The phrase “I blinked and it was gone” is the perfect analogy for this year. It seems like yesterday schedules were handed out, lockers assigned, and we gathered for the first prayer breakfast and all-school pep rally. Mrs. Otwell said it best when she quoted Dr. Seuss at Senior Readings asking, “How did it get so late so soon?” If I had to sum up this year in a single word, it would be transformational. Here are a few reasons why:
- Annual Fund saw a 108% increase
- Student-run coffee shop was implemented
- Retention rate is showing approximately 96%
- DPA increased auction profits by $24,000. Great job DPA!
- Enrichment programs were varied and robust: ACT prep, math prep, yoga, creative writing, digital marketing, strength and fitness, chess, stage/set design, and more!
- Developed math standards for all grades (other subjects being developed)
- Board voted a 3% increase for teacher salaries (first since 2008)
- DPA funded a multi-purpose field, 46-passenger bus, and fencing for fields, as well as $25,000 for technology enhancements
- Implemented a thorough teacher evaluation process
- Implemented two scholarships for 7th grade students
- Removed the ITBS testing and implemented the ACT Aspire assessment
- Implemented a new website with an outstanding Social Mashup component
- LS Art – A revolving exhibit of artwork by all LS students hangs in the LS building where it can be seen, discussed, and enjoyed every day.
- Select work by each student continues to be uploaded onto the online art gallery, Artsonia. Through this site, they are creating an online portfolio and record of their artistic development through their years at Donoho. www.artsonia.com
- US Art – In lieu of a final exhibit this year, we are holding the first Donoho Drawing Marathon on May 8th from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Here is a link to information on the school’s website:https://www.donohoschool.com/news/the-donoho-school-presents-a-drawing-marathon/
- As Project ArtShare continues, we are working in partnership with Autumn Cove to have several paintings by US students framed and hung for long term exhibit there.
- In cooperation with the Anniston Arts Council, work by both US and LS students will be exhibited at the new PopUp gallery space on Noble Street in the near future. This is a great new opportunity for students to share their work with the larger community in Anniston.
- The Donoho Band had one student, Abigail Swinney (Horn), participated in the 2015 Alabama All State Honor Band Festival held this past weekend in Mobile. Abby placed 1st chair in the state in the junior high band.
- The Donoho Band is currently working on several pieces of music, which are designed to be fun for the students and also challenging. “Harry Potter” is one of the hardest charts our woodwinds have ever played. “Fantasy on an African American Spiritual” is challenging for all of our students, and it has helped them learn 6/8 meter and is simply a great new piece of wind band literature. Finally, the band recently began “West Side Story.”
- The Donoho Band is looking at numbers for next year’s Pep Band and conservative estimates look like about 33 traveling members. This puts our concert group between 35-40 students
- The Donoho Drama Department had an awesome article in the Anniston Star about the collaboration between Donoho and Golden Springs Elementary School. Over 80 students will be in the production, Annie, which is on Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd at 7:00 pm at the Anniston High School Performing Arts Center.
- Eight Donoho Students experienced the honor of participating in the Alabama All State Choir conference held at Samford University on April 9-11, 2015. Our Donoho students experienced a sense of pride from the beginning of opening assembly as Donoho Alum, Alli Brascho (’13), performed with Samford University’s A’Cappella Choir. Then our students joined the “best of the best” choral students from all across the state of Alabama for thirteen hours of concentrated rehearsals under the direction of nationally renowned clinicians. Haley Holmes, Mahaley Tucker, and Bryant Barrentine sang in the middle school choir concert held on Friday evening. Meghana Giri, Lauren Holbrook, Max Garrett, James Gavino, and Kent Yamamuro performed in the high school concert which was presented on Saturday. We are so proud of these talented young people.
- Varsity football finished 11-2, winning the Area 5 championship and advancing to the 2nd round of the AHSAA playoffs. Justin Foster was invited to play in AHSAA AL-MS All-Star Game. Justin Foster commited to play college football at Samford University, and eight players were named to the Area 5 All-Region team.
- Varsity volleyball placed 2nd in the area tournament and advanced to the regional tournament. One player was named to the All-County team, and three players were named to the Area 10 tournament team. Four players were also named to the all-county team.
- Varsity Boys Basketball won the JCA Christmas tournament.
- Varsity Girls Basketball had a successful season under new head coach Melissa Smyly.
- Junior High Boys Basketball had a great run in the county tournament losing in the semi-finals game.
- Baseball advanced to the 2nd round of the AHSAA playoffs under new head coach Steve Gendron and will return nine of the current players for next year.
- Girls Golf placed 3rd in the county tournament, placing two players on the All-County team.
- Boys Golf placed 3rd in the county tournament, placing three players on the all-county team under the leadership of new head coach Madison Williams.
- Boys Soccer had a strong season but fell short of advancing to the playoffs.
- Girls Soccer will wrap up their season this week and hope for a playoff spot.
- Boys and Girls Tennis had a great regular season and were strong competitors in the sectionals tournament falling short of a state berth by 3 points behind Whitesburg Christian Academy and Madison Academy.
- Track/Field will compete in the sectionals tournament this weekend and have strongly competed this season under the leadership of new head coach Megan Williams.
- Bus routes were implemented to support Talladega and Pell City students.
- Early Childhood Production of “E-I-E-I-Oops!” is coming up on May 5. This has been a collaborative project with sixth graders who have assembled costumes and developed the play bill. There will also be a few special sixth grade performers in the show!
- First Grade authors will be unveiling their recently published book, “Oh the Places We Want to Go” at their annual Author’s Tea on Friday, April 24th.
- The LS welcomed local author, Kathy Weiser, who visited with students in all classes to share her books and information about the writing process and becoming a published writer.
- Continuing a longstanding Donoho School tradition, Seniors and Kindergarten buddies have enjoyed monthly activities throughout the year.
As this year quickly winds down, we’ve strategically begun planning for another great year. We will no longer be using Edline as a communication tool between parents, students, and teachers or as a grade portal. We will begin using Rediker’s Parent/Student Plus Portals. This system is an interactive web portal that integrates seamlessly with our student information system. Rediker provides a unified interface for teachers, parents, and students to communicate and access grade and attendance information. Teachers are able to instantly share student data as they enter it and interact with parents all in a secure environment.
Some features of the new Parent/Student Plus Portal are:
- Access to your child’s information anytime, anywhere using a web browser on a computer, smartphone or tablet
- One login to view all your children’s data
- Combined calendars
- Quick Summary screen shows latest grades posted, attendance, and discipline information
- School alerts and announcements to stay informed
- School directory
- Class pages
- Web lockers for students to submit work between teacher and student and vice versa
- Integrated email and message capability
- Update your demographic and contact information at any time We are excited to announce the addition of a Robotics, Engineering and Design (Thinkering) class and enrichment. Brian Simmons, parent of Mark and Pearl, will be the instructor for the course, which will focus on various concepts of engineering, including robotics and 3D printing. The goal is to develop a team that will compete in local and state competitions.
Jean Jaudon will serve as the school’s Curriculum Director, in addition to her current role as Lower School Director. In this role, Mrs. Jaudon will ensure standards are developed for all subjects PK4-12, as well as develop a technology integration plan that supports teachers and students. Tonia Bodiford will take on a new role as Assistant Lower School Director/Learning Specialist, allowing Jean the flexibility to serve in the capacity mentioned.
Jacqueline Gaines, our College and Guidance Counselor, will be working closely with the 7th graders in an enrichment that has been specifically designed to assist in their transition to middle school. Study skills, note-taking strategies, and effective organizational habits, are among the topics that will be discussed at the beginning of the year. As the year progresses, Mrs. Gaines and her students will discuss important, age-specific topics such as bullying (and cyber-bullying), resiliency, leadership, what it means to be a responsible digital citizen, and more. A goal of this enrichment is to help 7th graders gain confidence as both learners and young people while giving them the opportunity to spend the first year on the middle/upper campus with a mentor who will guide them through their days as a Donoho student.
We’re always looking for new ideas and ways to improve our customer service to students and parents. If you have such a thought, let us know. We don’t want to add costs to the school or parents but would consider initiatives that might allow a break-even result.
It has been a pleasure to work alongside our students, parents, and faculty/staff this school year, and we look forward to another productive year ahead. Let’s first have a relaxing summer because another blink, and it will too be gone.
We will dearly miss our seniors. To them, Donoho will always be home!
James
