Engagement Coach Appreciation Day

Today Memphis Street Academy Charter School celebrated "Engagement Coach Appreciation Day" at the school. Our Engagement Coaches are an asset to keeping our school days running smoothly. They not only help with the security of our students. MSAC Engagement Coaches are also counselors, talking students through their problems every day.

All of our Engagement Coaches are United States veterans and part of the "Troops to Teachers" program - a U.S. Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel with careers in schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed.

Every day, our Engagement Coaches remain mobile, flexible, strong and sympathetic. They are a huge part of helping our school in its daily mission. We are so grateful for all that they do. One of our 8th Grade students, Carmel, worked on a poster to show the school's appreciation. The poster was then signed my dozens of students who wanted to personally thank our Engagement Coaches.

The poster can be seen here with some grateful students. It was then hung outside our Engagement Coaches' office. (photo by Mr. Marchetti)

Carmel is shown here with Coach Fred "Sojo" Soejanto.

Memphis Street Ballers

 

Over the past few weeks, students in Room 300 and Homeroom 8-10 took on a very interesting project. Both classes designed, constructed, and painted basketball nets made from upcycled materials. Students took old milk crates and plywood and created one-of-a kind, transportable basketball nets.

Students watched videos of Jackson Pollock at work to learn about abstract expressionist spatter painting. They also studied stencil painting and street art, then collaborated on designing and painting the backboards. Our scholars also learned about some fundamental carpentry and construction practices - bolting nets and hooks to the wood and sealing the painted boards with polyurethane.

 

Finally, after weeks of hard work, students were able to celebrate the fruits of their labor. On a sunny spring afternoon, our Memphis Street Ballers tested the nets out in the schoolyard. It was amazing to watch this project come together.  Students were proud that they were able to work so hard on a project that was expressive, fun, and functional.

Room 300 MSA Ballers (photo by Ms. Brittain)