Poem Performance at Evergreen Elementary

 

On Tuesday, October 26th, Mrs. Barnes' 4th grade students performed Edgar Allen Poe's poem "The Bells" for Mrs. Horn's 8th grade Language Arts students. The students selected a variety of sound sources to accompany the poem. The 8th grade Language Art students had just finished reading "The Raven" and "The Tale Tale Heart."

 

 

SCHS Students Travel to Paper Engineering Event

 

Ten seniors from South Columbus attended the annual N.C. State University Paper Science and Engineering recruiting event held on October 18th at International Paper. International Paper sponsored the event. Mrs. Sheryl Dameron and Mrs. Stacy Stout-Prince accompanied the students

 

Old Dock Elementary Project

Mrs. Whittington and Ms. Cox's first grade class with Mr. Blue , the scarecrow they made.

Waccamaw Siouan Pow-Wow School Day

(click a thumbnail for a larger image)

 

 

 

 

 

The Wizard of Oz at Chadbourn Elementary School


 

Chadbourn Elementary School students and staff have been reading the Wizard of Oz this past nine weeks, and for the finale the staff dressed as characters from the book while the students enjoyed the movie. Characters are: Front row: Tin Man (Lovoy), Scarecrows (Blake) (Goss), Wizard of Oz (Brown), Flying Monkey (Whaley), Tin man (Hodges). 2nd Row: Tin man (Strickland), Dorothy (Greene), Scarecrows (Bauer) (Duncan). Back Row: Yellow Brick Row (Shuman), Lollipop Guild (McPherson, Barnhilll, Gore, Jordan), Scarecrows (Blackmon and McCleney).

 

Cerro Gordo Elementary Student Wins
Best of Show at The N.C. Yam Festival





Coby Williamson from Cerro Gordo Elementary was awarded "Best of Show" at the North Carolina Yam Festival in the category of 6-8 Visual Art. His teacher is Ms. Lori-Beth Russell.

 

Victor E. Bell, Jr. Scholarship Winner
at Hallsboro Middle School

 

 

Kaden Makiah Moore, 12 year old daughter of Penny Graham, is the recipient of the Victor E. Bell, Jr. Scholarship.  She is in seventh grade at Hallsboro Middle School.   She will receive $2,000 per year up to a maximum total of $20,000 while in good academic standings. 

The Victor E. Bell, Jr. Scholarship was established through College Foundation, Inc.  (the “Foundation”).  Mr. Bell served as Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees for thirty years.  This scholarship honors his vision and selfless service and will enable new generations of North Carolina students to enhance their potential and future contribution to our State.

Acme- Delco Elementary's "Hairs to a Drug -Free Life"


Acme Delco Elementary School celebrated a Drug Free Life during the week of October 24-28 with daily events. Pictures are from October 27 - "Hair's to a Drug Free Life."

 

 

Tabor City Middle Yam Festival
Art Winners

These students had art work in the Yam Festival Art Show at the Tabor City Baptist Church. The students shown above were with winners of 1st place Mixed Media, and Honorable Mention Mixed Media and Colored Pencil.

 

 

Williams Township School Presents
"The Hall of Bad Choices" during "Red Ribbon Week"

 

 

 

The W.T.S. Careers class presented, “The Hall of Bad Choices” in response to Red Ribbon Week. Students enacted a Hall full of Bad Choices and the terrible consequences of choosing to do drugs and alcohol. Grade Levels across campus were invited to visit the Hall! Mr. Cobbs, WTS Resource Officer, talked with groups of students about the importance of making good choices.

 

 

ADES Bobcat Cheerleaders

 The Acme Delco Elementary cheer team cheers at Acme Delco Middle and East Columbus High home Games. The Head Coach and sponsor is Gina Meggs, assistant coaches are Jennifer Smith and Shantel Lennon.
 

TCMS Greenhouse

Students at Tabor City Middle School, under the direction of Mr. Jimmy Bartley, have been planning and constructing a greenhouse for use by the career/technical classes.
 

CES Faculty Visits Ron Clark

As a culminating activity to a school wide book study of Ron Clark's new book END OF MOLASSES CLASSES, the staff of Chadbourn Elementary School attended the Sunday portion of the NCAEE conference in Raleigh to hear Mr. Clark speak. He autographed books for teachers and took time for a picture after his presentation.
 

Artist Residency at Chadbourn Middle School

Artist Tunde Afolayan conducted a week-long residency with students from Chadbourn Middle School. The residency, made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, led students through the creation of a mural based on the history and geography of Columbus County.




 

ADES Students Using Edmodo

Acme Delco Elementary fourth graders are preparing for the 21st century with the help of Edmodo. Our students are creating multimedia presentations and communicating with other students, parents, and teachers through the use of Edmodo. We are opening our computer lab after school during the month of November for students, family members, and teachers to collaborate on the Family Heritage Project.

 

 

Student Newspaper at CCCA
 

Students from Columbus Career and College Academy, along with advisor Jacqueline Morrisey, have created a student newspaper, The Lions Roar. Click below for PDFs of the last two editions.

September

October

 

 

 

WCHS Teachers Participate in Keys to Literacy Training

 

 

Faculty from West Columbus High School recently engaged in intensive literacy training around the effective use of word walls.

 

 

 

North Carolina Symphony Plays for 5th Grade Students,
East Columbus and Hallsboro Middle

 

The North Carolina Symphony performed for the county's 5th graders recently. A small group of musicians also performed for students of East Columbus and Hallsboro Middle, educating students about musical elements, and even allowing some students to conduct.

 

 

Tabor City Middle School Students of the Month

 

These students were selected by their peers and teachers as 'Student of the Month' for the month of September 2011 at Tabor City Middle School. The students demonstrated good character skills, made good grades and were leaders in their classrooms.

 

Tabor Middle Yam Entry

 

 

Tabor City Middle School’s Careers and Art Classes built and designed the 2011 entry in the display for the North Carolina Yam Festival. The students decided on the theme of a soccer game with “Yam Fans” cheering in the bleachers along with “Yam Cheerleaders”, “Yam Soccer Players” and a “Yam Band”. The students have been working on the display for over a month and several businesses and individuals donated the yams and other decorations.

 


 

Chadbourn Elementary's "Problem's Up" Rap

 

If you don't see the movie, please download flash player at adobe.com

 

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Visits Guideway

Johnny Appleseed gave a surprise visit to the Kindergarten students at Guideway Elementary.  During this visit, students discussed planting and harvesting apples, as well as, described ways Johnny Appleseed has impacted our lives with apples.  The students celebrated his birthday in September.

 

Book Club at Chadbourn Elementary

 





 

The first ever CES Fourth Grade STARPOWER Book Club  is about to finish up with the movie based on FANTASTIC MR. FOX. The students have enjoyed the experience. A new group will come on board soon to share in the reading fun and excitement. The fifth graders have also continued their book club experiences, having much fun while they read together.

 

21st Century Learning Centers
Students Create Puppet Show

The Columbus County Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center Program was awarded a one thousand dollar grant through the Good Shepherd Fund of Whiteville, NC, on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The funds were used to present a service learning project which was held at the local Wal-Mart in Whiteville on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Three different puppet shows were written and presented by 21st Century Community Learning Center students from Acme Delco Middle, Chadbourn Elementary/Middle and Tabor City Elementary/Middle. The puppet show scenarios dealt with peer pressure and drug and alcohol abuse, family involvement in drug and alcohol prevention, and the effects of drug and alcohol on the body. The students began writing their puppet show skits at the beginning of an eight (8) day mini summer camp. The mini camp highlighted reading and math, character education, and drug and alcohol prevention. The camp culminated with trips to Carowinds in Charlotte, NC and Washington DC. Students met with Senate Chaplain Barry Black on the Capitol steps, visited the Air and Space Museum, toured the city on the Double Decker Tour Bus, as well as visited Howard University and the Russ Parr Show for a live taping. It was amazing to hear students say, “I read about that in my book”.

An Eighth Grade Native American History Lesson at CGES

 

Guest Speaker Mr. Robert Waddell provided Mrs. Nobles and Mrs. Worthington's Art of Collaboration class with some insight on Native Americans and North Carolina history. Mr. Waddell provided artifacts, maps, mementos, pictures, and remarkable stories of his exploration of our state and country.

 

 

 

"Swamp Logger" Visits Nakina Middle


 Bobby Goodson recently visited Nakina Middle School to share his story with students.  Mr. Goodson is one of the stars of the show Swamp Loggers which airs on the Discovery Channel.
 

Video Message from Ron Clark to
Chadbourn Elementary

If you don't see the movie, please download flash player at adobe.com

 

2011-2012 Uniform Policy
*
 Title I School Choice Information

 

 

East Columbus Student Participates in Congressional Seminar

 

 

 

East Columbus High School Junior Kendra Bowen was awarded a scholarship by Mike McIntyre to participate in the Congressional Seminar sponsored by The Washington Workshops Foundation. During the week of June 18-25 she along with at least 50 students from across the nation participated in a model congress, where they developed bills and held debates to decide on the passage of the bills they developed. They also toured Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and other sites of interest in the Nation's Capitol. Kudos to Kendra!

 

 

 

Guideway Elementary Hosts Summer Reading Program

 

 

Guideway Elementary's annual Summer Reading Program was held during the month of July.  An average of 30 students attended the program each Wednesday.  In addition to getting a jump start on reading books and taking AR tests for the upcoming school year, students also participated in story time and crafts.  The program was hosted by Mrs. Mary Gore, school librarian. 

 

 

 

Over 5500 Students Served Breakfast in the Classroom Daily

If you don't see the movie, please download flash player at adobe.com

 

 

Breakfast in the Classroom, a new initiative by the Columbus County Schools Child Nutrition Program, allows every student PreK-8 to have a free nourishing meal regardless of lunch status. The first few minutes of each day, all students PreK-8 receive a pre-packaged breakfast with juice and milk. "Our feedback so far has been very positive", says Child Nutrition Director Donna Bartley. "All of our educators want what's best for our students and we know that proper nutrition is key to education. If a student starts school hungry, they start behind." Evidence is mounting that students are arriving to school on time in order to participate in the program. The program is fully paid for by the federal government's Child Nutrition Program. The video above speaks to the importance and convenience of Breakfast in the Classroom.

 

 

First Day of School!



Students at Chadbourn Elementary and all over Columbus County Schools returned to school on Thursday with enthusiasm, smiles and great looking student uniforms.

 

Chadbourn Elementary Teachers
Welcomed Back to School in Style

 

Teachers returning to school were treated to a special day by CES principal Deanna Shuman. Assisted by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Williams, teachers took a ride in a limousine, were treated to lunch and special entertainment by Terry Brown, Kim Edwards and Ms. Shuman. Keep checking for a very special video of the performance.
 

 

Columbus County Schools Maintains Previous Gains in State Accountability Test Scores

 

The 2010-2011 ABCs of Public Education Accountability Report approved by the State Board of Education reveals that the Columbus County School District has maintained large gains made in the past two years. Out of 19 schools, 12 schools met their expected growth scores. Seven of the 12 were declared High Growth schools. The district as a whole met expected growth. The state determines growth by comparing expected test scores with actual student test scores.

Columbus County Schools has taken proactive measures to maximize student performance. Initiatives including Professional Learning Communities, ClassScape Assessments, Classroom Walk-Throughs, High Yield Strategies, K-2 Waterford assessments, SuccessMaker diagnostic software and data-driven professional development have all been instrumental in promoting school improvement. Prescriptive benchmarking, a process by which student’s weaknesses are identified early in the year, has taken place on all grade levels, supplying teachers with data about student learning that is used to refine their year-long instruction. Two research-based intervention programs, Early Success (grades K-2) and Soar to Success (grades 3-8), have helped to identify and remediate students who are falling behind. A system-wide focus on literacy is ongoing, affecting student achievement in all academic areas.

“Our gains in test scores during the past two years have made maintaining our growth very challenging because the more you grow, the more you are expected to grow,” says Alan Faulk, Superintendent. “Our focus on school improvement, especially with regard to teacher collaboration, has helped us maintain a high level of student achievement. Now, we will focus on moving all of our schools from good to great.”

The ABCs Accountability Model measures school achievement in three ways: the percent of students’ test scores at or above proficiency level, which is referred to as their performance composite, the school’s academic growth, and each school’s Adequate Yearly Progress.

The schools meeting high growth include Cerro Gordo Elementary, Chadbourn Middle, Evergreen Elementary, Hallsboro Middle, Nakina Middle, Tabor City Middle, and Williams Township.

Schools meeting expected growth include Boys and Girls Home School, Chadbourn Elementary, Guideway Elementary, Old Dock Elementary, Tabor City Elementary and West Columbus High School.

 

New Teacher Orientation

New teachers with the Columbus County School system participated in a week-long training intensive recently to help prepare them for the beginning of the school year. The workshop was led by Beginning Teacher Support Program Director Tammy Dorman.

 

 

CCS Administrators Retreat

Administrators and lead teachers from Columbus County Schools participated in a week-long professional development recently. The week focused on many important topics, including the upcoming shift to the Common Core and Essential Standards, and the book "What Great Principals do Differently".

 

 

Columbus Career and College Academy Dedication


 

Over 150 people attended the dedication of Columbus Career and College Academy recently. Speakers included former students of the old Fair Bluff High School, Laura Davis, principal of CCCA and many others. The first students arrived on campus August 1st. The new website for CCCA is located here.

 

Williams Township Students Excel at
National Beta Club Convention

 


 

Williams Township received another win in the National Junior Beta National Competition.    Mikayla Fowler, daughter of Melanie and Ricky Fowler, again brought home another win for her club during competition in Nashville, Tenn.  She placed fourth this year in The National Junior Beta Club -Special Talent Division - 2011 held at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville.  Mikayla is a rising 9th grader and hopes to continue competing for our county as a Senior Beta at South Columbus High School.  Miranda was supported by her sponsor, members, and parents during the four day competition.  Mrs. Tyree and all the WTS Junior Beta will miss Mikayla and wish her many more BETA WINS!

 

 

 

 

SOUTH COLUMBUS HOSA STUDENTS
WIN NATIONAL HONORS

 

Seniors Kelly McPherson and Danielle Tungate from South Columbus High School won national medals in the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) National Leadership Conference held in Anaheim, California June 22-26th.

Students must hold a third place or above in a state competitive event to qualify for a national invitation.  Both students held state titles in their respective events which qualified them for National competition. Kelly McPherson held the third place position in North Carolina in the Home Health Aid Division; Danielle Tungate held the first place position in the state in Pharmacology.

In the national competition, both students were required to complete rigorous tests and competencies. The competition consisted of the best HOSA students in the country. Kelly McPherson placed second in the Nation receiving a silver medal in Home Health Aid Division, and Danielle Tungate placed third in the Nation receiving a bronze medal in the Pharmacology Division.  These are impressive accomplishments, as thousands of students entered the competition nationwide.

Kelly McPherson is the daughter of Mark and Terry McPherson and plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, with the goal of becoming a Nurse Anesthetist.

Danielle Tungate is the daughter of Denise Tungate. She plans to attend Campbell University and major in Pharmacy. 

HOSA is a powerful instructional tool that is integrated into the health science curriculum and classroom. The instructors are committed to the development of the total person and recognize the importance of providing students with training far beyond the basic technical skills needed for entry into the health care field. The rapidly changing health care system needs dedicated workers who, in addition to their technical skills, are people-oriented and capable of playing a leadership or followership role as a member of a health care team. Since its inception in 1976, HOSA has grown steadily reaching nearly 120,000 members through 47 chartered HOSA State Associations.

The HOSA Chapter of South Columbus High School has qualified for National Competition 9 of the past 14 years under the direction of HOSA Advisor Wendy Meares, RN, MSN.  “I contribute the success of our HOSA organization to the level of dedication from our students and the continued support of our administration and community.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custodian Awards Banquet




The annual Custodial Banquet was held recently, and the following awards were given to schools with outstanding custodial performance:

Top Elementary School,  Hallsboro Artesia Elementary;  Top Middle School  Hallsboro Middle;  Top High School, West Columbus High; Top Custodian, Grady Ward, Hallsboro Middle; and Most Improved Custodian, Wayne Edge. Mr. Nance was also presented with a signed certificate of appreciation from all of the custodians.

TCMS Students Attend Broadcasting Camp

 

Students from Tabor Middle School spent their first few days of summer vacation at "Broadcasting Camp" hosted by the school. The students learned the specifics of operating the video/sound equipment, video editing, and reading news copy.
 

Dianna Bellamy Selected to Attend Leadership Academy

 

Dianna Bellamy, teacher at Tabor City Elementary School, is among twenty-one teachers from 12 school districts in the Sandhills region to have been selected to participate in the first class of Sandhills Leadership Academy, a federally funded Race to the Top initiative designed to produce highly effective principals for high needs schools. Those accepted into the program have been selected by their school districts and the region to participate in the aspiring principals program full-time during the 2011-2012 school year. A rigorous selection process was utilized to select participants for the program.

Sandhills Leadership Academy will begin the year with a three-week summer intensive program followed by the residency year, which includes an internship and weekly residency sessions. At the end of the residency year, participants who successfully complete the program will be eligible for principal licensure. The North Carolina State Board of Education approved the alternate licensure program in an effort to meet the need for highly skilled school leaders for turnaround schools in the Sandhills region and throughout the state. The Sandhills Regional Education Consortium received the $6 million grant on behalf of the following participating school districts: Anson County Schools, Columbus County Schools, Cumberland County Schools, Harnett County Schools, Hoke County Schools, Lee County Schools, Montgomery County Schools, Moore County Schools, Richmond County Schools, Robeson County Schools, Scotland County Schools, and Whiteville City Schools. Fayetteville State University, UNC-Pembroke, and the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching are partners.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gators are State 1A Champions!!!!

 


(photo courtesy of the News Reporter)

The East Columbus High School Varsity baseball team was named state 1-A Baseball Champions after defeating South Stanly 2 games to 1 in the NCHSAA Championship Series. Congratulations to Coach Bracey and all the players!

 

Fifth Grade Teachers in Workshop with
The North Carolina Dance Theatre

       
Fifth grade teachers from across the county participated in a workshop presented by The North Carolina Dance Theatre recently. The workshop helped teachers to prepare their students for the cARTwheels NCDT performance at Bowers Auditorium. The project was funded by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cerro Gordo 7th Graders Inspired by Literature

 

 

Cerro Gordo 7th graders inspired by Literature

            Kloe S. and Bailey B., 7th graders at Cerro Gordo Elementary School, made a decision to spend one of their elective periods this year reading, not realizing how much enjoyment they would receive.  Upon seeing how the books affected them, Ms. Donna Balisado, media specialist encouraged the students to enter Letters About Literature, a contest in which students write a letter to an author explaining how that author’s book somehow changed their view of the world or themselves.

            Letters About Literature, a project of The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores has selected its 2011 national winners.  1,651 North Carolina students entered the contest.  Kloe Stackhouse received one of the state’s four Honorable Mention awards and a $50 cash prize and Bailey Blackwell was a semi-finalist for grades 7 and 8 in the state.  Both of these young ladies have gained a greater appreciation for literature through entering this contest.

 

 

East Columbus High School Promotional Podcast

 

A podcast created by the ECHS faculty to promote the many features of ECHS.

 

Acme Delco Elementary Volunteer Day

 



Acme Delco Elementary School hosted a luncheon for school volunteers on May 6, 2011. Parents and community members play such a vital role in the success of our students. These volunteers unselfishly give of themselves throughout the year and this was a day to give back to them and say “Thank you.” The kindergarten provided entertainment by performing various reader’s theater scripts, and each volunteer received a small handmade gift from the children and door prizes were given. Neala Hardie, Media Coordinator, coordinated the event.

 

Tabor City Elementary Science Night



Tabor City Elementary School enjoyed Science Night with students and parents on May 5, 2011. The evening was used to provide activities and suggestions to help prepare students for the upcoming EOG.

 

Columbus Career and College Academy Informational Meeting



Columbus Career and College Academy (formerly Southeastern Early College) will hold an informational meeting for all current 8th grade students interested in enrolling for the 2011-2012 school year at the Southeastern Community College Auditorium at 7PM on Tuesday, May 24th. Applications will be  available at the meeting. CCCA is a unique opportunity for Columbus County Schools students that provides the option to complete an associate's degree after four years of high school, or receive career training in the fields of Broadcasting/Communications, Culinary Arts, Green Construction, Interior Design, Metal Machining, and possibly Video Game Design or Cosmetology.  If you need more information, please contact Laura Davis, principal, at 910-642-7141 or ldavis@mail.sccnc.edu.

 

 

House/Storage Building Auction
 

On May 27, 2011 the Career/Technical Education Department of Columbus County Schools will be auctioning houses at West and South Columbus High Schools, and a storage building at Tabor City Middle School. Please click the link below for details.

House/Storage Building Auction Flyer

 

Tabor City Middle Magna Presentation

The Columbus County Board of Education recognized Tabor City Middle School for receiving an from the American School Board Journal for the REAL (Relevant, Engaging Authentic Learning) Program,  The REAL program, developed at TCMS,  consists of a broadcasting curriculum and a construction technology curriculum that emphasize student engagement and real world learning opportunities. Pictured are Junior Dew and Norris Ebron of the board; Phyllis Pope, Middle Grades Supervisor; Kent Lovett, Principal and Nancy Griffin, Tabor City Middle; Barbara Yates and Worley Edwards of the board.

 

 

Clean School Contest at Williams Township

The purpose of the clean school contest was to help educate the students on the importance of litter prevention and  take pride in the appearance of their school.  Teachers were asked to step up the study and practice of cleanliness and monitoring as a way of maintaining good health and environmental sanitation as well as helping to improve the learning environment.  l.

The contest  included the following:

·         -A pep rally on Tuesday, 3/1/2011 that kicked off the contest
     -A poster contest with the students that encourages a litter-free school
     -The classroom that remained the cleanest from 3/1/2011 through 3/31/2011 received an ice cream party.
      -The teacher with the cleanest classroom received a $100.00 Visa gift card and the custodian responsible for that classroom  also received a $100.00 Visa gift card.
      -The school received a Clean School plaque to hang on their wall.

Click on a thumbnail for a larger image.

 



 

 

UNCP Signee

 



(Photo and article courtesy of The News Reporter)

 

South Columbus High School girls basketball standout Kierra Haney signs a national letter of intent Wednesday to play for University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Haney, who has also been a key player on the SCHS volleyball team, was a three-time All-Waccamaw Conference and All-Columbus County performer for the Lady Stallion hoops squad. Haney, who stands at 6-feet even, is the younger sister of former SCHS girls basketball great Amanda Dowe, who has just completed her sophomore season on the UNC Charlotte women's team. UNCP competes in the Peach Belt (NCAA-Division II) Conference. Pictured with Haney at Wednesday's signing are her mother Roxanne Haney (seated left), SCHS girls basketball coach Brett Burroughs (seated right) and standing, left to right, SCHS boys basketball coach Alan Stewart, athletic director Jake Fonvielle and principal Dale Norris.

 

 

WCHS JROTC Participates
in VIP for VIP Program

 

On 12 April, six members of the West Columbus JROTC “Viking” Battalion participated in the VIP for VIPs program at Southeastern Community College. The members were left to right: CPFC Jasmine McNeil, CMSG Angel Britt, CPFC Daniel Pone, CLTC Matthew Morales, CMSG Shantasia Davis and CMSG Amber Hammond. The program was presented to several of the independent schools in the county and focused on showing teenage drivers the consequences of inappropriate behavior while driving.

 

Battle of the Books Winners

Evergreen Elementary School – 1st Place

Nakina Middle School – 2nd Place

 

Hallsboro Middle School – 3rd Place

Families First at CMS

 

Families First representatives Vickie Pait and Christy Best recently presented a program for Chadbourn Middle School 6th graders on the topic, “Harassment vs. Flirting”. The program provided lively, engaging conversation and relevant information. Students learned how to identify the differences between harassment and flirting and how to be proactive at putting an end to unwanted behaviors in a positive way. We send out a special thank you to the staff of Families First for their efforts in educating our students.

 

 

 

 

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