around our schools shout outs march 2015, volume 2 alamance … · 2015. 3. 13. · around our...

Around Our Schools Shout Outs March 2015, Volume 2 Alamance-Burlington Schools Public Information Office

Shout Out to ABAE and Read Across America

The Alamance-Burlington Association of Educators hosted the organization’s annual Read Across America Celebration on Saturday, March 7 at Holly Hill Mall. ABAE members and Graham High students read to children, helped each child pick out a free book and

enjoyed face painting activities.

Photos courtesy of Steven Mantilla/Times-News

At left: Graham High students Mary-Michael McClure and Jackie Lanning read aloud at the Read Across America Celebration held at Holly Hill Mall. Board member Steve Van Pelt’s granddaughter, Reese Cummings, is pictured at left

At left, GHS senior Chris Low paints whiskers


Shout Out to WA Capella Eric Long, President

I wanted to share some exciting news with you about some incredibly talented ABSS students! I am representing a co-ed acappella group comprised of twenty Western students, called WA Cappella. Under the direction of Sean Lucier, WA Cappella recently traveled to La Plata Maryland and placed first in the Mid-Atlantic semi final round of the International Championship of High School A Cappella!

In April we are going to the finals in NYC. A senior member of the group, Katie Utley, also won best soloist in the semi final round!

We could really use some help in funding our group’s trip to compete in New York on April 17. Anything you

could do to help spread the word would be greatly appreciated! Here is the link to our funding page: www.gofundme.com/oh7qds

http://www.gofundme.com/oh7qds


Shout Out to North Graham Tech Club Charlotte Lee-Russell-Tech Club Advisor

North Graham Tech Club members presented in the student showcase on March 5, 2015 in the Raleigh Convention Center at the North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) conference. Tech Club consists of fourth and fifth graders. There were ten student presenters in Raleigh. This was the third year that the North Graham Tech Club presented at the state technology conference!

The topic of the student presentation was “Going Google is Great!” North Graham students have Gmail and Google drive accounts. Tech Club members have been school leaders in assisting classmates learn to utilize Google products. Tech Club uses Google drive including Google presentation, document (docs), forms, and drawing to collaborate with each other. Members of Tech Club also showcased how they use Google Earth on iPads. Special

thanks to Tracy Taylor (North Graham Media Specialist) for assisting with the NCTIES field trip and Dayson Pasion (Graham Middle STEM Teacher).


Good luck to the Western High Robotics Team

Good luck to the Aperture Science team from Western High competing in San Antonio Texas this week! Check out the team’s facebook page for posting about their trip and competition at the Super-Regional South event. The team traveled there earlier this week and is competing in multiple matches during the event.

https://www.facebook.com/westernrobotics

A photo taken before the team left for San

Antonio, practicing their skills:

photo courtesy of Steven Mantilla/Times-

News

Students represented are from WAHS, WAMS

and CTEC!

https://www.facebook.com/westernrobotics


Shout Out to Western High Seaperch Team Gregory Erickson, CDR, USN (Ret.)

The Western High NJROTC SeaPerch Robotic Team competed at the McDowell SeaPerch Challenge held at the YMCA in Marion, NC, on February 28, 2015. The team spent weeks preparing for the event by building and testing an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Cadet Morgan Powell, Cadet Rebecca Anderton, and Cadet Hayleigh Poteat attended the competition in which the cadets operated the underwater robot through a series of courses / events. The team (pictured left to right Hayleigh Poteat, Morgan Powell and Rebecca Anderton) placed first out of 16 teams in the obstacle course event which requires a team to pilot their underwater robot through a series of obstacles in the fastest time! The team also

competed in an object retrieval event in which points were awarded based on the number of rings that the robot can move from a stand to an underwater container. In addition, the team competed in two races in which points are awarded based on the fastest time. SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program that equips students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. Throughout the project, students learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications. Nationally, SeaPerch is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and managed by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). Naval Surface Warfare Center. Locally, Western NJROTC received a grant from Tanger Outlets to support this program.


Shout Out to Alamance Youth Leadership Academy Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce

Seventh and eighth graders at middle schools across Alamance County participate in the Alamance Youth Leadership Academy sponsored by the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce. Last Friday, despite the 2 hour delay caused by road conditions and black ice, eighth grade students had the chance to eat lunch with local business and community leaders and practice business etiquette and other important relationship skills as part of the capstone event of the 2-year program. The event was held at the Alamance Country Club.

AYLA involves students from ABSS middle schools, charter and private schools in the community. Currently, recruitment is underway for next year’s crop of seventh graders to enter the program. Without the support of the business community, this leadership program would not be possible.


Shout Out to ABSS CTE Programs Robin Bowers, Director CTE The Carpentry programs from Eastern, Graham and Western, along with the Agriculture program from Western, were represented at the 2015 Spring Home and Garden show this past Saturday at Holly Hill Mall. The teachers and students participated in demonstrating how to build a few of the products. There were a lot of great projects there for the community to see, and some were available for purchase. Items were built or planted by students participating in Career & Technical Education classes. There were plants, planter boxes, oven rack pulls, picnic benches, bowls, handmade pens, corn hole boards, pitching practice partners, and even an oyster table!


Shout Out to All County Chorus Allison Bryan & Andrew Pappert

Over 100 elementary students from across the district celebrated the beautiful weather last Saturday by performing in the All County Chorus concert at Graham High School! The students sang through the decades sharing favorites like "Rockin' Robin," "Yackity Yak," and "Dancin' in the Streets." The audience even got to join in to sing "We Shall Overcome." It sounded as though the students hadn't missed a single day of school!

The students were joined by and able to learn from several amazing musicians. Joy Rust, the chorus teacher at Graham Middle School conducted; Laura Sam, the former chorus teacher from Williams High School accompanied on piano; School Board member and former ABSS band teacher, Mark Payne, played saxophone; John Fraser played bass; and Jerry Johnson, drums.


Look closely at the picture below -- those aren't big kids! The teachers joined their students to sing the final song, "You've Got a Friend." What a great way to end a great performance!!


Shout Out to Smith Elementary David Vaughn PE teacher and Lindy Isley Teacher/Librarian The 2015 Jump Rope for Heart event at Smith Elementary was yet another success! Since 1996, Smith has raised well over $100,000.00 for the American Heart Association. This year the total amount raised, with 125 participants, is $3,365.16 ! The top fundraiser was a third grade student from Mrs. Harris's class, Mr. Ace McAteer with $315.00! Way to go Ace! Kindergartener Will Davis raised $255.00, third grader Logan Dingess raised $205.00, & second grader Holden Hall raised $180.00. Three third graders also raised $150.00 apiece and they are: Kenna Talhelm, Zachery Allegretto, & Xander Bethea. Keep in mind, this event is an instrument in teaching youngsters the best way to help ourselves is by helping others. Altruistic love is pure and unconditional and that is what we hope that the youngsters learn from this worthwhile endeavor. A big thank you

goes to all who participated, becoming heart heroes, helping save lives through this charitable donation to help fund research for heart disease and strokes. Congratulations Smith Students, another great job, well done!


Shout Out to Turrentine Middle Jody Gaedtke, Orchestra Director This week, 7th grade orchestra from Turrentine participated in the NC Music Performance Assessment at UNC Chapel Hill. They performed 2 pieces for adjudication and received a superior rating from all 3 judges! I also had students audition for the Western Regional All State Orchestra. 2 made the Honor's All State Orchestra: Michael Steed (cello) and Riley Nelson (bass). 2 made the Reporatory Orchestra: Grishma Patel (violin) and James Spradlin (violin). These students will participate in the All State Orchestra event May 8th & 9th in Winston Salem. Congratulations Trojans!


Shout Out to Grove Park Elementary Devlin Adams, Librarian Grove Park Elementary hosted its second annual Black History Open House on Thursday, March 12. This was an exciting time for each grade level, as all classes have been learning about the many aspects of Black History for many weeks. The students of each grade level participated in the Open House by preparing a demonstration of some kind to be shared with the school, parents, and community members. Kindergarten classes learned about different famous African Americans and created posters. First graders worked in small groups with the Technology Facilitator, Mrs. Payne, to create a "Sock Puppet" presentation, created and shared through an iPad app. Second graders worked with partners to build a Power Point slide with information and a picture of the famous American the students studied. Third graders hosted a "wax museum" again this year, in which students spent time studying about a famous black American, then dressed the part and/or created props to use when someone entered the museum and pressed the button which would cause them to "come to life." Fourth graders studied about two famous African American artists from North Carolina and they learned about their lives and artistic styles. Students then created posters on the computer sharing this

information, and they had the opportunity to practice their artistic style. Fifth graders studied the quilt squares used by slaves and members of the Underground Railroad to help free slaves. This event was such a great experience for everyone involved. Parents, visitors, and teachers were gathered around learning just as much as the students during the different presentations! Ms. Mebane’s Kindergarten class focused on Ruby Bridges. They wrote good sentences telling about her experiences and then illustrated their posters.

Mrs. Rich’s first graders learned about Mae Jemison. They worked with Mrs. Payne, our Technology Facilitator, to create a presentation using the iPad app “Sock Puppet.” These students were so proud to show off their knowledge about Mae Jemison AND technology!


Mrs. Eaton’s second grade students worked in partners to learn about famous African Americans. They used a tec cart to create PowerPoint slides giving details about their person’s life. These boys even had a pose to go along with their history changer, Jackie Robinson.

All of our third grade teachers did an amazing job of turning their classrooms into a Wax Museum. There was a room dedicated to African American Entertainers, Artists, Inventors, North Carolinians, and Leaders. Students portrayed their famous

person by dressing in character and speaking about their lives. We just couldn’t miss Mr. Muller’s student’s portrayal of George Washington Carver!

Or, Mrs. Mahan’s Greensboro Four:


Fourth Grade chose to focus on Artists from North Carolina. They learned about and practiced the artist styles of Romare Bearden and Minnie Evans.

Fifth grade studied the quilt squares that were used to create maps of the Underground Railroad. After learning the symbols and meanings behind the designs, students had an opportunity to create their own patchwork quilt squares.


Shout Out to Newlin Elementary Larry Conte, Principal Newlin Elementary hosted the WFMY News 2 Good Morning Show for a Read to Succeed event and our school had a blast! http://www.wfmynews2.com/videos/life/2015/03/06/24492225/

http://www.wfmynews2.com/videos/life/2015/03/06/24492225/

http://www.wfmynews2.com/videos/life/2015/03/06/24492225/


Shout Out to Southern High Student Artists and Art Teacher Laura Perry Lisa Cates Several Southern High Art students won placements in the Alamance County Arts Council Competition! Congratulations, Patriot artists! Digital Photography 1st Lauren Cates Water and Cup Honorable Mention Victoria Janssen Candle Light Honorable Mention Adrian Walker The Underground World Mixed Media 2-D Honorable Mention Megan Murphy Whimsical Honorable Mention Kimberly Portillo Rooster Honorable Mention Megan Murphy Addicted Printmaking 1st Brittanie Thompson Human vs. Nature Honorable Mention Brittanie Thompson Box of Rain Colored Pencil Honorable Mention Sydney Fuquay


Shout Out from E. M. Yoder Lucindy Warren, 4th Grade Teacher

Dr. Harrison came out to visit Yoder and read to some of our 4th grade students recently! The boys and girls really enjoyed having him as their special guest reader.


Shout Out to Southern High FFA Nick Anders, FFA Advisor The Southern Alamance FFA Chapter participated in the State FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event on March 4, 2015, at the University of Mount Olive. Team members include John Michael Scott, Nora Ferguson, Claire Blackwell, and Carli Patterson. Their FFA advisor is Nicholas Anders. Through hard work and dedication, our team placed 1st in their region and 2nd in the state! Twenty-six teams and 103 individuals competed. Senior, Claire Blackwell, led the team as she was ranked as the 3rd highest-scoring individual in the event. The North Carolina FFA is a youth organization of over 20,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture with nearly 252 local chapters across the state. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ncffa.org for more information. Pictured L to R; Carli Patterson, Claire Blackwell, Nora Ferguson, John Michael Scott


Shout Out to ABSS Student Artists The General Federation of Women’s Clubs in North Carolina Arts Festival recently announced state-level winners in the visual arts and photography contest. Congratulations to our winners! High School First Place Thien Le Williams High Stay Hungry Computer Graphics Morgan Ouzts Western High Cabin B/W Photography Middle School First Place Tessa Wells Turrentine Snow B/W Photography Second Place Tessa Wells Turrentine Cardinal Color Photography

Shout Out to 8th grade STEM students at Graham Middle Dayson Pasion, STEM educator

Last week four eighth grade students presented at NCTIES state conference during the Student Showcase. The students presented about their experience with eMammal and their findings (so far). They also discussed what they would like to examine further in the study. These students were very poised and represented Graham Middle and ABSS very well!

Nick Reynolds explaing eMammal to Dr. Jayme Linton from Lenior-Rhyne University and Dr. Jeff Carpenter from Elon University.


Pictured from left to right: Nickolas Reynolds, Kelvin Hairston, Jennifer Henriquez, and Blake Williams eMammal is a citizen science project documenting mammals with camera traps across the world. For more information about eMammal and other Students Discover projects please visit: http://studentsdiscover.org/

http://studentsdiscover.org/


Shout Out to Elon Elementary Ashley Geise, Technology Specialist

This past week, Elon Elementary School celebrated Career Week. Students wore their favorite college attire, listened to speakers tell us about their different careers, and topped off the week with a Career Parade. Thank you to members of our community who shared your career with us, and thank you to Mrs. Verma, our school counselor, for planning such an informative week!


Shout Out to Battle of the Books Competitors Paige Ysteboe, Media Specialist Western Middle Congratulations to all of the Middle School Battle of the Books teams! The ABSS District Competition was Wednesday, March 11 and everyone performed admirably! The following teams placed in the competition: 1st Place: Southern Middle School (who will represent ABSS in the Regional Competition on April 17) pictured at right

2nd Place: Western Middle School pictured at left

3rd Place: Woodlawn Middle School pictured at right Congratulations teams!

around our schools shout outs march 2015, volume 2 alamance … · 2015. 3. 13. · around our...

Documents