Governor's School of North Carolina

The Governor's School of North Carolina is a summer program for gifted and talented high school students. This residential program for rising seniors (and rising juniors if they are selected for performing/visual arts) is located at Salem College in Winston-Salem or Meredith College in Raleigh. Although, this is a program administered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, it may be worthwhile program for particularly mature students.

Areas of academic interest include English, Spanish, French, Mathematics, Natural Science, Social Science, Art, Choral Music, Instrumental Music, Dance and Theater. The emphasis in all disciplines will be in contemporary texts, compositions, artistic expressions, issues and ideas and theories that flow from them. However, it is especially important to consider your child's ability to incorporate a Biblical Worldview filter as they approach their preferred discipline.

The majority of the cost are funded by the state of North Carolina. Deadline for nomination is November 15, 2016. The program will run from June 18, 2017 through July 26, 2017. Details can be found at the link below.

http://www.ncgovschool.org/docs/nomination/2017/nomination.pdf

Silent Auction: November 5, 2016

Hickory Grove Christian School has attempted to make it a practice to limit the number of fundraisers that we attempt each year. There are typically two major events each year and one of those coming up next month. The HGCS Dinner and Auction will be held on Saturday, November 5 in the Family Life Center. The auction Preview begins at 5 pm and Dinner/Program at 6 pm. Our speaker is fellow believer and Major League Baseball player, James McCann, catcher for the Detroit Tigers. James has generously waived his speaker’s fee for the evening. He was a standout both academically and athletically at the University of Arkansas and even though he is in his early twenties, he has an amazing life story that I feel certain that you will enjoy hearing.

Would you consider joining us Saturday, November 5? You can help in three ways:

1. Purchasing individual tickets or a table of eight. Then, invite your friends and family to a wonderful evening while supporting Hickory Grove Christian School (for those purchasing a table of eight, you will be listed as a Table Sponsor on the program)
2. Helping promote the event on your Facebook page or in conversation with your friends and family
3. Donating to the class gift baskets (click here to view your child’s grade basket theme http://hgcsannouncement.blogspot.com/2016/10/announcements-for-week-of-october-3-2016.html )

Tickets are available at https://hgchristian.brushfireapp.com/events Click on event 434202 .

There are a total of 300 tickets available so let’s fill the gym for James and for HGCS. Tickets go fast for this event so you will want to get your tickets early!

Here are a few of the 120 great auction items that will be available:

• Myrtle Beach condo for a Weekend Getaway
• Palace Theater Christmas; Show tickets which include a $25 dinner certificate and 2-night stay at Grand Atlantic Resort in Myrtle Beach
• Tickets to sporting events (includes Hornets)
• “Experiences” such as a student taking on the role of “Headmaster for the Day”
• Amazing Grace mountain cabin
• Autographed James McCann jersey
• Class Gift Card Baskets,
• pottery, jewelry, art, handcrafted items and much more!

You can follow the event on Facebook at HGCS Dinner and Auction so you can keep up to date on what is happening and see a listing of all prizes.

Once again, thank you so much for your help throughout the year. Without your help, many of the projects that we have on the horizon are nearly impossible. We sincerely appreciate any help that you can provide, especially with the Silent Auction!

Senioritis

Senioritis - noun

“A supposed affliction of students in their final year of high school or college, characterized by a decline in motivation or performance.”1

During my 20 plus years as an educator, I’ve seen the effects of senioritis on many students.  Some are able to stand firm until at least March; others lose their way much sooner. Now, as a parent of a senior, I am experiencing this academic stalemate firsthand. Not even a principal’s son is immune to the pull of cultural influences and educational burnout. High school seniors are constantly trying to juggle numerous after-school activities, maintain a social life, and apply to various colleges. Typically, as the year progresses, friends become a top priority and school work becomes less important. Ironically, once students receive those coveted college acceptance letters, they view high school as over, as done!

Unfortunately, senioritis can be very contagious, but hard to cure. The negative consequences of slacking off during the senior year are often underestimated. Students fail to comprehend that though they may no longer care about their last semester grades, admission officers certainly do.  Universities look at all four years of high school-- from beginning to end.  High school is not over, not done until guidance sends out that last transcript -- complete with both fall and spring senior semester grades. Colleges can and do rescind acceptances.  

The point of my message is not to add another worry to your list, but to give you some advice on how to combat senioritis.

1. Prayer- Pray for God to reveal His purpose to your senior and that he/she will respond with an open heart.  Pray that your student will look to God for guidance and for endurance to finish strong.
2. Make a Plan- Fill your calendar or day planner with important deadlines for applications, assignments, and other events. Help your senior map out what has to be done--be that high school activities or college preparations.
3. Communicate - Communicate with your senior; remember this season of life is exciting and happy, but also a bit sad and scary-- though they may not want to admit the latter feelings. Trying to process all these emotions at once can be overwhelming.  To a senior, everything in school is his/her “last” ...last prom, last homecoming, last big game, last chapel (insert tears here).

As a high school principal, I have the privilege to experience these “lasts” with each senior class as well as the task of helping them fight senioritis. I am blessed to be able to walk alongside you as parents, as we guide the class of 2017 to a strong finish.

1English Oxford Living Dictionary