Single-Gender Classes at Carver High School

In the Chronicle, reporter Layla Garms writes about a single-gender class at Carver High School taught by Daniel Piggott Jr.

Garms describes his Common Core algebra class “as a boys’ club, and that’s the way Piggott likes it. Piggott led the charge to implement single gender classes at Carver High School in the 2012-13 school year. The Carver alumnus currently teaches three sections of algebra to freshmen males.”

Another Carver teacher, Charita Ward, leads all-female classes, while a third instructor is charged with mixed gender groups, Garms writes.

“This has been a pleasant experience,” Piggot told Garms. “I remember being a young man in these same halls at Carver High School, so I see a lot of myself when I see them, and it allows us a lot of opportunities to talk about things other than math. You can just talk about being a minority male in the United States of America.”

For the full story go to Winston-Salem Chronicle

Paisley IB Magnet Students Participate in Optimist Club Oratorical Contest

The Chronicle has a story by Dayona McLean about 10 students at Paisley IB Magnet School participating in the Optimist Club of Winston-Salem’s annual oratorical contest on Monday, March 18 at Ardmore Church of Christ.

All 10 contestants are in Marshall Marvelli’s English I class. The English curriculum at Paisley includes a public speaking component, so the oratorical program was a perfect fit. Marvelli, who has made the Optimist competition a part of his curriculum, had his 9th grade students write and present their essays in class. He then chose the best to participate in the contest.

The contest is held annually by the Winston-Salem club in coordination with Optimist International’s contest of the same name. Phyllis Elliott, Diana Chew, Anna Carolina Pelaes, Monet Beatty, Caroline Phon, Tristan McGuire, Jayson Williamson, Alexander Holt, David Hill Jr. and Zach Skillings were selected for the competition.

For the full story go to Winston-Salem Chronicle

Hanes Student Receives National Award at National Conference in Texas

Lauren and Asha Gandhi

On Friday, April 5, Asha Gandhi received a Yes I Can! Award in the Academics category from the Council for Exceptional Children at its national conference in San Antonio, Texas.

The awards honor people who achieve much despite disabilities. Asha, who is in the school system’s program for highly academically gifted students at Hanes Magnet School, has limited vision and hearing.

"This is a very prestigious award,” Asha said. “I am honored to be a recipient."

Altogether, the national council recognized 21 award winners in seven categories - academics, arts, athletics, school and community activities, self-advocacy, technology and transition.

"The 21 honorees chosen from hundreds of national and international nominees were truly outstanding,” said Asha’s mother, Lauren Gandhi. “It was a very humbling experience to see what determined kids could accomplish with their ‘Yes I Can’ attitudes."

"While there, Asha also served on a panel of four award winners and their parents sharing their experiences in a question-and-answer format.  She enjoyed sharing her story with the educators attending the meeting."

Her father, Sanjay Gandhi said, "One of the things that really made this experience special for Asha and us was the opportunity to meet the other ‘Yes I Can’ winners and their families. These are truly remarkable kids and young adults with inspirational and uplifting stories of resolve, resilience, talent, and kindness.  We are so proud that Asha was recognized alongside such an accomplished group of individuals.

“We are also very grateful to the many wonderful educators who have taught and supported Asha.  This award is indeed a reflection of their dedication and hard work.”

Asha’s exemplary approach to dealing with the challenges she faces prompted the N.C. Council for Exceptional Children to give her its Yes I Can! Award when she was a fifth-grader in the highly academically gifted program at Brunson Elementary School.

This fall, the state council invited her to speak at its annual conference in Greensboro.

The national council describes itself as “an international community of educators who are the voice and vision of special and gifted education. CEC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with exceptionalities and their families through professional excellence and advocacy.”

 

Asha when she was a student at Brunson Elementary

Wiley West African Drumming Squad Performs at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts

On Friday, April 5, the Wiley West African Drumming Squad participated in a Thank You Concert for Brenner Children's Hospital at Performance Place on the campus of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNSCA). Colin Tribby, a Piedmont Triad Leadership Academy Principal Intern at Wiley, leads the squad. Wiley students partcipating included Cullen Whitt, Nathifa Daniels and Taj Neal.

Also participating in the festivities were high school students in the drama program at UNCSA and Artists Reaching Children in Hospitals (ARCH), led by Dikki Ellis and Robert Moyer.

Performing Arts Center at West Forsyth High Named After Retired Teacher

Jim Anderson

In the Wednesday April 3 issue of the Winston-Salem Journal, reporter Lisa O’Donnell writes about Jim Anderson, who taught honors English and chorus, sponsored the senior class, directed musicals and organized talent shows at West Forsyth High School from 1976 to 1997.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education voted to name the performing arts center at West Forsyth after Anderson.

“He did everything. He kept the school running,” said Greg Taylor, who now teaches chorus at West Forsyth told O’Donnell. “I’m so tickled they’ve done this. He so deserves it.”

For the complete story go to Winston-Salem Journal

March 2013 Spotlight on Mail Courier

Danny Settle

Each month, the Classified Advisory Council puts the Spotlight on a classified employee. In March, the Spotlight was on Danny Settle, who began his career with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system as a bus driver in 1977. For the past 22 years, he has worked in the district mail center as a mail courier.

Settle is also a local entrepreneur. For 27 years, he has owned a janitorial service and, more recently, he became a travel consultant.

Settle is happily married to his wonderful wife Jackie Ijames Settle. He is the devoted father of six – three sons and three daughters, and he has 10 grandchildren. Settle is an avid supporter of his community with volunteering and fundraising in support of uplifting all mankind.

Danny is a very dedicated and committed worker.  It is important to him to leave a positive spirit with those he comes in contact.

Art by High School Students on Display in Piedmont Federal Branches

 

Each year, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank invites students in area high schools to enter a work of art in the bank's Artizens competition. The art pieces selected for consideration in the 2013 competition are on display in area branches through April 16.

On April 17, the 80 art pieces in the competition will then be taken to the Milton Rhodes Center for the arts, and, on Thursday April 18, they will be presented at a gala scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.. There, the winners will be announced. The judges for the 2013 competition are John Blackburn, Clare Fader and Susan Morris.

You can see the art on display in the branches and find out more about the competition by going to Artizens

Winston-Salem Prep Track Star Will Compete in Australia This Summer

Deonica Reid (Photo by Layla Garms)

In the March 28 issue of The Chronicle, reporter Layla Garms writes about Deonica Reid going to Australia this summer to compete in track-and-field events.

Reid, who is a sophomore at Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy, will participate in the Down Under Sports Tournament sponsored by International Sports Specialists Inc. from July 5 to 7 at Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus, a former Olympic training ground. She was chosen because of her stand-out performances at the state track-and-field competition last year. Then a freshman, he took first place in the women’s 4×1 relay and second in both the 4×2 relay and the 100 meter.

Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were noted runners as well.

“My great-grandma was good, and my grandma was really good and my mama, everybody says she was really good, so I kind of want to be better so I can make it to a higher level,” Reid told Garms. “I’m trying to get stronger. I’ve been lifting (weights) a little bit. I’m trying to get faster. I’m working on the little stuff … like form and technique.” 

For the full story, go to Winston-Salem Chronicle

Caleb's Creek Elementary Holds Food Drive

In March, students and staff at Caleb's Creek Elementary School collected nonperishable food items that will be distributed by the Out of the Garden Project, an organization based in Greensboro that provides food to families going to 45 schools in the area.

To add a little fun competition to the drive, they decorated boxes with the names of state universities, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Appalachian State and East Carolina, and students put their donations in their favorite team's box. The winner was East Carolina.

You can read the full story in the March 28 issue of the Kernersville News. It's on the front page of the Lifestyles section.

Student Art in the April 2013 Issue of Forsyth Family Magazine

By Marilee Walker of East Forsyth High School

By Bree Monroe of Clemmons Middle School

By Nicholas Milligan of Mount Tabor High School

By Mitchell Skidmore of West Forsyth High School

On page 94 of the April 2013 issue of Forsyth Family, you will find art by four students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Marilee Walker's art teacher is Molly Peterson. Bree Monroe's art teacher is Katherine Howard. Alice Morley is Nicholas Milligan's art teacher, and Elizabeth Betson is Mitchell Skidmore's art teacher.