GCS News Briefs

November 7, 2008

This is What You Said to Mo

We asked you to send us your thoughts for formulating a plan that would make GCS the nation’s leading public school system. We are thankful to the thousands of you who responded. Over the next two months, we will be posting a variety of your suggestions in this newsletter.  In today’s edition, we are publishing one of the suggestions:

“For GCS students to be global leaders, it is imperative that articulation in the World Language program be improved. All students should be offered K-12 foreign language opportunities in languages such as Spanish, French, German, Latin, Chinese (and perhaps less commonly taught options such as Japanese and Arabic, as well). Each high school also needs a language-learning lab for speaking/listening practice in foreign languages!”

2007- 08 ABC/AYP Results Released

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction this week released data related to end-of-grade (EOG) test scores in reading.

These figures reflect the new standards by the state on EOG tests in reading. Overall, fewer North Carolina districts demonstrated performance at the highest levels this year under the state’s school accountability program. The state introduced the new standards in an effort to align North Carolina’s expectations with the National Report Card.

While the changes in the standards make it difficult to compare this year’s results with that of the previous years, the data shows a dramatic drop in test scores statewide. Overall, reading proficiency scores declined by 31 percent in North Carolina’s districts. But using the old standard for the 2008 EOG reading tests, GCS’ 2007-08 scores were about one percentage point lower than the previous year.

A total of 81 percent of the district’s schools made expected growth this year, while approximately 57 percent made high growth. The data shows a decline in the number of schools making AYP as a result of the implementation of new state standards. In all, 22 elementary schools, three middle schools and eight high schools in GCS made AYP.

“We applaud the state for raising the bar,” said Superintendent Green. “We now know what we have to do to meet these standards. Our schools have done well and continue to make progress, but now that we have new standards it means we have to do more work. We are taking aggressive steps to boost student achievement in our district. We have put in place a literacy program designed to enhance the reading skills of all students, particularly those who do not read at grade level. The district has also invested heavily in Read 180, a literacy program that targets middle school students and better prepares them for the rigors of high school.”

Click here for information about each school.

Click here to view a presentation regarding the results.
For more information, contact Haley Miller, media relations manager, at 370-3200.

Summerfield Town Hall Meeting on Monday

Parents, staff and community members are invited to attend a Town Hall meeting this Monday, November 10 at 6 p.m. at Summerfield First Baptist Church, 2300 Scalesville Road. This meeting will give people an opportunity to meet the superintendent, ask questions and provide feedback and suggestions. For more information, contact Lekan Oguntoyinbo, district relations officer, at 370-8386.

“Mix it Up at Lunch Day”

On November 13, join thousands of schools for the seventh annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day.Mix It Up at Lunch Day is a simple call to action: take a new seat in the cafeteria. By making the move, students can cross the lines of division, meet new people and make new friends.

Today's schools are more diverse than ever before, and social scientists have long known the contact between diverse groups helps alleviate tensions and reduce prejudice. So why do social boundaries persist?  Students often choose to hang out only with people who they believe share experiences, interests or backgrounds that can help them define and better understand themselves. Such divisions can make it hard for different student groups to understand each other and can lead to challenges and difficulties in school communities.

Mix It Up seeks to break down the barriers between students, improve intergroup relations and help schools create inclusive communities where there are fewer misunderstandings that can lead to conflicts, bullying or violence. For more information, go to www.teachingtolerance.org or contact the Diversity Office at 370-3284.

SOY UN LIDER (I Am A Leader) Conference at Guilford College

Guilford College announces the second annual Soy un Lider (I Am A Leader) Conference to be held on Saturday, November 15 at Guilford College. This conference will provide Latino students and their parents with important information about the application and admission process at colleges and universities, how to obtain scholarships, how to prepare for college and what to expect of life in college, among other topics. An essay competition will award scholarships ranging from $100 to $500 to the top four essays. For information about registration forms, please contact Mayra Hayes, ESL director, at 370-8982, or Monica Walker, diversity officer, at 370-3284.  For more information, please contact Jorge Zeballos, Latino community coordinator, Guilford College, at 316-2128 or jzeballo@guilford.edu

Four Seasons Town Centre Joins GCS in Support of Character Education

Parents and teachers have a new partner to help students learn the values and principles associated with good moral conduct and behavior.  Four SeasonsTown Centre is stepping in to become a community partner in support of the GCS Character Education Initiative. The mall will rally other businesses together in an effort to encourage students to commit their newfound character values to life outside the classroom.

“It takes a village to raise a child, and this is Four Seasons Town Centre’s way of contributing to the growth of the children in our community,” says David Huesser, Four Seasons Town Centre general manager.  “This partnership is a natural extension for us as Four Seasons Town Centre, and the retail environment in general, plays an important role in the social lives of young people in Guilford County.  We’ll be working to support the efforts of Guilford County Schools by encouraging students to put what they learn in the classroom into practice in the community.” 

“GCS welcomes and values this opportunity to partner with Four Seasons Towne Center and other local businesses to enhance the qualities that are essential to building good citizenship in the lives of our young people,” says Vernice Thomas, GCS’ supervisor of the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program. “Demonstrating good character is critical to the success of students both in and outside the classroom.” For more information, please contact Mr. Thomas at 621-4026.

Board of Education Meeting – Canceled

The Guilford County Board of Education meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 25 at 6 p.m. has been canceled. The next board meeting is Thursday, November 13 at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the Administrative Offices, 712 N. Eugene St., Greensboro, NC.

Dudley High School Band to Experience Trip of a Lifetime

On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of the United States. The Dudley High Marching and Concert Band travels to the nation’s capital for the historic event, participating in the Presidential Inaugural Heritage Music Festival Jan. 16 through Jan. 20.

The band will perform before a panel of nationally renowned judges and watch other student musicians from around the country. Performances will take place at the Performing Arts Center and Harris Theater at George Mason University. Following the judging, on Monday evening, the students will attend Heritage Festival’s own Presidential Inaugural Ball, including a formal banquet and dance. 

“The students will gain knowledge and experience firsthand of what goes on at a Presidential Inaugural Ceremony,” said Ricardo Reid, director of bands at Dudley. “Hands-on experience is the best teaching tool. How many people can say they have participated in an event like this ever in their lifetime?”

The Dudley band has been raising money for the trip—which will cost almost $60,000—since July. To make a donation, contact Reid at 370-8130. Checks, which are tax-deductible, should be made payable to the Dudley Band Boosters and can be mailed to 1200 Lincoln St., Greensboro, NC 27401.

GCS Title I Director Honored

At the recent annual conference of the North Carolina Association of Compensatory Educators (NCACE), GCS Title I Director, Kelly Hales, was named Vice President. As Title I Director, Kelly provides oversight to the Title I programs in 41 GCS schools. As a member of the Executive Committee of NCACE, she will assist in providing support, guidance and networking venues for new and veteran federal programs administrators across the state. The association works closely with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the U.S. Department of Education to ensure that districts in North Carolina have the tools needed for effective and compliant federal programs. For more information, please contact Dr. Don Hare, executive director for federal and special programs, at 370-8360.

Teachers Prepare for an Unforgettable Learning Experience

On November 7 and 8, the Building Bridges Project will have its first colloquium at the Tannenbaum Historical Park. Thirty GCS teachers from the grades 5, 8 and 10 will learn fabulous facts and fascinating stories about Colonial America and North Carolina. Presenters come from various educational settings, including independent scholars, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina State University, the High Point Museum and the Tannenbaum Historical Museum. The Project will have two additional colloquia in February and April of 2009, and finish the program year with an 11-day trip to Colonial Williamsburg, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City. The Building Bridges Project is made possible by a grant from the Department of Education’s Teaching American History Program. The project is designed to assist with the vertical integration of American history objectives that are taught throughout various social studies classes, focusing on those taught in fifth-grade American History, eighth-grade North Carolina history and high school Civics and Economics. For more information, contact Project Coordinator Patricia L. T. Camp, camp@gcsnc.com or 317-2466.

Page High School Senior Composes “Earthquake”

Jules Pegram's composition, "Earthquake," made him a runner-up in the international "NOTION Realize Music Challenge." Jules Pegram, a senior at Page High, was the only American honored in the "Under 18" category.  Musicians used computer software from Greensboro-based NOTION to compose their pieces. Pegram says before the contest, he was considering music, Spanish or law as college majors. He now plans to focus on music composition. The Greensboro Youth Symphony Orchestra plans to perform "Earthquake" sometime next year. Pegram is also composing a new piece for the Page High orchestra to play at graduation. For more information, please contact Nathan Street, arts curriculum specialist, at 574-2645 or  streetn@gcsnc.com.    

National Science Teachers Association National Regional Conference

More than 50 GCS high school science teachers attended the National Science Teachers Association National Regional Conference in Charlotte on October 30 and November 1.  Three GCS educators presented at the conference.  Bev Cea, from the Early College at Guilford, presented From Biodefense to HIV-Applications of ELISA, a workshop that explored hands-on classroom labs using antibody tests to detect disease-causing agents and Genes in a Bottle, a hands-on workshop extracting DNA.  Debbie Kraszeski, high school science specialist, presented Emerging Leaders: Developing Science Leaders, The North Carolina Science Leaders Association Fellows Program Model, a session on enhancing emerging science teachers’ leadership skills.  Val Vickers, from the Middle College at Bennett, presented Birds of a Feather for Science Methods Instruction, a session that addressed issues, successes and concerns of science methods teachers.  For more information, contact Debbie Kraszeski, high school science curriculum specialist, at 370-3274 or kraszed@gcsnc.com.

Northeast Students Attend Global Issues Conference

On Monday, October 27, seven Northeast High students traveled to the School of Math and Science in Durham to attend a leadership conference on global issues.  During the conference, students addressed issues such as abortion, world economy, poverty and apathy.  All who attended agreed that it was eye opening and informative.  For more information, please contact Principal Anitra Walker, at 375-2500, or John Eldridge, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2360.

Smith High to Host Online College Application Day

Smith High will participate in the statewide College Application Week, held November 10-14, co-sponsored by the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO).  As part of the CFNC-CACRAO college access initiative, Smith High will work with its seniors to complete and submit at least one college application online using the career and college information and planning site www.CFNC.org.  The goal of the program is to get more students applying to North Carolina colleges early in their senior year, with a focus on first-generation college students and those with college potential who may not yet have college-going on their radar.   As an extra incentive, through participation, students will be automatically entered into a random drawing for college gear from a college of his or her choice. The drawing will take place at the end of the instructional day. Students may apply to any of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges, 36 independent colleges and 17 state universities.  Camille Cates, second-year site coordinator for College Application Week, expects more than 150 seniors to participate this year. This feat will be made possible with the help of numerous community volunteers, including admissions personnel from local colleges and universities, parents and current college students.  Smith High was featured as a model site for College Application Week 2008 due to its success as a first-year site in 2007. See the video designed for site coordinators statewide at www.CFNC.org/caw.  For further information about this special event that supports college access, contact Camille Cates, Smith High site coordinator of college application week, at 294-7300 or catesj@gcsnc.com or the National College Advising Corps with Headquarters at UNC-Chapel Hill at 370-8130 or www.advisingcorps.org.

Smith High Students Participate in Community Services

Smith High students who are members of the School Student Government Association and/or the National Technical Honor Society volunteered with Kids Voting by assisting at the Celia Phelps United Methodist Church precinct on November 4 Election Day.  Members of both organizations are required to complete 25 hours of community service each school year. Prior to participating in Kids Voting, the students held a Presidential mock election at the school during Homecoming week, with Barack Obama being declared the winner with 82 percent of the votes.  This coincides with the Kids Voting results for Guilford County resulting in Barack Obama winning with 59 percent of the votes to John McCain’s 38.6 percent.

The students have developed a Community Service Committee that actively seeks causes or events that they can participate in to meet their community service obligations. In November, they will adopt a family for the holidays, in addition to supporting the Leukemia Lymphoma Society with a Penny Drive.  In December, activities will include the Mayor’s Council for Disabled Citizens “Special Shoppers” on December 4, an American Red Cross Blood Drive on December 5, and they will have a Toy Drive to benefit needy children within the Smith High School community.  For more information, please contact Principal Noah Rogers or Lisa Gardner, career development coordinator at 294-7300, or John Eldridge, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2360.

Fuel Prices Steadily Decrease

Fuel prices for the month of October 2008 were: Unleaded $2.51 per gallon; Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel $2.45 per gallon. Average cost for fuel: $2.48 per gallon, a decrease of $0.97 per gallon during the past four months. The average cost per gallon of fuel July through October 2008 equated to $3.08. In comparison, the average cost for fuel during the period of July through October 2007 was $2.40 per gallon. October marks the first month since February 2008, where average fuel prices averaged less than $3 per gallon. For more information, contact Jeff Harris, director of transportation, at 370-8920.

GCSTV 2     

Experience “MetamorphaSEUSS”

The Northwest High Viking Marching Band takes you on a journey of the band’s metamorphosis as they travel into a magical land inspired from stories written by Dr. Seuss. This performance was awarded first place at the Scotland High Highlands Competition in Laurinburg. The band also swept the awards at the Albemarle competition, coming home the Sweepstakes Champion. See this performance daily at noon.

 Tus Hijos y GCS (Your Children and GCS)

The district’s Spanish language program is designed to help parents and guardians with their children’s education and school experience.  Hosted by ESOL teacher Karin Young, this program is broadcast in both Spanish and English daily at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Celebration of Excellence

Sixteen GCS schools are honored as most improved at the Celebration of Excellence.  The War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro is the site of the festivities that partners the business community with our public schools in rewarding hard work with kudos and cash. This program runs daily at 3:01 p.m. and 11:01 p.m.

Wachovia Best in Class Awards

GCS honors its educators and names Rodney Morgan Teacher of the Year and LaToy Kennedy Principal of the year.  All of the 10 finalists are profiled at 10:01 a.m. daily.

Inside Out

This documentary is a stark reminder of the importance of staying in school.  A series of stories features inmates who ponder the world outside prison walls as they talk about how dropping out of school dramatically changed their lives for the worst. GCSTV 2 presents this emotionally gripping film with stories told by those who live with the consequences every day. This program runs daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Friday Night Rivalries

GCSTV 2’s new show, Friday Night Rivalries, is a fast-paced half hour highlighting top GCS high school team matchups. It’s produced by students at Weaver Academy and runs at 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. 

Driver’s Edge-Driver’s Education Special

Take this in-depth driver’s education course that gives real world examples and advice on how to safely handle a car.  The advice is handed out generously by some of the drivers who should know best …Indy Series racers.  This program runs Friday through Monday at 5:59 a.m. and 4:59 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at 4:59 a.m. and 5:59 p.m.

GCSTV 2 & ABC-45

GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share the following 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.

Kids Voting
A historic election is behind us, and although most GCS students are too young to officially vote, that didn’t keep them from getting involved in the electoral process.  Kids Voting is a program designed to prepare students to be educated, engaged citizens. This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, November 12.

Students Helping Students
The challenge was issued and met and now country music star Kellie Pickler will perform for students at Oak Ridge Elementary.  It is their reward for raising $15,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, November 14.

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, broadcast production manager, at 370-8167.