Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

February 22, 2008

Our Vision, Mission/Thematic Goals and Core Values

Our vision – what we will become, Our mission/thematic goals- how we will get there -- Our
core values - what we believe -- solidify the underlying foundation for all Guilford County Schools’ decisions and actions.

Superintendent Leadership Characteristics

The Guilford County Board of Education wishes to execute a recruitment process for a new superintendent by engaging members of the public.  As part of this process, they are soliciting feedback from the community on characteristics needed for its educational leader that will assist the district in achieving the highest outcomes for all children. Click here to view the 23 characteristics that have been identified. We invite and welcome your feedback regarding these qualities or new ones that you may recommend. You can post your feedback online or submit them via the U.S. Mail to the Guilford County Board of Education, 712 N. Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC  27401, ATTN: Superintendent Search Feedback.  For more information, please contact Sonya Conway, Chief District Relations Officer, at 370-8386.

Beef Recall

GCS was notified on February 4, 2008 of the beef recall from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA). The district immediately sent all cafeteria managers lot numbers and package dates of the affected beef products. The cases of processed beef have been isolated and held since that date. NCDA instructed the district to destroy the products on February 19, 2008. By the end of Friday, February 22, 2008, all products in GCS will be destroyed. Raw beef is not used in GCS; all beef, poultry and pork products have been processed before being accepted in the schools.  For more information, please contact Cynthia Sevier, Director of Nutritional Services, at 370-3257.

New Principals Named

For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer, at 370-8340.

Historically Underutilized Business Outreach Mixer

GCS and Samet Corporation ISRS, Inc. invites construction subcontractors to participate in an information session centered on the new 90,500 square feet Union Hill Elementary School. The meeting is Thursday, March 6, 6-8 p.m. at Williams Memorial CME Church, 3400 Triangle Lake Road in High Point. During the session, subcontractors will have a chance to network, discuss the scope of the project, review plans, discuss prequalification and application processes and insurance requirements. Click here to register. For more information, please contact Corey Avens, SRS Inc., at (910) 443-2522, Maurice McNeal, Samet Corporation, at 544-2673 or Leo Bobadilla, Chief Operations Officer, at 370-3482.

Northwest High Receives Math and Science Grant

Northwest is one of 50 recipients nationwide to receive a $1,000 College Board and Siemens Foundation grant to support science and math Advanced Placement (AP) education.

Northwest was selected because of high scores and participation in math and science AP courses. The Siemens Foundation honors one high school per state in recognition of the schools that are leading the nation in AP participation and performance in science, math and technology, based on data from all schools participating in AP.

Angelo Kidd, Northwest’s principal, is proud of the school’s accomplishments. “The award speaks highly of our students, teachers, parents and community,” said Kidd.

The “Advanced Placement Report to the Nation” recognizes the high schools with the strongest AP programs in the state, designated by academic discipline. The College Board uses data primarily from this report to select the high schools and seeks to honor a broad range of schools with regard to factors such as size, private/public, rural/urban and socio-economic background.

The Siemens Foundation provides nearly $2 million in college scholarships and awards each year for talented high school students in the United States. Its signature programs, the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology and the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, reward exceptional achievement in science, math and technology. By supporting outstanding students today and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. For more information, please contact Principal Angelo Kidd at 605-3300.

Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The Center for New North Carolinians and The Guilford Education Alliance present a lecture by Rafe Esquith and the Hobart Shakespeareans, “Teach like Your Hair is On Fire.”  Esquith teaches at Los Angeles’ Hobart Boulevard Elementary, the second-largest elementary school in the U.S. His fifth-grade students, known as the Hobart Shakespeareans, come largely from immigrant Central American and Korean families and are learning English as a second language. They also consistently score in the top 5 to 10 percent in the country in standardized tests. All teachers who attend the lecture will receive a complimentary copy of Rafe Esquith’s book as well as professional development credit.  A follow-up workshop is also available. The lecture is at 3:30 p.m. on February 25 in the Elliott University Center at UNC-Greensboro.  Click here to register. For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, Manager Community Partnerships, at 370-8355.

GCS Reads Across America

NEA's Read Across America Day is almost here. Millions of students and adults are making plans to join the nation's largest reading celebration on March 3. During the week of March 3-7, GCS is asking every secondary school to participate in the festivities by organizing an event in celebration of reading. Click here for ideas. For more information, high school contacts are Fannie Bratcher  bratchf@gcsnc.com, Kim Contreras contrek@gcsnc.com or Angie Kratzer kratzea@gcsnc.com. Middle school contacts are Andi Hesman hesmana@gcsnc.com, Angie Nall nalla@gcsnc.com or Barb Stinnett stinneb@gcsnc.com.

Weaver Academy Reprises Play for Festival

Back by popular demand - Weaver Academy students present “The Boys Next Door,” 8 p.m., March 13-15 at the Broach Theatre in downtown Greensboro. Weaver students staged this play in December, which chronicles four mentally challenged young men living in a group home under the watchful eye of a sincere but increasingly despairing social worker.

Lisa Bunch, parent of an exceptional child, approached director Leanne Macklin about reprising the play as part of the Creative Arts Festival of Excellence, which is a fund-raising event for many health concerns.  The festival also features a silent art auction at the Heart of Living Gallery at 320 South Elm Street. Proceeds from this event benefit After Gateway, a non-profit organization serving adults with severe developmental disabilities.

Tickets for both events are now on sale. Tickets for The Boys Next Door are $5 for students and $10 for adults and may be purchased by contacting the Broach Theatre at 378-9300. Contact After Gateway for information on purchasing $25 tickets for the silent auction. For more information about either event, please contact Dale Metz, Executive Director of After Gateway, at 379-7670 or aftergatewayguy@juno.com. For more information about the Weaver Academy, please contact Principal Anna Brady at 370-8282 or John Eldridge, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 370-2360.

Kiser PTA Wins State Grant

Congratulations to the Kiser Parent Teacher Association for being one of only 10 schools statewide to receive a $1,000 Parent Involvement Grant from the North Carolina PTA. The Kiser PTA used the grant to host a multicultural event for students, teachers and the community. For more information, please contact Assistant Principal Jessica Bohn at 370-8240.

Mentor of the Year

First and second year beginning teachers have the opportunity to nominate their mentor for the "Mentor of the Year" award. Teachers are encouraged to nominate mentors who have provided exemplary support for them during their first two years in the profession.  Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 7.  For more information, please contact the induction coordinator at your school or  Martha Snavely, Executive Director of Induction and Professional Development, at 335-3290.

GCS Fifth Grade Students attend Greensboro Opera Performance

More than 5,000 fifth grade students were dazzled by the opera Mikado presented this week by the Greensboro Opera and UNCG at the Carolina Theatre.  The students reported that their music teachers had prepared them well for Gilbert and Sullivan’s tangled story.  The students participated and were engaged during the entire performance.  The following vocabulary words were some of those introduced in the study guide:  aria, finale, libretto and set, as well as the vocal categories—an example of core subject integration with the arts curriculum.  Students were impressed by the costumes and singing.  A   thank you goes out to the GCS Transportation Department for making smooth and safe bus rides and to the opera company’s many community volunteers who were thrilled that our students have this experience annually.  For more information, please contact Lee Ann Segalla, Elementary Curriculum Officer, at 370-2339.

Greensboro Bicentennial Celebration

The Greensboro Bicentennial Education Committee invites high school students to participate in an opportunity that commemorates the Greensboro Bicentennial Celebration from March through May 2008. Designed in collaboration with GCS, this project provides students with a historical learning experience and recognition for their individual efforts. Students will author an original one-act play based on historical personalities or events occurring during the past 200 years in Greensboro-Guilford County. The Education and History Committees of the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission will select nine winning one-act plays. Winning selections include three winners for production and six honorable mention prizes.  Awards include:  First Prize - $500; Second Prize - $400; Third Prize - $300; and Six Honorable Mentions - $100 each.

Projects are due to Jonathan McRae’s office at 501 W. Washington St., Greensboro, NC 27401 or e-mail mcraej@gcsnc.com by February 29. Winners will be announced by March 4.  The three top winners will be showcased on Festival Day, April 11.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Jonathan McRae, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist, at 317-3214.

Strategies for Working with Teens Collaborative Workshop Held

The Greensboro Public Library, GCS high school media specialists and GCS Library Media Services held a collaborative workshop for 31 public library staff members that targeted adolescent learning and behaviors on February 21 at Dudley High.  With the assistance of high school students who role-played common teenage behaviors, presenters shared their insight, knowledge and strategies for working with teens in the library.  Brenda Little, Andrews High;  Jackie Pender-Jones, Dudley High; Cynthia Vaughn, High Point Central High; Jean Howard and Libby Oxenfeld, Library Media Services, presented on a variety of topics which included discussions, demonstrations and group activities. For more information, please contact, Libby Oxenfeld, GCS District Media Specialist, at 370-2310.

Annual Enrollment

Information letters regarding the Annual Enrollment of Health Insurance have been sent to all schools.  Letters are to be given to all employees. Annual Enrollment of Health Insurance begins March 1 and will end March 28, 2008.  Special Note: the state Indemnity Plan will no longer be in effect on July 1, 2008. Employees currently enrolled in this plan must change their health coverage during annual enrollment. The change may be made by completing the enrollment form recently sent to home addresses. Submit the completed form to the Benefits Office via courier by March 28, 2008;  please retain a copy.

Our next retirement seminar is Thursday, February 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Alamance Elementary.  No reservation is required. For more information, please contact Patty Kinkade, Director of Benefits at 370-8092 or via e-mail kinkadp@gcsnc.com.

Transfer Fair

GCAE and GCS hosts the annual Transfer Fair on Monday, February 25 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Westover Church located at 505 Muirs Chapel Road, Greensboro. Current GCS teachers who are eligible to transfer from one school to another within the district are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Alan Hooker in the Office of Employment at 370-8055 or via e-mail hookera2@gcsnc.com.

GCSTV2  

History on the Rails

GCSTV 2 is proud to present a part of North Carolina history as well as the history that helped build our nation. We’re televising the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in partnership with Emmy award winning photojournalist Rob Van Cam. This program takes you on an adventure aboard an authentic steam train through some of the most scenic beauty our country has to offer. This show airs nightly Sunday through Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Magnet and Choice Schools: Time to Apply

Recognizing that the “one-size-fits-all” philosophy doesn’t apply in Guilford County, GCS offers 17 magnet and choice schools from Montessori to Mandarin Chinese. GCSTV 2 brings you highlights of our magnet/choice themes in a series of video showcases each weekday at 11:56 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:40 p.m., 2:15 p.m. 4:26 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.  

2008 Bond Presentation

GCS faces significant enrollment growth with a pressing need to upgrade or replace aging facilities and build new schools. This presentation outlines some of those needs included in a proposed school bond referendum for 2008. This program runs Tuesday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and Friday through Monday at 7:40 p.m.  

Employee of the Month

Charles Butler devotes his time, attention and talents to leading the band at Smith High.  Find out why his colleagues say he’s well-deserving of being named GCS Employee of the Month for February. This program runs daily at 6:01 a.m., 9:58 a.m., 12:57 p.m., 3:58 p.m., 6:58 p.m. and 9:56 p.m.

February One – the Local Story of the Pioneers of Civil Rights

The sit-ins at the F. W. Woolworth store downtown sparked similar non-violent protests against racial segregation in the South. GCSTV 2 marks this part of history with a special presentation of “February One, The Story of the Greensboro Four” in honor of Black History Month. This historic event occurred 48 years ago on February 1, 1960. It runs daily on GCSTV 2 at 5:56 p.m. throughout Black History Month.

Proper Sneezing

It’s the cold and flu season, but that doesn’t mean you have to get sick. Hand washing is one of the best ways to cut down on the spread of germs, but you can also limit cold germs by knowing the best way to sneeze. Check out this humorous, yet informative presentation on proper cold etiquette. This program runs daily at 8:54 a.m.

New GCSTV 2 Program Guide

GCSTV 2 viewers now have a convenient electronic guide to daily programs. Turn to GCSTV 2 on the hour to find the times of programs throughout the day and evening. Check out our new GCSTV 2 Program Guide.      

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, Broadcast Production Manager, at 370-8167.

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Middle School IB Program Encourages Critical Thinking

Although the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program was controversial when it was launched four years ago in a Fairfax County, Va., school, some of the program's first graduates have boasted higher SAT scores. The coursework "definitely made us think, and not through rote knowledge, but making connections to the rest of the world," said one student. Click here to read more.

Study: Increased Daily Language Instruction May Still Fall Short

Providing ninth-graders with an extra 45 minutes a day of literacy instruction may help boost their reading skills -- but not by enough to help them reach grade level by the end of a school year, the findings of a new federal study suggest. "We know very little about what it takes to improve reading skills of struggling adolescent readers," said James J. Kemple, director of the education research firm spearheading the study. "The fact that three-quarters of students would still be eligible for the programs at the end of the year also suggests there's a long way to go." Click here to read more.

Maryland Schools Launch Saturday Test-Prep Sessions

As Maryland students gear up for statewide standardized testing in April, several schools are opening their doors for special 90-minute Saturday tutoring sessions over the next several weeks. "We're making progress in a lot of ways ... trying to help students in any way possible," said principal Kevin Buckley. "I think the extra Saturday school will help." Click here to read more.

Minnesota District Poised to Become First to Require IB for All

Minnesota's 3,200-student South St. Paul district is neither wealthy nor exclusive, but it is on the verge of becoming the first public school system in the country to require the rigorous International Baccalaureate for all students. "These are skills that typical adults don't achieve until their 30s or 40s," said the IB's director general, Jeffrey R. Beard. "Parents tell us, 'I can't believe my kid is thinking this way.'" Click here to read more.

Why So Few Male Teachers Today? Does it Matter?

Public education in America faces Herculean challenges. Beginning with financial inequity, urban decay, heavy teacher attrition, and a strangling, mechanistic federal law (No Child Left Behind), getting a competitive education in many of America's public schools today can be like running a treacherous, if not impossible, gauntlet.  Putting strong teachers in every classroom is a vital ingredient in any recipe for educational success. ... Last month, I spoke to Tamar Snyder, a reporter writing about the shortage of male teachers in America. Her concise story went online today. Here's an excerpt: "According to statistics recently released by the National Education Association (NEA), men comprised just 24.4 percent of the total number of teachers in 2006. In fact, the number of male public school teachers in the U.S. has hit a record 40-year low."  Click here to read more.