Week dedicated to celebrate School Bus Drivers May 1-7 has been designated as School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Please tell your bus driver how much you appreciate the work they do each day. They have a very difficult and stressful job. Remember that they are the ones that kick off the educational day each morning and that students can't learn if they are not at school. So take some time and pat your drivers on the back for a job well done. For more information, please call Billy Sugg, Transportation Director, at 919.934.8340, extension 22. Teacher Appreciation Week coming up in May Mark your calendars: May 8-12 is National Teacher Appreciation Week. Don't forget to celebrate with your teachers! For more information, please call Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer, at 919.934.6031. Hall named Volunteer of Year at annual banquet Polenta Elementary School's Lori Hall was named the 2006-2007 Volunteer of the Year at the annual School Advisory/PTA/PTO Banquet held Thursday, April 27. The first runner-up was Suzanne Collier of Cleveland Elementary; second runner-up was Amy Johnson, Four Oaks Elementary; third runner-up was Cooper Elementary's Brenda Edenfield. Also at the banquet, South Smithfield Elementary won a $150 raffle; the money will be donated to the school's PTA. For more information, please call Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer, at 919.934.6031. Polenta's Sandra Moore named TA of the Year Sandra Moore of Polenta Elementary School was named the 2006-2007 Teacher Assistant of the Year at the Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants annual banquet on Tuesday, April 25. For more information, please call Jennifer Liverman, President, Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants, at 919.934.5191 or Nancy Nettles, Principal, Polenta Elementary School, at 919.989.6039. Chicks hatch at Micro-Pine Level Elementary Second grade classrooms at Micro-Pine Level Elementary were hatching chicken eggs for their life cycles unit. They had a total of 23 eggs to start with but sadly only six survived. The classes candled the eggs twice to check the growth of the babies, though it was difficult to see inside because of the coloring of the eggs. The newly hatched chicks went back to the farm the last day of school before Spring Break. Mrs. Rhodes' class loves American Idol contestant Taylor Hicks so much that they named the gray chick after him. The class was able to experience first hand the miracle of "birth" twice. They positively loved watching the chicks come out and greet them. (Photos attached.) For more information, please call Sara Foster, school counselor, at 919.965.3323. Riverwood Elementary students to star in musical Second graders from Riverwood Elementary School are set to present the musical, Goin' Buggy, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, at The Clayton Center. The musical performance is an annual event for second graders at the school. For more information, please call Cindy Beddingfield, at 919.359.6300. Slots still available at Middle College High School The deadline for applications to the Johnston County Middle College High School is Friday, May 5th. Entrance to the Middle College is based upon an application and interview process. The criteria for participation in the program includes the completion of English I and II, Algebra I, Physical Science, Civics, Economics and Health and Physical Education. Applications may be obtained from each high school or by contacting the Middle College. Applications received after May 5th will be reviewed based on space and availability. For more information, please call Amelia McLeod, Principal, at 919.989.6208. Cafeterias rank high in average sanitation score The Johnston County Schools Child Nutrition department has been informed that the average sanitation score for the Johnston County School cafeterias this school year is 99.67 percent. For more information, please call Beth Taylor, Child Nutrition Director, at 919.934.1304, extension 106. Special guest visits Smithfield-Selma High School On Monday, April 24, 2006, English I students at Smithfield-Selma High School enjoyed a special guest speaker. Dr. Garry Walton, English Professor and Dean of Humanities with Meredith College, presented an introduction to William Shakespeare and the play Romeo and Juliet. Ninth grade students from Ms. Amanda Vause and Mrs. Jennifer Knepper's classes, as well as the performing arts students with Mrs. Ruth Mills, were present for the entertaining and interactive presentation. Dr. Walton enlightened students with knowledge about the Globe Theater, how the play was performed in Elizabethan times, and the life of William Shakespeare. Students were asked to participate in the demonstration, and many served as volunteers. (Photo attached.) For more information, please call Michael Taylor, Assistant Principal, at 919.934.5191. Princeton students recognized for contributions to the arts Along with their art teacher, Judy Boyette, Princeton School students Jenny Wood (8), Olivia Booker (9), Heather Smith(11), and Charleston White(11) were honored at the "Hand in Hand Serving Others" luncheon held April 12, 2006, at the Selma Woman's Club building. The mayor of Selma and the Selma Woman's Club recognized the students for their outstanding contributions in the arts. Their art work won awards in a state level GFWC-NC Student Art Competition this year. For more information, please call Judy Boyette at 919.936.5011. Tea party changes location to Benson Parks and Recreation Center The "Just Call Me Author, Too" Tea hosted by Beth Rogers on Sunday afternoon, April 30, from 3-5 p.m. has been moved FROM the Mary Duncan Library Building on Main Street TO the newly renovated cafetorium at the Benson Parks and Recreation Center on Johnson Street. This is due to the possibility of rain, but also to allow guests and the media to sit and relax! Guests will be more comfortable as they join in "Parents, Published Books and Presentations". An exciting afternoon with many family members and special guests from around the county and a well-known writer of children's books is expected. Please come join the fun. The location is just off Hwy 301 S (turn left onto Johnston street just before the bridge- building will be on your left) or go on past the Library on Main Street, and turn left in front of the Singing Grove between BB&T and Kerr Drugs, and continue down Johnson Street until you see the building and tennis courts on your right. There will be signs to direct visitors to the site. For more information, please call Beth Rogers at 919.894.4233. Annual Teacher Job Fair to be held in May Johnston County Schools will host its annual Teacher Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, at Smithfield-Selma High School. The school is located at 700 East Booker Dairy Road in Smithfield. For more information, please call toll-free, at 1-877-225-1311. South Johnston's Leslie Underwood receives scholarship Leslie Katherine Underwood, daughter of Keith and Kim Underwood, is the recipient of this year's $500 Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants scholarship. The award is open to any student with a family member who is serving or has served as a Teacher Assistant. Underwood's grandmother, Carolyn Hudson, is a Teacher Assistant. Underwood is a senior at South Johnston High School. For more information, please call Jennifer Liverman, President, Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants, at 919.934.5191. Clayton Middle School to hold academic banquet The faculty and staff of Clayton Middle School will host an Academic Banquet in honor of the academic scholars for the 2005-2006 school year. The banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2006, in the school cafeteria. Students and their families are invited to attend. For more information, please call Deborah Woodruff, Principal, at 919.553.5811.
