The Sparta Express

What a SCHOOL YEAR! It's unbelievable to me that we are now at our summer break. This year has been filled with so many good things...but also some memories that still make us hurt. It is my hope that this year was filled with opportunities where every student found ways to connect-- connect to their present selves, their future selves, to our school, and our community. It is my hope that every student found at least one person they call a "good" friend, that they found at least one adult in school that they can reach out to for support, and at least one extra-curricular activity that they found meaningful and were excited to be apart of. I know that there is still much work to be done...which makes me all the more excited about next year. Promise me this--- we will strive to make next year even better. We will need YOUR help. We are seeking parents who want to be engaged, partener with both the school and the community, and are willing to help tell our story. Stay tuned for hearing about those opportunities over the summer!

Please encourage your student to stay active over the summer. It would be great if they found a way to read for 15 minutes each day--- ANYTHING! It doesn't have to be an old classic---it could just be something they find interesting. Please help them make good choices. The summer can be a scary time with lots of idle hands. We need every student back in August-- Happy, whole, and ready to learn.

Signing out for now---

Your PROUD Principal

Crystal Gregory

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are so proud of each and everyone of you! We look forward to all the great things that you will pour into the world. Remember, Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan.

Over the past week, if students were not successful with a proficient score on their EOC and / or have failed a class--- Parents and students where contacted (using the information in Powerschool). We want to give every student the opportunity to be successful.

If you were invited to come retest, please do so. Restesting starts Monday at 7:15. Busses will run and Breakfast, Lunch, and pizza will be served. Busses will leave campus at 3:30pm.

If you were invited to summer school, the deadline to register is 6/10/2024. (https://forms.gle/mP5NfcaJPGcVeN9G8)

Please check your email for specifics pertaining to both scenarios. If you are wondering where your student stands, please reach out directly to their teacher.

If you have questions about retesting, email Hannah Lane (test coordinator) hannahlane@johnston.k12.nc.us.

If you have questions about Summer School, Email Mrs. Ennis-Smith: ellenennis-smith@johnston.k12.nc.us.

This week, we celebrated the completion of our new Auxiliary Gym. We are super excited to have this pristine facility to use for our students. Stay tuned for more information about this beautiful new space and how our school will make great use of its facilities.

Smithfield-Selma High School is thrilled to announce Spartan Athletics Day on July 22, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. This free event offers local youth the chance to dive into various sports, guided by our dedicated high school coaches, at interactive stations. Attendees will learn new skills, connect with the high school teams, and embrace the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Prepare for a morning filled with exciting activities and sports exploration! Engage with fundamentals, enhance your abilities, gain insights from experienced athletes, and perhaps find your new passion in sports. This event is more than just playtime—it's an opportunity to learn about the Spartan Way.

Children ages 7-13 are encouraged to sign up at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatic Center and take part in our inaugural event. We will start the morning off meeting in the end zone of the SSS Football Field next to the Aquatic Center.

There will be a Drivers Education Parent/Student meeting on Tuesday, June 11 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the SSS cafeteria. All PARENTS & Students who want to attend this summer class MUST attend. Classes begin June 17 through June 27. Classes are 8:30am-12:30pm.

We have a few yearbooks left! Order now at jostens.com/yearbook

We’re so excited to run this back for Summer 2024! 🙌

In a couple of weeks, we’ll celebrate thousands of JCPS Class of 2024 graduates! 🎓 We’re excited for your next steps whether that is college, career or military. Still need a plan? Check out the pop up application & FAFSA help events throughout the summer. Johnston County Public Schools and Johnston Community College staff will be available to help with applications, FAFSA, etc. Join for free coffee and free assistance. ☕️

Register here ➡️ https://events.johnstoncc.edu/series/johnstoncc.events_series.555

June 11 - Milltown Java in Princeton

June 18 - 2nd Street Coffee in Kenly

July 2 - Cornerstone Cafe in Benson

July 9 - Ugly Mug in Garner

Share this with a member of the Class of 2024 who may need some help deciding what’s next!

Chromebooks, Chromebook chargers, calculators, and library books need to be returned to the SSS Media Center.

Rising seniors must have their meningitis vaccinations/exemptions within the first 30 days of the school year, or they will be excluded from school. Remember to get your meningitis vaccinations before starting your senior year. You can call for an appointment at Johnston County Health Dept at 919-989-5200 before the rush begins.

There will be a Meningitis clinic - June 20, 9-1pm. Please see Mrs. Stem for more details.

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📣 Bookings are now OPEN for senior photo sessions for the class of

2025. You must be photographed by CADY to be in the yearbook. Get

photos for grad announcements, senior yearbook ads, and flawless Insta

posts. Book now at cady.com/schedule. #CADYsenior

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The time has come for the Class of 2025 Morehead-Cain school nomination form!

This is a fully-funded experience at UNC Chapel Hill.

Please read the entirety of their website!!

This form will be due 6/5/24 and we will contact you for an interview on 6/6/24.

If you are not selected from our school to be nominated, you are still able to self-nominate.

Admission to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a separate process from the Morehead-Cain application. All forms and correspondence dealing with admission to Carolina should go directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students participating in the Morehead-Cain process must submit a completed application to Carolina by:

October 15, 2024, if applying Early Action; or

January 1, 2025, if applying Regular Decision*

*Please note, this deadline is two weeks prior to UNC’s Regular Decision application deadline.

SSS Athletic Booster Club Meeting

June 10 at 6pm

ROTC Room 2 (enter in gym lobby)

One of the ways that we have tried to make this year special for our students is to bring back traditional aspects of high school. A Varsity Letterman's Jacket is one of those special things that make high school special. Whether you are a Varsity football player, a member of the marching band, Varsity Basketball player, or Varsity Cheer or Stunt member--- a letterman's jacket is something that you can have forever. Visit the Josten's website to design and purchase a coat that tells your high school story. You can even make payments!

Free training opportunity for rising Seniors and Juniors! ✈️

Rising seniors and juniors interested in becoming a pilot, air traffic controller, or unmanned aircraft systems (drone) operator can take up to 6 credits of college coursework paid for by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Find out more and apply ➡️ https://shorturl.at/1X3ml

If you are looking for a job, Chick-Fil-A is HIRING! Use the information below to apply.

Be sure that you check out this link for LOTS of Enrichment Opportunities: http://bit.ly/jcpsenrichment

Many of these opportunities are shared by JCPS Student Services. If you are not following them on Facebook--- YOU SHOULD BE! They often post incredible opportunities for students and information about scholarships. Even if you are not a senior--- many scholarship opportunities are available each year. Start familiarizing yourself with opportunities and requirements so that when it is your time--- you are ready to apply! https://www.facebook.com/jcpsstudentservices

We are currently looking for host families for the 2024-25 school year. The students will arrive before school starts and will depart in June. We are reaching out to invite you and your family to host an exchange student. We would also be appreciative of any referrals for great families in your community who would make the perfect host family, which is any kind of family! https://secure.smore.com/n/gpaxws-join-us-on-an-amazing-adventure?ref=email

JCC Summer Camp registration is now open! Learn more and apply for camps at https://www.johnstoncc.edu/summercamp/index.aspx

Great news! Camp scholarships are available to rising 6th-12th graders thanks to JCPS Career & Technical Education Apply for camp scholarships by April 15 at https://shorturl.at/cyJR9

Summer opportunity for rising 9th-12th graders!

Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine is hosting a Mini-Medical School for rising 9th-12th graders. This one-day camp will be held on Thursday, June 27 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Cost is $50 per participant which includes a T-shirt. Snacks and lunch will be provided.

Location is Levine Hall - 4350 HWY 421 South, Lillington, NC 27546

Register here https://campbell.co1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_eJMcsvF0Cq4BK5g

Summer volunteer opportunity alert for students ages 15 and up!

This one is super popular with JCPS students interested in health care. The application is now open for UNC Health Johnston’s Summer Junior Volunteer Program. The application closes April 15, 2024. More information and eligibility requirements can be found at https://www.johnstonhealth.org/volunteer/junior/

Summer opportunity for rising Latinx/Hispanic 11th & 12th graders!

UNCG CHANCE is a 4-day residential summer program for Latinx/Hispanic rising high school juniors and seniors. During their time on campus, students will participate in college preparation and leadership skills development. CHANCE 2024 is July 17th- July 20th on the campus of UNC-Greensboro.

Learn more and apply at https://www.uncg.edu/.../summer-camps-and.../summer-camps/

The NCVPS EDVANTAGE Tutoring Program will be available to individual middle school and high school students nightly from 4 PM to 7:30 PM, Monday-Thursday.

To have your students begin tutoring sessions, please direct them to:

https://ncvps.org/edvantage-tutoring/ or they may use the QR Code on the JCPS + EDvantage Tutoring Program Flier

Once on the Edvantage Tutoring website, students should simply click their school district, Johnston County Public Schools and/or school name. Students will find an expandable section that guides them along as they create an account, and then enter the tutoring platform. "How To" videos are also available right below the "Schedule A Session" button.

Please encourage students to:

• Begin creating their accounts;
• Sign up for tutoring sessions in advance (or on the same day); and
• Write down their username and password (for use each time)

Please reach out to me if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns with the EDvantage Tutoring Program. I look forward to hearing how the tutoring sessions are going with your students.