GCS News Briefs

April 11, 2008

Did You Know?

GCS has more than 600 mobile classrooms, which are currently utilized as educational spaces. That is equivalent to more than 14 elementary schools.

Board of Education Seeks Input for New Superintendent

The Guilford County Board of Education is seeking input from the community on characteristics needed for its educational leader that will assist the district in achieving the highest outcomes for all children. 
A total of seven meetings are scheduled throughout Guilford County, five for community members and two for staff:

• April 14 at 4:30 p.m., staff forum, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts (auditorium)
• April 14 at 7 p.m., public forum, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts (auditorium)
• April 16 at 4:30 p.m., staff forum, Smith High (media center)
• April 16 at 7 p.m., public forum, Smith High (auditorium)
• April 21 at 7 p.m., public forum, Northeast High (auditorium)
• April 22 at 7 p.m., public forum, Southeast Middle (media center)
• April 23 at 7 p.m., public forum, Northwest High (media center)

The forums are supported by the following organizations: Guilford Education Alliance, Guilford County Council of PTAs, Guilford County Association of Educators, Black Child Development, Inc. and the men’s ministries of Mt. Zion and New Light Baptist Churches. For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

GCS Economic Impact Analysis Public Forums

GCS is having two public forums to give community members an opportunity to hear the results of an economic impact analysis produced for the district by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Center for Business and Economic Research. In addition, GCS will present information on the projects included in the 2008 bond referendum. 
Dates and locations are:

• Monday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m., Andrews High, 1920 McGuinn Drive, High Point, NC
• Wednesday, April 16 at 4:30 p.m., Smith High, 2407 S. Holden Road, Greensboro, NC
  

Andrew Brod, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, will discuss key findings that show how GCS benefits the Piedmont Triad by providing a quality education for students and supporting the economic welfare of Guilford County.

GCS is the largest employer in Guilford County. As the area grows, so does the influence GCS has on many indicators of economic health, such as job creation, wage earnings and the availability of a trained work force. This analysis contains information vital for elected officials, community leaders and decision-makers.

Summer School

GCS summer session serves those students in grades three, five, eight, and high school scoring below proficiency in reading and math and high school students scoring below proficiency on Algebra I, English I, Biology, US History or Civics and Economics End-of-Course exams. The student schedule for this year’s session begins on July 2, with the last student day on July 30.  Hours for elementary schools are 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and for middle and high schools, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. For more information, please first contact your child’s school or Roberta Pearson at 370-3273.

New Assistant Principal Named

Joseph Caraher was named as the new AP of Northwest High School effective April 10.  He has served as a Guidance Counselor at Northwest High, North Mecklenburg High, Smith Middle and Kernersville Elementary. For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, chief human resources officer, at 370-8340.

Teacher Working Conditions Survey Available

The 2008 Teacher Working Conditions Survey is available for educators to complete at www.ncteachingconditions.org through April 21. The survey gathers feedback from the state’s teaching professionals to help shape state education policy, strengthen classroom working conditions and enhance the learning environment for students.

The survey includes several new features in order to ensure all educators have the opportunity to participate in creating supportive environments for all North Carolina educators. All schools with 100 percent participation are eligible for a weekly drawing of a $1,000 grant to improve teaching conditions. Additionally, educators from those schools are eligible for a weekly cash prize of $1,000 and are eligible for a grand prize: a $2,500 plasma TV from AT&T at the end of the survey. Survey results will be ready for release on June 1, 2008.

For survey assistance, call the toll-free help desk at 877-NCTWC08 or 877-628-9208.  The help desk is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the administration of the survey. For more information, please contact Haley Miller, program administrator – communications, at 370-3200.

High Point Central High Senior Receives Prestigious College Scholarships

Joseph Terrell, a senior at High Point Central, has earned two of the most highly coveted scholarships in North Carolina. Terrell was selected to receive the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a four-year undergraduate scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Terrell also was selected to receive the four-year undergraduate Trinity Scholarship from Duke University. Both scholarships include tuition, room and board, books, a laptop computer and a stipend for spending money each year.

Due to significant interest in multicultural studies and a strong desire to study abroad during his collegiate years, Terrell accepted the Morehead-Cain Scholarship and will attend UNC. In addition, Terrell was notified in February of his standing as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. For more information, please contact School Counselor Nancy Mark at 819-2825. 

Dudley High Student Awarded the 2008 Gates Millennium Scholarship

Congratulations to Nicholas Williams, a senior at Dudley High, named as one of only 1,000 students in the country awarded the 2008 Gates Millennium Scholarship.  Williams has narrowed his college choices to Davidson College or UNC-Chapel Hill.  He plans to major in Psychology with a minor in Biology.  After he obtains his undergraduate degree, he plans to apply to medical school to become a psychiatrist specializing in Child Psychiatry.  He also wants to start a non-profit to help minister to the needs of boys whose fathers are not present.

Through a $1 billion grant, administered over 20 years by the United Negro College Fund, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will provide tens of thousands of young people with the opportunity to attend the college or university of their choice without the burden of tuition, helping them advance their education and building diverse generation of new leaders in the United States. GCS is proud to have an award recipient for this prestigious scholarship. For more information, please contact Samara Johnson, supervisor of secondary counseling, at 370-2332 or Gwen Willis, executive director of student services, at 370-8397.

2008 North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship Recipients Announced

We are pleased to announce that the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program has awarded 22 high school seniors from GCS, the 2008 North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship.  The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program provides a $6,500 per year scholarship for four years to 500 outstanding North Carolina high school seniors.  The total value of the scholarships is $26,000.  Upon acceptance of the scholarship, the student agrees to teach for four years following graduation from college in one of North Carolina’s public schools or United States Government schools in North Carolina.
Acknowledging that the quality of education in our public schools is determined by the quality of our educators, we applaud and congratulate each of the award recipients and alternates for taking a strong interest in the teaching profession.  Our future lies in the hands of strong and capable leaders such as these students. 

The following students are 2008 North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship Recipients:

A special thanks to the Local Screening Committee comprised of board members, GCS employees and community volunteers who assisted in preparing our students for this prestigious scholarship. For more information, please contact Samara Johnson, supervisor of secondary counseling in counseling services, at 370-2332 or Gwen Willis, executive director of student services, at 370-8397.

Aycock Middle Wins GCS Magnet Fair Best of Show Award

Through a new initiative to recognize magnet schools and high school options, the office of magnet and choice schools launched the “Best Of…” awards program. The Best of Show Award was presented to Aycock Middle in recognition of the comprehensive promotional program incorporating consistency in multiple promotion components. For more information, please contact Tony Burks, director of magnet and choice schools, at 378-8832.

2007-08 “Dr. Martha Sharpless Mentor of the Year” Finalists Named

First and second year beginning teachers submitted portfolios of their mentors for consideration for the “Dr. Martha Sharpless Mentor of the Year” award sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.  A committee of administrators, career teachers and community representatives reviewed and scored portfolios.  The 2007-08 finalists are:

• Robin Hernandez – McIver Education Center
• Lori Jones – Alamance Elementary
• Michelle Monroe – Welborn Middle
• Anne Morris – Jamestown Elementary
• Patty Schram – Lincoln Academy

The winner receives $1000 and a plaque.  The remaining four finalists will also receive a cash award and a certificate.  Each rookie teacher who nominated a mentor finalist receives a $50 gift certificate at Edu-Play.  For more information, please contact Martha Snavely, executive director for induction and professional development, at 335-3290.

Youth Town Hall with Greensboro Four

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum is hosting a Youth Town Hall Meeting this Sunday, 2:30 – 4 p.m. in the J. Douglas Galyon Train Depot on Church Street in downtown Greensboro. Students will have an opportunity for open exchange with the three surviving members of the “Greensboro Four,” who as NC A&T students in 1961, sat at the Woolworth’s lunch counter on Elm Street and helped bring the civil rights movement to the forefront in our country.

The historic preservation of the formerly segregated “Coloreds Only” Waiting Room creates a particularly relevant venue for this event, which is a part of the Greensboro Bicentennial Heritage Festival. A photo opportunity begins at 1 p.m. followed by the Youth Town Hall discussion.  For more information, please contact the International Civil Rights Center & Museum office at 274-9199 or contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

Eastern High School Looking for Judges

Due to Eastern High School’s unique situation at a temporary location, all senior projects must be presented on one day at an off-campus venue. In order to do this, the school is seeking 60-70 volunteers to judge. Bryan Park is hosting the school on May 30, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. If you would like to take a two-hour shift, help with judging or more, please contact Charles Abourjilie at 449-6311, or by e-mail at abourjc@gcsnc.com.

McIver Teacher Receives Employee of the Month Honors

Tom Anderson, a teacher at McIver Education Center, knows that his students’ needs don’t disappear at the end of the day. That’s why he works relentlessly, both in and out of school, to significantly improve the lives of his autistic students and their families. In addition, he does it with infinite patience and a wealth of ideas of how to help children overcome challenges.

To the parent who nominated him, Anderson is a hero who helps surmount communication problems, behavioral issues and imperfect social skills. To Principal Joe Hagler, Anderson is a superb and selfless teacher who gives accolades to everyone but himself. To the students he works with, he is a champion for them – doing whatever it takes to assist them. For those reasons, he was selected as the district’s Employee of the Month.

“Tom has mostly on his own time gone into the homes of a number of parents and helped them set up home programs,” Hagler said. “He also sets them up with community agencies. Everything he does is from the heart.”

As Employee of the Month, Anderson received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program. In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education will recognize him at its April 8 meeting. Watch for the Employee of the Month on GCSTV 2.

Also recognized this month are Cindy Goode, custodian at Brooks Global Studies, and Linda Ondeck, student information management system operator at Kiser Middle, as runners-up to the award. Both were presented with gift cards in honor of their selfless dedication.

To nominate someone you think goes above and beyond the call of duty, click here to submit your nomination form online. For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, program administrator – communications, at 370-8997.

Volunteer at The Early College at Guilford Named April Volunteer of the Month

Jean Pudlo is an advocate. Not just for her child, but also for hundreds of students in the area. She’s more than an integral member of the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at The Early College at Guilford; she helped develop FIRST Lego Leagues, FIRST Robotic Teams and FIRST Vex Leagues across the Triad. She has sought funding for computers and internet access for students and their families who do not have the resources to obtain them.

“Where do you even begin with Jean Pudlo?” former Early College principal Tony Lamair Burks, II said. “She’s been instrumental with the PTSA since her student enrolled at The Early College. She has served as treasurer as the PTSA, she has worked to have fundraising events held at her church, she’s been instrumental with the first robotics team and has rallied parents together. Her background is in strategic planning and consulting with non-profits, and she draws on all of those skills in helping The Early College. She has written and applied for many grants. The greatest thing about Jean is she does it all without fanfare. She does things like most parents do, because her child is a student at the school. But then she takes things a step further and does it for the benefit of all kids.”

According to Jody Butler, who nominated Jean for the award, Jean is a “big picture person and a true innovator.” Jody went on to describe Jean as “a superior parent, mentor, leadership development facilitator and advocate for science and engineering, special student populations and teachers.”

Because of her unending support of the faculty and students at The Early College at Guilford and across the district, Jean is the April Guilford County Schools (GCS) Volunteer of the Month. As the GCS Volunteer of the Month, Jean received a certificate of appreciation from the Board of Education and Co-interim Superintendents Sharon Ozment and Dr. Eric Becoats. She also received a $25 gift card from American Express. Jean’s photo will hang on a plaque at her school during the month of April, as well as at the district’s central offices. Remember to watch for the Volunteer of the Month on GCSTV 2. To nominate a volunteer who you think goes above and beyond the call of duty, click here to submit your nomination form online. For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, program administrator – communications, at 370-8997.

Students Gain Real-World Experience through Rotary Shadows Day

GCS and Greensboro area Rotary Clubs gave high school students a glimpse into the real world of work during Job “Shadows Day,” on Tuesday, April 8. Students, paired with Rotarians, spent the morning learning about a variety of career opportunities in the Greensboro area and finding out what a typical day on the job is really like.

During the afternoon, students and Rotarians reconvened for a luncheon at the Sheraton Four Seasons featuring keynote speaker Darryl Hunt. Hunt, wrongfully convicted of murder and incarcerated for almost 20 years, was exonerated and released from prison in 2004. Also on the agenda, Crescent Rotarian Stephanie Watkins, who participated in Shadows Day as a high school student and now is giving back, shared how her experience opened her eyes to the business world.
This is the 13th year for the GCS/Rotary partnership, and this year, 120 students from eight high schools benefited from the event. Participating schools were Dudley High, Northwest High, Page High, Smith High, The Middle College at Bennett, The Middle College at N.C. A&T and Western High.

All eight Greensboro area Rotary Clubs participated in the "Shadows Day" Event. Those clubs are Greensboro, Crescent, Summit, Gate City, East Greensboro, Guilford, Airport and Southern Guilford New Generation. According to Gary Everhart, Guilford Rotary member and Chair of the Shadows Day Committee, “Shadows Day exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self, and it’s a day we all look forward to every year.”

For more information about Shadows Day, please contact Gary Everhart at ge2@msn.com ,707-5433, or Crescent Rotarian President Jay Harris at jharris@bankofnc.com ,433-5205 or Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

Kernodle Middle Donates $6,840 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Kernodle students successfully participated in Math-A-Thon, an education-based fundraising program, raising $6,840 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Through Math-A-Thon, students obtain sponsors for the number of math problems completed in special provided workbooks. Participation in the program helps students learn more than just math problems; they also learn the importance of helping children who are less fortunate than they are. For more information, please contact Lecia Bentley, sixth-grade teacher, at 545-3717.

Students From The Middle College at NC A&T Visit Colleges

Thirty three Middle College at NC A&T students and selected staff went on a college tour field trip coordinated by the School Social Worker, Duane D. Lewis. The students and staff visited Virginia Union College, Virginia State University, Howard University, Morgan State University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. At Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the students had an opportunity to hear the personal stories of Dr. Craig Fletcher (NC. A&T undergraduate alumnus), Dr. Malcolm Brock, Dr. Jackie Martin and Dr. Ben Carson. Dr. Carson and the panel of doctors inspired the young men to reach their goals and to develop a plan of action. The students also were given tours of research labs by graduate assistant medical students. While in the metro area, the students visited the Museum of African Art, toured the Mall on Washington and went to a Washington Wizards NBA game where they had an opportunity to see Dudley High graduate Brendon Haywood play for the Wizards. For more information, please contact Principal Jesse Pratt, at 691-0915.

GCSTV2

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 five times daily:  Tuesday through Thursday at 1:10 a.m., 7:16 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 7:47 p.m. and 9:17 p.m., and  Friday through Monday at 1:10 a.m., 7:16 a.m., 11:38 a.m., 7:51 p.m. and 9:17 p.m.  

Planning the Best Schools

While GCS is in need of new schools and upgrades at existing schools, planning for those improvements is no small task. District facilities managers are gathering with the community as well as construction industry representatives to get input on what to include to provide the best schools possible. This program runs daily at 5:57 p.m.

Building Futures-Your Construction Update

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

 A Third Edition

Students of television production at Weaver Center show off their talents and skills in this student written, photographed and edited production. You can see one of three episodes of The Edition now on GCSTV 2: episode one on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11:15 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., episode two, Tuesday through Thursday at 9:36 a.m. and Friday through Monday at 5:03 p.m., and episode three, Friday through Monday at 11:15 a.m. & 5:01 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at 11:02 p.m. 

Eat Smart-Move More

The right nutrition is important to maintain good health. GCS offers some healthy advice on choosing the right foods and portion sizes to cut down on the extra fat and calories that may be lurking in our diets. Join Registered Dietitian Amanda Hester and Ashley Mathis for our series: Eat Smart. Your guide to healthier eating runs daily at 6:57 a.m., 7:56 a.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at 9:52 p.m.  Friday through Monday it runs at 9:55 p.m.

Employee of the Month-Tom Anderson

He gives a lot and gets a lot in return. Tom Anderson is recognized this month as the GCS Employee of the Month for April 2008. With infinite patience and a special knowledge of how to help children overcome obstacles, Anderson works to improve not only the lives of his students at McIver Education Center, but their parents’ lives as well. This program runs daily at 7:27 a.m., 12:56 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.

Open/net On Now

The program produced by the North Carolina Department of administration features experts from state government discussing timely and topical subjects. The show is designed to link North Carolina citizens with policy makers for an exchange of ideas and information. Two Open/net programs are currently running.  Elections runs Friday through Monday at 10:01 p.m. and Nutrition and Obesity runs Tuesday through Thursday at 10:01 p.m. 

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.

The New Northern Elementary
It’s designed to provide a good learning environment for students, and it gets high marks for doing just that. Getting the new Northern Elementary school up and running is no small task.  Take a peek into how one of GCS’ newest schools started the New Year. This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, April 16.

 Planning the Best Schools
While GCS is in need of new schools and upgrades at existing schools, planning for those improvements is no small task. District facilities managers are gathering with the community as well as construction industry representatives to get input on what to include to provide the best schools possible. This Newsbreak airs Friday, April 18.

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, broadcast production manager, at 370-8167.