MEMS iReady growth seen in principal’s new look

The Macedonia Elementary-Middle School (MEMS) gymnasium transformed into the stage of television show “The Price is Right” on Dec. 14 to award scholars with a cash prize for growth in winter iReady test scores.

Although students were excited to receive money, they were even more excited to see MEMS Principal Eryl Smalls dye his hair the school colors in recognition of their academic growth.

“The highlight of their day was seeing him get his hair dyed,” said MEMS Assistant Principal Chelsea Calhoun.

First grade teacher Linda Fennell explained how Principal Smalls is willing to do anything for his students, even sport a new look.

“We’re just so excited about the amount of growth and progress that they have shown, and we really wanted to do something to motivate them and let them know we are proud of them,” said Calhoun.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade sat in the bleachers eagerly awaiting for their name to be called by hostess and fifth grade teacher at MEMS, Felecia Kinard.

iReady exams are assessments to gauge student performance and are taken in the fall, winter, and spring.

“We have a lot of students that are bubble students or a bit below average, and they grew a lot,” said Kinard. “We want to motivate students across the board and build their confidence, so we decided that we would applaud them all.”

“If they grew even one point, they deserve to be celebrated,” said Kinard.

MEMS educators and administrators are looking forward to the continued academic growth of its students and holding events to recognize it, especially after the hiatus from traditional in-school learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Coming back from two years of doing untraditional school, we know there was a tremendous regression that we had to make up for, and we will never get caught up, but the point is to see them learning and growing,” said Calhoun.

Plans are being made to hold another celebration in the spring provided student iReady results show continued growth.

Pre-K

Ms. Hammet’s Class: Brysen Jordan-Davis, Jhoan Hernandez Rodriguez, Kylee Futrell, Kailee Myrick, Torrian James, Gabriella Smith, Mariya Ferguson, James Folk, Christionna Harrison, Joseph Hutto, Paisley Mitchell, Antwan Dunbar, Araya Howard, King Roundtree, Easton Still, Jayla Keller, Kameron Radford, Jaalamir Ross, Dy’Aisha Tyler, and Cordasia Brown.

Kindergarten

Mrs. Owens’ and Mrs. Joyner’s Class: Zaire Dixon, Kingston Daughety, Jumerica Washington, Brantley Chavis, Gabriel Williams, Savannah Jones, Shelton Bunn, Dalenn Chesser, Willie Ferguson, Quincey Walker, Conner Collins, Jordyn Ware, Elise Futrell, Terrie Close, Joseph Driggers, Karmyn Jackson, Everleigh Mims, and Kaisley Isaac.

Mrs. Parker’s and Mrs. Lott’s Class: Kelton Donaldson, A’Vien Washington, Sophia Donaldson-Spann, Harper Klebe, Kash Woodley, Hunter Chruchwell, Lawrence Williams, De’Karson Richardson, Zyana Hammonds, Michael Simmons, Justice Holman, London Harley, Kendaya Sanders, Angela Henry, Carter Rivera, and Heaven Martin.

First Grade

Ms. Edward’s Class: Kirahyo McCreary, Janelle Bonds, Kendall Myrick, Joselyn Martinez-Robles, Ayden Mason, Darrian Taylor, Zuria Hammonds, Kylie Hammonds, Earthel Walker, Celeste Batchler, D’Andre Staley, Jace Reed, Elijah Smith, Kyleaha Livingston, Kash Campbell, Germyan Dyches, Ayla Smith, Ashronde Rowe, Maurice Williams, Kaidence Cheatham, Jesus Perez-Vasquez, and Kalijah Johnson.

Ms. Hagood’s Class: Imani Jones, Serenity Smith, Anthony Reed, Skylar Walker, Sean Goodwin, Ashton Robinson, Karissa Pate, Aaden Omar, Tamia Foust, Destine Rice, King Nickens, Logan Brown, Kaylee Brown, Aariel Cooks, Kayden Dyches, Messiah Mixon, Tristian Moore, Dallas Walker, and Brandon Youmans.

Second Grade

Mrs. Bongcawel’s Class: Timothy Boyer, Saige Jones, Peyton Barr, Morgan Smith, Jaycee Mims, Angel Aung, Khaleah Kearse, Tiana James, Ava Eady, Zavaa Dixon, Justice Williams, Rayven Howard, and Eri’Yonna Kirkland.

Mrs. Parker’s Class: Vanessa Wood, Taylor Shiggs, Ah’Mya Harris, Na’Ava Floyd, Rose Martinez-Robles, Jace Bryant, Aariyana Cooks, Jabria Ware, Jayceon Barr, Hampton Carroll, Jeremiah Tyler, Taliyah Johnson, Erian Jones, Zyron Bongcawel, Hailey Cuthbertson, and Logan Howard.

Third Grade

Mrs. Allen’s Class: Teri Close, Marissa Curry, Isaiah Dowling, Amaria Foust, Paris Jones, Carolina Blankenship, Elijah Priester, Zechariah Chavis, Arriyona Bing, Lilee Croft, Huntley Cope, Emoni Minus, Christian Williams, Dawayne Carrigg, Demetrius Williams, Preston Chavis, Travis Tyler, Jaicion Williams, and Zackary Parrish.

Ms. Sanders’ Class: Erin Sept, Dareal Webster, Michael Williams, Zoey Burnette, Kaylee Donaldson, Jewel Parker, Sharell Jordan, Brayden Dyches, Aubrielle Glover, Ka’dyn Dials, Lilly Kinard, Kendra Rowe, Jakobe Felder, Stacy Bongcawel, and Tyquan Tyler.

Fourth Grade

Ms. Cobb’s Class: Ethan Jeter, Madison Williams, Zariah James, Mauriyah Williams, Zerniya Russaw, Kaiden Williams, Majure Campbell, Sylvia Chavis, Aries Drain, Karson Epps, Naomi Salley, Kaylee Siegel, Major Salley, Jayden Omar, Braxton Bonds, Amiyah Highsmith, Ivori Roundtree, Charity Williams, and Mirackle Alicea Almoar.

Mrs. Glover’s Class: Jayden Keller, Gavin Taylor, Eli Walker, Sincere Thomas, Kailaya Govan, Dylan Camarillo, Ian Hughes, Chasity Creech, Madison Hammet, Deandre Taylor, JaAir Washington, Stanford Felder, Jonathan Pacheco, Kyler Livingston, Bre’asia Brown, Ayden Carrigg, Jabria Isaac, and Chase Harrison.

Fifth Grade

Mrs Bryson’s Class: Kyle Hayward, Aaron Johnson, Deliyah Risi, Karter Wilson, Jaycee Klebe, Azion Frazier, Michelle Williams, Brayden Brown, Da’Quan Stroman, Kylen Seabrooks, Zulema Diaz, Raphael Goodwin, Maruice Holman, Sha’Marion Brown, Thuya Aung, Dustin Carroll, Jayden Miller, Parish Thompson, Davida Mixon, and Tariah Johnson.

Mrs. Epps’ Class: Landrea Young, Christian McMillian, Quinten Johnson, Braylon Owens, Tyler Joyner, Lauren Fraizer, Douglas Ford, Semaj Rice, Bryan Diaz, Cameron Smith, Carolina Flores, Ja’Nyla Donaldson, Kahrin Mixon, Chasity Lee, Damarius Odom, Heather Nickens, Ke’Ara Bing, Anthony Castillo, and Ca’Mari Johnson.

Sixth Grade

Mrs. Brown’s Class: Ar’Shaun Bing, Zy’Kira Daniels, Trenton Moors, Terrius James, Tytherian Yon, Kenya Tyler, Bryson Jones, Markell Jamison, Disha Patel, Ah’Real Goodwin, Sanaa Jenkins, Tyler Davis, Nevaeh Joyner, and Travaris Johnson.

Ms. Jenkins’ Class: Kaleigh Simmons, Jaheem Johnson, Noah Sawyer, Tramell Mitchell, Sanora Brown, Taylor Hampton, Cortni Gleaton, Mike Walker, Marcus Smalls, Haylei Sapp, Warren Jamison, Lashae Smalls, Kensey Martin, and Abigail Smith.

Seventh Grade

Mr. Warble’s Class:

Bralen Coleman, Xavier Creech, Rainey Priester, Evonna Smalls, Zariah Thomas, Malaki Brown, Timothy Johnson, Christalen Norman, Shannon Kirkland, Emmelie Moors, Taylar Evans, Mikenzie Frickling, Darnell Phillips, Jermiah Corbitt, and Kennedy Hay.

Mr. Mendoza’s Class: Savion Dowling, Shaniya Bing, Miles Minus, Faith Washington, Trevor Kinard, Xavion Creech, Destiny Owens, ZaMiya Jordan-Davis, I’yonna Calhoun, Zemeria Woodley, Tariuq Odom, Semi Kemp, and Mylia Brown.

Eighth Grade

Mrs. Springsteen’s Class: Jarvis Barnes, Terrion Johnson, Terence Joyner, Robert McCreary, Orlando Reed, Caleb Brown, Heaven Thompson, Ryian Sanders, Nazarria Bagley, Breyon Donaldson, Willow Croft, Annasia McCreary, and Mira Holston.

Mr. Owala’s Class: Sha’Mya Dowling, Desirae Joyner, Elexis Joyner, Alleik Walker, Eric Dunbar, Aimee Owens, Jayden Barnes, Kaiden Aiken, Kayla Abney, and Ja’Faith Johnson.