GCS News Briefs

August 22, 2008

Welcome Back!

It’s that time again for a new school year and filled with achievement, rigorous learning and growth. As the needs of our students change, so do the needs of our schools.

GCS has much of which to be proud. The district’s high schools have ranked consistently high in Newsweek’s annual list of America’s Best High Schools. GCS has 15 schools recognized on the list. The district also has two schools in the Top 100. Additionally, the graduating class of 2008 turned their success in the classroom into more than $77 million in scholarships offered – an all-time high for the district, and almost $10 million more than last year!

We’re proud of our students, teachers and schools. Their accomplishments are the result of hard work and dedication. Rigorous and progressive academic programs in our schools, early and middle colleges, as well as our magnet/choice programs, help give every student the opportunity to achieve success.

It takes a team of committed students, involved parents, a supportive community and a dedicated staff to steer a young mind toward a bright future. Our schools will be as successful as these partnerships. Through these relationships, we demonstrate the benefit of a rigorous education and increased financial opportunities for our students and their families. Together, we give our children the foundation they need to strive, achieve and excel in GCS.

New Administrative Assignments

• Cassandra Mangum becomes the new assistant principal at Welborn Middle, effective August 1, 2008. She is the former assistant principal at Page High.
• Penny Loschin becomes the new assistant principal at Jesse Wharton Elementary, effective August 18, 2008. She is the former assistant principal at Northwest High.
• Andrew Gann becomes the new assistant principal at Alamance Elementary, effective July 1, 2008. He is a former Teacher at Oak Ridge Elementary.
• Terri Collins becomes the new assistant principal at Northwest High, effective August 18, 2008. She is the former assistant principal at Rankin Elementary.

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

Principal of the Year

Congratulations to the following principals who were selected as the five finalists for this year’s Principal of the Year Award.  We look forward to honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of these exceptional educational leaders on September 22, at the Wachovia “Best in Class” awards program.

Brian Clarida – Sumner Elementary
LaToy Kennedy – Wiley Elementary
Benita Lawrence – Monticello-Brown Summit Elementary
Ken Wheat – Dean B. Pruett SCALE School
Rodney Wilds – Jackson Middle

A special thanks goes to Wachovia for their commitment to education and sponsorship of this event which recognizes the hard work of all of our Teacher and Principal of the Year nominees.  For more information, please contact Carla Alphin, program administrator for employee relations, at 370-8821 or alphinc@gcsnc.com.

Back to College for High School Students!

This fall, almost 500 GCS high school students are scheduled to take over 2,000 college courses while still in high school!  These students are currently enrolled in middle or early colleges or early college academies. 

Jointly sponsored through partnerships with GCS, middle colleges are located on college campuses at NC A&T State University, Bennett College, Greensboro College and Guilford Technical Community College campuses in Greensboro, Jamestown and High Point.  Middle college students take at least some college classes while still in high school, and many earn up to two years of college credit or an Associate degree.  

The Early College at Guilford is an accelerated program, and students there are taking all college classes during their junior and senior year, effectively completing up to half of their college degree. The goal for students in the early college academy programs at Smith, Central, Andrews, Dudley and Southwest High Schools is to take all college classes their senior year after an accelerated curriculum in grades nine through twelve. 

These 500 students do not include additional students at each high school who may be taking college classes at Guilford Technical Community College or through iSchool online courses with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, nor do they include a large number of students who are completing Advanced Placement courses in high school that may qualify for college credit. For more information, please contact Dr. Mack McCary, instructional improvement officer for education alliances, at 370-8108 or Johnette McCain, director of the early college academies, at 451-5240.

Congressman Brad Miller Visits GCS Teachers

A teacher workday turned out to be quite a surprise for staff at Peck Elementary and Kiser Middle schools as Congressman Brad Miller stopped by to visit with teachers and tour the facilities on August 20.  Miller, who serves North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District, makes an annual visit to schools in his district to greet teachers and provide each with an apple as a token of appreciation for all their hard work.  Of seven counties in the state’s 13th district, Miller chose Guilford County for this year’s meet and greet.  Nicki Wilson, a spokesperson with Congressman Miller’s office, said, “He looks forward to this every year!  It’s a lot of fun for him, and he really enjoys having conversations with teachers.”   Co-Interim Superintendent Dr. Eric J. Becoats accompanied Congressman Miller during his visits to the schools and commented, “Congressman Miller showed how much he respects our teachers and staff.  This was a great way to show his appreciation.”  For more information, please contact Dr. Becoats at becoate@gcsnc.com or  at 378-8838.

Hairston Middle Benefits from HandyCapable Network Grant

Thanks to a generous $30,000 grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation, HandyCapable Network is entering its second year of partnership with Hairston Middle. The partnership distributes refurbished computers to students who cannot afford them. The grant will cover the cost of refurbishing the large batch of computers necessary to complete the second phase of this project during the 2008-09 school year.

As a result of last year’s partnership, more than 200 Hairston students received free computers. Surveys of the recipients indicate that they use the computers to play educational games, complete homework assignments and develop important computer skills necessary to pass the North Carolina Computer Skills test. Additionally, Hairston Middle reports that the students' grades have improved as a result of this program.

Individuals with disabilities complete HandyCapable's refurbishing process, which includes a hard-drive sweep that removes any personal data from the machine. The organization depends on computer donations from individuals and businesses in the community for this project that puts technology in the hands of students and in the homes of families that could not otherwise afford it. To help a child in need, you may drop off old home or office computers at Ahead Computer, 2134 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro.

For more information, please contact HandyCapable Network at info@handycapable.org or 209-7360, or Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

The 5 by O. Henry Plays at the Greensboro Historical Museum

Are you in need of a unique, affordable and educational experience for your students that combine history and American literature?  Then you are among the audience of thousands anxiously anticipating the return of 5 by O. Henry this September. The Greensboro Historical Museum has presented the musical plays based on the writings of Greensboro’s native son, William Sydney Porter, pen name O. Henry, for more than twenty years.  The five one-act plays (Tobin’s Palm, The Octopus Marooned, The Whirligig of Life, While the Auto Waits and The Memento) are based entirely on his original short stories. The play’s content is appropriate for students in fourth grade through high school. Show dates are September 5, 6, 12 and 13, at 8 p.m. and September 7, 13 and 14 at 3 p.m. The museum is located at 130 Summit Avenue, Greensboro (Intersection of Lindsay and Summit). Tickets may be purchased by calling 373-2043. For more information, please contact Fred Goss, director, at 373-2306 or fred.goss@greensboro-nc.gov

GCSTV 2

Inside Out

The title says it all.  In this documentary, inmates ponder the world outside prison walls as they talk about how dropping out of school dramatically changed their lives for the worst.  See this emotionally gripping film daily at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

GCS’ New Superintendent

Meet Maurice “Mo” Green. GCS’ incoming superintendent officially starts work in September. Hear his philosophy now as he talks about taking on a new challenge. This story is presented daily at 4:30 p.m.

Crown Automotive Cool to Be Smart

Over 350 AP/IB students got a chance of a lifetime – the chance to win a new car. But only one had the key that unlocked this big reward for academic excellence. See the excitement as one lucky Northwest High AP graduate wins the Crown Automotive Cool to Be Smart grand prize. This story runs daily at 9:01 a.m.

Honoring Their Service

Many have devoted their lives to the service of Guilford County Schools.  As they retire it’s time to say “thank you” for their dedication. This tribute to 2008 GCS retirees runs daily at 3:01 p.m.

Rappers’ Tribute

It’s an original composition and a tribute to the late Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  High Point Central High seniors Amos Mobley and Kenneth Ledbetter’s rap is attracting attention within the music industry.  GCSTV 2 produced a music video for the song featuring these two members of their school’s Men of Valor Excelling (MOVE) chapter. You can see this video 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 handle a car safely. Some of the drivers who should know best - Indy Series racers - hand out the advice generously. 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 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.

Back To School
GCS’ administrative staff gathers to discuss plans for the new school year and how to make the year successful for students.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, August 27.

Paid to Achieve
See how an innovative incentive program for students at Wiley Elementary School is paying off.  This Newsbreak airs Friday, August 29.

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