Parent Teacher Magazine Cabarrus County Schools Jan/Feb 2018 | Page 9

Weddington Hills Teachers Awarded WES Student Author Holds Book Signing at BHES Weddington Hills Elementary School AIG Teacher Michelle McCartan and AU Teacher Amanda Kentfield recently attended the 2017 National Forum on Character Education in Washington D.C. to celebrate winning The Promising Practices Award for their “Empathy Partners” project. Madison McIntyre, fourth grade IB student at Weddington Hills Elementary School, recently authored and published her own book titled “Madison’s World: A Lesson In Friendship”. On Friday, Dec. 1st Madison visited students at Beverly Hills Elementary where she signed copies, answered questions, and read the first few pages of her book aloud. Local media interviewed Madison. Her book is available on Amazon. The project involves a personal and academic partnership between fourth and fifth grade AIG students and autistic students at Weddington Hills Elementary. The partnership creates an environment that nurtures the attitudes of cooperation, respect and empathy. The program was also featured in the Independent Tribune. Read the article at http://www.independenttribune.com/news/ weddington-hills-teachers-win-award-for-empathy-partners/ article_5b58cb20-c336-11e7-95e6-5f69ede2aeee.html. Winkler Receives Grant for Anti-Violence Efforts H.E. Winkler Middle School received a $1,000 mini-grant for its safe school efforts through the Allstate Foundation and Sandy Hook Promise (SHP). Grant funds will be used by the school’s Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club to conduct activities and implement the Know The Signs violence prevention programs. SHP’s Know The Signs violence prevention programs educate youth and adults about mental health and wellness, identification of at-risk behaviors and how to take action and get help before a situation escalates. SHP was founded by several family members who lost loved ones in the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. As part of the Allstate Foundation grant, the school received educational materials, training for school and community activities, ongoing support and technical assistance for their youth violence prevention efforts, and opportunities to partner with local Allstate agents to further the cause. Through these efforts, thousands of students across North Carolina will be educated and directly engaged in SAVE Promise Club activities. SAVE Promise Clubs are led by students for students, which gives members the opportunity to lead the planning and execution of youth safety campaigns for their peers. The clubs plan activities around Sandy Hook Promise’s Know The Signs violence prevention programs and other activities aimed at creating a safer school and community environment. Club initiatives will also promote various national observances and events throughout the year, including SHP’s Say Something Week (October 16-20). Parent Teacher Magazine • January/February 2018 • 7