VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
F I R S T MARCH, 2007
T H U R S D A Y Our Future, Our Commitment, Our Students
More Than a Building Historical Glance at Riverside To most people, the Porch Building on the Riverside Campus in Louisburg doesn’t look like it has much to offer. While the building looks run down and out of date, it represents a piece of history that should never be forgotten. The Porch Building is the only building left of the old Riverside Union School, which was once Franklin County Training School. The school was made for African Americans, but eventually changed to Louisburg Elementary in the fall of 1968 following mandated integration by Federal law. During the school’s peak period in the 1960s, the campus had more than 1,500 students and staff members on it, many of who still work and live in Franklin County
today. The school was originally part of the historic Rosenwald Foundation that was started by the famous and very successful Julius Rosenwald of Sears Roebuck. The Rosenwald background has important historical significance. Many of the more than 5,000 Rosenwald schools have been destroyed. There is a push from historical societies to save as many of the buildings as possible. The two Rosenwald buildings constructed on the Riverside campus are no longer there. One was destroyed by fire and the other has been moved. The Porch Building is currently used for storage, but there is a committee that is in the process of trying to get the SEE PORCH PAGE 8
There is an active committee trying to restore the Porch Building on the Riverside Campus.
BMS Power of I Leading Students to Success
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: AP of The Year
2
CTE Month
3
Quiz Bowl Champs
4
Soil Erosion
5
MLK Reenactment
6
“If it’s late, it’s a zero.” Sound familiar? Chances are most people have heard a teacher utter that phrase, or something similar, during their time as a student. While many teachers offer partial credit to turn stuff in late, Bunn Middle School is taking a different approach to incomplete work and un-
satisfactory grades with The Power of I program. The I stands for incomplete. The program requires students to complete their work in a satisfactory format. Students failing to complete work in a satisfactory and timely fashion are given extra time to complete assignment, but with a grade pen-
alty. Non-compliant students can also be required to attend a Saturday Academy session to complete their work as well. “We are trying to make students more academically responsible,” Bunn Middle School Principal David SEE POWER OF I PAGE 7
MARCH, 2007 FIRST THURSDAY
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Bill Askins (center) gets a warm congratulations from fellow Franklin County Assistant Principals David Averette (left) of Louisburg Elementary and Dr. Paschal Mubenga of Franklinton High School (right).
FHS Askins Named AP of The Year Receiving an award of any kind is always a nice experience, but getting one from your colleagues is extra special. That’s what Franklinton High School Assistant Principal Bill Askins is experiencing right now. Askins, who was recently named Franklin County Schools 2007 Assistant Principal of The Year, is grateful for the prestigious award. “It’s a special honor for me because I was selected by my peers,” Askins said. “They recognize the value of what you do more than anyone else. None of this is possible without people to help get you there. The people in Franklin County are really good, and they want to help everyone else around them get better. This is why we have so many successful people in our school system.” Askins has had a variety of professions
in his life (paralegal, business, healthcare) and entered the world of education as a special education teacher in 1991. Askins taught at Broughton High School from 1991 through 2001 and then began a principal program at N. C. State University. He was one of just 60 people across the state to be selected for the Principals Fellows Program. He spent a year in the classroom for that program and then began his yearlong internship at Bunn Elementary School. The 2007 AP of The Year graduated from Bunn High School in 1967.
“It’s a special honor for
me because I was selected by my peers.” - Bill Askins
Askins actually finished his internship at Franklinton High School and was hired on as a full-time AP in July of 2003. He first stepped through the doors at FHS as an administrator on March 6, 2003. It was quite a memorable day for him. He was put to work immediately, and in some tough situations. “It was a very memorable day,” Askins said. “It really prepared me for my future here.” Askin’s cheery, no-nonsense approach has made him a respected person at FHS, by both staff members and students. “I really enjoy what I do,” Askins said. “This is a great place to be, and I owe a lot of thanks to Mr. Fuller (Charles Fuller, FHS Principal) and Carol Davis, my menSEE ASKINS PAGE 3
MARCH, 2007
FIRST THURSDAY
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
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Askins Continued from page 2
Cedar Creek Middle School students found the Bio Technology program interesting.
Bio Tech program highlighted for CTE month Asking a middle school or high school student what they want to do for a career can produce a variety of answers. Many students have a difficult time deciding what they want to do for a career, but a few Cedar Creek Middle School students may have a better idea after a visit to Franklinton High School. AIG students from CCMS took part in a bio technology workshop last week on the FHS campus as part of Career and Technical Education month. The students were introduced to possible careers in bio technology by FHS teachers Jo Don Robertson and Wynn Clayton. Also leading the students in discussion was Julie Kinlaw. Kinlaw is the Bio Works Coordinator at Vance Granville Community College. All three instructors play major roles in the Bio Technology program offered to Franklin County high school students. It is a collaboration program between VGCC and Franklin County Schools. “This is a growing field,and we wanted students to get an opportunity to see what the program is all about,” FCS Career and
Our
Technical Education Director Laureen Jones said. “We targeted AIG students because typically you have to have a strong background in math and science to excel in bio technology.” Students got a very hands-on experience during the program. Whether it was mixing chemicals in test tubes or making silly putty, students appeared to be engaged in the activities. The Franklin County bio technology program has taken quite a leap this year, due to a grant that Jones and the CTE department received. The grant was provided by the North Carolina Department of Education that provided the program funds to buy much-needed equipment. “The equipment makes the program that much better,” Jones said. “This is a growing field, and we really want students to explore it.” High school juniors and seniors are eligible for the program and earn five semester hours of college credit when they complete the class through VGCC. Not only do they SEE CTE MONTH PAGE 8
tor.” Fuller was named FCS 2007 Principal of The Year this past fall. Davis, who is an assistant principal at Youngsville Elementary School, was Askins’ mentor when he began his internship. Davis recently underwent a lifesaving kidney transplant. “There are hundreds of people who have helped me along the way,” Askins said. “You can’t get places without the help of others, but there are two people who really helped me get on the right track in life. – Robert Wheeless and Gene Mullen.” Mullen and Wheless both taught Askins in high schools. “Both of these guys were great to me at a time when I really needed guidance,” Askins said. “They taught me the value of hard work.” Askins has a variety of hobbies, including fishing and hiking. - Nathan Moreschi
Bill Askins was honored to be named FCS AP of The Year.
Future, Our Commitment, Our Students
MARCH, 2007 FIRST THURSDAY
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VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
Bunn’s Brilliant Bunch Wildcats tops in county quiz-bowl showdown Through the early rounds of competition, it didn’t look too promising for the Bunn High School Quiz Bowl team during the Franklin County competition. Despite being on the brink of elimination in the early going, the Wildcats took on the behavior similar to that of theatrical hero Rocky Balboa – they simply wouldn’t give up. In the end, the only team standing was the Bunn team consisting of Charles Haley, Tyler Anderson, Sara Thompson, Zack Ross and Alan Moore. Bunn High Quiz Bowl advisor Anne Paris, who has taught science at Bunn High for 12 years, was very pleased with her team’s performance. “These students are very self-determined and self-motivated,” Paris said. “They are going to continue to excel and will be among the top in their classes in college. They have big aspirations. They don’t give up, and it’s not over until it is over with them. They really encourage each other, and they never criticize one another. They work very well together as a team.” Each member of the team has his or her area of expertise, making for a well-rounded squad. The victory didn’t come too easily. They nudged Louisburg High School by a mere five points, which equates to half of a question. Franklinton High School rounded out the competition in third place. “It wasn’t easy,” Bunn senior Tyler Anderson said. “We were like a rat in the corner biting any ankle we could find.” The animated Anderson said his forte in the competition was answering random and often miscellaneous questions. He plans to
The Bunn High School Quiz Bowl team trailed in the early stages of competition, but battled back, ultimately winning the title. attend UNC-Greensboro in the fall and major in science education. He hopes to earn a Teaching Fellows Scholarship as well. Charles Haley, another senior, specialized in history and current events during the competition and will attend the Virginia Military Institute this coming fall. He is going to pursue international studies and then venture into the Army. The literature and culture questions seemed to flow in the favor of senior stalwart Sara Thompson. Thompson has been accepted to
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and may major in a subject that relates to art or history. Zack Ross found his broad science knowledge to be very valuable. The senior has been accepted to North Carolina State University and plans on majoring in science education. Like Anderson, Ross hopes to earn a Teaching Fellows Scholarship. SEE QUIZ PAGE 9
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Soil Erosion Project Benefits Bunn Middle Athletic field area gets spruced up and more prepared for storms Rainy days can make people feel a little gloomy, but there are a select few who actually get excited about it. Franklin County Soil and Water employees Charlie Bass and Kelly Ibrahim are in the minority group when it rains. Both have participated in soil erosion projects, and they get a good look at how their work is holding when it rains. Among the projects they have helped with is an on-going work at Bunn Middle School. There was an erosion problem at Bunn Middle behind the soccer field and near the baseball field, so they helped head a project to help fix the issue. Most of the work was completed by Shawn Springer, who has since left for another job. The biggest problem at Bunn Middle was that when a significant rain storm came through, the current creeks could not handle all of the water flowing at one time. The creek near the soccer field was rutted out, and the erosion was beginning to threaten the parking lot for the baseball field. Well, as many of you might guess, work of this caliber can cost quite a bit of money. The group applied for and received a Federal grant to fund the project. “This project has turned out very
Charlie Bass and Kelly Ibrahim
New retention walls help slow the flow of water to prevent erosion.. well,” Bass said. “This is a great way to help protect the environment.” The undertaking is nearly completed, and Bass and Ibrahim are very happy with the results. They hope to receive a state grant in the near future to rebuild two creeks at Bunn Middle. The main purpose of the original project was to some how slow the flow of water down during storms. To get an idea how the water was actually flowing, the group observed the area during times of heavy rainfall. The group planted a few trees, built some impressive erosion walls and made a bio-retention area. In addition, they installed several benches and made the location aesthetically pleasing with proper landscaping. Springer began the project to help complete his Environmental Educator certificate. Certification requires a project of this type. Both Ibrahim and Bass have their certificate and completed similar projects. Ibrahim, who has worked for Franklin County Soil and Wa-
Benches and small trees have esthetic value, as well as function. The gravel area shown serves as a collecting pool for water during storms. ter for five years, led a job at Cedar Creek Middle School for drainage, while Bass worked on a project at Bunn High School to complete his certificate. Bass has worked for Franklin County for nine years. - Nathan Moreschi
MARCH, 2007 FIRST THURSDAY
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3
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On Lives the Dream
Larry Andrews delivers a famous MLK speech ...
… FHS students listen with enthusiasm.
FHS Students Treated With MLK Speech There isn’t a student at Franklinton High School who ever personally witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech, but there are many now who have come as close as they could get without hearing with their own ears. As part of Franklinton High Schools’ tribute to Black History Month, 1985 FHS graduate Larry Andrews reenacted the famous speech in late February. Andrews, who has studied Martin Luther King’s speeches in great detail, delivered the speech with amazing accuracy and detail to a large group of students and staff members at the FHS auditorium. It was the fifth time in three weeks that Andrews had given the speech to a group of people. For the most part, Andrews delivers the speech to churches. “I’ve been studying Dr. King’s work (seriously) for about 10 years,” An-
drews said. “This is a very good learning experience for these kids. He was an amazing man, and he refused to give up. He was all about doing things he wasn’t supposed to be able to do. He opened doors for a lot of people, and now, the sky is the limit.” Andrews, who has operated his own masonry company for the last 12 years, has always been inspired by King and continues to study tapes and writings about King. “I go through his tapes and study how he spoke and what he said,” Andrews said. “He was an incredible man who had a lot of doors slammed in his face. The thing is, he kept moving forward because he believed in what he was doing.” Andrews told the FHS students in the auditorium that day that they should continue to pursue their dreams and keep moving forward, much like Dr. King did.
“Life is a struggle; it isn’t easy – it is what it is,” Andrews said. “You have to keep going and don’t give up.” Andrews’ reenactment of the famous I Have a Dream Speech is one of many functions put on at FHS this month to celebrate Black History Month. Sarah Lewis, FHS chorus teacher, led the chorus in several African American music pieces on the day of Andrew’s visit. In addition, there was a Black History Month trivia contest for the student body during each school day in February. Other activities included motivational speakers, film screenings exhibits from the African American Heritage Preservation Cultural Complex and a presentation from Dawn Formey, Adjunct Instructor at North Carolina Central University, on Living History: An ex-Slave’s narrative. - Nathan Moreschi
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POWER OF I continued from page 1 Hawks said. “We want to hold kids accountable for zeros and give them a way out. I really believe you are letting kids off the hook when you give them a zero- the kid never does the work using that method.” The penalties for not turning work in on time can range from a 20-point reduction on an assignment grade to a grade level academic remediation class. The grade level academic remediation class is a separate class in which students attend during regular class day. Students are pulled from their exploratory classes, such as band or art, for the remainder of the six-week marking period to catch up on their assignments and master the material. “When children don’t have to turn in their homework, and are willing to take a zero for it, they learn how to beat the system,” Hawks said. “This system simply requires them to finish it in an acceptable fashion, but there are still penalties. We are trying to prepare these kids for high school, and we really believe in it.”
The system is showing early signs of success. One third of the sixth graders who were struggling and placed in a grade level academic remediation class have worked their way out of it. Onefourth of the seventh-graders have done so, and one-fifth of the eight graders have earned a spot back in the traditional setting. A total of 60 students were in the academic remediation classes in the sixth grade, and 20 have worked their way out. “That’s 20 kids who would be failing and are now in good academic standing,” Hawks said. “That’s 20 lives.” It is important to note that the grade level academic remediation classes are a last resort. There are a host of lesser penalties, including working lunches. In addition, if a student has an incomplete assignment, he or she cannot participate in sports until the assignment is complete, and he or she cannot participate in sports at all if they are in an academic remediation class. Hawks said that one of the biggest factors in making the program a success is the effort from the teachers. “In order to do this, teachers have to go the extra mile,” Hawks said. “It would be easier to give students a zero, but I
Page 7
BMS Principal David Hawks is very happy with the early success of The Power of I program. commend my teachers for doing this program. It requires more work from the teacher to keep up with this.” “It’s a good program, and we are still working to make it better,” Hawks said. “It’ll help students be more successful, but it is not an easy road. We have to change the current mindset. It does mean that the students will get second chances, but some of these kids really need it. The path of least resistance for the students is to do the work correctly the first time.”
- Nathan Moreschi
School Enrollment Report (month 5)
High Schools
Elementary Schools School
School
Students
Students
Bunn
878
Franklinton
734
Louisburg
687
Royal
640
Youngsville
692
Laurel Mill
313
Franklinton
613
Bunn
675
Bunn
663
Edward Best
520
Cedar Creek
716
Louisburg
498
TLMS
593
Total for all Franklin County Schools : 8,222
Middle Schools School
Students
MARCH, 2007 FIRST THURSDAY
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PORCH Continued from page 1 structure restored to its original state when it was built in 1951 by World War II Veterans. The veterans were young in age and constructing the building as a project to earn on-the-job training for masonry and carpentry. Many of the veterans were forced to leave high school prior to graduating to fight in the war. The structure was originally going to be used as a vocational building, but was actually used as classroom space from the beginning. Grades 1-7 were taught there during the days of Riverside Union School. The building served as classroom space through 2000 when Louisburg Elementary moved into a new facility on Route 39. There’s a long list of successful people associated with the old school, but nobody knows more about the place than former student, teacher, coach and principal of the school Harold Green. Green, who is 84 years of age, currently lives in Louisburg and has no difficulty in remembering the vibrant times from the campus. Green taught and coached at the school from 1951 through 1968 and left for a brief stint as a teacher at Louisburg High School, before returning to Riverside to be Principal of Louisburg Elementary. Other notables on the list of Riverside
CTE MONTH
The Porch Building may not look like much right now, but it represents a great deal of history in Franklin County. attendees include Franklin County Board of Education member Bernard Hall, Louisburg Town Council member Mary Green Johnson, Curriculum and Instruction Director of Secondary Education Dr. Faye Keith, Franklin County Board of Commissioners member Sydney Dunston, Terrell Lane Middle School Principal Novella Brown and Terrell Lane Curriculum and Resource Teacher Fannie Perry. Perry’s father was one of the veterans who helped construct the building. The Porch Building was one of two major projects the group completed. The other was a gymnasium on the same campus that has since been de-
tions is Novozymes. “This is a very valuable course for the students,” Jones said. “Novo requires its Continued from page 3 employees to complete this course if they desire a job in this field.” Jones stated that the success of the earn the valuable credit, but also coursework that is required by organiza- program is monitored through student surveys and by observing the enrollment tions that employee people from the figures from semester to semester. field. Included in that list of organiza-
stroyed. Also of note from the Porch Building is 96-year-old Mary J. Hill. Hill taught at Riverside Union, as well as Franklin County Training School. She currently lives in Louisburg. The list of success goes much deeper, but it is important to remember that the Riverside campus represents a very important era in not just the history of Franklin County, but that of the United States. It was site of hope that led to prosperity for the African Americans who were a part of this community. - Nathan Moreschi
Jones will lead the FCS CTE department in a presentation on March 6 at the North Carolina College-Prep Technical Conference. Jones and company will discuss how they successfully landed the grant to fund equipment, as well as the process of collaborating with VGCC. - Nathan Moreschi
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Public Officials Day at LES Local elected officials and community leaders flocked to Louisburg Elementary School in late February to read books to LES students of all grades. Mary Vollmer (left), Franklin County Board of Education member, reads to a group of students in Ms. Bass’ class at LES. In all, 22 adults came out to LES to participate in the annual event. Included was Congressman Bob Etheridge, as well as other FCS board members and various other officials.
Lyn Buffaloe
QUIZ
Judge John Davis
Paige Sayles
season is that there is not a state competition this year. The funding for the program no longer exists, but it is hoped Continued from page 4 that funding will return for future state competitions. “It was very satisfying to win, but it’s Alan Moore proved to be the political specialist for the Wildcats. Moore intends kind of disappointing that we don’t get to continue,” Haley said. on becoming a lawyer in the future. He The group did get a very good perk for hopes to attend UNC-Chapel Hill or N. C. winning the event – a trip to the state State to major in political science. The only negative for the Wildcats this legislative building. Representative Lucy
Bob Etheridge and John May
Allen, who helped conduct the Quiz Bowl, arranged the visit for the students. During their visit, they visited with state representative Doug Berger for nearly an hour and they got to speak with State Speaker of the House Joe Hackney. The entire team had a very enjoyable time in their visit to the state capital. - Nathan Moreschi