Jonesboro University Rotary
N E W S L E T T E R
Thursday, January 25, 2007
President Rusty Clark called the meeting to order.
Visiting Rotarians
Jim Miles, Little Rock.
Guests
Carol Damron of Crowley’s Ridge Girl Scouts, guest of Sheila Tipton;
Proposed new member Lisa Lynn, guest of James McDaniel.
Make Ups
None
Super Seniors
Tamara Jansen introduced Amanda Halbert of Brookland, who will speak to the club this week. Amanda is active in a number of organizations and projects and works at both the Cookie Factory and Build-A-Bear.
Aaron Winningham, senior at Bay, addressed the club. He plans to attend Arkansas State Univrsity and pursue a degree in agronomy or plant science. The FFA president at Bay, Aaron enters FFA competitions, is active in Yellowjackets Against Drugs, has worked for Syngenta Seeds and will be working this summer slaying boll weevils in the eradication program.
Announcements
· Ken Stacks noted that our club is sponsoring applicants to Boys State and Girls State, the American Legion program that teaches 11th grade students about our system of government and gives them leadership training. Children of Rotarians are eligible.
• —Jesse Stafford said, “Sell those Pot O’ Gold tix.” At $175 per couple, the ticket price includes dinner, beverages and a dance. The event raises funds so we can help people in our community and around the world, and one lucky winner will leave the event $10,000 richer.
Good News:
• Greg Phillips announced his band, Snap Crow Legs, was playing at Café Buono. And he noted that the ASU Agri Business Conference is set for Feb. 14.
• Charles Harris still has a few tickets for the St. Jude Super Bowl ‘Stravaganza, which raises money for the hospital that treats children with life-threatening illnesses.
• Len Frey noted that Camp Enterprise is set for Feb. 9. The camp teaches high school students about the value of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.
• Tim Allison said his daughter, Rachel, a member of the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team, played 37 minutes (out of 40) in the team’s recent game.
• Bob Rubenstein booked a cruise before learning a classmate has a place in the Virgin Islands. Bob, give us that name!
Program
Dr. Kim Wilbanks, assistant superintendent for the Jonesboro Public Schools, explained how the Magnet School concept will be employed at the district’s elementary schools. Students will still get all the needed instruction in the core curriculum, but at a school with a theme which gives them expanded educational opportunities.
Schools and themes are:
• — Visual and Performing Arts, Hillcrest;
• — Micro-society, West;
• — Math & Science, Philadelphia;
• — International Studies, SAC (the former East School);
• — Health & Wellness and Environmental Studies, South.
Dr. Wilbanks said school staff, administrators and parents were involved in the decision-making process and parents will be asked to choose where their students will attend.
In districts that are using the concept, attendance is up and discipline problems are down, and learning is improved, she said. Jonesboro anticipates moving the concept into junior igh, she said.
Four Way Test
George Hamman led the 4-Way Test: First, Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendships, will it be beneficial to all concerned.
This Week’s Program
Mark Young, president of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, will give us an overview of the operations of the state’s second-largest Chamber, and how the chamber and its partners work together for economic development.
