The Daily Reflector

REPORT CARD/EXPRESSIONSMONDAY, March 16, 2020

A8

Pitt County SchoolsIn accordance with

state requirements to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the county’s public school system has announced plans to close through March 30. Updates will be posted at pitt.k12.nc.us or at 830-3500.

Greenville ChristianThe school will be closed

through March 27. Classes are scheduled to resume March 30.

John Paul IISchool buildings will be

open from 10 a.m.-noon today for students to pick up belongings. The school will be closed to students and their families beginning Tuesday through March 30. A transition to remote learn-ing is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

OakwoodSpring break has been

extended through Friday. The school is scheduled to transition to online classes beginning March 23.

Parrott AcademyThe school will begin two

weeks of online classes today.

St. PeterSchool buildings will be

open from 10 a.m.-noon today for students to pick up belongings. The school has announced its transition from on-site instruction to remote learning.

TrinitySpring break has been

extended through Wednes-day. Information on an online learning model will be pro-vided to students and their families. The school will be closed until March 30.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Elmhurst Elementary School recently took first-place honors in the county’s Battle of the Books competition. Above from left are team members Webb Evans, Maggie Jarman, Lucy Myers, Olivia Williams, Gianna Powell, Jasmine Lloyd, Madison Sears and Jacob Breazeale. With them is coach Lydia O’Rear. The team is scheduled to advance to regional competition next month.

Creekside Elementary School recently placed second in the county’s Battle of the Books competition. Above are team members Jacob Hines, Aassal Hindi, Alejandra Ribera Za’Mari Ewing, Lexie Arriagada, Landon Spruill, Naomi Muran-Magana, Grant Saenz, Surya Mitra, Kaylee Goff, Greyson Abel and Zephyn Manning. The coach is Katie Richardson.

Wahl-Coates Elementary School of the Arts recently hosted local sound specialist Sam Harris, who gave a presentation to each grade level on the properties of sound. Harris brought with him various instruments, including a crank organ, a hammer dulcimer and a theremin. He also performed with a bowed saw and pitched glasses. The interactive presentation was designed to reinforce music and science concepts the students had been studying.

Arendell Parrott Academy middle schoolers placed in more than a dozen categories of the Lenoir County Soil and Water Conservation contests. Pitt County student winners were, from left, front Claire Lewis, second in speech; Zoe Moore, first in slideshow; and Cody Nobles second in slide show and first in essay. In back are Caroline Howard, third in speaking and Abi Carstarphen, first place in posters.

The Bethel School Quiz Bowl team has been named District champions for the second consecutive year. Natasha Peay, Walt Moore, Clark Hausle, James Peay and Edgar Torres have qualified to advance to the state championship competition. The team coach is Elaina Wingfield.

‘Jungle Book’ postponed

The Smiles and Frowns Playhouse presentation of “The Jungle Book” at the Doug Mitchell Memorial The-atre, 4354 Lee St., Ayden, has been postponed. A new performance date has not yet been announced. Visit smilesand frowns.org.

KidsFest rescheduled

The KidsFest event scheduled for Saturday at the Greenville Convention Center, 303 S.W. Greenville Blvd., has been rescheduled for Aug. 15. Presented by the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, the event will include games, music, art, children’s activities and information on resources for children. Admission is $1. Visit mppfc.org.

Library programs suspended

Sheppard Memorial Library, 530 Evans St., has suspended children’s programming at all branches through Saturday. Additional information and updates are available at sheppard library.org or by calling 329-4581.

Theater Showcase canceled

Whirligig Stage, 628 S. Pitt St., has canceled the Teen Theater Showcase scheduled for this week. Refunds for tickets pur-chased will be provided. Visit whirligigstage.com or call 689-8092.

Recreation programs

suspended

The city of Greenville has suspended all recreation and parks programs until at least April 6. Registration contin-ues for future programming. Register at greenville nc.gov. Call 329-4546.

Angelina Ballerina canceled

East Carolina University’s Family Fare Series presenta-tion “Angelina Ballerina: The Musical” has been canceled. Contact 328-4788 or visit ecu.edu/arts for information.

Send calendar information to kgrizzard@reflector.com.

KIDS’ STUFF

John Paul II Catholic High School recently par-ticipated in the Sandy Hook Promise “Say Something” campaign.

The national effort is designed to encourage students to recognize and

report bullying in order to prevent students from harming themselves or others. Students signed a pledge to look for warning signs, act immediately, and say something to a trusted adult.

Students Against De-structive Decisions club member Hope Hearon-Isler shared her story of being bullied that led to cutting, self-harm, self-loathing and issues with self-image and suicidal thoughts.

John Paul II Catholic High School joins in ‘Say Something’ campaign

John Paul II Catholic High School Students Against Destructive Decisions club members, from left, Danna Southwell, adviser Rebecca Wilson, Maddy Correa, Destini Hunt, Cayley Davenport, Ethan Mitchell, Tyler Moore, Hope Hearon-Isler, Ava LaJoie and Fiona Holler.

A Pitt County Schools Early College High School student was among North Carolina high school students from 25 counties to take part in last month’s annual statewide Poetry Out Loud competition.

Freshman NeLiah Rob-erts was among students from 35 schools to partic-

ipate in the competition, held in Greensboro.

Poetry Out Loud is fund-ed by the National Endow-ment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Poetry Foundation and the North Carolina Arts Council. It brings together students with an interest in poetry, spoken word, and theater.

Student takes part in Poetry Out Loud

Peyton Farmer of Green-ville recently received her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.

Peyton’s project was de-signed to bring awareness to proper vehicle safety practices for children. She researched car seat safety standards and taught a class for the parents and students of Third Street Academy to ensure they

know how to properly in-stall and use car seats. She also created a spreadsheet of free car seat checkpoints for surrounding counties which is being used by social workers at Vidant.

Peyton is the daughter of Steven and Carla Farmer and she is now a freshman at Meredith College. She has been in Girl Scouts since 2008 and is in Girl Scout Troop 3011, led by

Caroline Doherty and Stac-ey Jarrell.

In addition to Girl Scouting, she is a member of Students Against De-structive Decisions, and she played softball and beach volleyball throughout high school. She also served as the vice president of her high school Bible club and was a member of the honor society.

Girls spend, on average,

one to two years working to complete their Gold Award projects. They must follow the steps of identify-ing an issue, investigating it, getting help and building a team, creating a plan, presenting a plan, gathering feedback, taking action, and educating others.

Since the council unifica-tion in 2007 through 2018, 698 Girl Scouts have earned a Gold Award.

Greenville teen receives Girl Scout Gold Award

PEYTON FARMER

Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a winning submission in the Lenoir County Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest.

By Haynes Lewis

My father was completely against me marrying George Thompson, a skilled but poor carpenter….When George heard that the Mayflower’s proposed destination was northern Virginia and the Hudson River, I immediately jumped at the chance to leave England. While scared to leave everything I had ever known behind, I was excited for the adventures on the horizon.

George and I are now very thankful to have survived that horrid voyage.

“Happy” cannot even begin to describe the way I feel about my new life. Other than the books I left behind, I barely miss anything about my old home and life. I do, however, miss not having to grow all of the food I eat. On a more positive note, I absolutely love being near the shore.

The main reason I love this new life is that I am able to be with my true love without being ashamed or condemned for it. Even though we will face the challenges of providing for ourselves and maybe raising a family, I am certain that George and I will continue to build each other up and we build this new life together.

Haynes Lewis, eighth grade, Arendell Parrott Academy. Teacher: Carol Edwards.

The Voyage of the Mayflower

Op Art Cube by Samantha Miller’s fifth-grade class at W.H. Robinson Elementary School. Submitted by art teacher Jason Thomas.