Southern Wake Academy

Southern Wake Academy Adds Arts-Savvy Educator to the Leadership Team

Southern Wake Academy has added seasoned school leader Dr. John Schultz as the Head of School as they continue to strengthen instructional practices and fully implement their dynamic mission for students in grade 6-12.

Holly Springs, NC, September 24, 2020 ~ The Board of Directors for Southern Wake Academy is pleased to announce that Dr. John Schultz has been hired as the Head of School. A veteran school leader, Dr. Schultz brings not only a wealth of experience and skills as a leader of high achieving schools, but he also brings his career-long expertise and experience in the fields of theatre and the arts. Dr. Schultz has deep knowledge and a rich history of success in building a community-based school that meets the unique needs of all children.

Dr. Schultz comes to North Carolina via Connecticut, where he served as Dean of The Franklin Academy. In addition, he brings over a decade of experience as a Superintendent for Education in Erie, Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Gannon University (Erie, PA); a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Saint Bonaventure University (Olean, NY); and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). He also has earned a degree in Sacred Theology and a Master’s in Divinity from Saint Mary’s University (Baltimore, MD).

Additionally, Dr. Schultz has served as Head of School in Pennsylvania, has built a school in Puerto Rico, served for eight years on the Advisory Board for the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges in Philadelphia, and has acted in, directed, and conducted over 160 theater productions.

Dr. Schultz founded two theater companies in Pennsylvania, Performing Arts Center in Bradford, PA and Lake Effect Theater in Erie, PA, and for 25 years, he worked as a high school and college football referee. He loves to play the piano, travel, bake, read and watch classic movies. He is working on finishing his first novel. (Maybe the setting will be reworked to take place in North Carolina!)

“I am anxiously excited to work with the Southern Wake Academy staff to fulfill the needs of all the stakeholders to allow the school to thrive in a prosperous way,” said Dr. Schultz.

Robin Henderson, SWA’s Board Chair shared, “I was impressed by John the first time I met him. His confidence and experience in developing strong schools that educate the whole child speaks for itself. I’m honored that he is joining the team as our Head of School. I am extremely confident that SWA will be the top public school of choice in the area before we know it.”

Southern Wake Academy is a public charter school serving students in grades 6-12 from the town of Holly Springs and surrounding areas with a unique education model that is a synthesis of community, service learning, technology, and the arts.

Contact Information:
Southern Wake Academy
5108 Old Powell Road
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 567-9955
http://www.swake.org/

SWA Family Spirit Night -
Join us on Wednesday, September 23rd between the hours of 11AM - 8PM at Anna's Pizzeria in Fuquay-Varina for our SWA Family Spirit Night. Come out and enjoy some authentic Italian Cuisine, support our local community, and our school.

You have the option to Dine-in, Take-out, or Curbside Pick up options. This event is open to the public so please tell your friends, family and neighbors. A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to our school.

We will continue to have Spirit Nights at various local restaurants once a month this school year to help support our community. We hope to see you there...

9/11: "A day to remember that extraordinary heroes are often disguised as ordinary people and that ones spirit and soul are unbreakable" Stacey Alcorn
Take a moment today to pause, reflect, and cherish each and every moment with friends and family.

On Labor Day, stop and smell the barbecue. Relax by the pool, and enjoy the last days of summer with those who motivate you to give your best at work all the time. Happy Labor Day to you and yours!

On September 3rd at 6:00 pm in collaboration with Southern Wake Academy, Walt Yates of The College Funding Coach® will be presenting a webinar on The Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College. There is no cost (except your time) to attend. All parents of preschoolers through seniors in high school will benefit from learning from The College Funding Coach®.

As a parent, the reality of paying for college becomes more and more real. Currently, the College Board reports that a "moderate" college budget for an in-state public college averaged $24,061 per year. A moderate budget at a private college averaged $47,831 per year.

Whether you have a preschool student or a senior in high school, you will learn valuable information that is timely for you. Feel free to invite other parents to attend, too. We'd love to welcome you and them to this event!

Register by clicking on the following link: Southern Wake Academy – Little Known Secrets of Paying for College - https://www.thecollegefundingcoach.org/class/southern-wake-academy-webinar/

While the webinar is free of charge, registration is appreciated.

Your SWA Student Services Team &
The College Funding Coach of the Carolinas

SWA Spirit Night - TONIGHT
Join us this evening from 4PM - 9PM at Daddy D's BBQ in Fuquay-Varina for our first SWA Spirit Night of the new school year! We will have a Spirit Night at various local restaurants once a month this school year. Come out and enjoy some delicious BBQ to celebrate the !

You have the option to Dine in, Take-out or use their Drive thru (does not include third party delivery, grub hub or doordash)! This event is open to the public so please tell your friends, family and neighbors. A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to our school.

Check out their new video to preview what they are cooking up!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=746131282830815
Our next Spirit Night will be held at Anna's Pizzeria in downtown Fuquay-Varina in September.

Join us this evening for our SWA Town Hall Meeting via Zoom.
Dr. Tom Miller, SWA Interim Head of School, will be sharing details and highlights regarding the SWA RETURN TO LEARN PLAN and will address the key themes and concerns in regards to student learning.

DISCUSSION TOPICS:
- Middle and High School Drafted Schedule
- Learning Platform and Instructional Methods
- Attendance Process
- Communication Plans
- Estimated Timeline to Plan B/Hybrid learning

Parents and students will be permitted to ask specific questions in the chat box. The meeting will run from 6:00PM - 7:00PM.

Any questions not addressed will be added to a FAQ document on the school's website or will be addressed at the next Town Hall Meeting.

Please use the below Zoom link to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4850136618

Meeting ID: 485 013 6618

Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy Independence Day!

Today and every day, we honor all who have served.

Congratulations to Rick Cross, SWA's Varsity Boys Basketball coach for winning the Triangle Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and to Christina Fox and Jeffrey Kizer for being selected to the All-Conference Varsity Basketball 1st team!

SWA Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week - May 4th - May 8th

Although we have all been away from school for weeks now, we still want to show our SWA teachers and staff how much we appreciate all their hard work during the school year and during this distance learning adventure we've all been on. In a matter of days, they changed their learning plans, created new content, learned new technologies, and constructed a new way of schooling in order to take care of our kids.
To celebrate our teachers and staff this year, we have come up with a way to honor them in a socially distant manner. Needmore Farms, a locally owned small business, has fresh produce baskets brimming with seasonal vegetables and strawberries, and families who wish to participate can donate what they are able.
Families/students/businesses can also submit messages for note cards that we can print out to tuck inside the baskets. Each teacher/staff member will receive a beautiful and delicious basket of fresh fruits and vegetables along with any cards that have been written for them. If you are interested in helping us with this week long, much deserved celebration, please click on the below link and complete the form. Mrs. Mangum & Mrs. Neumann

Teacher Appreciation Produce Baskets | Southern Wake Academy Southern Wake Academy is located in Holly Spring, NC.

To all the Healthcare Professionals, First Responders, and brave Americans who work tirelessly to provide excellent care for the patients of our community during this unprecedented time, we THANK YOU! The countless hours, tears, and love for each of your patients will not be forgotten...