The Sparta Express

Students in Mr. Williams Math 2 class are engaged and ready to learn!

Second Semester is up an running! Please remind your students to be in class everyday from bell to bell. This is just a reminder that students are not permitted to out of class the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of a class for any reason--- this includes going to the bathroom unless it is an emergency. They should be seated in their classroom when the bell rings. We have serious academic goals and it means that every ounce of instruction counts. If students are in the building and skipping classes, they will be marked absent. Please encourage your student to get to every class on time and be ready to learn!

Last week was National Counselor Appreciation Week. We took various opportunities last week to remind our counselors how valuable they are to our school. Special thanks to each our counselors who are the heartbeat to our school.

Charmaine Gurr - 9th grade A-Z (also supported by Mrs. Amanda Spoon)

10-12th Grade

Rebecca Johnson - A - F

Elliott Froehbrodt - G -N

Melodie Dunn - O-Z

SSS is bringing back a long forgotten tradition, but with a twist! We will be having a Mr./Miss SSS Pageant on March 22, 2024. All students are invited to participate. Applications can be picked up from Mrs. Russell in Student Services . Don’t miss out on a chance to represent our school and yourself!

Mark your calendar for Prom 2024! Come wander the French Quarter on Thursday, March 28th from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Farm at 42. Tickets will be available on OSP in February.

Spring Sports Tryouts are happening this week! This is a great opportunity for ALL students to find somewhere they can connect. You do not have to be a pro---- we want athletes who want to connect with their classmates and go for the win! Even if you haven't played a sport before--- come out to the tryout! You might find that you have a hidden talent....and actually enjoy it. Take a chance!

Students that are interested in the Fire Academy for next year. should scan the QR codes on the flyers posted around the school. Scan and fill out the interest form. If selected, you will be notified by email.

Unified Spartans have an apparel store open. Be sure to purchase your swag before it closes on February 19.

https://sssspecialolympics.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Unified Spartans are raising money for Special Olympics North Carolina. Help support our team by donating on our Polar Plunge page

There will be a Unified Spartans planning meeting in room 1104 from 2:30pm-3:00pm.

For more info, contact: Mrs. Jones in Room 1104 (bethanyjones@johnston.k12.nc.us)

The SSS Drama Club and Theater Arts program presents the play Clue, based on the popular Parker Brothers board game, on Friday, February 16, and Saturday, February 17, at 6 pm both days. Admission is $10, and tickets can be purchased at https://sss.seatyourself.biz

Contact Gwen Sullivan with any questions. gwendolynsullivan@johnston.k12.nc.us

Yearbooks are on sale for ONE WEEK ONLY. From today, Sunday, Feb 11th - Feb 17th, there will be $10 off your purchase of a yearbook! Buy your yearbooks now! Click here. February 26th is the last day to guarantee a yearbook.

Congratulations to Wade Swain for winning this year's Old Timers Baseball Scholarship which is awarded to a student athlete who is a team leader, an excellent student, and a player that your coaching staff depends upon in clutch game situations.

Congratulations to our Winter Guard on an outstanding performance this past weekend at Cleveland’s Polar Classic! The guard finished 2nd in their class and scored so well that they were promoted to a higher class! Their next competition is a regional for the national circuit on February 24th.

Socratic seminars encourage students to analyze texts and thoughtfully consider others’ perspectives as they share their own views and their questions about our world. These IBCP juniors are considering how and to what effect rhetoric is used in a historical speech. They’re using the pilot/copilot model as they share and discuss their thoughts.

It’s almost ACT time! We will be giving the ACT to all Juniors beginning on Feb 27th. More information regarding the ACT can be found here in the ACT Parent Letter(English) and ACT Parent Letter(Spanish). For help preparing for the ACT please use this guide that contains a full length practice test: Preparing for the ACT(English) and Preparing for the ACT(Spanish)

You’ve earned your Senior status — now it’s time to enjoy it! From stylish apparel to custom photo cards and thoughtful keepsakes, we have everything you need to celebrate your time in high school.

EXPLORE GRAD PRODUCTS

Our Graduation will be Friday, June 7th, at 10am in our Football Stadium.

Seniors do you have college recruitment information that has been sent to you while exploring your college options? Teachers do you have alumni magazines that you have finished using? If you have college information that you plan to throw away or recycle, consider donating it to the AVID program for use in future college fairs. Donations can be dropped off at room 2203, Mrs. Brown’s room.

February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, it is important to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible as many colleges and universities have priority deadlines. Please email Ms. Garcia with any question, mariagarciaortega@johnston.k12.nc.us

We will be hosting a FAFSA night on February 15th from 6pm-8pm, parents/guardians are encouraged to attend! Please bring a dish to share with others!

All seniors are expected to meet with Ms. Garcia by the end of the year to help them navigate their next steps after graduation. Whether the student is going to college, the workforce, or the military Ms. Garcia is here to help! Schedule a meeting here: https://calendly.com/msgarciadukecac

The FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) is available for you and your parent/guardian to fill out. It will occasionally pause to perform maintenance and improve the user experience. Please contact Ms. Garcia with any questions. Parents and students can book a meeting with me at a time that is convenient for you.

Students should focus on applying to scholarships, please remind students to check their email for important weekly announcements

Seniors, it is officially that time! For the yearbook, make sure to complete the senior quote and superlatives form! Your entries are due by February 16. Log into your Gmail and click here: https://forms.gle/rGPXnMQ8qmfrZoa66

Seniors, please order your cap/gown NOW! www.jostens.com

Order your Senior Ads for the yearbook before February 8th! www.jostens.com/ybk

If a student desires to have a Chromebook checked out, the parent or guardian must complete the Technology Agreement Form found on the second slide of the school's website or linked here. Students may also opt to bring in their own personal device for use in the classroom. Students are responsible for their own devices and for any devices that may be checked out to them upon parent/guardian request. Students may not have more than one device checked out to them and must resolve any fees associated with their account prior to a device being issued to them.

Our Swim Team had a fabulous season! We are so proud of you as you wrapped up a wonderful season!

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.