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Published: Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 / Updated: Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 02:03 PM

Oakridge Middle students take part in Samaritan’s Purse

LAKE WYLIE Oakridge Middle School students volunteered Dec. 7 at Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child’s processing center in Charlotte.

The students participated in the packaging, inspecting and wrapping of shoeboxes that will be sent to children in Benin, Africa.

Students who participated were: Hannah Lassiter, Carter Edwards, McKenzie Johnson, Parker Johnson, Alec McEntyre, MaQuella Mills, Brianna Pritch, Ethan Armstrong, Cassidy McCall, Jordan Woodruff, Anna Keistler, Kali Knowlton and Garett Lutz.

Clover students take FFA honor

CLOVER The Clover High School Future Farmers of America equine evaluation team took first place in the state during a recent weekend competition at Clemson University’s horse farm.

The competitive event tests the student’s ability to select and evaluate horses. They also identify tack, feed and parts of the horse, as well as a complete a written solution to a team problem.

They will now advance to the national level competition in Louisville, Ky., in October 2013. The team consists of four students, led by agricultural education teacher Carrie Bolin.

Holiday raffle Dec. 18

STEELE CREEK Pleasant Hill Preschool is having a holiday raffle today, Dec. 18.

Prizes include a children’s party package at Carolina Stars, gift cards to local restaurants and businesses, and themed gift baskets. All proceeds go toward scholarships for 2013-2014 school year.

To make a donation or purchase tickets, call 704-588-0014. Winners will be contacted by phone.

School climate survey deadline Dec. 18

CLOVER Parents, students and staff in the Clover School District are asked to participate in the district’s annual Your Voice Counts school climate online survey through today, Dec. 18.

Parents will receive an email from the Clover School District with a link to the survey. Those who don’t receive an email link may access the survey at clover.k12.sc.us/yourvoice.

The confidential survey, offered through independent research and communication firm K12 Insight, asks questions about satisfaction with Clover schools and the respondent’s level of involvement in school activities.

It seeks input from parents, students and staff on academic preparation, parent engagement, student support, school leadership, school operations, safety and behavior, and technology.

Clover schools have compiled input from past surveys to evaluate educational services and to set goals for improvement.

Clover teacher honored by conservation district

CLOVER Morgan Lombardo, a sixth-grade science teacher at Clover Middle School, has been named the 2012 Conservation Teacher of the Year by the York Soil and Water Conservation District and York County Farm Bureau. The honor was announced at the Partners in Conservation and Agriculture Dinner.

Lombardo has been the coach of the Recycling and Garden Club at her school for four years and has spearheaded the development of a memorial garden on campus to supplement the sixth-grade plant lessons.

During the past year, she has received grants and community support to expand the garden into an outdoor classroom complete with garden shed, pergola, raised planting beds, mini-wetland, cafeteria waste composting site and a covered classroom area.

She also worked with York Soil & Water Conservation District to become part of the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network by recording daily rainfall data as part of the sixth-grade weather studies.

She received the Conservation District’s Arbor Day tree grant and coordinated an Arbor Day program and tree planting ceremony in the garden. All outdoor classroom amenities were designed, built and maintained by students and are being used for interdisciplinary lessons by all grade levels. The lessons have enhanced the real-life curriculum connections for students at Clover Middle and Clover High schools.

In 2011-2012, she was selected by her peers as Clover Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Set up blood drive, earn scholarship

CHARLOTTE High school and college students who will be home for the holidays will have a chance to win a “Holiday Heroes Scholarship” from the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.

To qualify for a “Holiday Heroes Scholarship,” students must choose a blood drive location in their community; select a date between Dec. 22-Jan. 6, recruit friends, family and neighbors to donate blood, and collect a minimum of 25 units. CBCC will award a $1,000 scholarship to the student who collects the most units.

More information about CBCC scholarship opportunities is available at cbcc.us/sponsors/high-school-drives.php. Call 704-972-4727 for more information.

Culinary contests under way

CHARLOTTE Culinary arts students can compete to earn a tuition scholarship to one of The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, including the Charlotte campus. The Art Institutes Best Teen Chef Competition is for high school seniors. The Art Institutes Culinary Scholarship Competition is for high school graduates.

The first-place winner in the high school senior competition at each participating Art Institutes school will earn a $4,000 tuition scholarship. The second-place winner in the high school senior competition at each participating Art Institutes school will earn a $1,000 scholarship.

The first-place winner in the high school graduate competition at each participating Art Institutes school will earn a $1,500 scholarship.

The deadline for entry is Jan. 24.

For information, visit aicompetitions.com/ culinary2013/.

Help choose Employee

of Month

CLOVER The Clover School District’s Teacher Forum, a group made up of each school’s teacher of the year, seeks community input as it expands the district’s Employee of the Month recognition program. sponsored by Family Trust Federal Credit Union.

The program, which runs through May, is a way for school employees to be shown appreciation and gratitude from coworkers, parents, students, and the community.

For several years, the program has been operated through paper ballots in each school. Beginning this month, anyone may nominate an employee for the recognition on each school’s website.

To nominate a school-based employee in the district, visit the employee’s school website and click the “Vote now for Employee of the Month” button on the homepage.

Each school’s recipient is presented with a $25 Visa gift card from Family Trust and his or her picture is displayed in the school’s lobby.