MyrtleBeachOnline.com: Education

CCU dorm dwellers offer aid

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:02 EDT

Every year, the trash bin behind Coastal Carolina University's dorms fills up during move-out days with unwanted clothes, small furniture and other items students can't fit in their cars or they just don't want.

This year, economics professor Robert Salvino and the economics club at CCU are trying to find a better place for those items than the trash.

"Another professor approached me after he noticed how much stuff was going into that Dumpster and we thought, 'Man there could be something better done,'" Salvino said. "I started mentioning it to classes this fall. A few of them just decided they could make it happen."

Carvers students go solar

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:22 EDT

Middle schooler Laja Wright, 12, believes the shiny black panels 10 feet overhead at her school can help save the world.

"I know they run by the sun and can be used to power stuff and help save the environment," Laja said about the new solar panels at Carvers Bay Middle School.

The middle school is one of six grade schools in the state - and the first along the Grand Strand - to install solar panels as part of Santee Electric Cooperative and Santee Cooper's Green Power Schools program.

Retiring USC chief makes final speech

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:17 EDT

New graduates of the University of South Carolina should strive to bring the sense of community they shared at the school to the new places they will live, retiring President Andrew Sorensen said Friday during his final commencement speech.

"You and I are Gamecock family," he said before a crowd of around 7,700. "In the years that lie ahead, I pray that you will take with you the message of making a big university small and translate it into making a big community - everywhere you live."

Sorensen will preside over two ceremonies today at the university, but will not deliver commencement addresses, university spokesman Russ McKinney said.

Magnificent Mom Essay winners

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:35 EDT

Elementary educator named Teacher of the Year

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:55 EDT

Ms. Frizzle won!

Derenda "Ms. Frizzle" Marshall could not stop jumping for joy after she was named Georgetown County's Teacher of the Year on Thursday night.

Marshall, 45, a science specialist at McDonald Elementary School, models her teaching style after the television program "The Magic School Bus."

HGTC graduates revel in moment

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:37 EDT

Timothy Vereen patiently sat in the audience at Christ United Methodist Church Thursday night, waiting a few more moments for something he and his wife, Eve Bellamy-Vereen, had been awaiting for almost three years.

"She supported me and waited for me while I went to school to be an electrical engineer and now I'm supporting her, and she worked hard," he said, sitting with the couple's three young children and other family members. "We're just so excited to see her graduate and walk across that stage."

More than 2,100 people gathered at the church to watch their friends and family graduate from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. The total graduating class included more than 770 people, with about 290 graduates walking at the graduation ceremony.

CCU students ready to join the class of '08

Fri, 09 May 2008 08:11 EDT

People mistake Sunni Stewart and Nicole Kuenzel for twins on a regular basis.

The two seniors at Coastal Carolina University, both 22, have studied together, hung out together and sometimes lived together during the past four years. They will graduate together Saturday - along with 860 students of all ages from across the country and around the world - as CCU President David DeCenzo's presides over his first spring graduation since taking office last year.

Stewart and Kuenzel also have something else in common - their distinction as two of four CCU students who expect to graduate with a 4.0 grade-point average.

HGTC graduates ready for jobs

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:07 EDT

HGTC

Making it to class at Horry-Georgetown Technical College was sometimes hard for Anya Jackson, a single mother of two young sons, but she knew something in her life had to change.

"I was tired of working retail jobs that paid $6.25 an hour," said Jackson, 27. "I have to take care of my kids, keep my house, my car, and at one point I was working two jobs because there's got to be food on the table."

Readiness for reading excites pre-K teacher

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00 EDT

Editor's note: This is the last of five profiles of finalists for Georgetown County School District's Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet today.

Like all five Teacher of the Year finalists, Julie

West was asked by The Sun News to fill out a questionnaire about her role models, what she enjoys about teaching and what the nomination means to her. Here's what she had to say:

School board set to increase taxes

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00 EDT

Facing decreased funding from the state and rising costs, the Georgetown County School District plans to increase taxes on businesses and homeowners.

The district is looking to raise the operating millage on non-owner-occupied homes by the maximum amount allowed under state law - 3.4 mills - to generate about $1.4 million, according to a draft budget presented to the school board Tuesday.

The $1.4 million will be used to help the district secure bonds and low-interest loans.

Graduation calendar 2008

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:18 EDT

Untitled Document

College and high school graduations on the Grand Strand are all set.

Teacher of the Year winner announced

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00 EDT

Jean Burden told herself she would not get worked up if she didn't win Horry County Schools 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year, but she never made any promises about how she would react if she won.

Burden, an English language arts teacher, literacy planner and teacher mentor at Loris Middle School who also hosts a homework help show on Horry County Schools' television station, promised those gathered at the annual Teacher of the Year banquet that her voice would steady itself as she held back tears Tuesday.

"I was here 10 years ago as one of the five finalists, and I was just so disappointed, and I thought I can't do this again," she said, after being announced the winner. "For everything there is a time and there is a reason. I have grown as a person and as an educator."

Georgetown races to slash budget

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00 EDT

Students in Georgetown County could have no foreign language teachers at the middle school level and lose science specialists because of a loss in state revenue and increased state mandates, based on a report from District Finance Officer Lisa Johnson.

Johnson presented about $6.5 million in staffing and programming cuts that were recommended in the draft budget to the Georgetown County Board of Education Tuesday night.

The school district lost $3.6 million as part of South Carolina's new school funding program that swapped a 1 percent sales tax for property taxes on owner-occupied homes.

History instructor devoted to students

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00 EDT

Editor's note: This is the fourth of five profiles of finalists for Georgetown County School District's Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet Thursday.

Like all five Teacher of the Year finalists, Thomas McMahon was asked by The Sun News to fill out a questionnaire about his role models, what he enjoys about teaching and what the nomination means to him. Here's what he had to say:

Question | What is it about that level/subject matter that you enjoy most?

Pawleys Island library deal comes to vote

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:10 EDT

Pawleys Island residents will need to drive an additional three to four miles to get to a library if a deal between the Georgetown County School District and Georgetown County is approved.

Some residents said a new site is needed to keep up with growth.

The Georgetown County Board of Education will take action tonight on whether to approve a land swap with the county.

Teachers protest board's cubicles plan

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:55 EDT

About 12 teachers from Carolina Forest High School on Monday protested a previous decision made by the Horry County School Board regarding the growing student population.

The board voted several meetings ago to move forward with construction of a teacher workroom that would consist of workspaces teachers have referred to as cubicles. Teachers said Monday the construction could lead to an environment that makes it harder to do their jobs by placing materials farther away, removing teaching materials from walls, and lessening the amount of personal time they spend with students.

"If teacher cubicles are created, we feel like we would be caged and that would happen to our ability to teach as well," science teacher Aundrea Rue told the board Monday.

School board sees budget draft

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:10 EDT

Jeff Riddle, financial officer with Horry County Schools, presented the school board with a preliminary budget Monday.

The total budget would cost about $500 million, $1 million less than the 2007-08 school budget.

Riddle said several circumstances at the state level have made it necessary to increase the general operating fund - the fund that pays for employees, operating expenses and other similar needs - from about $283 million last year to $300 million this year.

Educator hopes to pass on life lessons gained from father

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:41 EDT

Editor's note: This is the fifth of five profiles of finalists for Horry Country Schools' Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet today.

Teacher of the Year finalists from Horry County schools were asked questions by The Sun News about their role models, what they enjoy about teaching and what the nomination means to them. Here are their responses.

Question | What is it about that level/subject matter that you enjoy most?

Passion for teaching, 'authentic learning' drive pair

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:41 EDT

Editor's note: This is the third of five profiles of finalists for Georgetown County School District's Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet Thursday.

The Sun News asked Teacher of the Year finalists from the Georgetown County School District to fill out a questionnaire about their role models, what they enjoy about teaching and what the nomination means to them.

Here are Derenda Marshall's responses:

Parents' lessons affect learning in classroom

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:28 EDT

Editor's note: This is the fourth of five profiles of finalists for Horry Country Schools' Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet Tuesday.

Like all five Teacher of the Year finalists, Chris Plowman was asked by The Sun News to fill out a questionnaire about her role models, what she enjoys about teaching and what the nomination means to her. Here's what she had to say:

Question | What is it about that level/subject matter that you enjoy most?

Role models helped shape educators' lives

Mon, 05 May 2008 08:10 EDT

Editor's note: This is the second of five profiles of finalists for the Georgetown County School District's Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet Thursday.

Like all five Teacher of the Year finalists, Sally B. Guerry was asked by The Sun News to fill out a questionnaire about her role models, what she enjoys about teaching and what the nomination means to her. Here's what she had to say:

Question | What is it about the level/subject matter that you enjoy most?

Board to vote on cost of school meals

Mon, 05 May 2008 08:06 EDT

Brunswick County Schools officials hope a proposed 20-cent to 30-cent increase in cafeteria meals will offset a projected $90,000 deficit in this year's child nutrition budget.

Brunswick County school board members will consider the increase at their monthly meeting Tuesday.

"We're hoping that this will put us back on the break-even track," said Steve Miley, director of operations for the school system. "It's difficult for us to predict what will happen next year."

English teacher enjoys helping students grow

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:24 EDT

Editor's note: This is the second of five profiles of finalists for Horry Country Schools' Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet Tuesday.

Like all five Teacher of the Year finalists, Etta Lynn Greene was asked by The Sun News to fill out a questionnaire about her role models, what she enjoys about teaching and what the nomination means to her. Here's what she had to say:

Question | What is it about that level/subject matter that you enjoy most?

Brunswick college lifts student fees

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:28 EDT

Brunswick Community College will nearly double its top student fees charge in the fall, the first increase in 20 years.

The new rate, which will be $65 a year for students taking seven or more credit hours each semester, will allow the college to expand its offering of student leisure activities and offer a lower fee to students using the new student athletic center, which is now under construction.

The fees are charged to students each semester, meaning that those registering for at least seven hours of classes in the fall will pay $32.50, up from $19 charged previously for student enrolling in at least six credit hours of courses. Students taking four to six hours of coursework will be charged a $20 student activity fee per semester as opposed to the $15 fee previously charged to students taking three to five credit hours.

Schools experiment with schedule timing

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:28 EDT

When the bell rings in most classrooms across the Grand Strand, it is a 90-minute marathon for teachers to keep their students engaged and learning.

Several Georgetown County Board of Education members and at least one parent are starting to question the wisdom of asking students to pay attention for 90-minute blocks at a time and are looking at whether modifications need to be made to the length of time students spend in class.

An education reform movement in the 1990s pushed educators to find more efficient and effective uses of class time. The 1994 report "Prisoners of Time" created by the National Education Commission on Time and Learning encouraged flexible use of time to meet student needs, including extended learning periods for complex classes such as science labs.

Educator humbled by recognition

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:28 EDT

Editor's note: This is the first of five profiles of finalists for Horry Country Schools' Teacher of the Year. The district will announce the winner at an awards banquet Tuesday.

Like all five Teacher of the Year finalists, Loris Middle School teacher Jean Burden was asked by The Sun News to fill out a questionnaire about her role models, what she enjoys about teaching and what the nomination means to her. Here's what she had to say:

Question | What is it about that level/subject matter that you enjoy most?

Athletic facilities for CCU advancing

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:21 EDT

Plans for two new athletic facilities at Coastal Carolina University are making their way through the funding pipeline after a meeting of the Coastal Educational Foundation board Wednesday.

The board approved a recommendation from one of its joint committees to seek other offers for a new multipurpose arena at Coastal Carolina University instead of accepting a bid from Coastal Carolina Arena LLC.

The board also voted to release reduced matching funds to help build the field house behind CCU's football field.

Teacher's gun spotted on car's hood at MB school

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:21 EDT

A teacher at Myrtle Beach High School was suspended with pay after the school district said she accidentally brought a loaded gun to the school Tuesday morning.

"She was placed on administrative leave with pay, which is standard for any investigation that involves serious allegations," said Horry County Schools Spokeswoman Teal Britton.

The school district does not release the names of employees involved in disciplinary actions, Britton said. The teacher has worked 31 years for Horry County Schools, Britton said.

Students pump up for PACT

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:21 EDT

St. James Middle School held an academic pep rally Wednesday to encourage students and take some pressure off those who will be taking the PACT starting May 12.

The Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test consists of English, math, science and social studies, and is given to elementary and middle school students in South Carolina. The scores are used when judging whether a school meets the federal No Child Left Behind progress standards.

South Carolina has historically scored below average on student assessment scores, but many lawmakers and teachers say that South Carolina's assessment tests are much more rigorous than other states'.

CCU reaches out to neighbors

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:11 EDT

Area police and campus security have boosted their presence in communities near the Coastal Carolina University campus following a homicide and what police say was an accidental shooting in a nearby neighborhood over the past two weeks.

Although the homicide didn't involve students, it did prompt CCU and nearby Horry-Georgetown Technical College to close their campuses. The suspect in the second shooting is a CCU student, and the incident served to bolster the university's commitment to improve the "town-gown" relationship - how residents and students who move off campus relate to one another. It's an issue that will continue to need attention as the university's enrollment grows and an increasing number of students spread to nearby neighborhoods such as College Place, Quail Creek and Campus Edge.

"We have increased patrols in the past few weeks to those neighborhoods, for both the benefit of students and other residents," said Greg Weisner, chief of CCU's Department of Public Safety, on Tuesday.