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GCS Monday MorningA weekly update for Gaston County Schools employees and parentsApril 27 - May 3, 2015"Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude." – Lou Holtz, former college football coach
News, Notes and Information
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GCS Facilities Committee meets this afternoonThe Gaston County Schools Master Facilities Planning Committee meets today (April 27) at 4:30 p.m. at the Central Office. Click here for the agenda.Highland wins Quiz Bowl county championship
Congratulations to the teams that finished in the top five of the Gaston County Quiz Bowl competition held Saturday at Forestview High School. The Highland School of Technology Team B won the event with 1,570 points. Team members were Andrew Dixon, Matthew Noles, Baldev Desai and Max Jones (scorekeeper). Bobby Padgett is the team adviser. This marks the seventh time in the past eight years that Highland has won the Quiz Bowl county championship. South Point Team A finished second, Gaston Christian was third, East Gaston Team B was fourth, and Bessemer City and East Gaston Team A tied for fifth place.Information about Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten RegistrationKindergarten and pre-kindergarten registration for the 2015-2016 school year will be held May 5-16 at five elementary school locations across the county. This is a change from previous years when registration was held at each elementary school. Parents may register their child at any of the five school locations listed below. Each school location will accept applications for all elementary schools during the times listed. Click here for information.• Woodhill Elementary: May 5 and May 6 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Tryon Elementary: May 7 and May 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Brookside Elementary: May 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and May 11 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• North Belmont Elementary: May 13 and May 14 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Sherwood Elementary: May 15 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and May 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Student transfer application process ends FridayThe student transfer application process ends this Friday, May 1 at 5:00 p.m. Parents wishing to apply for a student transfer for the 2015-2016 school year should click here to download the transfer application or contact the Student Assignment Office for more information, (704) 810-7284.Program recognizes Star Teachers and Star StudentsThe Star Teacher-Student Awards program held last Thursday at the Schiele Museum recognized the top students in the Class of 2015 from each high school and the educators who had the greatest influence on their lives. Click here for information about this year’s Star Teachers and Star Students.Superintendent featured each month on WSGE radio programSuperintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey Booker is among the guests featured each month on the “Roundtable Sunday Edition” program produced by the Gaston College radio station, WSGE 91.7 FM. The program airs Sundays from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. and includes the “Local Leaders Forum” segment that highlights topics such as education, health and wellness, business and finance, and faith. Chief Communications Officer Todd Hagans is the host for the monthly education segment that features Superintendent Booker. Click here to listen to the March interview and click here to listen to the April interview.SchoolPay online service available to parents
Parents can now take advantage of the SchoolPay online service to make electronic payments for school-related fees. Click here for information and to learn how to set up a SchoolPay account.Annual enrollment for Flexible Benefits PlanAttention, Employees: The annual enrollment period for the Flexible Benefits Plan runs through June 12, 2015. Employees who are currently enrolled in one of the flexible spending accounts must re-enroll online or meet with the Pierce Group representative if they wish to continue contributing to the flexible spending account. If you do not take any action, your current contribution will stop effective September 30, 2015. Click here for more information.Volunteer Orientation - Become a school volunteer today!Orientation sessions for adults wishing to serve as school volunteers will be held on May 4, 12:15 p.m., and May 14, 8:30 a.m., at the GCS Central Office. For more information, call the Business Partnerships Office, (704) 866-6329.UNC-Charlotte hosting AP Review Day
Attention, Advanced Placement Teachers: The UNC-Charlotte Center for STEM Education will host its annual AP Review Day on Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Click here for registration information and a schedule. The sessions are free, but registration is required.CaroMont Health sponsoring Sports Physical DayCaroMont Health is sponsoring Gaston County Sports Physical Day on Saturday, June 6 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at CaroMont Specialty Surgery in Gastonia. Cost is $10. Click here for more information.Final week for “Through an Artist's Eye” exhibit
You have one more week to view the “Through an Artist’s Eye” exhibit at the Gaston County Museum in Dallas. The exhibit, which features more than 600 pieces of artwork by elementary, middle and high school students, runs through Saturday, May 9.Teachers may register now for NCCAT summer programsTeachers may register now for summer professional development programs offered by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). Click here for a list of the programs and click here for registration information.Apply for Bright Ideas education grants
Teachers are encouraged to apply for the Bright Ideas education grants sponsored by the N.C. Electric Cooperatives. Approximately $600,000 in grants will be distributed to teachers for creative, hands-on classroom projects. Visit www.ncbrightideas.com for information and to apply online. Since 1994, the grants have provided $9.6 million to fund 9,200 projects that benefited more than 1.8 million schoolchildren.Mark Your Calendar - Upcoming Special EventsThe following special events and recognition programs are on the calendar for Gaston County Schools:- Poetry and Prose, Tuesday, April 28, 5:30 p.m., Schiele Museum.
- Business Partnerships Recognition, Thursday, April 30, 4:00 p.m., Hawks Nest Intermediate School.
- Gaston County Special Olympics: Friday, May 1, 10:00 a.m., North Gaston High School.
- Evening of Excellence Ceremony sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, Tuesday, May 5, 6:00 p.m., Gaston Country Club (invitation only).
- New Teacher and Teacher Assistant of the Year Reception, Tuesday, May 19, 3:45 p.m., Schiele Museum.
- Pinnacle Student Technology Showcase, Thursday, May 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Hunter Huss High School.
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GCS Photo of the Week
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Fifth graders learn about science from high school students
Students at Hunter Huss High School had the opportunity to become teachers for a day during the school's first-ever Fifth Grade Science Celebration. Hunter Huss students researched topics, created hands-on activities, and presented science projects for more than 750 fifth grade students from eight elementary schools: Bessemer City Central, Brookside, Carr, Costner, Gardner Park, Lingerfeldt, Pleasant Ridge and Rhyne. The fun and interactive program made it possible for the high school students to share their knowledge with the elementary children in an effort to spark their interest in science. To see a slideshow of pictures, please click here.
School Events and Activities
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Ashbrook High: Prom, Saturday, May 2, 8:00 p.m., Gaston Country Club.H.H. Beam Elementary: Field Day, Friday, May 1, 9:00 a.m.Catawba Heights Elementary: PTA Program, Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 p.m.Chavis Middle: Talent Show, Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m., Starnes Auditorium. Admission is $3.Cherryville High: Awards Banquet, Sunday, May 3, 3:00 p.m.East Gaston High: Winter Sports Banquet, Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.Forestview High: Prom, Saturday, May 2, 8:00 p.m., Gastonia Conference Center.W.C. Friday Middle: Eighth Grade Dance, Saturday, May 2, 6:00-9:00 p.m.Gardner Park Elementary: Field Day, Friday, May 1, 9:00 a.m.Holbrook Middle: CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina) Parent Night, Thursday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.Kiser Elementary: Time Out for Parents, Friday, May 1, 2:30-6:00 p.m. Cost is $10. Games and supper will be provided.Page Primary: PTO Carnival, Friday, May 1, 5:00-8:00 p.m.South Point High: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Meeting, Monday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.Sherwood Elementary: Campus Beautification Day, Saturday, May 2, 8:00 a.m.
Must See Video From Gaston County Schools
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This year is the 175th anniversary of public school education in North Carolina. Click below to watch a promotional video produced by the N.C. Association of School Administrators that highlights the importance of our public schools.
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Superintendent's MessageThe annual Star Teacher-Student Awards ceremony presented by Gaston County Schools and The Gaston Gazette is always a highlight of the school year. The program recognizes the students who rank first academically in the Class of 2015 and the teachers who have gone above the call of duty to make learning extraordinary.As I listened to the students read essays about their teachers during last Thursday's program, I could not help but to remember the educators who had a profound influence on me. I imagine everyone in the audience thought about the special teachers in their lives who inspired, challenged, and made a difference.Star Teachers represent the very essence of an outstanding educator and they clearly understand the purpose of education. They bring enthusiasm to the classroom, set high expectations and offer careful guidance so students achieve their full potential.Our Star Teachers -- Leslie Kalmbach, Cathy Love, Karin Lee, Diana Zong Doss, Joseph Yavelak, Bobby Wright, Jennifer Gallagher, Tiffany Fletcher, Elizabeth Leonard, Lynn Faller, Lisa Brooks, Dale Hague, Darcy Hay, Jordan Turnipseed and Sharanda Payseur -- connect with their students and encourage them to work hard and realize their dreams. They represent the teachers who give an all-star effort each day.As for our Star Students, they are exemplary young people with bright futures. They plan to attend the most prestigious universities in the country and aspire to careers in engineering, science, education and other fields. Most of all, Kendrik Icenhour, Kaelan Forbes, Shannon Layne, Dalton Hoskins, Jennifer Chan, Brian Liberatore, Ashlyn Sawyer, ShaDala Fair, Adam Phillips, Andrew Phillips, Yelisa Leiva, Zachary Templeton, Caitlin Hay, Tyler Rapp and Montana Crosby represent all that is right about our next generation.The Board of Education joins me in congratulating our Star Teachers and Star Students for 2015. Thank you for striving for excellence in everything that you do.W. Jeffrey BookerSuperintendent of Schools
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Recent Headlines
Check out these recent news headlines from Gaston County Schools:
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On the CalendarApril 27Master Facilities Planning Committee Meeting4:30 p.m.Central Office Board RoomApril 28End of Fifth Six-Week Grading PeriodMay 1-7National Physical Education and Sport WeekMay 4-8National Teacher Appreciation WeekMay 3-10National Music WeekMay 4-10National Children's Book WeekMay 4Board of Education Work SessionBrookside Elementary6:00 p.m.May 5National Teacher DayMay 6National School Nurse DayMay 7Fifth Six-Week Report Cards DistributedMay 10Mother's DayClick here for the GCS calendar
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Weekly Points of Pride
Gaston County Schools had several students to earn awards at the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair. Devin Totherow, Amanda Rhyne and Kyra Crossgrove from Gaston Early College High School won the U.S. Naval Research Award and Mallory Alman of Ashbrook High School won awards from the N.C. American Water Works Association, N.C. Water Environment Association and the U.S. Army.W.A. Bess Elementary fourth grader Gabby Knight won first place in the “Art for Heart” contest sponsored by The Heart Society of Gaston County. Fourth grader Jade Juarez took second place in the competition.Holbrook Middle School students participated in a school-wide Career Day program coordinated by school counselors Erin Stokes and Amelia Clemmons. More than 45 professionals and business owners discussed job opportunities with the students.Several South Point High School students received awards in the 51st annual Belmont Oratorical Contest. The first place “gold” winners were Ben Miller and Rosie Tran and the second place “silver” winners were Franklin Bogle and Lauren Andrews.Lingerfeldt Elementary fifth grader Derek Bradley was named to the first team of Pop Warner Scholar-Athletes for the Mid-South Region. He was also named a National Pop Warner All-American Scholar, an award for students in the top two percent academically of the 375,000 Pop Warner athletes nationwide.Click here for more “Good News.”
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Communication Tip
Take time to thank your community partners
The end of the school year is a time for saying goodbye, but also a time for saying thank you. In your final school newsletter of the year, include information about how businesses, community organizations, parents and others have supported your school. Thank these school partners and highlight a few projects or programs that were made possible because of their generous contributions.
Source: N.C. School Public Relations Association
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This week's GCS Monday Morning is produced by the Communications/Public Information Department for Lingerfeldt Elementary fifth grade student Derek Bradley and everyone who cares about Gaston County Schools.Please e-mail information for GCS Monday Morning to Todd Hagans, Chief Communications Officer: tthagans@gaston.k12.nc.us