Spacecraft at Garfield on mission

BY LYNN ATKINS Staff Writer lynna@nwanews.com

There’s a Messenger Fellow at Garfield Elementary School. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Caring for the kids

BY LYNN ATKINS Staff Writer lynna@nwanews.com

Her love of children made it an easy decision. When she saw the position was open, Kara Gunnels left a traditional nursing job to become a school nurse. “It’s a completely different experience,” she said. “You get to spend time one-on-one with your patients. You’re not rushed.” But school nurses do have many responsibilities and at times deal with very serious conditions. There are students who attend Rogers schools who are diabetic, suffer from seizures, asthma or spina bifida. Sometimes nurses have to help with tube feedings. Other times, students come in who just want to talk. “It’s more than Band-Aids and boo-boos,” she said. School nurses are also responsible for routine screenings for hearing, vision and scoliosis. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Spotlight on Education : Rogers High School students reap the benefits of a rigorous curriculum

ROBERT MOORE

Every year at Rogers High School, hundreds of students set out on a journey of educational excellence through the school’s Advanced Placement program. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are developed by The College Board. The College Board oversees a rigorous testing program that includes the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Pre-SAT /National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and the College-level Examination Program (CLEP). These exams provide students the ability to display their academic achievement and are used as a tool to determine a student’s college preparedness. Research indicates students who take a rigorous curriculum in high school perform better on these exams and are more likely to be successful in their post-secondary education. The AP program at Rogers High School provides students with the ability to participate in curriculum that is equivalent to college-level work and is the most rigorous course work offered at our school. Our students have the opportunity to select from 24 AP courses in multip - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Middle-school student publishes book

BY LYNN ATKINS Staff Writer lynna@nwanews.com

Holly Rodgers was only 6 years old when her grandmother died but she remembered it well enough to write a book at the age of 9. Now at 11 years old, Holly Rodgers is a published author who loves to share her story with younger students. “My Cinderella Grandma” is a straightforward story of the day Holly’s grandmother, Sandy Rader, lost her battle with cancer. “I grew up playing Cinderella at my grandma’s house,” Holly wrote. Like most 6-year-old girls, Holly liked being Cinderella. Her grandfather was always the prince and that left the part of the ugly stepsister to her grandmother. “Like all grandmas, she would take the worst part,” Holly wrote. “It’s just what grandmas do.” She remembers the day they found out her grandmother had cancer; she remembers that the medicine seemed to make her sicker. The family moved a hospital bed into the dining room and visited often. She also remembers the last time she saw her grandmother and how her grandfather told her of their last conversation. Holly’s family returned - Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Nance named Teacher of the Year

Dana Nance, a local teacher at Rogers Pre-K Center in Rogers, was recently named Teacher of the Year by Rogers Wal-Mart Store No. 1. Nance received a $1,000 grant for the Pre-K center, a $100 gift card to buy classroom supplies and a personalized certificate. - Wednesday, October 8, 2008