Parent Teacher Magazine Cabarrus County Schools Jan.Feb 2019 | Page 2

Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Congratulations to R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary for receiving a $39,726.38 Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant! The Champions Grants are awarded annually to K-12 public and charter schools in and around Chandra and Jimmie’s hometowns in California and Oklahoma, as well as their current residence in North Carolina. “Schools have so many, wide-ranging needs,” Jimmie Johnson said. “We were very impressed by this year’s applications, and we’re thrilled to be able to support these important projects through the Champions Grant program.” This year, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant awards included $183,555 toward science and technology programs, $63,206.37 toward language and literacy initiatives, $39,726.38 for health and wellness activities, and $22,096.71 toward school improvement projects. MPMS Sends Supplies Mount Pleasant Middle School students gathered supplies and socks for Union Middle School which was recently impacted by Hurricane Florence. The “Sock it to the Flo” campaign brought in more than 1,600 items to be delivered to students in Sampson County!  Board Cork news Hamilton Performing Artist Residency at Cox Mill High School The Cox Mill High School Dance Ensembles hosted Mr. Brandt Martinez for a day of master classes. Mr. Martinez is an ensemble cast member and dancer in the musical theater production Hamilton which is touring the United States. Hamilton is currently being performed nightly at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte. Providing the CMHS dance students with an opportunity to learn from a current performing artist within their skill set area could be likened to hosting a strength and conditioning clinic with Luke Kuechly, a creative writing symposium with J.K. Rowling, or a culinary masterclass with Gordon Ramsey. Guest artist Brandt Martinez is originally from Peoria, Arizona where he trained at a very young age at Spisak Dance Academy. He later furthered his dance education at Tempe Dance Academy where he learned many different styles that make him the versatile dancer he is today. He is internationally known as a teacher, dancer, and choreographer who has danced all over the nation and has performed in over fifteen different countries since 2009. Beyond Hamilton, his musical theatre production experience includes appearances in Moulin Rouge, Aladdin, and Fiddler on the Roof.