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							<title>Union County Public Schools - Feature News Stories</title>
							<link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/</link>
							<description>Current news items and stories of interest from Union County Public Schools in Monroe, NC</description>
							<language>en-us</language>
							<image>
								<title>Union County Public Schools - Feature News Stories</title>
								<url>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/logos/thumbnails/UCPS_Logo_Tagline_575.png</url>
								<link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/</link>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36450</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Transition Fair helps prepare EC students for the work force</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36450</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sonya Clark, an Assistive Technology specialist, with NC Assistive Technology Program, demonstrates adaptive equipment for individuals with disabilities during the sixth annual UCPS Exceptional Children&#039;s Transition Fair held Thursday (May 17, 2012) at SPCC. Approximately 180 UCPS students attended the event, which offered resources and information that could help them after high school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36451</guid>
						 <title>Dr. Mary Ellis named new UCPS superintendent </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36451</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis has been elected by the Union County Board of Education to take the helm of the sixth largest school system in the state of North Carolina. When Ellis&amp;rsquo; name was announced, the packed room cheered and jumped to their feet in applause. Ellis thanked board members for their vote of confidence and pledged to make her job 100 percent about children.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36311</guid>
						 <title>UCPS &#039;grows leaders&#039; from within with completion of first cohort</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36311</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, at left, congratulates Bryan Lynip, an assistant principal at Unionville Elementary for completing the first Growing Leaders from Within Program, designed to help APs step into the principalship. Also pictured is the program&#039;s coordinator Dr. Ken Hoover, principal at East Union Middle. The cohort members were celebrated at a small reception held at the PDC to honor their completion of the first cohort.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36240</guid>
						 <title>NCHSAA names Weddington High top overall school in state</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36240</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has recognized Weddington High School with the Exemplary School Award. The recognition came during the NCHSAA&amp;rsquo;s annual meeting on May 3, 2012, at the Smith Center on the University of North Carolina campus. Carole Alley, Weddington&amp;rsquo;s athletic director, and Weddington&#039;s principal Brad Breedlove are pictured getting their banner from Mack Morris, head of the NC Coaches Association, at left, and Jerry McGee, head of the NC Athletic Director&amp;rsquo;s Association, at right.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35992</guid>
						 <title>To the citizens of Union County</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35992</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[I am writing to comment on the recent public discussion and news media information regarding school spending. As Superintendent, I understand how important this issue is to everyone. I must say that I am increasingly concerned with how the spending practices of Union County Public Schools have been presented and characterized. At first, I chose not to respond, thinking that most thoughtful people would see this for what it is and it would run its course. However, I can no longer sit by and see a great school district, the shining star of this county, continue to be disrespected and unfairly characterized.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35955</guid>
						 <title>East Union Middle teacher named 2012-13 Teacher of the Year </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35955</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Maxie Johnson Jr., a seventh-grade math teacher at East Union Middle School, was named the 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year during Thursday&#039;s (April 27, 2012) Teacher of the Year Banquet. He said he was humbled and honored to have been chosen, and that he will do his best to represent UCPS teachers and the district. For winning the countywide Teacher of the Year title, Johnson received $500 and a Teacher of the Year ring. The Union County Education Foundation also awarded Johnson a laptop computer.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36232</guid>
						 <title>Union County Early College students help abandoned children of Peru</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=36232</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[&amp;ldquo;They come without birth certificates bearing their name, just a brief story of tragedy and neglect. Burned in a crib, left on a doorstep, or nearly drowned by a mentally unstable mother, all of the children at Hogar Belen carry their horrific nightmares as their only credentials.&amp;rdquo;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35919</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood High student gets perfect score on American College Test </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35919</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis congratulates 16-year-old Parkwood junior John Rorie for his perfect score of 36 on the ACT. Fellow students, school officials and his family honored John Wednesday (April 25, 2012) with a reception in Parkwood&amp;rsquo;s media center.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35836</guid>
						 <title>UCPS chooses first School Resource Officer of the Year - Jim Kennedy             </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35836</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis congratulates the UCPS 2012 School Resource Officer of the Year -- Union County Sheriff&amp;rsquo;s Deputy Jim Kennedy, the SRO at Parkwood High School. He is a former New York City Police homicide detective. Kennedy was chosen Friday (April 20, 2012) during a ceremony held at the UCPS Professional Development Center in Monroe.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35773</guid>
						 <title>New Salem Elementary holds third annual International Day </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35773</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Mia Knight, a first grader, and Jacob Starnes, a third grader, both Unionville Elementary School children who came to the US from China, spoke on their experiences during a recent New Salem Elementary International Festival. Staff and students at New Salem turned out in colorful costumes from around the world during the school&amp;rsquo;s third annual festival.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35667</guid>
						 <title>UCPS health fair taught by Queens nursing students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35667</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[
	
		
	
	
		Linda Lopez Gutierrez, a 14-year-old Monroe High School ninth grader, sees all the bacteria on her hands during a demonstration at the school&amp;rsquo;s health fair. Also pictured are Queens University nursing students, from left, Allison Newell-Sturdivant and Cathy Smiley. Monroe and Sun Valley high school students learned a variety of health and character tidbits Thursday (April 5, 2012) during the second annual Character/Health Fair taught by Queens University nursing students.
	
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35668</guid>
						 <title> SADD students share &#039;spring fun&#039; with Wolfe students </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35668</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[
	
		
	
	
		SADD club member Amanda Jugenheimer, 17, a senior at CATA, (at right), enjoys some spring fun with 18-year-old senior Gloria Rodriquez. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) started this spring day activity four years ago, giving students at Wolfe School an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful spring day hunting for colorful plastic eggs. 
	
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35649</guid>
						 <title>Cuthbertson High School to perform &quot;Beauty and The Beast&quot;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35649</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Taylor Neal, at left, a sophomore who portrays Belle, and Tim Quinn, a senior who plays the beast, rehearse their lines for the upcoming production of &amp;quot;Beauty and The Beast&amp;quot; beginning April 20, 2012, at Cuthbertson High School. This spring musical&amp;nbsp; promises to delight audiences of all ages as the cast transports them from a tiny French provincial village to the Beast&#039;s dark and gloomy castle.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35520</guid>
						 <title> Piedmont art club judges show for special needs children</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35520</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Paige Montgomery, a Piedmont High School senior, joined about a dozen fellow art students in setting up displays at Monroe Crossing in preparation for judging the artwork of more than 130 special needs students throughout the county in the fourth-annual &amp;ldquo;Sharing our HeARTS&amp;rdquo; art show. The art show invited students in the Exceptional Children program across the county to submit artwork. Students from the Piedmont National Art Honor Society judged the artwork, which will be on display at the mall until around April 2, 2012. (Story reprinted with permission from The Enquirer-Journal.)]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35386</guid>
						 <title>First Porter Ridge Elementary musical rousing success</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35386</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[
	
		
	
	
		EJ Collins, 11, a fifth grader, plays the &amp;ldquo;fierce&amp;rdquo; tiger, Shere Khan, in Porter Ridge Elementary&amp;rsquo;s first musical, Disney&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;The Jungle Book Kids.&amp;rdquo;&amp;nbsp; The cheers and thunderous applause after the dress rehearsal, which was presented in front of the entire elementary school, made it clear that all their hard work paid off. &amp;#9;Disney&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;The Jungle Book Kids&amp;rdquo; will be held Thursday, March 22, 2012, and Friday March 23, 2012, both at 7 p.m. in the Porter Ridge High School auditorium.&amp;nbsp; 
	
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35289</guid>
						 <title>Stallings Elementary student wins national writing contest </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35289</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Stallings Elementary first grader Benjamin Wheeler reads from his essay which won the Hormel African American Resource Group (HAARG) national essay contest. The title of the essay was &amp;quot;What Dr. Martin Luther King Means to Me.&amp;quot; Stallings Elementary School was one of four elementary schools chosen from schools across America to participate in the contest, sponsored by the Hormel African American Resource Group (HAARG).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35288</guid>
						 <title>Monroe Middle students perform in band clinic with Wingate University</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35288</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Monroe Middle School seventh- and eight-grade band recently participated in a side-by-side band clinic and the &amp;ldquo;Preparing for College&amp;rdquo; seminar at the Batte Center of Wingate University as part of a newly formed partnership between the Wingate University Music Department and the Monroe Middle School Visual and Performing Arts Learning Community.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35165</guid>
						 <title>UCPS middle and high school students &#039;Discover China&#039; </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35165</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Xiaohong HuMueller, a Chinese teacher at Marvin Ridge High School, shows students how to make a traditional Chinese dumpling during Discover China, a daylong event held recently at Cuthbertson Middle School. Also pictured are, from left, Matt Brantley, 18, Jessica Lawing, 17, and Brieanna Van Horne, 18, all students from Parkwood High School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35026</guid>
						 <title>Read Across America brings attention to importance of reading</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35026</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[State Superintendent June Atkinson reads the Dr. Seuss book &quot;Lorax&quot; to students at Rea View Elementary School Friday (March 2, 2012) when she participated in Read Across America. UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis also took part in the national event, by reading to students at New Salem Elementary and Marshville Elementary. He was one of numerous UCPS educators to read Dr. Seuss to students in UCPS classrooms.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34986</guid>
						 <title>Total Quality Share Day involves teachers teaching teachers</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34986</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Terri Fleck, a teacher at Weddington Middle, speaks to Union County educators about interdisciplinary teaching through problem-based learning models. Fleck is pictured as she presents information during Friday&#039;s Union County Public Schools&#039; Total Quality Share Day, held this year at Piedmont High School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34882</guid>
						 <title>Wesley Chapel custodian gets the surprise of his life - a new car</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34882</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A Wesley Chapel Elementary School custodian, Gary Sica, got the surprise of his life Wednesday afternoon when he was presented a new car by Anderson Cooper and FOX Charlotte in front of his school&#039;s staff and students. He and his wife, Cheryl, were given a 2012 Hyundai Sonata from Cooper&#039;s nationally syndicated show after her letter about her husband won a contest.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34720</guid>
						 <title>All-star cast sets up to perform &#039;Phantom&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34720</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[(reprinted with permission from the Charlotte Observer)
The  auditorium at Central Academy of Technology and Arts fills with  operatic voices as the Union County Performance Ensemble rehearses &quot;The  Phantom of the Opera.&quot; Cameron Archie of Porter Ridge High portrays The Phantom as The Union County Performance Ensemble runs through a scene in preparation for an upcoming performance of Phantom of the Opera. Opening night will be Thursday, February 16th, at Central Academy of Technology and Arts.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34536</guid>
						 <title> Civil War re-enactors offer &#039;real look&#039; at history </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34536</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Bob Etzler, a local Civil War re-enactor, is known for his &quot;rebel yell.&quot; He demonstrated that talent for Porter Ridge High School students during a recent Civil War Day at the school. Porter Ridge High School history teacher Dan Korn&#039;s students are treated to a Civil War Day twice a year, a look back at life during the War Between the States. The activities coincide with Korn&#039;s class titled Civil War History, an honors course at his school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34462</guid>
						 <title> Weddington Elementary student to present football at Super Bowl</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34462</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[First Lady Michelle Obama shows NFL PLAY 60 Super Kid James Gale, 11, a fifth grader at Weddington Elementary, historical photos from previous administrations which are on display in the Booksellers Area of the White House. The tour took place during a National Football League (NFL) taping in the East Wing of the White House, Jan. 30, 2012. Because James was chosen as the &quot;Super Kid,&quot; he will present the official football to the referee on the 50-yard line before kickoff at Sunday&#039;s big game.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34331</guid>
						 <title>Young poets from Western Union Elementary are to be published </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34331</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These third graders in Jennifer Bittner&#039;s class at Western Union Elementary will have their poems published in the next issue of &quot;Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.&quot; Pictured from left, (first row) Peyton McDonald, Western Union teacher Jennifer Bittner, Caralyn Elrod; (back row) Sukarno Brown, Brett Connell and Nikolas Kotesky.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34342</guid>
						 <title>Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club is safe haven for students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34342</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club area director Moses Fox III, at left, plays a game of Air Hockey with students in the club, an after-school program for Union County Public Schools students that is housed at Monroe Middle. The club&#039;s doors opened officially on Jan. 17, 2011, with 24 students signed up to attend. On the third day, however, that number had already doubled. Club organizers held a grand opening Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34251</guid>
						 <title>UCPS honors National Board Certified teachers at annual event</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34251</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[There are 370 Union County Public School teachers who have attained  their National Board certification. Thirty of those are newly certified  and were honored recently for their hard work. UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis presents Kate Lokash, a teacher at Porter Ridge Elementary, with her National Board plaque, which will be posted beside the door of her classroom. She was one of 30 newly certified UCPS teachers honored recently for their hard work.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34233</guid>
						 <title>Weddington Middle School&#039;s Ashwin Subramaniam is &#039;top UCPS speller&#039; </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34233</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Weddington Middle School sixth grader Ashwin Subramaniam, at right, has won the title of UCPS spelling bee champion. Also pictured is the runner-up, Dominick DePaola III, a fourth grader from New Town Elementary. UCPS Dr. Ed Davis is pictured, center, after presenting both with their trophies.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34082</guid>
						 <title>&#039;We the Students&#039; helps UCPS students become better citizens </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34082</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Forest Hills High School sophomore Monica Antonsanti, 17, (center) addresses the judges during the We The Students competition held recently at Wingate University. Her team, Forest Hills Team Two, won the high school portion of the competition. The competition, called &quot;We the Students,&quot; was held recently at Wingate University and involved almost 200 Union County Public Schools middle and high school students.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34009</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley High School&#039;s 40-year tradition of helping continues</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34009</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley High School student council members work in the school&#039;s media center to prepare some of their surprises for some of the 38 families they helped during the holidays. Sun Valley students have had a tradition of helping those in need around the holidays since the 1970s, but this year, they really outdid themselves by raising $23,500.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33849</guid>
						 <title>Weddington High&#039;s DECA club &#039;adopts&#039; two families </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33849</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Christina Tran, 17, a junior at Weddington High School, wraps a present for a child in a family being assisted by Turning Point, a battered women&#039;s shelter. Tran is a member of the Weddington High School DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America). Each year the club &quot;adopts&quot; a few less fortunate families and showers them with gifts and holiday cheer.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33842</guid>
						 <title>Antioch students get a holiday train ride on Polar Express</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33842</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Antioch Elementary student Maddie Montgomery, 5, is excited about getting her sleigh bell after being on board the Polar Express during an event at her school. This is the sixth annual &quot;train ride,&quot; based around the popular children&#039;s book and movie &quot;Polar Express.&quot; A replica of the train was made by Antioch parent volunteer Jim Camps.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33801</guid>
						 <title>Santa comes early for about 200 elementary students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33801</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Emely, a 3-year-old Walter Bickett Education Center preschool student, enjoys some holiday fun with Union County Early College sophomore Iridian Garcia, 16. Emely was one of more than 200 elementary students treated to an early holiday season in the sixth annual holiday party given by the Union County Early College (UCEC) Student Government Association (SGA).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33673</guid>
						 <title>CATA, Porter Ridge theater productions earn state recognition</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33673</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[CATA&#039;s production of &quot;For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf,&quot; won the state competition recently. Porter Ridge High also took some state awards. This story was reprinted with permission by the Enquirer Journal.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33674</guid>
						 <title>Shiloh students find exciting opportunity in DC</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33674</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Shiloh Elementary students Corey and Lindsey Avant were thrilled to have had the opportunity to pet the first dog, Bo, a six-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, during a recent trip to the White House. Those lucky Shiloh students were in DC visiting family for the Thanksgiving holidays.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33506</guid>
						 <title>UCPS continues goal of leaving &#039;green&#039; footprint</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33506</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Anisa Baldwin Metzger, with the Center for Green Schools out of Washington, DC, facilitates a recent daylong training session for UCPS facilities and maintenance personnel that addressed UCPS going &quot;greening&quot; in existing schools. The Union County Public Schools system is taking &quot;green&quot; to the next level by attempting to LEED certify existing schools with little or no capital investment.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33505</guid>
						 <title>Wingate fifth graders share heritage through culture boxes</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33505</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wingate Elementary fifth graders Emily Toboada, Brenda Hernandez, Victoria Tarlton and Avigail Salazar-Arias share items that represent clothing, tradition, and celebrations in their family culture. Wingate Elementary fifth-grade teacher Lynn Schwallie organized a unique project for students to introduce themselves to their classmates, as well as learn about their unique cultures. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33194</guid>
						 <title> Stallings Elementary teacher&#039;s literacy project gets funding</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33194</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Brooke Kramb, Stallings Elementary School&#039;s literacy facilitator, is all smiles after receiving a $2,000 check from Union Power Cooperative and a visit by some Carolina Panthers. Pictured, from left, are Kramb, Sir Purr (the Panthers&#039; mascot) and Union Power Cooperative Manager of Communications Carrie Cameron.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33138</guid>
						 <title>Third grader recognized for saving his grandmother&#039;s life</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=33138</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Brandon Belk, 8, a third grader at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, was recognized by the Monroe Fire Department today (Nov. 10, 2011) as a Shining Star because of his actions in seeking help for his injured grandmother who had fallen down the stairs. Pictured, at left, is Monroe Fire Chief Ron Fowler and Brandon&#039;s grandmother, Judy Dillehay of Monroe, is seated at right.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=32893</guid>
						 <title>Union County Public Education Foundation aims to support UCPS</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=32893</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County now has what many counties across the United States already have - an educational foundation that has the potential of raising millions of dollars to support Union County Public Schools. Union County Public Education Foundation Executive Director Dick Baker will be visiting civic organization and local business and industry in the near future in his efforts to raise financial support for UCPS.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12649</guid>
						 <title> June Atkinson visits third graders at Western Union Elementary School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12649</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[North Carolina State Superintendent June Atkinson answers questions from students in Jennifer Bittner&#039;s third-grade class today (Oct. 20, 2011), after she read to them from the children&#039;s book, &quot;The T-shirt Named Zee,&quot; which she wrote. Her book addresses determination and resilience in an elementary school setting.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12488</guid>
						 <title>Rea View principal Donna Cook chosen UCPS Principal of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12488</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Donna Cook, principal at Rea View Elementary, reacts to being named the 2011-12 Union County Principal of the Year. The announcement that Cook was chosen by her peers as the top principal came at today&#039;s (Oct.13, 2011) principal of the year luncheon. Cook, who was also a student in Union County schools, has been an educator here for 19 years. She spent 10 years at Unionville Elementary, five and a half as principal, and is now principal at Rea View Elementary, which opened in 2007.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12463</guid>
						 <title>UCPS recognized for graduation rate </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12463</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS was one of 10 North Carolina school districts recognized by State Superintendent June Atkinson, center, for having the highest four-year cohort graduation rates in the state in the 2010-11 school year. Three high schools were also recognized. UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, at left, and UCPS Director of Student Testing Carolyn White, pictured at right, traveled to Durham with other UCPS representatives for the presentation.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12356</guid>
						 <title>Cuthbertson High students get civics lesson from Speaker of House</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12356</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Speaker of the House Thom Tillis speaks to 10-grade civics and economics students at Cuthbertson High School during a recent visit. Tillis took an opportunity to tell students first-hand what goes on in state government.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12343</guid>
						 <title>Character education being taught through physical education</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12343</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Alison Belk, a PE teacher at Sandy Ridge Elementary School, tries her skill at bouncing two basketballs at once, while Sara Mintz, a teacher at Poplin Elementary, cheers her on. The two were attending a recent day-long workshop given by NetWorks Basketball, a nonprofit organization that promotes character development through physical education.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12218</guid>
						 <title>Field of Dreams comes to life at Antioch Elementary School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=12218</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Antioch Elementary School principal Karen Dillon, center left, and PTO member Peggy Rishe cut the ribbon on the Field of Dreams at the school, a yearlong project that sodded the school&#039;s multipurpose field. The project, orchestrated by the school&#039;s PTO, turned a 27,216 square-feet multipurpose field at the school into a safer place for students to play by adding Bermuda grass.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11986</guid>
						 <title>School system is visited by State Board of Education chairman</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11986</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dr. Bill Harrison, chairman of the State Board of Education, visits Ann Yochem&#039;s International Baccalaureate class at Marvin Ridge High School during his tour of Union County Public Schools yesterday (Sept. 21, 2011). UCPS received a big pat on the back during Harrison&#039;s visit for being &quot;a lighthouse for us in North Carolina.&quot;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11985</guid>
						 <title>Union County Public Schools grows leaders from within</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11985</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A new program called &quot;Growing Leaders From Within&quot; is designed to help the transition between assistant principal and principal run smoother. 	With input from a focus group, new principals, the Leadership Academy and UCPS cabinet staff, Ken Hoover, principal at East Union Middle has developed a program that would provide the tools to assist aspiring principals to be ready for the principalship.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11778</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood High luncheon honors all branches of US Armed Forces</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11778</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Parkwood High School was the site for a recognition luncheon Monday, (Sept. 12, 2011), honoring men and women in uniform. Pictured, standing from left, is Marine Corp. Canaan Honeycutt, a 2004 graduate of Parkwood High School; US Army Sgt. Shawn Slatt; Parkwood High School principal Jan Hollis; and (seated) SRO Jim Kennedy and the luncheon&#039;s honored guest, Wesley Ruth, 97, a pilot in the US Naval Air Force stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11600</guid>
						 <title>Two UCPS school resource officers, formerly NYPD, remember 9/11</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11600</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jim Kennedy, the SRO at Parkwood High School, at right, and Neil Sullivan, an SRO at Marvin Ridge High School, were both police officers with the New York City Police Department at the time of 9/11. They share their story of that tragic day in hopes that America will never forget those who died. Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America, a day that changed this country forever.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11496</guid>
						 <title>UCPS employees participate in United Way&#039;s Day of Caring</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11496</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Shiloh Elementary principal Scott Spencer, (center) and the school&#039;s administrators, teachers and teacher assistants and their families take a break from participation in the United Way&#039;s Day of Caring on Aug. 29, 2011. These were just some of the UCPS educators who gave back to the community recently by participating in the event.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11497</guid>
						 <title>Cell phone use by teenagers remains a dangerous problem</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11497</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kailey Mann, 15, (driving) and Austin Lingle, 15, both 10th graders at Sun Valley High, demonstrate a problem found too often in automobiles driven by teens. Texting and driving, although not just a problem with young drivers, accounts for almost 30 percent of car accidents on US highways. (This is an illustration photo only.)]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11341</guid>
						 <title>South Providence team-building exercises to benefit students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11341</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Victoria Modlin, Kelly Van Horn and Lori Grzeszczak, all teachers at South Providence School, negotiate an obstacle that required two separate teams from opposite directions to work together so that each member crosses to the other side of the obstacle. The activity was held at the Team Development Center (TDC) at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte during team-building activities presented by the school&#039;s principal, Barry Ross.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11277</guid>
						 <title>2011-2012 school year gets off to good start for all UCPS schools</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11277</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students in Kim LaFave&#039;s first-grade class at Marvin Elementary School smile for the camera shortly after they lined up for recess. In spite of heavy fog that clouded the landscapes around Union County, the 2011-2012 school year got off to a smooth start Thursday, (Aug. 25, 2011).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11213</guid>
						 <title>2011-2012 traditional school year to begin Thursday</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11213</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[As the 2011-2012 school year draws near, parents and students alike  begin to prepare for the start of another exciting and successful school  year. For a more indepth look at how to prepare for the upcoming school year, check out our Back To School web page. There you will find some important links to information that will help your family  have a smooth transition into the upcoming school year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11191</guid>
						 <title>UCPS kicks off Global Schools Network program</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11191</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Leena Ringvall, a VIF teacher from Finland who will be teaching at Prospect Elementary this year, is one of 21 VIF elementary school teachers recognized during Tuesday&#039;s (Aug. 16, 2011) Global Schools Network kickoff. These new VIF teachers are all elementary school teachers who will teach various grades in their assigned schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11148</guid>
						 <title>Daylong UCPS technology camp targets elementary teachers</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11148</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marni Menkin, a teacher at Marvin Elementary, demonstrates spelling software on a Promethean interactive board during the UCPS technology &quot;Camp Inspire&quot; given for elementary school teachers. The daylong conference was sponsored by the UCPS Technology Services and Promethean. It was held at Sandy Ridge Elementary School on Monday (Aug. 8, 2011). ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11126</guid>
						 <title>New UCPS focus: &#039;education is not about just teaching any more&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11126</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sherry Richardson, principal at Rocky River Elementary School, addresses colleagues during a two-day workshop with Jim Shipley, president of Jim Shipley and Associates. The workshop was attended by UCPS principals and directors learning how to support  (from an administrative level) the new educational focus within Union County Public Schools called &quot;professional learning communities&quot; (PLC).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11063</guid>
						 <title>Monroe Middle School goes through metamorphosis </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11063</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Monroe Middle School principal Montrio Belton, at left, discusses the placement of a wall mirror (to be placed in the school&#039;s new dance classroom) with dance teacher Stephani Hartman, a 13-year veteran teacher. The new classroom is part of the school&#039;s new focus on science, engineering, technology and math (STEM) or the visual or performing arts.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11047</guid>
						 <title>Year-round schools get off to a smooth start for 2011-12 school year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11047</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students exit the bus at Monroe Middle School Monday (July 25, 2011) for the start of the 2011-2012 school year. Monroe Middle is one of seven UCPS schools on the year-round calendar. Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, East Elementary, Shiloh Elementary, Walter Bickett Elementary, Walter Bickett Education Center and Wolfe School also operate on a year-round schedule.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11027</guid>
						 <title>UCPS ranked #1 in AYP among 15 largest NC school districts </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11027</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[In spite of the state raising the bar on AYP requirements, Union County Public Schools still ranks far above the state&#039;s largest 15 school districts in North Carolina. According to preliminary results released today (July 21, 2011) by the state, the percentage of UCPS students to make Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal law far exceeded other North Carolina school districts of comparable size or larger.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11024</guid>
						 <title>Cuthbertson student recognized as National SAVE Student of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=11024</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jessica Weber, a rising junior at Cuthbertson High School, has been recognized by the National Association of SAVE for her youth safety and violence prevention efforts. She was recently named the 2010-2011 National SAVE Student of the Year Award for her work in starting a SAVE chapter at her school and for organizing toy and blanket drives for a local child abuse center.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10934</guid>
						 <title>Weddington High Key Club helps with East Elementary Field Day</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10934</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Savannah Stokes, a rising 12th grader at Weddington High School, helps an East Elementary School student with the jump rope during a recent field day at East Elementary. Weddington Key Club members were paired with a little &quot;friend&quot; from East during field day at the elementary school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10933</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Elementary students raise $9,000 for CFF</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10933</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Charlotte Panther Jordan Gross, at right, came to Marvin Elementary recently to celebrate the school&#039;s donation of more than $9,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The donation to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is the highest contribution from the Charlotte metro region in the history of the CFF office. Pictured, from left, are Principal Dr. Jay Jones, his daughter Olivia Jones, PTA President Karen Murphy, his son Ian Jones, CFF representative Gwyn MacMorris and Charlotte Panther Jordan Gross.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10920</guid>
						 <title>UCPS retirees have total of 2,486 years of service to school system</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10920</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sue Griffin, a teacher at New Town Elementary School, retired from the Union County Public Schools after 42 years of teaching. She was recognized for having the most years of service at a retiree luncheon held June 15, 2011, at Rolling Hills Country Club. Also pictured is Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10892</guid>
						 <title>UCPS administrators enjoy summer leadership conference</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10892</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Bill Breckenridge, principal at Stallings Elementary, shares his ideas on ways to prevent students from dropping out of school during the UCPS annual Summer Leadership Conference. The conference, held this year at Parkwood High School on June 21 and 22, offered professional development for principals, assistant principals and central office administrators, on topics such as how to incorporate globalization into the curriculum, how to reduce the dropout rate and boost the graduation rate, and how to improve education through innovations in teaching.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10872</guid>
						 <title>2011 UCPS graduates make history</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10872</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Graduating seniors at Cuthbertson High School wait patiently for the ceremony to begin Saturday, June 11, 2011. CHS graduation was held at the Pointe Recreation and Community Center in Fort Mill, SC, with 169 seniors marching.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10856</guid>
						 <title>Gov. Bev Perdue hears local school superintendents&#039; concerns</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10856</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Gov. Bev Perdue addresses area superintendents and other educators in the media center at Weddington High School Monday (June 13, 2011). About 120 school superintendents, principals, teachers, teacher assistants, parents and community college representatives filled the chairs, while reporters and camera crews lined one side of the room.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10841</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley Middle students learn harsh lesson in American history</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10841</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Maya Adronick, (far left) and Tyler Burrage, (far right) both 14-year-old eighth graders in Michael O&#039;Hagan&#039;s social studies class at Sun Valley Middle School, have some one-on-one time with Roy and Yuri Kita to ask additional questions following their presentation about being held in Japanese Internment Camps in America during World War II. The Kitas, who currently live in Sun City, SC, were teenagers when their families were taken into custody by the American government and placed in Japanese Internment Centers.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10754</guid>
						 <title>MHS Class of 2011 enjoy school&#039;s first Decision Day honoring seniors</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10754</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dwight Miller, a former Monroe High School graduate and now a teaching fellow, speaks with the school&#039;s graduating seniors about what they will need after graduation. He spoke during the school&#039;s first Decision Day, which honored seniors. Seniors were asked to write their decisions for the future on a slip of paper that they then gave to the counselors. After turning in their written plans, seniors participated in a symbolic bubble ceremony, where blowing bubbles signified their dreams going up into the world.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10591</guid>
						 <title>UCPS parents hope to influence state legislators to extend 1-cent sales tax</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10591</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Representative (District 69) Frank McGuirt thanks parents for making a three-hour drive from Monroe to encourage support for extending the one-penny sales tax. About 30 Union County parents converged on Raleigh Tuesday (May 24, 2011) in an effort to influence state legislators to properly fund the school system.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10511</guid>
						 <title>Hemby Bridge Elementary teacher assistant wins system&#039;s top title</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10511</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[April Phillips, a 3-year veteran teacher assistant at Hemby Bridge Elementary, was named 2011 Teacher Assistant of the Year during the 19th Annual Spring Banquet held Thursday (May 19, 2011) at South Piedmont Community College. Phillips will now go on to compete for the District Six teacher assistant of the year title.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10458</guid>
						 <title>Shiloh Elementary School students take recycling to the next level</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10458</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[About 35 Shiloh Elementary students, in grades K-5, recently took recycling to a whole new level in the first &quot;Recycled Invention Convention,&quot; a contest that showcased their creativity. Shiloh Elementary student first-place winners are pictured, from left, Taylor Dean, 10, fourth grade; Kathryn Shillingburg, 7, second grade and Aaliyah Holloway, 7, first grade.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10374</guid>
						 <title>Union County Early College graduates first students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10374</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The &quot;Legacy Class,&quot; the first graduates of Union County Early College (UCEC) High School, turn their tassels signifying the end of their high school experience. Thirty-two UCEC students walked down the aisle this week, not only with a high school diploma, but also with a two-year college degree.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10371</guid>
						 <title>20th annual prom held for UCPS special needs students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10371</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Tyler Hargett, center, 15, a 10th grader, and Natalie Pate, right, a senior, both Key Club members at Parkwood High School, and Kate Latta, at left, a transition to adulthood teacher at Monroe High School, enjoy dancing to the beat during the Special Needs Prom held Friday (May, 13, 2011) at First Presbyterian Church.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10257</guid>
						 <title>EC Transition Fair offers students post secondary options</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10257</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Eric Marshburn, Beyond Academics&#039; director of admissions at UNC-Greensboro, discusses the various college classes designed for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Marshburn was one of about 40 venders present at the fifth annual Exceptional Children&#039;s Transition Fair held at SPCC Tuesday, (May 10, 2011).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10156</guid>
						 <title>Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts site of 17th annual VSA</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10156</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Brandon Hewitt from Weddington High School gets a red carpet welcome as he arrives at the Very Special Arts (VSA) Festival held this year at Benton Height Elementary School of the Arts.	About 300 Union County Public Schools special needs students were treated to a day of fun at the 17th annual VSA festival held Tuesday (May 3, 2011), hosted by Parkwood High School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10258</guid>
						 <title>Cuthbertson High School Principal Rob Jackson wins state title</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10258</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Cuthbertson High School Principal Rob Jackson has been named the 2011 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, the first Union County Public Schools principal to take the top state title. He is pictured with North Carolina State Superintendent June Atkinson shortly after being chosen during a dinner ceremony held Wednesday (May 4, 2011) in Cary.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10007</guid>
						 <title>Inaugural Character/Health Fair event held in UCPS high schools</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10007</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Arelis Gonzalez, at right, a senior at Sun Valley High School, speaks with a Queens University nursing student during a recent health fair at her school about the side effects of tanning. Queens University nursing students spoke to UCPS students during the inaugural Character/Health Fairs held recently at Sun Valley and Forest Hills high schools. UCPS school nurses sponsored the event.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10010</guid>
						 <title>Science teacher at Cuthbertson High takes the UCPS top teacher title</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=10010</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Maya Schultz, a science teacher at Cuthbertson High School, was chosen Tuesday, (April 26, 2011) as the UCPS 2011-12 Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at the Teacher of the Year banquet, which was sponsored this year by Pierce Group Benefits of Holly Springs, NC. Schultz, an 11-year veteran teacher, has taught in Union County for four years. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9815</guid>
						 <title>SADD students from CATA bring &#039;spring fun&#039; to Wolfe School </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9815</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sheklia Chambers, a senior at Wolfe School, (second from left) and Annie Usher, a junior at Wolfe School, (second from right) compare their favorite colors of plastic eggs during an egg hunt at Wolfe School, held recently by SADD students from CATA. Also pictured, at left, is Chasity Chambers; Tylece Watson, 17, center; and Shay Ivey, at right, all three juniors from CATA. This is the third year that CATA&#039;s SADD students have held an egg hunt for Wolfe students.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9790</guid>
						 <title>Burns named Richard Cansler Administrator of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9790</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley High School principal Janice Burns, seated at left, has been chosen as the NCASC Richard Cansler Administrator of the Year for her work and support of her school&#039;s student council. She is pictured with Hannah Hoang, 16, SVHS sophomore class president, (standing), and Courtney Crego, 17, SVHS&#039;s senior class president.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9789</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood High School feeds area senior citizens</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9789</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[About 100 senior citizens were treated to lunch Wednesday, (April 14, 2011) at Parkwood High School, a way for the school to honor and give back to the community.
&quot;This is so we can reach out to the community,&quot; said Parkwood High School principal Jan Hollis, pictured to the left greeting some of the 100 seniors who came to enjoy lunch served by students at the school.&quot;We picked 10 area churches that have supported the school over the year and invited their seniors to come have lunch.&quot;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9651</guid>
						 <title>Wake Up to Agriculture Day enjoyed by UCPS third graders</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9651</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Lidia Solomon, 8, is thoroughly enjoying her experience holding this baby chick. The event was part of Wake Up To Agriculture Day, a program designed to introduce third-grade students to agriculture. Pictured, from left, are Abigail Kuntz, 9, Lidia Solomon, 8, Mia Bagley, 9, and Adam Hojnowski, 9, all third graders in Melissa Ottaway&#039;s class at Shiloh Elementary.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9483</guid>
						 <title>Federal law: School lunch prices will increase 15 cents next school year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9483</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jessica Witmore, 8, a second grader in Michelle Rathbone&#039;s class at Kensington Elementary School, takes a moment to smile for the camera while enjoying her lunch at school. School lunch prices will increase 15 cents next school year following a federal law passed last fall called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Sec. 205), which stipulates that beginning July 1, 2011, lunches will increase to help offset the difference between what students pay and the actual cost to provide the lunches.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9320</guid>
						 <title>UCPS employees recognized as United Way top giver</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9320</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Richard Heins, (at left), United Way vice president of county operations, presents UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis a plaque honoring Union County Public Schools employees for their 2010 United Way contributions. During Wednesday&#039;s (March 30, 2011) United Way Thank You Breakfast held at Carolina Medical Center-Union, the Union County Public Schools system was recognized for being the top giver in the 2010 United Way Campaign.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9248</guid>
						 <title>New Salem Elementary holds 2nd annual International Festival </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9248</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Several New Salem Elementary School students learn African dance steps and how to play African drums made from trees and goat skins during the schools second annual International Festival. New Salem Elementary was recognized last fall as an International School through the UCPS Global Schools program. Cuthbertson High School and Kensington Elementary were also deemed UCPS International Schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9108</guid>
						 <title>St Patrick&#039;s Day perfect time for Fred Ingold Music Festival</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9108</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These students, members of the Forest Hills High School Symphonic Band, performed during Thursday&#039;s (March 17, 2011) Fred Ingold Music Festival, held this year simultaneously at three high schools. The festival, named for the late Fred Ingold, a former principal at Walter Bickett Elementary who died in 1996, is in its 13th year of celebrating and promoting music to second graders in the school system.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9078</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Ridge High students, teacher build 3-D printer</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=9078</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marvin Ridge High School junior Gordon Holzberg, and fellow junior Aaron Arthur, worked closely with their IB physics teacher Gabriel Oprea to assemble a 3-D printer. Oprea&#039;s IB physics class is a pioneer in the relatively new technology. The printer, from MakerBot Industries, has a balsa wood frame and colorful wires sticking out of one side. It cost about $900, funded through a donation.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8952</guid>
						 <title>Autism just another hurdle for soon-to-be Eagle Scout</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8952</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[(Chad Gombar checks his neckerchief in the mirror. He will become an Eagle Scout Saturday. The following is an article about Chad written by Enquirer Journal reporter Tiffany Jothen on Thursday, March 10, 2011).

He calls me &quot;newspaper lady,&quot; my favorite reference in three years with The E-J.
Chad  Gombar wears a tan Boy Scout shirt with a red and yellow neckerchief.  He sits in the living room, watching the weatherman on TV, but doesn&#039;t  argue when his mom turns it off so I can interview them.
Chad is 22 and has autism. He&#039;s in his last year at Wolfe School, a school for people with developmental disabilities.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8804</guid>
						 <title>UCPS schools participate in Read Across America</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8804</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jan Smith, a fourth-grade teacher at New Town Elementary School, reads a Dr. Seuss book to students in her class in honor of Read Across America. The following video is a look at what some UCPS elementary schools did to celebrate this event. The students pictured are from Prospect, New Town, Porter Ridge, Shiloh, Indian Trail and Poplin Elementary Schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8637</guid>
						 <title>Black History Month celebrated systemwide at UCPS</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8637</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kensington Elementary students enjoyed &quot;A Sign of the Times,&quot; a performing ensemble from Charlotte, that came to the school in recognition of Black History Month. The ensemble did a presentation on music and the various types of music that came from Africa. The group is headed by Tyrone Jefferson who performed with James Brown in his band. They performed various styles of music - from spirituals to rap.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8639</guid>
						 <title>MRMS still Union County Battle of the Books champions</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8639</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[For the fourth year in a row, Marvin Ridge Middle School students have won the Union County Battle of the Books (BoB) competition held this year on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, at the Professional Development Center in Monroe. UCPS middle schools that competed in the Union County competition were Cuthbertson, East Union, Marvin Ridge, Monroe, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Sun Valley and Weddington Middle schools. 

 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8511</guid>
						 <title>Weddington Elementary teacher assistant takes District 6 title</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8511</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Leigh Berry, at right, a teacher assistant at Weddington Elementary, gets a congratulatory hug from her principal, Weddington Elementary principal Brenda Kasell, after being named the District 6 Teacher Assistant of the Year. Berry was surprised with the news at an impromptu staff meeting at her school Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8439</guid>
						 <title>Dr. Mary Ellis is 2011 NCASCD Distinguished Educator of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8439</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis has been named the 2011 North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) Distinguished Educator of the Year, a title normally awarded to superintendents. She is pictured with UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis at the annual North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development winter conference where the announcement was made.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8430</guid>
						 <title>MRMS student Prakash Mishra takes regional spelling bee title again</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8430</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marvin Ridge Middle&#039;s Prakash Mishra is the top regional speller. He&#039;s going to nationals for the second year in a row. Prakash won the Union County Public Schools spelling bee Jan. 19, 2011, with the winning word &quot;veracious.&quot; Monday, (Feb. 14, 2011) he and 27 other contestants competed in The Charlotte Observer Regional Spelling Bee at ImaginOn.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8397</guid>
						 <title>White House advisory committee on the arts visits BHESA for Obama</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8397</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Rachel Goslins, Executive Director of the President&#039;s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts (BHESA), listens as students discuss why they enjoy attending Benton Heights. The committee is part of President Barack Obama&#039;s White House Advisory Committee of the Arts and Humanities.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8363</guid>
						 <title>New Poplin Elementary robotics team already winning at state level</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8363</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Karlee Schmidt, 11, and Isa Lucarelli, 10, both fifth graders, work with their school robotics coach Heather Gasiecki, a third-grade teacher at Poplin Elementary, on getting  their robots to complete specific tasks. The team, called the Poplin Robotics Stench Bots, has done quite well statewide (considering this is its first year of existence), winning a second-place in the research category among 69 other teams.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8296</guid>
						 <title>Congresswoman Sue Myrick addresses SVMS eighth graders</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8296</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Congresswoman Sue Myrick addresses eighth graders at Sun Valley Middle School. About 105 SVMS students got a first-hand look at the inner workings of the federal government thanks to a visit from Congresswoman Sue Myrick yesterday (Feb. 7, 2011).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8208</guid>
						 <title>PRMS principal named Middle School Administrator of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8208</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Porter Ridge Middle School Principal Tim Conner, pictured at right, is surprised by the news that he has been named the North Carolina Middle School Association&#039;s (NCMSA) Region 6 Administrator of the Year. PRMS Assistant Principal Shannen Bretz told Conner during a staff meeting Wednesday at his school. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8106</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Communications Office wins nine state Blue Ribbon awards</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8106</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The UCPS Communications Office won nine Blue Ribbon awards Friday (January 28, 2011) recognizing outstanding school public relations publications across the state. The award-winning entries were produced by, pictured from left, UCPS Chief Communications Officer Luan Ingram, UCPS Communications Coordinator Deb Coates Bledsoe, UCPS Visual Communications Coordinator Arthur Rogers and UCPS Web Communications Coordinator Don Mace.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8047</guid>
						 <title>Rock Rest holds premiere Swiss Chess tournament</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8047</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Rock Rest Elementary School&#039;s first-place winner of its premiere chess tournament was Gary Miller of the fifth grade. The school hosted its first ever Swiss Chess Tournament recently. It was opened not only to the school&#039;s chess club members, but also to all fourth- and fifth-grade students. as well.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7975</guid>
						 <title>UCPS teachers honored for national certification</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7975</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis congratulates five of the 52 newly certified National Board teachers during a recent celebration at Central Academy of Technology and Arts. Pictured, from left, are Amanda Lee Furr from Porter Ridge Elementary, Donna Grasso-Brook from Kensington Elementary, Davis, Jodi Brown from Unionville Elementary, Kelly Nance from Prospect Elementary and Andrea Savill from Shiloh Elementary.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8048</guid>
						 <title>Jackson takes Wachovia Southwest Region Principal of the Year title</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=8048</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis surprises Cuthbertson High School Principal Rob Jackson with the news that he&#039;s been chosen as the 2011 Wachovia Southwest Region Principal of the Year. Jackson and his staff were surprised with the news Friday (January 21, 2011) in an impromptu meeting of faculty at his school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7908</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Ridge Middle student Prakash Mishra wins &#039;top speller&#039; title again</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7908</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marvin Ridge Middle School eighth grader Prakash Mishra took the top speller title again this year during yesterday&#039;s (Jan. 19, 2011) UCPS Spelling Bee competition at Central Academy of Technology and Arts. Mishra is pictured being handed his first-place trophy by Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7845</guid>
						 <title>UCPS school nurses help cholera patients in Haiti over holidays</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7845</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Angel Bunce, the school nurse at Monroe High School, and UCPS School Nursing Supervisor Jane Thompson, work in the triage unit in Haiti, the first point of contact for cholera victims. The two share their story about being part of a five-person Union County team that spent their holidays in Haiti in makeshift hospitals during the cholera outbreak.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7756</guid>
						 <title>Make-up days and end of grading period changes</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7756</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Due to the recent days missed for inclement weather, make-up days,  grading periods, report card distribution dates and high school exam  dates have been modified. A plan for making up future missed school days is also included under the title, &quot;Future Make-up Days.&quot;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7728</guid>
						 <title>Fairview Elementary kindergarten students learn about life in India</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7728</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students in Polly Rowell&#039;s kindergarten class at Fairview Elementary School don typical Indian dress, complete with the decorative dot, known as bindi, worn on the forehead. Pictured, from left, are kindergarten students Annabella Berry, Diana Hernandez and Madison Miracle. Students got a taste of life in India when visited by an Indian family who now reside in the Fairview community.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7645</guid>
						 <title>Porter Ridge Elementary students learn lesson of service</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7645</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Second graders at Porter Ridge Elementary School prepare more than 400 sandwiches for the homeless shelter in a recent lesson on service to others. Penny Tomberlin, a teacher at Porter Ridge Elementary, said students were inspired by wanting to do something to help others, so they took on a project of providing food for a shelter in Charlotte. Not only did they get a lesson on service to others, they also had fun doing it.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7549</guid>
						 <title>UCPS staff, faculty and students spread holiday cheer</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7549</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Staff members of the UCPS Child Nutrition Department load up some of the approximately 140 stockings bound for the Christmas Bureau. Elementary, middle and high school staff and students in Union County joined in the spirit of the season helping those in need for the holiday season.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7540</guid>
						 <title>UCPS faculty donates toys to Christmas Bureau</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7540</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Thomas Simpson and Barry Chambers, pictured from left, both technicians with the Union County Public Schools Maintenance Department, had a chance to help spread some cheer recently when they dropped off a truck load of toys at the Christmas Bureau. The toys, donated by UCPS employees, were given to families in need of assistance this holiday season.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7505</guid>
						 <title>Annual Sun Valley Middle School gingerbread contest is season favorite</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7505</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The media center at Sun Valley Middle School was filled with the wonderful sights of the holiday season courtesy of the gingerbread houses created by faculty and students in the school&#039;s eighth annual competition. Sun Valley Middle students Kayla Iannetto, an eighth grader, took first place with her gingerbread house entry.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7391</guid>
						 <title> Forest Hills students &#039;warm the soles&#039; of those in need</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7391</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Forest Hills students and faculty take a moment to pose with more than a 1,350 pairs of socks they collected over a two-month period for those in need this holiday season. In a project called &quot;Warming the Soles,&quot; students collected new socks, donating them to four local agencies: the Union County Christmas Bureau, Turning Point, the Union County Group Home for Children and the Union County Community Shelter.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7362</guid>
						 <title>Union County Board of Education members sworn in last night</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7362</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Incumbent Dean Arp (District 3), pictured at left, and new board members, from left, Sherry Hodges (At Large), Marce Savage (District 6) and Rick Pigg (District 4) took their oaths of office at the start of last night&#039;s (Dec. 7, 2010), Union County Board of Education meeting held at Sun Valley Middle School. The board then unanimously voted for Arp to continue his position as chairman, and then unanimously voted for John Collins (District 5) to return in his role as vice chairman.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7199</guid>
						 <title>Character Day celebrated at Shiloh Elementary School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7199</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Shiloh Elementary first-grade teachers Dana Brickner and Karyn Cantville portray &quot;Sarah&quot; and &quot;Sam&quot; during a recent &quot;Parade of Characters&quot; held at their school. This was the third annual event of its kind for Shiloh students, during which students study book characters in their readings for an entire month.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7201</guid>
						 <title>Career Day focuses on the futures of 2,000 middle school students </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7201</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Robert Melton, a firefighter with the Monroe Fire Department, talks to UCPS middle school students about a career as a firefighter during the Annual Middle School Careers Connections held this year at SPCC on Dec. 1, 2010. During the event, more than 2,000 middle school students had the opportunity to check out a multitude of careers available in the Union County area.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7009</guid>
						 <title>Grandparents honored at Unionville Elementary</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7009</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Mika Bruce, center, a teacher at Unionville Elementary School, clogs to &quot;Foggy Mountain Breakdown,&quot; with assistance from her daughter, kindergartener Raina Bruce, and fourth-grader Caleb Baucom. More than 800 grandparents crammed into the gymnasium at Unionville, surrounding the approximately 740 elementary students who were seated on the floor in honor of Grandparents Day.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7010</guid>
						 <title>UCPS students conference with Saudi Arabian prince</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=7010</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Saudi Arabian Prince Khalid Bin Alwaleed Bin Talal talks with students at Sun Valley Elementary School via Skype. The event was also aired on the school&#039;s broadcast channel at Sun Valley Elementary and received at Benton Heights Elementary, where students were also able to speak with the prince.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6956</guid>
						 <title>East Union Middle hold fundraiser for American Cancer Society</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6956</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students and staff at East Union celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month recently, raising awareness and money for the cause. Junior Beta Club members sold pink ribbons and balloons in honor or memory of family members and friends who have had cancer. The club raised $300 for the American Cancer Society during the fund-drive. East Union Middle students and staff celebrated with a pink balloon lift-off ceremony in front of the school on October 29, 2010. 

 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6957</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley Elementary and UNICEF: Kids Helping Kids</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6957</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley Elementary School asked its students and families to think  globally while acting locally by adopting the United Nations Children&#039;s  Fund (UNICEF). The school contributed $1,098.33 for the cause.  Pictured, (clockwise starting with student in pink shirt at top) Brennan Boland, Allura Kiriakidis, Gracie Gardner, Tate Hawkes, Prody Kang, Ashton Ginas, Cameron Flowers, Rory McGevna, Calvin Lawson, Ian Madsen, and Martin Tello.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6762</guid>
						 <title>Aviation history soars through UCPS</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6762</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The flight crew from the Spirit of Freedom brought the history of the Berlin Airlift to UCPS students Friday. Pictured from left, are Tim Chopp, president and founder of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation; and Spirit of Freedom crew members Jason Hinton, retired US Army veteran and Coast Guard pilot Scott Hinton, and Joel Ekholm, a reservist in the National Guard.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6763</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley High site of regional student council conference </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6763</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley students help fill care packages that will be sent to US soldiers abroad. Pictured, from left, are Matt Russell, 16, a junior at Sun Valley; Logan Debord, 16, a Sun Valley junior and junior class president; and Mitch Motsinger, 17, a Sun Valley senior and the co-president of the SASC.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6594</guid>
						 <title>TQE Day is opportunity for UCPS educators to focus on innovation</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6594</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jennifer Stoltz, standing, of UCPS Technology Services, assists Wolfe School principal Mary Jo Breckenridge with a presentation program called Prezi. Stoltz and coworker Linda Helbig taught the Total Quality Education (TQE) session titled, &quot;Using Web 2.0 Presentation.&quot; Also pictured, seated at left, is Breckenridge&#039;s husband, Bill Breckenridge, principal at Stallings Elementary School. This year&#039;s TQE Day was held at Forest Hills High School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6549</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Cluster Forums continue to engage local communities</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6549</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont Cluster Forum members discuss the impact of the anticipated state, federal and local budget cuts on the Union County Public Schools. Pictured from left, are Stacey Query and Remona Griffin, both representing Piedmont Middle School. The second UCPS Cluster Forum was held recently at Piedmont High School, offering a dialog between parents and UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6425</guid>
						 <title>Scottish culture enjoyed at Walter Bickett Education Center</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6425</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Bagpiper Yance Covington visited the Walter Bickett Education Center Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, bringing a taste of Scotland and a few lessons on Scottish culture. Covington&#039;s appearance was in response to a request from teacher Jason Hart who wanted to offer a lesson in globalization to students. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6260</guid>
						 <title>MRHS students taken on global tour via author&#039;s work </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6260</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kelsey Timmerman, 31, recently traveled to Marvin Ridge High School to share his experiences meeting workers from around the world who actually made the clothes that he was wearing. He has traveled across America sharing his insight into the lives of workers around the world.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6087</guid>
						 <title>Weddington High School recognized statewide for graduation rate</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6087</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson recognizes Union County Public Schools and Weddington High School for its graduation rate for the 2009-2010 school year. Pictured, from left, are UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson, School Board Chairman Dean Arp, Weddington High School principal Brad Breedlove and NC Senator Eddie Goodall.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6070</guid>
						 <title>Wolfe principal honored by ARC </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=6070</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wolfe School Principal Mary Jo Breckenridge, at right, has been chosen by the ARC for this year&#039;s Educator of the Year award. Every year the ARC of Union County, an organization that assists Union County citizens with developmentally disabled family members, recognizes an educator who works with students with special educational needs.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5931</guid>
						 <title>Rob Jackson chosen as 2010-11 UCPS Principal of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5931</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Clarke, at left, jokingly offers a virtual handshake to the 2010-2011 UCPS Principal of the Year, Rob Jackson, principal at Cuthbertson High School. The announcement was made during Thursday&#039;s (Oct. 7, 2010) annual Principal and Assistant Principal Awards Luncheon held at the UCPS Professional Development Center on Brewer Drive.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5842</guid>
						 <title>Superintendent&#039;s Student Advisory Council holds first meeting for 2010</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5842</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Grace Brucia, at left, a Porter Ridge High School student, and Taylor Lowery, a Monroe High School student, introduce each other during Friday&#039;s (Oct. 1, 2010) first meeting of the Superintendent&#039;s Student Advisory Council. About 60 students from the school system&#039;s 11 high schools meet quarterly with Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis to offer insight about educational issues from a student&#039;s perspective.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5525</guid>
						 <title>Porter Ridge Elementary celebrates International Day of Peace </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5525</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Porter Ridge Elementary students enjoy showing off their flags and posters concerning &quot;peace around the world&quot; in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace. The students joined millions of children around the world September 21, 2010, celebrating the United Nations International Day of Peace.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5411</guid>
						 <title>UCPS 2009-2010 SAT scores above state, nation </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5411</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools seniors, on the average, have scored higher than seniors taking the SAT on both the state and national level since the 2003-04 school year. This year is no different. The 2009-10 scores released Sept. 13, 2010, showed a combined math and verbal score for UCPS to be 1034, up five points from last year. North Carolina seniors scored 1008 and national scores were 1017.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5408</guid>
						 <title>Schools Tools offers free school supplies to students </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5408</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jennifer Glahn, a school counselor from Rocky River Elementary School, takes advantage of School Tools, which offers free supplies for students at her school. Schools Tools, a partnership between Classroom Central, Communities In Schools and WSOC-TV, collects new school supplies for students who can not afford them in the Charlotte region.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5138</guid>
						 <title>Wolfe students enjoy a global musical experience</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5138</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sue Schmidt, (at left) a JAARS missionary, assists Rosa Musick, 18, in playing a flute from Thailand. Also pictured, from left, are Wolfe teachers Vanessa Connell and Karen Thalman.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5073</guid>
						 <title>World View Partner&#039;s workshop held in Union County</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5073</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Erika Jordan, an educational consultant with Pearson Education, speaks to a group of educators about &quot;Teaching the iGeneration&quot; during the World View Partner&#039;s Workshop, a one-day workshop exploring globalization and global education strategies. Jordan spoke of the tools that teachers need to support 21st century learning. About 875 teachers, administrators, board members and community members from seven counties and 63 schools attended.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5019</guid>
						 <title>UCPS schools recognized for global awareness</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=5019</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Forty-two UCPS schools were recognized recently for their efforts to be globally aware. Cuthbertson High School received the most points toward earning its designation as a UCPS International School. The award was presented by Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis at the World View Partners Workshop hosted recently by Cuthbertson High School (CHS). Pictured, from left, are Board of Education Vice Chairman John Collins, CHS Assistant Principal Kim Warr, CHS Principal Rob Jackson and Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Clarke.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4887</guid>
						 <title>School bus safety focus of S.T.O.P. campaign</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4887</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools has begun an initiative called S.T.O.P., which informs students of safe practices to follow at bus stops. The following video offers important suggestions concerning the safety of our students, and how our students can better protect themselves.
 






]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4863</guid>
						 <title>&#039;Smooth sailing&#039; for first day of 2010-11 school year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4863</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[As Union County Public School&#039;s 328 buses dropped off students this morning (August 25, 2010), the 2010-2011 school year officially began; which, according to school officials, proceeded with no major problems reported. Schools across the county opened their doors to returning students. Here are just a few of those moments captured on this short video produced by the UCPS Communications Office. The schools represented are Indian Trail, New Town, Prospect, Rea View, Weddington, and Wingate elementary schools; East Union, Parkwood, Sun Valley and Weddington middle schools; and Forest Hills, Parkwood and Weddington high schools.
  ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4857</guid>
						 <title>Presbyterian Healthcare holds first annual sports symposium for Union County Public Schools</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4857</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Presbyterian Healthcare&#039;s sports medicine team held a sports medicine symposium for UCPS coaches, trainers and first responderson August 19, 2010. More than 200 people attended, including the UCPS superintendent - Dr. Ed Davis , assistant superintendent - Dr. Mike Webb and the UCPS athletic director -  Doug Jones. Pictured are the presenters from Presbyterian Healthcare, (from left), Dr. Tia Konzer, a psychiatrist from Presbyterian Psychiatric Associates; Dr. Eric Warren, medical director of the Presbyterian Sports Medicine Program; and Felicia White who is the certified athletic trainer coordinator at Piedmont High.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4810</guid>
						 <title>  UCPS educators gear up for first day of traditional school</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4810</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The staff at Rock Rest Elementary, like those at other UCPS schools on the traditional calendar, prepare for next week&#039;s start of the 2010-2011 school year. Pictured, from left, are (seated) Rock Rest principal Wendy Gravely, and (standing) first-grade teacher Miranda Helms, kindergarten teacher Christina Quinlan and second-grade teacher Linda Elam. Read more to find first-day safety tips and other back to school information.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4788</guid>
						 <title>Poplin Elementary students learn robotics during summer camp</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4788</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Anna Morgan, 10, a rising fifth grader at Poplin Elementary, talks with fellow team members about the computer program they are writing for their robot during a recent robotics summer camp. Also picture from left, are Mathew Epp, 9, a rising fourth grader; Alex Valdivia, 9, a rising fourth grader; Ethan Como, 10, a rising fifth grader; and Isabella Lucarelli, 10, a rising fifth grader.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4699</guid>
						 <title>UCPS continues to dominate state in test scores</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4699</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools continues to be a shining star in the public schools of North Carolina, as evidenced by today&#039;s release of ABC test scores, which shows that 10.5 percent of the state&#039;s top-ranking schools are in Union County. Test scores show that 42 of the 50 UCPS schools that were involved in state testing increased the percentage of students performing at or above grade level from the previous year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4685</guid>
						 <title>UCPS employees tour, learn about United Way agencies</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4685</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Community Shelter Interim Executive Director Derrick Burnell explains the guidelines for which a person can stay in the shelter. He spoke with a group of about 20 UCPS employees who visited three United County crisis intervention-type agencies, gathering information in preparation for this year&#039;s United Way campaign. Last week&#039;s (June 27, 2010) trek was the first of at least three that will help school system employees actually see examples of some of the things that United Way agencies help fund.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4642</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis honored by the Rotary Club of Monroe</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4642</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dr. Ed Davis, superintendent of Union County Public Schools, has been chosen by the Rotary Club of Monroe to receive the &quot;Service Above Self&quot; award. Davis, the 2009-2010 North Carolina Southwest Regional Superintendent of the Year, was recognized during Tuesday&#039;s (July 27, 2010) Rotary Club of Monroe meeting in recognition of &quot;his outstanding dedication and service.&quot;
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4624</guid>
						 <title>First day of year-round school begins</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4624</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Madi Wilson, 7, a student in Stephanie Kincaid&#039;s second-grade class at Shiloh Elementary School, works on her writing skills on the first day of year-round school. Students in year-round schools in Union County started Monday, July 26, 2010. School officials said the new school year got off to a smooth start, with no major problems reported.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4593</guid>
						 <title>UCPS ranked #1 in AYP among 15 largest NC school districts</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4593</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Preliminary results released today by the state rank Union County Public Schools number one among the 15 largest districts in the state with the percentage of students making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal law. Forty-two out of 52 UCPS schools met AYP this year (80.8 percent), achieving 100 percent of the target goals set by NCLB. Three UCPS schools only missed meeting their AYP by one goal, while an additional six schools met at least 80 percent of their goals. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4519</guid>
						 <title>UCPS&#039; Air Force JROTC wins 2009-2010 Distinguished Unit Award</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4519</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont High School cadets, from left, Bryce Powers and Justin Crump perform their award-winning exhibition duet for parents during a recent parent night at the school. The Air Force Junior ROTC units at Parkwood and Piedmont High Schools have been selected as recipients of 2009-2010 Air Force Junior ROTC Distinguished Unit Award.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4498</guid>
						 <title>Jessica Garner honored at Wachovia&#039;s ATMs across state</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4498</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[North Carolina residents could see a lot more of Jessica Garner, North Carolina&#039;s Teacher of the Year, as a national bank is placing her face at most of its 627 automatic teller machines across the state. Wachovia Wells Fargo will display the screens featuring Garner until October. Garner is a 12-year veteran Spanish teacher, having spent the past five years at Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4489</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Communications Office recognized nationally</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4489</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Union County Public Schools Communications Office has received five national awards in the National School Public Relations Association&#039;s (NSPRA) 2010 Publication and Electronic Media Contest. Four UCPS handbooks and the UCPS web site were recognized. The UCPS Communications Office is pictured, (standing) from left, Deb Coates Bledsoe, Arthur Rogers, Don Mace, and Candy Stufflebeam. Seated is UCPS Chief Communications Officer Luan Ingram.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4481</guid>
						 <title>UCPS holds first Mandarin Chinese Language summer camp</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4481</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Camden Corio, 11, at right, works on Chinese letters with instructor Lingyu Liao from Taiwan during a four-day Mandarin Chinese Language summer camp held at Marvin Ridge High School. The camp was attended by 72 middle and high school students. The summer camp, the brainchild of Marvin Ridge High School assistant principal Marie Brickman, was funded predominantly by a grant provided by the






  

   Hanban-Asia  Society&#039;s Confucius Classroom. 






]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4452</guid>
						 <title>UCPS retires 111 employees with 2,229 total years of experience</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4452</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools retiree Shellie Rollins, a teacher at Sun Valley High School who retired after 38.5 years of teaching, was one of 111 UCPS retirees honored at Wednesday&#039;s (June 16, 2010) annual retirees luncheon. The 111 employees took with them a total of 2,229 years of experience. Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis said no matter what their role -- administrator, teacher, teacher assistant, cafeteria worker, office worker, bus driver or custodian -- everyone was a link in the chain that made the school system strong.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4435</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Graduates 2170 Students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4435</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[
The video above highlights the Monroe, Piedmont and Porter Ridge High School graduation ceremonies.
Union County Public Schools graduated 2,170 students over the past several days, with ceremonies held at Wingate University&#039;s Austin Auditorium, the Forest Hills High School gymnasium, Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, Life Point Christian Church in Fort Mill, SC, Cabarrus Arena, South Providence Media Center, Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, and Central Academy of Technology and the Arts. UCPS ceremonies began June 7 and culminated June 14, 2010.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4424</guid>
						 <title>Central Service Employees Survive &quot;Wellness Island&quot;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4424</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4402</guid>
						 <title>CATA students design Habitat for Humanity community</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4402</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Amber Sullivan, at left, and Gabe Tyson (seated), both seniors at Central Academy of Technology and Arts, go over their house plans with their teacher Sonny Tomberlin. As their senior project, Amber, Gabe and fellow CATA senior AJ Bodick (not pictured) designed eight different house designs for a community that will be built in Marshville by Union County Habitat for Humanity.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4403</guid>
						 <title>Piedmont High School senior is Morehead-Cain recipient</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4403</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Getting the coveted Morehead-Cain Scholarship is an honor few high school students realize. This year, a Piedmont High School senior, 18-year-old Megan Thomas, realized that dream. Megan, who will graduate from Piedmont High Monday, (June 14, 2010), plans to double major in biology and psychology, with a minor in history. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4376</guid>
						 <title>Rea View students ranked first in Odyssey of Minds world competition</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4376</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Rea View Elementary&#039;s Odyssey of the Minds team takes the first-place trophy in their division at the World Competition held in Michigan recently. Pictured from left, front row, Chase Kanipe, 11, a fifth-grader; Chris Graveline, 11, a fifth grader; Kyle Schwartz, 11, a fifth garder; Carter Venable, 11, a fifth grader; Madison Graveline, 8, a third grader; and Spencer Rubottom, 10, a fourth-grader. Back row, from left, are the OM coaches Doug Schwartz, Donna Machael, and Kelly Rubottom.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4314</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley Middle students captivated by Holocaust survivor&#039;s story</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4314</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Holocaust survivor Suly Chenkin shares her amazing story with eighth-grade social studies students at Sun Valley Middle. Chenkin came at the invitation of social studies teacher Michael O&#039;Hagan when his students began studying the Holocaust. Sunday marks the 66th anniversary of D-day; when on June 6, 1944, American soldiers invaded occupied France and sealed the fate of Hitler&#039;s Third Reich and ultimately liberated thousands of Jews from concentration (death) camps.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4311</guid>
						 <title>Piedmont Middle School honors World War II veterans</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4311</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[WWII veteran James Eudy is pictured with his granddaughter, Amy Vitulli, who is assistant band director for Piedmont High and Piedmont Middle. Eudy was invited to Piedmont Middle to share his WWII experiences with students during the school&#039;s rememberance of Memorial Day and the 66th anniversary of D-day, which is Sunday, June 6, 2010.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4190</guid>
						 <title>Special Olympics showcases UCPS students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4190</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County elementary students enjoy various races during Thursday&#039;s UCPS Special Olympics, held on the ball field of Porter Ridge High School, for special needs students from area elementary schools. Thursday&#039;s event was the precursor to Friday&#039;s Special Olympics, which will feature middle and high school students, as well as members of the community. Porter Ridge High School has hosted the UCPS Special Olympics since 2008.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4121</guid>
						 <title>Wolfe School Prom offers students chance to kick up heels</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4121</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Chad Gombar, 21, enjoys a dance with Parkwood High School Key Club member Taylor Wallace during the Friday (May 21, 2010) Wolfe School Prom hosted by Parkwood High School&#039;s Key Club. About 50 Key Club members treated almost 100 special needs students from Wolfe School, Monroe, Weddington and Porter Ridge high schools to a fun-filled prom, with the theme &quot;Royal Fairytale.&quot; Be sure to check out the video on the full story page.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4083</guid>
						 <title>Carolina Panther thanks students at Rea View</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4083</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jordan Gross, a tackle for the Carolina Panthers, personally thanks more than 800 elementary students at Rea View Elementary for raising $7,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The school raised the money over the past two years in honor of Olivia Jones, the 3-year-old daughter of Dr. Jay Jones, principal at Marvin Elementary, and his wife, Amanda.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4038</guid>
						 <title>Piedmont High School seniors get &#039;graduation&#039; surprise</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=4038</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont High School seniors, from left, Katie Glover, 17, and Amber Kelly, 18, show off their Trace Adkins T-shirts, given shortly after students were informed that Adkins would be their commencement speaker. The T-shirts were given to all seniors to commemorate the school&#039;s 50th graduation day.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3983</guid>
						 <title>Last meeting of the UCPS Superintendent&#039;s Advisory Council</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3983</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[ 
 





The Superintendent&#039;s Student Advisory Council is comprised of UCPS high school upper classmen from school groups such as student council, national honor society and student athletes.  Students meet quarterly with the superintendent to discuss a student&#039;s perspective on improving education.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3893</guid>
						 <title>Benton Heights School of the Arts students gifted books</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3893</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[First Book-Charlotte co-founder Colleen Ludington is one of a number of area celebrities and honored guests who read to students at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts  recently. Thanks to Brittany Slagle, a second-grade teacher at Benton Heights, about 400 students went home with six new books each in order to begin their very own home library.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3894</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood students take up VSA torch</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3894</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students take turns doing the Limbo Game during Monday&#039;s Very Special Arts Festival, held this year at Western Union Elementary School by the Parkwood High School National Art Honor Society. Students from eight UCPS schools volunteered to take part in the festival held for special needs students across the county.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3699</guid>
						 <title>Chinese culture comes to Cuthbertson</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3699</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Yihui Yao demonstrates Tai Chi during Discover China held April 26, 2010, at Cuthbertson High School in Waxhaw. The event, sponsored by the Asia Society, Hanban, the Confucius Institute and Union County Public Schools, offered an opportunity for participants to witness Chinese culture through cultural performances, hands-on crafts, cooking demos and mini lectures.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3700</guid>
						 <title>Garner honored at the White House</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3700</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Porter Ridge High School Spanish teacher Jessica Garner, the North Carolina Teacher of the Year, was one of two area teachers honored at the White House April 29, 2010, for being state teachers of the year. Garner is pictured with Vice President Joe Biden.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3611</guid>
						 <title>Kensington Elementary students help fight worldwide hunger </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3611</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kensington Elementary fifth graders examine trays of food being thrown away to see if there is any wasted food. Students focused on how much food is wasted in America in an attempt to focus on worldwide hunger.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3514</guid>
						 <title>BOE Chairman Dean Arp Addresses UCPS Educators</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3514</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[ 







&quot;We want you to know that we recognize that classroom teachers are the thread that weaves the fabric of each student&#039;s success. We also want you to know that we appreciate the difficulty and challenges of your jobs.&quot;
UCPS Board of Education Chairman, Dean Arp, addresses UCPS educators to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, 2010.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3507</guid>
						 <title>Mock crash teaches life-saving lesson &#039;Don&#039;t Drink and Drive&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3507</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Unionville Volunteer Firefighters and Union County Emergency Medical paramedics perform CPR on a student &quot;killed&quot; in a simulated Underage Drunk Driving crash at Porter Ridge High School Wednesday. The performance, presented by the school&#039;s SADD but TRU clubs, utilized multiple fire, emergency and law enforcement agencies.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3417</guid>
						 <title>UCPS forms 7-year partnership with Presbyterian Healthcare</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3417</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Presbyterian Healthcare and Union County Public Schools officials have formed a seven-year partnership that offers a $4 million value to the school system. The partnership will provide advanced sports medicine care to the school system&#039;s high school student athletes.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3450</guid>
						 <title>New Salem Elementary hosts Thailand principal</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3450</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sumet Jeadpiyawat, from the Chiangrai Province in Thailand, and his interpreter Soontaree Davidson, tell students at New Salem Elementary School about Thailand. New Salem Elementary was one of eight schools across the United States to win the bid to become part of the Thailand exchange program. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3309</guid>
						 <title>Andrew Rosene is UCPS 2010-11 Teacher of the Year </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3309</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Andrew Rosene, at left, a Spanish teacher at Cuthbertson High School, is the UCPS 2010-11 Teacher of the Year. He is pictured being congratulated by his principal, Rob Jackson. Rosene was awarded the title during Thursday&#039;s (April 22, 2010) Teacher of the Year Banquet.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3120</guid>
						 <title>Shiloh students enjoy traditional Japanese ceremonial tea</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3120</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Members of the Japanese Association of Charlotte treat students in Shiloh Elementary&#039;s After School Program to ceremonial Japanese tea. Dressed in authentic Japanese kimonos, the members served Japanese sweets and green tea. Sixty-seven students, in grades K-5, took part in the activity, which occurred during a recent teacher workday.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2900</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood High&#039;s Jr. ROTC offers helping hand</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2900</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Nicholas Scott, 17, at left, and Kristy Howard, 15, both Parkwood High School Jr. ROTC cadets, offer a helping hand at the Museum of the Waxhaws during a recent trash detail -- a community service projects. Students picked up trash that had accumulated around the museum grounds over the winter, but also helped in other projects at the museum. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2860</guid>
						 <title>Published PRHS English teacher speaks at Smithsonian</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2860</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Regina Montenaro, an English teacher at Porter Ridge High School, has just published her sixth novel with Ulysses Press out of California under the pen name of Regina Jeffers. The book, &quot;The Phantom of Pemberley,&quot; which will hit the stands in September 2010, is part of a series written by Montenaro based on Jane Austen stories. Because of her indepth knowledge of Jane Austen, she was recently asked to serve on a panel of experts at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2784</guid>
						 <title>SADD students from CATA bring &#039;spring fun&#039; to Wolfe School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2784</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Chaze Smith, 16, center, places an egg in his basket during an egg hunt at Wolfe School, given by about 30 Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) from CATA. Also pictured at left is Courtney Miller, 17, a junior at CATA who is also a SADD member and, at right, Adrienne Anderson, a UCPS Exceptional Children&#039;s Program Specialist.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2695</guid>
						 <title>UCPS celebrates &#039;March is Music in our Schools Month&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2695</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Schools throughout the UCPS system have a variety of events planned in honor of &quot;March is Music in our Schools Month.&quot; Pictured, are two Sardis Elementary students playing  recorders in participation with events at their school. Pictured, from left, are fourth graders Ariana Perez and Hannah Naifeh.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2676</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Ridge Middle student wins regional spelling bee</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2676</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marvin Ridge Middle seventh grader Prakash Mishra, 12, is pictured as he correctly spells a word in the 56th annual Charlotte Observer Regional Spelling Bee; a competition that by winning, places him in the national arena.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2513</guid>
						 <title>WHS sophomore first wheelchair athlete to compete</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2513</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Lindsey Good, at left, a Weddington High School sophomore, and her best friend, Jill Moore, 17, a junior at Northwest Cabarrus High School, competed recently in the first ever race between two wheelchair athletes in the North Carolina High School Track and Field history.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2316</guid>
						 <title>Total Quality Share Day benefits 600 UCPS educators</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2316</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jing He, a Chinese teacher from Marvin Ridge High School, shares information about &quot;China Today&quot; during the UCPS eighth annual Total Quality Share Day held this year at Cuthbertson High School. This year&#039;s outpaced the 2009 event with more than 600 UCPS educators in attendance.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2317</guid>
						 <title>UCEC visited by New Schools Project official, Dr. Tony Habit</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2317</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dr. Tony Habit, at right, president of the North Carolina New Schools Project, spent the morning touring Union County Early College (UCEC) recently, talking to its principal, teachers and students to learn more about the five-year high school. Also pictured standing next to Habit is UCEC principal Victoria McGovern.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2135</guid>
						 <title>Weddington Middle celebrates its success as a top NC middle school</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2135</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Weddington Middle School principal Steve Wray, center, adjusts one of the stars on a congratulatory cake given to students during a recent school-wide celebration in light of their 2009 test scores ranking them as one of the top public middle school in North Carolina. Pictured, from left, are Taylor Alexander, 13; Julian Weinbrenner, 14; Wray; Megan Piet, 13; Jordan Mayfield, 13; and Maria Sanchez, 13.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1923</guid>
						 <title>Chris Mills wins School IPM Recognition Award</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1923</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1924</guid>
						 <title>UCPS middle school teacher recognized regionally</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1924</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[ ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1862</guid>
						 <title>UCPS students offer relief efforts to earthquake victims in Haiti</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1862</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[East Union Middle students present a check for $1,500 to Sheila Crunkleton of the Union County chapter of the American Red Cross. These are but a few of the numerous efforts by UCPS students and educators to help offer relief to the earthquake victims in Haiti. The stories are told by the staff of the schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1864</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Transportation Department sends school bus for Haiti relief</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1864</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Adam Johnson, at left, director of the UCPS Transportation Department, helps Vec Dunn, an operations manager with the department, load the final items collected by bus drivers and transportation staff, that will be sent to Haiti to help earthquake victims. With the help of  United Methodist Church in Mineral Springs, this school bus (filled to the brim with needed supplies) will be shipped to Haiti this week and then used to transport Haitian teachers to their students.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1622</guid>
						 <title>Black History celebrated at Benton Heights Elementary School of Arts</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1622</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts students prepare for their production of &quot;A Journey Through Time,&quot; in honor of Black History Month. Pictured, from left, back row, are Tukeem Sturdivant, 12, Asiah Byrd, 9, Kela White, 12, Aaliyah Brow, 11, and the production&#039;s director/organizer Janice Brown. Pictured on the front row are Ezekiel Tillman, 9, and Trey Shepherd, 8.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1566</guid>
						 <title>Two UCPS sister schools participate in Mexico showcase</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1566</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[New Salem Elementary kindergarten students in Starla Williams&#039; class work hard to stay in line during a special program in which the school and its sister school (Marshville Elementary) studied Mexico. Students participating had been focusing on Mexico throughout the school year as part of a district-wide initiative on globalization.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1445</guid>
						 <title>&#039;Miss Saigon&#039; sure to wow audiences</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1445</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Members of the Union County Performance Ensemble will perform &quot;Miss Saigon,&quot; starting Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at Central Academy of Technology and Arts (CATA). The play features a cast and crew of more than 100 Union County Public Schools students from nine UCPS schools and centers around the Vietnam era.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1329</guid>
						 <title>UCPS receives national grant for Chinese program</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1329</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students at Weddington Middle School work on Chinese characters as taught by Chinese teacher Lingyu Liao. These and other students will benefit from the Union County Public Schools being one of 20 school systems in the nation chosen to be a member of the first cohort of schools in the Hanban-Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1136</guid>
						 <title>Walter Bickett Elementary gifted Wii lab from Tate Realtors</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1136</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Walter Bickett Elementary School principal Theresa Benson, at left, holds a check for $4,166 from Allen Tate Realtors, a company that has been a business partner with the school for about nine years. Pictured, from left, are Benson, Allen Tate Realtors area manager for Union County Ron Sumrow and Danielle Spuler, also of Allen Tate Realtors, and this year&#039;s FUNday chairperson.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1137</guid>
						 <title>UCPS&#039; Poetry Out Loud competition grows in participation</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=1137</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The fifth-annual UCPS District Poetry Out Loud competition witnessed two CATA students claiming the first- and second-place wins. Pictured, from left, are first-place winner, Raven Covington, 17, a senior at CATA; event organizer Cheryl Nelson, UCPS High School English Curriculum Coordinator; and second-place winner (who will serve as an alternate) Janae Brown.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=984</guid>
						 <title>Pilot program gives UCPS students &#039;netbook&#039; laptops</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=984</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Monroe Middle School principal Montrio Belton distributes Dell Computers called &quot;netbooks&quot; to sixth graders at Monroe Middle School through a program called 1-to-1 Laptop Computing in the Classroom. This pilot program will distribute a total of 240 laptop computers to sixth-graders at Monroe Middle and ninth graders at Weddington High schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=994</guid>
						 <title>Teens for Jeans effort begins next week at Piedmont High</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=994</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sarah Headley, 16, a junior, at Piedmont High School, begins her second year spearheading the Teens for Jeans effort in Union County. She is pictured with her mother, Jane Headley, folding some of the jeans they have already collected for the upcoming drive.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=872</guid>
						 <title>Top speller named at the 2010 UCPS Spelling Bee Competition</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=872</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis presents the first-place UCPS 2010 Spelling Bee trophy to Marvin Ridge Middle School seventh grader Prakash Mishra. The runner-up in the competition, pictured at left, is Brian Bacik, an eighth grader at Porter Ridge Middle. The competition was held Thursday (January 21, 2010) at Central Academy of Technology and Arts.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=869</guid>
						 <title>UCPS shaves $153.5 million off county debt capacity</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=869</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, at right, discusses the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2010-2015 with UCPS Associate Superintendent Dr. Mike Webb in preparation for Tuesday&#039;s (January 19, 2010) Board of Education meeting. The school board approved both the CIP and the Comprehensive Facilities Plan (CFP) for the next six years. 
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=817</guid>
						 <title>Waxhaw donates $30,000 to Waxhaw Elementary School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=817</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Waxhaw Elementary Student Council president Jackson Sinclair cuts a symbolic ribbon on one of two computer carts equipped with 48 netbooks. The computers were purchased with a $30,000 donation from the Town of Waxhaw.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=765</guid>
						 <title>UCPS students mentored by executives at Scott Health &amp; Safety</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=765</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A group of executives from Scott Health and Safety in Monroe spent Wednesday morning mentoring about 85 UCPS students in an attempt to help shape their futures. Pictured is Mike Ryan, vice president of Life Safety Products at Scott, a Tyco company, as he greets students that came from Monroe and Forest Hills High Schools. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=730</guid>
						 <title>UCPS braces for inclement weather</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=730</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[With weather forecasters warning of an unusually cold winter this year, Union County Public Schools is bracing for possible inclement weather. In the event of school closings or delays, UCPS Chief Communications Officer Luan Ingram records a Blackboard Connect message that is then telephoned to staff and parents as soon as the decision is made.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=664</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Ridge High makes caring a priority through clubs</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=664</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Several club presidents at Marvin Ridge High School gather after its Fall Semester Club Presidents Meeting to discuss their upcoming event with each other. Pictured, from left, are Future Business Leaders of America president McKinley Kelcy, 17; French Honor Society president Chelsea Gribble, 17; National Honor Society president Flavia Crobersi, 18; French and International clubs president Kirsten Haugsted, 18; the Math Honor Society -- Mu Alpha Theta president, Kaitlyn Sulser, 17; Spanish Honor Society president Nicole Frelier 18; and Beta Club president Jacob Mlakar, 17.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=665</guid>
						 <title>US servicemen receive ongoing support from UCPS students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=665</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[First Sergeant Phillip W. Pressley surprised his daughter, New Salem Elementary second grader Madeleine Pressley, when he popped into her classroom while home on leave from Iraq. The school had adopted Pressley&#039;s battalion (Bravo Battery First Battalion 113th Field Artillery) in Iraq, sending care packages throughout the year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=590</guid>
						 <title>Marshville Elementary filled with holiday spirit</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=590</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marshville Elementary School was filled with holiday fun this year. Pictured are Addison Jones and Bryson Morgan placing gloves on Marshville Elementary&#039;s annual Sock and Mitten tree, where students donate items to be given to children in need. The &quot;Marshville Music Machine&quot; performed its holiday program at the school on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, to a standing-room only crowd. The Holiday Express visited Marshville Elementary students on December 14, 2009, and performed a selection that paralleled with The Polar Express and globalization by educating them on different holidays that are celebrated around the world.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=591</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Ridge High&#039;s FBLA helps those in need</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=591</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marvin Ridge High School&#039;s Future Business Leaders of America, which has almost 100 members, recently took stockings stuffed with holiday treats to the Union County Christmas Bureau. The stockings were filled with toys, candy, games, art supplies and bath and beauty products. Marvin Ridge&#039;s FBLA was only one of the many clubs and organizations in Union County Public Schools to help those less fortunate during the holidays. Pictured, from left, are Kelley Cognac, FBLA advisor; Lauren Deville, 15, FBLA historian; Troy Burns, FBLA advisor; Vivek Patel, 15, FBLA vice president; (seated in front) Katarina Thompson, 17, FBLA reporter; and McKinley Kelcy, 17, FBLA president. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=588</guid>
						 <title>Seniors Citizens breakfast a Piedmont High 28-year tradition</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=588</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont High Jade Montgomery, 16, a junior, serves breakfast to a table of senior citizens during Wednesday&#039;s 28th annual Piedmont High School Interact Club Senior Citizen Breakfast.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=589</guid>
						 <title>&#039;Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas Wolfe School!&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=589</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Santa Claus, provided courtesy of Richard &quot;Chief&quot; Alvarez, hands a gift to Nikki Baker during the UCPS Maintenance Department&#039;s 13th annual Christmas party held for Wolfe School Friday. Also pictured from left is Wolfe School principal Mary Jo Breckenridge and Sharon Hand from the Maintenance Department.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=554</guid>
						 <title>SVMS gingerbread house contest signals holiday season</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=554</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[This year&#039;s first-place student winners in Sun Valley Middle School&#039;s annual Gingerbread House Competition were brother and sister team, Lexie and Owen Phillips. The faculty/staff first-place winner was band teacher Leslie Craven. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=555</guid>
						 <title>Marvin Ridge High teacher is Regional Teacher of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=555</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[David Dahari, at left, a science teacher at Marvin Ridge High School, has been chosen as the 2010 Southwest Regional Teacher of the Year, the second year that a Union County Public Schools teacher has taken that title. Also pictured, from left, are Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis and Porter Ridge High School Spanish teacher Jessica Garner, the 2009-10 AT&amp;amp;T North Carolina Teacher of the Year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=492</guid>
						 <title>Waxhaw Elementary students feed 25 needy families</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=492</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Fifth-grade Waxhaw Elementary students load some of the 2,742 items of canned and dry food that were collected during the school&#039;s fifth-anniversary food drive. The families came to the school during the week of Thanksgiving to &quot;shop&quot; for food items with their children. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=493</guid>
						 <title>Middle school student&#039;s artwork used in UCPS greeting card</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=493</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis presents Jake Kenley, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Marvin Ridge Middle School, a framed version of his greeting card as a keepsake. He and dozens of other middle school students submitted entries for the greeting card contest, hoping theirs would be chosen to be the face of the school system&#039;s 2009 greeting card.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=404</guid>
						 <title>Western Union, Marvin Elementary students &#039;Skype&#039; </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=404</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Fourth-grade students in Jennifer Bartlett&#039;s class at Western Union Elementary School talk to students at Marvin Elementary during a recent Skype video conference. In the future, Western Union Elementary fourth-grade students will participate in video conferencing with classes from two other schools in North Carolina: one on the coast and one in the mountains.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=405</guid>
						 <title>Popular girls&#039; magazine features Antioch student</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=405</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[McCarty Beckerman, a fourth-grader at Antioch Elementary, has been featured in Discovery Girls magazine. Beckerman was chosen after submitting several essays to the magazine. Being featured in Discovery Girls Magazine meant Beckerman had her own photo shoot and a full page spread in the October/November issue. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=297</guid>
						 <title>FHHS takes lead in the 2009 UCPS United Way campaign</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=297</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Principals from each of the schools in the FHHS Cluster pose with one of their two trophies during a recent presentation. They are, from left, Marshville Elementary principal Tina Miller; Wingate Elementary principal Kristy Thomas; East Union principal Kevin Plue; Forest Hills High School principal Wanda Little; Rock Rest Elementary principal Wendy Gravely; and Union Elementary principal Cindy Croffut.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=298</guid>
						 <title>US history comes to life at Sandy Ridge Elementary </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=298</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Third-grade students at Sandy Ridge Elementary School take a moment to pose in their costumes after their presentation of  &quot;An American Dream.&quot;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=288</guid>
						 <title>South Providence collecting cell phones for soldiers  </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=288</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[South Providence School in Waxhaw will continue to collect cell phones for American soldiers until Dec. 11, 2009. This Cell Phone Recycling Program is aimed at collecting money so soldiers fighting abroad can call home. Pictured, from left, are South Providence staff Sondra Maske, (an in-school suspension specialist), and Greg Kearney, (a rehabilitation therapist), donating phones to the cause.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=289</guid>
						 <title>Forest Hills High students get lessons in citizenship</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=289</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Russell Smith, 15, at left, a Forest Hills High School sophomore, speaks to a panel of judges about illegal firearms and the need for changes in the state&#039;s gun policies. His group was one of 15 at Forest Hills High School to tackle some tough social issues Wednesday (Nov. 18, 2009) during Project Citizen.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=286</guid>
						 <title>Kensington teacher&#039;s global project gets Bright Ideas funding </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=286</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Ann Landwehr, a third-grade teacher at Kensington Elementary School, is all smiles after receiving a $1,886 check from Union Power Cooperative and a visit by some Carolina Panthers. Pictured, from left, are Panthers player Sherrod Martin, Landwehr, Union Power Cooperative Communications Manager Carrie Cameron, Panthers player Captain Mannerlyn and Union Power Cooperative Vice President of Communications Luanne Sherron. Also pictured is Carolina Panthers&#039; mascot Sir Purr.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=287</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley Elementary School helps break world reading record</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=287</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Scholastic Book Fair representatives Steve Black and Jonita Broel, at right, were on hand to present Sun Valley Elementary School Principal Patrice Parker, center, a certificate of accomplishment and a Book of Worlds Records in which her students will appear for helping to break a world reading record.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=283</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley wins bid for SASC&#039;s 2010 annual conference </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=283</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley High School&#039;s Student Council has won the bid to have the 2010 Southern Association of Student Councils&#039; annual conference held in Union County. Pictured, at left, is student council advisor Josh Wall posing with Sun Valley High School Student Government members during the filming of videos that were used in the school&#039;s bid for hosting the 2010 Southern Association of Student Councils&#039; annual conference.
 ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=284</guid>
						 <title>Former Panther inspires UCPS students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=284</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Mike Minter, a retired Carolina Panthers safety, talks to students at Monroe Middle and Monroe High Schools about their futures during recent motivational talks at the schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=278</guid>
						 <title>American Flag etiquette taught to fifth graders by veterans</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=278</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2423, who have served in many wars including WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, Kuwait, and Djibouti, Africa, came to Indian Trail Elementary School recently to teach fifth graders American Flag etiquette.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=279</guid>
						 <title>Unionville barbecue celebrates 60th anniversary</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=279</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Part of the Nov. 6, 2009, Unionville Barbecue&amp;rsquo;s 60th anniversary will feature old photos and memorabilia from past events. Pictured, from left, looking at some of these old photos are Susan Long, a Unionville Elementary School teacher assistant and one of the Unionville barbecue organizers; Assistant Principal Bryan Lynip and Principal Sharyn VonCannon.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=277</guid>
						 <title>Union County burn victim graduates from CATA</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=277</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Ryan Frias survived a wreck in December that left nearly 80 percent of his body badly burned.
On Friday (October 23, 2009), he graduated from CATA while still a patient at the North Carolina Jaycees Burn Center at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=275</guid>
						 <title>UCPS receives grant to reduce diesel pollution</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=275</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Thanks to a $536,000 federal grant that will be shared between Union County Public Schools and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, the air quality might just be a little better for students getting on and off the school bus and the community in general. Pictured here are members of Clean Air Carolina who are demonstrating the difference in the level of pollutants between a bus fitted with the diesel particulate filters and one without. Pictured from left, Phil Rossi, program director of North Carolina Clean Diesel Campaign and June Blotnick, executive director of Clean Air Carolina.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=276</guid>
						 <title>Sardis Students &#039;Skype&#039; to students in Indonesia </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=276</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sardis Elementary second-graders had a conversation with students in Indonesia recently. School&amp;rsquo;s media coordinator Lydia Lorenzo Adrian, at right, adjusts the laptop sound and camera angle so students in Indonesia can hear and see the students better at Sardis Elementary. James, the student pictured on the computer screen, is a former Sardis Elementary student now living in Indonesia. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=272</guid>
						 <title>Poplin Elementary school helps break world record</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=272</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[2009-2010 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Jessica Garner,&amp;nbsp; a Spanish teacher at Porter Ridge High School, reads &amp;ldquo;The Very Hungry Caterpillar&amp;rdquo; to a class of kindergarten students at Poplin Elementary who joined more than one million other students across America in reading the same book. This broke the world record set last year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=273</guid>
						 <title>Weddington High School recognized for graduation rate</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=273</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Associate Superintendent Dr. Mike Webb and Weddington High School Principal Brad Breedlove accept a state award during a recent ceremony in Raleigh that recognized the top graduation rates in North Carolina. They are pictured with&amp;nbsp; State Superintendent June Atkinson and former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=269</guid>
						 <title>Superintendent&#039;s Student Advisory Council holds first meeting</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=269</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis held his first Superintendent&amp;rsquo;s Student Advisory meeting Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, bringing students from each of the county&amp;rsquo;s 11 high schools. Students meet once a quarter to share concerns and their perspective on improving the high school experience. In this first meeting, students introduced themselves and spent time getting to know each other.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=270</guid>
						 <title>Hispanic Heritage Month offers glimpse of culture</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=270</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts fourth- and fifth-grade students perform dances from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Several schools in the county held a variety of activities to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, designated from Sept. 15, to Oct. 15, 2009.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=266</guid>
						 <title>Porter Ridge students will become &#039;part of history&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=266</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These Porter Ridge Middle and High School English as a Second Language students will have their names planted on Mars thanks to the NASA Mars Missions.&amp;nbsp; The Mars Science Laboratory has encoded each student&amp;rsquo;s name on a microchip that will be carried by the mission rover to the planet&amp;rsquo;s surface in 2010.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=267</guid>
						 <title>Piedmont High students walk for autism awareness</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=267</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jonathan Bowers, at right, principal at Piedmont High, joins about 400 of his students during an autism awareness walk held recently at the school. Also pictured, from right, are Bowers, Piedmont Serves faculty sponsor Stacey Butera, Megan Thomas, and Kim Belk, the president of the Autism Society, Union County Chapter. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=262</guid>
						 <title>Food Lion gives Fairview Elementary $500 grant</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=262</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kelly S. Thomas, principal at Fairview Elementary School, center, accepts a $500 check from Marcelle Griffin, manager of Food Lion at Hilltop, and Rick Keziah, Food Lion&#039;s regional manager. The check represents grant money given to the school by Food Lion, which will be used by the school&#039;s Fourth Grade Team to purchase instructional reading and math supplies.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=263</guid>
						 <title>Forest Hills Principal Wanda Little chosen Principal of Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=263</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Forest Hills High Principal Wanda Little has been chosen by her peers as the Union County Public Schools 2009-2010 Principal of the Year. The announcement was made during Thursday&#039;s (Oct. 1, 2009) annual Principal and Assistant Principals Awards Luncheon. Samantha Adams, assistant principal at Shiloh Elementary, has been named Assistant Principal of the Year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=260</guid>
						 <title>Operation Medicine Drop a community partnership</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=260</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[During a Friday press conference, UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis says the school system will do its part in educating and creating awareness on the proper use, the dangers of misuse and the proper disposal of unused prescription medication. The joint press conference was held by school officials, local law enforcement and health care professionals to announce the Oct. 3, 2009, Operation Medicine Drop. Also pictured, from left, are Denise Cavoly, the UCPS Safe and Drug-Free coordinator; Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey and Union County Sheriff&#039;s Chief Deputy Ben Bailey.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=259</guid>
						 <title>Cuthbertson Campus holds dedication ceremony</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=259</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Cuthbertson Middle principal Laurel Healy, Board of Education Chairman Dean Arp, County Commission Chairman Lanny Openshaw and Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis cut the ribbon officially opening Cuthbertson Middle and High Schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=257</guid>
						 <title>New Salem Elementary celebrates American Spirit Day </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=257</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Fifth-grade New Salem Elementary AIG students recite the Preamble to the Constitution from memory during American Spirit Day held recently at the school. Constitution Week, which ended yesterday, (Sept. 23, 2009) inspired an assortment of activities in celebration of the American spirit.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=258</guid>
						 <title>Stallings Elementary celebrates Constitution Day</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=258</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wendy Wortha&#039;s first-grade class at Stallings Elementary School celebrated Constitution Day with patriotic hats that they made and proudly wore to lunch in honor of Constitution Week, celebrated from Sept. 17, through Sept. 23.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=255</guid>
						 <title>Use of technology could revolutionize classroom learning</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=255</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[With the help of Dell Computers - UCPS is taking a bold new approach to meeting the technology challenges of tomorrow through a program called 1-to-1 Laptop Computing in the Classroom, which will be piloted at Monroe Middle and Weddington High Schools. Board members, from left, Kimberly Morrison-Hansley, John Parker and David Scholl, participate in a mini lesson during Tuesday&#039;s work session involving 1-to1 Laptop Computing in the Classroom.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=256</guid>
						 <title>2009 UCPS Communicator&#039;s Workshop held at PDC</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=256</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Shawn Flynn, managing editor and senior reporter at News 14 Carolina, addresses a group of educators during the 2009 UCPS Communicator&#039;s Workshop held Thursday, (Sept. 17, 2009). The workshop, which featured three journalists (Flynn; Enquirer Journal education reporter Tiffany Lane; and Monroe Scoop editor/publisher Steve Sherron), offered communication and photography tips to better help the educators disseminate information about their schools and departments to the news media and other mass media sources.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=250</guid>
						 <title>UCPS honors those who died on 9/11</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=250</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Members of the American Legion Post 208 from Waxhaw, at left, help Cuthbertson High School with its flag ceremony during the school&#039;s first ceremony to remember those who died in the terrorist attack on America on September 11, 2001. Cuthbertson High and Poplin Elementary were two UCPS schools who held remembrance celebrations.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=251</guid>
						 <title>Obama&#039;s speech heard in some UCPS classes</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=251</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students in Barbara Williamson ninth-grade English class at Porter Ridge High School were some of the UCPS students who viewed President Barack Obama&amp;rsquo;s nationally televised back-to-school message on September 8, 2009.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=248</guid>
						 <title>UCPS staffers offer helping hands during Day of Caring</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=248</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County resident Edith Simpson, at right, talks with Dana Crosson, director of secondary education, and Carolyn White, director of student services. Crosson and White were among about 10 UCPS Central Services administrators who recently worked with United Way&#039;s Day of Caring to help area residents in need of assistance.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=249</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Maintenance Department Replaces Old Logos</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=249</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Mark Hinson, a UCPS Maintenance employee, replaces the old school system logo on a UCPS maintenance truck with the new UCPS logo which was approved in February. The new logos are only being placed on new UCPS vehicles and old logos are being replaced on the old vehicles as they are brought in for maintenance or repairs. Seven months ago Union County Public Schools changed its logo to better reflect the school system it has become today. To help keep down costs, however, the decision was made to gradually phase in the new look, replacing the old only when it was time to replace or create a new product.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=246</guid>
						 <title>Rep. Sue Myrick visits CATA </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=246</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[US Representative Sue Myrick meets with school officials, including, from left, UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis and Board of Education Chairman Dean Arp, during a visit to Central Academy of Technology and Arts Tuesday, (Aug. 25, 2009).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=247</guid>
						 <title>Presbyterian presents defibrillators</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=247</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Presbyterian Hospital Matthews&#039; Sheila McNulty, chief operating officer, at left, and Judy Page, community health nurse educator, present automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Union County Public Schools&#039; Lead Athletic Director, Doug Jones.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=223</guid>
						 <title>UCPS SAT scores out rank state and nation</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=223</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[For the fourth year in a row, Union County Public Schools seniors, on the average, scored higher than seniors taking the SAT on both the state and national level. The 2008-09 scores released August 25, 2009, showed a combined math and verbal score for UCPS to be 1029, up five points from last year. North Carolina seniors scored 1006 and national scores were 1016.  ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=224</guid>
						 <title>First day of school runs smoothly</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=224</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[It was all smiles for these Porter Ridge Elementary School students Tuesday, August 25, 2009, as they began their day -- the start of the 2009-2010 school year. School officials said the new school year got off to a smooth start, with no major problems reported.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=222</guid>
						 <title>Poplin Elementary School has ribbon cutting ceremony</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=222</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Poplin Elementary School parents showed up in droves Thursday, August 20, 2009, for the school&amp;rsquo;s dedication ceremony. Principal Stephanie McManus welcomed parents and guests, and then shared her thoughts and excitement about the upcoming school year. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=221</guid>
						 <title>Perfect attendance; a 13-year accomplishment</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=221</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Perfect attendance for even one year is quite an accomplishment, but making it 13 years (including kindergarten) without missing a day of school is truly amazing. Nikki Taylor, Alanna Williams and Elizabeth Tucker, all 2009 UCPS graduates, have finished their high school careers, and stand ready to begin the next phase of their lives; but one thing they all have in common - not once in 13 years did any of them get marked absent for a cold, a family vacation or even senior skip day.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=220</guid>
						 <title>Top UCPS scholarship recipient starts college today</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=220</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[2009 Piedmont High School graduate Amanda Elzey, who ranked number one in her class, was recently presented an academic excellence award by her principal Jonathan Bowers during Piedmont Cluster&amp;rsquo;s Awards Ceremony. Elzey was the top scholarship recipient in Union County Public Schools, bringing in $2.5 million in scholarship offers. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=217</guid>
						 <title>Miss North Carolina is 2003 Sun Valley graduate </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=217</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Summer legislative intern Kelly Hook, a 2007 Parkwood High School graduate; at left; Miss North Carolina 2009 Katherine Southard, a 2003 Sun Valley High School graduate; and North Carolina Senator Eddie Goodall take a moment for a quick photo during a recent Raleigh visit by Southard.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=218</guid>
						 <title>Golf tournament to benefit Wolfe School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=218</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Area golfers have the opportunity to have some fun while helping some very special children by playing in the 10th- annual golf tournament presented by the UCPS Maintenance Department next month. The golf tournament, this year dubbed the 10th Annual Ed Sweeney Memorial Golf Tournament, is played each year to raise funds for the special needs children at Wolfe School. This year&amp;rsquo;s tournament will be held starting at 1:30 p.m. on September 19, 2009, at Stonebridge Golf Club, located at 2721 Swilcan Burn Drive in Monroe.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=214</guid>
						 <title>UCPS&#039; 2008-2009 State Test Scores Soar</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=214</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The weak economy and the loss of state funding for teacher ABCs state testing bonuses did not dampen the performance on 2008-2009 state test scores in Union County Public Schools. Test scores show that 43 of the 47 UCPS schools that were involved in state testing increased the percentage of students performing at or above grade level from the previous year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=215</guid>
						 <title>UCPS holds Summer Leadership Conference</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=215</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Assistant Principal Jane Pressley is among other UCPS administrators as they learn how to de-stress through exercise during the two-day 2009 Summer Leadership Conference held Aug. 5, and Aug. 6, 2009.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=213</guid>
						 <title>New Principal 101 paves way for new school year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=213</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Brenda Kasell, principal at Weddington Elementary, standing, and, from left, Casey Ball, principal at Hemby Bridge Elementary and Cheryl Lawrence, principal at Waxhaw Elementary, discuss some back-to-school planning ideas during a break at the four-day New Principal 101 Training held recently at the Professional Development Center in Monroe.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=212</guid>
						 <title>First day of year-round school begins</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=212</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kristin Austin, a first-grade teacher at East Elementary, assists Dazieon Hamilton with a math problem on his first day of school. East Elementary, a year-round school, began July 27, 2009.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=211</guid>
						 <title>UCPS project manager wins national competition</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=211</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Planning Project Manager Timothy Hales proudly shows off the gold medal that he won in a national competition using geographic information systems (GIS) to create the plans for a horticultural training facility.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=208</guid>
						 <title>UCPS seniors break record -- $51 million in scholarships</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=208</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Graduating seniors from Central Academy of Technology and Arts are all smiles as they wait outside of Austin Auditorium at Wingate University for their graduation ceremony. Union County Public Schools 2009 graduating seniors broke an all-time record this year by bringing in $51.1 million in college scholarships.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=205</guid>
						 <title>Stegall bids farewell after 45 years of service</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=205</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[It&#039;s a very different school system today than when UCPS Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Stegall took a job as an eighth-grade English and Social Studies teacher at Unionville Elementary.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=206</guid>
						 <title>Wolfe School awarded LEED Green Building Certification</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=206</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[After opening its doors March of last year, Wolfe School, has attained a certification that only four other new schools in the state have been able to attain -- LEED&amp;#174; Certification.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=203</guid>
						 <title>&#039;Piedmont panther&#039; comes home after 36 years</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=203</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Debbie Drake Baucom, a former Piedmont High School student, sees for the first time a painting she did 37 years ago. The painting of the school&amp;rsquo;s mascot, a Columbia blue panther, was returned to the school recently by its former principal Jim Simeon, at right, who left in 1973. It will once again hang on the walls of the school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=204</guid>
						 <title>East Elementary principals honored</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=204</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[East Elementary principal, Karen Anderson, at left, and the assistant principal, Jalonda Polk, at right, were recognized recently by East Elementary parents for the positive changes that have taken place at the school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=202</guid>
						 <title>UCPS retires 65 educators, 1,235 years experience</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=202</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Gwendolyn Baggs, center, a Union County Public Schools teacher from Porter Ridge Middle, is retiring after almost 35 years teaching in the school system. She is pictured with Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Stegall, at left, who topped the longevity scale with 45 years of service. Also pictured, at right, is Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mike Webb who assisted during the retirees&amp;rsquo; luncheon recognition.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=200</guid>
						 <title>Congratulations Class of 2009</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=200</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These graduating seniors from Forest Hills High School are part of the approximately 2,160 Union County Public Schools seniors who will be turning their tassels over the next several days, all part of the Graduating Class of 2009. Most UCPS high schools will hold their graduation ceremony on June 12, while Forest Hills High School held its ceremony on June 11, 2009. Piedmont and Porter Ridge High School&#039;s graduating seniors will walk across the stage on June 14. Seniors from Wolfe School and South Providence held their ceremonies on June 8 and June 10 respectively. &amp;nbsp;
More Photos...]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=201</guid>
						 <title>Dr. Davis named regional superintendent of the year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=201</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis has been named the 2009-2010 North Carolina Southwest Regional Superintendent of the Year. Davis was chosen Tuesday (June 9, 2009) during the end-of-the-year Regional Superintendent&amp;rsquo;s meeting in Charlotte after being nominated by the current state superintendent of the year, Dr. Terry Holliday, superintendent of Iredell-Statesville Schools.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=198</guid>
						 <title>Garner recognized by peers, students for her state title  </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=198</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dean Arp, Jr., chairman of the Union County Board of Education, presents Jessica Garner, the 2009-2010 North Carolina AT&amp;amp;T Teacher of the Year, a plaque from the School Board acknowledging her state award. The recognition was made recently during a celebration at her school attended by Porter Ridge High School faculty, school officials, her students and the community.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=199</guid>
						 <title>Students taught life skills, etiquette at Monroe Middle </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=199</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Lorenzo Chino, 11, a sixth grader at Monroe Middle School, gets a quick reminder that the little fork is for salads during a formal luncheon at Rolling Hills Country Club. Monroe Middle literacy coach, Kendall Kiser, at right, coordinated the luncheon, the final test in etiquette classes at Monroe Middle School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=197</guid>
						 <title>Central Services staff learn CPR</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=197</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Central Services staff practice CPR during a recent training class taught by UCPS Nursing Supervisor Jane Thompson. Pictured are, from left, UCPS Safety Director Jarrod McCraw, and Central Services staff Lynette Parker, Lisa Callaham, Lillian Rorie and Cookie Jacumin.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=196</guid>
						 <title>State, local budget cuts may cost hundreds of UCPS jobs</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=196</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[With the downturn in the economy and millions of dollars in reductions from the local, state and federal funding, Union County Public Schools faces the formidable challenge of doing more for growing numbers of students and schools with a lot less money. Union County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, at right, discusses the impact of state and local budget cuts with UCPS Chief Finance Officer Dan Karpinski.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=194</guid>
						 <title>Retired educators host annual district meeting</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=194</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Carolyn Lowder, co-president with Union County chapter of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel, leads a brief memorial service to remember those NCRSP members throughout the district who have died. The local chapter hosted this year&amp;rsquo;s annual NCRSP District VI meeting recently at Wingate University.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=195</guid>
						 <title>Texas Power Team brings new meaning to being tough </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=195</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[East Union Middle Principal Kevin Plue, center, holds a baseball bat presented by Jamie Morrison, left, and Jonathan Caldwell, after a strength demonstration and motivational presentation for the school&amp;rsquo;s more than 800 students. Morrison and Caldwell are part of the Power Team based in Dallas, Texas.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=192</guid>
						 <title>UCPS classrooms visited by State Superintendent</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=192</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[State Superintendent June Atkinson, at right, asks students in Jessica Garner&amp;rsquo;s Porter Ridge High School Spanish class, for feedback about the Graduation Project during a recent visit. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=193</guid>
						 <title>UCPS teacher recognized nationally</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=193</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Susan Helms, an art teacher at Piedmont High School, has been chosen as the 2009 Special Needs Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association (NAEA).]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=191</guid>
						 <title>UCPS teacher wins NC Teacher of Year title</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=191</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jessica Garner, a high school Spanish teacher with Union County Public Schools, has been named the 2009-2010 North Carolina AT&amp;amp;T Teacher of the Year. Garner, 31, is an 11-year veteran Spanish teacher at Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail. This marks the first time in the history of the school system that a UCPS school teacher has taken the top state honor. In January 2009, Garner was named the Southwest Region Teacher of the Year and contended among eight other regional winners to take the state title. The announcement was made in Raleigh Tuesday night (May 5, 2009).
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction press release
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=190</guid>
						 <title>David Dahari named UCPS Teacher of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=190</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools has named David Dahari, a Marvin Ridge High School teacher, as its 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year. Dahari, a nine-year veteran teacher, teaches Chemistry and Physics.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=188</guid>
						 <title>Union Elementary students enjoy &#039;living museum&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=188</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Riley Hovick, 11, who portrayed Betsy Ross, made this replica of the first American flag sewn in 1776 by Betsy Ross. Also pictured are, Blair Austin, (seated), and Charlotte Brown, fifth-grade teachers at Union Elementary who helped organize the event.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=189</guid>
						 <title>Rock Rest helps set math world record</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=189</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Rock Rest fifth graders joined over one million students from schools in 160 countries in a quest which set a new world record in answering mental arithmetic questions recently.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=185</guid>
						 <title>24 Math Challenge builds confidence</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=185</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students compete in the second annual 24 Math Challenge held this year at East Union Middle School. Pictured are, from left, Erin Lyons, a teacher from Weddington Middle (standing) and Josh Grainger, 12, from Marvin Ridge Middle.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=186</guid>
						 <title>Waxhaw Elementary students honor Earth Day </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=186</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Paulette Bolden, at right, a cashier at Harris Teeter and a nine-year veteran UCPS bus driver, hands Waxhaw resident Jodie Backley her bag of groceries in a decorated Earth Day bag from Waxhaw Elementary School. Backley said recycling is very important in her household and she is pleased to see the students honoring Earth Day with their artwork. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=183</guid>
						 <title>cARTwheels wows UCPS students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=183</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dancers from the North Carolina Dance Theatre of Charlotte perform a rollicking ballet set to traditional bluegrass music performed live by Greasy Beans from Asheville during an April 7, 2009, performance at Central Academy of Technology and Arts.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=184</guid>
						 <title>Book Madness nets 1,300 books for elementary students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=184</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A Porter Ridge High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club member reads to students at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts after the club collected and donated 1,300 gently used and new books to the school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=181</guid>
						 <title>BHESA presents Disney&#039;s 101 Dalmatians Kids </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=181</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[During the first week of April, Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts looked as if it were &amp;ldquo;just going to the dogs.&amp;rdquo; Dalmatian dogs that is, and 101 of them.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=182</guid>
						 <title>CATA students enjoy outing with Wolfe students  </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=182</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Amanda Mills, 18, at left, a senior at CATA, was part of more than 100 SADD students&amp;nbsp; who spent their lunch visiting with special needs students at Wolfe School. Also pictured is&amp;nbsp; Roy Worth-Bryd, 17.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=179</guid>
						 <title>BHESA students make a difference</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=179</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A student in Renee Rogers&#039; fourth-grade class at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts holds one of the more than 200 items the students gathered and donated to the Battered Women&amp;rsquo;s Shelter in Monroe.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=180</guid>
						 <title>Churchill seminar offers students unique look at history</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=180</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dr. Robert Billinger from Wingate University leads a discussion with UCPS teachers about the book written by Churchill&amp;rsquo;s granddaughter Celia Sandys, &amp;ldquo;We Shall Not Fail.&amp;rdquo; Also pictured, from left, are Amanda Laughlin, a teacher at Forest Hills High School and Phil Collins, a teacher at Porter Ridge High School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=177</guid>
						 <title>Three former &#039;Titans&#039; score big with students</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=177</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Former T.C. Williams High School Titans football player number 80 Darryl &amp;ldquo;Blue&amp;rdquo; Stanton speaks with students at Piedmont High School Friday, (March 27, 2009), about his life as one of the &amp;rsquo;71 Original Titans. Also pictured are Titans football player number 23 Warren Robinson, at left, and the Titans&amp;rsquo; head cheerleader in 1971-72 Ethel Ferguson.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=178</guid>
						 <title>New Salem goes &quot;Buggy&quot; with arrival of spring</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=178</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Janet McGarvie, a kindergarten teacher at New Salem, portrays Lana the Ladybug singing &amp;ldquo;That&amp;rsquo;s No Way To Treat A Ladybug,.&amp;rdquo; The number was truly a highlight of the March 3, 2009, presentation at the school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=174</guid>
						 <title>Career Expo at Monroe Middle helps shape futures</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=174</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wendy Rebadow, who works in the Imaging Services at Carolina Medical Center-Union, explains this X-ray of a spinal column to students and talks about her job at Carolina Medial Center during Monroe Middle&amp;rsquo;s Career Expo this week.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=175</guid>
						 <title>Four UCPS schools recognized as &quot;Super Safe&quot;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=175</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Weddington High School&amp;rsquo;s Marcus Leake, assistant principal, and Brad Breedlove, principal, are pictured with June Atkinson (State Superintendent) after she presents Weddington High School with the Super Safe School Award in Raleigh. Weddington Middle, Monroe High and Sandy Ridge Elementary also won this award.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=172</guid>
						 <title>CATA site of state student council convention</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=172</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Thomas Lee Hill, NCASC State President, at left, and CATA teacher Ted Gehring, the student council advisor, reviews the program for this year&amp;rsquo;s 2009 NCASC State Convention held this year at Central Academy for Technology and the Arts.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=173</guid>
						 <title>Total Quality Share Day opportunity for educators</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=173</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Lisa Andrews, a teacher at Marvin Elementary School, shares best practices in the classroom using technology during Monday&amp;rsquo;s (March 9, 2009) Total Quality Share Day held this year at Sun Valley High School.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=170</guid>
						 <title>Wingate Elementary gets Lighthouse School award</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=170</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wingate Elementary has been selected to receive a 2009 North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) Lighthouse School Award.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=171</guid>
						 <title>Rotary Club donates uniforms to South Providence</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=171</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Waxhaw-Weddington Rotary Club members stand ready to hand out new uniforms purchased by the school with funds raised by the club. Pictured from left are Waxhaw-Weddington Rotary Club President Larry Hook; Rotary vice president-elect Cathy Burns; Rotary president-elect Arthur Lightbody; and Rotary member and Union County Commissioner Parker Mills.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=166</guid>
						 <title>Cuthbertson High presents first varsity letter</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=166</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Cuthbertson High School&amp;rsquo;s principal, Rob Jackson, proudly presents Dr. Ed Davis, UCPS Superintendent, with the school&amp;rsquo;s first varsity letter. This continues a long tradition of UCPS schools presenting the superintendent with a varsity letter in the area of academics. Cuthbertson High School will open in August, combining students from Marvin Ridge, Parkwood, and Weddington High schools.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=167</guid>
						 <title>Black history month ends, but memories live on</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=167</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jacqueline Morris, a two-year veteran Pre-K teacher at East Elementary School, high fives Raheem Bowers, 11, a fifth-grader at East Elementary after he portrayed Emmitt Smitt, 40, who holds the title of the NFL&amp;rsquo;s all-time rushing leader.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=164</guid>
						 <title>Piedmont High&#039;s band wins &quot;Best Marching Band&quot; award</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=164</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont High School&amp;rsquo;s marching band was named the &amp;quot;2008 Best Marching Band&amp;quot; for their performance in the Union County Christmas parade. They were recently recognized for their accomplishment. Pictured are, from left, Jody Lukac, band director at Piedmont Middle and High schools; and Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, who recognized the band&#039;s award during class.

&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=165</guid>
						 <title>Love the Bus week honors UCPS bus drivers</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=165</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Camille Leekins, a bus driver in the Sun Valley cluster, enjoys a thank you note from a Shiloh Elementary student given to her during a national Love the Bus week reception at the school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=153</guid>
						 <title>Shiloh student is ready for Valentine&#039;s Day</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=153</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Brianna Johnson, a Shiloh Elementary student, is ready for Valentine&#039;s Day carrying her favorite book &amp;quot;Valentine Express.&amp;quot; She and other K-5 students participated in Character Day recently, in which they dressed as their favorite book characters and walked in a Character Parade at the school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=154</guid>
						 <title>Day Treatment Program, nationally accredited</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=154</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A day treatment program located at South Providence, a Union County Public School for at-risk students, has been nationally accredited, culminating a four-year journey that has finally come to fruition.&amp;nbsp; Pictured are, from left, Dana Crosson, principal; Karen Holst, program director; Sean Pueschel, teacher; and Dan Edwards, assistant principal. See complete picture and story inside.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=137</guid>
						 <title>Union County Public Schools unveils new image</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=137</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[After 16 years,&amp;nbsp; Union County Public Schools is a very different school system from when it initially formed. To better reflect the school system of today, the UCPS Communications Office, with the help of a focus group comprised of parents, students, teachers, administrators and local business, has designed a new logo and image.
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=138</guid>
						 <title>Board of Education has new official seal</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=138</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Part of the new image includes the creation of a new Board of Education official seal which will only be used for formal and official documents.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=133</guid>
						 <title>Ingram named top school PR professional in state</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=133</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Luan Ingram, chief communications officer with Union County Public Schools, has been recognized as the top school public relations professional in North Carolina. She is pictured with former winners of this prestigious honor, called the Barry Gaskins Service Award for Outstanding&amp;nbsp; Contributions to School Public Relations.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=134</guid>
						 <title>SVHS among UCPS schools awarded grants</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=134</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley High School teachers Chris Roncone, Jean Rosmon, and Doug Latta won a $2,000 Bright Ideas grant for their project called &amp;ldquo;The Art of Geometry.&amp;rdquo; Their students and more than 5,800 students statewide will benefit from the Bright Ideas grants awarded by Union Power Cooperative during recent surprise visits to their classrooms. Union Power Cooperative granted $20,000 this year to area teachers for their &amp;ldquo;bright ideas.&amp;rdquo; ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=131</guid>
						 <title>Porter Ridge teacher is AIG teacher of year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=131</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Chrissy Rose, an eighth-grade Academically Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Communication Arts Teacher at Porter Ridge Middle School, has been named the 2009 Union County Public Schools AIG Teacher of the Year.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=132</guid>
						 <title>Allen Tate donates $5,600 to two elementary schools </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=132</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Allen Tate Realtors have donated $5,600 to two elementary schools in the Union County Public Schools system. Pictured from left, are East Elementary Assistant Principal Jalonda Polk; Rose Marie Crowell, broker/Realtor with Allen Tate; Ron Sumrow, Allen Tate Realtors area manager for Union County; and Walter Bickett Principal John Jones.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=122</guid>
						 <title>Students bring Revolutionary times to life</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=122</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Revolutionary period in America was brought to life recently for fifth-grade students at Stallings Elementary School. Students even made and wrote with feather quill pens. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=123</guid>
						 <title>Rocky River student wins UCPS 2009 Spelling Bee</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=123</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis congratulates the 2009 UCPS Spelling Bee winner, at left, Jacob Corvington, a fifth-grader at Rocky River Elementary School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=120</guid>
						 <title>Porter Ridge High teacher is regional Teacher of Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=120</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A Union County Public School teacher has been chosen as the 2009 Southwest Regional Teacher of the Year. Jessica Garner, 30, an 11-year-veteran Spanish teacher at Porter Ridge High School was recognized Friday, January 9, 2009. She is pictured with UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=121</guid>
						 <title>New Salem, Marshville students have colonial experience</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=121</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Fourth-grade students from New Salem and Marshville Elementary Schools came together recently (Dec. 9, 2008) to explore life in Colonial times in America.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=118</guid>
						 <title>Benton Heights School of the Arts strings class performs</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=118</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students from Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts perform holiday music in honor of the season for Central Office staff. The students, led by Benton Heights teacher Beth Joy Fowler, are part of the school&amp;rsquo;s level two strings class. Also a part of the program was the school&amp;rsquo;s Arts Coordinator Frank Casstevens.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=119</guid>
						 <title>Wolfe students connect with nursing center residents</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=119</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dollie Greene, at left, a resident at Jesse Helms Nursing Center in Monroe, accepts a gift bag from Brittany Thomason, at right, a senior at Wolfe School. Also pictured is Wolfe School teacher assistant, center, Michelle Parker.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=116</guid>
						 <title>Local church supplies students new shoes</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=116</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students from East Elementary get a chance to visit with Santa while they wait to try on shoes given by First Presbyterian Church and JC Penney in Monroe]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=117</guid>
						 <title>Smith named Chamber&#039;s Volunteer of Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=117</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Linda Smith, UCPS Career Development Coordinator, has been named the Union County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=114</guid>
						 <title>Gingerbread house contest at SVMS</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=114</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kyle Johnson, a sixth-grader at Sun Valley Middle School, stands in front of his gingerbread house, the first-place winner in this year&amp;rsquo;s sixth annual competition. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=115</guid>
						 <title>Santa gets cheerful reception at Wolfe School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=115</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Santa Claus, provided courtesy of Richard &amp;ldquo;Chief&amp;rdquo; Alvarez, talks with Meagan Alexander, seated, and Carey Grier, standing, about Meagan&amp;rsquo;s gift from the UCPS Maintenance Department given during the 12th annual Christmas party held for Wolfe School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=112</guid>
						 <title>Student&#039;s artwork becomes UCPS greeting card</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=112</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Laura Lamb, a 9-year-old fourth grader at Western Union Elementary School, has lunch with UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, shortly after he announced to her peers that her artwork has won the Union County Public Schools&amp;rsquo; inaugural greeting card contest.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=113</guid>
						 <title>Waxhaw Elementary students make cards for soldiers</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=113</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Brad Ladr of Waxhaw helps his son, Nicholas, a kindergarten student at Waxhaw Elementary School, make a card bound for soldiers, who are either wounded or serving in Iraq. Parents came to Tiffany Brown&#039;s kindergarten class recently to help their children in this patriotic effort.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=110</guid>
						 <title>Rotary Club gifts dictionaries to third graders</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=110</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The five Union County Rotary Clubs have partnered with the Union County Public Schools to provide dictionaries for the more than 3,200 UCPS third-graders.&amp;nbsp; Pictured, from left, Pam Sanders and Rick Greene, both members of the Monroe Rotary Club, visited Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, distributing dictionaries to the school&amp;rsquo;s approximately 100 third graders.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=111</guid>
						 <title>UCPS officials meet with NC legislators</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=111</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The UCPS Legislative Breakfast, held Tuesday, December 9, 2008, is a two-way communications tool between state legislators and UCPS administrative staff and Board of Education members. Legislators attending were North Carolina Sen. Eddie Goodall, Reps. Pryor Gibson and Curtis Blackwood and Rep. Elect Justin P. Burr.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=108</guid>
						 <title>Senator Goodall visits UCPS schools</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=108</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Senator Eddie Goodall visited students in Kelley Gates&amp;rsquo; class at Marvin Ridge High School on October 17, 2008, during his America&amp;rsquo;s Legislators Back to School Program, a national civics program where state legislators visit classrooms to talk about the Legislature. He also visited Parkwood Middle School.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=109</guid>
						 <title>New Board of Education members sworn in</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=109</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Five Union County Public School board members were sworn in during the Dec. 2, 2008, board meeting held at Shiloh Elementary School. Pictured from left, are returning board members John Crowder from District 1, Carolyn Lowder from District 2; new board members (both serving At-Large) David Scholl and Laura Minsk; and returning board member John Collins from District 5.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=106</guid>
						 <title>Two UCPS schools recognized regionally</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=106</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis recognized two schools, Marshville Elementary and Sun Valley Middle, during the STAR Award Celebration breakfast given by the Southwest Education Alliance (SWEA) in Concord on November 18, 2008. Pictured, from left, are Sun Valley Middle (former teacher of the year) Karen Pharr, Sun Valley Middle Assistant Principal Mary Jo Breckenridge, Sun Valley Middle Principal Blaire Traywick, Dr. Davis, Marshville Elementary Principal Tina Miller, and Marshville Elementary (former teachers of the year) Betsy Smith and Becky Phifer.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=107</guid>
						 <title>Union Elementary poster goes into space with NASA</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=107</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union Elementary students and staff are pictured signing a large poster that is currently aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=103</guid>
						 <title>UCPS students participate in electoral process</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=103</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Many UCPS students across the county held mock presidential debates and/or elections, an opportunity to get involved in the electoral process on a school level. This Indian Trail Elementary student puts her ballot in the election box after voting during her school&#039;s mock election on November 3.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=104</guid>
						 <title>Leaders of tomorrow learn skills today</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=104</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Rachel Purser, 17, a senior at Piedmont High School, at left, and Hannah Nystrom, 17, a senior at Weddington High School, speak with Tina Simpson, the volunteer coordinator at Turning Point during the third meeting of the Youth Leadership Union, a partnership between the Union County Public Schools and the Union County Chamber of Commerce.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=101</guid>
						 <title>2008 United Way awards presented</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=101</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The 2008-2009 UCPS United Way campaign raised $160,749.39. Forest Hills High School Cluster stood out this year by winning all three of the following categories: Highest Percentage of Participation; Greatest Improvement In Percentage of Participation; and Highest Average Per Capita Contributor. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=102</guid>
						 <title>UCPS Board recognizes outgoing members</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=102</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The UCPS Board of Education recognized At-Large board members Dr. Sharon Gallagher and Kim Rogers during its November 7, 2008, regular board meeting, held this month at Sandy Ridge Elementary. The board thanked both for their dedicated service, as both their terms end in November. PIctured, from left, is Gallagher, Board Chairman Dean Arp and Rogers.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=99</guid>
						 <title>Ukuleles, a teaching tool at Waxhaw Elementary</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=99</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Waxhaw Elementary music teacher Jeremy Ryder, left, uses ukuleles to teach basic music concepts like high and low, fast and slow, a steady beat and an unsteady beat. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=100</guid>
						 <title>Storyteller helps celebrate Hispanic Heritage</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=100</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Irania Macias Patterson, center, a published children&amp;rsquo;s author of bilingual books and CDs, helped students at Porter Ridge Elementary recently celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by performing traditional Hispanic folktales and dances from different Spanish-speaking countries. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=98</guid>
						 <title>New Salem Elementary holds curriculum carnival</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=98</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Dawn Moretz, a teacher at Benton Heights Elementary, offers her talents and energy to assist in the New Salem Elementary School Curriculum Carnival.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=97</guid>
						 <title>MMS hosts first Literary Celebration</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=97</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Monroe Middle School hosted its first Literary Celebration earlier this month, an event intended to recognize all of the hard work that teachers and students put into its Readers&#039; and Writers&#039; workshop. School staff dressed up as their favorite book characters to commemorate the event.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=93</guid>
						 <title>Jones is UCPS 2008 Principal of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=93</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[John Jones, principal at Walter Bickett Elementary School, at right, speaks with one of his teachers, Nicole Oljeski, a speech-language pathologist. Jones has been named the 2008-09 Wachovia Principal of the Year for Union County Public Schools.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=94</guid>
						 <title>Superintendent&#039;s 2008 Student Advisory Council meets</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=94</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students from 10 UCPS high schools met with Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis Friday, October 10, 2008, for the first Superintendent&#039;s Student Advisory Council quarterly meeting of the 2008-2009 school year. Forest Hills, Marvin Ridge, Monroe, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Sun Valley and Weddington high schools, and Central Academy for Technology and Arts, and Union County Early College each sent five students to share student views with the superintendent. 
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=95</guid>
						 <title>Superintendent&#039;s 2008 Student Advisory Council meets</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=95</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students from 10 UCPS high schools met with Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis Friday, October 10, 2008, for the first Superintendent&#039;s Student Advisory Council quarterly meeting of the 2008-2009 school year. Forest Hills, Marvin Ridge, Monroe, Parkwood, Piedmont, Porter Ridge, Sun Valley and Weddington high schools, and Central Academy for Technology and Arts, and Union County Early College each sent five students to share student views with the superintendent. 
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=91</guid>
						 <title>Penegar serenaded by &quot;the King&quot;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=91</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sylvia Penegar, director of the After School Program for Rocky River Elementary, was serenaded recently by &amp;quot;the King&amp;quot; in recognition of achieveing a&amp;nbsp; Five Star Rating. &amp;quot;Elvis&amp;quot; was portrayed by Noel Fludgate, a Rocky River EC teacher.
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=90</guid>
						 <title>East Elementary teacher gets early Christmas</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=90</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Anne Helms, seated at right, a first-grader teacher at East Elementary School, was surprised Wednesday by the box filled with classroom supplies she received from OfficeMax. Also pictured is, from left, Susan Smith and Sharon Airington, both OfficeMax representatives.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=88</guid>
						 <title>Stallings Elementary holds dedication ceremony</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=88</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Stallings Elementary Principal Bill Breckenridge leads the way during the ribbon cutting ceremony during the September 23, 2008, dedication ceremony at Stallings Elementary School.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=89</guid>
						 <title>Soccer tournament raises funds for MMS</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=89</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Monroe Middle School is taking a unique approach to raising money for school equipment. It&amp;rsquo;s having soccer tournaments between students in all three grade levels, sixth, seventh and eighth.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=85</guid>
						 <title>SVES holds dedication ceremony</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=85</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A ribbon cutting ceremony Sunday, September 14, 2008, at Sun Valley Elementary School officially dedicated the new school. Pictured from left, UCPS School board members John Crowder, Kimberly Morrison-Hansley and John Parker; SVES Principal Patrice Parker; State Superintendent June Atkinson; Union County Commissioner&amp;nbsp; Roger Lane; UCPS Superintendent Ed Davis; Woodmen of the World representative Karen Carter; and Indian Trail Mayor John Quinn. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=86</guid>
						 <title>Sun Valley Elementary holds dedication ceremony</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=86</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A ribbon cutting ceremony Sunday, September 14, 2008, at Sun Valley Elementary School officially dedicated the new school. Pictured are, from left, UCPS School board members John Crowder, Kimberly Morrison-Hansley and John Parker; SVES Principal Patrice Parker; State Superintendent June Atkinson; Union County Commissioner&amp;nbsp; Roger Lane; UCPS Superintendent Ed Davis; Woodmen of the World representative Karen Carter; and Indian Trail Mayor John Quinn.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=87</guid>
						 <title>Marshville Elementary utilizes business volunteers</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=87</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marshville Elementary School celebrated &amp;quot;Read Across America&amp;quot; last semester with community and business leaders volunteering to read in each classroom. Pictured is Chip Raye of Commercial Piping who read to students in Michelle Griffin&#039;s kindergarten class.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=83</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood teens offer anti-drug message</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=83</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These 23 Parkwood High School students, who were part of the school&amp;rsquo;s Dream Team, took their anti-drug message to three elementary schools last semester, hoping to make a difference in the lives of elementary students before they move on to middle school.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=84</guid>
						 <title>Weddington High recognized for graduation rate</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=84</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Weddington High School was recognized Monday (September 8, 2008), for having the highest graduation rate of any high school in the state in the 400- to 499-student four-year cohort group. Pictured, from left, are UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, Weddington High School principal Brad Breedlove, State Superintendent June Atkinson and Union County Board of Education chairman Dean Arp.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=78</guid>
						 <title>Memorial garden honors beloved teacher</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=78</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[In an attempt to honor the late Judi Bishop, East Union Middle School staff and students are creating the Judi Bishop Memorial Garden. Her name will continue to be associated with educating children at the school, as once the garden is completed, it will become a learning tool.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=79</guid>
						 <title>FHHS students use creative learning techniques</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=79</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Mechele Tucker&amp;rsquo;s AP Literature and Composition students at Forest Hills High School were very creative in two innovative projects last semester, utilizing a thinking-outside-the-box-approach to learning. Students are pictured placing painted ceiling tiles in their classroom as part of one project.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=75</guid>
						 <title>School year off to good start</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=75</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Kate Stotz, a first-grade teacher at Sun Valley Elementary School, helps one of her students put his belongings into his cubby on the first day of school. These are the first students to attend Sun Valley Elementary School as it just opened its doors in August. Principal Patrice Parker said things are running smoothly, and it has been a great start to the school year.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=76</guid>
						 <title>Teacher of the Year gets new car</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=76</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Jessica Garner, the 2008 Union County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, is driving a brand new 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, after being presented the keys and a year&#039;s lease by Greg Lawrence of Lawrence Chevrolet in Pageland, SC.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=74</guid>
						 <title>UCPS seniors bring in $31.7 million in scholarships</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=74</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Classes start today at NC State for Teresa Tahir, 18, pictured at left. Teresa is the top scholarship winner among the 1,809 college-bound UCPS seniors, earning scholarship offers from 21 universities, with a total four-year value of $597,000. She chose NC State because of its engineering department and plans to study environmental engineering. She is pictured in her dorm with fellow engineering major Mary Sykora from Annapolis, Maryland.
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=72</guid>
						 <title>UCPS principals visit Africa </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=72</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Three UCPS principals visited Africa recently, part of a 34-member educator group from World View.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=73</guid>
						 <title>New Salem held Field Day 2008</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=73</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[New Salem&amp;rsquo;s field day celebration held last semester had a fun-filled closing ceremony, which included teacher Jacob Surratt kissing a pig.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=70</guid>
						 <title>UCPS #1 in AYP among eight largest school systems </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=70</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools made substantial progress this year in attaining Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal law, and still ranks number one among the eight largest school systems in the state with the percentage of schools making AYP. There was a marked increase in the number of UCPS schools meeting AYP this year, with 40 of its 49 schools, or 81.6 percent, achieving 100 percent of the target goals set by NCLB. Last year, only 23 of 47 UCPS schools, or 48.9 percent, met AYP. Overall, 90 percent of UCPS schools met more than 90 percent of the AYP goals. Even the school failing to met the most AYP goals, still met 82.4 percent and still outranked many schools in the state.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=68</guid>
						 <title>Kensington Knight Players perform Shakespeare</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=68</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Kensington Knight Players gave a public performance last semester of Shakespeare&amp;rsquo;s A Midsummer Night&#039;s Dream, featuring fourth- and fifth-grade students.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=69</guid>
						 <title>FHHS community project says &quot;art rocks!&quot;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=69</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Forest Hills High School art students did a community service project for the new Jesse Helms Nursing Center at CMC-Union last semester, providing a unique rock garden of artwork.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=66</guid>
						 <title>Teens help 80 Union County families</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=66</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Thanks to about 330 middle and high school students from across the United States, about 80 Union County homeowners witnessed home repairs in times when their own pocketbooks couldn&amp;rsquo;t afford them.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=67</guid>
						 <title>WHS students visit Europe</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=67</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Weddington High School students presented their school T-shirts to friends they made during a recent trip to London and France.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=64</guid>
						 <title>First day of year-round begins</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=64</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Darius Ledbetter, 7, a student in Carolyn Wall&amp;rsquo;s second-grade class at Walter Bickett Elementary School, works on a project during the first day of classes. Students in year-round schools started Monday, July 28, 2008.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=65</guid>
						 <title>UCPS awarded funds to reduce diesel pollution</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=65</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Union County Public School system was awarded $100,000 to retrofit approximately 20 school buses with pollution control devices. Pictured, Gerald Fowler, Supervisor of Transportation for Union County Public Schools, said&amp;nbsp; the pollution control devices will contribute to both cleaner air for the region and a healthier ride to school for students. ]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=62</guid>
						 <title>UCEC visits with NC First Lady</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=62</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[North Carolina First Lady Mary Easley, wife of Gov. Mike Easley, took a moment to visit recently with the staff of Union County Early College during the New Schools Project Summer Institute in Winston-Salem. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=63</guid>
						 <title>School attorney says goodbye</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=63</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Monroe attorney Koy Dawkins, left, was recognized during a recent Board of Education meeting, after announcing that he will retire as school board attorney, concentrating his energies on his private practice. Board of Education Chairman Dean Arp is pictured, at right, awarding Dawkins a plaque in appreciation of his 45 years of service to the school system.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=60</guid>
						 <title>Summer academy has visit from NASCAR driver</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=60</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Professional NASCAR driver Shaun Mangum, a Union County native, brought some of his crew and two of his race cars to the FastTrack Race Challenge Summer Academy held recently at Central Academy of Technology and Art. Mangum is pictured talking with students about his racecar.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=61</guid>
						 <title>With help from CATA, Campus Kids has new flag</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=61</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[CATA student Cody Baker, at left, helps to raise the new Campus Kids pre-school flag that he designed, as the pre school&amp;rsquo;s staff and students cheer and clap.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=58</guid>
						 <title>UCPS retires 89 educators</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=58</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Union County Public Schools retirees, from left, Joanne Biggers, Cindy James and Karen Baucom, all teachers from Wingate Elementary, enjoy a light-hearted moment before the annual retirees luncheon at Rolling Hills Country Club.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=59</guid>
						 <title>2008 Summer Leadership Conference held at SPCC</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=59</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Mike Rutherford of the Rutherford Learning Group in Matthews, standing, addresses UCPS administrators during group discussions at the three-day 2008 Summer Leadership Conference.
See more photos.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=56</guid>
						 <title>Hollywood comes to Rock Rest</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=56</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[A Charlotte beautician creates a 1960&amp;rsquo;s hairdo for an extra in the movie &amp;quot;Blood Done Sign My Name&amp;quot; in a Rock Rest Elementary School classroom recently. The school served as a staging area for the movie production crew.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=57</guid>
						 <title>New Town teacher goes to Russia</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=57</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Debra Onufer, a third-grade teacher at New Town Elementary School, traveled to Russia earlier this year to present a workshop on Reciprocal Teaching. She and her husband also found time to enjoy some of the sites.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=54</guid>
						 <title>2008 SVHS seniors graduate</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=54</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Sun Valley High School seniors graduated June 7, 2008. For a glimpse of that special day click here to see more SVHS graduates.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=55</guid>
						 <title>Congrats 2008 Piedmont High School graduates</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=55</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont High School is one of the nine UCPS high schools to graduate its seniors over the past several days. There were a total of 2,100 UCPS seniors to graduate during the 2008 school year. Piedmont High School graduated this year at Cabarrus Arena.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=52</guid>
						 <title>Master P, Lil Romeo at Monroe Middle graduation</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=52</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Rapper Lil Romeo entertains the graduating students at Monroe Middle School Friday, June 6, 2008, after a promise his dad, Master P (Percy Miller) made last fall that if they continued to do well in school, they would both come to the school before graduation.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=53</guid>
						 <title>Shiloh Elementary dedicates Memory Garden </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=53</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Family members cut the ribbon leading to Shiloh Elementary School&amp;rsquo;s Memory Garden, dedicated Wednesday, June 4, 2008, to a student and a teacher assistant who died last year. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=50</guid>
						 <title>Parkwood Middle holds annual &#039;rumble&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=50</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These Parkwood Middle School students dress in period garb in honor of the school&amp;rsquo;s eighth-annual &amp;ldquo;Rumble.&amp;rdquo; Pictured, from left, are Parisa Nourestai, Delia Bender, Kayla Hobbs, Eric Hatley, Zack Martin, Austin O&amp;rsquo;Shields, Alma Perez, Kayce Lemmonds and Courtney Owens.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=51</guid>
						 <title>Rocky River students get helping hands</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=51</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Weddington High School Beta Club and National Honor Society members gave up their Saturdays recently to volunteer their time in Super Smart Saturdays, an end of grade testing preparation program at Rocky River Elementary School. Pictured are Weddington High School students Katie Powers, standing, and Charlotte Jenkins, seated.]]></description>
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						 <pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=48</guid>
						 <title>Piedmont contest to become annual event</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=48</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Piedmont High School senior Erica Medlin, center, took first place in a recent writing competition at the school, winning a $50 gift certificate. Also pictured, from left, is Piedmont High Principal Wanda Little, Medlin, and Piedmont High School teacher Rhonda Hill, who sponsored the event.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=49</guid>
						 <title>Antioch teacher gets surprise of her life</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=49</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Bethany Solwold, a kindergarten teacher at Antioch Elementary, was stunned when her fianc&amp;eacute;, Ian Dancel, proposed in front of her students.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=46</guid>
						 <title>UCPS teachers recognized by BOE</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=46</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[District Four Board of Education member Richard Weiner greets Porter Ridge Middle School teacher Robyn Harrell Friday, May 9, 2008, as he distributes this year&amp;rsquo;s teacher appreciation gift, a dual power calculator. Board members traveled to schools throughout Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2008) personally thanking teachers, teacher assistants and all certified staff for their hard work.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=47</guid>
						 <title>Legislative Breakfast outlines UCPS&#039; focus</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=47</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, pictured at right, outlines the top legislative priorities of the Union County Public Schools with Sen. Eddie Goodall, at left, and Rep. Pryor Gibson (via conference call) during the 2008 UCPS Legislative breakfast held May 8, 2008. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=44</guid>
						 <title>CATA students plant trees</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=44</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Lara Beegle, (bending at left), co owner of Image Design Landscape in Marshville, and one of her crewmembers, (shoveling at right), Tony Davis, help about 75 students from Central Academy of Technology and Arts plant trees on the school campus in honor of Earth Day.


&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=45</guid>
						 <title>Lowes awards grant to Parkwood High </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=45</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[More than 150 students, faculty and parent volunteers spend some of their weekends at Parkwood High School planting hundreds of plants purchased with the grant money from Lowes. 
&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=41</guid>
						 <title>VSA festival celebrates final year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=41</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Various mascots greet the crowd during the opening ceremony at the 14th annual Very Special Arts Festival held recently at Piedmont High School.&amp;nbsp; This is the final year the celebration will be held at Piedmont.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=42</guid>
						 <title>MMS has visitor from China</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=42</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Monroe Middle School has a visit from its sister school in China. A reception was held in honor of Vice Principal Yan Zhenyu Monday, April 28, 2008. Monroe Middle principal Montrio Belton, left, is pictured with Shi Bei Experimental Junior Middle School Vice Principal Yan Zhenyu.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=39</guid>
						 <title>Porter Ridge High teacher is 2008 Teacher of Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=39</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Porter Ridge High School Spanish teacher Jessica Garner addresses the crowd after being chosen the 2008 Union County Public Schools Teacher of the Year during a ceremony Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at Rolling Hills Country Club. Click here to view all school-level winners.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=40</guid>
						 <title>Sardis has Teacher Assistant of the Year</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=40</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Beatrice Household, 42, a nine-year-veteran teacher assistant at Sardis Elementary, at right, hugs last year&amp;rsquo;s winner of that title, Dawn McCourt, a teacher assistant at Hemby Bridge Elementary. Household was chosen during the 16th annual Teacher Assistant of the Year banquet April 17, 2008.&amp;nbsp;]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=37</guid>
						 <title>CATA students share time with Campus Kids</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=37</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Caitie Robinson, a ninth-grader at CATA, enjoys reading her book to Cole Sutton, a preschool student, at Campus Kids Preschool.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=38</guid>
						 <title>Career Day comes to Wingate Elementary</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=38</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wingate Elementary first and second graders view the &amp;ldquo;Health Career Puppet Bunch&amp;rdquo; presented by Michelle Boyd during the school&amp;rsquo;s recent Career Day. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34</guid>
						 <title>UCPS holds first Math 24 event</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=34</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These Union County Public School middle school students were finalists in the UCPS Math 24 competition held Friday, April 4, 2008, at Weddington Middle School. Pictured are, from left, Hannah Kessenich, a seventh-grader at Marvin Ridge Middle School; Claudia Ochoa, a seventh-grader from Sun Valley Middle School; the 2008 UCPS Math 24 Champion Alden Kessenich, a sixth-grader at Marvin Ridge Middle School; and Rheinhardt Beeslaar, a sixth grader at Sun Valley Middle School.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35</guid>
						 <title>Two UCPS schools get STAR awards</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=35</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[UCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Davis, at right, examines the STAR (Schools That Attain Results) award given to Monroe Middle School during a recent ceremony given by Southwest Education Alliance (SWEA). Also pictured is Monroe Middle principal Montrio Belton, who accepted the award on behalf of his school. Wingate Elementary was also recognized with a STAR award.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=31</guid>
						 <title>UCPS bus drivers compete</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=31</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[This UCPS bus driver competes in the event called &amp;ldquo;Offset Ally&amp;rdquo; where drivers test their ability to make maneuvers without turning over the cones.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=32</guid>
						 <title>Four schools dubbed &quot;Super Safe&quot;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=32</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Four UCPS schools have been designated 2007-08 Super Safe Schools for their exemplary efforts in providing a safe working and learning environment for their educators and students. Their principals were recognized at a recent school board meeting.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=29</guid>
						 <title>UCPS goes &#039;green&#039; with Wolfe design</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=29</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Wolfe School principal Stephanie McManus, standing at right, assists student Tiffany Graham with a classroom project.&amp;nbsp; The school, which opened earlier this month, was built with a green and sustainable design. Also pictured, from left, are teacher Margaret Davis, students Jack Williams and Jennifer Alcozer, McManus and Graham.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=30</guid>
						 <title>WBES wins Trailblazer award</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=30</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Walter Bickett Elementary School is the Western Region and statewide winner of the School Trailblazer Award for its &amp;ldquo;Support Our Students (SOS) After-School Program and Parent Academy.&amp;rdquo; Pictured are, from left, Pamela Bailey, SOS Director; Janet Miller, Parent Academy Coordinator Exceptional Education teacher and Walter Bickett Elementary School Principal John Jones. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=24</guid>
						 <title>Sandy Ridge has &#039;Ram Radio&#039;</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=24</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Students prepare the next broadcast for Sandy Ridge Elementary&amp;rsquo;s Ram Radio, a radio program produced by fifth-graders at the school that entertains and educates parents while they wait in the car-rider line in the morning and afternoon. ]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=25</guid>
						 <title>Unionville, CATA win at regionals</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=25</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Three Unionville Elementary teams move on to state competition after winning at the regional Odyssey of the Mind competition.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=17</guid>
						 <title>Black History Month celebrated</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=17</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[Marvin Elementary School celebrated Black History Month with a recent visit from Chris Thompson and The Cultural Ensemble, which shared the African culture with students in grades three through five. The Cultural Ensemble is a multi-talented troop that specializes in performing and teaching traditional African and American styles of dance.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=18</guid>
						 <title>SVMS wins 58 medals </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=18</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[These Sun Valley Middle students took 58 medals in a regional science competition in Laurinburg recently, including a first- and second-place wins. Students won a first-place in the junior varsity and second-place overall in varsity categories. The Regional Science Olympiad Competition was held February 9, 2008, at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3</guid>
						 <title>US Army soldier visits Piedmont Middle School</title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=3</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[With the help of a Piedmont Middle School student, US Army Maj. Jason Hayes demonstrates how much weight soldiers carry in Iraq. Hayes appeared at the school to thank students personally for their letters and packages to US soldiers in Iraq.]]></description>
					 </item><item>
						 <pubDate>Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
						 <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2</guid>
						 <title>Taradiddle Players perform </title>
						 <link>http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/news/jump.php?news_id=2</link>
						 <description><![CDATA[The Taradiddle Players presented a play of Laura Numeroff&#039;s book, If You Give a Pig a Party, to students at Union Elementary recently. The play, presented by the Children&#039;s Theater of Charlotte, is a &amp;quot;circular story&amp;quot; where one thing leads to another until the story winds up back at the beginning.]]></description>
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