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From the Chairman

Brittany Linkenhoger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:45:00 GMT

Dear Friends of Yellowstone

Excellence matters. As anyone even vaguely familiar with Yellowstone Academy knows, we are blessed with a marvelous staff and teachers whose positive impact on our students is nothing short of remarkable. They are not only skilled at their respective positions; they share a unique passion for educating the whole child: body, mind and spirit. At Yellowstone we have developed an unmistakable culture of excellence – we like to do things well. This attitude of excellence, particularly after another successful annual breakfast, has made Yellowstone Academy “the talk of the town.”

As a school completely funded by private donors (individuals, foundations, businesses, and churches), we insist on excellence because we are stewards of the assets entrusted to us, and because we must model excellence for our students. This “continuous improvement culture” is set at the top from an outstanding group of directors with whom I have the great privilege of serving.

Our board meets regularly to review financials, develop budgets, drive development initiatives, evaluate and develop our leaders, review organizational structure, explore in-kind contributions, manage costs, recruit new board leadership, build community alliances and so on. Most strong non-profit boards do these things, but our board does so much more. This group of individuals goes the extra mile:

· They read to our students

· They volunteer in the classroom

· They invite guests to tour our school

· They sponsor students to attend summer camp

· They provide pro bono legal work

· They organize groups to work school service days

· They volunteer as chaperones on field trips

· They mentor and coach staff and teachers

· They shepherd students, including them in

I don’t know of another board so deeply involved in the mission of its organization. This is a seasoned and faithful board, and a board that serves. They are individually and corporately committed to excellence and to providing a plan to sustain Yellowstone for decades to come. So, on behalf of this board, thank you for extending the reputation of Yellowstone Academy as a place of excellence. We are grateful for your generosity, your hours of volunteering, and your prayers. You have given hope to 288 exceptional students and are paving the way for hundreds more to come.

Les Csorba, Board Chairman

19-Nov-09 4:45 PM

Physical Education Program Enhances Fitness, Cooperation

Brittany Linkenhoger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A new school year has brought a new mascot: the Yellowstone Lions. Each morning thirty-one 6th graders dress for gym in their Lions t-shirts and “discover muscles they didn’t even know they had.” The emphasis for 6th grade P.E. is on cooperative games and activities that encourage problem-solving strategies and communication, as well as continued development of team sports skills and quality sportsmanship.

For the remainder of the day, the Jack S. Blanton Center hums with activity as students come in to warm up, play games and develop soccer-ball handling skills before Friday’s game of “Sideline Soccer.” Fine motor skills are addressed as well as shoe-tying lessons on the fail-proof double knot!

Physical activity for all grade levels encourages teamwork and builds cooperation and coordination skills, whether the task at hand is balloon catching and bean bag tossing, or more sophisticated games. Even the youngest Yellowstone students get moving with activities designed to get heart rates up and minds alert for learning.

19-Nov-09 4:00 PM

Extended Day Program Required for all 5th & 6th Graders

Brittany Linkenhoger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The traditional Yellowstone after school program has been restructured as the new Extended Day Program, requiring attendance of all 5th and 6th grade students and allowing voluntary enrollment of their siblings. This transition has grown the program to approximately 150 students. As part of this new program, students will continue to receive much-needed tutoring and academic assistance in addition to elective courses such as music, drama and sign language. For the 2009-2010 school year, the Boy Scout program has also returned as an element of the Extended Day Program. With this structured extension of the school day, Yellowstone hopes to strongly reinforce academics, while addressing students’ additional enrichment needs.

19-Nov-09 4:00 PM

Annual Breakfast Draws Record Crowd

Brittany Linkenhoger — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Nearly 900 friends and supporters of Yellowstone Academy attended the 2009 fundraising breakfast at the Westin Galleria on Wednesday, October 7. This annual event supports the ongoing work of the Academy and its students.

Underwritten by Ginny and Ron Nixon, Carol and Frank Gruen, the Todd Brock Family Foundation, Midway Foundation, and Avalon Advisors, the breakfast raised significant funds in spite of a challenging economy, and introduced over 200 new individuals to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Board Chairman Les Csorba welcomed guests and introduced Yellowstone Academy Boy Scout Troop #255, who led the pledge to the American flag. Dr. Jim Jackson, Senior Pastor of Chapelwood United Methodist offered the invocation. The Yellowstone Academy Singers, led by Kiana Day and accompanied by Rev. Russell Thompson of City of Refuge Church, entertained guests with a medley of songs including “This Little Light of Mine,” “Lean on Me,” and “Oh Happy Day.”

Featured speakers for the event were Yellowstone Academy Advisory Board Member Charlie Ward, and Yellowstone Executive Director Kim Hansen and Director of Education Diane Van Zandt. Ward, a Heisman Trophy winner and former NBA basketball player, spoke of his involvement at Yellowstone and his appreciation for the school’s mission. A familiar face at Yellowstone, Ward has hosted Yellowstone students at his summer basketball camp. Hansen and Van Zandt spoke of the many challenges faced by Yellowstone students, and the importance of Yellowstone Academy in helping them break the cycle of poverty and build lives of achievement and success.

The event concluded with a rousing rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly” by Russell Thompson and the Yellowstone Academy Singers and a heartfelt thanks to all in attendance from Yellowstone founder David Lumpkins. Yellowstone offers special thanks to the talented event committee chaired by Claudia and Brad Freels: Sarah Barrasa, Pat Berry, Kiana Day, Dana Harms, Callie Holland, Pam Jesse, Cynthia Liveris, Kristi Lumpkins, Sandra Porter, Carla Reyna, Cheryl Simmons, Kim Strange, Shana Wood and Julie Wilhite.

19-Nov-09 4:00 PM