The Sparta Express

Spring sports are in full swing! Be sure to come check out our spring sports.

Hi! I wanted to let you know that in the next few days, if you haven't already, you can expect to hear from at least one of your students teachers. These calls will serve multiple purposes--- we are looking to say hi, verify contact information, and let you know about ways that you can get in touch with us if you need it. In the next 2 weeks, if you haven't heard from a teacher--- ask your student who their 3rd period teacher is and reach out to them directly---- we may have bad contact information. Before spring break, we want all 1600 of our families contacted.

Secondly, we are in the 3rd week of 2nd semester. Be sure that you know how to access your students grades in powerschool. Here is a short tutorial on how to grab the progress report. If you need help finding your login information, reach out to our data manager: decariusbryant@johnston.k12.nc.us

Our performing arts department presented a collaborative program for Black History Month during Sparta Time. This program included our Jazz Band, Chorus, Dance Ensemble, Step Team, staff and lots of other students. I was a well coordinated program filled with fantastic performances!

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!

Unified Spartans will be celebrating Spread the Word Day on Mar 6, 2024 Come check out the table outside of the cafeteria to pledge to spread the word to end the use of derogatory language towards individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The Food Pantry will be open on March 4th from 3pm to 4:30 pm.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Culture Club will be collecting items for Harbor House--an organization that helps women in domestic violence situations. We will begin collecting items on March 8th and will collect through March 22nd. Items needed are: hygiene items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bottled water, deodorant, hairbrushes, kids toys, etc.

Learn about leadership! Join us on this year’s Asheboro Leadership Retreat to learn about yourself, your classmates, and leadership. The retreat will be April 20-23 and the cost is $70. Pick up an application from Mr. Fro’s door in student services.

If your student wants to take courses at Johnston Community College or the BIOWORKS course on campus, please have them contact their counselor right away. An application is required and the deadline is March 27. See link here for more details: https://www.johnstoncc.edu/programs/career-and-college-promise/applyCCP.aspx#:~:text=Summer%2FFall%202024%20applications%20will,%2FSenior%20and%20Freshman%2FSophomore.

Please come out and support the IB Visual Art Seniors when they present their works from the last two years at their exhibition on March 15th from 5-7:00 pm in the cafeteria lobby.

A very special congratulations is indeed warranted to Assistant Principal Mrs. Long! Johnston County Schools recognized Mrs. Long as Assistant Principal of the Month. Here is what Mrs. Gregory had to say about her, " Tiffany Long is an amazing Assistant Principal. She is a catalysts for great ideas. She has been a hero at taking my vision for the school and creating processes and procedures to make all aspects of it clear and concise. She works incredibly hard each day to ensure that the departments that she serves have exactly what they need. She also builds incredible relationships with students, families, and colleagues. This year she has taken on more responsibility and continues to ask good questions about how we can be better as a school. She challenges not only herself, but those around her. Working on solutions bit by bit, she is an integral part in ensuring that we are growing to be our best school each day." As recipient of this award, Mrs. Long received a certificate, a cash prize, and our entire staff received a free ice cream treat! Congratulations Mrs. Long.

Our students had an amazing time at Model UN at UNC-Chapel Hill this weekend. All of these students have proposed resolutions and have spoken at the conference. They have grown incredibly in their confidence. They have met students from all of the state and competed at a very high level!

Congratulations to our Winter Guard for making finals at the Winter Guard International Clayton Regional held at Cleveland High School last Saturday. For 11 of these 16 students, this was their first time competing at a national level event and for all of these students, this was their first time competing in this class. Way to go, Spartans!

DECA is the largest CTSO at SSS and sent the largest group of DECA members from our county to compete this week in Greensboro! We heard that there are medalist and finalists coming out of this group! At publication of this newsletter they were still competing but we CAN NOT WAIT to hear how they finished!

Our JOCO Teach students participated in an amazing Teacher Cadet program this weekend in Raleigh. We know that these future teachers are learning all that they can as they oneday come back to lead our classrooms.

This weekend Johnston County Schools hosted a job fair at our school. We were super excited to meet lots of new candidates who can't wait to work in our schools. Special thanks to all the student volunteers that made this HUGE event possible.

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, 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.

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.