Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

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May 11, 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.

New Administrators Named

The following administrative appointments will be effective July 1:

Please call Chief Human Resources Officer Peggy Thompson at 370-8340, should you have questions.

Summer School Information

The Summer School interest list has been distributed to principals to use in selecting their summer school staff.  Principals are asked to select their staff by May 14, 2007.  Summer School dates are as follows:

• July 2, 2007 through July 31, 2007 (mandated teacher training day on July 2, workday on July 3, holiday on July 4 and students report on July 5)
• Focused intervention will be offered June 18, 2007 through June 29, 2007 for eighth-graders who passed Algebra I, but did not pass Algebra I EOC and ninth-graders who passed the EOC classes, but did not meet the requirements for high school exit exams.

Hours of operation for Summer School will be as follows:

• Elementary:  7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Middle and High:  8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Alison Yates, Director of Staffing, at 370-8094.

Superintendent’s Choice Art Awards Contest

Congratulations to the following students whose entries were selected as winners in the annual Superintendent’s Choice Art Awards contest:

Schools were able to submit one entry per teacher for this contest. All of the art entries will remain on display at 501 W. Washington Street, Greensboro until the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Congratulations to each child whose art work was selected from their school to be a part of this art contest. For more information, please contact Pam Farlow, K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Specialist, at 370-3273 or Lee Ann Segalla, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary, at 370-2657.

National Football Foundation Football Scholar Athlete Scholarship Awards

The Corrigan/Faircloth Chapter of the National Football Foundation awarded $1,000 scholarships to 13 football scholar-athletes from Guilford County high schools at its 16th annual awards banquet. These 13 scholar-athletes were among 28 recipients of scholarships from the chapter, which covers Alamance, Forsyth and Guilford counties. The scholarship award winners are:

In addition, Tyler Rankin was the chapter’s top scholar-athlete in the three-county area served by the chapter and was awarded an additional $2,000 scholarship. Herb Goins, GCS Director of Athletics, has served as the Corrigan/Faircloth Chapter president for the past six years.  For more information, please contact Mr. Goins at 370-8950.

Grimsley DECA Chapter Wins Awards

The Grimsley DECA chapter, an association of Career and Technical Education Marketing students, was successful at the 2007 NC Career Development Conference.  Fifteen Grimsley DECA attendees received Proficiency Awards in their respective events, and the Grimsley DECA chapter received the Silver Chapter Award for this year’s program of work.  Grimsley was the only chapter in the Triad area to receive this prestigious Silver Award.

Grimsley DECA is committed to continuing the Whirlie tradition of academic excellence.  In addition to the proficiency awards, three students received ‘Highest Test Score’ Awards and six students received the ‘Highest Role Play’ Awards.  Victoria Collins, a senior and first-year Marketing student, was crowned the 2007 NC State Champion in the Employability Skills Associate Level event.  Congratulations to Atiba Bethea, Grimsley Marketing teacher, and all of the Grimsley DECA students.  For more information, please contact Sylvia Anderson, Director of Career and Technical Education, at 370-8357.

Teaching New Ways to Visualize and Understand the World

The Orthogonal Medal is presented each year by North Carolina State University to an individual or individuals who make outstanding contributions to the advancement of graphic science.  The award has been presented to engineers, professors and Pulitzer Prize winners. This year, it was awarded to Roy Kimmins, scientific visualization instructor at Weaver Academy and Phyllis Jones, scientific visualization teacher at Page High.

These GCS teachers are two of only four high school teachers who have been awarded the medal since its conception in 1985. Roy and Phyllis received the award for their accomplishments in stating, writing and maintaining the SciVis program for North Carolina.  The teachers were honored during an award banquet at NCSU on Saturday, April 21.

SciVis, short for scientific and technical visualization, combines advanced graphic tools to illustrate concepts related to science, math and technology and is offered to students at high schools throughout the district.  Some of the projects that students complete through the curriculum include: creating a 3D model of the human heart, Web page design and creating animations to illustrate plate tectonics, simple machines, internal combustion engines and DNA electrophoresis.

In addition to their work with SciVis, Roy and Phyllis are currently developing a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Game Art and Design curriculum for the state, which will be the first of its kind the country.  The program will be piloted at Weaver Academy and Page, beginning in the fall of 2007.

SciVis is a CTE course that has been recognized both nationally and internationally. One of the requirements for SciVis teacher licensure is completion of a 40-hour summer workshop taught by Roy and Phyllis that is available to teachers statewide.  For more information, please contact Sylvia Anderson, Director of Career and Technical Education, at 370-8357.

Grimsley Media Specialist Receives National Recognition

Kate Cummings, a media specialist from Grimsley High, has been selected from a national applicant pool to attend one of 21 summer study opportunities supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.  The Endowment is a federal agency that each summer supports seminars and institutes at colleges and universities so that teachers can study with experts in humanities disciplines.

Kate will participate in, "Living and Being Chinese: Geographic and Ethnic Diversity in China."  The four-week program will be held at Columbia Universityin New York City and directed by The China Institute.

The 30 teachers selected to participate in the program each receive a stipend to cover their travel, study and living expenses.

Topics for the 21 seminars and institutes offered for teachers this summer include the works of Shakespeare, Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Chaucer, and Dante; the archeology of the Mississippi River valley, the geography and culture of the American South, slavery in New England, cartography, poetry, jazz, World War II in France, ethnic diversity in China, and teaching Italian through Italian art.  The approximately 440 teachers who participate in these studies will teach more than 50,000 American students the following year. For more information, please contact John Eldridge, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 370-8180.

Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club Recognize GCS Teachers

Every year, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores from across the country name a local educator Teacher of the Year who then goes on to compete for Wal-Mart’s National Teacher of the Year. Five deserving teachers will represent the district in the national competition.

Because of her hard work and dedication to the profession, Carla Morgan, a kindergarten teacher at Stokesdale Elementary, was named the Teacher of the Year by Sam’s Club on Wendover Avenue in Greensboro.

According to Mary Williams, the principal at Stokesdale, Morgan is extremely deserving of this award.  “She is an outstanding teacher,” Mary said.  “Her classes are always innovative and active.  The students have a good time while learning.  Her love of children and education are very apparent every time I enter the classroom.”

Cynthia Moore, a third-grade teacher at Cone Elementary, was named Teacher of the Year by Wal-Mart on Cone Boulevard in Greensboro.  “Mrs. Moore is a great teacher because she truly cares about students, staff and parents,” said Renee McKinnon, principal at Cone. “She is a team player in every sense of the phrase.  She will do anything for anyone at anytime, and she loves watching children learn new things and grow to be proficient students.”

The Teacher of the Year program is a part of Wal-Mart's long-term commitment to support education throughout the United States. Each winner received a certificate, $100 gift card and a check for $1,000 will be donated to his or her school.

Other GCS teachers named by Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in the area include:

• Kim Manns, Brooks Global Studies              Wal-Mart, 4424 Wendover Ave., Greensboro
• Cynthia Mills, Western Guilford High           Wal-Mart, 3738 Battleground Ave., Greensboro
• Lina Morris, Southwest Elementary             Wal-Mart, 2710 N. Main St., High Point

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

GCS Honors Transportation Professionals

GCS employs 624 school bus drivers and 62 First Student, Inc. drivers who travel 52,241 miles transporting 38,761 students each school day.  However, it takes more than school bus drivers to ensure our students are transported safely.

Mechanics, transportation safety assistants, routing specialists, supervisors and other support staff also play a vital role.  Because of that, the transportation department recognized the best of the best at its annual Professional of the Year ceremony as part of Transportation Professionals Appreciation Week.

The transportation department honored two safety assistants, 16 bus drivers, one supervisor, one technician and two mechanics:

The department also gave the following awards:

In addition to giving the awards, Jeff Harris, Director of Transportation, recognized the participants who served on the Improving Transportation Working Conditions project team.  For more information, please contact Haley Henderson, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-3200.

GCS Announces Athletic Director as Employee of the Month

After the devastating fire at Eastern Guilford High, GCS faculty and staff worked day and night to get the students back in class.  Randall Hackett faced his own set of problems – how to get the Wildcats back on the court and field.  Randall worked with different facility managers and athletic directors to schedule practices and contests at satellite sites.  Collaborating with the Office of Athletics and Transportation Department, Randall was able to get students suited up and shuttled to practices and games.

According to Assistant Principal Leigh Hebbard, who nominated Randall: “Throughout all of this, Randall has exhibited a high level of professionalism and has tried to make all decisions in the best interest of the student-athletes.  With our school being separated, athletics has been the one common thread that has provided the Wildcat family many opportunities to see each other. Randall is a credit to the school and community for all he has done to keep the athletic program fully operational during this stressful time for all of us.”

As Employee of the Month, Randall received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program.  In addition, the Board of Education recognized him at its May 8 meeting.  For more information, please contact Lillian Govus, Program Administrator-Communications, at 370-8997.

GCS Announces Vita Alligood as May Volunteer of the Month

Vita Alligood first volunteered at Erwin Montessori two years ago.  Since then, she has dedicated herself to promoting volunteerism.  Vita actively serves on the school’s leadership team, recruits other volunteers, assists with many school functions and acts as a liaison between the school and parents.  She was nominated by the principal of Erwin Montessori, Deborah Parker, for her tireless efforts with not only the children at Erwin but also for her leadership with other volunteers. “With her leadership in organizing a volunteer handbook and database, volunteerism has increased which will lead to greater student achievement,” Deborah said.

Because of the exceptional job she does and her continuous commitment to students at Erwin, Vita has been selected as the May GCS Volunteer of the Month.  As Volunteer of the Month, The Board of Education recognized Vita at its May 8 meeting.  Her photo will hang at the district’s three main offices during the month of May.  In addition, American Express, who has partnered with GCS to sponsor the Volunteer of the Month program, presented Vita with a $25 gift card.  For more information, please contact Lynne Brandon, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-8353.

Northeast Middle Teacher Receives Debby Kern Award

The Enrichment Fund for Guilford County Schools has chosen Dare London, a teacher of exceptional children at Northeast Middle, as the 2007 Debby Kern Award recipient. Dare received an original sculpture entitled “helping hand,” created by local artist Eric Bierbower, and a certificate of recognition. Northeast Middle received a check for $1,000.

The Debby Kern Award was established in 2005 to recognize a GCS educator, counselor or staff member who actively advocates for children in need. In nominating London, Principal Melissa Harrelson wrote, “in addition to her numerous efforts to provide assistance to the students and their families, this teacher of exceptional children created an after school knitting club, which serves not only as an incentive for students, but also offers a challenging hands-on activity that encourages math and application skills.” It is this type of advocacy that embodies the spirit behind the Debby Kern Award. Congratulations to Dare London!  For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, Manager of Community Partnerships, at 370-8355.

Exceptional Children’s Advocacy Award

The Guilford County Council of PTAs recently announced the winners of the 2007 Exceptional Children’s Advocacy awards. This year, the individual award goes to Holly McNeil of Northwest High; Southwest Middle wins the school award. The Exceptional Children’s Advocacy Awards recognizes an individual and a school that provides a strong voice of advocacy and promotes networking among parents of exceptional children, community agencies and GCS. For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, Manager of Community Partnerships, at 370-8355.

Johnson Street Global Studies Completes Playground Installation

For more than three years, Johnson Street has been working hard to make the dream of installing a new playground for exceptional children a reality.  Thanks to a grant from the High Point Community Foundation, awarded to the school earlier in the school year, they were provided the funds to purchase the equipment.  Community volunteers came together on April 28 to install the specialized equipment that allows physically and mentally challenged children to experience the joy of learning through play.  Johnson Street will hold a dedication ceremony for the new playground and outdoor classroom on May 14 at 8:30 a.m.  Paul Lessard, director of the High Point Community Foundation, is the guest speaker for the event and members of the community are invited.  For more information, please contact Principal Shelley Nixon-Greene at 819-2900.

GCS Teacher Receives Leah Louise B. Tannenbaum Teacher Award

Eloise Lynch, a teacher at Brooks Global Studies, was selected at the 2007-08 recipient of the Leah Louise B. Tannenbaum Teacher Award for Reading Instruction.  Eloise received the award for being an “outstanding example of an educator who demonstrates exceptional effort and professional skill in reading instruction and the development of reading competency.”  Because of her enthusiasm in teaching reading, Brooks Global will receive $2,000.  For more information, please contact Principal Charles Foust at 370-8228.

High Point Central High Student Shines at FBLA Leadership Conference

Michael Griffin, a student at High Point Central, won second place in the Public Speaking II category at the State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Leadership Conference. Griffin will go on to compete in the National Competition in June.  Michael has also been accepted to the Martha Guy Summer Institute, held at Appalachian State University and New York City, New York.  For more information, please contact Cynthia Vaughn, media specialist, at 819-2825.

Weaver Academy Fares Well at FBLA Leadership Conference

Seven Weaver students placed at the State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Leadership Conference.  The students include: first-place winner Andrew Hall in Programming - C++, first-place winner Buddy Patton in Programming - Java, second-place winners Sam Milstead and Vernon Depee in Network Design and third-place winner Travis Upchurch in Programming - Visual Basic.  Andrew, Buddy and Travis will go on to compete in the National Competition in June.  For more information, please contact Principal Anna Brady at 370-8282.

Elementary Literacy Framework Developments

This week, representative teachers, curriculum facilitators, principals and central office staff continued work with the Mid-Continent Resource for Education and Learning to develop and implement a comprehensive Elementary Literacy Framework for Pre-K-5.  During the elementary Literacy Audit completed this spring (click here to view a copy of the audit), local leaders strongly endorsed the need for a comprehensive vision of effective literacy instruction, and a plan of action that would enable all students to read by the end of third grade. The framework now under development is not a new program designed to replace the resources schools are currently using to teach literacy.  Rather, it is intended to make more effective use of those resources and the Standard Course of Study by identifying the crucial components of literacy and effective instructional practices. The framework, dubbed “A Teacher’s Guide to the Standard Course of Study,”  will develop a common language and shared understanding of all the components of literacy and help the district and schools address components that may need strengthening.  Four parallel project teams are working with McREL this spring to design the framework, develop leadership capacity at the district level and in each school, plan for implementation and develop the oral language component of literacy.

Representatives on the district-school leadership team considered the implications of ten years of research on the crucial role of school-based shared leadership in improving student achievement.  The 21 school-based factors emphasized the crucial role not only of principals but of school teacher-leaders in sharing responsibilities for improving student achievement. Other project teams began developing a multi-year implementation plan, and the framework team worked to complete a first draft of the framework, which will be shared with principals and curriculum facilitators next week for feedback, and with teachers before school ends this year. K-2 teachers are being surveyed anonymously this week to determine current literacy practices and knowledge. For more information, please contact Lee Ann Segalla, Executive Director of Curriculum-Elementary, at 370-2657 or Dr. Mack McCary, Chief Academic Officer, at 370-2365.

GCSTV 2

GCS is Building Futures

With GCS growing on average by more than 1,700 students each year (1,800 are expected during the 2007-08 school year), the challenge is keeping up with the demand to provide adequate space for educating them in a comfortable environment.  More than two dozen construction projects are currently underway within our school district to help reach that goal.  The new Southern Middle School is on schedule to be finished in May.  Guilford Elementary will be complete by August and Northern Elementary by December.  In addition, enhancement construction is underway at Oak View Elementary, Ferndale and Southern middle schools.  Come along for a tour with GCSTV 2 to see how our school construction bond money helps to make these improvements possible.  Join hosts Lillian Govus and Dave Burnett 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.

Legislative Luncheon

As enrollment grows, so does our need for fiscal support.  High quality public education is dependent upon local, state and federal governments to provide the funds to meet the educational needs of our children.  Join us as board and staff members discuss school needs with those who represent Guilford County at the local, state and federal levels of government.  This program airs daily at 10 a.m.

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

It’s time to register for next year’s classes.  If you need help with the process, there is assistance available.  Join host Karin Young for this edition of our Spanish and English language program: “Tus Hijos y GCS.”  Karin provides the latest information on registering for school next year including tips that will help make the transition to the next grade level a bit smoother.  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 school year creates a disadvantage for students when it comes to their studies.  Research indicates that children who study at the same 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 the “Home Field Advantage” 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 license soon, don’t miss this program.  The video focuses on ways to reduce injuries and death among our young drivers.  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).

The Middle College at N.C. A&T
With no more than 110 students, The Middle College at NC A&T maintains a small school and class size, permitting students to receive individual attention to build supportive relationships with teachers, staff and administrators.  The Middle College at A&T strives to provide a learning environment that ensures individual attention as its all-male student body takes both high school and college courses and earning college credit.  Enrollment is open to any male in the county.  For more information, check out this Newsbreak on Wednesday, May 16.
           
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 Friday, May 18.

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

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Schools Cannot Do It By Themselves

There is little debate about the importance of community and public involvement in public schools. Years of research have shown that parent and community involvement in schools improves student achievement. When parents and the wider community work with schools, students benefit in concrete and measurable ways. Student scores on standardized tests are higher. Where civic engagement in community affairs in general is high, teachers report higher levels of parental support and lower levels of student misbehavior. In October 2006, The Education Alliance, Public Education Network and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation released the first statewide Civic Index on quality public education. West Virginia was one of four pilots for a national Civic Index that measured the social capital and civic capacity of West Virginia and the nation. The 10 categories included in the Civic Index were developed by asking the public what they deemed crucial for a community in order to have a quality public education. The categories the public selected might surprise you. They were: education leadership of elected officials; tolerance and inclusiveness; active parents; strong civic organizations; performance data about the school/district; partnerships with higher education; knowledge of and voting for school board; active business community; youth involvement; and media coverage.

This article by Becky Ceperley, president and CEO of the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, published in the West Virginia Gazette, highlights findings from the civic index. As our civic organizations are looking for projects to undertake, look to your local schools. Inquire about how your organization may partner with schools. As voters, we need to make sure we ask candidates running for all public offices what their stances are on public education. We need to raise our involvement with public education to a higher level. Our relationship with public education is a highly interdependent one. We need our schools to educate our young people and stimulate our economy. Schools need our support to survive. Our schools work hard to provide a high quality education for our youth, but they can't do it alone. Click here to read more.

Students Learn to Thrive By Not Being Bystanders

According to a recent study, a kid's academic success may depend on whether he believes in his own ability to grow smarter. Researchers divided poorly performing middle-school students into two groups and arranged for kids in both groups to receive intense, remedial instruction. However, those in the second group also were taught to understand intelligence as an expanding opportunity, rather than an unchangeable destiny, writes Karen Utley, the mother of eight children, in the Salem (Ore.) Statesman Journal. After several months, testing revealed slightly improved scores in the first group, but soaring success among students in the second. Educators probably weren't surprised to hear that student confidence predicts scholastic achievement. Tackling the rigors of an advanced curriculum requires kids to be active, enthusiastic learners who are convinced that their intelligence can grow and that their capacity for learning is enhanced even as they learn. On the other hand, students who assume their intellectual abilities were fixed at birth approach education passively, coming to school with the attitude, appearance and expectations of detached observers. It is critical that we teach kids to redefine personal intelligence as a power they can control, and over which they have personal responsibility. Click here to read more.

When is a School Dangerous?

Under the six-year-old No Child Left Behind Act, each state must define a "persistently dangerous" school and allow parents to transfer their children out of them. But at Milwaukee's Fritsche Middle School, 187 calls to police over a recent six-month period did not make the school persistently dangerous under Wisconsin's definition. The fact that many of Milwaukee's high schools do not come close to earning the designation highlights dramatic inconsistencies in the way the federal safety provision is applied, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis shows. The analysis also found that the dangerous schools provision does little to foster accountability on school safety issues -- and could actually discourage accountability in some schools and states. Milwaukee does not have a single dangerous school, reports Sarah Carr. Neither does Chicago. Nor Boston. Nor Los Angeles. All told, 40 schools throughout the country were labeled dangerous at the start of this school year -- including nine in Philadelphia. None is in Wisconsin. The states and schools that have been the most rigorous and thorough in reporting and defining violence wind up paying a price for it. In many cases, the schools lose dozens of students to ones that are presumed to be safer. Click here to read more.

Community Colleges & Teacher Preparation: Roles, Issues & Opportunities

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) announces the release of an issue paper by Tricia Coulter and Bruce Vandal that explores the expanding and evolving role community colleges are playing in teacher preparation to help meet the ongoing demand for quality teachers. The paper describes the forces shaping education policy and practice around teacher preparation, and offers suggestions on how community colleges can capitalize on their unique attributes to meet critical workforce demand in local and regional communities to positively affect the field of teacher education. Highlighted recommendations from the report include: (1) Teacher preparation should be viewed as a four-year process that includes content and pedagogical training throughout the four-years; (2) Program and course development should be a collaborative process including representation from universities, community colleges and the K-12 sector; (3) Each state department of education should encourage ongoing collaboration and communication among legislators, community colleges, universities and the K-12 sector on how community college teacher preparation can be used to improve the quality of teacher preparation and ameliorate teacher shortages; and (4) Policymakers and institution leaders should consider providing resources to community colleges and K-12 school districts to support customized training for teachers through contracts and/or partnerships between community colleges and school districts. Click here to read more.