Mitchell High School

FFA Chapter Awarded Program Improvement Grant Raleigh, NC – The Mitchell High School FFA Chapter has been awarded a $15,000.00 program improvement grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. These funds will be used to replace old and broken greenhouse table. During its 2023 grant cycle, the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission awarded a grant valued at more than $300,000 to the North Carolina FFA Foundation for the North Carolina Agricultural Education Program Improvement Grant. A total of 20 grants, valued up to $15,000 each, have been awarded to FFA Chapters across North Carolina. Enhancing agricultural teaching programs, developing innovative projects, and purchasing much-needed classroom equipment are just some of the goals of the programs. North Carolina FFA is a youth organization of more than 36,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture, with more than 360 local chapters across the state. “These grants provide valuable resources for agricultural education programs to enhance instruction, giving our students the skills necessary for success in the 21st century,” said State Agricultural Education Leader Joshua Bledsoe. “We are extremely grateful to the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission for sharing our vision and creating tremendous opportunities for students throughout the state.” The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission was created in 2000 by the NC General Assembly to administer part of the funds from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the state and major tobacco companies. Since then, the agency has funded over 100 different projects which have touched nearly all NC farmers. “We’re excited to be a partner with the FFA,” said William Upchurch, Executive Director of the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. “This is a great opportunity for students and teachers to feature innovative and creative projects designed to strengthen Agricultural Education. These students represent the future of agriculture in North Carolina.”

On February 16, a group of 15 students from Mitchell High School Health Science 2 Honors Course and HOSA participated in a Hands-Only CPR presentation for Deyton Elementary students. The presentation was planned and led by HOSA officers and seniors, Abby Richardson, Alex Huang, and Rheagan Thomas as part of their Heart Healthy Initiative Project they will present at HOSA State Leadership Conference in April. The program began with a skit and questions for prizes. Afterward, students were broken up into small groups where they had the opportunity to practice adult and infant hands-only CPR and practice 911 calls. Each student was provided a packet of heart-healthy activities they could take home and enjoy with their family. Thank you Deyton Elementary, for inviting our students to join you in the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge.

Mitchell County Schools will be closed today, Friday, March 1st. Mixed precipitation is falling in areas of the county and is forecast to continue in areas throughout the morning. This will be a Schedule 2 Workday for staff.

February is CTE month, and as it comes to an end today - we want to thank our CTE Director, Kim Hodshon for her tireless effort and contributions to Mitchell County CTE. Kim has always worked to provide the students in Mitchell County with the best CTE program and experiences to enrich their lives during school and beyond. To end our celebration of CTE Month , the Mitchell County CTE family want to say, "Thank you, Kim and we appreciate you!"

During CTE month in February, students at Deyton Elementary, Gouge Elementary and Greenlee Primary competed in the CTE Career Poster Contest. Students were tasked with drawing the Career they aspire to pursue when they grow up. Career Exploration at a young age is very important in beginning the crucial conversations and exposure to all kinds of careers available to students in their future. Mitchell County CTE would like to congratulate the following students on their awesome hard work and effort on this contest. Deyton Elementary Leah Baker - 4th Linus Chenowweth - 5th Laney Glenn - 5th Gouge Elementary Brylee Wilson - 4th Mckinly Benntt - 3rd Sadie Pollard - 3rd Greenlee Primary Oakley Blanton - 2nd Brantley Stacy - 2nd Alex Jimenez-Cornelio - 2nd

CTE celebrated CTE Month on February 21st with a dress-up day - and surprised Mr. Huggins by dressing up as our "favorite" CTE teacher who plans to retire after this year.

March Calendar Reminders

Mitchell County Schools is thrilled to announce that our new school Mitchell Elementary/Mitchell Middle will be opening in August 2024! We are thankful to Vannoy, Cope Architecture, and all of the sub-contractors for working tirelessly to make this possible. An August move in will be much smoother for our students and staff. The state-of-the-art facilities will be a wonderful place for our students to thrive and for our staff to work. We will keep everyone posted as we prepare for the opening in August. Thank you for your patience and support as we have worked to bring Mitchell County a first-class new school. Go Miners!

Today is the last day to pre-order a MHS yearbook and guarantee that you have one for this school year! Order now! https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1052361/Mitchell-High-School/

Check out the activities planned to close out CTE month at Mitchell!

As part of celebrating CTE month, Mrs. Boone invited Anthea Biddix to visit the Child Development classes at Mitchell High School to discuss her role in Mitchell County schools and the education/training she has for her role as the Preschool Coordinator. Students who complete Child Development requirements have the option to take the Early Childhood classes next semester and will be working with Anthea's program at Greenlee Primary, Montessori, and Jack and Jill's daycare. Several students have expressed interest in becoming early childhood teachers, and Mrs. Biddix gave them information as to what schools/programs offer this certification. --

Hurry up and pre-order your MHS yearbook before time runs out! Tomorrow, February 23rd, is the last day to pre-order the yearbook.

As part of CTE Month, April Jones, Career Advisor with NCWorks Career Center, was asked to present a session on "What Employers are Looking For" to multiple CTE classes at Mitchell High School on February 14th.

Hurry and pre-order your MHS yearbook before it is too late!

Senior cap and gown pictures this Thursday, 2/22. Must sign up!

Last day to pre-order is Friday, 2/23. Cost is $85. Purchase online or bring a check or exact cash to Ms. Ollis in room #330 at Mitchell.

Check out whats happening for CTE Month Week 3!

Just want to give a "shout-out" to Aticus Grindstaff and his family. Aticus was chosen as a youth ambassador for the American Heart Association for 2023–2024. His family attended the Charlotte Heart Ball, where he served as a youth ambassador, the event raised over 3 million dollars for the AHA!

Congratulations, Mrs. Taylor Hughes-Mitchell County NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year!

On February 7th, Mitchell High School FBLA and HOSA CTE student organizations took 42 students to Beech and Sugar Mountain to ski, snow tube, ice skate, and learn about careers related to this industry. This trip was provided by Go Grants, written by Katy Grindstaff and Taylor Hughes. Students were given the option to do all three activities or pick and choose. While not on the slopes, our students chose to play rook, read books, and just hang out with their friends in the lodge. Most of the group had never been skiing. Lunch was provided by Beech Mountain Ski Resort, also paid for by the grant, and dinner was a pizza buffet at Bella's Italian Restaurant in Banner Elk. Students ended their dinner experience with lava cake, also provided by Bella's. During the trip, HOSA students had the opportunity to discuss different non-traditional medical careers in western North Carolina, that combine an interest in the outdoors with the desire to be active and help others. Students interacted with ski instructors as well as medics, with several staff members providing advice on ski safety to prevent injury. Students enjoyed engaging in heart-healthy activities. During the day, FBLA students had the opportunity to look at the business side of both ski lodges, including sales, marketing, insurance, and liability. Students also discussed the unique considerations for a seasonal operation. Several students are now interested in seeking careers that integrate business into outdoor recreational interests.