Robbinsville – There will be a changeup in Robbinsville High School’s senior project, starting in the fall.
Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson told the Graham County Board of Education at Tuesday’s meeting that the new focus will be on career development and will be spread out over junior and senior years. As part of the project, students will build portfolios and resumes and develop their public speaking skills, as well as spend five hours each of their last two years job shadowing.
The program still includes a senior paper.
“It will be introducing kids to the workforce and careers they will be looking into,” Matheson said. “…They’re pretty excited about it.”
Matheson said the school will also seek internships in the hospitality and tourism industry through the Southwestern Commission and include a stipend for completion of the internships.
In other matters:
* New coach: The board voted to appoint fellow board member Jonathan Allison to be Robbinsville Middle School’s head basketball coach.
* Next step: 51 percent of Robbinsville High School’s senior class have applications in for higher education, Principal David Matheson said. Included among them are two seniors who each received $48,000 Hagan Scholarships — the first time the school has had two receive the scholarship in the same class. The scholarship includes a study abroad component and adds $15,000 into an investment account upon graduation.
* Graduation ceremonies: Graduation ceremonies for baccalaureates will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1 and for the senior class will be 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, both at Big Oaks Stadium.
* Kindergarten registration: Parents with rising kindergartners at Robbinsville Elementary School are urged to register their children on April 29, Principal Jaime Hooper said. Classroom size is capped at 18 pupils, which pencils out to five classrooms for 90 pupils. If 91 attend, a sixth classroom will be needed. Accurate registration will help the school determine the number of classrooms needed in the coming school year, she said.
* Highest education: Principal Hooper recently earned her doctoral degree in education leadership from Western Carolina University, Superintendent Angie Knight announced.
* School security: Graham County Schools Assistant Superintendent Robert Moody said the district received a $20,000 grant that will be used to obtain cameras and other surveillance equipment, including microphones placed outside restrooms that can detect loud noises such as fights and vandalism taking place inside the restrooms, where cameras are not permitted. The devices will be installed in 12 restrooms throughout Graham County Schools campuses.
* Cyber security: The school district is planning a presentation for parents, students and staff from the FBI about cyber security. “This is something every parent needs to know … everyone needs to hear this,” said Superintendent Knight. More details will be announced once plans are firmed up.
* School spending: The school board made several changes to this year’s spending plan. In one case reflecting changing times, the board approved a plan to remove $45,000 first earmarked to pay for textbooks, and use that money to buy computer software and online subscriptions to educational programs. The board also approved $543,139 in pay supplements, including $362,654 that will go to classroom teachers.
* Build it and they will come: Assistant Superintendent Moody said the school district has received approval to make improvements at a waterlogged piece of property on school grounds that will enable them to move the middle school baseball and softball fields there. “Right now it’s just a swamp,” he said.
* COVID-19 update: The board voted to keep masks optional for the time being.