North Carolina Newspapers

August 22, 2012 vr The Kings Mountain Herald | www.kmherald.net Page 7B Dixie Youth honored Some of the members of the Kings Mountain YMCA Dixie Youth 11/12 baseball team, above, . were present in uniform for last Tuesday’s meeting of city council. Mayor Rick Murphrey, above presents certificates of appreciation as well as city pins to the young people. The team | placed 6th of 16 in state championship play. photo by ELLIS NOELL KM teacher wins $2K Unsung Heroes grant . ‘Meredith Alexander, a + teacher at North Elementary, ' is one of only 100 winners ' across the nation, and one of five in the entire state of North Carolina to win $2,000 for an innovative teaching program in the 16th ' year of the ING Unsung He- i toes Awards Program com- + petition. She is now being consid- ered for the top three na- . tional winners who will , receive an additional $5,000, . $10,000 or $25,000 to bring their programs to life. Alexander’s ‘winning project, “Read and Ride,” incorporates literature and ' fitness to create a new and . exciting way for students to learn. The “Read and Ride” ' classroom engages students | in reading while riding sta- ' tionary bikes. The classroom would be used for centers, accelerated reader time or as a reward. Alexander hopes the project will motivate stu- © dents to read and stay active physically. In addition to + reading and riding, students » will also solve math prob- i lems and learn about healthy . living habits. The project , aims to increase student reading and comprehension scores as well as help-them improve their focus and physical fitness. The ING Unsung He- * roes® program strives to up- lift, inspire and honor educators who are making a significant impact on their students and the educational : experience in the classroom. Winning programs over the years have exemplified teachers who utilize innova- tive and engaging teaching methods and techniques to improve learning for Amer- ica’s students. Because many educators are often under-appreciated, under- paid, and unrecognized, ING U.S. continues to salute them through its ING Un- sung Heroes program, now in its 16th year. - As a benchmark, studies at another school showed that when students attended the “Read and Ride” room for 20 minutes three times per week, they had an aver- age increase in test scores of 113 points of growth and an overall reading proficiency of 61 percent. Alexander, who resides in Cherryville, hopes her students will in- crease their exposure to daily, healthy living activi- ties. “ING is proud of the hard work and dedication of all of our nation’s teachers,” said Maliz Beams, CEO of ING U.S. Retirement Services. “It is a privilege to invest in the innovative ideas of edu- cators across the United States who are preparing our children for the future. We hope the additional funds Meredith Alexander is awarded through ING Un- sung Heroes will help sus- tain her program “and continue to make an impact on the children in her com- munity.” / ING U.S.,, a leading provider of retirement plans and programs for teachers, began the ING Unsung He- . _roes program in 1996 to demonstrate the company’s commitment to the educa- tion community. Over the years, the program has awarded nearly $4 million to. 1,700 kindergarten through their innovative teaching methods, creative educa- tional projects, and ability to positively influence the chil- dren they teach. The 2012 ING Vnioig Heroes winners were se- lected from a group of more learn more abdut this year’s - winning projects, as well as those from previous years, visit the ING Unsung He- roes website (un- sungheroes.com). More information about the pro- gram can also be found on Facebook page (facebook.com/un- sungheroesgrant) ~~ where people can like and share the page to encourage more ed- ucators to apply. Applica- tions for the 2013 ING Unsung Heroes awards are 12th-grade educators for than 1,300 applications. To the ING Unsung Heroes available on the website. 5 local elementary schools designated Title I Reward Schools Five local elementary schools are designated as Title I Reward Schools for being among the highest performing in the state. East, Fallston, Grover, North and Washington elementary schools have been identified among the top 10 percent of all Title I schools in the state for sus- taining student achievement OVer a num- ber of years. Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, 120 Title I schools comprise the state’s list of Reward Schools. Eighty- one (81) are identified as highest-per- forming (including the five local elementary schools), and 39 schools are identified as having made the most progress over a number of years. And, for the second year in a row, Cleveland County has an elementary school included among the top of these highest performing schools. Fallston El- ementary was among the top Title I schools in the state last year and a final- ist in the Distinguished Schools Pro- gram. This year, East Elementary is among the top 10 percent of the Reward Schools. * This year, 12 schools (the top 10 per- cent) are invited to submit portfolios to Gr all taken “We buy salvage cars & trucks” identify the best practices contributing to their schools’ successes. They have the opportunity to represent the state in the Ndtional Title I Distinguished Schools program and are eligible for Reward School Mini Grants, with a base allot- ment of $20,000 and additional funding per the school’s ADM (average daily membership). East Elementary Principal Eric Lamanna said a key to East’s success i$ the commitment by its staff to help stu- dents succeed. East’s culture is one of team spirit and focusing on putting the children first, he said. “All our certified staff noiihers stay after school and tutor students at least one day a week during the entire second semester,” Lamanna said. Fallston Principal Mary Frye cited numerous programs used to target defi- ciencies and intervene and improve stu dents’ basic reading and math skills. She said student progress is closely moni- tored and assessed and best practices from proven instructional leaders are used. ; Both Mrs. Frye and Mr. Lamanna < said their schools offer numerous recog- nition programs to encourage and reward their students’ performance. Both partner closely with businesses, agencies and others in the community to provide for their students and their families. Both schools also promote parent involvement and emphasize parental communication. Title I schools (about one half of the state’s public schools) are subject to be categorized under three designations: Priority, Focus and Reward schools. This year’s designations are based on 2010- 11 data. : School districts that receive Title I funds must use them in schools where at least 40 percent of the children receive free or reduced-cost meals. Eligible schools may use Title I funds for school- wide programs that serve all children in the school. Currently all local elementary schools and Shelby Intermediate have schoolwide programs. _ Cleveland County Schools is to re- ceive more than $4.7 million in 2012-13 that will provide reading labs, in-class and pull-out programs, preschool pro- grams and parent centers. The Title I pro- gram provides funding for 33.5 teaching positions, 43 teacher assistants, two par- ent center coordinators and two assis- tants and three curriculum coordinators. » Care Of... ap Mr Lean 4 Funeral Directors + Belmont - 704.825.5301 www.mcleanfuneral.com M@tores Serving up quality cars and trucks 109 E. Chestnut, Stanley b 704.263.4791 www.matersmotors.net Mac's Auto Parts finn Bt Gastonia Woodlawn Funeral Home 375 Woodlawn ‘Ave. * Mt. Holly 704-820-0608 Used parts fo fests & models! “We can find the car you're looking for!” 704.861.0676 or 104.861.1331 . - we will VORK FOR YOU! in the Service Directory Today! Byrum’s Upholstering Custom Built Headboards © Home & Office Furniture o Pillows & Accessories Ottomans RIVERIILL y MONUMENT CO&—’ Wlowaseesnts af. Diatemetion h A Family Tradition Since 1957 All Types of Cemetery Work + Bronze « Granite + Marble Locally Owned & Operated by Ron & Cathy Ledbetter 1113 Polkville Rd. (Hwy 226 N.) Main Office & Plant 1615 W. Dixon Blvd. * Hwy 74 - By-Pass - Display/Sales Office . www.riverhillmonuments.com we will ‘WORK FOR YOU! in the Service Directory Today! Serving Belmont & the surrounding areas for over 42 yéars! Byrum’s Coverings Custom Slipcovers & Accessories Over 10 years experience! www.yourslipcovers.com + rbharmon@bellsouth.nef 704.825.8648 709 S. Main St., Belmont MmH==-IM<0O> Crouse Recycling Metal Recycling 4304 01d Linconton Rd., Crouse NC 704-445-1566 » incmaster@bellsouth.net Mp==IMeU Gall us today to see how your husiness can be listed i in 11} Service Directory! in Cleveland County call Rick - 704739-7496 NS 3 R | J E be 3 In Gaston County call Pal » 704825-0580 The Banner News, Cherryville Eagle and Kings Mountain Herald are not responsible for errors in an advertisement if not corrected by the first week after the ad appears. : 3 : ® . : R :