MLK News: Nov. 21-22, 2022

Join me as I congratulate our Middle School Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Stephanie Ellis and our High School Teacher of the Year, Mr. John Womack.

Monday, November 21 - 7 period day.

Tuesday, November 22 - 7 period day.

Homecoming Nominating ballots can be found in Dr. William's my office if students would like to continue nominations. Nominations will end November 30th.

Our 2nd quarter Freshman Forum / Sophomore Seminar recording is available below. The topics that were discussed are:

• Final Exam Information
• What Colleges Look For
• GPA
• Parent Action Plan

https://youtu.be/HDs6H3EBG4E

On November 16th, MLK held its first Raft Debate.

What is a Raft Debate?

A Raft Debate, originally done at the College of William and Mary, is an interactive performance that takes place on a “deserted island,” in which three shipwrecked teachers from three different disciplines (STEM, Humanities, and Social Studies) humorously debate whose discipline offers the most value to humanity, and as such who should get the one and only raft to return to civilization.

Mrs. DeSha represented Social Studies. Mr. Fox represented Humanities. Ms. Collins represented STEM.

Mrs. Collins was selected as the winner by the student body. Congratulations Mrs. Collins!

This past weekend, 33 MLK students participated in the Tennessee Model United Nations Conference in Murfreesboro. Student engaged in a variety of committees, presenting and debating resolutions as representatives of various UN member states. We are so proud of how well our delegates performed. The delegations from El Salvador (Klara Hannaalla, Marina Khalif, Rana Mikhail, and Marvel Shawkey) and Jamaica (Sarah Ahmed, Khalid Fethi, Blen Hagos, and Bennett Spencer) advanced to the General Assembly, presenting and defending their ideas in front of hundreds of students. Grace Olson represnted the USA as part of the Security Council. At the close of the weekend, four MLK students were awarded outstanding delegate awards: Nathaniel Halevi, Blessing Kosia, Neena Praveen, and Alexander Hamilton. Congratulations to all who participated!

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an educational simulation in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. At a MUN conference, students work as the representative of a country, organization, or person, and must solve a problem with other delegates from around the world. MUN teaches participants skills like research, public speaking, debating, and writing, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership. While Model UN is typically used as an extracurricular activity, some schools also offer it as a class. Model UN is meant to engage students and allow them to develop deeper understanding into current world issues.

Last week, a group of students participated in the Austin Peay State University (APSU) Latin Day. The results of the competition are below.

High School Honors Orchestra

The MNPS District Honors Orchestra met (for the first time in 5 years) at Hillwood last Thursday. Eight members of our orchestra represented MLK in this ensemble which was under the direction of Dr. Ryan Joseph. Dr. Joseph is the coordinator of strings at Belmont University and also tours with the country legend Alan Jackson! The students put on a beautiful concert and learned a lot about music in our one day of rehearsal.

Fall Solo and Ensemble

On Saturday, November 12, six orchestra students in grades 7-9 performed at the MTSBOA Fall Solo and Ensemble event at Oliver Middle School. All six students earned a superior rating ! We are proud of these students and their accomplishments. Bravo!!

French Honor Society asked students and staff to honor veterans – past, present and those currently serving in the Armed Forces. Students and staff wrote a message to a veteran in their life on a poppy flower, and they were displayed last week.

These students were able to ask Louise Erdrick questions when she concluded her lecture on November 12th that was held by the Nashville Public Library. The questions showed so much depth and thought. Mrs. Erdrick commented on the questions she was being asked. She, again, referred to a question she was asked at the gala put on in her honor Saturday evening as well.

A special thank you goes out to Mr. Jesse Tidyman who worked behind the scenes with the Nashville Public Library staff and the students who participated in the Q and A session with Mrs. Erdrick.

The students are listed in order below.

Emmie Wolf-Dubin (Hume Fogg), Lilly Barrie, Kevin Rome, Bethel Derege, Sarah Salman, Lottie Cardwell, Amy Rodriguez-Calva

The graduation for the Class of 2023 will be at Municipal Auditorium on Wednesday, May 17th, at 6 p.m.

Every graduate will receive 10 tickets for guests.

MLK gives exams to all students enrolled (7th – 12th grade). We follow the high school schedule in which we dismiss at 11:20 am when exams are given. This means middle school students will be dismissed at 11:20 am along with high school students.

Semester Examinations

Final semester examinations are to be given in all 9-12 courses during the regular school year. The Chief Academic Officer or his/her designee must approve exceptions to this rule. Exams may not be given more than one time. Students may not type, grade, or handle other students’ exams. Students may not be dismissed from class during exams. Cheating on an exam will result in the lowest possible grade, according to the grading policy, being given for the final exam grade (see IM 4.144). Students may not take exams early. If a student must miss an exam, the principal may give permission for the student to make up the exam at a later time.

The 2022 December Exam schedule is below. All students 7th – 12th grade will follow this exam schedule. We will dismiss at 11:20 am each day. Please make the needed provisions for transportation.

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

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

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. Please add this information to your weekly newsletters, callouts, and daily announcements to students and parents. The application and more information can be found here.

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.

Thanks to your generous support we have EXCEEDED our $60,000 INVEST goal in donations & pledges!

Because of you, MLK students and teachers will have the resources and tools to be the best school in MNPS! 🎓

If you haven't given yet, you can still donate to help fund additional projects and unexpected needs https://investmlk.evrits.com

We are so grateful for every dollar that we have raised to support this amazing school. 🍎

THANK YOU FOR BEING A LOYAL ROYAL!

With gratitude,

Michele Harrell & Rachel Layburn

Invest Co-Chairs

Due to the short week, there are no college events this week.

News from the MLK College Center will return next week.

Welcome to week 14 of the 2022-2023 ACT Corner!

This week’s practice passage comes from the Science section of the ACT. Science_passage_9_Nov_16_2022.pdf

Correct answers to last week’s Reading passage are also included. answers_Reading_Passage_9_Nov_9_2022.pdf

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

MLK Spirit Store

2022-2023

Our MLK Spirit Store will OPEN Monday, August 15

Operating Guidelines

The details for shopping MLK apparel online, payment options, and

picking up your order are below. Click on the link below to order.

MemberHub

Apparel:

• New apparel will be added to the website on a regular basis. We will also

be restocking popular items; however, not all items will be restocked so

please do not delay in purchasing your items. If you do not see your size or

the color you want, please continue to check the website for updates.

• You will NOT have the opportunity to try on apparel prior to purchasing.

• NO RETURNS will be allowed on any purchased items. Most of our spirit

wear is printed on Gildan apparel (100% cotton) and fits true to size. Please

pay careful attention to the size that you choose prior to placing your

online order.

Online Payment Options:

• All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX) are accepted. You will also

be charged a nominal credit card processing fee (based on your subtotal)

for all online purchases.

Picking Up Your Order:

• Parents/students will be able to pick up online orders in the front office.

MLK parent volunteers will be processing orders for pick up on Wednesdays

and Fridays of every week. You will be required to sign for your paid online

order upon pick up. There are no alternative payment options at pick up.

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