OUR STORY - Shout Outs!
WCS Weekly Highlights - Jan. 14-18, 2019
Swimming Lessons for Second-Graders
Thanks to the Wilson Recreation Department and the Wilson YMCA, every second-grader in our 14 elementary schools has the chance to participate in a week of swimming lessons! That is 807 students! This is the second year the lessons have been offered. Swimming is an important life skill - especially since drowning is the second leading cause of death in children ages 5-14. The lessons are 35 minutes each day for five days. It is incredible to see the progress the students make in a week's time! The Wilson Rec is providing the pool, lifeguards and aquatic staff. The YMCA is providing volunteers to assist the Rec staff and also bathing suits and towels for students in need. The Y also secured grant funds to pay for the cost of bus transportation. We cannot thank them enough!
Vicki the Intern
Smart Cookies
Bacon Award
Hunt AFJROTC Supports Special Olympians
Shout Out! to the Hunt HS Air Force JROTC for raising money through a Walk-a-Thon to take the school's Special Olympics athletes bowling! The Walk-a-Thon was held in November and the JROTC partnered with the Exceptional Children's classes and Club Unify. They raised $1,300 and walked more than 150 miles as a group! On Jan. 25, they will take the athletes bowling. The money that is left over will be used to purchase new jerseys for the Special Olympians that they can wear at their games.
It's In Her Blood
School Board Appreciation
January is Board of Education Appreciation Month, and we are making sure our members know how much we appreciate them. At the Jan. 14 Board meeting, WCS Teacher of the Year Leigh Anne Orr thanked the Board and brought two of her students from Elm City MS with her to the meeting to hand out Thank You Cards signed by the class. Earlier this month, Brewmasters treated the Board to lunch. We are grateful to Dr. Christine Fitch, Henry Mercer, Debora Powell, Rhyan Breen, Gary Farmer, Velma Barnes and Beverly Boyette!
Why I Teach - Ms. Williams from Vick ES
Name: Helen Williams
Current Position: First-grade Teacher at Vick ES
Colleges Attended: I attended Wilson Community College to earn two associate degrees, Mount Olive College for a bachelor's degree in education and North Carolina Central for my licensure. I am currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University for a master's in education.
Total Years Teaching: 7 years as a classroom teacher and 12 years as a teacher assistant
Why I Teach: I truly love children and want to see them succeed and remain lifelong learners. When I was a little girl, I used to pretend to teach. I knew it was my destiny. When children smile because they know you really care about them and only want the best for them - it makes my heart melt. I could not imagine doing anything else.
Why I Love WCS: I've lived in Wilson all my life and am a product of WCS. I graduated from Fike HS, and WCS molded me into what I am today. I can remember all of my teachers and how each one touched my life. I taught in a different county for four years before coming home to WCS, and I don't ever want to be anywhere else! WCS has high expectations for teachers, and I fully realize the huge responsibility placed on me. I will do everything I can to make sure every child receives an education that will enable him or her to be successful for the rest of their lives.
More Shout Outs and Important Info!
- Executive Director of Secondary Education David Lyndon wanted to Shout Out! the Career and Technical Education teachers for their efforts during the Fall 2018 semester. Preliminary data from the CTE final assessments indicate that CTE students made greater than a 9 percent gain in proficiency compared to the same semester last year, rising from 62.88% proficiency to 71.92% proficient. Thank you CTE staff for your efforts and dedication to student success!
- WCS would like to partner with high school homeschool families and offer a few online courses at no cost. Families are invited to attend an information meeting on January 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Wilson County Schools Central Office (117 Tarboro St NE). We are really excited about this opportunity!
- Shout Out! to Associate Superintendent Cheryl Wilson for her work on next year's calendar! We are asking for feedback from our stakeholders about which version is preferred. Please click this link to review two screencasts created by Dr. Wilson. The first screencast explains the calendar requirements set by the state and the second screencast explains the two calendar options. Once you have reviewed the information, there is a survey link at the bottom of that webpage where you can provide feedback. You can also complete the survey in school offices. The deadline to give feedback is Jan. 25.
Giving Back
Save the date and make your appointment today for the Fike HS Blood Drive! This drive is the largest, one-day high school blood drive in the NATION! Help us continue this legacy, and give the gift of life!
Looking for a way to help our schools? Go to the Facebook page Big Hearts Big Possibilities to see items that are needed in our classrooms. It's also a place where you can post items that you have that teachers might need. We are grateful to the Wilson Education Partnership for partnering with us on this initiative!
- This newsletter brought to you with joy from the WCS Public Relations Department. Please send us Shout Outs! to share! - amber.lynch@wilsonschoolsnc.net
Connect with Wilson County Schools
Email: askwcs@wilsonschoolsnc.net
Website: www.wilsonschoolsnc.net
Location: Central Office 117 NE Tarboro St., Wilson NC 27894
Phone: 2523997700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilsonCountySchools/
Twitter: @WilsonSchoolsNC