National Nurses Week is May 6-12 The work of America's 2.9 million registered nurses to save lives and to maintain the health of millions of individuals is the focus of this year's National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6-12 throughout the United States. "Nurses: Strength, Commitment, Compassion" is the theme for 2006. "Our nurses work very hard for the students and staff," said Johnston County School Nurse Supervisor Jean Tripp. "Many times nursing is a thankless job with lots of stress." In the school system, National Nurses Week is an opportunity to celebrate with our nurses the work that they do all year long. For more information, please call Jean Tripp, Coordinator of Nurses, at 919.934.9810, extension 233. Middle Schools and High Schools in need of proctors Middle schools and high schools in Johnston County are in need of volunteers to proctor end-of-year testing. For more information, please call the school where you are interested in serving. South Smithfield Elementary students attended college South Smithfield Elementary School participated in a Meredith Reads Celebrate Reading Festival on Wednesday, May 3rd. Students and their volunteer readers experienced storytelling, face painting, balloon animals, moon walking, lunch, and free books on the Meredith College Campus in Raleigh. For more information, please call Carla Taylor, Principal, at 919.934.8979. West Smithfield Elementary to celebrate status as national demonstration site West Smithfield Elementary School's celebration of its status as a national demonstration site as an Accelerated School will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 26. Dr. Gene Chasin, Executive Director of the Accelerated Schools plus program, will travel to Smithfield to present the school with a banner and plaque. For more information, please call Todd Holmes, Principal, at 919.9896418. Smithfield-Selma High School students mentor AIG students The AIG Center spent a week recognizing its Level V students. Students were treated to ice cream and toppings in the afternoon and their names were placed on a decorative board. Two National Honor Society Students from Smithfield-Selma High School came over each day at 1:00 to meet with the AIG students and talk about the importance of education, keeping up the good work, and what they can look forward to in the future. The SSS students did an outstanding job and the AIG students enjoyed the opportunity to speak with them. The SSS students also enjoyed the experience and the recognition as a chosen representative of an "outstanding performer" as a role model for the AIG students. (Photos attached.) For more information, please call Brandon Garland, AIG Assistant Principal, at 919.934.9529. 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. Glendale-Kenly Elementary hosts its own American Idol contest Glendale-Kenly Elementary School is hosting "GKE Idol" from 9:20 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. on May 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 15th on the stage in the cafeteria. The event is a spin-off from the popular "American Idol" television contest. GKE Idol contestants will be from 5th grade music classes. Judges are: June Edwards, Robbie "Simon" Cohall, Ann "Paula" Weaver, B.J. Nixon and Pam Culbertson. Fifth grade students who are not competing will also be allowed to vote. The winner and runner-up will be selected on the final day of the competition, May 15th. The event is being held as a culminating activity of a singing unit in fifth grade music classes. There are many talented vocalists in the fifth grade and this activity provides them the opportunity to demonstrate their talent while developing their musicianship. For more information, please contact Amy Renfrow, Assistant Principal or June Edwards, Music Teacher, at 919.284.2821. Selma Elementary School's annual talent show set for next week Selma Elementary School is hosting its 4th annual Talent Show at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 11th and Friday, May 12th in the school's auditorium. Participants in the show include Selma Elementary students, faculty and alumni. Admission is $3 per person with all current Selma Elementary students admitted free of charge. Refreshments, including pizza, snacks and drinks, will be sold before the show and during intermission. Proceeds will be divided between the Music Department and the Playground Refurbishment Fund. For more information, please call Jeanette Parrish at 919.965.3361. East Clayton campus to house creatures from Discovery Channel's Animal Planet The Discovery Channel's Animal Planet will be at East Clayton Elementary School at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 19th with exotic animals in tow. For more information, please call Peggy Smith, Principal, at 919.550.5311. Smithfield-Selma High School HOSA club finishes first place The Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Club at Smithfield-Selma High School finished first place at the annual state convention in Greensboro. For more information, please call Michael Taylor, Assistant Principal, at 919.934.5191. South Smithfield Elementary students prepare for middle school Fifth graders at South Smithfield Elementary School are scheduled to visit Smithfield Middle School during the week of May 8th. The students will receive general information about attending middle school and they will tour the campus. Also at South Smithfield: The school will celebrate its fifth graders at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8th, for a special graduation ceremony. Students in grades 3-5 will explore "The Land Down Under * A Visit to Australia!" Fifth grade student in Mrs. Carolina Makepeace's room have created projects relating to the culture and history of Australia. The event will take place from 9 a.m. until noon in the school's multipurpose room on Friday, May 5th. Mrs. Makepeace is a Visiting International Faculty teacher from Australia. She has spent the year sharing her native culture with her students. They will be sharing what they've learned with other members of the student body. Mary Martin, fifth grade teacher at South Smithfield Elementary, has been selected as one of the winners of RBC Centura Bank's Tribute to Teachers. Tribute to Teachers was developed by RBC and the ACC as a way to recognize leadership both in the community and the classroom. Twenty-five winners were chosen out of 1,607 nominations submitted. Each winner will receive $500 in classroom cash. Students at South Smithfield Elementary have won a poetry contest and will be published authors. Elizabeth Carter, Sarah Cook, Valerie Davis, Kate Fleming, LaToya Gay and Garrett Massengill from Mary Martin's 5th grade class and Thomas Howerton from Lori Hamilton's fourth grade class will have poetry published in A Celebration of Young Poets. For more information, please call Carla Taylor, Principal, at 919.934.8979. Meadow K-2 Super Student Celebration Meadow School implemented a program called Super Students to promote outstanding conduct in all students. Each nine weeks, students meeting the goals outlined in the program receive a special treat and a little break outside. The kindergarten team hosted the celebration for grades K-2 this grading period. Ice shavers were provided to all super students on Thursday, May 4, 2006. Parent Involvement contact Darene Honeycutt, volunteer Mrs. Fail, and event coordinator Dana Wise served each homeroom with a cool, tasty ice shaver which was a big hit with the students on such a beautiful, hot afternoon. (Photo attached.) Pictured from left to right: Layne Wise, Corey Hood, Tyler Barefoot, Riley Johnson, and Colton Wise For more information, please call Frank Swinyer at 919.894.7064. McGee's Elementary School site for North Carolina exhibits Over thirty exhibits from the North Carolina mountains to the North Carolina coast and all locations between were represented at McGee's Elementary School on Friday, May 5th. More than 1,000 students, teachers, and parents experienced hands-on opportunities such as touching a real eagle, seeing bees make honey, hearing Blackbeard the famous pirate, hearing a real rooster crow and much more, including tasting 15 different food products made in North Carolina. The McGee's Elementary PTA sponsors this wonderful opportunity every three years for the lucky students, teachers, parents and the community. Ms. Debbie Burns, project organizer, "loves the excitement and the knowledge that is experienced" from the McGee's students. "We love to do this for our students and teachers. We create a memory and know we have made a difference with our students." For more information, please call Vicky Temple-Rains, Assistant Principal, at 919.894.7161.
