MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Feb. 19, 2013
Media Stories
Feb. 20-25, 2013
Story idea
Taking a stand in Washington
Three students from Performance Learning Center have been selected to attend National Latino
Advocacy Days, March 6-7. High school seniors Xiomara Stephanie Chicas and Liliana Lopez
and junior Jonathan Gallegos will travel to Washington, D.C., on March 5, as they urge
congressional representatives to help find real solutions to issues affecting Latinos. The
students were selected by the Latin American Coalition. The Latin American Coalition’s mission
is to empower the Latino community by providing education initiatives that will promote Hispanic
participation in the local region. The trip to Washington, D.C., is expected to bring together
hundreds of leaders from Latino nonprofits and civic organizations throughout the country.
Students will receive intensive training on policy and legislative advocacy, learn about federal
policy issues affecting the Latino community, and build relationships with members of Congress
through legislative visits on Capitol Hill. Contact Stacy Sneed for more information.
Announcements
Feb. 25 calendar committee meeting cancelled
The CMS Calendar Committee met on Feb. 11 and developed several calendar options for the
2014-2015 school year. These options will be presented to executive staff and the
superintendent in coming weeks.
Barringer teams up for technology
Barringer Academic Center has been selected as a winner in the recent Team Up for
Technology competition, sponsored by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, Lowe’s and Samsung
Hope for Children. The school was a runner-up in the national contest, which had more than
1,300 applicants. Barringer is the only North Carolina school among the semi-finalists.
Competitors submitted an application about their digital needs and 10 semi-finalists were
chosen, including Barringer and Nations Ford Elementary. Barringer’s digital needs include
more smart boards, tablets and iPad carts. Each semi-finalist received a Samsung camcorder
and laptop for students to create a two-minute video illustrating their technology needs. As
runner-up, Barringer received 100 Samsung Galaxy Tabs.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Bailey to the rescue! (Bailey Middle School, 11900 Bailey Rd., Cornelius) 1:25 p.m. — The
Ada Jenkins Center has a wish list that could stretch a mile long. On Wednesday, Bailey
students, staff and parent volunteers will work together to fulfill some of the non-profit’s needs.
They will create healthy snack packs and inspirational notes for children in the community. The
Davidson community center serves at least 90 underprivileged children each day in its afterschool program. The activity is part of the national PTA Take Your Family to School Week,
recognized Feb. 18-22. It is a week that encourages families to engage in their student’s school.
The joy of cooking (Pinewood Elementary, 805 Seneca Pl.) 1:30-2:30 p.m. — Chef Jason
Wolf of Hope Haven Inc. will give Pinewood Elementary students a lesson in cooking healthy
meals using the fruit and vegetable of the month: bananas and beets. Chiquita will also have a
representative present to give students an understanding of how the banana industry works.
Pinewood was recently awarded the NFL Play 60 grant for its emphasis on exercise and
nutrition. Chef Jason provides a cooking demonstration for a different grade level each month.
He recently taught the students how to prepare baked sweet potato chips and showed them
how to make pumpkin pudding. The chef funds all the foods and necessities on his own.
Thursday, Feb. 21
Steps in the right direction (Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3400 Beatties Ford
Rd.) 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Two hundred high school students will come face-to-face with skilled
professionals and entrepreneurs during the annual Pride Entrepreneur Education Program
(PEEP). They will discuss education opportunities, career options and the chance to explore
being an entrepreneur. Students will meet adults from a variety of industries including
healthcare, fashion, technology and banking. Wesley Miles, a 16-year-old junior at Cato Middle
College High School, will share his experiences as the founder and owner of W72 Enterprises
and Media Services. He will showcase examples of his work in the form of two short videos
featuring inspiring local entrepreneurs. Author and keynote speaker, Kenston Griffin, CEO of
Dream Builders Communication Inc., will encourage students to consider where they want to be
and show them how to take calculated, intentional steps to fulfill their dreams.
The doctor is in (River Gate Elementary, 15340 Smith Rd.) 2 p.m. — River Gate Elementary
will start the celebrations early in honor of children’s book author, Dr. Seuss. Students will begin
the day with reading Dr. Seuss’ “And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street,” followed by a book
character parade to the bus lot. Students will dress as their favorite book characters as they
march around the campus. All grade levels will participate. Dr. Seuss’ birthday is March 2.
Friday, Feb. 22
Bailey gets a lesson in Internet safety (Bailey Middle School, 1190 Bailey Rd., Cornelius)
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Cornelius Chief of Police Bence Hoyle and FBI Special Agent John
Wydra will make a special presentation on social media safety and awareness. All grade levels
will participate and parents are encouraged to join in. The educational session will provide tips
for parents and advice to students about how to be socially smart online. A Q&A session will
follow the presentation. All families will receive a packet with information about the online
dangers and ways to protect students from potential threats.
Saturday, Feb. 23
Studying the past, inspires students to create the future (West Charlotte High, 2219
Senior Dr.) 9 a.m. — On Saturday, students from the Project L.I.F.T. zone are putting their
minds to work during the district’s first “Lifting Our Black History” Brain Bowl. Six middle school
Advanced via Individual Determination (AVID) classes will face-off for big prizes and bragging
rights in the Black history quiz bowl. The history challenge was designed by Rep. James
“Smuggie” Mitchell Jr., his wife and former astronaut Joan Higginbotham, and West Charlotte
High School International Baccalaureate (IB) students. Middle school students enrolled in AVID
at Ashley Park K-8 School, Bruns Academy, Druid Hills Academy, Ranson Middle School,
Thomasboro Academy and Walter G. Byers School have created teams of six to prepare for the
competition. The bowl will be moderated by Mayor Anthony Foxx, Rep. Mel Watts,
Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield, Councilman David Howard and former Mayor Harvey Gantt.
It’s time for the star to shine! (David W. Butler High School, 1810 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.)
7 p.m. — The North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) has chosen Butler High School
teacher, Barbara Dial Mager, as this year’s NCTC K-12 Theatre Educator. The theatre arts
teacher will be presented with the NCTC award by NCTC Board Chair Ron Law and a few
additional Board members before the school’s 7 p.m. production of “Hairspray”. Mager, has
been a theatre arts educator for 25 years. She puts on 15-20 shows each school year. Under
her artistic direction, Butler High School’s high-quality production have received numerous
awards including several distinguished play awards, state festival appearances as well as the
John W. Parker Award for Excellence in Directing in 2012.
Monday, Feb. 25
Reading is fundamental (River Gate Elementary, 15340 Smith Rd.) 8:45 a.m. — River Gate
Elementary will welcome several sport celebs to read with students. Carolina Panther offensive
tackle, Garry Williams, along with Winthrop University Men's Basketball Team, and several
players from the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball team will visit the school to read their
favorite books. Students will have the opportunity to meet and greet a few of their favorite
players during the event.
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For more information:
CMS Media Line 980-343-6243