Exciting School-related Opportunities: The Color Purple

This year our fabulous Teacher of the Year, Ms. Riley, introduced us to Exciting School-related Opportunities or ESOs.  Many teachers are working with groups of students for mentoring, service learning, enrichment and other co-curricular activities.  One group lead by our own Ms. Mensing planned a trip to the Meroney Theater in downtown Salisbury for the play The Color Purple.  What an awesome experience for our students!  Here is more information from Ms. Mensing:

"The 19 of us boarded our "limo" (the activity bus) and headed to Downtown Salisbury.  Our students were thrilled to see how many other students were waiting outside the theater to see the special audience performance.  Teachers may bring students to final dress rehearsals, which is how we gained our free access that night.  We sat in the balcony with a perfect view of the whole stage.  It was a cultural high for the Salisbury High School bunch, and I was excited to see them spellbound for the entire 2 1/2 hour show.  The next morning, I was happy to be greeted with excited descriptions of what it was like to see the musical. "I mean, every voice on that stage was on pitch," said Myshia Phifer.  They were truly grateful and happy, albeit a little tired.  Nija Brockington-Payton asked if we are going to go see the special audience performance of To Kill a Mockingbird, "since we HAVE been reading it in class"!  It seems a semi-annual tradition of exploring culture in the community may have been born Tuesday night.  Mrs. Allen has already agreed to chaperone again, and some of our students have asked twice if we'll be going again."

Great job ladies!  As always, thank you for your continued support!  Have an Incredible Week and Go Hornets!

End of First Quarter - Wow!

Wow!  It's hard to believe but our first grading period is coming to an end!  Friday October 26th is the end of our first quarter of school.  To date, students should have brought home 3-week progress reports for each academic class.  We hope that this will take the guess-work out of knowing and understanding report card grades next month.  I encourage you to not wait until report cards to begin asking your student about his or her grades!  Some key questions to ask are:

1.  Tell me about your favorite class this year.  Why do you enjoy that class?
2.  Are you having a difficult time in any of your classes?  Which ones?
3.  What type of helped have you asked for?
4.  What type of help do you need?

By asking these open-ended questions, your student will need to think and take ownership for their progress.  This is vital as we prepare our young people for college and career pursuits.  If you have any questions about the specific classes or the requirements, your student's teacher is the best person to ask.  Also, remember that our guidance counselors are here to support and help guide our students through the many decisions that they may face in the coming year(s).

Remember that students are dismissed at noon on Friday and out of school next Monday Oct 29th for a teacher workday.  Report cards will go home on Thursday November 8th.  Students will receive their report cards in homeroom on that day.  We will send a Connect Ed phone message to remind you to ask for it!  Thank you for your continued support!  Have an Incredible Week and Go Hornets!

College Application Week

We are so excited!  Salisbury High School will be hosting a College Application Week event during Nov. 13 - 16, 2012.  The goal of College Application Week is to provide all seniors at Salisbury High the opportunity to apply to college on line using CFNC.org.

While the focus of College Application Week is particularly on first-generation college students and students who may not otherwise apply to college, we extend the activities to include all senior English classes (1st and 2nd Semester).  The involvement of all students in College Application Week will add to the college-going culture at Salisbury High.  Students and staff will be encouraged to wear their favorite college shirts during the week and we will spotlight a variety of our teachers. It should be a fun and productive week for all!  Thank you for your continued support!  Have an Incredible Week and Go Hornets!

Heritage Panel

Congratulations to our 30 students who were selected to participate in our school's first Heritage Panel. The Heritage Panel is a unique student leadership opportunity designed to combat bullying and to create a more inclusive school environment.  This co-educational program was created by the Young Women's Christian Association of Central Alabama.  Holley Jackson, YWCA Coordinator of AmeriCorps and Social Justice, said the Heritage Panel is a two-day social justice training where students are encouraged to tell a story of a time when they witnessed, perpetrated or were a victim of discrimination or bullying and how they will learn from the experience.  The focus is on seeing past our differences.  I am so excited for our students to have this opportunity!  Look for more information after the conclusion of the two-day program!  Have an Incredible Week and Go Hornets!

SHS Homecoming Week

Our Homecoming Week is underway!  The students and teachers are having a great time with Spirit Week.  We started with Favorite Team Day and today is Gender Bender Day.  We wrap up the week with Twin Day, Decade Day and of course Red, Black and Gold Day!  Thank you for encouraging your students to participate.  I love the show of positive school spirit!  We look forward to the Homecoming Parade and of course crowning our Homecoming Queen on Friday.  Come out and show your Hornet Pride! The Homecoming Parade is at 3:15 and the game is against Lexington at 7:30.  It's a great WEEK to be a Salisbury Hornet!!  Have an Incredible Week and Go Hornets!