Winter Wonderland

Six students + parents and siblings had a wonderful time in the Hospital School's Winter Wonderland organized and directed by preschool teacher Anna Hanlin with assistance from the teachers. The kids made snow, played pin the nose on Rudolph, painted ornaments, and had pictures taken in the photo booth. What an excellent beginning for winter break!!!

Carolina Blue Santa

 

Mason got to see Santa after doing Christmas themed writing and math assignments today in the clinic with Miss Michaella. We love your beautiful blue suit, Santa!

 

Kzon Receives his Wish!

 

Kzon Crenshaw received his Make A Wish, a decked out golf cart, at UNC Hospitals on Friday, Nov 22^nd.   He invited the medical staff, including his Hospital School Teacher Rob Tolbert, to the ceremony. Kzon has returned full time to his community school this year and is an inspiration to those who know him! We all hope Kzon has a great time at the race track with his new Golf Cart!

Be a Bone Detective!

The North Carolina Zoo brought a "Classroom Zoo to You EDventure" to the students in the Hospital School on Thursday. The students were invited to examine the skulls of various animals and guess the identity. Sounds of the animals were played as they were identified. The largest skull was from a polar bear and the smallest was a hummingbird. What did the students learn? "The most interesting things I learned is about the gorilla skull."  "The crocodile holds her eggs in her mouth to protect them." I learned about alligators, elephant teeth, hummingbirds, and monkeys." "Owl's ear holes are symmetrical." And a great time was had by all, thanks to Academic Troubadours, a new program funded by promise grant from the N.C.Children’s Promise, the fundraising arm of N.C. Children’s Hospital. 

Solar System Odyssey

Hospital School students were fortunate to have the opportunity to view the stars and planets in the Morehead Planetarium's portable unit set up today in the Children's Hospital lobby. Parents and teachers escorted the kids down to the air-filled dome (shoes had to wait outside) for an hour long adventure in outer space. The visit was provided by Healing and Hope Through Science, a program of the North Carolina Botanical Garden led by Katie Stoudemire who provides hands on science activities to hospitalized kids. "This was a perfect replication of a planetarium experience that delighted our students," teacher Mary Allen commented. Thanks to all involved for this fantastic experience that served not only to educate, entertain and distract kids from their medical conditions for awhile.

Caroline Hinton is a senior at Western Alamance High School and was hospitalized at UNC from July through October due to injuries sustained in a car accident.  The UNC Hospital School and Western Alamance High School worked together to provide Caroline’s educational services, teaching her Latin, Chemistry and English IV.  Her goal is to study Chemical Engineering and she hopes to do so at NC State starting in the Fall of 2014. 

Caroline’s independence and optimistic attitude have been an inspiration to the people who work with her.  The hospital staff, including the dedicated Rehab staff, worked hard to accommodate her school services.  Caroline’s only complaint about the Hospital School was that we couldn’t fit more schoolwork into her busy rehab schedule. . . What a student!
Watch Caroline co-host "60 Seconds" with Jeff Nash!

Real Men Wear Pink!

Real men wear pink! On September 20^th, the PinkHeals campaign visited the UNC Cancer and Children’s Hospitals. The Pink Heals campaign is an organization of police officers, teachers, politicians and firefighters that drive across the country raising money for the strong women in our communities battling cancer. The group arrived in a brightly colored brigade of fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars, all painted pink and signed by thousands supporting the health and strength of their loved ones. We appreciate the commitment these men and women make to inspiring others with their mission of love and hope! Be sure to visit their site and Like them on Facebook!

NC Aquarium Visits!

On September 12 the North Carolina Aquarium from Pine Knoll Shores made a visit to the Hospital School. Several students, parents, siblings and nurses made their way to the 7th floor classroom to meet the animals and their handlers, Nicole and Sam. One of the students, Cameron D., wrote about his experience.

I really enjoyed seeing the sea creatures.  The animals are super cool.  I learned that starfish have eyes on the end of each leg. The coolest thing I liked was seeing the Spider Crab. The most interesting fact was knowing that starfish can regrow their legs. I want to learn more about jellyfish. Also I want to learn more about sea turtles and their life.

The Aquarium brought sea urchins, hermit crabs and a horseshoe crab in addition to the starfish. The Giant Red Hermit Crab had to be put in a timeout cooler because he ate one of the smaller hermit crabs! This visit is a wonderful opportunity for the students to see live sea creatures up close and personal.

Bạn có nói ngôn ngữ của tôi?

We have wonderful tutors here at the Hospital School who are ready to jump right in and help out in any situation where they are needed.  Recently, new tutor Sandy was called on to help a high school student with her math assignments.

N.H. was a high school student, who had emigrated from Vietnam about 2 years ago.   She spoke and understood some English although, in working with her, it soon became clear that she struggled. The teacher asked Sandy to work with her on a math worksheet. She was unaware that Sandy was also Vietnamese and was soon surprised to hear Sandy explaining the math concepts to her in her native language.  N.H. seemed delighted and her whole face lit up to be able to talk and understand free of  the language barrier. Sandy explained that she is conversationally fluent in Vietnamese but had never instructed anyone in Vietnamese, not to mention having to teach in the specific language of math. Both young women were pleased with the chance encounter and the teacher was very happy that her student was able to have a successful day in school.

"Bạn có nói ngôn ngữ của tôi?" translates to "Do you speak my language?"

 

Congratulations Hailey!

Congratulations to Hailey Chapman, 2013 graduate of Lenoir High School!  Despite periodic hospitalizations throughout high school, Hailey excelled academically and was also very active with the publication of her school newspaper.  It’s no surprise that her favorite subject was English! Hailey plans to pursue degrees in Journalism and Education, and maybe even become a teacher herself.  Best Wishes, Hailey!  With your hard work and dedication we know you will succeed at whatever you do.

Mini Museum

During her recent hospitalization Erica Saunders, a rising fourth grade student,  created her very own “Mini Museum”  for Hospital staff, patients, and families based on her research of the Weaver Bird.  Admission was free (smile) and about 20 visitors thoroughly enjoyed Erica’s lively presentation and handmade artifacts.

Rising Middle Schooler Receives Diploma from the Hospital School

A student from Avery county was disappointed to find himself in the hospital on the day of his 5^th grade graduation.  After talking with his parents, Hospital Teacher, Karen Weatherly, surprised him with an official presentation of a personalized graduation certificate!  Happiness and pride were evident in his smile!!!