GCS News Briefs

July 25, 2008

GCS Gets a New Chief

Maurice “Mo” Green, a high ranking administrator of one of the nation’s largest school systems and an attorney has been selected as the third permanent superintendent of Guilford County Schools (GCS).

The board voted Thursday night to appoint Green, who currently serves as deputy superintendent and chief operating officer of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, to run GCS. He will be the district’s first African-American superintendent.

Green holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a law degree, both from Duke University. Upon graduating from law school, he worked as a law clerk for Federal District Court Judge N. Carlton Tilley, Jr. in Greensboro for a year. He then completed his clerkship at the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. After completing his clerkship, he joined the Charlotte law firm of Smith Helms Mulliss & Moore LLP. He worked his way up to partner after six years before leaving to join Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as general counsel in 2001. In 2006, he became chief operating officer. He was named Deputy Superintendent last February and is responsible for the day-to-day operations with a budget of $1.17 billion, 135,000 students and nearly 18,000 employees. He oversees academic services, human resources, finance, school safety, technology, accountability, and school law enforcement, among other areas.

Please join us in welcoming him.

GCS 2007-08 Preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress Results

Based on preliminary data subject to review and possible modification:

• A total of nine elementary schools and one high school has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for six years in a row
• Brown Summit Middle has made AYP every year since the school was established in 2004
• Wiley Elementary made AYP for the first time this year; Washington Elementary, which made it for the first time in 2006-07, made AYP again this year
• For elementary schools, 31 of 67 schools (46.3 percent) made AYP in math
• For middle schools, seven of 22 schools (31.8 percent) made AYP in math
• For high schools, eight of 24 schools (33.3 percent) made AYP

To meet AYP, schools must meet all target goals. Targets are based on reading and math outcomes for the percentage of students participating in testing and for the percentage of proficient scores for groups of 40 or more students in each of 10 subgroups: All students, African-American, Asian, American Indian, Hispanic, Multi-Racial, White, students receiving Free/Reduced priced lunch, Limited English Proficient and Students with Disabilities.

“Although we are proud of the schools that met AYP, preliminary data shows that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure all of our students graduate prepared for success,” said Dr. Eric Becoats, co-interim superintendent. “GCS will continue working vigorously to identify the best possible strategies for improvement.”

In 2007-08, proficiency targets moved to the third incremental increase, which changed the math target for grades three through eight from 65.8 percent to 77.2 percent. For grade 10, proficiency targets were raised in reading/language arts to 38.5 percent and adjusted in math to 68.4 percent. Proficiency targets are based on intermediate goals that increase by three-year increments until 2014, when 100 percent of the students are expected to perform on grade level. Click here to view the results. For more information, please contact Haley Miller, program administrator – communications, at 370-3200.

Board Member Receives Advocate of the Year Award

Dot Kearns, at large member of the Board of Education, was named the 2008 Jack and Marsha Slane Child Advocate of the Year by the United Way of Greater High Point (UWGHP)’s Children’s Initiatives Committee.

Kearns received the award for making a positive impact on the lives of children. “There is no better passionate advocate in our community,” said Barbara Frye, vice president of Children’s Initiatives for UWGHP. A long-time board member, Kearns has a distinguished record of service in the community. She has received many prestigious awards, including High Point Citizen of the Year.

UWGHP established the Jack and Marsha Slane Child Advocate of the Year award in 2002 to honor individuals whose work or volunteerism exemplifies the same spirit and advocacy to children as Jack and Marsha Slane. We hope you will join all of us at GCS in congratulating Ms. Kearns on this well deserved award. For more information, please contact Haley Miller, program administrator – communications, at 370-3200.

New Administrative Assignments

Principals –

• Loretta Rowland-Kitley becomes the new principal at The Middle College at GTCC - Jamestown, effective July 1. She is the former principal at Meadowlark Middle in Forsyth County Schools.
• Naquita Brewington-McCormick becomes the new principal at Kirkman Park Elementary, effective July 25. She is the former assistant principal at Guilford Middle.
  

Assistant Principals –

• Joseph Stone becomes the new assistant principal at Andrews High, effective July 1. He is a former EC teacher at Southeast High.
• Julian Plummer becomes the new assistant principal at Falkener Elementary, effective July 25. He is a former principal fellow and former fifth-grade teacher at Johnson Street.
• Katina Little becomes the new assistant principal at Ferndale Middle, effective July 1. She is a former administrative intern at Ferndale Middle.
• Edward Wohlgemuth becomes the new assistant principal at Northwest Middle, effective July 1. He is a former fourth-grade teacher at Alamance Elementary.
• Kenya Donaldson becomes the new assistant principal at Kirkman Park Elementary, effective July 25. She is the former interim assistant principal and academic coach at Kirkman Park Elementary.
• Joseph Caraher becomes the new assistant principal at Northwest High, effective July 25. He is the former interim assistant principal and counselor at Northwest High.
• Hannah Cobb becomes the new assistant principal at Northwest High, effective July 25. She is a former Latin Teacher at Eastern Middle.
• Camilla Brothers becomes the new assistant principal at Irving Park Elementary, effective July 25. She is the former curriculum facilitator at Brooks Global.
• Lamont McMillan becomes the new assistant principal at Montlieu Elementary, effective July 25. He is a former teacher at Southern Middle.
• Anita Whitehurst becomes the new assistant principal at Oak Hill Elementary, effective July 25. She is the former curriculum facilitator at Oak Hill Elementary.
• Brian Blomquist becomes the new assistant principal at Southeast Middle, effective July 25. He is a former teacher at Southeast Middle.
  

For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, chief human resources officer, at 370-8343.

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

North Carolina Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is August 1-3.  The legislature created this holiday in 2001 to help give tax relief to consumers and to support local businesses.  Click here for more information and to view a list of items that are tax-free all weekend.

All-Star Students Reach New Heights

Since July 7, rising ninth-graders are developing leadership skills, exploring an academic area of interest and learning test-taking strategies for the PSAT and SAT at the GCS All-Star Camp.

GCS, in collaboration with business and higher education leaders across the county, provides this summer experience for high-achieving rising ninth-graders. GCS selects students from every middle school district-wide based on End-of-Grade scores.

“The Academic All-Star Camp is one way that the Advanced Learning Department, in partnership with community organizations, can academically challenge our brightest students in an atmosphere of fun,” said Dr. Jane Fleming, executive director of Advanced Learning. “It really puts learning in the right perspective and prepares students for the high school experience.”

The camp takes place at Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) – Jamestown, GTCC – Greensboro and Northern High. Campers had the opportunity to attend Team Quest sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), which is a leadership training course located at Piney Lake. Additionally, the students toured the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Throughout the camp, teachers are working with the campers in language arts, math, science or social studies, depending on the student’s area of interest. Campers complete a hands-on project, which can be anything from building a hot air balloon, to writing and performing a play or creating a science fair exhibit.

The camp concludes today with a closing ceremony at Northern High. For more information, please contact Haley Miller, program administrator – communications, at 370-3200.

Mission Possible Successfully Retaining Effective Teachers

Mission Possible recently closed out its second year of recruiting and retaining effective faculty for GCS.  With this, comes a celebration. Mission Possible is retaining teachers in the district’s hardest to staff schools.  Some of the many program successes for this past school year include:

• Total attrition rate for Mission Possible Schools decreased by 13 percent from 2006-07
• Elementary School attrition rate decreased by 18 percent from 2006-07
• Middle School attrition rate decreased by 14 percent from 2006-07
• High School attrition rate decreased by 23 percent from 2006-07
• Mission Possible faculty transferring out to non-Mission Possible Schools decreased by 23 percent
• Mission Possible faculty transferring to non-Mission Possible positions decreased 39 percent
• Mission Possible faculty leaving GCS to teach in another system decreased by 57 percent
• Non-Mission Possible faculty transferring into Mission Possible roles increased 15 percent
• Participating faculty have increased from 348 to 639 with the addition of eight new schools in the 2007-08 school year
• 74 percent of eligible math teachers received incentives this year for the 2006-07 performance
• 79 percent of eligible language arts and English teachers received incentives this year for the 2006-07 performance
• 99 percent of Mission Possible faculty has completed their professional development

For more information about Mission Possible, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, executive director of talent development, at 335-3294 or holcoma@gcsnc.com. 

GCS Seeks Experienced Lateral Entry Teachers

Lateral Entry teachers make up approximately 1/3 of our newly hired teachers each year.  These professionals enter the classroom with great knowledge of their content area and many years of real world experience.  As they become experts in teaching, an experienced lateral entry teacher can act as a buddy teacher to guide them through their new profession!  We are seeking out experienced and tenured lateral entry teachers who would like to be “buddied up” with a new lateral entry teacher.  These professional relationships will foster the quality support we provide for our teachers.  If you are an experienced lateral entry teacher who would like to be a buddy to a new lateral entry teacher, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, executive director of talent development, at 335-3294 or holcoma@gcsnc.com.

Teacher Supply Warehouse Prepares for New School Year

Throughout the summer, businesses and community groups have generously helped the Teacher Supply Warehouse stock its shelves with much needed school supplies – both new and slightly used. On Tuesday, August 5, the Warehouse will re-open its doors to GCS teachers in schools with a 50 percent or more free or reduced lunch population. These teachers take what they need for the classroom, and it’s all free. The only thing we ask for is a thank-you note to one of our donors. Teachers can click here to register to shop.

We still need your help! If your business or community group would like to collect school supplies or donate items you no longer need, The Teacher Supply Warehouse takes new supplies or old but still useable books, notebooks, classroom decorations, office supplies and many more items. Please join us in our effort to recycle and give back to the schools and students that need it most.
GCS is thankful for our partners - Guilford Education Alliance, Welfare Reform Liaison Project and Leadership Greensboro - that work together to make the warehouse available to our teachers. For more information, visit the Teacher Supply Warehouse Web site or contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

DonorsChoose

Get a head start on projects for the next school year by putting them online. At DonorsChoose.org, teachers request items needed for various educational projects, and donors for Guilford County or around the world fulfill all or part of the request. Teachers ask, donors invest and the GCS students benefit.
Click here to list your project. If you would like to help fund a GCS classroom project, click here.For more information on DonorsChoose, contact the Guilford Education Alliance at 841-4332 or Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

Save with Employee Express

As prices keep going up, we’re proud to offer GCS employees ways to save through our Employee Express program. Several local businesses have partnered with us to offer special discounts. Click here to view the list. For more information, please contact Jennifer Landes, program administrator – communications, at 370-8353.

GCS Calendar of Events

Click here to view the district’s upcoming calendar of events.

Central Office Summer Schedule

GCS central offices will operate on a summer schedule from Monday, June 16 through Friday, August 15. Summer office hours are:

• 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
• 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Friday
  

Normal office hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) resume on Monday, August 18. 

GCSTV2

Academic All-Star Camp

Some of GCS’ best and brightest take part in a summer camp that tests their verbal, reading and math skills but it is sure to test their physical abilities in the process.  This program runs daily at 8:57 a.m.

Teacher Supply Warehouse

Our community helps our schools in so many ways, but one of the most tangible ways is through the Teacher Supply Warehouse. See how the warehouse helps in your child’s classroom and how you or your company can pitch in.  This program runs daily at 12:51 p.m.

Summer Reading Lists

GCS encourages students to continue reading during their summer vacation to keep their skills sharp and broaden their knowledge base. GCSTV 2 periodically airs summer reading lists for the various grades throughout the broadcast day. See our hourly Program Guide for times.

Taking Initiative:  A Look Inside Guilford County Schools

GCSTV 2 is showing this UNC-TV documentary on the innovative approaches and educational accomplishments of GCS.  The program explores how initiatives like GCS Mission Possible, Home Field Advantage and Newcomers School are leading the way to better opportunities for our students. This documentary is made possible thanks to the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, the Cemala Foundation and the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation.  The program runs daily at 9:01 a.m. and 10:01 p.m.

Music Showcase- Middle School All County Band

Music plays a big role in the arts education offered within GCS. The All-County Band Concert gives students a chance to showcase their talents and GCSTV 2 provides you a seat in the audience.  This program runs daily at 9:01 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. 

Music Showcase- High School All County Band  

This performance features the best of the best of Guilford County Schools’ high school band talent taped at their spring performance at Grimsley High. This program runs daily at 10:01 a.m., 6:01 p.m. and 10:01 p.m.

Rappers’ Tribute

It’s an original composition and a tribute to the late Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King.  High Point Central High seniors Amos Mobley and Kenneth Ledbetter’s rap is attracting attention within the music industry.  GCSTV 2 has produced a music video for the song featuring these two members of their school’s Men of Valor Excelling (MOVE) chapter. This video runs Tuesday through Thursday at 12:15 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. and Friday through Monday 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

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. See this program 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 air on ABC-45 (Cable Channel 7) during “Good Morning America” each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.

GCS Superintendent Search
A nationwide search for the best candidate to become GCS Superintendent culminated in two finalists.  Maurice Green of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system and Dr. Shirley Prince of the Scotland County, N.C. schools emerged as the top two candidates. They dropped in for a day- long visit to meet teachers, principals and the community at-large. This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, July 30.

Protecting Families from Housing Fraud
Some legal advice for Spanish speaking families on avoiding fraud within the housing industry is the topic in this story. This Newsbreak airs Friday, August 1.

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