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October 2007

October 31, 2007

Guilford County Schools to Hold Teaching American History Seminar

GCS will present the second seminar of the Teaching American History Project on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3. The seminar, “Expansion and Reform (1801-1850),” is hosted by Guilford College. High school U.S. history teachers from across the county will participate.

The GCS Teaching American History Project is a three year program made possible by the Department of Education’s Teaching American History Grant. The program is designed to help participating teachers from across the county expand their content knowledge of U.S history and learn strategies to improve student achievement. Additional seminars are scheduled for February and April 2008. For more information, please contact Morris Johnson, project coordinator, at 336-317-1199.

GCS Newcomers School to Host Culture Night

All students, families and community members are invited to celebrate the opening of the GCS Newcomers School on Thursday, November 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will honor the diverse cultures of the school through informative exhibits and student performances. For more information, please contact Jake Henry, principal, at 336-316-5883.

Ferndale Middle Students Learn Through Teamwork and Entrepreneurship 

Ferndale students in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club are gaining extensive hands-on experience through their own enterprise. For the second year, FBLA members are providing fellow students with practical school items and fun treats in their school store. The student-operated store is open twice a week during breakfast and lunch, in addition to during some school dances.

Through participation in the school store, FBLA members are taught how to operate a business. Students make ordering decisions, control inventory by using spreadsheet software and evaluate success of the store. Store profits help pay for additional inventory and also help to make FBLA programming more affordable for students. For more information, please contact Juanette Capers, FBLA advisor, at 336-819-2855.

Sumner Elementary Practices Writing with Pen Pals

Sumner fourth-grade students are receiving writing help from residents at local assisted living facilities who have become their pen pals. Residents from Masonic and Eastern Star Home, Brighton Gardens of Greensboro, Friends Home West and Carolina Commons have partnered with Sumner students to write letters on a regular basis. This fun writing activity will help prepare students for the fourth-grade writing test. For more information, please contact Dr. Brian Clarida, principal, at 336-316-5888.

October 24, 2007

Guilford Elementary Parent Teacher Association to Host Fall Festival

Guilford Parent Teacher Association will host a fall festival on Friday, November 2 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The festival will feature an obstacle course, bounce house, giant slide, basketball, fast-pitch baseball, face painting and magic show. Admission to the festival is free. For more information, please contact Eunice Isley, principal, at 336-316-5844.

Frazier Elementary Invites Community for National Young Readers Day

Frazier invites the community to celebrate the joy of reading with students on Tuesday, November 13 for National Young Readers Day. Interested individuals will have the opportunity share their favorite children’s book with students. For more information, please contact Laverne Bass, principal, at 336-294-7340.

Hampton Leadership Academy Fathers Joined Students for a Day

More than 125 Hampton fathers joined their child for “Bring Daddy to School Day” on Wednesday, October 24. The fathers had the opportunity to visit their child’s classroom, join their child for lunch and read books to their child’s class. For more information, please contact David Jarmon, principal, at 336-370-8220.

GCS Social Worker Receives North Carolina Governor’s Appointment

Virginia Hoover, a school social worker for The High School Ahead Academy, was appointed by Governor Michael Easley to serve on the Committee on Dropout Prevention. The committee determines which local school administrative units, schools, agencies and nonprofits will receive dropout prevention grants. For more information, please contact Michelle Hayes, principal, at 336-294-7640.

GCS Enhances Middle School Science Education

GCS recently committed to provide Discovery Education Science, a comprehensive multimedia toolkit that supplements school curriculum, for 11 middle schools. Discovery Education Science will allow GCS teachers to use a vast array of technological resources to compliment their classroom instruction and improve student achievement. For more information, please contact Christopher Bronson, organizational development program coordinator, at 336-312-4096.

October 17, 2007

GCS to Hold 2007 Magnet Showcase

The first-ever Magnet Showcase will be held on Saturday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to    2 p.m. at High Point Central High in the women's gymnasium. Choosing the best school is one of the most important decisions parents must make. The showcase will educate parents about magnet and choice school offerings in GCS. Magnet and schools of choice allow all students to participate in academic interests in special learning environments.

The 2007 Magnet Showcase will group schools according to the 17 different available themes : c ommunications, leadership, traditional , newcomers , global studies , Montessori , International Baccalaureate, Spanish immersion , Mandarin Chinese , arts – elementary , arts – secondary , advanced academics , career and technical , education and science , single-gender middle college and middle college.

GCS is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, please contact Tony Lamair Burks II, director of magnet and choice schools, at 336-378-8832.

Hairston Middle Students to Receive 100 Computers

All seventh-graders and select eighth-graders at Hairston will receive a refurbished computer on Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and Tuesday, October 23 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. HandyCapable Network, a local nonprofit organization, will distribute the computers and help transport them to students’ homes.

These donations are the first phase of a grant that includes a total of 225 computers to be given away to students at Hairston. The grant was made possible by the support of various companies and individuals in the Greensboro community. For more information, please contact Lena Murrill Chapman, technology specialist, at 336-378-8280.

National School Bus Safety Week: “Be Aware! Cross with Care”

On each school day, approximately 40,000 students in Guilford County ride to and from school in more than 634 school buses. October 22-26 is National School Bus Safety Week and the theme is “Be Aware! Cross with Care.” The focus this year is student safety while crossing the street to and from the bus stop. This week is an opportunity for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus drivers and school administrators to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. For more information, please contact Jeff Harris, director of transportation, at 336-370-8920.

Flame and Ember Fire Prevention Show at Alderman Elementary

Flame, the fire prevention clown, and Ember, the Dalmatian fire dog, will entertain and inform kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at Alderman on Monday, October 29 at 9 a.m. Flame and Ember will discuss the importance of fire prevention and share fire safety tips. For more information, please contact Sadiyah Abdullah, principal, at 336-294-7320.

Cricket Ambassador Program at Grimsley High

The Grimsley DECA club, an international association of high school and college students studying marketing, management and entrepreneurship, has partnered with Cricket Wireless to establish the Cricket Ambassador program. The purpose of this program is to give select marketing students a chance to apply the concepts, competencies and objectives being covered in class while assisting Cricket Wireless with their new branding campaign targeting teenagers. Fifteen students will serve as the teenage spokespeople for the Cricket Company. They will also be active participants at various Cricket sponsored events like the Greensboro Revolution arena football and the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball games.

In addition to obtaining priceless marketing experience, these elite DECA students will receive one of the newest model Cricket phones available with unlimited talk time, text messaging and Internet access. One of the most dedicated Cricket Ambassadors will receive a $500 scholarship at the end of the school year. For more information, please contact Atiba Bethea, marketing teacher, at 336-370-8180.

October 10, 2007

Alamance Elementary to Learn from Police Officer and K9

More than 150 Alamance second-grade students will meet with a Guilford County Sheriff K9 officer on Friday, October 12 at 9:35 a.m. As students have studied the role of rescue and service dogs, Officer John Bush and K9 Breck will demonstrate how they work together. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the patrol car and see K9 Breck in action as he “protects” Officer Bush from two second-grade teachers. For more information, please contact Pam Early, principal, at 336-697-3177.

Teaching American History Project Holds First Seminar

On Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13, the Teaching American History Project will hold its first seminar hosted by the High Point Museum. Dr. Michelle Ungurait, secondary curriculum officer for GCS, will present among others. The topic of the seminar is “The New Nation: 1789-1820.” High school U.S. History teachers from across the county will be participating. 

The Teaching American History Project is a three-year program made possible by a Teaching American History Grant. The program is designed to help participating teachers expand their content knowledge of U.S. History and learn strategies to improve student achievement. The second seminar is scheduled for November 2 and 3 hosted by Guilford College. For more information, please contact Morris Johnson, project coordinator, at 336-370-3274.

Smith High to Host University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor

Chancellor James Moeser from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be at Smith on Monday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. He will speak with students about the importance of going to college and promote the National College Advising Corps, which was launched this year. Through this program, recent Carolina graduates help high school students plan their college searches, complete admissions and financial-aid applications and overcome obstacles that might discourage them from continuing their education. For more information, please contact Dr. Noah Rogers, principal, at 336-294-7300.

GCS to Hold 2007 Magnet Showcase

The first-ever Magnet Showcase will be held on Saturday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at High Point Central High in the women's gymnasium. Choosing the best school is one of the most important decisions parents must make. The showcase will educate parents about magnet and choice school offerings in GCS. Magnet and schools of choice allow all students to participate in academic interests in special learning environments.

The 2007 magnet showcase will group schools at tables/booths according to the 17 different available themes: communications, leadership, traditional, newcomers, global studies, Montessori, International Baccalaureate, Spanish immersion, Mandarin Chinese, arts – elementary, arts – secondary, advanced academics, career and technical, education and science, single-gender middle college and middle college.

GCS is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, please contact Tony Lamair Burks II, director of magnet of choice schools, at 336-378-8832.

Jackson Middle to Host Art Show and Choral Concert

Jackson will host an art show and choral concert, themed “Make a Difference,” on Tuesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Gregory Heath, choral director, at 336-294-7350.

Page High Recognized for Advanced Placement (AP) Success

Page was recognized as having the highest increase (12 percent) among the county high schools in the number of students earning college credit for their AP exams. Along with this honor, the College Board has recognized 111 Page students as AP Scholars, AP Scholars of Honor or AP Scholars of Distinction.

Page also has three students who have earned the recognition of AP national scholars. The recognition requires a student to earn a score of four or better on a minimum of eight AP exams. This honor is earned by only .017 percent of the AP students in America. This is the seventh consecutive year that Page students have earned this outstanding national award. For more information, please contact John Meyer, AP/IB coordinator, at 336-370-8200.

Alamance Elementary Unites for United Way

Alamance staff and the Parent Teacher Association are helping students participate in the October United Way Drive through their “Coins for a Cause” fundraiser. Students are taught how the United Way helps communities and are encouraged to bring change to donate to the drive.

Each time a class reaches a $10 donation point, they are automatically entered into a drawing for a fish tank donated by Aquamains. Within two days of fundraising, students donated more than $400. For more information, please contact Jill Hall, assistant principal, at 336-697-3177.

Jamestown Middle Band Performs for Chewbacca

The Jamestown eighth-grade band performed during Comics and Toys MonsterCon in Salisbury, N.C. on Saturday, October 6. A special guest at the comic convention was actor Peter Mayhew, who played the character Chewbacca in four of the “Star Wars” films. The band performed several Star Wars songs, such as “Main Theme” and “Duel of the Fates” for Mayhew. For more information, please contact Karen Franks, director of instrumental music, at 336-819-2100.

October 3, 2007

Dudley High to Honor Graduate at “Charlie Sanders Day”

Dudley class of 1964 graduate and National Football League 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Sanders will be honored at “Charlie Sanders Day” on Friday, October 5 at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium. During a motivational assembly, Sanders will speak specifically with Dudley athletes and seniors.

Often regarded as one of the best players of his era, Sanders earned All-American honors at the University of Minnesota and played for the Detroit Lions during the late 1960s and 1970s. Sanders is also a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame and Dudley High Hall of Fame and Distinction. For more information, please contact Pamela Stewart, assistant principal, at 336-370-8130.

State Senator Kay Hagan to Visit Irving Park Elementary

State Senator Kay Hagan will visit Irving Park on Tuesday, October 9 to be the first lunch guest as a part of the “Lunch and Learn” program. “Lunch and Learn” is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Association in support of the Pirate Buck program, which rewards students for good deeds and/or good behavior at school.

Recipients of Pirate Bucks are entered into a weekly drawing for a chance to win lunch with a community leader or professional. Throughout the year, Pirate Buck winners, one from grades kindergarten through second and one from grades third through fifth, will have a special lunch and receive a trophy. For more information, please contact Melissa Nixon, principal, at 336-370-8225.

Alderman Elementary Parent Teacher Association Skate Night Fundraiser

Students, family and friends of Alderman are invited to Skateland USA, located at 200 Stage Coach Trail, Greensboro for a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) fundraiser on Monday, October 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission and skate rental is $4. A portion of admission collected will go toward the Alderman PTA. For more information, please contact Suzan Collins, technology specialist, at 336-294-7320.

Vandalia Elementary to Promote Literacy in Community

With a recent grant from Kids Care Clubs, Vandalia students and school counselor, Kelly Ingram, will create book bags to donate to Greensboro Urban Ministry’s Pathways Center. All Vandalia students will participate in a book drive to collect new and gently used books, which will fill the book bags. On October 21, fifth-grade students will decorate the book bags and fill them with the collected books. On October 26, student council members will deliver the bags and read stories to children at the Pathways Center. For more information, please contact Dawn Amundson, media specialist, at 336-370-8275.

Penn-Griffin School for the Arts Receives Donation from Polo Ralph Lauren

Penn-Griffin recently received donated school supplies from business partner Polo Ralph Lauren. The items were distributed to teachers in response to wish lists generated at the end of the previous school year. For more information, please contact Mary Ensley, treasurer, at 336-878-4602.

Sumner Elementary Parents Joined Students for Lunch

More than 90 Sumner parents joined their child for lunch on Tuesday, October 2. In addition, parents attended recess with their child, met with school administrators and visited classrooms. For more information, please contact Dr. Brian Clarida, principal, at 336-316-5888.

Current Good News

About Guilford County Schools
Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 119 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice.

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship. For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.