Provo City School District's Centennial Middle School Honors Students Capture 7th State Title

Students from Provo School District's Centennial Middle School brought home their seventh straight state title in the "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" Junior High state finals competition where the school earned the overall top score. Competing as a class, the students are part of Centennial's honors program. They are enrolled in American Studies, an eighth grade class combining the study of English and U.S. History for honors students.

The competition was in the form of a congressional hearing; the students were required to demonstrate their knowledge of the principles taught in the Constitution.

The students were divided into six units and assigned topics related to Constitutional issues such as federalism, freedom of religion, and constitutional restrictions on governmental power. Centennial students each memorized their own portion of a speech, relayed it to a panel of judges, and, with a firm understanding of the Constitution and our nation's history, answered questions from the judges.

"We've worked so hard and had some amazing class discussions," said Caroline Baird, who served as the leader of her group. "I love being in a class like this that challenges me and gives me an opportunity to show what I have learned."

Provo City School District's Centennial Middle School Students Let Talent Shine

Fifty-seven students from Centennial Middle School in Provo City School District participated in the 15th Annual Centennial Talent Show, sponsored by the National Junior Honor Society, by performing or working as stage and tech crews to produce the 90-minute show. Performances included dance, vocal, and instrumental numbers. The blackout"Glow Stick" dance was a hit along with the electric guitar performance. Student Annie Hayward stated, "The dancing was fabulous, the singing was incredible and working together was great."

Many of the students were able to show case their original music on the piano and on the guitar. The students auditioned and rehearsed for several weeks preparing for the show. Centennial Principal Mitch Swenson commented, "It is an incredible opportunity for students, who would not necessarily associate with each other, to come together to share their talents with their peers."

Dental

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Please contact Amber @ Bonneville with any questions regarding your dental if you are employed by Alpine, Carbon, or Nebo School Districts. Remember, it is better to get information about your plan, procedures, and dentist coverage before you get the work done. Please contact Amber at the following: amber@bonneville.org or 801-224-2055, ext. 4. You may also contact your dental company:

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Carbon High School Principal Greg Stanfield Earns Chamber Award!

Greg Stanfield, Principal at Carbon High School, was awarded the Community Service Award for Education by the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations, Mr. Stanfield! Your community is proud of all that you do for its students, teachers, and community members. Following is what was presented to Mr. Stanfield:

Mr. Stanfield, with the help of staff members, has improved the interior and exterior of the school with banners, stone tables in the commons area, and benches throughout the school. He strongly supports education as a whole, including classroom instruction and extracurricular activities. He is a great student advocate and friend.

Mr. Stanfield has a strong sense of community and encourages students to give back through toys, clothing, and food drives. Sub-for-Santa gifts and many decorated Christmas trees that are donated to United Way are provided by most of the clubs and groups at Carbon High.

This is the fourth year for Rachel's Challenge at Carbon High. Mr. Stanfield is the advisor for this group, called Friends of Rachel. Rachel Scott was the first victim from the shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado in 1999. Carbon High was first introduced to Rachel’s Challenge in September, 2008. Students and staff are given five challenges each year to do acts of kindness and service, and try to create an atmosphere of thoughtfulness in the high school. Mr. Stanfield reported that there were no fights at the high school in 2009…what an accomplishment!!!

To encourage and reinforce positive behavior, teachers issue DINO CARDS to students when they do something helpful or are observed doing helpful acts. Mr. Stanfield will draw one name each week and that student is rewarded with coupons that are donated by businesses in the Price area. (Mr. Stanfield personally visits with the businesses in that area to discuss the school programs, and to request their support by donating coupons). The DINO CARD winner also is allowed a private parking spot for one week. Friends of Rachel and Staff members are also recognized for one month for outstanding performance and given a private parking spot for a month.

The students who are members of the Friends of Rachel group befriend and help new or struggling students adjust at Carbon High. Mr. Stanfield has made several presentations throughout the community to encourage involvement in Rachel's Challenge promoting kindness and creating a "Chain" reaction.

Some of what Greg Stanfield has done to improve Carbon High:

1. Name badges that are now used district wide. All students, faculty and staff are required to use name badges.
2. Increased security at Carbon to make kids safer.
3. Improved looks of the school
4. Very extra-curricular activity oriented
5. Supports Carbon County Recreation Youth and Adult Programs with building usage and other participation.
6. Sub for Santa
7. Works well with students, faculty and staff.
8. Great liaison between County and School District
   

Nebo School District Has Upcoming Retirement & New Administrative Appointments

The Nebo School District Board of Education recognized an upcoming retirement, and approved five new directors for various administrative positions in the district at the January meeting. Al Mosher, Human Resource Director of Nebo School District, will be retiring in June after 18 years in Nebo School District, 1 year in Georgia, and 20 years in California. Ann Anderson, with 20 years in the district and most recently the Salem Hills High School Principal, was appointed to replace Al Mosher as the Human Resource Director. John DeGraffenried, an experienced educator / administrator and most recently the Springville High School Principal, was selected to fill the post of Secondary Director for the district. Mike Brown, with much administrative experience and formerly the Springville High School Assistant Principal, was chosen to be the new Springville High School Principal. Bart Peery, with 25 years in the district and previously the Payson High School Principal, was appointed as the new Salem Hills High School Principal. Ben Ford, a veteran of 19 years in education and most recently the Payson High School Assistant Principal, was named as the new Payson High School Principal.

The information and photo for this Bonneville Blog posting were taken from the January 20, 2011, publication of the Spanish Fork Press in the Daily Herald Edition.