Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

November 30, 2007

Our Vision, Mission/Thematic Goals and Core Values

Our vision – what we will become, Our mission/thematic goals- how we will get there -- Our
core values - what we believe -- solidify the underlying foundation for all Guilford County Schools’ decisions and actions.

School Climate Task Force Seeks Community Input

The Guilford County Board of Education’s School Climate Task Force is seeking input from community members to help improve the overall climate in GCS. The task force includes teachers, school administrators, community representatives, the class of 2008 or 2009, parents, law enforcement, a Guilford County Parent Teacher Association member and GCS Board of Education members.

The task force is charged with reviewing the district’s handling of student misbehavior and reviewing the Guilford County Disproportionate Minority Contact Report, as well as meeting with teachers, parents, students and community stakeholders. The findings will be reported to the Board of Education in January 2008.
The following remaining meetings are scheduled to allow community members the opportunity to share their thoughts:

• December 6, Roy B. Culler Senior Center, 600 Hamilton St., High Point, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• December 11, Dudley High auditorium, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Haley Miller, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-3200.

Teacher Supply Warehouse Open for Business

Thanks to a partnership between GCS, the Guilford Education Alliance, the Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Leadership Greensboro, the Junior League of Greensboro and additional financial support from the Weaver Foundation and United Healthcare, GCS is happy to announce a new way the community can help ensure students and teachers have the supplies they need to succeed at school. The Teacher Supply Warehouse, located at 1601 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro, is now open and serving Title I schools. Hours are by appointment, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Throughout the county, local businesses and organizations often and generously donate items to GCS. While this is greatly appreciated, the district can quickly run out of space to sort and store the items until schools can pick them up. In addition, according to a survey conducted by the National School Supply and Equipment Association, teachers can easily spend as much as $800 per year of their personal money on supplies for their classrooms.

To ensure the warehouse will serve as many teachers as possible while keeping a good stock of supplies on hand throughout the year, it is currently only open to teachers at Title I schools. As the warehouse grows, GCS will open it up to more schools. Title I teachers can ‘shop’ the Teacher Supply Warehouse selecting items free of charge. The only ‘payment’ needed is a thank-you letter to one of the businesses or groups that made a donation. It’s really a simple idea with huge benefits for our teachers, students and our community.

The success of the Teacher Supply Warehouse lies in the hands of the community. Receiving regular donations of supplies is key to keeping the warehouse stocked and ready for teachers to shop. The Teacher Supply Warehouse accepts donations of traditional school supplies, as well as items businesses may no longer need. Before throwing things away, think of creative and resourceful teachers. They could probably put any item to good use in the classroom.

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Cecilia Adams, Manager of Community Partnerships, at 370-8355 or visit the Web site at http://www.gcsnc.com/teacher_warehouse/index.html.

United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro Reinstates Teacher Art Grants

The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) announces the reinstatement of the annual Teacher Art Grant program (TAG). Teacher art grants are designed to emphasize learning in the arts, through the arts and about the arts by:

• enhancing and strengthening integration of the arts into core curriculum,
• broadening offerings for K-12 students,
• encouraging collaboration between artists, arts organizations and schools and
• promoting professional development for teachers.

The grants will be funded by UAC for the 2007-08 academic year due to the support of Michel Family Foundation and the Deluxe Corporation Foundation.  Interested teachers in Greater Greensboro may download an application at www.uacarts.org or call the UAC at 373-7523, ext. 256.  All applications must be received in the UAC office by 5 p.m. on January 7, 2008.  

GCS Schools Receive Parent Involvement Grant

Kiser Middle and Andrews High Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) have received $1,000 for innovative parent involvement programs from the North Carolina PTA. The schools were selected for planning programs modeled after the national standards for parent/family involvement to encourage greater parent involvement within their school and directly with their school’s individual children. Kiser Middle and Andrews High are two of only 10 schools statewide to receive the grant. For more information, please contact Haley Miller, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-3200.

Middle College Students Participate in STEM Competition

Twelve students from Middle College at NC A&T represented their school in the fifth annual science, technology, engineering and mathematics competition on November 14-16 that was held at Benedict College, Columbia, SC. High schools from North and South Carolina participated in the competition. Mini projects and competitive activities in the areas of physics, engineering, biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics and computer science are purposefully and selectively designed to challenge, advance the thinking and problem solving abilities of participating students. Each student participant received an extreme technology gift. School teams that accumulated the highest number of points from the competitions were awarded trophies and high tech prizes.

The students that participated were Randall Bristow, Kameron Eason, Michel Livingston, Chris Echols, Jamie Brown, Calvin Brown, Ivan Mosley, Marcus Holland, Avery Epps, Nigel Edwards, Meliq Cheek and Eric Kimber. School Social Worker Duane Lewis coordinated the trip and traveled with the students as the chaperone. Additional sponsors included the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, SCANA, Wilbert and Associates, Michelin, BMW and Apple.For more information, please contact Principal Jesse Pratt at 691-0915 or Catherine Brooks, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 378-8804.

GCS Student Featured on Cover of Powergirls Magazine

Chandler Bryant, a freshman at Page High, is featured on this month’s cover of the inaugural issue of the Powergirls magazine, recently launched by Johnnetta B. Cole’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute.  GCS has been invited to serve as the network’s home based school system and as such, female students enrolled in GCS high schools can enjoy and reap the benefits of this unique leadership network designed for teenage girls.  All of GCS high schools should have received enough Powergirls magazines for each high school girl in the district to receive one. Chandler, who also participated in this past summer’s Powergirls Leadership Institute, endorses Powergirls as an experience that has helped her to find her own voice in the midst of shyness.  In addition to the magazine, the GCS website has provided a direct link to the Powergirls web-based multi-media network, accessible from the student.  For more information, please contact the GCS Diversity Office at 370-3284.

Key Communicator Meeting

This week, I met with teacher key communicators at Northwest High. The idea behind these meetings is for our educators to share their thoughts, ideas and issues directly with me. The brainstorming sessions last about 90 minutes and are excellent opportunities for educators to discuss issues that are of concern.  Many thanks to Northwest High Principal Angelo Kidd for his help in hosting the event.  Please call me at 370-8992, should you have questions.

Good Neighbor Next Door Program Benefits Teachers

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved areas of Guilford County for participation in the Good Neighbor Next Door Program, which is designed to promote home ownership among emergency medical technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers and teachers. HUD provides a substantial incentive in the form of a 50 percent discount off the list price of eligible foreclosed properties to encourage revitalization within a designated area. Participants in the Good Neighbor Next Door Program must commit to live in the house for three years. For more information on how to participate in the Good Neighbor Next Door Program, please call HUD at 373-2349 or visit www.hud.gov. 

GCS Speakers Bureau

Education does not take a holiday and the process of educating the public about the exciting things happening in GCS is a continual one. The GCS speaker’s bureau helps to inform businesses and civic groups on how we prepare students to be productive members of our community.  Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Language Development and the Achievement Gap
  
• Diversity/Changing Demographics at GCS
  
• GCS Newcomers School/English as a Second Language ( ESL)
  
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
  
• Paradigm Shift: Partnership of Education and the Business Community
  
• Mission Possible Teacher Recruitment and Incentive Programs
  
• School Climate
  
• School Construction
  
• GCS Policies/Procedures
  
• The Challenges of an Urban School District
  
• Magnet Schools
  
• High School Reform
  
• Small Learning Communities
  
• Volunteerism
  
• School Budget
  
• Diversity Awareness Within Urban Schools
  
• Teacher Supply Warehouse

We encourage your suggestions regarding topics and community groups that may be interested in hearing from a GCS speaker. For more information, please contact Lynne Brandon, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-8353.

GCS Construction Costs Comparative Analysis

Andrew LaRowe, Executive Director of Construction and Facilities Management, recently spoke to the Construction Advisory Committee about costs associated with GCS construction. When compared to other districts for 2005-06, the average square footage cost for a GCS elementary school was under the overall average square footage cost, close to average for middle schools and under the average for high schools.

The Facilities group utilized North Carolina Department of Education data for school construction costs across the state as its comparison standard. The results of these comparisons illustrate that GCS is generally in line with state averages. It is important to note that statewide school construction costs increased by more than 55 percent between 2003 and 2005 which heavily impacted construction costs in North Carolina including Guilford County. Click here to view the Construction Costs presentation. For more information, please contact Andrew LaRowe, Executive Director of Construction and Facilities Management, at 669-1693.

High School Exams

I have asked a team of high school principals to work with Transportation Director Jeff Harris to develop a recommended high school first semester exam schedule.  Principals have been asked to obtain feedback from their school staffs and students.  They plan to complete their work by the end of next week.  We will share the schedule once it is complete.  Please call me at 370-8992, should you have questions. 

Office of Employment

Student Teacher Fun Fair
In an attempt to attract the best possible teachers for the 2008-09 school year, the district sponsored its third-annual Student Teacher Fun Fair on Tuesday, November 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Power Play Center in Greensboro. More than 150 participants were given an exclusive opportunity to meet GCS principals and network with key hiring administrators. In addition, attendees received advance notice of 2008 employment opportunities while learning more about the hiring process, salary and benefits.  

Teacher Substitute Fill Rate
The Substitute Office processed 40 new subs this week to increase the substitute pool to 1,503.  During past week, 673 positions needed a sub and 585 were filled, giving us an 87 percent fill rate for the week.

Early Contracts
In an effort to find the best qualified teachers before they escape to other arenas, we are offering early contracts at every possible chance.  Seven early contracts were issued this week which brings the total to 43 early contracts offered to date for the 2008-09 school year, compared to five early contracts that were offered the same time last year.
Early Contract Breakdown: 

• Math (23)
• Science (1)
• Elementary (8)
• Spanish (1)
• Special Education (10)

For more information, please contact Alan Hooker, Director of Employment, at 370-8055.

Digital Video Systems Ordered

The GCS Transportation Department has placed an order for 82 digital video monitoring systems to be installed on school buses.  The monitoring systems are equipped with three cameras which will capture two views in the student passenger area, plus the driver and stairwell area.  Video is continuously recorded onto the systems hard-drive, with a video storage capacity up to 30 days.  Incidents can be downloaded from the system hard-drive to a workstation or laptop computer for viewing by school administrators.  Coordination will be conducted with school administrators to identify which buses experience the highest volume of student discipline referrals.  Expected delivery of the camera system is   the second week of December, with installation to be completed by February.  Funding for purchase and installation of the digital video systems is included in the district’s 2007-08 regular capital outlay budget. For more information, contact Jeff Harris, Director of Transportation, at 370-8920.

Unlawful to Use Cellular Phones by Bus Drivers

The GCS Transportation Department implemented a guideline several years ago which prohibited bus drivers from using cellular phones while operating a school bus, but recent legislation makes this guideline a state-wide law.  Effective December 1, 2007, General Statute 20-140.6, “Unlawful use of a mobile phone,” will apply to all school bus and activity bus drivers in North Carolina.  It is essential that school bus drivers dedicate their full attention to the operation of the school bus to ensure the safety of the precious cargo being transported to and from school.  The district applauds the NC General Assembly and Governor Easley for enacting this law.  For more information, contact Jeff Harris, Director of Transportation, at 370-8920.  

Fuel Prices Steadily Increase

Fuel prices for the week of November 19 were: unleaded $2.46 per gallon and diesel $2.77 per gallon.  Average cost for fuel: $2.62 per gallon.  In comparison the average cost for fuel during the third week of November 2006 was $1.84 per gallon; an increase of $0.78 per gallon.  The fuel budget is being closely monitored to ensure sufficient funds are available for the remainder of the school year. For more information, contact Jeff Harris, Director of Transportation, at 370-8920.

GCSTV 2

Building on Our Strengths  

The strength of public education is an essential ingredient in the success of our community and local economy. Our schools outperform the state average on ABC rankings and surpass the state’s largest school district on Average Yearly Performance. Watch Building on Our Strengths to learn what is right with our community as well as areas that need improvement in order for Guilford County to remain a progressive community. This program airs daily at 9:02 a.m. and 9:34 p.m.

Showcasing GCS Talent

Join us for this sample of the musical talent of GCS students. The 2007-08 High School All- County Festival Chorus performs in a fall concert at Grimsley High. This program airs beginning next week. This program is broadcast daily at noon.

The Performance of Our Students

This Power Point presentation analyzes the results of GCS test performance with a breakdown on how individual schools scored on Average Yearly Performance and ABC tests. The presentation airs Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:32 a.m. 

GCS/ABC 45 Partnership Continues

GCS continues its partnership with ABC 45 television to share the current news and feature stories about our district. The segments run on ABC 45 (Cable Channel 7) during “Good Morning America” each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. Also, learn more about GCS by tuning in to GCSTV 2 (Cable Channel 2).

Eastern Honored
Eastern High has emerged from a devastating fire to be honored for the hard work of its students and staff. The school received a cash reward for Most Improved High School at the annual Hubert B. Humphrey, Jr. awards ceremony. This newsbreak airs Wednesday, December 5.

Celebrating Success with a Few Laughs
Alamance Elementary students worked hard to make sure their United Way fund drive was a success.  It was so successful that the principal and assistant principal made good on a promise that brought the student body more than a few laughs. This newsbreak airs Friday, December 7.

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, Broadcast Production Manager, at 370-8167.

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Study: Oral Reading Tests May Result in Inappropriate Placements

Oral reading tests fail to distinguish children who have trouble understanding words from those with language-based disorders, according to a new study published in the November issue of Reading Psychology. The use of such screening tests can result in students being inappropriately placed or delay treatment for learning disorders, researchers say. The study suggests the use of silent reading tests and limited use of oral screenings. Click here to read more.

X, Y AND Z: The Steps That Help Struggling Math Students Achieve

Marilyn Burns was asked by Paul’s math teacher to work with him because he struggled with multiplication and typically worked slower than his peers. Burns, the founder of Math Solutions Professional Development, began by speaking with Paul and found that he could multiply correctly 6 x 8 but couldn't do the same for 6 x 9. He knew the right answer was 48 because "goin’ fishing, got no bait, 6 x 8 is 48" but couldn't figure out 6 x 9 because "[he] didn't learn it yet." This exchange reminded Burns of key issues intrinsically tied to teaching math, which include the need to help students make connections among mathematical ideas, to build student’s new understanding on the foundation of previous learning and to remember that correct answers, without accompanying explanations of how they were arrived at, are not sufficient for judging understanding. Through her work, Burns discovered several essential strategies necessary to help struggling math learners succeed, beginning by identifying the concepts and skills that students should learn and discarding the extraneous. At the same time, teachers need to build in a routine of support to reinforce concepts and skills before students are expected to perform independent work. In addition, when working with struggling kids, teachers need to help them build upon what they already know, which makes explicit connections between knowledge. Click here to read more.

Brookline High Racing to Close Testing Gaps

With every positive educational announcement comes the inevitable negative: there is a persistent gap between white and minority student achievement, reports Dan Devine in the Boston Bay State Banner. Brookline (Mass.) High School Headmaster Dr. Robert Weintraub is sick of the "achievement gap," and he and his staff have created the African American Scholars program to help close it. In the program, 60 of the school’s highest-achieving black students meet frequently in peer groups and with the program’s director. This increased focus on the best and brightest is critical, serving to transform a school’s culture to one where kids are respected, not denigrated, for their intellect. The results are promising, as 74 percent of African American students scored advanced or proficient on the 2007 English exam and 67 percent scored in those categories in math, compared to 32 percent of black students who scored advanced or proficient in English and 36 percent in math just three years ago. Dr. Weintraub sees this program shifting a paradigm, to one where now "we're going to talk about African American scholars as exemplary citizens and leaders of our country." Click here to read more.