We Love PSRC

PSRC EC Department has been working diligently to problem solve compliance-related issues and service delivery concerns throughout the months of January and February. A district-wide required EC training was held on January 7, 2020, where teachers and state-related service providers were updated on Child Find, new AU and SLD policies, review of procedures for IEPs, re-evaluations, eligibility determinations, discipline and the manifestation of determination. An upcoming district-wide required EC training is scheduled for March 16th at Carroll Middle School for EC Teachers and EC Teacher Assistants.

The Public Schools of Robeson County recently held training for Grade 2 teachers on the Letterland phonics program. The PSRC currently implements Letterland in grades K-1 and is beginning 2nd grade this year. Letterland covers all 44 sounds in the English language and their major recurring spelling patterns.

The science of reading has shown that systematic, explicit phonics instruction is the necessary foundation for successful reading and Letterland helps teachers provide direct instruction that students need to be successful.

In Grade Two, students will expand on their current knowledge of phonics and phonemic awareness and learn more advanced spelling patterns, syllabification, and word structure. The program incorporates many reading and fluency activities, as well as motivational word games.

The implementation of English/Language Arts Instructional Pacing Guides for the 2019-20 school year has been successful thus far. To ensure the effectiveness of the material, the teams of teachers from each grade level used data to revise and add resources to the units to support teachers.

I have been enjoying visiting classrooms across the district this month. I love the "FOCUS" picture I saw in one classroom. I also like the different activities that I see being used. In the picture with all of the students, they are using an activity called "Speed Dating" in which the students are facing each other to work on a problem. At the end of a certain amount of time, one row of students shift over one desk to work with a different student on the next problem. This activity makes students work with classmates they would not ordinarily work with but it is only for a short period of time. It also gives students a chance to move around instead of sitting in a desk for an extended period of time.

We are gearing up and excited for our March 16 Math in Practice workshop!

• The Governor's Educator Discovery Award is a $1000 stipend provided to K-12 educators who are interested in pursuing a professional development opportunity of their choosing. The opportunity can include workshops, conferences, or additional certifications. Educators must be able to connect the experience to work-based learning and detail how it will be integrated into their classroom curriculum and shared with their colleagues. Cycle 5 of the award is now live and will close on March 1st at 11:59 pm. https://www.experiencemorenc.com/educator-discovery-award
  
• FIRST Robotics Regional Tournament at UNC-P March 7-8th. Come out and support RobCoBots from Robeson Early College.
• 7th and 8th-grade math and science teachers participated in VEX Robotics training through Carnegie Mellon Robotics. Teachers were able to get hands-on training on how to build and code the VEX Robotics and how to use it in the classroom.

Congratulations to Littlefield Middle school 8th Grade teacher Mr. Tre Smith! Tre was named a finalist for N.C. Social Studies teacher of the year award! https://www.robesonian.com/news/education/131894/local-teacher-a-finalist-for-state-award?fbclid=IwAR3meMJAxc1ySDOzi5HZpK5Zs4vI_jatvlFSnbi75CCOVf73TFZc8KQcOlE

On Thursday, Feb 13, 2020, English Language Arts and Social Studies teachers within the Public Schools of Robeson County participated in a workshop entitled: “Engaging Students in Literature & History with Quality Discussion” led by Dr. Brian Gibbs, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education. The workshop was conducted through Carolina K-12 at UNC-Chapel Hill, a program of Carolina Public Humanities and sponsored by the A.E. Finley Foundation.

On February 24, 2020, the Purnell Swett Social Studies department hosted curriculum night

A World History Living Wax Museum! Theater and History cross-curriculum

Congratulations to Sonya Locklear Hunt of Lumberton Senior High School and Carly Edwards of Purnell Swett High two PSRC Social Studies Teachers for presenting at the North Carolina State Social Studies Conference this week! #PSRCSocialStudies

Cultural Academy: February 28, 2020. Students are doing various activities during Cultural Academy: jewelry making, beading, basket making, drum & dance, as well as pottery.

Showcase night was February 28, 2020, at 5:30 pm where students show off their beautiful work.

March 12-14, 2020...NC Unity Conference in Raleigh, NC

March 27, 2020...STEMville @ UNCP (7th Graders)

March 26, 2020......IBM in Raleigh, NC (High School Only)

Our AIG 4th graders at Littlefield middle school love the hands-on experience each week using “Hands-on Equations.” This math curriculum provides the students with a concrete foundation for algebra. I’m amazed at how the students are able to solve linear equations using a balance scale, pawns and number cubes.


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Planetarium upcoming events:

In March and April, we'll be seeing the rest of the third graders in PSRC. We also have public programs at 1 pm on Saturday, March 7, and April 4. On the 24th of April, we'll have a special evening Star Party, in partnership with the Robeson County Public Library, Robeson County Partnership for Children, Robeson Community College, Exploration Station, Early College High School, and the Robeson Planetarium. This event features stories, hands-on activities, observing through a telescope, and a planetarium show, and is a part of the North Carolina Science Festival and NC Statewide Star Party. The planetarium programs always show a dark night sky, largely free from light pollution. All of these events are free, and open to the public, with the exception of the programs done for PSRC students and teachers.

CTE Month is an annual event held in February to celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. CTE Month 2020, with its theme "Celebrate Today, Own Tomorrow" will give us the chance to tell the stories of leadership and excellence from our community and raise awareness of the crucial role that CTE has in readying our students for careers and our nation for economic success. PSRC Parent Night hosted Career and Technical Education (CTE). Trade and Industrial courses at the Robeson County Career Center were discussed in depth by each individual instructor. The Construction Academy (Carpentry, Electrical Trades, and plumbing) were showcased with a replica of a tiny house that students are currently building. The electrical instructor also provided attendees an opportunity to set up an electrical outlet. For more information on the Robeson County Career Center, please visit their website at www.robeson.k12.nc.us/career.

Movement Powers Change!

GoNoodle is a free resource to engage children through movement and mindfulness videos.

Whole Child Approach, Physical Wellness, Academic Success, and Social-Emotional Health

https://www.gonoodle.com