Yearbook Information

As Alumni of BTW, we are always looking for ways to support our school. Please consider the yearbook school activity. We may take out ads in the yearbook, purchase a yearbook or sponsor a yearbook.
Please consider the following information shared with us by the BTW PTSA. As always, thank you for thinking of the BTW students and community. (Left click image to enlarge)

BTW Class of 1965 (2010 Reunion Plans)

The BTW class of 1965 invites all class members to a meeting to be held on May 4, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Atkins Library Branch. It is located at 3784 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, La.

For more information, please contact Clara Hall Farley at home phone, 318-621-9123 or cell phone 458-5110. Other key contacts include Fred and Delores Thomas at home phone 318- 636-2959 or cell phone 617-4857.

New Technology Foundation

"New Technology Foundation is a school development organization that assists communities across the country in creating a 21st century high school modeled on Napa's New Technology High School. Entering its 12th year, New Technology High School is an internationally recognized public school in the Napa Valley Unified School District, selected as a model for replication by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation."

The CPSB is working with New Technology Foundation in bringing BTW New Technology online.

Parents and interested community members can learn more about this model by visiting the New Technology Foundation Web site at http://www.newtechfoundation.org/.

Explore the site fully for more information. A good place to start is the "PRESS" tab; then select "RESEARCH." You can then select one of many documents to further improve understanding of this concept and its results to date.

For future easy reference, we will establish a LINK to New Technology Foundation from this site.

Remember to share the information and thus spread the word.

Images From Recent Visit to a New Tech Academy( Left Click Images to Enlarge)

(L to R) Dr. Gerald Dawkins( Superintendent), Debra Bell and Veronica Ivy (BTW PTSA Members), Dottie Bell and Charlotte Crawley (CPSB Members), and Alisha Davis (BTW PTSA Member)

(L to R) Dottie Bell and Charlotte Crawley (CPSB Members), and Superintendent Gerald Dawkins examine a rocket display in one of the classrooms.

Dawkins Leads New Tech Site Visit

Although the hour was indeed early (around 5:00 a.m.) and with storm clouds swirling overhead, Dr. Gerald Dawkins led a group of Caddo system staff and community participants to visit a Dallas area New Technology program on April 2, 2009.

The New Tech model will be deployed this fall as a part of The Caddo Plan for the historic Booker T. Washington High School.

Our president, Dr. G. Jeane Nichols and alums Gloria Finister and Lieutenant Jackson were also part of the group.

The BTW PTSA was represented by members Debra Bell, Alisha Davis and Veronica Ivy.

High school director and long time Caddo educator Roy Thomas clearly was the system field general and operations point person for this excursion.

The Caddo contingent visited the campus of R.L. Turner High School (Carrollton, TX) which is part of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. Housed on that campus, is the Math, Engineering, Technology, and Science Academy (METSA).

Mr. Lance Campbell is the Turner principal and Ms. Mansoureh Tehrani is the METSA program director.

The Caddo group toured the METSA academy which began its operations during the 2007-2008 school year.

Student guides conducted very informative classroom visits that allowed for close observation of the technology and learning environment. It was impressive!

Students appeared very relaxed and at ease with their computers. Computer screens displayed individual creative project contributions as well as other shared content.

Random student inquires confirmed enthusiasm and appreciation for this approach. Students beamed with a sense of personal pride and accomplishment. They were eager to explain their projects and communicated in an effective manner.

All seems very positive and should serve to excite the BTW family for the kinds of experiences that await our students.

Dr. Dawkins confirmed that the Caddo School board has already appropriated an initial investment of some $1m. for the implementation of the New Tech model at BTW. It will also have a Math and Science emphasis.

Although we have the utmost confidence in Dr. Dawkins and his team, our implementation will present significant challenges. In my view, the greatest impediment has been the slow response by the state ed department to the overall Caddo Plan.

Our lead time has clearly been adversely impacted and may cause some activities to be compressed. However, I am confident this superintendent and his team are committed to overcoming these challenges.

Nevertheless, the BTW alumni community and friends of BTW should be ready to support the superintendent in this Herculean effort. We should be on the look out for opportunities to help and if called upon by the superintendent for assistance, we should respond without delay.

Share this information throughout the BTW family. The more we understand about the planned transformation of BTW, the higher our probability for success.

New Tech means a new day and a new opportunity for the mighty lions. I believe we are ready for a change. How about you?

New Technology Foundation

We have previously announced the expected transformation of BTW into a New Technology High School. The above brochure provides more detailed information on this model. As you can see, BTW will join a network of new technology schools emerging across the nation.

LEFT CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE.

BTW Prepares for the 21st Century

BTW already enjoys a rich and proud history in the Shreveport and surrounding area. First opened in January, 1950, it once served as the only high school option for generations of African Americans.

Over the years this proud and stately institution has stumbled. Changing demographics and the requirements of the state's accountability system have combined to cook up an almost lethal brew for BTW.

Down but certainly not out, BTW is again about to make history.

BTW is slated for what could easily be described as a complete transformation. It is about to join an emerging trend and become a part of the New Technology environment.

That's right. Our beloved BTW will become BTW New Technology High School when it opens for the 2009-2010 school term. Beginning with the 9Th and 10Th graders, BTW will adopt an exciting new learning model.

With heavy use of computers, our students will move to a platform designed to enhance what are sometimes called "soft skills." Through a project based learning technique, our students will master content by using real world problems.

This collaborative environment supports development of such skills as teamwork, critical thinking, a strong work ethic, presentation and writing skills and others. All of which will make our graduates better prepared for life after high school.

We will report on this transition using the label of "NEW TECH." In that manner, you can follow this truly history making process.