Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

March 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.

Spring Break

Students will observe spring break from Monday, April 2 through Friday, April 6. They will return to school on Monday, April 9. All central offices will be closed Friday, April 6. Due to spring break, we will not have Friday Notes next week. Please have a safe and restful break.

New Administrative Assignments

We are pleased to announce the following new administrative assignments:

• Kevin Fleming will be the new principal at Grimsley High School effective July 1.  Mr. Fleming is currently the principal at Fallston High School in Bel Air, Maryland.

• David Jarmon will be the new principal at Hampton Elementary School effective July 1.  Mr. Jarmon is currently the assistant principal at Dudley High School.

• Kurt Telford will be assisting Steve Hodgin at Eastern High School beginning April 16.  Mr. Telford will be based at the Brown Summit campus of Eastern High, and Mr. Hodgin will be based at the GTCC Wendover campus.  Mr. Telford is currently the principal at West Forsyth High School.

For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer, at 370-8340.

End of Year Final Exam Schedule

High School students take a total of eight End-of-Course tests (EOCs).  The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) revised EOC tests in English 1, Algebra 1 Geometry and Algebra 2 using the same process used to revise the Civics and Economics and US History.  Biology is a timed test. English 1, Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 have a recommended administration time from 2.0 to 2.5 hours.  No students took more than 3.5 hours to complete the test. 

A project team was chartered to review first semester testing and develop a calendar for our end of year test schedule.  The team included principals, assistant principals, curriculum facilitators, office support, the district testing coordinator and instructional improvement officers. A decision was made to repeat the process used to schedule first semester EOCs and other course exams.  No student will take more than one EOC exam or final exam per day.  Review sessions for all tests will be a part of afternoon classes. Click here to review the end of year final exam schedule. For more information, please contact the individual school principal or Debra Barham, instructional improvement officer, at 370-8101.

Guilford County Schools College Tech Prep Program Receives Awards

Guilford County Schools’ College Tech Prep program was recently recognized for excellence at the North Carolina College Tech Prep Conference Awards Ceremony. The Guilford County Consortia, consisting of Guilford County Schools, Guilford Technical Community College and the Guilford County College Tech Prep Business Partnership were presented with the highest award in each of the three categories: Excellence in Partnership, Excellence in Promotion and Overall Program Excellence. 

The Guilford County College Tech Prep Consortia received the platinum award for Overall Excellence in College Tech Prep for their multiple reform initiatives which resulted in a high percentage of students completing a College Tech Prep course of study, the development of sequenced courses with the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school and the increased retention of CTP completers at the post-secondary level.  

The success of the Guilford County College Tech Prep Program was reinforced by a panel of GCS graduates who spoke at the awards ceremony.  Each panel participant shared their experiences in the Career and Technical Education courses that were a part of their high school College Tech Prep course of study, the multiple post-secondary options they pursued and how College Tech Prep helped them to become successfully employed in their current career. Wanda Weeks, the parent of a College Tech Prep completer thanked Guilford County Schools for the opportunities that College Tech Prep provided for her daughter and stated that “this is what is right with public schools.”

The Guilford County Consortia also received a gold award for Excellence in Partnership. This award was given in recognition of the innovative collaboration between business and education in providing opportunities for students to pursue a rigorous high school curriculum. The collaboration is relevant to their career and education goals and to assist students in developing a network of relationships vital for meeting these goals. 

The platinum award for Excellence Promotion of College Tech Prep was given to the Guilford County Consortia for its efforts to provide parents, students and the community with information about opportunities available to students who blend high-level academic and Career and Technical Education courses through a rigorous College Tech Prep course of study.  These students have the opportunity to earn internationally recognized certifications, college credit and scholarships while in high school and are prepared to pursue associate and baccalaureate degree programs in technical fields.

Business partners representing the Guilford County College Tech Prep Consortium at the awards ceremony were:  Jay Burcham, Sales Representative for CC Dickson Co.; Lori Griffin, owner of IT Training Solutions; John Hill, owner of Autotrends Motor Co.; Robert Mackey, President of Burckhardt America and Edward Widman, Executive Vice President of N.C. Monroe Construction Co. For more information, please contact Sylvia Anderson, Workforce Development Director, at 370-8357.

“Sick Shopping Carts” Make Impression at State Science Fair

After months of preparation, Nicole Shaw, a fifth-grader at Jones Elementary, was one of only nine students statewide to earn the Exemplary Award, the highest award given to elementary students in the competition.

Nicole competed against more than 70 students from across North Carolina and was interviewed by five different judges. For her project, “Sick Shopping Carts,” the young scientist tested shopping carts to find out what kind of germs could be found on them.  Recently, “Sick Shopping Carts” caught the attention of Good Morning America. The national news program was doing a story on shopping cart germs and interviewed Shaw at the GCS Science Fair, where she happened to take home first place for her division.  This bright student said, “When I found the E. coli, I thought it was pretty nasty." She also said she has plans to patent a shopping cart cleaning system.

After winning the GCS Science Fair, Nicole went on to earn first place for the elementary school level at the Region V Science Fair, earning her a spot in the NC State Science Fair.  For receiving the Exemplary Award at the NC State Science Fair, Nicole received a monetary gift and a nomination for the Discovery Channel Team Challenge. If chosen for the national competition, she will have the opportunity to win $20,000.  For more information, please contact Haley Henderson, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-3200.

First-Ever GCS Arts Education Teacher of the Year Announced

For her commitment to arts education, Paula Owens, elementary music specialist at Morehead Elementary, is the 2007 Arts Education Teacher of the Year, given by GCS, the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) and Kindermusik International, Inc.  Mary Beth Boone, elementary art specialist at Summerfield Elementary and Lennis Cooper, Jr., choral director at Mendenhall Middle School, are the two finalists.

The award recipients were recognized at the Board of Education March 29 meeting, during which time they were presented with a certificate of recognition for teaching excellence. Additionally, the United Arts Council and Kindermusik presented a plaque and $1,000 for professional development.  Boone and Cooper each received a plaques plus $300 to use toward professional development.  For more information, please contact Lillian Govus, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-8997 or Carla Alphin, Employee Relations Manager, at 370-8821.

Northwest High Students Represent the United States in Beijing, China

Andy Bernard and Sarah Schach recently returned from the trip of a lifetime. After months of hard work and dedication, these Northwest students were invited to Beijing, China to present their research at the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition as special guests of the Beijing Association of Science and Technology. During their trip, the students had the opportunity to visit Chinese schools, see tourist attractions and experience Chinese culture first-hand. They also presented their science projects along with students from the following countries: Australia, China, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Ukraine and the United States.  For more information, please contact Principal Angelo Kidd at 605-3300.

Greensboro College to Host Wildcat Scholarship Visit Day for Eastern High Students and Parents

When a fire destroyed Eastern last November, Greensboro College provided support by establishing the Wildcat Scholarship. To give students and parents more information about the scholarship opportunity, Greensboro College will host a Wildcat Scholarship Visit Day on Saturday, March 31 at 9:30 a.m. In addition to learning about the scholarship, families will tour the campus, meet with students and faculty members and learn about admissions and financial aid. The scholarship is available to any Eastern student who is accepted to Greensboro College and is worth $12,000 over four years. In addition, the recipient will still be eligible for financial aid. For more information, please contact Ellica Church, Chief Information Officer at Greensboro College, at 272-7102, ext. 226.

Dr. Janice Hale to Serve as Local Featured Speaker

Dr. Janice Hale will serve as the featured speaker at High Point University on April 19 from 6-9 p.m. in the Hayworth Fine Arts Center.  Dr. Hale currently serves as professor of early childhood education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.  She has written numerous articles and books in the field of education including: “Black Children: Their Roots, Culture and Learning Styles,” “Unbank the Fire: Visions for the Education of African American children” and “Learning While Black: Creating Educational Excellence for African American Children”. In her latest book, “Learning While Black,” Dr. Hale outlines her model for school reform for African American children. She also unveils a plan for the whole village to unite in creating the Beloved Community to support the achievement of children.  “Unbank the Fire” and “Learning While Black” were both nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.  For more information, please contact Monica Walker, Diversity Officer, at 370-3284.

Businesses for Excellence in Education Rolls Out Phase Two of GCS Awareness Campaign

Last August, a coalition of area businesses working under the auspices of Action Greensboro’s Businesses for Excellence in Education launched the one-year Striving. Achieving. Excelling. community awareness campaign on behalf of Guilford County Schools.  The campaign’s goal is to increase community awareness and understanding of GCS, our may programs, opportunities, successes and challenges.

Phase two of the campaign recently launched with a continuation of radio, print, outdoor and TV ads, as well as a community speakers bureau.  A new TV ad promotes the district’s teacher turnover rate, which is among the lowest of the large school districts in the state and features Karen Mathews, a Colfax Elementary teacher who has been with the district since 1983, earning Teacher of the Year twice during that time.  Click here to see detailed information about where promotional advertising can be seen.  For more information, please contact Bob Klepfer, Executive Director of Action Greensboro, at 379-0821 or Sonya Conway, Chief District Relations Officer, at 370-8386.

Mission Possible Updates

New Mission Possible posters will be coming soon to a location near you.  They are now showing in all GCS central offices. The Mission Possible link on the GCS Web site is being updated with the latest information for the upcoming school year.

The first stage of the “Cumulative Effect” High School Math Pilot is underway, with commitments signed by eligible math candidates in nine high schools:  Andrews, Dudley, Eastern, High Point Central, Middle College at Bennett, NC A&T Middle College, Smith, The Academy at Smith and Southern.  These candidates will receive laptop computers in the upcoming weeks.  These computers will be used to enhance a professional learning community of math teachers and mentoring from university mentors. The “Cumulative Effect” is a collaborative high school math program between the UNC system, Action Greensboro and GCS. 

The final plans of the Mission Possible professional development schedule are being reviewed.  Times, dates and locations will soon be announced and available for registration on the Professional Development Web site. For more information, please contact Tim Moose, Mission Possible project coordinator, at 370-8091.

Donated Warehouse Makes Room for Much Needed School Supplies

GCS is extremely grateful for the overwhelming support of local businesses who donate needed items to students and teachers.  However, with GCS growing on average by 1,700 students each year, space to store these items has become an issue.  Where can supplies be sorted and stored?  Where can teachers come to pick up supplies they desperately need?

The Welfare Reform Liaison Project Warehouse had the answers.  The Warehouse volunteered to house the district’s donated supplies, sorting and separating them, as well as helping to load cars and vans with these donated items.  Again, we thank Welfare Reform Liaison Project for their generosity and greatly appreciate the many businesses and organizations that each year donate valuable supplies to our schools.  For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, Manager-Community Partnerships, at 370-8355.

Mentor of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year

The portfolios for both the “Mentor of the Year” and the “Rookie Teacher of the Year” awards are currently being scored by a group of principals, central office personnel and fellow teachers.  The “Rookie Teacher of the Year” will be announced at a breakfast meeting on May 1, and the “Mentor of the Year” will be announced at the May 24 Board of Education meeting.  For more information, please contact Martha Snavely, Executive Director for Induction and Success, at 335-3290.

GCS Celebrates School Volunteers

During the 2005-06 year, volunteers spent 243,647 documented hours helping our students achieve great things. To ensure that these selfless volunteers be recognized, GCS created a Volunteer of the Month program. Each month, GCS will select a volunteer who has made a difference in their school and in the lives of the students, based on nominations. Persons who volunteer at GCS full- or part-time are eligible to be nominated.  All nominations must be received by the 10th day of each month and are valid for 30 days.  Click here to nominate a volunteer who goes above and beyond.

Those selected as the district's Volunteer of the Month will receive a certificate of recognition from GCS and will be acknowledged at a Guilford County Board of Education meeting.  We are actively seeking a corporate sponsor for this program; if you or your organization would like to support this effort, please contact Cecilia Adams, Manager of Community Partnerships, at 370-8355.

ZARCA Exit Survey

The voluntary on-line exist survey for licensed staff who leave the district has been up and running for approximately one month.  Licensed employees who have resigned from the district will receive a letter from the Human Resources Office which outlines the steps to participate in the anonymous survey.  Licensed employees who are retiring from the district are also invited to participate.  We believe the responses to this 17-question survey are of vital importance and will assist us in understanding the factors that impact licensed employees who leave the district.  For more information, please contact Carla Alphin, Program Administrator for Employee Relations, at 378-8821.

Employee Self-Service Portal

A new link has been added to the GCS Web site that allows employees to check their personal information on file with Human Resources such as Continuing Education Unit History (CEU), general information (address, phone number, etc.) and licensure information.  Click here to access the site or go to the “Employee” link on the district Web site and then click on “Employee Self Service.” You will be required to enter your last name and last five digits of your social security number to gain access to your information.  As a reminder, if the information is incorrect under the “General Information” link, please complete an Address/Telephone Change Form (click here to access the form) and submit it to the GCS Benefits Office, 712 N. Eugene St., Greensboro, NC  27401.  For more information, please contact Alison Yates, Director of Staffing, at 370-8094.

Office of Employment

On April 14, the district will host Tour de Guilford Job Fair featuring five of the Mission Possible high schools (Dudley, Smith, Andrews, High Point Central and The Academy at Smith).  The purpose of the fair is to invite math candidates from across the country to visit with principals and other staff members to discuss future employment opportunities and the Mission Possible Incentive Plan.  Math teachers in these schools can earn up to $18,000 above their initial teacher salary.  Invitations have been sent across the country to attract the best and the brightest to take part in this one of a kind opportunity.  For more information, please contact Alan Hooker, Director of Employment, at 370-8055.

GCSTV 2

“GCS Building Futures”

Construction rules at Ferndale, Oak View and Southern Middle School.  These campuses are a part of the nearly two dozen construction projects currently underway within our school district.  The new Southern Middle School is on schedule to be finished in April.  Come along on a tour with GCSTV 2 to see how your school construction bond money helped to make these improvements possible.  Join us for the latest update on GCS’ building projects.  Lillian Govus and Dave Burnett, Executive Director of Facilities and Construction are your hosts for this edition of “GCS Building Futures.”  The program airs daily at: 12:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m. 4 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.

Board Discusses Key Issues During Legislative Luncheon

Enrollment in Guilford County Schools increases by an average of 1,700 students each year and our fiscal needs grow accordingly.  High quality public education is dependent upon local, state and federal governments to provide the funds to meet the educational needs of our society.  Join us as educators discuss school needs with federal, state and county elected officials at the new Northern Middle School.  This program airs daily at 10 a.m.

Tus Hijos y GCS (Your Children and Guilford County Schools)

It’s enrollment time for next year’s kindergarten classes.  Join host Karin Young for this newest edition of our Spanish and English language program: “Tus Hijos y GCS.”  Karin provides the latest information on registering your child for school next year, including information about enrollment in the district’s Magnet and High School Options programs.  Tus Hijos y GCS airs daily at 1 a.m., 7 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Home Field Advantage

Changing schools during the year creates a disadvantage for students when it comes to their studies.  Research indicates that children who study at one school throughout the school year do better academically than those who change schools one or more times during the year.  GCS offers students at select schools the “Home Field Advantage.”  The initiative gives children a chance to stay at their original school if their family moves during the academic year.  Get the latest information on this program that helps students stay in the game.  Home Field Advantage airs five times daily at: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Young Drivers-The High Risk Years

If you have a teenager who is already driving or will be getting their drivers license soon, don’t miss this program.  The focus is on ways to reduce injury and death among our young.  It is told from the perspective of teens and parents who know the consequences of a simple mistake made behind the wheel.  This program airs daily at noon, 9 p.m. and midnight.

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., 3:30 p.m. and 6 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 GCSTV 2 (Cable Channel 2).

Love the Bus
Love the bus and the bus drivers.  That’s why students gathered at Jesse Wharton Elementary.  They wanted to say “thank you” to the drivers who get them safely to and from school every day.  As a treat everyone got a preview of the newest bus technology with the new C-2.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, April 4.

Young Artist Show Their Work
No doubt art plays an important part in our lives.  Students in Guilford County Schools get to show what it means to them in a public showing at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Greensboro.  As a bonus, some of them received a lesson from the North Carolina Art Teacher of the Year.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, April 6.

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

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Withdrawal From National Board Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Process

Candidates must complete the official NBPTS withdrawal form and fax a copy to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction- attention Jeanne Washburn- 919-807-3362. Both NBPTS and North Carolina must be notified. Candidates have 120 days to repay the state from the date of withdrawal. Candidates who withdraw before the portfolio or assessment center date will owe the state $500. Candidates who withdraw after the portfolio or assessment center due date will owe the state $2500. Upon withdrawal and completion of your financial obligation to the state of North Carolina, a candidate can be funded again. (**Please Note: Item two on the "Did You Know" component of the withdrawal downloaded form does not apply to North Carolina candidates. All state funded candidates must complete the process-all components-during the initial candidacy year or withdraw.) Click here to access the withdrawal form.

Failing Schools See a Solution in Longer Day

States and school districts nationwide are moving to lengthen the day at struggling schools, spurred by grim test results suggesting that more than 10,000 schools are likely to be declared failing under federal law next year.  In Massachusetts, in the forefront of the movement, Gov. Deval L. Patrick is allocating $6.5 million this year for longer days and can barely keep pace with demand: 84 schools have expressed interest.  Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York has proposed an extended day as one of five options for his state’s troubled schools, part of a $7 billion increase in spending on education over the next four years. ... “In 15 years, I’d be very surprised if the old school calendar still dominates in urban settings,” said Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of schools in Pittsburgh, which has added 45 minutes a day at eight of its lowest-performing schools and 10 more days to their academic year. Click here to read more.

New Disciplinary Policy Aims to Reduce Student Suspensions and Detentions

The Los Angeles Board of Education has unanimously adopted a new disciplinary policy aimed at reducing the number of students suspended and kept after school for misbehaving. The policy is a first for the nation’s second largest district. Although the district already has an expulsion policy in place to deal with the most violent and egregious discipline cases, principals and teachers have had no formal policy to rely on for guidance on other discipline problems. "This is not going to work miracles on its own," says board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte. "It's going to take [everyone] to make this work." The new policy takes a distinctly holistic approach to correcting student misbehavior, one that emphasizes intervention. Instead of merely correcting and punishing students, teachers will be expected to explain why a behavior is wrong and give an alternative. Parents will be asked to participate by sitting in on their child's class or meeting with the teacher. In some cases, a mentor may be assigned to the student. "We don't just leave it to … ‘Oh, don't do that,’ and punishing the behavior, because punishment does not change the behavior," says Donnalyn Anton, the district’s executive officer of educational services. With no coherent policy on the books, teachers and principals have often been criticized for being too reactive and uneven in how they handle discipline cases. The new policy aims to standardize responses, but has led some to question whether its focus on positive reinforcement will stray too far from ensuring that there are consequences for a student's actions.

The Goal of 100 Percent Proficiency for Every Student is Unattainable  

A few things about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) are clear, writes education historian, Diane Ravitch at HuffingtonPost.com. First is that the goal of 100% proficiency for every student in the United States is unattainable. The fact is that no nation or state has ever achieved 100 percent proficiency. The only way to reach such a goal is to redefine "proficiency" to mean functional literacy. To be sure, it is nice idea to set your sights high, but the way this law works, the unattainable goal virtually guarantees that every year the number of public schools declared to be "failing schools" in need of improvement will grow as the goal of 100 percent proficiency recedes. Since a school is declared to be "in need of improvement" if only one subgroup slips behind schedule, many fine schools across the nation have found themselves on that list and seen their reputation unfairly tarnished. Second, it is also clear that the sanctions mandated by NCLB are not working. At a conference in November 2006 at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., a series of commissioned papers by outstanding scholars and journalists reviewed what is happening in a variety of districts across the nation. The papers vividly demonstrated that, for a variety of reasons, only tiny proportions of students (often less than 5 percent of those eligible) were availing themselves of either choice or tutoring services. Among other reasons, it turned out that in many districts, there were simply not enough places available in better schools or students did not want to leave their school or the school was not making the information available. So too with the tutoring, few students were taking advantage of the service. Third, is the fact that there is no reason that the sanctions delineated in the law will necessarily produce better results. Will a school get better if the staff is replaced? Maybe, maybe not. Will it get better if it is turned into a charter school? Maybe, maybe not. Will it get better if it is handed over to a private management company? Maybe, maybe not. Will it get better if the state takes it over? Here we can say with certainty that no state has any track record of taking over low-performing schools and turning them into high-performing schools. So, Ravitch questions why the federal government has written a law imposing sanctions that have no basis in experience. The law will be reauthorized. That much seems sure. So those who care about the future of education must come up with suggestions to minimize its negative effects and make it a better law. Click here to read more.

How to Support School Transformation

Identifying underachieving schools has become a priority in recent years as federal and state accountability requirements turn the spotlight on poor performers, according to the new issue of R&D Alert from WestEd. A growing body of research has illuminated the characteristics of these schools at one end of the spectrum as well as the characteristics of stellar schools at the other end, but much less is known about what specific qualities and strategies enable schools to change from low- to high-performing. "What’s missing is the kind of how-to knowledge, the practical intervention strategies that people need in order to help schools through the complex process of bringing about real improvement," says WestEd’s Stanley Chow. "The information is in people’s heads" and not yet formally or succinctly documented. According to Chow’s analysis, one key to school transformation is for external technical assistance providers to establish close collaborations and trusting relationships with internal advocates for change. The internal advocates can be school-based or may be district personnel, as WestEd’s technical assistance providers have found that districts can play a significant role in turning around low-performing schools. When external assistance providers, such as local education funds, build strong relationships with internal advocates and other influential educators, their teamwork helps the key players sense trouble as it develops, choose appropriate responses, delegate responsibilities, and provide mutual support and encouragement. Working together, these inside/outside partners ensure that recommended practices to improve school performance gain traction and endure. Too often, according to Chow, service providers design remedies for common educational problems, such as low reading scores or teacher isolation, and schools adopt interventions (or, worse, try to implement multiple reforms simultaneously) without a clear understanding of what changes they may need, or why. In other words, they seek a prescription before studying the disease. Helping schools find a focus -- by selecting strategic and manageable interventions and evaluating the effects on student learning -- is key to moving forward. Equally important is helping them maintain focus over time. Click here to read more.

School Leaders Need Heads Up on Concussions

Some of the most dangerous sports injuries aren't broken legs or sprained ankles -- they're concussions. And the brain injury isn't limited to the NFL: Millions of American children suffer sports concussions each year. A thousand schools nationwide are now using the IMPACT Test, a valuable, objective tool for measuring concussions, reports Tom Goldman for NPR’s Morning Edition. It is estimated that 1.4 million to 3.8 million kids in the United States suffer a sports concussion each year. Yet, despite the prevalence of this common injury, many coaches, teachers and doctors are not aware of how to evaluate or treat a concussion. Sports concussions are only going to increase, as young athletes get faster and bigger. Click here to read more.