Congratulations to our School Finalists for Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to our School Finalists for Classified Employee of the Year
Congratulations to our School Finalists for Certified Instructional Support Personnel of the Year
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Holiday Card Contest Winner
Congratulations to Sarah for being selected as our school winner for the annual Holiday Card Contest. Sarah's design was printed as the cover of our school card that was sent to our business, community, and school partners. Her design was also aired on Cable 2 for the month of December with our School Holiday Greeting.
Sing-a-long
The Annual Holiday Sing-a-long has been a Diggs-Latham tradition for many years. On the last day of school before Winter Break, we come together as a school family to celebrate our accomplishments for the first half of the year, sing some carols, enjoy some funny teacher moments, and more. Our Holiday Card Design Winners are recognized, and our students have an opportunity to dance and otherwise perform. Usually a few surprises pop up during the assembly, such as a visit from Santa Claus himself or a greetings from our Tiger mascot, Taz. This year, several members of our staff sang a choral number and the entire faculty danced in a pre-recorded performance especially for our students.
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Holiday Spirit Days
Staff and students celebrated the last 7 days of school before Winter Break with a series of Holiday Spirit Days. Each day had a different theme. Staff and students were invited to use their creativity to create a costume or assemble an outfit for each day. Daily themes included Candy Cane Day, Sweater Day, Christmas Tree Day, Holiday Character Day, Colors Day, Holiday Hat Day, and Night Before Day. Themes offered simple options of wearing certain colors to more complicated tasks of finding creative accessories to look like a Christmas tree, for example. Spirit Days offered fun ways to celebrate the holidays and reflect on traditions from various cultures.
Nursing Home Project
Fourth grade started a usual ELA (English language arts) unit, moving on in the Wonders textbook to the story “Aguinaldo” by Lulu Delacre. The story explores life in a nursing or assisted-living home and intergenerational relationships.
One fourth-grade student pointed out that his mother works at Arbor Acres, a local assisted-living and nursing facility, and so an idea, collaboration, and a service project was born.
“Once I knew of the opportunity to connect with Arbor Acres, I planned a collaboration with my team,” shared fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Nikki Woodard.
Woodard serves as one of the school’s Multiple Classroom Leaders (MCLs), so she meets regularly with fourth and fifth grades to plan, dissect data, and collaborate.
“The team decided to integrate a writing activity in the unit and have students write a letter to residents of the nursing facility,” she said.
The letters included a holiday-themed design to turn the note into a card.
Fourth grade teachers Mrs. Woodard, Mrs. Sarraga, Ms. Blanton, and Ms. Boulware also worked with Art Teacher and Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Amanda Gordon, to add a gift of art to the letter.
Read the WSFCS Headline at https://bit.ly/3G35Mce
See Additional Photos at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xSNMob6h7CX2bk48N3vIlldwybnofh0P?usp=sharing
Band Students in Parade
We have a long-standing partnership with Reynolds High School. In fact, since we are a Pathway Magnet School, if our students follow the K-12 Arts Magnet Pathway, they have the opportunity to attend Reynolds for High School to continue the Pathway. Several of our students have gone on to be a part of several programs at Reynolds, including band. Our Band/Music Teacher, Mr. Sigler, has also supported that partnership over the years. With his experience in marching band in previous teaching positions, Mr. Sigler is able to write pieces of music for our students on their level of band skill and experience and partner with Reynolds Band annually to allow our students the opportunity to march and perform. Our Band Small Group was excited to march with Reynolds High School in the annual Winston-Salem Holiday Parade.
Science Fair Winners
Congratulations to our Science Fair Winners! Students worked hard to follow the Scientific Method, design creative prompts, and create professional displays of their findings.
Special thanks for our Science Teacher, Ms. Wynns, for sponsoring the Science Fair.
Math Night
Our annual Math Night was a huge success. Students and families met with teachers to discuss what students are learning in math. Families joined their students and teachers in games and activities to better understand how to support and help students with math at home. It was a fun evening of academics and classroom visits on a rotating schedule. Students were excited to have their families in their classrooms and enjoyed showing their parents all they are learning in math.
Choice & Magnet Showcase
We are an A+ Magnet School. Our school theme and focus reflects Arts Integration, Performance, and Dual Language Immersion. As an A+ School, we uphold the 8 Essentials of the North Carolina A+ Schools. As a Magnet School, we uphold the 5 Pillars of Magnet Schools. We are a Pathway Magnet School in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District. Students may choose and apply to attend our school from anywhere in the district. Our official Magnet Application Season is kicked off each year with the School Choice and Magnet Showcase.
In November, we set up a booth, offered hand outs and gifts, and performed with a group of student singers, dancer, and musicians to showcase and market our school to potential new students and families. Following the showcase, students and families who visited our booth also scheduled school tours.
The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Teacher of the Year
Our very own Art Teacher and A+/Magnet Coordinator was the inaugural recipient of the NCAEA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Art Educator of the Year 2021-22 award.
The award was given for the first time through the North Carolina Art Education Association at their annual, fall conference, which was held in Winston-Salem this year. The award recognized Gordon's efforts in multicultural education as well as classroom, school, and community events that has embraced and celebrated the diversity among her students and staff.
Gordon was awarded along side our district's current Chief Academic Officer, Mrs. Nicolette Grant, who received the Friends of the Arts Award for her support of Arts Education.
Read more in the WSFCS Headlines at https://bit.ly/3KEJ1Pr
PAWS Kick-Off
We are Diggs-Latham Elementary TIGERS! We show our Tiger Pride in all we do. We proudly wear black and orange on regular occasions. Our school-wide expectations and incentive system is also centered around our Tiger Pride.
Our "PAWS Expectations" are school-wide guidelines to help our students govern themselves accordingly with excellent conduct. We encourage students to be P-Prepared with an A-A+ Attitude to W-Work Responsibly and S-Show Respect in all they do. Throughout the school, posters gives a few more specific details regarding what it means to be PAWSome... Awesome... in different places and scenarios.
Our PAWS Kickoff introduced the expectations to students, outlined how to earn PAWS Bucks, introduced our school store, and of course was a celebration of our Tiger Pride.
In Arts Integration Fashion, our Kick-Off ended with a virtual school dance party.
Monday, January 24, 2022
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is an annual campaign, usually toward the end of October, during which individuals, groups, and organizations celebrate the commitment to live a drug-free life.
This year, our guidance counselor, Mrs. Winfield, organized a Spirit Week as a fun way to celebrated the Red Ribbon Week Commitment with students.
Students
were out of school on Monday but were ready to Wear Red on Tuesday to kick off
the celebration. On Wednesday, students
and staff “Teamed Up Against Drugs,” by wearing team jerseys. For Thursday and Friday, we “Followed Our
Dreams” with Pajama Day and ended the week celebrating our school choosing to
be drug free by wearing school colors. Students
and staff were very creative in designing their costumes and attire.
Read the WSFCS Headline Story at https://bit.ly/359Aqno.
See Photos at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1w1BM5YtlmFt-7q2q4GC-bHdvxgGcIeyZ?usp=sharing
ArtistCorp
We are very pleased to continue our partnership with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts ArtistCorp Program.
This program places accomplished artists/musicians in schools to work with high-needs students. Members of ArtistCorp work directly with Pre-Kindergarten to high school students to strengthen community and learning through the use of music, movement, acting and art.
This year, we are fortunate to have ArtistCorp Members working with Specialists in Art, Band, and Orchestra. We also have a team working with PreK in the Vivaldi Project to further expose students to string instruments, particularly the violin.
Read more about ArtistCorp at https://www.uncsa.edu/community/community-engagement/artistcorps/index.aspx
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated and recognized annually from September 15-October 15. This year, we celebrated with a day of wearing authentic clothes, observing a museum of artifacts, and listening to visiting speakers during Specials. It was an exciting time of celebrating and learning.
Read the full WSFCS News Story at https://bit.ly/3tjOrsW
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/whnKhajbfBNBDoHq5
Carolina Classic Fair Student Exhibit
Our students exhibit their original art annually in the Carolina Classic Fair School Art Exhibit. This exhibit took place in early October.
Our students were excited to win 6 ribbons in this show.
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Governor Cooper Visited
Governor Cooper visited our school in early February 2024 as part of his tour in celebration of "Year of the Public School." ...
