Welcome Back
COVID-19 Safety
Notes From Nurse Moore
Photo By Tiya Love
Tips to stay healthy and finish the year right:
· Wash your hands frequently.
· Stay six feet apart.
· Keep your mask over your nose and mouth.
Don’t forget to monitor yourself daily for symptoms of Covid. If you have a headache, elevated temperature, stuffy/runny nose, cough, sore throat, body/stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, please stay home. You can return to school once you are feeling better and symptom-free for 24 hours.
Immunization reminder:
Many students are still in need of immunizations. All 7th graders must receive a TDAP vaccine. All 11th graders need to receive their second dose of the Meningococcal vaccine before entering the 12th grade. Please ask your parent/guardian if you are up to date with immunizations. Calls and emails have gone out to parents/guardians of students who are non-compliant. Below are available resources to obtain immunizations. Please call Nurse Moore with any questions.
Immunization Resources
Health Department Immunization Clinics (By appointment only)
Columbus Public Health:
www.columbus.gov/publichealth/programs/immunizaton-program
For appt. call: 614-645-7945
Franklin County Public Health:
https://myfcph.org/health-wellness/shots
For appt. call: 614-525-3719
Nationwide Children’s Primary Care:
Call for appt: 614-722-6200
Nationwide Children’s School-Based Health Clinics:
Call for appt 614-355-2590
Federally Qualified Health Centers for Families with Limited Incomes:
Heart of Ohio:
Capital Park: 2365 Innis Rd.
For appt call: 614-416-4325
Whitehall: 882 South Hamilton Rd.
For appt call: 614-235-5555
Primary One:
www.primaryonehealth.org/locations
For appt call: 614-645-5500
Lower Lights Christian Health Center:
For appt call: 614-274-1455
Retail store clinics and pharmacies may also provide immunizations.
Grade 12
McMichael, Taylor
Harris, Keshawn
Jimenez-Ayala, Marylyen
Marc-Sainvil, Michael
Miller-Winton, Trevon
Milton, Andrew
Rodriguez, IvanGrade 11
Brunner, Malaysha
Perry, TrinityGrade 10
Sheffield, Ta'Nia
Grade 9
Abdur-Razzaque, Khaleel
Chhetri, Pritam
Clark-Bosley, I'Yana
Heidelburg, Trista
Kirkman-Kelly, Triandous
Sherrod , Michael
Thompson, Sharnee'Grade 8
Gongora-Becerril, Christopher
Starnes, Rickeyshia
Watters, AllyonGrade 7
Powell, Ta'mya
Roundtree, Bethany
Dean, Deja
Miller, Alliyah
Williams, Albanie
Pantaleon Vazquez, Carlos
Woart, Rebecca
Wilder, RayonteGrade 11
Armistead, Malakhi
Stormer, Iyonna
Walker, Nevaeh
Ali, Sharmarke
Noble, Jabez
Cookerly, DesireeGrade 10
Hardenber, Malachi
Goshay, Robert
Stokes, Shyesha
Williams, AniyaGrade 9
Carwell, Franklin
Williams, Eric
Johnson, Demetrius
Leonie, Ingabire
Mendez Rivera, Maria
McDowell, Je'Lon
Tubbs, Jayleana
Britt, Hunter
Hassan, MohamedGrade 8
Bostic, Marshauna
Duran, Bryan
McCarrel, Ty'Janae
Sheffield, Nevaeh
Brady, Anthony
Kendall, Ariyanna
Moore, Ricardo
Eusebio, Winston
Latham, Nakya
Floyd, Jayla
Reese, Makayla
Prieto-Slade, Bra-Nijaia
Smith, TristanGrade 7
Jeffers, Adrian
Hines-Pollard, Ta'Laysha
Bonilla, Brithney
Davis, Aubrey
Walker, Janaya
Cosby, Zhiyona
Holford, Akila
Vargas Castro, Brandon
Thomas , Sariah
Roberts, Sarah
Goshay, Raekwan
Grant, Noel
Logan, Chyna
Watkins, Tiara
Brunner, Alaysha
Ali, Ziham
Guishard, Dynasty
Williams, KamariGrade 11
Towns, Londale
Womack, Synaa
Zarate Cruz, Ruth
Murray, Cienna
Harris, EricGrade 10
Cruz Gordillo, Candy
Moore. Makhia
Miller, Ja-Myyah
Pleasant, Destini
Sibert, Jaymison
Cisco, Ki'shawnGrade 9
Hernandez-Moreno, George
Anderson, Laura
Sullivan-Bursey, Brianna
Watkins, KeLeia
Sherrell, IasiahGrade 8
Wilson, Knya
Wright, Jamon
Grubbs, Jeremiah
Kelley, Josiah
Jackson, London
Scott, Elizabeth
Hughley-Miller, Askyia
O'Ryan, Daniel
Lacey-Norvett, Ty'Mya
Pratt, Terrance
Grade 7
Crockett, Keneice
Coates-Jones, Shi'Metrious
Craig, Amarion
Bowyer, Robert
Adams, Brian
Smith, Amanda
Upchurch, Isaiah
Lagos Gonzalez, Bryant
McGhee, Anthony
Coach Eric Berry
Senior Logan Smith
Coach Birchmore
Long Jump Team Gets Ready
Security Officer Durroh Runs High Jump
When asked about his role at LMSA, Durroh said that he "assists with helping the school administrators as well as other school staff to manage a clear atmosphere and provide a safe and secure environment for Columbus City Schools."
A fun fact about Durroh is that he participated in track and field and football while attending Linden-McKinley. Durroh has also coached track and field for several track clubs in Columbus.
Shot Put Station
Two Mile Relay
City Invests 50K in Valentine's Agricultural Pathways Community Gardens Program
Agriculture Teacher Eric Valentine was featured in a Columbus City Schools Board of Education video on April 29, highlighting his agriculture program at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy. The Department of Neighborhoods is investing $50,000 to support the Agriculture Pathways Community Gardens program. The video is titled "Investment to Advance Linden-McKinley STEM Agricultural Pathway Program."
Work, work, work, work, work
A recent survey given to students during their social studies classes revealed that 72.2% of the students who responded have jobs. Students who responded work in the following fields: automotive, fast food, and grounds keeping.
Of the students who work, 71.4% like their job. Xavier Netter, who works at Giant Eagle, said that work is more fun, “Whenever I get a customer.” Another student responded that sometimes it can be challenging saying, “Sometimes I would call off work to catch up on my school work.”
Students overall responded that the advantage of having a job was making money. Another student responded, “Everything is good. The money is good. The knowledge is good, but I am tired all the time.” When asked about his work schedule, one student responded that he works six hours on weekdays and eight hours on weekends.”
Senior Deja Dean works about 38 hours per week at American Freight selling furniture. She said, "The best part of the job is the money and the people."
Melody Bankhead
Melody Bankhead has worked as a Transition Coordinator at Linden-McKinley for six years. Before working at Linden, she taught at Walnut Ridge for ten years. Bankhead also spent
six years at Columbus Scioto, five years at Alum Crest, and four years in Boone County, Kentucky, as an itinerant ED Consultant.
Transition Coordinators work with special education students to help them prepare for life after graduation. According to the Ohio Department of Education, "A truly successful transition process is the result of comprehensive planning that is driven by the student's preferences, interests, needs, and strengths. This comprehensive planning moves students toward successful future outcomes in competitive, integrated employment, education, and independent living." Bankhead links students and families with resources and other organizations that will help students reach their future goals.
Bankhead is from Columbus, Ohio, but she has traveled a lot. She has lived in Ghana, West Africa, Oakland, California, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Erlanger, Kentucky. She loves to travel, read, and garden. Bankhead also likes large dogs.
When she was in high school, Bankhead participated in cross country, track, and national honor society. Her favorite subjects were history and government. She attended Northern Kentucky University for her bachelor's degree in history and social studies and the University of Southern Mississippi for her master's degree in education.
Bankhead began her teaching career in Boone County, Kentucky. A fun fact about Bankhead is that she met Shaun Alexander (former running back for the Seattle Seahawks) when he attended Boone County High School. After teaching in Kentucky for four years, Bankhead decided that it was time to move back home.
Originally, Bankhead was placed at Linden, but she said, "I have requested to remain because I enjoy the kids and the challenge. There is NEVER a boring day!" She continued, "I believe I've found my forever home at Linden McKinley STEM Academy. I enjoy the dedication of the staff and the reward of working with students who aspire to accomplish great things."
When asked about her future, Bankhead said, "I have always wanted to become an adjunct professor teaching ethics in education. I still have plenty of time to do that. I'm just having so much fun teaching that I've kept at it for 27 years. Becoming an educator is one of the most rewarding professions I can think of."
Andrew Cullen
Andrew Cullen is an art instructor at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy. He has been working at LMSA for three years, but he has been working for Columbus City Schools for seven years. Cullen has also taught at Marion-Franklin, Afrocentric, and a juvenile detention facility.
Students and staff members may not have recognized Cullen when they returned to the building because he lost 130 pounds while teaching from home.
Cullen's music taste is diverse and includes jazz, hard-core rap, bluegrass, and heavy metal.
When he was younger, Cullen was on the Science Olympiad team in 8th grade and the Quiz Team in high school. His favorite subject was science, but he also loved political history.
Cullen attended The Ohio State University twice. Cullen said, "I loved art in high school, but I couldn't draw, and my teachers never made me learn. Since I couldn't draw, I studied photography for my bachelor's degree. I found out that being a professional photographer has very little creativity and is a lot more boring than I imagined, so I went back to graduate school to get my teaching license."
Cullen continued, "By the time I got that, I still didn't know how to draw or paint, so I had to teach myself. I think that makes me better at teaching it to someone else because it didn't come naturally to me."
Cullen has always been attached to his jobs. He enjoys working in challenging environments, especially with at-risk kids who may not have the same opportunities as students in the suburbs. Cullen said, "I was one of those kids, and I didn't have many great teachers growing up."
Readers traveling through John Glenn International Airport may have seen eleven of Cullen's paintings on display in February. The gallery is outside security behind Max and Erma's at the Gateway Center for the Arts. Readers can see some of his work on the Ohio Art League's website.
Cullen's favorite quote is, "The master has failed more times than an amateur has even tried."
Scott McMaken
Scott McMaken is a 7th grade STEM teacher at Linden-McKinley STEM Academy. He was hired as a brand new teacher almost four years ago by Assistant Principal Henry Lee.
McMaken is the STEM club adviser and the robotics club coach. He has hosted other STEM based activities such as "girls who code" and drone flying.
Before working at Linden, McMaken worked as a counselor at the Buckeye Ranch for six years in the lockdown facility. He also worked on a goat farm in Texas, taught English in China for a month, worked at FedEx, worked at Chipotle as a cook, worked at YMCA as a lifeguard, worked in a library, worked as a janitor, was an event planner in college, and worked in Kroger at the meat department.
McMaken loves to travel and has been to many countries and most states. He also enjoys playing soccer, volleyball, listening to music, and playing video games.
He went to school in Springfield, Missouri, and his favorite classes were social studies and English. His sister is a teacher at Lindbergh Elementary School, and she convinced him that it would be a good idea to be a teacher. McMacken said that his first year was tough, stressful, and frustrating. He said, “I thought about quitting a lot.
However, the longer I am here, the less I feel like that.” McMaken noted that he has always wanted a job where he feels like he is helping someone, and he loves excitement. Linden is never dull, so he fits right in.
Be the One to Give
Pictured: Desiree Cookerly, Carla Hegyi, Maria Mendez, Community Partner Deneen Day, City Year AmeriCorps Member Josh Moyler, and City Year AmeriCorps Member Illeasha White.
New Smartboards are Being Installed in Classrooms
Message From Principal Duane Bland
With the spring weather upon us and as sunny days awake us, bright days are ahead as we close in on the remaining days of this school year. Summer is right around the corner. Before we can look to the warmer weather, we first need to intentionally focus on finishing the school year strong, especially academically.
Students are to monitor and check in with their teachers to ensure that they know where they are and what they need to do to succeed with the remaining weeks of school.
Students are to bring their Chromebooks daily, fully charged.
Spring is an exciting time of the year. I look forward to celebrating with you on student achievement. Numerous events will celebrate students: year-end celebrations, senior graduation, and eighth-grade recognition/promotion.
Let’s all work together with the goal of student success and Rise Up together.
Quarter Four Includes a lot of In-Person Testing
Students spent many of those in-person days taking state tests, which are required by Ohio. Monikia Roddy, testing coordinator, and her team administered the following tests February through May: ACT, English Language Arts I and II, American History, 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts, 7th and 8th grade Math, Biology, Geometry, Math I and II, American Government and 7-12 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA).
StudySync assessments for high school English, Advanced Placement exams, and I-Ready Diagnostic testing for reading and math in grades 7 and 8 were also administered.
Roddy said that students who need to make up a test due to absence should reach out to her or guidance counselor Ashlee Hoffman. Roddy said, "It is not too late to make up Biology, Government, History, Algebra I, Math I or II, grade 7 and 8 math, or grade 8 science."
#CarterKindness Visits LMSA
Summer School is Free for All Grades in 2021!
Panther Press is LMSA's Student-Run Newsletter
LMSA Instagram
Staff: K. Abdur-Razzaque, D. Armstrong, T. Battle-Gray, O. Brime, C. Brooks, C. Brown, K. Butts, D. Cooper, D. Dean, J. Franklin, T. Gregory, J. Holloway-Giles, H. Ledbetter, K. Love, J. Miller, X. Netter, J. Omar, K. Pullien, A. Scott, O. Simpson, A. Smith, S. Tucker, A. Tudor, J. Walker, A. Williams, Da. Williams, De. Williams, S. Womack. Adviser: K. McQuate
Email: kmcquate8783@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/lmsa
Location: 1320 Duxberry Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43211
Phone: (614) 365-5583
Facebook: facebook.com/Linden-McKinley-STEM-Academy-Community-Area-106971227822438/
Twitter: @lindenSTEM