GCS News Briefs

November 20, 2009

GCS Holds Public Forums on Strategic Compensation

This month, GCS is hosting four forums to discuss the idea of paying employees additional incentives based on performance and other strategic compensation issues. Two of the forums were this week, and the district received constructive feedback from the teachers and school staff who were in attendance.

Two additional forums will be held next week:

The forums are part of the district’s efforts to inform the community about new research showing the relationship between teacher quality and compensation. During the forums, participants will talk about how to ensure GCS recruits and retains high-quality employees, and how to ensure employees are rewarded for improving student achievement.

In September, GCS hosted a forum for school board members, state representatives, school administrators and community members to discuss this issue. The forum, titled “Measuring What Matters: Paying for Teacher Quality,” was funded by the Center for Educator Compensation Reform through the U.S. Department of Education. GCS hopes the upcoming forums will allow the district to get more feedback about strategic compensation for all teachers and other school-based employees. For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, executive director of talent development, at 335-3294.

Southeastern Region Hosts Town Hall Meeting at Southern High

Dr. Phyllis Martin, superintendent for the Southeastern Region, will hold a town hall meeting Thursday, Dec. 3 at Southern High at 6:45 p.m. in the auditorium. Teachers, staff, parents, community members and students are invited to meet Dr. Martin, hear about her goals for the region and have their questions answered. For more information, please contact Laurie Hogan, program administrator-communications, at 370-8307.

Advanced Learning Survey

The Advanced Learning (AL) Department is seeking input from parents, teachers, staff and community members about the future direction of the AL program. An online survey, available at http://research.zarca.com/k/SsSRPWsVPsPsPsP, will be open to collect responses through Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Responses collected through the survey will play an important role in the district’s development of a new AL plan to be effective during the years 2010 through 2013. For more information, please contact Lee Ann Segalla, executive director of advanced learning, at 574-2657. 

Gov. Bev Perdue Visits Grimsley High

North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue stopped by Grimsley High Monday as part of College Application Week. Gov. Perdue talked with seniors who were applying for college about the importance of a good education.

All of the district’s high schools participated in College Application Week, which is sponsored by the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. The goal of College Application Week is to provide every graduating high school senior an opportunity to apply for college online using CFNC.org. The focus is placed on first-generation students and students who may not otherwise apply to college.

For more information, please contact Haley Miller, media relations manager, at 370-3200.

The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro Successfully Completes Accreditation Visit

Last week, The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro received a five-year accreditation as a quality school in its oral exit report at the conclusion of a three-day visit from the AdvancED Quality Assurance Review Team. AdvancED is a union of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

A team consisting of Joseph Delaney, a retired superintendent in North and South Carolina; Dana Crosson, director of secondary schools for Union County Public Schools; and William Strong, a retired teacher from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, reviewed The Middle College’s Standards Assessment Review, observed for two days and conducted numerous interviews. At the conclusion of the review, the review team commended The Middle College for its participatory decision making, focus on continuous improvement and success on multiple measures of student achievement. The team recommended increasing parent involvement and access and use of technology.

The Middle College will receive the detailed, written report within the next month. The school wishes to thank the students, parents and staff who participated during the past six months. For more information, please contact Kevin Fleming, principal, at 375-2466.

Schools Receive Seed Money for Merry Giving Program

On Monday, this year’s Merry Giving Teams received $200 in seed money, courtesy of Four Seasons Town Centre and General Growth Properties. For the second year, Four Seasons Town Centre has partnered with GCS to support the district’s character education initiative. Through positive planning and actions, the 20 giving teams will touch the lives of thousands of Guilford County residents. Representing this year’s giving teams are Erwin Montessori, Florence Elementary, Morehead Elementary, Northern Elementary, Pearce Elementary, Union Hill Elementary, Wiley Elementary, Guilford Middle, Jamestown Middle, Kernodle Middle, Kiser Middle, Northeast Middle, Southeast Middle, The Middle College at Bennett and Northeast High. For more information, please contact Vernice Thomas, administrator of safe and drug free schools program, at 621-4026.  

Board of Education Member Dr. Nancy Routh Named to Honorary All-State School Board

The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) named Guilford County Board of Education member Dr. Nancy Routh to the honorary All-State School Board.

Routh, who has served on the Board of Education since 2002, was recognized during the awards ceremony at the Association’s 40th Annual Conference for Board Member Development in Greensboro on November 17. During her introduction to ceremony attendees, participants learned that Routh has been involved in public education for nearly 50 years, serving as a teacher, principal and now, a school board member.

After she retired from teaching in 1993, her drive and enthusiasm for public education led her to work with Head Start programs and take an active role on the state level in the fight for student rights. She even became a licensed playground safety inspector. Active in the board’s governance committee, Routh is knowledgeable in curriculum and instruction, facilities and finance and will often visit schools and observe classes. 

The All-State School Board is comprised of one board member representing one of the eight educational districts in the state. These individuals have made significant contributions to boardsmanship during their tenure on the local board of education. The members of the All-State School Board were peer-nominated for NCSBA’s Raleigh Dingman Award.

Other members of the honorary board include: Brian Gates, Surry County; Joyce Harrington, Asheboro City; Rebecca Kafer, Craven County; Walter Leigh, Perquimans County; Tom Manning, Alamance-Burlington; Dale Ward, Columbus County; and Chris Wilson, Camden County.

Two GCS Employees Recognized at Annual NCAAPHERD Convention

Two district employees were honored at this year’s North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NCAAHPERD) annual convention in Winston-Salem. Amanda Shoe Martin, a physical education teacher at Jefferson Elementary, received the Edgar W. Hooks Jr. Young Professional Award for her hard work and dedication to the fields of health, physical education and dance, while Tanya Feagins, principal of Jefferson Elementary, was one of two principals in the state named Distinguished Principal. Both were recognized for their support and commitment to ensure quality physical education for all students. For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, communications manager, at 370-8997.

Southern Elementary Students and Staff Make a Change with Change

Students and at Southern Elementary changed the lives of North Carolina students with blood cancers by collecting money during the month of October. The program was called “Pasta for Pennies” sponsored by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. During the three weeks of the campaign, the students competed for a pasta lunch party from the Olive Garden. A fourth-grade classroom won the competition by raising $256.16. The total amount raised for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was $1,020.44. For more information, please contact Principal John Lawrence at 674-4325.

Western Region Hosts Town Hall Meeting at High Point Central High

Angelo Kidd, superintendent for the Western Region, held a town hall meeting Tuesday night at High Point Central High. Teachers, staff, parents and community members were in attendance. Kidd introduced Sandra Culmer, Western Region executive director, highlighted his goals for the Region and opened the floor for questions. Kidd will hold his second town hall meeting on Thursday, Dec. 10 at Southwest Elementary. For more information, please contact Jennifer Landes, program administrator – communications, at 370-8353.

Enrichment Fund's Ayers Grant Deadline February 11

The Ayers Endowment provides funding for outreach projects which involve students and faculty. Ayers Endowment grants, awarded to honor the lifelong service of educators Robert and Glenn Ayers, are intended to encourage community service by students under the leadership of employees of GCS. Successful applicants, who shall be employees of the school system, will have demonstrated past commitment to building better communities and will state plans to apply the grant to future projects or initiatives. Click here for more information, including the application, or visit www.enrichmentfund.org .

Legal Briefings at Principal’s Meeting

On Wednesday, Board Attorney Jill Wilson presented the first of a series of four legal briefing sessions for all GCS principals. The goal is to provide principals with up-to-date information on the most pressing mandates impacting our schools. Wednesday’s topics included school entry issues, school climate and school-based scenarios. These briefing will continue through May 2010. For more information, please contact Dr. Shirley Morrison, chief human resources officer, at 370-8340.

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See the latest news from Southeast Middle with host Tyler Hardin. Now airing is the special “Thanksgiving Edition.” This program is broadcast daily at 4:30 p.m.

Superintendent’s Media Briefings

See Superintendent Maurice Green’s Media Briefings where he addresses topics important to GCS and answers reporters’ questions on a variety of topics.

Staying Healthy During Flu Season

It is the number one flu threat this season. Check out the latest information on precautions to prevent the spread of the flu virus and how to handle it if someone has the flu.

GCSTV 2-LIVE
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GCS Board of Education

Watch Guilford County Board of Education meetings live. Encore presentations of board meetings are telecast the day following the meeting and the following Saturday at 1 p.m. You also can watch meetings at your convenience. The meetings are now archived and available online anytime at gcsnc.com. Watch them here.

Also on GCSTV 2:
 
GCSTV 2 Programming Guide

Find out what else is showing on GCSTV 2 here: GCSTV 2 Programming Guide

Showcase Your Talent on GCSTV 2

GCSTV 2 is now accepting student-, faculty-, staff- or parent-produced programming. See the details for submissions here or watch the video.

GCSTV 2 & ABC-45

GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share current news and feature stories about our district. 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.