Chalktalk Oct. 4

By Jim Cook

Published: October 7, 2008

Slocomb Elementary School teacher honored by Wal-Mart
Debra Murphy was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Foundation’s Teacher of the Year Program.
Associates at the Dothan Southside Wal-Mart recently presented a $1,000 educational grant to the school and a $100 gift card to Murphy.
Wal-Mart’s Teacher of the Year program will provide about $5 million to schools across the country to honor top teachers.
Last year, the Wal-Mart Foundation contributed more than $67 million to support educational initiatives.
Dothan High yearbooks still on sale through Nov. 10
Dothan High yearbooks are still on sale. The second offer at the price of $55 has been extended through Nov. 10.
Senior ad space is available. All reservations must be made with Danielle Snell by Dec. 1. Limited space is available.
City schools to hold parent involvement meetings
The Dothan City Schools, in collaboration with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Urban Program, will hold Parent Involvement Summits on Oct. 21 at Northview High School and Oct. 28 at Dothan High School. Refreshments will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the Parents Resource Fair. Parents are invited to come and hear experts in the educational field provide practical learning tips to help their children’s academic growth and ways that parents can help to build school support. The purpose of the summit is to increase academic support for all students enrolled in the Dothan City Schools System.
Seminars will include:
1. Cyber Net Training for Parents
2. How Do You Know if Your Child is Learning, Understanding Data for Dothan City Schools?
3. Mega Skills Training for Teachers
4. Communicating with Your Teenager
5. Getting Financial Aid for College — Types of Financial Aid, The Wiregrass Foundation Graduating Seniors Scholarship Program
6. Is Your Child Ready For Graduation?
7. Helping a Child with Special Needs to Succeed in School
8. YES WE CAN — Building School Support
9. Building Male Achievers
10. Pre-K ABC’s to Success in School
11. How to Communicate with Your School (K-5 Elementary)
12. How to Communicate With Your School (Middle School)
13. How to Communicate With Your School (High School)
14. Dothan City Schools Address Parent Needs, “A Conversation With Parents Only”
15. Parent Resource Fair
All services are free of charge to parents. Parents should register to attend the event, however. The summit is sponsored by Dothan City Schools, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Urban Program, the Wiregrass Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Mike Schmitz Automotive Group.
Social service agencies/businesses that support parents, children and families are invited to set up exhibits for the Parent Resource Fairs. There is no exhibit fee. Must provide a door prize valued at $50.
To register for exhibit/or parent registration, contact: Rosalind James, Urban Regional Extension Agent at 794-4108. Parents may also register with the parent involvement specialist for their child’s school.
Girard Elementary School honors students of the month
Girard Elementary School has announced its students of the month.
8th grade:  Tyler Kramer and Bre Calloway
7th grade: Taleya Williams and Jordan Carter
6th grade: Christiana Brewster and Andrew Spotts