GCS News Briefs

December 19, 2008

This is What You Said

We asked you to send us your thoughts on how to make GCS one of the nation’s leading public school systems. We are thankful to the thousands of you who responded. Here is what one of you suggested:

“One of the best things Guilford County does best is provide a wide range of educational opportunities for students. It is clear that "one size no longer fits all" if it ever did in the past. Each program must provide an essential core of academics, but beyond, we must educate to artistic, technical, academic interests to allow students and parents to tailor programs to fit student life plans. When students are where they want to be with peers who appreciate each other, education is enhanced.”

Board of Education Approves Budget Reductions

The Guilford County Board of Education approved the district’s proposed budget reductions at its regular meeting late Thursday. GCS had to cut approximately $3.8 million as part of a required rollback or “reversion” in state funding.

The board approved the recommendation with the condition that staff (a) monitor the impact reductions in foreign exchange program instructional supply dollars may have on the GCS Newcomers School and Kirkman Park Elementary and (b) take appropriate actions to address any hardships that may arise at these sites as a result of such reductions.

The $3.8 million is based on two adjustments: the statewide reversion caused by the state revenue shortfall and the reduction of funds based on the Average Daily Membership (ADM) of students versus the projected enrollment. School districts must submit their plans for handling the reversions to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction today. The state will adjust allotments for the ADM shortfall in the near future.

About 54 percent of the proposed reductions – or slightly more than $2 million – is coming from central administration. The remaining 46 percent – or $1.7 million – is from funding that normally would go to the schools.

GCS Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green said that while central administration will absorb a higher percentage of the cuts with this proposal, the fact that most of the district’s resources already go to schools means that principals and teachers will feel the impact.

Currently, nearly 79 percent of GCS resources are tied to the schools, primarily to fund teachers, social workers, guidance counselors, principals, custodians and other school-based personnel. Another 21 percent of GCS resources go to services that support schools, including central administration.

“You can’t cut nearly $4 million and not feel it,” said Green. “We are going to feel some pain, but I’m also confident we will come through this tough economic time successfully as a school district and as a community.”

In anticipation of the state reversion, GCS froze hiring for non-school based personnel on Dec. 3. The district also has not distributed about 25 percent of the funds typically given to schools to purchase classroom supplies and materials.

Starting Jan. 1, the district also plans to have employees accrue compensatory time instead of paying overtime and is curtailing non-student-related travel, particularly out-of-state. GCS also is delaying expenditures and cutting funds for staff training, testing, graphic production and other contracted services.

GCS gets about 60 percent of its $591 million operating budget from the state. Local funding accounts for roughly 33 percent. The federal government provides the remaining 6.7 percent.

New Administrative Assignment

Assistant Principal –

• Gregg Robinson was named the new assistant principal at Eastern High, effective December 19, 2008. He is a former district administrator with the Brandywood School district in Wilmington, Delaware.

For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, chief human resources officer, at 370-8340.

Dr. Deborah E. Parker is Nominated Magnet Principal of the Year for GCS

Dr. Deborah E. Parker, principal of Erwin Montessori, was named GCS Magnet Schools of America nominee for Magnet Principal of the Year. The Magnet School of America’s Principal of the Year award annually recognizes an outstanding school leader who has succeeded in providing innovative programs that promote equity, diversity and academic excellence for students in magnet schools. The winner will be announced during the annual Magnet Schools of America conference in Charlotte, April 26-29.

Parker is an accomplished educator, principal and leader and has obtained degrees or certifications from the District of Columbia Teachers’ College, American University, Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Others professional organizations have recognized her excellence, including the National Association of Elementary School Principals. For more information, please contact Michelle Ungurait, magnet and choice program director, at 378-8832.

GCS Nominates Candidates for Governor’s School of North Carolina

Sixty-one GCS high school students were selected for The Governor's School of North Carolina. The six-week program offers 11 academic disciplines for students to explore. The areas of study include art, dance, foreign language, math, music and science. To be nominated as a candidate is an honor and indicative of the high regard with which these students are held by their principals and teachers. Click here for a list by school of the student nominees. 

The Governor’s School is the oldest statewide summer residential program for academically gifted high school students in the nation. The General Assembly of North Carolina funds the program annually, and it is administered by the Public Schools of North Carolina, the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction.  For more information, please contact Dr. Jane Fleming, executive director of advanced learning, at 370-8361.

Career and Technical Education and Counseling Services to Host Career Fair

The GCS Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Counseling Services Departments will hold the first county-wide “Career Exploration Fair 2009: Your Connection to the Future - An Interactive Experience.” The event is Tuesday, January 6 at the Coliseum Special Events Center – West Wing B1, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.

This inaugural event aims at connecting local businesses with a potential workforce for middle and high school students, parents and the community at large. For more information, please contact Judy Harrington in the CTE Department at 370-8338.

Morehead Elementary Receives Recognition at N.C. Teacher Working Conditions Conference

Morehead Elementary Expressive Arts magnet school was recognized recently at the North Carolina Teacher Working Conditions Conference in Cary, N.C.  Every two years the Governor’s office recognizes schools at the conference that win the Real D.E.A.L. (Dedicated Educators, Administrators & Learners) award. The schools are selected for the honor on the basis of excellent teaching and learning conditions and outstanding student achievement. Morehead Elementary was one of 10 schools to receive the Real D.E.A.L. award in 2006. Because guidelines state that a school can only win the award once, Morehead was recognized again as a finalist for 2008 and was presented a special honorary plaque.  For more information, please contact Principal Darcy Kemp at 294-7370.

Joyner Elementary Student Council Collects 775 Cans of Food

The student council of Joyner Elementary sponsored a canned food drive for Greensboro Urban Ministry during the first two weeks of December with a goal of collecting 400 cans.  With the lifelong character trait emphasis for December being “Caring,” Joyner students demonstrated this well by surpassing their goal and by collecting over 775 cans of food for the needy. The cans will be delivered to the Greensboro Urban Ministry on behalf of the students.  For more information, please contact Principal Trina Bethea at 545-2020.

Northeast Middle Donates 2,842 Cans of Food to Help Community Organizations

During November and December, the Northeast Middle Student Council sponsored a canned food drive to benefit the Greensboro Urban Ministry and the local chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Students and staff at Northeast produced an overwhelming response to the call to help these organizations by collecting 2,842 cans of food.  Northeast Middle is proud of its contribution to these organizations, and the Northeast Rams family is proud of its commitment to support the community. Staff advisors of the Northeast Middle Student Council are Inez Everston-West, sixth- grade math teacher; Katherine Peeples, seventh-grade language arts teacher; and Mary Kmetz, eighth- grade science teacher. For more information, please contact Principal Johncarlos Miller at 375-2525.

Northeast High Beta Club Members Participate in Any Soldier Program

The Northeast High Beta Club members created thank-you letters for servicemen and women in Afghanistan and Iraq through the Any Soldier program. Anysoldier.com is a Web site that allows ordinary citizens to get addresses of military men and women serving overseas so they can send letters and care packages. The packages, cards and letters are distributed to soldiers who don’t receive much mail. When the Beta Club members met, they created and mailed over 80 letters and cards.  According to Melissa Deaton, Beta Club president, “It was amazing to see how excited the members of the Northeast Beta Club were when writing letters to the soldiers. Watching everyone come together to do something for someone else was great to see.  The members wanted to make a difference and brighten someone’s day.”  The sponsors of the club are Davina Davis and Sherrie Richmond.  For more information, please contact Principal Anitra Walker at 370-2500.

Welborn Academy Hosted Mobile Cinema Park

The Welborn Academy of Science and Technology’s school auditorium was transformed into an edutainment theatre as the sixth- and seventh-grade classes hosted NXE’s Mobile Cinema Park experience recently. The program has been shown overseas in hundreds of countries over the past several years. This remarkable new educational tool provides educators with a fun way to enrich curriculum. The presentation utilized some of the most advanced and cutting-edge technology available, including 3-D projection, smart lighting and interactive wireless remotes.

The presentation selected for sixth-graders was “Journey Through the Universe,” while the seventh-graders watched “The Human Xperience.” For more information, please contact Tavy Fields, magnet coordinator and science electives instructor, at 819-2880.

Students Learn About Legal Careers

Several members of the Sister-to-Sister club from Northeast High joined students from Dudley and Grimsley High, as well as other area schools, for Teen Court Training on December 13. The program, sponsored by One Step Further, Inc., is designed to give courtroom experience to students interested in careers in law or criminal justice. Students served as jury forepersons, defense lawyers and prosecutors. Each participant received a certificate of completion at the end of the workshop. For more information, please contact Claudia M. Kirkley, ISS coordinator at Northeast High, at 375-2500.

Short Plan Year

On December 31, 2008, the short plan year for the following products will end: cancer, dental, hospital indemnity, short-term disability, spending accounts (medical and dependent care), Texas life insurance and vision.  The new plan year begins January 1, 2009 and will end December 31, 2009.  The enrollment for the new plan year was completed on October 31, 2008. All products will continue into the new plan year. 

Please note this important information:  Employees enrolled in the medical/dependent care spending accounts for the short plan year, must spend all of their money by December 31, 2008.  If not, the money will be lost.

Employees should check the status of these accounts to ensure that all of the money is used by calling the Gilsbar customer service number, 1-800-445-7227, ext. 883. For more information, please contact Patty Kinkade, director of benefits, at 370-8092 or kinkadp@gcsnc.com.

Transfer Period

A revised transfer policy for licensed employees was approved recently by the Board of Education.  The timeline for licensed employees to add their name to the “Transfer List” will be from Monday, Jan. 5, 2009 through Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.  The period for eligible employees to seek and be granted a transfer is from Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 through Friday, May 1, 2009.  An extended transfer period will be offered to those seeking a transfer into Mission Possible incentive receiving positions through Monday, June 1, 2009.  Licensed employees will receive an email linking them to the transfer application on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.  For more information, please contact Alison Yates, director of staffing, at 370-8094 or yatesa@gcsnc.com. 

Kenan Fellows Program Seeking Applicants

The Kenan Fellows Program is accepting applications for Fellowships through January 23, 2009. K-12 public school teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. The recipients will:

• receive a $10,000 stipend,
• work with a mentor in a research setting to develop new and innovative STEM-related curriculum and
• earn six graduate credits from North Carolina State University

For more information, go to: www.kenanfellows.org

GCSTV 2     

Be There

Parents’ participation in their children’s academic life plays an important part in how well they do in school.  Parent participation is what the “Be There” campaign is all about. This program airs daily at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Jazzing It Up

Tune in and turn on the cool jazz stylings of the GCS All County Jazz Band.  Some of the district’s best musicians showcase their talents at a recent concert, and GCSTV 2 shares the performance with you.  This program airs daily at 1 a.m., noon and 10 p.m.

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 presented in Spanish and English daily at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

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 Football Highlights

GCSTV 2’s Friday Night Rivalries is sure to delight GCS high school football fans!  This fast-paced half hour highlights top team matchups with interviews with coaches and players.  The program is produced by Mike Crenshaw’s TV group at Weaver Academy and can be seen 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.

Showcase Your Talent on GCSTV 2

GCSTV 2 is now accepting student-, faculty-, staff- or parent-produced programming!  We’re interested in your complete, compelling, ready-to-view productions of school sports, concerts, recitals, plays, debates, academic competitions, school news and more.  These projects can be videos you produce at school or on your own time that educate and entertain.  See the GCSTV 2 page at www.gcsnc.com for details.

GCSTV 2 and 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.

Merry Giving
It is the season for giving and sharing.  See how the generosity of our business community is helping GCS students help others during the holiday season.  This program airs Wednesday, December 24. 

Thank You to a Soldier
Students at Gillespie Park Elementary show their gratitude to a soldier who returns the favor by presenting them an American flag flown in Iraq.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, December 26.

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