MLK News: Jan. 9-13, 2023

Parents and Students,

Please take a moment and give us your feedback on our Smore newsletter. What do you like? What do you think we could leave out? What should we add? Please use the link below to take this four-question survey. The survey closes on January 13 at 3p.m.

Thank you for your help in making the Smore more relevant to our community.

https://forms.office.com/r/4wmtxrHgdX

A very special thank you goes out to our PTSA for all of the support you have provided this school year. Thank you to the parents who purchased candy canes that were passed out to the students at the end of the semester. Thank you to the parents who donated the hot chocolate and cookies for Merry Midterms. Thank you to the parents who purchased gift cards for the faculty and staff as well.

We cannot thank each of you enough! Again, thank you.

MLK experienced sprinkler heads that burst due to being frozen. Classrooms in the 1936 building were impacted. The following teachers' classrooms where directly impacted.

Mrs. Montgomery

Mr. Norton

Mrs. Holley

Ms. Eatherly - Social Worker

Mrs. Amadi

Mrs. Pena

Dr. Gilmore

Our hope is that teachers will be in their classrooms on Monday when students return. If not, teachers have been placed in alternate classrooms. Teachers will meet students at the door of their classroom to walk students to the alternate classroom if needed.

We are excited to announce we will pilot a new program for our students called E-Hallpass, beginning January 12, 2023. E-Hallpass is a program designed to replace physical hallpasses with electronic passes created on a teacher or student’s technology device.

*Please be aware the E-Hallpass does not track your student's location in any way.

Here is what you need to be aware of:

a. Students will receive training in using the E-Hallpass system on Wednesday, January 11th, during Royal Time. We will begin using E-Hallpass on Thursday, January 12th.

b. Students will be given 3 passes each day (appointment passes do not count against a student's 3 passes)

c. If a student is late to school, 1 of their 3 passes will be removed automatically due to serving as a pass to 1st period.

Our hope is that we see benefits other MNPS schools are seeing while utilizing this system such as:

a. Increased accountability for students in the hallway

b. Increased safety for our students

c. Prevention of activities that break school policy

To view more information regarding E-Hallpass, please use the links below

1. e-hallpass Introduction - YouTube (overview video).
2. EHallPass (website to read more)

We strive to provide an exceptional education where all students can be successful. We know there is a strong correlation between student attendance and academic success. We must do our part to ensure students receive the instruction they need. Please know that when students are late to the building specifically 1st period, it disrupts their education.

Previously, students arriving late to school without a note were not penalized if they did not drive themselves. Moving forward, all students who arrive late to school without a note more than 3 times/quarter will receive a lunch detention. This means that a student's 4th tardy to their 1st period class will result in a lunch detention.

Please know the doors of MLK open at 7:30 am each morning. Students then go to the cafeteria for breakfast and to be supervised. Students are allowed to go to their lockers at 7:44 am. This gives students 16 minutes to go to their locker if needed and arrive to class at 8:00 am on time.

Your attention to this matter is appreciated.

Mr. Churchwell will serve 9th grade families.

Mrs. Strickland will serve the 10th grade families.

Sound Baths help support mental, emotional and spiritual well-being using the frequency of crystal bowls, bells, and other instruments. Sound Baths activate your parasympathetic nervous system, calm nerves, deep relaxation and rest, to name a few benefits.

MLK presents, ‘Starry Night’ Homecoming dance, hosted by the Student Government Association.

This event takes place on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 6pm-10pm at MLK. You MUST be a MLK student to attend this event.

Online tickets are on sale from 1/3/23-1/13/23 for $16.00 (which includes a $1.00 platform processing fee). Online ticket purchases are non-refundable.

To purchase tickets, please click the link below

https://mnps.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/3653/386/False/True?fbclid=PAAaYnTY5RWzHyI89c37R9eLrI8trChbk4MSdjS9wNOc7nXSb1-H8609uRHGY

If you miss this window to purchase your tickets online, you can purchase tickets at the door for $30.00.

This is a formal dance for grades 9-12 only, formal attire is suggested, and refreshments will be provided with light snacks.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Williams at lauren.williams@mnps.org or Jazmin Chavez at jazmin.chavez@mnps.org .

To learn about activities, you can participate in on MLK DAy. Click on the link below.

https://mlkdaynashville.com/

On January 17 at 6p.m. counselors will host our quarterly Parent Empowerment night.

This quarter we will cover:

• the 23-24 registration forms for each grade
• graduation requirements
• other information needed to help your student be set for success in the upcoming school year.

This will be an important meeting to attend. It will be recorded if you are not available at that time. You will be able to find the recording the next day on Schoology and in the Smore newsletter the following week.

The link to join is below:

Parent Empowerment Series Q3, Jan. 17, 6-7p.m.

On January 24th at 6:00 pm, MLK we will host an in-person Advanced Placement Information night. AP teachers will present the content of the course(s) they teach. These sessions are very informative and helpful for planning a balanced schedule for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

I highly recommend you attend. You will be able to select three sessions to attend from the courses listed below. You will be glad you attended.

All performing and visual art talent is welcome. All performances must be done solo.

• Talent Hunt Parental Consent form
• Talent Hunt Application
• 
  

Reach out to Juan Culp, gammaphitalenthunt@gmail.com, with any questions.

Deadline: Jan. 28

Congratulations to our MLK Boys' Bowling team for being District Champs!

Phillip Motley

Jaylan Broughton

Lucas Myers

Declan Jones

Robert Dye

Adariano Pirvulescue

John Burke

Malcolm Lane-Jackson

James Roberts

Congratulations to our Girls' Bowling team for being District Runner-Ups!

Kendoll Hayes

Amy Roderiquez Calva

Wilson-Lauren Watts

Janiya Williams

Shae Camardo

Fern Spence

Adori Price

Laura Barnes

Juniper Morton

MLK hosted our first ever "Merry Midterms" event after school on Monday, December 12. It was a fun and festive event that provided students with an opportunity to study for their midterms and get help from their teachers about last minute questions. Hot chocolate and cookies were enjoyed by all!

Thank you to assistant principal, Mrs. Strickland, for suggesting and organizing this wonderful event! Thank you to the PTSA and the parents who donated cookies and hot chocolate for providing cookies and hot chocolate and thank you to the teachers who made themselves available after school for students.

The cheerleaders recently participated in a skin care workshop learning how to take care of their skin.

We are looking for 8th-grade students who wonder how things work, who like science experiments, coding and robotics, medicine or psychology, who look up at the sky and wonder about the stars and planets, or who like to tinker around with things and build. Mathematicians, science Olympiad enthusiasts and any other STEAM-curious students would also be great candidates.

If your students have these qualities, please encourage them to think about applying to the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt. It’s a high school program for motivated students who are interested in STEM ideas and research.

Our website has all the information applicants need to learn all about the program and decide if they want to apply.

You can sign up to receive more information and reminders about the application deadline – February 10, 2023.

Please help us spread the word about this opportunity to the students in your school who are qualified candidates.

School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt

MLK Tour Tuesdays run through March 21st. If you know someone who is interested in applying to MLK for the 2023-2024 school year, please direct them to our website Visit MLK - Martin Luther King Jr. School (mnps.org) or send them this link to sign up for a tour.

MLK Tour Sign-Ups

My Test Tips, a Nashville based test prep program, is offering Fall and Winter Sessions.... private one on one virtual coaching for ACT and SAT test prep.

For more information on cost and registering for our sessions, email us: mytesttips@gmail.com

follow us on.......mytesttips Facebook.

• TN Promise Mandatory Meeting - Tuesday, Jan. 10 - 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Auditorium) - All Seniors are asked to attend this meeting held during the school day for your convenience. The session is a requirement for those planning to use TN Promise dollars and will provide valuable information EVEN IF you registered only for a solid "back up" plan.

  
  

• Senior and Parent Seminar: "The Final Countdown - An Overview of 2nd Semester" - Thursday, Jan. 12 - 6:00 - 7:00 pm. - virtual session - We're in the "home stretch" now, however there's still much work to be done! This session will share important college planning steps we need to focus on for the next few months. Bonus info. . . we'll also be discussing events and required activities for Seniors related to graduation. Please don't miss this important conversation designed to make your last semester at MLK as stress-free as possible! 🙂 Here's the meeting link:
  

  
  

  Senior Seminar - The Final Countdown "An Overview of 2nd Semester" January 12, 6-7p.m.

  
  

• College Center Extended Hours will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 18! Seniors ~ Join Mrs. Hensley in the College Center each Wednesday from 3:00 - 5:00 pm for help with anything related to your college planning journey . . . FAFSA completion, scholarship search and completion, last applications for admission, whatever! . . . Stay the entire time or just as long as you wish.

Welcome to week 18 of the 2022-2023 ACT Corner!

This week’s practice passage comes from the Science section of the ACT. Science_passage_10_Jan_5_2023.pdf

Correct answers to last week’s Reading passage are also included. answers_Reading_passage_10_Dec7_2022.pdf

A Note about grades: Parents are encouraged to monitor their students' grades using Schoology or Infinite Campus. Schoology is the best place to look for grades because it is updated more often, and it is the only place where you can see materials and assignments. Teachers will transfer grades from Schoology to Campus at least twice a week. Grades for each quarter are finalized officially in Infinite Campus at the end of the nine weeks. Infinite Campus rounds grades using a different number of decimal places, so you might notice a discrepancy of 0.01% between Campus and Schoology. The final grade in Infinite Campus is the OFFICIAL grade.

The 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on Oct. 1 for current seniors who will begin college in the Fall of 2023. Some states and schools have limited funds, so we do not want students to delay; the sooner it is completed, the better!

Additionally, for TN Promise eligibility, the application MUST be completed and submitted by March 1. The application and more information can be found here.

For high school students it occurs Monday-Thursday from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. in room 2206.

For middle school the schedule is from 3:15-4:15, Monday-Thursday.

• 8th Grade - Monday (Poston)and Tuesday (Boleyjack),
• 7th Grade - Wednesday (Taylor) and Thursday (Ellis).

More information

• High School - Contact Ms. Agee, Teresa.Agee@mnps.org
• Middle School - Contact Mrs. Taylor, Carlene.Taylor@mnps.org

Use the Homework Hotline! Call 615.298.6636.
Teachers are available to answer questions Mondays through Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is a free service to students in TN.

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.

When you call, text, or chat 988, you will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting you, provide support, and connect you to resources if necessary.

The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

The Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005, and has been proven to be effective. It’s the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the contacts the Lifeline receives every day. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor.

Answer the call! These centers are looking to bring on new volunteers and paid employees. You will receive training, so if you are a caring person who wants to help those in crisis, apply today. Find your opportunity: samhsa.gov/988-jobs

• For ways to support your local Lifeline network crisis center, visit our Crisis Centers page here.
• To learn about the impact of the Lifeline, visit our new By the Numbers page.
• To learn about what happens when you call, text, or chat with the Lifeline, click here.
• To learn more about the history of 988, visit here.
• To learn how Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administrator of the Lifeline, has been supporting states’ implementation planning for 988 through grants, check here.

If you’re a Veteran, Service Member or loved one and want to know more about how 988 will affect the Veterans Crisis Line, click here.

Email: angela.mcshepard-ray@mnps.org
Website: mlk.mnps.org
Location: 613 17th Avenue North, Nashville, TN, USA
Phone: 615-329-8400
Twitter: @MLKRoyals