News
November 14, 2008
CMS Students Win State-wide Multi Media Competition
Students from Mr. Barker's Multi-media class at Centennial Middle School entered the First Annual contest of making public service announcements against underage drinking. The contest is sponsored by the Utah Council for Crime Prevention. Students in grades 7 - 12 could enter. The students were required to write, produce, and edit a 30 second Public Service announcement against underage drinking.
A Centennial student group received the 1st place award, beating out competition from around the state. These students in the first place group are Seth Ringger, Raini Wall, Tyler Stevenson, Christian Sorensen, Joseph Partridge, Charles Tu'ua. Another CMS team, including Emily Rich, Ben Wells, Rhett Van Leeuwen, and Taylor Simpson, also received an honorable mention.
The winning students attended the 11th annual "Power of Prevention" Conference. They also received a trophy and gift certificates to local restaurants. Centennial Middle School and Provo School District are proud of their hard work and the good examples they set for others.
Congratulations!
November 13, 2008
RFP - Consulting Architect to the Board of Education
Provo School District is seeking RFP’s for a consulting architect to work with the facilities director and administration on projects under $500,000. This person would develop preliminary plans for remodels, additions, and seismic renovations. Once plans are approved by the board and administration, bid documents would be drawn up and working drawings developed for public bid. The architect would work with the purchasing officer of the district to advertise projects, hold bid openings, and develop a contract for the successful bidders. Weekly construction meetings will be called by the architect to discuss progress on projects in place. The architect will process change orders, approve submittals, and be the agent for the district during all phases of construction.
Provo School District is asking for the following information to be presented in the R.F.P.
- Percentage of project cost the architect would charge for services provided
- An hourly rate charged for small projects such as foot print drawings, site layouts, window details, etc., and any small project done for conceptual use in planning rather than plans for bid purposes.
- List structural, mechanical and electrical engineers predominately used in their work
- List school building experience of principal and staff
- List staff and experience.
- Commitment to turn-around time for project requests.
- Proof of Licenses and insurance.
A short list will be developed and those chosen will interview with the facilities director, business official, personal officer, and superintendent. Contact Phil Lott at 374-9401 if you have questions.
November 10, 2008
Celebrate Success! - Upcoming Special Education Parent Night Announced
The Special Education Department would like to announce an evening of activities for parents of students in Special Education to "Celebrate Success". On November 19, 2008, a Make-it-take-it night is planned when parents can attend multiple short classes that will present ideas and provide take-home activities that are designed to focus on the needs of their child, at the Preschool level through 12th Grade, who is enrolled in any part of the Special Education Program in the district. There is no charge to attend this informative and fun evening. Classes will provide support, ideas and activities in the areas of: academic achievement, speech/language development, parent advocacy, use of technology to enhance student learning, motor development and strategies to assist in promoting appropriate behavior in students.
Childcare with exciting activities and a dinner for all who attend will be provided. The event will be held at Farrer Elementary, 600 East Center Street, from 5 pm until 7:30 pm. A registration form will be sent home to each family of a Special Education student and must be returned no later than November 8, 2008 to the Special Education Department at the student's school. For more information, parents should contact their school's Special Education Department. Registration forms in Spanish and in English may also be downloaded below:
November 7, 2008
PHS Art Class Displays Portraits Within the Community that Highlight Diversity
James Rees, an art teacher at Provo High School, instructed his students to find diversity within their community and capture it by portraying the background, personality and international characteristics of the subject through charcoal drawings and sketches. This collection of art portraying the community is exhibited on the covered walkway found between 100 N. and 200 N. on University Avenue until Nov. 19. Rees felt it was fitting to display the students’ art based on the community in an easily accessible place, showcasing the diversity that makes Provo such a great city.
“I had no idea just how diverse we really were,” said Jordan Griffin, a senior at Provo High School. “I went into the interview not knowing what to expect and I walked out of the interview with a whole lot of respect for a different culture.”
For more details please read the following article:
November 7, 2008
Amelia Earhart’s Fun Run Fundraiser a Success!
The Amelia Earhart High Flyers all participated in a 5K Fun Run to help raise money for their school. Parents, students, and local businesses came together to help provide funds for the school and prizes for the names of students drawn out of a raffle. Prizes included a Nintendo Wii, iPod Shuffles, a football signed by the BYU football team, and many other awesome prizes.
Mr. Shawn Brooks, a fourth grade teacher at Amelia Earhart, was an integral part of creating and executing this successful fundraiser. “My favorite part of the run was seeing parents, teachers and students laugh and run the route---united in supporting healthy lifestyles and our school,” Brooks said.
The students prepared for the run by jogging 2.5 kilometers every day during PE. The students, parents, and faculty were able to raise over $5,700 during this single event, and there are many requests by parents to make the fun run an annual tradition. Good job!
“This Fun Run was a chance to bring family, friends, and the community together through a fun and healthy activity,” Brooks said. “It will hopefully transfer into a way of life and a memory for our community in the years to come.”
November 7, 2008
Timpanogos Elementary’s Lights are On After School
Timpanogos Elementary celebrated Lights On After School, a nation-wide event that educates communities on the importance and benefits that after-school programs provide students and parents alike.
Teachers, staff, students and parents from Timpanogos and Sunset View Elementary Schools showed up in their Halloween costumes to participate in a Halloween carnival, complete with food and games, as they perused the posters that different after-school programs had made for the event. The competition dance team and choir made special performances that evening as well.
After school activities at each of the elementary schools provide opportunities for students of all ages and interests to engage in fun, enriching and education activities. From sports club, choir, and gifted and talented to orchestra and art club, there is something for every student to participate in.
“These after-school activities are providing young people with fun, learning opportunities that contribute to their emotional, social, physical and academic development,” said Estella Bradley, Director of After-school Programs at Timpanogos Elementary.
November 6, 2008
Survey Results Released for 2009-2010 School Year Calendar Options
From October 1st to October 15th, 2008, district employees were invited to complete an online survey to determine preferences regarding four calendar options that have been proposed for the 2009-2010 school year. The results of the survey may be downloaded below:
October 29, 2008
Timpanogos Grand Opening
Timpanogos Elementary opened its doors to welcome students and teachers into a brand new school. School began with a ribbon cutting, where one student from each grade cut the ribbon and ushered in a new era at Timpanogos for current and future students. Principal Diane Bridge introduced students and parents to the new building and announced the new school mascot would be the sentinel.
“A sentinel is a guard or watchman,” Bridge said. “We are all going to be sentinels for this wonderful new school and for each other.”
Timpanogos teachers worked extra hard during school and over Fall Break to ensure their new classrooms would be ready for their students when it opened. A special thanks goes out to all Timpanogos faculty, staff and administration for helping make the school a great place to be on the first day.
To read more about the new Timpanogos Elementary, click on the links below:
October 29, 2008
Rotary Dictionaries
Provo Rotary, UVU Teams, and BYU Students Prepare Dictionaries for Every Third Grader in Provo School District.
Volunteers gathered to organize and prepare dictionaries to distribute to every student in the third grade in Provo School District during Fall Break. The UVU Mens Basketball Team, the UVU Womens Volleyball Team, Provo Rotary and BYU Rotary Interact gathered at the District Office to put stickers on the dictionaries, organize them into school specific boxes and sign up to help deliver the dictionaries to schools and classrooms.
Provo School District is grateful for the wonderful volunteer efforts these organizations have put forth to help better the education for our students.
Thank you!
October 28, 2008
Sundance Ski & Snowboard Lessons Announced for 2008-09
Registration for district-sponsored ski & snowboard lessons will open Nov. 11, 2008 and run through Jan. 28, 2009. Registration location is the Provo School District Transportation Office, 280 West 940 North, in Provo. Please download the information sheet below for complete details and schedule:
October 24, 2008
Author Brandon Sanderson Visits and Chats with CMS students
Brandon Sanderson, author of the popular Mistborn series and Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, visited Centennial Middle School and shared how he obtained his love for books and developed a talent for writing fantasy stories in a school-wide assembly. The students loved his humor and how he managed to make “boring” things sound exciting and fun. Sanderson also spent the remainder of his afternoon eating pizza with students who had read Sanderson’s books or wanted to become writers. The group discussed life as a writer, favorite authors, signing movie deals, and even a little about the coolest video games.
“This was a really great chance for students to ask questions that not many other people can answer for them,” said Karen Brown, the District Literacy Specialist and Coordinator of Author Visits. “The students loved getting to talk with him.”
October 24, 2008
Provo High PAUS a Hit with Students
Provo High School’s PAUS (Provo Academic Unified Studies) program gives students the opportunity to experience what they learn in the classroom with hands-on field trips and excursions. PHS PAUS students recently rode their bikes or jogged to the Provo Cemetery to study the geologic makeup of the headstones, the demographics of the people found there through a historical scavenger hunt, and many other projects.
“PAUS is top-notch,” said Jackson Hall, a junior. “Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused in the same classroom everyday, so this program works great for me. I get to really learn and apply that stuff that’s in the world around me.”
One of the PUAS instructors, Ty Robinson, said the students really benefit from weekly, outside activities. Some students learn and understand concepts better when they can experience learning outside of the classroom with real-life, tangible examples. PUAS students are planning to travel to Delta, Utah to study the Topaz internment camps and the volcanic rock and activity in the area.
For more information about PAUS please email Ty Robinson at tyr@provo.edu or call Provo High School at 801-373-6550.
October 22, 2008
Regents' Scholarship Announced
In 2008, the Utah State Legislature created the Regents' Scholarship. This scholarship encourages Utah high school students to prepare for college academically and financially by taking a defined core course of study and saving for college. Download the PDF below for specific application information:
October 16, 2008
TImpview Teachers and Students Design and Construct New Mascot
The new Thunderbird mascot made its first debut at the Homecoming assembly and was a huge success. Because of the Thunderbird’s Native American origin, all involved in the constructing process thought it would be great to honor that heritage.
A team of faculty members and three advanced Clothing Design students all aided in building the mascot costume from scratch. Genet Orme, the Clothing Design teacher, oversaw much of the mascot’s construction and obtained many of the materials necessary to do so. JoAnn Smith-Seals, an art teacher, made a comprehensive sketch of what the mascot should look like, and Tom Knight, Timpview’s Ceramics Teacher, painted the headpiece of the mascot. The three students Orme said were “essential” to completing the task are Margot Crandall, Chelsea Roberts, and Cimony Greenhalgh.
A special thanks goes to all of those who helped contribute to Timpview’s new mascot!
October 15, 2008
Timpview Welcomes UCCU
Utah Community Credit Union and Timpview High School are working together to encourage students to save money and make student transactions more accommodating with a UCCU branch on campus, just off of the Commons area.
This new branch will have nearly every UCCU service available except obtaining loans. Transactions made at the Timpview Branch will be logged and kept track of, just as at any other branch, making additional banking at other locations possible and easy to do. Timpview and Provo High Schools are the only schools with banking capabilities throughout all of Utah County.
“This is such a great opportunity for everyone involved,” said Georgle Bayles, Principal of Timpview. “We are so grateful for the quality services and financial education UCCU will provide for our students.”
October 14, 2008
Provo High School Plaza Ribbon Cutting
Students, faculty, the Board of Education, and District Administration gathered at Provo High School to officially open the new Plaza. A special Latin dance number from the International Club started the afternoon off, and then Principal Sam Ray recognized the former and current students an private businesses that helped make the Plaza a reality. Students representing groups that worked on the Plaza cut the ribbon and officially welcomed all to enjoy the newly refinished and landscaped area for all to enjoy.
A special thanks goes out to Clyde Companies, Burrows Marble, Milton Briggs, Cook Nursery, Neil Hinckley Excavating, PHS FCCLA, FBLA, Football and Cross Country Teams. The classes or 1965, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008 also contributed to the Plaza.
October 14, 2008
A Kindergarten Teacher's Day Made Better
Principal Jason Cox and OfficeMax employees surprised Mrs. Dalton at Amelia Earhart Elementary with the Make A Day Better Award and a big orange box full of classroom supplies. This award is given to an outstanding teacher who exemplifies academic performance and genuine love for their students. Mr. Cox thought Mrs. Dalton was the perfect choice for this award and submitted the information OfficeMax needed.
"Teachers spend too much of their own money on classroom supplies," Cox said. "This was such a great opportunity for a great teacher to get more of what she needs without having to pay for it herself."
Mrs. Dalton and her kindergarten class were excited to pull out all of the school supplies OfficeMax had generously donated. They found scissors, pencils, markers, crayons, paper, chalk, paper cutters, pens, a label maker, folders, a digital camera, and much, much more.
October 1, 2008
Wasatch Hot Air Balloon Launch
Wasatch Elementary students were treated to a hot air balloon launch on Thursday, Sept. 25.
Students listened to pilot Bill Baker explain the history of ballooning, necessary weather conditions, and what it takes to be a pilot. Baker answered students’ questions about power lines, being scared of heights, and how long he has piloted hot air balloons.
"I am really impressed with the questions that came from all of the students," Baker said. They are a smart bunch!"
Students then followed Baker and his crew to where the Allstate Balloon was prepped and inflated. Principal Colleen Densley was able to take a small ride in the fully inflated balloon. Densley praised the Allstate Balloon Team for the exciting and fun way they presented the information and included the students in the balloon prep and blowup.
"This was such a great experience for everyone involved," Densley said. "They could hear, see, and experience this so well because we could be so close to the balloon."
October 1, 2008
Canyon Crest Celebrates 25th Birthday in Style
Canyon Crest Elementary celebrated its 25th birthday on Sept. 19 with a dance festival and a carnival featuring many different activities. Each grade level participated in different dance routines that entertained parents, current faculty and staff, along with faculty and staff from the past. Different time eras and cultures found in Utah were represented with the various dances.
After the dance program, guests were treated to a carnival complete with 25 different booths. From a reptile petting zoo to a teacher dunk tank to inflatable slides, there is something there for everyone, said Tiffany Olson, Canyon Crest’s PTA President.
Patricia Anderson, Canyon Crest’s principal, enjoyed her time at the event, including the dunk tank, and was happy to be involved in such a grand celebration. She enjoyed chatting with the students and watching them have fun with the many different activities.
"This is something the students will remember for a long time," she said. "These are the types of events that build school unity and make fun school memories."
September 23, 2008
Lakeview Elementary Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
Students, parents, the superintendent, a mascot, a high school drum line and many others celebrated the official opening of Lakeview Elementary.
A fifth grade choir treated guests to a selection of patriotic songs, and was then followed by a group of students, one from each grade level, who cut the ribbon. Guests were invited to join a family picnic after the ribbon cutting. Families could bring their own food or buy hot dogs, chips, and drinks from the Lakeview PTA. The PTA sold over 600 hot dogs! Leo the Lion, Real Salt Lake’s mascot, was found throughout the entire event giving out high fives and trading cards to children.
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