The Spencer Doll and Toy Musuem is holding a contest in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Day.
Any elementary-aged student up to and including fifth grade may submit an essay on the topic, “What makes your favorite teacher so special and why?”
The essay must be neatly presented with at least three well-constructed paragraphs.
Essays are due May 7 and must include name, age, grade and contact information. Winners will be announced May 14.
Although entries do not require a hand-drawn picture, they are always appreciated and enjoyed.
The winning essay will win a teacher Barbie doll and a special gift for his or her teacher.
Essays should be sent or delivered to: The Spencer Doll and Toy Museum, 108 Fourth St., Spencer, NC 28159
For more information, call 704-762-9359.
The Rowan-Salisbury School System’s Student-Parent Handbook and the Code of Conduct is being reviewed for possible policy additions, deletions and modifications. A proposal for next year will be presented to the Board of Education in April. You may provide input or send recommendations by mail, fax, email or online at www.rss.k12.nc.us (click on Code of Conduct suggestions icon located on right side of homepage). Forms are available at each school site. All input is due on or before Thursday, May 1.
Suggestions should be sent to: Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Attn: Nathan Currie, Assistant Superintendent, P.O. Box 2349, Salisbury, NC 28145-2349; fax Number, 704-630-6041; email, currienj@rss.k12.nc.us
EnergyUnited and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have pledged nearly $600,000 to the state’s teachers in Bright Ideas education grant funding for the 2014-15 school year. This year marks the 20th year the co-ops have offered Bright Ideas grants, and applications are now available.
EnergyUnited will award grants of up to $2,000 to educators for creative, hands-on classroom projects that might not otherwise be funded. Teachers can learn more and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com.
EnergyUnited expects to award $40,000 in Bright Ideas grants this year to teachers across its 19-county service area. The grants are available to K-12 teachers for innovative projects in any subject. Teachers can apply individually or as a team and must apply online.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 19, but it could pay to apply early. Teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline of Friday, Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards.
To apply, teachers must include a budget, explain the creative elements, implementation, goals and evaluation of the project, and have approval from the school principal. Applications will be judged in a competitive evaluation process, and judges will be on the lookout for projects that feature innovation and creativity. The application, grant-writing tips and examples of past winning proposals can be found at www.ncbrightideas.com.
Salisbury Academy invites parents and educators of children ages 2 to 5 to a seminar on how to turn ordinary household materials into fine motor and learning tools.
On May 2, Dr. Ashley Deaton will share an interactive presentation about fine motor activities for preschool children. Deaton is co-owner of One Step At A Time Therapy Services Inc. and an occupational therapist. Deaton was recently honored with the Boston University Department of Occupational Therapy Alumni Award.
The presentation will focus on skills for children including how to encourage appropriate pencil and crayon grip, bilateral coordination, pincer grasp, hand manipulation, and cutting skills.
“It’s important to foster these skills at an early age so teachers do not have to remediate these skills in kindergarten when they can be focusing on academics,” said Deaton. “It’s much easier to start off in school with good habits rather than having to break bad ones.”
The seminar, to be held at the Salisbury Academy, 2210 Jake Alexander Blvd., N., from at 1:30 until 2:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Free childcare will be provided with a reservation.
Businesses looking for skilled employees to fill available positions and area job seekers have the opportunity to come together at a summer job fair to be held from 9 a.m. to noon on May 20 at the Davie Campus of Davidson County Community College.
The event is seeking participation from businesses in the region that have job openings for recent graduates and other community members. The fair will be held in the Davie Administration Building, located at 1205 Salisbury Road in Mocksville and is open to the public.
Job fairs sponsored by DCCC allow employers to feature manufacturing jobs available in the Triad area and talk with potential employees. The college also assists job-seeking participants in preparing a resume, which is required for job fair entrance. Opportunities to speak with a college academic adviser are available.
“This will be our second job fair on the Davie Campus. Local industries are eager to market their company, with the hope of finding skilled workers to fill their current workforce needs,” states Teresa Kines, dean of the Davie Campus. “Participants looking for employment will be able to network with these industry representatives.”
The event is limited to the first 10 employers who register. Employers interested in participating should contact Janet Caudle at janet_caudle@davidsonccc.edu for details.
On top of high academic pursuits, several Cannon School students have been accepted to attend some of the nation’s top dance schools.
Taylor Stevanovski of Davidson, daughter of Sonya and Robert Stevanovski, auditioned for and was accepted into the summer intensive at Joffrey Ballet, a world-renowned dance program.
Stevanovski was offered placement at several locations, including New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver and Joffrey South in Georgia. In addition to ballet classes, Taylor will also take part in modern and contemporary classes, all of which will be directed and taught by master instructors.
Several more Cannon students, who dance with Piedmont School of Music and Dance, were also accepted to top schools.
Catherine Livingston of Davidson, daughter of Lisa and Eric Livingston, earned a full merit scholarship to the summer intensive at Houston Ballet School.
Sisters Katherine and Renée LeClair of Concord, daughters of Andrea and Jim LeClair, will attend Seattle’s Pacific Northwestern Ballet School.
In keeping with its mission to support the scholastic endeavors of young people, the Interdenominational Fellowship (IDF) of Rowan County is again offering the Treasure Feamster Scholarship to high school seniors who plan to continue their education at a college or university.
To be eligible for the Interdenominational Fellowship Treasure Feamster Scholarship, applicants must be a current member of an Interdenominational Fellowship affiliated church; be enrolled as a senior in high school for the current academic year; plan to attend an accredited college or university through graduation and plan to continue their education with the specific focus in the area of criminal justice, law or related areas. These areas include but are not limited to: attorney, coroner, seminary, court reporter or stenographer, forensic science, counseling, police officer, social worker and family counseling.
In order to be eligible, students must complete a scholarship application and essay; provide a sealed official transcript and submit a letter of recommendation written by a teacher, coach, counselor, youth adviser or clergy of their choice. It is strongly encouraged for parents, family members, clergy, counselors and/or teachers to offer the applicant guidance in grammar, structure and overall content.
Students should mail the completed application, letter of recommendation, essay and the sealed transcript to: IDF Treasure Feamster Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 1123, Salisbury, N.C. 28145
Applications must be postmarked no later than Monday, April 28.
For questions, contact Jacqueline Springs, 704-639-1894, jacquelinesprins@att.net; Towanda McNeil, 704-797-2611, mcneiltd@rss.k12.nc.us.