New Schools Being Dedicated This Month Benson Middle School and Meadow School will be officially dedicated this month. Benson's ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 7 at 3 p.m. at the school. Dr. Anthony Parker, Superintendent, is the guest speaker, with special remarks from Joyce Wade, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Meadow's dedication will take place on Sunday, November 21 at 3 p.m. at the school. A presentation of the history of the school will be featured. For more information, please call Barry Honeycutt, Principal, Benson Middle, at 894-3889 or Frank Swinyer, Principal, Meadow School, at (919) 894-7064. West Smithfield Has Budding Pablo Picassos in its Midst Six students from West Smithfield Elementary School who entered the annual State Fair art contest this year placed sixth in the statewide competition! The students are enrolled in Melanie Radulescu's art elective class. They are Erica Thomas, third grade; Gerardo Rodriguez, third grade; Tiana Altman, fourth grade; Julie Kukucka, fourth grade; Korte'z Washington, fifth grade; and Sara Price, fifth grade. Gerardo Rodriguez also received a "Gold Seal for Individual Merit." In addition, Cassie Creech, second grade, won fourth place for her entry in the Computer Graphics competition. For more information, please call Brookie Honeycutt, Principal, at (919) 989-6418. Polenta, South Smithfield Elementary Students Learning Importance of Compassion Students at Polenta and South Smithfield Elementary schools are learning the importance of compassion through participation in their individual school's canned food drives. Polenta's food drive-which is serving as the students' community outreach project- is being held through November 19. South Smithfield will accept donated canned food through November 22. For more information, please call Nancy Nettles, Principal, at (919) 989-6039 or Brian Vetrano, Principal, at (919) 934-8979. Princeton Participating in Fall Festival Students, parents, faculty and staff at Princeton Union (K-12) School will host the annual Princeton Bulldog Fall Festival and yard sale on Saturday, November 6 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school. Food, fun and games, including a cake walk and BINGO with prizes will be offered. The event will serve as a school fundraiser and parent involvement project. For more information, please call Gwen Kea and Sarah Gatlin at (919) 936-5011. Reading, Math, Tech Night at Wilson's Mills Elementary Parents are invited to a Reading, Math, and Technology Night at Wilson's Mills Elementary School on Tuesday, November 9 at 7 p.m. Staff will explain the lessons their students are learning in these areas, and encourage parents to get involved. For more information, please call Amy Stanley, Teacher, at (919) 934-2978. NJMS Learning Environmental Protection Billy Jonas, an artist sponsored by the Artists-in-the Schools program, will perform on Tuesday, November 2 for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students at North Johnston middle School using instruments made from recycled objects. The program will being at 9:30 a.m. 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 Lee Yahnker, Teacher, at (919) 284-3374. CHS French Club Using Language to Help The Clayton High School French Club sponsored a Help for Haiti Drive after the devastation caused by the hurricane in that country. They collected money and stuffed animals. The activity served to aid a French-speaking country. For more information, please call Teresa Drian at (919) 553-4064. Also at CHS, the Men of Distinction Character Trait Essay Contest winners have been announced: Garbiela Luna, Jarrell Moses, Reagan Strickland, Lauren Howard, Matt Johnson, and Sarah Rothecker. For more information, please call Marlon Lee, Student Advocate, at (919) 553-4064. Student Services ATOD Coordinators Hosting 82nd Airborne A "Holiday Prevention" concert featuring 35 members of the 82nd Airborne Choir from Fort Bragg will be held at the AIG Center on Tuesday, November 9 at 10 a.m. The event will promote non-violence and drug-free living. Students from South Campus Community School and the AIG Center will be in attendance. For more information, please call Sway Archible, ATOD Coordinator, at (919) 934-9810, extension 235. East Clayton to Host State Teacher of the Year A very special evening with the "Merchant of Hope"-- 2004-2005 North Carolina Teacher of the Year-- Senora Lizbeth Alfara, an ESL teacher in Catawba County, has been planned for Thursday, November 4 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at East Clayton Elementary School. For more information, please call Dr. Peggy Smith, Principal, at (919) 550-5311. Selma Elementary Celebrating Cultural Appreciation An International Festival will be held at Selma Elementary School on Friday, November 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to promote cultural awareness and appreciation of others. Booths featuring England, South Africa, Jamaica, Australia, Wales, Nigeria, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, and China are planned, as well as native dance demonstrations. Food samples will be offered. The school is looking for volunteers as well as restaurateurs who are willing to donate samples of their food. For more information or to help, please call Angela Piper at (919) 965-6373 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also at Selma Elementary, the Quicker Picker-Uppers, a Relay for Life Team, is collecting aluminum cans from classrooms each Monday and Friday afternoon. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. South Campus Community Hosting Upcoming Book Fair Using the theme "Red, White, and Blue-Reading is All-America," South Campus Community School will host a Book Fair between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, December 6 through Thursday, December 9. Family Night will be held on Tuesday, December 6 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funds raised through the Fair will be used to purchase instructional materials and books for the school. For more information, please call Anastasia Johnson or Vicky Loose at (919) 934-6481. CHS Grad Continuing Path of Excellence Allen White, a graduate of Clayton High School and a member of the Clayton Future Farmers of American Chapter, was named the State FFA Specialty Animal Production-Entrepreneurship winner at the state convention for his project in beekeeping. As a state winner, he advanced to the national competition where he received the Silver National Award for his project. The award recognizes students' work in efficiently producing specialty animals. FFA is a national youth organization of 464,267 students preparing for leadership careers in science, business and technology of agriculture with 7,194 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information, please call Johanna Wood, FFA Advisor, at (919) 553-4064.
