GCS News Briefs

March 27, 2009

Budget Reductions Possible for Guilford County Schools

As Guilford County Schools (GCS) continues to prepare its 2009-10 budget, district leadership is discussing ways to cut expenses while accommodating anticipated budget reductions and to redirect resources to support the strategic plan.

District leaders anticipate having to reduce or redirect approximately $22 million in the 2009-10 budget. About $13.1 million would come from central administration. However, since most of the district’s resources are at the school level, the budget cuts will likely include school-based cuts as well. The district anticipates that $8.9 million would come from school-based budgets. At this time, the district is not considering a change to formulas used to allocate K-12, classroom teachers to schools.

Working with the Superintendent’s Principals Advisory Committee, district leadership is considering reducing or redirecting school-based budget dollars in two ways – first by withholding approximately 50 percent of the discretionary Weighted Student Funding dollars, which would yield about $6 million. The Weighted Student Funding formula is the calculation used to tie additional budget dollars to individual students based on specific needs. At this time of year, the district typically holds back 25 percent of these dollars.

Secondly, certain positions have been withheld from the planning allotments sent to schools, yielding a potential savings of about $2.9 million. These positions include middle school instructional technology facilitators, media assistants, some English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers and some high school testing coordinators.

In all, 90 school-based positions may be eliminated through targeted budget cuts although the actual number of individuals impacted would likely be less due to vacancies, retirements, etc. For example, the district believes the 7.5 ESOL positions at the elementary school level considered for elimination would be absorbed through attrition, not job loss for individual ESOL teachers.

Additionally, principals may choose to buy back some of the targeted positions using discretionary school-based budget dollars. Some additional positions may be cut or added through position exchanges made by principals as well, a process that occurs every year. The district will work with any impacted employees to find new positions in the organization.

If approved by the Board of Education, the targeted position cuts would become effective for the 2009-10 school year. GCS’ new fiscal year begins July 1. The superintendent will present his budget to the Guilford County Board of Education on April 7. The school board will hold work sessions and a public hearing during May.  The school board must present its budget request to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners by May 15.

GCS Human Resources personnel and senior staff met this week with employees who may be impacted by anticipated budget reductions and redirections. The district added a special section to its Web site for these employees - www.gcsnc.com/hr/rif/index.htm. This site also may be helpful to employees whose spouse or family members experience job loss at other employers.

One reason the district is considering these budget reductions and redirections is in response
to Governor Perdue’s proposed budget, which includes a reduction in the amount of money budgeted for local school districts. While some line items in the Governor’s budget are increased, others are reduced. For example, the Governor’s budget, if ultimately adopted, includes a discretionary cut that could cost Guilford County Schools approximately $7 million.

Also, county officials have asked GCS to provide a flat budget for local funding. A flat budget would not include any increases due to rising energy costs, health benefits or transportation.

If final budget reductions required by the state or other funding sources are less than anticipated, the district intends to return resources to schools first, rather than to central administration.

At this time, GCS anticipates receiving funds tied to specific categories like Title I, IDEA (special education) and educational technology. The timelines for receiving the funds and the rules for spending those dollars are not yet clear. The Governor and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction have indicated that federal stabilization funds, also part of the stimulus package, will be used to balance the state budget.

To help explain the budget situation in more detail and to keep employees, parents and the community updated as more information becomes available, GCS created this Web site, http://www.gcsnc.com/superintendent/budget.htm.

If you have questions regarding the budget, please direct them to feedback@gcsnc.com.

May/June Exam Schedule Now Available

The approved spring exam schedules are now available online. Go to the District Calendars page to view the schedules for schools on traditional and block scheduling.

Students who attend the Middle Colleges should refer to their individual school Web sites to get information on their exam schedules. For more information, please contact Dr. Barbara Zwadyk, interim chief curriculum and organizational development officer, at 335-3293.

Web site Sheds Light on Graduation Requirement

What is required to graduate high school in North Carolina? The answer depends on the year a student enters the ninth grade. That’s why the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction created a special Web site to help parents and students know what they need to do to meet the requirements. The site contains resources in one convenient location including information on the North Carolina Graduation Project. Click here to find out more.

Goodwill Challenge Begins This Week

About 30 GCS schools are participating in the 2009 Goodwill Challenge from March 24 through April 3. For two weeks, the schools collect donated goods to fill trucks. At the end of the challenge, Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina weighs the trucks to see which school collected the most donations. Each participating school will receive five cents per pound for school supplies. The school with the heaviest truck wins an additional $500.

Last year, Shadybrook Elementary won the challenge by donating 12,000 pounds of goods. Many of the participating schools are holding special events to encourage donations. For more information on what Shadybrook is doing to gather donations, please contact Principal Dennis Foster at 819-2950.

GCS Teachers Say No to “R-word”

Most people don’t think of this word as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. Using "retard" as a term of derision is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.
 
That’s why on March 31, GCS adaptive PE teachers are joining thousands across the country in “Spread the Word to End the Word.” This event is designed to raise awareness about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the “R-word” and encourage people to stop using it.  These teachers will wear campaign t-shirts and hand out information in their schools to help dispel the negative stereotypes this word perpetuates.

For more information on this campaign, go to the R-word Web site, or contact Charyl Clark, Special Olympics Greensboro director, at cclark@sonc.net .

February Students of the Month

Every month, GCS teachers nominate students to be Battleground Kia’s Student of the Month.   One student from an elementary, middle and high school is selected based on behavior, a positive spirit, a willingness to help classmates, a positive role model and being current with all assignments and projects.

Lillian Johnson from Bluford  Elementary,  Mariah Faison from Aycock  Middle  and  Jacob Blackwell from Northeast High were chosen as Battleground Kia’s February 2009 Student of the Month.

This morning, Avery Beland, owner of Battleground Kia presented the students with a $50 Visa Gift Card, a $50 Gift Card to Barnes and Noble and a plaque congratulating them on their success. 

If you are a GCS teacher and would like to submit a student for this award, please e-mail studentofthemonth@battlegroundkia.com with your nominations.

Art Teacher of the Year Awards

The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) and Guilford County Schools, with support from New Xperience Entertainment, presented the 2009 Arts Education Teacher of the Year award to Andy Mock from Jefferson Elementary. Dena Adams of Northwest Middle and Lisa Woods of Weaver Academy were finalists.
 
Mock, Adams and Woods were recognized at the Guilford County Board of Education meeting on Thursday, March 26.  The award celebrates teachers who provide outstanding arts education, encouraging students to develop their imaginations, fine motor skills, communication, creative abilities and more.

Mock received a plaque and $1,000 towards professional development. Finalists Adams and Woods received plaques and $300 for use in professional development. 
 
Music teacher, Andy Mock, has a long-standing career at GCS with the last six years at Jefferson Elementary.  Recently, he formed the Musical Theatre Troupe, a performance group for fourth and fifth graders.  The Troupe will participate in Guilford Education Alliance's On Stage!, April 30th.  An inspiration to both students and teachers, Mock is dedicated to providing students with a healthy and exciting learning environment.
 
Northwest Guilford Middle chorus teacher, Dena Adams, proclaims that she is "not a music teacher," but rather a teacher through music.  She honors her ability to use music as a means to educate students about different subjects and cultures.  Adams is also an active participant in the community through Kindermusik International and Guilford College United Methodist Church.

Lisa Woods is a visual art teacher at Weaver Academy.  In addition to encouraging her students to participate in community arts events, Woods gets actively involved.  In 2008, she formed the Very Special Arts Festival, where students provide arts experiences for special needs students. 
 
Congratulations to all three gifted teachers. For more information, call UAC at 373-7523.

GCS Newcomers School Receives Magna Awards Honorable Mention

The GCS Newcomers School received an Honorable Mention in the Magna Awards 2009 recognition program, which is co-sponsored by American School Board Journal, the National School Boards Association and Sodexo School Services. The GCS Newcomers School was one of only 15 schools recognized.

All Magna winners and honorable mention recipients are recognized in a special supplement published with the April issue of American School Boards Journal. The Magna Awards publication is also published online at www.asbj.com/magna.

The Magna Awards recognize school board best practices and innovative programs that advance student learning. For more information, please contact Principal Jake Henry at 316-5883.

GCS Students Featured in N.C. General Assembly Art Exhibition

The artwork of four GCS students is on display as part of the 2009 N.C. General Assembly Art Exhibition. Kaitlyn Cannegieter from Pearce Elementary, Savion Tonkins from Peck Elementary, Alyse Watt from Southwest Middle and Amanda Spriggs from Colfax Elementary have artwork in the exhibit. Only 16 pieces by students from across North Carolina were chosen, which will be displayed in the Legislative Building in Raleigh until January 2010.

The students were invited to attend a reception in Raleigh on Monday. The General Assembly holds the exhibition in recognition of the critical skills students learn through the arts, including creativity, innovation, imagination, critical thinking and collaboration. For more information, please contact Joy Hudson, Colfax Elementary art instructor, at 275-4332.

Bluford Students Contribute to Virtual Art Project

Artwork created by Bluford Elementary students is featured in a virtual patchwork of American iconic scenes as part of a celebration of Young Rembrandts 20th anniversary. The after school arts program selected drawings from 150 students across the nation to contribute to the online mural, which showcases what creative thinking has meant for America, from the design of a city skyscraper to the Model-T Ford.

Bluford students contributed drawings of eagles for the mural. Click here to view their work and the work of other students. For more information, please contact Principal Stephanie Boykin at 370-8120.

Northeast Student Wins T-Shirt Design Contest

Sandra Allen, a 10th-grade OCS student in the Exceptional Children’s Department at Northeast High, won the t-shirt design contest for Guilford/Greensboro Special Olympics 2009. 

Sandra’s design is featured on the T-shirts to be worn at the spring games at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro.  She will be recognized at the Games on Friday, April 3. For more information, please contact Principal Anitra Walker at 375-2500.

Francis Wong Places Second in the National Magnet Schools of America 2009 Poster Contest

Francis Wong, a junior at The Early College at Guilford, placed second in the National Magnet Schools of America 2009 poster contest. A leader in the arts at The Early College, Francis founded “Dynamic Visual Productions,” a student-led club aimed at focusing on creating promotional and spiritual materials.  

Francis’ poster, a world superimposed on a collage of The Early College at Guilford student faces, excelled at portraying Magnet Schools of America’s theme “Magnet Schools Promote Multi-Cultural Understanding.”  The poster was judged on adherence to theme, originality and organization, use of color and design and clear and concise message.  

A $75 award and plaque will be presented to Francis Wong at the Magnet School of America conference in Charlotte. For more information, please contact Michelle Ungurait, director of magnet and choice programs, at 378-8832 or unguram@gcsnc.com.

Calculate This!  Jones Elementary Scores Big with “First in Math”

Jones Elementary currently is ranked number one in North Carolina in the “First in Math” online math competition. Students have worked feverishly to solve over 904,000 math problems. There are more than 336,000 students in 3,000 elementary and middle schools currently taking part in this program nationwide.

The competition’s eight different skill-building sets include a range in difficulty of problems from one-step addition to multi-step algebra, including fractions, decimals and integers.  At Jones, 320 students are participating in 15 different “First in Math” teams, promoting the challenge of solving as many problems as possible!  Six of the teams at Jones are ranked currently among North Carolina’s top 20. 

Congratulations to McKayla Lucas, a fourth-grader at Jones Elementary, who is the top player in North Carolina and 28th nationwide.   She has solved over 60,000 math problems.  Principal Beatriz Jones says, “The kids love it!  Both traditional and immersion kids are rocking with this!” 

“First in Math” gurus, Debbie Ivey and Lisa Smith, coach these teams and couldn’t agree more!  Congratulations to the “First in Math” teams at Jones.  For more information, please contact Debbie Ivey, technology teacher, at iveyd@gcsnc.com, Lisa Smith, advanced learner curriculum specialist, at smithl10@gcsnc.com , or Jones Elementary at 370-8230.

Summer Career Exploration Opportunity

Transportation is a growing industry that may not be top of mind when it comes to career choices. That’s why the North Carolina A&T State University’s School of Business and Economics is hosting a summer High School Transportation Institute June 24 through August 3.

Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum 2.5 grade point average are welcomed to apply for entry into this program that takes students through the many attractive career tracts available in the transportation industry.  Click here for an application or here for a brochure describing the program. For more information, contact Deborah Underwood, transportation institute program director, at 334-7745.

Safe and Drug Free Schools S.M.A.R.T. Leadership Summit a Success

Over 200 students and adults attended the fourth annual Student Mentoring Awareness Resource Team (S.M.A.R.T.) Leadership Teen Summit at North Carolina A&T State University’s Alumni-Foundation Event Center. The students spent the day learning new information and sharing their ideas on how to help their schools remain free of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. 

The theme of the summit: “Be the Influence…It Starts with me!” gathered students from middle and high schools in Guilford County to celebrate and encourage their continuous work in substance abuse prevention.  As part of this event, the audience was emotionally charged by keynote speaker Chad Varga’s real-life story. 
 
Other topics presented included: Public Speaking, Youth Culture, Utilizing Technology, Team Building and S.M.A.R.T. Recruitment.  There was a presentation specifically for parents providing information on “Developing Leadership in Your Child: Keeping them on the S.M.A.R.T. Path.” 

The primary objectives of the S.M.A.R.T. program are to support peer-led substance abuse prevention teams at each middle and high school, provide accessible alternative to suspension programs for students who violate the tobacco, alcohol and other drug policies and to educate parents and community about the need to support GCS’ tobacco, alcohol and other drug free school environments. For more information, please contact Gwen Willis, executive director of student services, at 370-8397 or Vernice Thomas, supervisor of safe and drug free schools program, at 621-4026.

GCSTV 2

News from GCS- GCSTV 2 Newsbreaks

Find out the latest news within GCS by watching GCS Newsbreaks airing throughout the day.  Check our on-line programming guide for times.  Click here to see the latest Newsbreak: The Latest GCSTV 2 Newsbreak.

World’s Largest Concert

Their talents will be known far and wide because Alamance Elementary’s chorus is part of the “World’s Largest Concert.” Students videotaped and submitted a performance to the National Association for Music Education. That performance was chosen to be included in a television program that will be broadcast on stations across America. You can see it daily on GCSTV 2 at 11:16 a.m. 

All-County Chorus

The showcase of singing talent continues as GCSTV 2 brings you the latest All-County performance.  The All-County Chorus performed recently at Western High, and you can see that performance daily Friday through Monday at 6:13 a.m., 5:05 p.m. and 10:05 p.m. 

Tdap Alert – Vaccinations Required to Attend School

If you have a rising sixth grader you’ll want to pay particular attention to the latest GCSTV 2 NEWS ALERT.  There are important changes in school entry requirements for immunizations.  Find out what you need to know.  These NEWS ALERTS run at 10 a.m., 11:16 a.m. and 7 p.m.   Click here to see an ALERT:  GCSTV 2 NEWS ALERT-Tdap.   

Kindergarten Kickoff

There is a new rule for enrolling your child in kindergarten next year.  Find out what it is and more in this GCSTV 2 Newsbreak.See it here: Kindergarten Kickoff Newsbreak Video.

MCHP Rocks

See the many talents of the students of the Middle College at GTCC-High Point as they produce, shoot, edit and host their own television production that features a variety of locations and topics.  This program runs at 6 p.m. daily.

The Edition

From Weaver Academy comes our regularly featured program of news and events at Weaver and other GCS campuses produced entirely by broadcast production students. This program runs daily at 9:30 a.m.

Weaver Academy’s Tribute to Quincy Jones

Students pay tribute to the iconic American conductor, composer and record producer in this musical production. This program runs daily at 2:30 p.m.

Media Briefing

Keep up with the latest information within GCS by watching the superintendent’s Media Briefing.  These meetings are held twice monthly on Wednesday. When they occur, GCSTV 2 broadcasts them the same day at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Thursday at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Access to Your Board

GCSTV 2 carries all regular Board of Education meetings live and shows the meetings the following day at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the following Saturday at 1 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 and compelling 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 Details for submissions for details.  Watch the video: Showcase Your Talents.

GCSTV 2 & ABC-45

GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share current news and feature stories about our district. Tune in to see the latest news and events happening within Guilford County Schools. These Newsbreak segments are broadcast on ABC-45 (Cable Channel 7) during Good Morning America each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.

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