Board Changes Student Make-Up Day to June 8 (New) The Johnston County Board of Education has voted to change the student make-up day formerly scheduled for April 13 to June 8. April 13 will remain a staff workday. For more information, please call Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer, at 919.934.6031, extension 242. Middle College to Hold Open House (New) Have you heard of the Middle College and what it has to offer? Did you know that you can take college classes for free—and that they count as credits for high school graduation? Join us on Thursday, April 12th between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for our Open House. The event will be held in the Great Hall at Johnston Community College. Campus tours will be available as well as opportunities to speak with current students and teachers. Come experience a day in the life of a Middle College Student.For more information, please call Dr. Amelia McLeod, Principal, at 919.989.6208. Artists-in-the-School Programs for the Month of April (New) 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, call Jessica Meadows, Executive Director AITS at 919.553.1930 or 919.753.7393. Howard Craft will conduct a writer’s residency at Riverwood Middle from April 2-4, 2007. This residency, titled "Fire Words," is designed to help students interested in performance poetry. Glenn McNitt will conduct a residency at South Smithfield Elementary from April 16-20, 2007. In this five day residency, Mr. McNitt will teach students to interpret Origami diagrams and includes each student folding several Origami models. Beverly Botsford will perform at River Dell Elementary on April 19, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Using a fascinating array of percussion instruments, Beverly shares the excitement of world cultures and curriculum with music, stories, and dance. Grey Seal Puppets will perform at Dixon Road Elementary on April 20, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. Grey Seal Puppets presents three tales from around the world that feature a variety of puppet styles, including "The Frog Prince," "Billy Goats Gruff," and "The Three Little Pigs." Grey Seal Puppets will perform Salsa Cinderella at Meadow Elementary on April 20, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. Grey Seal Puppets presents the classic tale of Cinderella re-imagined with Latin American flavors. Almost Recess will perform at Smithfield Middle on April 20, 2007. Almost Recess will perform songs-both originals and covers-as 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. Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble will perform at Riverwood Elementary on April 25, 2007, at 8:50 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. In this performance program that includes audience participation, three dancers and one musician demonstrate the diversity and multi-cultural origins of percussive dance forms that developed in North America. Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble will perform at McGee's Crossroads Elementary on April 27, 2007, at 9:15 a.m. In this performance program that includes audience participation, three dancers and one musician demonstrate the diversity and multi-cultural origins of percussive dance forms that developed in North America. Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble will perform at McGee's Crossroads Middle on April 27, 2007, at 12:10 p.m. In this performance program that includes audience participation, three dancers and one musician demonstrate the diversity and multi-cultural origins of percussive dance forms that developed in North America. Trent Arterberry Performs at RiverwoodMiddle School (New) Trent Arterberry began his performance by stating that every person has to have a dream, a vision…to think outside the box. He began by performing as two people “Larry Little Squirt” and “Billy Big Shot”. Each character is made fun of because of their appearance or because the other will not be friends with the other one, he mimes an argument, fight and resolution. The objective was, “We do one thing we get an appropriate response.” Several entertaining stories are told using life lessons with Mr. Arterberry. He explained to the sixth grade audience that “Life Lives Us” and “We need to be Proactive”. Many students asked questions at the end of the performance, “How do you become a Mime?” Mr. Arterberry explained that walking on stage opens many doorways (as he was going through a door without walls around it) and he left his pre-med studies at UCLA to study mime. For more information, please contact Magen Pike, RiverwoodMiddle School at 919.359.2769. Camel Country Hosts North Johnston GEAR UP Students (New) GEAR UP students from North Johnston Middle School were greeted by Campbell University staff and students during a recent field trip. Forty-five 8th grade students traveled to CU and were given a tour of the university as well as opportunities to ask questions about college life. They visited classrooms, student dorms, the student center, gymnasium, and ate in the dining hall among the college students. Campbell University was founded in 1887 by James Archibald Campbell, a North Carolina preacher who believed that no student should be denied admission because of lack of funds. Campbell’s rise from a community school of 21 students in 1887 to its present standing among the state’s largest church-related senior university, housing nearly 2,500 undergraduate students, is illustrative of what perseverance can accomplish in scaling new heights. The students were also surprised that Campbell would have a football team beginning in 2008. During WWII, the football team at CU was cut due to the lack of male participation. Currently, soccer is a popular team sport at the school. GEAR UP students toured the computer lab with Dr. Maiden, a professor in the school of education. After walking all over campus, the dining hall was a welcome sight. Students could not believe that they could eat anything and everything they wanted... pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, roasted chicken, and to top it off…they did not have to drink milk! Bianca Patel and Michael Renfrow had the honor of introducing their sisters, Monica Patel and Suzanne Renfrow, who are North Johnston graduates that attend Campbell University. They spoke about their accomplishments at Campbell and the college life experience. Monica, Bianca’s sister, is majoring in Pre Pharmacy and loves CU. She is in her second year at Campbell. Suzanne, Michael’s sister, is currently attending Campbell Law School. GEAR UP is a program which will assist the 8th grade students at Benson Middle School, Selma Middle and North Johnston Middle School from now until they graduate from High School. These students will be provided information on decision making in high school and appropriate choices for college and careers. They will have the opportunity to explore colleges and universities as well as business and industry. GEAR UP is always looking for partners to assist with funding. For more information, please call Rose Pittman, GEAR UP Coordinator, at 919.284.3374. rosepittman@johnston.k12.nc.us Golden Lunch Box and Patriot Pride Awards (New) McGee's Elementary has Patriot Pride all over the campus including the cafeteria. Students help the staff take pride in keeping the cafe clean and presentable for the class that follows behind them by sweeping the floor and picking up trash. The students and teachers keep up with their points each day and at the end of the month the class or classes are honored by displaying a Golden Lunch Box or a Patriot Pride Lunch Box in their class. The students take pride in their class and the jobs they perform daily. For more information, please contact Mary Jane Roberts, Administrative Intern, or Vicky T. Rains, Assistant Principal at 919.894.7161. Jump Rope for Heart (New) (photo) Princeton School participated in their 2nd Jump Rope for Heart event on Wednesday, February 23, 2007. Each of the K-4 students participated in this event. The event was held in the gym. The students raised $5,718.00 this year to give to the American Heart Association. This was $800.00 more than last year. The top homeroom, Mrs. Shallington's 4th grade class, raised $1,113.00. The top three fundraisers were Gracie Smith, 1st grade, $240.00; Allie Wagner, 4th grade, $225.00; and, Joseph Hatcher, 4th grade, with $210.00. Thanks to all of the students for making this another successful event. For more information, please call Ken Williams, Career Development Coordinator, at Princeton High School, 919.936.5011, extension 319. Competition Nets Big Rewards for South Smithfield Elementary (New) Mary Aker, Media Coordinator, entered South Smithfield Elementary in a contest to win a Jan Brett author visit. The students read many Jan Brett books and then participated in an on-line comprehension competition. The school won the competition and Mrs. Brett presented a workshop for the students at the school on Friday, March 16. In addition, every child in the school received an autographed Jan Brett book, and she stayed for additional autographs. A Brett book was also purchased in Mrs. Aker’s honor. For more information, please contact Mary Aker at South Smithfield Elementary at 919.934.8979. West Johnston Band Parents Sponsor 5th Annual Golf Tournament and Cookout (New) The West Johnston Band Parents Association is sponsoring the 5th annual golf tournament to benefit the West Johnston High School Band Program. The golf tournament will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a shotgun start on Friday, April 13th at the Reedy Creek Golf Course. Local golfers are invited to support the West Johnston Band Program with an afternoon of golf and community fellowship. Registration is currently underway. The cost is $65.00 per player or $195.00 per team. This year is a revised captain’s choice format of three-person teams, two teams per hole. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart, prizes for low gross and low net scores, cookout and fun. The West Johnston Band Parents are also seeking hole sponsorships and door prize donations from our community. A contribution of $100.00 or a donation of a door prize is a great opportunity to promote your business. Proceeds will benefit the West Johnston High School Band Program. The band program continues to develop into one of the finest in our country by offering our students performance and life learning opportunities and experiences. The golf tournament will not only offer an enjoyable afternoon of golf but will also be a celebration of the completion of the West Johnston Band Program’s fifth year of excellence. To register or make a contribution, please contact Gary Yoder at 894-7621 or go to www.wjhsbands.org. For more information, please contact Roger Crickenberger, President, West Johnston Band Parents Association, at 919.934.9891 or go to www.wjhsbands.org. High School Envirothon Team Advances to State Competition (New) (photo) Three high school teams from Johnston County weathered the cold rain and stinging wind at the regional Envirothon Competition held recently at Lake Gaston. West Johnston’s ‘Sequoias’ placed third in the event and will advance to the State Envirothon Competition to be held in April. Only the top seven teams out of 38 competing high school teams qualify for the State Envirothon. This is a significant win for Johnston County as they contended with former State Champions, Enloe High School and the NC School of Math and Science. The other competing teams from Johnston County include Clayton High School’s ‘Possums’, led by FFA Advisor, Johanna Wood and West Johnston’s ‘Grafts’, led by science teacher, Heather Earp. The Envirothon is an academic competition that tests students’ knowledge of five subject areas: soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and current environmental issues. It stimulates and enhances young people’s interest and knowledge in ecology and the principles and best management practices of natural resource management. Many students who participate in the Envirothon are inspired to pursue careers related to the topic areas they study. Middle School Envirothon Teams Advance to State Competition (New) (photos) Three middle school teams from Johnston County also weathered the cold rain and stinging wind at the regional Envirothon Competition held recently at Lake Gaston to advance to the State Envirothon Competition to be held in April. Led by Melody Lineberger, sixth grade science teacher at McGee’s Crossroads Middle School, the ‘Silly Skunks’ placed 2nd, the ‘Southern Salamanders’ placed 4th and the ‘Soaring Avians’ placed 6th out of twelve other competing middle school teams from adjoining counties to qualify for the State Envirothon. Only the top seven ranking teams are eligible to advance to the state competition. The Envirothon is an academic competition that tests students’ knowledge of five subject areas: soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife and current environmental issues. It stimulates and enhances young people’s interest and knowledge in ecology and the principles and best management practices of natural resource management. Many students who participate in the Envirothon are inspired to pursue careers related to the topic areas they study. State Envirothon Competition (New) The State Envirothon Competition will be held on April 27 and 28 at Cedarock Park in Burlington, NC. This two-day event will host 56 middle school teams from across the state. The winner of the State Envirothon will advance to the national competition in New York. For more information, please contact Susan Watson Woodard, Information Education Specialist, Johnston Soil and Water Conservation District, at ­­­­919.934.7156, extension 3. First Year Teacher of the Year to be Announced (New) Johnston County Schools will announce its First Year Teacher of the Year on April 24 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at WestSmithfieldElementary School. Principals and mentors of the first year teacher nominee are invited to celebrate their teachers, as well as the accomplishments of all first year teachers in the Johnston County Schools. For more information, please call Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer, at 919.934.6031, extension 241. Your Logo Here or delete this text Get ready, get set, Kindergarten, here we come! Johnston County Schools presents: “Get Ready, Get Set...Kindergarten, Here We Come”, a free informational session on kindergarten transition. In this session, parents will learn about the daily experiences of a typical kindergarten student; find out specific types of activities you can offer your child to give him or her a “jump start” on kindergarten; children will begin the transition to the school setting by meeting their teachers, asking questions about kindergarten, and meeting other students...all while having fun! Several sessions remain: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 @ Meadow Elementary Thursday, April 19, 2007 @ Glendale Kenly Elementary For more information, program times, or to register, please call Sarah Thompson at 934-4361, extension 376. Polenta Cares Each class at Polenta Elementary School has been collecting pop tabs this year for the Ronald McDonald House. Fifth grade student Karen Hall has been storing pop tabs in her garage and will present them to Polenta at 9 a.m. on April 18. The winning class will officially donate the tabs to a Ronald McDonald representative and receive a McDonald’s lunch party. For more information, please call Nancy Nettles, Principal, at 919.989.6039.
