Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

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February 9, 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.

Intervention Teams Welcomed

This week, 84 district staff and 20 school-based curriculum specialists were warmly welcomed by 18 schools that were targeted for intensive additional support to help their students achieve standards.  Most of these schools had not been able to meet AYP standards for the last three to five years. 

Teachers, department chairs, principals and curriculum facilitators in these schools expressed appreciation that the district had recognized and addressed their need for much needed support, especially for new and lateral entry teachers (those without formal education training). While many of these new teachers have great potential, the large number of new, inexperienced teachers, in many of our most challenging schools, simply overwhelm the school-based staff available who attempt to meet their needs for guidance, modeling and coaching. District and school-based leaders are collaborating to clearly identify the subjects, teachers, student subgroups and even individual students most in need of assistance for the students and the school to meet AYP and ABC accountability standards.  The teams are also establishing clear collaboration and communication processes to carefully monitor the impact of their support in assisting teachers in helping students make progress. For more information, please contact Dr. Mack McCary, Chief Academic Officer, at 370-2365.

Governor Easley Announces Morehead Elementary as a “Real D.E.A.L.” Winner

Another school in Guilford County has been recognized by the state as an outstanding learning institution. On February 1, at his Teacher Working Conditions Conference in Cary, Governor Mike Easley announced that Morehead Elementary is one of the top 10 schools to win the “Real D.E.A.L.” (Dedicated, Educators, Administrators & Learners) award. The program recognizes schools for student performance and teacher working conditions according to feedback from the 2006 Teacher Working Conditions Survey. Morehead is committed to involving staff in decision making. In addition, the school provides planning time and professional development opportunities that teachers need to build their knowledge and skills and to help their students succeed. For more information, please contact Principal Darcy Kemp at 294-7370.

Pleasant Garden Elementary to Receive Lighthouse School Award

The North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) has selected Pleasant Garden as a 2007 Lighthouse School Award winner. The Lighthouse Award is presented annually to schools that have furthered student achievement in innovative ways and have nurtured a positive and supportive school community climate. NCASCD will present the award to Pleasant Garden at a recognition ceremony during their annual conference at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, NC. For more information, please contact Principal Julie Olson at 674-4321.

Kernodle’s Teresa Southard Named February Employee of the Month

With close to 30 nominations, Teresa Southard is not just an integral part of the daily workings at Kernodle Middle; she is, according to one of her colleagues, “the spirit of our school.” This SIMS operator goes above and beyond her duties as an administrator and organizes food and clothing drives to cover the basics for students or coworkers in need. To help out, she tutors children after school. Just as important, she makes it a priority to make her colleagues smile each and every day.

As Employee of the Month, Teresa received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program. During the month of February, her photo will hang at all GCS main offices as well as the Wendover Avenue Sam’s Club. In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education recognized her at its February 8 meeting.  Click here to nominate someone you feel deserving of the GCS Employee of the Month recognition. For more information, please contact Lillian Govus, Program Administrator - Communications, at 370-8997.

New Graduation Requirements Beginning with the Class of 2010

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has set new graduation standards for all students across the state. The class of 2010 (current ninth-graders) will be the first group of students required to achieve a Level III or higher on the North Carolina End of Course (EOC) standardized tests in five core subjects: Algebra I, U.S. History, English I, Biology and Civics and Economics.  In addition to achieving a Level III in these core subjects, students must also pass the Computer Competency Test and complete a senior project.

Students at Saturn, SCALE and the middle colleges must complete at least 20 units of study, while students on a traditional schedule must complete at least 22 units of study.  Students on a block schedule must complete at least 28 units of study in their chosen course pathways.

To ensure no student is left behind, GCS offers support for students who fail to achieve a Level III or higher on EOC tests.  Students will also be given two retest opportunities, which will be preceded by intervention, remediation or extended instructional opportunities.

These opportunities will supplement regular high school course work and may include: smaller classes, tutoring sessions, an extended school day, parental involvement, modified instructional programs, computer-based assistance and summer school instruction.  For more information, students and parents should contact their school’s counseling department.  For more information, please contact Haley Henderson, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-3200.

Customize Your Child’s Education:  Attend GCS Magnet/Choice Fairs

Customize your child’s education by taking advantage of one of several magnet/choice schools offered in Guilford County.  GCS will host its 2007 Magnet/Choice Fairs on February 17 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Koury Convention Center in Greensboro and on February 22 from 6 until 8:30 p.m. at Oak Hollow Mall in High Point. The fairs offer an opportunity for parents to gather specific information about the various programs/schools available, apply onsite and receive other valuable information including transportation, immunization and enrollment requirements.

Applications for elementary and middle magnets will be accepted from February 17 through March 16.  Applications for high school options will be accepted from February 1 through March 23.

Parents can also visit a Magnet/Choice School; click here to view the Open House schedule of events and don’t miss a video presentation of the GCS magnet/choice schools each day on GCSTV 2 at: 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  For more information, please contact Tony Burks, Director of Magnet/Choice Schools, at 378-8832 or Haley Henderson, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-3200.

The District Will Host PSAT Night

The district will host Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test Night (PSAT) Night on February 28 at Western High, 6:30 p.m. and March 12 at Andrews High, 6:30 p.m.  The information session for eighth grade and high school students will provide an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of taking the PSAT, such as assessing strengths and weaknesses on skills needed for college, and helping to prepare for the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT).

A how-to guide for interpreting PSAT results will be discussed, and information on college preparation and the scholarship application process will be shared.  Parents and students are encouraged to attend one of the sessions hosted by College Board representatives.   For more information regarding PSAT Night, please contact the Office of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction at 370-3275.

Award-Wining Author Meizhu Lui Discusses the Racial Wealth Divide

The National Conference for Community and Justice and the Greensboro Public Library invite you to hear Meizhu Lui, award-winning co-author of The Color of Wealth, discuss the racial wealth divide in our country on Tuesday, February 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Central Library located at 219 N. Church Street, Greensboro.  This event is free and open to the public.  Click here for more information or contact Monica Walker, Diversity Officer, at 370-8999.

Sumner Elementary Making News!

Math and Writing Workshops Scheduled at Sumner Elementary
With end of grade exams approaching, Sumner realizes the importance of preparing well in advance. In order to help both students and parents, they have scheduled two workshops, one for math and one for writing.  The writing workshop will take place on Saturday, February 10 from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The meeting is for fourth-grade students and their parents and it will take place in the Sumner Media Center. Breakfast will be served. On Thursday, February 15, a math workshop will take place for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students and parents. The event will be from 5:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with dinner being served from 5:15 p.m. until 6:25 p.m. Students and parents will learn strategies to prepare for the exams. For more information, please contact Joyce Battle, guided reading specialist, or Yvetta Grier, Social Worker, at 316-5888.

Become a Student for the Day at Sumner Elementary
Sumner is asking parents to bring a notebook, sharpen a pencil and don’t forget to bring lunch money as they are invited to shadow their child for the day on Wednesday, February 21 from 7:15 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Parents will spend the day learning side by side with their child and will have the rare opportunity to see first hand their daily routines.

Helping Hands at Sumner Elementary
Starting on February 6, Sumner students and teachers will have some extra help. The University of North Carolina has partnered with Sumner to provide student interns until May 3. The interns will provide assistance to the teachers by working directly with smaller groups of students. For more information, please contact Principal Brian Clarida at 316-5888.

Weaver Academy Students Fare Well In Local Competitions

The Weaver visual-arts students have put forth a great deal of effort to succeed. Students participated in the PTA reflections/County-Wide Competition as well as the Theatre Art Galleries Annual Student Exhibition, and placed in both. PTA Reflection winners for Visual Art included: second-place winner Taylor Hoard, third-place winner Hollie Thomas and honorable mention Nick Swift. Haley Baker and Claire Atwell received Reflection honorable mentions for Photography Theatre Art Galleries Annual Student Exhibition winners included: first-place winner Kat Rosel and second-place winner Hollie Thomas. Three honorable mentions were also named in that competition. They included: Sarah Hanley, Madeline Gallucci and Laura Andrews. For more information, please contact Principal Anna Brady at 370-8282.

One Book-One School Selection Made at Penn-Griffin School for the Arts

Penn-Griffin has selected its One Book-One School (OBOS) selection for the upcoming semester. The Penn-Griffin family will be reading We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success, by Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins with Sharon Draper. The story tells of the hardships three young men faced growing up as they struggled against peer pressure, gang violence and drug use to overcome all three and graduate from medical school. Students and teachers will read the book and will be provided with classroom plans for use in conjunction with the book. The story will help teach traditional curriculum fundamentals as well as provide inspiration and awareness to students who may be faced with similar struggles. For more information, please contact Michelle Landreth, Curriculum Facilitator, at 819-2870.

New Band Uniforms Arrive at Smith High

For Smith High band students, new uniforms seemed like a far-fetched goal five years ago. However, with help from band boosters, parents, friends and the community, uniform pieces are finally beginning to arrive. Because of the great expense associated with new uniforms, individual bands are asked to raise one-third of the funds to help front the cost. Therefore, for the past five years, students and parents have been involved with numerous fund-raisers including fruit and candy sales, carwashes and fish frys. Donations from the community, individuals and corporate sponsors also helped tremendously. The new uniforms will debut fall 2007 when the Smith High Marching Eagles hit the field to deliver their show-style, high stepping performances. For more information, please contact Charles Butler, Director of Bands, at 294-7300, ext.4593.

POST Team Leaders Selected

Congratulations to 25 Guilford County middle school science teachers who have been chosen to serve as POST (Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers) Team Leaders for their school.  These teachers will participate in three summer courses specifically designed to address both content and pedagogy, based on the NC middle school Standard Course of Study in Science.  In addition, POST Team Leaders will learn how to implement the latest technology into their science classrooms, and will facilitate science learning communities within their school.  Not only will these Team Leaders benefit from the POST project, but all science teachers in Cohort I schools will have the opportunity to participate in quarterly academies during the 2007-08 school year, as well as visiting other GCS science classrooms to observe colleagues in other schools.  GCS is thrilled to be able to offer such relevant professional development in middle grades science to our teachers, and the Organizational Development Division looks forward to recognizing our new POST Team Leaders at a reception on February 27 in their honor.  Click here to view the announcement of new POST Team Leaders. For more information, please contact Cyndie Lawrence, POST Project Coordinator, at 312-4096 or by e-mail at lawrenc@gcsnc.com

Discover Languages Month Helps Schools Recruit Future Foreign Language Teachers

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) has announced February as Discover Languages Month. With new graduation requirements stating that by 2013, all students must complete two years of a foreign language, the demand for foreign language teachers is expected to increase exponentially. In this proactive movement to get students interested in teaching foreign language, many GCS foreign language teachers will promote Discover Languages Month throughout their classrooms. For more information, please contact Gisela Hood, World Languages Specialist, at 370-3273, ext. 2.

Dow Corning Teacher Innovation Awards Offered to GCS Teachers

The Dow Corning Foundation’s primary mission is to increase access to math, science and technology education. In their effort to improve these areas in the classroom, they have partnered with the American Chemical Society (ACS), Midland, Michigan Section to bring educators the national Teacher Innovation Awards Program. An individual K-12 teacher or a team of up to three teachers may apply for the grant. The award of $1,000 (per individual) can be used to purchase equipment, supplies or training for the classroom. Applications are due by midnight on March 1 and winners will be announced before Memorial Day. Click here for more information or contact Anne DeBoer, Dow Corning representative, at 989-496-6290.

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.”  The video airs daily at: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Home Field Advantage

Research indicates that students who change schools often don’t perform as well in their studies as those who remain at one school throughout the year.  That’s why GCS offers the “Home Field Advantage.”  The initiative gives children in schools with high mobility rates 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 to 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.

Building the Future

Our growing school district makes it necessary to add schools and make 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 as 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.

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

The State Writing Test is a crucial component for students in the fourth, seventh and tenth grades.  Passing the test in high school is a determining factor as to whether a student will graduate and receive a diploma.  Join Host Karin Young for the newest edition of our Spanish and English language program: “Tus Hijos y GCS.”  Karin provides ideas and suggestions on how parents can help their children sharpen their English grammar and vocabulary skills to improve test scores.  Tus Hijos y GCS airs daily at 1 a.m., 7 a.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 GCSTV 2 (Cable Channel 2.)

Brown Summit/Lincoln Academy
The Center for Advanced Academics at Brown Summit provides an environment with the ultimate goal of preparing students to be successful in honors and Advanced Placement curriculum at the high school level.  Learn more about this small community of learners who value scholarship, achievement and creativity.  The Academy at Lincoln expands on a similar goal with the addition of performing arts and Global Studies which give the traditional curriculum a new twist.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, February 14.

Penn Griffin/Weaver Academy
Magnet schools each have a distinctive mission with a common goal of educating our children.  Penn Griffin School for the Arts offers students a chance to explore multiple arts areas from the sixth grade through their senior year.  Arts are also a part of the Weaver Academy mission, but Weaver also offers career options in technology, as well as a strong emphasis on academics.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, February 16.

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

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Playground Heroes: How Can we Teach Kids to Stick up for Peers who are Bullied?

In "Playground Heroes" in the latest issue of Greater Good magazine, researchers Ken Rigby and Bruce Johnson make clear that research has not only documented the great prevalence of bullying at schools; it's also shown that quite often, children serve as passive bystanders to bullying. They neither join in the bullying nor try to stop it, but just watch it from the sidelines. Yet when these observers do intervene, more often than not they're successful in stopping the bullying. So why don't they intervene -- and perhaps more importantly, how can parents and teachers effectively encourage them to intervene when it's appropriate for them to do so? Drawing on the results from a six-country study that they ran, called the International Bystander Project, Rigby and Johnson offer concrete strategies for helping children act on their best intentions. Click here to read more.

No Child Left Bored: How to Challenge Gifted and Talented Students

A highly targeted array of learning opportunities for students is not common practice in schools and districts across the country. A few states have created separate schools for academically talented students in math and science. Some large districts have established magnet schools to serve the needs of academically talented students. Some communities offer theme schools for gifted learners, including schools with full-time programs for academically gifted and talented students with a focus on critical and creative thinking skills. Districts and states also have developed innovative programs that include mentorships, Saturday programs, after-school enrichment activities and summer internships. However, recent experiences suggest strongly that this attention has decreased in the years following the implementation of No Child Left Behind, writes Sally M. Reis in The School Administrator. In a recent study that her colleagues conducted, across 92 observation days in all subject areas, gifted students experienced only minimal instructional or curricular differentiation. The goal for each superintendent and administrator is to work with teachers and parents to develop a program and a continuum of services that is appropriate for each individual school, taking into account the unique learning needs of the students, the programs and services already in place and what is needed to challenge every child. For every child deserves the opportunity to make continuous progress in learning. Click here to read more.

Small Classrooms Most Important in Early Grades

 Research shows that small classrooms are beneficial during a child's earliest school years, reports Clarke Canfield for the Associated Press. But there is little evidence that shows a correlation between class size and student achievement beyond the third grade, education researchers say. Deciding where to spend limited education resources can be tricky, said Brian Stecher, a senior social scientist at the nonprofit Rand Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif. There aren't any studies comparing the benefits of a dollar spent on teachers to a dollar spent on computers or a dollar spent on scholarships. Still, nobody wants to see their children's classrooms get bigger, he said. "Parents and teachers are almost universally in support of reducing class size if possible," he said. Click here to read more.