Newspapers / Grimsley High School Student … / Sept. 30, 2010, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Grimsley High School Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
2 news September 30,2010 Academic achievements, campus renovations, general spirit on campus make Brady beam with pride BY DJ Brewington Reporter Since Principal Anna Brady's arrival, she and the administrative staff have worked very diligently to encourage school pride, to improve academic test results, to decrease the number of school fights, and to cease the littering on campus. When Brady arrived in July of 2008, she imme diately took charge. With much to learn about the school's persona, faculty, and student body, she spoke openly with the Student Council repre sentatives and asked them about some of their school concerns. In es sence, they wanted a safe environment, better communication throughout the school community, and quali fied teachers who could offer them with enjoy able learning experiences. After acquainting her self with students, Brady met with the School Lead ership Team, which in cludes selected members of the staff and faculty, par ents, and administrators. n .T Principal of the Year Anna Brady is pleased with the student body’s appreciation of diversity within the Whirlie community. Segregation was a lifestyle of the past, butstudents now think in terms of Whirlie blue and white instead of the color of anyone’s skin. Elliott photo She surveyed the Leader ship Team to identify problems on campus and asked them to brainstorm for solutions to the issues. Meeting with the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) was next on Brady's agenda. After examining the feed back she received from all three groups, she drew some conclusions. "We needed to make a difference in order to transform our school culture, which meant building relationships with students and staff and making sure there was consistency within the various expecta tions," said Brady. Positive changes in the school have occurred since Brady's arrival. Maintenance issues were addressed including the repair of ceilings, the refurbishing of the Voca tional building, and the reorganization of custodial responsibilities. Crimes have been cut in half, 60 percent in some categories. Recently recognized as a School of Distinction in North Carolina, Grimsley has new signs and ban ners on display to "dem onstrate our pride and show that we are a School of Excellence. It really makes a difference," said Brady, "especially when you're coming down Aycock Street, and you see that beautiful sign that simply reads 'Grimsley High School.' We're not simple; we're just elegant." "Even though we have succeeded in making our school a much safer place, we still have work to do. Projects, such as a new track and a new cafeteria building, which will allow for six more classrooms in the old, caf eteria, are still works in progress," said Brady. Completion of the construc tion should be in 2012. Better optimizing our students' schedules so that they can take the classes they want is yet another goal of the principal and her admin istrative staff. Addition ally, she hopes to expand opportunities for our diverse population of students and to decrease segregated groups on campus. "This is something that I don't think I can do alone," said Brady, "but what I would like to see is more of our students integrating. We have a very beautifully diverse student body, and what I dream of seeing one day is more people of different races and cultures together and not looking so divided." Brady repeatedly reminds members of the school community that the improvements on campus between 2008 and now could never have happened without the help of administra tors, the student resource officer (SRO), students, teachers, and parents. During her time here, she was nominated for and won the Clendenin Award, which recognizes an administrator who exhibits outstanding service to children, students, and youth through the PTSA. Along with the assis tance of everyone within the school community, "We can make a differ ence and continue to transform this school back to the School of Excellence it has been known for," said Brady. "Clearly, Grimsley will continue to expect and demonstrate excellence every day." Hurricane Earl proved hungry for attention, rumbling its way from Caribbean to Canada BY MARY CLAIRE HURLEY Reporter Brewing up just days before Labor Day Weekend, an approaching, fright ening storm ended many vacations. Hurricane Earl was the third hurricane this year and named the second worst hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Its gusting winds and powerful rain stretched along the east coast. The storm was thought to be a Category 4 with winds reaching’ 140 miles per hour, but it weakened to a Category 2 storm with wind« at 105 miles per hour. Tropical Storm Fiona closely followed. Officials urged thousands of residents to evacuate, but many remained and boarded up their homes. As the hurricane approached, many flights were cancelled. After the storm dissipated. Governor Bev Perdue en couraged tourists to keep their Labor Dar plans and to "have a little fun and spend some money," as noted on WCNC.com on September 3. Surfers did not allow the storm to frighten them into missing out on the huge waves. As the storm continued to sway between harmful and less pow erful, the Federal Emergency Manage ment Agency was uncertain about is suing mass departures. "Evacuations may be required if the storm does not move to the north or to the east." said Craig Fugate, director of FEMA. Cars began lining up to board ferries to leave Ocracoke Island, for it was the only way to evacuate unless one owned a private boat or plane. The ferry ride was two and a half hours long, which caused much frustration for the ferry services as the mandatory evacuation took place. As the storm sideswiped the North Carolina coast on September 2, waves were predicted to reach up to 18 feet; however, some waves actually grew 25 to 30 feet, which caused roadway may hem as the waves flooded the streets. Rough waters and winds caused beach erosion, and an old and already teetering pier on Hatteras Island col lapsed on Thursday. Fortunately, the pier closed prior to the storm, so no body was hurt. The center of the storm extended the winds by 80 miles, and Tropical Storm Fiona's winds ex panded 200 miles. According to an article by Monica Yancy for WCTI12.com, Progress Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks claimed that 226 power outages were reported in the area between New Bern and Morehead City. On Thursday, 340 customers of Domin ion Power Company were left without power, and by the end of the storm, an estimated 6,600 homes had no power. As a result, many counties delayed or canceled school for September 3. "There will iteed to be more order and I s f'1VJ n I - -. V- i: = ^ i f-fX: '■ r ^ jTt«’ Hurricane Earl causes damage as it approaches the east coast. Fortunately, the disaster relief workers discovered that destruction was not as severe as originally expected. Internet graphic preparation for future hurricanes. Experts did predict a busier-than-usual hurricane season for 2010, expecting a season harsher than 2009," said Fugate. Along with North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New England, and Canada, as well as islands around the Caribbhean, experienced Ihehunicane. FEMAk wdasite claims damage assessment teams col laborated and determined within the US alone, repair costs will mn a little less than $100 million In retrospect, the hurricane did less damage than expected in most places. "We dodged a bullet," said Perdue.
Grimsley High School Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 30, 2010, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75