To end the year off right, the Academy at Old Cockrill had our first talent show. The talent show displayed some of our students' best talents. Kaitie Bailey was our announcer, and the show began with Jacqueline Lepselter reading an original poem called “Changes”. Roshe Hicks performed a spoken word poem called "Under the Lights". Sasha Ransom did an acapella performance of "Without You Lord".

Then Clifford Esters, accompanied by Roshe Hicks, did a rap/dance to "Oh Let's Do It". Cee Cee Bar, accompanied by her brother on guitar, sang "Best Wishes" for the teachers. Next DeAngela Leggs read an original poem called "Forever Love" and Marqueisha Jordan read Jhonae Ransom's poem, "Simple As". Chloe Glenn did an acapella performance of "Latif Without You". Roger Swift ended the show with an acapella performance of "Comparisons". The performances were wonderful! We had a great time watching the students display their unique talents. Great job everyone! “Reach For The Stars! Show Who You Are!” --Jacqueline Lepselter (more photos on page 8 & 9)

Student Spotlight

c Bathsheba

Bar

What is your favorite food?

"Fried Chicken."

What is your favorite thing to

do?

"Help people.”

Do you have a hobby?

“I love to draw things.”

Tell us something about yourself.

"My name is Cee Cee, I'm 20 years old, and I like to

sing.”

May 2011

Have We Got Talent!

On Saturday, April 30, students, faculty, staff and volunteers joined forces to create a rain garden at the Academy. A rain garden helps absorb rainfall and prevents runoff water from flooding Nashville's sewer system and causing it to overflow into the Cumberland River. The Cumberland RIver Compact provided plants and information on how to create the garden and Mekayle Houghton from the Compact even came and helped us dig! We also owe a thank you to Tennessee Contractors Equipment for loaning us a tiller for the day and to the Metro Beautification and Environment Commission for donating mulch and compost for the garden. The hours that students worked on the garden counted towards their service learning credit. Thank you to everyone who helped with the garden! -- Abdirahman Abdulle, Cee Cee Bar, John Crum, Clifford Esters, Jo Jo Frye, Andrew Hubbel, Oleta Kiger, Kedrick Ross, Mr. Carter, Ms. Crum, Mr. Flushman, Ms. Holton, Ms. Houghton, Mr. Mayfield, Ms. Nordstrom, and Ms. Van Loon.

Congratulations!

Farewell Mr. Flushman!

Next year Mr. Flushman will not be with us because he is going to be principal at the Academy located at Hickory Hollow.

Before Mr. Flushman leaves the Academy at Old Cockrill we wanted to ask him some questions. So I asked him, “What will you miss about our school?” “I will miss everyone, even the staff!” Next I asked, ”And how long have you been here?” “Since the day we opened in July 2009.” He will be leaving our school and going to Hickory Hollow this summer, so I asked him, “What will be the first thing you`ll do when you get there?” And he said, “I will set up my stereo system.” Then I asked him, ”What is the funniest question an Old Cockrill student has ever asked you?” “Why are your eyes so blood shot?” He said he gets asked that a lot. We will miss you Mr.Flushman! Good luck with your new job! Come back and visit us. --Roger Swift

Field Trip! Recently Ms. Holton's English classes visited the Civil Right Room at the downtown branch of the Nashville Public Library as part of their study of racism and profiling. They learned about the important role that Nashville played in the Civil Rights movement through the nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins of 1960. During the trip students sat around the room's round lunch counter exhibit and viewed films and news reports from that time period. On the way to the library their bus drove the same route that protestors marched in April 1960.

Ms. Van Loon is one of the Math teachers at the Academy at Old Cockrill. She is from Atlanta, Georgia. This is her second year here she loves working with the students. Also loves how students work so hard and when Ms. Gibbs and Roger Swift sing together. She doesn’t get embarrassed easily, but her most embarrassing moment at Old Cockrill was on Food Day last year when she was helping

move the food in. There was a word in a foreign language written on the box of food. Ms. Van Loon thought the word was the name of the food and called it that about ten times. One student heard her and told Mr. Tucker that it was really a

cuss word and told him what it meant. Mr. Tucker told Ms. Van Loon what she was saying and Ms. Van Loon was embarrassed. The most interesting job she ever had was when she was fifteen. She dressed up like Ren and Stimpy, Dino the Dinosaur, and Peter Rabbit and took pictures with kids. Recently she had a birthday and had dinner with friends and family. But she didn’t have her favorite food, which is lobster. Over spring break Ms. Van Loon took a 7 day round trip to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Her guide, Elibahati Mamuya, and Ms. Van Loon walked to the top (over 19,341 feet). And so I asked her, “Would you do it again some time?” “Never again! It was just a one time thing.”

I asked, "Why not?" “Not as much oxygen in the air, and so it was hard to breathe -- and once is enough for me.”

Ms. Van Loon’s mom climbed as well. The last day every one had to start at midnight and had to be at the top by sunrise, where it was snowing.

--Roger Swift

Faculty Interview with Ms. Van Loon

 Changes

Why is it that we can never change the past Or right the wrongs that will forever last Painful memories filled my mind I was on my own for that time My heart has broken And my words never had a chance to be spoken Fooled of mind and innocence last I had no say in what it would cost Although this may affect me forever I have learned to love myself better With peace at mind and a changed heart This is a work in progress, a better start Here ends the first chapter of my life I hope the next one treats me right.

--Jacqueline L.

Forever Love

You are my description of love You are my description of friend You are my description of everything You are my description of beginning to end. You have put me on a pedestal You make me feel ten feet tall You've always been there for me You've loved me through it all. You've stood by me through thick and thin. You've always been patient and kind Just thought I should let you know You're the owner of this heart of mine. So just ask how long I'll love you Well this is what I have to say Past, present, future, always Forever and a day.

--DeAngela Leggs

Krazy Feelings, Krazy Luv "U won't admit it But Baby, I see u catchin Feelings Jealousy resignsz n yo eyesz N dripsz thru tha ceiling Don't wanna hurt ya Cuz Baby, u kno I ain't perfect U sztill my Bonnie Even if yo Clyde don't Deserve ya I szee yo pain But lemme get nside of yo Brain N change that screwsz Around But would yo luv remain? Could make u picture Perfect But ya flawsz make u, you Could see us 2getha But hate tha thought of Losin' u 2 many dudes played Around Left ya heart cold N females neva paid Attention So my heart'sz sold Tha worszt love sztory eva Told N tho I strive 2B strong I sztill know That I'ma die alone U still save me When I go krazy Even cried on ya shoulder Wiped my tearsz U a strong lady Now stop hatin n quit tha Debatin' U my ride or die queen N ur appreciated..."

--Jhonae Ransom

Poetry by Old Cockrill students Simple As

Simple as the leaves on the tree. Simple as a girl on her knees prayin to god about being beat. Simple as a heart attack approaching someone with a bag of luggage on they back. Simple as a love 4 a child. Simple as a cloud in tha sky. Simple as the feeling that you get when you lose that one special bet. Simple as the smile on your face seeming like my saving grace. Simple as you wanting to die and praying to the man in the sky, that no one would cry. Simple as saying no, then him being mad and saying forget u boy. Simple as a heart being broke by someone who just makes you want to choke. Simple as me reading this rhyme because I know next time that this crowd would be crying.

--Jhonae Ransom

 

More Photos

Art by Old Cockrill

students

Clockwise, from lower left - Emily Thomason

Cee Cee Bar Cee Cee Bar

Brittney Propst Brittney Propst

The Academy is on Facebook! Find us, like us!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Academy-at-Old-Cockrill/108663409170569

School Information 610 49th Avenue North Nashville, TN 372009

615-298-2294 http://www.academy.mnps.org/Page56453.aspx

 

Administration

Elaine Fahrner, Principal Dr. Sarah Eldridge, School Counselor

Michael Flushman, Program Assistant; English Language Learners

 

Newsletter Contributors Stories: Jacqueline Lepselter, Roger Swift, Ms. Holton Photographs: page 1 & 7 - Jacqueline Lepselter, page 3 - Ms. Holton, page 4 & 5 - Roger Swift Poetry & Art: Cee Cee Bar, Jacqueline L., DeAngela Leggs, Jhonae Ransom, Brittney Propst, Emily Thomason

Summer Survey What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Play golf with Ms. Kay Wright, hang out at the pool. – Ms. Fahrner Go out places, not stay in the house. – Student Work. I make more money in the summer. But I really like to lie back, & relax. In the summer is when I get things caught up. – Student My favorite thing to do in the summer is to go swimming. – Student Chill and have fun, go out and party. – Student Run down to the beach and make sand creatures with fellow artists. – Student What are you going to do this summer?

Find a job and visit my grandparents in Pennsylvania. – Student Travel to Florida, California, Atlanta, and work. Try new things. – Student Las Vegas and work. – Ms. Fahrner What are you going to do on the Fourth of July?

Pop fireworks, cookout, and be with family and friends. – Student Shoot fireworks and have a rocket war. – Student Eat hot dogs, apple pie and watch the fireworks. – Mr. Flushman

--Roger Swift  

Note! If you have any questions about

directions call the school at 298-2294. Ms.

Fahrner is begging you, DO NOT call the church for directions.

PLEASE! DO NOT call the church for directions! DIRECTIONS to Woodmont Hills Family of God Church, 3710 Franklin Pike

Coming From North of Nashville

Take Interstate 65 south through Nashville toward Huntsville. Exit on Harding Place (highway 255) and turn right. At the intersection of Harding Place and Franklin Pike (highway 31) turn right. Travel north 1.3 miles to 3710 Franklin Pike. The church building is located on the right side of the road.

Coming From the South on Interstate 65

Take Interstate 65 north toward Nashville. Exit south of downtown on Harding Place (highway 255) and turn left back across the inter-state. At the intersection of Hard-ing Place and Franklin Pike (high-way 31) turn right. Travel north 1.3 miles to 3710 Franklin Pike. The church building is located on the right side of the road.

Coming From the Southeast on Interstate 24 or From the East on Interstate 40

Take Interstate 24 or Interstate 40 to the I-440 interchange. Exit on I-440 toward Memphis. Exit from I-440 to Interstate 65 south toward Huntsville. Exit Interstate 65 at Harding Place (highway 255) and turn right. At the intersection of Harding Place and Franklin Pike (highway 31) turn right. Travel north 1.3 miles to 3710 Franklin Pike. The church building is located on the right side of the road.

Coming From the West on Interstate 40

Take Interstate 40 to the I-440 interchange. Exit on I-440 toward Knoxville. Exit from I-440 to Interstate 65 south toward Huntsville. Exit Interstate 65 at Harding Place (highway 255) and turn right. At the intersection of Harding Place and Franklin Pike (highway 31) turn right. Travel north 1.3 miles to 3710 Franklin Pike. The church building is located on the right side of the road.

GRADUATION IS May 27 at 6 PM. Be there at 5 PM!