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!!!

Hospital School Extreme Makeover

UNC Healthcare has been updating flooring and paint in the Children's Hospital so it is now the school's turn for a makeover. The teachers sorted through the files and files of papers that had accumulated over ten years and on Friday March 29 everything was picked up and taken to storage. If all the work is on schedule, we will move back into our new quarters on Monday April 8. In the meantime, the Pediatric teachers from Children's Hospital have taken one box each of files and supplies  to the other part of our school in the Neuroscience Hospital, sharing office space with our colleagues.  Shortly after we move back in there will be a grand opening and dedication of the Lookout Terrace which is right outside of our area. We are looking forward to new beginnings and spring weather on the horizon.
View slideshow here.

Mini Moo Update

Our two mini moos were packed up and taken off to a great adventure a month ago.  "Dottie" will make an appearance at Run for the Derby, an event held on Kentucky Derby Day, May 4."Cows in Children's Literature" was successfully auctioned on eBay.  Proceeds from the mini moos will help support the NC Children's Hospital. The Literature Cow's new owners contacted us when they found out that she was painted by patients at the Children's Hospital. Here are excerpts from an email from Dr. Wallace D. Brown who is a doctor in the Pediatric Clinic here in the hospital who gathered funds from his colleagues to bid on her.

"Our purpose is to have her highlight the importance of reading and books to parents and children as they are in the Waiting Room as they wait to be called  for their appointments. We plan to have her in a small corral such that the kids can touch and pet, but not climb on her and have all the books that are displayed on the cow available for reading. These books will be kept in her pasture at her feet  so they are forever present hoping to keep the flame alive for parents reading to their children... We are eager to get the cow on display and functional as soon as we can construct her mini-corral."

We are very happy that the mini moo our students worked on has found the best home possible right here in the Hospital!