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911: 'I need an officer out here. I have weapons on the bus'

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Thursday, February 28th, 2013, 5:48pm

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A student in Brunswick County is accused of having three knifes on a school bus Wednesday.

According to spokesperson Jessica Swencki, the bus driver was taking students to Cedar Grove Middle School and became aware at one point during the route a student on the bus had a knife.

The driver called 911, and within minutes a school administrator, SRO and sheriff's deputy were on the scene.

"I need an officer out here. I have weapons on the bus," the driver told 911 operators. "I have one [knife] in custody. I've been told there's more."

No students were injured in the incident and parents were notified using the reverse call system.

Swencki could not release details regarding what disciplinary action was taken, but did say the school system is following the student code of conduct.

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Brunswick superintendent talks about threats to public education at meeting in Raleigh

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Tuesday, February 26th, 2013, 11:39pm

RALEIGH, NC (WECT) – Lawmakers met in Raleigh Tuesday to discuss the needs of K-12 public education.

Brunswick County Superintendent Edward Pruden was one of nine superintendents who spoke during the meeting.

Pruden expressed concerns about any legislation that would create a tax credit or voucher system that would help parents pay to send their children to private or charter schools.

He called these the "greatest threat to public schools."

Pruden said if lawmakers move in this direction, it would divide schools into two tiers – the upper tier (private, sectarian and charter) that would be able to select their students and the lower tier that would be the remnant of the present public school system.

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Brunswick Co. to test drive buses that run on alternative fuel

Submitted by Nadine Maeser, Reporter, News Producer
Monday, February 25th, 2013, 5:28pm

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Brunswick County School System will be test driving a new bus that runs on alternative fuel. They're the only county in our area that will participate in the pilot program.

The district will receive two buses that run on propane and the schools will evaluate how they run and how much money they will save.

The director of transportation said it will be interesting to compare their current buses to the new ones.

"We'll use mileage per gallon, the cost to operate it and compare it to what we currently have," said Bobby Taylor. "All of our buses across from NC are running off of diesel which is a clean fuel but everyone knows gas and compressed gas is a little bit cleaner."

The buses are expected to arrive in mid-April.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

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South Brunswick High students shadow business leaders

Submitted by Karen Sphar on Friday, February 15th, 7:11 am
South Brunswick High students shadow business leaders

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and Brunswick County Schools’ Career Ready program coordinated a Job Shadow Day on February 6, 2013, and 56 juniors and seniors from South Brunswick High School applied to participate.

The students attended an orientation session, job shadowed for the day, and then provided a post report about the experience.  Job shadowing is an excellent opportunity for students to explore careers in which they have expressed an interest, and is offered at each of the Brunswick County high schools.

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Board members get on the bus

Submitted by Jessica B. Swencki, Director of Quality Assurance and Community Engagement, Brunswick County Schools
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013, 10:26am
Board members get on the bus

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The wheels on the bus go round and round and this week three Brunswick County Board of Education members will go with them as they ride along to celebrate Love the Bus 2013.

Love the Bus is an annual campaign of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to highlight school bus safety and the dedicated men and women that keep fleets rolling from the mountains to the coast.

Brunswick County Board of Education members jumped at the chance to experience firsthand what 7,200 students experience everyday…a ride to or from school. 

Chairman Charlie Miller will ride Southport Elementary bus #314 driven by Sharon Wiles Wednesday afternoon. 

Vice-Chairman Bud Thorsen opted for a Wednesday morning route and will join Gladys Frink on Union Elementary bus #309. 

Shallotte Middle bus #324 driven by Tamara Hill will be accompanied by Board member Catherine Cooke Thursday afternoon. 

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All-county concert showcases musical talent

Submitted by Jessica B. Swencki, Director of Quality Assurance and Community Engagement, Brunswick County Schools
Thursday, February 7th, 2013, 9:30am
All-county concert showcases musical talent

Contributed by Connie Enis:

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The annual Brunswick County Schools' All-County Honors Middle and High School Band Concert will be Friday, February 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Odell Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College. 

There will be no admission charge.

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Early College students glimpse into their futures at career day

Submitted by Jessica B. Swencki, Director of Quality Assurance and Community Engagement, Brunswick County Schools
Thursday, January 31st, 2013, 2:48pm
Early College students glimpse into their futures at career day

Contributed by Megan Easton:

Students at Brunswick County Early College High School will have first hand exposure to 30 different career pathways this Friday, February 1, 2013. Over forty different individuals representing their specific business or industry will speak with students in small group sessions at Career Day. All 330 BCECHS students selected four different career sessions to attend.  The event will occur on the school's campus at Brunswick Community College from 8:00 a.m. until noon. 

Principal Dr. Vicky Snyder is excited about this opportunity for the school.  "Career Day is an opportunity for us to bring the community into our school.  Students will learn important information on specific careers, but we also know they will hear about the critical role of education and the need for all professionals to work collaboratively in the 21st Century world of work,” said Dr. Snyder.

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