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Recent Headlines:
RMA Student Creates Monument to Service
RMA Brings Renowned Expert in Learning to Speak in Rocky Mount
Facial Hair February Provides Comic Relief for a Good Cause
Students Send Valentines to the Troops
RMA Students Journey Into Past
Jared Participates in Shrine Bowl
Gravely Signs National Letter of Intent
RMA Students Are Exposed to Jazz in the Classroom
Contest Win Brings Author to School
RMA Wins Grand Prize in Scholastic Book Fair National Contest
RMA Student Creates Monument to Service
Monday, April 07, 2008
Trevor Hayworth and Fred Turnage have never met. But when a recent class assignment charged the Rocky Mount Academy student with creating a monument honoring whomever he wanted, the seventh-grader only had one person in mind.
After a month of work, Hayworth has sculpted a granite colored bust of Turnage with Styrofoam, clay and cloth. The bust is complete with glasses and a smile. "I chose him because of his 34 years of service to Rocky Mount and to the community," Hayworth said.
More specifically, Hayworth wanted to acknowledge Turnage's efforts in rebuilding Rocky Mount after Hurricane Floyd. Though he was only 4 years old when the hurricane swept through Rocky Mount and took his home on Lafayette Circle, Hayworth has distinct memories of evacuating the house that has since been demolished. His 3-D memorial and travelers brochure describing the fictitious site where the memorial sits is Hayworth's way of saying thanks.
The American history project followed research on monuments in Washington, D.C., and a trip to the nation's capital. "The second half of the project was to create a monument for someone they think should be memorialized," seventh-grade teacher Kim Sieracki said. Monuments were erected in honor of relatives and those in noble professions, such as police officers and firefighters.
Though he doesn't think he'll ever run for mayor, Hayworth said he would like to meet Turnage. Proud of his project, Hayworth gave the bust to his classmate and Turnage's granddaughter, Elizabeth Lane, to give to the former mayor.
Turnage was out of town and not available for comment, but his daughter,
Trevor Lane, said the bust sits in his den with other mementos given to him
over the years.
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RMA Brings Renowned Expert in Learning to Speak in Rocky Mount
Dr.
Mel Levine
Dr.
Mel Levine is a Professor of Pediatrics at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of
Medicine. He is also the
internationally acclaimed author of the 2003 New
York Times #1 bestseller, A Mind at a Time, as well as The Myth
of Laziness, and Ready or Not, Here Life Comes.
Levine co-founded All Kinds of
Minds®, a non-profit institute based in
Levine
believes that “most children begin their educational careers as enthusiastic
learners and energetic thinkers. But
before long, many of them begin to fall behind in traditional school programs
because of the way their brains are ‘wired.’
Children who are struggling present a range of issues from frustration
… to severe breakdowns in learning.”
A
true believer in a child’s ability to learn, Levine says that “all
kids' minds have the potential for great growth;” however, “too many kids
struggle needlessly simply because the way in which they learn is incompatible
with the way they're being taught.”
A proven program to tackle school performance
is Schools
Attuned®, a professional development program from All Kinds of Minds
which prepares teachers to incorporate approaches and classroom techniques
that engage students and promote learning success.
Using their Schools Attuned training about the eight key areas of brain
function, teachers observe a student, analyze his or her strengths and
weaknesses, develop management strategies and measure the effectiveness of
these strategies.
Rocky
Mount
Helping
parents, teachers, and students appreciate that everyone learns differently is
the first step in Dr. Levine’s approach.
Helping them celebrate the differences is the end goal. And,
he will start that process for eastern
Reservations
will qualify for premium reserved seating in Minges Auditorium.
Send to drlevine@rmacademy.com.
Please specify the number of seats to reserve and the name of the
company, practice, organization, or school, if applicable.
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Facial Hair February Provides Comic Relief for a Good Cause
Edmund
Gravely is glad to see February come to an end.
When
Eleven
students and three staff members agreed to this unusual kind of fundraiser,
soliciting sponsors that would donate money for the participants to go the
month of February without so much as a trim.
McDaniel
came in with an interesting twist on the fundraiser -- he was actually
sponsored to shave every day for the month. “My mom did not think it
would be a pretty sight to grow a beard. So
she agreed to sponsor me if I shaved every day,” McDaniel said with a
sheepish grin. “My girlfriend agreed with my mom, and before I knew it, I
had raised over $150 to just do my everyday routine!” he explained.
Gravely
was not so lucky. “I thought it was a great idea at the time, but I’ll
tell you what, there were some rough looking days for some of us,” he
commented. Gravely quickly became the fan favorite, as his beard came in early
and often. “It was a great excuse to be lazy and it turned out great…until
the last two days that is,” he explained.
“To
walk the campus and see full moustaches, I was thankful our unkempt and
borderline disgusting appearances went for a good cause,” he jokingly said.
“It was not pretty,” he opined.
“Goatee Friday and Moustache Monday were not a pretty sight around
here,” said Rick Ellis, Director of College Counseling and the faculty
sponsor of the event. Thanks to a generous anonymous donation of over 50
razors, participants were shaved by fellow students down to a goatee one day,
and a moustache on the last day.
Not
only was the event for a worthwhile cause, it was also one of RMA’s most
successful fundraisers to benefit Relay for Life. “Thanks to the generosity
of students, friends, and parents, over $1,550 was raised,” announced Ellis.
“I think we are all very proud of these three guys. They came up with an
idea that was new and exciting. They
gathered support and followed through until the very last day,” Ellis said.
Jared
summed up the experience by saying, “Our crazy little idea became a
lucrative fundraiser for a cause that means a lot to us here at RMA.
It was worth every weird stare we received!” he said.
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Students send
valentines to troops
Rocky Mount
Telegram
Friday, February 01, 2008
In classrooms throughout Rocky Mount Academy on Thursday, students pasted together red and pink paper decorated with marker flags and hearts to show troops in Iraq there's support back home.
Students wrote "Thanks for being brave," "Thanks for fighting for us" and even "Dear Uncle Frank, I miss you a lot. Can't wait to see you."
Telegram photo / Joel Hodges
|
| Rachel Dunn, right, works on making a valentine for troops in Iraq as Erin Dengler helps Thursday at Rocky Mount Academy. |
The valentine cards activity was a way for the school to show appreciation for family, friends and strangers sent overseas, and it kicked off Rocky Mount Academy being named a drop-off point for the Cell Phone for Soldiers initiative.
"I think it's good that we get to support (the troops and send) little things from home," said 10th-grader Elizabeth Stevens.
The school's buddy system, which pairs pre-kindergartners through
fifth-graders with students in sixth through ninth grades, allowed Stevens to
work on a more personal valentine. Her buddy's – third-grader Maxwell Miller
– uncle has served in Iraq
since last January.
On Thursday, Miller pulled markers out of her pink camouflage pencil pouch and addressed her card to her uncle, Frank Mittag. The red and pink card was adorned with hearts, a picture of herself and a message near to every military family heart.
"In terms of this particular event," Headmaster Tom Stevens said, "I think it teaches the students that there are a lot of people they don't know and can't see who are out there protecting the freedoms we have."
Classes have discussed the Iraq war in recent weeks, explaining to students where troops are located and the reasons for supporting soldiers.
"They understand what they're making and who they're going to," Head of Lower School Beth Covolo said.
This weeks' valentine project was linked to the start of Cell Phones for Soldiers, a national program that puts donated cell phones and international minutes into the hands of American troops stationed overseas.
Stevens decided the school should be a drop-off point after a friend's son returned from Iraq and spoke volumes about the program. After researching the program, Stevens found Raleigh was the closest city people could donate phones, and he decided to make Rocky Mount Academy a permanent drop-off point during school hours.
The initiative is the least the school can do to honor and help the families and friends who have served and continue to serve the country, Stevens said.
"We have parents and friends over there now, and one of the things they miss the most is contacting their families," Stevens said.
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RMA Students Journey Into Past
Students traveled back to a time void of electricity and Xbox on Wednesday
for an interactive history lesson. Rocky Mount Academy's backyard was transformed into a colonial village,
allowing fifth- and seventh-graders to ditch their textbooks for a day in the
life of youth during the Revolutionary War. The classes bartered in the Sutler's Tent for deer tails and ink powder,
crafted rag dolls and tried their hands at tomahawk throwing. "It's just one way for them to see a tiny small bit of what it would
be like," said Head of Middle School Sue Appleby. Authentic activities such as tug of war, ball in a cup and pick up sticks,
showed students that outdoor games used to keep students occupied after
school. Just beside the games, a tent was set up for making fudge. Students sat
around the fire and cauldron waiting for a hot cup of wassail to warm them up. "It helps us know how cold they were," seventh-grader Caroline
said after dancing around to keep warm. With the cool temperature a clear indication winter is approaching,
students kept moving, tooting out songs on newly bought flutes and dancing to
the music of violins. Fifth-graders Meg and Sally were admiring the paper fan and umbrella they
purchased from Sutler's Tent, when they said the camp was a good way to not
only understand but experience history. Camp Flintlcok, a children's summer camp that does traveling school visits,
tries to recreate colonial American history through period clothing, tents and
daily activities. The owner, Tim Langdon, said when the weeklong summer camp started in 1999,
it wasn't long before schools were asking for field trips. Now Camp Flintlock
representatives travel to about 60 schools each year, sharing the lifestyle
that took place hundreds of years ago. Edgar Brickley, a Camp Flintlock employee, said the camp's staff tries to
teach students the story behind each activity. Students strung beads along rope to make American Indian necklaces, but
back in the day people used buffalo bones because they didn't like to waste
anything. "I try to learn a little bit about everything," Brickley said.
Rocky Mount
Telegram
Friday, December 07, 2007
Seventh-grader Will,
center, trims the hair on his rag doll as Grace,
left, and fifth
grader Spencer, watch Thursday during
Camp Flintlock at Rocky Mount Academy.
TOP
Jared
Participates in Shrine Bowl
Reprinted from Rocky
Mount Telegram
RMA senior Gary Jared participated in the November 24 Oasis Shrine Classic at Catawba College after filling an injured player's spot. Jared played offensive tackle and with the field goal unit.
"It
was an honor to be selected to play on the team," Jared said.
"It was also an honor to be able to play with the best in the state of
North Carolina. I'm grateful for teh opportunity to play and raise money
for the Shriner's Children's Hospital. It was a fun experience that I
will never forget," he added.
TOP
Rocky Mount Academy recently accepted a $500 grant from ExxonMobil Education alliance program which is designed to provide Exxon and Mobil retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools.
ExxonMobil believes that, as members of the communities, local retailers are best qualified to work with local educators to help identify schools and programs deserving support.
Presenting the grant to Headmaster Tom Stevens was N.C. Rep. Bill Daughtridge, R-Nash, who is president of Daughtridge Oil Co.
Daughtridge Oil Co. has been in business, and an active supporter in the Rocky Mount community, for over 78 years.
"Rocky Mount Academy provides
outstanding educational opportunities that prepare young people to meet the
challenges of the future," said Bill Daughtridge. "As an Exxon
distributor and retailer we are proud to be able to support their
efforts."
TOP
Gravely Signs National Letter of Intent
RMA senior Edmund Gravely has
signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at
A three-year starter on
"Edmund
is a very special player, but what makes him so special, is the character in
which he carries himself,” said Ronnie Beddingfield, RMA Assistant Baseball
coach. “This is a true testament of his family and faith. I have been truly
blessed to be able to have him in our program."
Gravely
is a three-year varsity letter winner for
TOP
Schmitt earns his
spot When deciding where to attend college, former Rocky Mount Academy
basketball standout Mike Schmitt chose the strong academics reputation of
Davidson over hoops. Schmitt did not completely give up on his dream of playing college
basketball, however. So over the course of the summer, he worked on his game
in hopes of walking on to one of the better mid-major programs in the country. In late October, the Wildcats rewarded Schmitt's hard work. The former
Eagle earned a walk-on spot and is now a member of the Davidson men's
basketball team. "It's so exciting," Schmitt said by telephone Thursday.
"Running through the tunnel in Wednesday's exhibition, that's when it hit
me. Having the crowd there, seeing my nameplate over my locker. I'm glad I put
the effort in." Schmitt is on a squad that features one of the nation's better scorers –
sophomore guard Stephen Curry. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Tournament
last season and they nearly knocked off Maryland in the first round. Schmitt said he is spending time in practice as a member of the scout team
and taking part in a number of individual drills. The Wildcats run a fastbreak
offense based on screens and cuts. Schmitt said he sees an obvious difference
in the style of play from prep to Division I. "It's a huge adjustment from a level of physicalness," Schmitt
said. "It's not high school anymore. Everyone of these players was one of
the best on their high school teams. It's a great time to be a part of
Davidson College basketball." Davidson has a challenging schedule, which includes the likes of ACC
programs Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State. Schmitt has not seen any playing
time yet, but hopes to play in a few games toward the middle of the season. Schmitt's jersey was retired at RMA last season after he became the
school's alltime leading scorer. He finished his career with 2,048 points and
1,108 rebounds. "From where he was in middle school to now, he's worked really
hard," RMA athletics director/boys' basketball coach Renny Taylor said.
"He's improved each and every year. He had the determination. I'm very
happy for him." RMA
Students Are Exposed to Jazz in the Classroom
The 8th and 9th grade music
students were treated recently to an hour of live jazz from local musicians
who are a part of the Winston Band. William
McLaughlin, his wife Sharon, son Alex, and fellow jazz enthusiast Randy Evans
performed famous jazz pieces. By
the end of the presentation, the RMA students had warmed up to the beat and
joined on percussion instruments. The McLaughlins also gave the students a
history of this music genre as they worked through the musical program. “Jazz is the only truly American music,” William
McLaughlin explained, “because it started, it evolved, in He further explained that it is a melding of the
African polyrhythmic and the European music styles.
Slaves brought their culture of beating drums to send messages with the
European music that they heard here to form blues and gospel music. The
jazz genre grew from there. RMA, whose mission it is to prepare students for the
challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities that they will encounter in
life and college, requires students to take fine arts courses in PK through 9th
grade and then offers music and studio art electives in 10th – 12th
grade. “Fine arts is one of
those opportunities referred to in our mission statement,” Headmaster Thomas
R. Stevens explained. “We want
our students to be exposed to the arts now so that now, or later perhaps, they
may decide that they want to know more, do more, perform more,” he said.
Stevens said that he has seen RMA students discover talent that they
never knew they had because of these courses and RMA extracurricular
activities, such as the Upper School Drama Club performances.
“It reinforces our decision to make the arts a part of the RMA
experience when we see some of our students go out of their comfort zones and,
to their own surprise, realize that maybe they have found a new interest and
talent within themselves,” he said. William McLaughlin, who is a pharmacist by trade,
echoed Stevens’ sentiments about pursuing the arts.
He implored the students to believe that it is “always possible to do
more than one thing.” He told
them “if you have a passion for music, let that be a part of your life
too.” To promote jazz in our area,
Former RMA hoops standout walks on at Davidson
Reprinted from Rocky Mount Telegram
Sunday, November 11, 2007
TOP
Contest Win Brings
Author to School Rarely after finishing a book does one get the chance to discuss the story
with its author. Students had that privilege on Friday when children's book author and
illustrator Brian Selznick spent the day at Rocky Mount Academy. The school
beat 110,000 schools across the country in the Scholastic Book Fairs' Big
Ideas contest, earning a visit from the author and $2,500. Selznick met with each grade, reading his favorite childhood stories,
discussing the concepts behind his latest book, "The Invention of Hugo
Cabret," and outlining his path to becoming a writer and an artist. Lower School students read the 500-some page book, "The Invention of
Hugo Cabret," before asking Selznick about the story behind its creation.
Selznick used text and 300 black and white drawings to tell the story, which
has an old silent film feel and a French theme. The author said his goal is for readers to finish the book and not be able
to differentiate what information came from text and what came from an image. Third-grader Lindy Pittman said she felt like she was watching a movie
while reading the book. "It's a great way to start off reading because it's more pictures than
words," said Pittman, an avid reader. "It's an easy read. I read it in two days." Selznick told students "Hugo Cabret" was the hardest book he's
made. During the two-and-a-half years he spent on it, he sometimes
second-guessed the idea of a children's book based on old French movies. "Sometimes you have to take a little bit of a chance and do something
you've never done before," Selznick told the sixth- through 12th-graders.
"Sometimes you fail, and sometimes you don't." "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" has been named a 2007 National
Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature. The winner will be
announced next week. The day mostly was about having fun, but hopefully it inspired students to
read his books or others, Selznick said. "Give students a good reason to go to the library or book fair,"
he said. Students filled the school's library on Friday to get their copies of
Selznick's book signed and visit the book fair. Parent volunteers Robin Williams and Laurie Cooper were behind last
spring's winning idea, both of which were shocked and honored that their
concept won the grand prize. The $2,500 prize the school won will be used to buy Scholastic materials,
said Millie Walker, Director of Enrollment Management. "By parents making this much of a deal out of reading, it makes
reading a big deal for students," Walker said.
Reprinted from Rocky Mount Telegram
Monday, November 5, 2007
Author Brian Selznick returns a copy of 'The
Invention of Hugo Cabret' to Rocky Mount Academy Media Coordinator Ann
Duke Cobb after signing it for her Friday at the school.
TOP
Editor's Note: Mr. Selznick subsequently won the
coveted Caldecott Medal for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." We
are honored that our students got the opportunity to meet such a distinguished
author and illustrator.
RMA Wins Grand Prize in Scholastic Book Fair National Contest
Scholastic, the world’s
largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, has awarded the Grand
Prize for the Spring 2007 National Elementary School Book Fair Contest to
Mr. Selznick, who rarely makes public appearances due
to the demands of his illustrating and writing careers, will spend the day at
RMA on November 2. Selznick is the
Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and New
York Times best-selling author of more than two dozen books for young
people. His first book, The
Houdini Box, won the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the Rhode Island
Children’s Book Award. His
latest book, The Invention of Hugh Cabret, has just been named a Finalist in the
National Book Awards for 2007. He
will meet with RMA students of all grades, reading his favorite childhood book
to the younger students and talking to the older students about writing and
illustrating. He will have a book
signing and a lunch with RMA teachers during the day as well.
RMA Media Coordinator, Ann Duke Cobb, explained that
the contest was not about the number of books sold during the book fair,
although it was the most successful spring book fair that the school has ever
held. Schools were judged on the
promotional ideas used for the spring book fair, which was themed
“Mrs. Cobb, the media center volunteers, and our
art students did a wonderful job of developing clever promotional concepts to
attract students, parents, grandparents, and teachers to the book fair.
They also did a great job of transforming our media center into
TOP
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