SUMMIT CHARTER SCHOOL RECEIVESGRANT FOR
APPALACHIAN TRAIL PROJECT
Summit Charter School has been awarded a grant from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to create an interpretive trail on their new school site.
The proposed trail will be approximately 0.75 miles in length and traverses three habitat types present on the Appalachian Trail, including stream edge, rhododendron thicket, and hardwood forest. Numbered posts along the trail will represent the scaled distance of the A.T. through each state from Maine to Georgia. Features such as steps and water breaks used to maintain the trail’s condition will be incorporated, and regional flora and fauna will be interpreted in a pamphlet created by Summit’s middle school students. Its creation will support the implementation of “place-based education,” which integrates the local community, history, and environment into the school’s curriculum. Students will gain hands-on learning experiences as they assist in the completion of this project. Summit’s new trail will also serve as an outdoor classroom area for students to observe nature. It will eventually become available for public use, and will serve to promote Summit Charter School as a benefit to the Cashiers community.
The North Carolina Appalachian Trail License Plate Grant program, from which Summit Charter School received the grant, will fund more than $26,000 for ten projects in 2008. The total value of the selected projects is nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Since 2006, ATC has awarded more than $45,000 in grants through this program to support various A.T. projects.
Parent volunteers will assist with the design, construction, and maintenance of Summit Charter School’s new trail, along with the Nantahala Hiking Club, who is also responsible for maintaining 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Summit is also collaborating with area conservation organizations such as the Highlands Biological Station, Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, and Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance to compile plant and animal lists, enhance the habitats for wildlife, and control the spread of invasive species at the new site.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (www.appalachiantrail.org) is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail so that it will forever remain a simple footpath within a protected greenway along the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine.
* * * * * * * * *
For more information, contact: Janis Brannon, Summit Charter School Science Educator at (828) 743-5755 ; or Leanna Joyner, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Southern Regional Office Program and Communications Manager at (828) 254-3708.
Youth Art Month at WCU
Youth Art Month concluded last Sunday with an awards ceremony. Congratulations to the following students who earned prizes for their artwork, and to all of the students whose fine art was featured at the exhibit.
1st Place: Harrison Young
2nd Place: Andrew Renfro
Honorable Mention:
Bailey Baker
Hayden Bates
Eric Martinez
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE ARTISTS!!!!!
COME ONE, COME ALL
MAMA MIA SPAGHETTI DINNER
April 18th, 5-8
Cashiers Methodist Church
Fundraiser for 3rd Grade Zoo Trip
REMINDER
NOON DISMISSAL FRIDAY, 4/11/08
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, 4/14/08 (Parent/Teacher Conferences
BEAR OF THE WEEK
LIZ MCKEE
SINCE October, Liz has raised $1000 for Dollars for Darfur, a national school challenge, that gets students involved in helping with the crisis in darfur. Instead of receiving Christmas gifts, Liz asked many of her Friends and family members to donate to dollars FOR DARFUR. On March 21, liz reached her goal of $1000.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Hampton Preschool Summer Program: June 2-July 31. Price is $200/week for 9-5
Monday-Thursday. Payment is due by May 5th. 20% off for siblings.
Call The Hampton School for more information: 743-3056.
Arrowmont Stables: Offering an after-school Horsemanship class beginning April 14th. This is available for children 9-16 years of age. Information and registration forms available in the office.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Proctors are needed for the IOWA testing April 29, 30 and May 1, from 9-12:15. Please contact Eileen Benjamin if you can help.
THANKS
Cinco de Mayo
Cashiers Valley Preschool’s Fundraiser: Fiesta Cinco de Mayo. Sat., May 3rd. Tickets $50/person. There will be food, music, dancing and a silent auction. Call 743-4320 for more information.
SAFETY FIRST
A friendly reminder to ask you to be aware of your speed as you drive through the Village Play on your way to school. The playground area is busy with children in the afternoons, and their safety is always a concern. We ask you to drive slowly
through this area.
Thanks
BULL’S TIP OF THE WEEK
Cut your shower time 2 minutes short and save about 5 gallons of water a week. That is 260 gallons a year!
