Connections.EDU April 2011 - Franklin County Schools

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 2
FCS Celebrates New National Board Certified Teachers
Franklin County Schools teachers
continue to excel in becoming National
Board certified. Recently, fifteen
teachers across the school district were
proudly notified of their certification.
Teachers annually become excited and
rewarded for their hard work and dedication
towards obtaining their certification.
On December 15, Dr. June Atkinson,
North Carolina State Superintendent,
announced that North Carolina
continues to rank first in the entire
nation for employing National Board
Certified Teachers. Over 8,600 teachers
and counselors across the nation
became certified this year. This brings
the national total to more than 91,000.
When compared to other states, North
Carolina accounts for almost one-fifth
of the nation’s national certified teachers.
Fifteen teachers in Franklin County
Schools were among the 2,200 educators
across the state who received their
certification this year, bringing the state
total to 17,957 and the district total to
61.
The newly certified teachers were
recognized with a dinner and National
Board Certification pin at a recognition
ceremony on Wednesday, February 23
at Louisburg United Methodist Church.
In addition to the newly certified teachers
and their guests, members of the
Dr. Beverly Joseph, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Exceptional
Children (left) pins newly certified Long Mill Elementary School National Board
Teacher Shirley Coltrane (center) as Principal Kim Ferrell (right) assists. Coltrane is
one of fifteen FCS teachers who recently received their certification.
FCS Central Office Administration, principals,
and assistant principals were
among those in attendance. Ms. René
Herrick, the 2010 North Central Region
Teacher of the Year, was the featured
guest speaker of the evening. A video
was created by Joe Baisley, FCS Public
Information Officer, which was shown
to all newly certified teachers highlighting
their classroom teaching in FCS and
later given to teachers as a gift on behalf
of the school district for receiving
their certification.
In order to earn this prestigious
certification, these teachers dedicated
themselves to an extensive series
of performance-based assessments.
These assessments included the completion
of a teaching portfolio
(Continued on Page 4...)
2010-2011 National Board Certified Teachers
Jaime L. Adams
Middle Grades English/Language Arts
Cedar Creek Middle School
Armenia S. Davis
Secondary Mathematics
Bunn High School
Maureen Lalino
Literacy: Reading/Language Arts
Royal Elementary School
Laurie M. Baker
Early Childhood Generalist
Long Mill Elementary School
Amy M. Bunn
Secondary English/Language Arts
Louisburg High School
Kristen W. Carpenter
Early Childhood Generalist
Long Mill Elementary School
Shirley M. Coltrane
Exceptional Needs Specialist
Long Mill Elementary School
Natalie J. Duffield
Early Childhood Generalist
Youngsville Elementary School
Hettie N. Faulkner
Career and Technical Education
Louisburg High School
Karla A. Franklin
Literacy: Reading/Language Arts
Royal Elementary School
Valerie S. Hawthorne
Middle Grades Social Studies/History
Cedar Creek Middle School
Aria A. Lewis
Literacy: Reading/Language Arts
Royal Elementary School
Patricia A. Russick
Literacy: Reading/Language Arts
Franklinton Elementary School
Matthew S. Thacker
Middle Grades Mathematics
Cedar Creek Middle School
M. Allison Toler
Early Childhood Generalist
Long Mill Elementary School

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 3
FES: Fun “Mask” Creations in Theatre Arts Program
It is amazing what one can
do with squares of burlap. Fifth
graders in Tasha Hatten’s Theatre
Arts classes at Franklinton
Elementary School recently created
masks as a classroom project.
The creativity is outstanding!

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 4
NBCT
(continued from Page 2)
comprised of student work samples,
videotapes, teacher reflections, and a
thorough analysis of classroom teacher
and student learning. Additionally, the
candidates participated in an intense
day of written assessments.
According to the National Board
for Professional Teaching Standards,
the office that administers the program,
National Board Certified Teachers
have met high standards through
intensive study, expert evaluation, selfassessment,
and peer review, similar to
what board-certified medical doctors
are subjected to.
Also known as the acronym of
NBCT, the total population of these
teachers in our country represent about
two percent of the national teaching
population. The National Research
Council has concluded that students
taught by NBCTs make higher gains on
achievement tests than students taught
by other teachers.
Franklin County Schools is proud to
have a large number of National Board
Certified Teachers in our schools. We
thank them for taking on the challenges
this process presented to them, and
are proud to have them as members of
our staff in the school district.
Farm to School: Meet Spencer
Child Nutrition Staff at Franklinton Elementary School (above) are pictured with
Spencer the Sweet Potato. Dressed as Spencer is Jodi Parnell.
Spencer the Sweet Potato visited Franklinton Elementary on
Monday, February 7 and Bunn Elementary on Tuesday, February 8.
This visit was an opportunity for students to learn more about sweet
potatoes, a vegetable that is rich in Vitamins A and C. The state of
North Carolina is the leader of sweet potato production in the United
States. Sweet potatoes are one of the many items that Franklin
County Schools Child Nutrition receives through the North Carolina
Farm to School Program.
Ms. René Herrick, 2010 North Central
Region Teacher of the Year, spoke to FCS
newly National Board Certified Teachers
at their reception on Wednesday, February
23, 2011.
FES Principal Carol Davis with Spencer
FES Student Sydney Parnell with Spencer

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 5
Bunn Middle Succeeds with PBIS Implementation
Above was the empty wall that existed in the front lobby of
Bunn Middle prior to the mural.
Michael Sheldon always gets
excited when he is asked about
the Positive Behavior Intervention
and Support (PBIS) program
at Bunn Middle School.
Sheldon, an eighth grade science
teacher and administrative
intern at the school, has
been instrumental this school
year with implementing the program
throughout the school.
“Last year, we participated
in training,” Sheldon said. “We
had a lot of motivation and
support by our Principal, Mr.
Alston, throughout the entire
process. He felt it was a good
opportunity for our school.”
The PBIS program has proven
to be a great success throughout
the Bunn Middle School campus.
The program is designed to
compliment students and give
incentives for positive behavior.
“There was a whole school
buy-in for the program,” Sheldon
added. “Every teacher created
a poster earlier in the year as a
Above is the new mural painted in the front lobby at Bunn
Middle. This mural is a product of the school’s PBIS program.
part of the program, and it has
been a fun experience for all.”
One of the major projects of
the PBIS program this year has
been the new mural painted
in the front lobby on an empty
wall. The plain, brick wall
was transformed into a colorful
and diverse wall that highlights
the positive initiatives going
on throughout the campus.
At the beginning of the year,
Sheldon interviewed Kelly Sari,
art teacher at the school. Sari
had mural experience, which was
instrumental in the creation of
this beautiful mural in the school.
A local home improvement
store donated $100 to the school
in paint and supplies. This donation
was another instrumental
piece of constructing the mural.
“Another positive experience
to add to this program is the
collaboration of our students
and teachers,” Sheldon continues.
“Our eighth grade class this
year is the first class to have Mr.
Alston as their principal for their
entire middle school career.”
Data also shows the success
of the PBIS program at the
school. An out-of-school suspension
data comparison was
compiled between August 25
and March 31 of both the previous
and current school years.
This school year, there are 95 less
out-of-school incidents, making
the total decrease from 212
to 117. The number of days in
lost instruction also decreased
by 497 days, which is a large decrease.
Last year, the number of
days in lost instruction was 966,
where this year, the number is
only 469 by the end of March.

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 6
Open House Held at LHS CTE Facilities
Louisburg High School welcomed local government leaders to tour the new Career and Technical Education facilities
on their campus on Tuesday, April 5. Pictured (L to R): Front--Christopher Cannady, LHS Agriculture Teacher, Angela
Harris, Franklin County Manager, Paige Sayles, FCS Board of Education Chairperson, Freda Clifton, LHS Principal, and
Laureen G. Jones, FCS Director of Career and Technical Education; Back--Dr. Eddie Ingram, FCS Superintendent, Harry
Foy, Franklin County Commissioner, Bob Etheridge, former Congressman and current Director of the North Carolina
Office of Economic Recovery and Investment, and Chuck Murray, Franklin County Finance Director.
On Tuesday, April 5, Louisburg High
School hosted an open house, showcasing
their new Career and Technical
Education facilities. Several members
of our community, including parents,
students, and government leaders attended
this event. The new agriculture
and carpentry classroom/shop buildings
were featured during the open
house, as well as the automotive shop.
Prior to the official start of the
open house, a group of school system
and government officials toured
the facilities and participated in various
hands-on projects. In the agriculture
shop, teacher Chris Cannady
explained the process of cutting metal,
along with safety practices. After
departing from the agriculture shop,
the group toured the new carpentry
shop. Teacher Willie Tabron demonstrated
how to use the various carpentry
equipment in the shop and allowed
participants to use the equipment.
The open house program was full
of various performances by the LHS Air
Force Junior ROTC program, the LHS
Choir, and the LHS Band. The program
also featured guest speakers, including
Bob Etheridge, former Congressman
and current Director of the North
Carolina Office of Economic Recovery
and Investment and Mike Poupard,
President of the Franklin County
Homebuilders Association. Harry Foy
provided his famous hot dog dinner following
the main program of the evening.
Dr. Eddie Ingram (above), FCS Superintendent,
participates in a hands-on activity
in the new carpentry shop on the
campus Louisburg High School at the
CTE Open House on April 5. The group
touring the facility enjoyed becoming
CTE students for the evening.

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 7
Frederickson Named NCAE Central Office
Administrator of the Year
Linda Frederickson (center), FCS Director of Elementary Education and Title I, was awarded as the 2011 Central Office Administrator
of the Year at the Marriott Hotel in Raleigh on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Members of the Franklin County Schools NCAE
were present to support Frederickson as she received her award. Pictured (L to R): Front--Gloria Alston, Winn Clayton, Linda
Frederickson, Becky Bishop, and Jackie Coyne; Back--Sarah Lewis and Clark Frederickson.
The North Carolina Association of
Educators (NCAE) Division of Principals
and Administrators named Linda Gail
Piper Frederickson, Director of Elementary
Education and Title I for Franklin
County Schools, as the NCAE Central
Office Administrator of the Year for
2011. Frederickson was awarded with
this honor at the 2011 NCAE Awards
Banquet on Thursday, March 17,
2011 at the Marriott Hotel in Raleigh.
NCAE recognized Frederickson for
this award based on her dedication
to the education profession, teaching,
and learning of all students and
the association. Frederickson was
nominated for the award and participated
in a personal interview with
NCAE during the selection process.
“I became an educator because I
want to empower children to ‘never
give up’ and to overcome any circumstance
that life may bring them,”
Frederickson said. “My parents were
both textile employees, and they encouraged
me to get a quality education.
I want to be a role model for
my own children, my granddaughter,
and the children in my community,
especially underprivileged children.”
Frederickson has been employed
with Franklin County Schools since
1985. Prior to her current post, Frederickson
served as a science teacher
for the district until 1999 when she
became an Assistant Principal at Cedar
Creek Middle School. Frederickson
served in that role for two years
before becoming Principal of Franklinton
Elementary School in 2001, where
she served in that role until 2008
when she was promoted to her current
position as Director of Elementary
Education and Title I for the district.
Frederickson holds a Bachelor of
Science in Home Economics, Child Development/Family
Relations with Elementary
Education certification from
the University of North Carolina at
Greensboro, a Master of School Administration
from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro, and
is presently in the Doctoral Program
at North Carolina State University.

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 8
LHS Teacher and Students Participate in
Character Education Arts Residency
Louisburg High School senior Andrew Duke (left) and sophomore Mia Storey (right) are pictured above with art
teacher Dana Church. Church, Duke, and Storey were selected by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
to represent Region 3 to participate in the three day residency program. Selected high school artists and writers from
across the state take part in this arts initiative to promote Character Education in middle and elementary schools.
Louisburg High School art
teacher Dana Church will proudly
tell anyone about the exciting opportunity
she and two students
recently experienced. LHS was
one of eight high schools in the
state to be selected to take part
in a collaborative project between
the North Carolina Museum of Art
and the North Carolina Department
of Public Instruction. Each
school was allowed to send two
students: a writer, and an artist.
The teams worked with a professional
writer in order to write a
children’s picture book to bring
a new meaning to eight traits of
Character Education. Teams then
turned their talents to illustration
under the guidance of a professional
textile artist. The textile artist
lead the three-day residency in
Raleigh at the North Carolina Museum
of Art.
While the residency took place
on March 23-25, the writing phase
of the project began in February.
Senior Andrew Duke and sophomore
Mia Storey accompanied
Church for the residency. Duke
was the artist for the team, while
Storey was the writer. LHS’ team
was assigned the trait, “Good
Judgement.” The goal of the picture
book was to speak to the eight
character traits in a lyrical, playful,
and meaningful manner. The
story structure utilizes a traveler
named “Bird” who visits eight different
make-believe lands. While
visiting each land, “Bird” will encounter,
or learn something about
a character trait. Each team was
given approximately two to four
illustrated pages to express an
original story that shows their assigned
trait in order to excite and
involve their readers. The teams
cut their illustrations out of cloth.
The children’s book will be
distributed to all elementary and
middle schools across North Carolina.
Duke will be attending the
College Engineering Program at
North Carolina State University in
the Fall.

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 9
Career and Technical Education is One of the
State’s Best Kept Secrets
Pictured Left: Christopher Cannady, Franklinton High School Graduate and
Louisburg High School Agriculture Teacher. Pictured Right: Kenny Towne,
Bunn High School Graduate.
WRITTEN BY: Nicole Marshall, FCS
CTE Administrative Assistant
What is Career and Technical Education
(CTE) It’s a legitimate question
since CTE is one of North Carolina’s
best kept secrets. Franklin County
Schools Career and Technical Education
strives to challenge students and
effectively prepare them to live and
work in a highly technological society
as well as train students who wish to
use learned skills in their community.
What does all this mean In a nutshell,
CTE provides opportunities for
students to gain skills, credentials, and
certifications that effectively prepare
them for the transition into working
adults. Whether it’s the student’s
dream to be a nurse, a brick mason, a
business professional, or just about
anything in between, CTE is the first
step to achieving those dreams.
Laureen Jones, CTE director for
Franklin County Schools said, “We
want to offer as many options that we
can so students will have a broad view
of what they can pursue as a career after
high school or college.”
Christopher Cannady, FHS graduate,
Kenny Towne, BHS graduate, and
Catherine Weston, LHS graduate,
know all too well how the CTE options
offered in high school can help guide
and prepare them for successful careers.
Currently the Agriculture teacher
at Louisburg High School, Cannady is
a seasoned CTE veteran. Graduating
from Franklinton High School, Chris
took instruction from Tommy Kemp
and became well versed in agriculture
even before he continued on to North
Carolina State University as a teaching
fellow to earn a degree in Agriculture
Education.
When asked how the courses in
high school impacted his decision to
pursue agriculture as a career, Cannady
said, “I wanted to learn about
the things that my grandpa and dad
knew how to do. I looked up to them
and while they taught me a lot I still
wanted more. “They knew how to
make things with their hands, make
household repairs themselves, and
grow food that our family could eat.
I wanted to posses the skills to make
myself an independent citizen.”
It’s safe to say that Cannady has
succeeded in his wishes and now he
is passing on his skills and knowledge
to the next generation. Career and
Technical Education allowed Cannady
to get a jump start on his career by
solidifying his decision to pursue agriculture
as a profession.
Kenny Towne has always been
interested in automobiles and it’s a
good thing, seeing that the majority
of his adult life has been spent under
the hood of a car. A graduate of
Bunn High School, Towne knew that
he wanted to pursue a career in the
automobile industry which led him to
enroll at Vance-Granville Community
College in the Automotive Systems
Technology program. Although he
knew in high school that he wanted to
be a mechanic, Kenny also knew that
he needed to keep the doors of opportunity
open, which prompted him
to enroll in classes such as carpentry,
horticulture, and welding to expand
his knowledge base just in case the
automotive industry didn’t work out
for him.
“Keep your options open; the
broader the knowledge you have
coming out of high school means better
chances at getting a job in any of
those fields,” states Towne.
This is the great thing about CTE;
it allows students to explore different
career options without being tied to
them or having spent countless dollars
in college, only to figure out that
it’s just not for them.
It turns out that autos were for him
after all. After earning his Automotive
Systems Technology degree, Towne
worked as a mechanic for seven years
and for the past nine he has served as
a service manager, currently for Leith
Buick GMC of Wendell.
From early on in Catherine
Weston’s life she has been exposed to
childcare. Her mother, Valerie Weston,
operated a licensed home daycare
center and went on to own and direct
ABC Adventures Preschool and Childcare.
Weston was exposed to young
children all her life and it didn’t take

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 10
Terrell Lane Welcomes Boston University Visit
Students from Boston University recently visited Terrell Lane Middle School on their annual spring break trip to the school.
These students helped with various activities throughout the school, including tutoring, the poetry slam, and painting a couple
of beautiful murals in the school. Pictured left to right: Jason Weitzman (Trip Coordinator), Miriam Levine, Fuming Cao (Trip
Coordinator), Ali Weltman, Kris Goncalves, Sarah Khalifa, Lena McCarthy, Mia Cross, and Samantha Chan.
The week of March 14 through
March 18 brought a lot of annual
excitement to the students and staff
at Terrell Lane Middle School. Students
from Boston University visit the
school yearly as part of the university’s
“Alternative Spring Breaks” (ASB)
program. These volunteers helped
with many activities going on at the
school. In addition to painting four
beautiful team murals, they also tutored
students and helped with the
school’s poetry slam.
Several local groups supported
these volunteers during their visit to
Louisburg. A local hardware store
donated the paint for the murals. Dr.
and Mrs. Al Sayles hosted these volunteers
during the week.
The volunteers thoroughly enjoyed
their visit to TLMS. The district
interviewed a few of these student
volunteers about their experiences.
These interviews can be found on
page 12.

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 11
Bunn High School Band Earns “Superior” Rating
at State Band Festival - First in BHS History
The Bunn High School Band
attended the NC Bandmasters
Association Concert Band Festival,
or MPA (Music Performance
Adjudication) on March 23.
Bands from across Central NC
attended to receive feedback
her very long to and that she had a
love for this profession.
With that said, as Catherine entered
Louisburg High School, she was
quite focused and sure of her direction.
She immediately immersed herself
in the Early Childhood curriculum
as well as taking advantage of the dual
enrollment at Vance-Granville Community
College. Upon high school
graduation, Weston had racked up
34 college credit hours which means
she’ll graduate from Vance-Granville
Community College just a year after
graduating high school with an associate’s
degree in Early Childhood Education.
She plans to continue her education
at Mt. Olive College in the fall. She
credits her instructors, such as Early
Childhood teacher Hettie Faulkner,
the counselors at LHS, and her parents
from judges and earn a rating
of either Superior (I) , Excellent
(II), Average (III), Below Average
(IV) or Poor (V). For the first time
in Bunn High School history, the
BHS Band earned a Superior rating!
This is also the first Superior
rating for any FCS Band in several
years. Students performed
“Snake Charmer” by Randall
Standridge, “March Glorious” by
John Cacavas, and “Among the
Clouds” by Brian Balmages. BHS
Band Director, Melody Causby,
and students are very excited
about their performance and
are looking forward to continued
hard work and successes.
CTE: Best Kept Secrets
(continued from Page 9)
Above: Louisburg High School
Graduate Catherine Weston
who encouraged her each step of the
way.
When asked to give advice to upcoming
high school students, Catherine
said, “If you have decided what
you want to do when you get out of
school, stay focused and take all the
courses you can. If you don’t know
what you want to study yet, take as
many general courses as you can and
then decide which you think you like,
but take something!” The opportunities
are seemingly endless; they are
just waiting to be scooped up!
For the start of the 2011-2012
school year, Franklin County Schools
is adding to these opportunities with
the addition of the Culinary Arts program
which will be offered at the new
Franklinton High School under the instruction
of Maria Styers.
Beefing up the technology program
will be Computer Programming,
Visual Basic and the Microsoft IT
Academy. Both of these courses will
be offered at the three high schools.
In addition to the new courses, CTE is
increasing the rigor in offering several
honors level courses.
“Students gain very valuable skills
from our programs,” Jones said. “These
are often skills that will help them the
rest of their lives. Students enrolled in
a school in which a course is not offered
that they wish to take have the
option of taking the course at another
school within Franklin County.
“We want to be sure that students
get all they can out of their high school
experience and have the opportunity
to receive a well-rounded education,
said Jones.
“Franklin County Schools strive
to prepare these students like never
before with credentials, certifications,
college credits, and the options to explore
careers long before they walk
across a stage,” said Jones.

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 12
TLMS Boston University Visit
(continued from Page 10)
Ali Weltman
“Traveling to Louisburg was one of the
most memorable Spring Breaks. The most
important lesson I’ve learned at BU is how to
take risks and travel outside of my comfort
zone; participating in BU’s Alternative Spring
Break program follows that pattern. Spending
a week at Terrell Lane was an adventure in a
new part of the country, and gave me a firsthand
look at teaching. It was refreshing morphing
from a college student into a middle
school teacher...and then into a painter...and
then into a poet! While we may have taught a
handful of students how to calculate the area
of a trapezoid correctly, the Louisburg community
taught me patience, generosity, and
creativity.
Terrell Lane Middle School is such a creative
and loving environment. I lost count of the
amount of times we were thanked for spending
spring break with the students and teachers;
the generosity that greeted our group on
our first day of tutoring was unbelievable, and
continued to grow throughout the week. It
was fantastic spending one on one time with
the students and sharing in their academic
successes after finishing a geometry problem
correctly or understanding tough vocabulary
in Gary Paulsen’s “Harris and Me.” I loved
watching the poetry slam and marveling in
the students’ raw view of the world and seeing
their enthusiastic reactions to our hallway
murals.
I wish we could’ve stayed longer in Louisburg!
It’s difficult to see true academic growth
in a short week, so I would have enjoyed tutoring
the students more in order to actually see
some permanent changes. I also would have
loved to explore North Carolina a bit more,
especially in the Louisburg area. Saying goodbye
to the students at the Boys & Girls Club
in Louisburg was also really difficult- I wish we
could have helped out more. The people who
work there have such big hearts and patience;
it’s a shame they are so understaffed.
One of my favorite parts of the trip: On the
last day of school, I stood in the bus loading
area with one of the students, Bubba, explaining
that we were leaving the next day. He had
seen our presentation on the “Boston University
College Experience” the day before and
was asking some last minute questions about
college. At one point, he looked up at me and
said earnestly, “You know what I’ve always
wanted to go to a NC school like UNC...but
now I’m thinking Boston. I think I want to go
to BU.” Even a week later, thinking about what
Bubba said gives me the biggest smile. Little
moments like that show just how much impact
we had in a week.”
Kris Goncalves
“My experience in Louisburg was one of welcome
and warmth. I had participated in the program (alternative
spring break) last year and had gone to Mississippi
so I had a taste of what kind of work and stories
I might experience on a trip like this. Even so, I was
shocked with how much everybody appreciated the
help we were providing, whether it was with the tutoring,
murals, sports, or just being there. Mrs. Nancy had
prepared such organized schedules for us that made it
so very easy to function throughout the week as she
basically had laid out our week’s worth of volunteering.
It was great to have everything so organized and
set out for us. That way, it was much easier to kind of
sit back and enjoy the experience and the people we
met. The people we met were so happy to see us that it
made me happy to be there. Whether it was the teachers,
principal, coaches, or even the students. I thought I
wouldn’t get the same experience since I had done the
program before, but I never could’ve been so wrong as
Terrell Lane brought me in the midst of great people,
students, and the importance of a solid education.
My favorite things about Terrell Lane Middle School
were the paintings and murals decorating the hallways
and school. Thinking back to my Middle School, I cannot
remember many inspirational paintings or colors
anywhere. I was very impressed with the work of the
school to keep the walls colorful and inspirational. Another
thing I loved about the Middle School was the
acceptance we received from the students. Obviously
the 8th graders were a little more reserved but the 7th
graders and 6th graders were so ecstatic to see us in
the hallways and even got excited just to get a simple
hello from us. It really showed me how much of impact
we had on some of the students without even meeting
some of them!
I think it would’ve been great to add more murals. I
wish we could’ve had a lot more time tutoring the students
as many of my students seemed to have breakthroughs
on the last day or so of tutoring. I would’ve
also loved to chaperone the dance as I know they had
one coming up!
One student, Jose, truly brightened my day on one
of the last days we were there. I had woken up really
late on this day, was the last to get up, and had to rush
to the van without eating. Suffice it to say, it was my
worst start to any of the days there as I was usually up
early eating breakfast. I was feeling a little down but I
was given Jose to tutor for the first time as my student
was not in that day. I was tutoring him in reading. He
read through the chapter in a breeze and we discussed
a bit about what had happened in the chapter. As I did
with most of my students, I asked him what he usually
did in class and what he was learning. He responded
with a laid back smile and said he never really paid attention
and did nothing much. He was a very relaxed,
cool kid. I thought he was a student who didn’t try.
However, he then told me he liked to draw during class
instead.
Interested, I asked him if he had any. As it turns out,
the binder he carried did not contain anything school
related but contained basically a portfolio of his art
work. I was shocked and amazed at his ability to draw.
It basically energized me to see such drawings that I
was then compelled to get him out of his next class
(with the help of Mrs. Harris) so he could actually draw
part of one of our murals. Even though he was nonchalant
and cool throughout the whole experience, I know
Jose appreciated working on the mural and getting his
signature at the bottom of it. After that day, we talked
a bit about soccer, his life, and drawing and he truly
brightened my day and outlook on the whole experience
as it was great to see some of Terrell Lane’s incredible
talent hidden under the burden of their personal
lives. The poetry slam also demonstrated this to me,
and the only thing I can hope for is that those students
with those creative abilities are able to start trying in
school so they can truly maximize their talents.”
Fuming Cao
“It was breathtaking, just what I needed to get
out of the busy city of Boston and reconnect with
people. The experience took me by surprise for
sure. I had never tutored students before and was
extremely nervous about how I would interact with
the kids at Terrell Lane (whether or not I would be a
good tutor and if they would like me). After the first
day at the school, I felt completely at home! Everyone
was so incredibly warm and welcoming. The kids
were a bit resistant at first, but throughout the week,
they began to open up and enjoy the tutor sessions.
It was all in all the most wonderful spring break I’ve
had thus far in my life.
All of the faculty members were welcoming and
friendly, from the teachers to the janitors!! Mr. Harris
was absolutely wonderful, and without his help, we
would not have been able to complete all the murals.
All the Boston University murals from previous
years: looking at them and how they envelop the
entire school just makes me realize the tradition and
the legacy we are a part of. It made me extremely
proud to be a student at BU and a member of the
community service center. Explore the town a bit
more, even though it’s small. All my activities would
most likely revolve around experiencing southern
cooking.
I would definitely go to the Boys and Girls Club
more to help out and hang out with the kids there.
The funniest experiences would definitely be getting
lost wherever we went, even though the town is incredibly
small. From going to school, to the store, to
Church, to the Boys and Girls Club, and to the Sayles
house - I don’t think we’ve made it to these place
even once without getting at least a little bit lost.
We love Louisburg and are going through terrible
withdrawal! Thank you to the entire town for
opening up to us and allowing us to meet some
absolutely amazing people. It was one of the most
memorable weeks of my life.”
Samantha Chan
“I loved being in Louisburg. It was nice to be in a
small town for spring break. I really enjoyed tutoring
the students and painting the murals at Terrell Lane
Middle School.
The faculty, staff, and students were really friendly.
It was always nice to be in the school.
I would have loved to spend more time at the
Boys & Girls Club. The kids were great and I think
that we all had a ton of fun helping out there.
The weather was also great when we were there,
so I would have loved to stay and spend more time
outside relaxing or playing with friends.
Trying to tutor other students really showed me
how patient I need to be. It was hard at times, but
we got through it and I think everyone enjoyed it.
I was also really happy that I got to help at the Boys
& Girls Club. Spending time with the kids brought
back a genuine happiness and joy to me. It was one
of the best experiences I have ever had.
I really miss the sweet tea and the super friendly
people.”

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 13
FCS Students Compete in Fun District Events
Franklin County Schools and The Franklin County
Homebuilders’ Association held their 25th annual
Designers of Tomorrow awards program on Thursday,
February 17 at Cedar Creek Middle School. Students
from all three middle schools in Franklin County participated
in this annual competition. The winners are (left
to right): Sean Griffith, Cedar Creek Middle (2nd Place);
Katleen Goss, Cedar Creek Middle (Honorable Mention);
Sydney Parrish, Terrell Lane Middle (Honorable Mention);
Rebecca Keith, Terrell Lane Middle (3rd Place);
and Phoenix Spivey, Terrell Lane Middle (1st Place).
On Thursday, March 10, 2011, the district Battle of the
Books Competition was held at Cedar Creek Middle
School. All three middle schools competed for the trophy.
Terrell Lane Middle School (above) received First
Place, while Bunn Middle School came in second and
Cedar Creek Middle School came in third. Pictured (L to
R): Front--Jason Davis, Gustavo Osorio Miranda, Quint
Hester, Sandy Williams, Ryan Nel, and Alex Young;
Back--Nancy Shaffer (coach), Samantha Hewett, Ian
Lamont, Jordan Alty, Alexus Allen, Johnathon Maue,
and Jason Valin. Congratulations to all students who
participated on the school teams!
Terrell Lane Middle School took home first place this
year at the Franklin County Schools’ Junior Quiz Bowl
Competition on Tuesday, March 15. Pictured (L to R):
Front--Samantha Hewett, Sandy Williams, Alex Young,
and Tara Werkheiser; Back--Quint Hester, Dillian Phillips,
Edward Denton, Valeria Battle (coach), Alexis
Torkelson, Summer Phillips, and Josh Stein. Receiving
second place this year was Cedar Creek Middle School.
Bunn Middle School placed in third. All teams worked
hard and did a great job!
Franklin County Schools and the Franklin County Association
of Educators held their thirtieth annual “Word War”
Spelling Bee today at Louisburg Elementary School in the
gymnasium. There were five grade level-specific first place
winners, along with an overall first place and runner-up
winner. Pictured at left are (L to R): eighth grader Jack
Walker from Cedar Creek Middle (also the overall first place
winner), seventh grader Michael Rebollar from Cedar Creek
Middle, fifth grader Kayla Sellars from Royal Elementary,
sixth grader Dallas Eason from Cedar Creek Middle, and
fourth grader Tom Olivares from Edward Best Elementary
(also the overall runner-up). All students who participated
did a great job. Congratulations to the winners!

Connections.EDU April 2011 Page 14
World War II Veteran Visits Laurel Mill Elementary
Laurel Mill Elementary School’s fifth grade AIG students
had a visit from World War II veteran Mr. Jake
Wright. Mr. Wright brought with him an actual map
that his infantry squadron used in the war. He shared
experiences and answered questions. Students were
shown pictures of a German ceremonial sword that he
obtained after an invasion in Germany. Mr. Wright is
the father of LMES AIG teacher Mrs. Jane Riggs.
FCS Important Dates to Remember
April 22 Make-Up Day for Traditional Schools
(except Early College and YES)
April 25-29 Spring Break
April 29 Make-Up Day for YES
May 4 Early Release for All Schools
May 23 Last Day of School for Early College
May 24-27 Teacher Workdays for Early College
May 30 Holiday for All Schools
June 2 Parent Information Fair at Riverside Campus
(4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.; all schools participate)
June 10 Last Day of School for Traditional Schools
June 11 High School Graduation Day at Louisburg College
(LHS - 10:00 a.m., BHS - 2:00 p.m., FHS - 6:00 p.m.)
June 14 Last Day of School for Year-Round School (YES)
53 West River Road
Louisburg, North Carolina 27549
Phone: (919) 496-2600
Website: http://www.fcschools.net
Edward E. Ingram, Ed.D., Superintendent
Thomas E. Piper, Ed.S., Assistant Superintendent for Auxiliary Services
Lynn M.N. Henderson, M.S. Ed., Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Douglas H. Moore, C.P.A., Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance
Beverly L. Joseph, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent for Exceptional Children/Student Services
FCS Connections.EDU is written and published by Joe Baisley, Public Information Officer/
Special Projects Coordinator. All inquires can be directed to JosephBaisley@fcschools.net.