Your Permanent Record: May 2015

Friday, May 29, 2015

Photos from Bus Driver Banquet

You will find the main story about the 2015 Transportation Awards and Appreciation Banquet at Bus Driver Banquet

Here are some more photos from the night:

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Kimberley Park First-Graders Head to Barnes & Noble and Come Back with Books to Read at Home This Summer

On May 1, first-graders at Kimberley Park Elementary School took a field trip to Barnes & Noble bookstore.

“Because reading is such an important skill that our first graders are working on, I was trying to figure out a way to get our students excited about reading,” said first-grade teacher Kathryn Gehrs. “Not only do I want them to learn to read, but I want them to love to read as well. This is why I created a GoFundMe project for a field trip to Barnes & Noble. What better way to get our students excited about reading than let them go to a book store and buy their very own brand new books?”

People responded and donated more than $1,200.

“Thanks to generous donations by our volunteers, their family members and friends, as well as our family members and friends, the first-grade students at Kimberley Park Elementary school were able to take a field trip to Barnes & Noble,” Gehrs said. “There they were able to take a tour of the store, listen to some wonderful children's stories and get a sweet treat. The best part of the trip was that each child was able to purchase $20 worth of brand-new books for themselves and purchase a $5 book to donate to Brenner Children's Hospital.

“Our goal was to make sure that all 45 of our first graders had books in their hands to read over the summer, and learn the importance of paying it forward in the process. Not only do we want our students to learn to read, but we want them to love to read too.

“Many of our students had never been to a book store before, so this was an exciting experience. Thanks to the outstanding service of the employees at Barnes & Noble, as well as the kindness of the volunteers who helped the students pick out books, this is one field trip our students will never forget.”

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Exceptional People Serving Exceptional Children: Part 3

This is the third installment of a new series in The Exceptional Times that highlights people in the Exceptional Children Department.

Margarita Murden is an EC teacher assistant at Hanes Magnet School.

“Margarita ‘Mama Murden’ Murden’s impact is amazing as she has a special, natural gift that makes the difference not only among EC students and teachers but the Hanes community as well. She wears many hats and her willingness and dedication are unconditional, regardless of the need and people involved. Her calm nurturing mannerism in dealing with students’ academic, social, and/or at-risk behaviors is astonishing. Her experience encompasses various disabilities and ability levels including the MAP program. Her quality time with students and adults leaves a golden imprint which is unforgettable.

“One person can make a difference, and “Mama Murden” does.”

Murden’s duties include, but are not limited to, serving as a resource paraprofessional in science, math and social studies; supporting students; maintaining daily documentation; assisting the EC teacher with guided practice teaching; and assisting with bus duties after school.

“Alicia Clement, an EC resource teacher at Walkertown High School, is an amazing asset to the students, families, and staff. She goes above and beyond every day. Ms. Clement is willing to help students and co-workers in any way possible. If asked to help, there is no doubt it will be done and done well!

“Ms. Clement spends hours outside of work continuing to share her passion for educational excellence. She has an uncanny ability to help her students understand academic concepts and apply them to their schoolwork and post-secondary goals. Her enthusiasm and energy are infectious and help keep the atmosphere at Walkertown High positive. Both students and staff know, without a doubt, that Alicia is always ready to lend a helping hand and offer support. We are so grateful to have Ms. Clement at Walkertown High School!”

"Moving Up" at Rural Hall Elementary School

On Friday, May 15th, students at Rural Hall Elementary School had the opportunity to get a taste of what awaits them when they move up to the next grade for the 2015-16 school year.

Parents were invited to attend "Moving Up" Day. While giving students a taste of what is to come, the event was also designed to help parents find out more about academic requirements and expectations for the next grade. Parents had the opportunity to ask questions and get grade-specific answers.

Other schools participated in a number of ways. The Northwest Middle School band & orchestra visited fifth-graders in their music class. Students from Paisley IB Magnet School and Hanes Magnet School visited with fifth-graders via Skype to talk with students from Paisley.

Fifth-graders also had the chance to learn how to work a lock for a locker.

Fourth-graders visited a fifth-grade class and had the chance to see what it was like to have their own laptop for school use. “They were happy!” said teacher Linda McDermon.

Third-graders visited a fourth-grade classroom “Upstairs - as grown up as it gets!” Mc Dermon said.

Other grades also visited the classrooms they will be in next year.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Photos from the 2015 Elementary Battle of the Books

You will find the main story at Battle of the Books

Thursday, May 7, 2015

SECCA's Teachers' Night on May 19 Will Include Screening of Documentary Called "Most Likely to Succeed"

The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art’s next Teacher Night on May 19 includes a screening of Most Likely to Succeed.

Teacher night is free and open to all educators. Along with the screening and viewing art on the display at the center, the night will include curriculum-based tours, lesson plans and materials, tech demos, along with time to relax and refreshments.

The open house portion of the night is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. The screening is scheduled for 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a discussion to follow.

Screened at Sundance, this documentary focuses on the story of a school in San Diego that is completely rethinking what the experience of going to school looks like. As we follow students, parents and teachers through a truly unorthodox school experience, the audience is forced to consider what sort of educational environment is most likely to succeed in the 21st century?

As The Hollywood Reporter put it: “It quickly becomes clear that Most Likely to Succeed sees very little point in looking at education reform from a political standpoint. This is a film about parents, teachers and, most importantly, students, namely the grassroots participants that make up all the statistics we hear about on the nightly news. We see their victories and defeats, their excitement and anxiety.”

SECCA would like to thank Kaplan Inc. and Gryphon House Books for their generous support.

Six Students Become State Winners in N.C. Reading Association's Young Authors Program

Carsten Macosko, Asha Pariyadath, Caroline Yurkutat, Anna Grace Yurkutat

Each year, the N.C. Reading Association sponsors a Young Authors program. This year's theme was "Dare to Dream,” and six of the students participating through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Reading Council became state winners.

The six winners were Asha Pariyadath and Carsten Macosko, who are first graders at Jefferson Elementary School; Caroline Yurkutat and Anna Grace Yurkutat, who are second graders at Jefferson Elementary; and Slate Stewart and Sneha Thilik, who are sixth-graders at Meadowlark Middle School.

Caroline was the local council’s pick and Slate was a state judges' pick. Children's author Kelly Starling Lyons was the speaker at the state celebration.

Jenni Carowan, who teaches first grade at Jefferson, and Sabrina Secrest, who teaches sixth-grade language arts at Meadowlark Middle, are the N.C. Reading Association's State Young Authors Co-Chairs.

The entries were published in a book called Dare to Dream.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Hospice's Camp Carousel Offers Support for Students and Families Dealing with Death of a Loved One

As the school year draws to a close, the people Hospice & Palliative CareCenter are hoping that those who know of a student who is mourning the death of a loved one will let the student and his or her family know about Camp Carousel.

The camp, which is scheduled for Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31, is a bereavement retreat for children and teen-agers (rising 1^st graders through rising 12^th graders), as well as adults, who are grieving the death of a loved one. Camp Carousel offers grief support groups, art and music therapy, writing, animal-assisted therapy, and a variety of fun and creative activities designed to help those who are grieving death-related losses.

Some age groups fill up quickly, so please let bereaved students and families know that space is limited and that registration is underway. Full and partial scholarships are available; no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay the $25 fee.

For more information about Camp Carousel, you can get in touch with Donna Hampton, the Director of Grief & Bereavement Services at Donna.Hampton@hospicecarecenter.org or 331-1319.

You will find a registration form and more information about Hospice at Hospice