Friday Notes from Guilford County Schools

June 15, 2007

Our Vision, Mission/Thematic Goals and Core Values

Our vision – what we will become, Our mission/thematic goals- how we will get there -- Our
core values - what we believe -- solidify the underlying foundation for all Guilford County Schools’ decisions and actions.

November School Bond Referendum

This week, the Board of Education approved a $440 million bond referendum that it will ask the public to approve during the November 2007 election.  As you may know, GCS is growing by approximately 1,800 students per year.  Since merger in 1993, our district has increased from 52,073 students to next year’s projection of 72,303 students.  The referendum contains 27 projects which include new schools, renovations of existing schools, addition of new seats and funds to purchase land for future schools.  Several of the projects include:

• $45 million to add to the insurance settlement to rebuild Eastern Guilford High
• $32.2 million to renovate Ragsdale High
• $164 million to build two new elementary schools, a new middle school, and a new high school
• $7.8 million to replace outdated and worn-out HVAC systems district-wide
• $13.4 million to renovate district-wide athletic facilities and improve safety

Click here to view the entire list of 27 projects.  Please call me at 370-8992, should you have questions.

GCS Writing Scores Exceed State Average

The 2006-07 Guilford County School’s writing scores on state exams significantly improved from the previous school year in grades 4-10 with them exceeding the North Carolina state average.  Highlights of the results include:
Elementary Schools

• Fourth-grade results up by 7.4 percentage points
• Increased scores in 44 of 66 elementary schools
• Top gainers: Alderman - 32.3 percentage points; Southern - 28.1; Hunter 26.9; Florence - 22.7 and Jones - 21.8
• Lincoln Academy had the district’s highest fourth-grade writing score - 98.2

Middle Schools

• Top gainer - Penn Griffin seventh-graders - 19.5
• Half of district’s middle schools improved from previous year’s results

High Schools

• Top scores: Weaver Academy - 94.4; The Early College at Guilford - 93.3
• Top gainers for 10th grade: The Middle College at Bennett - 44.2; GTCC Middle College Greensboro - 16.6; The Middle College at A&T - 14.2

While we are pleased with these improvements, we recognize that further improvement is needed across the district.  Please call me at 370-8992, should you have questions.

The Early College at Guilford Added to Newsweek’s List of America’s Best High Schools

Newsweek Magazine has added The Early College at Guilford to its annual list of America’s Best High Schools.  The Early College entered the list for the first time this year with a ranking of thirteen.  This is the highest ranking for any public high school in North Carolina since Newsweek began its annual list. There are approximately 27,000 high schools in America and Newsweek ranks the top 1,253 schools.  Schools from across the state, including those in Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake counties, were identified as among the top high schools in the U.S. Guilford County now has the most schools in the state on the list with 14 being recognized.  The district has two schools in the Top 100. 

Newsweek identifies the top public high schools based on the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge tests given at a school, divided by the total number of graduating students. Although test results are a more typical measure of a schools success, Jay Mathews of Newsweek argues that the Newsweek rankings shows student access to the quality instruction of AP, IB & Cambridge preparation courses. Click here to read the complete Newsweek article. For more information about The Early College at Guilford please contact Principal Charles Blanchard, at 316-2860 or click here to visit the school’s Web site.

Newsweek Challenge Index Correction

Following an internal investigation by Guilford County Schools, we have discovered discrepancies with the data reported by individual schools to Newsweek for their annual AP Challenge Index ranking, as compared to the data provided to the district by the College Board. Regrettably, both Western High and HP Central High initially reported a few inaccurate totals that have since been corrected and forwarded to Newsweek. Newsweek representatives have confirmed that HP Central’s ranking will not change based on the corrected data; however, Western’s ranking on the index will change.  GCS’ preliminary estimate indicates that Western’s index score will change from 3.560 to 3.154, which will move their ranking from 80 to 124 on the national list.

School officials have apologized to Newsweek for the error, we do not feel this was done intentionally, but rather was a case of misinterpretation of what was being requested and how to calculate the numbers during a time of administrative change. We have since implemented an internal verification process to ensure accuracy of future reports. If you have questions, please contact Mack McCary, Chief Academic Officer, at 370-8106.

GCS Congratulates Top High School Graduates

Congratulations to the Valedictorians and Salutatorians from the Class of 2007.  These students are just a few of the many examples of what is right in education today.  We look forward to hearing about their continued success in the future. Below is a list of the honorees:

For more information, please contact Haley Miller, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-3200.

Alamance Elementary Cafeteria Manager Named GCS Employee of the Month

It takes a lot of hard work to keep the stomachs of elementary students full, but it takes even more work to keep the students, faculty and cafeteria staff happy day after day.  Angie Maynard, the Alamance Elementary cafeteria manager does just that and more.  Often referred to as an angel around the school, she goes above and beyond to train, fill-in and help as needed.  She is so loved that some students make it a point to see “Ms. Angie” before they get in the lunch line, and her staff describes her as “an awesome person and wonderful to work for.”  It is a great compliment to her dedication that her employees feel blessed to be part of her team.  As Employee of the Month for June, Maynard received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which partners with GCS to support the employee recognition program.  In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education recognized her at its June 12 meeting. For more information, contact Lillian Govus, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-8997.

GCS Announces Debbie Maines as June Volunteer of the Month

Ask a busy person to get something done and they will.  Such a person is Debbie Maines, GCS June Volunteer of the Month.  In fact, Debbie is such a steady presence at Northwood Elementary and GCS that students recognize her and treat her as if she were on staff.

Students might find her assisting in the cafeteria, teaching monthly character education lessons, planning student events or working in the office.  Debbie also volunteers at Ferndale and High Point Central where her children are enrolled.  As if this were not enough, Debbie works tirelessly as the GCS Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council President, a full-time job in itself.  As Volunteer of the Month, Debbie will receive a $25 gift card from American Express, which partners with GCS to support the volunteer recognition program.  In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education recognized her at its June 12 meeting. For more information, contact Lynne Brandon, Program Administrator – Communications, at 370-8353.

New Assignments

During its June 12 meeting, the Board of Education approved several administrative assignments for the coming school year:

Click here to view the entire list. For more information, please contact Dr. Peggy Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer, at 370-8340.

Math Mentors

As you may know, GCS is completing the first year of Mission Possible—a program to recruit, retain and reward teachers to teach in impacted schools.  The high school math component of the program calls for the employment of “Math Mentors” to work with teachers in six of our high schools and two of our middle college high schools. Click here to view the advertisement for the position.  For more information, please contact Tracey H. Howell, Project Manager, UNC System /GCS Math Project, at 337-4069.

Benefits Office

The annual retirement statements, which are sent to employees at each year’s end, have not been released by the Teacher’s and State Employees Retirement System.  The Benefits Office is not able, at this time, to provide account information to employees.  Employees will be notified once the information is received.  For more information, please contact Patty Kinkade, Director of Benefits, at 370-8092.

GCSTV 2

The Home Field Advantage

Changing schools during the year creates a disadvantage for students when it comes to their studies.  Research indicates that children who study at one school throughout the school year do better academically than those who change schools one or more times during the year.  GCS offers students at select schools the “Home Field Advantage.”  The initiative gives children a chance to stay at their original school if their family moves during the academic year.  Get the latest information on this program that helps students stay in the game.  Home Field Advantage airs five times daily at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 

Tus Hijos y GCS (Your Children and Guilford County Schools)

The Guilford County Board of Education has authorized a new school for the coming year.  The Newcomer School is being established to serve newly arrived immigrant students.  It will open August 28 on the current campus of Guilford Primary.  Join host Karin Young for this latest edition of our Spanish and English language program, Tus Hijos y GCS.  Karin provides the latest information about the Newcomer School and how it will serve students and their families.  Tus Hijos y GCS airs daily at 1 a.m., 7a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 7p.m.  

Young Drivers - The High Risk Years

If you have a teenager who is already driving or will be getting their licenses soon, don’t miss this program.  The focus is on ways to reduce injuries and death among our young.  It is told from the perspective of teens and parents who know the consequences of a simple mistake made behind the wheel.  This program airs daily at noon, 9 p.m. and midnight.

Sci-Vis

It’s a modern day art.  Sci-Vis is short for scientific visualization and it’s a field that is wide-open for students enrolled in GCS.  Come along as students at the Middle College of Entertainment Technology at GTCC explain their Sci-Vis class and how the technology has an effect on everything from medicine to architecture and entertainment.  This program airs daily at 8 a.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Middle College of Entertainment Technology at GTCC

The Middle College of Entertainment Technology at GTCC is one of the exciting educational choices students have within GCS.   It’s here where they can get hands on experience in television production and other aspects of the entertainment industry.  This program is a sample of how students apply their skills to producing, videotaping, reporting, editing and ultimately creating their own show.  This program airs daily at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

GCS/ABC 45 Partnership Continues

GCS continues its partnership with ABC 45 television to share the current news and feature stories about our district. The segments run on ABC 45 (Cable Channel 7) during “Good Morning America” each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. Also, learn more about GCS by tuning in to GCSTV 2 (Cable Channel 2).

Eastern High Tour
Modular classrooms are being placed at the original campus of Eastern Guilford in preparation for the next school year.  It’s a monumental undertaking to get students back to the site following the fire last fall that destroyed the school.  Get a look at the Wildcats’ temporary home as crews start the work to build a new high school.  This newsbreak airs Wednesday, June 20.

Gillespie Park’s New Playground
Through a patron’s generosity one of Guilford County’s most historic schools will get a new playground.  Not only will the money provide new recreational opportunities, so will the volunteers who will help build it.  This newsbreak airs Friday, June 22.

For more information, please contact Leonard Simpson, Broadcast Production Manager, at 370-8167.

Central Office Summer Schedule

GCS central offices will operate on a summer schedule from June 11 through August 17. Office hours will be 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, August 20. 

NON-GCS EDUCATIONAL NEWS

NC Virtual Public School Information Materials Available Online

The North Carolina Virtual Public School is available for all school districts and schools and includes 16 AP courses that have been authorized with the College Board’s AP® designation.  In addition, information about the operations of the NCVPS is available online for downloading at http://www.ncvps.org/  The following materials are available for download: Frequently Asked Questions - http://www.ncvps.org/about/faq.pdf, NCVPS Operational Guidelines - http://www.ncvps.org/about/guidelines.pdf, NCVPS Flyer - http://www.ncvps.org/about/flyer.pdf, and NCVPS Logos (must be used in original size, no scaling) - http://www.ncvps.org/about/logos.html. Posters will be available July 1 and can be requested by emailing David Edwards at the address listed below. If you have any questions, please contact David Edwards, chief marketing officer, NC Virtual Public School, 252-527-2487, or by email at david.edwards@ncvps.org

NCDPI Middle and High School Writing Institute: Writing on Demand

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), in collaboration with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), will offer two writing professional development sessions this summer, with online follow-up throughout the year through the NCTE Pathways to Adolescent Literacy initiative. The workshops will be held from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on July 16-17 at the Crowne Plaza Charlotte, Charlotte, and July 19-20 at the Holiday Inn Crabtree Valley, Raleigh. During the workshop, teachers will learn strategies for following what they know to be best practices in teaching writing while still helping students prepare for writing tests. These strategies, designed to address specific features of writing on demand, can be incorporated into an existing curriculum. They adhere to the principle that test preparation and good writing instruction are not incompatible. After the workshop, teachers will further their learning with colleagues and workshop presenters through online professional development in Pathways. For more information, including registration, please visit http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/ela/archives/2007/06/ncdpi_middle_an.php or call Teresa Parker, NCDPI, 919/807-3837, or by email, tparker@dpi.state.nc.us.

Effort to Reduce Racial Isolation in Schools Fails

An agreement hailed four years ago as a way to end the overwhelming racial isolation in Hartford, Conn.’s public schools has failed, a new independent review of the landmark Sheff v. O'Neill school desegregation case says. Trinity College researchers will issue a report showing, in stark numbers, how little progress has been made toward creating magnet schools that draw a mix of white and non-white students, or toward getting the city's mostly black and Hispanic student population into mostly white suburban schools.  The report shows that magnet schools, instead of drawing white suburban children into the city, have been more popular among black and Hispanic suburban families. It also found that gains under a program allowing city children to enroll in suburban schools have ground to a halt, reports Robert A. Frahm in the Hartford Courant. Click here to read more.

Educational Improvement Starts at Home… Now

Once again, the air is filled with headlines and recriminations about the quality of our schools and whether our students can compete in the world. Is all this bemoaning about American education justified? Studies are unclear about this, writes Dorothy Rich. What is clear is that when it comes to education, there has been an over-focus on the role of the school and insufficient focus on the role of the family. It’s significant, as schools let out, to remember what every family can do at home to enable children to become stronger students and citizens. Taking nothing away from hardworking teachers and besieged schools, the truth remains this: The family, regardless of income and educational background, can use opportunities, now, this summer, to make a truly positive impact on children’s attitudes and behaviors that determine school success. This is true for families even on the tightest time schedules.  Click below to learn a few of the steps that can make the biggest difference for your children. In the light of what we are learning about how many children today are feeling lonely, it is more important than ever for families to use time off from school to help children feel loved and be able to do better when schools come back into session again. Click here to read more.