12-1-17 Student Mission Briefing

GRYPHON MISSION BRIEFING

For Friday, December 1, 2017 – N-day

School Mission – Boundless STEM: Learning & Leading

L&N Student Mission – #Own it!

School Ops:

·      Thank you to all those who participated in the Operation Christmas Child service project. You were part of a project that collected 45,202 boxes in Knoxville alone. We were so glad to see your giving hearts. The advisory in each grade that collected that most boxes will be awarded with donuts tomorrow during advisory:

                  o   Freshman- Robbins 

                  o   Sophomore- Blythe 

                  o   Juniors- Daugherty

                  o   Seniors- Arnold

·      Also, today in Advisory student will be receiving a printout of their ASPEN Student Contact Information.  We need this to go home and be completed by parents then turned in to the front office with changes noted on the form.  If no changes are required, the form needs to be returned with a parent signature so we know the information is correct.  There is no student option for signing off, even if you are 18.  We need parent signatures only.  Thank you.

·      Don’t forget starting this Monday - new activity to be offered during Early Release hour on Mondays – come learn how to play the card game Bridge!  There will be an informational meeting on Monday, Dec 4 at 3:30 in room 214. 

·      Congratulations to senior Reece Walker who was honored with a signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon as he committed to play college golf at Milligan College.  Well done, Reece!

·      December 1st - 18th: L&N projectU is sponsoring a Holiday Food Drive to donate food baskets to students in need within our school, students in the KCS community & other organizations! Our goal is to put together at least 10 food baskets or more. Donation containers are in the Commons area & contributions of $1.00 each will help to purchase a ham or turkey for each basket. Your Club or Organization can also donate an entire basket or two! A $50 donation will purchase all food items including the turkey or ham for each basket. Look for Club/Organization donation information in the Commons drop-off area and make your contribution donation before December 18th!

·      Special thanks to our cleaning crew from SGA and volunteers who stayed after school Monday to get ready for our Showcase!  The campus looks great!!  Let’s all help keep it looking that way – when you leave an area, look around and check that you did not drop or spill anything.  A little effort by everyone will get a lot of work done in keeping our campus looking its best!  #GryphonPride

·      Have you put in ideas yet for next semester’s Genius Hour offerings?  The form stays open only until Friday!  This is from the email Mr. Childers sent yesterday.  Here’s the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeL5rKrRyI4LoXcv8mLLHmhjjlUCZrEOu9vjJNtZrDGkqwicQ/viewform 

·      You are cordially invited to attend...  OUR WINTER READING NIGHT! Who: Students (and their families), teachers, and alumni When: TONIGHT! Dec 1, from 7 to 10 p.m. 

            Where: The L&N STEM Academy Commons

            What: Read undisturbed for 30 minute intervals. Socialize in between!

            Free: Hot drinks, baked goods, and popcorn, as well as good company! 

            Helpful information: 

            Dress up as your favorite Literary Character Contest!--Optional

            Bring a book or check one out from our library

            We have limited comfy chairs so consider bringing a pillow, bean bag chair, or blankets

Questions? Contact Mr. Blevins or Ms. Ellis

·      Our Key Club is participating in two projects and needs YOUR help collecting items!

1)    Toiletries Drive for Beaumont Magnet Academy's local community--We've learned that many public assistance programs don't cover hygiene products for those in need. We're working with Beaumont Magnet Academy to collect all hygiene products but especially shampoo, soap, hand or body lotion, antiperspirant/deodorant, and feminine products. Any sizes and quantities are welcome (including travel size)! Please drop them off in the collection bin in the Bookstore Hallway. 

2)    Plastic Grocery Bags Collection: We'll be collecting disposable shopping bags all year to create lightweight sleeping mats to distribute to our homeless community. (Here's a video if you're interested.) Each mat requires about 700 disposable shopping bags (what you'd get from Wal-Mart or a grocery store). Please drop off your extra bags in the collection bin in the Bookstore Hallway.

Community  & Guidance Ops:

·      Seniors we are almost there!  70% of you have completed your FAFSA.  Ask your friends if they have – let’s reach 100% before end of the semester, because friends don’t let friends lose money by missing the FAFSA deadline!!

Quote of the day from Milton Berle:

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

Practice L&N Habits every day: Professionalism, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Innovation, Inquiry, & Design

L&N STEM Academy – TN’s First Apple School of Distinction, 3 time - US News & World Report medalist – Silver 2017, Gold 2016, Bronze 2015, 3 time - Newsweek’s Top 500 American High Schools 2015 – 17, TN Reward School (3 times)