Paisley Robotics Club wins regional First LEGO League tournament

Students from Paisley IB Magnet School will take on teams from around the state in the First LEGO League state tournament on Jan. 11 after winning the regional tournament last month.

Two Paisley teams competed in the regional tournament, and both qualified to be a part of the 60 teams competing in the state tournament.

Robotics Team 1 beat out all 22 teams in the regional to win the tournament. The theme this year is "Nature's Fury." Teams had to learn and talk about natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.

Each team had to do a 10-minute presentation about their robot project, a presentation about the theme and talk about how they worked as a team. Then they had to show how their robots were programmed to perform various feats to get through obstacles on the course.

Dan Loftis is the robotics coach.

Team one included Blake Neuendorf, Issac Present, Kenan Althoff, Jake Reilly, Sosa Abinigi, Daisey Zorezo, Baye Samodal, DJ Edwards, Yusif Smith, Donnelley Arnett and Liam Samodal.

Team two included Andrew Allen, Chigamecha Oparanozie, Xavier Mitchell, Sean Mitchell, Jefri Samodal, Anthony Porazzi, Tramond Cobb, K.P. Kuita, Michael Cade Padden, Henry Kuti and Jacob Melton.

Atkins Academic Team narrowly misses state title in NCASA Twelve

Atkins High School narrowly missed winning a state championship title by a single point in the state final of the NCASA Twelve competition hosted at Rogers-Herr Middle School in Durham on Saturday, December 14. The Twelve is the first in a series of academic contests that lead to the awarding of the NCASA Scholastic Cup at the end of the school year. The third-place finish nets Atkins HS 45 points in the Cup Race. 

"I am really proud of the Atkins team," said Atkins Principal Joe Childers. "When you consider that the top two schools were five or six times our size, I think our team did an outstanding job." At the end of twelve close rounds of twelve questions each, the Atkins team was one point out of the lead with 110 correct, behind a first-place tie between two Charlotte Mecklenburg schools, Ardrey Kell and Myers Park, both with 111. Both Charlotte schools tying for first have student enrollments in excess of 2,000. 

Also with 110 points was Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. An overtime round was held to try to determine a tie-breaker between Ardrey Kell and Myers Park, but both teams scored eight points and the contest was left a tie. The third-place tie was left unbroken.

According to NCASA Executive Director Leon Pfeiffer, "The 2013 Twelve Competition was one of the most exciting competitions in NCASA history. "It was easily the most competitive competition in our history with four schools finishing within one point of each other after the final round. Six different schools also won rounds, another record indicating parity among the competing schools. This parity made every single question and answer count in every round. Going into the final round, Ardrey Kell led Myers Park and Thomas Jefferson by two, and Atkins by three. However, the final round brought these teams together with just one point separating the four schools. Even the overtime round could not differentiate the co-champions as each team earned 8 points in overtime." 

For Atkins, coming this close to winning a state title was not without mixed feelings. "It feels good to know that we have the talent and the desire to compete with any team in the state, but it does feel a little hollow coming so tantalizingly close to winning, but still ending up in third place. Any two questions we would have gotten right would have given us a victory," said Atkins teacher and Twelve Team Coach Kevin Hamilton. Of the twelve rounds, Atkins won the Current Events round and tied for the lead in Word Problems and Geography. 

The Twelve competition is unique to the NCASA organization and pits twelve students from each school against each other in a twelve-round competition with twelve questions per round. The contest features questions from a wide array of academic areas including US and World History, Civics and Economics, Physical and Life Sciences, several types of Mathematics, Literature and Grammar, and even wildcard topics. The wildcards on Saturday were Current Events and the Performing Arts. "Twelve is a unique competition in a number of ways," said Pfeiffer. "First, it is a knowledge-based competition that allows students to specialize in a particular subject, like US History or Life Sciences. However, it rewards those students who can contribute in other areas by allowing each student to compete in three rounds. It also rewards those well-rounded students by including two wildcard topics in each competition."

Team member AJ Goren was excited about the team's results, saying it was "definitely a good feeling, especially considering that we were only one point behind. Having the second-highest score, especially by such a close margin, is really exciting even if it gets counted as a third-place finish because two teams tied for first." Student Meredith Hemphill said, "We improved over last year and placed in a state competition. There aren't many teams who can say that." She also noted that it was also hard for the team to not be disappointed with coming so close to a victory. Hemphill is a two-time individual state champion and was a member of the state champion Quill writing team two years ago. 

The Twelve team was made up of Meredith Hemphill, John Henry Jackson, Hunter Chen, Lazar Trifunovic, Jack Bloomfled, Nik Bramblett, Chase Miller, Sterling Davis, Jonathan Grubbs, Vinish Kumar, AJ Goren, and Devika Ghosh. Alternates who attended to cheer their team on were Abi Udaiyar, Blakely Mitchell, and Emory Soper.

Fifth-Grade Dancers at Forest Park Elementary Win Dancing Classrooms Competition

On Dec. 12, five elementary schools gathered at Easton Elementary School for the Colors of the Rainbow, Dancing Classrooms Competition.

Each boy/girl team performed the Rumba, Merengue, Tango, Fox Trot and Swing. When all the dancing was done, students at Forest Park Elementary received the gold medal for coming in first place.

The other Winston-Salem/Forsyth County elementary schools that participated were Easton, Hall-Woodward and Old Town. The fifth school was Shady Grove Elementary in Davie County. All the schools had participated in the Take the Lead Dancing Classrooms program, which includes 10 weeks of ballroom dancing instruction for fifth-graders.

"We are so lucky to have this wonderful program available to schools,” said Norma White, a teacher assistant at Forest Park who worked with the program. “Our students build such confidence and respect for themselves as well as in their classmates. We are so proud of all they accomplished. This gold trophy is just another outstanding achievement to add to the list."

The coaches for the Forest Park team are technology facilitator Anna Dooley and teacher Ricquel Pratt. Falicia Fuller is the principal at Forest Park, and Ann Guill oversees Take the Lead: Dancing Classrooms for this area. 

Norma White

Holiday Brass Band Performs at Hanes Magnet and Central Office

Each year, for 22 years now, the Holiday Brass Band forms for one day to play holiday music. On Friday, the group played at Hanes Magnet School before heading over to the school’s system’s Administrative Building and playing there.

The members of this incarnation of the band included students from Hanes and Parkland and Reynolds high schools along with a former WS/FC student who now goes to Wake Forest University and people who work for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. That group included Carol Montague-Davis, the assistant superintendent for secondary schools; Brad Oliver, the school system’s director of arts education & summer enrichment programs; Mark Pilson, the lead teacher for music education; Wayne Foster, the Star3 project director, and band directors Mary Kate Bowman-Choat  (Hanes),  Johnathan Hamiel (Parkland) and Derrick James (Reynolds).

When it came time to play “Jingle Bells,” Superintendent Beverly Emory and school board member Jill Tackabery helped out on bells.

“The group is a little different each year,” said Oliver. “We try to keep the tradition going.”

The tradition dates back to the days when Oliver was the band director at Hanes. Over the years, it grew. About 25 people played in the group this year. Members have never played as a group before the day the band forms for the holidays.

“We warm up for a couple of minutes and go to playing,” Oliver said.

Walkertown High School Band Performs with Renowned Belgian Composer

Jan Van der Roost leads Walkertown High School Band

At its Winter Concert on Monday night, the Walkertown High School Band performed with Jan Van der Roost of Belgium, a world-renowned composer of band, orchestra and operatic literature. Van der Roost was here at the invitation of Quincy Lundy, the band director for Walkertown High and Middle schools.

“I wrote a message on his webpage back in the summer about how much I love his music and shared the story of why,” Lundy said. “Never expecting to hear from him directly, he contacted me and offered to come guest conduct the Walkertown High School Band en route to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago.”

Rehearsal

On the day before, Van der Roost also led an open rehearsal and clinic with the Piedmont Wind Symphony in Brendle Recital Hall in the Scales Fine Arts Center on the campus of Wake Forest University.

“The rehearsal and concert was everything I hoped for the kids,” Lundy said. “They performed amazingly and it was a huge confidence booster among other great things. The audience responded wonderfully to the band and was so appreciative for this opportunity. Mr. Van der Roost was super with the kids and they were perfectly respectful and grateful ladies and gentlemen. I believe we left as lasting of a wonderful impression on him as he did us! I am super proud of them.”

Van der Roost at work in the band's uniform room

Brunson Elementary Students Raise More Than $2,500 for Leukemia Research with Penny Campaign

A penny, nickel, dime and quarter at a time, students at Brunson Elementary School raised more than $2,500 for the North Carolina chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“I was a little overwhelmed,” said Bridget Hollomon, the second-grade teacher who initiated the project. “I had a personal goal of $1,000.”

As pleased as Holomon was with the total of $2,547.95, she with even more pleased with how many children participated. In 75 percent of the school’s 28 classes, every student participated. In the other classes, at least 60 percent of the students participated.

So that students who might not have extra money wouldn’t feel pressured to contribute money, Principal Jeff Faullin invited students to contribute the tokens that they receive for good behavior and promised to convert each token into a nickel.

Hollomon has worked to support leukemia research ever since her son, Wade, who is now 19, was diagnosed as having leukemia when he was 5. More than three years of surgery, chemotherapy and other treatments followed. He is now fine.

“He was lucky to come out the other side,” Hollomon said.

At the time, the family was living in Cumberland County. A couple of years ago, they moved to Forsyth County so that he could attend the drama program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is now a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

As part of the second-grade curriculum, Hollomon teaches students about the importance of compassion. “The question for me was, ‘How can I teach my students to be more compassionate toward others?’”

Having them participate in a Pasta for Pennies campaign seemed like a good answer. “It completely tied into what we were doing with the curriculum.”

The campaign is called Pasta for Pennies because the Olive Garden restaurant company rewards schools that sponsor campaigns in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with a pasta party, typically for the class that raises the most money. At first, Holomon was thinking of the campaign as a project for her class only. As she talked with other Brunson teachers and with guidance counselor Jenny Niles-Orefice, though, the idea spread.

“I became involved in our Pasta for Pennies campaign as a way to involve the entire school in a community service project,” Niles-Orefice said. “In guidance lessons, I work with students on coming up with ways to spread kindness and compassion, and Pasta for Pennies is a perfect fit for such a conversation.  Typically, the project encourages competition between classrooms to see who can raise the most money; instead we chose to aim for 100 percent participation from all students.  What resonated with me most was seeing how enthusiastic students of all grades were about helping raise money.  They were thrilled about the idea of extending compassion to leukemia patients so they could get better - it didn't matter that our students had never met them.  It was clear that our students could feel that they were making a meaningful difference in the world, and as their counselor, that was inspiring to observe.”

When the party is held after the holiday break, a child from each classroom will participate.

  

Lady Explorers at Ashley IB Magnet Win Award for "Most Spirited Walking Group" in Holiday Parade

The Lady Explorer Cheerleaders at Ashley IB Magnet School certainly know how to show lots of holiday spirit.

When they participated in the Winston-Salem Jaycees Holiday Parade on Dec. 7, they won the Holiday Spirit Award for “Most Spirited Walking Group.”

The cheerleading coaches are Halima McCaskill, Carolyn Archie and Amber Scales.

This is the second year in a row that the Lady Explorers have participated in the parade, held annually in downtown Winston-Salem.

Reagan team finishes in first place in regional Stock Market Game

Three students from Reagan High School finished first in the western regional of the Stock Market Game.

The Stock Market Game is a financial educational activity. Teams of up to five students invest a hypothetical $100,000 in real stocks, bonds and mutual funds. In the process, they learn cooperation, communication and leadership as they manage their portfolios.

More than 700,000 students take part in the game nationally, and Reagan's team of sophomore Roy Dennis, junior Sam Elliott, and senior Garrett Riddle came in first in the western region of North Carolina. They grew their $100,000 to $121,701 - a return of 19 percent.

Garrett Riddle, Roy Dennis and Sam Elliott

KMS students stand for the National Anthem with the Bobcats

Kathy Ford took 72 of her eighth-grade business students at Kernersville Middle School to Charlotte earlier this month for the "Career in Sports Day" event. Executives from the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats spoke to students about careers in the sports industry, and the students stayed for the Bobcats' game against the Philadelphia 76ers that night.

KMS had the largest group attending the event, so 15 of Ford's students got to go on the court and stand with the Bobcats during the National Anthem. Way to go, Hawks!

Assistant Superintendent is New Honorary Band Director for School System

Carol Montague Davis

Carol Montague Davis, the assistant superintendent for secondary schools, is now the school system's honorary band director.

Each year, band directors in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools recognize someone who has worked to support the high school band programs over the years. This year, the band directors voted to give that honor to Montague Davis.

“They know they can turn to her if they need assistance,” said Brad Oliver, the schools system’s director of arts education & summer enrichment programs. “She knows how much work goes into putting a band together and the time commitment for students.”

She also supports the band program by regularly going to events, he said.

Montague Davis is also an active musician. She played trumpet in her high school and college bands and now plays trumpet for the Central Office brass group.

Student Art in the December 2013 Issue of Forsyth Family Magazine

By Ryan Thomas

By Jahniah Westray

By Alaina Withers

By Haley Willard

By Traylon Ingram


On Page 88 of the December 2013 issue of Forsyth Family magazine, you will find art by five students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Alaina Withers and Haley Willard are both seventh-graders at Clemmons Middle School. Their art teacher is Stacey Stephens.

Traylon Ingram is a fourth-grader at Sedge Garden Elementary School. Traylon's art teacher is Tara Muzzy. 

Jahniah Westray is a junior at Glenn High School.  Karen Hansley is Westray's art teacher.

Ryan Thomas is a sophomore at Reagan High School. Karen Evans is Thomas' art teacher.

Carter High School Wins Chartwells Fantasy Food League Promotion

In September, Chartwells School Dining Services, the food service provider for Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, sponsored a Fantasy Food League promotion to encourage students to eat more fruits and vegetables.

At the high school level, students at Carter High School increased their fruit and vegetable consumption the most.

The prize was $250 for Teresa Thomas, the physical-education teacher, to use to buy equipment for the school. Thomas chose a new basketball goal, activity mats and an air pump.

On Tuesday, the Chartwells “prize patrol” delivered the equipment during Thomas' fifth-period class.

East Forsyth High Students Bring Holiday Creations to Central Office.

On Tuesday, students in the Occupation Course of Study program at East Forsyth High School came to Central Office and sold holiday crafts. They had wreaths, pottery and wood crafts.

During the two hours that they were set up in the third floor lobby, they sold about $150 worth of crafts.

They plan to return in the spring to sell more of their creations.

West Forsyth Science Teacher Named Outstanding Senior High Teacher by N.C. Science Teachers Association

Marci Harvey

Marci Harvey, who teaches honors physics and chemistry at West Forsyth High School, has received the District 5 Outstanding Senior High Teacher Award presented by the N.C. Science Teachers Association (NCSTA). 

"The award is an honor because my peers in the N.C. Science Teachers Association selected me," Harvey said. "To be nominated and supported by my colleagues at West Forsyth encourages me to continue my growth as a leader and a learner for education."

Also, this month, Harvey was awarded a NCSTA Curriculum Grant. 

“I wrote a proposal called ‘Analysis of Biodiesel in the Chemistry Classroom’ and it has been accepted,” Harvey said. “I will receive $1,000 for lab equipment and supplies to teach the unit as part of my Kenan Fellowship...The curriculum grant will give students access to equipment that we currently do not have. As a result, they can produce and test their own biodiesel in our classroom.”

This spring, Harvey and Brad Rhew, who teaches eighth-grade science at Walkertown Middle School, were among the 49 new Kenan Fellows named in the state.

Kenan Fellows receive fellowships that enable them to tackle summer research projects in a variety of fields including curriculum design, renewable energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. From their research, the Fellows will develop innovative classroom resources and lesson plans designed to enrich the educational experience for kindergarteners through high school seniors.

Harvey grew up in South Carolina and went to the College of Charleston. She graduated from there with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She earned her master’s degree in chemistry from the University of South Carolina. She earned her National Board Teaching Certification in 2008.

The award from NCTSA was presented during the association’s conference in Charlotte earlier this month.  

Students at East Forsyth High School Help Students at Kernersville Elementary Learn How to Manage Money

Wendy Valdez, Kaily Chapa-Lucero, Elizabeth Blackwell

On the front page of the Thursday, Nov. 7 issue of the Kernersville News, reporter Linda Payne writes about students at East Forsyth High School working with students at Kernersville Elementary School to help them learn how to manage money.

The program is a partnership of the State Employees Credit Union, the East Forsyth High School Finance Academy and Truliant Federal Credit Union.

The Wildcat Credit Union at Kernersville Elementary is open several days a week before school and is managed by students in the East Forsyth High School Finance Academy.

The photo is courtesy of Linda Payne. You will find the newspaper's website at Kernersville News

Exceptional Children Division Produces Cookbook to Raise Money for Family at Holidays

Ginger Haynes, Heather Surratt & Janet Yarrison 

The Exception Children (EC) Division is renowned for its potluck meals. Now you can recreate some of those wonderful, mouth-watering dishes for yourself!

“The EC Division is pleased to announce that our first edition of the Exceptional Cookbook is hot off the presses and ready for purchase,” said Heather Surratt, an administrative assistant in the EC Division. “It contains favorite recipes submitted by EC Division Staff and EC Case Managers. It will make a fantastic gift this holiday season.

“The cost is a mere $5 (cash only) and all proceeds benefit the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County family that the EC Division is sponsoring for the holidays this year.

“Run, don’t walk and beat the rush! 

“Be sure to admire the beautiful artwork on the cover. It was created by the students at Carter High School.”

People who want to buy a book can drop by Surratt’s desk in the Administrative Building or make arrangements by sending her an email at hjsurratt@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

They can also buy cookbooks from the EC program managers who come to their schools.   

High School Academy Students attend Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting

Nine students from the Career Technical Education Academies at three different high schools were able to attend the annual meeting of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 5, thanks to Ed Welch, the president of I.L. Long Construction Co., Inc.

John F. Kennedy High School was represented by students from the Construction & Design Academy, Health Sciences Academy, and ProStart Academy. Carver High School was represented by students from the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. Atkins Academic & Technology High School was represented by students from the Biotechnology Academy. Each of these high schools offers students the opportunity to study in a focused career path for four years and graduate with a nationally recognized credential.

“These students are all interested in pursuing additional education after graduation to reach their career goals,” said Nancy Harris, the magnet coordinator at Kennedy. “They will also have internships, job shadowing, and work experience on their resumes at the end of high school that will allow them to work in their chosen fields.

“Maria Toscano, a junior in the ProStart Academy at Kennedy, is looking forward to beginning the first phase of the restaurant management internship process this spring.  She will work a total of 400 hours over two years and hopes to spend part of that time with an established local restaurant enterprise.

“All students had time to spend networking before and after the meeting and found that members of the Rotary Club (hosts of the event with the Chamber), Truliant Credit Union and several small businesses were more than willing to speak with them about their futures.  Marvin Ashley, a sophomore Construction and Design Academy student at Kennedy, came away with several business cards, a future business contact, and information about scholarships for high school students. In his words, ‘I did not realize that so many business people are interested in what I am doing in high school.  I am excited about that!’”

Pictured (left to right):

Nancy Harris (Kennedy, Magnet Coordinator), Nicole Miller (Carver, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Coordinator), Lucas Brim (Carver), Jenee Miller (Carver), Alyssa Westberry (Carver), Dr. Shirley Bynum (CTE Co-Director), Dr. Beverly Emory (Superintendent), Marvin Ashley (Kennedy), Lizbeth Vasquez (Kennedy), TJ Turner (Atkins), Anna Ramos-Rodriguez (Kennedy), Meredith Hemphill (Atkins), Maria Toscano (Kennedy), Terry Howerton (Atkins, Biotechnology Coordinator)

Student Art in November 2013 Issue of Forsyth Family Magazine

The November 2013 issue of Forsyth Family magazine includes art by three students at West Forsyth High School who have Elizabeth Betson as their art teacher.

It also includes a photo of the art installation created by Reynolds High School students in the 3-D Design class taught by art teacher Emily Beach-Munday. You will find out more about that project at Reynolds Pegasus Project

Here is the art by the West Forsyth students:

By Amanda Duke

By Vanessa Schoning

By Tori Hinson

Forty-Four Teachers in Kernersville Area Receive a Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Education Grant

Deana Jones of Piney Grove Elementary 

Each year since 2003, the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce has overseen the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Education Grant Program. With the support of businesses and individuals in the Kernersville area, grants of up to $500 are given to teachers at 12 schools in the area. 

Over the years, the program has grown from four grants in 2003 to 44 this year worth a total of $18,165. Over the years, $93,000 in grants have been awarded.

Patty DeWitt of Kernersville Elementary

On Oct. 24, many of the winners learned that their grant proposal had been accepted when one or more members of a group dropped in on their classroom. Members of the group included Superintendent Beverly Emory, Assistant Superintendent Darrell Walker, Kernersville Mayor Dawn Morgan and Monica Young, who Bruce Boyer, the president and CEO of the Chamber, calls "the driving force behind the program."  

Bobby Garcia of Kernersville Middle

The schools included in the program at East Forsyth High School (EFHS), Kernersville Elementary School (KES), Kernersville Middle School (KMS), Piney Grove Elementary School (PGES) East Forsyth Middle School (EFMS, Caleb's Creek Elementary School (CCES), Glenn High School (GES), Southeast Middle School (SEMS),  Union Cross Elementary Schools (UCES), Cash Elementary School (CES), Smith Farm Elementary School (SFES) and Sedge Garden Elementary School (SGES).

Brierley Ash of Smith Farm Elementary

Below is a list of the teachers and their schools:

Teacher School Farrah Hilton EFHS Sarah Suttle EFHS Silvana Mazo EFHS Jenna Turner KES Theresa Murphy KES Patty Dewitt KES Bobby Garcia KMS Jeff Shu KMS Kadetta Miller KMS Susan Polster-York KMS Smith & Musci KMS Dave Boyer KMS Deana Jones PGES Susan Holbrook PGES Rachel Henley PGES Teresa Sweeney PGES Kim AsKew EFMS Heather Robbins CCES Rebecca Fagge CCES Jayne Grubbs CCES Deeann Kidd CCES Cheryl Jeffries GHS Leslie Buschmann GHS Nick Pizzino SEMS Cynthia Hatch SEMS Deborah Daniels SEMS Jane Trace  SEMS Sheila Costello UCES Jennifer Edgerton UCES Angel Long UCES Amy Sain UCES Brandon Buchanan EFMS Steven Sikkenga EFMS Earl Anderson EFMS Read, Eubanks, Walker CES Karen Hughes CES 4th grade teachers CES Maureen Patti CES Tybee Collins CES Brierley Ash SFES Marie Antonette Kurucz SFES Beverly Lester SGES Sheila Bridges SGES Lisa Rebman SGES Donna Sherman SGES

Student Council at Mount Tabor High Works to Support Forsyth County Cancer Services

On Thursday, Oct. 31, the student council at Mount Tabor High School sponsored a school-wide service project in support of Forsyth County Cancer Services

Members of the student council asked staff and students to wear pink. "The whole school was pink," said Corrette Miller, the teacher, who along with teacher Amanda Crews, serves as a sponsor.

Clubs sold pink items before school and during lunch. "We raised $1,500," Miller said.

The theme was carried over to the school’s football game on Friday Nov. 1.

Raven Ambassadors at East Forsyth Middle School Get Wacky, Mix It Up and Promote Unity

“Raven Ambassadors is an organization at East Forsyth Middle School created by teachers Jo Thomas and Andrea Walters,” said language-arts teacher Jennifer Long.

“The group aims to create student leaders by having the students take on responsibilities throughout the school.  The Raven Ambassadors staff the school store, organize Wacky Days each month, serve as hall monitors, and recently promoted Unity Day at our school.  We've had a wacky hat day, and Blackout and Pinkout days. Some of the Raven Ambassadors also organized Mix-It Up Lunch.”

"We are also encouraging unity between the student body and teachers with the different activities that are planned," said Thomas, who Thomas teaches Exploring Life Skills. "We have 23 members representing the majority of our homerooms....The group meets twis a month. they also serve the school for evening functions. as food servers, hostesses, etc."

Walter is a math resource teacher.

Kimberley Park Elementary Goes Pink for Halloween

“Bringing awareness and finding a cure to breast cancer is something that is very important to the staff and students at Kimberley Park Elementary School,” said first-grade teacher Erika Fernandez. “For Halloween, we decided to have a “Go Pink” day!

“Students and staff were able to donate money with all proceeds going to the Derrick L. Davis Cancer Center at Forsyth Hospital. Students were able to wear pink accessories, such as socks, bracelets, and pins. Staff members were able to wear pink as well. Throughout the day, staff and students had conversations about breast cancer and what it means to bring awareness to an issue.

“In the afternoon, staff and students gathered in the outdoor classroom to release balloons. Students cheered as the balloons were released by staff members in memory of those who have passed from breast cancer. We remembered those who have survived and those who are still fighting.”

Students in Occupational Course of Study program at North Forsyth High School Selling Cards with Art by North Forsyth Students

Students who created the art on the cards being sold

In the coming weeks, students in the Occupational Course of Study (OCS) program at North Forsyth High School Cards will be selling cards that celebrate the holidays and honor veterans.

The cards feature art by North Forsyth High students. The first prize-winners were Wilbert Alvarez and Arissa Vaden. Second-prize winners were Hayleigh Cass and Stephen Noyola Liborio. Third-prize winners were Savannah Ezzell and Leah Harrison. Barbara Steele, the chair of fine and performing arts at North Forsyth School, oversaw the judging.

The school system’s print shop worked with North Forsyth to print the cards. The enterprise helps students in the OCS program obtain their 300 required school-based training hours by selling, stocking and coding the cards.

The cards designed by students will be sold in packs of 12 for $5. They will be available the second week of November and can be purchased through the OCS Department at North Forsyth by emailing the OCS Department at dhjones@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Students in the OCS program are also selling commercially produced cards for $1 each.

The OCS Greeting Card Enterprise at North Forsyth was selected by the Department of Public Instruction for the 63rd Annual Conference on Exceptional Children in Greensboro, being held Nov. 21 at the Four Seasons Koury Convention Center. To prepare for the event, students were invited to submit designs in two categories – holiday and veterans. The deadline for submissions was Sept. 30.

“It’s been a great deal of excitement for the North Forsyth High School’s OCS Department,” said OCS teacher Johnnie Lovell. “Instructors Doris Jones, Johnnie Lovell and David Nash and assistants Steven Watkins, David Hill, Twana Wilson, and Victoria Houston Jackson have been working hard in preparation for the big event.

“On a personal note, throughout Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, there are dedicated exceptional children instructors, administrators, central office professionals, and many other outstanding educators who believe through witnessing the achievement of the many students who have left high school and found success in their post-secondary experiences."

                

The theme of the conference is “Believing in Achieving.” This conference is North Carolina’s largest gathering of educational professionals and parents of children with disabilities.