And the final word is..... aubergine. Definition: a variable color averaging a blackish purple". Of course, Brooke Shelton, a 7th grade student at Colonial Heights Middle School, had only to spell the word successfully in order to capture her 1st place trophy and the title of 2014 Sullivan County Spelling Bee Champion. Brooke successfully spelled the championship word right after spelling "dirndl" - which is a type of Alpine dress style. Brooke performed marvelously throughout the competition even boldly assisting the announcers with the pronunciation of the word "genoise" before spelling it successfully. Also, performing outstandingly at this year's competition was 2nd place finisher, Isabella Jimenez, a 6th grader at Mary Hughes Middle School and 3rd place finisher, Mathew Barnicki, a 7th grader at the Innovation Academy. All 20 spellers from seven Sullivan County Middle Schools represented their schools well, but it was these three students who managed to finish on the top. Brooke, Isabella, and Mathew were also their respective school champions and will all represent Sullivan County and their schools in the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee Competition on Saturday, March 15th in Knoxville. We wish them all the best.

PICTURE is from left to right: Mathew Barnicki, Brooke Shelton, Isabella Jimenez.

Augmented Reality has made it's way to Mr. Meade's Art Room at Ketron Elementary School.  You might be asking yourself, "What is Augmented Reality?"  Well, Augmented Reality is a live, copy, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by computer-genetrated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data.  It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is modified (possibly even diminished rather than augmented) by a computer.  As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one's current perception of reality.  Mr. Meade's Kindergarten classes have learned what "Augmented Reality" is about and they have a basic understanding of that it is and how that "changing/modifying what is real/perceived" can be done with iPads.  Mr. Meade first had his students understand the difference between changing and replacing.  Then they discussed what paper was, a flat rectangle that doesn't do much.  After this they each got a hot air balloon color sheet that Mr. Meade had prepared using the ColarMix App.  He instructed students to stay inside the lines or the change could not take effect.  Once students had their color sheets finished, they learned how to use the iPad and app to create a 3-dimensional moving hot air balloon.  The students were amazed and could not believe that they took a flat sheet of paper and were able to augment that they saw by just looking at the iPad screen.  The idea and concept of Augmented Reality is something that is taking the art world by storm and is a great way for students to understand what is real and what is seen though the lens of a camera.  This was related to the cartoons and movies that they see so they understand what is real in their lives. 

The third grade at MHS recently celebrated the closing ceremonies of our in-house Olympics competition. Our Olympic Challenge began when the students randomly drew countries to determine which team they were representing. The six countries represented the six continents that send athletes to the Olympic Games. Each day a torch bearer was chosen to lead the entire grade from the gym to class. Torch Bearers were chosen based upon attitude, effort and behavior from the previous day. Throughout the three weeks students read several nonfiction articles about the Olympics, Para Olympics and athletes. Activities included working on main ideas, compare/contrast and writing skills. Throughout the competition students could earn medals based upon grades (90 and above could earn medals) and going above and beyond what is normally expected. The medals were not easy to earn, but a total of 700 medals were awarded over the three week period. Students would place the medals into the team jars and all medals would be counted and posted each afternoon. After three weeks of competition the gold medalists were announced! Students who served as torch bearers received a certificate along with all bronze and silver medalists. Gold medalists each received a certificate and medal to proudly wear!

Ms. Burdine's fifth grade English/Language Arts classes did a great job of creating character's to match their "Who Was/Is" Book Reports.  Now gracing the halls of Miller Perry is everyone from King Tut to Elvis Presley! 

Mrs. Patti Keith, art instructor at Colonial Heights Middle School, has been selected as the "Artist in Residence" by the Kingsport Carousel Project. The idea behind the project is to bring a studio experience to students. This volunteer-led community project features hand-carved wooden animals and chariots in a unique and iconic fashion. WeGeBo, the animal pictured, was carved by Richard Hanks (pictured) and the tiger will come to life as Mrs. Keith and local artist Kathy Snapp apply multiple layers of acrylic paint to give him a magical, vivid appearance. Also pictured with Mrs. Keith is the project manager, Reggie Martin. You can watch the progress on the Colonial Heights Middle School website.

Sullivan South hosted this year's All-County Band this last weekend (Feb 20-21). Band students from each of the middle and high schools came together to form two larger bands consisting of students from similar grades. These bands were directed by two guest conductors, Mr. Chris Lockhart (middle school) and Dr. Carson Vermillion (high school), so that the students may hear some new ideas that they might not have heard of before. The students only had a total of about 12 hours to practice before they were put on stage Saturday night at 7pm to perform the music literature they were given on Friday. This is a HUGE feat to accomplish for these students, especially that they are performing with students that they may have never met before this weekend. CONGRATS to all of our band students in Sullivan County! You make us very proud!

The Sullivan South High School Rebel Band will be hosting a Carolina Indoor Performance Association (CIPA) event this Saturday, March 1st at 1:45pm, doors will open at 12:45pm. 

The competition will include performances by both Winter Guard and Percussion Ensembles and will include 28 participating teams, representing 4 states, including TN, VA, NC and KY. Carolina Indoor Performance Association is organized to provide the North Carolina, South Carolina, East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia areas with a professional, competitive atmosphere for local teams to compete in indoor performances.

The public is invited to attend Saturday's competition. Ongoing activities during the competition will include vendor booths, concessions, and door prizes. Admission is $8 and will help support the Sullivan South Rebel Band Program.

School Nutrition News

Breakfast at School