Cherryville Eagle 4-6-22

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9/4/22

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Volume 116 • Issue 14

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Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Council work session covers P&Z; ARPA monies; other issues by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Sandy Cunningham, one of the longtime board members and coaches of Dixie Girls Softball league, greets another young sports star as she walks out onto the field on Saturday, April 2, opening day for the group’s 2022 season. (photo by MEP/The Eagle/CF Media)

Big turnout for 2022 Dixie Girls Softball opening day Officials say they had 180 girls sign up to play this year, which was largest group to date by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

To just say there was a “big turnout” for the Opening Day ceremonies for the 2022 Cherryville Dixie Girls Softball Spring Sea-

son and leave it at that is an understatement. The group’s officers said they had “180-plus” girls sign up to play this year, which was largest group to date, according to their information and team lists. Also, regular season games started on Monday, March 28. Vice President Daniel McBride, who welcomed the young ladies, their coaches, and all the parents and grandparents on Sat-

urday morning, April 2, to C.V. Thornburg, Jr. Athletic Field at the City’s Ballard Park ball fields complex said that number was pretty astounding, but they were happy to have them sign up. There are officially three of the 6U “Sweeties” T-ball teams (sponsored by Homerun, Inc., Shamrock Sound Design, and KT Towing, respectively); three of the 8U “Darlings” Coach Pitch teams (sponsored by See SOFTBALL, Page 6

Cherryville City Council held their work session on Tuesday afternoon, March 29, at 6 p.m., at the Cherryville Fire Station’s classroom. As things go, Cherryville City Council members at the January 2022 work session at this one was a fairly the Cherryville Fire Department’s meeting room. short meeting, en(Eagle/CF Media file photo by Michael E. Powell) compassing things as varied as a water ance. noted that it is to be orline issue on Angle Street, He continued about the dained by the Council that planning and zoning issues work session meeting’s “…pursuant to Sec. 13.2 (text amendment wording other items on the short of Chapter 159 of the N.C. and changes), insurance and agenda, “We discussed the General Statutes the followretirement issues (part of the dog park. There was also an ing grant project ordinance City’s personnel policies), ordinance passed regarding is hereby adopted.” the 2021 ARPA (American the ARPA funds and the It was noted in the CounRescue Plan) Act of 2021, identified numerous proj- cil work session agenda the to discussion of the City’s ects. There were also some City of Cherryville “…has plans for a dog park at West text amendments discussed received the first tranche Gate Park. in planning and zoning and (of ARPA/CSLFRF funds) As for the insurance and a text amendment was dis- in the amount of $967,565. retirement section of the cussed to add stipulations The total allocation is work session, City Manager for an RV park.” $1,935,131, with the reBrian Dalton said there was The ordinance for the mainder to be distributed to no action taken on the insur- City’s grant project (ARPA) See COUNCIL, Page 2

New program provides a way for teacher assistants in Gaston Co. Schools to become teachers Deadline to apply online is April 14 by TODD HAGANS Gaston County Schools Special to the Eagle

A new professional development program for Gaston County Schools will give teacher assistants an opportunity to advance to the head of the class. The “Teacher Assistants to Teachers” program is being offered through the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy. Teacher assistants who aspire to become elementary classroom teachers can do so through a partnership with Gaston College, Belmont Abbey College, and Gardner – Webb University. “Because of the ongoing commitment from Gaston College, Belmont Abbey, and Gardner – Webb to provide outstanding educational opportunities in our

Ashley Long (far right) and Katy Beam (far left) in their kindergarten class with Mayor Beam. (photo provided)

The “Teacher Assistants to Teachers Program” is now being offered through the Gaston County Schools’ Superintendent’s Leadership Academy. (graphic provided) community, we are able to offer a quality professional growth opportunity for our teacher assistants,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. W. Jeffrey Booker. “We know that our teacher assistants are among the hardest-working people in public education, and we also know they have the ability, skills, and mindset to step into the important role of being a teacher.” Dr. Booker continued, “This new program gives our teacher assistants an opportunity to meet the degree requirements nec-

essary to transition from being a teacher assistant to a classroom teacher, and it is being offered to them free-of-charge.” Forty teacher assistants, who currently work for Gaston County Schools, will be selected through an application and interview process. The deadline to apply online is April 14. Interviews will be conducted after spring break, and the teacher assistants chosen for the program will begin classes this summer. Anyone with questions about See TEACHERS, Page 2

Mayor H.L. Beam visits Cherryville Elementary School students Beam: “I was greatly impressed with their questions!” by MICHAEL E. POWELL Editor michael@cfmedia.info

Cherryville Elementary School Principal Mrs. Audrey Hovis said 2nd grade students in Mrs. Kelly Brown’s class wrote letters to Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam III, asking him several questions about City government.

Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed she noted, adding, “Mayor Beam surprised the elementary school students and answered their questions in person,” last week. “The students were so excited!” Additionally, Mayor Beam also spoke with teacher Katy Beam’s and teacher assistant Ashley Long’s kindergarten students as well. When asked about his being a sort of “teacher for a day”, Mayor Beam said,

“I had a ball. I have done it a couple of years ago, and Councilmember Jill Parker-Puett and I have also gone there and talked with the students as well.” Mayor Beam said that while many of the kids’ questions were fairly serious and on-point, there were a few that were cute and humorous as well. One in particular, he said, with a laugh, was when, “One little boy asked me what it was like to live See SCHOOL, Page 10

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