Community Involvement
Community is defined by varying aspects of culture, education, age, attitudes, interest and a plethora of other factors. In a effort to build community at New Dimensions Charter School they have started a program where community leaders come to the school and greet the students upon their morning arrival once a month. Community leaders are to include Police, Fire, City Officials, Clergy, Emergency Medical Services, etc.
Building Community with
Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge 3.06.20
New Dimensions Charter School continues to build community by having different organizations greet students at morning arrival once each month. For the month of March, Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge was in attendance for high fives, fist bumps, smiles and hugs. Dottie Cooper, Nurse Manager; Leslie Mull, Director Emergency Department (ED), Critical Care Unit (CCU) & Cardiac Care; Terry Moore, Director Surgical Services; Joseph Rodriguez, Manager Radiation Oncology; and Regina Rhodes, Director Quality & Case Management. "Our students have enjoyed having the different groups greet them and look forward to who will be here next", said Dawn Grindstaff, New Dimensions Public Relations representative, "New Dimensions parents, staff, and students feel that this has been a positive experience for the students and the community. We have had other organizations that would like to be involved with this effort contact us and we look forward to building those community relationships." Leslie Mull had the following to say about her experience. "The experience was great! Everyone was very welcoming and the students were glad to see us. I liked how interactive everyone was. The teachers and Director helping the students out of their cars. They were very personable with the students and the parents. I enjoyed seeing and greeting the children on their way in to school." She also added, "I liked seeing all of the different styles and personalities. I would love to help again anytime!"
New Dimensions is very thankful for those who have participated in this endeavor. If you are interested in participating in a morning arrival greet for building community, please contact Dawn Grindstaff at dgrindstaff@ndschool.org.
Building Community with EMS 1.24.20
New Dimensions Charter School began the school year with the idea of building community by inviting organizations to greet students at morning arrival once a month. Five months later, the students continue to be excited about visitors greeting them with smiles and high fives. In January, Burke County EMS paramedics, Jimmy Gillman and Adam Rawls were the morning greeters on Friday, January 24. Jimmy Gillman stated, " It was so great to see students being greeted by so many of the staff, even in the rain. You can really get the sense of community here. My nieces have gone to this school since Kindergarten and I truly believe this is the best school in the county! " New Dimensions staff and students are thankful for all who have participated in this effort, Morganton Public Safety, Morganton Fire Department, local clergy, and City of Morganton officials. For the remainder of the school year, New Dimensions has lined up healthcare workers, county officials, and local Girl Scout troop leaders as they continue this endeavor of building community at New Dimensions.
Building Community with City Elected Officials 12.13.19
New Dimensions Charter School continues to have groups come in to greet students at morning arrival in an effort to build community. On Friday, December 13th, Morganton City Elected officials braved the icy weather to participate in this event. Mayor Ronnie Thompson; City Attorney, Louis E. Vinay, Jr.; City Council members Chris Hawkins and Wendy Cato as well as City Manager; Sally Sandy; and Assistant City Manager, Sonja Martson were in attendance.
Students have enjoyed having different groups greet them with high fives, fist bumps and hugs. New Dimensions is thankful for the groups that have participated and were willing to share some encouragement and smiles for our students. Groups that have participated include: Morganton Public Safety, Morganton Fire Department, local clergy and now the elected officials.
Coming up in the new year will be members of Emergency Services, Healthcare providers, and Military personnel. Morganton City Manager, Sally Sandy stated, "We always enjoy any opportunity we get to spend time with the children in our community! They are lots of fun and we were glad to help get their day off on a high note which made our day brighter."
New Dimensions Director, David Burleson added, " The New Dimensions School is very grateful for our city leaders coming out on a cold, rainy day to welcome our students to school. Their presence set the stage for a great day. A big thank you to our leaders who understand that it is very important to reach out to and support our children."
2019 NDS Veterans Day Program
Veterans Day Program.mp4Continuing to Build Community: Clergy 11.22.19
New Dimensions Charter School continues in its efforts of Community Building through having different organizations greet students once a month upon morning arrival. The guests hand out smiles, hugs, fist bumps, high -fives, and "good mornings" to the students. Since starting this effort in September, they have had Morganton Public Safety and Morganton Fire Department. In November, several area Clergy participated in this event: Pastor Ronald McLendon of Celebration Family Worship Center, Pastor Lauren Carlson of Calvary Lutheran Church of Morganton, Pastor Keith Burkhart of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Pastor George Logan of New Day Christian Church and Bishop Barry Camp of The Rising Church.
Pastor Keith Burkhart noted, “It was an honor to be at New Dimensions to meet and greet the students as they came to school. My prayer is that they saw the light of Jesus in us and it made their day a little brighter.”
Pastor McLendon was appreciative stating, "Our thanks to Director Dr. David Burleson, staff and faculty of New Dimensions for allowing us to come and greet the growing student body. We all enjoyed this opportunity so much."
In addition to inviting groups to greet the students; the schools Afterschool Program, Camp Warriors, is helping to build community as well. They have visited with residents of Grace Ridge. Campers played games, completed coloring pages, had cookies and hot cider with the residents. Camp Warriors Director, Mrs Sally McIlwain, also had Hartman's Haven Rescue Organization visit with the NDS campers at New Dimensions. They learned how to care for animals and what a responsibility it is.
New Dimensions Director, Dr David Burleson said, "What a blessing it has been for our students at New Dimensions to be greeted by the Police, Fire Department, and several of our local clergy. The high fives and smiling faces revealed that everyone had a great time. A big thank you to everyone who has helped make a great start to our students day at New Dimensions."
Building Community at NDS
On Friday, September 27th, Morganton Public Safety Officers; Lt Gary Massey, Lt Will Lackey, and Community Officer Casey Kinard greeted New Dimensions students with high-fives, handshakes and hugs. The school alerted their parents prior to the event so they could prepare their students ahead of time. Students were thrilled to see the officers. The students were all smiles as they were greeted by the officers and given words of encouragement for the day. Several comments the staff received were, "I've never given a police officer a high-five before", "My brother wants to be a Police Officer when he is older", "That was weird", "Those cops are nice." Casey Kinard, Community Office and D.A.R.E. Officer stated, "Greeting the students was a great start for our day, I hope the students felt the same. It was awesome seeing the kids and getting tons of high fives!" New Dimensions is looking forward to building a strong community within the school and with others outside their school doors.
