OUR STORY - Shout Outs!
Wilson County Schools Weekly Highlights - Oct. 15-19, 2018
WCS Applauded for Safety
Shout Out! to WCS for continuing to be recognized for safety! During a regional safety meeting in Raleigh this week, WCS Special Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Steve Ellis was asked to share the best practices of our district. He listed all of the accomplishments mentioned here and also shared that WCS recently received a grant to upgrade metal detectors, handheld radios and create an anonymous tipline for students. He advised the other districts in attendance to build strong partnerships with law enforcement and emergency management - just like WCS has done. The regional meeting was led by the NC Department of Public Instruction's Digital Teaching and Learning Division, the School Planning Division and the Center for Safer Schools.
Coach Tillman Honored
WCS Athletic Director Jimmy Tillman was presented the 2018 Region 3 Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award on Sept. 27 in Chapel Hill. From left are NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker, Rocky Mount HS Athletic Director Michael Gainey, Mr. Tillman, President of the NC Coaches Association Joe Franks and Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools Athletic Director Scarlett Steinert. Mr. Tillman is a legend, and we are so grateful for all that he does for athletics in our county!
Perfect MATCH
The Board of Education recognized the coordinators of the MATCH Program at the Oct. 15 meeting. MATCH is a childhood obesity intervention program taught to 7th graders during PE. This is the third year of the program. The coordinators are from left: Kat Alphin from Springfield, Brent Pearson from Elm City, Eddie Reel from Darden, Lydia Crandall from Speight, Janice Gaetano from Forest Hills and District Coordinator David Lyndon. Not pictured is Joanna Farriss from Toisnot (it was her birthday on Oct. 15!).
Hurricane Heroes
At the Oct. 15 meeting, the Board of Ed recognized several people who served selflessly during Hurricane Florence - Mark Letchworth and Greg Woodard from the WCS Maintenance Dept.; Robert Harvey from the WCS Transportation Dept., Frederick Douglass ES Principal Annette Faison; Elm City MS Principal Will Pope; Gordon Deno and Rodney Dancy from Wilson County Emergency Management; and the WCS School Nurses - Valerie Kersey, Charlotte Hicks, Ginger Phillips, Kim Strother, Shannon Waddell and Wendy Anderson.
Lucama Response
Kudos to Superintendent Dr. Mills and Lucama ES Principal Zach Marks for taking a proactive stance to limit the use of water at Lucama ES until the town completes further testing. The water is currently deemed safe, but it is discolored and residents are concerned. Photo - Drew Wilson, The Wilson Times.
An Apple a Day
WEP at Winstead
The Wilson Education Partnership (WEP) has adopted Winstead ES this year. The organization's Board members will support the staff all year with goodies and gifts. On Oct. 16, the WEP Board visited the school to hear from Principal Claudia Spencer and tour the classrooms.
Poster Child
Barton Serves
Bus Safety
Be Bruin!
A Special Day
Shout Out to the 118 athletes who competed in the Special Olympics Soccer Tournament on Oct. 18! Special thanks to the WCS staff who volunteered. Pictured is Jones ES Parent Jessica Davis and her son; Adapted PE Teacher Amy Stadiem; and Forest Hills MS Principal JT Tribula.
Government 101
More Shout Outs!
- WCS Beginning Teacher Support Coordinator Sherri Jernigan made a 10-hour trek through Hurricane Michael to attend training at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, GA on Oct. 12! The training was sponsored by BB&T, and we appreciate Ms. Jernigan's commitment to attend in order to bring back best practices to WCS!
Shout Out! to Toisnot MS Science Teacher Vicky Le for receiving an Aquarium Scholars grant to provide funds to visit the aquarium and also for outreach programs in the classroom. The selection process was very competitive! The funds are possible through a partnership between the NC Aquariums, NC Public Schools and the nonprofit NC Aquarium Society, through which private donors help fund access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)-based Aquarium education programs for low-income students.
- Shout Out! to WCS School Psychologist Racheal Gliniak for being awarded a Boardsmanship Award at the North Carolina School Psychology Association 2018 Fall Conference.
Reminders
- It's North Carolina College Application Week! Colleges throughout the state are waiving their application fees from now until Nov. 16. More information here. Apply through CFNC.org.
- WCS has several notifications that the district is required to share with parents each year - such as Section 504 info and rights for homeless students. To view these notifications, click here.
- Please support United Way of Wilson by dining at the restaurants listed in the flyer.
- The WCS Fitbit Challenge is BACK for staff! Join the group - WCS2Legit2Quit - for a chance to win a free month at the YMCA and ultimately a free year! Grab your Fitbit and login to fitbit.com (NOT the app). Select Community, Activity Groups and search WCS2Legit2Quit. Add yourself and email Amber Lynch to let her know you are in!
- Several parents are collecting new and gently used gloves, hats and scarves for students at Hearne ES. If you would like to make a donation, please drop off items at WCS Central Office (117 NE Tarboro St. in Downtown Wilson) by Nov. 30.
- Please send me 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