Claxton mural dedication photos in Asheville Citizen Times

The Claxton Mural Beautification project is now complete!

It involves restoring the 2nd floor mural. The project was closely tied to the curriculum of the grades on that floor (second and third) and is linked to the exploration of global cultures and community through the Social Studies Essential Standards.

Ian Wilkinson, the artist in residence, is Director of the Asheville Mural Project (AMP), a nonprofit program that utilizes the mural arts to empower the community and celebrate our culture and history.

Our students were given the task of illuminating the concept of a global/community connection to understand the global, historical, societal, and cultural contexts of the visual arts. Creating this mural and tying the themes to curriculum benefited the entire Claxton community and reflects favorably on Claxton's commitment to the arts.

This mural project has been a dream for some time, and we have been working on securing funding for over 2 years. It is with great joy that we wish to thank the North Carolina Arts Council and the Asheville City Schools Foundation for generous funding.

The Asheville Citizen Times attended the Mural celebration and has a Slideshow up of the celebration at http://www.citizen-times.com/search/claxton/

The Claxton Beautification Mural project was supported by the N.C. Arts Council,

a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

Summer Escape at the Media Center!

Every Monday 11am to 3pm in the Media Center

from June 16th to August 11th.

Each session will include lunch, read aloud, craft/activity, and gardening.  Students who attend 6 out the 9 sessions will be entered into a raffle to win an iPad at the end of the summer!!

Important Dates to Remember:
June 16th - Summer Kick-off
August 11th - End of Summer Luau

Check your Thursday Folders for registration forms and ways you can help support summer reading!

Calling All Compost Bins

With the support of Asheville GreenWorks, we will have classroom compost bins beginning next school year.  Our mission over the summer is to collect enough bins for each classroom.

We currently need 19 bins!

Containers like the one pictured above make perfect classroom compost bins because they have an easy open lid.

Please collect bins from friends and neighbors and bring them by the parent workroom.  We will be collecting them throughout the summer.

Last Day of School Dismissal

Due to the new NC legislation requiring all testing to be done in the last 10 days of school, elementary principals have decided to extend the last day of school to a full day in order to accommodate all of our end of school traditions.

Claxton will let out at 2:30

Getting Back to the Basics Camp: volunteers needed

30 volunteers are needed for the Getting Back to the Basics (GBTTB) – 2014 Annual Enrichment Camp.  The goal of camp is to empower students at Asheville Middle School in making positive life choices that will maximize their social and academic potential. This effort is made possible, through collaborative programming with schools and other community-based organizations.

In addition, we provide educational, social, and mentoring opportunities to enhance the academic performance, community connections, and career options of the family.

The camp starts July 13th - July 18, 2014.

GBTTB Enrichment Camp is a week-long camp for Asheville Middle School students, which offers them the opportunity to learn responsibility, build self-confidence, and develop leadership skills. These services must be delivered through a variety of auditory, visual, emotional and experiential activities which include:

1.      Professional and dining etiquette training

2.      Confidence building (high and low ropes course)

3.      Skills/Team building

4.      Financial management / camp fire cooking / the power of your voice

5.      Outdoor and water sport activities

Water sports activities consist of whitewater rafting, swimming, fishing, as well as team building activities.  Student’s who complete camp will be assigned a mentor for one year.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact me via phone or email:

Tanya Presha – GBTTB Volunteers/Mentoring Advisor                 (828) 273-1704
tanya.presha@asheville.k12.nc.us                                         

In closing, we would like thank all of you for being devoted to helping children and making a positive difference in their lives. We hope camping will be a positive experience, filled with personal growth for all involved.