Perry Harrison School – Chatham Journal Newspaper

Pittsboro, NC – Come join in the fun and celebration of art and our environment at the Perry Harrison Redo Reuse Craft Fair on Thursday, April 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

We hope you can attend and enjoy the following activities:

Redo Reuse crafts center. Make and take home a fully repurposed and recycled checkerboard game set. This center can be enjoyed by all. To support our fundraiser, there is a suggested donation of $3 for this activity.

Kids Art Fair will showcase the artwork of Perry Harrision school students.

Community artists & handycrafters will have their wares available for purchase. This is a great shopping opportunity for upcoming birthdays, holidays or something unique. Cash or checks are accepted with some credit card availability.

Redo/Reuse craft fair at Perry Harrison school appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – The Run for the Mariners 5K and Fun Run sponsored by the Perry Harrison PTA will take place on Saturday, May 14, at 9:00 a.m. at Perry Harrison School. All funds raised from this event will benefit programs supported by the Perry Harrison PTA, including the completion of a fitness and nature trail at the school.

Packet pick-up for the race will be held at the Carolina Brewery on Friday, May 13, from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Visit the race website for more information and to register: http://www.phspta.org/5k

Perry Harrison PTA announces Run for the Mariners 5K and Fun Run appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County Schools have, once again, honored their own. Each school faculty voted on a single teacher who is representative of excellence in the classroom. To be eligible for Teacher of the Year, a teacher must hold a Standard Professional 2 license, be employed full time, and not have served as the Teacher of the Year in the past three years, and spend at least 70% of his or her time in direct instruction of school students. Congratulations to these individuals for achieving recognition for their time, talent, and commitment to the students of Chatham County Schools.

The individual school Teachers of the Year are:

Bennett School – Rhonda Batten
Bonlee School – Leslie King
Chatham Central High School – Aedrin Albright
Chatham Middle School – Jamie Cox
Horton Middle School – Casey Spillman
J. S. Waters School – Kristen Breedlove
Jordan-Matthews High School – Jessica Sandel
Margaret B. Pollard Middle School – Mindy Liesener
Moncure School – Thomas Campbell
North Chatham Elementary School – John McLean
Northwood High School – Leslie Burwell
Perry Harrison Elementary School – Jennifer Sipe
Pittsboro Elementary School – Carla Karstaedt
SAGE Academy – Sandra Van Kretschmar
Siler City Elementary School – Carmen Gaby
Silk Hope School – Michelle Daniel
Virginia Cross Elementary School – Heidi Gaines

Chatham County Schools name Teachers of the Year appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC — On Monday evening, September 28, 2015 the Chatham County PTA Thrift Store board held a full board meeting at JS Waters School. Dinner and refreshments were provided by the JS Waters PTA. Principals from across the county were in attendance along with school PTA representatives. The meeting was special in that over $555,000 was to be distributed to individual schools. In addition to the disbursement of PTA funds, officers were elected. Officers for the 2015-2016 school year include: President Robin Hudson; Vice-President Kim Clark Jones; Secretary Shayne Mann; and Treasurer Wilhelmina Ritter. These ladies served in the same role last year and were so successful, they were elected again.

The PTA Thrift Shop celebrated 32 years in business in April 2015. Over that time, the organization has provided over 8 million dollars to Chatham County Schools. These funds are used by school PTAs to fund field trips, enhance technology, improve facilities, and provide teacher grants. The Thrift Shop has a small cadre of paid employees but relies on community volunteers to sort, clean, and function as “elves” for the stores. Each school has two volunteer representatives who assist in designating work groups and coordinating drop box pick-ups.

Northwood High School School Principal, Dr. Justin Bartholomew once again came away with the largest check of the evening. Volunteers for Northwood High School logged over 10,000 hours resulting in a disbursement for the school PTA of over $65,600. School disbursement amounts follow:

Bennett: $57,000

Bonlee: $31,600

Chatham Central: $41,700

Chatham Middle: $31,800

Perry Harrison: $18,400

Horton: $27,500

Jordan-Matthews: $38,800

JS Waters: $47,700

Moncure: $27,400

North Chatham: $15,100

Northwood: $65,600

Pittsboro Elementary: $16,500

Pollard: $21,000

Sage: $18,600

Siler City Elem: $33,600

Silk Hope: $40,100

Virginia Cross: $21,900

Total: over $555,000

Chatham County PTA thrift stores distribute funds to schools appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County School District is thrilled to announce eight new recipients of National Board Certification. Teachers undergo a rigorous process of planning, reflection, and assessment in order to achieve certification. The Chatham County School district is proud to have over 80 Nationally Board Certified Teachers. Our newest honorees are:

Heather Bearman – Perry W. Harrison Elementary School
Rikki DeShaies – Silk Hope Elementary School
Sheryl Little – Margaret B. Pollard Middle School
Adrian Maynor – J. S. Waters School
Lee Means – North Chatham Elementary School
Cameron Vernon – Northwood High School
Elizabeth Webster – North Chatham Elementary School
Lynn Young – North Chatham Elementary School

Superintendent, Dr. Derrick D. Jordan remarked, “Chatham County Schools are so fortunate to have the kind of educators who consistently dedicate themselves to professional development and advancement. Their commitment to their profession and this district makes a direct impact on our students daily and we are grateful for their efforts. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to our latest eight Nationally Board Certified teachers”.

Norma Boone, Executive Director for Teacher Induction, Title II & Compliance, works with National Board candidates and shared, “We are very happy to announce the achievements of eight teachers who obtained their National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate. Although the process is intensive, the benefits are rewarding.”

As of December 4, 4,729 teachers have achieved or renewed National Board Certification in 2015 – the profession’s mark of accomplished teaching. The total number of teachers certified by the National Board is 112,286. North Carolina has the most Nationally Board Certified teachers in the nation.

Chatham County Schools teachers achieve National Board Certification appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC — Chatham County Schools is launching its Chatham Flight Plan 2020 Survey. The survey asks parents, students, staff, and community members about school quality, goals, initiatives, charter schools, communication, and other key topics. The results will help guide district strategic planning.

“Community input is critical to informed decision making,” said Dr. Derrick D. Jordan, Superintendent. “The survey findings will carry significant weight as we work to chart a successful course for all CCS students.”

Here are the details:
● The online survey will be open from Thursday, January 14, 2016 to Thursday, January 28, 2016.
● Parents, staff, and community leaders with email addresses on file with the district will receive invitations to take the survey. Simply follow the link to participate.
● The survey will be available to all students and community members on the district homepage.

Chatham County School District’s independent research partner, K12 Insight, will administer the survey, which means all responses are confidential. Unless respondents identify themselves in open-ended questions, no one from the district will be able to connect participants to their answers.

Chatham County School District seeks feedback in strategic plan development: Flight Plan 2020 appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – Perry Harrison Elementary School has been awarded a grant of $2,500 from the Biogen Foundation’s Ignite the Power of STEM grant program, according to Freda Hicks, principal.

The grant will be used to purchase technology for students to solve real world problems using the engineering process. “This grant will allow students to continue to find creative ways to solve real world problems,” says Ms. Hicks.

The Biogen Foundation’s Ignite the Power of STEM grant program is administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation.

Perry Harrison Elementary School is a Pre-K through 5th grade elementary school in Chatham County.

The mission of the Biogen Foundation is to improve the quality of people’s lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities in which Biogen operates. The Biogen Foundation is committed to sparking a passion for science and discovery, supporting innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering an math) initiatives, and strengthening efforts to make science accessible to diverse populations. Visit the Foundation’s webpage for more information.

About the North Carolina Community Foundation

The NCCF is the single statewide community foundation serving North Carolina and has made $101 million in grants since its inception in 1988. With more than $237 million in assets, NCCF sustains 1,200 endowments established to provide long-term support of a broad range of community needs, nonprofit organizations, institutions and scholarships. NCCF partners with 60 affiliate foundations to provide local resource allocation and community assistance in 67 countries across the state, with an emphasis on rural areas.

Perry Harrison awarded STEM grant appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Chapel Hill, NC – Chatham County Schools Board of Education, administrators, and central office personnel joined together on the evening of June 14 to honor teachers, instructional assistants, employee recognition award recipients and retirees at a banquet held at the Governor’s Club. Each honoree was given a plaque and acknowledged for his or her accomplishments and/or years of service. Teachers of the Year and Instructional Assistants of the Year also received a monetary award. The honorees were:

2016 – 2017

School	Teacher of the Year	Teacher Assistant of the Year

Bennett	Amy Dowdy	Leigh Moore
Bonlee	Andrea Kirk	Angela Cotton
Chatham Central	Robert Newman	Susan Webster
Chatham Middle	YoLonda Moody	Susan Szpunar
Horton	Melissa Zerbs	Betsy Kolb
J. S. Waters	Adina Oldham	Robbie Sirls
Jordan-Matthews	Wendi Pillars	Laura Moffitt-Smith
Margaret B. Pollard	Aaron Kivette
Moncure	Rebecca Culberson
North Chatham	Kelly Creed	Minerva Avila
Northwood	Jennifer Parks	Steven Thomas
Perry Harrison	Melissa Hodge	Doris Snipes
Pittsboro Elementary	Catherine Oldham	Julia Austin
SAGE Academy	Elizabeth Vaughn	Noemi Plata
Siler City Elementary	William Urena	Ventura Ruiz
Silk Hope	Melissa Jenkins	Joanne Tyson
Virginia Cross Elementary	Elizabeth Woods	Joyce Smith

2015 – 2016 Retirees

0-10 Years 11-15 Years 16-20 Years

Vanessa Alston Rebecca Jordan Carole Lee Bresky

Deborah Brewer Michelle Ponticello Joyce Baughman

Elizabeth Cassedy Marilyn Dean

Kathy Foushee Larry Goldston

William Hannah Cynthia Lackey

Susan Mayer

Karen Scriven

Martha Swift

Kathryn Vitaro

21-25 Years 26-30 Years 31+ Years

Katherine Brooks Bonnie Angelacci Vickie Gaudette

Angela Campbell Julia Austin *Debbie Glosson

Eddie Haith Randy Blankenship Cindy Gurley

Rudy Johnson Ginger Clark Cynthia Heuer

Dale Minge Sandra Kaye Clark Ronda Lemons

Gloria Schrader Betty Dixon Mary Lee Moore

Ann Thomas Darlene Evans Jean Purvis

Gail Matthews Deborah Threatt

Vivian Phillips *Marjorie Watson

*Educator Emeritus – 40+ Years of Service
Tami Henson (Bennett)

Breanna Herring (Bonlee)

Michelle Brick (Pittsboro El.)

Mattie Fox (Silk Hope)

Sandra Cockman (Central Services)

In addition, Chatham County Schools Principal of the Year, Justin Bartholomew, Teacher of the Year, Wendi Pillars, and Instructional Assistant of the Year, Leigh Moore, received special recognition.

Chatham Board of Education honors educators appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Siler City, NC – For over 30 years, students have been creating and sharing science experiments and their results at the annual Chatham County Schools Science Fair. This year’s fair was held at Jordan-Matthews High School on Thursday, December 8. The science fair was one of the largest ever to feature students from every school and boasted 124 unique projects.

“This event allows students to take the skills and concepts they hear about in their science classrooms and apply them to real life situations. Instead of just reading out the scientists, they’re asking the questions and designing experiments to test their conclusions and analyzing the results” explained Dr. Charles Aiken, Executive Director for Middle Grades and Title III Instruction.

While the science fair is open to all students, only students in grades 3 through 12 are eligible to take their projects to the regional and state level competitions. Projects are evaluated for originality, scientific understanding, organization, and clarity of the presentation. This year, 22 judges helped review the projects and select winners.

Winning projects are selected for grade spans and an overall winning project is selected. Every participant receives a certificate, but grade span winners are awarded a plaque. The overall winner receives $100. This year’s overall winner was Rachel Ponder from Northwood High School with the project “Effect of Varroa Destructors on Honey Bee Population Growth.”

The complete list of grade span winners:

K-12 General Science Division
Ms. Canipe’s Class – Siler City Elementary
Loop the Loop

K-2 Class Division
Ms. Andrew’s Class – Siler City Elementary
Soak It All Up

K-2 Individual Project Division
Mrs. Morgan’s Class – Silk Hope
Heat Up & Eat Up

Division 3 – 5 Team Category
Noah Tiller, Ellie Poitras, and Laila Pollack – Perry Harrison Elementary
Clean-O-Cup

Division 3 – 5 Individual Category
Alessia Iacono – North Chatham Elementary
Multi-Tasking vs. Single Tasking

Division 6 – 8 Biological Science A
Cammie Zehner – Margaret B. Pollard Middle
Moldbuster II: Honey vs. Mold

Division 6 – 8 Biological Science B
Tristan Jones and Ava Jones – Horton Middle
To Cry or Not to Cry? Is it Even a Question?

Division 6 – 8 Chemistry
Reagan Phillips, Braden Phillips and Chase Parker – J.S. Waters
Moo Plastic

Division 6 – 8 Earth/Environmental Science
Calvin Conroy, Cabot Priddle and Axel Zarate – Chatham Middle
Fantastic Fertilizers

Division 6 – 8 Physics & Mathematics
MacKenzie Keesor – Margaret B. Pollard Middle
All About the Bass

Division 6 – 8 Engineering
Colby Williamson – Bennett
The Bending Effect

Division 9 – 12 Biological Science A
Rachel Ponder – Northwood High
Effect of Varroa Destructors on Honey Bee Population Growth

Division 9 – 12 Biological Science B
Jaycee Sansom, Nathan Carson, and Bjorn Lee – Chatham School of Science & Engineering
Where is Waldo?

Division 9 – 12 Chemistry
Karmen Brown – Jordan-Matthews High
Effect of Concentration on Conductivity

Division 9 – 12 Earth/Environmental Science
Grace Miller – Northwood High
Sunlight vs. Brightest Color

Division 9 – 12 Physics & Mathematics
Daisy Martinez – Jordan-Matthews High
Concentration vs. Brightness

Division 9 – 12 Technology
Kevin Saefong – Jordan-Matthews High
Does Music Impact Your Reaction Time?

Division 9 – 12 Engineering
John Thurman – Chatham Central High
Be Steel and Brace Yourself

Overall Winner 2016-17
Rachel Ponder – Northwood High
Effect of Varroa Destructors on Honey Bee Population Growth

Science is center stage at annual Chatham County Schools Science Fair appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – Children in Chatham County who will be 5 years old either on or before Aug. 31 are eligible for kindergarten registration in Chatham County Schools. Their parents should pick up registration packets from the schools in their attendance areas from April 9-20 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children do not have to be present during registration, but the following are required:

a copy of the child’s certified birth certificate
a copy of the child’s immunization records
two forms of documentation that verify the names and addresses of parents and guardians (examples include driver’s licenses, identification cards with pictures, rental agreements, utility bills, phone bills)
custody papers, if applicable

Attendance areas are searchable at www.chatham.k12.nc.us. Click “Services” then “Transportation” and look for “School Assignment Locator,” where addresses may be entered.

These phone numbers may be helpful:

- Bennett School———————–336-581-3586
- Bonlee School————————919-837-5316
- J.S. Waters School——————-919-898-2259
- Moncure School———————-919-542-3725
- North Chatham Elementary——–919-967-3094
- Perry Harrison Elementary———919-967-9925
- Pittsboro Elementary—————-919-542-3987
- Siler City Elementary—————-919-663-2032
- Silk Hope School———————919-742-3911
- Virginia Cross Elementary———-919-742-4279
- District central offices—————919-542-3626

Kindergarten registration approaching for Chatham County Schools appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Towson, MD – The Carson Scholars Each year the CSF recognizes a select group of high achieving students in grades 4–11 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement (maintaining at least a 3.75 GPA) and humanitarian qualities. Students receive a $1,000 college scholarship and the coveted honor of being named a Carson Scholar. In addition, 868 students have renewed their Carson Scholar status. These previous scholarship recipients have maintained high academic standards and a strong commitment to their communities.

The seven students from Chatham County to be named a 2018 Carson Scholar:
• Caroline Bowman, Fifth Grader from Perry Harrison School, Pittsboro
• Vickie Loan, Fourth Grader from Virginia Cross Elementary School, Siler City
• Annika Lowe, Eighth Grader from Silk Hope, Siler City
• Bella Ocampo, Tenth Grader from Chatham School of Science & Engineering, Siler City
• McKinley Rogers, Eleventh Grader from Jordan-Matthews High School, Siler City
• Daniel Willett, Eighth Grader from Bonlee School, Bear Creek
• Mary Worley, Eleventh Grader from Chatham Central High School, Bear Creek

Funding for these scholarships was made possible by the generous donations of Coalition for American Principles (CAP) members. Learn more about CAP by visiting https://www.capnc.us/about .

Information on all 2018 Carson Scholars can be found here: https://goo.gl/7Ho4qR

To celebrate their accomplishments, these seven, along with 39 other scholars from across North and South Carolina, will be recognized at the Carson Scholars Fund’s North Carolina Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 28, 2018 starting at 12:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Greensboro.

The Carson Scholars Fund will also recognize scholars across the country at six additional regional banquets this spring.

The Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1994 by retired, world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson and his wife, Candy. The CSF is dedicated to impacting the nation in a positive way by cultivating future leaders who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to their communities.

Seven students from Chatham County to be named a 2018 Carson Scholar appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – Several Chatham County Schools (CCS) students have been distinguished as 2018 Carson Scholars based on their academic achievement and community service. Qualifying high school students must have grade-point averages of at least 3.75.

The Carson Scholars Fund awards $1,000 college scholarships to students in grades 4-11. Each scholarship recipient also receives an Olympic-sized medal, and his or her school gets a trophy to mark the achievement.

This year’s CCS Carson Scholars are:

Bella Ocampo, Chatham School of Science and Engineering
McKinley Rogers, Jordan-Matthews High School
M. Amber Worley, Chatham Central High School
Vickie Lian, Virginia Cross Elementary School
Danny Willett, Bonlee School
Caroline Bowman, Perry Harrison Elementary School
Annika Lowe, Silk Hope School

Eligible students are nominated by educators at their schools. One student per school may apply.

“These awards highlight what I already knew — that we have well-rounded students who are performing well not only academically but are committed to doing positive work in their communities,” CCS Superintendent Dr. Derrick D. Jordan said.

The namesake of the Carson Scholars Fund is Ben Carson, who grew up in poverty yet became a physician, namely a noted neurosurgeon.

In March 2017, Carson resigned his positions with the Carson Scholars Fund in order to serve as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Well-rounded Chatham County students distinguished as Carson Scholars appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.

Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to fill vacancies at two of its elementary schools and one of its high schools. Their start dates will be determined later.

Kendra Fisher will be the principal at Pittsboro Elementary School. She has been the assistant principal at Aldert Root Elementary School in Raleigh since 2015. Fisher has her mind on next steps for Pittsboro Elementary, which already is moving in a solid direction.

“I plan to collaborate closely with our committed staff, students, parents and community partners to continue moving the work forward.” Fisher said. “Pittsboro Elementary families can expect me to be their child’s biggest cheerleader and advocate. I will serve and lead our school family with positivity and will always value family input and support.”

Amy Doty will be the principal at Perry W. Harrison Elementary School. She comes to the district from Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, where she coordinated the school system’s programming for both dual and world languages. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at Seawell Elementary School in Chapel Hill.

“An effective leader empowers and motivates others to work as a team toward a shared purpose — student achievement. This is accomplished in an environment of trust, open communication, shared responsibilities and mutual accountability,” Doty said. “It is very obvious that Perry Harrison is a school with a hardworking, dynamic staff and a dedicated community. As its new principal, I hope to build on these strengths and continue to work with all stakeholders toward high student achievement for all students.”

Dr. Bradford Walston will be the principal at Northwood High School. He is wrapping up a stint as principal at Providence Grove High School in Climax.

“Northwood High School is moving in a good direction, and the next step is to continue moving that needle forward — academic growth in every measurable area,” Walston said. “We will make that happen by providing opportunities for growth and development for both the students and the teachers.”

Walston describes his leadership style as consistent, and he sets high expectations for students.

“High school has the most enjoyable students. I am drawn to the multitude of extracurricular activities and opportunities that are provided at the high school level,” Walston said. “It is in high school where many students cultivate their passions and work toward preparing for college or a fulfilling occupation.”

Walston said students at Northwood should expect to see him in their classes every day. That works both ways, though, he added.

“My door is always open, and I am available,” Walston said.

Board fills leadership positions at three Chatham County schools appeared first on Chatham Journal Newspaper.