Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

March 14, 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.

Did you know?

Since the passage of the 2000 bond referendum, GCS has grown by 9,365 students to a current enrollment of 71,396 students.

New Weekly E-Newsletter

Starting Friday, March 21, Friday Notes will have a new look and new name – GCS News Briefs will make its debut providing the same weekly updates on GCS activities from around the district. Check your e-mail inbox and SPAM folders to make sure you continue to receive your weekly update from GCS!

GCS Hosting Educational Specification Development Workshops

In order to create school environments more conducive to learning, GCS invited elected officials, staff, administrators, teachers and the Construction Advisory Committee to the Educational Specification Development Workshops.

The workshops kicked off with a visionary session Tuesday. Other sessions were divided by school level. GCS will host follow-up sessions in April to review the draft document and make necessary edits/improvements.

All week, attendees provided input about facilities that will support current and future educational program and they worked to develop a draft document of the district’s educational specifications. For more information, please contact Leo Bobadilla, Chief Operations Officer, at 370-3484 or Chad Campbell, Media Manager, at 370-8356.

Northeast High Competes in the NC Economic Challenge

Northeast High traveled to the Federal Reserve in Charlotte on Monday, March 10 to compete in the NC Economic Challenge.  Jacob Blackwell finished first in the microeconomic competition. The team consisting of Jacob Blackwell, Chase Ellis, Justin Kretzmeir and Crystal Gouzman finished fourth in the overall competition.  This team was coached by their teacher Mrs. Lynne Fedor.  Congratulations to all! For more information, please contact Principal Anitra Walker at 375-2500 or John Eldridge, Instructional Improvement Officer, at 370-2360.

Congratulations to Walter Page High

In February 2008, Page High was authorized as one of four high schools in Guilford County that will allow students the opportunity to receive an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The IB Diploma Programme provides a challenging curriculum that prepares students for a demanding college/university curriculum and encourages students to ask challenging questions, learn how to gain knowledge, develop a strong sense of the own identity and culture, and develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.

Former Page High School Principal Dr. Terry Worrell and IB Coordinator John Meyer began the long application process in order for the school to receive designation as an IB World School.  Teachers have attended training, developed course syllabi and worked to educate the school community about the IB Diploma Programme.  The culmination of the application process was a visit by an IB review team in November 2007.  The team visited the school for two days to interview GCS Board of Education members, senior staff, current Principal Marilyn Foley, teachers, students and parents.  Congratulations to all members of the Page High School community!  For more information, please contact Jane Fleming, Executive Director of Advanced Learning Department at 370-8361.

GCS Principal Receives Statewide Award

For striving to provide international education to students, GCS Newcomers School Principal Jake Henry was named Principal of the Year by the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) Program.

Henry strives to create a welcoming and secure environment for the English language learners and the nine VIF teachers at his school. These VIF teachers offer support and quality instruction as they enable students to honor their heritage.

The GCS Newcomers School is one of the district’s newest additions designed to meet the needs of English language learners. The school accelerates literacy skills while providing high quality instruction. The unique school is for students in grades five through 12 who have recently arrived to the country and are considered novices on the state language test.

Additionally, a GCS teacher received an Outstanding Cultural Educator award from VIF. Pamela Arraras, a VIF teacher from Argentina currently teaching at Southeast Guilford Middle, was honored by VIF for her achievements as a cultural educator.

The VIF Program is the largest international-exchange program, sponsoring teachers from around the world to teach in American schools for up to three years before returning home. With comprehensive support services to help ensure a rewarding experience, VIF sponsors more than 1,600 teachers from almost 60 nations in nearly 1,000 schools. For more information, please contact Haley Miller, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-3200.

Northern Middle Wins Battle of the Books Contest

Eleven Northern students won the GCS Middle School Battle of the Books contest on Wednesday, March 5. It was the school’s first time participating in the event. The team will advance to the Regional Battle of the Books Competition held on Friday, April 18. For more information, please contact Media Specialist Terry Kay Force at 605-3342.

GCS Celebrates Youth Art Month with Exhibit at the Greensboro Cultural Center

With March being Youth Art Month, artwork by students across the district is currently on display at the Greensboro Cultural Center in downtown Greensboro. The Youth Art Month exhibition will be open for viewing until March 19. Youth Art Month is a national celebration of art in schools that emphasizes the value of art education for all children. For more information, please contact Joy Hudson, Colfax Elementary art teacher, at 275-4332.

Northwest High Wins Constitution Competition

For the 12thconsecutive year, the Northwest “We the People” team won the North Carolina state championship. During the competition, students from the team testified about constitutional issues during a simulated congressional hearing held before a panel of judges. The “We the People” team will compete nationally in Washington, D.C. in May. For more information, please contact Teacher Ray Parrish at 605-3300.

2007-08 Rookie Teacher of the Year Finalists Named

Fifty-two teachers nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year submitted portfolios for consideration.  A committee of administrators, career teachers, and community representatives reviewed and scored portfolios.  The five finalists are:

1. Nicholas Bush – Wiley Elementary
2. Clark Erskine – Alamance Elementary
3. Lorin Hooker – Southwest High
4. Jennifer Omran – Oak Hill Elementary
5. Matthew Rickard – Page High

The 2007-08 Rookie Teacher of the Year will be named during a May 14 breakfast, sponsored by Guilford Education Alliance.  The recipient of this award will receive a scholarship to earn a master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro.  For more information, please contact Martha Snavely, Executive Director for Induction and Professional Development, at 335-3290.

Weaver Academy Student Wins Electrical Competition

On Tuesday, March 4, the Triad Electrical Apprenticeship Competition was held at Weaver Academy.   This annual event is sponsored by the Greensboro Association of Electrical Contractors, Forsyth Association of Electrical Contractors, Bayou Electrical, Inc., AC Corporation and the NC Association of Electrical Contractors.  These industry sponsors generously donated the materials, their time and prizes for the competition. 

Eleven electrical trade students from Weaver Academy, The Academy at Smith and Forsyth Career Center were given materials needed to complete a four-hour level II Residential Wiring project that mirrors national competitions.   In addition, sponsors worked with the culinary department at Weaver to host the meal, as well as the monthly contractors meeting and awards ceremony. This allowed the culinary students to gain experience in planning, preparing and serving a catered event. 

Winning students received gift certificates from the sponsors, and the trophy for first place will be displayed at the winning school for one year.   The winners were:

1. Chris Atkins, First Place - Weaver Academy (Ryan Cobb, Instructor)
2. Cory Bogart, Second Place, Forsyth Career Center (Randy Jones, Instructor)
3. Zack Currie, Third Place, Weaver Academy (Ryan Cobb, Instructor)

This competition helps prepare the top two students from each school for the State Skills USA Competition to be held in April.  The first place state winner will represent North Carolina at the National Skills USA Competition in Kansas City this summer.  For more information contact Sylvia Anderson, Director for Career & Technical Education/College Tech Prep, at 370-8357.

Poet Brod Bagert Visits GCS

Whether crying, laughing, writing or listening, more than 60 K-5 teachers were captured with the poetry presentation of Brod Bagert from New Orleans, LA on Monday, March 10 at a workshop on the campus of UNC-Greensboro.   While visiting Greensboro as a featured speaker during the 2008 North Carolina Reading Association’s annual conference held at the Koury Convention Center, Mr. Bagert agreed to work with GCS teachers and students. 

Mr. Bagert visited with sixth and seventh graders of Southern Middle. He composed, read and presented his philosophy of how to write and present poetry.  He inspired students to discover their talents and use them with courage to follow their dreams, from which poems are made. A heartfelt thank you to I Innovative Educational Support Systems of Kernersville, for sponsoring most of Mr. Bagert’s visit.  For more information, contact Randy Shiflett in the Professional Development Department at 312-3930 or shifleh@gcsnc.com.

Know a great GCS volunteer? Nominate them for Volunteer of the Month!

The success of GCS is due much in part to its volunteers. To recognize those who selflessly donate their own time to the district's students, GCS has created the Volunteer of the Month (VOM) program. Persons who volunteer at GCS full- or part-time may be nominated. All nominations must be received by the tenth day of each month and are good for 30 days. Those selected as the district's VOM will receive a certificate of recognition from the Board of Education and a $25 gift card from American Express.  Additionally, the VOM will have his/her picture on display at the district’s main offices during the month of their selection. To nominate your favorite GCS volunteer, click here. For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-8997.

Teacher Assistant Scholarship Program

If you are a full-time teaching assistant, you may qualify for the UNCG/GCS Teachers Assistant Scholarship Program.  Requirements include a minimum of two-years experience in the classroom, and an Associate’s Degree or the equivalent. The scholarship is used to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree and licensure in Elementary Education.  Scholarships are available to cover tuition, fees and books. Information sessions are on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 4 p.m. in the Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene Street, Greensboro and on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 4 p.m. in the media center at High Point Central High School, 801 Ferndale Boulevard, High Point.  For more information, please contact Tracey Dungee in the Office of Employment at 370-8342.  

Mission Possible Hosts “The Education Trust”

This week, the Mission Possible Office hosted Candace Crawford, Senior Associate, Teacher Quality, from Washington, D.C.  The Education Trust works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, pre-kindergarten through college and forever closing the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth.  Their interest in Mission Possible is to identify the impact of this program on teacher quality and academic achievement.  During her visit, Candace visited school and spoke with School Board Members, GCAE, senior level administration, teachers, parents and principals about the Mission Possible program.  The design and achievements of the Mission Possible program will be shared with national policy makers and legislators making decisions related to future pay for performance programs and initiatives.  For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, Senior Director of Mission Possible and Innovative Projects, at 335-3294 or holcoma@gcsnc.com.

GCSTV2
 

Building Futures - Your Construction Update

See how our community provides for the education of our children in this latest edition of Building Futures. In this edition, see the finished product of three new GCS schools built with funds from the 2003 Bond. This program runs daily at 8:01 a.m., 4:01 p.m. and 8:01 p.m.

Information Regarding Proposed 2008 School Bond Projects

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.  

MCET Rocks!

The students of the Middle College of Entertainment of Technology show off what they’ve learned in their self-produced show, MCET Rocks. Learn what’s going on around campus as students write, produce, videotape and edit their own production in this regular GCSTV 2 feature.  This program runs daily at 1 p.m. and 9:01 p.m.

College Tech Prep

Train as an electrician or a computer technician.  These are just two of a variety of technical educations available within GCS. Join us for this preview of College Tech Prep showing nightly at 8:25p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

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. In partnership with Emmy award winning photojournalist Rob Van Camp, we present the program Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. 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 runs nightly Sunday through Saturday at 7:15p.m.

GCSTV 2 Programming Guide

GCSTV 2 viewers now have a convenient electronic guide to daily programs. You’ll see the times for upcoming programs posted on-screen on the hour throughout the day and evening. Check out our new GCSTV 2 Program Guide.           

GCSTV 2 & ABC-45

GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share the following current news and feature stories about our district. The segments air on ABC-45 (Cable Channel 7) during Good Morning America each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.

Aviation Academy Preview
The GCS Magnet/Choice schools selection gets bigger as the Andrews Aviation Academy begins classes later this year. Take a tour and see what we’re offering to students interested in broadening their career choices where the sky is literally the limit. This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, March 19.

Relating History to Today
Bryan Walls is a descendant of slaves who escaped to freedom via the Underground Railroad.  Dr. Walls relates history to today’s struggles to establish peace, harmony and tolerance. This Newsbreak airs Friday, March 21.

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

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

New Leaders for New Schools Finds Patterns At Low-Income, Urban Schools that Make Dramatic Student Achievement Gains

New Leaders for New Schools, a national non-profit organization that recruits and trains outstanding urban school principals, today released an analysis on the patterns exhibited by at-risk schools making dramatic academic gains. The findings of this analysis hold important implications for urban principalship and for closing the achievement gap for low-income students in America's urban schools. The analysis, "Defining an Urban Principalship to Drive Dramatic Achievement Gains" identifies practical leadership and management steps that urban school principals take to improve low-achieving schools.  Click here to read more.