Our Palette of Expression

Communication and technology is exploding in today's culture. New ways of expression emerge around every corner. Younger students are texting, blogging, and posting their ideas. Second graders reflected on a value that is important to their family and chose to express that value through performing or visual arts. Mission Expression displayed murals, sculptures, posters, photography, needlepoint, weavings, and paintings. Students expressed values through skits, puppet shows, cheers, dance, and musical performances. Proud parents and teachers applauded their efforts.

International Parade

As we celebrate global diversity, teachers and students participate in our annual International Parade. Costumes, banners, flags, cultural symbols, musical instruments, and dancers fill the halls as the onlookers cheer for each country. Second grade had a large number of students participate this year. Mrs. Pitt led  a huge procession for Vietnam. Other second graders wanted to dress and represent the country that they had chosen to research for their travel brochure.

Habitat for Humanity

Second Graders used their economic influence to impact the local community by designing, packaging, advertising, and selling greeting cards (4 for $1.00).  Each class also participated in a contest "Race to the Bank" with a challenge of collecting dollars from all twelve Federal Reserve Banks. Ms. Pelletier's class was the first to collect a dollar from each of the twelve banks, but Ms. Wells' class collected the most money. These two projects raised over $400 for Habitat for Humanity.

As an extension, individual students were challenged to write businesses asking for charitable donations to help Habitat International: Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Our goal was to raise $5000 that would build two houses in Haiti. Students feel empowered as they see our graph increase, knowing their actions have made a difference in someone's life.

It's a Bag's Life

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Recycling those plastic bags in North Carolina just got a little easier with a campaign called A Bag's Life. The campaign was launched Wednesday at the Legislative Building in Raleigh.

The goal is to get people to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic bags. With the launch of this program, people in NC will now have access to over 1,200 new plastic bag recycling drop off sites at local retail stores across the state. Representative Ruth Samuelson of Mecklenburg County and Senator Buck Newton of Nash and Wilson Counties spoke at the event about the importance of recycling. A group of 2nd graders from Joyner Elementary also attended the event to learn more and even recycled their own plastic bags. For more information and to find out where to recycle in your area visit, http://www.abagslife.com/