2008-2009 School Calendar Traditional List | Color Year-Round List | Color Early College List 2008-2009 TESTING CALENDAR

	21st Century Community Learning Program students learn about Japan Recently, members of Western Carolina's International program taught the students in the Marion Elementary School 21st Century Community Learning Center program about Japan. The pictures show the students enjoying the after school program's green tea ceremony and a form of martial arts. The students enjoyed learning about Japan and a couple of the customs that they could taste and practice! We appreciate Mrs. Judy Sugg, teacher from East McDowell Junior High, and her guest Emiko Nishiwaki originally from Japan, for giving the 21st Centry Community Learning Center students an international experience. We look forward to more of these as part of our after school, grant funded enrichment activities.
	Dr. Chuck Aldridge Honored at the State Level The North Carolina Council of Administrators of Special Education has awarded Dr. Chuck Aldridge with the Matthew Joel Hastings Outstanding Administrator of Special Education of the year for the Western Region of NC! We are all very proud of Dr. Aldridge for this achievement. McDowell County Schools would like to congratulate him. We are very honored to have the opportunity to work with such a visionary that always keeps what is best for the children in the forefront of each day. Congratulations Dr. Aldridge!
	Coy Gibson ~ MCPS 2009 Wachovia Principal of the Year Coy Gibson, principal of West McDowell Junior High School, has been named McDowell County Schools Wachovia Principal of the Year. This program is sponsored by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the Wachovia Corporation. Mr. Gibson will be considered with other recipients in the region for the honor of Western North Carolina 2009 Wachovia Principal of the Year. Regional Principals of the Year will be announced by February 2009 and the state winner will be named in April. Mr. Gibson is a native of McDowell County and a 1971 graduate of Marion High School. He attended Wofford College and began teaching and coaching in Georgia and South Carolina. He returned home to teach P.E. and Social Studies in 1982. While working for McDowell Public Schools, he earned two Master's degrees from Gardner-Webb University. He became principal at West Junior High in 2005.
	Thank You, ExxonMobil! McDowell High School has received a $500.00 grant award through ExxonMobil. Attached is the letter acknowledging receipt of the award and how MHS will promote the grant. This is the only requirement of the grant. MHS plans to use the money to further environmental education, specifically with our new Environmental Science AP course and the "green" initiative by students and staff involved in our Environmental Club. Exxon Grant Letter (PDF)
	Report Identifies Inherent Link Between a 21st Century Education System and Economic Success Washington, D.C. – Creating a 21st century education system that prepares students, workers and citizens to triumph in the global skills race is the central economic competitiveness issue currently facing the United States, according to a new report released by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Partnership for 21st Century Skills 21st Century Skills in North Carolina
	Project Graduation Mentors Needed   The Juniors at McDowell High will be required to present a Graduation Project when they become seniors. This is a state requirement for graduation. The students will complete their research paper during their Junior English class. They will then have to produce a product and make a presentation of their research and product to a panel of judges their senior year.   We need mentors who are willing to work with a student for a minimum of 15 hours to help them prepare their Graduation Project. If you have a special talent, skill, or hobby, or if you have traveled to interesting places, organized a special event or are responsible for an interesting club or organization you can help.   If you are willing to help mentor a student working on their graduation project or if you would like to assist in the evaluation of these projects please send your name, phone number, address, E-mail address and area of expertise or interest to Cheryl Byrd, MHS Graduation Project Coordinator at 652-7920. Please indicate if you would like to be a mentor or serve on the panel of judges.   If you are interested in being a mentor, please contact Cheryl Byrd as soon as possible. Students are beginning to work on the research paper portion of the project now and may soon need mentors to assist them on the product portion of their project. Please help if you can, thank you!

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