$225,150 Lindamood-Bell Learning Process officially adopted

Macon County Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the contract which established a partnership with the California based company, Lindamood Bell Learning Process (LBLP), during Monday’s September board meeting.

The program, which began this summer and has already been introduced into the school system through a letter of intent signed by the board last month, costs $210,150 for the program and an estimated additional $15,000 for materials. Lindamood Bell will be funded by the re-direction of state and federal funds.

Strategic long-range plans to benefit both institutions.

Western Carolina University (WCU) and Southwestern Community College (SCC) are partnering in a long-range strategic planning process for the betterment of each institution, as well as for the benefit of the community at large.

WCU’s new chancellor, David Belcher, is working closely with SCC’s new president, Don Tomas to establish a comprehensive and cohesive plan for the role the institutions will have in the areas they serve.

Andy Shaw Ford of Sylva is once again bringing Ford Motor Company’s “Drive One 4UR School” Program to Jackson County. On Oct. 7 the event will be held at Smoky Mountain High School from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year the potential for increased funding is significantly higher than in years past. The basic formula will still be used: A $20 donation will be made by Andy Shaw Ford and Ford Motor Company for each of the first 300 test drives of a new Ford vehicle. However, if 200 of those same drivers take an additional test drive in the newly redesigned 2012 Focus an additional $2,000 will be donated. During that same time frame students will be producing a video which features the new Focus and if chosen as a winner, the School can win an additional $7,000 for a total of $15,000.

Students and faculty alike kicked back to relax last Thursday at Southwestern Community College Macon Campus’ “Welcome Back!” event.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., nearly 300 students of all ages gathered behind SCC’s Macon Campus to celebrate their return to school. Hot dogs, classic rock, games and swag were all among the perks afforded students at the Sept. 8 soiree.

“This is pretty great,” said MEC student Russell Helma, who was doing the limbo at the party with more than a dozen of his classmates. “We don’t get to do stuff like this every day. It’s a good way to start back at school.”