Class notes: Teaching children to love the earth

To celebrate Earth Day last week, Beaufort Elementary School teacher Jamie Kopp used her Smart Car to teach students about conserving energy and reducing the United States' dependence on foreign oil.

Kopp took several classes to the school's parking lot to show off the energy-efficient features of the car, which she bought this month.

"We learned that it saves fuel because it doesn't use that much gas," third-grader Andrew Williams said. "And there's less pollution because there's a smaller engine."

Beaufort Middle school courtyard gets a face-lift

About a dozen Beaufort Middle School parents and students dedicated a day of their spring break to beautifying the school's courtyard.

Four benches -- given to the school by an anonymous donor -- were placed in the courtyard, which students use during 10- or 15-minute breaks throughout the school day, said Cassi Kilpatrick, a member of the school's Parent Action Council.

The benches were refurbished by students at the Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence.

The council began raising money for the courtyard renovation project at the start of the school year

after students complained it wasn't functional, Kilpatrick said.

"Kids complained that there was no shade and no place to sit," she said. "We just didn't want the kids to have a courtyard that wasn't functional when we have the community to make (improvements) happen."

The council has raised about $2,500 for the project by sponsoring a Valentine's Day Dance, selling food at school events and coordinating school spirit nights at Chick-fil-A. During spirit nights, the school earns 10 percent of the restaurant's profits.

The council hopes to add more benches and plant trees in the courtyard before the beginning of next school year and is looking for organizations willing to donate to the project.

BATTERY CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

• A Parent Teacher Student Organization meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the John J. McVey Performing Arts Center.

• The Athletic Booster Club meets at 6 p.m. May 4 in the school cafeteria.

• The National Honor Society meets at 2:45 p.m. May 11 in Room C218.

• The Dolphin Pride Band Booster Club meeting is at 5:30 p.m. May 12 in the band room.

• A School Improvement Council meeting is 6:30 p.m. May 14 in the school media center.

• Senior portraits for the Class of 2010 are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 29; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 in the John J. McVey Performing Arts Center. The sitting fee is $20. See Mrs. Grooms for an appointment.

BEAUFORT HIGH SCHOOL

• A group of 37 Beaufort High students, teachers and parents toured Greece and Italy during spring break. Highlights included a visit to the Acropolis of Athens, ancient Olympia, Pompeii, St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

• Members of the National Latin Honor Society gave a classical presentation at a recent Board of Education meeting. Naomi Manzura and Geoffrey Davis recited an ancient Roman prayer, the Lord's Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance in Latin.

• The SIC meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the media center. Details: 843-322-2000.

• The BHS Dance Ensemble will present its annual Spring Dance Concert at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the auditorium. Tickets are $5. The concert will feature ballet, modern, jazz and hip-hop dances. Senior Dance Honor Society members participating in this year's concert include Erica Brown, Samantha Caron, Whitney Dilliard, Alice Esposito, Davina Frazier, Jamie Gardner, Ezhan Joyce, Rachel Marsh, Katrina Moultrie and Nash Steele. Additional seniors performing are Ebony Green, Amanda Jezewski, Amy Melton, Silvia Pontarollo, Dorothy Rotondo, Tate Snider and Malenia Swinton.

• Cheerleading tryouts will be May 4-8.

BEAUFORT MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Twelve BMS Orchestra students were selected to perform in this year's All-County Orchestra: Madison Maddox, Jake Harris, Thomas Selby, Katlyn Brink, Jordan Washington, Maggie Edwards, Tina Kwok, Kristina Valentin, Ian Klauck, Owen Ruth, Collette Kemmann and Patrick Sumera.

• Candidates meeting academic requirements for membership in the National Junior Honor Society received application forms April 21. The forms must be completed and returned by Tuesday. Contact Claire Sauls or Laura Richardson with questions.

• Thursday is the last day to order a yearbook online or by phone. Call 866-282-1516 or go to www.jostensyearbooks.com.

• Spirit Night is from 6-8 p.m. May 28 at the Chick-fil-A on Boundary Street. BMS earns 10 percent of profits to help the school revamp its courtyard.

COOSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• The annual science fair will be Wednesday and Thursday for third, fourth and fifth grade students. Projects can be viewed from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday and from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Thursday. Awards will be presented at 6 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria.

LADY'S ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

• The sport stacking team won 15 awards in 12 events at the World Sport Stacking Championships in Denver.

• Coosa Elementary fifth-graders will visit the school today.

• Fifth-grade orientation will be at 6 p.m. today in the school lecture theater.

• Sixth-grade orientation will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the school lecture theater.

• A Celebration of Achievement will be held for eighth-graders Tuesday in the gym.

• Cheerleading tryouts will be Tuesday through Thursday.

• Seventh-grade orientation will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the school lecture theater.

• A Celebration of Achievement will be held for seventh-graders Wednesday in the gym.

• A Celebration of Achievement will be held for sixth-graders Thursday in the gym.

• Eighth-grade orientation will be at 6 p.m. Thursday in the school lecture theater.

• Spring pictures will be Thursday.

• The MAP incentive trip to Savannah is Friday.

MOSSY OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Progress reports will be sent home May 6.

• Class photos will be taken May 7. Pre-payment is required, and envelopes were sent home with students April 22.

• The Mossy Oaks Encourager's Club collected more than $1,200 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Pennies for Patients campaign.

ROBERT SMALLS MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Track conference will be at 5 p.m. today at Beaufort High School.

• The book fair "Buy One, Get One Free" starts Thursday and ends May 8.

• A spring concert, "A Celebration of the Fine Arts," will be at 6 p.m. May 4 in the gym.

• The Robert Smalls Middle School Step Team participated in the 2009 Youth Gospel Extravaganza at Waterfront Park on April 18. Participating members included: Sierra Singleton, Arayah Williams, I'Tiana Hutchinson, Toniqua Gantt, Jatoya Latham, LaTaisha Smalls, Courtney Bee and Kiara Jenkins.

ST. HELENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Yostie the puppeteer will perform at Kids' Club at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Refreshments will be served.

• Students will participate in a "book parade" Thursday in the gym.

• SIC and PTO meetings are at 6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the cafeteria.

SHELL POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Child Find screening will be today through Friday.

TECHNICAL COLLEGE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

• A student awards ceremony will be at 11 a.m. May 8 in MacLean Hall Auditorium on the Beaufort campus.

• The Health Sciences Pinning & Recognition Ceremony honoring the associate degree nursing class and physical therapist assistant graduates will be at 3 p.m. May 14 in MacLean Hall Auditorium on the Beaufort campus.

• The commencement ceremony will be 7 p.m. May 15 at the Parris Island All Weather Facility.

THOMAS HEYWARD ACADEMY

• The eighth-grade music appreciation class will host their annual free Spring Concert at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in the school gym. This year's theme is "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay."

• The music program -- under the direction of Tanya Youmans -- will host an Idol Talent Contest at 7 p.m. Thursday in the gym. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Proceeds benefit the school's music program.

WHALE BRANCH MIDDLE SCHOOL

• There will be a career fair Friday.