Cooper Wins Adult Spelling Bee Second Year in Row! Cooper Elementary School has been crowned Spelling Bee champ for the second year in a row at the annual Johnston County Education Foundation Adult Spelling Bee. Team members included Jill Amaya, PTA president, Leann Sorenson, PAC board member, Steve Lee, PAC president, and Shannon Burns, Cooper Exceptional Children's teacher. The spelling bee, one of the Foundation's major fundraisers, was held on Thursday, November 17 at Johnston Community College. Proceeds from the event fund grants for JCS classroom teachers. For more information, please call Lorine Davis, Executive Director, JC Education Foundation, at (919) 934-7977. SSS Drama Teacher Earns Grant Ruth Mills, Drama teacher at SSS has won a grant from the Donors Choose organization for the Romeo and Juliet production that her Honors Theatre Arts class is preparing for performance. The grant supplied several cartons of paper for the study guide that will be sent to requesting schools used when the production goes on the road. For more information, please call Ruth Mills, Teacher, at (919) 934-5191. Students Lead Parent Conferences at Four Oaks Middle On November 15, Four Oaks Middle School students led their own parent conferences that charted their school performance and their individual plans for success. These conferences served as a way to help students accept responsibility for improving academically, while practicing self-reflection and real life skills. Students did a top quality job of organizing and preparing for the event. Parents appreciated having structured time to talk with them about school. The conferences were a great way to celebrate student responsibility! For more information, please call L. M. Edwards at (919) 963-4022. Cooper Observes Early Thanksgiving Cooper Kindergarten students enjoyed a Thanksgiving Feast during their regularly scheduled lunch time. They spent last week learning about the first Thanksgiving and preparing for the feast by creating Indian and Pilgrim outfits to wear to the feast. Each kindergarten class also made their own decorations which included paper pumpkins and teepees. The Cooper cafeteria served the "feast" to everyone. Parents were invited to share in this Cooper Kindergarten tradition and graciously provided desserts for everyone to enjoy. For more information, please call Michee Olson at (919) 553-0256. Selma Elementary Students Sing With Honors Selma Elementary School students performed in the N.C. Music Educators Association Elementary Honors Chorus on November 13 in Winston-Salem. For more information, please call Angela Piper at (919) 965-3361. Four Oaks Middle Red Ribbon Week Successful Eighth grade students at Four Oaks Middle had a first-hand experience on what it's like to be arrested and convicted for a felony drug charge. Students were first introduced to K-9 Kyra and Deputy Runner. Deputy Runner demonstrated how the drug dog is used to assist in searching as well as arresting fleeing drug traffickers. Chief Court Council Marsha Woodall spearheaded the assembly and introduced guests. Juvenile Court Counselors Charlene Neighbors, Pat Dawn, and Doug Sorrow role-played what it was like to be arrested, full-body searched, chained and shackled. The eighth grade students were allowed to ask questions and participate in various activities (such as the use of goggles that simulate being under the influence of alcohol). Gary Snow, who works with the Juvenile Community Service Program, talked about his job and what teens that have been assigned community service do. Other guests included Dr. Oliver Johnson (Director of Student Services for Johnston County Schools) and Ms. Sway Archibald (Safe and Orderly Schools Consultant). Red Ribbon Week at Four Oaks Middle included other activities. On "Reach Out Day, Drugs are Unbearable," students donated stuffed animals for use by law enforcement officers, local hospitals, and mental health centers. A poster/essay/poem contest was held with first, second, and third place winners in all categories. Students also wore red ribbons and signed their names on a banner pledging to be drug-free. The Booster Club sponsored an after-school dance called "FOMS Red Ribbon Dance." For more information, please call Lisa Edwards, Principal, at (919) 963-4022.
