Columbus County Schools

Nakina Middle School 6th grade teachers Velvet Hardwick, Amanda Edwards, Tammy Cribb, and Principal Richard Gore hosted a Getting Ready for Middle School Transitioning Workshop for 5th graders and their parents from Guideway and Old Dock Elementary Schools. The workshop was geared towards helping the students and parents transition from elementary to middle school.After the workshop the future Mustangs and their parents toured the school and got a chance to talk with the teachers.

Recently, the ROCAME robotics team from East Columbus High School demonstrated the "Jugga-Bot 2" robot to math and science classes of Mr. Sellers, Mrs. Stephens, and Mr. Jernigan. The team shared with their peers how they felt about their roles in planning, building, programming, keeping an engineers' notebook, information board, and experience being on the robotics team. The team also held a mini competition to allow students to experience operating the robot. A robotic "Hexbug" was given to the winners.

Omar Nunez, Guideway Elementary 5th grade student, won the Guardian ad Litem Child Abuse Poster Contest. He was honored at a reception held at the NC Museum of Forestry in Whiteville. Omar received a $25.00 gift card to Wal-Mart, as well as a live Venus Fly Trap.

Mrs. Council's third graders are working extremely hard on researching famous Americans in history. Students are taking the information they gather from various sources and creating Glogsters. Students will present their Glogsters to the class at the end of our study. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Council are collaborating with one another to work on these projects with students as well.

On Tuesday, April 23rd, the 5th grade held their DARE graduation ceremony at Evergreen Elementary School. Master Sergeant Dwayne Barnes led the class through a series of lessons in order to complete the certification. The two essay winners were Marcelino Torres and Alexis Hardee.

The East Columbus High School "Gator Dynasty" team participated in "Relay for Life" on April 19, 2013 at Southeastern Community College. The 30 member student and staff team raised over $2,300.00 for the American Cancer Society. Way to go Gators!

East Columbus High School kicks off the spring musical season this weekend
with a production of "The Wiz." All CCS Productions receive support from the International Paper Foundation, The Ralph Sadler Foundation, The Mary Burney Foundation and The Sikes Foundation.

Evergreen Elementary School held its Curriculum Night on March 26, 2013. Parents and students enjoyed a night of experiencing what is taught in the classroom. Parents watched as the students showed them how to access programs and various web sites; as well as group collaboration with learning tools. Everyone enjoyed a meal after the presentations.

Chadbourn Elementary fifth grade students had the opportunity to visit the Discovery Place Science Museum in Charlotte thanks to the Target Field Trip Grant. Ms. Lovoy and Mrs. Suggs were awarded the grant in October worth $700, giving the students the chance to visit the museum almost free of charge. Both classes participated in two lab classes, "Ecosystems" and "The Human Body," with the staff at the Discovery Place.

Old Dock Elementary School held its DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) recently.

On March 23rd, over 300 students from Columbus County participated in Celebrate the Arts. Below is an audio clip from High School Chorus, and a video clip of High School Dance.

Dance

Cerro Gordo Elementary Stingers participated in the Pennies for Patients campaign to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission to cure blood cancers and improve the lives of patients and their families. In just three days students raised $840.07. Three classes were bronze supporters raising over $100.00. They were 1st grade- Mrs. Edmund, 6th grade-Mrs. Davis, and the top supporting class pictured above was Mrs. Edward's third graders. This character education project is just many of the ways CGES shows their positive character. Earlier in the year, students raised $239.00 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Click the book for good news from ODES. (A file will download that can then be opened.)

Old Dock Elementary held an Open House for it's new pod addition on March 17, 2013. Pictured cutting the ribbon on the new addition are from left to right: Dr. Jonathan Williams, Columbus County Schools Associate Superintendent; Buddy Byrd, County Commissioner; Bill Clark, County Manager; Junior Dew, Columbus County Board of Education; Charles McDowell, County Commissioner; Monte Herring, Columbus County Board of Education; Barbara Yates, Chairperson-Columbus County Board of Education; Worley Edwards, Vice-Chairperson-Columbus County Board of Education; Ronna Gore, Principal-Old Dock Elementary; Alan Faulk, Columbus County Schools Superintendent.

West Columbus High School Spring Plant Sale

The WCHS CTE Department will have their annual plant sale from April 9th-April 19th.
Contact WCHS at 654-6111 for more information.

East Columbus High School Spring Plant Sale

Tuesday April 9 – Friday April 12

9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.

Saturday April 13 - 9:00 a.m. till 12 noon

South Columbus High School Plant Sales
Starting 4/15 For more info call 653-4073

Brick Benches & Brick Flower Pots for Sale by CCCA

The Masonry students from Columbus Career & College Academy have made benches & flower pots to sell that will help raise money for the class and to help support SkillsUSA. See costs below:

Flower Pot: 1 for $30 or 2 for $50

Bench: $100

Set: $125

These would make great gift ideas for Easter or Mother’s Day or any special occasion. Get a set while you still can. For more information, please call the Fair Bluff location at 649-7622

(click for a larger view)

All-District Band Student from NMS

Congratulations to Riley Wilson, an eighth grader at Nakina Middle School who was chosen by audition to participate in the Southeastern District Middle School Band Clinic at Scotland High School in Laurinburg, NC. He was the only middle school band student from Columbus County. The Southeastern District is comprised of schools from seventeen different counties. Riley's band instructor is Heather LaMora.

WCHS Teen PEP Bulletin Board

CCCA Competes in First-Ever Skills USA Regional Competition

On Friday, March 1st, six members from Columbus Career & College Academy attended and competed at the SkillsUSA Regional Conference at Fayetteville Tech. It was a very successful day with each CCCA participant placing in their respected event. Three of these students took 1st place in the contest that they participated in. These six members along with two additional members will be attending and competing at the State Conference in Greensboro, April 24th – April 26th.

SkillsUSA is a student- run organization for students who are enrolled in technical, skilled, and service careers, including health careers. Their motto is “Preparing for Leadership in the World of Work.”

Photo (Left to Right): Advisor Fred Mason, Warren Housand (1st Place in Construction - Tool ID), Clint Morgan (3rd Place in Construction - Tool ID), Reporter Michael-James Cox (1st Place Pledge), AB Ledezma (2nd Place Pledge), Caitlyn Soles (1st Place Culinary Arts), Vice President Austin Oliver (2nd Place Construction – Tool ID), and Advisor Sherman Axelberg. Not Pictured: Advisor Charlie Davis & Advisor Aaron Yates.

HAES Black History Month Celebrations

To commemorate African American History Month, the students at Hallsboro/Artesia Elementary School participated in various innovative and meaningful activities and events throughout the month of February.

African American Read In Week - Students ventured out to other classrooms to share books about African-American Leaders. Older students read books to younger students and younger students read books to older students. The students also participated in the "We Give Books" program. Students were able to read a book online and then donate the book to charity.

Soul Train Hip Hop Dance & Special Guests - African American music was showcased by the appearance of Brandon"Bigg B" Hickman and DJ Mike Lang from Coast 97.3. Bigg B motivated the students by encouraging them to always strive for the highest levels in life.

Rev. Dr. Staccato Powell - a native of Hallsboro was our motivational speaker for the last week of activities. As a former student of Hallsboro/Artesia, he shared with the students his awesome journey from a young boy here in Hallsboro to a man who has traveled all over the world. Rev. Powell encouraged our students to think about "now" and not the past or the next minute and to work hard in everything they do. The students at Hallsboro/Artesia Elementary school had opportunities to experience the Greensboro Sit-In, participate in coloring contests, and portray famous African-American leaders through an event titled, Who Am I? and Insiring the World. The students enjoyed writing essays and poems about African-Americans that became famous by making a cookie recipe or discovering numerous ways to make useful products from peanuts and sweet potatoes. African-Americans pictures and artifacts were put on display and we closed our salute to African-American History Month with a play entitled "Freedom Train". Students dramatized the life of African-Americans and their quest for freedom.

Battle of the Books

Columbus County Schools held its annual “Battle of the Books” competition March 5th at East Columbus High School. Nakina Middle School took first place, Hallsboro Middle School came in second, and Chadbourn Middle School won third place.

The purpose of the Battle of the Books program is to encourage reading by all students at the middle school level. Students, regardless of ability, are exposed to quality literature representing a variety of literary styles and viewpoints by prominent authors in the area of young adult literature.
The game format creates interest and excitement in reading.
Through the fun and excitement of the competition, students improve reading skills, mature in their choices of reading materials, and acquire a broader knowledge base.

Nakina Middle School – First Place Winners

Hallsboro Middle School – Second Place Winners

Chadbourn Middle School – Third Place Winners

Sheriff's Department Visits TCES

Patrol Master Sergeant Brian Smith from the Columbus County Sheriff's Office visited the fourth graders at Tabor City Elementary. He discussed the role of public officials as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizens in our local community. The students were given the chance to ask multiple questions and also view the technology used in a patrol car.

NC Pre-K Now Taking Applications

The North Carolina Pre-K Program is accepting applications. For more information, contact Jaimee Blackmon at 910-642-5168 x2058. Below is an interview on WZCO 89.9 FM about the NC Pre-K Program.

WCHS' Mark Little Selected
as Coach for Shrine Bowl

Mark Little returning to county as WCHS head football coach
(image courtesy of The News Reporter)

Congratulations to coach Mark Little of WCHS for being named to the 2013 Shrine Bowl Coaching Staff. An interview with Coach Little is above.

GES Students Excel on Successmaker

Students at Guideway Elementary were rewarded for their outstanding efforts of meeting their gains goals for mid-year Successmaker Benchmarks. Each student had to have 50% growth from their initial placement in Reading and Mathematics. We are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication. They were treated to a pizza party and movie during the last hour of the school day.

Hallsboro Artesia Elementary Good News

(click on a thumbnail for a larger image)

Please Login zscaler to watch movie

Big B the DJ from 97.3 visited Hallsboro/Artesia on February 12th. Big B was one of the motivational speakers asked to speak to HAES students in honor of black history month. A video excerpt of the speech can be found above.

During a staff development day, Mr. Faulk and Dr. Williams helped the ladies from catering and the central office fix plates for the staff.

Old Dock Open House on Sunday

Old Dock Elementary School has recently opened a new addition to our existing facility which encompasses Grades 3-5. Old Dock embraces a rich history of academic excellence and cultural heritage that has resulted in the growth of a great school community. It is through collegial partnerships between our school, staff, parents and community that diverse opportunities and experiences are provided to our students. We are proud of our new facility and look forward to creating an environment where learning is fun, active and students strive to become life-long learners. We definitely consider you a vital source that has afforded us this once-in-a lifetime opportunity. As one student stated, “Learning is so much fun in a bright and shiny new school”. Please know how important you are in making the difference in the lives of our students.

Old Dock Elementary School will be holding an Open House on Sunday, March 17, 2013 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. We invite you to come out and meet Old Dock’s staff and tour our new facility. At the Open House, appetizers and refreshments will be served in a progressive manner as you enter each room. We look forward to seeing you and answering any questions.

We hope to see you on March 17th. If you are unable to attend on that evening, I would be pleased to arrange another time for you to see our new facility. If you need additional information, please call (910) 642-2084 and speak with our receptionist, Mrs. Tracie Formyduval.

- Principal Ronna Gore

TCES Student Wins Poster Contest

Hannah Nayle, a fifth grade student at TCES won 1st place in the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation’s Poster Contest. Hannah will move on to the area competition in March. Hannah’s teacher, Mrs. Shonna Garrell, entered the artwork as part of a class study on the water cycle.

SCHS FFA Student Wins State

Devin White and Christian Coleman participated in the NC FFA State Truck and Tractor Driving Safety Competition in Raleigh on Thursday. They were joined by other Federation winners from across the state to compete in the 2013 competitions. Devin White placed First in the Truck driving division. Devin was joined by the NC State FFA Officers to congratulate him for his outstanding achievement.

WCHS Bowlers Win County Titles

Congratulations to the boy's and girl's bowling teams of West Columbus for winning county bowling titles.

School Safety at ODES

Old Dock Elementary staff teamed up with Resource Officer David Price to review the school's crisis drill procedures and to discuss safety tips. Everyone paid close attention and took the discussion very seriously.

Mobile Medical Lab
Comes to SCHS

The Allied Health II students at South Columbus High School were introduced to High Fidelity Patient Simulators on October 28, 2012. This was a great opportunity for the students to participate in hands on activities with a life like manikin.

High fidelity Human Patient Simulators are used in colleges, universities, and hospital settings as educational tools to train students and employees. The benefit for this type of training allows training scenarios that do not cause harm to patients. The students were able to utilize various skills they had learned during their Nursing Assistant training. They were able to perform vital signs, engage in CPR, and utilize communication skills to interact with each other, as well as, the manikin. This was an excellent opportunity to utilize S.T.E.M protocols.

The Mobile Simulation Lab is part of the Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance in Wrightsville Beach, NC. The Simulation Lab Coordinator, and CCHA, provided a wonderful experience for the Allied Health II, Health Science I, and the Honors Anatomy classes at South Columbus High School.

EES Honors Bus Drivers

Evergreen Elementary School honored their bus drivers during School Bus Driver Appreciation Week.

WTS Parent Donates Birdhouses

A parent in Ms. Terri Gore's classroom, Mr. William Benton, recently donated a birdhouse to the Pre-K class.

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