PSRC Monthly Newsletter

Your source for PSRC happenings

December 9, 2024

December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

Quote of the Month

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."

- Henry Ford

News around the District

PSRC's Light Up the Night Family Engagement Night is Dec. 19! Register now!

PSRC Family,

Join us for a fun-filled night of holiday crafting, math connections and S.T.E.A.M activities on December 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the Southeastern NC Agricultural Center!

Families will create festive holiday crafts and bring them to life with S.T.E.A.M -powered circuits! From mini-trees to ornaments, we'll light up your creativity!

🔧 What to Expect:

Craft fun for all ages
Build circuits to light up your creations
Perfect for kids, parents, and anyone who loves hands-on learning
Free books to inspire our “Robeson Readers & Writers”
Learn about the math behind circuits
Surprise guests and a performance you do not want to miss!!

Bring your questions, your creativity, and get ready to learn and make new memories.

🎄 We can’t wait to craft with you!

Don't wait, Register now!! https://forms.gle/WBBs9XhWT2ksu2Wa7

All PSRC Family Engagement Nights are free for students and their families. We believe in creating spaces for families to learn and grow through hands-on educational experiences.

*Dinner will be served.

Robeson Planetarium and Science Center to offer Season of Light Program on December 17!

The Robeson Planetarium is offering three holiday programs featuring Season of Light, a production all about this time of year and why celebrations happen all over the world. This program is offered free of charge on Tuesday, December 17th, at 5:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 671-6000, x3382. Leave a message with your name, the number in your party, and what program time you’re interested in.

Driven 2 Excel returns, qualifying PSRC seniors have a chance to win a 2024 Honda Civic!

Beasley Media Group’s “Driven 2 Excel” program is a community enhancement campaign designed to reward high school seniors in Robeson County who achieve high levels of academic achievement and exemplary attendance records throughout the 2024-2025 school year. In conjunction with the Public Schools of Robeson County and other community partners, Beasley Media Group has joined with local dealerships and businesses to reward qualifying students with fantastic incentives for scholastic performance. Driven 2 Excel is sponsored by Lumberton Honda and Piedmont Natural Gas.

If you’re a Robeson County Schools student, reach out to your guidance counselor for more information on how you can qualify to win a 2024 Honda Civic, just by having great grades and attendance!

Click here for the official Driven 2 Excel Robeson County rules.

28 PSRC educators receive Bright Ideas Grants

Twenty-eight educators were awarded funding through the Lumbee River EMC Bright Ideas Grant program to enhance student learning and create innovative educational experiences.

Photo courtesy of Lumbee River EMC

Click here for the full story.

Local educator receives NCSTA Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher Award

Local educator Hampton Miller recently received the Region 4 North Carolina Science Teachers Association Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher Award.

Miller received the award for his innovative and creative teaching methods during his time at Fairmont Middle School, where he inspired students and challenged them to apply scientific methods to understand the world around them and solve complex problems.

Click here for the full story.

Students Showcase Career and Technical Education Pathways at PSRC CTE Showcase

“We’re excited to teach others what we’re learning.”

Those were the words of Maliyah Jones, a 12th grader enrolled in the Nursing Fundamentals class at St. Pauls High School. She and her peers were stationed at the health care booth to share interactive demonstrations about personal protective equipment to sixth graders during the PSRC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Showcase Event at the Southeastern Agricultural Center.

Click here for the full story.

PSRC Mental Health Minute: Mindfulness

As we approach the holiday season, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the importance of mindfulness, both for ourselves and for our students. In the midst of the season’s busyness and the end-of-year demands, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush, but mindfulness offers a powerful way to stay grounded and present.

Mindfulness, especially during Christmas, encourages us to slow down, appreciate the moment, and find peace within ourselves. It allows us to nurture our own well-being, which in turn strengthens our ability to nurture the minds and hearts of our students.

Let us take this time to pause, breathe, and embrace the joy of the season with gratitude.

Ways to Support Your Mental Health During the Holiday Season:

Practice self-care.
Pay attention to your feelings.
Take a break from social media.
Develop a plan for when you are feeling stressed, sad or lonely.
Stay active.
Recognize seasonal mood changes.
Know when to seek help.

Thank you for your dedication and the care you bring to your work every day.

Wishing you a peaceful and mindful Christmas season,

PSRC Mental Health Team

Nurse's Corner

The Winter Wellness Guide: Keeping Your Family Healthy for the Holidays

As the cold weather sets in and the holidays approach, ensuring the health and safety of your family becomes more important than ever. With flu season in full swing and the threat of seasonal illnesses, it’s essential to take proactive steps to keep your loved ones safe and ready to enjoy the festivities. Here’s your guide to maintaining a healthy and happy winter season.

Understanding Contagion: How to Protect Your Family from Germs

During the colder months, colds and the flu can spread quickly, especially among children. But how can you tell if your child is contagious?

Cold Symptoms: Children can pass on a cold even before showing any symptoms. The contagious period usually lasts for 3 to 4 days after the cold sets in. Symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose follow, but by then, your child may have already spread the virus.
Flu Symptoms: Flu can be tricky too. A child is contagious one day before they start feeling sick, which means they could be passing it to others before they even know they’re ill. Symptoms like a high fever, sore throat, and body aches will appear soon after.

It’s important to keep your child home if they show signs of illness. Many schools will send children home if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or contagious skin conditions like lice or scabies.

Prevention Is Key

Teaching your child simple habits can go a long way in preventing the spread of illness:

Hand Hygiene: Encourage frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This helps eliminate germs and prevent the spread of illness.
Avoid Sharing: Make sure your child understands the importance of not sharing food, drinks, or clothing with others.
Tissues and Trash: Remind them to throw away used tissues immediately and wash their hands afterward.

Vaccination Reminder

As we head into flu season, it’s a great time to ensure your child is up-to-date on their vaccinations. For 11th graders moving into 12th grade in January, there’s an important reminder: they have 30 days from the day they officially become 12th graders to get their second meningococcal vaccine. Staying on top of vaccinations helps keep everyone safe and reduces the risk of preventable diseases.

Winter Health Tips: Staying Safe and Warm

While you’re looking after your family's health, there are a few other safety precautions to keep in mind this winter:

Layer Up: With colder temperatures, it’s crucial to bundle up. Dress in light, warm layers, and don’t forget gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots to stay dry and warm.
Manage Stress: The holiday season can be stressful. It's important to find ways to relax, such as connecting socially, getting enough sleep, or taking breaks when needed.
Don’t Drink and Drive: As you attend holiday parties this season, remember to never drink and drive. Always designate a driver or use a safe transportation method.
Be Smoke-Free: Both smoking and secondhand smoke pose significant health risks. Avoid smoking indoors, and make sure your family stays away from secondhand smoke.

Safety at Home

Winter is a time when the risk of household accidents increases, so it’s essential to take extra precautions:

Fire Safety: Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Always be cautious with space heaters, fireplaces, and candles. Never leave them unattended, and make sure your home has a fire escape plan.
Toy and Food Safety: Keep dangerous items out of children’s reach, and practice food safety by washing hands and surfaces regularly and cooking foods to the proper temperatures.

Healthy Habits for the Whole Family

Eating well and staying active are key to maintaining good health throughout the winter:

Eat Healthy: Incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your meals to help strengthen the immune system. Limit high-fat, high-sugar foods and encourage moderation.
Stay Active: Physical activity doesn’t have to stop during winter. Find indoor or outdoor activities that your family enjoys. Aim for at least 2½ hours of activity per week for adults and 1 hour of activity per day for kids.

Keeping the Holidays Bright

By following these health and safety tips, you can protect your family and make the most of the holiday season. Stay healthy, stay safe, and enjoy the winter months with your loved ones—making memories that will last a lifetime!

Resources: cdc.gov; chatgpt.com

Join our Parental Advisory Committee!

Robeson County Parental Advisory Committee flyer

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This is your invitation to join our District Parental Advisory Committee, affectionately known as the "Robeson County P.A.C."

Our Parental Advisory Committee will represent the voice of PSRC parents/caregivers and students in our district. Collectively and individually, this committee will act as a sounding board and resource for our district's initiative to build and maintain family-school partnerships in alignment with the strategic plan and our Title I Parent and Family Engagement Plan.

The role of the committee is to provide advice and assistance to the district regarding any matter relating to programs and services in order to help the district attain its goal of providing all students with the best education possible. It will also serve to inform, encourage, and provide opportunities for parents and community members to be involved in the planning and improvement process.

I am very excited to get the ball rolling with the P.A.C for the upcoming school year, if you accept this invitation please complete the Google form here.

Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Brendalyn Thompson

Family Engagement Specialist

Public Schools of Robeson County

Office Number: 910-671-6000 ext. 3560

Email: brendalyn.thompson@robeson.k12.nc.us