JCS Academic Calendar Dates [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]*January 31—Report Cards Go Out [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]*February 6—Early Release Day/Staff Development [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]*February 18—Student Vacation Day [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]*March 12—Early Release Day/Staff Development [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]*March 21—Good Friday Holiday [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]*March 24-28—Spring Break [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]MATHCOUNTS Scheduled for February 7 [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The annual Johnston County [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]MATHCOUNTS [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]competition will be held on Thursday, February 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in the fellowship hall. [/FONT] For more information, please call Dr. Chris Godwin, Executive Director, General Education, at 919.934.4361, extension 372. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]JCS Health and Benefits Fair Planned for February 18 [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The Johnston County Schools Human Resource Services department will host the district’s first Health and Benefits Fair on February 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Smithfield Middle School cafeteria. The event will feature vendors offering various services such as health screenings, financial services, retirement planning, counseling services, educational assistance, fitness assessments, and nutrition information. Door prizes such as a DVD player, $25 gas cards, gift cards, cash, and other goodies will be distributed. Among the many vendors participating are the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, HealthQuest, and the Johnston County Education Foundation. [/FONT] For more information, please call Rick Johnson, Benefits Coordinator, at 919.934.6031, extension 262. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Noted Author to Visit, Speak on invitation from West Johnston High School [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Dr. Mark Mathabane, author of the autobiography Kaffir Boy, will speak on "The Importance of Education," on Friday, February 1 at 6 p.m. in the Paul A. Johnston auditorium on the campus of Johnston Community College. The event is free and open to the public. Mathabane grew up as a young black man in South Africa during the age of apartheid. Kaffir Boy describes the struggles and obstacles he faced as he worked towards his goals of education and success as a tennis player. His tale is one that touches the very core of humanity as readers reflect on a story of racial strife, poverty, its lasting effects, and the resilience of the human spirit at a time that closely resembles America’s own struggle with social unrest. The lessons in this work are profound and universal while this story still resonates deeply in the hearts of all readers. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]For more information, please call Brookie Honeycutt, Principal, West Johnston High School, at 919.934.7333. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]"Helping is Elementary" Project at Wilson’s Mills Elementary School (New) (Photo) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]At end of the 2006-2007 school year, the Mustang Mentors, which is a group of "model" fifth grade students at Wilson’s Mills Elementary began a project called "Helping is Elementary." Upon learning of the dire needs of Maldon Basic (Pre-K through K) and Primary (1st through 5th) Schools, Wilson’s Mills Elementary decided to adopt the two schools. Maldon is a rural community that is located about 20 minutes outside of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Wilson’s Mills Elementary began collecting school supplies at the end of the year and throughout the summer. Over 450 lbs. of school supplies—including bookbags, chalk, art supplies, notebooks, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and folders— were collected, delivered and shipped to the two schools in Jamaica, as well as given to the Johnston County students in need. Wilson’s Mills will continue to support these two schools. [/FONT] For more information or to find out how you can help Wilson’s Mills with this project, please contact Christina Allen at 919.934.2978. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Also at Wilson’s Mills Elementary School, [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Third Grade Students at Wilson’s Mills Elementary Are Learning to Write Letters (New) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Third grade students in Mrs. Miller’s class wrote letters after their field trip to Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. While there, they saw an IMAX movie about sharks with the message of S.O.S. (Save Our Sharks). This sparked an idea! The class wanted to write to an expert in that field. Luckily, Mrs. Miller’s brother, Derek Burkholder, is getting his doctorate degree in Marine Biology with a specialty in sharks. He is doing his research in Australia, so the students had the added bonus of sending their letters to the other side of the world! Each student wrote a letter to Derek asking him about his job, what he does to study sharks and how we can help save them. The students may find out how he actually catches the sharks, if he’s ever been bitten and how they could get into a job like that when they grow up. [/FONT] For more information, please contact Joanna Grooms, Remediation Teacher at Wilson’s Mills Elementary, at 919.934.2978. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Michael Brown Wins Dixon Road Elementary School Geographic Bee (New) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]On [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]January 14, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], Michael Brown, a fifth grade student from Mrs. DeSmet’s class, at Dixon Road Elementary School competed against twelve of his schoolmates and won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee. This win puts him one step closer to winning a 35,000 college scholarship. The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 20th annual National Geographic Bee. The Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic society. The competitors at Dixon Road were Hannah Cooper, Jorge Garcia, Mackenzie Barbour, Michael Brown, Nicholas Reasor, Jessica Northcutt, Mirella Rojas, Hannah Flynn, Nay Fuller, Josiah Gardner, Jamen Toy, Andrew Stephenson, and [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Mario Ceras. Jorge Garcia, Mackenzie Barbour, Michael Brown, Hannah Flynn, and Nay Fuller all made it to the finalist round. Jorge Garcia and Michael Brown made it to the championship round. The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of November 12, with thousands of schools around the United States and in five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Michael, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state Bee April 4, 2008. The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. for state champions and teacher escorts to participate in the National Geographic Bee national championship on May 20 and 21, 2008. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the society. [/FONT] For more information, please call Bethany Hunter or Debbie Higginbotham at 919.894.7771. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Micro-Pine Level Elementary to Host Hispanic Night (New) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Micro-Pine Level Elementary will host a Hispanic Parent Night on [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Thursday, January 31, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This will be lead by Ana Tobar, ESL Teacher. Ms. Tobar will be assisting parents in helping their children study math vocabulary and giving them strategies for working out word problems. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Also at Micro-Pine Level Elementary School, [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Goodies for Gands! (New) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]On Thursday, February 14, the staff at Micro-Pine Level are inviting all grandparents or a special "older" person to come and have a snack with their grandchild. We would like to recognize these special people because they have a very important impact on their grandchild's life. Grades 3-5 will be celebrating from 9:00-9:45 a.m. and grades K-2 at 1:00-1:45 p.m. [/FONT] For more information, please call Carla Johnson at Micro-Pine Level Elementary 919.965.3323. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]SJHS Band Students to Hold a Spaghetti Supper (New) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]The South Johnston High School Band Students will have a spaghetti supper on [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Monday, February 11, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased from a band student. Tickets are $6 and the meal includes spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert as well as tea. The money raised from this event will be used to buy new uniforms which should be here by April. [/FONT] For more information, please call Lem B Hardy, II, Director of Bands at South Johnston High School 919.894.3146, extension 3117. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]McGee’s Crossroads Middle Teacher Selected as the NC Middle School Association’s Region 3 Teacher of the Year (New) [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Cinnamon Frame, an eighth grade Science teacher at McGee’s Crossroads Middle, was recently selected as the North Carolina Middle School Association’s Region 3 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Frame was nominated by a colleague, and her nomination application was selected from among those submitted throughout the region. Mrs. Frame will receive a check for $250, and she will also be honored on stage during the closing luncheon of the NC Middle School Association’s Annual Conference at the Koury Center in Greensboro on [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]March 18, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. Mrs. Frame has worked as an eighth grade Science Teacher at McGee’s Crossroads Middle for the past five years. She is a dedicated professional and is known throughout the district for providing quality hands-on science instruction to her students. She serves McGee’s Crossroads Middle as a mentor to new teachers, and is chairperson of the Science department. [/FONT] For more information please contact Cinnamon Frame or Barretta Haynes, at McGee’s Crossroads Middle at 919.894.6003. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Artists-in-the-School Programs for the Month of January and February [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]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. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Mike Wiley will perform "Tired Souls" at [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Clayton Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]January 29, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 10:15 a.m. This one man show documents the tales of Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and nearly a [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]dozen of the hundreds of men and women who stood up to Jim Crow's segregation, held tight to their bus money and walked for freedom for 381 days in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Gran'daddy Junebug will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]West View Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]January 30, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. Gran'daddy Junebug's unique combination of storytelling and poetry - story - instills personal responsibility and respect of self and others. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Bryant Holsenbeck will conduct a visual arts residency at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]West Johnston High [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 4-6, 2008[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. In this three day residency, Bryant will work with students to explore their environment and discover many different possibilities for making things out of simple throw-away objects [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Michael Cooper will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Corinth-Holders School [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 5, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 8:45 a.m. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]and 10:00 a.m. He's got multiple heads, an enormous nose, and a great sense of humor-all to tell classic and original stories. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Stageworks will perform "The Write Stuff" at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Benson Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 7, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. In this performance, students are introduced to problem solution/evaluation writing through an exciting game show format. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Mad Science will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Polenta Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 7, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 8:45 a.m. and [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]9:45 a.m. Mad Science will present an interactive program of amazing science and unbelievable feats of science and nature. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Birdman Dave will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]West Clayton Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 7, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Using live birds, storytelling, and audience participation, "Birdman" Dave will take students for a journey down the Amazon and all of its amazing wonders. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Glen McNitt will conduct an origami workshop at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Meadow Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 7, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. In this day long workshop, Mr. McNitt will teach students to interpret Origami diagrams and includes each student folding several Origami models. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Glen McNitt will conduct an origami workshop at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Meadow Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 8, [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. In this day long workshop, Mr. McNitt will teach students to interpret Origami diagrams and includes each student folding several Origami models. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]African American Dance Ensemble will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]McGee's Crossroads Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 8[/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 1:30 p.m. This visual extravaganza of dance, music, and song provides an introduction to the dance, music, and cultural history of the nations of Africa. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Kinetyx Dance Ensemble will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]North Johnston Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 8, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]9:00 a.m. Performed by dynamic, athletic, and engaging dancers, this one-hour performance will include audience participation and a repertoire of choreographic works that teach mathematics, science, language arts and world culture. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Vaneep Sandhu will conduct a multi-cultural residency at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Meadow [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 11-13, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. In this three day residency, Vaneep Sandhu will introduce various aspects of Indian heritage to the seventh grade students, including dance, fabrics, religions, and values of the Indian people. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Almost Recess will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]North Johnston High [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 12, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 8:00 a.m., as well as conduct an in-class workshop with voice students. Almost Recess will perform songs-both originals and covers- and band members describe how they create their music, incorporating [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]explanations of vocal arrangements, songwriting, and the history of a cappella, voice parts, vocal drumming, and types of a cappella. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Birdman Dave will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Princeton [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 12, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 9:30 a.m. using live birds, storytelling, and audience participation, "Birdman" Dave will take students for a journey down the Amazon and all of its amazing wonders. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Christian Swenson will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Princeton School [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 14, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 9:30 a.m. Using only body and voice, Christian draws form a global palate of styles, including Indian dance, Balinese drama, scat-singing, mime-morphing, and central Asian throat-singing to take the audience on a one of a kind adventure. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Almost Recess will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Archer Lodge Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 14, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 8:00 a.m. Almost Recess will perform songs-both originals and covers- and band members describe how they create their music, incorporating explanations of vocal arrangements, songwriting, and the history of a cappella, voice parts, vocal drumming, and types of a cappella. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Lee Bryan will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Cleveland Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 15, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 8:45 a.m. and [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]9:45 a.m. Original songs, magic tricks, and puppets deliver an environmental message in this unique vaudeville revue. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Lee Bryan will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Glendale-Kenly Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 15, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Original songs, magic tricks, and puppets deliver an environmental message in this unique vaudeville revue. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Moscow Nights will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]River Dell Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 15, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 2:00 p.m. Moscow Nights will offer students an entertaining and authentic glimpse into Old Russia through music, song, and dance. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Tony Peacock will conduct a week-long writer’s residency at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Meadow Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 20-21, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. Tony Peacock's five-day residency will increase student awareness of North Carolina writers and encourage the development of each student's voice. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Joe Edwards will conduct a sculpture workshop at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Clayton High [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 25, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]. This day long clay sculpture workshop will lead students in innovative hand-building methods utilizing slab-building, coil-building, and form-building techniques. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Bright Star Children's Theater will perform "Aesop's Fables" and "Heroes of the Underground" at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Micro-Pine Level Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 26, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. "Aesop's Fables" is a whirlwind and hilarious tour through some of the most famous of these 2600 year old stories to explore character education, while "Heroes of the Underground" captures the stories of those that risked their lives to help people out of slavery. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Glenis Redmond will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Clayton Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 27, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 10:00 a.m. Glenis will perform her original poetry touching themes of self-esteem, respect, heritage, tolerance, and community. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Diane Macklin will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]McGee's Crossroads Elementary [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 29[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at 9:15 a.m. This interactive multicultural storytelling program combines chants, songs, music and movement from the Americas and beyond. [/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Diane Macklin will perform at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]McGee's Crossroads Middle [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]on [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]February 29, 2008[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman], at [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]1:30 p.m. This interactive multicultural storytelling program combines chants, songs, music and movement from the Americas and beyond. [/FONT]