Starting From Scratch

BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP

NEW NORTH RALEIGH CAMPUS PRINCIPAL OPTIMISTIC, POSITIVE ABOUT TODAY’S STUDENTS

Though the structure has been open as a swing school since 2019 for two schools undergoing major renovations, the Wake County Public School campus at 12004 Strickland Road in North Raleigh is finally home to one of the System’s newest elementary schools.

Barton Pond Elementary officially opens in August for the first time to about 400 K-5 students. And Stephanie Costa is understandably happy to be at the helm.

“I am most excited about having a once in a lifetime opportunity to build from the ground up,” said Costa, Barton Pond’s new Principal. “And I intend to recruit staff from a variety of backgrounds who share a vision of creating a loving environment focused on the growth of our students, and the engagement of the school community.”

Costa said she wanted to be an educator from a young age. “As a child, I played teacher, in high school I volunteered in the art program for students with special needs. And I received a North Carolina Teaching Fellowship and later became a “Teach for America” Corps Member,” she said.

She attributes her decision to pursue a career in education to her community-oriented church, which provided opportunities to serve others. Costa also credits Ari Cohen – her former Principal at Leesville Elementary, who encouraged her to explore school leadership, which led her to secure a North Carolina Principal Fellowship.

Most recently the Principal at Brassfield Elementary, Costa is a North Carolina native, educated at UNC Chapel Hill, and she now leads a staff of 60. And she’s very eager for the new traditional school year to begin.

“I am extremely optimistic about the positive impact that our youth will have on our society,” she said. “I encourage students to share their visions for how they will make the world a better place. Students have an innate sense of empathy, kindness and social justice. It is our job as adults to nurture this compassion and support our children in becoming the incredible adults they envision themselves to be.”

While forging a unique identity and traditions at the new school, Costa said she will also honor the traditions and experiences that students, staff, and families had at their prior schools. “I maintain a strong focus on growing students from where they are and believe we must work to support both their academic and social-emotional development,” she stressed. “This will re-engage families into the school and…provide support needed to open lines of communication between parent, student, and teacher.”

The new Principal has a lot of pride in the new facility and its positive impact on students. “Our campus was designed and built with collaboration in mind,” she said. “All of our hallways open into beautiful joint spaces. And glass retractable doors – plus walls of windows – provide an abundance of natural light and a view of the woods that surround us.”.

I maintain a strong focus on growing students from where they are and believe we must work to support both their academic and socialemotional development.

STEPHANIE COSTA Barton Pond Elementary Principal

STEPHANIE COSTA

AGE: 37 HOMETOWN: Charlotte POSITION: Barton Pond Elementary Principal

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

Brassfield Elementary Principal (WCPSS) Githens Middle Asst Principal (Durham) Teacher (Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Durham) EDUCATION: UNC Chapel Hill (BA, Elementary Education, Master of School Administration (MSA), Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership (Ed.S.) FAMILY: Joseph Costa (spouse); James (age 4), Kate (age 2) INTERESTS: Outdoor activities with family; thrift shopping; refinishing midcentury modern furniture

I intend to recruit my staff from a variety of backgrounds who share a vision of creating a loving environment

focused on the growth of our students, and the engagement of the school community.

STEPHANIE COSTA Barton Pond Elementary Principal

But she said her immediate concern now is for the school to provide a nice welcome to the new students to campus in August.

“In order to make Barton Pond feel like home before the school year begins, we have arranged community playdates and school summer tours,” Costa said. “My goal is for Barton Pond to be the pride of the Wake County Public School System.“ Stephanie Costa 60 400 (in inaugural year) K-5 Traditional Bullfrog @BartonPondES youtu.be/KVUOEt2fg0I 12004 Strickland Rd, North Raleigh

BARTON POND ELEMENTARY

PRINCIPAL: STAFF: STUDENT COUNT: GRADES: CALENDAR: MASCOT: SOCIAL MEDIA: YOUTUBE: ADDRESS:

CURRENT GALLERY EXHIBITIONS

at North Raleigh’s Sertoma Arts Center continue through June 29 – featuring painting, mixed media and pottery.

The exhibitions are free and open to the public. Exhibition hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Among the exhibitions:

Shawn Etheridge

A native of Elizabeth City, NC, Etheridge has created art since childhood. A graduate of North

Carolina Central University, he majored in Public Administration – while minoring in Visual Art.

His work has been displayed in numerous establishments spanning the East Coast, with his base being in the Raleigh-Durham area – in addition to works in permanent collections.

Prominent owners of his work include public figures Erykah Badu and Dr. Cornel West. Shawn's current, ongoing project is a series of paintings celebrating the country's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Andy McKenzie

Roderick A. McKenzie III (Andy) has more than 20 years working in clay.

He has dedicated his life and his work to creating and educating others in all aspects of the ceramics arts.

Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

Dian Sourelis

Dian is a lifelong resident of Chicago, currently living in rural North Carolina.

She is the daughter of abstract painter Stanley Sourelis, one of the original members of Chicago’s Wells Street Gallery group in the 1950s. Dian grew up around painters, poets and musicians and loved making constructions out of what she found while playing and riding her bike in her Hyde Park neighborhood.

This, along with the encouragement of her artistic family, laid the groundwork for future experimentation and a life of making art.

Sertoma Arts Center is located at 1400 Millbrook Road in North Raleigh. For more information, email sertomaartscenter@raleighnc.com or call 919-996-2329.

Helping Clients Crush Health & Fitness Goals

By JENNIFER O’KORN Owner/General Manager

Iam so excited about bringing SPENGA to the Raleigh community. SPENGA North Raleigh opened Dec. 1, 2021, in Celebration Station at Six Forks.

What is SPENGA you ask? It is an unrivaled fitness experience. Unlike any studio of its kind, SPENGA combines three essential elements of fitness to create what’s simply known as the BEST. WERKOUT. EVER.

We believe strong bodies and minds are created through the power of spin (ride), strength (rep) and yoga (revive). When your fitness routine works, life just works too. That’s why each 60-minute SPENGA session boosts your endurance, strengthens your muscles, and restores your body through a combination of spin, strength and yoga.

Our unique studio fills a gap in the fitness market and delivers a low impact cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training during every session. Our studio is dedicated specifically to each element of the workout, invigorating aromatherapy and energizing DJ-inspired beats maximizing your performance and results.

In short, you’ll be on the fast track to discovering your fittest self.

But that’s not all we’re about, SPENGA is a community of like-minded individuals all looking to make the most out of their lives and their workouts.

Our studio prides itself on supporting all our members no matter where they are in their fitness journey. Maintaining a consistent fitness regimen helps you become your happiest, healthiest self which is a WIN for all! Come in for a FREE session to experience the BEST. WERKOUT. EVER.

In addition, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instragram @Spenga North Raleigh to see all the latest and greatest at our studio. We look forward to helping you crush your health and fitness goals.

SPENGA North Raleigh is located at 7435 Six Forks Road. For more information, call 919-420-3839, email jennifer@spengaraleigh.com or visit spenga.com.

OPEN IN LEESVILLE

RENOVATIONS FINISHED AT LAKE LYNN CENTER

Raleigh Parks and Recreation Photo

Lake Lynn Community Center in Leesville is now open, following an open house in May highlighting the renovations and improvements of the facility.

Community Center staff and instructors were on hand at the event to provide information and assist in guiding visitors through the improved Center.

Visitors also were able to learn about programming, rental and employment opportunities.

The Center is located at Lake Lynn Park and has a 2.8-mile greenway trail around Lake Lynn, a batting cage, four tennis courts, two bocce courts, a youth baseball field and a playground. The Lake Lynn Community Center includes a gymnasium with basketball courts, meeting room, art room, dance studio, and more.

The renovated facility is located at 7921 Ray Rd. in North Raleigh. Visit raleighnc. gov/places/lake-lynn-park or call 919-8702911 for more information. Renovated Lake Lynn Community Center now open

North Raleigh Short Takes

n Roy Roberson – an assistant basketball at North Carolina

State University – is the new

Sanderson High Head Boys

Basketball Coach. He replaces Brian Shaffer. n A road construction project at Raleigh-Durham International Airport that began in

May on International Drive from the intersection of John

Brantley Blvd. to Commerce

Drive will potentially disrupt traffic through November this year. n Leesville Road High’s yearbook staff was recognized for excellence and featured in Jostens Look

Book celebrating the best of the best in yearbook design and inclusivity. n City of Raleigh’s Fourth of

July fireworks are planned at Dorothea Dix Park. The free celebration is on the Big

Field – and includes music and field games. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show is at 9:30 p.m. n City of Raleigh temporarily closed the east side of the

Lake Lynn Loop Trail due to needed repairs involving grading, draining and tree roots – and repaving and widening the trails from 8 ft. to 10 ft. Repairs are expected to be completed in fall 2002. n Improvements are under way at Leesville Road

High’s Hamilton Stadium, including adding a new track and making electricity more accessible.

North RaleighEvents & Activities

6/29 North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce June Business After Hours, 5-7 pm; networking opportunity, sponsored by The Iron Oaks and Todd Harrison Realty; refreshments and indoor golf simulator; 3800 Glenwood Ave, Suite 120, Raleigh. Registration required at 919-760-6415. 7/4 Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park 4th of July Fireworks on the Big Field; gates open at 6 pm, and fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. 7/14-8/18 Game Creators: Learn to design your own game, designing the rules, the board and the game pieces and more, 4-6 p.m., Thursdays; age 7-10; $100 fee for Raleigh residents ($115 for non-residents). Sertoma Arts Center, 1400 Millbrook Rd, Raleigh. For more information, email sertomaartscenter@ raleighnc.com or call 919-996-2329. Wednesdays Rotary Club of North Raleigh, Weekly Lunch Talks, 12:30-1:30 pm Wednesday; Sertoma Arts Center, 1400 W. Millbrook Rd, Raleigh. Info: northraleighrotary.org. Saturdays Midtown Farmers’ Market, 8 am-Noon; celebrating 15 years through Nov; North Hills Common, North Raleigh. Info: visitnorthhills.com.