2011-12 District News

Christmas Rap

The unique and endless talents of Bryce Hudspeth and Jake Orlicek strike again! Click below to enjoy their original video, "Christmas Rap" prepared in DHS EAST Lab.

>>>Watch the video!

Piñatas

by Señora Paula Counce
Once again, the Spanish I classes of Señora Counce made piñatas as part of their study of Spanish culture. Many spent hours in the process. They started with a balloon, tore newspaper strips, dipped them into wheat paste or watered-down glue, and covered the balloon. The piñata was sealed and decorated in creative ways.

Most people have played "Hit the Piñata" at a birthday party. The history of the piñata is actually interesting. Piñatas may have first been discovered by Marco Polo on one of his trips to China. When the piñata was carried to Europe in the 14th century, it was used in religious ceremonies. They resembled clay containers for missionaries to North America in the 16th century used the piñata to teach religious lessons. The most traditional style piñata has the seven points representing the seven deadly sins of greed, gluttony, sloth, pride, envy, wrath, and lust. The blindfolded participant represents a force fighting against those evils. He uses the stick of virtue to break the piñata. The candies and fruits that may be inside represent the rewards for being faithful. Today, most piñatas are used at festivities for pure fun.

>>>Photos

Christmas Concerts

The DHS and DMS Bands and DHS Choir presented their Christmas concerts Thursday, December 8, in the DHS cafeteria. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. the DHS Choir performed "Bit of Holiday Cheer," "Gonna Catch That Santa," and "Grown Up Christmas List." The band concert began at 7:00 p.m. with performances by the DMS Beginner and Jr. High Bands followed by the DHS Band's performance of "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming," and "On a Winter's Eve."

Jr. High All-Region Band
Congratulations to the following freshmen for making All-Region Band: Otara Mason, Deshauna Jamison, Daniel Hall, Rebecca Hughes, Tracie Galloway, Sydney Bueker, and Cassie Edwards. And congratulations to the following 7th and 8th graders for making All-Region Band: Noah Ward, Anna Cunningham, Kevin Grammer, Shelby Gifford, Alexa Pike, Victoria Adams, Emily Tripplet, Garret Cummings, Adam Hill, Tessah West, Erica Amyx, Jordan Davis, Madeline Bonds, Allie Roush, Shelby Anderson, Logan Watts, and Haston McFerrin.

FBLA NFLC

By Baylar Griffie
On the weekend before Thanksgiving break, selected DeWitt FBLA students attended knowledge-filled workshops and enjoyed special guest speakers at the Future Business Leaders (FBLA) National Fall Leadership Conference (NFLC). This year the NFLC was in Little Rock November 18-20. Attendees learned about everything from leadership training to competition to motivational speeches. Also, during the conference, students helped raise money for the March of Dimes by having a March of Dimes Walk and a Blue Jeans for Babies Dance. Our very own FBLA adviser, Carole Anderson, presented a workshop on "iPads in the Classroom" for business teachers attending the conference. DeWitt members facilitated workshops and introduced speakers. For more information about Future Business Leaders of America, visit the national website, www.fbla-pbl.org.

DHS Leo Club

by Dalton Cox
Leo Club is the student organization of Lions Club. Each year Leo Club students promote the Lions Club Pancake Supper with "pancake" decorations and signs in the parade and help serve, greet, and clean up at the supper. The pancake supper was held from 5 - 7 p.m. on Friday, December 2, at the 1st Baptist Church.

Lions Club, founded in 1917, is a volunteer organization and the world's largest service club. The DHS Leo Club officers are President Gunnar Knoll, Vice President Barrett Whiting, Student Council Representative Jeff Moyer. Leo Club consists of all DHS EAST Lab students.

Round Robin

For the third year, 11th grade students at DeWitt High School participated in the first of multiple Round Robin Review events with the DHS English Department. Students and teachers spent the morning of Thursday, November 17, visiting the classrooms of English teachers Margaret Holzhauer, JoAnn Cox, LeeAnn Morgan, and Sabrina Rodgers for targeted, intense review of materials in preparation for the Grade 11 Literacy Exam they will take next spring.

Implemented by Mrs. Cox two years ago, the Round Robin Review has served to help raise test scores by DHS juniors each year. As a result, DeWitt High School has obtained the status of an Achieving School by the Arkansas State Department of Education. The success of the program prompted a visit this year by area superintendents and curriculum directors for possible implementation in other schools.

The Grade 11 Literacy Exam will be given statewide March 6 - 7, 2012.

>>>Photos by Carole Anderson

Veteran's Day

In observance of Veteran's Day, Friday, November 11, Louis DuMond, Navy Veteran, visited the third grade at DeWitt Elementary School.

>>>Photos by Dana Horton

DES Patriotic Day

Enjoy photos of Patriotic Day held Friday, October 7, at DeWitt Elementary School.

>>>Photos by Dana Horton

DHS SkillsUSA

by Kara Jones
What is SkillsUSA?

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that serves students enrolled in career and technical education training programs at our nation's public high schools and colleges.

SkillsUSA's mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers and responsible American citizens.

SkillsUSA compliments technical skills training with instruction in the employability skills that make a well-rounded worker and citizen.

The SkillsUSA Motto
"Preparing for Leadership in the World of Work"

The local chapter officers are: President-Kara Jones, Vice President-Drake Wright, Secretary-Kelsey Horton, Treasurer-Darby Wallace, Reporter-Allison Lock, and Parliamentarian/Student Council Representative-Shelby Bueker. There is a total of 31 members in the PCCUA Career & Technical Center DeWitt Campus Organization.

SkillsUSA has planned fundraisers including a bake sale, pajama day, and the School Partners Membership Card in the near future. The money raised will go towards the cost of spring competition held in Hot Springs. Dates will be posted for upcoming fundraisers.

Nile River Song Project

by Clay Dollar
Mr. Dollar's Pre-AP social studies class recently changed their tune!! A project was assigned where groups of 4-5 students had to analyze an ancient song or hymn written about the Nile River. They had to discover the importance of the river and the impact it had on the Egyptian way of life (yuck!!!). So to try and make things a little more fun a challenge was given to rewrite the song to the tune modern music.

Students could pick any song they wished as the new "tune" but they had to use their own words and yet CONVEY THE SAME MESSAGE AS THE ORIGINAL HYMN did. Not exactly an easy thing to do but they did it!! Several groups went even farther and produced a video to go along with the song! One daring student even added a "Bonus Features" segment to their video. It was comic relief for an already hilarious day in Social Studies. Way to go guys, you did a great job!

(Click the songs titles below to read the lyrics written by Mr. Dollar's students.)

Drop It Like an Egyptian
Mr. Nile
Sweet Home Nile River
The Nile River
The Nile, Our Great Provider

Classic Movie Friday

by Clay Dollar
Four weeks ago I started a reward program called Classic Movie Friday.  Each Friday during lunch students who have earned a ticket to the event can come into my classroom to eat lunch and are treated to a classic movie and popcorn.  The first movie event featured was Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark.  We watch 30 minutes of the movie each week.  Students can earn tickets in a variety of ways such as answering questions in class that show higher level thinking skills, being a good citizen on campus, report card grades, grades on quizzes, entry and exit slips used in the classroom to see if students retained information from the lesson that day, and several other "secret" things I look for but will not reveal.  I try to keep the students guessing as to what will earn the ticket so they don't try to just do one thing well but lots of things!!  So far it has been a success. 

I dispense the tickets at lunch on Thursdays and it has kind of become a little chaotic.  I am mobbed with students asking if they have earned a ticket for the week.  Our next feature will be another Harrison Ford classic . . . . . . Star Wars!!  Oh, and yes, it has been brought to my attention that it just doesn't seem right to call it a classic movie to those of us who actually remember going to the theatre to see these great movies, but I guess that does bring to light the fact that some of us are getting OLD!!! 

>>>Photos

Dictionaries

The Junior Women's League presented dictionaries to all the third graders at DeWitt Elementary School.

>>>See the photos

EAST Night Out

by Carole Anderson and Baylar Griffie
DeWitt High School EAST Lab recently teamed up with Stuttgart High School EAST Lab and hosted EAST Night Out October 20th at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas. They joined together to celebrate their EAST experiences and the growth of their students. EAST Night Out is an annual EAST event designed to allow each EAST program across the country to showcase projects and share the unique EAST learning environment with their communitities. Students regularly share projects with their peers and many programs already present at local community and civic meetings. EAST Night Out is a natural fit with what the programs are already doing and allows them to celebrate what they are accomplishing in EAST.

Students from DeWitt EAST Lab were Baylar Griffie, Gunnar Knoll, Jeff Moyer, Kiley Anderson, Bryce Hudspeth, Jake Orlicek, Ty Whattanataphoti, Kay Kay Best, Chandler Boyd-Mathews, Chloe McPherson, Carly McSwain, Jarrid Coit, and Cody Moore all shared projects they have been working on this year. From athletic passes, filming interviews 101, working with GPS, to Pink OUT, the students shared their projects and adventures with guests. Jerry Prince, Senior Director of Program Services, served as the guest speaker. The students were very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to the conference in March.

>>>Photos

Hunter Education

By Debbie English
All DMS 6th graders enjoyed a course of Hunter's Ed led by Mrs. Linda Gunnell.  On Thursday they enjoyed listening to some special speakers: Mr. Jimmy Green who talked about muzzleloading, Mrs. Janee' McFerrin talked about first aid, Mr. Larry Childers and Mr. Brent Watkins talked about bow hunting.  On Friday the class enjoyed a simulated hunt with the volunteer help of Mr. John Howard Gunnell, Mr. Jimmy James, and Mr. Brad Koen.  During the hunt the "hunters" carried wooden guns and learned the proper way to climb a fence, to get in a boat, and get in a ranger. Mr. Kenneth Graves also talked to the "hunters" about wildlife identification.

>>>See the photos

Day of the Dead

by Senora Paula Counce
More than 500 years ago when the Spanish conquistadors landed in Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. The Spaniards tried to eradicate the 3,000 year old ritual, but the celebration of the Day of the Dead continues today to be celebrated in all Latin American countries. This special holiday celebrates the lives of people who have died. it is believed that the souls of the dead come back to visit their loved ones on November 1 and 2. Contrary to popular belief, Day of the Dead is not a sad or depressing time; it is a time of happiness and celebration.

Spanish students in Sra. Counce's class joined in the celebration with their own decoration of sugar skulls like those that are made or sold in the shops of Mexico. Although the ritual has today merged with Catholic theology, it maintains the basic principal of the Aztec rituals such as the use of the skulls which the Spanish conquistadors found so alarming.

Click the images below to see a larger version.

Spanish Club

by Hara Hestir
Spanish Club There are approximately 60 Spanish Club members at De Witt High School. Spanish club gets students involved outside of the classroom. Some of the recent activities the Spanish Club has done is sponsoring taco day, and making Mexican paper flowers. Taco Day, which was a tailgating party before the last home game, raised a lot of money which went to support the Spanish Club service project. The Spanish Club service project is the poultry project of Samaritan’s purse. Mexican paper flowers are very colorful and fun to make. The Spanish club is making these flowers and then taking them to the DeWitt Nursing Home to share with everyone. Spanish Club also held a bake sale at school between lunches. The bake sale raised about 300 dollars. A lot of the members in the Spanish club classes have completed making Mexican sugar skulls, as a way to celebrate Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1-2.

DHS Red Ribbon Week

by Madison Briggs
Red Ribbon Week is a drug prevention program celebrated during the month of October. It began in 1985, after the brutal murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. Working undercover for four years led him to a trip to Mexico to discover a multimillion dollar narcotics manufacturing operation. Leaders of different drug cartels were angry with Camarena. With the anger and frustration of these drug leaders, Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. The horrifying story of Agent Enrique Camarena helped expose the dark world of drug trafficking including how far drug traffickers would go to maintain power and control.
[Source: http://www.redribboncoalition.com]

Red Ribbon Week activitites were kicked off at DHS with guest speaker Mr. Walt Coleman. Mr. Coleman has served as an American football official in the National Football League since 1989, and is also the operator of Coleman Dairy in Little Rock, Arkansas. He shared many football stories and related them to how we should make good choices in our daily lives. During Mr. Coleman's referee career he has received uninspiring letters through fax about his calls in football. As a surprise, students faxed inspiring thank you letters to him that afternoon.

The focus of Red Ribbon week is learning to make good choices in life, always say no to drugs, and help prevent violence. During this program DeWitt High School's classes competed in a hallway decorating contest sponsored by DHS SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). The main goal was to decorate the hallway with the most red possible! As a result, the 2012 senior class achieved their goal and won, celebrating with doughnuts for breakfast!

>>>Photos by Mrs. Nancy Whiting

Junior Scholastic Magazine

Mr. Clay Dollar's social studies classes are enjoying receiving the Junior Scholastic magazine. The Junior Scholastic magazine is a biweekly publication of current events, geography, colorful maps, and American history information. Scholastic also provides online lesson plans, powerpoint slide shows and other resources for teachers to use in class. Thanks to the DeWitt PTA and a private donor this magazine has been made available for his 7th grade students. 

>>>Photos of Mr. Dollar's class

GO BAND!

by Fran Jennings
This football season the Senior High Dragon Marching Band has been amazing Friday night football fans at halftime both at home and away.  The band’s halftime performance this year is called Dreams of Persia.  The group has continued to improve and impress under the direction of Mr. Light and Ms. Shay.  Senior baritone player Bryce Hudspeth says, “I’m more fluent with my notes and my ear becomes more tuned every year and it’s sad to know that it’s coming to an end.”

Of course one of the biggest highlights of the show is majorette Brittney Isom’s twirling batons on fire.  She has been practicing since this summer and has even burned herself preparing for the show!  She says, “I’m just really glad I can entertain. It really excites me to know there are people cheering for me and that they like my twirling!”

The band has decided to share their talents and test their skills against other bands in the state by entering a number of band competitions.  Their first competition was held in Forrest City on Saturday, October 22nd.  The band got all 1’s (bands are judged on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the best) including best color guard in their class, superior majorettes, and 2nd overall guard.  The band really had a great time, and was very successful.  They competed in another competition on Tuesday, October 25th, and received all 1’s yet again.  Hudspeth says, “It was a blast. Us band geeks know how to have a good time.” Isom agrees, “I’m a total band geek and LOVE watching competitions. If anyone hasn’t been to one, they should!”

>>>Photos

GES Art

Students in Mrs. Wright's art classes at Gillett Elementary School have been working on water color cityscapes, water color flower gardens, paint blots, and masks of African and Indian cultures.

>>>Enjoy the art

Paper Vase Art

Mrs. Wanda Wright's DMS seventh and eighth graders created vases with flowers using torn paper and glue.

>>>Enjoy the photos

Tapestry

by James Guest
DMS seventh and eighth art students created tapestry weavings in correlation with Mr. Clay Dollar's seventh grade social studies class. They had to create a pattern using a combination of two or three colors of yarn. In social studies, the students were studying Early Civilizations where they were focusing on specialization during the Neolithic Age.

>>>See the art

Cross Country Team

State Meet
The State Cross Country Meet was held Saturday, November 5, in Harrison. Congratulations to DHS Sophomore Cody Fox who placed 6th out of 104 runners with a time of 18:39! Cody medaled and earned All-State honors! DHS Freshman Austin Thomas placed 72nd with a time of 23:54 in the boys competition, and DHS Sophomore Randi Hestir placed 32nd out of 85 runners with a time of 26:05. The Cross Country team is coached by Coach Justin Russell.

District Cross Country Meet
Congratulations to Cody Fox who won 1st place in the Southeast Regional District Cross Country Meet in Monticello on October 15! Cody is a Sophomore at DeWitt High School. Austin Thomas, a DHS Freshman, placed 11th. In the junior high division Anna Cunningham placed 5th, Shelby Gifford placed 8th, and Aiden White placed 16th. Senior athletes Cody Fox, Austin Thomas, and Randi Hestir will compete in the State Cross Country Meet in Harrison on November 15. The Cross Country teams are coached by Coach Justin Russell.

>>>Photos by Traci Fox

Hamburg Meet
The DHS Cross Country teams competed in the Hamburg Meet on October 1st. Cody Fox placed 2nd and Randi Hestir placed 3rd for the senior high team along with Austin Thomas. Aiden White and Anna Cunningham competed for the junior high team. The district cross country meet will be held in Monticello on October 15.

Pink Out!

DeWitt High School participated in "PINK OUT" for Breast Cancer Awareness Friday, October 14, at the DeWitt vs. Warren football game. Many students and fans wore pink clothing, necklaces, and more to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness. The band wore pink ribbons and the Dragon football team even wore pink socks during the game!

DHS Students showed their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Friday afternoon by coming together in the shape of a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon! We were so pleased to see our photo feature on KATV Saturday morning accompanied by many compliments for our school. Proud to be a DeWitt Dragon!

Dragon Football

Visit the Dragon Football page weekly for game highlights and photos, opponent roster, and more! Use your smart phone to scan the QR Code in the football program while you're sitting in the stands to visit the page. Or click the Dragon Football image to the left or link below. Go Dragons!

>>>Dragon Football

Homecoming 2011

Ms. LeeAnn Morgan took awesome photographs of the week! Click below to enjoy.

In addition to the images linked above, a photographer from Lifetouch took pictures as well. Click here to visit their website. Use code FHC54X to view the 2011 DHS Homecoming photos.

DMS Spirit Week

DeWitt Middle School's Spirit Week was held October 10 - 14 before the last home Junior Dragon football game against Warren on October 13.

Spirit Week
Monday - Hillbilly Day
Tuesday - Backwards Day
Wednesday - Crayon Day
Thursday - Blue and Gold Day
Friday - Twinkie Day

>>>Enjoy great photos by Mrs. Debbie English

Plant and Animal Cells

Ms. Deane McEuen's 7th Period Science class at DeWitt Middle School drew and identified plant and animal cells with sidewalk chalk.

>>>Enjoy the photos

Third Grade Fun

Recess in the hall, making new friends...everyday in third grade is a good day! Click below to view great photos by Ms. Dana Horton at DeWitt Elementary School.

>>>Enjoy the photos

DHS Golf

Boys State Tournament
Boys finished 7th overall with a team score of 264. Valley View finished in 1st place and Brookland finished in 2nd place. Individual scores were Noah Smith 80, Layton McCullars 92, Jace Dondanville 92, and Dustin Rowe 124. Noah Smith was named All-State. We're proud of you!

Girls State Tournament
The girls golf team finished 3rd in Class 4A with a team total of 276. Clarksville finished 1st with a team total of 249 and Valley View finished 2nd with a team total of 267. Individual scores were Lauren Johnson 76, Erin Watkins 94, Katie Koen 103, and Drew Dillion 107. Lauren Johnson was Class 4A State Runner-up Medalist and was selected All-State. She will represent DeWitt High School at the 2011 Overall Tournament to be played at Pleasant Valley Country on October 13th. She will compete against the top 3 finishers in all classifications in the state. Congratulations!

Conference Tournament
The girls and boys DHS golf teams competed Tuesday, September 20, in the conference tournament at Delta Country Club in McGehee. In team competition, the girls won first place and the boys won second place! Individually, DeWitt's Lauren Johnson placed 1st with a score of 80, Katie Koen placed 2nd with a score of 97, and Erin Watkins placed 3rd with a score TBA; Noah Smith placed 1st with a score of 84 and Layton McCullars placed 3rd with a score of 86. DeWitt competed against golf teams from Dumas, Hamburg, Warren, and McGehee. The DHS golf teams are led by Coach Jeff Rader. Congratulations!

>>>More photos by Stacy Dillion

CAPS Program at DHS

DeWitt High School is implementing the Career and Academic Placement program this year. Each student is assigned a teacher advisor who works with them throughout their high school years to select courses geared toward their career and academic goals.

The first student-advisor meeting was held September 20th. Advisors were able to answer questions, address concerns, and review individual grades. Meetings are scheduled monthly throughout the school year. For more information on the CAPS program at DHS, please contact the school.

DHS FBLA

by Baylar Griffie, DHS FBLA President
DeWitt High School FBLA commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Arkansas County Fair and Parade. Some of the senior FBLA members devoted part of their busy schedules to making a drawing on a sheet of paper become a visual masterpiece. By building this float, the members of the high school FBLA not only commemorated the Arkansas County Fair's 75th anniversary, but they showed great leadership skills and community involvement as today's role models and tomorrow's leaders. The hard work and effort put forth in this float is appreciated!

>>>More parade photos

Earth Pigment Painting

Eighth grade DMS art students created an Earth Pigment Painting. They had to draw a landscape with yellow chalk and then add color by applying paint that they created using natural pigments (dirt, berries, leaves, grass, etc.). Mr. James Guest is the art teacher at DeWitt Middle School.

>>>See the art.

Monochromatic Landscapes

Seventh grade DMS art students practiced creating value by painting a monochromatic landscape. Mr. James Guest is their teacher.

>>>See the art.

MacBeth

Alternative Learning Environment students at DeWitt High School are studying MacBeth in literature class with Mrs. Starks. Their art teacher, Mrs. Wright, had them create MacBeth witches to correlate with their literature.

>>>See the art.

Did you know?

Parents of DES third graders have a great resource available online. The third grade teachers at DeWitt Elementary School prepare "The Week Ahead", a file available on the Homework page. This viewable and printable PDF file provides announcements and assignments for each subject area for the entire week. This year Mrs. Dana Horton is teaching reading and social studies, Mrs. Jessica Logan is teaching math, Mrs. Carolyn Coffelt is teaching language, writing, and spelling, and Mrs. Gina Watkins is teaching science, so they are combining all the third grade information.

>>>Homework Page

Recycling Effort Led by DHS Art Club

Students in Ms. Hollye Jackson's Art Club at DeWitt High School are taking the lead on collecting recycling paper to be taken to the new recycling center in town. Ms. Jackson has a bin in her classroom for students to place paper to be recycled. Every week or so students from Art Club will take the paper to the new recycling center. DHS Art Club challenges other clubs, classes, and individuals to get on board with recycling paper! For more information about the the new recycling center in DeWitt, contact City Hall.

Back to School

We're back at it! The 2011-12 school year has officially begun! Hopefully, first day jitters weren't too bad for anyone and now the new school year is in full swing.

Students and staff at DeWitt High School were welcomed in an assembly in the gym Monday morning. Mr. Weaver, DHS principal, recognized all the students who scored proficient or advanced on end-of-course tests last year by calling their individual names and asking them to stand together on the basketball court. We're proud of all of you!

DeWitt Middle School's new principal, Mr. Evans, and his staff welcomed this year's students to DMS. Students arrived with new notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and smiles on their faces! >>>More DMS pics

Have a fantastic school year, everyone!

Go Dragons!

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