JCS Academic Calendar Dates *October 23—School Advisory Council Association/PTA/PTO Annual Dinner, ClaytonHigh School *October 30—Early Release Day for staff development *October 31—Student Vacation Day/Teacher Workday *November 8—Report Cards Go Home *November 12—Holiday (Veterans’ Day) *November 21, 22, 23—Thanksgiving Holidays A Special Visitor to East Clayton Elementary (New) (Photo) Congressman Bob Etheridge visited East Clayton Elementary School on Tuesday, October 9 to promote state bond construction legislation. Pictured below are (back row, left to right) Congressman Etheridge and Town of Clayton Mayor Jodie McLeod; (front row, left to right) Jamie Stoke, Assistant Principal; Nancy Nettles, Principal; student, teacher; Donna White, Board of Education member; and Patty Whittington, Assistant Principal. For more information, please call Brad Williams at 919.550.5311. WestViewElementary School Received Beautification Prize (New) West View Elementary PTA has been selected by NC Beautiful to receive a special beautification prize of 100 azaleas for use in the group’s 2007 beautification projects. The award is part of the NC Beautiful’s 22nd annual Azaleas Celebration, which rewards North Carolina Community groups for improving their communities through creative landscaping projects. “This was a wonderful opportunity for the West View family to come together and make a lasting improvement on the school grounds. The plants are just wonderful!” stated Zilphia Adcock, President of West View Elementary PTA. The goal of this project is to enhance the school grounds, raise environmental awareness and provide opportunities for our parents to get involved. The annual Azalea Celebration, developed and administered by NC Beautiful and sponsored by WRAL-TV5 and Mix 101.5 radio in Raleigh, has awarded more than 200,000 plants to approximately 3,000 non-profits in its 22-year history. The one-gallon azaleas distributed by NC Beautiful are grown from cuttings taken three years ago from the WRAL gardens in Raleigh. The azalea program is sponsored by the Capital Broadcasting Company and funded in part by the AJ Fletcher foundation, which is named for the former president of CBC and the founder of WRAL .For forty years NC Beautiful has focused on merit-based programs which provide hands-on experience in preserving our resources and promoting constructive action toward environmental stewardship. We believe that environmental education and community involvement are the keys to addressing North Carolina’s environmental challenges. For more information, please call Zilphia M. Adcock at 919.272.1441. Men of Distinction Performs CharacterCounty (New) (Photo) At its monthly meeting, the Clayton's Woman's Club invited the Men of Distinction from Clayton High School to perform the puppet show Character County. The groups will once again this year perform the puppet show to local elementary schools in the Clayton area. The following students are members of the 2007-2008 Men of Distinction organization:Trumaine McCaskill,JP Hilliard,Bryce Moore, Brandon McPhatter, Hermando Newkirk, Jacoby Getty, Brandon Anderson, Kendall Stancil, Vince Faison, Darnell Dumas, David Buckner, Trumaine McCaskill, Sebastian Banks and Jonell Whitted. Pictured below are David Buckner and Jonell Whitted with the character puppets. For more information, please call Marlon Le, ClaytonHigh School, at 919.553.4064. Smithfield-Selma Marching Spartan Regiment Earn Grand-Championship at Wakefield - Heart of Carolina Marching Band Invitational 2007 The award-winning Smithfield-Selma Marching Spartan Regiment, which has been working on its field show entitled "360 degrees" since mid-July, competed in the Wakefield-Heart of Carolina competition on Saturday, October 6, earning the top spot. This original show and music score is very complex and spotlights circles or anything round. Some have compared the field show to the Cirque du Soleil - (French for Circus of the Sun) - a popular Las Vegas show. Before traveling to the competition, the band participated in the Annual Selma Railroad Days Parade. They performed "All the Small Things" and "Holiday.” This is Band Director Brian Jones' 5th Railroad Days Parade since taking on the job of Band Director at SSS. This year marked the first Railroad Days Parade for Co-Band Director, Jason Heard, a graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School. The band then packed up in preparation to perform in a clinic in front of BANDS OF AMERICA JUDGES. The Award-Winning Marching Spartan Regiment would perform twice at Wakefield High School before the anticipated award ceremony at 11 pm that same evening. At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2007, the Award-Winning Marching Spartan Regiment wowed Bands of America Judges with their awesome performance. The feedback they received was very positive and will help them greatly when they take center stage at their BANDS OF AMERICA performance in Maryland coming up on October 19 - 21st. In the meantime, the name "Smithfield-Selma Marching Spartan Regiment" became a household name at the Wakefield High School stadium. The entire stadium was abuzz with the name "SSS Marching Spartans." Havelock High School's pit crew stopped by the Spartan Pit Crew area to examine the SSS Marching Spartan door magnets which identify Pit Crew vehicles. They wanted a referral to the local business which supplied them to SSS. Several other schools had heard about the SSS Marching Spartan's unique carts used to move the sensitive equipment on and off the field. Many were shocked to hear the versatile carts were designed by several band parents. And all the bands who stopped by wanted to know when and where SSS would be warming up before competition. Many other bands including Chapel Hill High School, Havelock High School, Millbrook High School, Panther Creek High School and CE Jordan High School to name a few had heard about their earlier performance and really wanted to see it. In fact, the SSS band's first performance of the day was constantly running on a video screen at the DVD tent as a sample of what band parents could purchase. At the end of the day, the SSS Band walked away in the AAAA category with 1st Place Percussion; 1st Place Music; 1st Place Overall Visual Effects; 1st Place in AAAA Class and Grand Champion of AAA and AAAA categories. They will perform again this Friday during half-time of the make-up home game against Knightdale and then travel on Saturday, October 13, 2007 to White Oak High School in Jacksonville, NC to defend their title of Grand Champion they have held there for 2 years. Last year, the 2006 Marching Band Season was a very magical experience for the students at SSS. The band directors chose to have their field show written about the weather. Who is better to speak about the weather than WRAL's leading Meteorologist, Greg Fishel? David Crabtree and Greg Fishel together provided a voice-over to coincide with the band's performance entitled "The 5-day Forecast." With their help, the SSS band was truly able to bring the weather elements to life through music and visual effects. The show won them a Grand Championship at Portsmouth, Virginia; Clinton, NC; and Jacksonville, NC in 2006. They also won 1st Place AAAA category at Northern Nash. The 2007 field show entitled "360 degrees" is shaping up to surpass the 2006 season. For more information, please call Brian Jones, Director of Bands, Smithfield-SelmaHigh School, at 919.934.5191. MeadowSchool First Grade Students Study Apple (New) (Photo) Meadow School Students learned about Johnny Appleseed in social studies the week of September 24. They are continuing their studies. Johnny Appleseed Day was September 26. Teachers also integrated apple lessons into the science, reading, writing, and math curricula. Students conducted an experiment and predicted that an apple would sink because it was heavy. The students were surprised to see that the apple floated. Mrs. Darene Honeycutt's class read a Jello Jiggler recipe, followed the steps, and made delicious jigglers which they ate at snack time. Students read stories about apple orchards, apple facts, and several books about Johnny Appleseed. Mrs. Jackie Hudson's class made homemade applesauce. Students had an Apple Fest (apple tasting table). Students graphed their favorite apple treats. Mrs. Honeycutt's class currently has the Life Cycle's Science Kit. Students have germinated and planted apple seeds and learned the parts of an apple. Students are observing the seeds for growth and recording the data in their science journals. For more information, please call Darene Honeycutt at 919.894.4226. Photos: 0440 Will the apple sink or float? Also, at Meadow School, MeadowSchool “Mega Celebration Event” (New) Meadow School will hold a “Mega Celebration Event” on Friday, October 12 as an incentive for students participating in our magazine sales. Students with 11 orders enjoyed the 20-foot screamer slide, the mini-obstacle course and the adrenaline rush. Students with 15 orders received a chance to play “Deal or no Deal” with the opportunity to win $150.00. Seven magazine orders entitled a student to participate in the “Vern the Turtle” race. All students with 2 orders received a weepul. Weepul candy was distributed through out the promotion. Students were also given additional prizes for being top salesperson each turn in day. The top homerooms during the event included Mrs. Darene Honeycutt, K-4 and Mr. Joe Panzarella, 5-8 and those participating students in those homerooms received a chance to pop a water balloon above their teacher’s head. Added incentive included those students with 3 new magazine orders on our second turn in day received a special basketball. This basketball entitled nearly 40 students the opportunity to pop a water balloon above the head of our new principal, Mr. Rodney Peterson. For more information, please call MeadowSchool at 919.894.7064. Jump Rope for Heart Event (New) Jump Rope for Heart will involve grades K-5 at MeadowSchool and will be conducted in Physical Education classes throughout the week of October 22 – October 26, 2007. This year's Jump Rope for Heart goal is $4,000. This event offers many benefits. The money MeadowSchool raises will help fund potentially lifesaving research in heart disease and stroke. It will also fund the development of educational materials that teach the importance of heart health and staying fit. Also, MeadowSchool can earn gift certificates for physical education equipment. Jump Rope for Heart teaches community involvement and builds school spirit. For more information, please call Cindy Biggerstaff at 919.894.4226. Student Government Association Sponsoring Fundraiser (New) The Meadow School Student Government Association is sponsoring a fundraiser for a student at Meadow whose family lost everything in a house fire. The SGA, at MeadowSchool, is asking that each staff and student donate $1 each to give the student and his family. SGA is promoting community service and stressing the importance of offering compassion to others. This is one of the many projects sponsored by SGA this year. For more information, please call Karla Denning at 919.894.4226. Vikings Against Hunger (New) SelmaMiddle School in conjunction with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is sponsoring the 2007 Students Against Hunger Food Drive. Beginning October 1 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. Open House at the AIGCenter (New) The Director, staff and students of the Academically or Intellectually Gifted Center will be hosting Open House evenings on Monday, October 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Grades K-3) and Tuesday, October 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Grades 4-5). Guests are invited to attend a special program in the gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. followed by a tour of the Center to meet the staff and review student work. For more information, please call Molly Olah at 919.934.9529. Schools Raising Money by Eating at McDonald’s (New) On Tuesday, October 16, 2007, school staff and teachers will put on aprons and host students and their parents for dinner at McDonald’s restaurants across JohnstonCounty. Participating schools in Johnston will receive a portion of the sales between 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. During this time, school principals, teachers, and parents will greet customers, work the registers, serve drinks and, in some cases, assist with the preparation of food. In the past years, McDonald’s restaurants have donated more than $350,000 to area school as a result of McTeacher’s Night. The following JohnstonCounty restaurants are hosting McTeacher’s night: McDonald’s at 27 Crape Myrtle Drive at McGee’s Crossroads, supporting McGee’s Crossroads Elementary School. McDonald’s at 884 W. Market Street in Smithfield, supporting West Smithfield Elementary School. McDonald’s at 11351 U.S. 70 West in Clayton, supporting East Clayton Elementary School. McDonald’s at 50 Glen Road in the Cleveland community, supporting West View Elementary School. McDonald’s at 600 East Main Street in Benson, supporting MeadowSchool. McDonald’s at 1209 N. Bright Leaf Blvd. in Smithfield, supporting Wilson’s Mills Elementary School. McDonald’s at 400 S. Church St. in Kenly, supporting Glendale-KenlyElementary School. For more information, please call any of the principals of the above-named schools. McGee’s CrossroadsElementary School to Hold a PTA Fall Festival (New) The PTA Fall Festival at McGee’s Crossroads Elementary is scheduled for Friday, October 26. This event will feature an evening for the entire McGee's Community to come out and support the PTA with the assistance of parents and the staff at McGee's Elementary School. The money raised will be used to create a leveled book room and purchase extra materials for the classrooms. The fun, food, fellowship time is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees can walk for a cake, try their luck at dunking a teacher/staff member, participate is a silent bid for the best decorated pumpkin, try their luck at numerous games and test their taste buds on sweet treats and hot dogs. We encourage the McGee's families and surrounding areas to come out with your costumes on and have some fun. For more information, please call Vicky Temple-Rains at 919.894.7161 or PTA Contact Jennifer Miller at 919.894.1770. Writing Night for Fourth Graders (New) South Smithfield Elementary will have a special "Writing Night" for fourth grade parents on Thursday, October 25, 2007. Pizza will be served from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The teachers will present a writing workshop for parents from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Teachers will share student writing samples, Johnston County rubrics, and scoring processes. Parents will be shown ways to assist their child with the writing process and encourage writing across the curriculum. For more information, please call Kathy Hamilton at 919.934.8979. Also, at South Smithfield Elementary School, Exploration Day at SouthSmithfieldElementary School (New) South Smithfield Elementary will host its 3rd annual "Exploration Day" on Friday, November 2, 2007. The events will last from 8:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and will include: Langley Space Center and astronaut Donner Grigsby, Museum of Life and Science and live animal presentations, and Hightouch/Hightech science group will present hands-on science lessons. South Smithfield Elementary will also offer the Starlab with astronomy lessons and a colonial group will make home made butter and peanut butter with the students. For more information, please call Kathy Hamilton at 919.934.8979. Clayton Middle to Host Book Fair Clayton Middle School Media Center will host a Scholastic book fair October 10-17 to help raise funds to purchase new books for the media center. The fair will feature a wide range of books for young teens and adults, including mystery and adventure novels, fantasy trilogies, sports guides, anime, cookbooks, and the latest bestsellers from more than 150 publishers. The Exchange will be open each day from 7:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents, children, teachers and the community are invited to attend. On Wednesday, October 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the fair will feature Family Night. 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 School. Sponsorships are available. For more information, please call Nicole Branch, Media Coordinator, at 919.553.5811. Also, at Clayton Middle School, 2007-2008 Upcoming Band Performances (New) 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. West Johnston Band Invites Public to Invitational The West Johnston Marching Band will host 20 high school bands from around the state at the 4th Annual Marching band Invitational marching band show. The event will be held in the West Johnston High School football stadium on Saturday, October 13 from 1:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. There will be 19 bands competing from across North Carolina with West Johnston, the 20th band, performing in exhibition at approximately 8:30 pm. 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. In Johnston County, West Johnston and Clayton are competing in Bands of America regional and national competitions. ESPN2 broadcast the Drum Corp International World Championships again this year. This marks the third national broadcast of a marching band event. Mr. M. Lance Britt, Director of Bands at West Johnston believes this increase in popularity is due to the positive impact it has on our young adults. Participating in marching band teaches our students teamwork, commitment and leadership. Their hard work is rewarded with experiences that will prepare them for success throughout their lives. Please support 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 $8.00 at the gate and concessions will be served. The Band Parents Association would like to invite all members of the media to attend this event. For more information, please call Lance Britt, Director of Bands, at 919.934.7333 or Sal Biancardi, President, West Johnston Band Parents Association at 919. 247.0613 or daabees@gmail.com. Also at West Johnston, West Johnston Band Parents Association Receives $1000 JC Arts Council Grant The West Johnston Band Parents Association has been awarded a $1,000.00 Grassroots Arts Grant by the Johnston County Arts Council. The Grassroots Arts Program receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts. Johnston County Arts Council is the North Carolina Arts Council’s Designated County Partner for Johnston County. The $1,000 grant will assist with the cost of music arrangement, licensing and purchase for the West Johnston High School Marching Band’s performance in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Matching funds to complete acquisition of the music and arrangement will be provided by the West Johnston Band Parents Association. The West Johnston High School Marching Band is one of five high school bands selected to participate in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This performance and experience will not only bring global exposure to Johnston County and the State of North Carolina but also offer the West band students a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience that encompasses all areas of curriculum. “We are delighted to partner with the Johnston County Arts Council as we prepare our students to represent Johnston County and the State of North Carolina in the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the excellence that this honor deserves. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Johnston County Arts Council for this grant and for their efforts throughout the year to promote all disciplines of art throughout our county,” said M. Lance Britt, Director of Bands at West Johnston. For more information, please call M. Lance Britt, Director of Bands, West Johnston High School, at 919.934.2328 or lancebritt@johnston.k12.nc.us JCS to Participate in United Way Kick-Off Johnston County Schools will participate in the United Way’s annual campaign kick-off on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 a.m. at Chick-Fil-A. For more information, please call Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer, at 919.934.6031, extension 241/242. NorthJohnstonHigh School to Host Parent Information Seminar North Johnston High School will hold its annual Parent Information Seminar in the auditorium on Tuesday, October 23. Grades 9 & 10 will meet from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Information will be provided to parents and students on graduation requirements, resources and academic planning. Additional presenters and information will be provided by our AVID program coordinator, GEAR-UP coordinator & Career Development. For more information, please contact Wendy Gupton at 919.284.2031. Grades 11 & 12 will meet from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.Parents and students will be provided informationon academic planning, scholarships and college admissions information. The presenter is Mrs. Wendy Jebens, Assistant Director, Office of Admissions UNC-CH. Formore information, please contact Donald Coates at 919.284.2031. Highway Patrolman, Sheriff’s Deputy to Visit Selma Elementary A member of the Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s departments will visit Selma Elementary to talk to the second grade classes about safety. They will also display their patrol equipment Thursday, October 25 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The activity follows second grade Social Studies curriculum and teaches children about safety. For more information, please call Lisa Murphy at 919.965.3361. Riverwood Elementary Fundraiser The next PTA fundraiser will be Friday, October 26, 2007. For more information, please call Frank Knott, Principal, at 919.359.6300. Second Annual Holiday Bazaar at WestViewElementary School West View Elementary School will be hosting "Hootie's Second Annual Holiday Bazaar" on Saturday, November 17, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa will be on site for pictures, craft vendors for Christmas shopping, and students can enjoy shopping at "The Owl's Nest Gift Shop". For more information, please call Nancy Parker, Assistant Principal, at West View Elementary at 919.661.6184. Artists-in-the-School Programs for the Month of October October 1st marks the beginning of the ninth year of the Artists-in-the-Schools program. Since its inception in 1999, Artists-in-the-Schools has raised over $900,000 to fund over 900 cultural events in the Johnston County Schools. Building on the success of the previous seven years, Johnston County Schools will play host to over 50 different artists for more than 150 cultural programs in the 2007-08 school year. This vital program has become an integral part of the Johnston County Schools and reaches over 30,000 students at all 37 Johnston County Schools, K-12. 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. Almost Recess will perform at Meadow Elementary on October 15, 2007, at 1:00 p.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. Almost Recess will perform at Meadow Middle on October 15, 2007 at 2:00 p.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. Tony Peacock will conduct a week-long residency at Cooper Elementary, October 15-19, 2007. Tony Peacock's five-day residency will increase student awareness of North Carolina writers and encourage the development of each student's voice. Almost Recess will perform at Cleveland Elementary on October 16, 2007, at 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 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. Mike Wiley will perform his show “Jackie Robinson” at Benson Middle on October 17, 2007, at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. In Mike Wiley's one man show, Mike Wiley lifts the shawdow of African American segregted athletics from the dark depths of yesteryear into the daylight of a new sports millenium. Donna Washington will perform at South CampusCommunitySchool on October 17, 2007, at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Donna presents a wide range of tales from many different cultures: Korean stories, Greek and Celtic myths, African folk tales, Arthurian legends, English lore, and American folk heroes. Almost Recess will perform at River Dell Elementary on October 17, 2007. 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. Almost Recess will perform at McGee's Crossroads Elementary on October 19, 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, the history of a cappella, voice parts, vocal drumming, and types of a cappella. Almost Recess will perform at McGee's Crossroads Middle on October 19, 2007 at 1:30 p.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 Theater will be performing "The Lady of Bullyburg" at 9:00 a.m. and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at 10:30 a.m. at WestSmithfieldElementary School on October 17, 2007. "The Lady of Bullyburg" is designed to empower young audiences with the tools to stop bullying and the Washington Irving classic “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is retold through music and physical comedy. Shabu Family will perform at Four Oaks Middle on October 19, 2007 at 1:30 p.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. Mad Science will perform at West View Elementary on October 24, 2007. Mad Science will present an interactive program of amazing science and unbelievable feats of science and nature.
