Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

January 12, 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.

GCS Closed on Monday

As a reminder, the Guilford County Schools will be closed on Monday, January 15 in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  The following link will provide you with access to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech:  http://martinri.freeshell.org/political/mlkdream.html. Please call me at 370-8992, should you have questions. 

High School Exam Schedule for January 2007

Guilford County high schools on a block schedule will be administering state End of Course (EOC) tests January 17, 18, 19 and 22.  Traditional high schools that are on a six period day will be administering mid-term exams.  All high schools will be on a regular, full-day schedule starting at their regular time (no delayed start).  Eliminating the delayed start came at the request of principals at Priority schools (schools that failed to meet expected growth and the percentage of proficient scores fell to 50 to 59 percent), who requested their colleagues help to ensure that all students had transportation and would be in school during the testing period.

Block schedule high schools:  High schools on a block schedule will be administering state End of Course (EOC) tests January 17, 18, 19 and 22.  These tests are used not only for school accountability, but also for student accountability.  As recommended by the NC Department of Public Instruction, these tests count 25 percent of a student’s final grade in the course.  Students must retake EOC courses in which they fail to score at a proficient level.  In addition, this year’s freshman class is required to pass five EOC tests –Algebra I, English I, Biology, Civics and U.S. History- in order to earn a high school diploma.

In previous years, high schools have been able to administer two EOC tests a day over a two day period.   However, this year, school districts that tested before January reported that some of the new tests are quite rigorous and lengthy, and are taking even advanced students over 2.5 hours to complete. While the recommended administration for each EOC test has a range of 2 to 2 .5 hours, DPI states,” students should be able to complete each test in the recommended time, but should be given ample opportunity to complete the test within the same school day.”  (Biology is the only timed EOC test).   

These districts, as well as our own middle college high schools, strongly encouraged other districts not to try to administer two EOCs in a single day.  They along with DPI regional leadership concluded that requiring students to take two of these new EOCs in a single day would simply exhaust students intellectually, and not enable them to accurately demonstrate their knowledge and skills of the content. 

High school principals and instructional improvement officers met to explore how to provide adequate time for the tests without losing scarce instructional time.  They decided to administer one EOC test each morning, with afternoons a combination of continued preparation for other exams and coursework in other courses.

Traditional schedule (six period day) high schools:  These schools will be administering two mid-term exams a day, distributed across three testing days.  January 22 will be a regular school day with January 23 as a district wide work day.  Since all students in these schools are taking year-long courses, instruction will continue in classes during the three exam days.  Students who qualify for exam exemptions for non-EOC and non-VoCATS (Career-Technical courses), based on 97 percent attendance, do not have to be in attendance when those exams are administered. For more information, please contact Dr. Mack McCary, Chief Academic Officer, at 370-8106.

Middle College at Bennett Student Receives Award

Stephanie Smith, a junior at Middle College at Bennett, is the recipient of the December Student Improvement Award.  The Student Improvement Award is sponsored by the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth First Division for the purpose of recognizing a deserving middle or high school student in Guilford County.  A candidate must demonstrate improvement academically, socially and personally and actively participate in overcoming obstacles and challenges. 

Stephanie received her award of a plaque, a watch and a gift certificate on January 5th at the Summit Rotary Club Meeting.  Stephanie was nominated by Middle College at Bennett staff because of her improved attendance, improved grades, and positive interactions with staff and students. Her marked improvements over last year are attributed to her sheer will to turn things around for herself. For more information, please contact Barry Williams, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 378-8804.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Annually the National Board engages a few participating teachers in a rigorous year long assessment process. The outcome of this process determines if candidates achieve National Board certification.  In North Carolina, teachers with this certification are paid 12 percent higher salary than teachers without this certification. 

North Carolina ranked first nationwide in the number of teachers receiving the National Board certification this year (1,525) and first in the total number of National Board teachers (11,325).   These numbers have risen significantly, tripling in the past five years.  Nationwide, Guilford County has the 10th largest number of National Board certified teachers in the nation.  Four other North Carolina school districts were also in the top 20 nationally. 

GCS is proud of its 72 new National Board Certified teachers.  This includes 39 elementary teachers, 12 middle school teachers, 20 high school teachers, and one teacher in other school category.  Click here to view the list of new NBC teachers. For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer, at 370-8340.

Rookie Teacher of the Year Nominations

Individual schools are currently submitting nominations for Rookie Teacher of the Year.  Nominees must be teachers in grades K-12 and must have begun their teaching careers AFTER December 15, 2005. Anyone teaching prior to that date will not be considered.  Nominations are due by January 26, 2007.  Nominees will have until March 9, 2007 to submit their completed portfolios to the Office of Induction and Success.  For more information, please contact Martha Snavely, Executive Director – Induction and Success, at 370-8098.

MWBE Strategic Plan Review

Chief Financial Officer Sharon Ozment and Purchasing Officer John Mann facilitated a meeting at Smith High School auditorium on Thursday, January 11 to review and seek comments/feedback regarding the proposed GCS Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Strategic Plan. Seventy-four (74) contractors and subcontractors attended the meeting. Forty-four (44) of the 74 attendees were MWBEs. A second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the auditorium at High Point Central High School. Notes/comments from the meetings will be transcribed and posted on the district’s website.

The proposed MWBE Strategic Plan was developed by Guilford County Schools (GCS) staff and includes some Minority/Women/Historically Underutilized Business Program Recommendations received from Kenneth Johnson of K. Johnson Consulting Services, Inc. Hardcopies of the proposed GCS MWBE Strategic Plan and the recommendations received from Kenneth Johnson are available for pickup at 501 West Washington Street in Greensboro (contact John Mann @ 370-3238) and at 900 English Road in High Point (contact Heather Larkin @ 819-2763). You may also access the information electronically via the following link http://www.gcsnc.com/finance/index.htm.

We would like to thank Smith High for hosting the event and providing equipment and assistance in setting up the auditorium. We extend special thanks to Marshall Smith, John Brown, and the Smith custodial staff. We also appreciate High Point Central hosting the upcoming meeting scheduled for January 16, 2007.

Please contact John Mann, Purchasing Officer, at 370-3238 or Sharon Ozment, Chief Financial Officer, at 370-8343 if you have any questions or need additional information about the proposed GCS MWBE Strategic Plan.

2007-08 Early and Middle College Calendars Available Online

The Board of Education recently adopted Early/Middle College calendars for the 2007-08 school year.  Click here and scroll to bottom of page to view the calendars.

Save the Dates

Magnet school idea sessions will be held to discuss a K-8 entertainment technology school in the High Point community.  GCS invites you to join us for an action-packed hour sharing your ideas about this new magnet school concept. The dates for the sessions are:

• Tuesday, January 23, 4 – 5 p.m., High Point Chamber of Commerce, 1634 North Main Street, High Point
• Tuesday, February 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Triangle Lake Montessori School, 2401 Triangle Lake Road, High Point

Tony Lamair Burks II, GCS Director of Magnet and Choice Schools, will facilitate the discussion and gather ideas from the community. For more information, click here to view the magnet Web site log or call the magnet office at 378-8832.

If You Could Customize Your Child’s Education, Would You?

Don’t miss the GCS Magnet and High School Option Fair

Koury Convention Center – Greensboro
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Saturday, February 17
Oak Hollow Mall - High Point
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - February 22
Spanish and Vietnamese translators available
Transportation and Student Assignment representatives on hand

Guilford County Schools is pleased to provide a wide variety of choices for your child’s education - choices that build on or stimulate educational interests, foster academic achievement and provide cultural and ethnic diversity.  For more information, please contact the Magnet School Office at 378-8832 or visit www.gcsnc.com/magnet. The magnet enrollment period ends March 16 and the high school enrollment period ends March 23. Applications are available online.

Invitation to Share

Instructional Improvement Officer Jocelyn Becoats and Brown Summit Middle School Principal Terri Spears have been invited to participate as presenters in the up coming Department of Public Instruction conference, Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps, in a session titled, “How one magnet school is closing the achievement gap by having high expectations for all in a rigorous academic environment. The secret weapon is relationships.” The 2007 Raising Achievement and Closing Gaps Conference Planning Committee supports the North Carolina State Board of Education and places emphasis on the May 2005 adoption of the Policy Defining Academic Rigor. The Policy states that "all students will graduate from a rigorous, relevant academic program that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to succeed...Academic rigor and relevance are based on established expectations that ensure that all students develop the capacity to master content that is complex and challenging. For more information, please contact Terri Spears at 656-0432 or Jocelyn Becoats at 370-2311.

Sternberger Elementary Awarded A&T Partnership Grant

Sternberger Elementary was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from NC A&T State University's School of Education.  "No Family Left Behind:  Building Relationships for Student Success" was submitted to foster positive parental relationships and to provide educational sessions for parents of the entire Sternberger learning community.  Session topics will range from reading strategies to homework help to open ended discussions with the principal. For more information, please contact Dr. Melissa Nixon, principal at 294-7390, or Gay Citty, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 370-8060.

Wiley Elementary Production

The Wiley Elementary After-School program students will present a dramatic production which will feature the play, Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins and poem selections; “The Phenomenal Woman” and “See It Through.” The play was written by High Point resident and renowned author, Carole Boston Weatherford. “Phenomenal Woman” was written by Winston Salem resident and famous author, Maya Angelou. “See It Through” was written by Edgar Guest, a popular poet and reporter, who lived in Detroit. The purpose of the production is to create awareness about a historical event in Greensboro that changed the nation. It is hoped that this and other issues related to the struggle for equality, will encourage young people to develop a positive attitude and see themselves as unique and worthy individuals. The Wiley Elementary After-School Program continues its tradition of providing activities that enrich students, not only academically, but also as whole persons, growing, developing and contributing to society.  In collaboration with Guilford County Schools, United Way provides funding for the After-School Program. The production will be presented on Thursday, February 22, at 1 p.m. for students and 6 p.m. for parents and the community. Author, Mrs. Weatherford will visit the students on January 31 for a special assembly at 10 a.m. For more information, please contact Sadiyah Abdullah, principal, at 370-8295 or Bill Hurt, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 370-2347.

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Tara Peeples, a communications engineer in GCS’ Technology Department! Tara was named Guilford County Schools’ Employee of the Month for January 2007. The Employee of the Month was awarded a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club and was recognized by the Board of Education at its January 9 board meeting. Her photo will hang at the district’s three central offices and at the Wendover Avenue Sam’s Club this month.

We want to hear about employees who are extraordinary in their jobs! To nominate a GCS employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty, click on the following link to submit your nomination form online: http://www.gcsnc.com/emp_month/index.aspx. For more information, contact Jacqueline Todd, Program Administrator for Internal Relations, at 370-8353.

Read to Help Eastern Guilford High

Books are a necessity in any classroom; therefore, Barnes & Noble is doing their part to help Eastern re-stock their media center, a school that was destroyed in a devastating fire on November 1, 2006. From January 14 until January 19, Barnes & Noble at Friendly Shopping Center will donate a percentage of their net sales to Eastern. The media center will receive credit for all purchases except for consumables in the café, gift cards and Barnes & Noble memberships. Eastern will receive anywhere from 15 to 25 percent, depending on net sales of the store. For more information, please contact Charlie Abourjilie, Curriculum Facilitator, at 375-2563.

Attention Parents: Come Receive a “Roadmap to Successful Transitions”

A transition to a new school can be difficult for both students and parents. Elementary and middle school is extremely different, as is middle and high school. TAs a result, the Exceptional Children’s department of GCS is hosting a workshop, “Roadmap to Successful Transitions,” on January 18 at 6 p.m. for all parents and children attending a new school next year.

The workshop will be held in Southwest High’s media center. A panel of teachers, counselors and parents will provide strategies and practical suggestions to make the transitional years successful. For more information, please contact Stephanie Antkowiak, EC Parent Liaison, at 370-8329.

Students at Andrews High Listed as College Board AP Scholars

Fourteen students at Andrews were recognized by the College Board for their scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Shelby Allen, Luke Morgan and Dakotah Rickard were named the highest honor, ‘Scholars with Distinction’ for receiving an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of three or higher on five or more of these exams.

Taylor Wall was named a ‘Scholar with Honor’ for receiving an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of three or higher on four or more of these exams. Ten students were given the honor of ‘Scholar’ for receiving a three or higher on three or more AP exams. Those students include: Sharmeen Ali, Danielle Cushing, Alisa Eibling, Richard Evans, Amy Fox, Jessica Lance, Camille Laws, Heather Neal, Kristen Rhinehardt and Leah Tucker. For more information, please contact Cynthia Parks, Senior Counselor, at 819-2800.

Still Time to Audition for On Stage!

There is still room for more GCS students to audition for the Guilford Education Alliance's On Stage! Showcase of Talent. Choral, instrumental and dance acts that highlight student talent are welcome to audition. Performances need not be a new creation, but could be something already prepared for class. On Stage! makes its debut on April 19th at 7 p.m. at War Memorial Auditorium and promises to be a professional show that will create a memory for a lifetime for the participating students. Teachers of the acts selected to perform at On Stage! will receive $100 to be used in their arts program. For more information and to schedule an audition, please contact Pam Farlow, Curriculum Coach for Arts Education and Foreign Language, at 317-1199.

Human Relations Parent Advocacy Project

Parents are invited to an organizational meeting of the Human Relations Parent Advocacy project, Saturday, February 3, from 9 a.m. until Noon at Genesis Baptist Church, 2812 E. Bessemer Ave. The Human Relations Parent Advocacy Project is being established to provide on-going support to parents of color with children enrolled in GCS. Under the auspices of the Human Relations Education Committees representing both Greensboro and High Point, the Human Relations Parent Advocacy Project hopes to strengthen the involvement of parents of color and help them understand how to navigate the various GCS departments, while improving conditions, school environment and academic outcomes for their children. Click here for more information, or contact Yamile Walker with the City of Greensboro Human Relations Department at 373-2038.

Community Summit on Gang Activity to Be Held on January 13

The Community Care Relief Team is organizing a Community Summit as part of their “Operation Smart Choices” initiative to benefit local youth and their families.

The Community Summit will take place on Saturday, January 13 from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs in High Point. The event’s focus will be on informing parents about the growing gang influence in this area, and the keynote speaker will be UNC-G Sociology professor Dr. NKrumah Lewis, an advocate for ex-offenders and at-risk youth, and a former gang member.

Dr. Lewis’ remarks will be offered to interested parents, and activities and snacks will be provided for children and youth during the program. There is no charge to attend, but parents are asked to call 881-5444 in advance and reserve a seat.

The event will adjourn prior to the MLK Day parade, scheduled for 3:00 pm in downtown High Point the same day. Transportation to the summit may also be available and must be requested in advance.

“Operation Smart Choices” is a project of the local Community Care Relief Team. Following Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, a group of citizens from Greater High Point formed the Community Care Relief Team, with the idea of organizing a concert whose proceeds would assist Katrina evacuees who had relocated to the Triad. After successfully reaching that goal, this group decided that its collaborative energies could also be focused on other community needs, and has continued to meet.

The mission of Operation Smart Choices is to impact and empower the youth of our community to make good decisions and life choices through education, awareness, and parental involvement. Organizers envision that Operation Smart Choices will evolve into a series of presentations, seminars, panel discussions, and materials designed to empower youth, parents, educators, human services professionals, and the faith community to make smarter choices for youth and families.  Collaborating organizations include the City of High Point, YWCA of High Point, BOTSO, Pregnancy Care Center, the faith community, GTCC, Camp FOCUS, NC A&T State University, Guilford Education Alliance, the United Way of Greater High Point, Guilford County Schools, the business community and others.

To reserve a seat at Community Summit on January 13, or to inquire about transportation, please call The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs at 881-5444.  For more information on the Community Care Relief Team, or to get involved, please contact Pastor Rufus Newlin at 883-9681 or firstfruits1714@aol.com, or Gregory Henderson at 885-3740 or totalsilence@aol.com.

Task Force Reviews Computer Assisted Instruction Software

The Computer Assisted Instruction Software review team conducted an exploratory software evaluation. Members include; Foust Elementary Principal Geraldine Cox, Sedgefield Elementary Principal Michelle Meley, Penn-Griffin Middle Principal Bobby Ann Hayes, Instructional Improvement Officer-Middle School Lewis Ferebee and Senior Evaluation Specialist with SERVE Kirk Knestis and co-chaired by Mack McCary and Ken Woody. The group reviewed A+nywhere, Study Island and Compass Learning. The focus of the group was on three essential questions:

• How well does the product match the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
• How well does the product address differentiated instruction
• The evidence of positive student outcomes

Additionally, we have requested references from three schools to validate the evidence of school success. All of the vendors provided strong information and the Review Committee is planning a follow up meeting to discuss our impressions and decide on vendors to call back for a more intensive product review. The group has an additional focus which will be to provide sound research-based advice on how to have a strong implementation strategy to compliment the Computer Assisted Instruction software in order to maximize the effectiveness with the GCS students. For more information, please contact Dr. Mack McCary, Chief Academic Officer, at 370-8106 or Ken Woody, Technology Services, at 378-8819.

High School Exit Standards

Effective with the class entering ninth grade for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year, students who are following the career preparation, college technical preparation, or college/university preparation courses of study shall meet the following exit standards:

• Successfully complete a Graduation Project that is developed, monitored, and scored within the district using state-adopted rubrics; and,
• Score at proficiency level 111 or above on the end-of -course assessment for English 1, U.S. History, Biology, Civics and Economics, and Algebra 1. A student who does not score at the proficiency level 111 or above on the end-of-course assessment for any of these courses but passes the course shall be offered the opportunity to retake the assessment no later than three weeks from the receipt of the assessment results.  If the student does not score at or above proficiency level 111 on the retest, school officials shall apply a review process that provides focused intervention, a second retest opportunity, and a review of the student documentation to determine whether the student has met the exit standard for the course.  The principal shall make the final decision as to whether the student has met the exit standard.

For more information, please contact Debra Barham, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 370-8101.

Read GCS Sustaining Training Cohort 1

On Tuesday, January 9, Read GCS began day one of the 3rd – 5th Grade Cohort 1 literacy training at Bur-Mil Park.  Schools represented in this Cohort are in year two of the process and receive ongoing training and support to sustain the literacy efforts within each school. More than 70 participants were in-serviced on the following topics: word walls, flexible skills groups, literacy stations, multi-syllabic words and word sorts.  Participants explored these topics by actively manipulating the content through jigsaws, sorts, partner/group discussions, visual representations and demonstration lessons.  In addition to the support provided in the Read GCS training manual, teachers were given additional ideas for immediate use in their classrooms.  Participants from this session have already expressed how this training has been not only motivational but also practical. This is the last sustaining training cohort for grades third through fifth for the 2006-07 school year.  Professional development trainers/coaches will continue to support teachers at their schools in the implementation process. For more information, please contact Janine Bracco-Cox at 317-2392 or LaTina Robinson at 317-3096.

School Bus Driver Training Class

The GCS Transportation Department is continuously recruiting qualified persons for employment as school bus drivers.  The next bus driver certification class will be held January 23 through 25 at the Department of Motor Vehicle office on Coliseum Drive in Greensboro.  If interested in enrolling in this class or need additional information regarding employment as a bus driver or a safety assistant, please contact Deborah Graves, Program Administrator, at 370-8934.

Installation of Supplemental Bus Heaters

School bus specifications did not require rear heaters for 2005 model Freightliner buses, thus a state-wide problem existed with drivers and passengers complaining of being cold.  The equipped heater, located in the front of the 33 foot bus, does not provide adequate heat for the entire passenger compartment area.  To resolve this problem, the Department of Public Instruction has provided GCS with 43 underseat heaters to retro fit our existing 2005 model fleet. 

Installation of the heaters will be performed by vehicle maintenance staff members.  This will reduce the amount of down time of the buses and offset the dealership installation cost of $320 per bus.  Installation cost for GCS staff will be approximately $150 per bus, taking approximately four to six hours per bus.  Staff expects completion by March 2007.  For more information, please contact Larry Lassiter, Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor, at 370-8920.

Two New Pharmacy Programs for State Health Plan Members

Generic drugs will be dispensed free of charge to State Health Plan members from January 1 through March 31, 2007.  Members will not be responsible for co-payments during this time when visiting a local participating network pharmacy. Generic Over the Counter Nicotine Replacement Therapy Patches are available through the State Health Plan beginning January 1, 2007. Through the generic co-payment waiver program, members will receive the generic patches free from January 1 through March 31, 2007. These two programs are for all employees and/ or family members who are enrolled in the new PPO Plans and the Comprehensive Major Medical Plan.  For more information, visit www.shpnc.org or call Medco Member Services at 1-800-336-5933. 

New Employees Processed

Although December was a short month in terms of working days, a total of 122 new employees (including substitutes) were processed for social security traces and criminal background checks. Teachers accounted for 31 of the 122 new employees processed.  For morel information, please contact Carla Alphin, Program Administrator Employee Relations, at 378-8821.

Deadline to Sign Up for the Transfer List

The deadline for signing up to be on the Transfer list for the 2007-2008 school year was today, Friday, January 12, 2007.  Those non-eligible employees who applied for a transfer based on extenuating circumstances will be notified in writing no later than end of January whether or not your request is approved.  The transfer list will be made available to Principals on January 31, 2007.  Transfers will be allowed from February 1, 2007 through end of day Monday, April 16, 2007.  For more information, please contact Alison Yates, Director of Staffing, at 370-8094.

Potential Career Status Recipient Notification

North Carolina General Statutes require that a school district notify the local Board of Education of all the names of those eligible for Career Status at least thirty days prior to voting.  Our Board of Education will receive notification of those eligible for a Career contract on January 25.  Voting on Career Status contracts will occur during a May Board Meeting.  For more information, please contact Alison Yates, Director of Staffing, at 370-8094. 

Employment Update

More than 250 student teachers will begin teaching in our schools this month.  Twentyof these student teachers will receive an endorsement in Math (NCA&T 4; UNC-G 16).

Early Contracts offered to date:
            Math                             21
            Science                       3
            Special Ed                  6
            Elementary Ed           14
            Middle Grade LA        1

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

GCSTV 2

On Assignment

For the latest in news and information that chronicles programs and events throughout the school district, join host Leonard Simpson for “On Assignment.”  This newest episode airs daily at: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., 3:40 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Building the Future

Our growing school district makes it necessary to add schools and renovations to existing campuses.  Construction bond money helps make that possible.  Join us for an update on the building of new schools and improvement projects at others.  Host Lillian Govus and Dave Burnett, Executive Director of Facilities and Construction, take us on a guided tour.  The program airs daily at: 7:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

In Concert: All County High School Chorus

Music is an integral part of education in Guilford County Schools.  GCSTV 2 is proud to help showcase some of our talented students.  Videotaped in concert at the Grimsley High School auditorium, we present the “GCS All County High School Chorus in Concert.”  The performance airs daily at: 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

In Concert: All County Orchestra

The music continues with a performance by the “GCS All County Orchestra.”  These middle and high school students are in concert at the Page High School auditorium.  GCSTV 2 airs this concert daily at 12:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

Tus Hijos

As our school district grows, so does the number of students who hail from other countries.   Guilford County provides a host of resources available to help them acclimate to their new home.  Join host Karin Young for the newest edition of our Spanish and English language program: “Tus Hijos y GCS.”  Karin provides us with an overview of some of the agencies and how they can be of service.  Tus Hijos y GCS airs daily at 1a.m., 7a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.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. You can also learn more about GCS by tuning in to GCSTV2 (Cable Channel 2.)

Bluford Communications/Brooks Global
Guilford County Schools offers parents a wide variety of choices for the education of their children.  Magnet schools such as Bluford Communications and Brooks Global are just two of the many choices designed to stimulate educational interests, foster academic achievement as well as provide cultural and ethnic diversity.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, January 17.

Erwin Montessori/Falkener
Magnet schools have opened a world of educational possibilities to the children of Guilford County.  Not very long ago a Montessori education was only available in expensive private schools.  At Erwin, Pre-K through fourth grade classes are taught using the Montessori Method providing children with opportunities to develop a strong sense of independence.  At Falkener, the Pre-IB program promotes life-long learning and cultivates open minded students to be better citizens as they mature.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, January 19.

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

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Why We Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Between 1955 and 1968, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. helped change America. He brought to the world's attention to the unfair and immoral treatment of blacks in the United States and around the globe. He had the help of millions of Americans, but his strong leadership and unprecedented power of speech gave people the faith and courage to keep working peacefully even when others did not. This led to new laws that ended legal discrimination, legal segregation, and other practices of keeping people of different backgrounds apart. America will always remember the work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Each year, on the third Monday in January, we celebrate his birthday and pause to honor his life and dreams of equal opportunity and liberty for all. This is the first national holiday to honor an individual black American. The legacy of Dr. King lives in each of us and we are responsible to promote, teach and live the American Dream. Many classroom teachers also pause in the weeks leading up to Martin Luther King Day to take advantage of an opportunity to teach about the King legacy of tolerance, equality, and respect.  The life of American hero Martin Luther King Jr. offers many teaching opportunities. In this article, Education World presents cross-curricular and cross-grade lessons teachers can use to share King's life and legacy with students. Click here to read more.

Teacher Recruitment

The North Carolina Department of Education wants your advice as they consider a variety of options to help improve teacher recruitment and retention. You have the opportunity to give them input by going to http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB225ZZXBVP3D and taking a short 13-question survey. I hope you will take the time to do this and give the state department the information they need to make good choices about teacher recruitment and retention.

More Children Learn More Than One Language

In today's globalized world, according to USA TODAY, many American parents insist that the education of their young children include foreign languages. Not only is learning a foreign language easier for children than it is for adults, but children who are exposed to other languages also do better in school, score higher on standardized tests, are better problem solvers and are more open to diversity, says François Thibaut, who runs The Language Workshop for Children. Click here to read more.

Hispanic Achievement Lagging Behind in U.S. Public Schools  

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) has released a statistical brief that portrays the U.S. educational system as an obstacle course from preschool through college for the growing population of Latino students. "Hispanic Education in the United States" identifies the key barriers facing Hispanic students, who continue to have the lowest levels of educational achievement of any ethnic group. The report notes, for example, that less than half of Hispanic males complete high school. Report highlights include: (1) Latinos are a significant proportion of the United States student population. Latino students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in U.S. public schools and institutions of higher education represented 17percent of total student enrollment in 2005. (2) The number of ELL students enrolled in U.S. schools has increased substantially in the past decade. Nearly 80 percent of ELL students are Hispanic native Spanish-speakers. (3) Hispanics are significantly less likely to complete high school than their White peers. (4) Schools serving Hispanic and other minority students offer fewer rigorous academic courses. (5) Hispanics age 25 and older are less likely than Blacks and Whites to receive a bachelor’s degree. Click here to read more.