The Sparta Express

Critical thinking is the name of the game in Mrs. Suggs’s IB English classes as juniors and seniors get some steps and collaborate. Juniors are studying the tools and techniques embedded in infographics and seniors are analyzing implications of symbols within the Nigerian novel Purple Hibiscus.

We are super excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at SSS. Take a peek at a video our students will watch this week. We have many staff members and students who are excited to share their Hispanic Heritage. Let's make it a great month as we learn and grow together.

Hispanic Heritage Week Spirit Week will from September 23rd to September 27th. Join the celebration!

Needless to say we had a couple of "opportunities" this past week. It is very important that we always strive to be our absolute best. I want to encourage every student to be mindful of the things that they post and share. It is VERY easy to start rumors and unnecessary concerns in any situation. It is also important to remember the value students of telling an adult when they need help or support. We have an incredible faculty ready to support our students ...all they have to do it reach out! I want to remind you that they way that we communicate in our school is via the contact information that we have on file. If at anytime, you feel that your contact information is outdated or you fail to receive the messaging, please reach out to our data manager, Mr. Decarius "Pete" Bryant. His email is : decariusbryant@johnston.k12.nc.us .

The SSS Food Pantry will be open Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:30pm. For more information, please see Mrs. Russell.

Have you ever wanted to travel abroad with your fellow classmates? This summer is your chance to go to Costa Rica! An information meeting for parents and students will be held on Thursday, September 26th at 6pm in the Media Center.

Our first round of district benchmarks for semester long EOC courses will be October 1st-4th. This includes Math 1, Math 3, and English 2.

Interested in having a booth at our SSS Craft and Vendor Fair? All proceeds directly benefit SSS students! Use this link to find out all the details and apply: bit.ly/SSSCRAFT24

The ASVAB Test is scheduled on Oct. 3; Thursday. Anyone interested email Ms. Judy Yow or see her in 1600 Office. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a standardized test that helps determine a person's suitability for military service and jobs. It's administered to students in grades 10–12, and is also taken by those who want to join the military. The ASVAB is not required for enlistment, but a minimum score is needed to join the military.

The ASVAB covers a range of subjects, including:

• General Science: Life science, earth and space science, and physical science
• Arithmetic Reasoning: Basic arithmetic word problems
• Word Knowledge: Understanding the meaning of words through synonyms
• Paragraph Comprehension: Obtaining information from written material
• Mathematics Knowledge: Mathematical concepts and applications
• Electronics Information: Electrical current, circuits, devices, and electronic systems
• Auto and Shop Information: Automotive maintenance and repair, and wood and metal shop practices
• Mechanical Comprehension: Mechanical skills

The ASVAB is 3–4 hours long, including administrative tasks and instructions. After the test, answer sheets are sent to be scanned and scored, which usually takes a few days. A recruiter will notify the test taker when their scores are available.

A higher score on the ASVAB opens up more career fields, and a score above 60 may qualify for enlistment bonuses and security clearance.

Our homecoming theme, SSS Fest is coming to town October 14-18! We will celebrate our 55th homecoming with music festival flare! Festivities will include:

• Our homecoming parade on October 14

• Homecoming court elections

• And last but not least, the big game on October 18!

If you are interested in running for homecoming court, here are some important dates:

• 9/16: Nomination form will be released

• 9/30: Nomination form will close

• 10/1: Voting form will be released

• 10/10: Voting form will close

The positions include:

Homecoming prince and princes (freshman, sophomores, and juniors are eligible)

Homecoming queen and king (only seniors are eligible)

Till then, let’s keep the rhythm going!!

Unified Spartans Club Dues must be paid by September 26! This year students will purchase their shirt for $20 through the link, and that will cover the cost of dues. Dues are required to be considered to attend unified events. Please purchase your shirt here: https://sssunified2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Seniors! If you have not taken your Senior photo...you need to sign up! 📣 Bookings are now OPEN for senior photo sessions for the class of 2025. You must be photographed by CADY to be in the yearbook. Get photos for grad announcements, senior yearbook ads, and flawless Insta posts. Book now at cady.com/schedule. #CADYsenior

Application for Caterpillar Pre-Apprenticeship Progam is now open. Any 11th grade student in good academic standing can apply. If interested, please see Ms. Judy Yow in the 1600 Office.

2023-2024 Yearbooks - if you purchased a yearbook last year and did not pick that up yet, please see Ms Holland in the gym before or after school.

2024-2025 Yearbooks - on sale NOW at the lowest price.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1051219/Smithfield-Selma-Senior-High-School/

Have you heard about high school students taking college classes at JCC? The program is called CCP. You can learn more about the program here: https://www.johnstoncc.edu/programs/career-and-college-promise/

CCP is now accepting applications for CCP Spring 2025 through November 4, 2024. Students are eligible in grades 9-12.

Johnston County Public Schools is in the process of selecting a calendar for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. During the September 10, regular scheduled meeting the JC Board of Education received three (3) calendar options for each school year, and has requested that each of the calendar options be made available for your review and feedback.

Review the calendar options, watch a brief informative video, view a Calendar Comparison Chart, and complete the feedback here:

https://bit.ly/4enhKyO

The feedback form will be available until Noon on Monday, September 23, 2024.

We look forward to hearing from you!

click below to see the food menu options for our school

There are multiple opportunities to catch our Spartans in action this week! Come out and support our fall sports teams.

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.

📣 Bookings are now OPEN for senior photo sessions for the class of 2025. You must be photographed by CADY to be in the yearbook. Get photos for grad announcements, senior yearbook ads, and flawless Insta posts. Book now at cady.com/schedule. #CADYsenior

Hey Seniors!! We are so excited to announce Senior Sunrise! Come out on September 28th at 6:15 am at the SSS Football field to watch the sunrise. Make sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket and food for breakfast. Can't wait to see you guys there!!

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, during its regular scheduled meeting, the Johnston County Board of Education received the proposed JCPS Assignment plan and reviewed six (6) draft maps - two for each grade level.

The Board believes in providing thorough and timely information to the citizens of Johnston County. Therefore, the Board is providing pertinent information and soliciting community input.

Community members can find more information on the plan, including the six (6) draft maps, frequently asked questions, additional resources, and an opportunity to complete the 2024 Student Assignment Community Input Form by visiting the JCPS assignment page online at https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/page/jcpsassignmentmaps.

Get ready to embark on an extraordinary journey towards your students future! We are beyond thrilled to extend a special invitation to you for the 9th Annual HBCU College Experience College Fair, proudly sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Sigma Tau Omega Chapter, in collaboration with the prestigious Cary Academy.

Date: September 28, 2024 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Location: CMS Gym, Cary Academy

This isn't just any college fair – it's an immersive experience designed to ignite your passion for learning, discovery, and excellence. And the best part? Admission is absolutely FREE for all attendees!

Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower you with the resources, knowledge, and exposure needed to explore the incredible opportunities awaiting you at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Whether you're a high school student dreaming of your future or a parent eager to support your child's educational journey, this event is tailor-made for you.

What Awaits You:

• Access to a diverse range of HBCUs, each offering unique academic programs and vibrant campus cultures

• Valuable resources and guidance to navigate the college application process with confidence

• Opportunities to connect with recruiters, alumni, and fellow students who share your aspirations

• On-the-spot admissions and scholarship opportunities that could shape your future

Last year's fair was nothing short of phenomenal! Thanks to the overwhelming support from students, parents, and the community, we welcomed over 600 attendees and hosted representatives from 23 HBCUs. The result? Over 20 students received immediate admissions offers, and an astonishing $120,000 in scholarships were awarded on the spot!

This year promises to be even more remarkable, and we want YOU to be a part of it. So mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us for a day filled with excitement, discovery, and endless possibilities.

Registration is now OPEN! Registration is not requred but it is highly encouraged. Please utilize this link to register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-hbcu-college-fair-tickets-860600648707?aff=ebdssbdestsearch If you are registering a larger group, please select Group Registration. You will be assigned a point of contact for seamless registration. We hope to see you and your students there!

For any inquiries or additional information, feel free to reach out to us at caryakahbcu@gmail.com.

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is excited to announce the NCICU DIRECT ADMISSION PROGRAM for North Carolina High School seniors with a 2.8 or higher weighted GPA! Students can visit www.ncicu.org to complete a streamlined application in as little as 5 minutes with no application fee. By answering a few questions, students will hear from each of the participating colleges and universities that they have selected, with information about individual campus requirements, their conditional acceptance, and the availability of financial aid.

Johnston County Electric Line Worker Pre-Apprenticeship Program is accepting any seniors interested in applying. The goal of the program is to provide young adults with job skills and experience to pursue a successful lineworker career after high school. Application is due on September 20th. If interested, please see Ms. Judy Yow in the 1600 Office

The 2024 Questbridge National College Match application is open! HS Seniors can apply to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. 💰

Questbridge is looking for high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges. Finalists typically come from households earning less than $65,000 annually for a household of four and have minimal assets. They take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and do not have absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors.

DEADLINE ➡️ September 26, 2024

Find more information and application at https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match

Find this scholarship opportunity and many others at bit.ly/JCPSscholar2ships 🎓

Seniors! 🎓 The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. The 2025 application is now open! Learn more and apply here by September 30 ➡ https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/

Find this scholarship and other opportunities at bit.ly/JCPSscholarships

Class of 2025! 🎓 The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 💰 Applications are due Sept 15. Find more information and apply at https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship/

Find this scholarship and more at bit.ly/JCPSscholarships