School news in brief

Blue Springs

Security enhancements proposed: The school board voted last week to place a $20 million bond issue on the April 2 ballot. The main purpose is to enhance the safety and security in the schools, which serve more than 14,000 students.

No tax increase will be required, the district said in a news release.

Honor for principal: Blue Springs High School Principal David Adams has been named the Missouri Music Educators Association Administrator of the Year. The award recognizes someone who consistently demonstrates support of music education and music’s contribution toward the development of the well-rounded student.

Hickman Mills

Engineering academy gift: The district’s Academy of Engineering is one of 10 such programs nationwide to receive $5,000 grants from AT&T and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering to support careers related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The academy’s classes are primarily at Ruskin High School.

Avila University

Cheerleading honors: For the first time in the school’s history, the Avila University Cheer Team won first place at the Universal Cheerleading Association/Universal Dance Association National Championships in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month.

The Eagles placed fourth at the competition in 2010 and 2012.

Meanwhile, the Avila Dance Team, the Glitter Girls, placed third in the nation in hip-hop and fifth in jazz.

Cheerleading coach Melissa Shipman said the Eagles prevailed because of the difficulty of the routine.

Belton

What’s in a name, Matey?”After a student vote, the gyms at Belton High School — home of the Pirates — have new names. The main competition “lower” is now known Davy Jones’ Locker. The upper gym has been dubbed The Crow’s Nest.

This month, students had a chance to design artwork to depict the new names. The winning designs eventually will be incorporated into the courts.

LSNHS Social Studies Department creates website to spotlight Black History Month

The Lee’s Summit North High School Social Studies Department recently created a website focusing on Black History Month, recognized each February nationally and in Lee’s Summit R-7 schools.

The website, features biographies and photos for 101 great Americans. These African-Americans’ accomplishments cover a wide range of areas such as art, literature, sports, science, civil rights, music and discovery.

Throughout the month of February, teachers at LSNHS are encouraging students to visit the website and leave comments about the Americans featured. Teachers in social studies and other classes are incorporating the website biographies into lessons. The biographies have also been divided by subject to help teachers in lesson planning.

A few examples of the Americans included in the website are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Buck O’Neill, Alex Haley, Harriett Tubman, Bill Cosby and Booker T. Washington. Plans call for the website to be updated in future years with information about additional great Americans.

Black History Month has its origins in Negro History Week, an idea pioneered by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. In 1976, the idea was expanded into Black History Month.

The public is also invited to visit the LSNHS Black History Month website at http://lsnblackhistorymonth.wordpress.com/. It will remain accessible throughout February and beyond for students, teachers and community members.