October 21, 2004
The Kings Mountain Herald
Page 7B
I
SCHOOLS
BY ANDIE L. BRYMER
Staff Writer
When Debrerah McClain heard about the
Cleveland County School's Parent Center
computer lab, she knew the skills taught
there would help her help her son.
McClain is brushing up her computer
knowledge so she can teach her son to type.
He's already using the computer mouse to
operate spelling tutorial Roger Rabbit and a
program which teaches short and long vow-
els. McClain believes that keeping kids intel-
lectually stimulated at home helps then do
better at school.
Recently, McClain offered to staple les-
sons together.
“To show my appreciation I'm volunteer-
ing to help,” she said.
McClain calls the center’s two staff mem-
bers Barbara Bridges and Lori Holland “a
breath of fresh air.”
Bridges helped parent Adrienne Myers
with Microsoft Word. The two worked on
using keys and a mouse to bold, underline
and highlight words.
“I'm trying to brush up on it,” Myers
said.
She hopes the new skills will help on the
job search. Myers heard about the program
when West Elementary School sent home a
parent survey. ;
Martha Evans learned about the computer
lab after taking a computer class at the
Patrick Senior Center. She wants to increase
her typing from 33 to 40 words per minute
in hopes of getting a job with the county or
state.
. Though parents and grandparents of
school children are given first access, the
computer lab is open to the public also.
The Parent Center offers more than com-
puters know how. Materials are available on
the Saxon Phonics program used in local
schools. This helps parents better under-
stand the method teachers are now using.
“They learn the why of language, not just
how it is,” Bridges said.
Information also is available on math.
Once a month the center sponsors an activi-
ty time for pre-schoolers which includes
ANDIE L. BRYMER/HERALD
Barbara Bridges of the Parent Center helps Adrienne Myers with Microsoft Word
Parent Center helps
adults help children
arts, crafts, stories and singing. Parents
should pre-register by calling the center.
Kings Mountain High School students
volunteer as tutors for first graders on
Wednesday afternoons. This program begins
after the first progress reports are issued.
“The little kids really like the big kids,”
Bridges said.
Story packets including a book and activi-
ties are available for free at the center.
Educational games can be borrowed.
Center staff are trained in the Laubach lit-
eracy training method. There are also GED
preparation materials available at the center.
English as a Second Language assistance is
available too.
Center staff have helped people with lim-
ited English understand utility bills and
learn to better communicate with service
providers.
Bridges will meet one-on-one with par-
ents needing help with Attention Deficit
Disorder, discipline, financial planning and
other issues.
“Not that we have all the answers, we
brainstorm,” Bridges said.
The center has hosted support groups
around ADD, discipline and divorce.
Education workshops also take place
throughout the year.
Parents of newborns may receive a book
for their baby and register for regular mail-
ings on child development.
All of the center's services and materials
are free. Federal money makes up 80 per-
cent of the Parent Center budget with the
remaining 20 percent from local coffers. Last
year the center had 768 contacts with par-
ents, grandparents and community mem-
bers and gave away 100 story packets.
For a schedule of classes and other events,
call 704-739-0017. That number will change
to 704-476-8000 soon. The Parent Center is
located in the basement of the former Kings
Mountain District Schools office on East
Ridge Street.
Andie Brymer can be reached at
abrymer@kingsmountainherald.com or
704-739-7496.
Educators attend seminars
Steven W. Sutherland, fifth grade mathe-
matics teacher at Kings Mountain
Intermediate School, and Melanie Ballard,
eighth grade counselor at Kings Mountain
Middle School, recently attended seminars
at the North Carolina Center for
Advancement of Teachers at Cullowhee.
Ballard participated in “Beaches;
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”
Sutherland participated in “Support
Seminar for Teachers Pursuing National
Board Certification.”
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Ambassadors help
out in community
The Ambassadors, a new school/commu-
nity service organization at Kings Mountain
High, recently completed its first communi-
ty service project.
Sarosh Majeed and Harsh Patel organized
a trash pickup project on Phifer Road and
around the high school. Members picked up
trash for two hours.
Two more projects are planned for
Saturday, Oct. 23. Several members will be
raising money for the YMCA by participat-
ing in the Y’s “We Build People” campaign
to provide scholarships to families and stu-
dents to participate in YMCA programs.
They will be taking pledges and participat-
ing in a walk-a-thon at the YMCA walking
track from 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
Members will also participate in the
United Way “Make a Difference Day” by
going to the Wendover Hospice facility in
Shelby and landscape their playground,
make cards and cookies for residents, deco-
rate scrapbooks and visit patients.
Students from Jeff Melton’s, Dan Potter's
and Kami McKay's classes will also partici-
pate in the project at Hospice.
Thulin receives Pfeiffer scholarship
Jennifer Thulin of Bessemer City has been
awarded an academic scholarship for the
fall 2005-06 academic year at Pfeiffer
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Lindsey Carpenter, Angel Smith and
Lindsey Holland of The Ambassadors pick
up trash along Phifer Road.
One of Pfeiffer’s most prestigious, this
scholarship is awarded to incoming fresh-
man students based on the student’s out-
University in Misenheimer.
standing academic record.
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