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__________________
President:
Deana James [email protected]
First Vice President:
Jeanette Esch [email protected]
Second Vice
President:
Esther Taj
[email protected]
Betty Thomason [email protected]
Recording Secretary:
Julie Hughes [email protected]
Corresponding
Secretary:
Norma Cate [email protected]
Treasurer:
Judy Leach [email protected]
Parliamentarian:
Gail Huffstutler [email protected]
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes
professional and personal
growth of women educators and excellence in education.
Xi State… Growing Possibilities Wow! What a great meeting in
October.
Thanks to Jeanette for her visuals as well as decorations. Also
thanks to Cheryl Crowe, Beverly Smith and Jeanette for setting up.
And more thanks to Esther Taj for the devotion. And then the
food--from Africa, Lebanon, Italy, Mexico, Greece, Germany, USA and
probably more--and everything was delicious. Next Joyce Campbell
told us about opportunities with the Sister Cities here in
Chattanooga. Finally a raffle for Schools for Africa brought the
meeting to an end.
At our next meeting we will celebrate the initiation of our two
new members, Raja Bhandari and Melissa Bayless, with the other
Chattanooga chapters. We look forward to welcoming these impressive
women into Alpha Xi chapter.
On December 14 we will meet at Nancy Bibler's house for a
holiday celebration. Board members will provide refreshments. We
will put together holiday gifts for the Holiday Store at East Lake
Elementary. Our plan is to fill mugs you donate with presents and
wrap them in cellophane with a bow. I have found several items at
Michael's $1.00+ aisle as well as at Dollar Tree. At the grocery
store I saw hot chocolate mix and thought they would go well in a
mug with some candy canes. Pam has told us that the students like
all kinds of things and candy is always a seller. Remember that
this store only takes "good behavior bucks". Think about what the
students will like for family, friends, or maybe themselves.
We have talked about a project suggested by International. A
chapter in Texas has developed a program to work with local Girl
Scouts (Daisies on up) to learn about DKG and teaching as a career.
The Scouts can earn a DKG Rose patch (not badge) in the program.
Several members have expressed that they have extended themselves
as far as they can. However, I hope that there might be a few of us
who could investigate this project further. If this sounds
interesting, please let me know.
Now as we enter the season to think about how thankful we are,
let us take the time to let those who are a blessing to you to
know. Maybe you can send a note to a teacher you are thankful for,
give a call to someone who is always there to cheer you up, and
just a simple “Thank you for being there for me” to one who is
close to you. These personal messages can bring great joy to know
that you think of them. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. See
you at initiation.
Alpha Xi News Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Xi State
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November 17 Taffe Bishop 21 Harriet Bond
23 Brenda Hooper
December 11 Mary Katherine
Pace 25 Esther Taj
25 Tommye Chesney 27 Peggy Wright
28 Donna Lamkin
October Meeting Highlights
Joyce Campbell presented an enlightening program of the
Sister Cities of Chattanooga organization. The purpose of
the organization is to create bonds with people of different
countries and cultures. Chattanooga boasts an impressive
list of seven sister cities in Wuxi, China; Hamm,
Germany; Wolfsburg, Germany; Givatayim, Israel;
Gangneung, Korea; and Nizhnii Tagil, Russia.
The international- themed
meal featured dishes
inspired from Italy, Africa,
Mexico, Thailand, and
more! These were provided
by the world-class chefs of
Alpha Xi!
This impressive
display by Jeanette
Esch highlighted
the amazing
opportunities
available through
the Sister Cities
organization
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November Meeting Preview
Joint Initiation Ceremony Join us on November 17th at East
Brainerd Church of Christ at 7745 East Brainerd Road for the
Chattanooga chapters’ joint initiation ceremony. (The church is
just past Einstein Bagels
on the left up on a hill.) Initiates and sponsors should arrive
at 5:30 and the meeting will begin
promptly at 6:00. Alpha Xi’s Beverly Smith will be the speaker
for the event. We know we will
hear words of inspiration for all of our members, new and
old.
Meet our New Initiates
Raja Bhandari Raja is currently the Exceptional Ed teacher at
Ooltewah Middle School and Lookout Valley Middle/High School for
Hamilton County. Raja has taught Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, and
is a tennis coach for Notre Dame High School. She taught for 15
years at LFO High School and East Ridge Middle and High School. She
was a satellite operator for the United States Air Force. Raja
currently teaches three nights a week at Chattanooga State
Technical Community College. She attended East Ridge High School
and was an excellent student of Jeanette Burkhart Esch’s. She was
nominated by Wendy Morgan.
Melissa Bayless Melissa has been a teacher for 2 years. She
teaches Anatomy and Chemistry at the high school in Spencer,
Tennessee in the Van Buren County School System. She also works at
Fall Creek Falls State Park. She was an assistant at Oak Ridge
Research Institute. Her mother is Dot Bayless, a member of our
chapter since 1955. She was nominated by Harriett Harris.
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Growth Possibilities… Are you looking for a little incentive to
get moving on that great idea you have
for your school or classroom? Xi State can help and it isn’t too
late to take advantage of these opportunities, but time is short,
so note these important deadlines…
Liz Whorley Bradley Professional Growth
This award, administered through the Xi State Vision Foundation,
provides financial assistance for one or more of the following:
o a national or international seminar, workshop, or professional
meeting
o a new classroom practice you plan to initiate
o a new supervisory practice that you plan to initiate
o a new administrative practice that you plan to initiate
o a new workbook, textbook, or other professional writing that
you plan to
undertake
The Deadline is December 31. Visit the Xi State website at
www.xistate.org/forms.
Xi State Vision Foundation Project/Grant
The Vision Foundation Grant provides financial assistance to
conduct
educational research and to develop special projects related to
the
improvement of education in Tennessee
The Deadline is December 31. Visit the Xi State website at
www.xistate.org/forms
Xi State Scholarship
Scholarships ranging from $1250-$3000 are awarded for members
seeking advanced education degrees.
Applicants must have been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for
at
least three years.
Service to Delta Kappa Gamma is an important criterion in the
selection of a
recipient.
Regular attendance at chapter meetings and activities shall be
considered, as well as
convention participation at all levels of the Society. Former
recipients of major ($3,000) scholarships are not eligible
again.
The Deadline is February 1st. Visit the Xi State website at
www.xistate.org/forms
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IMPORTANT DATES November 17 Joint Initiation East Brainerd
Church of Christ Initiates and Sponsors: 5:30; Dinner 6:00 Cost for
catered meal $17; pay Judy Leach
by November 1 December 1 Deadline to send in 2016 Xi State
Convention proposals to state First Vice President
December 14 Christmas Tea at Nancy Bibler’s home; Oak
Street, Chattanooga; Gift Mug Project for East Lake
Elementary
December 31 Deadline to apply to Xi State Foundation
grants and Liz Whorley Bradley Professional Growth Awards
January 12 Board meeting at Western Sizzler in
Ooltewah, 10:30 February 1 Deadline to apply for a Xi State
Scholarship
to pursue advanced degree February 18 Chapter meeting at Western
Sizzler in
Ooltewah; 5:30 Program: Literacy
Upcoming Chapter Project:
Holiday Store at East Lake
Elementary
At our December meeting, we will put together gift mugs for the
students’ holiday store. We will need the following items:
Holiday mugs
Small gifts (lotion, candle,
Candy, Cocoa mix, Candy canes Clear cellophane Bow/ribbon
Concerns Please remember Peggy Wright. She was recently
hospitalized with a heart issue that was possibly a side effect of
one of her medications; she is recuperating at home. Norma Cate’s
husband, Jim will have his last treatment for bladder cancer next
Tuesday. He will have a surgical biopsy in December to verify all
cancer cells have been eradicated. We extend our sincere sympathy
to Julie Hughes and her family in the passing of her mother-in-law
and former member of Alpha Xi, Betty Hughes.
We need YOU to make 2016 a success!
DKG International Convention is
July 5-9 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville
Visit the Xi state website and go to “Forms” for
more information on how to volunteer.
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Editor’s Note This time of year and the initiation ceremony
brings back fond memories for me. When I was invited by Beverly
Smith to join the Alpha Xi chapter of DKG, I had two
overwhelming
feelings. The first was great pride that a respected colleague
would see something special in me;
and the other a feeling of complete unworthiness. How could I
ever live up to the examples of
professionalism and excellence that I saw all around me? Now,
three years later, I have learned
that this is not an organization that is looking for a woman who
has achieved all she was meant
to be, but one that is ready to help her become all she is meant
to be. I am so grateful to all of
you who are guiding and encouraging me and I look forward to
working with our new initiates.
Welcome, ladies.