October 6, 2009 - A Big Week for the Southeast

Last week was tremendous for the Southeastern Region thanks to our school staff members, parents, students and community supporters. On Monday, I was able to watch four of our schools be recognized among the district’s 16 most improved schools during the annual Celebration of Excellence. Nathanael Greene Elementary, Sumner Elementary, The Academy at Lincoln and Southeast High each received grants of $9,600 and a banner to hang at their schools. Principal Geraldine Cox from Rankin Elementary and Principal Edwina Monroe from Falkener Elementary were named Principal of the Year finalists. Jennifer Caligan from Nathanael Greene was a Teacher of the Year finalist, and Deanna Wynn from Southern Middle was named the Middle School Teacher of the Year. Students from Southeast High, Nathanael Greene and Alamance Elementary participated in the program. Congratulations to all of you on a job well done!

On Tuesday, I attended a community forum at Southeast High along with Superintendent Green and Andy LaRowe, the executive director of facilities and construction. The Southeast Guilford Community Association and the Guilford Education Alliance organized the forum and had a great turn out of at least 150 parents, teachers and community members. We provided an update on the district’s strategic plan, the Southeastern Region and construction projects that are underway as part of the 2008 school bond. We got a lot of good questions about the construction projects, regionalization and curriculum within schools. I enjoyed having the opportunity to have a two-way dialogue with the community, and I hope it can continue.

I hope to see you around as I continue to visit schools and meet with individuals weekly.

Rising to Academic Excellence,

Phyllis

August 26, 2009 - The New School Year is Here

The Southeastern Region has been very busy for the past couple of weeks. Teachers decorated their classrooms and attended classes to get ready for the start of the new year. All of our schools opened their doors to families at open houses. And then the buses rolled in Tuesday morning. It’s good to finally have our students back in schools.

Some of our schools are already deep into learning. Hampton Leadership Academy opened July 22. Washington Montessori’s first day was August 10, and students at The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro started class on August 11.

Now our region’s additional 23 schools are back in session, and I had the pleasure of visiting Eastern Middle, Eastern High, Nathanael Green Elementary, Southeast High and Rankin Elementary yesterday. Each school was running smoothly and students were back to learning.

I’ll continue to visit our schools throughout the year, and I’m starting to meet with people out in the community as well. I want to partner with community groups, business and individuals to make this a great school year for the Southeastern Region.

Parents and teachers, please don’t hesitate to call my office with your questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing you out and about in the Southeast. Thank you for all that you’ll do this year to make it a great time of success for our students.

Rising to Academic Excellence,

Phyllis

August 3, 2009 - Welcome to the Southeastern Region

Welcome to the Southeastern Region blog! We are so happy you’ve found our blog and we’re excited to share more information about the schools in southeastern Guilford County with you. Make sure to visit often as we’ll update the blog weekly.

So much has happened during the past month. Our regional staff moved into the office, we’ve held training sessions and we’ve been preparing for our official opening. Now that our office is officially open, we hope you will visit us soon.

As regional superintendent, I want to be a representative and resource for you. I’m looking forward to traveling throughout the community and meeting school staff, parents and community members. Our region is geographically diverse with 26 schools located in Greensboro, High Point, Gibsonville, McLeansville, Liberty, Pleasant Garden and Sedalia. I hope to visit each of these areas soon.

In the meantime, as we continue to phase in this new regional organization, start thinking about how the Southeastern Region could best support you. We’ll always be open for suggestions, and you can be sure that I’ll solicit them as I visit you in the coming months.

The regional staff and I look forward to being a part of your community.

Rising to academic excellence,

Phyllis