GCS News Briefs

September 5, 2008

GCS Enrichment Fund Provides Financial Support for Educational Programs

The Enrichment Fund for the GCS is a non-profit corporation which provides financial support to enhance educational programs, assists students and staff in enrichment opportunities and encourages and rewards creativity and innovation in the schools. 

The fund offers mini-grants to teachers. Teachers applying for creative, student-powered projects may receive up to $300 per project. Two or more teachers collaborating on a project could receive up to $1,000. Applications can be found at www.enrichmentfund.org.  The application deadline is November 14, 2008.

In addition, the fund offers scholarships to low-income students to participate in field trips or enrichment opportunities such as music and art. A student may receive up to $250. The first application deadline is September 17. There are four cycles per year for scholarships. Other staff and student awards are also given annually. For more information, please contact Cecilia Adams, manager of community partnerships, at 370-8355.

Greensboro Public Library Offers Free Workshop for Teachers

On October 24 and 25, the Kathleen Clay Library will host “Project Learning Tree – Places We Live,” a free workshop to teach students about community analysis, community planning, open space, visual pollution and discovering environmental data. Participants will receive Environmental Education (EE) Certification Credit, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and hands-on materials. Click here for more information or e-mail melanie.buckingham@greensboro-nc.gov to register.

Student Results Show Benefits of Math and Science Partnerships

A recent National Science Foundation article discusses a report showing students' performance on annual math and science assessments improved in almost every age group when their schools were involved in a program that partners K-12 teachers with their colleagues in higher education.  GCS has its own math and science partnership program with UNCG called Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers (POST).  The program allows middle school teacher leaders to work with UNCG faculty during the summer months to gain deep content knowledge and receive mentoring from their higher education colleagues.  Science staff at each school also participate in quarterly academies during each mandated professional development day.  Click here to read the National Science Foundation article. For more information on the POST Project, contact Christopher Bronson, POST Project Coordinator, at 312-4096.

Southeast Middle and High Combine Forces for Professional Development

On August 20, the first GCS teacher workday, staff from Southeast Middle and Southeast High combined forces for a day of professional development.  Mike Rutherford, from the Rutherford Learning Group, led the session, and participants completed the “DiSC Classic Work Styles Profile” to increase self-awareness in order to promote good communication among colleagues and students.  Mr. Rutherford also presented strategies on understanding the relationship between teacher efficacy and student achievement results. Southeast Middle and Southeast High are committed to finding ways to continue working together to meet the needs of students in their community.  For more information, please contact Karen Burress, principal of Southeast Middle, at 674-4280 or Ralph Kitley, principal of Southeast High, at 674-4300.

Middle School Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum and/or pacing guides in all four middle school core content areas have been updated.  Please log onto GEMS, our curriculum management system, for an update of all of the curriculum changes for the 2008-09 school year.  Click here to view the GEMS Web site. Then click on “What’s New” to find the updates.  If you have questions or need assistance, please call the Middle School Curriculum Office at 574-2648. 

GCSTV 2

Inside Out

This documentary, a stark reminder of the importance of staying in school, is a series of 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 on September 8. Hear his philosophy now as he talks about taking on a new challenge. This story airs daily at 4:30 p.m.

New Principals

The district has 13 new principals. Some are familiar faces and others are new to the area. Join us in welcoming them and learn about their ideas for 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.

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 AP/IB students. Northwest High graduate Erica Zimmerschied is this year’s winner.  This story airs daily at 9:01 a.m.

Rappers’ Tribute

It’s an original composition and a tribute to the late Civil Rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  A rap by High Point Central High alumni Amos Mobley and Kenneth Ledbetter (class of 2008) 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 the hour throughout the day and evening indicating broadcast times.  The guide gives viewers an hourly preview of the shows. It 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.

Cool to Be Smart
The reward for hard work and study could be a new car. That happened recently for one Guilford County graduating senior.  This Newsbreak airs Wednesday, September 10.

E-mail for Everyone
This fall, every student will have his or her own school e-mail address. This Newsbreak airs Friday, September 12.

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