GCS News Briefs

May 16, 2008

Eberhart Scholarship Deadline Approaching

The Enrichment Fund for GCS is pleased to offer the Eberhart Scholarship to a GCS graduating senior who may not otherwise be able to attend college. The $1,500 scholarship award provides financial assistance for attendance at a state or private four-year college or university in North Carolina.  The application deadline is May 23, and the winner will be announced on June 2.  Click here for a copy of the application.  For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

2008 High Schools That Work Award of Academic Excellence Winners

Forty-two Northwest High graduates received this year’s High Schools That Work (HSTW) Award of Educational Achievement.  Students qualify for the award by completing a college-preparatory course of study in at least two of the three subject areas (English, mathematics or science), complete a concentration in a career/technical area, (mathematics/science or the humanities) and meet performance goals in all three areas on the HSTW assessment.  Northwest High had the highest number of students in North Carolina to receive the award.  Students who met the requirements will receive the 2008 HSTW Award of Academic Excellence given by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and will be acknowledged on Northwest’s Senior Awards Day on May 23. The following Northwest students were recipients of the award: 

These students are to be commended for their efforts. For more information, please contact Principal Angelo Kidd at 605-3300 or Kendra March, instructional improvement officer, at 370-8107.

Bright Ideas at Allen Jay Elementary

On May 7, Allen Jay Elementary hosted a group of 11 teachers, principals, and central office administrators from Darlington, South Carolina and Margaret Gayle, project manager of the JAVITS grant, a program funded by the United States Department of Education. The grant designed and implemented by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the American Association for Gifted Children at Duke University.  They observed Bright IDEA trained teachers in kindergarten through fifth-grade classrooms.

Bright IDEAs is a collection of best practices that enhance higher order thinking skills. Following the classroom visits, Allen Jay Elementary staff and the Darlington visitors participated in an open forum to discuss classroom structures, training, instructional impact and other issues. The visitors shared observations and the forum helped to deepen their understanding of the instructional practices and their successful implementation. This was a valuable opportunity to share practical perspectives and demonstrate and discuss promising instructional strategies for improved student learning with visiting educators from a neighboring state and school district. For more information, please contact Principal Dawn Spencer at 434-8490 or Sandra Culmer, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2336.

DESTINY Traveling Science Learning Program Visits Northeast High

On Tuesday, May 13, traveling laboratories from UNC-Chapel Hill’s DESTINY Traveling Science Learning Program visited Northeast High. The DESTINY Program, a science education outreach initiative of UNC’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, serves pre-college schools in North Carolina by bringing contemporary science and technology to teachers and students at no cost to the school.

Students from teacher Leslie Carriker’s college-placement biology classes performed lab exercises called “From Finches to Fishes.” They learned the fundamental principles of evolution and natural selection. Protein gel electrophoresis was used to acquire molecular data to construct an evolutionary tree for five fish species.  Students examined proteomics as the new frontier of molecular biology and its importance to understanding the structure and function of the human genome and the genomes of other organisms.

Carriker attended a DESTINY teacher workshop in her spare time to learn how to incorporate this particular DESTINY curriculum module into her classroom, which also made her eligible to request a visit from one of DESTINY’s traveling science laboratories. For more information, please contact Principal Anitra Walker at 375-2500 or John Eldridge, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2360.

Teacher Supply Warehouse Closing for Summer

Only eight more shopping days remain before the Teacher Supply Warehouse closes for the summer. The last day of operation this year is Thursday, June 12. Click here to see if your school is eligible to shop at the warehouse and to register on-line. The warehouse will re-open before school starts in August. Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-6 p.m.

The Teacher Supply Warehouse is a joint venture of the Guilford Education Alliance, Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Leadership Greensboro and GCS. Local businesses donate overstocked or discontinued items, used or leftover office supplies or specialty items. Teachers “shop” the warehouse, taking items at no charge. The only “payment” asked is a thank-you letter to one of the donating organizations. Since opening last November, the Teacher Supply Warehouse has helped recycle more than $150,000 in supplies back into classrooms.

For more information on how your business or organization can support the Teacher Supply Warehouse, visit the GCS Web site http://www.gcsnc.com/teacher_warehouse/index.html or contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

GCS Appreciation Night

Triad Lanes, 21 Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, invites all GCS educators for free bowling and shoe rental this Monday, May 19, from 6:30 – 10 p.m. This offer is for all GCS educators and accompanying family or friends. Please show your GCS ID badge when you arrive. This is Triad Lane’s way of saying “thank you” for all your hard work this year!  For more information, please contact Triad Lanes General Manager Bob Marino at 292-0181 or Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

Grasshoppers Partner with GCS

Thanks to the generosity of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, more than 4,200 second-graders and almost 3,000 sixth-graders were able to attend one of two GCS Days with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

The team donated tickets to students and teachers who prepared for the game by learning about batting averages, the history of baseball and insects like grasshoppers. Students also played baseball in their physical education classes. Some lucky GCS Newcomers School students were even treated to a special appearance from Grasshoppers players, who, like the students, are newcomers to the United States.

During the games, students enjoyed watching contests between innings that featured their teachers and principals participating in sumo wrestling, “hoppy ball races,” toilet seat tosses and more. Everyone at GCS appreciates this valuable partnership with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. For more information, contact Lillian Govus, program administrator – communications, at 370-8997.

School Social Workers Participate in Child Abuse/Neglect Training

GCS social workers participated in a training session led by Diana Urieta-MSW, Prevention Network Director with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.  The session was part of the social worker monthly professional development series. Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina is an affiliate with Prevent Child Abuse America, works to prevent child abuse and neglect, support healthy childhood development and strengthen families. They work with schools, hospitals, employers, communities of faith and child care facilities to help children have healthy, safe and nurturing environments. As its name implies, Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina focuses on prevention.

Four school social workers, Kris Hoyle, Malley Burton, Tunisia Lumpford and Betsy Winston and the social work director attended the N.C. Prevent Child Abuse Conference in March.  They presented their findings to the other social workers on discipline approaches, parental involvement and other relevant topics. The session with Diana Urieta provided a comprehensive review of current abuse/neglect data, interpreting evidences, program support trends and local resource development. All of these are relevant as social workers assess student needs and focus on students’ academic and social adjustment to the school. For more information contact Richard Tuck, director of school social services, at 621-4027. For more information, please contact Gwen Willis, executive director of student services, at 370-8397.

News from the Diversity Office

The Greensboro Human Relations Commission Education Committee and its community partners are proud to announce that with the financial support of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro we are hosting three forums with Dr. Edward Robinson, Jr.  In 2004, Dr. Robinson, Jr. was awarded a contract with the Philadelphia Public School District to infuse African and African American history within the current, social studies, science and mathematics curricula from kindergarten to eighth-grade for the 185,000 student school district. Robinson, Jr. is a native of Philadelphia who piloted his vision of African and African American curriculum infusion with 600 seventh-grade students in Philadelphia, which he reported to the committee on February 2, 2007. The curriculum resulted in an increase of 80 percent in math scores, 300 fewer disciplinary incidents during the pilot year and improved individual esteem and inter-racial respect amongst the student body.

Dr. Robinson’s second session is open to the general public on Wednesday, May 21 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at St. Philip AME Zion Church, 1330 Ashe Street, Greensboro, N.C. For more information, please contact Monica Walker, diversity officer, at 370-8397.

GCSTV2

All County Band-Middle School

Music plays a big role in the arts education offered within GCS. The All-County Band Concert gives students a chance to showcase their talents, and GCSTV 2 provides you a seat in the audience. This program runs daily at 9:01 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.  Stay tuned for the upcoming high school “All-County Band Concert” coming soon.

Science Collaboration

Wiley Elementary teams with North Carolina A&T State University to inspire students to get involved in science through some unique “hands on” experiment. This program runs daily at 11:55 a.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 dietitians 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., Tuesday through Thursday at 9:52 p.m. and Friday through Monday at 9:55 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.

POWERgirls
While they may not be the latest cartoon super heroines, the “POWERgirls” are equipped with the knowledge, the strength and the courage to conquer the world around them.  See how the graduates of this leadership-training program are empowered to carry success throughout their lives. This newsbreak airs Friday, May 16.

Learning about Baseball
It’s a unique experience for the second grade. Baseball, peanuts and crackerjacks are all part of the day as GCS students embark on a field trip to the ballpark. NewBridge Bank Park is the scene as students spend some time rooting for their home team, the Greensboro Grasshoppers.  This newsbreak airs Friday May 23.

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