C. L. Salter Follow-Up

The previous post features a spot from Fox 6 "What's Right With Our Schools." This morning's Daily Home had this to say:

Federal and state governments place a lot of emphasis on standardized testing in schools these days — so when students and teachers go the extra mile to raise test scores, the deserve some recognition.

That’s exactly what a couple hundred of the students, teachers, principal and coach at Salter Elementary School in Talladega received when they went out to the Talladega Superspeedway Wednesday.

The children got to vote for which teachers got a ride around the track and were excited spectators at the event.

We congratulate the students and staff at Salter for their testing efforts and applaud the tracking for helping recognize that accomplishment.

Fox 6 ran a second feature this morning including additional interviews with students and teachers. If the station posts that clip on its website, we will embed it here also.

What's Right With Our Schools...C.L. Salter

Tonight's Fox 6 "What's Right With Our Schools" segment featured C. L. Salter. The entire school took a trip to the Talladega Super Speedway. In addition to learning about a landmark and an event that is important to our area, the trip served as a reward for the hard work on the DIBELS, ARMT, and SAT spring tests and hard work throughout the year. The entire student body got to participate!

Here is the story as it aired on Fox 6:

Music Appreciation...

The following article was written by Chris Norwood and published on the front page of the Daily Home this past Friday. Erin Thielker is the teacher responsible for arranging this wonderful experience for our children.

The students at C.L. Salter Elementary School had a very special educational experience in music Thursday. An education manager from the Alabama Symphony Orchestra came and taught a series of classes to kindergartners through third graders, culminating with a simulated orchestral performance.

Each class was divided into four sections: percussion, woodwinds, brass and strings. Each group pretended to hold an instrument from that family and make a specific sound, with Meaghan Heinrich of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in Birmingham. “This is a something new for the symphony, expanding educational programs and adding in school workshops and performances,” she said.

The visit to Salter came about after a class from the school visited the symphony in Birmingham last year. One of the teachers on that trip pointed out “Salter doesn’t have a music teacher or any music classes right now, but she really wanted them to have some more exposure to music in class. So this was a good chance for us to do a test run,” Heinrich explained.

The program will be expanding in the future to include not just other schools but other members of the orchestra as well. “As the education manager, I am not a full time player,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll be sending more full-time performers and groups starting next year.”

Salter Principal Jenni Griffin said the school felt very fortunate. “We really hit a jackpot with this,” she said.

And the students had a ball, too.

After completing their performance and taking a bow, the second grade group requested some music as they were leaving the classroom. Heinrich obliged, playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” on the oboe.

Talladega's Newest Blog

C. L. Salter Elementary has a new blog with new ideas! Check out this brand new blog, see pictures from the Science Night and read the "Principal's Principles." Click on the link here, or you may click on the link on the right-hand side of the screen.

C. L. Salter Science Extravaganza

A few more sights and sounds from the C. L. Salter Science Extravaganza:

Science Extravaganza at C. L. Salter

C. L. Salter hosted a "Science Extravaganza" Tuesday at Salter was a huge success. Students, parents, and teachers participated in many activities designed to enhance our understanding of science in our world. The students were able to make a choice of two activities that most interested them. Those who chose "Birds of Prey saw beautiful raptors such as the owl, falcon, and hawk.

The "Snake Lady" shared her slithering friends with a large crowd. She brought both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes with her. The McWane Center brought "Stardome," which allowed the students to observe constellations in the cafeteria. They also brought "Razzle Dazzle Chemistry," a demonstration of chemical changes. "Gak" was a large hit with students and adults alike. Those who chose this activity were able to make their Gak from scratch. We all look forward to next year's Science Extravaganza!

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Thanks to Karen Clark for all her hard work and planning.