GCS News Briefs

August15, 2008

Central Office Summer Schedule Ends

GCS central offices will resume normal office hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday) beginning Monday, August 18.

Chief Academic Officer Search

Guilford County Schools (GCS) will be seeking candidates for the position of Chief Academic Officer. The person in this role will be responsible for assisting the Superintendent with leadership and supervision in developing, achieving and enhancing educational programs and related services. The person in this position will supervise and manage all academic service areas which include Instructional Improvement Officers, curriculum and instruction, professional development, exceptional and academically gifted, co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities and support services.  This person will administer school improvement efforts and address academic concerns of teachers, parents, administrators, students, staff and the community.  For more information about special positions, click here or for the job description, click here.

To make application, send a cover letter and an updated resume to Dr. Peggy Thompson, chief human resources officer, at thompsp@gcsnc.com. 

New Administrative Assignments

• Debbie Saie is the new assistant principal at Dudley High, effective August 4. She is the former assistant principal at Allen Middle.
• Greggory Slate is the new assistant principal at Grimsley High, effective August 4. He is the former assistant principal at Dudley High.
• Doug Foutty is the new assistant principal at Allen Middle, effective August 5. He is the former assistant principal at Guilford Middle.
• Tanya McPhail is the new assistant principal at High Point Central High, effective August 4. She is the former assistant principal at Welborn Middle.
• LaTrice Stokes is the new assistant principal at Bessemer Elementary, effective August 13. She is the former curriculum facilitator at Bessemer Elementary.
• Elliot Miller is the new assistant principal at Mendenhall Middle, effective August 13. He is the former head principal at Qingdao MTI International School in China.
• Patricia Woodruff is the new assistant principal at Northwest Middle, effective August 13. She is the former curriculum facilitator at Northwest High.
• Garrett Dillard is the new assistant principal at Page High, effective August 13. He is a former social studies teacher at High Point Central High.
• Tracey Norton is the new assistant principal at Jackson Middle, effective August 13. She is the former curriculum facilitator at Eastern Middle.
• Ronald Dixon is the new assistant principal at Guilford Middle, effective August 13. He is a former choir teacher at Allen Middle.

For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, chief human resources officer, at 370-8340.

Principals Participate in NC School Executive Evaluation Training

This week, all newly hired GCS principals completed the NC School Executive Evaluation Training. This training focused on understanding the new state standards for school executives as well as the accompanying evaluation process.  Standards include: Strategic Leadership, Instructional Leadership, Cultural Leadership, Human Resource Leadership, Managerial Leadership, External Development Leadership and Micropolitical Leadership.  These standards were designed to support the North Carolina State School Board’s guiding mission that every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and post-secondary education an prepared for life in the 21st century.  Click here to learn more about the N.C. Executive Evaluation Process and Instruments. For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, executive director of talent development, at 335-3294 or holcoma@gcsnc.com.

School Starts for Early/Middle Colleges and Early Academies!

Getting up early again, riding buses and starting new classes began last week for more than 1,000 GCS students. The Middle College at Bennett began classes on Monday, August 11, with 109 students, Greensboro College Middle College with 124 students, The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro with 125 students, The Middle College of Entertainment Technology at GTCC – High Point with 125 students, The Middle College at GTCC - Jamestown with 135 students, The Middle College at NC A&T with 110 students, The Academy at Smith with 205 students, and The Early College at Guilford with 194 students.  The Academy at High Point Central will open August 26 with more than 100 students anticipated. 

Both the first middle college (Greensboro College Middle College) and the first early college (The Early College at Guilford) in N.C. began in Greensboro in 2001 and 2002, respectfully.  Middle colleges are designed to serve students who are disengaged from traditional high school settings and not likely to fulfill their potential without the small classes, individual attention and college opportunities of a middle college. Set on college and university campuses, middle colleges raise expectations for students, all of whom are encouraged to take some college classes while still in high school. Academies are similar in design to middle colleges, offering a career focus and opportunities for college classes but not set on a college campus.  Early college students pursue an accelerated curriculum designed to earn two years of college credit and while working towards graduating from high school within four years. 

Recent support and funding from the New Schools Project, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Governor Easley’s Learn and Earn initiative, have promoted early and middle colleges statewide, with the goal of enabling students to earn an associates degree or to accumulate as much as two years of college credit at no cost to the student.  None of these schools would be possible without strong support from the colleges and universities that provide not only space, but a college liaison and administrative support to encourage student enrollment in college classes and prepare students for success.  GCS has the largest number of middle and early colleges in the state thanks to the pioneering efforts of Guilford Technical Community College, Greensboro College, Guilford College, North Carolina A&T State University and Bennett College.  For more information, please contact Dr. Mack McCary, instructional improvement officer for education alliances, at 370-8101 or mccaryc@gcsnc.com.

GCS New Homepage Launches Tuesday

On August 19, the GCS Web site homepage gets a facelift! The new design will offer an easier way to access information for students, parents, employees and the community. Visitors to the site will also see more recognition for students and district events. For more information, please contact Antonio Simon, web technician, at 335-3291 or simona@gcsnc.com.

Bus Driver Orientation

School bus driver orientations were held at the Weaver Education Center Auditorium on August 4 and 8.    Training topics ranged from policies governing school bus fuel conservation; legislative updates affecting bus drivers; school bus inspections; Operation Lifesaver, dealing with safe railroad crossing procedures and an informative presentation by Dr. John Leak, Department of Public Instruction Education Consultant, on “Gang and School Bus Safety Awareness.”  For more information, contact Deborah Graves, program administrator/training and recruiting, at 370-8920.

Transportation Department Prepares for the First Day of School

On August 26, 634 GCS school buses and 65 First Student contract buses will begin transporting approximately 40,000 students to their assigned schools.  Buses will travel approximately 52,000 miles daily, with the foremost concern being the student safety.

To view your child’s assigned bus route, click here for the bus locator. Printed routes are available at all schools. Bus routes will remain the same for the first 10 days of school unless there is a safety concern or error. Due to the complexity of the magnet bus routing process, we will main route assignments to parents by August 18. Transportation staff members will attend open house at each school site to answer transportation related questions. 

For more information or assistance with bus routing, contact your area zone transportation supervisor. Telephone numbers are:

Teacher Art Grants Available

The deadline to apply for the annual Teacher Art Grant program sponsored by the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (UAC) is 5 p.m. on Monday, October 6. Teacher Art Grants are designed to emphasize learning in the arts and about the arts by:

• enhancing and strengthening integration of the arts into core curricula
• broadening offerings for K-12 students
• encouraging collaboration among artists, arts organizations and schools
• promoting professional development for teachers

GCS teachers interested in applying for the Teacher Art Grant program may download an application at www.uacarts.org or call the UAC at 373-7523, ext. 256.  All applications must be received at the UAC office by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 6. For more information, please contact Altina Layman, UAC director of marketing and community affairs, at 373-7527 or Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355 or adamsc4@gcsnc.com.

Curriculum and Instruction Hosts Textbook Training for Teachers

On August 7, representatives from Glencoe/McGraw Hill and Holt, Rinehart, and Winston met with GCS social studies teachers to review the newly adopted textbooks for middle and high school students.  Teachers learned about the diverse resources available for each grade level, spent time actively working with the accompanying software and planned ways to use the new resources in their classrooms.  Additional workshops are planned throughout the coming school year.  For more information, please contact Morris Johnson, social studies curriculum specialist for high schools, at 317-1199 or johnsom@gcsnc.com, or Rebecca McKnight, social studies curriculum specialist for middle schools, at 312-5940 or mcknigr@gcsnc.com. 

Smith High Science Teachers Set the Standard

As part of the North Carolina Quality Educators through Staff Development and Training (NCQUEST) partnership grant with University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), science teachers at Smith High attended a summer institute presented by UNCG and GCS.  Sessions addressed science content, working with ESL students, differentiated learning and professional learning communities.  The Smith science teachers will participate in monthly sessions that focus on teaching and learning during the 2008-09 school year.  For more information, please contact Debbie Kraszeski, science curriculum specialist for high schools, at 312-3355 or kraszed@gcsnc.com.

ELA Curriculum Guides:  Check Them Out!

Ten GCS English teachers spent time this summer analyzing the NC Standard Course of Study for English/Language Arts. They revised current curriculum guides and designed new ones for English III and IV to aid teachers in preparing students for the English End-of-Course (EOCs), North Carolina Sophomore Writing Assessment and North Carolina Graduation Project. These resources are housed in GEMS (Guilford Education Management System) and are easily accessible to staff. Teachers who served on the team are as follows:

• English I:  Desiree Best – Dudley High, Leslie Kinard - High Point Central High and Deanna Ferguson -  Andrews High
• English II:  Ronnette Purdie – The Middle College at NCA&T, Sheila Thompson - The Academy at Smith
• English III:  Melinda Galloway - Greensboro College Middle College, Marlene Hendricks - The Middle College at GTCC – Greensboro, Terri Fletcher-Herring - The Early College at Guilford
• English IV:  Sherrie Richmond - Northeast High, Lynne Murray - Southern High  

For more information, please contact Angie Kratzer, English/Language Arts curriculum specialist for high schools, at 317-4448 or kratzea@gcsnc.com or Fannie Bratcher, English/Language Arts curriculum specialist for high schools, at 312-0311 or bratchf@gcsnc.com.

Eleven Schools Trained in Positive Behavior Support

Teams from the following elementary schools: Alamance, Falkener, General Greene, McLeansville, Murphey, Oak View, Parkview, Reedy Fork and Vandalia, Southwest Middle and Eastern High received training in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) during the week of June 23-27. These schools join 21 schools previously trained in PBS.

 PBS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools; schools teach and support positive behavior for all students and all staff in all areas of the school.  The PBS process teaches and supports research validated instructional and management practices.  Teams receive training in school-wide practices and systems to promote positive behavior while decreasing the opportunities for inappropriate behavior. PBS schools also receive training in data collection; the data gathered is used to make decisions about strategies to create a safer and more orderly environment for all.  Click here for more information or contact Sherry Rogowski or rogowss@gcsnc.com or Beth Woody at 370-8170 or woodye@gcsnc.com.

GCS Back-to-School Guide On Line

The 2008-09 GCS Back-to-School Guide is available on the district Web site. Here, parents can find helpful information to prepare students to go back to class – a “who to call” list, immunization check, calendars, transportation and inclement weather information and so much more. Click here to access the guide. For more information, please contact Jennifer Landes, program administrator – communications, at 370-8353 or landesj@gcsnc.com.

GCS Calendar of Events

Click here to view the district’s upcoming calendar of events.

GCSTV2

GCS' New Superintendent

He was trained as an attorney at one of the nation’s top universities, but found his calling in education.  Meet Maurice “Mo” Green. GCS’ new superintendent officially starts work on Monday, September 8. Hear his philosophy as he talks about taking on a new challenge. This story runs daily at 4:30 p.m.

Crown Automotive Cool to be Smart

More than 350 Advance Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) students got a chance of a lifetime – the chance to win a new car. But only one had the key that unlocked this reward for academic excellence.  See the excitement as one lucky Northwest High AP graduate wins the Crown Automotive Cool to Be Smart grand prize. This story runs daily at 9:01 a.m.

Honoring Their Service

Many have devoted their lives to the service of Guilford County Schools.  As they retire it’s time to say “thank you” for their dedication. This tribute to the 2008 GCS retirees runs daily at 3:01 p.m.

Honoring Vals & Sals

They graduated at the top of their classes. Now hear from some of district’s best and brightest on their personal formulas for success. These valedictorian and salutatorian profiles run daily at 7:58 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:35 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Employee of the Month

Each month GCS honors an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty.  See a profile of Haley Miller, GCS Employee of the Month for August 2008.  This program runs daily at 7:28 a.m., 9:58 a.m., 12:57 p.m., 3:58 p.m., 7:55 p.m. & 9:58 p.m.  

Summer Reading Lists

GCS encourages students to continue reading during their summer vacation in order to keep their skills sharp and broaden their knowledge base.  GCSTV 2 periodically shows summer reading lists for the various grades throughout the day. See our hourly program guide for times.

“Taking Initiative:  A Look Inside Guilford County Schools”

GCSTV 2 is showing this UNC-TV documentary on the innovative approaches and educational accomplishments of GCS. The program explores how initiatives like GCS’ Mission Possible, Home Field Advantage and GCS Newcomers School are leading the way to better opportunities for our students. This documentary is made possible thanks to the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, the Cemala Foundation and the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation.  The program runs daily at 9:01 a.m. and 10:01 p.m.

Rappers’ Tribute

It’s an original composition and a tribute to the late Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  High Point Central High seniors Amos Mobley and Kenneth Ledbetter’s rap is attracting attention within the music industry. GCSTV 2 produced a music video for the song featuring these two members of their school’s Men of Valor Excelling (MOVE) chapter. You can see this video Tuesday through Thursday at 12:15 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. and Friday through Monday at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Driver’s Edge-Driver’s Education Special

Take this in-depth driver’s education course that gives real-world examples and advice on how to handle a car safely.  Some of the drivers who should know best - Indy Series racers - hand out the advice generously. This program runs Friday through Monday at 5:59 a.m. and 4:59 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday at 4:59 a.m. and 5:59 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.

Honoring Retirees
Many have dedicated their entire professional lives to Guilford County Schools.  One has 46 years of service.  Join us as GCS honors this year’s retirees at a special reception.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, August 20. 

GCS’ New Superintendent
Be sure to watch the Friday, August 22 Newsbreak that shows Mo Green working toward the opening of a new school year. 

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