The Rock Report. A Word from the Principal

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1 The Rock Report A Word from the Principal Thanksgiving break is fast approaching. When we return from break we will have only three weeks before we get out for winter break. Please make sure your students are current on their assignments. Have a great holiday. Jarrod Dennis Go Rockets! Dates to Remember November 26 th 28 th December 22 nd January 1 st January 2 nd January 16 th No School for Students / 26 th is an Optional Teacher Workday No School No School for Students / Optional Teacher Workday End of 2 nd nine weeks & end of first semester Information for Our Seniors Seniors must make sure they have ordered their caps and gowns through Jostens before leaving for Christmas break. The rates go up after December 21st. Seniors should check their school for a message from Mrs. Powell for verification of their names on diplomas. It is a $35.00 fee to get it corrected. PHS Guidance Office News Congratulations to all seniors who participated in College Application Week! Dozens of students submitted at least one application to a two or four-year institution of higher learning. The PHS website now features an Official SAT Question of the Day from College Board (under Testing menu). For those who are taking the SAT in December or January, consider using this great, quick resource to prepare. Students who are interested in joining the Interact club should speak to Miss Adasani. This organization is a fantastic way for students to show colleges that they are committed to leadership and service. Interact is open to students of all grades.

2 Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply for Summer Ventures. This is a free four week summer enrichment program of the UNC system. Students will explore topics in science and math in depth while staying on the campus of ASU, ECU, NCCU, or UNC Charlotte. See your counselor for more details. Future Farmers of America (FFA) News FFA is having a fruit sale. They are selling navel oranges, hamlins (Juice) oranges, tangelos, red grapefruit, tangerines, Washington golden delicious apples, Washington red delicious apples, and pears. See any FFA member or David Jones (AG teacher) for details. The fruit will arrive on December 8 th. All orders must be turned in with payment by Friday, November 21 st. PHS Media Center News The Book Fair will be held in the Media Center from Dec It will be open at night Dec. 11 during the Art Show and Fair. Recent Articles from The Rock (as originally published in The Courier Times) Tiffany Long is the Rock Star Student of the Week By Brooke Shaw Tiffany Long is a senior at Person High School, and thanks to PHS teacher Rhonda Daye, she is our Rock Star of the Week. Ms. Daye, who teaches Technology Engineering and Design, said "Tiffany is a hard working student who goes above and beyond what is asked of her. While talking about her advanced placement classes and efforts in becoming a first generation college student, she uses the motto It s not easy, but it's worth it." When asked why she felt she deserved this honor, Tiffany said she performs well in her classes and her grades are a direct reflection of that. Tiffany is motivated by the influence left by her father. "My dad always wanted me to do well, and since he passed, I try to work hard for him." Friend, Erin Parrot, said, "Tiffany is a good person. She is smart and makes really good grades." Friend, Bobby Vaughn, said, "She is the most persistent

3 Barbara King is the Rock Star Teacher of the Month Barbara King, an eleventh grade English teacher at Person High School, is the Rock Star Teacher of the Month. King has spent most of her 41 years in public education as a high school English teacher. Head principal, Jarrod Dennis, said Ms. King is a dedicated teacher. She is one of the first teachers to arrive in the morning, and one of the last to leave. Her lessons are rigorous. She engages students in the study of complex material and blended learning. Her investment in students is why she deserves this honor. When asked about receiving the award, King said, Teaching has been a big part of my life, and I hope to rock on a few more years.

4 Student Lead Rocket Book Club By Jonathan Lucas and Taylor Clayton Founded and run by students, the book club at Person High School is an informal group that has a common interest and love of printed materials. Their reading materials range from their first selection of the classic, The Giver, to newer, more modern novels such as Divergent and The Fault In Our Stars. Senior Alexis Jones started the book club and said it grew out of her love for reading. Currently the club has 12 members, but that number changes often. Book club meetings are held once a month in the Person High School media center, and discussions are focused on the student thoughts about the current book selection. The club also meets online to engage in a discussion forum throughout the reading of the book. As a club, the students decide which selections to read. After finishing a book, the club schedules a time in the media center for the book club to watch the film adaptation if one exists. If any Person High School student would like to join the book club, please see Alexis Jones or Mrs. Fitzpatrick, the PHS media specialist. GEAR-UP for College! By Payton Krause and Fred Harris GEAR UP is Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. GEAR UP provides students from low income families the opportunity to go to college. It is a national college access initiative funded by the United States Department of Education. The program provides college access services, based on need, to students, their families, and educators in target schools. The target schools in Person County are Northern Middle School and Person High School. GEAR UP North Carolina s main goal is to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education--community colleges, trade schools, 4 year colleges and universities, and certificate programs. Kelly Woody and Ricky Leathers are in charge of GEAR UP for Person County Schools. When the grant started in 2012, GEAR UP started working with seventh graders at Northern Middle School, and that class of students is being followed throughout the duration of the grant until the students graduate. Woody said, GEAR UP currently serves approximately 1,000 Person County Schools students, and that number will grow next year. For more information on GEAR UP, visit

5 and hard working person I know. She keeps her head up even when others are down." Tiffany is the manager of the wrestling team. She hopes to attend North Carolina State University and major in criminal justice. Preparing Exceptional Children for the Real World By Kennedy Cox, Eyanna Featherston, and Anna Bivins Special things are happening at Person High School for a wonderful group of students. PHS works hard to meet the needs of all types of learners, which includes those in the Exceptional Children s Occupational Course of Study program. There are currently two OCS teachers, who provide a more structured environment for their students. Person High School s Occupational Course of Study (OCS) program prepares students in the exceptional children s program for the next step in their lives, whether it s entering the workforce, entering the military, or enrolling in a college course of study that is similar to the OCS program. OCS students learn basic living skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and washing dishes or laundry. They collect recyclables from the bins placed throughout the building and process them in the school s recycling center. They participate in the Community Workforce program, which allows them to go to local job sites, work, and earn money for the OCS program. They may also complete in the annual Person County Special Olympics. OCS students are able to attend some regular education classes where they have the opportunity to engage with their non-disabled peers. This helps them grow socially and academically, and it helps regular education students see that these students are not only active members at school but also in the community. Some OCS students are able to graduate in four years, but they may remain in the program as long as they do not reach their 22 nd birthday before the start of the school year.