Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

May 18, 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.

Judges Needed for Eastern Senior Projects

After experiencing a devastating fire last November, students, faculty and staff at Eastern High have learned to be extremely flexible. The school has worked hard to adapt to change, and this year’s senior projects are no different.

In past years, half of the Eastern students completed their senior projects in December and the other half in May. However, with the fire, all 200 senior projects will take place in May this year. As a result, the school is in desperate need of additional judges for this important final assignment.

Seniors will present their projects on Friday, May 25 from 9 a.m. until 4:40 p.m. at the Bryan Park Conference Center. Parents, central office staff and community members are urged to volunteer. Judges can commit to helping out all day or for just a few hours. For more information, please contact Charlie Abourjilie, Eastern High curriculum facilitator, at 375-6307 or e-mail abourjc@gcsnc.com.

Guilford Education Alliance to Host Community Forum with Guilford County Schools’ Leaders and County Commissioners

On Friday, May 25, the Guilford Education Alliance will host a community forum breakfast with community leaders from across the county to discuss the Guilford County Schools (GCS) 2007-2008 budget proposal with the Board of County Commissioners.  Chief Financial Officer Sharon Ozment and I will be on hand to present the budget and answer questions. The Board of Education recently approved a request for a 10 percent increase for county funding for next school year.  This will cover the costs for legislated salary increases for locally paid teachers, student enrollment growth and proposals to address student behavior issues that lead to school suspensions. 

The breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. at Valleybrook Technical Center, 5009 High Point Road, Greensboro.  If interested in attending, please contact the Guilford Education Alliance at 841-4332 or e-mail info@guilfordeducationalliance.org.

Noted Educator Visits District

This week, the district hosted a visit by a noted educational leader, former superintendent Dr. Gerry House and her colleague Dr. Jackie Ancess.  Dr. House was formerly superintendent of Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools and won the national superintendent of the year award from the American Association of School Administrators while superintendent of Memphis (TN) City Schools.  Following her retirement, Dr. House helped to found the Institute for Student Achievement, a private non-profit foundation that has developed a school reform model through work with New York City Schools.  She visited some GCS high schools and shared lessons learned with an invited group of high school principals and instructional improvement officers.  For more information, please contact Dr. Mack McCary, Chief Academic Officer, at 370-2365.

Lottery Shortfall Could Mean Higher Class Sizes in 2007-08

School finance officers were notified by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that because of the large shortfall of lottery income, class size allotments would have to be cut for the coming school year. Instead of allotting teachers on a 1:18 basis, in the early grades, in the coming year, the allotment will move to 1 teacher to 18.3 students. That will mean that 452 elementary teaching positions will be cut to make up the shortfall of nearly $23 million. Click here to view a chart, as reported by the Public School Forum, showing the district-by-district impact of the proposed cuts.

Unless the General Assembly moves to make up the difference, schools will be short roughly $30 million of what was projected to be lottery revenue to offset local school construction costs.  The total of the class size and construction cuts represents potentially $53 million for 2007-08.  For more information, please contact Sharon Ozment, Chief Finance Officer, at 370-8343.

Student Communicator Meeting at Western Guilford

On May 15, I met with students from Western Guilford High to discuss their thoughts on the state of their school. With recent rumors escalating concerns about school safety, the students were quick to approach the subject. The students reassured me that they felt safe in school, and then broached other topics, like school lunches, the freshman academy, dress codes and rules about tardiness. This meeting was one in a series of monthly Key Communicator and Student Communicator meetings. Each month, I visit a different school to hold discussions with students and faculty. Please call 370-8386, should you have questions.

Native American Student Recognition Day Celebration

Guilford County Schools’ Indian Education Program, Title VII, Part A., parent committee hosted its annual student recognition program on Friday, May. Over 175 students and parents attended the program as the district’s Native American students received special recognition from their schools for excellence, success or improvement in academics, preparation, attendance, athletics, participation in extra curricular, and other school activities.  Jennifer Revels Baxter, Parent Committee Chair Person and Sandra Hunt, Vice Chairperson with the assistance of Vernice Thomas, Supervisor, Safe and Drug Free Schools, presented Award Certificates to the K-12 students who were recognized.

Rick Oxendine, Executive Director, Guilford Native American Association, enlightened the audience with his dynamic keynote speech.  His words encouraged and challenged all who heard him to “know yourself, respect yourself and show yourself.”  He painted a positive picture of Native American self image, self respect and putting one’s best face forward through the images of poetry written by North Carolina Native American children and youth.    His message should encourage students and parents to make a self assessment to identify their strengths and those areas needing improvement.

This annual occasion is Indian Education’s highlight event of the school year. We would like to make a special thank you to Jean Conley, Indian Education resource teacher for her hard work in coordinating this event.  We also want to thank the program students, families and staff who provided student nominations to make the Native American Student Recognition Day a success.  For more information on the Indian Education Program, please contact Gwen Willis, Executive Director of Student Services, at 370-8399 or Vernice Thomas, SADFS Supervisor, at 621-4026.

Andrews High Concert Band Fares Well in Orlando

Thirty-seven students from Andrews High concert band received an excellent rating and a first-place trophy at the high school concert band competition at the Universal Studios Music Showcase Festival on May 5 and 6. Only one other high school received the excellent rating.

In addition, Brandon Davis, a junior, won an outstanding soloist trophy on the alto saxophone, and the band’s percussionists won the outstanding section trophy. These awards come on the heels of the band’s successful performance during the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please contact Ricardo Reid, Andrews High band director, at 819-2800.

Northern Middle Assembles Only Middle School Marching Band in District

Dr. Jane Van Middlesworth, Northern Middle’s band, orchestra and chorus teacher, has recently assembled the Nighthawks Marching Band, the only middle school marching band in Guilford County.
The marching band consists of 40 students, including: a 10-piece drum line, 23 wind instruments and seven Hawkette Dancers. For more information, please contact Terry Kay Force, media specialist, at 605-3342.

Andrews Student Places Fourth in State Golf Tournament

After placing third overall in the Regional Golf Tournament on May 7, Bryan Colquitt, a senior at Andrews High School, represented his school at the State Tournament on May 14 and 15 and placed fourth in the state 3A division.   He also was named to the All-State Team. For more information, please contact Zachary Thornburg, golf coach, at 819-2800.

Kernodle Middle Teacher Receives Award from Wake Forest University

Sally Smith was selected as a recipient of Wake Forest University’s 2007 Marcellus Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award. The award will be presented to Smith during the university’s opening convocation in late September. For more information, please contact Charles Burns, principal, at 545-3717.

Andrews Team Places First in Chess Tourney

The 2007 North Carolina Championship Chess Tournament was held on Saturday, May 12 at the Newton-Conover High School in Conover, NC.  Andrews High School Chess Team took first place for overall points in the 3A division.  Rameez Raja took first place player in the 3A division, and all students are nationally rated. For more information contact Scott C. Ilkenhons, Andrews High School chess coach, at 819-2800.

Who is the Fastest Kid in Guilford County?

On June 14 at 7 p.m., the National Scholastic Sports Foundation (NSSF) in conjunction with the Nike Outdoor Nationals (NON) will hold a race to find the Fastest Kid in Guilford County. Each elementary and middle school is encouraged to submit their fastest male and female students in the 100-meter dash to compete. All elementary and middle school students are welcome to join NSSF and the NON for a free track clinic on June 14 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. All entries for the Fastest Kid race must be received by June 1. For more information, please contact Lillian Govus, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-8997.

National Board Certification Information Session

National Board Certification continues to grow here in Guilford County as teachers embrace this opportunity to examine their practice against the profession’s highest standards.  On Thursday, May 31, an information session will be held in the PTA Boardroom at 712 North Eugene Street.  The meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m.  Please plan to attend to find out more about what it takes to become a National Board Certified Teacher.  If you have any questions regarding this session, please contact Martha Snavely, Executive Director for Induction and Success, at 335-3290 or Karen Boyd, Induction Coach, at 370-8098.

New Employee Orientation Sessions

The Human Resources’ Staffing Department will conduct weekly orientation sessions through the end of June and bi-weekly sessions from July to August for all newly hired employees to the district.  New hires will be contacted by a Staffing representative to schedule their orientation date and time once their employment has been finalized.  Orientation sessions will include completion of required employment paperwork as well as important topics such as district goals, core values, policies, benefits, licensure, and Mission Possible.  For more information, please contact Alison Yates, Director of Staffing, at 370-8094.

Flexible Use of Mentoring Funds Report

The “Flexible Use of Mentoring Funds” report for the 2006-07 school year has been submitted to the Department of Public Instruction.  State mentoring monies are used to purchase books for our Right Start orientation and monthly Right Start seminars, to pay site-based mentors for first and second year beginning teachers, and to pay Induction Coordinators at each of our schools.  Our mentors and Induction Coordinators have provided support and site-based training for 935 first and second year teachers, an increase of 99 teachers from the 2005-06 school year.  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.  To nominate a volunteer who goes above and beyond, please visit http://www.gcsnc.com/community/vom.htm.

Those selected as the district's Volunteer of the Month will receive a $25 gift certificate from the corporate sponsor, American Express, and will be acknowledged at a Guilford County Board of Education meeting.  For more information, please contact Lynne Brandon, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-8353. 

GCSTV 2

Building Futures

Hosts Lillian Govus and Dave Burnett take you on a video tour of some of the latest updates to GCS facilities.  More than two dozen construction projects are now underway within our school district to provide safe, comfortable learning environments for our students.  The new Southern Middle School is on schedule to be finished this spring.  Guilford Primary should be complete in August and Northern Elementary in December.  In addition, building is underway at Ferndale, Oak View and Southern Middle School.  Our school construction bond money helps make the improvements possible. Come along as we look at the progress in this edition of Building Futures.  The program airs daily at 12:20 a.m., 5:43 a.m, 8:20 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. 4 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.

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

The school year is winding down, and it’s time for end of year testing.  Join host Karin Young for this latest edition of our Spanish and English language program, “Tus Hijos y GCS.”  Karin provides the latest information on testing and explains just what EOC, EOG and AYP mean to your child’s education.  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 teenagers who are already driving or will be getting their licenses soon, don’t miss this program.  The focus is on ways to reduce injuries and death among our young 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).

Montlieu’s New Park
It has playground equipment, lighted soccer and softball fields and a walking track leading to the High Point Greenway. It’s also the latest partnership between GCS and local governments in helping to improve physical fitness and the quality of life for all.  Located next to Montlieu Math and Science Academy, this newest park will honor the memory of a well-known member of the community.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, May 23.

The Middle College at N.C. A&T
With just 110 students, it is one of a kind in the state.  The Middle College at North Carolina A&T strives to provide a learning environment that ensures individual attention as students take on their high school courses and earn college credits as well.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, May 25.

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

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Spelling Bees Hot, but Teaching Spelling Not

Despite the popularity of spelling bees, computer spell checks and standardized tests are degrading the teaching of spelling, experts say. "Do we want to teach our children to be lazy, or do we want to teach them that spelling matters?" asked first-grade teacher Sue Ann Gleason. Click here to read more.  

Model Middle School Focuses on Social, Emotional Development

As educators across the country struggle with middle-school achievement slumps, one New York school has emerged as a nationally recognized model of a school that gets it right. Briarcliff Middle School focuses on adolescents' social and emotional development and is rewarded with high academic achievement. Click here to read more.  

Study: Most Students Not Well-Served by College-Prep Courses

Only one in four high school students enrolled in a college-preparatory curriculum -- four years of English and three each of mathematics, science and social studies -- are well prepared for college, according to an ACT study of 1.2 million 2006 graduates.  Click here to read more.  

Educating Newcomers: Ensuring that Immigrants Succeed in Public Schools

Over the past two years, a national debate on immigration has once again heated up. But for the more than eight million immigrants and children of immigrants in U.S. schools, and for the educators and community leaders who work with them every day, the issue is not rhetorical -- it is very real. What is the best way to educate newcomers? And how can schools employ the assets that newcomers bring to schools? The latest issue of Voices in Urban Education from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform offers five perspectives on these questions and suggests ways that schools can ensure that immigrant students succeed. Click here to read more.

Senioritis: Rampant, Real, No Known Cure

Educators and policy makers are searching for a cure for a common malady that's highly contagious this time of year. Senior-itis -- the tendency of seniors to slack off during their final year of high school -- is a uniquely American rite of passage, reports Scott Stephens for the Plain Dealer (Cleveland). By the time spring rolls around, many seniors have been accepted to college, have a job lined up, plan to travel overseas or are simply bored with school.  Research confirms that senior-itis, if not epidemic, is at least a real concern. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Education's High School Transcript Study found that high school seniors in 2005 earned slightly better grades, but fewer credits, than they did in grades 9 to 11. The credit difference equated to 48 fewer hours of classroom instruction. Researchers theorize that many students complete difficult math and science credits before their senior year, leaving themselves with easier electives to fill their schedule.  Many believe that the trend of early college acceptance -- a practice that lets students pick a college early in their final year of high school -- has made the senior slump worse. Click here to read more.