JCS Academic Calendar Dates *November 21, 22, 23—Thanksgiving Holidays (Schools and offices will be closed.) *December 21-31—Christmas Holidays and Winter Break *January 1—New Year’s Holiday Smithfield Middle Hosts Career Day Twenty guest speakers were on hand for Smithfield Middle School’s Career Day on Friday, November 16. Students participated in three, 25-minute sessions of their choice. Eighth grade students were given an opportunity to learn first-hand of some of the educational requirements and work responsibilities associated with various careers. For more information, please call Nancy Wiggins, School Counselor, at 919. 934.4696. Also at Smithfield Middle, Students are producing the “Knightly News,” a broadcast compilation of activities and events at the school, with the help of an enterprising teacher. The program is student-run and presented. For more information, please call Anne Meredith, Principal, at 919.934.4696. Student’s Artwork to be Featured in Calendar (New) Mrs. Courtney Murphy, Polenta's art teacher, entered fourth grade student Ellen Price into the Global Environmental Strategies Art Contest. The theme was "From Top... The Ocean to Bottom! Ellen was selected as an "honorable mention" and will be featured in a calendar of the artwork of students’ artwork (through funding provided by Lockheed Martin). Ellen's artwork is entitled, "Clowning" Around in Coral Reef. The calendars will be ready in mid-December. Ellen will receive 10 copies of the calendar as well as a $250.00 savings bond. For more information, please call Courtney Murphy at 919.989.6039. Autumn Celebration 2007 (New) The fall concert for South Johnston’s band was held October 23, 2007, in the school auditorium as a tribute to the band members and Mr. Lem Bruce Hardy II, Director of Bands. The audience was treated to four distinctly different Bands demonstrating what they have studied so far this year. The Concert Percussion Band consists of Michael Jewell, Catlin Wheeler, Spencer Kapral, and Trey Thompson playing marimbas, kettledrums, base drum, snare drums, cowbells and other instruments. Their performance was followed by a melodic flute and piccolo solo by Catlin Wheeler accompanied by Mr. Hardy on the piano. The next band was a clarinet trio-playing assortment of melodies. Woodwind members are Pricilla Martinez, Na’Kirra Smith and Sydney Smith. The final performance was rendered by the Brass Band playing an assortment of tunes written to fit the instruments. Brass members are Cameron Brewer, Andrew Cerda, Michelle Parker, Tony Cerda, Ronald Johnston, Joshua Joyner, William Massengill, Brandon Edwards, Jon Wieber, Jushua Black, and Brandon Boswell. The Holiday Wishes 2007 Concert will be held on December 18 when all bands will play together and really put on another even more spectacular show as a fitting end to this first semester. Upcoming Events December 1, 2007 - Four Oaks Christmas Parade December 7, 2007 – Benson Christmas Parade December 18, 2007 – Holiday Wishes 2007 (band concert) For more information, please call 919.894.3146. Also at South Johnston High, MediaCenter Announces Winners (New) The South Johnston High School Media Center celebrated Teen Read Week by having students submit their “Best Knock-Knock Jokes” and had a “Guess How Many Laffy-Taffy in the Jar” Contest. The theme for Teen Read Week was “Laugh out Loud at Your Library.” Adam Marchaland won the Laffy-Taffy. John Parker won the Spooky Story contest for Halloween. For more information, please call 919.894.3146. SJHS Participates in Spelling Bee (New) South Johnston once again had two teams in the Adult Spelling Bee competition sponsored by the Johnston County Education Foundation this year. The adult “Triumphant Trojans” were ready to compete alongside their student team “Mr. Honeycutt’s Bees” and we all put on a great show. Both teams made it to the final round with the help of our many sponsors Harold Keen, Massengill Assoc. PA, Carol L. Parker, Eric Sellers, Hinson Printing, Lyn Andrews, Barbara Nicholl, and South Johnston High. For more information, please call 919.894.3146. Clayton High School MOD Visited Clayton Middle School (New) (Photo) On Friday, November 9, 2007, the Men of Distinction, along with Principal Jerry Smith, visited Clayton Middle School to talk with the 6th grade class and also the Clayton Middle School Men of Distinction about this month's character trait responsibility. Also senior David Bucker, of the MOD presented his senior project entitled, “Gang Awareness” to the group of MOD at the middle school. Each month the Men of Distinction from Clayton High School addresses the middle school students about the character trait of the month. (In photo, David Bucker presents his Senior Project.) For more information, please call Marlon Lee at 919.553.4064. East Clayton Students Learn Economics The 3rd grade students at East Clayton Elementary are beginning a unique economics unit in Social Studies on November 26th involving the students in learning how businesses operate. The students learn concepts such as supply and demand, assembly line productions, advertising, and importing/exporting. The unit is interesting and hands on because it is tied in with a service learning project. The students actually produce products for sale. There are two days to sell their items on December 13th and 14th from 8 a.m. to 8:30 am. The money raised from selling the products is used to purchase toys for the Johnston County Social Service Department. They distribute the toys during the holiday season to families in need. For more information contact CherriBays or Gretchen Weakley at 550-5311. West Smithfield Elementary to Host Book Fair (New) West Smithfield Elementary will host a Fall Scholastic Book Fair in the media center on November 28 - December 5, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Book Fair Blizzard” will be the theme. West Smithfield Elementary would like to promote reading. For more information, please call Vanessa G. Watson at 919.989.6418, extension 131. Micro-Pine Level Elementary PTA and Christmas Program (New) Micro-Pine Level will host a PTA meeting Tuesday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. Following the PTA meeting the third, fourth and fifth graders will be performing. The title of the program is "The Elves' Impersonator.” For more information, please call 919.965.3323. Blue Cross Blue Shield “Button Chair” on Display at SSS HOSA is sponsoring the NC Blue Cross Blue Shield button chair display here at our school. The button chair was started in 1998 by a college student whose mother died from cancer. It was formed in her memory. The chair features thousands of buttons, each belonging to a victim or survivor of the disease. BCBSNC purchased the chair as part of a breast cancer fundraising auction and created the initial exhibit to anchor the company's breast health initiatives. For more information, please call Pat Deese, HOSA Central Rep, Smithfield-SelmaHigh School, at 919.934.5191 or PatDeese@johnston.k12.nc.us. Also at Smithfield-SelmaHigh School, After watching a national news story about a program and website called www.FreeRice.com,teacher Cindy Allen had an idea to share it with her students. The concept involves vocabulary instruction. For each word defined correctly, 10 grains of rice go to feed children in countries where food is scarce. “I thought it would be a great idea for my students because: (1) it helps me "Teach Across the Curriculum", (2) it helps the students prepare for the SAT Verbal section, (3) the students feel empowered by making a difference, and (4) hungry children get fed. When you visit the website, there is a screen at the bottom of the vocabulary words that list the different companies sponsoring the website like Macy's, American Express, etc... Plus, as people get the definitions correct, a bowl fills up with rice to the right of the screen. This morning, my first block students played and earned approximately 15,000 grains of rice (some earning >1300 grains of rice). They really enjoyed it …some students said they were going to go home and continue playing to help feed the children! For more information, please call Cindy Allen, teacher, at 919.934.5191. Seniors Selected for the 2007 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award (New) West Johnston High School is proud to announce that seniors Joseph Green III and Danie Heider have been selected for the 2007 Wendy’s High School Heisman award. Joseph and Danie will be honored with other local school winners during an exciting evening that recognizes their accomplishments at the Seventh Annual High School Heisman Awards Banquet for the central North Carolina region Tuesday, December 4 at the Embassy Suites in Cary, North Carolina. For more information, please call Jennifer Swartz at 919.934.7333, extension 106. Also at West Johnston High, WJHS Seniors Semifinalist (New) West Johnston seniors Luke Copeland and Danie Heider are Semifinalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. They have an opportunity to continue in the Merit Scholarship competition. Semifinalists who qualify as Finalists will receive Certificates of Merit in February 2008. For more information, please call Dr. Cathy Bunn at 919.934.7333, extension 152. Also at West Johnston High, WJHS to Sponsor a Winter Wildcat 5k Run/Walk (New) West Johnston's Health and PE students would like to invite everyone to join them for their Winter Wildcat 5k run/walk. The event will take place December 8 on the campus of West Johnston High School. Walkers and runners will begin at 10 a.m. All participants will receive a t-shirt (only those who pre-register are guaranteed a shirt, all others will be while supplies last) and prizes will be awarded for top finishers in each age division and for overall winners. All proceeds will go to purchase fitness equipment for the Physical Education Department. This race is open to all ages and we welcome runners and walkers. Registration forms along with the $15 entry fee need to be returned to Karen Johnson at West Johnston High School. The course is certified and will be timed by the East Carolina Road Runners Association. Registration forms can be picked up at West Johnston High School or can be printed from the school's website. For more information, please call Karen Johnson at 919.934.7333 extension 510. South Johnston Trojan Baseball Toys for Tots Project (New) This holiday season the returning and prospective members of the 2008 South Johnston High School Baseball teams are undertaking its third annual Toys for Tots toy drive community service project. The players are selling raffle tickets for a $100 Wal-Mart gift card. All of the proceeds will go to buy toys for needy and underprivileged children. On Saturday, December 15, we will travel as a team to Wal-Mart in Smithfield where the players will purchase the toys themselves. The United States Marine Corps Reserve will be on hand to receive the toys from the players for Toys for Tots. Shopping will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. and end at 10:00 a.m. For more information, please call Keith Durham at 919.894.3146, extension 1336. Graduation Project Showcase JohnstonCountyMiddleCollegeHigh School is hosting their Fall Cohort Graduation Project Showcase on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at JohnstonCommunity College in the Great Hall (Tart Building Lobby) from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Showcase will exhibit Graduation Project Products in an expo style to introduce our Seniors to the business and professional community. The Showcase will be a good place for businesses to prospect for future employees and internships. For more information, please call Mrs. Titania Methvin, Graduation Project Coordinator, at 919.464.2303. Importance of Reading at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary School McGee's Crossroads Elementary School invites parents in Kindergarten, first, and second grades to come out to school for a night to learn, assist and encourage parents on the importance of reading at school and in the home. Reading Dream Nights assist parents in helping them understand pre-reading skills as well as advanced reading and phonics skills. The teachers and Ms. Tunstall, the reading coach, will share reading pointers in developing a positive attitude about reading and how parent(s) can help their child to improve reading skills. The specific grade levels offer information dedicated to that grade level’s academic and developmental reading needs. Patricia Rosales, the school’s ESL instructor, will be present to assist parents with questions and specific concerns about reading. Each grade level will also offer the students in attendance with their parents a brand new book of their choice to read together as a family. The love of reading is encouraged in the home as well as at school. The following dates and times are scheduled for grades K, 1, and 2 in the cafe at McGee's Crossroads Elementary School. Parents are welcome to come out and learn something new about reading. November 29, 2007- Second Grade Students and parents, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information, please call Vicky Temple-Rains at 919.894.7161 or Jean Tunstall at 919. 894.7161. Empty Bowl Project at Polenta Elementary Fourth Grade Art Club members are making ceramic bowls and Christmas ornaments to barter for canned food and monetary donations to benefit the Clayton Area Ministries. Empty bowl projects are statewide projects to target hunger. This is our fourth annual Empty Bowl project at Polenta, and has proven to be a great school-wide community service project that involves the arts. Students can use their artistic talents to help others in need. Sadly hunger remains a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina, especially in our general area. Our contributions will be distributed throughout our surrounding area to help soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and after school programs for children. The bowls and ornaments will be on display in the art room. The Empty Bowl project will be held on November 29 and will be in the hall outside the art room. It will start at 8 a.m. and last until the last bowl is sold. Last year, the bowls sold out in 30 minutes. For more information, please call Deborah Bennett at 919.989.6039. Vikings Against Hunger SelmaMiddle School, in conjunction with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, is sponsoring the 2007 Students Against Hunger Food Drive. Through November 30, 2007, SelmaMiddle School will be collecting nonperishable items such as canned meals, peanut butter, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, paper products, hygiene items, infant products and nutrition drinks in an attempt to fight the war on hunger. SelmaMiddle School’s 2007-08 theme is T.E.A.M: Together Everyone Achieves More. The school is once again looking to the community to help eradicate this epidemic that is all too familiar for families of Central and Eastern North Carolina. This is SelmaMiddle School’s first “Vikings Against Hunger” crusade with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Close to 20,000 individuals are living at or below the poverty level in JohnstonCounty. Out of those 20,000 individuals, nearly 7,000 are children. The students, faculty and staff at SelmaMiddle School deem it necessary to be active participants in the fight against hunger due to these alarming statistics and are calling on our community and surrounding communities for assistance. All donations can be sent to/dropped off at Selma Middle School Attn: Vikings Against Hunger, 1533 North US 301 HWY, Selma, NC 27576. Please include a donor’s name so an expression of gratitude can be shown to the individuals and/or companies that contributed to VIKINGS AGAINST HUNGER. For more information, please call Katey Rowley or Amee Smith at 919.965.2555. Student Art Exhibit for the JohnstonMemorialHospital Pediatrics Unit An art exhibit featuring the work of PrincetonSchool students is on display through November 30 in the Johnston Memorial Hospital Pediatrics Unit. Since its inception in 1996, this bi-monthly exhibit has provided local students a venue to display their work publicly, while offering patients, parents, hospital staff, and visitors the opportunity to experience the healing power of art. Each art show spotlights a different JohnstonCountySchool and is displayed on a two-month exhibition cycle. For more information, please call 919.553.1930. Clayton Middle to Host Craft Festival ClaytonMiddle School will host its first -ever Winter Wonderland Craft Festival on Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school. Pictures with Santa, a kids “wonderland’ play area, live entertainment, a concession stand, hand-painted crafts, candles, jewelry, pet treats, Christmas ornaments and more will be available for sale. Vendor booths are available for rent. Please call Kristen Woodall, teacher, ClaytonMiddle School, at 919.553.5811. 2007-2008 Upcoming Band Performances at Clayton Middle December 8, 2007 Clayton Christmas Parade (7th and 8th grades) December 18, 2007 Winter Band Concert (all grades) April 12, 2008 Busch Gardens Band Festival (8th grade only) May 13, 2008 Spring Band Concert (all grades) For more information, please call Clayton Middle at 919.553.5811. Artists-in-the-School Programs for the Month of December 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. Theatre IV will perform at McGee's Crossroads Elementary on December 7, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. Three children bring characters from American tall tales to vibrant life through the magic of their imaginations by exploring the wild and adventurous stories of Pecos Bill and John Henry. Almost Recess will perform at Riverwood Middle on December 11, 2007, at 9:00 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. Almost Recess will perform at Four Oaks Elementary on December 12, 2007, at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 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, the history of a cappella, voice parts, vocal drumming, and types of a cappella. Bright Star Children's Theatre will perform “Once Upon a Time” at Micro-Pine Level Elementary on December 14, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. From "Jack and the Beanstalk" to "Cinderella," this play invites young audience members to join the actors on-stage throughout the show, undertaking a variety of roles in the process. Bright Star Children's Theatre will perform “A Dickens Tale” at Micro-Pine Level Elementary on December 14, 2007, at 10:15 a.m. An interactive approach to the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol explores the value of kindness. Bright Star Children's Theatre will perform “A Dickens Tale” at West Clayton Elementary on December 18, 2007, at 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. An interactive approach to the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol explores the value of kindness. Bright Star Children's Theatre will perform “A Dickens Tale” at Riverwood Elementary on December 20, 2007, at 8:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. An interactive approach to the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol explores the value of kindness.
