Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Eastern High
March 2014 Volume 2
Patrick Stokes, Social Studies Teacher
On Thursday March 13, a group of football
players participating in an after school
weightlifting program decided to clean the Fred
Brady Football Stadium by removing fallen
debris from the pine trees that separate the
baseball and football stadiums!
With supportive and thankful cheers from the
baseball, softball and track teams, the
participants learned the value of manual labor
and pride in appearance. The players had to
physically work together on some of the limbs
and mentally problem solve on some others due
to the overwhelming size of the damage.
Following his faculty meeting, Principal Dave Ebert visited
with the group to show support and offer a personal
“Thank You”. He shook each hand and told the young men
how proud he was to have them as a part of his school. For
a special group of young Mebane men the day was
grueling, but memorably rewarding.
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Turrentine Middle
March 2014 Volume 2
Jody Gaedtke, Orchestra Director
On Wednesday, March 12th, the 7th grade orchestra from Turrentine participated in the Music Performance Assessment sponsored
by the NC Music Education Association at Shelby Middle School. Even though the students did not meet together for almost a week
prior to going, they received a superior rating from all 3 judges for their stage performance and a superior rating in sight reading!
Congratulations, Trojans!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Hillcrest Elementary
March 2014 Volume 2
Alexis Kagel, Music Teacher
To celebrate the Winter Olympic games in Sochi, all Hillcrest
students studied Russia in a cultural enrichment unit during the
month of February. In their specials classes, students were
introduced to the music, art, storytelling, games, geography, and
scientific discoveries of Russia. To wrap it all up each class
created a life size matryoshka doll and covered it with pictures
and descriptions of what they learned. "Do svidaniya!"
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Certified Nurses Day
March 2014 Volume 2
Lucy Kernodle, Lead Nurse
ABSS celebrated Certified Nurses Day on March 19th for all nationally certified school nurses that have received certification by the
National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). National certification for the school nurse is a trademarked credential
granted to school nurses who meet educational, employment and other criteria and who have successfully passed the national
examination managed by the NBCSN.
Board Certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for students and their
families. Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex. While a registered nurse (RN) license provides entry
to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive education, as well as a
strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.
North Carolina requires that school nurses hired by a Board of Education successfully achieve national board certification within
three years of their date of hire. In addition, professional school nurses credentialed by the NBCSN are required to document a
minimum of 75 hours of continuing education units in school health-related issues every five years. Less than 20% of American
nurses are board certified. Board Certified Nurses make a difference!
Gaile Bowling, RN
Mary Brady, RN
Connie Deming, RN
Karen Graham, RN
Tina Greeson, RN
Sheena Jeffries, RN
Lucy Kernodle, RN
Susan Liles, RN
Alvina Lofters, RN
Shelley Metters, RN
Joan Patterson, RN
Melissa Randleman, RN
Latoya Ramsey, RN
Cathy Reagan, RN
Western High
Cummings High
Woodlawn Middle/Pleasant Grove
Southern High
Alexander Wilson/BE Jordan
Western Middle
Lead Nurse/CTEC
Williams High
Smith/HIghland
Elon/AO
Sylvan/EM Holt
Eastern High
South Graham/Middle College
Broadview Middle
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Tracy Sanders, RN
Deborah Sasser, RN
Judy Shepherd, RN
Mary Taylor, RN
Tammy Troxler, RN
Tracey Umberger, RN
Brenda Warren, RN
Amy Widderich, RN
March 2014 Volume 2
Graham Middle
Southern Middle
North Graham/Haw River
South Mebane/Garrett
Hawfields Middle/EM Yoder
Turrentine Middle/Ray Street Academy
Newlin
Hillcrest/Grove Park
Congratulations, ABSS Certified Nurses! Thanks for all you do for students, families, and staff members!
Pathways to Prosperity Day at ACC
Robin Bowers, CTE Specialist
On Thursday, March 13th, high school students from Alamance-Burlington,
Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools interested in careers
descended upon Alamance Community College to enjoy the first Pathways to
Prosperity event in the Health Sciences Career and Technical Education
Pathway.
Students enjoyed live
demonstrations and handson activities provided by
Alamance Community
College instructors and area
industry professionals in the
fields of Dental Assisting,
Medical Assisting, Medial
Lab Technology, Nurse
Aide/Assist and Nursing.
These are all career areas with robust job opportunity outlooks, and have strong
student registration numbers at the high school level.
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
The Pathways to Prosperity Partnership is supported by the North
Carolina State Board of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
and Jobs for the Future. This is the first event to launch this partnership
between Alamance-Burlington, Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro
school districts and Alamance Community College.
Check out the story in the Times-News:
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/students-makeconnections-at-pathway-to-prosperity-1.290900
March 2014 Volume 2
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
Eastern High
Michael Brumble, Drafting Teacher
These Engineering
students competed
in the NCDOT
Bridge Building
Contest for Eastern
High at the NCDOT
headquarters on
March 17. They
earned a second
place finish in the
Region just behind
last year’s
champion team
and this was
Eastern’s first year
in competition!
Pictured are : Justin
Charamut, Aaron
Keeler, Kevin
Richardson, and
Kevin Riley
The bridges had to be built using only balsa wood and wood glue. They had to carry
maximum weight suspended from the center of the bridge. The bridge could not weigh
more than 30 grams. The bridge also had to be designed to clear a 3 ft cube under the
bridge and a 2 ft cube through the bridge roadway.
Go Eagles!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
Mr. Brumble added a bit more information about the challenging competition: Students had the opportunity to learn problemsolving strategies and used critical thinking skills in the process of developing their bridge. The real world problem allowed them to
work in teams using brainstorming ideas and designing a structure using AutoCad and Inventor software. Using their design they had
to construct the bridge to the meet the specs they developed. The team had to write a 3 page report on bridge design and about the
design they chose to develop and give reasons for their selection. The team had to orally present their findings to a panel of judges
and other teams from across the region.
The competition was about more than building a bridge. It's about education, communication, careers and service to the public.
Students developed problem solving skills, research and presentation skills and how to work as a team. Their presentation
demonstrated the practical application of math and science skills. It expanded their vocabulary in geometry and bridge design. The
best experienced was gained by working with people directly involved in engineering.
The final phase of the competition was the testing of the bridge. The bridge had to span 20 inches and have a clearance of 3 inches
at the center. The roadway had to allow a 2 inch block to pass through. Weight was applied at the center of the bridge. This was
accomplished by suspending a bucket from the center of the bridge and slowly pouring in sand until the bridge failed.
All County Orchestra
Cindy Smith, Broadview and Cummings Orchestra Director
This week, orchestra students from Cummings and
Williams high schools and Broadview and
Turrentine middle schools came together for All
County Orchestra, an event that included two days
of rehearsing music and an evening concert on
Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Williams High
School.
Mr. Will Selle, of ASU, Wautaga High School, and
Hardin Park Middle School, conducted the Middle
School orchestra in a musical scenic tour.
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
Dr. Jonathan Govias, of UNC-Charlotte, conducted the
High School orchestra in a selection of Spanishinfluenced music. A good time was had by all!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
Check out the story in the Times-News:
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/all-county-orchestra-to-perform-at-williams-high-1.293694?page=0
E. M. Yoder
Beth Curasi, Academic Coach
It felt like Christmas came in March to Kindergarten students at E.M. Yoder when they received a
special gift! Ladies from the Hayden-Harman Foundation who helped build the Children’s Museum in
Graham came by to bring each student in Kindergarten a new book.
These books, purchased by the Hayden-Harman Foundation, put a smile on every child’s face.
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
The title of the book was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. This great
text has been a favorite with students for many years. Now they will
have the opportunity to get plenty of practice reading it at home
since they have their very own copy. We would like to thank these
ladies and the Hayden-Harman Foundation for this special gift and
for taking the time to present these to our students at E.M. Yoder!!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Turrentine Middle
March 2014 Volume 2
Patti Perrou, Instructional Technology Specialist
The 1st Place winner of the ABSS 2014 Middle School Battle of the Books competition was Turrentine Middle! Go Trojans! The
competition was held on March 5th, at the Elon Community Church in Elon. The winning team members are: Jos Boswell, Sam Cryan,
Isaac Echeverria-Vazquez, Conner Forbis, Nick Fox, Justice Mapp, Hanna Tawasha, Denise Webb, and Colby Williams. The coach of
our team is TMS librarian, Say Sink.
The Turrentine BOB team advances to the Region 5 competition in Winston-Salem on April 11th, where they will compete against
the winning teams from 12 other school systems! Good luck at Regionals!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Elon Elementary
March 2014 Volume 2
Ashley Geise, Technology Specialist
Elon Elementary’s PTO sponsored a
student art show Thursday night. We are
so proud of the amazing work of our
students!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
There’s more from Elon Elementary…….our students
have been busy!
Elon Elementary fourth and fifth graders are
participating in Global Youth Service Day on April 12
at Thataways from 1:30-3!
As part of our service to our community, we are
creating multi media presentations to educate our
community about digital citizenship and cyberbullying.
District Attorney Pat Nadolski and Elon Phoenix
student athlete Jason Waterman visited our class to
talk about digital citizenship and the District
Attorney's anti-cyberbullying campaign. The
students were so excited to see the real-world
application of the things they have been learning in
the computer lab!
We would like to send a special thank you to Kristine
Gamblin from NC LiteracyCorps for arranging the visit!
Visual Arts Competition
Julie Bost, Program Specialist, Professional Development & Special Programs
Over 100 ABSS middle and high school students received awards at the Visual Arts Competition held March 20 at the Captain White
House in Graham! This event was hosted by the Alamance County Arts Council and the artwork will be on display until April 16,
2014. Go by the Captain White House and check out the amazing art on display!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
GREAT JOB to these talented students along with the
support and guidance from their Art Teachers! Take a look
at the photos of just a small sample of their amazing
pieces. Outstanding!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
Western Middle
March 2014 Volume 2
Patrick Vernon, Science Teacher
Western Middle eighth grader, Meghna Mahadevan, qualified as one of only 100 students in the state
to compete in the North Carolina Geography Bee on April 4th! Our WAMS geography bee was held in
December with Meghna taking first place with sixth grade Alex Hardcastle finishing second.
In January Meghna took a qualifying test from National Geographic. Only the top 100 scores in are
allowed to participate in the state bee. All state bees are held on the same day across the nation. North
Carolina’s Bee will be hosted by UNC-Charlotte on April 4, 2014.
The winners from all the states will convene in Washington, DC on May 19, 2014 at the National
Geographic Society’s headquarters.
Good luck, Meghna!
Western High All American Brigade
Michael Jefferson, Band Director
Congratulations to the Western High All American Brigade for their exclusive appearance in the St.
Patricks’ Day parade in NYC on March 17! Check out the photos of the band, color guard and
dance team marching down Fifth Avenue as one of only 15 visiting bands from across the nation
selected to perform in the oldest parade in the U.S! This was the 253 rd annual parade—the
founding year was 1762!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
A special thank you to Tracy
Woodward, data manager at Eastlawn, proud
aunt of a member of the WAHS dance team,
who provided several photos during the
parade:
Thanks for representing Western High, ABSS
and Alamance County so well!
March 2014 Volume 2
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
News 2 tweeted the photo (at right)
of the band members getting ready!
Around Our Schools Shout Outs
March 2014 Volume 2
Shout Out to Our Superintendent
Dr. Cox was asked to speak on behalf of the North Carolina School Superintendents Association
and its umbrella organization, the North Carolina Association of School Administrators in support
of Common Core Standards at a public hearing of a state legislative research committee on
Thursday, March 20th. The research committee is considering whether to recommend dumping or
overhauling the Common Core Standards used in North Carolina’s public schools. Legislators, who
could draft legislation in May, listened to 60 speakers on the often controversial topic. Dr. Cox was
the only superintendent in North Carolina to speak.
Check out the article from the North Carolina Association of School Administrators:
http://www.ncasa.net/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=642
On the WRAL article on their website, you can watch a video of the presentations of all 60 speakers. Dr.
Cox’s segment begins around the 1:24 mark of the video: http://www.wral.com/public-sounds-off-on-common-core-standards/13495912/