Little Rock Schools: Gibbs Magnet Elementary

k B I M \ I t ^y :>l ,4 ?'/ 1 <2. i b t I \ 1 LArtists: Principal: Art Specialist: Clockwise from Mermaid Cassie Baldwin Katrina Finn John May Laura Sanders King Stratford Donna Davis Susan Turner Purvis Photographer: Dixie Knight RECHV"' NOV JO 1996 Office ol Desegre^aiion h-iondOfHt^ f SibbS Kids All proceeds from these cards go to Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies and Foreign Languages, Little Rock, Arkansas Concept, printing and paper compliments of Fairfield Communities, Little Rock, Arkansas and the Printing Source, Knoxville, Tennessee. luGHM n^ JAM VGOiO 40 A4.q iu >iUO A(H LU Vljbt or U*?/ w !?/. UUZ JAnUT.IU7 T^5E PJ.A. OF 6188/ MAGNET /CHOOL iNViT&l YOH TO JOIN 11/ 608 OLIH NINTH ANNL^Ai, CULTURAL ART/ FLfnVAI 1TH>IJ Ji4^VIW i .AiOlr'i INDIzJu FSmVM OF LIGHT/ <C .VOX ,YAt
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R>^ MOPiE INK^^MATION. CALL 324-?4^'>.Parents, too, are required to sign a contract with Gibbs Magnet to confirm their support of Gibbs Magnet A sample of the parent contract follows. PARENT CONTRACT As a parent I agree to provide positive support for the philosophy, program, and goals of Gibbs Magnet School. I will: - attend regularly-scheduled and specially-called teacher/parent conferences
- cooperate with the school when disciplinary actions are necessary
- support school rules and policies
- ensure a proper study environment and require completion of homework as assigned
- offer volunteer assistance to Gibbs as it is compatible with my personal schedule
- ensure prompt and regular school attendance
- be an active member of the Gibbs PTA. - ensure that my child gets adequate rest each night. I agree with the fundamental principles as stated above and will assist the staff with my support. Date Parent/Guardian'sName Student's Signature Parent/ Guardian's Signature Address (Home) Telephone Number (Work) SPECIAL ACTIVITIES Ambassadors General Assembly Just Say No Club Choir International Festival Honor List International Fair Math Olympiads Geography Bee Fire Marshals Flag Patrol Active PTA Field Day Flag Team Advocates for Language Learning (ALL) Media Center Student Assistants 1^* GIBBS STAFF 'The Gibbs staff is comprised of one principal, one vice-principal, fifteen regular classroom teachers, thirteen specialists. and thirteen support staff. Specialists support the intemabonal studies program through foreign language, global studies, physical education, music, art, media, and remediation, gifted/talented. 1115 West 16th Little Rock, AR 72206 < 'On AV <0 Donna Davis, Principal NEW NUMBER 324-2490 r ^IBBS MAGNET SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PHILOSOPHVAND OBJECTIVES Uecause the complex world today is constantly changing and becoming increasingly interdependent, children need special skills to function as citizens of the world in the twenty-first century. Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies and Foreign Languages provides educational experiences that will enable each child to develop to his or her highest potential. Utilizing a global perspective, the Gibbs program expands and enhances the multi-ethnic core curriculum through the infusion of international studies and foreign languages. Learning activities, which promotes the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of each student, result in a child who appreciates commonalities and diversities among the peoples of the world. The intent of this program is to assist each child in acquiring the skills needed to function as a citizen of the world. ZNTERNATIONAL STUDIES PBOGBAM ^he Gibbs International Studies Program is designed to assist each child in developing an understanding of and appreciation for the similarities and differences among the peoples of the world. The International Studies Program is based on essentials common to all people (universals of culture). As students learn these universals of culture, they apply their knowledge of these basics to people around the world. A sixty (60) minute block of time is allocated daily for the study of international studies concepts, including the study of foreign languages. Resource speakers, field trips, correspondence with children of other countries, and exposure to peoples from other cultures are utilized to enrich and extend classroom instruction. Language specialty will begin at the kindergarten level. Conversational language instruction serves as the basis for the language program. However, some reading and writing of the specialized language is required to equip students with language skills essential for advanced placement in a junior high program. (Gibbs students will be required to pass a Level I language test for advanced placement at the junior Wgh level.) A French teacher, German teacher, and Spanish teacher are a part of the Gibbs staff. Each teacher works with students at all grade levels in direct foreign language instruction thirty (30) minutes daily. All Gibbs students sign a student contract with Gibbs Magnet when enrolling for the first time. Each year, the student will be asked to reaffirm his/her commitment to Gibbs Magnet by signing another contract. One copy will be kept at school and the student will keep his/her copy at home. A sample of the student contract follows. STUDENT CONTRACT I, (complete name) , am presently enrolled in the grade at Gibbs School of International Studies and Foreign Languages. As a student at Gibbs School I agree to the following: - I will be at school every day possible. - I will be at school on time every day. - I will bring my completed homework with me every day and give it to my teacher. - I will always try my best even when I think the work may be easy or when I think the work is difficult. - I will take care of the books and school equipment provided me to use in my schoolwork. - I will follow my classroom rules. - I will follow my cafeteria rules. - I will follow my playground rules. - I will use my new language at home whenever it is possible. I agree with those things I am asked to do as a student at Gibbs School. Date Parent/Guardian'sName Student's Signature Parent/Guardian's Signature Address (Home) Telephone Number (Work) Continued... Advocates for Language Learning Gibbs International Studies School 1115 West 16th School Little Rock, Arkansas 72202 February 22, 1990 Mr. James Jennings Associate Superintendent Little Rock School District UsS. 810 W. Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 Dear James: We sincerely appreciate you meeting with us regarding everyone's concerns and hopes for a superior school at the new Dunbar International Studies Magnet School. I have not been able to reach you directy by telephone, however, it is my understanding that next Thursday there will be a metting regarding the planning of this new school. ' group would again like to thank you for allowing us to The ALL participate and the persons that we discussed attending are Ms. Lucy Robinson and Ms. Diane Woodruff. As parent and community representatives, we would like Ms. Beverly Wittenberg to be considered as the foreign language teacher representative. If it will be possible for these volunteers to meet with the planning committee at its next session I would appreciate you leaving a message at my office regarding the date, time and location. My office numer is 371-0068. Please let me know if ALL or I can be of service to you during this project or to the Little Rock school district in any way. Very truly yours, Charles R. Hicks President V?6 16 CRH:j z cc: Mr. Eugene Reville iMetro. Superintendent 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, AR 72201 Gibbs Magnet School PTA 1115 West 16th Street Little Rock, Arkansas 77906 324-2490 May 25, 1993 Working Together for a Better Future bsceived MAY 2 7 1993 Office of Cesegrec-aficn Moniloring Office of Desegregation Monitoring Heritage West Building 201 East Markham, Suite 510 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Dear Director: The patrons of the Gibbs International Magnet School very concerned about the proposed elimination of the computer lab attendant position from our school. are Since our teachers do not have time to assume the responsibilities of the computer lab, this decision could result in an inferior program in which our children might not receive the full benefits of the lab. The computer lab attendant is the heart of our computer program. Therefore, we strongly urge you to reject the district's proposal to eliminate the computer lab attendant position. At a recent meeting, several of our patrons wanted to show their support by signing a petition urging the Little Rock School Board to reject the proposal, your information. A copy is attached for Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Annette Thomas-Jones Co-President Attachment Petition to the Little Rock School Board ^Q, the undersigned pavons of Gibbs Intemational Ma&net School urge the Little Rock School Board to reject the districts proposal to eliminate the computer lab attendant position from our school. We feel that the computer lab IS a valuable asset to our students, and we fear that the program will greadv 3uffer without a computer lab attendant. ' ' 7 S / c. Cuk, la. ( r I 3i^ " TJ il.L t O- 7^ y / X I ^_V i ^(7yr^'^ya/^==^ I --^!r ' /X Ji_ 22x12313^ lUujiiiyy Cd i44Ul 1 ii ' / - V ' "V y .r-r I Petition to the Little Rock School Board ^Ne, the undersigned patrons of Gibbs International Magnet JCgb***?!, urge the Little Rock School Board to reject the district's proposal to eliminate the computer lab attendant position from our school. We feel that the computer lab is a valuable asset to our students, and we fear that the program will greatly suffer without a computer lab attendant. fA^ w c -i2. d ,1 ~^:i^ji.dx7^A/A Ciaa-^^ (y S^fri'''-' P 0 C _______________ \l<. a2. -T-' 2. WLr V Oi-hd [\.Q,CL^JiL) < tte , Petition to the Little Rock School Board We, the undersigned pavons of Gibbs International Magnet School, urge the Little Rock School Board to reject the distnct's proposal to eliminate the computer lab attendant position from our school. We feel that the computer lab is a valuable asset to our students, and we fear that the program will greatly suffer without a computer lab attendant. iij-l ---- oca u V' rPetition to the Little Rock School Board SI We, the undersigned patrons of Gibbs International Magnet Sebool, urge the Little Rock School Board to reject the district's proposal to eliminate the computer lab attendant position from our school. We feel that the computer lab IS a valuable asset to our students, and we fear that the program will greatly suffer without-a computer lab attendant. Jt-compiler lai /! ti \ . *- - - .J ' -ajYj
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^Zeornee Herts, 324-2020 Eic... GiBhS TO HOST STUDENTS, TEACHERS FROM FH iNCE LIIILE ROCK - Gibbs Foreign I.acgtiages/lntemational .Studies Magnet aiy -wiii greec students and teachers from Lyon. France, at the Little Rock National . v-jporL today at 5
44 p,m. a.5 the arri^'e for a Wo-and-a-half week Adsit to and at." Seventeen -tudents and two teachers will live with host families from Gibb i classes at th.e school dunng their visit. rite hrot-hand inlormaiion shaiing is a -wonderitil e.xperience for both Gibbs stLjeriU and Qe french visitors.' said Felecia Hobbs, principal ar Gibbs. This is the eighth year we .have hosted French students and teachers in rhe exchange program. We very excised. 3.bour the .lew friercT^h^p'^ The visitors will he involved in many Gibbs activities including the Earth. Dav Parade on f nday, April 17, and a field tnp with their host.s to the Museum of Discoveig/ end the Rw'ermarKet Tuesday, April 21. The gijests will also attend an Ark-an.sas Travelers basebili game or a rodeo while in Arkansas. nnbbs is planning a European hip for students for foe 1998-99 school year. 8J.0 West riarkham Street * Little Kock, Arkgjisas 72201 1501)324.2000 02/05/1999 10:06 02/04/1991 08:59 501-324-2023 50184719G5 LRSD COMMUNICATIONS GONTERMAN PAGE 01/01 PAGE 82 February 4, ATTENTION
News RELEASE 1999 GIBBS' STODEHTS ARE JUMPROPING FOR HEART (Little Rock Gibbs) O' Friday, February K-6 students at Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies & Foreign Languages are pariticpating in the American Heart Association's "jump rope for heart" campaign. Students have collected donations for certain number of minutes that they will spend jumping in the cafatorium from Boo a.m. to 2
3Q p,m. Friday. This is an annual event for Gibbs' students through our physical education specialist. Nancy Hamilton. Students have been practicing their jump roping skills in P.E. classes this week. Students watched a video from the Heart Association. School nurse, Pam Jackson, visited classrooms with the heart and lungs of a hog to explain how healthy hearts and lungs should work in prepartion for their "Jump Rope for Heart Day." For additional information, please contact Ms. Hamilton or Vicki Gonterman at Gibbs Magnet School turn a j umprope for us! at 324-2490. Come Submitted by Gibbs' PR Representative04/08/1993 16:31 Dc-16-OO O1:OAP 501-324-2023 LRSD COMMUNICATIONS PAGE 01/01 P.Ol April 8,1999 TO COMMUNICA TIONS DEPARTMENT: GIBBS CELEBRATES FERI A DE SEVILLA (Little Rock Gibbs) On Friday, April 9. 1999 beginning at 10:05 a-m., student.s al Gibbs Magnet School of Intcmationfll Studies and Foreign I.anguagcs will be celebrating the Spanish festival Feria de Sevilla. Spanish foreign language specialist, Senora Gianella Millsap, will conduct the festival in the Gibbs Foreign Language Building. Students, kindergarten thniugh sixth grade, will watch l lamcnco dances by local dancer, Mi.sty Leigh Williams. They will eat traditional Spanish foods prepared, donated, and served by Gibbs parents. Spanish olives and fresh fruit will be houniiful. For the past two weeks students have been .studying about Spain, especially the city of Seville. This April festival features horseback riding and Flamenco dancing in Spain. Gibbs students learned about Don Quixote and watched an animated version of the tales. TTicy learned about the land regions of Spain and the major cities. The festival will be the culminating event for this year's study of Spain. For additional information contact Senora Millsap or Vicki Gonlerman at Gibbs al 324-2490. Wc hope to see you there! Submiiied by Gibbs Public Relations Coordinator'WC. a 810 West Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 For Immediate Release May 14, 2002 For more information: Kayren Baker, 324-2490 The Barber of Juarez Performed by Gibbs Students On Sunday, May 19,2002, fourth and fifth grade students at Gibbs Mag-net School of International Studies and foreign Languages will enact their version of the opera, The Barber of Seville aptly named The Barber of Juarez. Through a grant provided by Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, fourth and fifth grade students have created and choreographed a unique opera based on Mexico, the nation of focus for Gibbs this school year. The opera will be performed on stage at Wildwood Park on Sunday at 2
00 p.m. and in the Gibbs Cafetorium on Monday at 1:00 p.m. Please contact Kayren Baker, Music Specialist at Gibbs Magnet School, 324-2490, for additional information. 00/ i/ zooz 14: zi ooi-jz4-:
ozj LK5D tUMMUNlUAIiUNO 01/01 8 i 0 '^'est Markham Little Rock, AR 72201 For Immediate Release May 14, 2002 For more information: Vicki Gonterman, 324-2490 Mid-East Meets West at Gibbs Magnet School On Thursday, May 16, the Arkansas International Center will bring a group of representatives from the judicial systems of nine nations of the Middle East and North Africa to visit with students at Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies and Foreign Languages. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, and the West Bank are the nations represented. These visitors are coming through the LF.S. Department of States Office of International Visitors Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Gibbs Magnet school will be the first stop on their Little Rock visit. This visit will help reduce a tendency to stereotype Arabs and Muslims, especially at this poignant time in our nations history. Students will be able to learn about the work and family lives of this diverse Middle Eastern group. Fifth graders will have an opportunity to have lunch with the group of attorneys, magistrates, and judges. The group is visiting Arkansas and the United States to study our judicial system at the national, state, and local levels. After their 8:30 a,m. amval, the group with their interpreters will tour our elementary international school. A question and answer session is planned for the fifth grade foreign language classes at 10:00 a.m. Classroom visits to lower grade levels will follow, and there will be an opportunity for questions to and from students. Though Arabic is not taught at Gibbs, starting in kindergarten students begin a six-year study of a second language. Please contact Vicki Stroud Gonterman at Gibbs at 324-2490 for additional information. Gibbs Magnet School is located at 1115 West Sixteenth Street, one block west of Chester Street. (J fi Ij Trfttf f GIBBS .^1 20 7(oi>em^e ifjs' i.QQ-lf.ZO Arkansas Democrat liy, (gazette D _ _ ..<>kinAV ecOTCKjIDCa 1QQO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1992 Children need more physical education time which is not sufficiGnt for kids to stay in During the last week of the school year for 92,1 had the opportunity to visit the Gibbs Magnet School. I had volunteered as a coach for the relay rBC6S The first thing I noticed as I walked in the gym was the high intensity of the noise level caused by the kids cheering for their respective teams. The level of enthusiasm generated by the competing physical activities was incredible. It was like having a 15- inch loudspeaker blast directly in your ear. The kids were clearly having a great time. . . . A handicapped student participated in the races, and with the help of his classmates, he was very active in the different events, some of which they won. I thought, why dont we allow kids more time for physical activities? It should not replace the learning of the three Rs, but can complement them. , , . , The elementary school curriculum should allow at least three hours a week for physical education. The benefits are tremendous. The kids will not only build on teamwork, but the physical workout is beneficial, particularly for our TV generation of kids. , , . Currently, only one hour a week is dedicated towards physical education. shape. , So parents, get involved now. These precious school years go by quickly! ED ORTIZ JacksonvilleASansa^^moc^^^(6azcUe FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8. 1993 , Japanese teacher learns new vision of U.S. BY CYNTHIA HOWELL Oemocrat'Gazette Education Writer Stereotypes have been shattered for Akihito Tamura, a first-grade teacher from Sapporo, Japan, who is in the United States and Little Rock for the first time in his life. Tamura is one of 22 people from Sapporo to visit Little Rock for two weeks to tour schools and become acquainted with American culture. The trip was organized by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in Little Rock and a similar organization in Sapporo. The trip is part of a cultural exchange program begun in 1988. Eight Arkansas teachers visited Sapporo for 10 days in 1991. Tamura said Thursday that, in making his decision to come to the United States, he was fearful of the violence that has ! been described in worldwide ! news reports. Such reports included the random murders of tourists in Florida and the shooting death last year of a Japanese exchange student in Louisiana. The student was shot when he became lost and went to the wrong house while looking for a party. So far, Tamura said, he has not encountered any violence. He said that while violent acts occur in his home city in northern Japan, deaths are fewer because people dont own guns. Tamura said he also feared black Americans before he ar- ArKansas Democrai-Gazetle/Pick McFarland TEACHERS PAT Gibbs Magnet School second-grader Starkisha Watkins gets a pat on the head Thursday from Yoko Fujine, one of 22 teachers from Sapporo, Japan, taking part in a teacher exchange program with teachers from public and private schools in Little Rock. rived in Arkansas, at least part- ' ly because of the depiction of blacks on television and in the movies. He said that in Japan virtually everyone is of the same race. While in Little Rock he has been a guest in the home of a black teacher at Gibbs International Studies Magnet Elementary School. He said his fears have been eliminated. He said his greatest surprises are that blacks and whites are friendly with each other and the general friendliness of people to him. Tamura and the other Japanese citizens are spending most of their time in Arkansas by visiting public and private schools, meeting children, and demonstrating Japanese arts such as origami, the ancient art of folding paper into cranes, stars and other objects. The group also has been shopping. Trips to a country western bar and to Hot Springs were among the events planned for the group. The differences in the Arkansas and Sapporo schools are many, Tamura said. In his school, he has more than 30 children in his class each year. The children are noisier than j their American counterparts at
Gibbs, he said. The Japanese children at- i tend school from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. six days a week. However, beginning last year, one Saturday a month has been declared a school holiday. The children have four weeks of winter vacation and four of summer vacation and two weeks for spring break. The Japanese school does not have counselors or specialists to teach physical education or computer skills. Tamura stays with his pupils all day and teaches them all subjects. There are no computers for students in his school. A foreign language isnt taught until seventh grade, and the only one taught is English. Tamura said that as a teacher of six years he earns what he said was a small salary of about $40,000 a year. He pointed out that food and property are much more expensive in Japan than here. A more experienced teacher may earn almost $100,000, he said. A teacher in Little Rock with six years of experience earns about $24,000. [Arkansas Democrat ^(i^azcttcj THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995 Bowing to culture 8 7' k\tl "}^ & I Arkansas DemocraWSazetta/STATON BRBDENTHAL Rfth-graders bow to Japanese teacher Yoshikazu Iwakata as he leaves the classroom Wednesday at Gibbs Foreign Languages International Studies Magnet Elementary School in Little Rock. Iwakata, who teachM an English foreign language class to junior high students in Japan, is giving students a glimpse of his nations culture on his two-day visit to the school. .. -13-4Arkansas Democrat (gazette WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1995 News wrap-up Gibbs seeks to name library for Clinton The staff at Gibbs International Studies Magnet Elementary School has asked the Little Rock School Board for permission to name the ! schools library/media center in honor of President Clinton. When he was governor of Arkansas, Clinton lived in the Gibbs area, faculty member Vicki Gonterman Gibbs said in a written nomination to the school board. He visited the school several times and donated cultiu-al artifacts to be displayed on the schools international wall. On the day Clinton was elected president, he visited Gibbs. A picture of his visit hangs in the West Wing of the White House, Gonterman said. Clintondonated a Japanese doll to the school, wrote a letter to the Gibbs students during Geography Awareness Week and gave a radio -
address about education last April from the Gibbs Media Center as 30 ' pupils, their parents and their teachers looked on. If the board approves the proposal and the president gives permission to use his name, the school will invite the Clinton family to attend the dedication ceremonies. Also, school officials plan to stock a Clinton Comer in the media center with books and mementos about the president and his family. IArkansas Demcxrrat '^azcttc FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1998 ' (I I-* i J. - V !) { J if' f f Arkansas Democrat-Gazene/STEVE KEESEE Japanese visitors. Antomon Watklns (right), a fifth-grader at Gibbs Magnet Elementary School, learns a judo hold from two students from Ryukoku University in Japan. Yoshiyuki Ikawa (left) and Yasuhiro Kimura, along with five other Japanese students, visited the Little Rock school Thursday.. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1999 Gibbs school aide loses job over scuffle ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT C.AZETTE A supenision aide at Gibbs Magnet Elementarj- School in Little Rock lost his job after apparently trying to break up a scuffle between two students. Little Rock I School District spokesman Suellen Vann said Thursday. When the 3o-year-old man tried to break up the fight, one of the students apparently was knocked down, Vann said. The encounter was reported to police, but no charges had been filed late Thursday. The man began working for the district at the start of the school year. Because teachers in the Little Rock School District are e.xempt from playground and cafeteria duty, the district hires aides to su- per\ise students during recesses and lunoh. Vann said.F e b r u a r y 1 5, 2 0 0 1 August 2 3, 2 0 0 1 -a 0 c t o b e r 1 6, 200 3 Program links reading, helping worlds poor Gibbs, first lady get the challenge rolling 5 BY CYNTHIA HOWELL ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE chickens, llamas and rabbits to impoverished families as sources Two real goats, a Chinese for milk, food, labor and income. dragon and a larger-than-life This is going to provide a furry red dog converged at way for students here at Gibbs Gibbs International Studies and for students across Arkan- Magnet Elementary School in sas to help other families some- Little Rock on Wednesday to where else in the world, Janet kick off a national reading in- Huckabee, Arkansas first lady centive program that is designed and a spokesman for the read-to help feed hungry families ing initiative, told about 300 A worldwide. cheering pupils. Its going to Children who participate in provide an opportunity for your the new Arkansas Read to Feed teachers to get information Challenge will collect financial about global issues, and its pledges from their families and going to help [your schools] get friends for the books that they books. You will see and learn Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEVE KEESEE new things from these books. Kindergartners at Gibbs International Studies Magnet Elementary School --- ---- Scholastic Corp., the worlds jp Rock hug childrens book character Clifford, the Big Red Dog, donated to Heifer International, largest publisher and distribu- during a Wednesday ceremony at the school kicking off the Arkansas the Little Rock-based organiza- tor of childrens books in- Read to Feed Challenge. Scholastic Corp., publisher and distributor of tion that provides life-sustaining eluding Norman Bridwells sto- children's books including those about Clifford, is working with Heifer In-read. The money they raise will be animals such as goats, cows, Reading Continued from Page 1B ries about Clifford, the Big Red Dog is a partner in the reading incentive program. The company will donate tens of thousands of books to public, private and parochial elementary schools that participate in the program, as well as make an unspecified financial contribution to Heifer International, said Brock Bridges, a company representative. Only 31 percent of Arkansas See READING, Page 5B ternalional to promote the reading incentive program. . children think about philanthropy, Luck said. A former first-grade teacher in Texarkana, Luck said she hopes to establish the reading program in as many Arkansas schools as possible this year and expand it throughout the country in coming years. I think it will go national because so many people are concerned about the literacy issue, and if you can tie that in to helping others and also put books in the library its the biggest win-winwin arrangement that Ive heard sixth-graders scored at a proficient Heather Smith (foreground) and Betsy Conner, both with Heifer Interna- Afkansas Democrai-Gazette/STEVE KEESEE of in a long, long time. More information about the or better level on the state Bench- tional, relax Wednesday with two young goats before a ceremony at Lit- reading program is available by mark Exam in literacy last year. tie Rocks Gibbs International Studies Ma_g net Elementary, School kick- callinwg (877-) 275-7323 or by v_i_sit- By putting books into the hands ing off the Arkansas Read to Feed Challenge. Gibbs pupils are the first ing wwwjeadtofeed-oig/arkansas. of children at an earlier age, we participate in what organizers plan to make a national reading incen- ------------------------------------------------ firmly believe that can change those program. ^atistics and m^e an important land, Bolivia and Peru to see first- tional, they will want to get indifference in children s lives, hand the work that Heifer Inter- volved, Huckabee said. It wont Bridges said. Our goal is to instUl national has done in those coun- take a lot on their part. They dont a love of learnmg and reading in tries, will travel around the state have to go out and raise millions children that will last a lifetime. with the Clifford mascot to pro- of dollars. Tliey just have to lend Felicia Hobbs, principal of the mote the program. their names to it and promote it. school where French, Germ^ and and Gibbs pupils have al- Jo Luck, president and chief exSpanish are taught daily in kinder- ready starred in a public service ecutive officer for Heifer Inter-garten through fifth grades, said announcement about the initiative, national, said the program not on-she expects all pupils to pamcipate. she also intends to present the ly encourages children to read but Fifth-grader Trevor Wine con- reading program at the National offers them the opportunity to vis-firmed that he would be among diem Governors Association meeting in it the Heifer ranch to get a feel for I am going to try to read February and encourage spouses living conditions in the worlds around 50 books and raise $50, of the nations governors to initi- poorest communities and see how She and Gibbs pupils have al-the 10-year-old said after the kick- ate the program and serve as the animals can help. off program. I liked what [they] spokesmen for it in their states. I think it is important that in said about helping children around the world. I believe that when they see our country, where we are blessed the Scholastic name and see the to have a lot of opportunities, that Ashley Plummei
10, also a fifth- partnership with Heifer Interna- our future leaders who are these grader, said she knew a lot about ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------- Heifer International even before the assembly Wednesday because her class visited the organizations Perry County ranch last year and raised money to donate a water buffalo to a foreign community. It helps people around the world to eat, Ashley said about Heifer International. And we love to help people. Janet Huckabee, who has traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thai- j PAPER TRAILS LR magicians prized guillotine stars in surprise disappearing act Randall Eller is a master at i making things disappear, but hes not quite as proficient in making them reappear. Eller is a Little Rock magician who performs across the state with his traveling guillotine his prize illusion. He travels in a van with the guillotine and several other illusions he uses in his act. Last week, Eller visited Gibbs Magnet Elementary School where he planned to attend a field trip with son Aaron and perform magic BY CARRIE RENGERS for two classes of second-grade students. When I airived at the school, both second-grade classes were already outside waiting to get on the bus, so I parked the van and left it running, and all I did was cross the street, Eller says. I wasnt 15 feet from the van. Eller commented briefly to a teacher that Aaron would ride with him. Aaron and I turned around to get in my van, and it was gone, Eller says. Whoever stole it slipped in right there, right under our noses. Eller wasnt impressed with the disappearing act. Devastated is more like it. He lost costumes, illusions and all sorts of items that just help make a show. Losing the guillotine hurt the most. Its not a guillotine like the French guillotine, Eller says. I call it a guillotine for lack of a better name. Its actually a more-than-3-foot sword that is bolted to two pieces of wood with a handle at the top. Theres also a stockade where a head can fit. When someone was in the contraption, Eller says, The sword plunged through their necksafely, I might add. Eller estimates the custom-made item to be worth as much as $8,000. He had liability insurance on the van but couldnt afford business insurance for the belongings. Eller isnt sure what hell do next See TRAILS on Page 3E Randall EHer (standing) won't be able to play tricks on anyone for a while, at least not with his CL^tom-made guillotine. Trails Continued from Page 1E except visit a man who was found
with his van in El Dorado to just
kind of plead with him, let him know the situation. The man told police he got it from someone in Little Rock. Ellers checkbook has been: found in Louisiana, so it may not look good for his equipment. He still has hope, thou^, especially for his guillotine. Its floating around, Eller says, maybe somewhere here in Little Rock if we could just find it.
This project was supported in part by a Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives project grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Council on Library and Information Resoources.