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In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, seventh grade students in Katharine Zamarra's North Buncombe Middle class created fascinators – small, stylish hats popularized by British royalty. After reading about different types of governments around the world, students chose a specific country and designed a hat to reflect the characteristics of its government. Hats were fashioned out of recycled yogurt containers, leftover party hats, styrofoam bowls and a variety of paper and trinkets. Italy, Poland, Laos, the US and Mexico were among the governments represented.
"Asking students to visually represent a form of government challenges students to think critically about how governments shape people's lives," said Mrs. Zamarra. "For example, students met the challenge to visually represent democracy by incorporating sample ballots, creating grids of colorful beads, and using colors to indicate voting options."
Check out more photos here on our facebook post: https://bit.ly/3TVT1Zd
Schools are buzzing with excitement as the first day back wraps up. This morning, Sheriff Quentin Miller and supervisors from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) made a special visit to a few Buncombe County schools. This is part of an ongoing effort to keep our schools safe.
“During the summer, the Sheriff’s Office and Buncombe County Schools worked closely together to review and update our school security plans,” BCSO Public Information Officer Aaron Sarver. “We want to welcome our students back to school and ensure they have a safe place to learn and grow!”
Every student deserves to go into the school year looking their best, but with the bustle of getting ready for school as the summer ends, some parents may find a haircut as last on their to-do list. That’s why the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with two cosmetology programs to offer area students sharp new haircuts going into the 2022-23 school year. Both cosmetology schools will offer haircuts on certain days of the week until school starts - Carolina Cosmetology School on Mondays and A-B Tech’s Cosmetology program on Thursdays. At the first event on Monday students got their hair cut and enjoyed games like corn-hole and a cook-out of burgers, hot dogs, chips, and Capri-Suns.
“It’s a good way to bring the community together,” said Deputy Keenan Nesbitt, who offered up hot dogs and high-fives to students. “The students can meet different people who work with the sheriff's office. It’s something we prioritize- that community building.”
Haircuts will be offered at Carolina Cosmetology School at 1302 Patton Ave. on August 22, and can be booked by calling (828) 253 -2875. A-B Tech’s haircuts will be offered on August 18 and 25 at the A-B Tech Main Campus Birch Building, 18 Student Circle, and can be booked by calling (828) 398-7670.
Free/Reduced Meal Applications for the new school year are available now! You may apply online >>> https://bit.ly/3QaVJHm
This important program ensures all of our students have access to healthy lunches during the school day without accruing large cafeteria balances. This program is confidential and registration is easy! This year, children who qualify for this program will not be responsible for any of the cost of the lunch.
This year, universal free lunch is no longer available at the majority of our schools as we continue with COVID recovery.
Paper applications will be given out on the first day of school.
Please take a few minutes to fill out a free and reduced meal application today, even if you aren’t sure if you will qualify. If you have questions or need assistance please call 828-255-5927.
Please note that all schools will still serve breakfast to students at no cost next year!
Attention, Parents: If you have already moved or have plans to move this summer and will switch schools, please plan on enrolling your child in their new school as soon as possible! This includes those remaining in Buncombe County Schools and those leaving the area. Our schools have begun sending out important information for the new school year, and if you aren’t enrolled in the correct school, you’ll miss these messages.
Not sure which is or will be your community school? Click buncombeschools.org/findmyschool to connect with your new Buncombe County School.
We look forward to welcoming your child to school!
Choose AmazonSmile whenever you buy from Amazon, whether it is for your business or personal purchases, and you will be helping to donate to Buncombe County Schools Foundation.
What is AmazonSmile?
Launched in 2014, Amazon.com found a way to give back to charitable causes through the convenience of online shopping with Amazon Smile. This grant-giving foundation has donated $89 million dollars to more than 1 million nonprofit organizations since its inception. The AmazonSmile Foundation continues to be committed to helping nonprofits achieve their missions.
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate .005% of the price of eligible purchases to our Foundation. There is no cost to us or to you to participate. The shopping experience is identical to Amazon.com with the added benefit that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate to our Foundation.
During the holidays (and all year long), when you shop at smile.amazon.com you can generate AmazonSmile donations for Buncombe County Schools Foundation.
Here's how to shop AmazonSmile:
1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials
3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of
your choice- BUNCOMBE COUNTY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INCORPORATED
4. Select your charity
4. Start shopping!
5. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile
#BCS #WeAreBCS #BCSadvantage #the828 #828isGreat #WNC #AVLtoday #Asheville #AVL #AshevilleMoms #PublicSchoolProud #NCPublicSchools #EveryoneIsWelcome
Scheduling routine health check-ups and routine immunizations took a backseat during the pandemic. Now is the time to get back on track with routine care which includes being up-to-date on the vaccines.
North Carolina's student immunization schedule includes vaccines such as polio and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR). Kindergarten, seventh, and twelfth graders require certain vaccines that can be found here>>> https://immunization.dph.ncdhhs.gov/schools/k-12.htm
Make an appointment with your health care provider to get back on track today. Don’t have a health care provider? Buncombe County Health and Human Services can help. Visit buncombecounty.org/immunize for more information on their walk-in hours and appointment scheduling.
Now hiring substitute teachers. We need you and our students need you!
As you know, here are a few of the many benefits of being a substitute:
🍎Increased Pay: Licensed sub pay = $145/day; Non-licensed sub pay = $120/day
🍎Flexible job placement
🍎Work as many or as few days as you'd like
🍎Safe and supportive school environment
We value our substitutes. We know they have a heart of service and a desire to see students succeed.
If you'd like to learn more about what jobs may be available, please visit: https://www.buncombeschools.org/substitute
As the Summer is heating up, so is the fun at our BCS camps. Enka High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) students and staff spent this week showing kids the importance of the program, and how farming plays a big role in our daily lives. Over 30 children from grades first through sixth attended the engaging camp that was filled with games and activities. Students learned about farm animals. And, students wrapped up the camp with an old fashioned water ball battle.
There are several more CTE Summer Camps with a few spaces left this summer:
Automotive Maintenance - Enka High School - Week 3: July 18-21 (grades 9-12)
ESports & - TC Roberson High School - Week 3: July 18-21 (grades 6-12) 9:00AM - 3:00 PM
Woodworking Fun - TC Roberson High School - Week 3: July 18-21 (grades 6-12)
Fun with Robotics - Nesbitt Discovery Academy - Week 4: July 25-28 (grades 9-12)
BCS CTE Leadership Camp - TC Roberson High School - Week 4: July 25-28 (grades 9-12)
Woodworking Fun - TC Roberson High School - Week 4: July 25-28 (grades 6-12)
You may sign up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf462Kh0oyVnob5_W5Ly9eP6TqV1GNB2L5oRyIyMB6lvAje9w/viewform
Is your child looking for an engaging and hands-on summer camp opportunity? There are several BCS CTE Summer Camps with a few spaces left this summer:
Automotive Maintenance - Enka High School - Week 3: July 18-21 (grades 9-12)
ESports & - TC Roberson High School - Week 3: July 18-21 (grades 6-12) 9:00AM - 3:00 PM
Woodworking Fun - TC Roberson High School - Week 3: July 18-21 (grades 6-12)
Fun with Robotics - Nesbitt Discovery Academy - Week 4: July 25-28 (grades 9-12)
BCS CTE Leadership Camp - TC Roberson High School - Week 4: July 25-28 (grades 9-12)
Woodworking Fun - TC Roberson High School - Week 4: July 25-28 (grades 6-12)
You may sign up using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf462Kh0oyVnob5_W5Ly9eP6TqV1GNB2L5oRyIyMB6lvAje9w/viewform
Good afternoon, BCS Staff and Families:
We’re pleased to announce several principal and central office leadership changes.
Angie Trantham, currently the Assistant Principal at Estes Elementary, will be the principal of Johnston Elementary. Ms. Trantham, National Board Certified Teacher, has been the Assistant Principal at Estes Elementary since 2017. She’s worked in education for 26 years. Her first day is July 18.
Kelly Owen, currently a teacher at Black Mountain Primary, will now be the Principal at the school. Ms. Owen has been an educator for 22 years, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She’s previously served as a Principal in Hickory City and Rutherford County from July 2010 to 2019. Ms. Owen’s first day is July 18.
At the Central Office, Jennifer Reed has been named the interim Assistant Superintendent. Ms. Reed is currently the Director of Elementary and Intermediate Education. Dr. Paula Pinkerton has been named the interim Director of Elementary and Intermediate Education. Dr. Pinkerton previously served as Principal at Estes Elementary. These interim positions begin on August 1.
Congratulations and thank you for your service to the students and staff of Buncombe County Schools.
Now hiring!
Come see why Buncombe County Schools is a great place to work! We're hiring a number of positions for next year-from substitutes to bus drivers and maintenance staff to school nutrition staff. Learn more by clicking the link below!
careers.buncombeschools.org
On a sunny day in July, the students of Progressive Education Program’s (PEP) Summer Academy had a special visitor for a hands-on experience. Brad Saul is a Park Ranger here in Western North Carolina. He brought his knowledge of animals, along with fur and turtle shells to the visit. Students had the opportunity to see, feel, and explore the different kinds of animals that call our area home.
“Having these animals on the Blue Ridge Parkway is paramount for our ecosystem,” said Mr. Saul. “I wanted to educate the staff and students about why it’s important to take care of these animals. It’s key that everyone knows about the conservation aspect, and why we need to preserve the species living here.”
The students and staff enjoyed their visit with Mr. Saul. More learning awaits the students of the Summer Academy at PEP.
#BCS #WeAreBCS #BCSadvantage #the828 #828isGreat #WNC #AVLtoday #Asheville #AVL #AshevilleMoms #PublicSchoolProud #NCPublicSchools #EveryoneIsWelcome
In order to provide continuing support for North Carolina’s youngest readers, The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Office of Early Learning has developed and released “Literacy at Home.” This digital resource provides literacy activities at each grade level, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Families and communities may access this resource for activities that specifically target the literacy skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and oral language. When children grow in each of these foundational areas they are well on their way to becoming proficient readers. Learn more at https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/parents-corner/literacy-home-digital-childrens-reading-initiative.
Happy Fourth of July from Buncombe County Schools! 💥 🇺🇸 #BCS #WeAreBCS #BCSadvantage #AVL #Asheville #828isgreat #the828 #WNC #publicschools #NCpublicschools #AVLtoday #AVLnews #Buncombe #BuncombeCounty
New Bus Trainee Positions Available We have several bus driver trainee positions available. This is a new job for our school system. This is a great opportunity to work in a rewarding position while also earning your CDL (bus driving license). You pick your school and your schedule. Apply today! Contact the BCS Transportation Department at (828) 232-4240 for more information. See all open positions: jobs.buncombeschools.org
North Windy Ridge Intermediate (NWRI) students took a trip to Biltmore Estate to enjoy the scenery and learn about local history. The students had a busy day touring the large facilities, the farm and the home, and learning about horticulture, architecture, and local history. They got to learn about horse drawn carriages, metalworking, looms and weaving, and see the estate and a variety of farm animals.
“It’s history in our backyard,” said NWRI Principal Brent Wise. “Every student should see it at some point in their lives. It’s all about making connections with our local history.”
The school’s first trip to Biltmore, the NWRI PTO raised the funds for this trip that the students won’t soon forget.
#BCS students finished their year with exciting #FieldDay experiences! Check out these fun photos from around the district.