GCS News Briefs

August 29, 2008

GCS Releases Information for 2007-08 School Year

Want to know more about the district’s accomplishments in 2007-08? Check out the GCS Progress Report. This report contains relevant information about the district, including district facts, budget information and a handy map of the district. Look for hard copies in circulation or view it online here: http://www.gcsnc.com/pdfs/GCS_annual%20report.pdf. For more information, contact Lillian M. Govus, program administrator – communications, at 370-8997.

NewBridge Bank Outstanding Teacher Award

Do you know an outstanding teacher? In November, NewBridge Bank will recognize one lucky GCS teacher for his or her amazing impact in the classroom. Known as the NewBridge Bank Outstanding Teacher, the teacher will receive $1,000 and will be featured on “Triad Today,” the Triad’s only locally produced public-affairs program. To qualify to be a NewBridge Outstanding Teacher, the GCS teacher must:

• Be a full-time, certified, pre-K-12 public school teacher
• Plan to continue in an active instructional role
• Spend the majority of the school day in direct instruction to students
• Be in at least the third year of teaching in public schools

Nominees must:

• Possess evidence of positive teacher influence related to student achievement through formal and informal documentation
• Demonstrate a personal philosophy of teaching
• Be poised, articulate, enthusiastic and energetic
• Exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled
• Show superior ability to teach and to inspire in students a love of learning
• Exhibit Leadership in the community as well as in the school
• Have a track record of inspiring students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn
• Enjoy the respect and admiration by students, parents and colleagues

To nominate a teacher, please describe how the teacher meets the criteria and send any supporting documentation or letters of recommendation to: Jennifer Landes, Office of District Relations, Guilford County Schools, 712 N. Eugene St., Greensboro, NC 27401. Or you may e-mail the information to landesj@gcsnc.com. Hurry! Deadline for entry is October 15. For more information, please contact Jennifer Landes, program administrator - communications, at 370-8353.

Ragsdale High School Opens with Visiting International Faculty on Board

Six Visiting International Faculty (VIF) teachers have joined the Ragsdale staff to provide the best educational opportunities for students for 2008-09.  Marte Gomez (second year) and Nelsy Talero, both from Colombia are teaching Spanish;  Istvan Dani from Romania teaches earth science.  He is joined in the science department by Georgina Knell from the United Kingdom teaching Biology.  Erica Swanton, (return visit) from Australia has joined the exceptional children’s staff. Nicholas McIntosh, math teacher from Jamaica, says, “Math is power, math is fun.”  Welcome to each of these teachers!  For more information, please contact Principal Kathy Rogers at 819-2960 or John Eldridge, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2360.

Stokesdale Elementary is Wild About "Think Maps"

Stokesdale Elementary kicked off the 2008-09 academic year by introducing “Thinking Maps” to all teachers in grades pre-K-5.  After receiving training from Lead Teacher Lynn Moses, teachers at Stokesdale enthusiastically began implementing “Thinking Maps” into their classroom instruction on the first day of school to engage students in diverse activities across every curriculum."Think Maps" are cognitive tools that enable students to organize their thinking to solve complex problems, achieve mastery of learning objectives and engage in higher order thinking skills to cement their learning. 

“Thinking Maps” are visible throughout the school and in every classroom, as is evident to those visiting Stokesdale when they are welcomed at the school entrance with a tree map of the school staff. The principal and staff plan to use “Thinking Maps” as a permanent instructional strategyto better prepare students by boosting their confidence and motivating them to tackle difficult learning tasks throughout the year. For more information, please contact Principal Amy Koonce at 643-8420 or kooncea@gcsnc.com, Leader Teacher Lynn Moses at 643-8420 or mosesl@gcsnc.com.   

Five Guilford County High Schools Recognized for Outstanding Graduation Rates

The Public Schools of North Carolina recently reported that five Guilford County high schools will be recognized at a celebration on September 8 for their outstanding graduation rates.  Three of those schools--Weaver Academy, Greensboro College Middle College, Western and The Early College at Guilford—were among eight schools in North Carolina with a 100 percent graduation rate.  Southeast’s graduation rate of 92.1 percent was ranked second in the state for schools with a graduating class of 300-399 students, while Northwest Guilford was ranked first with a graduating class of more than 500 students with a rate of 92.7 percent.  Congratulations to the students, faculty, staff, parents and administrators at each of these schools.  For more information please contact John Eldridge, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2360.

McLeansville Elementary Students Attend Positive Behavior Support Kick-Off

McLeansville Elementary students entered their opening of school kick-off assembly with the school mascot circulating the gym. Teachers introduced the school mascot and then taught students a chant.  Members of McLeansville Elementary’s Positive Behavior Support Team, Lisa Connolly, Jaime Herman, Tricia Makar, Sunny Williams and Beverly Tucker, introduced the McLeansville “Bobcat Code of Conduct” and role played guidelines using students. The guidelines include the following statements: be respectful, be responsible, be trustworthy, be safe and do your best. A game of “Are You Smarter than a Fifth-Grader?” was played (pitting the principal playing against two students) to reinforce doing your best. The principal reviewed bus safety and selected audience members role play riding a school bus. Students were informed of the Principal’s Challenge, where a low number of bus and office referrals each month result in the principal having to complete a physical challenge. The assembly ended with students excited about the year.  For more information, please contact Principal Beverly Tucker at 698-0144 or Bill Hurt, instructional improvement officer, at 370-2347.

Advanced Placement

Congratulations to all students completing Advanced Placement (AP) courses in GCS during 2007-08, especially AP English Literature and AP English Language. AP courses offer an equivalent degree of rigor and pursuit of knowledge that a college-level class in the subject would present. Success in AP courses is a strong indicator of the future success a student might enjoy in colleges. Scores of three or higher (out of five) are generally awarded college credit for students, saving students time and money in college tuition. AP courses are offered at 20 high schools. More than 9,000 exams were taken during the 2007-08 school year, the largest number ever for GCS. More than 1700 AP English Literature and AP English Language and Composition exams were administered last year. The Department of Advanced Learning proudly recognizes students, teachers and schools for their efforts:

• Myra Blackburn at Northwest High experienced the highest success rate (scores of three or higher) or 75.9 percent in AP English Literature.
• Karen Carroll at The Early College at Guilford experienced the highest success rate (scores of three or higher); 93.3 percent of students scored three or higher on AP English Language and Composition exams.
• Eastern High, Smith High and Andrews High experienced the highest growth in achievement on AP English Literature from 2007 to 2008.  Eastern High achieved a 90 percent improvement; Smith High, over 130 percent; Andrews High, over 160 percent.
• High Point Central High and Dudley High experienced the highest growth on scores for AP English Language and Composition from 2007 to 2008.  High Point Central High enjoyed a 70 percent increase; Dudley High, over 100 percent. 

Congratulations to the students, teachers and staff from these schools for supporting the goals of AP.  GCS looks forward to more schools joining the success list in the 2008-09 school year. For further information about AP, please contact the Advanced Learning Department office at 370-2316 or contact Guy Ferguson, AP/IB program coordinator, at 370-8244.

SAT Performance

Congratulations to the following high schools for meeting all three of their goals set by the Department of Accountability and Research for the 2008 SAT administration: Andrews, Eastern, The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro, High Point Central, Page, Smith and Western. 

The goals were established with an eye towards past performance and future expectations. The SAT Champion at all seven schools will receive a check for $1000 as a reward for their successful efforts. Special recognition should be made for The Early College at Guilford, who had the second highest SAT scores in the state of North Carolina.

It should also be noted that 12 high schools saw an increase in participation on the SAT for 2008: Andrews, The Middle College at Bennett, The Early College at Guilford, The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro, The Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown, The Academy at High Point, The Middle College of Entertainment Technology at GTCC, The Middle College at A&T, Northeast, The Academy at Smith, Weaver Academy and Western.

GCS saw an overall increase in their performance on the SAT from the 2007 numbers. GCS had a higher participation rate than either the national or state averages. Congratulations to all the students, parents, teachers and administrators who helped make the 2008 SAT results for GCS a success. For more information, please contact Dr. Jane Fleming, executive director of Advanced Learning, at 370-2316.

GCSTV 2

 Inside Out

This documentary is a stark reminder of the importance of staying in school. It relates stories from inmates who ponder the world outside prison walls as they talk about how dropping out of school dramatically changed their lives for the worst. Produced by the Mattie Stewart Foundation, GCSTV 2 presents this emotionally gripping film with stories told by those who live with the consequences every day. This program airs daily at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

GCS’ New Superintendent

He was trained as an attorney, but education is the field he has chosen. Meet Maurice “Mo” Green. GCS’ new superintendent officially starts work in September. Hear his philosophy now as he talks about taking on a new challenge. This story airs daily at 4:30 p.m.

New Principals

In addition to a new superintendent, GCS is getting 13 new principals this year. Some are familiar faces while others are new to the area. Join us in welcoming them and find out a bit about their philosophies of running a school. This program is broadcast daily at 9:11 a.m., 12:08 p.m., 3:02 p.m. and 10:48 p.m.

Military Opt-Out

Federal law requires that recruiters for our armed forces be allowed the same access to high school students as college recruiters. However, parents and students can “opt-out” of that contact with military recruiters by signing a document available on campus. Find out more in this program that airs daily at 10:58 a.m.

Cool to Be Smart

They’re smart, and they graduated with good grades. Now one of them will be driving around in a new car. Crown Automotive rewards academic excellence by offering a new car as a prize in recognition of the accomplishments of Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate students. Northwest High graduate Erica Zimmerschied is this year’s winner. This story airs daily at 9:01 a.m.

Honoring Their Service

Many have devoted their lives to the service of GCS. As they retire, it’s time to say “thank you” for their dedication. This tribute to the 2008 GCS retirees airs daily at 3:01 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 has produced a music video for the song featuring these two members of their school’s Men of Valor Excelling (M.O.V.E) chapter. This video airs Tuesday through Thursday at 12:15 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. and Friday through Monday 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. This music video is also available worldwide on YouTube. Search: “Guilford County Schools.”

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 safely handle a car.  The advice is handed out generously by some of the drivers who should know best …Indy Series racers.  This program airs 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 Programming Guide

GCSTV 2 viewers now have a convenient live electronic guide to daily programs. Upcoming programs are posted on screen hourly on the hour throughout the day and evening indicating broadcast times. The guide gives viewers an hourly preview of the shows that is automatically updated throughout the day. Check out the 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.

Supplying Teachers
Here’s a chance for the community to help teachers who often shell money out of their own pockets to supply their classrooms. Find out how you can help. This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, September 3.

Already At Work
His official first day is September 8, but Maurice “Mo” Green is already on the job as GCS’ new superintendent. This Newsbreak airs Friday, September 5.

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