INSPIREational News

JNFries attended the State School Board Meeting on November, 6th 2014 to be recognized for their achievement in STEM Education. There were only 12 schools from across the state who received recognition. JNFries was the only school from the Southwest Region--District 6. They, along with 11 other schools were recognized at the prepared level. The one recognized higher at the model level is a charter school in Wake County. After the recognition they got the opportunity to tour the iCenter which focuses on collaboration and innovation.

We would all LOVE more time to collaborate, but of course we have many barriers that keep up from getting together as much as we would like. That is why a Schoology group has been created to reach each other virtually.

Using the groups that were formed at our last Vertical Alignment Professional Development Day I posted in "Discussions". There is one for each group and you can talk about your plans. Other discussions can be created at any time! I hope that you will find this to be a valuable tool to plan with other schools and teachers within STEM

To access the group:

• You must have an account with Schoology (talk with your TF if you do not have this)
• Go to cabarrus.schoology.com
  
• From your home screen you can go to Groups
• When the drop down screen appears, click "Join"
• An access code box will appear and you can enter the code: W334X-TRS99

What a great day! Teachers from all four of our STEM schools took the opportunity to live the life of another teacher for a day! Look out for another opportunity in Spring 2015!!! Here are some quotes:

• "On STEM Swap day, students enjoyed seeing a new face in their classrooms, while teachers benefitted from seeing the STEM program in action in other schools." -3rd grade teacher
• "It was interesting to see how they (JNFries) are a paperless school and that all communication between the students and the facilitator (teacher) was on the chrome book." -5th grade teacher
• "I LOVED doing this. I had a great time. It was completely opposite that being with the high school kiddos. I loved the challenge and would do it again. The kindergarten STEM kids were not as different as you might think compared to my 9th grade stemmies! I even learned a few things about how to improve my instruction! Can't wait to do it again." -High School Teacher
• "As a 6th grade Math and Science teacher it was great to swap with a 5th grade Math and Science teacher to help connect what they are doing in elementary to middle school!" -6th grade teacher
• "STEM Swap was enlightening. I learned so much about how another school incorporates technology into their day. I also felt validated that we are on the right track because we are doing similar things across schools. " -3rd grade teacher

December

4th - CCS Magnet Fair at CCHS (6:00-8:30)

16th - PES and JNFries Science Fair

17th - STEMbassy Suites Airplane Event

January

5th - CCS Magnet Applications are open

6th - Annual K-12 STEM Conference at UNC Charlotte

30th - CCS Magnet Applications closed

February

6th - Regional Science and Engineering Fair at UNC Charlotte

7th - Regional Science and Engineering Fair at UNC Charlotte

March

4th - Super Competition Day @ UNC Charlotte

14th - Regional Science Olympiad Tournament

26th - 1/2 Capped Day, STEM Innovative Teaching Practice Fair at UNCC

June

6th - Science Olympiad-It’s Elementary! Regional Tournament

17th - STEM Curriculum Writing

18th - STEM Curriculum Writing

22-July 2 - STEM NASA Summer Camp

July

6-10 - STEMersion

August

3rd - STEM Curriculum Writing

4th - STEM Curriculum Writing

Please check it out here...

Please contact Bridget Jones with any comments or questions.

Email: Bridget.Jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Website: http://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/Page/26685
Phone: 704-783-5939
Twitter: @ccsstem