Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

Southern High Band Student Earns National Honor

Aaron Kriska is a Southern High senior and outstanding member of the Southern Patriots Marching Band. He was selected as one of only 125 students nationwide from thousands of nominees to be a member of the prestigious U.S. Army All American Marching Band! Aaron and the other outstanding students selected as members of the national band will perform at halftime of the U.S. Army All American Bowl in San Antonio Texas on January 4th! There are only 7 members of the band from North Carolina.

Aaron was nominated by Southern’s band director, Mr. Josh Morgan. Members of the elite marching band were selected based on their musical ability, outstanding leadership qualities and strong academic performance.

(pictured at left: Aaron with Mr. Morgan)

On Friday, November 8th, an elaborate induction ceremony was held at Southern in the gymnasium to honor Aaron and included special guests from the US Army and promotion staff from the U.S. Army All American Bowl, Aaron’s parents with a

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

performance by members of the Southern Patriot Marching Band.

Check out the Times-News feature story about Aaron’s prestigious accomplishment:

http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/southern-alamance-student-set-to-play-at-half-time-show-1.232831

Congratulations Aaron on an outstanding accomplishment!

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

Alexander Wilson Elementary Melissa Harrelson, Technology Teacher AWE held its annual pumpkin decorating contest and it was a HUGE success! Classroom teachers worked with their class to creatively decorate a pumpkin, without carving, to begin the contest. Our contest started on Monday, November 4th when all classroom teachers placed their class pumpkin on display in the front building, outside the office. Jugs were aligned in front of the pumpkins and the coin war began! For a week, students voted for their favorite pumpkin in hopes to see the “winning” teacher receive a pie in the face. Pennies and cash counted as points towards the teacher’s pumpkin whereas all silver took away points. Students kept a close eye on the amounts as well as which color coins

were in the jugs. On Friday the totals were announced and each grade level revealed a “winner.” Teachers with the winning pumpkins adorned a trash bag and goggles to await a pie in the face for their reward. Students and teachers gathered in the

courtyard for the exciting event. In the end, AWE had a great time collecting money for some great causes! Approximately $1800.00 was raised which will be split and donated to Relay for Life American Cancer Society and United Way!

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

Our AW students, parents, teachers and community were all part of a great cause during this week. As a coworker sweetly stated… “Along the cancer journey, everybody gets to do different things. Some walk around tracks while talking to their friends and some walk halls for chemotherapy appointments.” Students willingly gave from their piggy banks, dug coins from couches and asked parents for all their loose change during the week.

Some “lucky” winners of the pumpkin contest received a harmless Cool Whip pie the face, all so that others in need could benefit. Great job AWE family!

Our new principal Dean Richardson challenged the school to raise $500 and he would also take a pie to the face. Exceeding this amount he gladly stepped up to receive his Cool Whip facial from our teacher of the year Dominique Russell.

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

A-B Middle College Bonnie Roane, Principal

Our ABMC Spanish teacher, Mrs. Allison Hamlett, has some of her students featured in the Alamance Community College bi-weekly newsletter College ACCess:

Middle College Honors Day of the Dead Traditional altars that honor the dead were created by ABSS Middle College students for a Day of the Dead project the last week of October. Instructor Allison Hamlett taught her students about the meaning and history of the Mexican holiday which celebrates the lives of those who have passed with decorations and altars.

Below left, Marilyn Monroe altar was made by students (l-r) Alex Wheeley, Sam Wheeley (floor), Harley Davis, and Nikoli Oritz.

Above right, Michael Jackson altar was made by students (l-r) Avery Young, Faith Davis, Ruth Lagunas, Hannah Alvarez, Sam Ingle, Destiny Freeze, and Gisela Mora

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

Elon University Features Make A Difference Day At Elon Elementary and Western Middle

Elon University student broadcast network featured a story about EU student athletes volunteering with the Student Coalition for

Action in Literacy Education (SCALE) UNC-Literacy Corps featured in last week’s Shout Out: http://ow.ly/qH4m6

North Graham Elementary Joy Rust, Music Instructor and Director of the Dynamites

"The Bremen Town Musicians" came to life at North Graham on Tuesday! The Piedmont Opera Company, in conjunction with the UNC School of the Arts (both groups based in Winston Salem), enthralled students and staff with a creative operatic version of the

story. The four talented singers enlisted the help of 3 NGE students playing the part of pirates as well as our own Mrs. Taylor chasing Eddie Pensier (the Rooster).

This performance was the culmination of an opera unit that all students K-5 studied in music. After reading the book The Bremen Town Musicians, the students brought the story to life through the use of Orff instruments and voices. It was great fun seeing how "real opera singers" brought the story to life! A most worthwhile adventure!

Kudos to The Piedmont Opera Company and the four graduate students from UNCSA! Our students were so attentive and responsive! The group told us NGE was “one of the best”!

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

(pictured above: taking a bow for their amazing performance)

(pictured above left: the 3 "pirates" waiting for their chance to steal General Broom's drum.)

North Graham Dynamites Invited to Sing at Biltmore

Joy Rust, director of the Singing Dynamites from North Graham Elementary, reports that the singing group has been selected to sing at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC on March 7th! The Dynamites will be busy rehearsing for their 30 minute performance at the estate. The group will enjoy a 90 minute guided tour of the

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

mansion and a tour of the gardens and grounds, weather permitting! Some major fundraising assistance is going to be needed to help the group make the trip.

Haw River Elementary Casey Hill, School Social Worker

Haw River Elementary would like to send a big SHOUT OUT to all our community supporters. We are thankful for the following donations and gifts:

Lamb's Chapel: school supplies and hygiene items for students; teacher appreciation snacks, lunches, and goodies; coat drive for needy students; adoption of several HRE families through Christmas Cheer Charles Belcher, Haw River City workers, and Pine Ridge Church members: have completed extensive landscaping to our school and playground (see picture) Haw River Baptist Church: supply food (see picture) for fifteen students through the Backpack Food Program; school supplies and shoes Heather and Shannon Ward: shoes (see

picture), clothing, and food for the Parent Resource Center Haw River Methodist Church: hot dog lunch and school supply drive in August; adoption of several HRE families through Christmas Cheer As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the generosity of our Haw River community supporters!!

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

International Games Day at CTEC Heather Blackmon, Principal Media Centers across the world are participating in International Games Day tomorrow (Saturday, November 16) as an opportunity to showcase the cultural importance and learning power of games, from classic board games to modern video and computer generated gaming.

From 10:30-11:00, CTEC will be participating in the “Global Gossip Game” (“Telephone”). We will receive the message from Florence, Italy, and then pass it along our counterparts in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We will be able to trace the progress and changes by the end of the week, and will feature this on our website! Throughout the morning we will have board and video games available that are age appropriate for all children to play, some of which have been created by CTEC students. We would love for any of our ABSS families to join us, even if you just want to stop in! It will be a great time to relax and enjoy watching students engaged in learning at all levels, and enjoying every minute of it! We are asking for folks to RSVP if possible, by clicking on the link below. http://www.abss.k12.nc.us//cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=820

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

Southern High FFA Earns National Honors Southern High FFA sent a record number of students to compete at the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo held in Louisville, Kentucky, October 30-Nov 2 and came home with a boat load of national awards! Congratulations to all teams, individuals, and

advisors!

The Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event Team earned First Place in the Nation (back to back champions in 2012 & 2013)! Southern has earned first in the nation status for 3 out of the last 4 years. Team member Austin Greeson earned First High Individual in the Nation and teammate Drew Hanford earned Eighth Place High Individual! Drew Hanford, Blake Oakley and Austin Greeson earned Gold Emblem Individual Status! Advisor is Nick Anders.

The Horse Evaluation Career Development Event Team earned Third Place in the Nation! (first time Southern has competed in the national competition in this event). Team member Lauren Lloyd earned Eighth Place High Individual in the Nation! Jacy Kirkpatrick, Allyson Patterson and Lauren Lloyd earned Gold Emblem Individual Status and Lilli Whetzel earned Bronze Emblem Individual Status! Advisor is Lynn Stas.

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

The Floriculture Career Development Event Team earned Fourth Place in the Nation! Team member Matthew Sublett earned Sixth Place High Individual in the Nation! Katie Way and Matthew Sublett earned Gold Emblem Individual Status, and Zack Thompson earned Silver Emblem Individual Status! Advisor is Nick Anders.

The Agronomy Career Development Event Team earned Silver Emblem Team Status! Gavin Teague earned Gold Emblem Individual Status, Josh Chick, Patrick Moore and Stephen Handy earned Silver Emblem Individual Status! Advisor is Nick Anders.

Around Our Schools Shout Outs November 2013, Volume II

The Forestry Career Development Event Team earned Silver Emblem Team Status! Team member Hannah Carter earned Gold Emblem Individual Status; Jessica Staley earned Silver Emblem Individual Status and Graham Kirkpatrick earned Bronze Emblem Individual Status! Advisor is Keith Jones

Mikayla Mann earned Silver Emblem Individual Status in the Dairy Cattle Handlers Career Development Event! Advisor is Keith Jones.