Education News Briefs: Week of April 7

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Cubs, Bears Beta clubs earn trips to Disney World

GOLDSTON — Several members of the Junior Beta Club at J.S. Waters School had strong showings during statewide Beta competition and qualified to showcase their talent at the National Beta Club Convention at Walt Disney World from June 29-July 2:

• 7th grader Tyler Measamer qualified after placing first in digital art

• 6th grader Zaria Fuller qualified with a second-place finish in apparel design

• 7th grader Colton Cox qualified with a fourth-place finish in fiber arts

• 7th grader Evan Cvitkovich qualified with a second-place finish in sculpture

Providing guidance for those Betas are J. S. Waters educators Robbie Sirls, Dawn Ziblay and Lisa Johnson.

In Bear Creek, five Betas out of Chatham Central High School qualified for national competition:

• Senior Madison Gaines, agriscience, fourth place

• Senior Maira Marquez, Spanish, third place

• Junior Carleigh Gentry, color photography, fourth place

• Junior Ciley Beavers, fiber arts, fifth place

• Senior Jacob Ziblay, woodworking, second place

Chatham Central educators Marijo Measamer and Cassadi Walden provide direction for the school’s Betas.

- Chatham County Schools

The NCAE Apple RV to stop in Chatham on its 100-county ‘We Heart Public Schools’ tour

Volunteers to collect supplies for Chatham Mutual Aid, for families in Chatham County Schools

PITTSBORO — The North Carolina Association of Educators’ (NCAE) “We Heart Public Schools” statewide tour stops in Chatham County on Saturday, April 10th, as the “NCAE Apple RV” will makes three stops in Chatham County for a drive-thru rally. Donations of food and household items will be collected for families in Chatham County Schools benefiting Chatham County Mutual Aid.

The “We Heart Public Schools’’ tour stops in one county each school day of the spring semester to spread the word on the value of public schools across North Carolina. NCAE’s Apple RV is currently rolling through eastern North Carolina and will finish the semester in the mountains of western N.C. in May. The Apple RV has stopped in 38 counties so far and is on pace to finish visiting its 100th county just before schools finish for the summer.

WHO: The North Carolina Association of Educators & Chatham County Association of Educators

WHAT: “We Heart Public Schools Apple RV” Tour Stop & Donation Drive for Chatham County Mutual Aid

WHERE: Chatham Central High, 10-11:30 a.m.

14950 NC-902, Bear Creek

Central Services Building in Pittsboro,12:30-2 pm

369 West St, Pittsboro

Jordan-Matthews High School, 3-5 p.m.

910 E Cardinal St, Siler City, NC 27344

WHEN: Saturday, April 10, starting at 10 a.m.

“During these uncertain times, the one constant has been concern for the welfare and safety of our students, staff, and community,” said Chatham County Association of Educators co-presidents Nina Eaddy and Norma Boone, who is also a Siler City commissioner. “This event affords CCAE the opportunity to partner with our community to both thank our public educators and also provide donations to our students and families who are in need through the Chatham Mutual Aid Program. We invite you to come out and show your support for public education in North Carolina during the NCAE’s ‘We Heart Public Schools’ Tour.”

- Chatham County Association of Educators

N.C. lawmakers say schools must go back to teach reading using phonics

Last week North Carolina law makers voted to require public schools to use phonics to teach reading — requiring the state’s PreK-5 teachers to receive training on the “science of reading,” a type of literacy instruction that stresses phonics, or reading by associating sounds with letters.

The legislation was passed by the Senate unanimously on March 31, the News & Observer reported, and created bonuses to encourage teachers to work in a summer reading program.

The bill, the Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021, was filed on Monday and now awaits action from Gov. Roy Cooper. He previously vetoed a similar bill in 2019, but this year’s legislation has more support.

“This is one issue that I believe there is broad consensus across party lines, philosophic lines and increasingly in education as to the appropriate and effective way to teach our kids how to read,” Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, a primary sponsor of the legislation, said last Wednesday, the N&O reported.

The bill makes changes to the state’s Read To Achieve program, which was created in 2012 and aims to improve student reading proficiency by third grade. The legislation would require the State Board of Education to make literacy instruction standards based on “the science of reading,” and would mean the state Department of Public Instruction hiring Voyager Sopris Learning to train teachers across the state.