Ghost story has happy ending for Smithfield-Selma High School student In a recent News and Observer edition, Smithfield-Selma High School’s Brittni Austin was selected as having the best ghost story among all high school submissions in the paper’s readership area. The competition was in celebration of Halloween. Brittni is a 10th grader in Mr. Todd Shearin's Civics class. Brittni will receive a cash prize. The amount has not been determined at this time. For more information, please call Michael Taylor, Assistant Principal, at 919.934.5191. Students from JCS high schools nominated for Heisman Award South Johnston High School’s Stephen Parker and Sarah Core have been honored with a nomination for the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. At North Johnston High School, Seth Bruton and Whitney Parrish have been nominated for the Heisman honor. The program, awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman, celebrates the achievements of the nation’s top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom. Created in 1994, the Wendy’s High School Heisman program, has been celebrating youth excellence for 13 years. The program consists of five phases—nomination, state finalists, state winners, national finalists and national winners. Entries are initially evaluated by ACT Assessment during the state finalist and state winner phases and then passed on to a distinguished panel of judges. Twelve national finalists are invited to participate in the Heisman weekend festivities during an all-expense paid trip to New York City on Dec. 8-10. ESPN 2 will feature all 12 national finalists during the Wendy’s High School Heisman Awards Ceremony that airs on Dec. 10. For more information, please call the principal of the school you are interested in learning more about. Families celebrate end of quarter with students at Middle College High School Johnston County Middle College held a “Great Pumpkin Family Gathering and Awards Ceremony” on October 16th in the JCC Great Hall. The event was a covered dish dinner for students, families, and staff to celebrate the end of the first quarter. Report cards and student awards were presented. The gathering was well attended and many great family recipes were shared. For more information, please call Dr. Amelia McLeod, Principal, at 919.989.6208. Summer camp helped students prepare for college, plan for career GEAR UP Johnston County hosted an extremely successful summer camp which included students from North Johnston Middle School and Benson Middle School. More than 150 students attended the week long camp which focused on college and career decision making. Many students traveled to East Carolina University while others went to Campbell University. Some attended a career fair sponsored by Benson Middle School where doctors, lawyers, dentists, as well as others, spoke about their profession. Students from North Johnston Middle School were hosted by North Johnston High School and given tours and lessons from the high school instructors. Some students visited the workforce development center and the Sheriff's Department. Camp was quite exciting and all students attending said they looked forward to more GEAR UP activities in the future. GEAR UP is a program that follows the current 8th grade students at Benson Middle School and North Johnston Middle School from now until they graduate. These students will have assistance in decision making for high school as well as appropriate choices for college. For more information, please call Rose Pittman, GEAR UP Partnership Coordinator, at 919.284.3374 or 919.920.9238. Senator hears from South Johnston High School Honors Choir during dinner The South Johnston High School Honors Choir performed the National Anthem at the Senator Fred Smith dinner held Thursday, October 26. For more information, please call Phyllis Toothman at 919.894.3146. Twins were everywhere at Meadow Elementary during Red Ribbon Week Tuesday's Theme for Red Ribbon Week was "Friends Don't Let Friends Do Drugs". Students and staff were encouraged to "buddy-up" and dress alike. Meadow School was full of "twins" which made for an interesting day. Jackson Temple, 7th grade social studies teacher, came to school dressed like school custodian, Charles Pierce. Mr. Pierce was not aware that Mr. Temple would be his twin; Mr. Pierce was a good sport and had fun all day. Mr. Pierce kept looking for his "impostor" as everyone informed him that Mr. Temple was his twin. For more information, please call Charles Pierce or Jackson Temple at 919.894.7064. Bus drivers honored at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary School Vicky Rains, Assistant Principal at McGee's Crossroads Elementary School, honored the school’s bus drivers with a cake at the group’s monthly safety meeting during Bus Safety Week. She also gave them each a mug and treats. She complimented the drivers on the wonderful job they do each day. For more information, please call Vicky Temple-Rains at 919.894.7161. Wetlands are Wonderful at South Smithfield Elementary School Susan Woodard, from the Johnston County Soil and Water Conservation District, spoke with fifth graders at South Smithfield Elementary School about this year’s poster and essay contest on the topic, “Wetlands are Wonderful”. Woodard shared lots of information with the students and led them in activities. Her presentation helped to enhance and enrich the students’ science curriculum. For more information, please call Carla Taylor, Principal, at 919.934.8979. Hundreds attend GEAR UP night hosted by two Johnston County middle schools This month, Benson Middle School and North Johnston Middle School hosted opening GEAR UP nights for 8th grade with over 350 parents, teachers, and students attending. While enjoying dinner, entertainment was provided by the school bands and a slide show was presented highlighting summer camp activities. The student GEAR UP Ambassadors expressed excitement about their experience attending summer camp and encouraged all students to enroll in upcoming GEAR UP events. Representatives from Johnston County Schools, Campbell University and Johnston Community College attended the GEAR UP nights providing free gifts of pens, pencils, key chains, etc. Upcoming events include a tour of East Carolina University and Fayetteville State University. For more information, please call Rose Pittman, GEAR UP Partnership Coordinator, at 919.284.3374 or 919.920.9238. Four Oaks Middle School students have Red Ribbon spirit Four Oaks Middle School has planned a celebration of Red Ribbon Week, an observance of a national proclaimed drug free week, on Oct.23-31. Monday is Pledge Day—Students sign a pledge to be drug free. Tuesday, teachers pass out red ribbons to students. Wednesday, anti-drug posters are due. Thursday is, “Let’s Scare Drugs Away-Scariest Scarecrow competition between homerooms. Friday is wear red day. For more information, please call Robin Barbour or Steve Millard at 919.963.4022. Buster the Bus to teach bus safety at Meadow Elementary Buster the Bus will visit Meadow Elementary School on Friday, October 27, 2006, to teach students about bus safety. Kindergarten and 1st grade students will meet Buster at 9 a.m. and grades 2 and 3 will meet Buster at 9:45 a.m. The program will take place in the gym. Meadow students love Buster, a toy bus that talks and interacts with Ms. Sharon Fogleman from the Transportation Department. For more information, please call Darene Honeycutt at 919.894.7064. Four Oaks Elementary School yearbooks at discounted price for limited time The Four Oaks Elementary School PTA will be having a 2006-07 yearbook presale from Oct. 27 - Nov. 10. Yearbooks will be $25.00 during the presale. After Nov. 10, the price will be $30.00. For more information, please call Jill Parrish at 919.963.2165. Artists in the Schools will provide JCS over 50 artists for more than 150 cultural programs Elise Witt will perform at McGee's Crossroads Elementary on October 27, 2006 at 9:15 AM. Through multiligual singing, students will gain a perception of the rich difference tht exist between cultures. The Shabu Family will perform at Smithfield Middle on October 27, 2006 at 9:30 AM. Young master drummers and dancers bring the fire of the djembe (drum), the dance, and all the music and drama that bring the African spectacle alive. Anyone interested in observing any performances should call the school to request permission and confirm the date and time of the performance. The Artists-in-the-Schools Program is supported by the Fred Smith Company, the Johnston County Arts Council, Johnston County Schools and corporate, foundation and individual donors. For more information, please call 919.553.1930. River Dell Elementary School rounding up money for school equipment River Dell Elementary will hold its annual Round the Round-Up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2006, on the school campus. The Round-Up will include four blow-up rides, several games, a silent auction, a cake walk, Book Fair and “Stormie” the Hurricane. This event is to raise money for playground equipment, computer equipment and a school sign. For more information, please call Kelly Huff at 919.550.5780. Superintendent to host Minister’s Meeting in North Johnston area Superintendent Dr. Anthony Parker will host a Ministers' Meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 30, at UPCOMING EVENTS North Johnston High School in the Media Center. Ministers from the North Johnston and Princeton attendance areas including: Micro-Pine Level Elementary, Glendale- Kenly Elementary, North Johnston Middle, North Johnston High, and Princeton, are invited to attend. For more information, please call Lori Dixon or Carolyn G. Ennis 934-6032, Ext. 242 or 257. Systemwide Dates to Remember Schools will be closed to students on October 30 for a teacher workday. Report cards will go out on November 7. Selma Middle School Students Participate in SIGHT NIGHT The students and staff of the Life Skills program at Selma Middle School are participating in the Give the Gift of Sight Foundation and Lions Club International service project called Sight Night. Beginning on October 1st and continuing through October 31st, this group will be collecting used eyeglasses for people in developing countries. The eyeglasses collected will be cleaned, repaired, classified by prescription and hand delivered to people who need eyeglasses in those areas. "We really wanted to have our students make a positive difference to others as they went about trick or treating on October 31st. We decided to extend the program for the whole month so that our collection efforts will be stronger in numbers," said Brenda Newsome, Life Skills teacher. For more information, please call Brenda Newsome at 965-2555 ext.458. For more information on Sight Night, visit www.sightnight.org or call toll-free 1-877-605-4242. Four Oaks Elementary School to host Book Fair The Four Oaks Elementary School PTA will host a Scholastic Book Fair beginning Tuesday, Oct. 31 - Tuesday, Nov. 7. Family Night will be Thursday, Nov. 2 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call Amy Johnson, Wendy Barbour, or Jill Parrish at 919.963.2165. Student artwork featured in Johnston Memorial Hospital Pediatrics Unit The Johnston County Arts Council and Johnston Memorial Hospital invite you to attend the “Student Art Exhibit for the Pediatrics Unit.” Artwork from students at the AIG Center will be on display from October 1 to November 25, 2006. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please call Sue Booker, Art teacher, at 919.934.9529. Australian music star to take the stage at Meadow Elementary School Middle School students at Meadow School will attend a Cultural Arts Program performed by Seona McDowell, Australian music star, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2006, in the school gym. McDowell is the winner of Australia's OZ Music Award. She has toured with the Kennedy Center's Imagination Celebrations throughout the U.S. The program is designed to enhance students’ music/band studies. For more information, please call Darene Honeycutt at 919.894.7064. Exploration Day brings field trip presenters to South Smithfield campus Many local, state and national agencies will be on the South Smithfield Elementary School campus on Friday, November 3rd, to allow hands-on learning opportunities. Guest speakers will be on hand from Langley Space Center (NASA), the Museum of Life and Science, the Ava Gardner Museum, the Tobacco and Farm Life Museum and many local artists and musicians. Exploration Day allows students to experience many hands-on activities in science and social studies. Students also get to meet guest speakers who are very knowledgeable in areas such as music and art. For more information, please call Kathy Hamilton at 919.934.8979. Meadow Elementary sponsoring fundraiser to benefit Breast Cancer patient October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Meadow Elementary School has a 5th grade student, Lacey Blevins, whose mother is fighting breast cancer at this time. Chris Blevins, age 34, recently delivered a baby prematurely in order to start her chemo-therapy treatments. Family and friends are sponsoring a barbecue chicken dinner to raise funds for the Blevins family. Plates will include barbecue chicken, green beans, potatoes, a roll, cake slice and a beverage. The cost is $6 per plate. The fundraiser will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at First Federal Bank on Highway 421 and 301 in Dunn. Please consider purchasing a plate or making a donation. Contact the office at Meadow to purchase tickets. For more information, please call Darene Honeycutt at 919.894.7064. Superintendent to host Ministers’ Meeting in South Johnston and West Johnston areas (New) Superintendent Dr. Anthony Parker will host a Ministers' Meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 6, in the Conference Room at South Johnston High School. Ministers from the South Johnston and West Johnston attendance areas including: Benson Elementary, Benson Middle, Dixon Road Elementary, Four Oaks Elementary, Four Oaks Middle, McGee's Crossroads Elementary, McGee's Crossroads Middle, Meadow, South Johnston High, and West Johnston High, are invited to attend. For more information, please call Lori Dixon or Carolyn G. Ennis at 934.6032, ext. 242 or 257. Ice cream is sweet reward for outstanding character at Meadow Elementary Meadow Elementary School will hold an Ice Cream Social at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, to recognize the monthly character education winners from each classroom. Outstanding character traits were recognized by peers and faculty members in these students. Meadow would like to reward these students with ice cream and a chance to socialize with their friends. Parents are also invited to celebrate with their children on this special day. For more information, please call Darene Honeycutt at 919.894.7064. JCS to host Veteran’s Day Celebration (New) Johnston County Schools invites veterans who live in Johnston County to “A Salute To Our Veterans” at Smithfield-Selma High School at 11 a.m. on Veterans’ Day, Saturday, November 11, 2006. An all-county band, chorus, and Jr. ROTC unit will conduct an hour-long program. In addition, General Hugh Shelton, a four-star general who served in many capacities, most notably as the 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, will be the featured speaker. For more information, please call Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer, at 919.934.6031. Superintendent to host Ministers’ Meeting in Smithfield-Selma High area Superintendent Dr. Anthony Parker will host a Ministers' Meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, November 20, in the Conference Room at Selma Middle School. Ministers from the Smithfield-Selma attendance area including: Corinth Holders, Selma Elementary, Selma Middle, Smithfield-Selma High, Smithfield Middle, South Smithfield Elementary, West Smithfield Elementary, Wilson's Mills Elementary, South Campus Community Middle, South Campus Community High, and Johnston County Middle College High, are invited to attend. For more information, please call Lori Dixon or Carolyn G. Ennis 934.6032, ext. 242 or 257.
