The Sparta Express

We are definitely in the short rows. Exams have already started for many of our students and EOCs are right around the corner. I want to encourage every student to do their best and work hard every single day. We have incredible academic goals and encourage every student to buckle down to help us reach those goals. Please take every opportunity to review and finish learning all the content that you can prior to exams. Be sure that you have reviewed the exam schedule and know exactly where you should be to take your exams. If you have questions, NOW is the time to ask your teachers.

Our SSS graduation team will host an "after-party" for our graduates and their families after graduation. Please come out and bring a little change to spend at the food trucks. A portion of their sales that day will be donated back to our school. Vendors will not be permitted to sale until after graduation ends.

Final Exams are scheduled for May 31st-June 6th. Please be sure that you know when your exams are scheduled for EACH of your classes. Exam schedule can be found here!

Final Exams begin next week! Yearlong classes that have exams will start on May 29th. EOCs such as Math III and English II will happen on Friday, May 31st. EOCs such as Biology and Math 1 will happen on June 3rd. CTE exams and Semester long exams will also start on May 31st.

Students who are not scheduled to test on Friday will go to their 1st period. If your child is not scheduled for an exam during a testing session or if you would like them to be checked out at the conclusion of their testing session, please fill out this form by the end of the day on May 30th.

Please review the schedule to see where you will be testing.On the week of testing, each SSS student will receive their own individual testing schedule in homeroom on May 28th.

Alanna Massey made it to the Shot Put Finals last week in the NCHSAA 3A State Track & Field Meet. She finished 7th over all. Congratulations on an awesome season Alanna! We are proud of you!

Congratulations to Unified Spartans for a wonderful year! Unified Pairs shared their strengths to make a memorable ceremony. Reach out to Mrs. Jones (bethanyjones@johnston.k12.nc.us) if you are interested in helping make next year just as awesome!

Summer school is set to begin on June 17th from 8am to 12 noon, and registration is now open. Click here To register your student for summer school or visit the SSS homepage and complete the summer school form. The deadline for registering is June 5th. Space is limited; therefore, students will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. We strongly encourage students to attend in person; however, transportation and meals will NOT be provided. For more information contact Ms. Ennis-Smith at ellenennis-smith@johnston.k12.nc.us or ext 5151.

Our Staff/Student Talent Show Friday May 31st @6pm. "SSS Got Talent" Auditions will be held May 22nd and 23rd during Sparta time. Finalists will be posted by the auditorium on May 24th. Dress rehearsal will be May 30th 2:30pm to 4:30pm Talent Show is May 31st 6pm to 8pm. Tickets for entry will be $5.

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!

Congratulations to our Concert Band and our Symphonic Band on an OUTSTANDING concert this past Tuesday. These students have worked extremely hard and prepared some challenging literature and their performance was incredible!

Congratulations to our senior symphonic band students on an amazing last concert and an incredible 4 years. These students started high school band virtually and were instrumental in sustaining our band program during the pandemic. Thank you, seniors!

Front Row: Jake Reed, Colby Jones, Keilana Mutchler, Haley Casper, Davis Schmidt, Madison Falzarano, Aaron Dailey, Hailey Stephens, Hector Jaramillo Piedra, and

Samuel Baker

Back Row: Greg Scarboro, Emily Buffey, Miya Newsome, Corbin Vaughan,

Aileen Luna-Damian, Erick Jaramillo-Piedra, Van Lawrence, and Garrett Garrett

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

Students are reminded to return their SSS Chromebooks and any other overdue items to the Media Center. The due date was May 24th. Seniors must also resolve any outstanding fees on their account prior to graduation.

Please read Ms. Garcia’s emails for important announcements and scholarships. There are many local scholarships, so please take the time to apply! Email Ms. Garcia with any questions or concerns.

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.

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!

Paid opportunity for teens ages 15 and older to support a local event! Check it out and apply ➡️ https://forms.gle/Cm5hpPNHbWjH4hvJ7

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.