ISS, Catawba drop-out rates decline

The public school systems covering southern Iredell County and southeastern Catawba County reported lower dropout rates from the previous year, according to figures recently released by the N.C. Department of Public Education.

Iredell-Statesville Schools, which has five high schools in the county, had 141 students drop out during the 2011-2012 school year, down from 159 the previous year. That dropped the system’s dropout percentage rate from 2.65 percent to 1.99 percent.

The report did not break down the dropout numbers for Iredell-Statesville Schools by high school – of which South Iredell High and Lake Norman High are in the southern part of the county – and those figures were unavailable from county school officials.

Catawba County Schools, which has Bandys High among its five high schools, reported a reduction in dropout numbers from 130 in 2010-2011 to 115 in 2011-2012, or from 2.34 percent to 2.07 percent.

The two public high schools in which figures were available, Mooresville High of the Mooresville Graded School District and charter school Pine Lake Preparatory, also saw decreases in their dropout rates.

Mooresville High reported 32 dropouts (2.0 percent) in 2011-2012, down from 43 (2.65 percent) the previous year. Meanwhile, Pine Lake Prep had two dropouts (0.5 percent) in 2011-2012, down from three (0.92 percent) in 2010-2011.

Lake Norman High

PTSA tech upgrade campaign: The school’s Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) has launched a fundraising campaign to upgrade equipment in the school’s technology department. Details online at http://iss.schoolwires.com//site/Default.aspx?PageID=41421.

Soles 4 Souls: Campaign to collect new or gently-used shoes through March 22. Collection box is at the main office.

Victory Lane fundraiser: Victory Lane Indoor Karting in Charlotte (2330 Tipton Drive) is giving a portion of all ticket sales to the school during the month of February. Information: www.victorylanekarting.com.

Substance awareness forum: 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the school auditorium. Open to parents and students. Information: Email dkoppelmeyer@iss.k12.nc.us or brader@iss.k12.nc.us.

Brawley Middle

Staff Appreciation Luncheon: 12:15-1 p.m. Feb. 13 in the school’s media center.

Golf Squad: Begins Feb. 14, with sessions each Thursday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The 12-week spring program will be led by certified PGA Professional instructors. Cost is $250 per student. Information: Email programs@golfsquad.com. Students can register online at http://www.golfsquad.com/programs/charlotte-nc/brawley-middle-school.

Winter Dance: 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 22 at the school. The dance is for eighth-grade students only. For more information, email jenna_gwaltney@iss.k12.nc.us.

Night Of The Arts: 5:30-8:30 p.m. March 7 at the school.

LNHS visit: 9 a.m. March 8. The school’s eighth-grade students will visit Lake Norman High for an orientation session for the 2013-2014 school year.

Mount Mourne IB Middle

European trip: The school’s Language B teachers are collaborating with Northside Middle on planning a trip to Spain and France in 2013. Information: Email adrian_singerman@iss.k12.nc.us.

Lake Norman Elementary

Valentine’s Day Dance: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Lakeshore Middle gymnasium. Admission: $3 per person, snacks and drinks available for sale.

Jump Rope For Heart: Students will participate in the program Feb. 19-22.

Math Expo: Feb. 22 at the school. Open to all interested kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

Lakeshore Elementary

Twisted Valentines: Heart-shaped pretzels will be on sale at the school Feb. 14, with a portion of proceeds going back to the school. Prize awarded to class that buys the most pretzels.

PTO Board meeting: 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the school.

Shepherd Elementary

PTO meeting: 6:30 p.m. March 7 at the school.

Woodland Heights Elementary

Kindergarten registration: April 12 at the school. Open to all families with children who will be age 5 on or before Aug. 31. Advance registration forms are available online, and need to be returned to the school along with the Check Sheet for Proof of Residence and Transportation form by March 29.