Highlighted Events This Week In Wicomico Schools

Oct. 19-22
Arts Integration Event
Willards Elementary School

Throughout this school year, the students and staff of Willards Elementary will welcome several artists to share their knowledge and expertise. From Oct. 19-22, the second grade teachers and students will work with Lenore Blank Kelner in a residency program. This program will focus on the reading theme "nature walk,” reading comprehension and drama. The teachers will experience and work using a co-teaching model with Kelner as the students actively engage in the residency program. 410-677-5819.

Tuesday, Oct. 19
Unified Tennis Matches
At Wicomico High and James M. Bennett High

Wicomico’s second Unified Sports season continues Tuesday, Oct. 19 with matches at 3:30 p.m. (Mardela at Wicomico High, Parkside at James M. Bennett High). Wicomico is partnering with Special Olympics Maryland to field Unified athletic teams on which students both with and without intellectual disabilities can play and compete together. Teams will also play in the Unified Tennis State High School Invitational in late October, with teams from the western shore.

Wednesday, Oct. 20
Farm Visit to STEM Program
Bennett Middle School

On Wednesday, Oct. 20 the seventh-grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students will be visited by Candy Anderson, whose husband’s family has owned Ring Farms since 1911. The farm was granted by the King of England in 1750 and the house they live in has been occupied since the 1790 census. The farm raises livestock and field crops. Anderson will be bringing cows, sheep and pigs to show the students and will be discussing daily operation of the farm and how life has changed over time with the advent of new technologies, animal science and environmental issues. She will also be bringing photographs and documents that will illustrate the history of the property to the students. The visit will begin at 9:45 and will conclude with everyone going outside to see the animals before 4th period ends at 11:15 a.m. Then, later in the week (either Thursday or Friday), STEM students will visit Greenbranch Organic Farms to learn about the workings of an organic farm. The students will tour the property and compare daily operations there to the Andersons’ farm.

Wednesdays through Nov. 10, 1-3 p.m.
“Young Athletes” Pilot Program
For Pinehurst students, at Crown Sports

As part of our continued partnership with Special Olympics Maryland, Pinehurst Elementary School is engaging in a new pilot program called "Young Athletes." This is an inclusive sports program designed for children in kindergarten and first grade. As part of their physical education program, these students will participate in organized theme-based sport activities one day per week -- each Wednesday from Oct. 13-Nov. 10 – at Crown Sports in Fruitland. The five Wednesday sessions will take place from 1-3 p.m. One of the benefits of this program is that it offers exactly what young children need.....early intervention. As a result of this early intervention, (not to mention our childhood obesity epidemic), young boys and girls will experience hands on physical activities focused on developing fundamental motor tracking and eye-hand coordination skills, fitness, socialization skills and a lifestyle of healthy habits. In addition, Young Athletes offers a community network with Crown Sports, families, and Salisbury University Elementary Physical Education majors and Adapted Physical Education majors with Dr. Dean Ravizza. Young Athletes is a win-win program for everyone - building stronger minds and bodies, stronger citizens, stronger families, and ultimately a stronger community. 410-677-5810.

Wicomico K-5 Students Offered Free Intranasal FluMist Vaccine; Consent Form Must Be Returned to School

The Wicomico County School System and the Wicomico County Health Department will be working together to offer the FluMist intranasal vaccine to Wicomico elementary students in school clinics scheduled from Oct. 21-29. The 2010-11 Influenza vaccine will contain protection against three common influenza strains, including the 2009 H1N1 strain.

Consent forms for the FluMist vaccine were sent home to elementary parents/guardians, and students whose parents/guardians signed and returned the consent form will receive the vaccination free on the day that their school’s clinic is scheduled. Check with your child’s school if you have any questions.

The schedule of school clinics is as follows:

Oct. 21 (AM): Westside Intermediate, West Salisbury, North Salisbury
Oct. 21 (PM): Northwestern, Pinehurst
Oct. 22 (AM): Pemberton, Prince Street
Oct. 22 (PM): Willards, Beaver Run
Oct. 28 (AM): East Salisbury, Delmar
Oct. 28 (PM): Fruitland Primary, Westside Primary
Oct. 29 (AM): Chipman, Fruitland Intermediate, Glen Avenue
Oct. 29 (PM): Pittsville

A parent/guardian who wants a child to receive the injectable form of the seasonal flu vaccine at the Wicomico County Health Department can call 410-543-6943.

Saturday, Oct. 23
Community Connection Day
HALO Mission, Salisbury

The HALO Mission at 119 S. Salisbury Blvd. in Salisbury will host a Community Connection Day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23. The event is sponsored by HALO and the Wicomico County Board of Education. Wicomico County families are invited to attend to network, learn and share. There will be opportunities to meet and talk with organizations that can assist with job searches, financial assistance, children’s services, emergency shelter and much more. Lunch will be provided free of charge. Transportation will be provided from and to the Temple Hill Motel, Booth Street Apartments, the parking lot of the Christian Shelter, and Travelers Inn in Delmar, Md. Bus runs begin at 8 a.m. and continue every hour until 2 p.m. There will be hourly door prizes, with a grand prize of a laptop computer. Children must be accompanied by an adult to register. Workshops on homelessness will be offered from 9-11 a.m. For more information please contact HALO Ministry at 410-742-9356 or info@HALOministry.org, or Jackie Deal at the Board of Education at 410-677-4549 or jdeal@wcboe.org.

Saturday, Oct. 23
Gimme Five Day
At Prince Street Elementary

Salisbury’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth will host Gimme Five Day on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Prince Street Elementary School from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This special day is devoted to youth and to providing the 5 Promises: Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthy Start, An Effective Education, and Opportunities to Help Others. Fun activities, food, eye screening and more are provided free of charge. For more information contact Salisbury’s Promise at 410-677-5396 or Salisburypromise@gmail.com. This event is funded in part by a grant from the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.