Connections.EDU April 2011 - Franklin County Schools

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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!
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