Melrose is a public elementary school, located north of Florida
Boulevard just off North Foster. Melrose has a talented
and dedicated administration and faculty which serve many underprivileged
students. Our relationship has continued to grow in breadth
and scope as both schools have collaborated on projects
for
a number of years. Episcopal welcomes the wonderful opportunity
for our students, faculty, and parents to work with a
Baton Rouge public school. This is a valuable commitment for
our school that enables us to give back to our community.
| LOWER SCHOOL (K-5th) |
1. SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Twice per year, the Lower School conducts a School
Supply Drive for Melrose teachers and students. This event
is spearheaded by the Lower School Parents Guild. For each
Drive, some 350+ pounds of supplies are delivered both
in the Fall (either August or September) and in the Spring
(January) to Melrose by EHS Lower School student representatives
and parents.
|
2. KINDERGARTEN SHARE TIME
Each year the Kindergarten classes alternately
visit each school for a day of fun filled learning and
recreational activities. This event is sponsored and coordinated
by the 7th GRADE SOS (Students Offering Services) Club.
Typically, Episcopal visits Melrose around Thanksgiving
and Melrose visits Episcopal around Easter. Scheduled activities
usually include these holiday themes.
|
| MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8th) |
1. HALLOWEEN TREATS
Every Halloween, the 8th Grade Junior Beta Club provides
several ornately decorated pumpkins (Jack-O-Lanterns) and
creatively wrapped "ghost suckers." The pumpkins
are given to a teacher-selected "Star" student
in each class. The "ghost suckers" (some 400+)
are given to every student and staff member .
|
2. EASTER EGG HUNT
This four hour activity has been sponsored by the Middle
School Students for Melrose's kindergarten students
and has included games and a sack lunch. This has been
a great treat for us all.
|
| HIGH SCHOOL (9-12th) |
1. LITERACY PROGRAM
Each year for Melrose Family Literacy/Math Night, the EHS
High School Student Body Officers coordinate a Book Drive
to donate as Christmas gifts to Melrose students. Anywhere
from 350-500 books are collected. Half of the books are
individually wrapped, categorized according to grade level
and personally distributed to Melrose students. |
2. FREE DRESS DAY
An annual FREE DRESS DAY is sponsored by the High School
Student Body. Students who desire to participate must pay
one dollar ($1.00) in exchange for not wearing their uniforms
on that day. Funds from this project helped to expand the
Technology Program at Melrose. |
3. FLAG CORPS TRAINING
The High School Naval Science Department provides training
to the Melrose Flag Corps (4th and/or 5th graders) on the
proper handling and display of the American Flag. Cadets
from the department provide the training. Training usually
takes place at least three weeks into the new school year. |
4. MATH GAME DAY ACTIVITY
During the month of October, a group of tenth (10th) graders
spend at least two hours engaged in a "play and learn" activity
with students in every classroom (anywhere from 90 to 110
students from Episcopal have participated in this activity
on this day). Among the games that were introduced to the
students at Melrose during this activity were: Boggle,
Chess, Scrabble, Memory, etc. All of the games were collected
by the Student Council and Key Club members. These games
have been cataloged and the teachers are able to check
them out as needed. |
| ADDITIONAL SCHOOL WIDE ACTIVITIES/SUPPORT |
L.E.A.P./I.O.W.A. TEST MOTIVATORS
In the Spring of 2001, Melrose began a "Test Motivator Program" to
encourage maximum overall student performance on State mandated
tests. Numerous prizes were offered in advance to increase
study skills and enhance performance. This program has been
a huge success largely due to Episcopal's donation of several
top of the line items to those whose test scores are above
the 50th percentile on the tests in question. Melrose has
received Statewide recognition for improved scores. This
is particularly significant since 96.3% of Melrose's student
body has been identified as low income and its enrollment
is 98.6% minority. |
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
During the Month of May, members of Episcopal's Parent's
Guild sponsor a catered lunch for the faculty and other
staff at Melrose. This activity has been a great stress
reliever since it takes place near the end of the school
year. It is extremely appreciated as it has boosted the
morale of everyone. |
DRAMA DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION
Kindergartners, first and second graders attended a play
performance at Episcopal School in December, 2001. They
were entertained by the High School Drama Club featuring
a medley of plays including "Little Red Riding Hood," "The
Three Little Pigs," and "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." |
HOPSCOTCH DRAWiNGS
A High School Advisory Group painted "Hopscotch from Around
the World" on cemented areas on the playground in the Spring
of 2001. This gave our students an additional physical outlet
during recess which was also educational in nature. |
WRAPAROUND ART DISPLAY
The Lower School art teacher worked with individual classes
to create a simulated Cristo art project using yards of
burlap material to display the art work of every student
at Melrose. This piece of artwork was displayed during
the week of our Family Literacy Program in 12/00. |
5TH GRADE CHOIR PERFORMANCE
Episcopal Lower School has routinely invited our students
to perform for their Christmas Program. Melrose would like
to participate in this activity again this school year
if it can be arranged and would like to have the 5th grade
choir perform at Melrose Elementary for our students and
parents. |
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK
In Nov., 2000, the EHS Middle School Librarian and
one of the 7th grade classes gift wrapped books to present
to the 5th grade classes. The books were read by the Episcopal
students who enclosed a card or letter explaining what they
enjoyed most about the book. |
RUMMAGE SALE DRIVE
In 1999, the Middle School Student Council and the Parents
Guild held a Rummage Sale Drive to collect items for the
Melrose PTO Fall Festival. Hundreds of items were delivered
which resulted in the overwhelming success of the festival.
Funds from this activity were used to purchase a copy machine
for the faculty. |
TERRIFIC TUESDAY/MARDIGRAS CELEBRATION
This 1 1/2 hour fun activity at Melrose is coordinated by
Episcopal Lower School 5th graders. Various games incorporating
beads, etc., marks the occasion. Pizza and other refreshments
are served. |
| PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR THE FUTURE |
E-MAIL BUDDIES
A class will be selected to develop e-mail relationships
with same age grade class at Episcopal. This can serve to
enhance writing and technology skills. An end of the year
gathering can be planned to meet e-mail buddies. |
TECHNOLOGY SHARING
Episcopal offered to donate surplus technology equipment
to Melrose. These items may vary from computers to software.
Staff members from each school will be invited to attend
technology training offered at individual sites. |
