During the month of February, the Wilkes County Middle Schools sent 15 teachers and student support personnel to the “Leader in Me Symposium” in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The symposium’s theme was centered around the word “STAND” which translated into standing with other educators from across the nation and world, to create a paradigm shift in education. Participants learned how to empower middle school students to model 21st-century leadership skills and achieve their full potential. On the first day of the symposium, participants were taken through the “Leader in Me” framework. The “Leader in Me” framework, is based off of Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. Participants were engaged in hands-on experience in applying the 7 habits through networking, group activities, and training videos. The second day gave our educators the opportunity to see the “Leader in Me” framework directly. Participants visited local schools, where they were greeted with songs, handshakes, and lots of waving smiling faces. During the school visits, educators were able to see the “Leader in Me” framework in action, and engage students from those schools in conversation about their program. The final day of the symposium was filled with lots of excitement as Brad Montague, the creator of the Kid President took the stage as the keynote speaker. Mr. Montague delivered a message that focused on choices, and how making positive choices can change a person and their outlook.

Inside This Issue:

Leader In Me Symposium……………….Page 1

MPES Staff Team Building……..............Page 2

WWMS TSA Club………………………..Page 3

UTA Service Project……………………..Page 4

T3LC Big READ 5………………………..Page 5

WWHS Happenings……………………..Page 6, 7

EWMS Career Fair……………………....Page 8

MFES Family Science Night…………....Page 9

EWMS Soil & Water Conservation…….Page 10

Volume 4

Issue 8

March 2016

Spotlight On Education In The Wilkes County

Schools

Dates To Remember:

WCHS Prom……………………....April 2

Mtn. View Elem. Drama………….April 4&5

Teacher of the Year &

Principal of the Year Banquet……April 7

NWHS Prom……………………....April 9

WWHS Prom…………………......April 16

EWHS Prom………………………April 30

Leader In Me Symposium

Mount Pleasant Elementary staff participated in a great team building contest in March. The BCMSST...Y.Y. contest was a great

way to make people smile and have fun with colleagues. The staff received emails about who their teammates were and what

country they would represent. Each morning there was a new email that gave clues and tasks for the staff to complete. They

went over and beyond when it came to good deeds for others and coming up with team slogans. There were also posters

around the school to give clues for the contest day. After five emails of tasks and clues teachers met in an after school

meeting in their best dress for their country and slogans. As they sat in their meeting they realized that their teammates

would be valuable in contests such as, Name that Riddle, Name that Tune, Distraction, and a talent contest. Special judges

that helped with the event were Mark Byrd, superintendent, Vanessa Brown, PTO president, and Savannah Kilby, former

student teacher. Each staff member was also treated to foods from around the world, which included popcorn from Liberty

Theatre to represent America. The principal, Jennifer Blankenship, led the contests and provided prizes for the staff. Andrea

Byers, instructional specialist, assisted her throughout the week. The staff had lots of fun and learned more about the hidden

talents of their colleagues. Even though there were many contest winners throughout the evening, Team America won the

contest with the most points.

Wilkes County Schools

MPES Staff Team Building

Wilkes County Schools

Volume 4 Issue 7

West Middle’s TSA club is still in its infancy. This is

only the second year that the school competed in

multiple categories at the Western Region TSA

competition held in Boone on February 26th. The

weather was challenging but our student’s

commitment to their team did not falter. West

Middle students not only attended but came

home victorious.

TSA is a unique club. It focuses on STEM themed

activities but the avenues that student can

participate are varied and rather plentiful. For

example, students can design and build things like

gliders, catapults or dragsters. They can perform

research and organize their findings in informative

and creative displays. Students can write

children’s stories, prepare and present speeches,

and create a digital photography portfolio. The

list continues with a variety of activities that

appeal to a variety of learning styles. There is

something for everyone at TSA.

Our students’ learn how to plan, organize, manage

their time and work together as a team. This

combination of skills will benefit each of them in

the future as they gain valuable skills for the work

force while exposing themselves to possible

career paths. We are molding future leaders.

The state competition is held in April in

Greensboro. Our students will have the

opportunity to fine tune previous projects and will

have even more opportunities to compete as

there are many more events that are held at the

State level. Events such as debate, fashion design,

architectural design, and forensics have our kids

excited.

We are very proud of our achievements at the

regional level. The following students (teams)

brought home a medal for their accomplishments.

● Sarah Whittington- Career Prep- 3rd place

(Sarah created a resume and an

introduction letter and actually

interviewed for a position)

● Sarah Whittington and Caleb Dancy-

Medical Technology- 1st place (the team

researched the effects of CT scans and

created a display to showcase their

findings. It would make you think twice

about having CT scan done!)

● Nina Hernandez- prepared presentation-

3rd place (Nina wrote and presented a

speech about “Building a Legacy”)

● Kennedy Collins- Digital Photography- 3rd

place (Kennedy created a digital portfolio

centered around the theme “family”.

● Dylan Brown, Boby Lopez, Lane Holbrook-

Stem Animation- 2nd place (The team

created a stop motion video to explain

the phases of the moon)

● Dylan Brown, Teresa Lopez, Boby Lopez-

Website Design- 2nd place (The team

created a website to explain about

renewable energy sources and

sustainability)

● Caleb Dancy- Dragster- 2nd place (Caleb

built a dragster car and raced it)

● Lane Holbrook, Teresa Lopez, Annabelle

Higginbothem, Kennedy Collins-

Construction Challenge- 2nd place (the

team identified a community need and

built a prototype to meet the need)

● Sarah Whittington and Caleb Dancy-

Problem Solving- 3rd place (The team was

given an onsite challenge using the

materials they had on hand)

Our students participated in several other

areas that we did not place in. The students

are eagerly anticipating feedback from the

conference so that they may revise their

previous work and resubmit at the state

level. We are looking forward to reporting

many more victories in April.

WWMS TSA Club is State Bound!

Wilkes County Schools

Volume 4 Issue 7

Wilkes County Schools

The Youth Leadership Group of the Wilkes County Schools held a service project at Wilkes Central High School for Central Wilkes Middle School Students on Friday March 18, 2016. United Teens in Action’s (UTA) WE CARE theme centered on helping 42 middle school students transition into high school. Middle School Students were divided into four groups and toured the auxiliary gym, band choral room, Media Center and the ROTC rooms. Students also participated in a scavenger hunt as a part of their getting accustomed to different clubs, interest, physical education, chorus, band, ROTC. UTA leaders discussed multiple topics in order to ease the minds of the incoming freshmen next fall. A special emphasis was stressed on realizing and planning future, course & curriculum plan, scheduling, and dropout prevention. Students met teachers, coaches, counselors, and administrative and were encouraged to ask questions to their new help as a support system. UTA Students from all five high schools participated in a panel question and answer, shared their past experiences and encouraged the middle school students to get involved, meet new friends, and focus on their new environment. Middle School Students were given a Wilkes Central High School Tee Shirt and encouraged them to wear their new shirts in the fall as they begin a new chapter in their lives. . Who we are? United Teens in Action (UTA) is a youth-focused civic engagement program that is designed for high school youth to increase their own leadership experiences, and also become more involved with the dynamic change that is occurring throughout Wilkes. Who participates? Participations of UTA 2014-15 are chosen from each of the high schools in Wilkes County, with a specific emphasis on juniors. Participants must be ready to not lonely participate in a dynamic and VERY different program, but also be willing to share what they learn and experience back in their own schools, neighborhoods, and communities. . Additionally, participants will meet once a month to either participate in a fast and challenge-filled training experience, or they will travel to different locations throughout Wilkes County to see the inner-workings of how the city and county operates on a day-to-day basis. Who coordinates UTA? UTA is a partnered initiative of the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce and Wilkes County Schools, with training support provided by Leading- To -Change. For more information about United Teens in Action, please contact Dennis Huggins at 336-667-1121 or 336-651-7029 or email at hugginsd@wilkes.k12.nc.us.

UTA Service Project

Volume 4 Issue 7

Volume 4 Issue 7

Wilkes County Schools

T3LC Big READ 5

The Youth Philanthropy Group, Time, Talent, and Treasure leading to change in Wilkes County (T3LC), held its service project on March 18 at C. B. Eller Elementary School. The Big READ 5 allowed the T3LC to read to all students in school (approximately 310 pre k-5 grades) and encourage them to read as this is the foundation for all subjects. Our theme was reading is fun and younger students are influenced by role models and encourage them to enjoying reading at an early age. The BIG READ 5 consist of high school students reading to the elementary students and then present each student with their own copy of the book. Sponsors for the BIG READ 5 were Dreams and Kitestrings, Violet Carson and the Carson Family Foundation and Duke Energy.

The BIG READ started in 2011, when the students were challenged to choose a service to make a difference in Wilkes County. After much discussion, the students decided on reading to Elementary School students as their service project. This is the ninth year for youth philanthropy/grant making board, which is comprised of high school students from the five Wilkes County high schools. Their objective is to improve their community by giving their time, talent, and treasure by helping elementary students enjoy the art of reading. The students meet monthly during the school year to learn about philanthropy through a collaborative program of the Wilkes County Schools and Leading to Change.

Volume 4 Issue 7

WWHS Happenings! Spring has officially arrived, and West Wilkes High School is in full bloom! This season has brought exciting events to

our campus, and our students and teachers have many accomplishments to celebrate and good news to share.

Congratulations to the West Wilkes High School Struttin'

Hawks Dance Team! These ladies recently danced their

way to the top 20 dance teams in the nation at the

National Dance Team Competition in Orlando, Florida.

The team was also recognized for exhibiting good

sportsmanship at the 2016 NDA National Championship as

voted on by the NDA Staff. Sportsmanship votes were

based on observed behavior and interaction of dancers

and coaches.

Congratulations to the West Wilkes High School Skills USA team who will be heading to the state Skills USA competition.

West Wilkes High School placed 1st in problem solving and 3rd in Flight at the Technology Student Association's Regional competition at ASU. Isaac R., Dalton J. and Ryan D. will move on to the state finals in April.

WWHS Fine Art students are preparing for ARTS NIGHT OUT

on April 14, 2016. The community is invited to attend this

very special event that showcases all of the Arts programs

and the many talented students of West Wilkes. Advanced

Visual Arts students will be revealing some of their Ceiling

Tiles masterpieces, their latest project that will add beauty

and culture to the campus.

Volume 4 Issue 7

Wilkes County Schools

The West Wilkes Shooting Team completed a successful

season with the Senior Team qualifying for the first time ever

to go to state competition.

WWHS Students for Christ made placemats for Ebenezer's Children's Home.

On March 17th, all of the students at West Wilkes participated in

The 'Hour of Code™' as part of an ongoing Enrichment program.

The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science

Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to

one hour of computer science and computer programming, designed to

demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.

Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. It

helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity.

Freshman and sophomore students recently participated in an

after school POETRY CAFÉ in the West Wilkes Media Center.

At this gathering, students and teachers enjoyed each other’s

company while sharing original and found poems. These

celebrations of poetry are held throughout the year and are

always looked forward to and are well-attended by students

and staff.

Volume 4 Issue 7

Wilkes County Schools

On March 17th and 18th , East Wilkes Middle School hosted over fifty professionals from

the Yadkin Valley area for the third annual career fair. Students rotated from class to

class to hear from professionals from all sixteen career clusters. The purpose in this two

day activity is for students to learn about the different career clusters, and to be exposed

to a variety of different careers. From a potter to a Micro Soft Engineer, students learned

that their dream jobs can realized with hard work and dedication! Many of the guests

were graduates of East Wilkes High School!

EWMS Career Fair

Volume 4 Issue 7

Moravian Falls Elementary Family Science Night

Moravian Falls Elementary hosted a Duke Energy Family Science Night. A Duke Energy Science Night is a school-based event for

students, parents, caregivers, and their teachers to experience science. Together, everyone experienced a variety of hands-on science

activities. The event occurred Tuesday, March 22, 2016, between 6:00 and 7:30. The event included stations facilitated by Moravian

Falls teachers. The stations featured were Parachutes where students were able to build and design a parachute with a few simple

household materials, Ring Gliders, students were invited to build a ring glider to experiment with the four forces of flight. Build a

Bubble, an opportunity to explore properties of soapy water and surface tension by blowing bubbles. Invisible Ink, students were

asked to write a secret message while experimenting with acids and bases. Catapults and Zip Lines gave students time to practice their

engineering skills as they built a catapult to explore physics behind a simple machine, hitting a few targets in the process. At the Zip

Line station students engineered a zip line car that would carry a ping pong ball to the target. Stomp Rockets, My Genes Bracelet,

Pulse-Doh, and the Marshmallow Tower all gave students' and their families more opportunities to experience different areas of

science together. Our school wide focus is on vocabulary this year, during each station teachers conversed with student families using

the targeted science vocabulary posted at each station. Fifth grade students served as translators and assistants for each station. The

event concluded with a rocket presentation by the JROTC from Wilkes Central Senior High School.

Wilkes County Schools

Wilkes County Schools

Wilkes County Schools

Volume 4 Issue 7

East Wilkes Middle Students competed in the Wilkes Soil and Water Conservation essay, power point, and speech contest.

8th Speech

Katelyn Doyle 1st place Charity Speaks 2nd place

7th Speech

Taylor Doyle 1st place Kayla Dixon 3rd place

6th Essay

Power Point

Ryan West 1st place Annie Walker 2nd place

In addition the "Trouble with Trout" Envirothon team was recognized for their 1st place in state service project at the annual Soil and Water Banquet. Team Members are Camron Somers, Jake Myers, Dylan Ward, Monica

Shaver, and Taylor Doyle.

EWMS Soil & Water Conservation