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.