During the latest meeting of the Board of Education, #AllInForOurSchools announced that they have raised $5.8 million from 330 donors over the past two months to address Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools' financial needs. Thank you to All In For Our Schools, the WS/FCS Education Foundation, and all of the community donors who made this possible! Donations can be made online at https://wsfcsedfoundation.org/campaign/.
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JFK High School collected 2,874 cans of food for Second Harvest Food Bank as part of a massively successful annual food drive. The drive was organized by the school's Student Government Association and Health Occupations Students of America chapter and received some of it biggest donations through collaborations with New Bethel Baptist Church and the Winston-Salem Police Department. This year's total easily eclipsed the initial goal of 1,000 cans, as well as last year's total collection of about 1,600. At a time when food insecurity in Forsyth County is a bigger concern than ever, it warmed students' hearts to see how much their community was willing to step up for their neighbors.
"I love to see people putting in this kind of effort," said SGA President Itzuri Bernal. "We're a family here and we take care of each other."
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WS/FCS' magnet application period is officially underway! The deadline to apply is January 30. Learn more about how to apply https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2549821.
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West Forsyth High School’s Fire Academy is hitting the road this month to teach neighboring middle schoolers what the program can do for them. Learn more on our website at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2547533.
Learn more about WS/FCS’ career academies in firefighting, hospitality, health science, information technology, and more online at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/o/wsfcs/page/career-academies-copy.
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History came to life at Brunson Elementary School today when Daniel Ayers, a historical reenactor and former history teacher, held a presentation for fifth graders in full costume. Ayers offered insight into the daily lives of soldiers during the American Revolution while also explaining how small events at the time have become major historical touchstones today. Ayers says that living history presentations like these help give students a sense of continuity, reminding them that despite seeming very long ago, the past was integral to shaping the present.
"Because we're such a young country, a lot of our history has been captured in photos and videos, but further back, especially for the 18th century, all we have are paintings," Ayers said. "Bringing living history to kids shows them that there were real people behind those paintings, and they lived in a real world, and it was our world."
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The WS/FCS Board of Education reviewed revisions to residential boundaries during their Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting on Monday. Learn more on our website at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2545475.
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JFK High School pharmacy tech students recently celebrated Sarah Shepard, their former health science teacher and the current career development coordinator at the Career Center, in recognition of CDC Day and CTE Month. Shepard helped oversee increased blood drives, 100% participation in OSHA, Stop the Bleed, and BLS credentials, and greater participation in regional and state HOSA-Future Health Professionals competitions during her time at JFK.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2p643tev for more information on applying to a magnet school with a CTE focus. The deadline to apply is January 31.
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John F. Kennedy High School recently kicked off another year of their student-run credit union in partnership with Allegacy Federal Credit Union. Student bankers help their classmates set up their first savings and checking accounts, as well as offer advice about professional saving and spending habits. The program trains the next generation of banking professionals while also preparing every student involved for a sounder financial future.
"This partnership empowers students to take charge of their financial futures by opening savings and checking accounts, learning about budgeting and saving, and becoming eligible for Allegacy scholarships," said Lori K. Timm, Allegacy's director of community impact. "Through this program, Kennedy students gain real-world experience in credit union operations, cash handling, member service, and compliance, all while earning class credit and building valuable work skills that prepare them for success beyond graduation."
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2p643tev for more information on applying to a magnet school with a CTE focus. The deadline to apply is January 31.
#wsfcs #ThisIsWhyWeMagnet
Ibraham Elementary School and Lutheran Church of the Epiphany are helping families through a tough time to buy food with their school food pantry. Learn more on our website at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2533809, and check https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/o/wsfcs/page/food-pantry for a list of food pantries in your area.
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Read about the future of Cook Literacy Model School, the custodial services contract, changes to the elementary school Highly Academically Gifted program, and this year's salary schedules in the latest Board of Education Wrap-Up. https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2517542
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WS/FCS middle schoolers put their engineering skills to the test last weekend during the Robot Run competition at Atkins High School. Robot Run teams code LEGO robots to perform tasks that reflect professional robotics applications. Robotics teams teach students the value of determination, creativity and teamwork while developing skills that will serve them in future STEM careers.
"It's really fun and innovative," said Eighth Grader Sree Koppisetti from Meadowlark Middle School. "You get to collaborate with other people, and you're always learning something new."
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2p643tev for more information on applying to a magnet school with a STEM focus. The deadline to apply is January 31.
#wsfcs #ThisIsWhyWeMagnet
Families interested in learning what magnet schools can do for their students’ future are invited to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 1, for WS/FCS’ Annual Magnet School Showcase. Learn more on our website at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2504982.
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WS/FCS 10th graders prepared for their professional futures on Wednesday at the 2025 World of Work. Dozens of employers and colleges assembled at LJVM Coliseum to talk to prospective recruits about what their jobs are like and how to get an early start in careers students are interested in. Time spent with real-world professionals in a variety of fields helps students make informed choices as they chart their own course in life.
"The World of Work is a pillar of our CTE mission to ensure every student is prepared for career and college success," said Dr. Kim Forbes, the district's director of career and technical education. "We look forward to continuing to nurture these connections, helping our students turn inspiration into actionable career plans."
Visit https://tinyurl.com/2p643tev for more information on applying to a magnet school with a CTE focus. The deadline to apply is January 31.
#wsfcs #ThisIsWhyWeMagnet
Paisley Magnet School students are getting their news from a trusted source - their fellow classmates. Members of the student news team get to work early every morning, producing a new show before class starts that highlights current events around the school. Magnet Coordinator Erin Knapp says students in the program have come out of their shells since they got started and have discovered a love for journalism. The school's International Baccalaureate magnet program encourages students to be confident and inquisitive, so she says it's encouraging to see students taking initiative in a thoughtful pursuit they've discovered at school.
"The whole point of the IB program is to empower students to go out and learn things that matter to them," Knapp said. "It's great to see them take ownership and be really proud of the work they're doing."
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John F. Kennedy High School Health Science students got real-world practice for careers in the medical field recently when they ran their very first Red Cross blood drive. With the support of both student volunteers and donors, the team collected 29 units of blood, nearly doubling their original goal. Health Science Teacher Shalinda Witcher says that a single unit of blood can save up to three lives, making this work valuable as a community service as well as a career preparation exercise.
"Students put their classroom knowledge into action while making a big impact in our community," Witcher said. "John F. Kennedy High School continues to support our mission of preparing future healthcare professionals. "
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Whitaker Elementary School students are learning to read together through the school’s Nest program. Each Nest consists of students across different grade levels who meet on a regular basis to read books together, allowing younger students to learn reading from their classmates. Each Nest has a name based on community values and a color its members all wear for special occasions, which helps build a sense of team spirit within the Nest.
Kindergarten Teacher Jessica Perez says the Nests make a big difference to her kindergartners, who are new to Whitaker and still settling into the school’s culture. Not only are they building reading skills, but making friends with older kids and finding positive role models. The program gives them a chance to feel more at home in their school.
“They’re able to connect to someone older than them, and that’s special for them,” Perez said. “They come in every day and ask if they get to do book buddies with their Nest today. It’s a lot to look forward to.”
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The Twin City Development Foundation presented the WS/FCS Board of Education with a $400,000 emergency contribution earmarked for debt repayment during their latest meeting. Foundation leaders said assisting the district in its time of financial need is essential to preserving public education for years to come. Foundation Board Chair Robert Clark called on other private foundations in the area to join them in supporting local students.
“This is a moment that calls for leadership and collective action,” Clark said. “For the future of our children and our entire community, we must all lend a hand.”
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Clemmons Middle School students watched a line of boxed food dominos 2,915 pieces long fall on Friday as they celebrated a massively successful boxed food drive. Learn more on our website at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2481632.
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Dozens of WS/FCS students recently took a trip to Allen Industries in Greensboro as part of the International Sign Association's Sign MFG Day. Students toured Allen's sign manufacturing facilities and learned about the high-skill, high-pay, high-demand jobs available to them in the sign, graphics, and visual communications industry. WS/FCS supports career and technical education on numerous campuses to help students explore career paths that will enrich both themselves and their communities with impactful skills.
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A dozen marching bands came together to show off their talents at Deaton-Thompson Stadium on Tuesday night for WS/FCS' 29th Annual Marching Band Jamboree! Learn more on our website at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/article/2472709.
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