Richmond Co.

Schools

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Mrs. Terry Craven’s Annual Production class and NGA principal, Mrs. Joyce McRae attended the North Carolina School Board Association’s conference on November 14th. With the help of Mr. Maurice Stuart and several other classmates, Craven’s class created a video for the NCSBA’s video contest. The theme was helping others!

During the conference, the contest winners were announced. Ninth Grade Academy won 2nd Place ($2,000) in the state for the NCSBA video contest!! We are so proud of our RAIDERS!

Laura Popp and Dr. Heriberto Corral from the ​Office of Federal Programs recently conducted a ​monitoring visit for Richmond County Schools. ​During their visits to elementary and middle ​schools, they were pleased to see teachers ​consistently implementing annotation of ​essential questions, one strategy highlighted in ​the district-wide Learning-Focused training. ​Teachers wrote their essential questions on the ​board along with notes, underlines, and highlights ​to draw students' attention to key points and ​vocabulary. This instructional strategy allows ​students to better understand the focus of each ​lesson. Ms. Popp and Dr. Corral were impressed ​to see Learning-Focused strategies in action ​across grade levels. The consistent application of ​these best practices speaks to the high-quality ​professional development our teachers have ​received and their willingness to implement ​research-based best practices to increase ​student learning.

We were excited to host two visiting artists from Raleigh at ​Ashley Chapel to collaborate with students on a special ​mural project. Working together, the artists and students ​brought to life a mural designed by Ashley Chapel students ​that will soon hang proudly in their school. This exciting ​project was made possible through Grassroots funds ​received by our district, which facilitated the cost of the ​mural supplies and the artists' involvement. The students ​were thrilled to work side-by-side with professional artists ​to see their creative vision come to fruition. This hands-on ​experience allowed them to gain exposure to the artistic ​process while beautifying their school community. We are ​grateful for the connections made possible through ​Grassroots funding and the enrichment it provides for our ​students. The Ashley Chapel students gained wonderful ​memories and a sense of ownership by participating in ​making this stunning mural a reality.

Monroe Avenue Stem Ecosystems

The halls of Monroe Avenue Elementary spilled over with ​imagination and creativity as 5th grade scientists revealed ​their one-of-a-kind ecosystem dioramas! These talented ​students spent time studying different ecosystems in ​science class and brought those lessons to life by ​constructing intricate dioramic environments. Using items ​from around their homes, students formed diverse ​backdrops from tropical rainforests to vast deserts and ​more. They then populated each scene with handmade ​animals and plants native to that habitat. The final ​products were absolutely astounding in their attention to ​detail. Visitors who viewed the display were able to learn ​about multiple ecosystems around the world without ever ​leaving the school! It was incredible to witness the effort, ​scientific knowledge, and artistry our 5th graders ​incorporated into their fabulous dioramas. We could not ​be more proud of these young scientists and artists!

We're excited to highlight the great work Cherie ​Young has been doing as Richmond County Schools' ​Middle School Career Development Coordinator. Ms. ​Young spends three days per week collaborating ​closely with our career and technical education (CTE) ​teachers to support career development activities at ​our middle schools. She has been instrumental in ​guiding students through MajorClarity, an online ​platform students use to explore careers and ​interests and develop academic career plans. Her ​efforts have helped our middle schoolers start ​thinking critically about potential career paths and ​connecting their studies to future goals. Ms. Young's ​passion for leading career development initiatives ​shines through in her work preparing our students for ​high school, college, and beyond. We're thrilled to have ​her spearheading these impactful programs and ​propelling our middle schoolers towards bright ​futures. Her dedication and commitment to this role ​has led to outstanding outcomes for our students.

The annual SETESOL (South East -Teaching English to Speakers of ​Other Languages) conference, held this year in Myrtle Beach from ​November 8-10, drew educators from North Carolina, South Carolina, ​and TESOL affiliate states, including Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, ​Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and ​Puerto Rico.

Mrs. Monica Bryant, the ELD teacher at RSHS, had the privilege of ​presenting at SETESOL 2023. Her presentation described her ​experience featuring her students' work called "The Weavers: A ​Virtual Collaborative Exchange Project to Uphold Multicultural ​Citizenship." It was a virtual exchange project that connected select ​multilingual students from Ellerbe Middle School with a partner ​school in Taiwan.

In the midst of the conference, Stephanie Dominguez, a student from ​Ninth Grade Academy, took the spotlight as her work was ​showcased through the Carolina TESOL Canvas Award. Winning 2nd ​place, her creative writing piece narrates her experience as a ​multilingual in the US.

Students and parents enjoyed an engaging evening of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fun and ​learning at the recent Mineral Springs Elementary School STEM Night. The event featured innovative hands-on ​activities and experiments that sparked creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork among students. ​From building structures and utilizing the engineering design process, students were fully immersed in the excitement ​of STEM discovery.

Hamlet Middle School kicked off ​Thanksgiving break with its most exciting ​event of the year - Ramfest! For two action-​packed days prior to the holiday, students ​were dazzled by lively entertainers and ​competitors that set their school spirit ​soaring. Talented BMX stunt riders defied ​gravity with their aerial tricks in the gym. An ​astonishing magician baffled students with ​stunning illusions. The Richmond Senior High ​School Marching Band got toes tapping with ​their catchy music. A live artist captured the ​attention of students by creating colorful ​murals before their very eyes. Graceful aerial ​performers floated high above the awed ​crowd. The epic event culminated with an ​intense student vs staff basketball ​showdown. From mind-blowing shows to the ​thrilling basketball upset, Ramfest delivered ​nonstop entertainment and fun that gave ​Hamlet Middle School students plenty to be ​thankful for this holiday season.

Richmond Senior High School's marching band and Ellerbe ​Middle School's cheer team brought some school spirit to the ​annual Ellerbe Farmers Day Parade. The Richmond Senior High ​School Marching Raiders, decked out in the school's green and ​gold uniforms, played crowd-pleasing tunes that echoed ​through Main Street as they marched. The Ellerbe Wildcats ​Cheer team, wearing the school's gold and maroon uniforms, ​energetically cheered while waving pom-poms. Their ever-​present smiles entertained parade-goers all along the route. ​Both groups were proud to participate and represent their ​schools in this beloved local tradition that celebrates the ​county’s agricultural community. Their joyful performances ​embodied the small-town charm that makes the Ellerbe Farmers ​Day Parade so special.

Richmond Senior High School seniors Gabby Lutz ​and Ariana Telus hit a high note by being chosen for ​the North Carolina High School Honors Chorus out ​of over 1,000 hopeful auditioners. During the ​weekend of November 4th-5th, Gabby and Ariana ​joined the prestigious 176-voice chorus in Winston-​Salem. Under the direction of acclaimed Dr. Andrew ​Crane from Brigham Young University, these ​talented vocalists rehearsed intensely and capped ​off the event with an awe-inspiring concert. Both ​Gabby and Ariana have been members of the ​Chamber Singers (previously Vocal Ensemble) ​group at Richmond High for three years. Their ​passion for performance will continue in college as ​they pursue higher education. Richmond Senior ​High is incredibly proud to have these two ​songbirds represent our school's excellent music ​education on the state level. Their dedication and ​vocal talent continues to hit all the right notes!

Pre-K classes at Mineral Springs ​made "friendship soup" and ​invited families to come to the ​school and eat before ​Thanksgiving break. The ​students and their families ate ​some delicious soup, made by ​the students, sang some ​Thanksgiving songs, and played ​Thanksgiving bingo. There were ​around 65 students and family ​members in attendance.

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!