Joaquin Elementary Jump for George - November 16, 2009
Submitted by Sabrina Causey

Joaquin Elementary students "Jumped for George" today in celebration of their perfect attendance. Mrs. Sheryl Graves, Assistant Principal drew from names of students who made it to school every day for an entire six weeks. Those students were allowed to jump over a trail of "George Washington" (money). The farther they jump the more money they get!

The following lucky students were allowed to jump today: Marshall Fry, Blake Cummings, Victoria Byrd, Kaylea Neal, Leola Flournoy, Kourtney Kinchloe, Dalton Leggett, Hannah Ewing, Jake Lilly, Jackson Cater, Mazzy McCann, Jamarcus Watts, Justin O'Rear and Samantha Murphey.

Joaquin Elementary Held Walk for Diabetes - November 4, 2009
Submitted by Sabrina Causey

Joaquin Elementary held Walk for Diabetes on Oct. 12, 2009. The students walked during their regular PE class. Parents and grandparents were invited to walk with their student/students. The walk helped raise money to find a cure and to help with the care of those with diabetes.

Students earned prizes for the amount of money they collected from the American Diabetes Assn. The top collector received a new bicycle and helmet donated by 4-K Farm, Joaquin, Tx.

The top collector was Lauren Neal, collecting $711.00.

Joaquin Elem. students collected a total of $2,660.88 for School Walk for Diabetes. Thanks to all who collected and donated for a worthy cause.

Joaquin Elementary Readers - October 16, 2009
Submitted by Renee Alexander

Joaquin Elementary fourth, fifth, and six graders who reached their Accelerated Reader goal for the first six weeks period were awarded a coupon for a free ice cream cone from Dairy Queen in Logansport. A special thanks to Mrs. Hawsey at Logansport Library and Dairy Queen for supporting our readers.

Joaquin 6th Grade Art Students Team Up with Peace Corps Volunteers and Invite You to Come Visit - October 15, 2009
Submitted by Debbie Leggett, Joaquin Elementary Art

Joaquin sixth graders team up with Peace Corps Volunteers, Reid and Brooke Golden. Reid is a former Joaquin High graduate and both are Texas A & M graduates. They are currently serving in Swaziland, South Africa and sharing their life experiences with Joaquin students. The students eagerly began this project by researching everything they could from the King of Swaziland to the foods and animals of South Africa. Next, they created posters from their findings and paintings of African dancers, scenery and African masks. Too, some painted and designed ceramic masks as replicas of historical masks and learned what the symbols on the masks meant. Students emailed Reid and Brooke fifty questions that they wondered about. A few days ago the answers arrived and were read to the students. To their amazement they now have not only learned about Africa and the African culture but they have made new pen pals from a world away from East Texas. All of these have been set up in the Joaquin Elementary School Art Room for all to view. This project has inspired the students to ask of themselves what they can do to make our school, our community and our world a better place. The students have learned that we Americans are offered so much thru education. They have compared life here and there and decided to help young students here to learn to read and to help children in Africa, who few go to school, to collect and send early reader books to them. The students were shocked that life expectancy in Swaziland is thirty two years of age and that free school will be offered next year for first and second graders for the first time.They see now that school , to some, is a luxury. This is an ongoing project that is so beneficial in so many educational aspects. To be sure, the sixth graders of Joaquin Elementary School invite all of the community to share in their learning and fun…….Please come visit our museum between 8:00 and 10:00 AM on Monday and Tuesday , October19 & 20, 2009. Thank you for your support of our students.