Marion Magnet Schools: #YOURCHOICE

Marion Magnet Schools: #YOURCHOICE

New education model gives parents more options for their children

Marion School District Believe it or not, the school year is winding down but Marion School District administrators, teachers and parents are gearing up, energized and excited about its three new K-6 Magnet Schools scheduled to open fall 2018.

The school board recently approved the magnet school model and Superintendent Dr. Glen Fenter and his team have been working tirelessly to pull off, in mere months, what it has taken most districts years to accomplish.

“We looked for a model that would allow us to move to a different level and improve on the inefficiency,” he said. “We settled on the magnet school system and discovered the best magnet school transition was at Jonesboro 12 years ago.”

He added that Jonesboro's five magnet schools have increased the district's enrollment by approximately 1,200 students in that time.

Currently at the elementary school level, each campus within MSD has two grade levels: Avondale is K-1, Marion Elementary School is grades 2-3, Marion Intermediate School houses grades 4-5, and Marion Middle School is grades 6-7. In that situation, parents with more than one student in the district probably have to drop their children off at two or three different schools.

Through the visual arts, dance, drama and music, students at AES will cultivate problem solving, time management, teamwork and effective communications skills. Students will be encouraged to express creativity through a variety of energizing platforms that foster the development of critical and innovative thinking skills through plays, art exhibits, drama and musical productions while the rich history of the Arkansas Delta art, music and dance will be emphasized.

At MES, young scholars will be shaped into future leaders by integrating rigorous academics with high expectations in an environment rooted in global awareness and competence. Students will learn Spanish as a second language beginning in Kindergarten.

At MIS, math, science and technology will use innovative strategies to engage inquisitive children and will offer hands-on learning experience involving both math and science labs.

Fenter pointed out the change would be better for parents and the district since the new school year will herald three campuses scheduled to house grades K-6 and give parents more educational options for their children.

“Now parents will have one option for their children in those grades, not three campuses,” he said.

Each magnet school will be theme-driven. Starting in the fall, AES will become Marion Visual and Performing Arts Magnet.

MES becomes Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet and Marion Intermediate School will be the Marion Math, Science and Technology Magnet.

Magnet students will be immersed in their chosen special areas of study and standards set by Arkansas Academic Standards. About 90 percent of the school day will be spent teaching basic curriculum; however, the teaching methods will differ based on magnet themes.

Administrations and faculty were surveyed and selected based on experience, background, and academic interests.

MES Principal Adam O'Neal echoed Fenter and said the biggest advantage to switching to a magnet school system was that it gives parents more choices of where their children can attend school, including the administration, location and the theme of the magnet school.

Judging from the postings of the district's Facebook page, parents are very excited about what magnet schools will offer their children.

Riley Atchley-Cook said she “LOVES the staff and the smaller size of this school. This will be such a great environment for the kids!”

“So exciting and we are Global bound,” posted Tracy Clark.

Ali Weimer, the principal at AES, said even her 10year-old daughter was excited about making the magnet move.

Teacher Leah Wicker Schmidt said “It is going to be fantastic!!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!” while former AES Principal Glenda Bryan called the staff “wonderful.”

“It's all driven by kids learning in an environment that they are interested in,” Fenter said.

Magnet Schools of America is a national nonprofit professional education association whose members are schools and school districts. The association represents and, is a resource to, magnet schools, parents, teachers, school boards, administrators, business leaders, community organizations and institutions of higher education.

These schools attract children of various socio-economic backgrounds, race and academic achievement levels. They are free and open to anyone; due to high demand, most schools determine student acceptance by a lottery system. Magnet schools are accountable to state standards and, in many cases, exceed those standards, according to magnet.edu.

It is the soft skills, however, of teamwork, acceptance, innovation and engagement that make magnet schools the vibrant environment it is for developing positive citizen children prepared for future careers and successful community engagement. This real-life preparation has students not only interacting with peers from all backgrounds, but with hands-on experience working with businesses, cultural institutions, universities and community organizations.

Magnet Schools, according to the Magnet Schools of America (MSA) website, are the “single largest form of public school choice, are visionary, innovative and open to all students regardless of zip code.”

Currently, there are 4,340 magnet schools in the United States, educating more than 3.5 million students, with each school focusing on a themed curriculum.

With three attractive magnet options, parents will have tough choices to make; however, MSD is helping to make the decision making a little easier by providing valuable information regarding magnet schools, principals and locations via Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and on their website.

Find principal bios and videos by visiting the district's website at www.msd3.org/magnet, search “Meet our administrators” and click on the social media icons.

Very important informational sessions are scheduled next week when MSD will host Magnet School preview nights to allow principals and their teams to introduce themselves, present information about their particular theme, and answer questions. Early arrival is suggested. The Magnet Schools Kick-off nights begin at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates at the Marion Performing Arts Center at 1 Patriot Drive: Monday, April 2 – K-3rd; parents and students Tuesday, April 3 – 4th-6th; for parents and students Thursday, April 5 – for the General Public Registration will be held: Saturday, April 14: Magnet School Selection/Registration, Marion Junior High School Arena, 801 Carter Drive, from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Students will be given the opportunity in the spring of each year to either commit to staying at their present school or applying to another magnet school. Transfers are granted based on the availability and on a first come, first serve basis.

Once a student has begun the year, he/she will need to complete that school year before moving to another school. NOTE: MSD retains the right to make inter-school transfers based solely on the district's discretion.

Any student residing in the Marion School District is eligible to attend any magnet school. Students outside the district may apply to attend a magnet school by completing a School Choice application found on the MSD website at www.msd3.org. All school choice applications must be completed and turned in to the central office at May 1, 2018. Alternatively, school choice applications can be completed in person at 200 Manor Street in Marion.

If a student is already attending MSD on an approved school choice application, the student does not have to reapply. If a student attended MSD on a previously approved school choice application, but left the district to attend another district, the student will need to resubmit a school choice application.

Applications will be available at the MSD Magnet School preview nights and will also be sent home via student paper packets on Tuesday, April 10. After that date, applications can be found on the MSD website at www.msd3.org, in the front office of each elementary campus and at the Central Office. Applying for one of the magnet schools will begin Saturday, April 14 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Marion Junior High School Arena at 801 Carter Drive.

Notification letters of placement will be mailed to the address on file with MSD. Please make sure your current address is on file.

If a child is not placed in their first-choice magnet school, they will automatically be placed on a waiting list for their first-choice school. The waiting list is compiled on a first come, first serve basis. The waiting list will remain active for the first nine weeks of school and the parent or guardian will be called if a seat becomes available. The waiting list will be discontinued after the first nine weeks of school. After this date, the student will be unable to transfer, he/she will need to complete the school year in the assigned school.

The document(s) must be in the name of the parent or legal guardian enrolling the student. A photo ID is required.

Parents: If you do not have all required residency documentation for registration but believe you child is eligible to attend one of the Marion Schools, please contact Ms. Julie Coveny at the district Administration Office/Central Office at 870-739-5100 for assistance.

By Mike Douglas