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Recent Entries
- East Millbrook Magnet Middle School offers Arts Matter performance
- Raleigh Regional Science Olympiad set for Feb. 13
- New Research on Learning and Teaching in WCPSS
- ParentVision: Snow Days
- Cary High Gym Named for Charlie Adams
- Superintendent's Journal: Funding Our Schools in 2010-11
- 2010 Calendar Survey Results Updated
- Martin Magnet Middle Teacher Named Recycling Coordinator of the Year
- Board Names Principals
- Dr. Burns Reports: February 2, 2010
This is your regular source for a look at the people, places, and behind-the-scenes workings of the Wake County Public School System.
East Millbrook Magnet Middle School offers Arts Matter performance
East Millbrook Magnet Middle School will host its first Arts Matter performance at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11. Families considering applying for their children to attend the school should come to enjoy an evening of visual arts displays, dancing, acting, and music as the East Millbrook Visual and Performing Arts Department showcase their talents to the community. Parents and neighbors should come to enjoy the students work and performances. Admission is free. After the show, the arts teachers will be available in the lobby near the art displays to answer questions about the school's award-winning arts programs. For more information, contact the school.
Posted by Bill Poston at 4:07 PM on February 9, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Raleigh Regional Science Olympiad set for Feb. 13
Hundreds of high school and middle school students from central North Carolina will compete in science and engineering events at the annual Raleigh Regional Science Olympiad on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Garner Magnet High School.
Olympiad officials are expecting 60 middle and high school teams each with 15 - 18 members from Durham, Wake, Granville, Vance, Franklin, and Warren counties. Competing in 47 different events, the 30 middle school and 30 high school teams are vying for the opportunity to represent the region at the State Science Olympiad in Raleigh on April 23 and 24, hoping to represent North Carolina at the National Science Olympiad.
"We expect about 3,000 visitors on campus," said Kim Gervase, co-director of the Science Olympiad. "We stress that the purpose of this competition is for students to learn. Everybody gets a chance to complete, but what matters most is their participation as a team."
The North Carolina Science Olympiad (NCSO) is third largest in the country in the number of students participating. Currently, 250 middle and high schools representing over 6,000 students and 60 counties in North Carolina are participating in the NCSO. In 2009 alone, NCSO had over 5,000 volunteers involved in reaching middle and high school students for science.
Continue reading "Raleigh Regional Science Olympiad set for Feb. 13"
Posted by Bill Poston at 10:54 AM on February 9, 2010 | Leave Feedback
New Research on Learning and Teaching in WCPSS
The WCPSS Department of Evaluation and Research recently released two new reports assessing the effectiveness of different aspects of learning and teaching in our schools. "Effective Teaching Practices in English I" and "NovaNET 2008-09 Evaluation" can be found on the department's research reports website along with other recent studies.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:17 PM on February 8, 2010 | Leave Feedback
ParentVision: Snow Days
In today's ParentVision video podcast, we take a look at the scheduled snow days following last week's snow and ice.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:47 PM on February 8, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Cary High Gym Named for Charlie Adams
At its Feb. 2 meeting, the school board approved naming the Cary High School gym in honor of Charlie Adams who is retiring after a 43-year career with the NC High School Athletic Association.
Adams was a star athlete at Cary High during the 1950s, and taught and coached the basketball team there during the 1960s. He moved to the NC High School Athletic Association in 1967 and served there for 43 years, since 1984 as Executive Director.
Principal Doug Thilman and Athletic Director Kurt Glendenning say it's appropriate to name the gym in honor of Charlie Adams in recognition of his extraordinary service to the community and to NC.
Click here to listen to Cary High Gym Named for Charlie Adams
This is a 6 minute mp3 file.
Posted by Bill Poston at 6:10 PM on February 5, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Superintendent's Journal: Funding Our Schools in 2010-11
In this week's journal, Dr. Burns provides an update on the revenues available to the school system from state and local sources in the next school year. Dr. Burns also discusses some of the strategies that will be used to respond, including budget cuts in Central Services.
A transcript is also available.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:51 PM on February 5, 2010 | Leave Feedback
2010 Calendar Survey Results Updated
Two additional reports breaking down the 2010 Calendar Survey data have been provided to the Board of Education:
- District-Wide Responses to Survey Items by Assignment
- Responses by School, by Board Member, by Assignment, Alphabetical by Board Member and by School (1,860 pages)
These reports have been added the survey results page.
Posted by Paul Cory at 2:32 PM on February 4, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Martin Magnet Middle Teacher Named Recycling Coordinator of the Year
Martin Magnet Middle School Orchestra Teacher Anita Hynus has earned the title of Wake County Recycling Coordinator of the Year.
Hynus says her interest in helping students organizing recycling efforts at the school come from her college studies in geology and growing up on her family's farm.
Click here to listen to Martin Middle Teacher Named Recycling Coordinator of the Year
This is a 10 minute mp3 file.
Continue reading "Martin Magnet Middle Teacher Named Recycling Coordinator of the Year"
Posted by Bill Poston at 5:02 PM on February 3, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Board Names Principals
At its February 2 meeting, the Board of Education named Ian Solomon principal at Durant Road Middle, Kerry Chisnall principal at Northwoods Elementary, retired principal Marge Ronco as interim principal at Creech Road Elementary and Teresa Cunningham-Brown as Senior Director of Human Resources-Recruitment and Retention.
Solomon has served as assistant principal of Durant Road Middle School since 2008. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal and administrator in Lenoir County Schools. Earlier he was an assistant principal at Cary High.
Chisnall has served as assistant principal of East Cary Middle School since 2007. Prior to that, he was assistant principal in Lee County Schools. Earlier, he worked as an administrative intern at Cary High and Reedy Creek Elementary and was a teacher at Daniels Middle.
Ronco retired after serving as principal of Ballentine Elementary and Lincoln Heights Elementary. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Apex Elementary.
Cunningham-Brown has served as Director of Human Resources Recruitment and Retention since 2006. Prior to that, she was a Senior Administrator in Human Resources. Earlier, she was an assistant principal, assistant principal intern and teacher at Southeast Raleigh High.
Posted by Bill Poston at 4:37 PM on February 3, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Dr. Burns Reports: February 2, 2010
In speaking to the Board of Education, Superintendent Burns congratulated the 14 WCPSS magnet schools recognized by the magnet Schools of America and the leadership magnet schools who recently hosted international visitors interested in their approach to instruction.
Click here to listen to Dr. Burns Reports
This is a 5.5 minute MP3 file.
Continue reading "Dr. Burns Reports: February 2, 2010"
Posted by Bill Poston at 4:02 PM on February 3, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Pitching in to clear campuses of snow and ice
Schools have been clearing campus walkways of the snow and ice left by the recent winter storm. School campuses received a coating of up to five inches of snow and ice with the winter weather.
Schools have received help in cleaning campuses from staff, volunteers, custodial staff, WCPSS maintenance staff and school system trucks fitted with scrapers.
Millbrook High Assistant Principal Kelly Aman says the coaching staff at Millbrook helped.
"Our football coach, Clarence Inscore, called for a "coaches meeting" at the flagpole about 10 a.m. on Feb. 1. We had football coaches, our cross country coach, soccer coaches, custodians, guidance counselors and administrators out with shovels, brooms and picks attempting to clear the snow from the front of the school. It is truly great to work with folks that are so dedicated to MHS!" said Aman.
Continue reading "Pitching in to clear campuses of snow and ice"
Posted by Bill Poston at 1:18 PM on February 3, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Wake County Magnet Schools Receive National Honor
Fourteen Wake County Magnet Schools have been notified by the Magnet Schools of America of their selection as Magnet Schools of Excellence or Magnet Schools of Distinction.
2010 National Magnet Schools of Excellence
- Bugg Creative Arts and Science Magnet Elementary
- Conn Active Learning and Technology Magnet Elementary
- Joyner Center for Spanish Language / International Baccalaureate PYP Magnet Elementary
- Millbrook International Baccalaureate PYP Magnet Elementary
- Wiley International Studies Magnet Elementary
- Ligon Gifted and Talented Magnet Middle School
- Garner International Baccalaureate MYP/DP Magnet High
2010 National Magnet Schools of Distinction
- Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary
- Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary
- Douglas Creative Arts and Science Magnet Elementary
- Hunter Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary
- Washington Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary
- Centennial Campus University Connections & Leadership Magnet Middle
- East Garner International Baccalaureate MYP Magnet Middle
Magnet Schools in WCPSS will accept applications online from February 8 - 28, 2010. If you have questions, please call 501-7900 or explore our website .
Posted by Bill Poston at 3:42 PM on February 2, 2010 | Leave Feedback
2010 Calendar Survey Results Now Online
The results of the 2010 Calendar Survey, which ran online from January 11, 2010 through January 25, 2010, were presented to the Board at its Committee of the Whole meeting on February 2, 2010.
All of the documents presented to the Board are available here.
Posted by Paul Cory at 1:06 PM on February 2, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Universal Pre-K Application for 2010-11 Now Available
The Universal Pre-Kindergarten application for 2010-11 has now been posted to our Parents Resource Center and forms page. Please complete this form and mail it to the Smart Start office (address on application) to apply for WCPSS pre-K programs.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:06 PM on February 2, 2010 | Leave Feedback
WCPSS Teacher Named Top Regional Middle School Science Teacher
Durant Road Middle science teacher Paul Cancellieri has been presented the 2009 District 3 Outstanding Middle School Science Teacher award from the North Carolina Science Teachers Association. You can find more information about the association here.
Posted by Bill Poston at 12:01 PM on February 2, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Athens Drive High Symphonic Band selected to perform at National Festival
The Athens Drive High Symphonic Band has been accepted to perform for the 2010 "Music for All/Bands of America" National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, March 4-6. Acclaimed as one of the most prestigious concert festivals in the nation, Athens Drive is one of 16 high school bands, 7 middle school bands, and 6 percussion ensembles from across the nation invited to participate. This marks the first time that the Symphonic band has earned the privilege to perform on a "national stage." Last year, the Athens Drive Percussion Ensemble was the first Wake County ensemble invited to perform in the 20 year history of the festival. Athens Drive is only the third NC high school to be invited to perform at the festival.
Ensembles in the National Festival were selected to perform following a taped audition process. The festival is a non-competitive event, with ensembles performing for a knowledgeable audience and receiving input and clinics from a panel of leading music educators. Student members will also participate in master classes with professional musicians as well as other special events.
The Athens Drive High Symphonic Band comprises 78 of the most talented woodwind, brass, and percussionists in the band program. The Symphonic Band has enjoyed a history of "Superior" ratings over the past several decades at North Carolina adjudicated events. The band is led by Dr. Jerry Markoch who is currently in his 16th year of teaching at Athens Drive. The Symphonic Band will be performing a concert featuring the festival repertoire on Monday, March 1st at 7:30pm in the school auditorium.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Athens Drive High Arts Foundation and sent to the high school at1420 Athens Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Continue reading "Athens Drive High Symphonic Band selected to perform at National Festival"
Posted by Bill Poston at 2:54 PM on February 1, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Superintendent's Journal: Race to the Top Grant
The Wake County Board of Education and WCPSS joined every school district in North Carolina in supporting our state's application for a federal Race to the Top grant. In this week's journal, Dr. Burns explains the significance of Race to the Top and talks about how its priorities align with our school system's.
A transcript is also available.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:10 PM on January 29, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Principals plan a discussion on attendance
Principals and counselors from six south central Wake County area schools met to discuss ideas for an education summit to bring the community together to address student attendance.
The six schools are Athens Drive High, Dillard Drive Middle, Dillard Drive Elementary, Swift Creek Elementary, Yates Mill Elementary and Penny Road Elementary.
After the planning meeting, principals Bob Umstead, Lynn Williams, Sylvia Wilkins and William Crockett discussed the importance of attendance and the importance of discussing attendance issues with community, business and parent leaders.
Click here to listen to Principals plan a discussion on attendance
This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.
Continue reading "Principals plan a discussion on attendance"
Posted by Bill Poston at 11:25 AM on January 28, 2010 | Leave Feedback
Sanderson student wins at local arts festival
Sanderson High School Senior Aliyana Stewart placed "first" in music at the Women's Club of Raleigh "Annual Arts Festival" this week. First place winners at the local festival compete at the District Arts Festival in Raleigh on Feb. 13. Sanderson music teacher Marshall Butler praised Stewart for her "tremendous musical aptitude and superb work ethic."
Posted by Bill Poston at 4:27 PM on January 27, 2010 | Leave Feedback
ParentVision: 2010 Kindergarten Registration
In today's ParentVision video podcast, Jeff Nash from our Customer Service Center walks parents through the kindergarten registration process for 2010.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:19 AM on January 27, 2010 | Leave Feedback