Kids enjoy “Cookies with Santa”

On Monday, November 23, East Side families and Santa gathered for a night to kick off the Christmas season. The children enjoyed telling Santa what they would like for Christmas while eating cookies with him that were donated by the staff. This event was free and open to the families of East Side. They also posed for pictures for a fee. Student volunteers dressed for the season and hosted the event with the faculty.
 

Mrs. Essary’s class preparing for autumn

During the month of November, Mrs. Leslie Essary’s class was busy preparing for the autumn season. In science, they planted rye grass in cups that they decorated with funny faces. The class pretended they were characters and enjoyed observing as their “hair” (rye grass) grew and grew! Students used their science journals to document the life cycle of their plants.

In Social Studies, they also worked in groups to create a “Tour the World” poster display. The visuals were used to persuade viewers to visit their country during fall break; figuratively or realistically. In addition, each week they’ve been “warming up” with a friendly Jeopardy competition with Mrs. Tammy Oliphant’s class. Students are using the game to review skills in math, reading, science, and social studies.

They also worked with Mrs. Shalondria Hardin’s class to prepare for East Side’s annual Fall Fest. “The outstanding efforts of our East Side students, parents, staff, and community friends made this year’s event the most successful of all,” said Miss Leslie.

East Side Fall Fest a great success

On Saturday, November 7, East Side hosted its annual Family Fall Fun Festival. The committee, with the help of the community, provided food and fun to kick-off the autumn season. Families enjoyed hair spraying, a cakewalk, concessions, Fear Factor, tatoos, milk bottle throw, a trackless train, jumpers, 4-wheelers rides, and much more.

Principal Opal Hay said, “We would like to thank our community sponsors for their donations: Brownsville Family Medicine, E.W. James & Sons, First State Bank, Walker’s Barber Shop, Save-A-Lot, Sonic Drive-In, Domino’s, Keeping It Personal Beauty Salon, James Hardin Lawn Care Services, The Chop Shop Barber Shop, First South Bank, and Hair Cuts and Shaves.

“In addition, thanks to the parent volunteers for sending baked goods for our Sweet Shop and 2-liter drinks for the Ring-A-Drink contest. We would also like to send a very special thanks to the Haywood High School student volunteers for their hard work and smiles, including our very own Tomcat Mascot. East Side strives to provide a strong link between school and home to ensure every child knows we care and support them in every way.”

 

ES students perform Thanksgiving play

On Monday, November 23, Mrs. Amelia Morrison and Ms. Maria Hart’s fourth-grade classes presented a play to the entire student body at East Side. The students, parents, and staff worked diligently to prepare for their Thanksgiving play to show the true story of the relationship between the pilgrims and Native Americans in early America. “Coming to America” is an annual production from Morrison and gives students a more realistic view of early American history. The students received rave reviews after their performance. Moreover, they benefited academically and socially while learning their lines and researching their characters.

ES students are looking to the skies

 
Ms. April Eddings and Ms. Diane Mayes’ classes at East Side are “wild” about the solar system.
 

Fundraiser sales reward – a limo ride

Students at East Side enjoyed limo rides on Tuesday, November 24, for selling 10 items or more during their cookie dough fundraiser.

Students celebrate “Community Christmas”

East Side is celebrating a “Community Christmas.” There is a beautiful Christmas tree just outside of the main office. A list of families were submitted to the school, names were added to the tree, and classes have adopted a family or person from the tree. Angels will be added to the tree. Donations will help to make everyone’s Christmas a lot brighter. The goal is to teach students to give as well as to receive. In addition, there are classes who are performing other community service projects to spread Christmas cheer throughout the community this holiday season.

Students explore endangered species

During the second six weeks, Mrs. Kellie Mask’s class at East Side explored endangered species. For a poster project, students used media and other resources to research an animal that is endangered and displayed their findings on a poster board. Students had to include pictures with explanations and descriptions of an assigned animal in its habitat. The posters were very creative and informative. Mrs. Mask said this lesson really taught the students awareness of our Earth and its inhabitants and natural resources.

In addition, Mrs. Mask’s class proudly presented “A Poetry Reading” in the cafeteria on Friday, November 6. Each student performed a poem for an audience filled with supportive family members and staff. Some students brought props and even dressed the part for their performance. To prepare, each student wrote and read or recited a limerick or other poem. Students learned to appreciate poetry and to identify its literary elements.

“Thank you to the parent volunteers who provided cookies and punch after our performances,” Mrs. Mask said.
 

Boot-scootin’ students

On Saturday, November 7, student volunteers presented a country line dancing show to parents and community friends in the East Side gym. This performance was organized by Mrs. Shirley Hines, a paraprofessional at East Side. The students dressed in scarves, jeans, white shirts, and of course cowboy boots and stomped to the beat during East Side’s Annual Family Fall Festival.

East Side teachers receive grants

Congratulations to these East Side teachers who received from the School Board $200 mini-grants: Samantha Davis, Janet Grammar, Tanesha Walker, Amelia Morrison, Jerra Leek and Amy Harris. “We are looking forward to the great things all of our East Side teachers are doing to create exciting, meaningful and engaging lessons to ensure our students are ready for the next level,” says Principal Mrs. Opal Hay.

Rotary Club says “Character Counts!”

During East Side’s Second Six Weeks Awards Program, a student won a brand new bicycle that was donated by the Brownsville Rotary Club. Every six weeks, teachers choose one student from each class who represented the good character trait for the six weeks. All of the names are put into a drawing to receive a new bicycle.