Greendale third-graders perform for our December PTO meeting.
On Wednesday, November 30, second and third grade students from Greendale Elementary School got into the holiday spirit when they attended the Johnson City Symphony Holiday Concert at Freedom Hall. The program consisted of traditional holiday favorites, as well as musical accompaniment of a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Mr. Josh Smith, of 11 Connects Evening News. It was helpful for our third-graders to be members of the audience during this performance, as they had been preparing for their own holiday concert on Thursday, December 8! Their program consisted of some traditional tunes like “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” as well as some relatively unknown songs like “Zumba Zumba,” a Christmas song from Spain. Soloists included the following students: Connor S., Haleigh B., Seraiye J., Phoebe P., and Natalie S., and all of the third-grade students accompanied one song with percussion instruments! In addition to performing for our PTO meeting, the students also presented a school-wide assembly on Thursday, December 15, concluding their show with a sing-along. What a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season!
Rhea Valley spelling bee participants display their certificates.
The annual spelling bee for Rhea Valley Elementary School was held on December 14, 2011. Students from grades two through five were present to hear their classroom winners compete. The top speller was fifth grader Brennan B. Anna Blake W., also from fifth grade, won second place in the contest. Brennan will represent Rhea Valley Elementary in the 2012 Washington County Schools Spelling Bee. Also representing their classrooms in the spelling bee were: first grader, Conner F.; second grade students, Blaise G., Connor S., Jared J., and Taylor C.; third graders Ryan J., Josh H., Nathan C., and Alex W.; fourth graders Abbey C., Hannah P., Molokai B., and Bridon P.; and fifth graders Maggie B. and Madison R.
Rhea Valley Elementary School custodian retires.
Rhea Valley Elementary students, faculty, and staff said farewell to one of their daily friendly faces, Ray Roberts. Mr. Roberts began enjoying his retirement on December first. He had been the night time custodian at Rhea Valley for 21 wonderful years. During his many years of dedicated service, he had helped our school reduce energy costs, worked hard to help our school recycle items, and worked to provide a clean and healthy learning environment for our students. The students decorated the hallways, classroom doors, and made cards for "Mr. Ray". He will be missed at Rhea Valley Elementary School, but we wish him well in his retirement.
First year Art students work on their knitting skills.
First year Art students in Jennifer Smith’s classes at Holston High School are learning how to knit. While knitting is not a traditional art form, it requires hand-eye coordination, patience, and creativity as many other forms of art do. Choice of colors is also a component of the work.
Once the students complete their work, the finished scarves will be given to the guidance counselors at the county’s elementary schools. The counselors will then distribute the scarves to students who need them. The students enjoyed the high interest project and it will undoubtedly become a part of the class curriculum for the next several years.
Alpha Natural Resources presents a check for $5,000.
The Rhea Valley Elementary School gymnasium was full of excitement as Alpha Natural Resources representatives, Karen Jackson and Dr. Rick Nida, made a special presentation to the school. Alpha Natural Resources presented the school with a $5,000 grant. This grant will be used to purchase technology items that will enhance the current instructional program. When asked about the grant principal, Debbie Anderson, stated, ” The donation from Alpha Natural Resources will allow us to continue a school wide focus on technology. Rhea Valley truly appreciates their support of our school and community. They are helping to make a difference in the lives of our children.” The Rhea Valley Elementary School faculty, staff, and students expressed great thanks for the grant and can't wait to use the technology items that will be purchased.