PSRC Monthly Newsletter
Your source for PSRC happenings
December 1, 2023
Quote of the Month
βEducation is a foundation for a better future.β - Elizabeth Warren
News around the district
STAFF SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
ACADEMIC COACH INSPIRES STUDENTS AND STAFF
MaryBelinda Horton can be seen mentoring teachers and providing support to enhance student learning at Fairmont Middle School each week.
Horton serves as an academic coach with the Public Schools of Robeson County who brings with her more than three decades of teaching experience from the classroom.
βI love collaborating with the teachers on ways to better reach and teach our students,β Horton said of her favorite part of the job.
DRIVEN 2 EXCEL RETURNS, OFFERS QUALIFYING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS A CHANCE TO WIN A 2023 HONDA CIVIC!
Beasley Media Groupβs βDriven 2 Excelβ program, sponsored by Lumberton Honda and Piedmont Natural Gas, is a community enhancement campaign designed to reward high school seniors in Robeson County who achieve high levels of academic achievement and exemplary attendance records throughout the 2023-2024 school year.
In conjunction with the Public Schools of Robeson County and other community partners, Beasley Media Group has joined with local dealerships and businesses to reward qualifying students with fantastic incentives for scholastic performance.
Robeson County Schools students should reach out to their guidance counselor for more information on how they can qualify to win a 2023 Honda Civic, just by having great grades and attendance!
Click here for the official Driven 2 Excel Robeson County rules.
PSRC ANNOUNCES STUDENT WINNERS OF THE GERTRUDE OXENDINE LOCKLEAR DRUG AWARENESS POSTER CONTEST
There were many amazing student art submissions to the Gertrude Oxendine Locklear Drug Awareness Poster Contest this year as students used their creativity to promote drug-free living.
The following Public Schools of Robeson County students were selected by a panel of judges as winners of the 2023-2024 contest:
Senior Division (Grades 9-12)
- Ruben Juarez Neri - St. Pauls High School
Junior Division (Grades 6-8)
- Hayden Hunt, Layla Hammonds, Kenzy Hunt, Elisa Rodriguez, and Nahlaiyah Hammonds - Magnolia Elementary School (Group submission)
Elementary II Division (Grades 3-5)
- Cash Szwarc - Union Elementary
Elementary Division I (Grades Pre-k-2)
- Alexander Colt Britt - Union Elementary
Student winners for the Senior Division and Elementary Divisions I & II will receive a check of $50. Student winners in the Junior Division who entered the group submission will split the $50 and each receive $10.
ORRUM MIDDLE STUDENT IS AN NC FLIGHT CREW PROGRAM PARTICIPANT
A local middle school studentβs love for STEM will soon take flight as she participates in the NC Flight Crew Program.
Zoe Rayne Ogan, a seventh grader at Orrum Middle School, is participating in the program which allows participants to explore careers and to engage in fun learning opportunities involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
GRANT TO INFUSE AI INTO ART CURRICULUM FOR LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
A new grant will change how students across the Public Schools of Robeson County learn about art and interact with artificial intelligence to express themselves through the art curriculum.
Project FRACTAL: Furthering Rural Adoption of Computers and Technology through Artistic Lessons is a grant funded through the Education Innovation and Research Program of the U.S. Department of Education.
WestEd, Katabasis, Empirical Education Inc. (Empirical), and Bertie, Granville, Jones, and Robeson County Public Schools in North Carolina have partnered to propose the grant project βto enhance, extend, and experimentally test an innovative intervention to improve access to and interest in computer science (CS) among high-needs rural students,β as stated on the grant application.
βThis grant is for $4 million over 5 years and will fund the codesign and curriculum research, the evaluation and pilot study, and the teacher stipends of participating teachers. Every teacher who participates will receive a $500 stipend every six months they participate in this grant,β said Bill Causey, president of Katabasis Inc.
Through the project, PSRC will work alongside Katabasis to develop a high-quality Computer Science and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) curriculum for middle school students using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.
LUMBERTON, ST. PAULS FFA CHAPTERS BRING HOME TOP HONORS FROM NATIONAL CONVENTION
Two local Future Farmers of America chapters represented the Public Schools of Robeson County well at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo where they brought back top honors and awards.
St. Pauls FFA Chapter receives gold 2-star rating for the National Chapter Award
Fourteen members of the St. Pauls FFA Chapter attended the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana where the chapter was recognized on stage at the 2nd General Session for its accomplishment of receiving a gold 2-star rating for the National Chapter Award.
βI am very proud of the students for the work they put in. It is nice to see their hard work recognized in such a way and I look forward to what we can achieve this school year,β said Kyle Chavis, who serves as an adviser for the chapter.
Lumberton FFA student ranks in top 10, chapter receives top media plan presentation
Lumberton FFA member Cadence Shaw was recognized on stage and received her award as a National Finalist for her Agriscience Fair project in the Food Products and Processing Systems Division 3. Shaw placed tenth in the nation for her project βCookie Science.β
"This was the first time in over 10 years that our chapter had a student compete at the National Level for an Agriscience Fair Project. Cadence took the initiative last spring to complete her project and placed first at the NC FFA State Convention,β said Lumberton FFA Chapter Adviser Candace Grimsley.
βI am so proud of her accomplishments for being a National Finalist. She is already preparing for a new project in the spring and I am excited to see her new ideas,β Grimsley added.
Lumberton FFA also received a 3-star rating for the National Chapter Award. The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization.
Lumberton FFA was a National Finalist for the Premier Chapter Award (for the second year in a row) for the Strengthening Agriculture Division in the National Chapter Award Program. This time for the Anything is Pawsible project in which students implemented agility equipment at the Meadow Road Dog Park.
Lumberton FFA students participating in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event ranked silver but were recognized for having the Top Media Plan Presentation in the Nation.
MORE THAN 1,000 ATTEND PSRC FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENT
The sounds of chatter and laughter filled the Southeastern NC Agricultural Center during the Fall into S.T.E.A.M. Family Engagement Night held recently by the Public Schools of Robeson County.
More than 1,000 people attended the event which sought to engage parents as they participated in fun educational activities with their children.
S.T.E.A.M. is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Students and families enjoyed building catapults and launching their βpumpkinsβ at targets during the event.
Students and their families worked together to create their catapults from a kit that included everyday items like popsicle sticks, plastic spoons and rubber bands.
βWe continue to focus on learning and student and parent-centered engagement. The essential component of the family engagement program is learning together,β said Jennifer Freeman, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Intervention and Support at PSRC.
HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS CAN COMPETE TO BECOME THE PSRC APEX ACT TUTORIALS CHAMPION! LEARN HOW TO WIN BY CLICKING The link below!
From November 6, 2023 β February 16, 2024, high school students will be competing against each other to become the PSRC Apex ACT Tutorials Champion!
The school with the highest overall percentage of gains achieved will be recognized and awarded the ACT Tutorials Trophy, along with a basket of gifts and prizes for selected teachers!
Three students from each school will also be awarded a βswag bagβ and gift card for highest percentage of gains in the ACT Math, ACT Reading, and ACT English.
Any junior who is not already enrolled in an ACT Math 3 or ACT English 3 Embedded Tutorial will need to be enrolled in ACT Math, ACT Reading, and ACT English Tutorials. Do not make any modifications to the content within the Tutorial.
Nurse's Corner
Greetings from Health Services,
Brighten the holidays by making your health and safety a priority. Take steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy and ready to enjoy the holidays.
Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. Itβs flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.
Bundle up to stay dry and warm. Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots.
Manage stress. Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.
Donβt drink and drive or let others drink and drive. Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke.
Fasten seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Always buckle your children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to their height, weight, and age. Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip and encourage passengers to do the same.
Get exams and screenings. Ask your health care provider what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history.
Get your vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.
Monitor children. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of childrenβs reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents.
Practice fire safety. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so donβt leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.
Prepare food safely. Remember these simple steps: Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly.
Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2Β½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
References: https://www.cdc.gov/
Parents, please join our Parental Advisory Committee!
This is your invitation to join our District Parental Advisory Committee, affectionately known as the "Robeson County P.A.C."
Our Parental Advisory Committee will represent the voice of PSRC parents/caregivers and students in our district. Collectively and individually, this committee will act as a sounding board and resource for our district's initiative to build and maintain family-school partnerships in alignment with the strategic plan and our Title I Parent and Family Engagement Plan.
The role of the committee is to provide advice and assistance to the district regarding any matter relating to programs and services in order to help the district attain its goal of providing all students with the best education possible. It will also serve to inform, encourage, and provide opportunities for parents and community members to be involved in the planning and improvement process.
I am very excited to get the ball rolling with the P.A.C for the upcoming school year, if you accept this invitation please complete the Google form here.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Brendalyn Thompson
Family Engagement Specialist
Public Schools of Robeson County
Office Number: 910-671-6000 ext. 3560
Upcoming Events
Saturday, Dec. 2 - Special Education Day
Saturday, Dec. 2 - When Farm Equipment Attacks - East Howellsville Fire Department, Mancos All Hazard Training LLC, RCC & LHS FFA will host a course for farmers and community members to attend concerning farm equipment safety and hazards. The course will take place at East Howellsville Fire Department.
Dec. 4-10 - Computer Science Education Week
Dec. 6-7 - Robeson County Career Center Showcase - Southeastern Ag Center - 8:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 8 - National Brownie Day
Wednesday, Dec. 13 - U.S. National Guard Birthday
Friday, Dec. 15 - Bill of Rights Day/ National Cupcake Day
Monday, Dec. 18 - Optional Teacher Workday (No school for students)
Dec. 19, 2023 - Jan. 1, 2024 - PSRC Closed for the Holidays
ROBESON PLANETARIUM AND SCIENCE CENTER TO HOST FREE SHOWS ON DEC. 9
Athletics Schedules
Please click the schools listed below for full listings of sports schedules. Schedules are subject to change.
High School Sports
Fairmont High School Sports Schedule
Purnell Swett High School Sports Schedule
St. Pauls High School Sports Schedule
Testing Information
Merry Christmas from your friends at PSRC!
We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! π
May you be filled with joy and peace as you celebrate with family and friends this holiday season! π
Monday, Dec. 18, is a teacher workday, and there will be no school for students on that day. Public Schools of Robeson County schools and facilities will be closed from Dec. 19, 2023 - Jan. 1, 2024. Regular operations will resume on Jan. 2, 2024. However, Jan. 2-3, 2024 are teacher workdays for PSRC Early College at RCC only. π
Happy Kwanzaa from PSRC!
Happy Hanukkah from PSRC!
School Calendars
Public Schools of Robeson County
"One Team, One Goal"
We serve more than 21,000 students across 39 schools, including PSRC Early College at RCC and the Robeson County Career Center.
To keep up with PSRC district happenings, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our district website at robeson.k12.nc.us.
Email: webmaster@robeson.k12.nc.us
Website: robeson.k12.nc.us
Location: 100 Hargrave Street, Lumberton, NC, USA
Phone: 9106716000
Facebook: facebook.com/PublicSchoolsofRobesonCounty
Twitter: @PSRCEDU