The Spartan Periodical
October 2024
Sun Valley Middle School
Office Hours: 8:20am - 4:30pm
Website: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Domain/47
Location: 1409 Wesley Chapel Rd., Indian Trail, NC 28079
Phone Number: 704-296-3009
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunValleyMSNC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SunValleyMSNC
X/Twitter: @SunValleyMSNC
Mrs. Jessica (Lewis) McCollum - 6th Grade Math
Mrs. McCollum is new to the Union County area but not to teaching. This is her ninth year in education and her sixth year teaching sixth-grade students. She began her career in elementary education, teaching fourth and fifth graders. Before becoming a teacher, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University, with additional coursework at East Carolina University. She is excited to join the Spartan team and looks forward to making a positive impact on the students, staff, and community of Sun Valley Middle School.
Mrs. Nicole Darko - 8th Grade Reading
Mrs. Darko is a veteran educator with over 20 years of combined experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum leader. Although she has worked in elementary, middle, and high schools, her passion is for grades 6-8. Mrs. Darko is a proud graduate of the second-oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in North Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Education, and an Educational Specialist degree. When she isn’t working, she enjoys traveling and watching movies with her husband and three children..
Ms. Morgan Sarantopoulos - 8th Grade Reading
Ms. Sarantopoulos (Ms. S.) teaches 8th-grade ELA. She spent eight years at Cuthbertson Middle School before moving to SVMS. Having attended SVMS in 8th grade and graduating from SVHS, she is excited to be back at the Valley! She has four children and loves walking her dogs. She also enjoys listening to true crime podcasts.
Ms. Lillian Burns - 8th Grade Math
Ms. Burns joins our team with six years of K-12 experience as a math learning center director. She has a deep passion for all that we do here at SVMS. Ms. Burns began working with children as a mentor in her late teens, which inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to empowering youth and helping them become strong, determined individuals. She is an alumna of the University of West Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Ms. Burns hopes to continue her lifelong love for math and education by becoming a middle school principal in the future!
Ms. Madi Beddingfield - 8th Grade Math
Ms. Beddingfield teaches 8th-grade math. She is a NC State Alumni (Go Pack!) and North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Before her time in Union County, she worked in Wake County Public Schools in Raleigh, NC, as well as Lenoir County Public Schools in Kinston, NC. She has a 4 year old Australian Cattle Dog named Milo who looks like Bingo from the TV show Bluey! She is looking forward to a great school year!
Mrs. Davida Zike - BFC
Mrs. Zike was born and raised in southern West Virginia. After attending two years of college, she joined the Army and was stationed in Germany, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. She worked in Military Intelligence for 20 years before retiring and becoming a teacher. She began her career in education in February 2000. Mrs. Zike has been married for 43 years and has three daughters and three grandchildren. She holds a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, with an additional certification in Special Education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and bird watching. Mrs. Zike is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Delta Pi.
October was a busy month full of growth! We were able to honor our students' academic achievements through an honor roll award ceremony. We are so proud of the hard work our students put forth. Keep it up!
Throughout October, we focused on building friendships and ending bullying. Our school cummunity did a wonderful job working together to donate a large amount of items to send to western North Carolina.
As we enter November, we can continue to practice gratitude and reaching out to families in need through signing up to sponsor our Spartan Tree students. Please use this link for more information and to sign up to donate. See the flier at the bottom of this newsletter for more information.
Are you needing help this holiday season with food and gifts? You can apply for assistance from The Christmas Bureau. Applications will be accepted through November 22nd by calling 704-296-4828.
Eligibility Requirements:
- There must be children in the household, age 18 and under, at the time of application; or a disabled or senior adult receiving SSI or Medicaid
Please have the following info available prior to calling:
- Monthly gross income for everyone in the household, including salaries, type of benefits, child support, etc.
- Your children's clothing sizes and a wish list for Christmas gifts for each child
Counselors are here to help
If you have concerns about a student, counselors may be contacted by email or by calling the school. If you prefer to submit a tip anonymously, please use the See Something Say Something Link or UCPS Tip Line.
6th Grade Counselor: Shemika McManus shemika.mcmanus@ucps.k12.nc.us
7th Grade Counselor: Karianna Mosley karianna.mosley@ucps.k12.nc.us
8th Grade Counselor: Julie Hatfield julie.hatfield@ucps.k12.nc.us
School Social Worker: Quincy Ridley quincy.ridley@ucps.k12.nc.us
Do you know a #UCPS employee who goes above and beyond and inspires others? Nominate them to be a #UCPSInfluencer: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/influencers