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RCS students return to class Aug. 27

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While the 2015-16 school year began on July 15 for students at Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School, the new school year is just around the corner for other students throughout Rutherford County.

"We are excited to welcome our students back from a well-deserved summer break, and we look forward to advancing even farther this year in

several key initiatives that demonstrate the innovation underway throughout Rutherford County Schools," said superintendent Dr. Janet Mason.

Since 2011, Rutherford County Schools (RCS) has embraced digital learning through its Going GLOBAL initiative, providing students in grades six through twelve a laptop computer for educational use both at school and at home. This year, RCS will expand that effort to elementary schools across the county, providing students in grades kindergarten through five one-to-one access to personal computing devices.

"All fifth graders will have individual access to a laptop computer, and all students in grades kindergarten through four will have individual access to a tablet computer, in every classroom every day," Mason explained. "By putting leading technologies at our students' fingertips, we open up worlds of possibility that enrich their school experiences and create exciting new options for teaching and learning."

RCS will also expand college preparation and college access activities for middle school students in partnership with the McNair Educational Foundation during the 2015-16 school year through Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a competitive grant program of the U.S. Department of Education. The program aims to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education by providing States and local community-education partnerships six-to-seven year grants to offer specialized services to schools and students. In September,

RCS middle school students will participate in GEAR UP to Get REAL week. The event launches a year of GEAR UP early college awareness activities including college visits for all middle school students to one of five university campuses - Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Western Carolina University, Gardner-Webb University and Lenoir-Rhyne University. RCS will also partner with Isothermal Community

College this year to host three expos for middle school students focusing on college awareness, career exploration, and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

"At the high school level, we are beginning the next chapter in our ongoing work to provide early college opportunities to all students within the traditional high school setting," added Assistant Auperintendent Dr. David Sutton. "Chase, East and R-S Central high schools have been selected to partner with North Carolina New Schools in a next-generation grant project focused on further transforming the experiences of high school students. Each school will receive a variety of college access services through that organization and will, in turn, serve as demonstration sites for schools and school districts elsewhere in the United States who will visit their campuses to learn from their successes."

Reflecting on related work in recent years, Mason added, "By serving as demonstration sites, those three schools will enjoy a unique opportunity to help other educators across our state and nation better understand how to marry high school and college opportunities into a rich and rewarding experience that benefits all students."

Rutherford County Schools Vision is that all Rutherford County students will graduate prepared for college and career success. In compliance with federal law, Rutherford County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service in its policies, programs, activities, admissions or employment.

Additional information about the school district, including the 2015-16 school calendar, resources for students and parents, and upcoming events, is available at www.rcsnc.org. Parents are also encouraged to contact individual schools throughout the county to learn more.

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