Education briefs

Published 12:01 am Thursday, April 28, 2016

Walking trails will begin to take shape, looping around the site and creating the “backbone” around which all future play and learning settings will be developed. Shade trees will be installed, a planted legacy that will benefit children and teachers for years to come. Experiential gardens, full of flowering perennials, edible plants, and native meadow grasses will be planted, creating spaces where children can be immersed in nature.

The Salisbury Academy grounds phase one sows the first seeds of a dynamic, evolving outdoor learning environment that will grow into a special place for generations of children. To learn more about Project Green Space or to become a donor, contact Beverly Fowler at bfowler@salisburyacademy.org

Know a student program in need of extra funds this fall?  Maybe a school needs money for a nutrition program or musical instruments, art classes or school garden supplies? Starting today, the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) – which represents the U.S. apple industry from apple growers to juice makers – wants to hear from you as it seeks nominations for the second annual Apples for Education: Buy an Apple, Help a Student cause program pledging school financial support one apple bite at a time.

Through Sept. 9, educators, parents and people everywhere are encouraged to visit http://apples4ed.com/classroom-cause-entry-form/ to enter and share an important student cause in their community in need of financial support. USApple will then select finalists eligible for funds this fall.

From Oct. 1 through Nov. 12, USApple and supporting brands will call on people to vote for the school cause of their choice every time they:

• Snack on an apple, applesauce, apple juice or a supporting brand’s product
• Snap a picture eating their snack
• Tag their selected school and #Apples4Ed
• Share on Instagram or Twitter

The school with the most tags – or votes – will receive the most funding, with additional funds awarded to other top-participating schools.

Last year’s inaugural campaign received more than 20,000 votes and provided $21,000 to 12 student causes ranging from school gardens and playground makeovers to robotics and reading education initiatives — from small towns to large cities, coast to coast from Washington to Georgia.

 

OurSong3 to be Catawba’s final choral offering of 2015-16

OurSong3, Catawba College’s final choral concert of the 2015-2016 academic year will focus on student composers, conductors, singers and instrumentalists. This concert that is free and open to the public will be held in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1.

Unique in many ways, and ever-changing, OurSong3 has become a yearly choral tradition on campus. Selections for the program are chosen exclusively by the members of the various ensembles themselves, bringing a mix of styles and traditions to the program.

This year, four original compositions by student composers will be premiered. These will be sung by the college’s newest performing choir, the Pop Acapella Choir. Additionally, two works have been chosen and rehearsed by student conductors Hunter Safrit and Robert Thornton.

The 75-minute concert will feature the 70 voices of the Catawba Singers, the smaller Chamber Ensemble, and the PopAC.

Works on the program include: “Take Me to the Water,” “Battle of Jericho,” “Flanders Fields,” “John the Revelator,” “Calling My Children Home,” “Stitches,” and “I Choose You.”

The program will be accompanied by Jacob Hahn and Susan Trivet on piano. Various student instrumentalists playing a variety of instruments will also be featured. The choirs are directed by Dr. Phillip E. Burgess, Catawba’s director of choral and vocal studies.

 

Essay contest

Any elementary school aged student up to and including grade 5 may submit an essay

The Spencer Doll and Toy Museum is hosting an essay contest for all elementary school-aged students. Essays should be neatly written with at least three well constructed paragraphs on the topic of “What makes your favorite teacher so special, and why?”

Entries should include student name, age, grade and contact information. The winning essay writer will receive a teacher Barbie Doll and a special gift for his or her teacher.

Essays are due May 21, and winners will be announced May 26. Send or deliver essays to the Spencer Doll and Toy Museum, 108 Fourth St., Spencer, NC 28159.

 

The Great American Campout

The Iredell County Outdoor Education Center will host a campout in celebration of the National Wildlife Federation’s “Great American Campout” on June 25.

The event starts at 5 p.m. and will include a cookout, a fire pit and camp stories. Cost is $40 for a family of four to camp in one of the Adirondack shelters. Dinner and camp fire snacks are included. Preregistration required.

The Outdoor Education Center is located at 204 Bluefield Road, Mooresville. For more information or to register visit the county’s website www.co.iredell.nc.us/276 or contact Mike Hotze at 704-832-2326 or mike.hotze@co.iredell.nc.us