The Community Connection The newsletter of Parkway School in Boone, North Carolina

December 16, 2016

Upcoming Events

Mon., Dec. 19 MS Basketball vs. Green Valley @ 4pm

Tues., Dec. 20 MS Chorus and Chimes Concert @ 6pm

Thurs., Dec. 22 Early Release for Winter Break

Fri., Dec. 23 Opt. Work Day for Staff/ School Office Closed

Tues., Jan. 3 School Resumes for Teachers and Students

Geography Bee News

On Monday, December 12, students in 5th through 8th

grades participated in the school Geography Bee. Sam C. in

7th grade is our school winner and will now take a written

test to be submitted to the state organization. Students who

score high enough on the written exam qualify for the State

Bee in March. Isabella S., in 7th grade finished in 2nd place

and Jessie K. in 8th grade finished in 3rd place. Other grade

level representatives were Ellary S., Roman S., and Oliver J. in

5th grade, Ayden B. and Marcus L. in 6th grade, and Shaelyn

S. and Sal B. in 8th grade. Students who participated in the

Geography Bee were asked questions about cities, states,

countries, continents, oceans, rivers, and other landforms.

L to R: Jessie, Isabella and Sam

Winterfest for 8th Grade Students Watauga High School invites all 8th grade students from

Parkway to attend “Winterfest” on January 12. Students will be

transported to WHS by bus after school and will participate in

events designed to help them begin acclimating to WHS and

making new friends. Students will tour WHS to see classrooms

and departments in areas that interest them. Student events will

be held 3:00-5:15. Parents are expected to attend an

Informational meeting about high school registration from

5:30-6:30 that same evening. If inclement weather requires us

to reschedule this event, it will be held on January 19.

Additional information and permission forms have been sent

home with students. Parents are asked to return the signed

permission forms to school as soon as possible.

We will release at 12:00 next

Thursday, December 22.

We’ve located all of the “lost,”

and now we need your help to

make it “found!” Lost/Misplaced

clothing items are on display in

front of the main office through

next Wednesday. Any items

remaining after that will be donated to local charitable

organizations. Please remind your child to stop by the

tables to look for items that belong to them.

This is the last edition of The Community Connection for 2016.

Be on the lookout for our next edition in January 2017!

School will resume for staff

and students on Tuesday,

January 3, 2017.

Fifth Grade Students Graduate the D.A.R.E. Program

On Friday, December 16, Parkway’s fifty-four fifth grade students

celebrated the completion of the D.A.R.E. program taught by our

School Resource Officer, Deputy Barry Adams. The students have

met with Officer Adams each week this semester to learn about

the harmful effects of various drugs and strategies they can use

throughout their lives to resist drugs and alcohol. At the end of

their lessons with Officer Adams, each student wrote an essay

about what they learned through the D.A.R.E. program. The three

students with the top essays shared their essays with the group

gathered for the graduation. Austin P., Alyssa E., and Sully C.

were this year’s essay winners. Other highlights from the event

included the presentation of the flag and pledge of allegiance led

by the Marine Corps JROTC from WHS and remarks from our Su-

perintendent, Dr. Scott Elliott. We are proud of all these students

have learned through the D.A.R.E. program and encourage them

to put that information to good use throughout their lives! Darren the D.A.R.E. mascot poses with essay

winners Austin, Alyssa, and Sully who proudly

display their D.A.R.E. graduation cake.

Breakfast with Santa...a New Parkway School Tradition

This past Saturday morning, Parkway School's cafeteria was filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas as Parkway students and community children, along with their families, enjoyed a special time of breakfast with Santa. Families feasted on a breakfast of pancakes with a variety of toppings, bacon, juice, and coffee donated by Hatchet Coffee on Bamboo Road. Student Council members helped children write their letters to Santa. Families were able to purchase special homemade ornaments by Student Council member, Moriah B. and special souvenirs from China donated by Student Council member, Anya T.'s family. Raffle tickets were also sold for a chance to win a "Merry Christmas" basket and "Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa filled bag". The highlight of the morning for everyone was meeting Santa and telling him their Christmas wishes. Parkway's Student Council would like to thank all the students and families who supported this fundraiser. A special thank you goes to Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Ingles, Walmart, Hatchet Coffee, Allison and Bobby Idol, and Mrs. Jennifer Perry from Parkway School's cafeteria for their generous contributions and support. Mrs. Martin and Mr. Moore would like to send their sincere appreciation to all the Student Council members and their families who spent time setting up on Friday night and volunteering their time on Saturday to make this event a great success. The Student Council looks forward to making this a new Christmas tradition at Parkway School and hopes your family will make plans to attend next year! Merry Christmas from Parkway School's Student Council!