The Sparta Express

Alexandra Orozco was recognized by our district as an April 2024 Character Education Award recipient!

A senior at Smithfield-Selma High, Orozco was recognized for her compassion. She is empathetic and always tries to see life from the perspective of others. Also, she is one of those rare people who can sense needs before they are spoken.

Congratulations!

#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

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

Don’t Miss out! Order Today! SALE DEADLINE: APRIL 19, 2024

All signs will be ready for distribution/pickup early-May. You will receive notification from your school with the time/location for pickup. Proceeds from this sale support the SSHS Senior Class SMITHFIELD SELMA HIGH SCHOOL Yard Sign Sale and Fundraiser Show your support and make a lasting impact by purchasing a yard sign as part of our fundraiser. With each sign, you’re not just adding a vibrant decoration to your lawn but also contributing to a meaningful cause. Yard signs are printed two-sided in full-color waterproof ink, measure 24” wide x 16” tall and come with a complimentary metal ground stake. ORDER YOUR YARD SIGNS ONLINE AT VARSITYGRAPHICS.NET/SSHS

Email tarshamcneil@johnston.k12.nc.us for more information.

Join JCPS Career & Technical Education for the 2024 Summer Career Accelerator Program. Experiences include career exploration, skill development, and networking opportunities for students in rising grades 6-12.

Free for JCPS students!

Lunch & transportation is provided for JCPS students.

APRIL 15 - Priority Registration Deadline

MAY 12 - Final Registration Deadline.

Details about each program can be found by visiting the CTE Summer Programs website.

The next Drivers Education class begins Monday, April 29th. In order to register for the class, the student and the Parent/Guardian MUST attend the next Parent/Student meeting on April 22nd from 6 pm-7:30 pm in the SSS Cafeteria. You must be on time and bring a pen with you to the meeting. You can find all the class dates on our school website under the Student tab/Drivers Education. Contact Coach Lori Rose with any questions.

The Extended Content Team is seeking donations of small water bottles, juice pouches, snack cakes, and chips to feed our students and partners during the annual Spring Games (Special Olympics) on Friday, April 19. If you are interested in donating, donations may be dropped off in room 1103.

Boys Basketball Open gym will be held:

Mondays 2:30-4:30

Wednesdays 3:30-4:30

Fridays 2:30-3:30

All participants must have a current physical and current Dragonfly account. Please see Coach Mayo, Coach Williams, or Coach Zinser for any additional information.

SENIORS: Grab this opportunity! Caterpillar Apprenticeship

The Caterpillar Apprenticeship Program is approximately a three-year program where apprentices will work part-time at Caterpillar and take classes part-time at Johnston Community College. During the program, apprentices will have job rotations in bothe Operations as a Product Assembler and in Logistics as a Warehouse Associates.

This is a paid apprenticeship! Successful candidates who complete the Caterpillar Apprenticeship Program will receive:

• Associate Degree from JCC in Applied Engineering

• Journeyman status in a specific trade

• Full-time Caterpillar position

For more information, please see Mrs. Judy Yow in Student Services.

Learn more and apply at https://careers.caterpillar.com/.../r0000249206-2024.../

Food Pantry will be open April 29th from 3-4:30 pm.

Congratulations to Ms. Mia Acquanita! She was recognized as our schools Most Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year. She works incredibly hard each day. The first year (and every other year) of teaching can be difficult, but we appreciate her can do attitude and willingness to build relationships and go the extra mile for her students.

Greer Jillian Lee will be serving as a summer intern for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, summer 2024. Greer competed against high school and college students from across the United States to get an all paid internship serving the Majority Leader and other key leaders within the US Senate. Greer was selected for her high academic standings and accomplishment, as well as her interview skills, and the written support from her teachers. She is the first high school student from Johnston County to be selected to serve for a Majority Leader through the internship program. Greer will be in Washington, DC, in July and first weeks of August and staying in Senate Student Housing.

16 students from our IB Programmes have just returned from Denmark where they visited our partners at Tårnby Gymnasium. As part of this exchange program, students were immersed in Danish culture, learned about government structure and sustainability initiatives, and visited a variety of museums.

On Thursday, April 11th, Ms.McNeil’s 2nd Block Foods I class, along with Ms. Heinzerling’s Food Science Class, and members of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism at SSS welcomed Ms. April Furr, the President of the NC School of Protocol and Etiquette for a presentation on professional courtesy, handshakes, introductions, fine dining etiquette and formal meal protocol and place settings.

FRC Team f(x) Robotics Wins Autonomous Award, Competes at State Tournament

SSS is very proud of the accomplishments of the Robotics team! Read the full story on our website here: https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/o/sss/article/1548757

Congratulations to Mr. Johnson! He was recognized as our district's certified employee of the month.

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.

May 24th- Junior Meeting during Sparta Time. All Juniors / rising seniors will need to attend. This is an opportunity to:

Introduce CADY to upcoming seniors

• Provide a preview and highlight options for their senior portrait experience

• Gather data to ensure students and their families receive important booking information

• Ensure NO ONE is left out of their senior yearbook

Junior Leadership Johnston applications are now being accepted. This opportunity and several others can be found at: http://bit.ly/jcpsenrichmen

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! It's not too late to start or finish your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Don’t miss out on the largest source of student aid to pay for college or career school!​ Submit your 2024-2025 FAFSA® form today! http://fafsa.gov

Planning to attend Johnston Community College after graduation? You'll need to complete the FAFSA to take advantage of the JoCo Commissioners Promise Program and attend tuition free next year. More info at https://johnstoncc.edu/.../financ.../jocopromiseprogram.aspx

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.

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

Cap & Gown delivery for seniors will be on April 17th from 9:30-1pm. They will be located in the hallway near the media center

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!

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

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

Career exploration opportunity for students & adults!

The North Carolina State Crime Lab is hosting an open house for the public at the Raleigh location on April 16 and April 18. Scientists from a variety of disciplines will provide demonstrations and answer questions.

Register at https://shorturl.at/djtIM

UNC Health Johnston is thrilled to present a transformative week-long camp for students eager to explore various hospital departments. This immersive Camp Med experience will allow participants to learn more about health care careers by shadowing hospital teammates in a number of different areas through our health system in Smithfield and Clayton. By the week's end, participants will attain their Basic Life Support certification and gain profound insights into the intricacies of hospital operations.

Camp Med runs from June 17-June 21, 2024. Apply here https://form.jotform.com/240536003539148 by April 15. Camp Med is free to attend and is open to students ages 15 and up.

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 9-12 young women!

North Carolina Emergency Management invites young women in grades 9-12 to explore careers in emergency management and public safety this summer. The workshop will take place from August 5-9, 2024 and will be hosted at the NC State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. NCEM intends to select up to 24 students to participate in the 2024 program.

Learn more and apply by April 19 at https://www.ncdps.gov/nc-herricane

Summer internship opportunity for rising Juniors, Seniors and Class of 2024 graduates!

Caterpillar in Clayton is accepting applications for STEM Student Trainees during Summer 2024. Students will work 40 hours per week. Successful applicants will have some experience in the STEM field.

Other requirements include:

*Must Be 16 years of age by start of program

*Must have and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA

*Must have reliable transportation

*Must be able to work 40 hours per week during the 8–10-week summer program

Learn more and apply by March 24 at https://careers.caterpillar.com/.../r0000244614-2024.../

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/

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.