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February 2008

February 27, 2008

Grimsley High to Learn Aboard Traveling Science Lab

Grimsley science students will have the unique opportunity to learn aboard one of the laboratories from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s DESTINY Traveling Science Learning Program on Thursday, February 28 from noon to 3:35 p.m. in the school parking lot. Students will perform the “From Finches to Fishes” exercise, during which they will learn the fundamental principles of evolution and natural selection. For more information, please contact Ruth Moss, science teacher, at 336-370-8180.

Smith High to Host Dance Recital and Gospel Choir

Smith dance students and members of the gospel choir will perform for students, parents, staff and community members on Thursday, February 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets for admission are $5 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, please contact KrisShannon Rasbury, dance teacher, at 336-294-7300.

General Greene Elementary to Celebrate Leap Into Art Day

General Greene students will participate in an outdoor art studio event on Friday, February 29 during their regularly scheduled recess period. The Parent Teacher Association will staff a variety of art experience stations, with activities ranging from math-infused line dancing to science-inspired parachute decorating throughout the playground. For more information, please contact Nanto VanSchalkwyk, art teacher, at 336-545-2015.

Young Authors to Visit Peck Elementary

Students, staff and faculty at Peck will learn from two young authors on Monday, March 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. While reading their book, Miles and William Rabun, ages 7 and 9, will share the process and experiences of having “My Grandma’s Backyard” published. For more information, please contact Lou Sua, media specialist, at 336-370-8235.

Archer Elementary Celebrates Read Across America Day

Parents and community members will join students on Monday, March 3 in the morning to celebrate Read Across America Day during a “Topcat Read In” to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The morning session of reading will help the school reach a reading goal of 10,000 books.

Also on March 3 from 2:45 p.m. until 4 p.m., young authors Miles and William Rabun will share insights with students about their writing and journey to publish their book, “My Grandma’s Backyard.” Parents and community members are invited to meet the authors and their parents, while learning how to encourage children to be great writers. For more information, please contact Patrice Brown, principal, at 336-294-7335.

Kernodle Middle to Host Book Drive for Read Across America Day

Kernodle sixth-grade students will collect new or gently used books of all reading levels Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 7 to celebrate Read Across America Day. The school will give the books to the Pathway Shelter in Greensboro. For more information, please contact Amy Lowe, teacher, at 336-545-3717.

“No Matter What, I Made It” Seminar at Southern Middle

Southern students will learn from community leaders during the “No Matter What, I Made It” seminar on Wednesday, March 5. The morning session will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the afternoon session will begin at noon. Speakers from the community will share life experiences with students to empower them to be positive community members, despite their struggles. Additionally, students will present projects about inspirational heroes during the event. For more information, please contact Michele Everett, teacher, at 336-674-4266.

Hunter Elementary to Host 11th Annual Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast

All students, parents and community members are encouraged to attend the 11th annual Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast on Friday, March 7 from 7 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. in the cafeteria. Following breakfast, the school invites parents to read with their child. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Ashley Carswell, teacher, at 336-294-7345.

Weaver Academy to Reprise Production for Disability Awareness Month

Weaver students will perform “The Boys Next Door” at the Broach Theatre in downtown Greensboro Thursday, March 13 through Saturday, March 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. Weaver students staged this play in December, which is a tale of four mentally challenged young men who live in a group home under the watchful eye of a social worker. To purchase tickets, please contact the Broach Theatre. For more information, please contact Leanne Macklin, theater teacher, at 336-370-8282.

Northwest High Wins Second Place at Regional Science Olympiad Tournament

Northwest students placed second overall at the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament on Saturday, March 23 at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Participating Northwest students received medals in 20 of the 23 events in which they entered. The group will advance to the state tournament hosted by North Carolina State University on Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5. For more information, please contact Janet Wells, chemistry teacher, at 336-605-3300.

February 20, 2008

Eastern High Science Teacher to Share Knowledge with Younger Students

Eastern Advanced Placement physics, chemistry and earth science teacher, Thomas Hefner, will share his love of science with third-grade students at Sedalia Elementary on Thursday, February 21 at 8 a.m. in the media center. Additionally, Hefner will visit sixth-grade classrooms at Eastern Middle on Friday, February 22 at 9 a.m. During each visit, Hefner will perform physics related demonstrations, with an aim to propel students’ interest in studying science. For more information, please contact Hefner at 336-449-6311.

Northeast High to Host Registration Fair

Northeast welcomes rising 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students and their parents to a registration fair on Saturday, February 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured events include discussing courses for the upcoming school year with teachers/counselors and gaining information regarding Advanced Placement courses, SAT testing and various clubs and organizations. For more information, please contact Anitra Walker, principal, at 336-375-2500.

Northwest High Receives Math and Science Grant

Northwest is one of 50 recipients nationwide to receive a $1,000 College Board and Siemens Foundation grant to support science and math Advanced Placement (AP) education. Northwest was selected because of high scores and participation in math and science AP courses. Only one high school per state received this grant. For more information, please contact Angelo Kidd, principal, at 336-605-3300.

American-Indian Artist Visited Southwest Elementary 

Senora Lynch, a renowned artist from the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, visited fourth-grade art classes at Southwest on Monday, February 18. Lynch showed her pottery to students, while sharing the culture and tradition of her people and other North Carolina tribes. For more information, please contact Libby Chestnut, technology assistant, at 336-819-2992.

February 13, 2008

Southwest Elementary to Sponsor “Share the Love at Valentine’s” Food Drive

The Southwest Safety Patrol is sponsoring a “Share the Love at Valentine’s” family food drive through Friday, February 15. All members of the school community are encouraged to bring canned, boxed and other non-perishable foods to the school’s foyer. The food will be donated to Open Door Ministries of High Point, an organization that serves 500 meals a day in addition to donating food to families in need. For more information, please contact Libby Chestnut, technology assistant, at 336-819-2992.

Rankin Elementary to Host Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson

Rankin will host Mayor Yvonne Johnson on Friday, February 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the school gymnasium. Mayor Johnson will participate in the school assembly celebrating Black History Month, while also informing the students of her position as mayor and their role in the community as students. For more information, please contact Geraldine Cox, principal, at 336-375-2545.

Dudley High to Host Annual Mock Weddings

The Dudley Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE) will host their annual mock wedding event on Friday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Students in various CTE courses organized the planning, budgeting and coordination for this year’s ceremony.

The mock weddings allow students to focus on the tasks, responsibilities and dedication required to host a successful event. In addition to presenting three weddings, the students will also host a fashion show. Tickets are $3 in advance or $5 at the door. For more information, please contact Deborah Richardson, CTE teacher, at 336- 370-8130.

Northern High to Host Freshman and New Student Orientation

Northern will host a freshman and new student orientation on Monday, February 18 at 7 p.m. for all rising ninth-grade students and transferring students within the attendance zone. For more information, please contact Julie McRae, school counselor, at 336-643-8449.

Pearce Elementary Celebrates Student Achievement

Pearce will celebrate student academic achievement on Tuesday, February 19 during a “Terrific Kids” assembly. Kindergarten through second-grade students will be recognized at 8:15 a.m. Third- through fifth-grade students will be recognized at 9 a.m. For more information, please contact Pam Misher, principal, at 336-605-5480.

Northwood Elementary Encourages Healthy Living

On Wednesday, February 20 from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Northwood will host a health fair. The fair will cover a variety of health topics and will take place in the multipurpose room. 

On the same day from 2 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., Northwood will sponsor a blood drive. The school hopes to collect 30 units. All Northwood families and the community are invited to attend this event for a good cause. For more information, please contact Scott Winslow, principal, at 336-819-2920.

Fairview Elementary to Hold Second Annual Career Fair

Fairview students will participate in the second annual career fair, “Building Tomorrow’s Future Today,” on Thursday, February 21 from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the school gymnasium and media center. More than 25 professionals, selected based on the results of a student career interest survey, will attend. Student will rotate among the speakers to participate in interactive presentations and discussions.

On Friday, February 22 at 1:30 p.m., students will participate in a lively career parade, as each student will dress similar to their career interest. For more information, please contact Melissa Clowe, school counselor, at 336-819-2890.

Guilford Elementary to Host Parent End-of-Grade Test Night

Guilford will host a Parent End-of-Grade Test Night on Thursday, February 21 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Following dinner, parents will have the opportunity to meet with teachers from each grade level to discuss specific information for the test. For more information, please contact Tracey Janetta, curriculum facilitator, at 336-316-5844.

Hampton Academy to Host “Real People, Real Voices” Program

Community leaders will visit Hampton on Friday, February 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the “Real People, Real Voices” program, which celebrates Black History Month. The program provides students with the opportunity to interact with the leaders as they read stories and share skills on how to be positive members of their community. For more information, please contact David Jarmon, principal, at 336-370-8220.

Empowering Parents throughout Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools (GCS) Exceptional Children Services and the Exceptional Children Parent Advisory Council will host a workshop, “Empowering Parents,” on Thursday, March 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kiser Middle. Session topics will include literacy, understanding assessments, positive behavior support and transitions. The deadline to register is Friday, February 29. For more information and to register, please contact Stephanie Antkowiak, parent liaison, at 336-370-8329.

Page High Band Director Selected to Conduct All-District Honor Band Clinic

Page’s band director, Ed Kimbrough, will conduct the High School Concert Band for the Northwest North Carolina All-District Honor Band Clinic. The clinic will take place at Appalachian State University from February 22 to 24. For more information, please contact Kimbrough at 336-370-8200.

Western High Teachers and Administrator Presented at State Forum

Western Advanced Placement (AP) teachers Ken Gordon and Nancy Culclasure and Assistant Principal Heather Blackmon presented a session during the AP/ International Baccalaureate/Honors State Forum on Wednesday, February 13 in Winston-Salem. The session, “Diversity and Openness: Keys to Growing a Successful AP Program,” addressed the challenge of creating an AP program that is open, rigorous and successful. The team will lead this session again at the AP National Conference in July in Seattle, Wash. For more information, please contact Blackmon at 336-316-5800.

Southwest Elementary Annual Science Fair a Success

Southwest held its annual Science Fair from January 30 to February 1. More than 200 students entered projects. Winners participated in the GCS Science Fair on Wednesday, February 6 in High Point. For more information, please contact Libby Chestnut, technology assistant, at 336-819-2992.

Sumner Elementary Partners with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Sumner teachers are benefiting from a first-time partnership with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro that allows them to take classes at Sumner to earn a master’s degree in elementary education. The classes began in January and many teachers are participating in the opportunity. For more information, please contact Dr. Brian Clarida, principal, at 336-316-5888.

February 6, 2008

Jamestown Middle to Host Annual Book Fair

Jamestown will host an annual book fair from Monday, February 11 to Friday, February 22 during regular school hours in the library. The book fair will have extended hours on Tuesday, February 19 from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Kari Baumann, media specialist, at 336-819-2100.

Smith High to Hold Financial Aid Parent Night

Smith will hold a Financial Aid Parent Night on Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the media center. A representative from the College Foundation of North Carolina will be on hand to provide information regarding various types of financial aid, the paperwork involved in applying for financial aid and a wealth of other knowledge that will help parents and students find money for college. Parents and students will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the financial aid application process. For more information, please contact Melanie Triche, counselor, at 336-294-7300.

Hampton Leadership Academy to Host Fundraiser at Chick-fil-A

All students, families and friends of Hampton are encouraged to attend a fundraiser on Saturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A downtown, located at 106 N. Elm St., Greensboro. A portion of the proceeds will directly support fifth-grade students during a field trip to Atlanta, Georgia later this spring. Individuals wearing school colors of royal blue and white will receive a Chick-fil-A coupon during the event. For more information, please contact Tara Oliver, social worker, at 336-370-8220.

Gillespie Park Elementary to Host ‘Spirit Saturday’ Fundraiser at Chick-fil-A

Gillespie Park invites students, families and friends to attend a ‘Spirit Saturday’ fundraiser on Saturday, March 8 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Chick-fil-A downtown, located at 106 N. Elm St., Greensboro. A portion of the proceeds will go toward Gillespie Park’s needy child fund. For more information, please contact Deborah Blackwell, resource teacher, at 336-370-8640.

Current Good News

About Guilford County Schools
Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 119 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice.

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.