March 1, 2006

By Chad Campbell
Guilford County Schools

Greensboro, NC - March Madness is coming to Tournament Town and on March 2 and 3, a local partnership will merge that madness with academics. For those two days, nearly 5,000 enthusiastic students, representing 45 Guilford County schools, will join thousands of other passionate Atlantic Coast Conference fans as the Greensboro Coliseum hosts the 29th Annual ACC Women's Basketball Tournament.

Through a collaboration between Guilford County Schools (GCS), the ACC and the Greensboro Coliseum, the ACC School Partnership allows children to combine the up-close sights and sounds of March Madness with academics. Students attending the game have participated in the school day program's educational component throughout the year. It includes teacher-developed curriculum relating to the ACC and/or the Women's Basketball Tournament in the fields of physical education, science, social studies, math, language arts, technology and character development.

Elementary school students from across the county will enjoy the opening game of the tournament on Thursday, March 2 featuring Boston College and Virginia. The game tips off at 11 a.m., with a live Webcast on theacc.com. Marti Sykes, member of the Guilford County Board of Education, will be at center court when she tosses the ceremonial tip-off for the game. Students from Jefferson Elementary will sing the National Anthem on March 2.

Middle school students from across the county will attend the first quarterfinal game on Friday, March 3 when regular-season champion North Carolina faces the winner of the Boston College-Virginia game. That game tips off at 11 a.m. and airs locally on FOX Sports Net South. Students from Southeast Middle will perform the National Anthem at the 4 p.m. contest that day.

In addition to watching the best college basketball in the country, students from Union Hill Elementary will receive a visit from the five-time world champion of competitive rope jumping and Cirque du Soleil artist, Rene Bibaud. She will visit the students on March 1 from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. to perform and share her mission of youth fitness.

About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 68,800 students at 112 schools. With approximately 9,600 employees, the district's mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice.

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, visit the district's Web site at www.gcsnc.com.

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