Through the Eyes of a Friend - January 25, 2012
Submitted by Jennifer McCann

Several JISD G/T students are studying Anne Frank’s Diary and the Holocaust. On Tuesday, Jan. 24,2012 the students traveled to Dallas to see a live presentation Of “Through the Eyes of a Friend”. This presentation is being presented at the Jewish Community Center through various grants that allows many school age children to attend. This play is performed though Living Voices and shares the world as Anne Frank knew it during the Holocaust period in history. Sarah Weiss , Anne’s Friend, actually represents Anne’s real life-long friend , Hannah Goslar. The presentation started with historical facts and then introduced Anne Frank and her family and friend, Sarah, into the play. Following the play the students were able to ask questions about the Holocaust period and about Anne and her family.

Without a doubt, this play is dedicated to the preservation of the memory of the Holocaust and Anne Frank. It teaches the moral and ethical response to prejudice, hatred, and indifference, for the benefit of all humankind. It definitely helped all to understand the definition and meaning of being an “upstander”. An upstander is one who stands up for what is right and is tolerant of all people. The students who were able to attend the play will be working on projects to share with other students.

Students participating are pictured below at the Jewish Holocaust Memorial. These students include Josh Hamilton, Brock Hughes, Matt Silvey, Case Yates, Abi Hooper, Justin Hooper, Brooklinn Penning, Lauren Garrett, Hannah Ewing, Bryer Holloway, Ebbie Kate McCann, Ally Garrett and Katherine Patrick.

Chester Drawers Performs for Joaquin Elementary - January 18, 2012
Submitted by Jennifer McCann

Joaquin Elementary students greeted Eddie Bowman also known as Chester Drawers with great excitement when he arrived January 18, 2012. Mr. Bowman grew up in southwest Missouri where his large family grew strawberries. His parents taught him to be honest, work hard, and treat all people with great respect. These teachings lead Mr. Bowman down many inspirational paths such as teaching and entertaining. In fact, he has been a comedian on the Brumley Music Show in Branson, Missouri for several years now. He is also a singer, song writer, musician and the author of many inspirational and children's books. He loves to share his humor and common sense with audiences of all ages. The JES teachers were pleased as he commented on the manners and well behavior of all the students. In addition, he enjoyed the fact that the students were knowledgeable of his books and could even sing along with several of his songs. Without a doubt, the JES students will remember Mr. Chester Drawers for a long time to come and they are in hopes he will decide to leave the hills of Missouri and return to Joaquin Elementary one day. Our hats off to Chester Drawers!

JES First Grade Students Receive Pen Pal Letters - January 18, 2012
Submitted by Jennifer McCann

And the Winner is…...Ranger Davis - January 12, 2012

The Joaquin Elementary School Mall contest winner is Ranger Davis. JES

Principal, Mrs. Sheryl Graves, proudly awards Ranger his prize of a remote controlled robot. Congratulations Ranger !!!!! Ranger won the drawing out of 51 students who returned their completed School Mall booklets earning the school extra money for education. Thanks to all who participated !

Let’s Hear It for the Band - January 12, 2012

Joaquin Elementary students had a real treat at lunch today. Two of our very own high school students entertained us with live music. To be sure, they are awesome. Seniors Morgan May and Zach Mason are headed to compete in the Texas State Beta Convention tomorrow in Dallas. Morgan,17, is the daughter of Marvin and Lori May. Zach,18, is the son of Bill and Stacy Mason . Earlier in the week they sang and played guitar for the JHS students. Morgan and Zach will be competing with 12 other acts and the winner will advance to Nationals which will be held in North Carolina. The song they chose to perform is “Like We Never Loved At All”. We all wish we could be there to see them perform tomorrow but since we cannot we want them to know everyone in Joaquin is cheering them on for a win! Best of luck to Morgan and Zach as they represent Joaquin High School. Bring home the win!!!!!

Joaquin Students Donate 3000 Cans to Joaquin Christian Services - November 18, 2011
Submitted by Wanda Scruggs

Grades 6 through 12 had a “Can Drugs” can food drive for the needy families in the Shelby County area. The student collected over 3000 cans to Joaquin Christian Services. Can Foods will be distributed throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Joaquin FFA Competes in Piney Woods District Leadership Contest at SFASU - November 10, 2011
Submitted by Shane Vance

The Joaquin FFA was well represented at the Piney Woods District Leadership Contest held at Stephen F. Austin State University on November 8th. Seven teams competed with the following results:

2nd Place Job Interview – Luke Brown, Advanced to Area IX LDE 11/15

3rd Place Sr. Creed Speaking – Olivia Worsham

3rd Place Jr. Creed Speaking – Julianna Martin

3rd Place Jr. Quiz – Maddison Andres (6th Place Individual), Tanner Williams, Hailey Cummings, and Tanner Williams

5th Place Farm Radio – Jodi Cockrell, Malana Naquin, and Shelby Diven

7th Place Jr. Chapter Conducting – Tanner Williams, Maddison Andres, Hailey Cummings, Colby Hamilton, Casey Knippers, Miranda Prnka, Alexis Penning, and Katy May

10th Place Sr. Quiz – Jodi Cockrell (8th High Point Individual), Malan Naquin, Olivia Worsham, and Shelby Diven

Congratulations to all teams and good luck to Luke Brown at the Area IX contest next Tuesday at SFASU.

Winning Doors Chosen At JES Red Ribbon Week - October 31, 2011
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Congratulations to the class winners of this years Red Ribbon Week door decorating contest. Each year the door decorating contest is held to reinforce the students ability and knowledge to say no to drugs. First place winners receive ice cream sundaes, second place students get to have a popcorn party and third place students will enjoy popsicles. Winning classes on Hall 1 are : 1st: Mrs. Creasy, 2nd: Mrs. Alexander, 3rd: Mrs. Penning. On Hall 2 the winners are: 1st: Mrs. Chumley, 2nd: Mrs. Midkiff, 3rd: Mrs. Neal. Finally, on Hall 3 the winners are: 1st: Mrs. Monica Smith, 2nd: Mrs. Terri Smith, 3rd: Mrs. Adams. Pictured below are the first place winners on each hall. Great job by all students .

Joaquin Independent School District Red Ribbon Essay Contest Winners - October 25, 2011
Submitted by Joani Johnson

1st PLACE
Keeping Kids Drug Free
By Katelyn Jackson, Sixth Grade

Everyone that has common sense knows that drugs are bad for you. They make you do strange things. You can catch deadly diseases, and also get cancer.

The question some kids are asking is, “How can I stay away from drugs?” Well, it is simple! All you have to do is say…….NOOOOOO! If someone walks up to you or one of your friends walk up to you asking if you want a cigarette or beer, go to a grown up or stop being friends , even if it is your best friend!

What can you do to help? If you have any family member, try telling them to do something else to occupy their time like riding bikes, camping, fishing, chewing gum, or even rock climbing. Show people things that are way better stuff to do than drugs.

Why is it important? It is important to stay away from drugs because it affects your health and shortens your due date (due date as when you die). Here is a saying to help you stay off drugs: “Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! Drinking, smoking, and drugs, GOOD BYE!”

2nd PLACE
Keeping Kids Drug Free
By Jake Risinger, Sixth Grade

It is important to keep kids off drugs because when we are in the nursing home they are the ones that are going to be taking care of us. To help keep kids and adults off drugs, we can start by being able to say no. It is pretty easy. Kids do not know the side effects of drugs. They do not know how drugs can damage your body and cause cancer. Think about it like this. Have you ever seen someone on drugs and you thought, “When I grow up I want to look like this person?” No, because they were probably missing some teeth, cross-eyed, just looked plain weird. Drugs are not only bad for your health, but bad for your career. No one wants to have a drug-head working for them. If a friend or someone asks you to do drugs say, “NO!” It is that easy. Doing drugs is a big NO-NO. If you do, you will be caught by the police. Stay in school and don’t do drugs!

3rd PLACE
Keep Kids and Adults Off Drugs
by Haven Holt, 6th Grade

It is important to keep kids and adults away from drugs. If a kid or adult gets a hold of a drug, anything can happen. Someone can get hurt or even die. Drugs are a little like candy - you eat and eat and never stop. When you are depressed, drugs will never solve a problem. They will just make you even more depressed and want to commit suicide. Never do drugs no matter what when you are pregnant. It can do some serious damage to you and your baby. Here are some tips to help you stop taking drugs. Chew a piece of gum, ride a bike, go fishing, go on a vacation, or do anything that will keep you away from drugs. Be drug free and say NO to drugs.

Joaquin Elementary Art Thanks Donors - October 24, 2011
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

The students of Joaquin Elementary would like to thank a few folks who recently donated $ 100.00 to buy student art supplies. A special thank you to Fannie Watson, retired teacher, and Tammy Gaspard, an insurance agent from New Iberia, La. for helping our art department with their donations.. In a time of economic stress and budget cuts we just really wanted to say how very much your support in this manner is appreciated. We would also like to thank the Joaquin PTO who is purchasing poster boards for an upcoming “Art Rocks” project. We are looking for volunteers to help us cut these poster boards at home. If you are interested please let Debbie Leggett know as we have many to cut. Fourth and fifth graders are working on altered books in case anyone has any knick knacks such as glitter, sequins, buttons, scraps of material or scrapbook paper, etc that they would like to donate. Altered books projects recycle books that would otherwise not be used or are outdated. The students do such things as paint pages, scrapbook paper pages, sew pages, as well as add embellishments to pages. The students are very creative with this project. Later, these books serve as not only art but as journals. A special thank you from all the students at Joaquin Elementary!

Joaquin Volunteer Fire Dept. Visits Joaquin Elementary School - October 11, 2011
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, the students of Joaquin Elementary School were visited by some very important community leaders. Several Joaquin Fire Department members presented a great fire safety program to our students. They brought along gear, tools, five fire trucks, and demonstrated these things for the students. They did a question and answer dialogue with the students as well stressing the importance of knowing about and following fire safety rules. This is Fire Safety Week and we encourage you to discuss fire safety with your children. A special thank you to the Joaquin Fire Dept. for their visit and also for the gifts they gave each child.

Joaquin Readers Theater - October 11, 2011
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Second grade students under the direction of Mrs. Debbie Moore presented to other JES students on Friday, October 7th, 2011 the program they did for our last PTO Meeting. This readers theater was chosen after reading the book, Click, Clack, MOO; Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. All students did well on their presentations and were very expressive and fluent with their reading.

Rowdy the Ram Welcomes Joaquin Elementary Students - October 4, 2011
Submitted by Debbie Leggett

Now, one must agree that it is not every day that students get welcomed to school by their school mascot. Yes, last week was different at Joaquin Elementary School. The students could hardly wait for their vehicle to pull up to the door so they could be helped out and hugged by Rowdy the Ram. Monica Fitzgerald, a Joaquin Elementary teacher, volunteered to treat the students to some early morning fun. Being welcomed to school is JES student, Mason Hughes. To be sure, it was a great start to everyday!

JHS FCCLA :Awarded Top Memory Walk Fundraising Team - September 26, 2011
Submitted by Jennifer McCann

The Alzheimer's Memory Walk was held on Sat. 9/17 at the square in Center. The F.C.C.L.A. members that helped to raise money were: Brenna Bowen, Emily Byrd, Nikki Cox, Mallory Hall, Kyle Hancock, April Hataway, Shelby Holt, Tiffany Mayfield, Megan McGee, Jessica Murphy, Chasity Simpson, and Whitney Vaughn. Those that attended the walk were: Brenna Bowen, Emily Byrd, Nikki Cox, Victoria Furlough, Mallory Hall, April Hataway, Megan McGee, and Jessica Murphy. They were awarded top fundraising team for donating $1100.

Grandparents Day 2011 at Joaquin Elementary School a Big Success - September 11, 2011
Submitted Debbie Leggett

Open gates and proud JES students welcomed their Grandparents onto school grounds on Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. Grandparentswere treated todelicious homemade cinnamon rolls and drinks. A most enjoyable time was had by all who attended.Thank you lunch ladies for the great food and to the Grandparents who attended!