Board Recognizes Senator Soles, Representative Hill

Dr. Dan Strickland and Mr. Norris Ebron present senator R.C. Soles and representative Dewey Hill with plaques honoring their work on behalf on education in the General Assembly at a recent Board Meeting.

Bright Ideas Winners

Click here for the detailed story.





Congratulations to Camela Babson of Acme Delco Middle School, Kathy Blake of Chadbourn Elementary School, Carol Blake of Chadbourn Middle School, Stephanie Sellars of Guideway Elementary School, Velvet Hardwick of Hallsboro Middle School, Amanda Edwards of Old Dock Elementary, Gay Strickland of South Columbus High School, Kelly Strickland Graham of Tabor City Elementary School, Daphne Long of Williams Township and Sherry Jordan of East Columbus High School for being elected as 2007-2008 Bright Ideas Grant Recipients.
All winners and projects are located here.








KJ

Joan Buck Named Outstanding Teacher

Joan Buck, teacher at Acme Delco Elementary School, was recently recognized and rewarded by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher. This recognition rewards teachers who make mathematics exciting for her students. It identifies Joan as a teacher who nurturers her students to make sense of math as a tool for everyday living and enhances their understanding by extending mathematics beyond the classroom.

Board Chairman Norris Ebron presented a plaque to Ms. Buck with principal Janet Hedrick in attendance at a recent board meeting.

Art Teacher Creates Murals for Cafeteria

Sabrina Malpass, art teacher at Hallsboro Middle and Acme Delco Middle Schools, helped create healthy figures for the cafeteria of Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School. Ms. Malpass, who has an extensive background in illustration, created the figures in partnership with Columbus Regional Healthcare, which provided the materials.

Columbus County Students Excel at Play Competition

Students from East, South and West Columbus High Schools performed at the North Carolina Theatre Conference Play Festival at Ashley High School in Wilmington on November 2nd and 3rd. All three schools excelled with West and South receiving Excellent marks and East Columbus receiving Superior.

Chadbourn Elementary School Receives Books from DonorsChoose

Kathy Blake, librarian of Chadbourn Elementary School, recently received a grant of over $1000 to purchase books for the library from Donorschoose.org, an online agency that allows donors to select from a wide range of applications. The students will enjoy the generosity of this donor for years to come!

Acme Delco Elementary Literacy Night

On September 25, 2007 Acme Delco Elementary hosted a K-2 Literacy Night for parents at the Riegelwood Public Library. Rebecca Ham and Stephanie Nelson, both teachers at the school, presented techniques to help parents increase their child’s reading. Public Librarian, Robin Creech, discussed the library’s programs and helped parents get new library cards for students. The school provided each parent a take-home reader that can be exchanged for a new book as often as the parent wishes. Parents read a page and the child reads the next leveled text page. Approximately 30 parents and students were in attendance. Our goal of is to increase parent involvement in literacy. The night was a huge success and the school plans to have a annual Literacy Night.

Students Prepare for Play Competition

For the first time ever, all three high school will participate in the North Carolina Theatre Conference's One Act Play Contest at Ashley High School in Wilmington on November 2nd-3rd. Recently, students gathered on a Saturday to perform for each other and get feedback from theatre professionals. Adjudications will also take place at the play festival and students will also watch over a dozen plays from other schools.

North Carolina Yam Festival

Columbus County Schools participated in many facets of the recent Yam Festival. Tabor City Middle School won first place for their school made completely out of yams, all three high schools participated in the parade along with several school groups, and over 50 students contributed artwork.

CMS Travels to NC Mountains

The Chadbourn Middle School National Junior Beta Club and the GEAR UP program recently sponsored a three day, two night trip to the North Carolina Mountains. During the trip, students toured the campus of UNC-Asheville, explored Linville Caverns, climbed Chimney Rock, visited Kings Mountain National Military Park, and toured Biltmore Estates.

CMS would like to extend a special thanks to the families and community members who supported our students in their fund raising efforts. Additionally, CMS would like to thank Mr. Odell Graham and the GEAR UP program for helping to make the trip possible.

Second Annual Convocation

Columbus County Schools second annual convocation was held on August 22nd, 2007 at South Columbus High School. Teachers and Principal of the Year were recognized, and our guest speaker, Mr. Larry Bell, inspired the audience with "The Power of a Teacher". Many vendors also participated in the Vendor Fair, allowing staff to sample the many products and services available.

All County Band Camp

A camp for all band students for the upcoming school year was held recently at West Columbus High School. The camp included members of the bands from East, South and West Columbus High Schools. The band directors from each of the schools, as well as outside clinicians, worked with students on playing and marching techniques. The main purpose of the camp was to utilize the strengths at each school for the benefit of all students throughout the county. The camp culminated with a short concert on the stage at WCHS.

Family Reading Rally at Cerro Gordo Elementary

Family Reading Rally at Cerro Gordo Elementary
CGES in, conjunction with Reading First and the counseling program, hosted a
Family Reading Rally on May 17th with approximatly 150 parents, teachers and
students in attendance. Family members were provided with information on
essential reading components, actively participated in the CGES Reading
First K-3 supplemental reading computer program, played jump rope rhymes and
other reading games, and enjoyed a book walk and a Scholastic Book Fair.
The highlight of the evening was a Book Character Scavenger Hunt where
students had to locate live book characters throughout the school and
identify them by matching book information provided. A few of the special
guests were: Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, Pink Panther,
Chamelon, The Principal in his new clothes, and the Jester. We hope this
will become an annual event as a great time was had by all.

New Playground at ADES

Acme Delco Elementary children cannot contain their excitement as they enjoy
their new jungle gym. The new equipment is a result of a two year project
made possible by a combination of grants, fund raisers, and donations. The
school wishes to thank everyone who contributed to the project.

ADES Participates in Pennies for Patients

Mrs. Susan Patrick's 1st grade class came in 1st place during Acme Delco

Elementary School's Pennies for Patients campaign.  The school raised $1,657

for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.  This year's campaign was in honor of 1st

grader, Shelby Parks, who has undergone treatment for Leukemia for nearly

two years and is doing well. She is an inspiration to everyone with her

positive attitude and love for school.



Shelby Parks is pictured with the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Representative.