Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Dec. 6-10
One Man Band Curtis Blues and The History of Acoustic Delta Blues: The Roots of Rock and Hip Hop

Wicomico elementary and middle schools
Blues preservationist and one man band Curtis Blues is a talented musician and educator whose performances keep the tradition of acoustic Delta blues alive, and demonstrate for students the roots of modern rock and hip hop music. Curtis has been playing Delta blues since he was 14 years old, when he was exposed to some of the last living Delta blues masters at folk festivals. Curtis has recorded two critically acclaimed CDs and performs at blues festivals and schools in an effort to pass this precious music down to the next generation. This show demonstrates the origins of modern popular rock, country, and hip hop music from the Mississippi Delta in the 1920's to 1940's. Tracing rhythms from work songs, Curtis invites students to help demonstrate infectious blues rhythms. Curtis Blues plays a one-string Diddley Bow, a handmade box guitar, and an African gourd banjo, as well as 1928 style metal resonator guitars and wood guitars along with his harmonica, foot drum, and cymbals. By taking his instruments into the audience for a closer look, this presentation makes African American and musical history come alive for students.

Tuesday, Dec. 7
Interact Story Theatre Performance
Willards Elementary School

Willards Elementary School will welcome Interact Story Theatre on Tuesday, Dec. 7, for a day that will begin with an 8:45 a.m. performance of “Two-Tone Tale.” Following the performance they will do a performance "talk-back" where students will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about what happens behind the scenes. Throughout the day on Dec. 7, students will participate in either an "Extension Workshop" or a "Story Can Theatre Workshop," depending on the grade level. These performance and workshops are part of Willards Elementary’s Artist-in-Residence grant awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council. 410-677-5819.

Friday, Dec. 10
Heroes Night
Fruitland Schools

The Fruitland Schools PTA will host a Heroes Night for students and families on Friday, Dec. 10, to honor and remember the heroes of 9/11 and to meet the heroes who serve in the community every day. Heroes Night will begin in the cafeteria from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and continue in the gym from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Guests will include Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, longtime State’s Attorney Davis Ruark, Fruitland Police Chief Mike Phillips, Ernest Leatherbury of the Maryland State Police, the Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department, and a man who reported to the Pentagon to help on the day after 9/11. Other guests for the program who have a connection to 9/11 or are in public service are being sought. There will be a roll of paper on hand for all Fruitland students to sign; the paper roll will be mailed to the active duty troops. If you would like to participate in the Fruitland School PTA Heroes Night on Dec. 10, please contact coordinator Sheila Nichols at 410-334-6450, 443-735-2058, or nichols1011@verizon.net.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
LEGO Competitions and Workshops, FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Tournament
Salisbury Middle School

Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. will be a time for LEGOS and robotics at Salisbury Middle School. With their own LEGO blocks and building on site, children ages 4-6 can build a house for their favorite cartoon character, while students ages 7-9 and 10-12 can transform their LEGO blocks into a future hospital for Salisbury. No charge to participate but advance registration is required. Wicomico County 4-H will sponsor WeDo workshops on robotics for children ages 5-11; there will be two sessions on introduction to simple robotics, one from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and the second from 11 a.m.-noon. The Eastern Shore Regional FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Tournament will also be held at Salisbury Middle School that day, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Tournament is for registered teams only. To register for any of these events or for more information, please contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or 410-677-5149, X4634.

Monday, Dec. 13
WELC Students Visit SU for Holiday Stories
Salisbury University

Pre-Kindergarten Three and Four Year Olds from the Wicomico Early Learning Center will visit Salisbury University to attend a performance of a variety of holiday stories performed by students in Dr. Patricia Dean’s Early Childhood undergraduate classes. The performance will be at 1:00 p.m. 410-677-5900.

Tuesday, Dec. 14
Holiday Hop for Prek Students and Families
Wicomico County Library

Pre-Kindergarten Three and Four Year Olds and Salisbury II Head Start are invited to attend the Judy Center sponsored partner event at the Wicomico County Library at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14. Students will sing and dance with Miss Rosie and participate in interactive stories told by Miss Barb. Students and parents/guardians will be served apple cider, holiday cookies and candy canes. Each child in attendance will receive a free book to take home. 410-677-5900.

Wednesday, Dec. 15
Holidays Around the World
Wicomico Early Learning Center

Pre-Kindergarten Three and Four Year Olds and Salisbury II Head Start will participate in the Holidays Around the World Parent/Child Event beginning at 9:45 a.m. at the Wicomico Early Learning Center. Students will travel to stations located throughout the school to participate in science, reading, math, art, social studies and cooking activities. Families are invited to attend with their child. This activity is a Judy Center funded event. 410-677-5900.

Friday, Dec. 17
3rd annual Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition for Fifth-Graders from Prince Street, Pinehurst and Glen Avenue Schools
At Prince Street Elementary School

Prince Street Elementary will host the 3rd annual Operation SPEAK (Stimulate, Prepare & Encourage Articulate Kids) Oratorical Competition at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. There will be fifth-grade students from three Title I school competing - Pinehurst, Glen Avenue and Prince Street. This program encourages 5th-grade students to compete first with students from their own school in writing, memorizing, and reciting a speech. Three students from each school will participate in the contest on Dec. 17. Each student will have two to four minutes to present a prepared speech on either this quote from John Crudele: “Kids Spell Love T-I-M-E,” or Jesse Jackson’s quote, “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” Winners will be eligible for trophies and monetary awards. This year’s Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition is supported by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. For information please contact Tana Ellis at 410-677-5813 or tellis@wcboe.org.

Saturday, Jan. 15
STEM Saturday
Salisbury Middle School

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday classes will be offered throughout the 2010-11 school year for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8. The next STEM Saturday will be held at Salisbury Middle School from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan. 15, with students in grades 4-5 exploring Green Keepers: Going Green to Preserve Our World, and middle schoolers working on The Bug Detective. The elementary offerings are new to the STEM Saturdays schedule this year. Anyone interested in attending a STEM Saturday event must pre-register, and early registration is recommended as the courses fill up early. STEM Saturdays will also be held Feb. 12, The Magic of Chemistry (elementary) and Out of Sight: Bringing Astronomy Down to Earth (middle), both at Salisbury Middle; March 12, Flying Wild: Bird Science and Conservation (elementary) at Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art; Fossils of the Chesapeake: A Hands-On Exploration (middle) at Parkside High; and April 9, The Bug Detective (elementary) and The Science Behind Winning (middle), both at Salisbury Middle. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit http://www.wcboe.org/news/510. For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org