Competitions are all about reading and math
Third Place: Stanley Middle
It was all about reading and math as the
annual Battle of the Books, Math Masters,
and Math Elite competitions captured the
spotlight in Gaston County Schools.
n BATTLE OF THE BOOKS (Elementary
Schools - West Division)
First Place: Tryon Elementary
Second Place: W. Blaine Beam Intermediate
Third Place: Catawba Heights Elementary
Fourth Place: Lingerfeldt Elementary
Teams from elementary schools and middle
schools across the county participated in
the competitions, which gave the students
an opportunity to test their knowledge and
prove which schools really know the most
about reading and math.
n BATTLE OF THE BOOKS (Elementary
Schools - East Division)
First Place: Belmont Central Elementary
Second Place: Pinewood Elementary
Third Place: Carr Elementary
Fourth Place: Rankin Elementary
Here is a look at the winners:
n MATH MASTERS (Elementary Schools -
West Division)
First Place: Catawba Heights Elementary
Second Place: W.B. Beam Intermediate
Third Place: Tryon Elementary
Fourth Place: North Belmont Elementary Second Place: New Hope Elementary
Third Place: Pinewood Elementary
Fourth Place: Hawks Nest STEAM Academy n BATTLE OF THE BOOKS (Middle School)
First Place: Belmont Middle
Second Place: Cramerton Middle
Third Place: John Chavis Middle
n MATH MASTERS (Elementary Schools - East
Division)
First Place: Belmont Central Elementary n MATH ELITE (Middle Schools)
First Place: Cramerton Middle
Second Place: Belmont Middle Congratulations to our Battle of the Books, Math
Masters, and Math Elite winners for 2019!
Gaston earns high rankings in Career and Technical Education continued-
Buchanan said it is important for schools
to have connections with the business
community, and he points to three
programs – the Manufacturing Career
Expo, Students@Work, and Educators
in the Workplace – that have been
instrumental in showing students and
teachers what careers are available in
Gaston County.
“We want our students to know that
good jobs are available right here at
home,” said Buchanan. “We want to
provide training for students, and we
also want to introduce them to potential
employers and let them see what career
opportunities they can take advantage of
in Gaston County.”
The CTE oversight committee morphed into the Gaston County Schools
Business Advisory Council, which all school districts are required to have by
the state. The council is responsible for fostering a partnership between the
school district and local businesses to ensure that students are prepared
for life after graduation and have the skills necessary to be competitive in a
global workforce.
The Business Advisory Council members are:
Tim Gause, retired, Duke Energy – chairman
W. Jeffrey Booker, Superintendent of Schools
Greg Botner, Wilbert Plastics
Brett Buchanan, director of Career and Technical Education –
secretary
Bryan Denton, principal, Hunter Huss High School
Steve D’Avria, Gaston Regional
Chamber
Cindy Easterday, American & Efird
Susan Farmer, Pharr Yarns
John Lowery, Lowery Financial
Tony Powell, Firestone
Julie Roper, PSNC Energy
Patricia Skinner, president, Gaston
College
Chris Tolbert, Tindol Ford
Business Advisory Council chairman Tim
Gause said, “The local business community
is pleased to partner with Gaston County
Schools to support Career and Technical
Education programs. For business owners,
these programs are important because they help to teach, train, guide, and
empower students – our future employees – in a particular career area. We
are proud of the progress we have made in recent years, and we look forward
to seeing how Career and Technical Education grows and thrives in the years
ahead.”
One project the council has implemented over the past year is a billboard
campaign to promote high school CTE programs. The council has supported
a variety of special events and activities, including masonry and automotive
apprenticeship programs and the district’s first Career Signing Day.
Buchanan added, “Students cannot wait until they graduate from high
school to decide what they are going to do with their life. They have to start
thinking about their future in middle school and high school. That is why
Career and Technical Education is so important because it introduces students
to potential careers and helps to prepare them for their professional life.”
Parent Teacher Magazine • Mary/June 2019 • 9