We provide multiple opportunities for students to lead here at Combs. Below are just a few of the school-wide leadership roles in which students must sign up and/or interview to participate. Families can preview information, deadlines, and school contacts in these various roles below. Unless otherwise noted, applications will be found on the Leadership Application Station bulletin board, which is across the hall from the library door.

Battle of the Books (Gator BOB)

Battle of the Books is a team competition sponsored by North Carolina School Library Media Association centered around 16 pre-selected books (list will be on the library website www.leadwithreading.weebly.com when ready).  Students read the books and then participate in a District Competition later in the year against other WCPSS schools. The competition is quiz-bowl style with questions about details in the books. Depending on the interest numbers (we accept anyone interested), there will be weekly lunchtime practices before winter break and then after/before school practices after winter break.  There can only be 12 team members competing in the final competition and those are chosen by how many books the students read of the 16 on the list (the more the better!) Applications will be available at the Leadership Application Station (across from the library) in mid-September and will be due roughly 2 weeks after.

Angie Headley aheadley@wcpss.net 

Lisa Ray lray@wcpss.net

Cheer Club

Vision: To provide all 3rd-5th grade students the opportunity to participate in a cheer club that celebrates school spirit, vertical grade-level leadership, and the joy of being active. Students will learn motions, cheers, and choreography. Our leaders will have the opportunity to welcome guests on Leadership Day and perform at “Celebrate the Arts” Night in May. Students meet on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 in the music room. Fall and spring sessions are six weeks each. Sign up information will be sent home on Friday, September 19th. Participation forms will be due by Monday, September 29th. The first practice will be on Wednesday, October 8th.

Ashtin Gregory aggregory@wcpss.net

Chinese Yo Yo Club

Student-led club for 3-5th graders to learn and practice yo-yo skills.  There will be opportunities to perform at Leadership Events.  This club meets after school and students need to have transportation home.  Applications will be available at the Leadership Application Station by the library.

Yao Liu yliu@wcpss.net

Chorus

Chorus is open to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students who love to sing!  We typically perform at Combs’ school events and sometimes off campus. Third and fourth Graders meet on Wednesdays (7:45-8:25am) , fifth Graders meet on Thursdays (7:45-8:25am) and all rehearsals are in the music room. About a month before a performance, we will add Friday morning rehearsals (7:45-8:25am) with combined third,  fourth and fifth grade Chorus students. I will have the Chorus packets available at Meet the Teacher outside of the Music room (I will be there too). All children are admitted to Chorus. They need to write a paragraph telling me why they want to join. I am unable to let a child join if I do not have parent/guardian permission, which is also part of the Chorus packet. Please have your child turn packets into me by September 5th. Please contact me with any questions.

Jacquie Wojtowicz  jwojtowicz@wcpss.net

Flag Holders

At the beginning of each year families are asked to share about the countries of their families. We celebrate those countries with flag presentations during special events.  Students are asked to hold the flags. 

Courtney Clark cclark8@wcpss.net

Crystal Hadley chadley3@wcpss.net

Gator Ball Handlers

Is open to 3-5 graders who are motivated to attend practice every Tuesday morning from 7:45-8:25.   Students are expected to practice ball handling skills on their own 15 minutes per day.  First year members are also expected to complete a weekly short answer written character development assignment. Gator Handlers progressively learn over 50 basketball handling skills.  Our learning moves quickly.  Skill name recognition and skill practice is critical in early practices as we then advance to improving skill performance speed and also application of skills to song - moving and performing skills rhythmically.  We perform at Combs, and in the community.  Later in season we add extra practices on Tuesday afternoons from 2:45-3:30 to prepare for such events.   You can see a video example of our performance style here:  IMG_3391.MOV    Applications w/ student info./contract and student essay (essay is required for first year applicants only)  must be completed and returned to Coach Hook prior to registration deadline.  Registrations will be available for 3rd-5th grade students to pick up from the leadership opportunity bulletin board across from the entrance to the library..  2nd and 3rd year members are guaranteed a spot, but still need to update a new registration form every year (no essay required).

Coach Hook jhook@wcpss.net

Leadership Day

This is held twice each year (fall and spring), and is an authentic way for students and staff to practice their leadership skills. Educators and business leaders from around the globe visit our school to learn from and see Combs leaders in action.  There are classroom leadership roles, as well as school-wide roles. Students can apply for specific roles and can be nominated by teachers.

Kate Garrison kgarrison@wcpss.net

Library Assistants

Library Assistants is open to 4th and 5th graders and each leader will be assigned one morning per week from 8:00-8:30. Duties include shelving books, running library errands, helping students find as well as check out books, checking books in, adopting a shelf to give extra care, and helping to create and maintain book displays. Applications will be available at the Leadership Application Station (across from library) the first week of school (usually due within the week) and day assignments are made within a couple of weeks (we take into consideration mornings that leaders are involved in other leadership opps and work around those).  Anyone completing the application is accepted and this leadership opportunity lasts the entire school year.

Angie Headley aheadley@wcpss.net 

Lisa Ray lray@wcpss.net

Magnet Tour Guides

These tours are held during the magnet application season (November – February).  Students serve as tour guides for prospective magnet families. They must be able to carry on conversation with families, tell all about our leadership model, and lead guests around campus to share about our school along the way. Interested students can fill out an application and schedule an interview in early October.

Kate Garrison kgarrison@wcpss.net

Morning News

These leaders run the daily live morning newscast. Crew members are limited to 5th graders, along with one 4th grade apprentice during the 4th quarter. All interested 5th grade students can schedule an interview by filling out an application found on the Application Station board. Roles include on and off camera responsibilities. Applications are submitted in August for this year-long opportunity.  4th graders will be able to apply for the following year in April.

Kate Garrison kgarrison@wcpss.net

Robotics

Our FIRST LEGO League Robotics clubs are available to 2nd-5th graders.  During the fall we have a competitive and non-competitive robotics team for 5th graders called FLL Challenge.  The competitive team applies during May of their 4th grade year (with opportunities for new 5th graders to join in September).  The non-competitive robotics team is part of the 5th grade in-school club offerings, and can be chosen during club sign-ups in October.  In the spring, we offer a 2nd-4th grade junior robotics after school club called FLL Explore.  The application for junior robotics will be available in December.

Chelsea L’Heureux clheureux@wcpss.net

Safety Patrol

Members hold a very important leadership role and are a vital part of our school environment.  They remind students of safety rules learned in the classroom and ensure a smooth and safe dismissal for all children. Some Safety Patrol responsibilities include:

• AM duties -7:55-8:20 a.m.; PM duties - 2:55-3:25 p.m. 
• Report for duty on time, wearing orange safety vests
• Lead by example by encouraging students to observe safety rules on campus
• Be proactive - look at the weather report if you have an outside duty and plan appropriately.

Applications will be available end of September. Open to 4th and 5th grade students only.

Claudine Parisi cparisi@wcpss.net

After school paid activities at A.B. Combs

Chess, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball

You can preview information about Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, and Chess that begin on September 4th.

Lego Play-Well

Engineering program using LEGO materials provided by Play-Well. Information can be found here.

Girls on the Run

It is available for 3rd-5th grade girls and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.  Flyer and sign up information are available here.