Greensboro Daily Photo

Celebration of Excellence

Guilford County Schools held a celebration of excellence at Ragsdale High School on Thursday night. The event, indeed, was celebratory and excellent. Schools banded together with  teachers and staff of their respective schools exuding camaraderie in every corner of the auditorium. The above photo is of Hunter Elementary teachers and staff marching in with a poster of support for their teacher of the year nominee, Jhonatan Marín Mesa. Señor Marín Mesa has an undergraduate degree from Universidad Pontifical Bolivariana in Colombia and an M.Ed. from Elon University. He teaches at Hunter Elementary, located at 1305 Merritt Drive,  and his students and colleagues love him. Of the five finalists for Teacher of the Year, he won and his school was jubilant.

The event was sponsored by the Guilford Education Alliance. There was a spirit parade and light refreshments as part of the pre-program. During the event, GCS administrators Greg Newlin and Kimberly Robertson served as Emcees and did so playing the role of Barbie and Ken, infusing a humor into the event. It was so nice seeing public school educators being recognized and enjoying an evening together. This is one of many examples of the school day not ending when the bell rings. We overheard the person saying behind us, "I'll bet we are the only district that celebrates like this." We hope those teachers are enjoying their weekend and that Mr. Marín Mesa is planning his speech since he is advancing to the regional teacher of the year competition.

Happy Saturday!

 

"Brace for Impact"

Sully Sullenberger was the first speaker in the new season of the Guilford College Bryan Series. This is the second year the Bryan Series has been held at  the Tanger Center downtown. Last night's event was well attended and the audience was engaged as Sully talked about the harrowing 300 seconds before guiding a disabled Airbus 320 into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Once he made the decision to make an emergency water landing, he had to decide what to tell the 155 people on the plane. He said he knew passengers and crew needed to hear from the Captain and he needed to sound calm and confident. He chose his words carefully, telling everyone to "Brace for impact." 

He also talked about his career path, what it takes to be a pilot, and the importance of students taking civics classes and understanding the importance of acting for the good of others, not just ourselves. He also talked about post event and the many hours of interviews related to the event. He talked about the initial toll it took on his sleep, not being able to sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time the first few days. Then, at age 57, he said his blood pressure was around 108/50, but after the event, it soared to 150/100- likening the situation to PTSD. One tactic Sully used for working through these after effects was writing about the event. He has retired from U.S. Airways and now focuses on public speaking, advocating for policies that make flying as safe as possible, and writing. Last night, he fielded questions from the audience, including from the woman who had been in seat 2C that day. 

The theme for the 2023-2024 Bryan Series is Heroes in our Midst. Indeed, Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III was a great beginning to this year's series.

Happy Friday!

National College Colors Day

Tomorrow is National College Colors Day; so, search your closet for clothing to represent your favorite institution of higher education. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has been publicizing the event widely and is hoping everyone will wear blue and gold tomorrow.  The men's soccer team hosts Louisville at 7:00 pm and faculty and staff who arrive before 7:00 pm in school colors have a chance to win a raffle. T-shirts are being handed out on campus this week.

While the above photo is lacking in blue and gold, it does feature one of the newest sculptures on campus. This is the new woven bronze woman's tribute sculpture outside the Stone Building, at the back of the Elliot University Center. To help orient you, it is as if this sculpture is looking at Minerva. This sculpture is Astera and she symbolizes the "aspirations and spirits of all the women who passed through Woman's College's halls." * Bronze is a strong material; the open weave and opening on other side, partially stop the eye, but make it possible to see through it. Children, and probably college students, love to hop in and actually sit in the statue. The interior makes a beautiful backdrop for photos. So, don some blue and gold and go take a selfie with Astera, whose name means star, but also the Latin name for daisy, which is considered the UNCG flower.

The sculptor is Michael Stutz.  It reminds us that universities are dynamic places adding resources and making changes on an ongoing basis. 

Happy Thursday and the last day of August!

 

*reference and link HERE.

Happy First Day of School- 2023-2024

For students in traditional schools in Guilford County, today is the first day of the 2023-2024 school year. The photo we've chosen for the opening of school is the signage on the Cornwallis Drive side of Irving Park Elementary. As you can see, the school was established in 1923, making this year its centenary anniversary. The main entrance to the school is on the Sunset Drive side of the building, but the back is the main pick up and drop off site and the side with this visible sign with the date. The school is named in honor of the residential development surrounding the school, Irving Park. The "Irving" in the Irving Park neighborhood and school, was the father of Alfred Moore Scales. Mr. Scales, who was the nephew of a North Carolina governor, named the neighborhood for his father, Irving Scales. Mr. Scales owned the land on which the country club, a gold course, and a restricted residential area was located. One hundred years of teaching and learning has taken place at Irving Park Elementary! Here's to a great school year. Hopefully, they will have a big celebration, possibly even a homecoming for former students, teachers, and administrators.

Happy 100th IPES and Happy Monday!

 

Guilford College on a Quiet Sunday Morning

Guilford College was founded by the Religious Society of Friends (also known as Quakers)  in 1837. This 340 acre campus, once remotely located west of Greensboro, is now part of the suburbs of the city. Seeing the  publicity lately about its the involvement in the Underground Railroad, we are reminded of what a peaceful sanctuary this lovely place is. Since 1990, Friends Center has been a program on campus that aims to support and nurture the Quaker-inspired and multi-faith activities. Friends Center is located in the Alumni House. 

Soon, students will be arriving on campus for fall semester. Especially for students who are struggling being away from home for the first time, or students in general who are feeling lonely, a place like Friends Center can make all the difference in helping students adjust to campus life. If you are looking for a way to do some good, consider donating or being involved in a program like this one or any such program at a house of worship. In the meantime, if you just need a quiet place to walk and appreciate the beauty of nature, the Guilford College Campus is a great place to start.  The Underground Railroad Tree, a tulip popular that dates to the 1700s, is such a spiritual place and a great addition to any campus walk. 

Have a great Sunday!

Bennett College and Middle College at UNCG Faculty Visiting Morocco

Bennett College received a Fulbright-Hays grant to study Women and Democracy in Morocco. Currently, six Bennett faculty, five Middle College at UNCG teachers and their principal are in Morocco conducting research. The above photo was taken in the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca on July 8th at the beginning of their tour. Dr. Anne Hayes, Executive Director of Global & Interdisciplinary Studies at Bennett College  (fourth from right) and Sofyan Essarraoui, former Arabic Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) at Bennett College (seated), have put together a very special itinerary.  Between July 6th-August 4th, the group is traveling to eight different cities in Morocco in order to experience the diversity of culture and terrain in the country. Along the way, they are participating in meetings with several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and interviewing Moroccans about contemporary issues.

Since 2009, several Moroccan Fulbright FLTAs have taught Arabic at Bennett College, which has created a special connection between Bennett College and Morocco. This connection will continue in August, when an FLTA from Rabat arrives to teach Arabic at Bennett and to take classes. We are so lucky to have this HBCU, with so much civic and global engagement, in Greensboro. Writing the grant for this study experience and including public school teachers and their administrator in the opportunity is just one example of the fine things happening at this global-minded institution at the corner of East Washington and Bennett Streets.

First Moravian Church- Vacation Bible School

School is out for the summer and tis the season of Vacation Bible School. The above photo is of the First Moravian Church of Greensboro (304 South Elam Avenue) with the signage on their front lawn advertising their Vacation Bible School. Crafts, music, dinner, what could be more appealing to provide an option for children to build summer memories with their spiritual home. If you are interested, you'd need to do something TODAY, because it starts tomorrow- at least based on what we see on the website. The theme this year is "Going Global: Where in the World Are Moravians?" Participants will learn the culture and customs of Moravians around the world. To be sure, follow the QR code on the banner in front of the church.

If you are not Moravian, not to worry, there are summer VBS programs for all denominations. If you want to be Moravian, this church is a fabulous place to visit.

Happy Sunday!

Oak Ridge military Academy- ORMA

Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA), founded in 1852, is the nation's oldest military academy. It is a school that is said to build character, confidence, and the students' futures. It is located on Highway 150 at US 68. The above photo was taken recently as cadets were retiring the flag for the day. If you are interested in learning about the academy's history, HERE is a timeline. ORMA tries to ensure that students develop college and life readiness. They have 90 students enrolled in grades 7-12, or about 15 per grade level. When an organization has this much history in Guilford County, it is nice to think that this 100 acre campus will be around for a very long time.

If you are looking for summer opportunities, they do have three: A leadership adventure camp; a high school academic camp; and a middle school academic camp. Call them or check out their website, if you are interested. They may still have room.

Happy Wednesday!

Krispy Kreme Doughploma

Yesterday was the first day for graduations for Guilford County Schools. They day started with the graduation of the Early College of Guilford, Greensboro College Middle College, The Middle College at UNCG, Kearns Academy, and the Academy at Smith. High School graduation ceremonies will continue through June 11th (see schedule here). The above photo; however, features "dough-ploma" day at Krispy Kreme Donuts. Yesterday, any student who could verify they are graduating this year received a dozen original glazed donuts for FREE from Krispy Kreme. This tradition started during Covid and has been so well received, that it continues today (read HERE). No purchase was necessary.

The above photo was taken at the Krispy Kreme on Battleground Avenue. When we stopped by around 6:00 pm. the store was so busy, some students had to wait in a line outside. When we drove back by at almost 9:00 pm, the line was equally long. It was only one day, but as quickly as information spreads with teens through social media, the word got out quickly. How wonderful they offer these doughplomas. We're wondering what other businesses do something so generous. This was not just one doughnut, but a whole dozen. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Happy Thursday!

Better Together!

Last night, Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley, Guilford County Schools,  launched the "Better Together" initiative.The eventt was held at the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts from 5:30- 6:30. Dr. Whitney shared the district's journey starting in the mid 1980s when decisions were being made about merging the three local school systems into one. This change happened in 1991, making Guilford County Schools the third largest in North Carolina. No longer were there three different pay scales or competition for funding.

The "Better Together" theme permeated the evening-  from ushers chosen from the Middle College at UNCG and the A&T Four Middle College, to two emcees (Leah Carper, Northern High Teacher and Paul Travers Washington Montessori Principal) to combined groups performing. In the above photo, the Bluford-Peeler choir is performing. Remember in 2018, a tornado destroyed the Peeler Performing Arts School and those students began attending Bluford, a STEM school. Now both schools are enjoying both themes, as a STEAM school. The above Bluford-Peeler choir sang "Better in Unity" receiving a standing ovation.

Dr. Oakley is working very hard to involve the community in the Better Together Strategic Direction, holding over 200 meetings to involve as many stakeholders as possible. And that involvement doesn't end with the initiative. If you are interested in volunteering or have ideas, the district would love to hear from you.

Happy Wednesday!

Guilford College: Student Humor

Sunday, walking around Guilford College, we stumbled upon their pottery kilns and some recently fired pottery.We got a big chuckle with the lovely pottery bust and the fact that someone snuck a bright red wig on it. We're not sure of the backstory, but so often these lighthearted pranks happen at the end of the semester. By that time, students have gotten to know each well and, in some cases, have built deep friendships. The scene reminds us all to see the humor all around us and to find opportunities to smile. Life can be so serious. Exam time and graduation are big steps in the life of college students. Here's to a great end to the semester for everyone.

Here is the schedule for higher education graduations for the Greensboro area. The graduation for Guilford College is May 13, 9 a.m. on the quadrangle lawn at the college. The keynote speaker will be Mandy Cohen, former secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. That should be an inspirational speech.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Guilford College- End of Semester

Can you believe it it May 1st? The above photo was taken yesterday on the campus of Guilford College. The location is behind Founders Hall, at the bookstore and dining hall. Students were leaving the dining hall and walking to prepare for the last week before exams begin. We wanted to take a photo before students left for the summer. Commencement is May 15th. Then, Eastern Music Festival begins on June 24th, leaving about a month of "quiet time" between the end of the academic year and the arrival of the musicians. 

We don't know when, why, or how these rocks landed behind the cafeteria, but they are the perfect size and shape to uses as seats.  The Guilford College campus is 349 wooded acres, filled with woods, a pond, oak trees, sports fields, open fields, and more. It is an absolutely lovely campus and it is a nice place to walk and reflect- especially at sunrise and sunset when the low light is stretched through the mature trees. Truly, this campus is one of Greensboro's treasures. Here's to a great week and a fabulous end of the semester for students.

Happy Monday! Happy May! Are there any places in Greensboro that still dance around a Maypole on May 1st?

Camille's Closet & Theo's Threads

Prom season is upon us and the Greensboro Youth Council is holding a pop-up, prom dress giveaway today from 5:30- 7:30 at the Glenwood Community Center at 2010 Coliseum Boulevard. The program has been so successful that they added two more dates (yesterday and today). This Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department Program provides formalwear outfits to middle and high school students free of charge. Each student-shopper is entitled to a dress (or jacket/suit), shoes, and an accessory. As you can see in the above photo, there are plenty of options for dresses- in every color. The program is sponsored by Four seasons Town Centre,  BackPack Beginnings, and Cheshire Center. 

If you go there to select an item, notice the volunteers. They are all high school students volunteering through the Greensboro Youth Council. This is a well-established group that helps students develop leadership skills and confidence in working with the public. The program is a great way for teens to meet other teens from across the Triad. Also, involvement with GYC is a way to earn service learning hours. In case you are wondering, dressing rooms are available. Just like the whole event, the dressing rooms are pop-up, but they are definitely functional. Now that you know about the program, we hope you will donate formal clothing or money to help support the clothing. Especially needed are menswear and dresses in larger sizes.

 

Urban Walking and Observing Nature

Urban walking can yield interesting results. The above photo was taken in Peabody Park on the campus of University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Do you have any idea what it is? Well, we didn't either until we went and read the sign on the upper left side of the structure. From that sign, we learned that it is an insect trap and is part of a project in the biology department. Near the sign, there is a bottle of water with several mosquitos in it. The design appears to be working. Just beyond this net trap, in a field of native grasses, are a couple of bluebird boxes and a marshy wetland. These ecosystems are ripe for hands-on research projects and have been used by university and pre-collegiate classrooms alike.

This use of the Peabody Park is aligned with its original use when constructed in 1901. Then President Charles Duncan, established the park as a place for recreation and hands-on learning.* UNCG has changed so much since its early days as the State Normal and Industrial School. Peabody Park is smaller, there is no longer a lake, but here is still a creek meanders through,there is a small part of a golf course, and a nice path to take and interact with nature.

Happy Tuesday!

 

* reference and additional information.

Students Demand Action

Wednesday was a national day of protest. In the above photo, students from the Middle College at UNCG joined the national walkout to raise awareness about gun violence. They are seen at the corner of Spring Garden and Stirling Streets.  The student-led event was peaceful and impactful. At exactly 12:00 noon, students got up from their seats and quietly walked out of school. In civics class, taught by the very talented April Dunovant, students learn not only their rights, but also their responsibilities. They know that the First Amendment of the Constitution gives them the right to peaceably assemble. They also know it is their responsibility to stand up for what they believe.

Our youth of America mourn the senseless loss of lives, especially those of students at school. They are hoping for legislation and action to help end gun violence. Within 40 minutes, the protesting students were back in class and instruction resumed. Some days, it is the learning with peers beyond the classroom, like the above protest, that is remembered well into the future. We're betting (and hoping) some of the students in the above photo become leaders in the Greensboro community.

Happy Friday! 

Palm Sunday, Minerva, and Mercy Hill

Today is Palm Sunday; for Christians, the day Christ entered into Jerusalem. It is the first day of Holy Week. So why does the above photo feature the Minerva Statue on the campus * of UNCG? Well, last week, we were walking across campus and noticed the apples are back. As tradition has it, since Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, and victory, college students leave an apple, with one bite out,  at her base to bring them luck during exams. However, curiously, we noticed someone was placing Easter eggs at the base, too. We had to investigate.

As it turns out, college students (a few, off on the right edge of the photo, you can see a couple of them) were placing the plastic eggs in highly visible places. Inside was a piece of candy and a note advertising a church service geared towards college students. a service and a late night party at Mercy Hill Church, the northwest campus at 5330 Edgefield Road.  Stuffed in with a wrapped piece of candy, the message read, "Join us as we celebrate Easter with other college students across the Triad! We would love to see you there." The students felt like the Easter egg hunt would be more effective than just having an informational table. Let's hope the effort worked for them and that the students who are looking for Christian fellowship found their way to Mercy Hill. Mercy Hill has 5 campuses in Guilford County and services all this week, including a "Walk through" experience on Good Friday. See their schedule of events for the week HERE. There will be something to do almost every day this week. We're wondering how the students hiding the eggs in plain sight became affiliated with Mercy Hill and whether or not new students attended this week. 

Have a great week, and, if you are looking for a spiritual connection, this is a good week to find it.

Happy Palm Sunday!

* watch this short Youtube video about the Minerva statue. See HERE for the story of the sculptor of the Minerva statue, James Barnhill. 

Waiting for the Spartan Chariot

Today's photo shows students waiting for the Spartan Chariot bus, just outside of the Bestway Marketplace on the campus of the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  The Bestway Marketplace brings food to students living on the part of campus that has extended just south of Gate City Boulevard into the Glenwood neighborhood. This photo was taken on the Glenwood Avenue side of the store. Bestway at Spartan Village is the grocery store's second location in Greensboro, with the "mother store" located on Walker Avenue at Elam. 

The Spartan Chariot is an efficient form of bus transportation for UNCG students. UNCG has experienced great growth over the last decade, and the northernmost points of campus that extend to West Market Street is about a mile and a half from the above point, one of the southernmost locations. Also, UNCG students have options for parking remotely. The Spartan Chariot helps cut down on travel time, making it possible to get to and from class in a timely manner. This view of Greensboro gives it a "big city" view. Let's hope public transportation, on and off Greensboro's college campuses continues to grow. 

Happy Saturday and happy first day of April!

Meet Dr. Diya Abdo

If there is anything you want to know about migration, internationally, nationally, or right here in Greensboro, Dr. Diya Abdo is the person to ask. She is a Lincoln Financial Professor of English at Guilford College. Dr. Abdo is a second-generation Palestinian refugee born and raised in Jordan. While much of her research focuses on Arab women writers and feminism, she is perhaps best known for an initiative she started at Guilford College in 2015, Every Campus a Refuge, or ECAR. The mission of ECAR is for every U.S. college and university to serve as a resettlement campus to help local resettlement agencies by hosting refugee families. The central challenge for refugee families is to find housing. Once their sponsorship benefits (a small stipend and temporary housing) expire, it is really hard for refugee families to find housing. In spite of all of the documentation that cleared their entry into the United States, they don't have social security numbers or a credit history, so it can be hard to convince landlords to rent to them. Under the ECAR program, college campuses provide housing for families. As an example, Guilford College has a refugee family living in a faculty house. To date, Guilford College and Wake Forest are the two participating North Carolina campuses. According to this website, Guiford has hosted 32 refugees, 18 of them children.  Trained volunteers help with their daily needs in the resettlement process.

Dr. Abdo travels around the country sharing her expertise. She has given TED Talks and has lectured widely on the topic of ECAR and migration. Currently, she is at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, giving a presentation. Fortunately, she made time in her busy schedule to meet with us and chat over coffee at the Green Bean. Greensboro is lucky she and her family have settled here, and we hope they stay for a very long time. Also, hats off to Guilford College  whose 7 core values- community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice, and stewardship- fit seamlessly with the ECAR initiative and with the mindset of Dr. Abdo. 

Happy Friday! Hurry home, Dr. Abdo!

Choice Showcase at Guilford County Schools

Last night the School Choice Showcase was held at the Greensboro Coliseum. Guilford County offers in-demand and innovative programs. Examples of choices include, performing and visual arts schools, Spanish immersion, engineering, and health and life science. The above photo features the booth of the Middle College at UNCG last night. Their theme is health and life sciences. It is not unusual for the popular programs to get 500 applications for 50 slots. . Here is a list of the choice schools and programs. At the moment, there are fifty one, with plans to create more. The application window started on January 13th and will close on February 20th. Some of the programs require interviews; others are strictly lottery based. Acceptance will be determined on April 21st. 

It cannot be stressed enough, if you have student who is interested in a choice school program, have them get their application in on or before the deadline and have them do their homework. Usually, students can tell when visiting a school if they can imagine attending the school. Choice schools are great for students who want a special focus. Attendance zone/neighborhood schools are best for students who want the traditional school experience. Students who attend choice schools can participate in sports and extracurriculars in their home school; however, if they want the thrill of walking down the hall on a Monday morning after winning a big game over the weekend, a traditional school is best. These decisions can be exciting and difficult at the same time. Guilford County Schools is known nationally for their schools of choice. Some of the program make it possible for high school students to graduate with up to two years of college credit!

Happy Groundhog Day and Happy Candlemas!

Friday Night, High School Basketball; Page vs. Grimsley

If you ever looking for something fun to do on a Friday night, consider going to a high school basketball game. It is an inter-generational night of fun. Last night, we attended the Page-Grimsley girls' basketball game at Page High School on Alma Pinnix Drive. The above photo shows the Grimsley Whirlies up against the Page Pirates. The Pirates won this conference game; it was a fun game to watch, as all of the players played their hearts out. Both teams had some stand-out players, but Page had the upper hand throughout the game. The final score was 61-28.

After the girls team played, the guys were up next. The stands  of the Mac Morris Gymnasium were full. It was a night well spent and it always makes us proud to see teens having good, clean fun!!!

Happy Saturday!

Superintendent Oakley

 

Yesterday, the newly-appointed Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley held a the first of the Superintendent's Teachers Advisory Council meetings for the 2022-2023 school year. Each school in Guilford County was asked to appoint a teacher to attend and represent. At the meeting, Dr. Oakley reflected on the challenges and successes of the Guilford County Schools (GCS) during the pandemic. She lauded the hard work of teachers and staff for making the adjustments needed during those unprecedented times. After the "where we have been" segment, she updated the group on "where we are now" and the importance of continuing what works in addressing learning recovery and learning gains. She shared updates on repair needs and construction in progress. She also acknowledged the staffing shortage GCS is currently facing. Finally, she addressed "where we are going" especially vis-a-vis a portrait of a GCS graduate and what we want for students after their K-12 experience.

Dr. Oakley is a product of the Guilford County Schools, getting her start at Guilford Primary with Dr. Doris Henderson as her principal. She has degrees from East Carolina University, Greensboro College, and a doctoral degree from UNC Greensboro. She has made a career of serving the Alamance-Burlington and GCS school districts. Having a leader with an emic/insider's view will go a long way in addressing the complex variables and needs of Guilford County Schools, the 50th largest school district, of the 14,000+ public school districts in the United States.

Thank you for your leadership, Dr. Oakley. Happy Friday, dear readers!

UNCG Women's Basketball

Yesterday was Education Day for the University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans. Local K-12 schools were invited to attend a game of the UNCG Women’s Basketball team. The game was played in Fleming gym against Radford University of Virginia.  The UNCG Spartans won the game with a final score of 72-54. At the conclusion of the game, the UNCG players and cheerleaders came into the stands to “high five” students, creating great memories for the young learners.

If you notice the gold "G" on the opposing team's side of the gym, it represents the "G" in UNCG. There are 17 institutions in the UNC system and UNCG has branded itself as "The G".  For sure, if you like college basketball, you have plenty of options to see the sport played in Greensboro. Let's hope all universities, near and far, reach out to the community and invite children to see a game. You never know when dreams begin and when they become reality.

The UNCG Women's Basketball team has their next game on Saturday, November 19th at 2:00 pm. also in Fleming Gym. If you can, please support them.

Happy Thursday!

 

NCA&T Homecoming

(Working with typepad to get photos to post. Sorry for the glitch. I'm hoping 5,000 photos aren't gone). This is homecoming week for North Carolina A&T State University. It has been dubbed the Greatest Homecoming on Earth and it is easy to see why. People come from all over the United States to celebrate their university with other graduates. Greensboro is crowded, in a good way. Hotels are booked, restaurants are full, many establishments have parking-lot, standing-room-only space; indeed, the festivities have begun.

The above event was taking place on Friday night at 816 South Elm Street, at the old flour mill downtown, either at the Continental Club or Vault 816, or both! People were waiting patiently in line, talking to friends who were already inside, taking selfies, and talking to people around them. When you graduate from the same university, especially one that you love, there is a camaraderie and a bond that lasts a lifetime. We didn't stick around long, as we were just passing by, but we bet if we were there long enough, we would heard a wave of "Aggie Pride" chants. Here's to good fun and a great day of football and fellowship.

Happy Saturday!

Bryan Series 2022-2023: Venus Williams, Season Opener

The Bryan Series held its season opener last night at Tanger Center. The above photo features the Guilford College Jazz Ensemble.e. It was the pre-event music while we were waiting for Venus Williams to come on stage. Tennis star Venus Williams spoke eloquently about her career, the profession of tennis, women in sports, how to achieve your personal and professional goals, and so much more. Keeping with Bryan Series format, Venus was interviewed by Katrina Adams, who was also a professional tennis player. With Adams' expertise in the sport, the interview sounded more like a fireside chat. She knew the right questions to ask and often shared her professional insight. 

One takeaway message from Venus is that "Sports is a tool for life." Her advice for parents whose children want to play tennis professionally is to have a back up plan, work hard, surround yourself with good people and be a good person. A Guilford College student asked who her music influence was and the response was "Tina Turner."  We also learned through the night that Venus loves Karaoke and had a system set up for personal entertainment while on tour. It was so inspirational to hear someone who is so successful to be so grounded and appreciative; even humble. She credits her family, especially her parents, to helping her becoming the person she is today. She credits younger sister Serena as being a role model.

Greensboro is so lucky to have the Bryan Series. If you want to hear good conversation and knowledgeable people sharing their expertise on timely topics, you will want to purchase season tickets to the Bryan Series. It is such a special evening. Thank you Guilford College and all of the sponsors and donors.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Fall Football

Watching high school football in the fall is so much fun. Above is a photo of the junior varsity game at Southern High School with Eastern High School. The crowd was small, but the air was perfect for watching football with friends. Eastern did really well and won the game, but both teams gained great experience. If you did not get out last night, consider attending a varsity game tonight. If you plan ahead, you can make sure to dress in the color you will be cheering on. It costs $7 for an adult to enter- unless you  are a GCS employee and have your school ID, you can get in free.

Happy Friday! Let us know what you are us to this weekend.

Happy Birthday/Founders Day UNCG

Yesterday was the Founders Day celebration at The University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). October 5th was the first day of classes on the campus, 130 years ago in 1892. The event, held on the 6th this year, also honored the school's founders and early leaders, especially Charles Duncan McIver, the first President. Free t-shirts were distributed that said, McIver & Jackson & Sullivan & Gilliam- all four, memorable leaders. President Charles Duncan McIver was born in 1860 and only 45 years old when he died in 1906 at the age of 45. It is hard to believe that this crusader for women's education accomplished so much in his 45 short years. Walter Clinton Jackson was Head of the History Department, served as Dean and Vice President in the first past of the 20th century. Patricia Sullivan served as Chancellor from 1995- 1995- 2008. Finally, Franklin D. Gilliam is Chancellor now.

During Founders Day, the weather was glorious and students were having a ball playing cornhole, taking 360º photos, eating free kettle corn, playing frisbee, and eating free cake. The lines moved quickly and students really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Above is a photo of one of the cakes and, to be sure, there were many. When we left at 3:00, they had not yet run out of cake. Happy Birthday,

UNCG. Fall break is the first two days of next week and, likely, a lot of students will head out early today to enjoy a few days off, before returning and gearing up for the second half of the semester. 

Welcome Fulbright Scholars!

The above photo features the twenty one Fulbright teaching scholars who hail from twenty one different countries around the globe. They are one of seven cohorts of teachers placed throughout the United States in the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program. During their stay in Greensboro they are hosted by University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). While in Greensboro and through UNCG, they will take classes, experience a homestay, attend a language conference, teach in classrooms and more. They will gain so much from this visit, but also, those who meet the international teachers will benefit. These teachers are goodwill ambassadors from their countries and are a wealth of information. The easiest way to have a global perspective is to travel and meet people from other countries.

In the above photo, participants are on the balcony of the cafeteria on the UNCG campus. While not required to dress in traditional clothing from their respective countries, some participants chose to do so. This was such a great way to initiate conversation. When you have someone from Bangladesh talking to you about his language sporting a kurta, and someone sharing information about her village in Azerbaijan wearing a rubend, and yet someone else switching from Russian to Spanish to English seamlessly, it is as if the United Nations is right there before your eyes. Teachers speak an international language, and Greensboro is so lucky that UNCG brought this international teacher cohort our way.  If you get a chance to meet one of the teacher guests, please give them a Greensboro welcome and treat them to some sweet tea and barbecue!

Happy Tuesday!

Elon University School of Law

(Sorry for the delay in this post and for the initial publication without text. It was totally the fault of Ms. GDP, not technology).  The above photo features the lobby of the Elon University School of Law, right downtown at 201 North Greene Street. It was founded in 2006 and, in 2011, it earned full accreditation by the American Bar Association. One of their signature experiences is a Residency-in-Practice Program. From the beginning of law school, Elon law students gain hands-on experience. They work to fill community needs like elder law. The school has a 10:1 student faculty ratio. While Elon University is located in Alamance County, Guilford County and Greensboro also gets to reap the benefit of this nationally recognized law school and their community-based initiatives.

If you are a person who frequents the libraries of Greensboro, you may remember this entrance hallway as the former Central Public Library*. The building was completed in 1960 and is an Edward Lowenstein/Gregory Ivy building. We hope to get inside to showcase more of the architecture, and will definitely return to photograph the exterior of the building. In preparing this post, we were reminded of the zero-lot-line placement of the building (extending right up to the sidewalk) and the corner orientation that is fairly symmetrical on the Friendly Avenue and Greene Street sides. For now, we're admiring the peaceful entranceway with the small rotunda ceiling. On the night we took this photo,  all was calm on the inside as people were reveling on the streets outside during the North Carolina Folk Festival. Communities can look very different at night and we notice things that might not get noticed by day.

Happy Friday!

*Please read this very informative page about this  library-now-law-school building.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Wednesday's double rainbow over east Greensboro was nothing short of spectacular. For some reason, it was harder to photograph than most rainbows- especially with a camera phone. However, seeing that perfect, vibrant, half circle was memorable. We did a little rainbow chasing and got the idea to capture it over Irving Park Elementary School (IPES) , since we were nearby and this  was just the first week of the school year. Also, we featured Ms. Japp yesterday, who recently retired after twenty years of teaching there.

Irving Park Elementary was established in 1923, so it is about to turn 100! While many of our schools have directional names or are named after people, IPES is named after the neighborhood where it is located.  This is the Cornwallis side of the school and located on the western end of the Irving Park neighborhood.  IPES is one of 71 elementary schools in Guilford County.  May all of the teachers and students have a great school year- in Irving Park, in Greensboro, in Guilford County, and everywhere! 

Happy Labor Day weekend, the only holiday in September.

The Wondrous Adventures of Mrs. Japp & the Sustainably Yours Bus

Michelle Japp has been an extraordinary elementary school teacher for thirty years, twenty at Irving Park Elementary School in Greensboro. She is from New Bern and has a degree from East Carolina University. We are so lucky she chose to make Greensboro her home and to teach here. This is the first year she won't be in the classroom as she retired at the end of the last school year. Here, Mrs. Japp is standing in front of a school bus, not because she is going to drive, but because she is converting this one into a mobile boutique called, Sustainably Yours. She hopes to launch her business in October. You might not recognize the bus though, because it will be painted (sustainably) green! Already, her business is generating a lot of interest and Mrs. Japp is feeling a great sense of community through this venture. She has neighbors, former co-workers, parents of former students, and others all rallying around her to support this new career path. Of course her own adult children and husband Brian are a large part the network of people cheering her on. If  Ms. Japp sees something on Pinterest, her husband can make it. They are doing the bus conversion on their own.

If you are interested in following the journeys of the Sustainably Yours bus, you can do so through Instagram @ sustanablyyours336 or Facebook at sustainablyyours. Mrs. Japp, thank you for your service to the children of Guilford County for the past twenty years. We wish you all the best on your next venture. And, with that commercial driver's license, you know you will always be welcome to drive a bus route!

We can't wait to shop your boutique! Happy Thursday, happy September!!!

Brooks Global Studies Elementary School

The above photo features the land on which the new Brooks Global Studies Elementary School will be built. This location is between Starmount Presbyterian Church, The Greensboro Arboretum, and Holden Road. Specifically, the border streets are Tryon, Ashland, and Parkwood. The current location of Brooks Global is at the north edge of the Grimsley High School campus. The new location is on land already owned by GCS and was the site of the former Craven School. Craven School was built in 1955 and had fallen in disrepair since the 1990s when it was no longer used. In 2011 the school board voted to demolish it and the 7.7 acre site is now ready for new beginnings. The only remnants of the former school are this small, circular driveway and some cement steps.

Brooks Global has a fantastic reputation and the lottery numbers of students seeking admission to this magnet school are large. The new Brooks will have the same fabulous international theme, but will be state of the art and mindful of sustainable practices. GCS has hired HICAPS/C2 to manage the implementation of the project.*

For many Guilford County School (GCS)  students, today is the first day of school. By now, just about everyone (if not all) should be back in school. Please remember to drive 25 in school zones and stop for school busses picking up students. Oh, and remember to bring your charged Cromebooks and positive attitudes! May all students try their hardest and have the best year of school yet.

Happy Monday! Happy first day of school!

*Reference and additional information HERE. Se also, HERE.

Guilford College In Summer: Brimming with Music!

Guilford College was founded in 1837 by the Quakers. Guilford College is a four-year, co-educational liberal arts college, and we are very lucky to have in Greensboro. Summers, the campus looks very different from the academic year. If there would be one word to define summers on campus, it would be music. Especially in July, Guilford College is brimming with music. Last night, another fabulous Eastern Music Festival (EMF) concert was performed in Dana Auditorium. Before the concert, Maestro Peter Perret provided insights into what to look for and anticipate during the evening concert featuring five student-conductors in training. The concert had nice attendance and the audience and student-performers alike seemed pleased with the concert. We sure enjoyed it! The above photo features musicians heading back to their dorms after performing; they were walking and enjoying each others' company. Circling them was a young doe who perhaps was startled as the performers walked through the courtyard.

Sunday, Guilford College will host Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park (MUSEP). And, about where you see students walking, from 6:00 pm- 7:30pm, the MUSEP concert will take place. However, if you come early, you can enjoy a picnic on the lawn with friends or new friends that are easily made at a MUSEP concert. There will be a couple of food trucks, if you don't have a chance to pack something. The band will be "The Beauty Operators." The concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Here is the line up for the rest of the MUSEP summer in case you haven't seen it yet. As for EMF, here is their schedule. Thank you Guilford College for inviting the community in for all of these music events, and, thank you for hosting them. Being known for great music events is a good thing! Hopefully, the EMF students will be able to enjoy the MUSEP concert.

Happy Saturday!

Eastern Musical Festival: Young Artists Piano Recital

Listening to a piano recital performed by young artists at the Eastern Music Festival was the perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. For one hour yesterday, Dana Auditorium, on the campus of Guilford College, was filled with the brilliant music of talented young pianists. The above photo is of Alvin Wang who opened the recital with "Chromatic Fantasy and Fuge in D minor, by J.S. Bach. There were about 75 people in the audience as the five different musicians performed: Alvin Wang (Bach), Ann Gao (Chopin), Hazel Musto (Ravel), Robiya Akromova (Rachmaninoff), and Andrew Reveno (Greig). Musto and Reveno were accompanied by Anthony Bock and Akromova and Gao were accompanied by William Wolfram. The remaining Sunday 3pm piano recitals are July 17 and 24 at 3:00 pm in Dana Auditorium. All are free thanks to the sponsorship of Steinway Piano Gallery. By choice, this photo was taken from the very last row in the auditorium, but there are usually plenty of seats up closer.

Here is the calendar for the remaining performances. Some of the events are free, some require the purchase of a ticket; all are open to the public. There is no performance scheduled for today, but tomorrow, from 10:30- 11:30, a string quartet will perform at the McGirt Horton Branch of the Greensboro Public Library at 2501 Phillips Avenue. Later that evening, the Eastern Chamber Players will perform from 8:00- 10:00 pm and those tickets are $33. Fifteen musicians on string and percussion instruments will perform in that evening performance. Please treat yourself to one of the performances this month.

Buffalo Academy at Buffalo Presbyterian

Buffalo Presbyterian Church, organized in 1756, is accepting applications for their elementary school. The school will open August 29th and is located in the church building at 803 16th Street. The school will start this fall, initially as an elementary school. Ultimately, they plan to have a fully-articulated K-12 program. The curriculum will be a tradition one, echoing the program established by David Caldwell back in 1767. The school will follow Dr. Caldwell's model. He was the first pastor of Buffalo Presbyterian. In addition to academic subjects, there will also be Biblical instruction. If you want your child to have a traditional, conservative, Christian education, this may be just the school for your child.

The photo was taken from Church Street, across the street from Page High School. Here is the link for the school, if you are interested. The church will be having a picnic on July 16th at 5:00 pm. That would be a great way to meet the people of this church community. As for today, there is Sunday school at 9:45 and church at 11:00. It is pretty impressive to know there is a church in Greensboro whose roots predate our city and also the United States of America! They have values education since the beginning. This church will prove a new venture, for sure!

Eastern Music Festival 2022

Are you ready for the Eastern Music Festival (EMF) 2022?It is back with 60 concerts and events! The events for this 61st season begin tomorrow and last until July 30th. The founder, Shel Morgenstern, created the program at Guilford College in 1961. Young artists from around the world attend the summer program to gain additional instruction, exposure, and performance time as a way to help launch their professional careers as classical musicians. 80% of them receive merit or needs-based scholarships. Musicians are lucky to have this program and Greensboro is lucky to have access to all of this high-quality music. Read more about the history of the festival, here.  Also, see here for the schedule.

The above photo is of Dana Auditorium on the campus of Guilford College. Many of the EMF events are held here. It is always exciting to turn off of Friendly Avenue, drive by Dana Auditorium, and see the flags unfurled, announcing the EMF. This photo was taken a couple of nights ago, when the sun was setting about 8:30. We caught the sunlight, just as it was casting a golden glow on the top of the building. Thank you Guilford College for bringing great events to the community since 1837!

Happy Juneteenth

This is the second year that Juneteenth is celebrated as a federal holiday. Many events were held this past weekend; the actual date is June 19th; however, the federal holiday is today.  Also today, UNCG, NCA&T, and Guilford College will hold Juneteenth events at the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the campus of UNCG. Today's event will feature speakers from all there institutions as well as poetry by Josephus Thompson and music. The 9:30- 11:30 am event is free and open to the public. See here for details.

The above photo is of the courtyard at the Weatherspoon, back at the beginning of April. However, this is the back entrance closest to the parking lot and the view that you will more than likely notice if you come in from the rear of the building. How wonderful that the three campuses are working together and creating a joint celebration open to the community. Hopefully, the event will be well attended. The art museum is not usually open on Mondays so we are extra appreciative that they are making it available for the community.

Congratulations Class of 2022!

Spring is a very exciting time in high schools. Students start getting college acceptance letters and making plans for post-high school. Many students attend prom. Now,  high school graduation season is upon us. In Guilford County Schools, the middle and early colleges start the process with traditional high schools not far behind. Now that Covid is less of an issue, in-person graduation returned and students get a few more tickets to distribute. The first graduations started on May 25th. The above photo is of the Middle College at UNCG.*  Their graduation was on the first day; also graduating on 5/25 were Early College at Guilford, Greensboro College Middle College, Middle College at Bennett, and Kearns Academy.

According to the graduation schedule on the  Guilford County School website, the final day for graduation is tomorrow, Sunday, June 5th with Eastern, Andrews, Dudley, and Page holding graduation ceremonies in the Coliseum Complex. If you see graduates, please congratulate them. Every year, graduation is a milestone; however, this class was deeply affected by the pandemic and all of the changes that came about as a result of having to take classes remotely and, in many cases, having to take part time jobs to help their families. Those smiles in the students above are evidence of the joy and sense of accomplishment they are feeling. Congratulation class of 2022!

 

 

* photo credit Keisha Brown, Principal MCUNCG.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from Delta Kappa Gamma: Beta Delta

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! The above photo features nine key women educators who are members of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for women educators. The organization was founded in 1929 in Austin, Texas. Delta Kappa Gamma came to North Carolina on April, 17, 1936, with the Alpha Chapter in Greensboro. In 1966, the Beta Delta Chapter formed as an outgrowth of the Alpha Chapter, a necessity due to increased membership.  All of the educators in the above photo are members of Beta Delta, and were photographed at the state convention in Asheville last weekend.

From left to right, members include Janis Antonek, Sheila Groves, Elaine McRae, Myra Aderholt, Ann Pember, Lisa Frissen, April Dunovant, Sharon Parks, and Andrea Green. Ms. Dunovant, holding her award, was recognized as a Shining Star, a recent member who is already having a positive influence on the organization. These teachers of Beta Delta want to wish you a happy Teacher Appreciation Week. As schools enter their final weeks before summer, let's all do what we can to let teachers know they are appreciated. As of the 2020-2021 school year, there were 4,770 teachers in Guilford County (reference). May each and every one of these teachers get some positive recognition and affirmation, if not every day, at least this week!

UNCG Spring Open House

Last Saturday, April 9th, UNCG held spring open house for prospective  students and their families. Likely-future Spartans filled campus with curiosity and joy. The above photo features the auditorium at the corner of Spring Garden Street and Tate Street. It was built in 1927 serving as a giant welcome mat, inviting people to campus. It is the easternmost point on campus. The building was designed by Greensboro's own Harry Barton.* On Saturday, the opening welcome was held in this building, followed by college and school information sessions. Afternoon activities took visitors to the residence halls, the Kaplan commons, and the Elliot University Center, and more. Signage was well placed thought out campus and the people positioned outside directing people to the auditorium were very friendly. 

By the time students are ready for college, there can be many options, as opposed to the K-12 setting where students are more inclined to attend their attendance zone school. It is important to make a good first-impression. By all accounts we heard, UNCG did, indeed, represent itself well on Saturday. Having a beautifully sunny day helped make the campus shine. Whether attending high school or college, it is always a good idea to make an on-site visit. Usually, prospective students get a good feel as to whether or not they feel like the institution is right for them. In the case of the college visits, it is a good chance to help give parents peace of mind. May all decisions turn out to be good ones. Happy Wednesday!

For those who weren't able to attend in person, a wealth of information was available online.

*see also, reference and more information, HERE.

Spring is Just Around the Corner

If you were out driving on the north end of Glenwood on Haywood Street, behind the Kaplan Center for Wellness, you would have seen this landscaping crew hard at work. In this day and age, the internet if full of people complaining about others. Our post today is something along the lines of "caught being good"! As we drove by, we noticed everyone on the crew was working quickly and efficiently as a team. We stopped to ask if they were mulching or making major changes; they let us know they were mulching. We drove by their truck to and saw that this crew was truck 23 of Bland Landscaping Company. 

Bland is a full service landscaping company established in 1976. They serve the whole Piedmont area and the Costal Carolinas. Bland doesn't appear to have an office in Greensboro, but they service the area and have some big accounts here and we can see why. Whether you are going to do your own yard work, or if you are going to hire a landscaping company, today's photo reminds us it is time to start scheduling the work

Happy Wednesday!