Carson hosts Cultural Eve

Carson High School will host its second annual Cultural Eve in memory of Ashley Smith, a student who passed away from cancer last year.

Contributions from the event will be donated to the Sandbox Organization, which works with critically ill children across North Carolina.

There will be a wide variety of performances, including Chinese Kung Fu Dragon performers, Tai Chi Chinese fan dancers, Lee Street Theatre, Skipper the Lion, Victoria Amora, Raquel Sanchez, Alden Wright and Carson’s jazz ensemble and chorus.

There will also be games, face painting, a visual arts show and foods from all corners of the globe.

Cultural Eve will be March 24 from 5-8 p.m. at Carson High School.

 

Crosby Scholars hosts sixth grade academy

The final Academy for Crosby Scholars sixth grade students will be held on March 21 from 1-4 p.m. in the Ketner Business Center at Catawba College. Students will attend workshops on team building and goal setting.

All Crosby Scholars students are required to attend one academy per year.  Students should register through their Student Portal at my.crosbyscholars.org or call their office at 704-762-3512.

 

Cleveland Elementary receives grant from Lowe’s

Cleveland Elementary School is one of more than 500 schools across the United States to be awarded a Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant for improvement projects during the 2014-2015 school year.

“We are very excited to announce that our students will be creating a school news program,” said Cleveland Elementary Principal Becky Kepley-Lee.

The students will participate in all aspects of creating the program that includes investigative reporting, news broadcasting design and video production. All classrooms will be equipped with 55-inch televisions enabling the news broadcasts to be streamed live to all classrooms.

“The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education program delivers on Lowe’s commitment to improve the educational environment for students across the country,” said Maureen Ausura, chairwoman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “We’re honored to work with Cleveland Elementary to support the needs of our local students, teachers and families.”

Since its inception in 2006, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education has provided more than $42 million in grants to 9,600 schools, benefiting more than 5.5 million schoolchildren. Grants are available to K-12 public schools in the United States for a wide range of improvement projects. Schools may be eligible to receive Toolbox grants up to $100,000. Parent groups and educators can apply by visiting ToolboxForEducation.com.

 

Salisbury High receives BP Grant

Salisbury High School was awarded a $4,000 BP “Fueling Communities Grant” from Rusher Oil Company, which serves BP locations throughout the area.

“This grant is sincerely appreciated and will support the SHS Field House Project with the goal of making our gym safer and more serviceable through renovations and additions. It’s great to have such support in our community,” said Salisbury High School Principal Luke Brown.

“Rusher Oil Company and BP are pleased to support educational initiatives and, in doing so, thank customers for their support over the years,” said Bobby Rusher, grant sponsor.

 

STEM summer camp

For the eighth consecutive year, a summer program will be offered to all students living in Rowan County who are entering grades six, seven, eight or nine and are interested in advanced study of science and math.

The program will take place during July at Salisbury High School.

To receive information about the summer program, parents and students are invited to attend a presentation and question-and-answer session on March 15 at 4 p.m. or March 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Applications will be available at both informational sessions and also in the main office at Salisbury High School.

For additional information, contact Barbara Peach at Salisbury High School at 704-636-1221, extension 411 or email her at peachbj@rss.k12.nc.us.

 

Cyber bullying program at Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart Catholic School is hosting an education and awareness Program on cyber bullying March 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. in their gymnasium on campus.

This program is geared for parents and educators who want to know more about cyber bullying.

Susan Wind, a college professor who has taught, designed and implemented criminal justice courses throughout the country over the past 12 years, will be the facilitator.

For the past four years, Wind has been conducting research, developing curriculums and offering programs to local businesses and schools on cyber-bullying.

She will help parents understand the latest trends in what teenagers are using to communicate electronically, how teenagers are bullying online and the laws that apply to cyber bullying.

For more information, visit Wind’s website at www.parentsknowmore.com or call the school office at 704-633-2841.

 

Professional accounting concentration now offered through Catawba’s evening degree program

Catawba College’s School of Evening and Graduate Studies has launched a new academic concentration, professional accounting, in its bachelor of business administration degree.

This particular degree requires an associate in applied science degree in accounting from a North Carolina community college for admission, making it a 2+2 program to give associate’s degree holders more alternatives to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The program will admit its first students this summer at Catawba’s main campus in Salisbury and in Charlotte.

Students who enroll can expect a broad exposure to many areas of business, including management, ethics, economics and strategy, and additional finance, advanced accounting and auditing skills.

Baccalaureate graduates will be prepared for management careers that often start in accounting departments and lead to broader levels of responsibility. Completion of this undergraduate degree also provides credit hours needed for those who are preparing to sit for the certified public accountant exam.

For more information, contact Catawba’s School of Evening and Graduate Studies at 704-637-4772 or visitwww.catawba.edu/segs.

 

Astronomical Society to meet

The Astronomical Society of Rowan County will meet March 21 at 7:30 p.m. for a business meeting and stargazing, weather permitting.

All high school seniors who need help with their senior project in astronomy, contact Ralph Deal at 704-855-1591 or ralph_1@windstream.net. This is open to all seniors in the different high schools in the county.

 

Kohl’s scholarships

Going to college is a transformational experience. Students are stretched and given a solid foundation to build on as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

Unfortunately, many hardworking and generous students are unable to attend college because they can’t afford it, particularly with rapidly rising tuition.

Kohl’s offers a scholarship opportunity for outstanding young volunteers, who have demonstrated their commitment to making their communities a better place.

In 2015, Kohl’s will honor more than 2,500 youth who are making a positive impact in their communities with nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Ten top winners will receive $10,000 each. Nominations for youth volunteers, ages 6 to 18, will be accepted through March 13 at www.KohlsKids.com.

 

One World Taiko performs at DCCC’s Davie campus

Dynamic, synchronized, heart-pounding and extremely entertaining describe the Japanese drum and dance performance presented last week on the Davie Campus of Davidson County Community College. The description not only applies to the professional ensemble, One World Taiko, but to DCCC students participating in the performance as well.

The husband-wife duo of Gary Tsujimoto and Nancy Ozaki, both Americans of Japanese descent, add a contemporary twist to their interpretation of ancient Japanese percussion, called Taiko or “big drum.”

Although they learned their craft in the United States, the couple travels to Japan periodically to study under more traditional teachers.

“We wanted to connect to our Japanese culture, and that’s what attracted us to Taiko,” Ozaki says.

Now the couple, based in Seattle, share that culture by performing across the nation and invite their audiences to actively participate in their programs.

 

Kelly Withers receives “Outstanding Leader” award

South Rowan High School Principal Kelly Withers received the North Carolina Technology In Education Society 2015 Outstanding Leader Award.

This award recognizes and honors one leader who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education. Award recipients are selected from a pool of nominations submitted to the society from around the state. Nominees are evaluated using a set of selection criteria.

The award was announced on March 6 at the society’s annual conference held in Raleigh.

Withers was formerly the principal at Jesse Carson High School until she took over as principal at South Rowan High School this school year.  She is a former district Principal of the Year and was also named the N.C. Northwest Regional Principal of the Year in 2012.

Withers received a $500 honorarium and will receive a reimbursement to attend the International Society for Technology In Education Conference in 2016.

 

Rowan-Cabarrus establishes nursing national honor society chapter

A prestigious new recognition recently became available for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College nursing students.

The college was approved to establish a new chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society designed to promote scholarship and academic excellence in the profession of nursing.

Senior nursing students who maintain a B average in all nursing courses, have not failed any nursing classes, and who complete a capstone project will be eligible for induction into the new Gamma Nu Chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society.

In addition to upholding academic excellence, senior nursing students were required to do a capstone project in order to be inducted into the Gamma Nu Chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society. Nursing students at Rowan-Cabarrus chose the Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN), a local charity in Cabarrus County.

During the holiday season, the college’s new chapter, along with help from fellow students, family and community businesses, provided stockings filled with basic necessities for these families in need. In addition to donating items to many CVAN families, they also received a teaching plan on how to use relaxation to deal with stress. Nursing students created more awareness for the cause by providing information about domestic violence to the community.

With strong faculty support, the society’s mission is on track. Cathy Norris, director of nursing education, was honored by the inductees with the Pioneer Award, an award given to show appreciation for making the creation of the Rowan-Cabarrus chapter possible.

 

Knox Teacher of the Year

Ashley Dohme, a sixth-grade science teacher, has been named Knox Middle School’s Teacher of the Year.

Dohme is an excellent teacher who inspires her students to do their very best every day in every class. She has a unique way of building positive relationships with her students while holding them to the highest academic standards.

“Mrs. Dohme is one of the best teachers we have ever worked with in our careers,” co-principals Dr. Latoya Dixon and Dr. Michael Waiksnis said in a statement. “We are fortunate she is part of the Knox family. As we continue to transform Knox into the best middle school in the United States, teachers like Mrs. Dohme are leading the way.”

 

NCCAT Summer Registration is Now Open for Educators

North Carolina educators have opportunities throughout the summer to make sure the learning never stops by attending the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, a recognized national leader in professional development programming for teachers.

Registration for the summer programs is open now. Applicants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to ensure a spot. Programs are available to North Carolina educators at the Cullowhee and Ocracoke campuses, online and with NCCAT fellows visiting school districts. For more information visit www.nccat.org.

A variety of programs will be offered, including a focus on the topics below:

Digital learning – Our students live in a digital world, with the ability to contact anyone, anywhere, anytime. How can we catch up with them? We’ll introduce you to digital learning and find common ground with your students.

Early grades literacy – Participate in sessions packed with hands-on activities that reinforce essential literacy skills of K-5 students. Encourage literacy through science, the arts and social studies.

Beginning teachers – Strengthen your knowledge base and classroom expertise in your first three years of teaching.

Research and development – We offer educators an opportunity to meet at Cullowhee or Ocracoke in a residential setting devoid of distraction to create and advance departmental-, school- or district-wide projects. Teachers, administrators, central office personnel and district coordinators are welcome.

 

Horse bowl competition

Rowan County fielded two teams in the State 4-H horse bowl competition held on the campus of N.C. State University on March 7.

The Rowan County Senior 4-H team placed fifth in a field of eleven participants. Team members were captain Micah Furr, Erin Christner, Alexandria Reinhardt, Hannah Barringer and Abby Kluttz. Christner ranked 10th among individuals in the competition. The team was coached by 4-H Horse Club leader Ann Furr.

The junior team members were captain Jaysa Causby, Mac Jones, Tessa Christner, Cyprus Jones and Millie Mae Roberts. They placed fourth out of nine teams and had two individuals, Causby and Christner, score in the top ten. Causby placed sixth and Christner placed seventh.

Johanna Jones, Lauren Allen and Furr were the coaches.

Horse bowl is a quiz game competition with buzzers and time limits. Questions can feature any aspect of horse husbandry, from tack and equipment to a horse’s physiology. Rowan County 4-H teams qualified at the South Central District competition held in Moore County in January.

For more information on the NC 4-H horse program, visit the website at equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu.

 

Carolina Panthers’ President Danny Morrison to deliver Catawba’s CEO Lecture

The Carolina Panthers’ Team President Danny Morrison will deliver the keynote address at Catawba College’s 12^th annual CEO Lecture at 11 a.m. April 14 in Hedrick Little Theatre on campus.

Sponsored by the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, the lecture is free and open to the public and has become an event much anticipated by the campus and local business community.

From a commitment to customer service to the new construction renovations in the Panthers’ home, Bank of America Stadium, Morrison serves as a steward of Panthers’ owner and founder Jerry Richardson’s vision.

In his capacity as team president, Morrison is responsible for Panthers business operations and Bank of America Stadium business interests, in addition to representing the organization in many NFL matters.

Since Morrison assumed his role with the Panthers in September 2009, the franchise has been innovative and aggressive in improving the fan experience while achieving new levels of corporate support and sponsorships.  Morrison immerses himself in the Panthers, working closely with Richardson to provide the impetus for improvements throughout the organization.

A native of Burlington, Morrison attended Wofford College and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.  He served as athletic director for his alma mater between 1985 and 1997, then as senior vice president until 2001.  It was during this time that the Carolina Panthers began holding training camp at Wofford.

He served as commissioner of the Southern Conference between 2001 and 2005.  From 2005 until 2009, he worked as athletic director for Texas Christian University.

Morrison earned his master of education degree in administration and supervision from UNC Chapel Hill in 1981 and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Carolina in 2000.

He and wife Peggy have two children, Trey and Meg.