Johnston County's Teacher of the Year nominated for excellence in teaching award This year's Teacher of the Year, Sonya Kiser, has been nominated for the Marcellus Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award. This award, established in 1994 by David Waddill in honor of his father (Marcellus Waddill, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics), recognizes Wake Forest alumni who are exemplary teachers in public or private schools. The award carries with it one of the largest monetary prizes of any teaching award in the country: $20,000 to each winner, one on the elementary level (grades K-6) and one on the secondary level (grades 7-12). The two winners will be named in April 2007 and recognized at Wake Forest's Opening Convocation next fall. For more information, please call Sonya Kiser at 919.284.2031. West Johnston Band Parents host 3rd annual marching band competition The West Johnston Band Parents Association is hosting the third annual West Invitational Marching Band Competition at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, at West Johnston High School. There will be eight bands from across North Carolina performing their unique field shows with West Johnston performing in exhibition at approximately 8:30 p.m. Marching bands have evolved from performing at halftime during football games to fully produced field shows using music, marching, dance and visual performances all integrated around a general theme. This year, West Johnston is using their marching show to portray the values of the Declaration of Independence. Their field show entitled "Declaration" includes music from American composers, Copland, Gershwin, and Bernstein. The Band Parents Association asks for your support of all of the students participating in the West Invitational and the West Johnston High School Marching Band. The West Invitational is open to the public. Admission is $6.00 at the gate and concessions will be served. For more information, please call Roger Crickenberger, President, West Johnston Band Parents Association, at 919. 934.9891. Get to know Selma Elementary School at Railroad Days Selma Elementary School staffers will be riding on a float in the Railroad Days parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2006. The float is sponsored by Dr. Dicky Parrish, local dentist. The school will also have a booth uptown where faculty and staff will be available to meet and greet the community. Staff members will be there to answer questions about the school, about the Literacy First program offered at the school, and about other programs available at Selma Elementary. School staff will be giving away free academic materials for children to practice at home as well as selling PTA/SES merchandise (magnets, t-shirts & PTA memberships). For more information, please call Kristen Percy or Sonia Temple at 919.965.3361. Human Services Provider Fair slated for Oct. 10th at Johnston Community College The Johnston County Disabilities Awareness Council cordially invites you to be an honored guest at its Human Services Provider Fair where adults, middle and high school students with disabilities, their parents, and their teachers will explore human services in Johnston County. The event will take place during the hours of 3:30 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, in the Johnston Community College Auditorium Lobby. For more information, please call Chris Alberti, Johnston County Schools, at 919.934.4361, extension 352. SAVE THE DATE: upcoming events in the Johnston County Schools Oct. 10 10:45 a.m.--Group I North Carolina Symphony for 5th Graders Oct. 17 10:45 a.m.--Group II North Carolina Symphony for 5th Graders Oct. 17 7:00 p.m.--School Advisory Council Association PTA/PTO Council Dinner Meeting at Clayton High School For more information, please call Lori Dixon or Carolyn Ennis at 919.934.6031 Clayton Middle School to host Community Book Sale Clayton Middle School will host a Community Book Sale from 4-7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 16. There will be a special student poetry performance, the "Poetry Jam", at 6 p.m. You will not want to miss this! Parents, children, teachers and the community are invited to attend. Also at Clayton Middle Students at Clayton Middle will host a Scholastic book fair called the Exchange, from 7:10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to help raise funds for library and technology needs throughout the year. The Exchange will feature a wide range of books for young teens and adults, including mystery and adventure novels, fantasy trilogies, sports guides, animals, cookbooks, and the latest bestsellers from more than 150 publishers. Parents, children, teachers and the community are invited to attend. Fair attendees can help build classroom libraries by purchasing books for teachers through the Classroom Wish List program. Proceeds will also be used to purchase essential classroom resources and support school projects at Clayton Middle. Area businesses interested in making a donation for prizes are asked to contact Linda Dextre at 919.553.5811. Look for the One for the Books program at local businesses. Donate just one dollar to make a difference for our school children. Visit these local Clayton businesses to donate to the "One for the Books" Program: The Coffee Mill Pink Teacup Have a Good Day Cafe' Tiffany's Total Image Fancy That! Scholastic will match donations raised for Clayton Middle School to the "One for the Books" program. They donate books to National Literacy Organizations, "Kids in Distressed Situations", "National Center for Family Literacy" and "Toys for Tots". For more information, please call Linda Dextre at 919.553.5811. Muddy Buddy reads to Meadow Elementary Students Muddy Buddy from the Carolina Mudcats will be visiting Meadow School at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2006, to read to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Reading to students models reading strategies, but reading enthusiastically motivates students to read. Muddy will also share with students how they can read to earn free tickets to the Mudcats' baseball games. Parents/guardians are always welcome at Meadow School. Visitors must sign in at the office and get a visitor's pass. This event will take place in the school gym. For more information, please call Darene Honeycutt, Reading Specialist and Parent Involvement Contact, at 919.894.4226, extension 117. Candidates forum to be held at West Johnston High School The West Johnston High School Parent Teacher Student Association will hold a forum for the Johnston County Board of Education candidates on Thursday, October 26, 2006, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the WJHS auditorium. All candidates have been invited to participate. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. For further information, email jgptsa@nc.rr.us Micro-Pine Level Elementary School to host Hispanic Parent Night Micro Pine-Level Elementary School hosts a Hispanic Parent Night on the third or fourth Thursday of each month. Parents are invited to get together in an informal setting to share needs, concerns or ask questions. They are also informed of school policies, upcoming events, etc. Parents are able to get to know each other and share information on how to help their children with daily routines and homework. Usually there are door prizes and refreshments. This month, the meetings are being held in conjunction with other schools in the area. The next meeting is October 26, in the Selma Elementary School Auditorium. The meeting will include a lecture from a motivational speaker. Families from Selma Elementary, Selma Middle and Glendale-Kenly are welcome. Some of the group's past meetings, as well as its future meetings, will continue to have a speaker (volunteer parent usually) that talks about his country or region of Mexico. The guests bring artifacts, food, and pictures of the region to share with the group. In the past the topics have been about San Luis Potosi, Puerto Rico, Honduras and Colombia. For more information, please call Ana Tobar at Micro-Pine Level Elementary at 919-965-3323. Technology Showcase slated for next month The sixth annual Johnston County Schools Technology Showcase will take place October 26, 2006. The event will be held in the Great Hall at Johnston Community College in Smithfield and is scheduled to last from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Technology Showcase is an opportunity to share some of the things the students in the Johnston County Schools are doing with technology and technology resources. For more information, please call Diana Freeman at 919.934.4361, extension 347. 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. Parent workshops on "How to Talk" with your children to be held this month The Johnston County Coalition is a group of individuals whose purpose is to promote community awareness about the prevention of teen pregnancy. The local Coalition has been funded for ten years by United Way. In addition to promoting community awareness about the prevention of teen pregnancy, the Coalition also provides services to local teens through the use of an abstinence based curriculum to help these teens make wise choices. During the month of October, Sarah Thompson, Parent Involvement Specialist with Johnston County Schools and a member of the Coalition, will host parent workshops on "How to Talk" with their children about sex, and other sensitive/tough issues. These workshops will offer parents research based strategies to assist them in talking with their children. Child care and a light dinner will be provided. Parents will need to pre-register at their school, or by contacting Sarah Thompson at 934-4361 Ext. 376 for these events. The schedule for these parent workshops is: Mon., Oct. 9, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Wilson's Mills Elementary Tues., Oct. 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at South Smithfield Elementary Thurs, Oct. 12, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Cooper Elementary Mon., Oct. 23, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Meadow Elementary Tues., Oct. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Corinth-Holders Elementary Thurs., Oct. 26, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Selma Elementary For more information about the local Coalition, please call Endra Pugh or Etta Marett at 934-9810, extension 227 or 228. 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. Exploration Day brings field trip presenters to South Smithfield school 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. Riverwood Middle Hosts Second Annual New Student Social On September 26th and 27th, School Counselors Sarah Coates and Kim Nappier hosted the second annual New Student Social for Riverwood Middle School. All 6th, 7th and 8th grade students new to the Riverwood school district were invited to attend this event. The social provided students with an opportunity to network with others new to this school and learn information concerning clubs and extracurricular activities available at Riverwood Middle. Students played the game "Back to School Bingo" which allowed them to interview one another and learn about their common interests. Seventh grader, Samantha Staples stated, "The social helped me find out that I'm not the only new one here because I've moved so many times before." For more information, please contact school counselors, Sarah Coates and Kim Nappier at 919.359.2769. South Campus raises money by celebrating diversity South Campus Community School celebrated diversity and raised funds on September 29, 2006, with a "Multicultural Potluck" luncheon. South Campus staff from the middle and high schools contributed prepared dishes that reflected their heritage. Students and staff were able to purchase a wide variety of foods to include Jewish noodle pudding, Italian Lasagna, Pennsylvania Dutch Shoo-fly pie, as well as American barbeque chicken and ribs. The $345 raised will benefit the South Campus Student Attendance Reward Fund. This fund provides supplies necessary to reward South Campus students who have perfect monthly attendance. Last year, students with perfect attendance received a variety of incentives such as gift certificates and ice cream parties. The ultimate goal continues to be to keep students in school and to achieve academic success. For more information, please call Junior Creech, South Campus High School Principal, at 919.934.6481. North Johnston Middle School student recognized at Migrant Education Program Adelo Lopez, an eighth grader at North Johnston Middle School, was recognized at the annual Migrant Education Program Conference awards ceremony and dinner. The conference is a three day event culminating with an awards ceremony. The event took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Durham. Adelo was honored for being an excellent student who works very hard and gets good grades. In attendance were his mother, sisters, ESL teacher, Louise Majeski, and members of the ESL department of Johnston County. (Photo Attached.) For more information, please call teacher Louise Majeski at 919.284.3374. Margaret Martin was presenter at NC Career and Technical Education Conference At the NC Career and Technical Education Summer Conference, Margaret Martin, Career Development Coordinator at South Campus Middle School and High School, gave two workshops for the business department. "Lollipops' educational strategies: theories designed to foster learning through contemporary creative education"; and "Kicking, receiving, passing, running, punting, & fumbling: the damnable traits of ineffective teaching". For more information, please call Margaret Martin at 919.934.6481. Micro-Pine Level hosts book club for students and their parents Mrs. Foster invites 4th and 5th grade students and their parents to a book club at Micro-Pine Level once each month. The club meets to increase family interactions and encourage at-home leisure reading. In September, the group read "Frindle" and had a discussion, snacks, and made "Frindle Friends" as an activity inspired by the book. The book club will be reading "Because of Winn Dixie" for October and has many more fun books planned. For more information, please call Mrs. Foster at 919.965.3323. Fourth graders use pinwheels for peace on International Peace Day On September 21, 2006, International Peace Day, 4th grade students from Benson Elementary School took pinwheels outside to display them as part of the culminating activity for participation in Pinwheels for Peace. Pinwheels for Peace was an activity that was found through the publication "School Arts", which encourages students to think about what peace means to them and then to express these feelings through language and visual arts. Pinwheels for Peace began in 2005 in Florida and has spread across the nation since. Students at Benson Elementary worked through their technology classes with Rene Vanek and art classes with Katie McKinley for two weeks prior to International Peace Day to create these pinwheels. During technology class, students wrote about the meaning of peace, how they feel about peace, or how to make peace. Then, students took those writings to art class to develop the other side of the pinwheel with a colorful self created symbol and design. Once both sides of the pinwheel where completed, students had to teach and assist each other in the folding and assembling of the pinwheels. On September 21, 2006, all 4th grade classes gathered in camaraderie and peace to display these pinwheels. PE, music, art, media and technology teachers all joined the students while the idea of peace was discussed and several students' writings were presented to their surrounding classmates. Finally, pinwheels were displayed in the front lawn of Benson Elementary. (Photos attached.) For more information, please call Rodney Peterson, Principal, at 919.894.4233. (photos attached #3289 and #8149) 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. Artists in the Schools will provide JCS over 50 artists for more than 150 cultural programs Howard Craft will conduct a weeklong residency at Smithfield-Selma High School from October 9-13, 2006. "Poetry for Life" is a five-day residency where students learn to explore their everyday experiences by partaking in a guided tour of the writing process. The Shabu Family will perform at Corinth-Holders School on October 12, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. 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. The Gizmo Guys will perform at River Dell Elementary on October 12, 2006, at 9 a.m. Entertaining and educating students through the use of juggling and circus arts, the Gizmo Guys incorporate the study of science, music, physical education, and mathematics to emphasize the importance of patterns. 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.
