| Leland, NC
Town Creek Elementary School Gears up for the 2009–10 School Year
By Heather Lowery
Going back-to-school always brings anticipation and preparation, but for many students in the area, this upcoming school year will be extra special because they will be attending a newly constructed school: Town Creek Elementary School.
Different boundary lines for the county were recently drawn to determine which school students will attend in the fall. This change impacts student populations from three district schools: Bolivia, Belville and Lincoln Elementary. Approximately 476 students in kindergarten through fifth grade are expected to be enrolled in Town Creek for its first year.
Town Creek Elementary School is near completion and will be ready to welcome students at the opening of the 2009–10 school year. Helen Davis, the school’s principal, is very excited about Town Creek.
“I’ve been a principal at several other schools, but this is special and very exciting, because I am here from the start of this brand-new school,” Davis says.
Previously, Davis was the principal of Southport Elementary, and most recently, she spent three and a half years as principal of Lincoln Elementary, before signing on with Town Creek in March.
Town Creek Elementary School is located in Winnabow off Highway 17, approximately 6 miles south beyond the community of Brunswick Forest. It is built upon 21.29 acres, which allows for the 80,850-square-foot school building, a softball/baseball diamond, a soccer field, two basketball courts, 140 parking spaces, a bus parking lot, a large play area with playground equipment and a separate play area for smaller children. The building is constructed of masonry and steel and has an attractive façade of red brick and a blue steel roof. The entire school is surrounded by fencing and has a state-of-the-art security system with access control.
“It is equipped with a high-efficiency sprinkler system throughout the entire building,” says Craig Eckert, Director of Capital Projects for Brunswick County Schools.
The Town Creek design plan is fashioned after Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School in Ash, North Carolina, also designed by MBAJ Architecture. The school has a capacity to accommodate 600 students. The four wing design allows for each corridor to have its own designated color scheme with matching cubbies and cabinetry in each of the 34 classrooms, each approximately 900 square feet.
“The separate hallways allow for like-grades to be housed next to each other, which I believe to be a real plus,” says Eckert.
The school also boasts a cafeteria and gymnasium with a stage between the areas. Two fully equipped computer labs, a separate media center with a reading room, a music room, art room, administration offices, parent center room and support rooms complete
the project.
The school is currently under much of the planning stages. Hiring of staff and faculty, procuring a mission statement and polling students, parents and teachers to assess specific needs of the children in order to best accommodate the population are just a few of the recent undertakings. Class size depends on the number of students and state budgeting. Although not yet finalized, Davis estimates that there will be three to four classes of each grade and anywhere from less than 24 students to 29 students per classroom.
Davis is enthusiastic about the curriculum Town Creek will offer.
“We will offer the standard course of study, in addition to focusing on habits of mind, appealing to multiple intelligences and providing direct instruction through team teaching and flexible grouping,” Davis says. “We will do whatever it takes to meet the needs of our students.”
The school will also incorporate several programs, including an Exceptional Children’s Program and Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program, as well as a Positive Behavioral Support Program.
Furthermore, the school will be equipped with some of the latest technology available.
“Each classroom will have computers, and each teacher will have a computer cart with a laptop and LCD projector,” says Davis, “in addition to the two computer labs and the computers in the media center.”
A plan for preparing the fifth graders for a smooth transition to middle school will also be in place.
“Touring the area middle schools, inviting presenters, as well as meetings with the middle school staff are all part of the process,” says Davis.
Student, staff and parent input and involvement are all crucial to Davis.
“I want to encourage strong parent involvement,” she says. “That is the key to any school.”
Davis also plans to survey parents and students on the needs and interests for particular services and activities, such as before/after-school care and sports and clubs. She also intends to get parents involved in a PTA or PTO and, if budget allows, obtain a parent facilitator who will coordinate parent volunteers and faith-based partners as well as make connections with the business community.
Davis already gave her students opportunity to feel involved in their new school. She began with something fun. She went to the current fourth graders from the three feeder schools and asked for their assistance in voting for Town Creek’s mascot and school colors.
Ed and Trey Lemon from Herff Jones Cape Fear Campus Specialties have been Davis’ consultants to help narrow down these exciting options.
“We can’t duplicate the mascots and colors already used in the county,” declares Davis.
In general, when talking about school policies of late, the issue of uniforms frequently pops up. Where does Town Creek stand on this topic? The school will require students to wear uniforms, along with several other schools in the district that are starting the trend this upcoming school year.
“Many parents have responded positively to uniforms,” Davis states, regarding the recent polling. “They have numerous benefits, one being that they are cost effective for the parents.”
Davis looks forward to welcoming parents and students to their new school during an open house scheduled sometime late this summer, prior to the beginning of the new year.
“My vision for Town Creek is excellence,” says Davis. “It will be a warm and inviting place for outstanding academic growth.”
By Heather Lowery
Going back-to-school always brings anticipation and preparation, but for many students in the area, this upcoming school year will be extra special because they will be attending a newly constructed school: Town Creek Elementary School.
Different boundary lines for the county were recently drawn to determine which school students will attend in the fall. This change impacts student populations from three district schools: Bolivia, Belville and Lincoln Elementary. Approximately 476 students in kindergarten through fifth grade are expected to be enrolled in Town Creek for its first year.
Town Creek Elementary School is near completion and will be ready to welcome students at the opening of the 2009–10 school year. Helen Davis, the school’s principal, is very excited about Town Creek.
“I’ve been a principal at several other schools, but this is special and very exciting, because I am here from the start of this brand-new school,” Davis says.
Previously, Davis was the principal of Southport Elementary, and most recently, she spent three and a half years as principal of Lincoln Elementary, before signing on with Town Creek in March.
Town Creek Elementary School is located in Winnabow off Highway 17, approximately 6 miles south beyond the community of Brunswick Forest. It is built upon 21.29 acres, which allows for the 80,850-square-foot school building, a softball/baseball diamond, a soccer field, two basketball courts, 140 parking spaces, a bus parking lot, a large play area with playground equipment and a separate play area for smaller children. The building is constructed of masonry and steel and has an attractive façade of red brick and a blue steel roof. The entire school is surrounded by fencing and has a state-of-the-art security system with access control.
“It is equipped with a high-efficiency sprinkler system throughout the entire building,” says Craig Eckert, Director of Capital Projects for Brunswick County Schools.
The Town Creek design plan is fashioned after Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School in Ash, North Carolina, also designed by MBAJ Architecture. The school has a capacity to accommodate 600 students. The four wing design allows for each corridor to have its own designated color scheme with matching cubbies and cabinetry in each of the 34 classrooms, each approximately 900 square feet.
“The separate hallways allow for like-grades to be housed next to each other, which I believe to be a real plus,” says Eckert.
The school also boasts a cafeteria and gymnasium with a stage between the areas. Two fully equipped computer labs, a separate media center with a reading room, a music room, art room, administration offices, parent center room and support rooms complete
the project.
The school is currently under much of the planning stages. Hiring of staff and faculty, procuring a mission statement and polling students, parents and teachers to assess specific needs of the children in order to best accommodate the population are just a few of the recent undertakings. Class size depends on the number of students and state budgeting. Although not yet finalized, Davis estimates that there will be three to four classes of each grade and anywhere from less than 24 students to 29 students per classroom.
Davis is enthusiastic about the curriculum Town Creek will offer.
“We will offer the standard course of study, in addition to focusing on habits of mind, appealing to multiple intelligences and providing direct instruction through team teaching and flexible grouping,” Davis says. “We will do whatever it takes to meet the needs of our students.”
The school will also incorporate several programs, including an Exceptional Children’s Program and Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program, as well as a Positive Behavioral Support Program.
Furthermore, the school will be equipped with some of the latest technology available.
“Each classroom will have computers, and each teacher will have a computer cart with a laptop and LCD projector,” says Davis, “in addition to the two computer labs and the computers in the media center.”
A plan for preparing the fifth graders for a smooth transition to middle school will also be in place.
“Touring the area middle schools, inviting presenters, as well as meetings with the middle school staff are all part of the process,” says Davis.
Student, staff and parent input and involvement are all crucial to Davis.
“I want to encourage strong parent involvement,” she says. “That is the key to any school.”
Davis also plans to survey parents and students on the needs and interests for particular services and activities, such as before/after-school care and sports and clubs. She also intends to get parents involved in a PTA or PTO and, if budget allows, obtain a parent facilitator who will coordinate parent volunteers and faith-based partners as well as make connections with the business community.
Davis already gave her students opportunity to feel involved in their new school. She began with something fun. She went to the current fourth graders from the three feeder schools and asked for their assistance in voting for Town Creek’s mascot and school colors.
Ed and Trey Lemon from Herff Jones Cape Fear Campus Specialties have been Davis’ consultants to help narrow down these exciting options.
“We can’t duplicate the mascots and colors already used in the county,” declares Davis.
In general, when talking about school policies of late, the issue of uniforms frequently pops up. Where does Town Creek stand on this topic? The school will require students to wear uniforms, along with several other schools in the district that are starting the trend this upcoming school year.
“Many parents have responded positively to uniforms,” Davis states, regarding the recent polling. “They have numerous benefits, one being that they are cost effective for the parents.”
Davis looks forward to welcoming parents and students to their new school during an open house scheduled sometime late this summer, prior to the beginning of the new year.
“My vision for Town Creek is excellence,” says Davis. “It will be a warm and inviting place for outstanding academic growth.”
