Media Stories March 6-12, 2012 - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2012
Media Stories
March 6-12, 2012
Announcements
Cato Middle College High School is on Spring Break this week.
Post-Lottery Student Assignment Notifications
Families who participated in the first student-assignment lottery and have not received their
assignment by mail can contact the student placement office at 980-343-5335. Families with
students enrolled for the 2012-2013 school year can participate in the second magnet lottery,
which runs from March 14-June 4. The second lottery is an opportunity for families to fill seats
that are still available in magnet programs. Instruction letters on how to apply for the second
lottery will be mailed in mid-March and placement notification letters will be mailed in June.
Story idea
Ardrey Kell student’s work garners national attention
Jason Reid was recently named to the 2012 Young Futurist List by The Root. The Young
Futurist List honors the top young African-American leaders and innovators of the future who
are committed to making the world a better place in which to live. Jason created Project Elevate,
a mentoring program that works to unlock the potential of minority students who show the ability
to make an impact in their communities.
“The Young Futurists list honors trailblazing African-American leaders under 21 who will shape
our future, our communities, and our daily conversations with work that matters,” said Managing
Editor Sheryl Huggins Salomon. “Their range of talent, drive and commitment is so inspiring and
they are clearly having an impact on our lives and our communities.”
If Jason’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he was also awarded the GoodWorks Youth
Award for Diversity earlier this year. For more information, contact Kasia Thompson.
Matthews Elementary makes a record-breaking donation to “Pasta for Pennies”
This year, the staff at Matthews Elementary has put an emphasis on character education. The
school incorporated service learning projects to accompany a majority of the traits. Over a two
week time period, the students participated in the “Pasta for Pennies” campaign, which
benefitted the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The school’s parents and students collected and
donated more than $11,000 to give to children with blood cancers. The school holds the North
Carolina state record for collecting the most money in the history of the Pasta for Pennies
program. For more information, contact Kasia Thompson.
Mallard Creek strikes gold at DECA conference

Mallard Creek sent 106 marketing students to join more than 2,100 DECA members from
across North Carolina at the NC DECA Career Development Conference held in Greensboro
March 1-3. The chapter earned its fifth-consecutive Gold Level Chapter of Distinction Award, the
highest level of recognition that a DECA Chapter can earn in North Carolina. Among their
accomplishments, the team won first place in the Quiz Bowl, 14 students qualified for
international competition and CTE marketing teacher Melissa Prickett was honored with the
Kenneth W. Smith Award for Professional Dedication. Also, Mallard Creek student Will
Henriques was elected the State DECA President. For more information, contact Kasia
Thompson.
Teach for America Week
Teach For America Week, March 5-9, is an annual, nationwide event that unites hundreds of
executives, athletes, actors, members of Congress, authors, musicians, activists, and heads of
state in the cause of expanding educational opportunity. The participation of these leaders helps
shine the spotlight on the need to expand educational opportunity for all children and inspires
them to pursue academic success. Local Teach for America Week events, noted below, take
place on Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information, contact Kasia Thompson.
Tuesday, March 6
President of Presbyterian Hospital heads to Harding (Harding University High, 2001
Alleghany Street) 11-12 p.m. — Mark Billings, president of Presbyterian Hospital, will teach
Courtney MacNealy’s English class at Harding as part of Teach for America Week.
Juniors ACT-up (All high schools) — On Tuesday, March 6, for the first time ever, nearly all
public and charter school 11 th graders will be required to take the ACT college entrance exam.
The ACT is a curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that
assesses students' academic readiness for college. In December 2011, the State Board of
Education approved the ACT to become a part of North Carolina's new accountability model for
high schools that will be implemented statewide in 2012-13.
Final Pre-Kindergarten information session (ImaginOn, 300 East Seventh Street) 5:30
p.m. — Mecklenburg County families interested in placing their child in a Pre-Kindergarten
program can come to the final information session, where they will learn about Charlotte-
Mecklenburg NC Pre-K, a child-centered, literacy-based program. The program is open to
children in Mecklenburg County who will be age 4 on or before Aug. 31, 2012. Participants will
learn of locations and program requirements. They’ll also receive an overview of daily
operations, including curriculum, meals and transportation.
Connecting Families Through Music (Winterfield Elementary, 3100 Winterfield Place) 6
p.m. — The Winterfield Youth Orchestra will present "Connecting Families Through Music," an
interactive, family-friendly concert. The Winterfield Youth Orchestra is comprised of more than
40 second-fifth graders. The students receive two hours of music instruction, three days a week
from professional musicians and young volunteers from the Charlotte Youth Orchestra. This
unique program is supported by a partnership with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
"Connecting Families Through Music" is a series of three concerts performed every year. The
concerts are made possible by a Front Porch Grant from the Foundation for the Carolinas.
Following the concert, everyone is invited to a community dinner in the cafeteria.
Wednesday, March 7
Dr. Ron Carter of Johnson C. Smith University teaches at Olympic (Olympic Renaissance
High, 4301 Sandy Porter Road) 7:45-8:45 a.m. — Dr. Ron Carter, president of Johnson C.

Smith University is back in the classroom. He will teach Rene Arnold’s English class at Olympic
as part of Teach for America Week.
Duck and cover! Statewide tornado drill (Reedy Creek Elementary, 10801 Plaza Road
Extension) or (Long Creek Elementary, 9213-A Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville) 9:15
a.m. — Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 4-10. The statewide tornado drill will take
place on Wednesday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. At that time the National Weather Service will issue
a Required Weekly Test over the NOAA weather radio system. Members of Long Creek’s Fire
and Life Safety Bowl team will be available to participate in interviews.
Breakfast for lunch? (Each CMS elementary and middle school) — Each elementary and
middle school in CMS will provide breakfast for lunch on Wed. March 7 as part of National
School Breakfast Week. Cafeteria workers across the district will serve food while wearing their
favorite pajamas.
Friday, March 9
Charlotte Checkers “The science of Hockey” event (Elizabeth Traditional Elementary,
1601 Park Drive) 3-3:30 p.m. — Charlotte Checkers players will be at the school to
demonstrate the elements of hockey that involve science. The lesson includes a video,
discussion and a general Q&A.
Red Cross Heroes (Long Creek Elementary, 9213-A Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville) 10
a.m. — For the second year in a row, Long Creek will be named Red Cross Heroes for their
coin drive, totaling $817.48 in donations. The students will receive the award in a school-wide
assembly.
Rocky River’s First Annual Exceptional Children’s Prom (Rocky River High auditorium,
10505 Clear Creek Commerce Dr., Mint Hill) 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — More than 200 students from
Rocky River, Providence, Butler, Vance and Independence are expected to participate in the
prom, which includes a lunch, official prom pictures and dancing to a masquerade ball theme.
RRHS seniors Megan Delzell and Nicole Tejera coordinated the event.
Saturday, March 10
The ABC’s of College Planning (UNC Charlotte, Fretwell Building – 9201 University City
Blvd., Room 100) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – The Southern Association of College Admission Counseling
(SACAC) will offer a free workshop, “The ABC’s of College Planning” to introduce high school
students and their parents to key aspects of the college search process. Registration will be
held from 8:30-9 a.m. Topics will include: grade-point average, the college search, college
application process, how to prepare for the college fair, scholarship and financial aid
information, standardized test options and case studies.
Sunday, March 11
Get a head start on this year’s National College Fair! (The Park, 800 Briar Creek Rd.) 11
a.m. – 4 p.m. — This year, the National Association for College Admission Counseling will have
more than 200 colleges and universities available at its annual free fair. Students and parents
will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from a wide range
of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and
universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings,
and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection
process. At the fair’s counseling center, families can discuss their individual needs with CMS

counselors and other college experts. Registration is open through March 11. Go to
www.nacacnet.org for more details.
For more information:
CMS Media Line 980-343-6243
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Kasia Thompson Stacy Sneed
980-343-1140 Office 980-343-1081 Office
980-406-8727 Cell 704-301-9029 Cell