin decorating contest has got Downtown Elementary in the autumn spirit! Classes decorated pumpkins designed to be fun Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Fall table centerpieces. Thanks to Ms. Hill, our cafeteria manager, and her staff, for providing the pumpkins and judging all the entries.
Winners:
1st: Ms. Davis, KK-05–Turkey
2nd: Ms. Hill, 1-05–Pig
3rd: Ms. Aldridge, KK-01–Bat
Honorable Mention: Ms. Feaster, 2-03–Fall Fashion

Congrats to our former student, Deidra, who has advanced in the Kid Reporter semifinals on the Today Show!