Richmond Co.

Schools

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Richmond Senior High School hosted a frightfully fun Trunk or Treat event for local elementary school students. High school clubs and organizations decorated their trunks and handed out candy to hundreds of wide-eyed kids prior to the football game at Raider Stadium. Parents and kids alike raved about the creativity and effort put into the trunk designs. The elementary students had a blast trick-or-treating from trunk to trunk and getting into the Halloween spirit!

Shannon Brayboy, a teacher at Richmond Early College High School, was recently named the winner of First Bank's "Out of this World" Excellence Award. The award recognizes outstanding educators who go above and beyond to impact their students and community. Brayboy will receive $5,000 as part of the award. Brayboy said she was honored to be recognized and will use the award money to further develop creative classroom projects. Congratulations to Shannon on this prestigious award!

Students in the 8th grade at Ellerbe Middle School enjoyed an educational and fun-filled trip to the North Carolina State Fair. This beloved event provided students with a chance to explore NC's agricultural exhibits, see different types of livestock up close, and learn about the state's diverse products and industries.

The NC State Fair trip provided the perfect opportunity for 8th graders to bond with their classmates while learning about North Carolina in an interactive, hands-on environment outside the classroom. The students had a blast and will cherish the memories from this exciting trip for years to come.

The Richmond County Schools art teachers are dedicated to continuously improving their skills and learning new techniques to better engage students. To support their professional development, RCS art teachers have started a monthly meetup to collaborate with peers across the district.

Each month, the group gathers to share new ideas, discuss challenges, and work on projects together. They have explored various media like acrylic painting, watercolors, clay sculpture, and more. It's a valuable time to experiment with new methods and get feedback from fellow art educators.

In addition to hands-on work, the teachers also share curriculum resources and plan joint lessons they can implement in their classrooms. These meetups spark creativity and allow our talented RCS art teachers to keep growing. Collaboration is key for innovation in arts education!

Students from Richmond County's four middle schools were given an inside look at careers in healthcare at a recent career fair hosted by FirstHealth at Cole Auditorium.

A wide range of medical professionals set up informational tables to engage with students about their specialties. Nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, EMTs, lab techs, and many more representatives were present to explain their jobs, demonstrate equipment, and answer students' questions.

Students were able to learn first-hand what a day in the life of various healthcare careers looks like. The hands-on exhibits and conversations sparked interest and exposed students to the various options in the healthcare field.

We want to extend a huge thank you to FirstHealth for organizing this valuable career exploration event for our middle school students. The healthcare career fair provided inspiration and got students thinking about how they can turn an interest in science or helping others into a fulfilling profession in the medical field.

Expanding their horizons beyond high school, students from Richmond Senior High recently visited Duke University and North Carolina Central University. The campus tours provided a valuable opportunity for students to experience two distinct university settings firsthand.

At the historic Duke University, students toured state-of-the-art facilities and learned about academic programs, student life, and admissions. They were able to picture themselves as Blue Devils as they explored the campus.

Over in Durham, NC Central offered an inside look at the storied HBCU and its commitment to inclusive excellence. Students connected with current Eagle students and explored NCCU's tight-knit community feel and culture.

Through these visits, Richmond Senior High students gained exposure to university options available after graduation. Experiencing the campus environments allowed students to envision taking the next step in their academic journeys. Thanks to Duke and NCCU for welcoming our students!

We are thrilled to announce that Mineral Springs Elementary has been recognized as one of the top 10 Title 1 schools in North Carolina by the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program. This prestigious award celebrates schools that have made outstanding strides in closing achievement gaps between student groups.

Mineral Springs Elementary earned this honor by closing the achievement gap between student groups for two consecutive years. Through their commitment to equity and excellence for all students, they have created an environment where students can thrive academically regardless of background.

The faculty and staff at Mineral Springs Elementary have worked tirelessly to put systems and supports in place to meet the needs of every learner. Their innovative instructional practices, family engagement initiatives, and social-emotional learning programs have ensured all students have access to a high-quality education.

We could not be more proud of the students, teachers, staff, and families that make up the Mineral Springs Elementary community.

This award demonstrates what can happen when a school makes closing achievement gaps a priority and rallies around a shared vision of success for all. Congratulations, Mineral Springs Elementary!

Richmond Senior High alum Allyiah Swiney (Class of 2022) is already making waves with the Campbell University Softball Team! The Camels recently highlighted Swiney's journey from Raider to Camel in a video titled "Homegrown Camel."

Video by Campbell Softball Facebook

The Richmond County Principals and Assistant Principals Association (RCPAPA) is off to a great beginning this school year! On October 3rd, Principal Joyce McRae hosted the inaugural RCPAPA meeting which was attended by 17 enthusiastic principal and assistant principal members. The group came together to elect officers, establish a mission statement, and make plans for supporting our schools over the coming months.

With experienced leaders like these guiding the organization, RCPAPA is sure to have a positive impact on our schools and community. We're excited to see RCPAPA members partnering with teachers, parents, and students throughout the year on initiatives that will enrich the educational experience in Richmond County. Congratulations to the RCPAPA leadership team on this successful first meeting!

Richmond Senior High School recently hosted an informative college fair organized by the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (CACRAO). Eager students and families attended the event to speak with admissions representatives from over 30 colleges and universities. Attendees were able to learn more about the wide range of postsecondary opportunities available to them after graduation.

CACRAO is a professional organization dedicated to promoting and supporting access to higher education across North Carolina. The college fair provided Richmond students and families a convenient way to start exploring college options right in their own community.

Students and staff in Richmond County Schools came together in a meaningful display of unity and solidarity on Unity Day. To mark the occasion, students and staff wore orange, the signature color of Unity Day. By wearing orange and taking part in Unity Day events, Richmond County students and staff took a stand against bullying and showed their commitment to creating a positive school climate of care and support for all students.

Students at Richmond County schools recently received an inside look at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) thanks to a visit from Mattie Gaddy-Parks, Director of Admissions. Gaddy-Parks traveled to Richmond Ninth Grade Academy, Richmond Early College, and Richmond Senior High to share information about NCSSM's specialized STEM curriculum and college preparatory offerings.

By hosting these informative sessions, Richmond County schools are opening doors for students to access NCSSM's innovative programs. For students with passions in STEM and the drive to take on a challenging curriculum, NCSSM offers a life-changing high school experience.

Teacher assistants at Monroe Avenue Elementary School recently participated in professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on presenting differentiated small group instruction using Benchmark materials.

Led by instructional coach Hope Oldham, the PLCs equipped teacher assistants with strategies to target specific learning needs through small group lessons. By analyzing student data and grouping students based on skills and levels, teacher assistants can provide more personalized instruction.

The PLCs covered best practices for creating engaging small group activities, promoting discussion, providing actionable feedback, and keeping students motivated. Teacher assistants left the sessions feeling empowered to put their new skills into action.

By receiving this dedicated training on differentiated instruction, Monroe Avenue’s teacher assistants are better prepared to help reach and teach every student. Small groups allow for more focused skill-building and individualized support to meet diverse learning needs. Kudos to the teacher assistants for dedicating time to honing their instructional practices!

RCS students and staff got into the spirit of Red Ribbon Week, the nationwide drug and bullying prevention awareness campaign. This year's theme was "Be kind to your mind and live drug free," promoting healthy life choices through acts of kindness.

Each day of the week focused on a different aspect of kindness:

• Monday was "Be kind to yourself" day. Students wore red to spread love and self-care.
  
• Tuesday encouraged school pride with "Be kind to your school" day. Students rocked spirit wear to show appreciation for their school community.
  
• Wednesday united everyone against bullying for "Be kind to others" day. Orange shirts stood up to bullying.
  
• Thursday was "Be kind to your body" day. Students laced up their sneakers and participated in a Red Ribbon Week walk.
  
• Friday told students to "Be kind to your mind" by wearing fun hats and headbands.
  

Through spirit days, students learned to care for themselves, support each other, and make smart choices. Red Ribbon Week cultivated a culture of positivity and purpose that will guide students all year long.

Our schools have celebrated all things fall this October! Students painted storybook pumpkins, families enjoyed fall festivals with games and treats, and staff bonded while crafting haunted gingerbread houses together. From pumpkins to candy corn, our school community has come together and enjoyed the autumn season with smiles and laughter. We look forward to the festive spirit continuing with upcoming holiday celebrations!

Video by Richmond Raider Football Facebook

Hi! I am Kylie DeWitt the Executive Director of Communications for Richmond County Schools. I have created The School Scoop as a way to promote our district and share the wonderful stories of our students.

To make this possible, I need your help! Let me know what is going on that I may not see. Whether you are a parent, community member, or RCS staff member, you can contribute! Use the link below to submit a photo and a brief description and it will be reviewed to add to the monthly edition of The School Scoop!