"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined efforts of each individual." ~Vince Lombardi

RCS GIVES BACK

NEWS AROUND THE

COUNTY

WELLNESS CORNER &

CONGRATS

CONGRATS ARE IN ORDER

Reidsville Middle School

Monroeton Elementary School

Students in Ms. Scarce’s 1st grade class at Lincoln Elementary made a class big book titled, When You’re Feeling Blue to send to wounded vic-tims and vic-tims’ families in Fort Hood, Texas. Each student was featured on a page sharing what they do to feel better when they are feeling blue.

Staff at Leaksville-Spray Elementary donated five dollars to the Susan G. Koman Foundation and wore pink and denim to work to promote breast cancer awareness.

For the 09-10 school year, the Holmes Middle School (HMS) Computer club is sponsoring a Food Project. Each month various food items are assigned to the grade levels. Each Friday, com-puter club members visit the homebase teachers to collect the assigned food items. The computer club meets and assem-bles these food items into various backpacks. The backpacks are delivered to the guidance office where they are distributed to HMS students in need.

On Saturday, November 21, 2009 Reidsville High and Middle School step-teams sponsored a step-show extravaganza at Reidsville High School entitled "Steppin Out the Box." Many talents performed in this charity event, including exhilarating and high energy performances from high and collegiate step-teams across the state, namely step-teams from Guilford and Rockingham County, Winston Salem State University, Fayetteville State University, and from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. All ticket proceeds, totaling $842, were returned back to the community and will be used to take children in need, from the Reidsville community, Christmas shopping!

Thanks to ALL Rockingham County Schools’ employees who generously participated in this year’s United Way Campaign. RCS pledges and contributions totaled over $58,000. Many families in Rock-ingham County will benefit from your support!

Fifth graders at New Vision Magnet School of Math Science and Technology completed a novel study on The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleisch-man. The setting of the story takes place in the Middle Ages. It’s about a bratty prince and his whipping boy that have many adventures when they inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws.

During the novel study, students researched the Mid-dle Ages in the computer lab and made historical time lines in Social Studies. Stu-dents studied and identified figurative language in the book, The Whipping Boy. Stu-dents researched the origin of each student’s surname. They also made a Coat of Arms and shared background history about their name. Some students also researched their family tree, which involved parents input on their family history. In addition, students listened to short sto-ries from the 2007 Newbery Award book, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From A Medieval Village by Lauara Amy Shulz. The library circu-lated books from the Medieval times as well.

Students learned all kinds of facts and trivia about the Middle Ages. On Thursday, October 29, 2009, 5th grade students celebrated with a medieval festival. Students ate foods from the time period. They did arts and crafts activities re-lated to the time period and dressed up in Middle Ages costumes. Students also marched around the school in a parade while jesters entertained

the crowds. New Vision students look forward to being in 5th grade so they can catapult back in time to The Middle ages.

Submitted by: Jane Walrod Now that he’s a third-grader, Kristopher Martin at Dillard Elementary School could have forgotten about a class project from the spring.

Last spring, Lisa Brame's second-grade student, Kristopher, decided to write a letter to President Obama. And with that letter, he sent a colorful, flat friend: Flat Stanley.

Stanley Lambchop, the main character of the Flat Stanley children's books penned by the late Jeff Brown, is a little boy flattened by a falling bulletin board. In the original 1964 tale, Stanley finds that being flat has its advantages. For example, he's easy to mail and can travel just about anywhere to visit friends.

More than three decades later in 1995, the Flat Stanley Project began. It's a lesson in letter writing used by teachers and students all over the world. Children can create their own "Stanleys," mail them to family and friends, and ask that Stanley be returned safely. Sometimes, Stanleys have been known to be returned with photos documenting the visit.

After reading the book, Kristopher mailed off his letter and Flat Stanley to the president. He knew he was busy and a response could take some time, if it came at all.

Summer came and went, and a new school year began. Then, the large manila envelope arrived. Return address: The White House.

Kristopher received a detailed letter explaining where his Flat Stanley had visited, a picture of

the president and a picture of Bo, the Obamas' dog. Most importantly, his Flat Stanley was returned.

"I was happy to have him join me in my daily activities," wrote the President in his letter. "In the morning, he walked with me through the halls of the West Wing and joined me for meetings in the Oval Office with my senior staff and many guests."

Flat Stanley is hardly a stranger at the White House. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were known to host Stanleys sent in by schoolchildren, a practice that has continued under Obama’s administration.

Destress for the Holidays

This is the time of year for the holiday “hustle and bustle”. Unfortunately for many of us instead of being a joyful time of celebration, the holiday season is one filled with stress. This Holiday, I encourage you to slow down and remember the true reason for the season. Take the time to give others the greatest gift of all – a healthy YOU! Instead of stressing yourself with what to buy, spend time with your loved ones. Before you enjoy time with family and friends, be sure you have taken a moment to recharge your own batteries. Stress can lead to high blood pressure, head-aches, heart attacks and other health ailments. This time of year should be one of reflection, relaxation and preparation for a new year. The following 8 tips will help you destress this Holiday Season! DESTRESS 101

Diet - include plenty of H20, fruits and vegetables in your diet

Energize - dance, exercise or do some other physical activity

Sleep - get 7 - 8 hours of rest each night

Travel - get away, “escape” for a change of scenery

Relax - take a “Mental Health” day- can you say SPA!

Express yourself - talk it out or try writing in a journal

Spiritual - get in touch with your spiritual self

Someone – share your time, talent and treasure with others

Andrew Scott, on June 13, 2009.

Congratulations to Andrea Perdew, 1st grade teacher at Huntsville Elementary, and her husband, Eric, on the birth of their daughter, Adrienne Alexis, on Septem-ber 28, 2009.

Congratulations to Amy McCandless, Office Manager at Johnson Street Tech-nology Center, and her husband, Brian, RCS NCWISE Lead Trainer, on the birth of their daughter, Claire Elizabeth, on November 2, 2009.

Congratulations to Pam Dalton, AIG teacher at Dillard and Huntsville Elemen-tary, and her husband, Jeff, on the birth of their son, Joseph Elias, on November 12, 2009.

Congratulations to Mary Beth Irving, 3rd grade teacher at Douglass Elementary, and her husband, Webb, on the birth of their son, Wyatt Jacob, born on November 23, 2009.

Congratulations to Susan Reid, RCS Title I secretary, on the birth of her grandson, Reid Aaron Blacker, on October 2, 2009.

Congratulations to Vickie Slaydon, music teacher at Bethany Elementary, on the birth of her granddaughter, Lillyan Blythe Bass, on October 6, 2009.

Congratulations to Patricia McKee, RCS Child Nutrition bookkeeper, on the birth of her granddaughter, Katelyn Marie Petty, on October 14, 2009.

Congratulations to Betty Ann Champion, RCS Child Nutrition secretary, on the birth of her grandsons, Dalton Thomas and Logan Phillip Zimmerman, on October 23, 2009.

Congratulations to Martha Carroll, Media Specialist at Rockingham County High, and Jim Carroll, Career Development Coordinator at Rockingham County High, on the birth of their granddaughter, Peyton Noel Berry, on November 4, 2009.

Congratulations to Frankie Woods, RCS TIMS Coordinator, on the birth of her granddaughter, Vada Grace Woods, on November 19, 2009.

Congratulations to Kristin Walker, math teacher at Rockingham County High, and her husband, Clay, on the birth of their son,

Congratulations to Tony Brewer, son of Gail Brewer, secretary at Rock-ingham County Middle, on his marriage to Leah Brinson on June 20, 2009.

Congratulations to Crystal Moore, RCS Child Nutrition account technician, on her marriage to Derick Walker on June 27, 2009.

Congratulations to Mindy Kallam, 1st grade teacher at Draper Elementary, on her marriage to Rocky Harmon on September 12, 2009.

Congratulations to Stephanie Madren, kindergarten teacher at Bethany Elementary, on her marriage to Tyler Knight on September 19, 2009.

Congratulations to Tori Allred, 8th grade science teacher at Western Rocking-ham Middle, on her marriage to Brian Spencer on September 30, 2009.

Congratulations to Dana Tucker, EC Self Contained teacher at Huntsville Elementary, on her marriage to Jacob Tucker on October 10, 2009.

Congratulations to Carrie Lee Evans, daughter of Lee Ann Evans, secretary at Stoneville Elementary, on her marriage to Christopher Watford, son of Gail Watford, kindergarten teacher at Stoneville Elementary, on October 24, 2009.

RCS Connections is published by the Public Information Office of Rockingham County Schools for all school employees.

News items for each issue should be submitted to RCSConnections@rock.k12.nc.us by the 20th of each month.

Dr. Rodney Shotwell, Superintendent Nell Rose, Chairperson, Board of Education

Karen Hyler Public Information Officer

khyler@rock.k12.nc.us Charlotte Williams-

Proofreading

Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University in July 2009.

Congratulations to Tina Warf Sawyers, media assistant at the Eden Parent Resource Center, for earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Greens-boro College in August 2009.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Galli, teacher assistant at Leaksville-Spray Elementary, for earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from Greensboro College in August 2009.

Congratulations to April Moore, daughter of Darlene Moore, preschool teacher assistant at Wentworth Elemen-tary, for earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Develop-ment and Family Relations Birth through Kindergarten from East Carolina University in December 2009.

Congratulations to Darlene Moore, preschool teacher assistant at Wentworth Elementary, for earning her Bache-lor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Relations Birth through Kindergarten from Greensboro College in December 2009.

Congratulations to Chris Wood, 8th grade science teacher at Western Rockingham Middle, for earning his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Averett Univer-sity in December 2009.

Congratulations to Michelle Speckmann, EC teacher at Western Rockingham Middle, for earning her Masters in Instructional Technology from UNCG in December 2009.

Congratulations to Charlotte Williams, RCS Student Health Coordinator, for serving as President for the North Carolina Associa-tion for the Advancement of Health Education (NCAAHE) of the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance (NCAAHPERD).

Congratulations to Williamsburg Elementary for winning 2nd place and $500 in the 107.5 WKZL “Give a Kid a Coat” campaign.

Huntsville community members, Dianne Joyce, John Joyce, and Nancy Blakey cashed in their volunteer hours at The Apple Shop and presented Huntsville Elementary with a check in the amount of $3,872.54 for their hours of service.

McMichael community members cashed in their volunteer hours at The Apple Shop and presented McMichael High with a check in the amount of $21,521.99 for their hours of service.

Congratulations to Kareen Johnson, FACS teacher at Reidsville High, for earning her Masters in Educational

Congratulations to Amy Wilson - Dillard Elementary, Serina Brown - Douglass Elementary, Pam Artis - Draper Elementary, Marla Joyce-Nelson - Stoneville Elementary, Tiffany Gunn - Central Elementary, and Christie Dalton - Bethany Elementary, for receiving literacy grants from the Rockingham County Reading Association.

Congratulations to Debbie Lassiter, Speech-Language Pathologist at Douglass Elementary, for receiving a $1,000 grant from the Sertoma Club of Burlington to fund a sound field system.

Congratulations to Jenella Little, Media Coordinator at Bethany Elementary, for receiving a $5,000 grant from Dollar General to fund library books.

Congratulations to Sylvia Asnip, PE teacher at Bethany Elemen-tary, for receiving a $1,000 grant from Wal-Mart to fund a Wii Sport Fitness Program.

Congratulations to Ila White, Title I teacher at Leaksville-Spray Elementary, for receiving an azalea bush beautification grant from NC Beautiful and Capital Broadcasting Company. The azalea bushes will be planted around Leaksville-Spray Elementary.

Congratulations to Melissa Pugh, band teacher at Holmes Mid-dle, for receiving a Bright Ideas Grant from Energy United. The grant will fund an Apple MacBook with iMovie to create a class video journal.

Congratulations to Jimmy Bradford and Patrick Hales, teachers at Rockingham Early College High School, for receiving a Bright Ideas Grant from Energy United. The grant will be used to fund an oral history collaboration between the 9th grade social studies and English classrooms focused on the experiences of citizens of Rock-ingham County.

Congratulations to Angela Southard, 1st grade teacher at Dillard Elementary, for receiving a Bright Ideas Grant from Energy United.