_________________________________________
"Swan Quarter" Ferry Vessel Christened
November 7th, 2011
The N.C. Department of Transportation christened the new Motor Vessel "Swan Quarter". State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti was joined by other state and local officials at the special ceremony on Monday, November 7th. Betsy Conti christened the vessel. 7 Mattamuskeet Campus students were invited to be part of the christening ceremony by reciting the pledge of allegiance. Students ranged from 5th to 8th grade.
The 220-foot long vessel will carry 50 vehicles and 300 passengers on the Pamlico Sound routes from Swan Quarter and Cedar Island to Ocracoke. The $13 million contract was awarded in October 2009 to Orange Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas. The ferry was delivered to the shipyard in Manns Harbor in late October 2011. The new vessel meets the Americans With Disabilities Act by featuring an ADA-compliant elevator and moves 25 percent faster than existing Sound Class boats; meets Environmental Protection Agency standards for diesel emissions; and is the first of two sister ships that will join the division’s existing four Sound Class ferries. It will continue the tradition of ferries being affiliated with state universities showing the Elon University colors and logo.
GREEN BAY PACKER CJ WILSON VISITS MATTAMUSKEET
On Friday, February 24, Green Bay Packer #98 Mr. C.J. Wilson (given name Clifford James Wilson), an American football defensive end, accompanied by his brother Daniel visited Mattamuskeet Elementary School. Mr. Wilson is a native of near-by Belhaven, NC and is known personally by many local Hyde County residents.
MES Principal, Mr. Coleman welcomed Mr. Wilson and his brother on campus after which they were taken to the school’s multipurpose room where excited students and teachers were waiting to meet him. After being introduced by Mr. Coleman, Mr. Wilson stood before the students for a brief talk and a word to encourage them to…. “work toward your dream”.
After talking with the students Mr. Wilson was presented with a $100 check from the MES PTO for his “Helping Hands” Foundation. Each of the Elementary grades presented him with tokens of appreciation for his visit such as; a wreath with a poster message saying “All Hands Can Help” from Mrs. Woolard’s class, a banner with student hand prints representing a flock of birds or a flock of helping hands from Mrs. Ludolph’s class, a rousing rendition of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” never giving up and a Sunflower friendship hand with their handprints on it from Mrs. Cox and Mrs. Shelton and Mrs. Hollowell’s first grades, a “sunshine” face with a picture of the class on it from Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Swindell’s second grade. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Spencer’s third grades presented a “Thumbs Up CJ Wilson” poster with Mr. Wilson’s #98, their thumb prints and a football on it. Mrs. Gill and Mrs. Chestnutt’s fourth grades presented him with a cheer, a football and a poster with their handprints and signatures on it. Mrs. Etheridge and Mrs. Parker’s fifth grades shook hands with him and presented him with a book. They also had their picture taken with Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Coleman reports that Mr. Wilson and his brother Daniel greatly enjoyed their time with MES and left the campus feeling welcomed and valued. Mr. Wilson said he would come back and visit us again next year.
MES FIRST GRADES CELEBRATE READING/WRITING
The First Grade Reading/Writing Celebration event was held on Wednesday, February 29th at 6:00 pm in the MES multipurpose room. An estimated 70 to 80 people attended.
Those invited included 34 MES students' families, Hyde County Schools Administration, the Hyde County BOE, Hyde County Commissioners and County Manager. The students wore a yellow t-shirt with all of their names on the back.
Mrs. Mamie Brimmage and some of the cafeteria staff and Mrs. Sharon Burris-Slade’s class prepared a delightful menu with foods such as: hot chicken wings, chicken salad & pimento cheese sandwiches, chips & assorted dips, veggie trays and an assortment of drinks. Mrs. Hollowell, and Mrs. Ballance, bought two cakes for the event that had a picture of the First Graders imprinted in the icing of the cake.
It was a very exciting and entertaining event for all involved. The students performed several songs and a couple of them sat in a rocking chair and read special books written and illustrated by the class. Congratulations go out to the students and their teachers for a job well done.
Kindergarten and Fourth grade planted tulips in the flower bed near the Elementary School flagpole, according to specific scientific protocol. Data is reported online to track when the tulips will emerge and bloom in various areas. The purpose of the study is to track when Spring will come to each area of the globe.
Students will get plenty of practice observing and recording weather data, measuring tulip growth, and making scientific predictions. The study also promotes global awareness. Mrs. Woolard’s Kindergarten, Mrs. Ludolph's Kindergarten and Mrs. Chestnutt's Fourth Grade classes are among the participants in the Tulips Project.
(Learn more about this project at http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tulip/index.html)
