Rodney Ellis Honored by Philo-Hill

On Wednesday, the Philo-Hill community honored Rodney Ellis, who died in September, by opening a special community reading room.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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Santa at Hall-Woodward Elementary

On Monday, Santa and Mrs. Claus and elves from the Chamber of Commerce visited Hall-Woodward Elementary School.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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Students Make Blankets and Buy Books for Students Who Are Homeless

After students from several elementary and middle schools learned that about 500 students attending Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools are homeless, they decided they wanted to help them by buying books and making blankets.

“It was our goal at William Roscoe Anderson Recreation Center to purchase books and blanket kits to make for some of the families,” said Betty Wallace, who is a school counselor at Sedge Garden Elementary School.

“Students worked in cooperative teams.  Each member had a job, and responsible decisions had to be made daily, like who will be responsible for measuring, folding, cutting , tying and knotting those special strings.

“The packing was another job, as well as inserting those special books for delivery. Overall, the students learned about team-building, problem-solving and working cooperatively with a special group of children in mind.”

On Thursday, Dec. 15, the students presented the blankets and books to Tammi O'Quinn, the homeless liaison for Project HOPE, which helps students who are homeless.

Teachers Honored

On Friday, new teachers at 15 schools were honored at a luncheon at the Winston-Salem Foundation.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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Reagan High Students Buys Gifts for Bolton First-Graders

On Thursday, Reagan students brought gifts to first-graders at Bolton Elementary School. Winston-Salem Journal reporter Arika Herron and photographer Jessica Nuzzo were there. Here is an excerpt:

Christmas came early for Bolton Elementary School first-graders Thursday.

“I told them they were having a special visitor, but I didn’t tell them who it was,” said Cathy Herron, watching her first-grade class tearing Christmas paper off Barbie dolls, soccer balls and stuffed animals. “When they saw it was Santa…”

Under that Santa suit was Chris Vogel, science teacher at Reagan High School and sponsor of the school’s CARE club. The club members, about 60 Reagan students, played elves to Vogel’s Santa and handed out brightly wrapped gifts and stockings full of candy to each Bolton first-grader.

“This is the best day ever,” shouted first-grader Alondra Salazar-Osequera as she opened up her brand new flute. “I’ve been dying to get this for Christmas.”

Bolton’s four first-grade teachers provided the CARE club with a class picture, roster and gift wish for each student. Reagan students then chose one or two students and used their own money to buy gifts and stocking stuffers.

To read the full story, go to Winston-Salem Journal

Santa Comes to Lowrance

On Wednesday, the people at Kaba and at National General Insurance invited Santa to join them for a party at Lowrance Middle School.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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Santa Comes to Graylyn

Each year, the staff at Graylyn has a holiday party for The Children's Center. On Wednesday, everyone headed over to sing and visit with Santa.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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A Special Playground for Sedge Garden Elementary

On Monday, representatives of Corning presented Sedge Garden Elementary with a $10,000 check to pay for playground equipment for children in the Exceptional Children pre-kindergarten program.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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Gift Mart at Old Town Elementary

On Saturday, parents of students at Old Town Elementary were able to shop for gifts for their children.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

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