03. Good News Report
Primary tabs
Submitted by jenny_hunter on Thu, 08/11/2016 - 9:22am
|
Strategic Priority
|
Reason for Consideration
|
||
|
Graduates Prepared for Work, Higher Education and Citizenship
|
X
|
Action
|
|
|
Excellent Educators
|
X
|
Information
|
X
|
|
Healthy, Safe and Responsible Students
|
X
|
Discussion
|
|
|
Operations and Support
|
|
|
|
Seat Belts for School Buses
For the 2016-2017 year, three new school buses in Transylvania County Schools will be equipped with lap/shoulder belts as part of a pilot project with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Transportation Services section. Over the past decade, lap/shoulder belt technology has been implemented in many school districts across the country with favorable results. According to Transportation Section Chief Derek Graham, “We are hearing about a shortage of school bus drivers across the state, compounded in part by drivers leaving the profession due to discipline issues on the bus. We believe this technology can improve student behavior on the bus, let the driver focus on driving, and at the same time provide enhanced safety for student passengers.” TCS Transportation Director Alan Justice notes that seatbelts are the latest in a series of initiatives to improve driver effectiveness and student safety. Twelve yellow buses were recently outfitted with a full suite of eight cameras each, included stop-arm cameras that monitor the behavior of motorists passing buses stopped on the roadway. Every yellow bus in the TCS fleet has at least two cameras, and before school begins on August 29, GPS tracking will be installed on all yellow buses and five additional activity (white) buses. The first three buses locally to get seatbelts will be used for Pisgah Forest Elementary School, Rosman Elementary School, and special education students. Students riding on a school bus equipped with seatbelt technology will be required to use the lap/shoulder belts.
BHS Student Performs with Holland America Cruises
Madison Allen, a junior at Brevard High School and member of the BHS concert and marching bands, has enjoyed her summer performing with the Holland America Cruise Line through the Inside Passage to Alaska. Madison had the opportunity to play Alto Saxophone along with special guest saxophonist Uriel Vega, and got to know other guest performers such as the Christian vocal group, The Martins, and Nashville session player Gordon Mote. The Holland American Line and Holland America Line Foundation support cancer organizations in North America, Europe, and Australia. As a cancer survivor, Madison was honored to join Holland America by leading and participating in “On Deck for a Cause,” a 5K fundraising walk held while sailing. Madison is the daughter of Terry and LaVelle Allen of Lake Toxaway.
TCS Staffers Perform at Brevard Music Center
On Sunday, August 7, Transylvania County Schools staff members joined in the Brevard Music Center season finale as invited members of the chorus performing “Ode to Joy,” the final movement of Beethoven’s famous Ninth Symphony. Chorus teacher Bart Gilleland (BHS) and former chorus teacher Mary Beth Shumate (BHS) sang in the chorus, along with English and History teacher Alana Marshall (RHS), and communications officer Kevin Smith (MEC). The ensemble rehearsed over three weeks to perform with Maestro Keith Lockhart and the BMC Orchestra for the final concert of the Music Center’s 80th season. Among the 150 voices were vocal majors, piano students, and members of the Janiec Opera Company, plus over a dozen invited members of the community who prepared under Brevard College professor David Gresham.
For more good news from Transylvania County Schools, please visit us at:
Twitter: twitter.com/transylvaniasch ǀ Flickr: flickr.com/tcsnc
Instagram: Instagram.com/transylvaniaschools ǀ YouTube: youtube.com/tcsnc
Smartphone App: Transylvania County Schools on Play Store and iTunes
Groups audience: