C.A. Johnson High School E3: Excelling and Exceeding Expectations!
Volume 4, Issue 3 March 2021
A Word from the Principal
Spring is my favorite season. Many poets and musicians have written poems or songs about the four seasons. And one of my favorite tunes is "Up Jump Spring” by Freddy Hubbard, a great jazz trumpet player that I had the opportunity to meet many years ago in Chicago, Ill. This tune is upbeat, and it has a comfortable and simple feel. We are now beginning to experience warmer weather, and the sun is casting its bright rays of hope on our faces. We must refrain from letting the gains we have experienced during the fall/winter season be diminished during our spring/ summer season. We must put forth even more effort to improve in our future educational endeavors. We must have high expectations for student learning and teaching outcomes.
In the words of Mr. Stroman, "We Can Do It!” Parents, faculty, staff, and community, we can only do it by working together to ensure that our organizational goals and expectations are of the highest standards. I am reminded of great track coaches who emphasize having the extra kick needed to get through the backstretch. Well, we are now in the backstretch, and we must now give it the extra kick to make it to the finish line. What we do now will impact how we finish the race. We must finish strong.
We must stand firm and persevere regardless of the situation. Hornet Family, we must work together for our students' good. We must put forth 100 percent effort in the making of C. A. Johnson High School Great Again!!!
"Aim High” is The United States Air Force's motto. I challenge each of you to aim high and to Respectfully Yours, do your best during this final leg of the race. Keep in mind that we must still operate in the Interim Principal bowels of this devastating pandemic and its impact on our communities; emotionally, economically, and mentally.
Isaac McClinton
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“You become what you Believe.” Oprah Winfrey Congratulations students on your accomplishments in the following organizations:
1st and 2nd Semester Students
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), National Technical Honor Society (NTHS), & Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) FBLA Bates, Markeitha (VP) Byrd, Kayson (P) Chestnut, Sanaa McBride, Zaria (S/T) Person, Niasia Waden, Brianna NTHS Davis, Paris Eleazer, Elisabeth Seabrook, Aaisha Williams, Adrieanna Williams, Donald
HOSA Chestnut, Sanaa (P) Eleazer, Elisabeth Goff, Rori Keitt, Kamani Nick, Jayla Norris, Zaniiya Pearson, Niasia (VP) Seabrook, Aaisha Seabrook, Destiny Wilson, Tylia (S/T)
Tylia Wilson is CTE student of the year!
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Miss Charlotte Bishop, 9th Grade ELA Teacher What is your educational background? Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina and Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary English from Winthrop University. What inspired you to become a teacher? My love of poetry and writing and how I enjoy working with young people. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? I like home organization and decorating. What makes a ‘good day’ at school? I know it has been a good day when I can tell a student walked away knowing something they did not know before my class. What accomplishment fills you with pride so far this year? That I made it through my first semester of teaching. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them and why? I would take them to the Globe Theater in London. It is a replica of the theater Shakespeare used, and I would want them to appreciate that setting and history and the literature associated with it. What advice do you have for students who are struggling at school? Do not be afraid to ask for help. Ask questions. Be an active participant in the class. What is your favorite thing about working at C.A. Johnson High School? I like the sense of community among the staff. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? It is never too late to turn. You can change your life at any time. If you can have a superpower, what will it be? to sing exceptionally well.
Mr. Barry Charley, P.E. Teacher What is your educational background? B.S. Degree in Physical Education from The University of South Carolina, Columbia, Master of Education in Counselor Education from South Carolina State University, and Educational Specialist Degree in Administration from South Carolina State University. What inspired you to become a teacher? To help students to become successful in life. I love motivating others to reach their potential and getting them to believe in themselves. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? I have had struggles in my life like most of them, and I deal with ups and downs in my daily life too. They would also be surprised to know that I most believe in a Higher Being for me to make it in life. Above all, I am only human, just like them, and I make mistakes. What makes a “good day” at school? Everyone obeying the rules creates a ‘good day’ at school. What accomplishments fill you with pride so far this year? Despite the pandemic, I was filled with joy to see how the administration, faculty, and staff work together to stay focused to improve student achievement. I am so filled with joy to be a part of this school and be accepted by everyone. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them and why? It would be in a beautiful neighborhood and community of hard-working people of color to show them that others just like them made it because of the right decisions made early in life. If they make good decisions early in life, they could live the same way. What advice do you have for students who are struggling at school? Keep dreaming and believing that struggles don’t last forever and a change is going to come and to “Never Give Up.” What is your favorite thing about working at C.A. Johnson High School? The potential I see in the faculty, staff, and students. We have the potential to be an “Exemplary” School. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? To first respect yourself, classmates, and all adults but most importantly, to have the ultimate respect for their parents. If you can have a superpower, what will it be? To have everyone, especially young students, look in the future to see what their life would be like every 10 years. Hopefully, this would help them in making better decisions in their current life.
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AVID —Advancement Via Individual Determination By: David Dawson Hello Hornet Family, The second semester has gotten off to a great start and presented us with several growth opportunities. We are currently accepting AVID applications from our feeder middle schools of Alcorn Middle and W.A. Perry, and our teachers' recommendations. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a nonprofit college-readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in college. The AVID program emphasizes growing, writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization, and reading skills. During AVID, students will engage in the college application process while exploring possible careers. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges we face daily are pushing us all to adapt to and work through the many obstacles confronting us this school year. Despite all the challenges facing us, we can reach uncharted achievement heights this school year. AVID will help students to grow new skills and discover strengths unimaginable to ourselves. Come on, join us!
Message from Mrs. Cindy Andre-Noel, Parent & Family Engagement Specialist Richland One, Office of Federal & State Programs Cell: 803-741-6783 Fax: 803-929-3877 Email: cindy.andre-noel@richlandone.org
Stress Management
What is Stress? Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stress is your body’s reaction to a challenge or demand. In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. Stress is an Automatic Physical Reaction to a Danger or Demand! When the body is under stress: Muscles tighten blood pressure rises the heart speeds up extra adrenaline rushes through your system. This reaction is an age - old survival response. Its purpose is to give the extra strength needed to fight off danger – or to flee from it . Everyone feels the effects of stress. Stress is a fact of life. And some stress can be good for you because it helps inspire you to meet life’s challenges. But too much stress can harm your physical and mental well-being. That’s why you need to be able to control stress – so it doesn’t control you.
You can learn to manage stress! So You feel: Calm -instead of nervous In Control – instead of hassled Alive –instead of burned out At Peace – instead of angry Refreshed and Renewed – instead of Frazzled
Some Physical Signs of Stress: Nervousness * Muscle Tension Upset stomach * Lack of energy Trouble Sleeping * Headaches
Where to find more information Your Hospital – Many hospitals offer special stress management programs. Your Library – Check out the many books and magazine articles available on stress. Other Sources –Don’t overlook these important sources of information: Mental health centers or counselors, Leaders at your place of worship, Employers, School Counselors, Health Centers, Employee Assistance Programs . The U. S. Government -Contact: National Institute of Mental Health. 1-866-615- NIMH (Toll-free) 1-866-615-6464, 1-866-415-8051or www.nimh.nih.gov
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Being Prepared and Healthy Begin with You! By Nurse Angela Scipio, C.A. Johnson H.S. School COVID– 19 & Vaccines On 2/1/2021, I received my first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTec COVID-19 Vaccine to prevent Coronavirus disease caused by SARS-Cov2. The process took less than 30 minutes including: signing in/short history form, vaccine administration and post vaccine( 15 min.) wait time. Vaccine administration was mild, no arm soreness or side effects as of 2/2/2021. My first dose was “A good experience.”
If you meet the current requirements and need to locate a vaccine location, please visit, SCDHEC’s website: https://scdhec.gov/covid19. Also to want to know the status of Richland School District 1 COVID-19, please visit #restartstrong webpage at https://www.richlandone.org/domain/2672
What Vaccines are Recommended for You Immunizations are not just for children. Protection from some childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You may also be at risk for vaccine-preventable disease due to your age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions. All adults need immunizations to help them prevent getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills, and not being able to care for family. All adults need a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year. Flu vaccine is especially important for people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and older adults. Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. In addition, women should get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36
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Hornets
Happy Birthday, Mr. James Thompson Mr. James Thompson celebrated 100 birth years on January 22, 2021! He has been a staple in the C.A. Johnson High School community for 100 years. Mr. Thompson remembers when this area was just land and cows. On his 100th birthday, he received more than 300 birthday cards, a proclamation, and a key to the City of Columbia. The most remarkable thing is that his father also received the same honor when he was 100 years old! Mr. Thompson attended Little Leevy Primary and Benedict Primary Schools. He is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. His five (5) daughters all graduated from C.A. Johnson High School: Thedra, Laura, Francis, Levora, and Latonya.
Our Social Worker Corner: Matilta Johnson, LMSW, Richland County School District One, School Social Worker, CA Johnson High School (803) 253-7092, ext. 2558 Office, (803) 414-7376 Cell, (803) 253-5713 Fax Email: matilta.johnson@richlandone.org Greetings Hornet Family! We survived 1st semester and merged into the 2nd semester, and despite it all, we are surviving and pushing through this pandemic! As your School Social Worker, I am here and always available to provide support to ensure that our students are provided with the best and most appropriate resources to assist them educationally, socially, and emotionally. I consider it a blessing to have this opportunity to serve the Hornets Community. I have a passion for working with people and a skill set that I have obtained over the years working in social work to enhance people's lives, especially children and families. I possess a no-limits mindset and look forward to engaging in every opportunity to increase our children and their families' ability to thrive educationally, emotionally, and practically. By working with parents/guardians, teachers, school administration, and community partners, I will continue implementing strategies that promote students' positive social adjustment. Stay safe, remain encouraged, and remember to be kind to yourself and speak life over yourself and others. I am always available, so please contact me.
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Teacher of the Year 21-22 Harry Williams
Classified Employee of the Year 21-22
Jamaal Williams
Students, Faculty, Staff, & Administrators Virtual Tutoring: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:20 to 5.00p.m.
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C.A. Johnson High School 2219 Barhamville Road Columbia, SC 29204 Phone: 803-253-7092 Fax: 803-929-3877
C.A. Johnson Mission
Mr. Isaac McClinton, Interim Principal Dr. MiUndrae Prince, Executive Director of Schools Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent
C.A. Johnson High School will transform the lives of every student by empowering them to explore and pursue their post-secondary and career aspirations.
C.A. Johnson Vision We’re on the Web & Twitter
C.A. Johnson High School will create a culture of excellence through proactive and continuously evolving program structures that accommodate the needs of its student population and community.
We are all in this Together! Assistant Principals Mrs. Nicole Irby, Grade 12 Dr. Joseph Melvin, Grades 11 & 10 Mr. Kevin Wilson, Grade 9
Mar. 2
Interims mailed
Mar. 3
SAT at CAJ
Mar. 13
SAT at desired location
Mr. Dameon Franklin
Mar. 16
PTO/SIC Meeting 5:30—6:30 p.m.
School Counselors
Mar. 26
PD for teachers. Early Release Date for students
Apr. 1
End of the Third Nine Weeks
Apr. 5-9
Spring Break
Apr. 15
Report Cards Issued
Apr. 20
PTO/SIC Meeting Family Game Night
Apr. 22
Parent-Teachers Conference
May 31
Memorial Day Holiday
Administrative Assistant Mrs. Paula Wrighten
Athletic Director
Mrs. Carolyn Howell, Director of School Counseling Grades 12 & 11 Mrs. Yolanda Hawkins-Fanning, 9th & 10 Grades Counselor Mr. Dennis Green, Job Coach
Graduation Coach Mrs. Juanita Wilson
Social Worker Ms. Matilta Johnson
Library Media Specialist Mrs. Tammie Dreher Wells