This past weekend, the CMS Intermediate/Advanced Bands and Chorus competed for the first time ever in the Music in the Parks competition at Hershey Park, PA.  The results were outstanding……..the CMS band got Superior ratings (the highest possible) and 1st place in the Concert Band category. The CMS chorus received Excellent ratings (the 2nd highest) and 2nd place in the Mixed Chorus category. The final award, the Esprit de Corps award, which is awarded based on good sportsmanship, behavior, and being respectful towards staff and other schools, was awarded to Caroline Middle School band and chorus due to their awesome behavior. They also clapped and cheered for other bands and choruses at the awards ceremony.  The students want to say a big thank you to all the parents that chaperoned the trip and to Ms. Angela Wright for approving the event for the CMS music department. Also congratulations to Mrs. Mary Yanos, chorus director and Ms. Karen Mott, band director on your awards!

Students in Kindergarten at Bowling Green Primary had a special visit from Mocha.  Her owner, Debra Holt, Director of Human Resources, visited the class with her dog and read to several classes.  This is Mocha’s second visit to the school in several years.  The students enjoyed hearing Ms. Holt read a book while Mocha listened, also.

On April 27, 2013,  Caroline County Public Schools Transportation Department assisted Wright’s Chapel with their Christmas in April event to fill the Food Pantry’s in Caroline.

At the May 13, 2013 Caroline County School Board meeting, Ms. Catherine Gregory was named the Director of Special Education.  Ms. Gregory comes to Caroline from Hanover County Public Schools where she served as Assistant Director of Special Education for six years.   She served as a Lead Teacher Specialist for three years and has twenty- three years of teaching experience in Hanover, Essex, Richmond,  and Chesterfield Counties.  Ms. Gregory received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education at the College of William and Mary and a Masters Degree in Specific Learning Disabilities from Virginia Commonwealth University.   Ms. Gregory will begin as the Director of Special Education on July 1, 2013.

In February, students at Bowling Green Elementary (BGE) and Lewis and Clark Elementary (LCES) participated in an art contest commemorating the 150^th year of the signing the Emancipation Proclamation. The contest was sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission for all Virginia students, grades K – twelve.  Students were asked to illustrate the theme:  “Emancipation Proclamation:  Out of Bondage…Into Freedom.” To commemorate this event, the Commission hosted a concert with the Richmond Symphony on April 13, 2013 where the art work of all student participants was shown via video. The concert held at Richmond Center Stage was be rebroadcasted on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 9pm on WCVE Public Television.

We have just received notification that, in addition to the participants having their art work displayed at the concert, plans are also being made to display them in the General Assembly Building in Richmond during the next session, as well as during the unveiling of the Commemorative Plaques of the African-American men who were elected to the Underwood Convention after the Civil War and to the General Assembly during Reconstruction. Students’ art may be viewed on the Commission’s website (date to be determined by the Commission). http://mlkcommission.dls.virginia.gov/lincoln/projects.html#Project3n

Art teachers Joan Dudley (BGE) and Vera Underwood (LCES) are proud to announce that the following students will have their work showcased:  From Bowling Green Elementary:  Coralyn Gary, Jacob Martin, Adina Watson, Josie Worrell and Lindsey Gorham.  From Lewis and Clark Elementary, pictured left to right are:  Kailyn Brown, Nevaeh Bell and Dante Mines.