November 16, 2015

Ridge Spring News

Harriet Householder

It is hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Yet in Paris there were terrible events that took place.  My heart goes out to the people so wounded and lost loved ones by so horrible an idea. Pope Francis spoke out and said that God does not represent such hate and such devastation.  Thank you, Pope Francis and all the other leaders and people of the world for uniting with France.  I do too. “Je suis Paris!!!”

Last week we honored veterans on Veteran’s Day.  It commemorates the end of the “Great War” which was actually World War I. I have a history book that was written in the late 1920s and it is amazing their reporting of the history of that War. My husband and I are of the generation that our fathers and/or mothers went through World War II. My husband and I are of the generation that went through Vietnam.  You cannot help but wonder what our future holds of our children and grandchildren.  Again let us be thankful for what we do have and what our future holds.

Boy, did I get philosophical today???

The Shoppes of Ridge Spring are planning our own day after Thanksgiving.  There will be specials for all.  There will be more information in next week’s column.

Joanne Crouch, AARS, president

     ART CLASSES FOR KIDS

Many folks have requested classes for children.  We have not one but two classes to offer for the younger artists. 

     Childrens’s Collage Class-NOVEMBER 21ST FROM 10-12

Children ages 5 and up will learn the art of collage.  Students will complete at least two collages focusing on the Fall season and Thanksgiving.  The cost is $20 for first child and $15 for the second and all supplies will be provided.  Barbara Yon and Mary -Zelmer, instructors.  Call (803)685-5386 or email artassnridgespring@gmail.com.

      Christmas Workshop-December 5th from 10-12

Children ages 5 & up.  Design Christmas ornaments just in time to decorate for the Christmas season.  The cost is $20 for the first child, $15 for the second.  All supplies provided.  Mary Zelmer and Barbara Yon, instructors. Call (803)685-5386 or email artassnridgespring@gmail.com to register.

      We again have the pleasure to offer another Silk Scarf Painting Class with Libby Bussinah on Saturday, December 12th from 9-1.  Cost is $45.  All supplies will be supplied.  Contact Joanne Crouch to register @ (803)685-5577 (leave message) or email joanne.crouch26@gmail.com to register.

JOHNSTON FARMER'S & ARTIST'S MARKET is held every Thursday afternoon from 4 - 6 p.m. in front of the Library/Warehouse. The market will be held on Thursday, November 19th . . . then again on Monday, November 23rd bringing you your Holiday fixins'.  There will not be a market on Thursday, November 26th. .  For more information contact Donna at 803-275-0010 or Anne at 803-480-1093

Josie Rodgers

No Trojan Hungry:  More than 25% of kids living in our community are hungry every day.  Many children and teens may go to sleep hungry tonight. That is the reason The "No Trojan Hungry" canned food drive was created. Through Nov. 30, the school will be collecting crackers, Ramen noodles, canned soups, granola bars, snack cakes, fruit cups, mini boxes of cereal, pop tarts, snack bars, juices, and toiletry items to help stock the RSM Food Pantry.  There will be two barrels placed around the school for donations.  Community members may also donate at the school. 

RSM Middle/High News:  The Trojans keep taking down the competition in their pursuit of state dreams.  Last Friday, they hosted and defeated Whitmire to earn another spot in the play-offs.  This week they will travel to McCormick for another round!

No one likes taking tests, especially standardized tests that count 20% of a student’s final grade in the courses of Algebra 1, English 1, Biology 1, and US History.  In a recent press release, Aiken County was praised for its students’ gains on the high school end-of-course tests.  Superintendent Dr. Sean Alford is quite happy with these gains and directed his gratitude to the hard-working teachers and students in Aiken County. 

In another press release, Aiken County announced its partnership with the Future Makers, an initiative “created by the South Carolina Manufacturing Education Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit affiliated with the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, in response to the growing workforce challenges facing manufacturers in recruiting skilled and talented young associates.”  This partnership will allow students to better explore post-secondary options, careers, colleges, and companies.  “Powered by STEM Premier, the SC Future Makers website will debut in November 2015.”  Look for more on this cutting edge process soon!

On Veterans Day, the students and staff honored current and retired military with a special assembly featuring student council leaders, the concert band, the middle school chorus, and a guest speaker.  Moseanique Swint, McKenna Palmer, and Samantha Phillips led the ceremonies.  The concert band, under the direction of Jeff Clamp, played several patriotic melodies flawlessly.  The chorus, directed by Becky Hughes, sang touching tributes to our country, and they were outstanding!  Our guest speaker was Army Chief Warrant Officer Four Tony E. Meade, father-in-law to RSM High teacher Dianna Meade.  He spoke about his time with the military and how much his country and its people mean to him. He encouraged our young people to recognize and appreciate the many sacrifices that our military and their families make on a daily basis.  He challenged them to think about military life and service to country.  The entire gym stood and sang the school’s alma mater at the end.  The students were extremely well-behaved and showed great appreciation for this important occasion. 

RSM-High started a new class this year, Freshman Focus, and as a part of this class, we have asked our freshmen to take back some ownership of their community. Starting this week, our freshmen will be beginning nine weeks of community service hours, not as punishment, but as a way of giving back. Please, if you see one of these students, encourage them in what they are trying to accomplish.

Rene Miller RSM Elementary School

CLEMSON VS CAROLINA CANNED FOOD DRIVE: Students who bring in 3 canned goods will receive a hat pass. Students who bring in 1canned good will receive 2 Trojan points. All canned goods will be donated to a local food bank in Ridge Spring. Thanks for donating. Last day for donations is 11:00 a.m. on December 17th.

Veterans Day Visitor: Kindergarten welcomed Mr. Workman, grandfather of Matthew and Conner Cockrell, to their classroom on Veteran’s Day. Mr. Workman shared his experiences in the US Army with the students. He began as a private and retired as an E8. He did various jobs, such as KP duty and military police. We are very thankful to Mr. Workman and all of our Veterans for keeping our country safe.

First in Math: Our students are competing against themselves, students in our school, and all across the nation to boost their math skills. We will update biweekly in the school newsletter to let you know who is in the lead within our school. For the week ending November 6: Our school has completed 175,281 math problems. We have earned 58,427 stickers. The team of the week is Ms. Young’s 5th grade class. The player of the week is Yazmine Cannon. She earned 964 stickers. She is in Ms. Young’s 5^th grade class. The top team for each grade level is: Kindergarten: Mrs. Martin’s class; 1st Grade: Mrs. Carson’s class; 2nd Grade: Ms. Shrader’s class; 3rd Grade: Mrs. Ford’s class; 4th Grade: Ms. Starnes’ class; and 5th Grade: Mrs. Young’s class

Book Review by David Marshall James:  “Naughty Mabel” by Nathan Lane & Devlin Elliott, illustrated by Dan Krall (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)—’Twas out in the Hamptons, where a pupstah named Mabel / Smashed up the golf cart and sprinted cross-table, … That a party was pitched by Miss Mabel’s ’rents / who, mindful of ding-up’s, disasters, and dents, … Put La Mabes to bed early, which is way-zero fun / for one born to party, for one born to run, … And so Mabel CRASHED it, with a scurry and scoot, / paws-ing to sample the hot dogs en croute. … (We’ve heard about beans, raw veggies, fresh figs, / but nothing’s as gaseous as those blanketed pigs.) … So, if you like hot dogs, en bun or en croute, / take a tip from Miss Mabel:  Too many’s a toot!

Reminders:

Nov. 19: Friends of Ridge Spring Meeting

Nov.27 & 28: Shoppes of Ridge Spring Surprise

Ridge Spring Library hours: Mon/Tues 8:30 am - 12 pm; Wednesday 9:00 to 4:30, Thurs 8:30 am - 12:00 pm; Fri 8:30 am -4:30 pm, Saturday from 9:00 until noon,

Every 2^nd & 4^th Monday:  Kids' Corner Story Time 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Ridge Spring Library. 

Every 2^nd Monday:  RSM Elem PTO meets at 6:30 pm in the media center.  

Every Friday & Saturday:  AARS hours 10 – 4 or by appt, free admission