October 22, 2009 – Central Region Schools Set the Standards for Excellence

The Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown Principal Loretta Rowland-Kitley receives recognition for the 100% Graduation Club.

From left: Board of Education Chairman Alan Duncan, Superintendent Mo Green, State Superintendent June Atkinson, Principal Loretta Rowland-Kitley and former Governor Jim Hunt.

When it comes to the Central Region, the good news just keeps on coming. On October 12, Weaver Academy, The Middle College at GTCC - Jamestown and The Early College at Guilford, were three of seven schools state-wide to be recognized by State Superintendent June Atkinson for having 100 percent graduation rates. To our students and staff at those schools, keep up the great work! We were thrilled to show off the wonderful things you’re achieving in front of our colleagues around the state at the Graduation Celebration in Raleigh.

But that’s not all. On October 13, a very special Archer Elementary teacher received the highest honor from the American Red Cross. When Wanda Smith, a pre-K teacher, saw a student showing signs of anaphylactic shock, she knew exactly what to do. She administered an Epi-pen and saved the young child’s life. For that, the American Red Cross presented her with a Certificate of Merit in recognition of her life-saving decision. In addition, the Board of Education will recognize her at the October 22 meeting.

Finally, many of our students were named semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship. These prestigious scholarships are wonderful indicators of the great academic heights our students are achieving. Semifinalists include students from The Early College at Guilford, The Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown, Grimsley High and Ragsdale High. In addition, three Central Region students from The Early College at Guilford and Western High are finalists for the National Achievement Scholarship.

To see the total list of students, please click here:

Thanks to all for their hard work, and congratulations on these major successes!

October 1, 2009 – So Much to be Proud of in the Central Region

Earlier this week, I had the great pleasure of attending Celebrating Excellence in Education. What an awesome event! The Businesses for Excellence in Education and Action Greensboro really outdid themselves, and it was so wonderful to watch our hardworking GCS employees walk down the red carpet.

The Central Region really shined at this event. Triangle Lake Montessori, Guilford Elementary and The Academy at Smith were among the 16 most improved schools in the district, so each of them received $9,600!

The celebration didn’t stop there. Our Rookie Teacher of the Year was in attendance. Earlier this year, Sarah Joy Daniels of Grimsley High was recognized and earned herself a scholarship to get her master’s degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  We couldn’t be more proud of the great things she’s doing at Grimsley.

Speaking of Grimsley, Darren Corbett, was named High School Teacher of the Year. Joan Kimmel of Weaver Academy was also a finalist for the award.

Grimsley wasn’t done with the honors yet. Principal Anna Brady was named the Secondary Principal of the Year. The Central Region had two other finalists for Principal of the Year – Patrice Brown of Archer and Cheri Keels of Triangle Lake Montessori. I’m so proud of Cheri, because she was named the district’s Principal of the Year, and as such, she received $1,500.

It was a great night to celebrate, and a great night to show off all the great things happening in the Central Region. Keep up the wonderful work!

Aug. 3, 2009 - Welcome to the Central Region

I can’t tell you how happy I am not only to be back in Guilford County Schools, but also with the central region – a wonderful group of schools that feel like home to me. When I began as a substitute teacher at Jamestown Elementary in 1982, I had no idea that I’d be able to serve Guilford County in such a wonderful capacity. I think our schools and this community will do a lot of great work together.

Growing up, I attended our public schools, and my children did, too, so I have a longstanding emotional commitment to making sure each and every one of our students achieves educational excellence. These students and teachers in our Central Region schools are my neighbors, and we all know the value of a good neighbor.

I’m a citizen of this great county – I was raised here and I chose to raise my family here. I went to Rankin and Brightwood Elementary Schools, Northeast Middle and Northeast High. This great county is also where I worked for 22 years as a teacher and principal at Page High, Weaver Academy, Mendenhall Middle, Bluford Elementary and Lincoln Middle, which is now The Academy at Lincoln. I can’t imagine where I would be if it weren’t for the opportunities I’ve had in Guilford County, and neither could my daughters – both of whom are proud to have been Page Pirates.

One of my proudest accomplishments is having helped to create a program for students and families struggling with substance abuse. This was actually the first Drug Abuse Resistance Education or DARE program in the district.

I have so many emotional ties to this area, and that makes me even more excited to watch the benefits of this regionalization as they come to light. Regional reorganization is a major initiative of Superintendent Green’s strategic plan which places resources closer to schools, improves responsiveness and increases community and parent involvement. Basically, we want to develop our two-way communication with our employees, our students and the community we serve.   

Our regional office will provide direct supervision of schools and supply schools and the community with support as needed. Parents can visit the Central Regional office to receive information about a number of topics in one location rather than having to go to several different departments within GCS.

We have a big district, so I think you will find that this regional model will help streamline communication, while improving the efficiency of the district.

I encourage you to visit our office in downtown Greensboro. We’ve got a great staff there to help you in every way we can.

Please feel free to contact our office at 334-0096 if you have any questions. We’re located in downtown Greensboro at 501 W. Washington St. Please know that we are here as a resource for you.

I look forward to a successful year and can’t wait to begin working with you all! I know without a doubt that we’re going to help each and every one of students achieve educational excellence.