Positive changes coming to Knox Middle School

I am very excited about the changes coming to Knox Middle School as it begins its path to becoming a magnet school.

Over the past several years, the Knox Parent Teacher Association has heard from parents who asked that higher level classes be offered.

The classes most frequently requested were foreign language, Math I and Earth and Environmental Science.

With the new Knox Accelerated Learning Center, these classes, in addition to English I and World History, will be offered for the 2016-2017 school year.

Thank you to Dr. Dixon, Dr. Waiksnis, and the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education for allowing Knox Middle School to step outside of the box. Thank you for offering a variety of classes that will appeal to students with varying interests.  Thank you for recognizing students are ready to take on additional challenges and offering a path for them.

As my child and I discuss her course selections next year, this new program has allowed us to discuss her strengths, her time constraints and her academic desires so  we can make the best decision for next year.   

I’m thrilled that she has a slate of options from which to choose and that she will still have the option to take band, art or choir so that she may experience the many disciplines that make up public education.

— Tracy Walser

Salisbury

United Way provides money for victims of abuse

Did you know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness month? Did you know that we advocated for 1136 individuals — women, men, children — that have suffered Sexual Assault in 2015?

Family Crisis Council of Rowan County has been a United Way Agency since 1979. Without the funding we receive monthly, we could not fulfill our mission, “To empower victims of rape, inces, sexual assault and domestic violence take back their lives.” “Rowan County United Way is the community catalyst for delivering help were it is needed the most.” This qualifies us as one of the 16 agencies of the United Way.

We assist victims with emergency housing, hospital response, court advocacy and resources such as group counseling, individual therapy, transportation for job interviews and medical appointments and even help moving to another county or state to be safe or to be with family members. We even are partnering with other agencies to help move them to their own home. If our Clients can return to the community violence free, they can still use our resources to continue their healing.

You may not be trained to assist victims, but you can make a difference by giving to the United Way so they can fund our agency. The United Way Campaign for 2016 begins on August 15th of this year, but you do not have to wait to give financially. You can mail a check today to United Way at 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. W # A, Salisbury, NC 28147 or visit their website at rowanunitedway.org and make a donation on line.

We cannot assist the victims we serve without your financial support through the United Way. Please do it now. Think about what you can do today, to make a difference for tomorrow. Thank you for your time.

— Renee Bradshaw

Salisbury

Renee Bradshaw is executive director of the Family Crisis Council