Blowing Rock School Notes: February 6, 2012
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Summer Camps Slated for Future Engineers: Registration by March 9
Special Report to Blowing Rock News from University News Service. February 16, 2012. BOONE—Aspiring engineers are invited to attend a Future Engineers Camp sponsored by the N.C. Center for Engineering Technologies in Hickory. Camps will be held in June and July based on age groups for students in elementary through middle grades.
Read more: Summer Camps Slated for Future Engineers: Registration by March 9
Mabel School to Reopen on Monday; All Tests on Water Negative for Bacteria
All tests of the water at Mabel have come back negative for bacteria and the school will operate on a normal schedule Monday, February 6th.
The concerns that led to closing the school on Friday were the result of routine water testing at the school. Test results received late Thursday from the Health Department indicated the possible presence of bacteria in water from a kitchen sink. Based on those results, the decision was made to close the school as a precautionary measure pending further tests. There was no information to indicate that the health of students or staff was affected in any way by the water quality at Mabel.
The additional tests that were conducted included a re-test of the original water sample as well as new tests of water samples taken Friday morning from the school well, from the same kitchen sink where the previous test indicated the possible presence of bacteria, and from another interior sink at the school. The Health Department also took additional samples Saturday morning. All test results are now in and all of them – the retest of the original sample, the samples taken Friday a.m. by school maintenance personnel, and the samples taken on Saturday by the Health Department - have come back negative for bacteria.
We regret the inconvenience the closing on Friday caused to students, parents, and school personnel. However, our first priority is always the safety of our students and employees and we chose not to take the risk that there might be a problem with water quality at the school.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked to ensure that Mabel remains a safe and healthy place for our young people and those who serve them.
February 5, 2012. ZIONVILLE, NC -- Watauga School District (WCS) reports tonight that all additional tests of the water at Mabel School have come back negative for the presence of bacteria. Click READ MORE to read the official statement from WCS.
Read more: Mabel School to Reopen on Monday; All Tests on Water Negative for Bacteria
Mabel School Closed Because of Water Concerns, Tests Being Conducted
Here is background information and our expectations of how developments are expected to occur at Mabel over the next 24-48 hours. This information is current as of Friday, February 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
The concerns at Mabel that led to closing the school today were the result of routine water testing at the school. Test results received late yesterday from the Health Department indicated the possible presence of bacteria in water from a kitchen sink. Based on those results, the decision was made to close the school as a precautionary measure pending further tests. There is no information to indicate that the health of students or staff has been affected in any way by the water quality at Mabel.
The additional tests being conducted include a re-test of the original water sample as well as new tests of water samples taken this morning from the school well, from the same kitchen sink where the previous test indicated the possible presence of bacteria, and from another interior sink at the school. The Health Department will draw additional samples tomorrow. The complete test results will confirm whether or not there is actually a water quality problem and will help isolate the problem if one exists. If there is a problem, the results will also help inform us of how to best address the issue and how much time may be required to do that.
The testing process takes 24 hours after samples are drawn. Re-test results on the original sample came back late today and they were negative, which may indicate that the initial results provided a false positive for the presence of bacteria. However, full results for all samples will not be available until Sunday.
While we want to make a decision on resuming a normal schedule at Mabel as soon as possible, and while we hope that the school will re-open on Monday morning, our number one priority is the health and safety of our students and employees. Because of that priority and because of the time required to complete the testing process, we expect it will be Sunday afternoon before we are able to announce whether Mabel will resume a normal schedule on Monday. When that decision is made, it will be announced immediately through the Alert Now automated messaging system (for Mabel families), on the WCS website, and through local media.
We regret the inconvenience this is causing to students, parents, and school personnel and we look forward to the resumption of classes at Mabel as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work toward a resolution of this issue.
Staff Report. February 3, 2012. ZIONVILLE, NC -- Watauga County Schools announced today that Mabel School was unexpectedly closed on Friday due to the possible presence of bacteria in water from a kitchen sink. Citing that the #1 priority of the school district is the health and safety of students and employees, WCS made the decision to close the school pending additional tests.
Read more: Mabel School Closed Because of Water Concerns, Tests Being Conducted
SNAPSHOT: NC "Teachers of Year" Face Off for Fun
January 25, 2012. RALEIGH -- North Carolina's regional Teachers of the Year were invited to a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game Monday night, a group that included Watauga County Schools and Northwest Region Teacher of the Year, Darcy Grimes. Grimes first joined Watauga County Schools as an after school site director at Blowing Rock School, but now teaches 3rd grade at Bethel Elementary.
There Will Be None of This in Blowing Rock!
By David Rogers. January 18, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- How do you eat your spaghetti? Slurp it? Twirl it? Cut it up? Well, all "styles" are welcome on Friday, January 27, at Blowing Rock School. On top of that, you get to play BINGO!, with an opportunity to win prizes that will appeal to "big people" and "little people" alike. And if that weren't enough -- there's FREE PARKING!
Valle Crucis Students Hear from Governor
Staff Report. December 21, 2011. VALLE CRUCIS -- Seventh grade students in David Shack's science classes at Valle Crucis School got a letter from the Governor's Office last week.
SNAPSHOT: Blowing Rock School Gardening Students Get Special Present
By David Rogers. December 21, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- Forget Halloween, its ghosts and gremlins. A group of Blowing Rock School students are learning about tricking daffodils to grow in the winter -- to provide treats for Valentine's Day!
Read more: SNAPSHOT: Blowing Rock School Gardening Students Get Special Present
Blowing Rock's McFalls Among Seven in County Earning Highest Credential in 2011
Staff Report. December 9, 2011. BOONE -- Allyson McFalls, a teacher at Blowing Rock School, is among seven Watauga County Schools educators to achieve National Board Certification in 2011. The Watauga County instructors are among the more than 1,200 in North Carolina to achieve certification this year.
Read more: Blowing Rock's McFalls Among Seven in County Earning Highest Credential in 2011
Warren Named to All-State School Board
Staff Report. November 30, 2011. GREENSBORO, NC -- Watauga County Board of Education Vice-chair Dr. Lee Warren has been chosen by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) as a member of the honorary All-State School Board. Just eight school Board members from among hundreds across the state are selected for this annual honor.
Two from WHS Named to All-State Honors Orchestra
Staff Report. November 30, 2011. BOONE -- Watauga High School students Doria Kosmala and Willa Finck have been selected for the North Carolina All-State Honors Orchestra, a group composed of 127 of the state’s finest high school musicians. Both Kosmala and Finck are violinists and were placed in the first violin section of the Honors Orchestra by audition.
SLIDESHOWS: Blowing Rock's "Wax Museum": A Wonderful Mix of Scholarship, Creativity
By David Rogers. November 22, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- I went to my first "wax museum" on Monday, and future visits to ANY wax museum will have a lot to live up to -- anywhere, anytime, whether Madame Tussauds in New York or Washington, D.C., at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, or the Hollywood (California) Wax Museum of my youth (that I never patronized) -- because the Blowing Rock School "8th Grade Wax Museum" was incredibly special.
Read more: SLIDESHOWS: Blowing Rock's "Wax Museum": A Wonderful Mix of Scholarship, Creativity
"Lending Library" Takes Aim at Obesity in Western NC
Special Report to Blowing Rock News. BOONE—In an effort to increase the physical activity of people in western North Carolina, the Be Active-Appalachian Partnership at Appalachian State University offers a Lending Library that provides equipment to get more people, especially children, physically active.
Read more: "Lending Library" Takes Aim at Obesity in Western NC
Blowing Rock School Visits BRAHM
Staff Report. November 22, 2011. BLOWING ROCK – Students and teachers from Blowing Rock School has been taking full advantage of the new Blowing Rock Art and History Museum.
Do You Know the Way to San Francisco?
Special Report to Blowing Rock News from Watauga County Schools. November 18, 2011. BOONE -- You won't see a gaggle of High Country first graders trekking along I-40 through Oklahoma on their way to California, but students at Hardin Park School have accepted a challenge to walk the distance from Boone to San Francisco -- 2,777 miles -- as part of a "Fuel Up to Play 60" grant recently awarded to the school. Photos courtesy of Watauga County Schools
WCS Technology Officer Receives Higher Certification
Dr. Scarlet Davis, associate superintendent of the Watauga County Schools, has successfully graduated from the 2011 Certified Education Chief Technology Officers (CeCTO) Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. Dr. Davis is one of just 23 school system personnel statewide who completed the course this year.
Read more: WCS Technology Officer Receives Higher Certification
Band, Strings Brighten Late Fall in Blowing Rock School Concert
By David Rogers. November 10, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- I was only seven years old, but I still remember the day in 1958 when my parents brought home a seemingly beat-up, ancient upright piano they had purchased for $50 out of the classified ads in the Bakersfield Californian newspaper. Somehow they had gotten the idea I wanted to learn how to play the piano, so they had only themselves to blame...
Read more: Band, Strings Brighten Late Fall in Blowing Rock School Concert
BREMCO Awards "Bright Ideas" Grants in Watauga and Avery Counties
Staff Report. November 9, 2011. BOONE – As part of its commitment to local education, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation presented "Bright Ideas" grants totaling more than $5,300 to six educator teams during a luncheon ceremony TO honor the teachers, at the Watauga district office of Blue Ridge Electric.
Read more: BREMCO Awards "Bright Ideas" Grants in Watauga and Avery Counties
Blowing Rock Students Honor Veterans
By David Rogers. November 9, 2011. BLOWING ROCK -- It was billed as the "Veterans Day Assembly and Parade," but for many of the men and women being celebrated it was so much more than the normal recognition ceremony they were used to.
Jones Named Interim Schools Superintendant
Staff Report. November 8, 2011. BOONE -- The Watauga Board of Education has appointed former Watauga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard (“Dick”) Jones as interim superintendent effective December 12 and continuing through June 30, 2012.
Bringing the World to Watauga High
Special Report to Blowing Rock News from Watauga County Schools. November 3, 2001. BOONE -- Five teachers visiting Watauga High School this fall from other countries are helping bring new perspectives and broader horizons for high school students, faculty, and each other as they work toward professional development on an international level.
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By David Rogers. February 21, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Tuesday night at Blowing Rock's Fire on the Rock competition dining preliminary was no place for foo-foo food. "Battle Beef" was the name of the game,...
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February 20, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock Police issued the following press release on Monday, following a high speed chase that started in Blowing Rock and involved the participation of at least...
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By David Rogers. February 20, 2012. BOONE -- Boone Police may not have an all-points bulletin out on the whereabouts of the Appalachian State women's basketball starters, but Maryah Sydnor, Anna Freeman,...
Read More...By David Rogers. February 18, 2012. BOONE -- While the ASU Men's Basketball team was flying by the Winthrop Eagles, 76-64, at the Holmes Center on Saturday, several other sports were in action. Following...
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By David Rogers. February 18, 2012. BOONE – It was Senior Day for Appalachian State Men's Basketball, and all four seniors started. In the last home game of their collegiate careers, forwards Omar...
Read More...Staff Report. February 18, 2012. BOONE -- Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is gearing up for the warmer weather with the start of their spring workshops for older...
Read More...- Thomas & Glidewell's Outduel Barlowe-Led Crestwood Team
- Blowing Rock Police Capture Valdese Man After Hi-Speed Chase Through Two Counties
- Seniors Help ASU Steal Runaway Win Over Furman
- ASU Weekend Sports Roundup, February 18
- Mountaineers Shoot Down Eagles, 76-64
- Turchin Center Announces Spring Workshops, Events
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Blowing Rock Police Capture Valdese Man After Hi-Speed Chase Through Two Counties
February 20, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock Police issued the following press release on Monday, following a high speed chase that started in Blowing Rock and involved the participation of at least six law enforcement agencies in two counties.
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| ASU Men's Basketball vs. Chattanooga Wed Feb 15 @ 7:00PM - 10:00PM |
| Woody Durham at BRAHM Thu Feb 16 @ 6:30AM - 08:30PM |
| Yoga @ BRAHM Thu Feb 16 @ 9:30AM - 10:30PM |
| BRAHM: Saturday Art Club Sat Feb 18 @10:00AM - 12:00PM |
| BRACKETBUSTERS: ASU Men's Basketball vs. Winthrop Sat Feb 18 @ 2:00PM - 05:00PM |
| ASU Women's Basketball vs. Furman Mon Feb 20 @ 6:00PM - 09:00PM |
| YOGA at BRAHM Thu Feb 23 @ 9:30AM - 10:30PM |
| Weekend Warmup @ Blue Ridge Mountain Club Fri Feb 24 @ 4:00PM - 06:00PM |
| BRAHM: Saturday Art Club Sat Feb 25 @10:00AM - 12:00PM |
| BRAHM: School's Out Mini Camp Thu Mar 15 @ 9:00AM - 04:00PM |
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