General Archives

July Clinics for Tdap Booster Vaccines (Required for Sixth Grade)

North Carolina law requires a Tdap booster for all children entering sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008, if five or more years have passed since their last tetanus shot.

Wake County Human Services is providing free walk-in immunization clinics the week of July 27, from 3 to 5 p.m., across the county. Just bring a copy of your child's shot record. Here's the schedule:

Monday, July 27: Millbrook Human Services Center, 2809 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh

Tuesday, July 28: Western Wake Center, 150 Cornerstone Dr., Cary

Wednesday, July 29: Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest

Thursday, July 30: Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Dr., Zebulon

Friday, July 31: Southern Regional Center, 130 North Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina

For more information about the Tdap booster and state immunization requirements, follow this link.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:11 PM on July 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Names Principals

At its June 16 meeting, the Board of Education named Timothy Locklair principal at Holly Springs High, Chip Mack principal of Davis Drive Elementary, Catherine Yanello principal at Wildwood Forest Elementary and Judy Dudley interim principal at Carver Elementary.

Locklair has been principal at Apex Middle since 2004. Prior to that, he was a middle school principal, high school assistant principal and high school teacher in Silver Springs, Maryland.

Mack has been principal at Root Elementary since 1999. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal at Powell Elementary and a teacher at Conn Elementary.

Yanello has been assistant principal at Wildwood Forest Elementary since 2007. Prior to that, she was assistant principal intern at Yates Mill Elementary and a teacher at Yates Mill Elementary and Lockhart Elementary.

Dudley has served as an interim principal at Knightdale Elementary and Lynn Road Elementary after retiring from WCPSS. Prior to that, Dudley had served as principal of York Elementary and Conn Elementary.

The board named assistant principals including Kenneth Jorgenson to River Bend Elementary, Nanette Lavery to Lake Myra Elementary, Keith Richardson to Sycamore Creek Elementary, Holly Shaw to Timber Drive Elementary, Rossi Wade to Swift Creek Elementary and Samantha Whittington to Banks Road Elementary.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:15 PM on June 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Students Earn Leadership Scholarship

Neel Mandavilli of Southeast Raleigh High and Ashlyn Young of Athens Drive High were awarded the NC Hugh O'Brien (HOBY) Student Representative Award by the Raleigh Jaycees.

The two WCPSS students were among the 10 finalists selected from 226 NC students attending the state leadership program. All finalists were required to write essays, be interviewed by a panel of judges and be nominated by their seminar facilitators.

The award provides a $1,500 scholarship for each student to represent NC HOBY at the World Leadership Congress. The scholarship award was presented on Sunday, June 14 at the closing ceremonies of the three-day NC HOBY Leadership seminar at NC State University.

The 2009 Hugh O'Brien World Leadership Congress will be held at George Mason University in Washington DC from July 25 to 31. The program will host 400 rising high school juniors from all over the world.

The 2009 NC HOBY leadership seminar at NC State University attracted 226 sophomore leaders representing high schools from all across the state. Each sophomore was nominated by their high school for their outstanding accomplishments as a leader, and for their future potential as a leader. During the three-day program, students met with government leaders and entrepreneurs to gain an insight into public service and private enterprise. They were provided with guidance and direction on how to initiate and run volunteering projects that benefit their local communities.

HOBY's mission is to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership. They are outstanding 10th graders who participate in HOBY programs and return home, charged with providing visionary leadership to their classmates and community. The HOBY program, which was started in 1955, currently has approximately 410,000 HOBY ambassadors.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:45 PM on June 17, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Resolution Honors Outgoing Chair

Outgoing chair Rosa Gill was recognized by her fellow Wake County Board of Education members for her nine-and-a-half years of service including the past two as the board's chair. Gill resigned from the board following the board's June 16 meeting after being selected to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives representing District 33. She succeeds former Rep. Dan Blue, who was selected to serve out the remainder of the late Sen. Vernon Malone's term in the N.C. Senate.

New school board chair Kevin L. Hill read the following resolution, which was adopted by the board this afternoon:

In Appreciation of the Dedication and Commitment Provided by Rosa Gill to the Children of Wake County Public School System

WHEREAS, Rosa U. Gill has served the children of Wake County as a member of the Wake County Board of Education since 1999, and as its Chair for the last two years; and

WHEREAS, during that time Rosa U. Gill has been a dedicated member of the Wake County Board of Education, committed to a thoughtful process, willing to address difficult issues by involving and listening to others, and unfailingly focused on the success of every child; and

WHEREAS, Rosa U. Gill's service as a Board member continues her history of support for Wake County students and citizens as an educator, volunteer and public servant; and

WHEREAS, Rosa U. Gill has been named as the successor to Dan Blue in serving the citizens of District 33 in the North Carolina House of Representatives, and has therefore announced her intention to resign her seat on the Wake County Board of Education; now,

RESOLVED, that the Wake County Board of Education heartily thanks Rosa U. Gill for her service and wishes her well as she accepts her new responsibilities to the State of North Carolina, and respectfully encourages her to continue her life's work of bringing educational opportunities to every child.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:20 PM on June 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Demographer publishes distance analysis for 2006-07

In a report looking at the 2006-07 school year, WCPSS demographer Maja Vouk found that 79.6 percent of the 128,260 WCPSS students in that year attended a school within five miles of their home. Of the 102,051 students attending school within five miles of their home, 87,324 were assigned to school and 14,727 by choice.

Students attending a school by choice, such as those going to magnet and year-round schools, or transfers, who use their own transportation, tend to live further from the attending school than "by assignment" students.

In 2003-04, Vouk did the first distance analysis of WCPSS students. In that report, 78.7 percent of the 108,585 WCPSS students attended a school within five miles of their home. Of the 85,468 students attending school within five miles of their home, 71,769 were assigned to school and 13,699 by choice.

In looking at the 2006-07 distance analysis by grade level, the report finds that:

• 89.8% of the elementary school students are assigned to a school within five miles of home, and 99.0 percent are assigned to a school within 10 miles;
• 81.1% of the middle school students are assigned to a school within five miles of home, and 99.0 percent are assigned to a school within 10 miles; and
• 84.2% of high school students are assigned to a school that is within five miles of their home, and 99.5 percent are assigned to a school within 10 miles.

The analysis describes a straight-line distance between the node where the student lives and the student's school.

You can find the full report online here or the report summary here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:48 PM on June 12, 2009 | Leave Feedback

2009 WCPSS School Counselors of the Year

Three school counselors have been named the 2009 Wake County Public School System Counselors of the Year. They are:

• Margaret Ray-Nobles - Holly Grove Elementary School
• Jean Carter - Heritage Middle School
• Tammy Rhye-Butler - Middle Creek High School

"These schools counselors demonstrate the best qualities of WCPSS school counselors and implement an outstanding comprehensive school counseling program at their schools," said Eric Sparks, WCPSS Director of School Counseling

The School Counselor of the Year is named for elementary, middle and high schools.

Packets are being submitted for these school counselors to the NC School Counselor Association and the American School Counselor Association for consideration for the state and national award processes.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:42 PM on June 11, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Class of 2009 Earns $66 million in Scholarships

Wake County high school seniors continue to garner praise, accolades and financial rewards as this year they earned a record amount of scholarship money.

A record $66.38 million in scholarships were earned by students graduating from Wake County Public School System high schools this year.

There are more students and more high schools than in past years, but the sharp increase in scholarship dollars can also be attributed to the aggressive efforts of families and students as well as encouragement by WCPSS high schools.

The $66.38 million earned by the Class of 2009 compares with the $46.78 million earned by the Class of 2008 and the $36.6 million earned by the Class of 2005.

Since the 2005 graduation, WCPSS has opened new high schools such as Knightdale High, Holly Springs High and Panther Creek High and East Wake High has subdivided into four schools.

There are 8,094 students graduating in the Class of 2009. In the Class of 2008, there were 7,684 students and in the Class of 2005 there were 6,524 students.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:47 PM on June 10, 2009 | Leave Feedback

H1N1 Flu Virus FAQs

Wake County Human Services has issued updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the H1N1 virus. We've posted the documents here in both English and Spanish.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:20 PM on June 9, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Family Involvement Day Summer Institute

Wednesday, June 10 is the deadline for registering to take part in the WCPSS Family Involvement Day Summer Institute.

The WCPSS Family Involvement Day Summer Institute will be held June 18 at the McKimmon Center on the NC State campus by the Wake County Raising Achievement and Closing the Gaps (RACG) Sub-Committee.

The Family Involvement Day Summer Institute is open to all Wake County Public School System parents and staff. The event will provide information on increasing the involvement of families in schools.

The Keynote Speaker will be the National PTA CEO Byron Garrett. Garrett was selected as the National PTA CEO in June 2008 and leads the PTA's national office headquartered in Chicago engaging parents, schools, legislators, and community leaders in improving children's health, safety, and educational success.

Garrett is a former school administrator, community leader, and education advocate. Before joining PTA, Garrett held leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the administration of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. He is also a published author of several books, including "The ABC's of Life."

An accomplished speaker, Garrett has delivered presentations all across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He has also been a guest on the "Dr. Phil Show," and been featured in a number of publications, such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Jet. In 2009, Ebony named Garrett to its "Power 150," an annual list of "The Most Influential Black Americans."

He was born, raised, and attended public schools in the Carolinas. He holds a bachelor's degree in human relations from High Point University, a master's in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, and has completed doctoral coursework at Pepperdine University in their educational leadership, administration, and policy program.

You can find out more about Garrett on his blog, http://www.pta-blog.org/

WCPSS schools have been asked to encourage families, school improvement team members and PTA officers to attend.

The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. While the event is free and open to any parent in Wake County, please note that you will be responsible for lunch on your own that day. There are several restaurants in the area, or you should feel free to bring a bag lunch from home.

Space is limited and people interested in attending are asked to register, by contacting Roslyn Moffitt, WCPSS Title I Department, by phone at (919) 850-1935 or by e-mail at rmoffitt@wcpss. net . Ms. Moffitt will need to know which sessions you plan to attend when you RSVP.

8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
KEYNOTE
Byron Garrett

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
MORNING SESSIONS
(Choose one of the following three sessions)

Math Strategies
Literacy Strategies
How to Navigate the WCPSS system

12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
(Choose one of the following three sessions)

Math Strategies
Literacy Strategies
Advocating for Your Child from the Male Perspective with Byron Garrett (National PTA CEO)

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:44 AM on June 9, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook Freshmen Completes Photonics Xplorers program

Millbrook High School freshmen Jelani Bayyan completed the Photonics Xplorers program through the NC State University College of Physical and Mathematical Sceinces.

Photonics Xplorers is a year round science, math and technology program for rising ninth grade students from across North Carolina.

Photonics Xplorers' curriculum supports and expands upon local state, national and international science, technology, engineering and mathematics education standards. The curriculum consists of investigations of light and electricity that equip participants to behave and think like real scientists.

Students attend classes at the university throughout the school year. They carry out investigations based upon the photonics concepts. The students receive mentoring, contact with ethnically diverse scientists, and career preparation skills.

Students attend the program at The Science House on Centennial Campus at NC State. Upon successful completion of the one-year program, students can earn a $500 scholarship, upon successful completion of program requirements.

Thanks to Assistant Principal Kelly Aman for sharing this story with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:41 AM on June 8, 2009 | Leave Feedback

TEAF Scholarships Awarded to WCPSS Students

Five WCPSS students have been awarded scholarships by the Triangle Educational Advancement Foundation (TEAF).

The WCPSS students are Kae Ashleigh Eller of Apex High, Malik Fair of Millbrook High, Greg Jackson of Knightdale High, Dominique Jones of Southeast Raleigh High and Santiago Rubio of Wake Forest-Rolesville High.

Each of the 2009 TEAF scholarship students will receive an award of $5000.

The TEAF is a non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting academics, athletics and community service in the Triangle. The TEAF has staged the GlaxoSmithKline Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament for over 35 years. TEAF's overriding goal is to provide scholarships and athletic opportunities for Triangle-area high school students.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:28 AM on June 8, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Three WCPSS Students Earn State Honors for Sportsmanship

Three WCPSS athletes are among 27 student athletes from across NC recognized by the NC High School Athletic Association as "Heart of a Champion" winners for their outstanding sportsmanship.

The three WCPSS students are Christina Alevizatos of Millbrook High, Nathaniel Touchberry of Millbrook High and Ashley Davis Raleigh of Sanderson High.

Schools annually nominate one male student athlete and one female student athlete for the honor. Alevizatos was nominated by athletic trainer Shannon Poole and teacher Kathy Stefanou. Touchberry was nominated by athletic director Scott McInnes. Raleigh was nominated by athletic director Bob Catapano.

The students must have participated in at least one varsity sport, including cheerleading, during the 2008-09 school year, have not been ejected from any contest, and must have demonstrated outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship during their high school careers. The students filled out an application questionnaire and then a school official, such as the principal or athletic director, also provided an evaluation.

The sportsmanship recognition is part of the program offered by the NCHSAA Student Services Division and is sponsored by the North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. Mark Dreibelbis, NCHSAA assistant executive director, and student services assistant Chiquana Dancy administer the program.

The students will be honored at a luncheon on Saturday, June 13, at the Radisson Governors' Inn in the Research Triangle Park.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:43 AM on June 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Leesville Road High Wins NCHSAA Women's 4-A Soccer Championship

Leesville Road High slipped past Ardrey Kell of Charlotte 1-0 on Saturday night in a battle of unbeaten teams in the 24th annual NC High School Athletic Association's women's 4-A soccer championship at Paul Derr Stadium at N.C. State.

The teams battled through 80 minutes of regulation play, 20 minutes of overtime and then 10 minutes of sudden death overtime before going to penalty kicks.

The defensive battle saw Leesville take 12 shots on goal to only three official shots for Ardrey Kell, and Kell had no corner kicks to four for Leesville. Ironically, Leesville keeper Erika Lenns was not credited with a save during the 110 minutes of action but made three huge ones in the penalty kicks to earn Most Valuable Player honors.

Leesville converted all three of its kicks in the session, with Nicole Jewell, Stephanie Bronson and Nitang Jones finding the back of the net. Kell, which went first in the kicks, missed its first two and then Nicole Steyl tallied. But when Lenns made the stop on Liska Dobberstein's attempt, the fourth for Ardrey Kell that preserved the win for Leesville and the celebration began.

Leesville, a young team with only two senior starters, posted a 22-0-3 mark. Kell, in only its third year of existence, finished the season 21-1-1. Neither team even allowed a goal in its five playoff games prior to the championship.

WCPSS Athletics Administrator Bobby Guthrie thanked coach Paul Dinkenor and his team for their hard work and dedication and for an exciting game to end the season.

"I want to congratulate you for this great accomplishment for the 2nd year in a row," said Guthrie. "You are right that your team has had a target on its back all year long being ranked as the number 1 team in the state, but you certainly held up under the pressure."

"One thing that I thought was tremendous after the game, was you saluting the Leesville crowd and then your team doing the same," said Guthrie.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:07 AM on June 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook High Student Named AMVET Essay Winner

Millbrook High senior Ashley Honeycutt has been notified that she is the North Carolina 12th grade winner of the AMVET Americanism Essay Contest. Honeycutt will receive a $1,000 cash prize at the AMVETS Department State Convention Awards Banquet in Greensboro on Saturday, June 6th. She will also read her essay:

WHAT DOES AN AMERICAN VETERAN MEAN TO ME?
By Ashley Honeycutt

My grandfather is a veteran. My uncle is a veteran. My great uncle is a veteran. I have grown up surrounded by veterans, but it wasn't until this past summer and the first semester of senior year that I learned to really value and appreciate these exceptional men and women. It was then that I found out what veterans have meant to me my entire life--and what they have done for me recently has been life-changing.

When I reflect on the veterans who were always there for me growing up, I can recall that they were some of the strongest and most compassionate individuals I have ever encountered. They were men at my church who loved to give me a pat on the back for a job well done. They were the ones who cried when I sang our National Anthem at my brother's baseball games. My grandfather, a World War II veteran, taught me to cherish the land of my birth. These men have always exemplified integrity and righteousness to me. They are my role models.

Then, I went to high school and began to learn about what these men I had known my entire life had actually done for me and for my country. United States History gave me a vague appreciation for what the men and women who served actually did to protect my freedom. But, the class that really helped me understand what sacrifice stood for was Lessons of Vietnam taught by Ms. Lindy Poling. This was a course that explored the controversial war that left such a vicious scar on our nation. We learned the most through compassionate veterans who took the time to visit and share their experiences and insights with our class. It really made an impression on me that these amazing Americans like General George Price would take the time to drive all the way to Millbrook High School just to speak to high school students. These veterans not only taught me about the Vietnam War, but they also taught me compassion and understanding.

I cannot write a paper about what an American veteran means to me without sharing how my life was suddenly given direction and purpose this past summer, thanks to an organization of veterans and their families. I attended Tar Heel Girls State, and was then selected to be one of two girls from North Carolina to participate in Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. Before going to Girls State at Catawba College, I had no idea what path my life would take. The ladies from the American Legion Auxiliary who facilitated Girls State and Girls Nation changed that. They became my friends, my mentors, and I love them dearly. I had always wanted to help people, but this program showed me that the way I would do this would be through politics. Veterans organizations like the American Legion are helping my generation realize its potential everyday, and I am eternally grateful that these veterans helped me realize mine.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:51 AM on June 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Class Inspires Student to Tour Vietnam

A Millbrook High graduate tells the story of being inspired by a class to seek her masters degree at NC State University and then travel to Vietnam. The story is on page two in the latest edition of Bridges, the newsletter written by Millbrook High students of the Lessons of Vietnam class.

You can see the entire newsletter here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:22 PM on May 29, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Student Photography Gallery Opens at Douglas

Students at Douglas Elementary School have taken their learning outside as a part of the school-wide In Nature's Eye grant project. Students across the school used nature photography to explore and reinforce curricular objectives. As part of a weeklong residency at the Creative Arts and Science themed magnet school with writer Mimi Herman, 4th graders took close-up, medium and long shots of things in nature, then added writing based on their subjects. Third grade students worked with photographer, Charles Thomas of Charlotte's Light Factory, to explore properties of shadow and light through their photography. Fifth graders worked with the laws of motion during a residency with dancer, Martha Connerton, and their photography demonstrated these laws. Even the kindergarten, first and second graders have used photography during this project to experience curricular objectives such as sorting by attributes, looking at communities and experiencing prepositional words and opposites. Throughout the project, Douglas students have created amazing nature imagery through their photography. The students' photography is currently on display in the new student photography gallery at Douglas that will permanently house a rotating display of student photography. The funding for the grant project was generously provided by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County and by the North Carolina Arts Council.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:36 AM on May 29, 2009 | Leave Feedback

East Millbrook Plans Art Jam 09

East Millbrook Middle School families are preparing for a night of art and music as the East Millbrook Department of Visual and Performing Arts presents ART JAM '09 with a Silent Art Auction on Thursday, May 28 in the school auditorium. They'll enjoy an evening of music, art, and theatrical spoken word.

The Silent Art Auction containing 50 works from student artists begins at 6:00 p.m. with cash bids being accepted in the 900 Building Gallery. At 7:00 p.m. the East Millbrook Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Choral, and Theatre troupes will perform. Admission is $5.00 at the door with proceeds supporting the school's arts programs through the Arts Boosters Organization.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:46 AM on May 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Southeast Raleigh High Wins State 4-A Women's Track and Field Title

Southeast Raleigh High School's balance and strength in the relays propelled it to the NC High School Athletic Association state 4-A women's track and field championships at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.

The champion ships is Southeast Raleigh High's second in the past four years.

Southeast Raleigh tallied 54 points to 48 for runner-up Charlotte Myers Park. There were 45 teams which tallied points in the women's meet.

Southeast Raleigh won both the four by 100 and four by 200 relays while senior Chrishawn Williams helped her team toward the crown by capturing first in the long jump and second in the triple jump.

WCPSS Athletics Administrator Bobby Guthrie congratulated Coach Elizabeth Gary and her team on winning the NCHSAA 4A State Championship.

In the state 4-A men's track and field championships, Green Hope High and Southeast Raleigh High tied for third with 32 points. A total of 52 schools scored in the men's meet.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:18 AM on May 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook Wins 4-A Dual Team Tennis Crown

Millbrook High School's Quinn Carmean won both his singles and doubles matches Saturday afternoon to lift his team to a 5-3 victory over Winston-Salem R.J. Reynolds in the 4-A championship in the 19th annual NC High School Athletic Association state dual team tennis championships at the Burlington Tennis Center.

Carmean, who was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the title match, won at number two singles and teamed with Sean Weber to take the top doubles point. The teams split the six singles matches, with two going to a tiebreaker after the players split sets.

Millbrook completed an unbeaten 22-0 season in winning its second dual team crown but first since 1999.

For seniors Srini Iyengar, Tom Orban, Nick Orban, and Mark Zurawel, a state championship will be the perfect memory to take with them to graduation ceremonies.

WCPSS Athletics Administrator Bobby Guthrie offered his congratulations to Coach Chris Grimes and the team on winning the NCHSAA 4A State Mens' Tennis Team Championship

CLASS 4-A: Raleigh Millbrook 5, Winston-Salem R.J. Reynolds 3
Singles: Robbie Mudge (RJR) def. Sean Weber 6-1, 6-4; Quinn Carmean (M) def. Dillon Segur 6-4, 4-6, (10-8); Parker Chang (RJR) def. Mike Allan 6-1, 6-7 (7), (10-7); Chad Hoskins (RJR) def. Jeff Cobb 6-3, 6-2;
Srini Iyengar (M) def. Max Swindle 6-2, 6-0; Tom Orban (M) def. Tommy Healy 7-6(4), 6-3.
Doubles: Weber-Q. Carmean (M) def. Mudge-Chang 10-7; Allan-Mickey Carmean (M) led Segur-Hoskins (RJR) 8-6 when match halted with championship decided; Cobb-Iyengar (M) def. Swindle-Healy 10-2.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:03 AM on May 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Athens Drive Students Earn Solidworks Certification

Athens Drive High students Stephen Page, Ryan O'Keefe, Matthew Reeves, Nicolaus Jordan, Zack Bennett, Jay Hughey, Rich Palka, Ethan Johnson and Jessica Wirsing have been named Certified Solidworks Associates. Solidworks is 3D CAD design software. The students are industry certified and can proficiently navigate and use Solidworks Constraint Based software to an industry set standard. Athens Drive High School Career Technical Education teacher Nolan Fahrer teaches these students. They are the only Certified Solidworks Associates listed in the Certified User Directory for Raleigh, NC.

Thanks to Athens Drive High teacher Penn Pace for sharing this story with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:59 AM on May 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Names Principals

At its May 19 meeting, the Board of Education named David Schwenker principal at Carnage Middle School and Nolan Bryant principal at Dillard Drive Middle School.

Schwenker has served as principal of Hunter Elementary since 2001. Prior to that, he was principal at Vandora Springs Elementary and assistant principal at Conn Elementary.

Bryant has served as principal of Jeffreys Grove Elementary since 2006. Prior to that, he was assistant principal at Morrisville Elementary, an assistant principal intern and teacher at Davis Drive Middle School and a teacher at Athens Drive High.

The board named the following assistant principals: Jennifer Carfano at Herbert Akins Elementary, Kimberly Mitchell at Creech Road Elementary, Carmen Graf at East Garner Elementary, Cynthia Seder at Salem Elementary, Christopher Coby at Wendell Middle, Wynette Martin at East Cary Middle, Jessica Burroughs at East Garner Middle, Mary Ciffone-Baker at Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle, Jonathan Enns at Fuquay-Varina High, Dorothy McGirt at Dillard Drive Middle, Jonathan Murdock at Davis Drive Middle, Wallace Sellars at Wakefield Middle, William Stocks at Carnage Middle, Angela Cooper at North Garner Middle, Chrystal Regan at Enloe High, Cynthia Leonard at Wake Forest-Rolesville High, Ashley Thompson at Enloe High and Katherine Woody at Garner High.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:06 PM on May 20, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Apex High Wins State Women's Lacrosse Tourney

The Apex High School Women's Lacrosse team won the NC Women's Lacrosse Association state championship on May 16 for the 3rd year in a row.

Apex defeated the tournament's number one seed Charlotte Catholic 13-12.

WCPSS Athletic Director Bobby Guthrie offered his congratulations to Apex High Coach Jessica Pinneo and her team.

"It sounds like it was a great game with Apex scoring late in the game to take the lead," said Guthrie. "This is such a tremendous accomplishment."

Apex had been second seed in the tournament and defeated the fifteenth, seventh and third seeds en route to the finals.

Courtney McLaughlin of Apex High became the school's first All American Women's Lacrosse Player.

Cawley Bromley was named the 2009 NCHSWLA Championship Most Outstanding Player. The All State 1st team included four Apex High players: McLaughlin, Bromley, Sarah Fellows and Elizabeth Szep.

Katie Worsdale of Green Hope High was named All State 1st team goalie.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:16 AM on May 20, 2009 | Leave Feedback

3 Athens Students Selected for Summer Ventures Program

Three Athens Drive High students will be doing research this summer in a residential setting for Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics:

• Guneet Chawla at Appalachian State University
• Rani Patel at UNC-Charlotte
• PianPian Ye at Appalachian State University

The three Athens Drive High students are among 388 students selected from more than 1,400 applicants state wide.

Thanks to Athens Drive High counselor Steve Whitt for sharing his story with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:55 AM on May 20, 2009 | Leave Feedback

State Education Chairman and CEO Responds to Board's Resolution

At its May 5th meeting, the Wake County Board of Education adopted a resolution in response to Governor Purdue's Executive Order 11, Flexible Furlough. While recognizing the economic crisis facing the state, they asked that:

1. the State Board of Education take whatever action necessary to reduce the minimum 180 instructional day requirement by one day for the 2008-09 school year to allow this time to be used by teachers and staff who otherwise might not be able to use this time.
2. In addition the resolution requested that alternative methods for balancing the State budget that adequately address the complexities of operating a local school district be sought.

State Board of Education Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Harrison responded this week to the resolution in a letter to Superintendent Del Burns. Both the resolution and the response are linked here.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 12:45 PM on May 19, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Athens Drive Teacher Recognized by NCSU Sigma Xi

Shari Frederick, Athens Drive High School math teacher and Math Department Chair, was named the NC State University Sigma Xi Teacher of the Year at the chapter's Spring Banquet.

Each year, Sigma Xi at NC State recognizes one middle school and one high school teacher of science or mathematics from public or private schools in Wake, Johnston, Harnett, Franklin, Orange, Durham, or Chatham Counties. The winners of these awards are recognized at the Sigma Xi Spring Banquet with the presentation of a check for $400.

The chapter of Sigma Xi at NC State University seeks to honor those middle and high school teachers in science and/or mathematics who instill in their students a love and appreciation for their subjects.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:26 PM on May 18, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Carolina Hurricanes Mascot comes to Stough Elementary!

Stormy and the Storm Squad came to Stough Elementary on Tuesday, May 12 to participate in the school's Annual EOG Pep Rally! Stormy led our third through fifth grade students in their EOG pride parade while kindergarten, first grade and second grade students cheered them on and waved rally posters.

For the past two years, Stough has organized a pep rally and parade for students to celebrate all of their hardwork and commitment to sucess on the EOG's. All classes make posters for each other, wishing them success on the tests. The posters have been up and decorating our school for the 3 weeks!

Thanks to assistant principal Barry Richburg for sharing this story on GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:25 PM on May 18, 2009 | Leave Feedback

2009 Wake County Roadeo Winners

Thirty-three contestants from surrounding counties competed in the Regional Bus Roadeo held at Nash Central High School. Four Wake County drivers placed in the top ten at this competition.

The 3rd place winner was Jeff Mellen who was also the 2nd place winner in our Wake County Roadeo. Billy McKemey finished with 4th place honors, Anthony Ford was 5th place and Stephanie High finished in 7th place. These drivers along with the remainder of the top ten will be competing in the State Bus Roadeo competition on June 17 at the State Fairground in Raleigh.

To read the results of the 2009 Wake County Roadeo and read more about this annual competition, click here.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 1:45 PM on May 18, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Congressional Art Awards

Artists from Athens Drive High earned some of the top honors in the 13th Congressional District 2009 Arts Competition. Congressman Brad Miller congratulated the winners in a ceremony at the NC Museum of Art last weekend. This was a juried art show and the top finalists work will be on display in Washington, DC for one year.

Top finishers in the art competition from the Wake County Public School System include:

Allison Spencer of Athens Drive High, second place for Punkin

Rose Isadore of Athens Drive High, Judge's Special Merit for Walter

Shannon McKenzie of Enloe High , Judge's Special Merit for Alter Ego

Kristie Kim of Enloe High, Judge's Special Merit for Freedom

The following students earned Honorable Mention

Lydia Neal of Athens Drive High for Amy Millard of Athens Drive High for Harp

Olivia Kline of Athens Drive High for Posed

Montira Chinnabut of, Broughton High for Santa

Lizzy Launtof Broughton High for Archibald, the Seaturtle

Maria Perry, Cary High for Brushing My Teeth

Julie Alvarez of Cary High for Honey Jars

Gabe Brotzman of Cary High for Basket of Apples

Danielle Barrio of Cary High for Folding Chair and Farmers Market

Shannon Mackenzie of, Enloe High for My Bunny

Sarah Parker of Enloe High for Self-Portrait

Preetha Suresh of Enloe High for My Mother's Lillies

Kayee Au of Enloe High for Self-Portrait

Kathleen Petermann of Enloe High for Portrait of Victoria - The Living Room

Jennifer Harley of Enloe High for Friday Inside 16 Outbound

Elizabeth Poston of Enloe High for White Roses

Claire Brame of Millbrook High for Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Brittney Tabron of Millbrook High for Default

Alisa Senna of Millbrook High for Inquiring Eyes

Michael DiPietro of Sanderson High for Sides of Me

Michael DiPietro of Sanderson High for Innocence of War

Michael DiPietro of Sanderson High for Relaxing Falls

Thanks to Athens Drive High teacher Lora Stager for sharing this story with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:30 AM on May 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Martin Honors Chorus Receives Award of Merit

The Martin Middle School Honors Chorus, an auditioned group of 7th and 8th grade students, recently received the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy Award of Merit. This is the runner-up award to the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy Award. A surprise presentation was made during the Honors Chorus class on Wednesday, April 22 from the founder of this award, Carol Robbins, and two committee members.

The Honors Chorus received a trophy that will be housed at Martin for a year. All Honors Chorus students were presented Triangle Youth Chorus Award T-Shirts. The choir will also receive the opportunity to do a Master Class with Dr. Al Sturgis from the NC Master Chorale and will have a professional recording session. The Martin Middle School Honors Chorus is directed by Ramona Jenner.

Established in 2004, the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy is presented each spring to a school choir in Wake, Durham, Orange, or Chatham County to encourage and promote choral singing in the public schools, and to recognize the achievements of local youth ensembles and music educators.

An Advisory Board of educators, conductors, reviewers, singers and choral enthusiasts evaluates an application package and performances to select the winner. Focus is placed on musical excellence and other accomplishments, such as the choir's development, and its impact on members, the school and the community.

More information about the Triangle Youth Chorus Trophy and Triangle Sings is available here.

Thanks to Ramona Jenner for sharing this story with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:27 AM on May 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

High Five Passes the Torch

There was an actual flame involved on May 12 when the High Five regional partnership passed the torch to continue its work fostering Professional Learning Communities in the Wake County Public School System and the four other area school districts in the partnership.

At a reception of educators, business representatives, parents, and leaders from Wake, Durham, Orange, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Johnston school systems, participants viewed a video of the five-year highlights of High Five's work.

The High Five sponsors who made the five year effort possible were thanked. Vann Langston, High Five Executive Director, was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the most prestigious honor awarded to North Carolinians.

Dr. Bill Harrison, CEO of Public Instruction and Chairman of the State Board of Education, was the keynote speaker for the evening.

High Five's work will continue with the Superintendents of Orange, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Wake, Durham, and Johnston school systems serving as the new Board of Directors.

You can see photos of the evening and find more information on High Five here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:23 AM on May 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Athens Senior Wins Centennial Scholarship

Athens Drive Senior Kimberly Justine Zapko has been awarded the Centennial Scholarship at the NC State University College of Textiles. The scholarship is valued at $47,500 and is among the highest valued scholarships offered at NC State University.

The scholarship covers approximately 80 percent of expenses to attend NC State, and on-campus housing and a meal plan, with any remaining funds to be used as a stipend for books and travel expenses for up to eight semesters. Each Centennial Scholar will have access to a $7,500 enrichment fund that will allow him/her to participate in a variety of leadership, language immersion and international studies programs, attend international textile shows and benefit from other approved textile enrichment opportunities.

Students are selected for the award based upon demonstrated high academic achievement throughout high school with proven and potential leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and unique life experiences.

You can find more about the Centennial Scholarship here

Thanks to teacher Martha Worsley for sharing this story with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:22 AM on May 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Green Hope Band Plans World Premiere Performance

The Green Hope High School Band will perform in spring concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 21 in Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh. The concert will feature a world premiere performance of a piece by Philip Sparke commissioned by the Green Hope High School Band. Sparke will be guest conducting the premiere as well as "Hymn of the Highlands" and "Pantomime." Other selections include "Esprit de Corps" and Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2." Sparke is a British composer and musician, noted for his concert band music.

General admission tickets are $7. WCPSS students and teachers get in for $5.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:20 AM on May 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Congressman Price Visits Lufkin Road Middle

Congressman David Price visited Lufkin Road Middle School on May 1.

Price toured the school, visiting with teachers and administrators. He spoke to a group of 8th grade students about his role in government.

Price told students, "At the end of the day, politics is all about making the community better and we all ought to care about that."

He led them in a question and answer session and encouraged the students to get involved in politics.

"We live in a democracy and it's our job to care about government and get involved," he said.

Thanks to Assistant Principal Camille Hedrick for sharing this story with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:15 AM on May 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Volunteers Sought For 2009 Canon Envirothon

North Carolina will host the 2009 Canon Envirothon August 2-8 at UNC-Asheville.

This North American competition will challenge the best high school teams from 50 U.S. states and eight Canadian provinces. The five-member teams must demonstrate their mastery of environmental science and natural resource management through five written exams and a 20-minute problem-solving oral presentation.

Wake County teachers could serve as volunteers for one or more days at the week-long event. Volunteers are needed to be "Team Buddies," Oral Presentation Judges, Field Trip chaperones, and many other roles that ensure the competition runs smoothly, students are safe, and everyone enjoys the best in gracious southern hospitality

FREE accommodations and meals will be provided to volunteers at the university's dormitory and cafeteria. Every volunteer will receive a FREE Envirothon T-shirt too!

To see the week's tentative schedule, list of tasks, and to complete a Volunteer Sign Up form, visit the North Carolina Envirothon web site at www.ncenvirothon.org (click on "Volunteer for the Canon Envirothon" on the far left margin).

For more information on the 2009 Canon Envirothon and its theme "Biodiversity in a Changing World," visit the Canon Envirothon web site at http://envirothon.org/

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:09 AM on May 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS High Schools Take Honors at Envirothon

Teams of students from Enloe High, Green Hope High, and Millbrook High competed in the regional Envirothon held in March at the Firestone/Bridgestone Freedom Wildlife Refuge in Wilson.

The team from Enloe High earned fourth place and the team from Millbrook High earned seventh place. Both advanced to the state competition.

At the state Envirothon competition held in late April, the Enloe High Sub-Chronic Exposure student team earned third place and received a $100 cash prize and an engraved plaque. The team members are Jennifer Kilpatrick, John Cuffney, Jared Dmiszewicki, Stephen Smoak, and Rachel Smoak. Team co-advisors are Chad Ogren and Debbie Massengill.

Millbrook High's Millbrook FFA student team earned third place among all registered FFA teams. The team includes Emily Duncan, Will Gouz, Alexaundrea Fitzsimmons, Joseph Kupsky, and Sloane Hickson. Teacher Jennifer Peters is their coach:

The Envirothon is known as the "natural challenge" where five-member teams compete in five natural resource areas: soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current environmental issues.

Wake County teams are sponsored each year by the Wake Soil & Water Conservation District. For more information on how your middle or high school can form an Envirothon team, contact Environmental Education Specialist Sheila Jones with Wake Soil & Water Conservation District at 919-250-1065 or sbjones@co.wake.nc.us

At the 2009 NC Envirothon, Enloe's Sub-Chronic Exposure team are Advisor Chad Ogren and students Jared Dmiszewicki, John Cuffney, Stephen Smoak, Rachel Smoak, Jennifer Kilpatrick and Advisor Debbie Massengill.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:05 AM on May 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Student Earns Honors with DNA Day Essay

Enloe High student Jennifer Li won second place for her essay in the 4 th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest.

Dr. Michael J. Dougherty, Director of Education for the American Society of Human Genetics noted that Li adeptly displayed her understanding of how certain environmental factors can influence human health and disease by describing the surprising complexity of phenylketoneuria (or PKU).

This year, the DNA Day contest received 300 essays from high school students in the US, Canada and other countries, such as China, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Ghana.

Dr. Dougherty said the geneticist judges enjoyed reading the essays, and found it refreshing to see what the younger generation thinks about genetics.

He sent his best wishes for a happy DNA Day, celebrated this year on April 25.

More information on the DNA Day essay contest can be found here.
.
Thanks to teacher Chad Ogren for sharing this story.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:03 AM on May 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Baileywick Has a National Reflections Award Recipient

Congratulations go to Nathaniel Brooks at Baileywick Elementary, whose "Do It Yourself Golf" earned a National Award of Merit (Film Production: Intermediate Division) from the National PTA's Reflections Program.

The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six areas: literature, dance choreography, film/video production, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage). Nathaniel is one of six North Carolina Reflections award recipients to earn national recognition as well.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:15 PM on May 11, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Record Minority and Woman Participation on WCPSS Construction

Minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) participation on school construction projects has jumped 10 percent over a two year period. With the recent completion of the new River Bend Elementary School, MWBE participation was 39 percent - a record for WCPSS school construction projects.

"This is a great accomplishment and directly correlates with our department's goals of inclusion and diversity on our construction projects," said Tammie Hall, WCPSS Facilities Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Manager. "The work of the team led by Clint Council, Project Manager, made this project a huge success."

In 2006, the Wake County Board of Education awarded a $21.7M Construction Management At Risk contract to Barnhill Contracting for completion of River Bend Elementary. Barnhill Contracting worked with WCPSS Facilities Design and Construction to ensure it was meeting diversity goals and was successful in recruiting 24 different MWBE firms during the project. The 39 percent minority and women-owned business enterprise participation for River Bend construction surpasses all other WCPSS facilities projects to date in addition to the required 10 percent goal mandated by board policy and the state.

"Barnhill has raised the bar for construction manager firms within the area," said Assistant Superintendent for Facilities Joe Desormeaux.

According to John Muter, Vice President of Operations at Barnhill Contracting, providing opportunities for small locally-owned MWBE firms is a corporate philosophy embraced by their company and takes a team effort to achieve. "We work hard on our MWBE program, but to exceed goals, we need help and support from our owners. Our relationship with WCPSS has allowed us to work in concert with staff to learn about MWBE capacity and methods for outreach," he said.

The minority business program is charged with identifying and recruiting minority contractors to work on school construction projects. As MBE Manager, Hall leads the program which has responsibility for compliance and adherence to school board policy 7260. The policy aligns with NC general statutes that set a goal at 10 percent minority participation on construction projects. For more information on WCPSS MWBE Program contact Tammie Hall, 919-856-8179 or thall@wcpss.net.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 10:51 AM on May 11, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Bluegrass Concert Planned for Wendell Elementary

Families will gather at Wendell Elementary School at 7 p.m., Friday, May 8 for a free concert from bluegrass artist Charles Pettee.

Pettee has been leading three weeks of musical residency work in Wakelon, Wendell, and Forestville Road elementary schools. His residency activities have connected to the American history curriculum taught in fourth grade. There have been free jam sessions held in each community.

The culminating event of Pettee's work in the schools is this concert. It will feature Pettee and his group, Chuck and the Waggin’Ears, as well as Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion, and Rogers and Johnson.

The students have enjoyed Pettee's music and teaching so much that its led Forestville Road Elementary Principal Dianne Pridgen to invite him back to the school as the speaker at the school's fifth grade graduation ceremonies.

The musical residency is a gift of the United Arts Council which presents a professional artist in a residency program in Eastern Wake County every other year.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:13 PM on May 7, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Seeks State Action on Flexible Furloughs

At its May 5 meeting, the Board of Education adopted a resolution in response to Governor Perdue's Executive Order 11, Flexible Furlough.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Governor Beverly Perdue issued an Executive Order requiring a .5 percent reduction in the wages of State paid employees before the end of the fiscal year and with a provision of 10 hours of flexible leave to these employees to be taken between June 1 and December 31, 2009; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education recognizes the economic crisis facing the State and the Governor's constitutional requirement to balance the State budget, but strongly objects to the directives of the Executive Order and the failure of the Order to consider its impact on the operation of public schools; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Order creates inherent inequities and issues in light of the various funding sources of school employee salaries; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Order fails to account for the daily demands of providing education services to students 180 days of the year, including the necessity of teachers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and myriad others to be at work every school day; and

WHEREAS, many school staff will be unable to utilize the flexible furlough hours provided under the Executive Order.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wake County Board of Education requests the Governor, the Legislature and the State Board of Education:

Take whatever action is necessary to reduce the minimum 180 day requirement by one day for the 2008-09 school year to allow this time to be used for the flexible furlough required by the Executive Order; and

Seek alternative methods for balancing the State budget that adequately address the complexities of operating a local school district.

Approved and adopted this 5th day of May 2009.

Rosa Gill, Chair
Wake County Board of Education

Del Burns, Superintendent
Wake County Public School System

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:31 PM on May 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Approves Employee Salary Reduction

In responding to Gov. Beverley Perdue's April 28th Executive Order, the Wake County Board of Education approved a reduction of wages in the amount of 0.5 percent of annualized salary for all WCPSS employees including members of the Board of Education.

The action came in the board's May 5 meeting.

The reduction of salary will occur in the May 2009 paychecks of WCPSS employees. The salary reduction will apply to all employees across the district and cover all salary amounts, including any local supplements.

Board members indicated their action was taken during extraordinary times of financial challenges to address a reduction in the current operational budget, to assure fairness to all employees regardless of funding source and to stay in line with the past practice of applying state salary increases to all employees and to all salary amounts including local supplements.

Governor Perdue's executive order stated that in exchange for the reduction of wages, 10 hours of flexible leave will be granted employees to be used between June 1 and December 31, 2009.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:41 PM on May 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Win Phi Beta Kappa Writing Awards

Enloe High School students have won high honors in the annual Writing Contest sponsored by the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County!

In the Senior Division, First Place goes to the essay "I Hate Humanity: The Introverting Effects of World Travel Based on Narrative Voice in Heart of Darkness and Gulliver's Travels" by Tom Bauso's student Indu Ramesh. He will receive

In the Junior Division, Second Place goes to the essay “Fractured Marriages in The Scarlet Letter and Hedda Gabler" by Priscilla Chappell's student Arlie Honeycutt.

A cash prize of $200, a book award and a certificate of merit is presented to first place winners at each grade level. Second place winners receive a cash prize of $100, book award and a certificate of merit. Honorable mention winners receive a book award and a certificate of merit.

Enloe is the only school to have more than one recipient this year.

You can read more about the competition here.

Thanks to teacher Tom Bauso for sharing his story.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:12 AM on May 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Student Earns Top Honors at Shakespeare Competition

Captivating audiences with a performance of a sonnet and monologue from Shakespeare, Logan Sutton, a student of Sue Scarborough at Enloe Magnet High School, placed as one of 10 finalists at the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. The competition was held on April 27th at Lincoln Center in New York City for 59 winners of ESU Branch competitions nationwide. Logan had won the ESU Research Triangle Branch regional competition.

The English-Speaking Union's National Shakespeare Competition is a school-based program to help students develop their speaking and critical thinking skills and their appreciation of literature as they explore the beauty of the language and timeless themes in Shakespeare's works. In three progressive competition levels, students memorize, interpret, and perform monologues and sonnets in their own schools, at ESU Branch sponsored community competitions and at the National Shakespeare Competition. Inaugurated in 1983, the program has engaged more than 250,000 young people.

As the winner of a local English-Speaking Union Branch Competition, Logan was awarded the trip to New York City for the final stage of the Competition. The ESU National Headquarters provided the finalists with three full days of activities, including a performance of the new Broadway production of Waiting for Godot, an acting workshop at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and tours of New York City. Perhaps best of all for these teenagers was the opportunity to spend three days with other students from across the country, who share their love of theater and, particularly, Shakespeare.

Among the distinguished judges for this year's Competition were actor Gene Wilder; Shakespeare scholar Maurice Charney, Rutgers University Professor of English; Directors Barry Edelstein of the Public Theater Shakespeare Lab, and Michael Sexton of The Shakespeare Society; Manhattan Theatre Club Casting Director Nancy Piccione; Actor Peter Francis James; and Louis Sheeder, Director of the Classical Studio, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.

The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a non-profit, non-political educational organization whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community. The ESU carries out its work through a network of 72 U.S. Branches, sponsoring a variety of language and international education programs.

You can find more information on the Shakespeare Competition here.

Thanks to teacher Sue Scarborough for sharing her story

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:21 AM on May 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Severe Weather Disrupts Board Meeting

The Wake County Board of Education meeting was disrupted by the severe weather moving through Wake County tonight.

The board had just completed recognition of a number of students from across the school district in its monthly Spotlight on Students Awards, when school administrators asked everyone to seek cover on the first floor of the Central Services building.

Board members, school administrators and others attending the board meeting went into windowless hallways on the building's first floor. Lights flickered several times, while outside lightning flashed and heavy rains fell.

Board members resumed their meeting in the lobby of the Growth and Planning Department. They finalized a resolution responding to Governor Perdue's executive order on Flexible Furloughs, then voted to adjourn the meeting.

About 10 minutes later around 7:20 p.m., school administrators gave the all clear. People left the building making their way home.

Posted by Bill Poston at 7:30 PM on May 5, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Athens Drive High FCCLA Students Qualify for Nationals

Athens Drive High students, Jarin Tasnim, Mehr Sher-Khan, and Aurora Bravo earned a score of 96.3, a gold medal, and the state trophy at the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Meeting held last month in Greensboro, NC. In their project entitled "Pollution Revolution," Tasnim, Sher-Khan, and Bravo highlighted their efforts with campus clean-up events they organized this year for the school. By winning the state competition, Tasnim, Sher-Khan, and Bravo will compete in the Chapter Service Project Event at Nationals July 12 - 16 in Nashville, TN.

Thanks to teacher Martha Worsley for sharing her story with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:42 AM on May 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

East Wake High School Blood Drive Breaks Record

East Wake High School students and staff came together on April 30 to support the Red Cross in a big way by donating 227 units of blood in their annual blood drive. This blood drive broke the current record of 169 in the 14 counties serviced by the Durham Red Cross. It also set a new record for the largest blood drive in the Wake County Public Schools, surpassing the previous record of 151 units.

Thanks to Assistant Principal Kristana Rogers for sharing her story with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:47 AM on May 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Senior Takes Top Honors at NC State Math Meet

Enloe High senior Daniel Vitek earned top senior honors and received a $100,000 tuition scholarship to Duke University at the NC State Math Meet held on Thursday, April 23rd at the NC School of Science & Mathematics. Daniel placed 3rd overall.

First place overall was won by Calvin Deng, an 8th grade student at Ligon Middle School. He attends Enloe for his AP Calculus AB class.

You can find information on the NC State Math Meet here.

Thanks to teacher Celia Rowland for sharing her story with Got News.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:28 PM on April 30, 2009 | Leave Feedback

24 Leesville Students Earn National Honors on Latin Exam

24 Leesville High Latin students won national awards on the 2009 National Latin Exam, including 7 gold medals and 9 silver medals, in every level entered.

Senior AP Latin student Kaithlyn Abadilla qualified to compete for a national scholarship because of her outstanding performance on the level 5 exam. Below are the complete results:

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal)
Level 1 - Nicole Curtis and Emily Farmer
Level 2 - Jonathan Wendt and Erin Flannelly
Level 3 - Rebecca Dixon and Stephen Ryan
Level 5 - Kaithlyn Abadilla

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal)
Level 2 - Dong-Jun Shin, Gregory Pope, Ashleigh Miles, and Allison Bass
Level 3 - Linda Cui, Eli Kratt, Trevor Haga, and Erin Cuellar
Level 4 - Elaine Didier

Magna Cum Laude
Level 1 - Min Jun, Michael Elderkin, and Jessica Jones
Level 3 - Joe Tung, Vira Ayzenbart, and Richard Frost

Cum Laude
Level 3 - John Parker
Level 4 - Sharae Williams

You can read more about the exam here.

Thanks to teacher Mark Marsh for sharing his story with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:25 PM on April 30, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Students On Stage

The Ligon Middle School Encore Performance Ensemble will present the drama KORCZAK'S CHILDREN, at 2:30 p.m. on April 30, and at 7 p.m. on May 1 and 2. This piece is set during the Nazi Occupation of Poland. Dr. Korczak, writer, educator, physician and passionate advocate for children tries to keep the Jewish boys and girls of his famed Warsaw orphanage alive and hopeful in the face of unbelievable terror. Against the rules of the ghetto, Korczak lets his orphans stage a magical play, THE POST OFFICE, to teach them about he one adult subject he has not yet taught- death. As the play is rehearsed, rumors about deportation to "camps" become a reality and Korczak must decide who can be saved and who must go on the final journey together.

The Middle Creek High Theatre Department will present Theatre III/IV Showcase in the school auditorium at 7 p.m. on May 1. For more information, contact, teacher Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468.

Cary High School Drama classes perform one act plays in the school auditorium at 7 p.m. on May 7. For more information call 380-3615 or visit http://sites.google.com/site/chspabc/

Dillard Drive Middle School's first musical production, ANNIE, JR. will be performed on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets will be $5 at the door. Over 100 students and staff members are involved in this production. Cast members have been rehearsing, sharpening their vocals and perfecting their dance numbers. The directors and parents are busily preparing props, costumes, sets, lighting, sound and music. For more information, contact Toni Ahrens at tahrens@wcpss.net

Knightdale High Repertory Theatre presents the classic tale THE WIZARD OF OZ Thursday and Friday, May 7 and 8 in the Knightdale High auditorium. Come experience the magic of the heartfelt tale of young Dorothy Gale and her incredible journey through the magical Land of Oz. The show features seniors Rayshaun C. Sandlin (Lion), Churaqui Mosley (The Wicked Witch of the West). The role of Dorothy is ably handled by Jordan Ogden. Sophomores Chelsea Geter and Chris Cunningham play the Scarecrow and the Tinman. Jacob Cooper is the Wizard. Freshmen Andrew Coleman plays the Gatekeeper and Nora West is Glinda. The show will include students from local elementary and middle schools. Bill Rashleigh is the music director and Ronzel Bell will conduct. Adriene Bridgewater handles the choreography. Peter Comperatore and Willie O. Jordan share directing duties. Cammie Perry serves as the production stage manager. Admission is $7.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door. Please call 217-5409 for more information.

Wakefield Middle School Theatre Arts will be presenting THE MUSIC MAN on May 7, 8, & 9. The show includes dance, band, drama, orchestra, and chorus students. For more information, contact Meredith Lyons at 562.3500 or mlyons@wcpss.net

The Middle Creek High Theatre Department will present the Quik Witz Improv Troupe in the school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on May 21. For more information, contact, teacher Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:35 PM on April 29, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Earn Theatre Honors

Enloe drama students Laura Levine, Will Sarratt, Logan Sutton and Dana Marcus received Superior ratings at the recent NC State Thespian Festival on their monologue presentations.

Enloe students earned four of the 11 Superiors ratings in the whole state.

Enloe won all three places in the statewide playwriting contest, Write It!
1st Place - Will Sarratt
2nd Place - Nick Johnson
3rd Place - Laura Levine

They won cash prizes and will be published.

Thanks to teacher Sue Scarborough for sharing her story.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:28 PM on April 29, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Earn Math Honors

Enloe High students took fifth place in the nation in Mandelbrot Team Play which is the best Enloe has ever done.

The students on the team are Alex Vasilyev, Shreyas Tikare, Daniel Vitek and Calvin Deng. They had to complete 6 proof problems for each of the 3 rounds of competition throughout the year.

Enloe took second in the nation in the Math League competition. Nick Tobey came in 3rd overall. Ivan Kuznetsov came in 10th overall.

Thanks to teacher Celia Rowland for sharing her story.

Daniel Vitek is awarded plaque by NCCTM President Randy Harter.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:25 PM on April 29, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Lifelong Learning Presents Summer Teacher Institute

Check out the latest Lifelong Learning E-news to find out what great opportunities Lifelong Learning with Community Schools will offer teachers during the summer! Classes in the Teacher Summer Institute will provide valuable skills for the classroom in areas such as reading, science and special education. Lifelong Learning is an adult education program open to all Wake County residents.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 4:15 PM on April 29, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS First-Grader Sets 2 World Records

Wakefield Elementary first grader Daniel Hong set 2 world records and won all events for his age group at the World Speed Stacking Competition in Denver, Colorado on April 19.

"I am so proud of him," said Wakefield Elementary PE teacher Nancy Kelley-Cram.

Hong learned speed stacking in kindergarten. It's a timed competition where students use specially designed plastic cups to build pyramids of varying patterns in a specific sequence. Hong's parents took him to the regional competition this year in Greensboro where he won first place for his age group in four events and he placed first in the state competition held at Wingate College March 21.

You can find more information about the competition here and view his visit to WRAL here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:37 PM on April 28, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Two Students Named Presidential Scholar semifinalists

Two WCPSS students are among the 15 NC students named semifinalists in the Presidential Scholars program.

The students are Michael Nokes of Apex High and Patrick Joseph Short of Sanderson High.

The two students were selected from more than 3,000 candidates on the basis of superior achievements, leadership qualities, personal character and involvement in community and school activities.

Students qualify for consideration on the basis of their college entrance exam scores. To be considered further, candidates must submit candidacy materials including essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports, and transcripts. Candidates are evaluated on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay.

The semifinalists are chosen by an independent, national committee of educators convened by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. The number of semifinalists identified per state is based on a proportionate number of test takers for that state.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars makes the final selection of the 121 students. One young man and one young woman are chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and from families of U.S. citizens living abroad. In addition, up to 15 students are chosen at large.

The names of the Scholars will be announced by the US Department of Education in May. The Scholars will be invited to Washington, DC for several days in June to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at a recognition ceremony and to participate in various activities and events held in their honor.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:43 PM on April 28, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Reedy Creek Students Published In National Schools Project

Seven Reedy Creek Elementary fourth graders received letters congratulating them for writing poems that have been selected for publication in the 2009 Young American Poetry Digest.

The students are Deshondre Bellinger, Shayla Dubay, Tyrail Hunter, Youn Sun Lee, Kevin S., Lewis Smith, and Zachary Zdelar.

The students studied and wrote in the poetic form called Haiku. Their teacher, Kathryn Calabrese, submitted their poems to the National Schools Project. This project was designed 14 years ago to share youth’s talents with others and provide publishing opportunities for young poets. The students’ poems were then reviewed by a panel of educators who selected poems that were especially well written for the age level of the student.

Reedy Creek will receive a free book for the library.

Thanks for Kathryn Calabrese for sharing this story with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:02 PM on April 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Teaching Recycling With Dumpster Diving and Taste Tests

WCPSS Elementary teachers took very different approaches to help students learn Earth Day lessons on recycling.

Members of the Oak Grove Elementary ecology club, the "Green Otters" participated in a live demonstration April 18th at the second annual Planet Earth Celebration in downtown Raleigh. The group was invited to do a "dumpster dive" to show how trash from one week could be reused, recycled, or composted.

The students were excited as they dove into a large pile of garbage that was on display during the Earth Day festival. As they dug around, they were guided by Burt's Bees Environmental Manager, Steve Walker. He answered questions and helped the kids move the large pile of trash into the smaller piles.

In the end, the group sorted the pile and discovered that the largest pile was made up of things that could have been recycled.

A crowd of people gathered to watch the "Green Otters" go to work. Many talked to their own children about what the kids were doing, and how they should try and be more mindful of what things they place in the trash at home.

The Oak Grove Elementary Ecology Club was the first club at Oak Grove. The club is open to 4th and 5th grade students and meets every other Thursday in Cathy Walker's classroom.

At Reedy Creek Elementary, students wondered which tastes better: mud or dirt? Or do you prefer your Earth Day mud and dirt treats with worms or ants or both? And what child doesn't enjoy making noise!

On Wednesday, Sheryl Kirkey's class savored all these options. Can't you just imagine the fun of tasting dirt and mud "sundaes" topped with worms and ants while constructing artistic and unique wind chimes from recycled tin and aluminum cans, old keys, plastic bottles, cups, and beads and several other "throw away" articles? Parents and grandparents accepted with enthusiasm and pleasure the invitation to participate in this joyful, creative Earth Day celebration where the students learned to reduce their environmental "foot print" by recycling as well as becoming more aware of the planet upon which we all depend for our existence by tasting their delicious down-to-earth edible concoctions.

Kirkey's celebration reinforced the positive potential of learning that will remain in the memories of her students long after their year in third grade, for which their parents and grandparents are very grateful.

Thanks to Cathy Walker and Sheryl Kirkey for sharing their stories with GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:20 AM on April 24, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake Athletes Honored

A number of top WCPSS athletes were congratulated at the April 21 meeting of the Wake County Board of Education.

Bobby Guthrie, WCPSS athletics director, presented members of the Cary High Wrestling team, the Southeast Raleigh High Men's indoor track team and Panther Creek High Gymnastics team at the board meeting.

Cary High School won the NCHSAA State Championships for Individual Team and Dual Team Wrestling. Guthrie congratulated Coach Jerry Winterton for his team's continued great performance. Winterton noted two seniors on the team had earned scholarships: Elohim Palma to NC State and Gabe Brotzman to Brown University. Palma, a heavyweight, finished his high school career rated number one in the nation and defended that rating in a Virginia tournament against other top national challengers.

Southeast Raleigh High School won the NCHSAA State Championship for Boys' Indoor Track. Guthrie congratulated Coach Eddie Harden who has helped to develop student athletes who have competed internationally. He said that Harden is leaving coaching to pursue an advanced degree. Harden noted Wayne Davis, one of the fastest 55-meter hurdlers in high school in the country this year, had received a scholarship to attend Texas A&M. He will be joining Southeast Raleigh High grad Gabbie Mayo on the track team there.

Panther Creek High School won the State Championship for Gymnastics. Guthrie credited the leadership of Coach Krystal Kramer in Panther Creek High School Gymnastics' Team success. Jaleesa Wilson was the Panther Creek gymnastics captain and All-Around State Champion. She will be attending the University of Denver. Guthrie noted Panther Creek had earned a state championship in the first year that it had a senior class. The school is in its third year of operation and opened with ninth and tenth graders.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:24 PM on April 22, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Lost Colony Students Welcomed Back To Wake

Students from the northern area of Wake County sometimes called the "Lost Colony" along the line with Granville County were welcomed back into the Wake County Public School System.

In the Board of Education's Committee of the Whole meeting, Superintendent Del Burns reviewed the correspondence begun by the Granville County schools. Initially, the tight budgets caused by the current state of the economy had led Granville County's board to end a long standing arrangement where about 50 students chose to attend Granville County schools and WCPSS paid the students out-of-county tuition to the Granville County school system. When the Granville school board announced it was ending the practice, WCPSS took the funds out of the budget for 2009-10. In a recent letter, the chair of the Granville Board of Education stated that they had reconsidered their decision and indicated their desire to accept the Wake County students for the annual tuition rate for 2009-10. The rate for 2008-09 is $1,443 per student.

Board members heard today from Assistant Superintendent Chuck Dulaney that some students in the area already attend WCPSS schools. Dulaney said WCPSS buses currently pick up 37 students that attend Pleasant Union Elementary, Lynn Road Elementary, Wakefield Middle and Wakefield High.

Wake County Board members agreed to serve all of the students who live in Wake County in WCPSS schools, or agree to give the families their release to attend Granville County schools, if the families choose to pay the tuition being charged.

The Wake County Board of Education does not currently accept students from outside the county, but if students start the school year in a WCPSS school and then move outside the county, the family is allowed to complete the school year in a WCPSS school if the family want to pay tuition for the portion of the year spent residing outside the county.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:12 PM on April 22, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Names Principal

At its meeting April 21, the Board of Education named Tammy Jahad principal at Baucom Elementary.

Jahad has served as assistant principal of Apex Middle School since 2006. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal intern and a teacher at Swift Creek Elementary. She was a teacher at Smith Elementary for five years.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:25 AM on April 22, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Students Participate in National Global Youth Service Day

On Thursday, April 23, a group of eighth-grade students at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School will begin packing items to donate to a local homeless shelter as part of National Global Youth Service Day, April 24-26.

The students are working on a semester-long service learning project, "Homelessness and Teens in Wake County, North Carolina." As a group, the students decided to collect and donate travel size toiletry items to a Raleigh area shelter.

By participating in service learning, students are able to develop leadership skills while "finding their voice." Over the course of the semester, the students have researched homelessness in Wake County and North Carolina, participated in symposiums where experts have shared facts about homelessness in Wake County, created a 60-second video project and collected the toiletries that will be distributed to the shelter.

The students' goal is to prepare 100 packages for delivery. The packages will contain items such as:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Hairbrush/combs
Soap
Deodorant
Body lotion
Shampoo
Conditioner
Face soap
Face lotion

You can learn more about National Global Youth Service Day here.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 12:02 PM on April 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Have Top NC Scores on French Contest

An Enloe High student placed tops in the state in the 2009 administration of the National French Exam. Enloe French teacher Lidia Popescu says Benoit Sabourin finished first in the state on the Level 4 exam.

Popescu said Enloe students did an excellent job at the state level of the competition. Here's what students accomplished:

Level 1 French
Felicia Blow- 6th in the state
Jared Sanborn-9th in the state

Level 2 French
Vitchy Pong- 5th in the state
Shajuti Hossain-7th in the state
Alexandra Kuznetsov- 8th in the state

Level 3 French
Rachel Mazzara- 9th in the state

Level 4 French
Benoit Sabourin- 1st in the state
Ben Muller- 7th in the state
Ethan Sherbondy-8th in the state

Level 5 French
Ekaterina Roze-6th in the state
Kathryn McNeirney-8th in the state

You can read more about the National French Contest here.

Enloe High has an exchange program with a high-school near Lyon, France. Popescu says the French students visited Raleigh this year and that she went with some Enloe students to Lyon.

"Our purpose of exposing our students to the culture of the languages we teach, and provide total immersion in the language and culture for them has been fulfilled," said Popescu. "The trip was very successful, the students learned a lot, some came out of their shell and started to use the language, many said they want to go back."

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:06 AM on April 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake PTA Council Elects 2009-10 Officers

The Wake County PTA Council elected officers for the coming year as part of its annual meeting held April 16 at Reedy Creek Middle School.

The 2009-10 officers will be

President - Sarah Martin
President-Elect - Diane Dulaney
VP Advocacy - Kris Ramsundar
VP Leadership - Robin Peele
VP Communications - Debbie Kline
Corresponding Secretary - Jill DeCandio
Recording Secretary - Reginald Williams
Treasurer - Dorothy Gann

At the meeting, the PTA Council honored volunteers from schools across Wake County. You can find more information about the Wake County PTA Council here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:36 AM on April 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Teacher Assistant of the Year Finalists Named

The Wake County Teacher Assistants Association will name its 2009 Teacher Assistant of the Year during a banquet at the McKimmon Center on Monday, April 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The winner will be selected from 10 finalists and will be presented with a certificate, an engraved plate, flowers and a cash prize.

The finalists include:

Toni Alford, Wilburn Elementary
Kathleen Bennett, Cary Elementary
Lisa Cox, Swift Creek Elementary
Joy Fox, Creech Road Elementary
Amy Harper, North Forest Pines Elementary
Cynthia Lape, Hodge Road Elementary
Kimberly Latta, Leesville Road Elementary
Mary Robinson, Forestville Road Elementary
Tommy Tobin, Timber Drive Elementary
Shasta Williams-Turner, East Garner Middle

Each year, the teacher assistants at each school vote on a teacher assistant that goes above and beyond their daily duties to be named the teacher assistant of the year for their school. These individuals are then invited to submit a portfolio to the Teacher Assistant of the Year Committee for consideration for the district award. This year, the committee received 45 portfolios and selected 10 finalists based on their portfolios. The committee members then interviewed and observed the 10 finalists in the classroom before selecting one to be honored as the 2009 Wake County Teacher Assistant of the Year.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 1:14 PM on April 20, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS's First School Board Chair, Sen. Vernon Malone, Passes Away

State Senator Vernon Malone, who served as the first chairman of the Wake County Board of Education following its historic merger in 1976, has passed away. All of us in the Wake County Public School System offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

We will have a more detailed recognition of WCPSS's founding board chairman on our website Monday.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:10 PM on April 18, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wakefield First Grader is a Speedy Stacker

Wakefield Elementary first grader Daniel Hong is headed to the World Speed Stacking Competition in Denver, Colorado. Hong learned speed stacking in kindergarten. It's a timed competition where students use specially designed plastic cups to build pyramids of varying patterns in a specific sequence. Hong's parents took him to a regional competition this year in Greensboro where he won first place for his age group in four events. After placing first in the state competition held at Wingate College March 21, Hong is due to take part in the Colorado event April 19. You can find more information about the competition here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:35 PM on April 17, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wakefield Middle Students Win at Odyssey of the Mind

One of the two Wakefield Middle School teams that reached the state Odyssey of the Mind competition will go on to the World Finals in Iowa May 26-29.

The team going to the World Finals includes Michelle Fenstermaker, Emma Furr, Nate Furr, Emily Stark, Daniel Burnell, Jacob Lenox, and Alex Fluke. They are coached by Michelle Furr and Janet Stark.

They chose the Lost Labor of Heracles problem that requires teams to create and present an original performance about the ancient Greek hero Heracles. The teams must create skits showing Heracles performing one of the 12 labors, as well as a Lost Labor--a team-created thirteenth labor forgotten in history.

The other team that reached the state finals included Ryan Lang, Alex Tulenko, Laura Guy, Jereme Endicott, John Hubbard, and Macy Allen. They are coached by Mary Tulenko and Lori Hubbard.

They chose the Superstition problem. That requires teams to create and present a performance that includes two documented superstitions, an original superstition created by the team, and the events that caused the original superstition to come to be.

Thanks to Principal Tripp Crayton for sharing this information.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:49 AM on April 17, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Reviews Student Parking Standards

Student parking stadndards were reviewed in the Board of Education's Facilities and Operations Committee meeting Tuesday.

Assistant Superintendent Joe Desormeaux discussed the standards for parking in the construction of new schools. In responding to recommendations from the Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee, Desormeaux said the school system parking standards for new schools will reduce high school student parking by ten percent and leave middle and elementary schools unchanged.

The standard had been 797 spaces for a high school with a capacity for 2,223 students; 162 spaces for a middle school with 1,311 students; and 115 spaces for an elementary school of 800 students.

The Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee had recommended reducing the number of parking spaces provided at schools as a cost saving step. CFAC members had recommended reducing parking at high schools by as many as 250 spaces. They suggested reductions of 50 spaces at middle schools and 30 spaces at elementary schools.

After receiving the CFAC recommendations, the school board members asked their Board Advisory Councils to consider the issue. When they reported back, most of the Board Advisory Councils recommended against the reduction in parking requirements, especially at elementary and middle schools. They cited the hardships created for parents and volunteers by the lack of parking on the current sites as the main reason. The advisory groups were not as opposed to reductions at the high school level.

School administrators reported that parking rules are established at each school to comply with school system guidelines and municipal requirements.

High schools with limited parking use a lottery system for the year. Schools currently set their own system for which students get parking. At high school, carpooling has limitations due to license restrictions. A number of students are not allowed to carry more than one passenger in the car. Administrators noted that a reduction in parking at high schools could impact bus capacities, carpool drop off capacities, dining capacities and increase community complaints about parking in neighborhoods near the schools.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:30 PM on April 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

2009 Teacher of the Year Finalists Named

The finalists for the 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year were honored in a reception at the NC Bar Association last night. The 12 finalists include:

Carla Tuttle of Panther Creek High
Julia Robertson of Green Elementary
Mark Townley of Holly Springs High
Shana Broders of Wake Forest Elementary
Heather Dinkenor of Leesville Road High
Michelle Holt of Cary Elementary
Arlie Harris of Moore Square Museum Middle
Jaime Warkonyi of Stough Elementary
Caroline Valentine of Knightdale High
Judith Darling of Middle Creek High
Rene' Herrick of Combs Elementary
Colleen Kanters of Penny Road Elementary

The Wake County Teacher of the Year banquet is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, when the Teacher of the Year will be honored.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:49 PM on April 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle Named NCAA National Fitness Champs

Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School was crowned the 2009 Pinnacle of Fitness Challenge champion after winning the final competition held in St. Louis, Missouri, during the Women's NCAA Final Four Tournament on April 6.

The NCAA National Pinnacle of Fitness Competition is a nationwide competition held across the USA for middle school students to promote and encourage physical fitness. One hundred middle schools and 74,000 students across the country competed at local and regional events, hoping to advance to the National Fitness Competition.

Students from Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle won in the state competition for North Carolina, advancing to the finals on behalf of our state and district. Nine state teams advanced to the final rounds of the competition. Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle won five first-place finishes out of the 10 fitness events. The team finished with a score of 72 out of a possible 90 points.

Competing middle schools and individual students have and will be recognized through school rewards that include fitness support funding for equipment, apparel and awards sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods Co., the official basketball of the NCAA.

Fitness Team Coaches Ellen Lewis and Todd Barbour and Principal Elaine Hanzer accompanied the students on the trip.

Pictured: Coaches Ellen Lewis and Todd Barbour, Principal Elaine Hanzer
Students: Audrie-Emma Bruce, Andrew Greifinger, Madison Fingers, Sidney Campbell, Mariah Ballen, Christopher Ballen, Emily O'Brien, Logan Barbour, Je'May Ward and Michael Shelton.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 11:31 AM on April 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake Forest Rolesville High Senior Named Morehead-Cain Scholar

A third Wake County Public School System student has been named a 2009 Morehead-Cain Scholar. Austin Shaw of Wake Forest Rolesville High was told he had earned the scholarship that pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study, including the cost of a laptop computer and four summer enrichment experiences. Additional funding is provided for educational and experiential opportunities during the academic years. The value of the scholarship is about $80,000 for each in-state student. Wake Forest-Rolesville High School Principal Tina Y. Hoots says Shaw was on the alternate list and was named on Tuesday afternoon.

Two other WCPSS students, Julia Victoria Ramos of Fuquay-Varina High School and Patrick Joseph Short of Sanderson High School, were named Morehead-Cain Scholars last month.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:41 AM on April 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Continues Discussion on Graduation Project

Wake County high school juniors who are waiting on final word from the Board of Education on graduation project requirements will need to wait until the next meeting of the board’s Committee of the Whole to get an answer.

The State Board of Education citing difficulties by school systems across the state in implementing the new requirement that was to be put in place for the graduating class of 2010 has put implementation on hold. There’s a bill before the state legislature to eliminate the graduation project completely.

All Wake County board members were at the board’s Student Achievement Committee meeting today where the graduation project was discussed. Based on state guidelines that do not allow credits or grades being awarded for a graduation project, WCPSS administrators recommended following the state’s action of not requiring the graduation project for 2010, but recognizing students who complete their project.

While the Student Achievement Committee agreed to move forward this recommendation for discussion by the full board in the next Committee of the Whole meeting, board members expressed their commitment to continuing the graduation project, possibly in a modified form, for the future.

Kevin Hill, board vice-chair, said there is real value in the graduation project and he likes the way it supports the 21st century skills students need.

Board member Beverley Clark said the board needs to determine what it wants students to learn through the graduation project and set its own requirements without waiting for the state. Clark suggested the board establish a modified graduation project, possibly for the Class of 2010.

Board member Patti Head agreed the board should make its own requirement, possibly making it voluntary for 2010 and a graduation requirement for 2011.

Board member Eleanor Goettee encouraged finding a way to move forward with the graduation project for 2010, possibly considering it as an independent study for the Class of 2010.

Lori Millberg, chair of the Student Achievement Committee, said she liked the idea of the graduation project not being required for 2010 because some WCPSS schools are ahead of others in implementing it. She wanted to find some incentives that would encourage students already in the process to continue their work.

WCPSS administrators suggested that students in the Class of 2010 who complete the graduation project be recognized with a special chord and marking on their transcript. Board chair Rosa Gill suggested considering additional incentives for completion of the graduation project. She asked if schools might consider completion of the project as another way for seniors to earn exemption from final exams.

Three WCPSS high schools already required students to complete projects. Southeast Raleigh High has a graduation project and Broughton High and Garner High have International Baccalaureate personal projects. The board agreed those three schools should continue forward with the requirements they have in place.

The graduation project allows students to investigate an area of their interest and would require them to complete a project about which they would write an extended paper and make a presentation.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:38 PM on April 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Earn Honors in Math Competition

Lisa Zheng took first place at the Winston-Salem State University math meet April 9 in Algebra II with a perfect test score. Julie Ma took first place in the Comprehensive contest. Julie missed only one question on the entire test.

They also qualified for the State Finals. Lisa has qualified in both Algebra II and the Comprehensive, which will be on different dates later this month.

"Wait until you see the trophies these girls got to take home!" says Enloe teacher Celia Rowland

After two weeks of qualifying contests, Enloe has 10 students going to the Comprehensive Finals at NCSSM and three students to the Algebra II finals at UNC-Greensboro.

Thanks to Celia Rowland for sharing this information.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:02 AM on April 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Partnership Elementary Team Heads to Odyssey of the Mind Championships

A team of Partnership Elementary students qualified at the NC Odyssey of the Mind state tournament on April 4 at Wingate College to compete in the world competition in Ames, Iowa in May. The Partnership team came in second in the Shockwaves problem. The team includes Carol Seigler, Riley Falk, Ginger Dudley, Julianne Cinoman, Kelvin Graham, Rhett Dudley and Hannah Koszegi. Coaches are Kathy Garnier and Mary Hunter Martin. Our weight loader is Chris Trotto.

In the Odyssey of the Mind competition, teams of students choose to compete in creatively solving one of five problems. In the Shockwaves problem, teams are required to design and build a structure out of balsa wood and glue that will balance and support as much weight as possible while absorbing shockwaves. The team will test its structure by placing weights onto it. During specific intervals the team will place one or two spacers on the top weight and will then place a weight on them. The team will remove the spacers so the top weight falls onto the stack causing a shockwave. The team will add weight until its structure breaks or time ends. The team will also create and use an original method to place its structure onto the tester and will incorporate the testing of the structure into a performance. The Partnership Elementary students designed a structure that held 643 pounds.

Thanks to Partnership Elementary teacher Mary Martin for sharing this story.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:22 PM on April 9, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Northern Wake String Fling Set for April 21

The Northern Wake String Fling will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, in the auditorium of Wake Forest - Rolesville High School. Everyone is invited to attend this free concert featuring orchestra members from Wake Forest Elementary, Wake Forest - Rolesville Middle School, Wakefield Middle School, and Wake Forest - Rolesville High. For more information contact music teacher Bill Slechta at wslechta@wcpss.net

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:15 PM on April 9, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Broughton High Earns National Yearbook Design Recognition

Broughton's yearbook, The Latipac, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the Jostons 2009 Gotcha Covered Look Book. This is the sixth consecutive year The Latipac has received this recognition.

Published annually, the Look Book features yearbook spreads and covers from across the country and is a popular guide for yearbook advisers and staffs seeking creative design coverage ideas, trends and inspiration.

Co-Editors Taylor Delbridge and Carly Dixon created The Latipac under the direction of Courtney Black, Broughton High yearbook adviser.

"Each year it is always exciting to start with blank pages," said Black. "This allows us to create a vision of our school and to design our book based on the current trends of high school life."

Broughton's The Latipac was one of 435 yearbooks selected from thousands submitted to a panel of judges that included nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning advisers

"Yearbook staffers capture once-in-a-lifetime stories that will be saved for decades," said Gary Lundgren, Jostens senior program manager/education. "The yearbooks chosen for the 2009 Gotcha Covered Look Book showcase advances in design, photography, and journalistic excellence that reflect the sophistication and significance of today's yearbook programs."

Courtney Black and her staff received a certificate recognizing their achievement as well as a copy of 2008 Gotcha Covered Look Book.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:07 PM on April 9, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Joyner Students Win at Odyssey of the Mind

A team of Joyner Elementary students won the Odyssey of the Mind State Championship and will be heading to the World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa in late May.

The J.Y. Joyner Earth Trek Team captured the NC Odyssey of the Mind State Championship for the Earth Trek problem on April 4 at Wingate University in Wingate, NC. The team is coached by Myra Kane and Lauren Rockwell and team members are Brienna Kane, Amelia Flick, Kendall Stephenson, Noah Giroux, Alexandra Lopez-Vazquez, and Ann Cannon Hoover.

Joyner students captured the World Odyssey of the Mind Championship in 2001 and finished 3rd in the World Championships in 2003.

Joyner Elementary is a WCPSS magnet school with the theme Center for Spanish Language/International Baccalaureate World Elementary.

Thanks to Principal Chris Knott for sharing this information.

You can read more about the Odyssey of the Mind competition here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:01 AM on April 8, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Sanderson Students Take 1st Place at NCTSA State Conference

Fourteen members of the Sanderson High School Technology Student Association attended the North Carolina TSA State Conference March 22-24, 2009 in Greensboro, NC. At the conference, they competed in events related to engineering, leadership, design and problem solving. They all competed and represented Sanderson well at a conference of over 700 participants.

Sanderson students earned the following trophies:

• 1st Place-Systems Control--Adam Hanchette, Jacob Mouw, Sven Soltman
• 1st Place-Architectural Model--Katie McMillan
• 2nd Place-Debating Technological Issues--Sarah Brown and Shane Dittmar
• 2nd Place-Technology Quiz Bowl--Kyle Johnson, Katie McMillan, Jacob Mouw
• 3rd Place-Future Technology Teacher--Georgia King
• 3rd Place-Flight Endurance--Sarah Brown and Sam Regalado

Students that placed first are qualified to represent North Carolina at the National TSA Conference in Denver, CO. June 28-July 2.

At last year's NCTSA State Conference, Kyle Johnson, submitted an entry in the lapel pin design competition and it was selected as the pin that NCTSA chose to produce for all of its members this year. It will be used at the "pin exchange" at the National Conference.

Thanks to Susan Kennedy for sharing this story with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:40 AM on April 7, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Eloheim Palma Earns Title of Top High School Wrestler

Eloheim Palma became Cary High School's first ever three time All-American and Senior National Champion on Saturday winning Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Eloheim won six matches over a field of 65 wrestlers in his division. Eloheim defeated State Champions from Alabama, California, Michigan and Montana on his way to the title. All of his matches were intense facing the top wrestlers in the country. His big wins occurred in the first round where he won 5-4 at the buzzer against the third place national finisher and #12 nationally ranked Jose Lopez of California. He earned wins in the semis against the California State Champ and #2 nationally ranked wrestler, Roger McCovey of Del Norte, California and in the finals against Mike McClure of Michigan.

Eloheim who has been the #1 ranked heavyweight in the country since January put his ranking on the line in the Dapper Dan Classic held March 15th in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This event matches the State Champions from Pennsylvania. against USA's top wrestlers in a dual meet. Eloheim defeated state champion and nationally ranked #3 Sean Owens of Pennsylvania. 5-3 in this meet. At this point it would've been easy for Eloheim to not enter the National tournament in Virginia Beach held April 3-5. There was nothing to gain except the respect of his peers. Eloheim had placed 3rd in Sophomore Nationals, 2nd in Junior Nationals and the only two wrestlers who have beat him in the last three years were to be at the senior event so he was not going to miss it. Unfortunately, those two wrestlers #6 ranked and two-time New York State Champion Ken Altarac of Lasalle, New York and #5 ranked and also a State Champion in Ohio, Jeremy Johnson of Brecksville, Ohio were defeated by wrestlers before reaching Eloheim's bracket and Eloheim would miss them on his way to the Championship. Several other nationally ranked wrestlers were at this NHSCA Nationals.

Here is a recap of Eloheim's matches:

• 1st Round-Won by Dec. 5-4 Jose Lopez of John Glenn, California, ranked by Amateur Wrestling news at #12.
• 2nd Round-Won by Dec. 5-3, Pa. wrestler, 2nd in Pa.
• 3rd Round-Won by 2nd period pin over David Graham, Alabama State Champion.
• Quarter-Finals-Won by 1st period pin over Toby Erickson of Helena, Montana ranked by Amateur Wrestling News at #4.
• Semi-Finals-Won by Dec. 3-2 , over Roger McCovey of Del Norte, California ranked by Amateur Wrestling News at #2
• Finals-Won by Dec. 3-2 over Mike McClure of Michigan who is a Michigan State Champion

As noted earlier Eloheim defeated the #3 nationally ranked Sean Owen of Pa. in the Dapper Dan Classic with a score of 5-3 March 15th. Glancing at the rankings this means Eloheim has finished ahead of or beaten the top 7 nationally ranked wrestlers in the last 2-3 weeks March 15th (Dapper Dan) and April 3-5th NHSCA Nationals.

Rankings cited in this article are in Feb. 16th issue of Amateur Wrestling News.

Thanks to Cary High Wrestling Coach Jerry Winterton for this information.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:33 AM on April 7, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Summer School

Summer School will begin June 15 at Southeast Raleigh High and July 6 at all other Wake County Public School System high schools. (UPDATES SE Raleigh High start date.)

Each school is organizing its summer school program and there is limited space at each site. The schools will use their NovaNET labs to provide individualized instruction to students for repeat credit only. Registration for WCPSS students will take place at their base schools and each school will determine when applications will be accepted.

You can find more Summer School information here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:13 PM on April 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Short Fiction Contest Scholarship Applications Due April 15

The 2009-2010 Wade Edwards Short Fiction contest is under way! High-School Juniors can earn a $5,000 first-year college scholarship for themselves and $2,000 for their sponsoring English department. This contest is co-sponsored by the North Carolina English Teacher's Association http://www.ncenglis hteacher. org/ and the Wade Edwards Foundation http://www.wade. org/. For contest information and an entry form, go to http://www.wade. org/shortfic. htm and follow the links. Deadline for entries is April 15, 2009.

The awards are given annually to three NC high school juniors who submit the most outstanding original short fiction. The competition, administered and supported by the North Carolina English Teachers Association and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and sponsored by the Wade Edwards Foundation, rewards excellence in creative writing and encourages contemplation of virtues associated with Wade Edwards: humility, strength of convictions, loyalty, honor, charity, determination, the value of family, and the obligations of friendship and community. Wade was a talented high school student whose life ended tragically at the age of 16.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:20 PM on April 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Ligon Student Wins State Geography Bee

Ligon Middle School student Shantan Krovvidi, a seventh grader, won the 2009 North Carolina Geography Bee held at Wake Technical Community College Friday.

Krovvidi was one of three WCPSS students to earn honors in the competition. Daniel Ghan of Lufkin Road Middle School earned fourth place. Lucas Bobay of Centennial Campus Middle School earned fifth place. WCPSS had 11 of the 105 participants in the state competition.

Melinda Stephani, WCPSS Senior Administrator for Social Studies was one of the moderators for the Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

Thousands of U.S. schools participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.

The National Geographic Bee will be held May 19-20 in Washington, D.C.

More information about the Geography Bee can be found here.

North Carolina Council of Social Studies President Elect Steve Pierce presents awards to Shantan as North Carolina's Geography Bee winner.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:08 PM on April 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Durant Road Elementary Team Wins History Competition

A team of Durant Road Elementary students won the 7th annual African-American History Awareness Competition hosted by Omega Psi Phi's Iota Iota Chapter on March 7. The school's SOAR team members: Noah Jenkins (Walker), Alex McClamb, captain (Walker) Brian Roper-Nelson (Amico), and Lewis Waters (Pisano) brought home the first place trophy.

Durant Road had a second team in the competition, the Eagles. The team members were: Amanda Breakey, captain (Walker), Chris Holt (Reinke), Jason Holt (Sauve), and Chloe Pointer (Hare).

Principal Teresa Winstead said she was proud of the excellent performance by the Durant Road Elementary teams. She said all students worked very hard at home and at school to prepare for the competition, and a wonderful group of dedicated parents helped coach the teams as well.

The competition included Jeopardy-style questions as well as a written quiz to demonstrate the students' knowledge of African-American History. Students from schools across Wake County competed.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:06 PM on April 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Davis Drive Wins Battle of the Books

The team of students from Davis Drive Middle School was winner of the 2009 regional Battle of the Books, held Thursday, April 2 in Johnston County.

The Davis Drive team included Madhu Vadlamani, Caroline Reilly, Jessica Wan, Jared Tippens, Rushi Marthala, Ria Ray, Malvika Pillai, Anita Simha, Chelsey Lin, Jaya Krishna Pokuri, Hilary Sun and Christine Wei. The team's advisor was Bridget Hayes.

Davis Drive is invited to participate in the state Battle of the Books competition which will be held in Greensboro in May.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:48 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook Holds 1st annual Cookies on the Run

Millbrook High School's senior class council organized the school's first annual "Cookies on the Run" 5K run/walk, where participants ran or walked half of a 5K, ate 13 chocolate chip cookies--one representing each year of grade school--and then completed the 5K. A mini-chip run was also held for children ten and under, with participants running one lap around the track, eating six cookies, and then running one more lap. Parents, faculty and students donated cookies, and we had over 100 registrants from the school and community. The weather miraculously held for a few hours, and administration, students, faculty, families and community members all came out and had a great morning. All money raised went to the senior class, and a new tradition at Millbrook has been born!

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:47 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake Forest Rolesville Middle Wins Fitness Event

Wake Forest Rolesville Middle School won first place in the Wake County NCAA Regional Pinnacle of Fitness Competition held at the RBC Center on March 30. The 10 member team now advances to the NCAA National Pinnacle of Fitness Competition held in St. Louis, Missouri on April 5-6.

By advancing, the Wake Forest Rolesville Middle School team wins an all expense paid trip to St. Louis, Missouri to see the NCAA Women's Final Four Basketball Tournament and to compete at Hoops City against 8 other middle school teams for a National title.

The Pinnacle of Fitness is a nationwide fitness competition open to grades 6-8 sponsored by the NCAA.

Thanks to Ellen Lewis for sharing this information with GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:00 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Two Durant Road Teams Compete in Odyssey of the Mind

Durant Road Elementary has two teams going to the State Odyssey of the Mind competition at Wingate University on April 4th. Each of the teams performed a "long term" problem and completed a Spontaneous activity where they earn points based on the results.

Team one, the "Team Classics" chose the problem "The Lost Labors of Heracles" and had to recreate one of the labors of Heracles as well as create a new mythological creature. Team members include Zach Pritchard, Nico Grewe, Logan Hall, Graham Trogden, Will Purdum and Connor Hickman and are coached by Donna Pritchard and Sharon Hickman.

Team two chose the problem "Teach Yer Creature" and had to build a mechanical mammal that could perform five behaviors. Team members include Caroline King, Sam Weeks, Taylor Rosbrook, Brendan Fred, Robbie Patterson and Henry Hobson and are coached by Robin Fred and Trish King.

Both Durant teams placed first in their division's problems. You can read more about the North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind competition here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:54 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wendell MS Holds Career Day

Students from Wendell Middle will host a special Career Day from 8-10 am, Tuesday April 7. The goal for the fair is to give 7th grade students an opportunity to meet with community professionals in order to learn more about subject background, education, training and career prospects. 24 professionals have volunteered their time to talk with students in 30-minute sessions on career details. The volunteers cover a wide variety of careers including computer solutions expert, financial advisor, newspaper editor, town manager, insurance agent, scientist and state trooper. Students selected their top 5 choices for the sessions.

Thanks to Media Specialist Linda L. Dextre for sharing this information.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Social Studies Students Honored

Annually, the single outstanding student in American History is chosen from each of the high schools. They are honored by the Wake County PUblic School System Social Studies Department, as well as the Woodmen of the World, a national fraternal organization. Melinda Stephani, WCPSS Senior Administrator for Social Studies, reports that these students will be honored at a banquet given by the Woodmen on April 20 in New Hill. They will receive an engraved plaque as well as other tokens of appreciation from the Woodmen and the WCPSS Social Studies Department.

The students are:

• Eric Porter from Apex HS - Teacher Gregg Thomas
• Sarah Levine from Athens Drive HS - Teacher Jennie Williams
• Courtney Webster from Broughton HS - Teacher Leah Greene
• Rebekah DeNardis from Cary HS - Teacher Mark Schafer
• Ashley Stacy from East Wake HS of Arts & Global Studies - Teacher Paul Dickerson
• Evelyn Nunez from East Wake HS of Integrated Technology - Teacher Beverly Phillips
• Morgan -Goettge from East Wake HS of Health Sciences - Teacher Peter Snow
• Dylan Shade from East Wake HS of Engineering Systems - Teacher Larry Lindsay
• Peter Cameron Alfredson from Enloe HS - Teacher Joe Hoffman
• Laura Biesack from Fuquay-Varina HS - Teacher Merillyn Sifford
• Kena Kaylyn Hawkins from Garner HS - Teacher Betty Vaughan
• Kathryn Hornaday, Green Hope HS - Kevin Hrehor
• Marissa Barbelato, Holly Springs HS - Teacher Marlin Jones
• Brittany Coley, Knightdale HS - Teacher Kim Smith
• Katharine Unger, Leesville Road HS - Teacher Britt Davis
• Ashley N. Klein, Middle Creek HS - Teacher Steve Bissette
• Beth Schumacher, Millbrook HS - Teacher Lindy Poling
• Salma Azam, Panther Creek HS - Teacher Barry Merrill
• Rolando A. Santiago, Mary Phillips HS - Teacher Collis Howard
• Samuel Bauckham, Sanderson HS - Teacher Don Goodwin
• Julie Robinson, Southeast Raleigh HS - Teacher Joe Barley-Maloney
• Burton Westermeier, Wakefield HS - Teacher Susan Schock
• Colin Reed, Wake Forest-Rolesville HS - Teacher Kristi Dunn

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:22 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Team Wins State Problem Solving Bowl

An Enloe High Future Problem Solving team won the North Carolina State Future Problem Solving Bowl.

The Enloe student team of Laura Buff, Madhu Vulimiri, Jackson Bloom, and Andre Cerullo earned 1st place team booklet and the opportunity to compete at the International Conference and Competition

The Enloe student team of Evelyn Kahihu, Anish Patel, David Rund, and Ethan Sherbondy earned 1st place presentation of action plan and 2nd place team booklet

Both Enloe teams competed in the Cyber Conflict problem earning the gold and silver divisions in the competition that was hosted at Enloe High on March 27 and 28. Enloe High teacher Suzanne Cottrell is the Future Problem Solving team advisor.

Cottrell offered her thanks to the Enloe community including Dr. Cochran, Mr. Rice, Ms. Rosen, K.C. Ashley and the custodial staff, Mitch Weaver, parent volunteers, Enloe Marshal volunteers, National Honor Society volunteers, teachers whose rooms were used, and the Enloe Future Problem Solving Club for hosting a very successful NC Future Problem Solving State Bowl

The Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) engages students in creative problem solving. Founded by creativity pioneer, Dr. E. Paul Torrance, FPSPI stimulates critical and creative thinking skills and encourages students to develop a vision for the future.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:03 PM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Green Hope Winter Guard Earns Honors

The Green Hope High Varsity Winter Guard, Junior Varsity Winter Guard, and Winter Drumline competed in the Atlantic Indoor Association Championships this past weekend in northern Virginia. The Varsity Winter Guard earned first place and the gold medal in their class. The Winter Drumline earned third place and the bronze medal in their class. The Varsity Winter Guard is preparing to travel to Dayton, Ohio to compete in the Winter Guard International Championships.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:38 AM on April 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board names principals and administrators

At its March 31 meeting, the Board of Education named four new principals and an interim principal.

The board named Drew Cook principal at Garner High, Greta Dula principal at Ligon Middle, Julia Smith principal at West Lake Elementary and Steven Moore principal at Fuquay-Varina Elementary.

Cook has served as assistant principal of Garner High since 2005. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal intern and a teacher at Garner High. He was the school's Teacher of the Year in 2003-04.

Dula has served as principal of Wildwood Forest Elementary since 2006. Prior to that, she was principal of elementary schools in Durham and Franklin counties. She was an assistant principal at Oak Grove Elementary and was a teacher at Durant Road Elementary and Lead Mine Elementary. She was Franklin County's Principal of the Year in 2003.

Smith has served as assistant principal of Sycamore Creek Elementary since 2008. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Durant Road Elementary for five years. She was an assistant principal and teacher in Durham Public Schools.

Moore has served as assistant principal of Timber Drive Elementary since 2006. Prior to that, he was an instructional resource teacher, assistant principal intern and teacher at Timber Drive Elementary.

The board named retired principal Charles Langley to continue serving as interim principal at West Lake Elementary.

At its March 17 meeting, the Board of Education named two new principals: Ve-Lecia Council for Sanford Creek Elementary and Sandy Chambers for Brier Creek Elementary.

Council has served as principal at Baucom Elementary since 2005. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at Leesville Road Elementary, an assistant principal intern at West Lake Elementary and a teacher at West Lake Elementary and Rand Road Elementary.

Chambers has served as an elementary school principal in the Durham Public Schools since 2004. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal and teacher at Durham elementary schools.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:04 PM on April 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Sanderson High Hosts Chinese Exchange Students

Sanderson High has hosted a delegation of four teachers and eight students from Zhonghua High School in Nanjing, China, as part of an ongoing exchange program between the two schools.

The Chinese students have been visiting at Sanderson March 21-30. The students have been staying with a family of a Sanderson student.

To prepare for the visitors, Sanderson developed an Asian Studies class which focused on China. Part of the time in the class is devoted to helping our students learn Chinese so they can be good hosts

The goal of the exchange program has been to break down misconceptions about the people from each country and to establish a relationship for working on joint academic endeavors. One such example would be since both cities have air pollution and clean water issues that students from each school could study. Then the students could exchange information and see if their communities were developing solutions to the problem. Teachers say they could make assignments where the students may study authors and histories and compare what each culture says about the same author or era of time. The schools hope to establish an electronic link.

The exchange program between the two schools started in 2006 when Sanderson was invited to a meeting about possible school partnerships with China. In the spring of 2007 a delegation of four teachers from Zhonghua High School in Nanjing, China visited Sanderson. Then Sanderson sent a delegation of four folks to Nanjing in October of 2007 where the schools signed the formal documents establishing the partnership. In the spring of 2008 Sanderson hosted two visitors from the school to prepare for the current delegation.

The Sanderson students that have served as hosts to the current Chinese visitors will be a part of a reciprocal hosting arrangement in the fall on 2009 when Sanderson sends a delegation of four teachers and eight students to Nanjing. The Asian studies class will help prepare these students for their visit to China.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Students Win Geography Bee

Eleven WCPSS middle school students will compete in the NC State Geography Bee. At each WCPSS middle school students competed to earn their school's geography bee title. These winners then took a test with high scorers qualifying to compete at the statewide bee.

The students who will compete in the state geography bee on April 3 include:
Centennial Campus Middle School: Lucas Bobay, 7th Grade
Daniels Middle School: Claire Cuthbert, 8th Grade
Davis Drive Middle School: Gautam Nagaraj, 7th Grade
East Cary Middle School: Samuel Smith, 7th Grade (has transferred to Salem MS)
Heritage Middle School: Jackson Abhau, 7th Grade
Lufkin Road Middle School: Daniel Ghan, 8th Grade
Reedy Creek Middle School: Sam Feldstein, 8th Grade
Salem Middle School: Dan Qu, 8th Grade
Wakefield Middle School: Ethan Wenker, 8th Grade
West Cary Middle School: Ashwin Monian
West Lake Middle School: Rishi Kumar, 7th Grade

The students who earned top honors in their school geography bee include:
Apex Middle School: Marco Valencia, 8th Grade
Carroll Middle School: John Overby, 8th Grade
Dillard Drive Middle School: Mallory Norton, 7th Grade
Durant Road Middle School: Ben Millward, 6th Grade
East Garner Middle School: Michael Mason, 7th Grade
Holly Ridge Middle School: Lexi Schimelfinig, 8th Grade
Leesville Road Middle School: Korey Singer, 8th Grade
Ligon Middle School: Shantan Krovvidi, 7th Grade
Martin Middle School: Will Paynter, 8th Grade
Moore Square Middle School: Joshua Katsikis, 8th Grade
Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School: Isaiah Hertzig, 7th Grade
West Millbrook Middle School: Benjamin Bailey, 7th Grade

Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. You can find more information on the Geography Bee here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:25 PM on March 30, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Win at Technology Competition

The Enloe Engineering Club competed in the Technology Student Association, a national organization that offers competitive events in engineering and technology.

The Enloe team finished second in the state as a team. The list below highlights the individuals and teams who placed in the state.

1st Place and National Qualifier
Fashion Design: Mo Chen, Daniel Moges, Hannah Levenson, and Tiffany Whitsett
Technology Bowl: John Cuffney, Alex Vitek, Dan Lipetzky

2nd Place
Career Comparisons: Eliza Monroe
CAD Engineering: Alex Benhem
Electronic Research and Experimentation: Graham Briggs, Titus John, Reggie Powell, Katherine Rees
Medical Technology: Alex Vitek, Dan Lipetzky
Promotional Graphics: Hannah Levenson

3rd Place
Chapter Team: Duncan Burrows, Adrian Hillmann, Jonathan Gibson, Titus John, Mo Chen, Alex Vitek
Cyberspace Pursuit: Girish Jammu, Shashank Kommaraju, Anish Patel
Radio Controlled Transportation: John Cappelletti, Ashton Dyer

Career Technical Education Engineering teacher Bradley Bowen is the Engineering Club advisor. You can find more information about the association here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:44 PM on March 30, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS students on stage

The Southeast Raleigh High Performing Arts Department presents OLIVER at 8 p.m. on April 3 and 4 and 4 p.m. on April 5 in the school auditorium. Inspired by the 80's, the production includes the running man, a graffiti den, and - in addition to the awesome SE Raleigh High students - a coach and Assistant Principal! To order tickets online, go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/58550 OR purchase at the door! $10 General Admission/$5 for students, teachers, seniors, or military. For more information, contact Southeast Raleigh High School Theatre Director Julya M Mirro at jmirro@wcpss.net

Enloe High will present its spring musical, THE PAJAMA GAME, in the school auditorium with performances at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 through Saturday, April 18. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.

The Millbrook High School Performing Arts Department will present ANNIE on April 16, 17, 18 at the Millbrook High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Megan Boyd at mboyd@wcpss.net

The Athens Drive Theatre Department will present GUYS AND DOLLS on April 23-25 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. The story is set in the city of Runyonland and is filled with energetic dance numbers, a fight scene, gamblers, and two love stories. Tickets: $10.00 at the door.

The Middle Creek High Fine Arts Department will present the musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT with shows in the school auditorium at 8 p.m., April 23-25. Tickets are $10 and will be on sale about a week before the show. For more information, contact, teacher Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468.

Wakefield High will present Barry Manilow's COPACABANA! at 7 p.m., April 23-25 and at 2:30 p.m., April 25. Tickets are $7-$10. You can find more information at www.wakefieldtheatre.net

Joyner Elementary first graders are putting on a musical program called THE UNITY TREE at 6:45 p.m., April 28 at the school. There will be 110 children in the program, dressed as cats and dogs. 85 students will have speaking parts and several songs will be sung by everyone. They are directed by Joyner Music Teacher Lola Youngman.

The Ligon Middle School Encore Performance Ensemble will present the drama KORCZAK'S CHILDREN, at 2:30 p.m. on April 30, and at 7 p.m. on May 1 and 2. This piece is set during the Nazi Occupation of Poland. Dr. Korczak, writer, educator, physician and passionate advocate for children tries to keep the Jewish boys and girls of his famed Warsaw orphanage alive and hopeful in the face of unbelievable terror. Against the rules of the ghetto, Korczak lets his orphans stage a magical play, THE POST OFFICE, to teach them about he one adult subject he has not yet taught- death. As the play is rehearsed, rumors about deportation to "camps" become a reality and Korczak must decide who can be saved and who must go on the final journey together.

The Middle Creek Theatre Department will present Theatre III/IV Showcase in the school auditorium at 7 p.m. on May 1. For more information, contact, teacher Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468.

Cary High School Drama classes perform one act plays in the school auditorium at 7 p.m. on May 7. For more information call 380-3615 or visit http://sites.google.com/site/chspabc/

Dillard Drive Middle School's first musical production, ANNIE, JR. will be performed on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Tickets will be $5 at the door. Over 100 students and staff members are involved in this production. Cast members have been rehearsing, sharpening their vocals and perfecting their dance numbers. The directors and parents are busily preparing props, costumes, sets, lighting, sound and music. For more information, contact Toni Ahrens at tahrens@wcpss.net

Wakefield Middle School Theatre Arts will be presenting THE MUSIC MAN on May 7, 8, & 9. The show includes dance, band, drama, orchestra, and chorus students. For more information, contact Meredith Lyons at 562.3500 or mlyons@wcpss.net

The Middle Creek Theatre Department will present the Quik Witz Improv Troupe in the school auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on May 21. For more information, contact, teacher Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:03 PM on March 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

High Five Encourages Students to Graduate

The High Five Regional Partnership for High School Excellence has a new video public service announcement that will be provided area television stations. You can view the video here and read about the importance of high school graduation here.

The High Five Partnership includes five area school districts: Wake County Public School System, Durham Public Schools, Johnston County Schools, Orange County Schools, and Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools, who have been working with five business partners: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Capitol Broadcasting, News and Observer, Sas and Progress Energy.

Their vision: All students graduate with a high school diploma, well prepared to pursue higher education and a career of their choice.

You can learn more about working together for Wake County students here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:35 PM on March 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Leesville Road High DECA Students are State Winners

Leesville Road High DECA Members (an association of Marketing Students) were recognized as state winners at the NC Career Development Conference.

Student State Winners included:

• Nicole Resch for Creative Marketing Project
• Daniel Walser, Jackson Tucker and Brian Hunter for Business and Financial Services Marketing Research Project
• Melike Atalay and Nasya Sturdivant for Advertising Campaign
• Isaac Jordan for Quick Serve Restaurant Management
• Kevin Carney for Sports and Entertainment Marketing Management

Students competed among thousands of DECA members state-wide in various marketing-related events. These Leesville Road students will move on to represent NC at the International DECA Competition in Anaheim, CA April 28-May 2, 2009.

Leesville Road High DECA Advisor, Gwen Shaw-Deberry, was awarded the NC DECA Clifton Belcher Professional Division Award. Marketing Educators/DECA Advisors from across NC nominated Shaw-Deberry for this honor based on her outstanding contributions to the organization and Marketing curriculum.

Thanks to Gwen Shaw-Deberry for submitting this information on GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:33 PM on March 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Leesville Middle Students Create Human Body Systems Exhibit

Seventh-grade students at Leesville Road Middle School have built models of different human body systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal and nervous systems to be displayed in a Human Body Systems Exhibit at the school. The exhibit will be on display in the school's media center on March 31 and April 1.

The school's seventh-grade science teams received a grant from the Triangle Community Foundation's Biogen Idec Mini-Grants in Science Education Fund to create the Human Body Systems Exhibit.

The exhibit is a collaborative effort on the part of all the seventh-grade science teams, and ties in with the seventh-grade curriculum unit on the human body. The student-built models will be accompanied by posters, educational videos, Power Point presentations and game software.

The grant was for a sum of $2,080 dollars. A small percentage went toward technology supplies while the rest covered the cost of materials including clay, plaster of paris, nuts, bolts, wires and poster board. The students were encouraged to use recycled materials in their projects.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 2:47 PM on March 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

North Forest Pines Student Wins Poster Contest

North Forest Pines Elementary student Ben Miller was the winner of North Carolina's Missing Children's Day Poster Contest.

Nona Best-Everett of the Center for Missing Persons presented Miller with a trophy March 23. Miller's poster will be submitted to the National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest.

Miller's poster shows a girl being taken from her home. After being gone awhile, a helping hand guides her home where she is reunited with her parents. Miller said his poster "shows that there are tons of missing children out there who are just begging for your help. All you have to do is lend a helping hand to kids like the girl in my poster."

A second-place red ribbon went to Abbi Kinder, 11, from Briarcliff Elementary School, Raleigh.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 3:13 PM on March 24, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Willow Springs Administrator Honored

James Strickland, Assistant Principal at Willow Springs Elementary, was elected Wake County representative for the North Carolina Principal Fellows Alumni Coalition. Strickland was a member of Class 13 of the Principal Fellows. The coalition recently met in Greensboro where officers were elected and there were discussions of the groups networking and advocacy goals. To find out more about the collation, visit the website here or the facebook page here.

Thanks to James Strickland for sharing this news through GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:32 PM on March 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Fuller Elementary Students Visit Washington, DC

Fuller Elementary's fifth-grade class is visiting Washington, D.C, in a three day, two night trip this month. Students will visit the Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery and other exciting places. The school was selected to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Four students will participate in this ceremony while all students watch. The students are very excited about this big trip and the excitement has been building for weeks. Fuller has 99 students, every student with a parent who wanted their child attending, going on the trip. The school did extensive fundraising to ensure that all fifth-grade students could attend.

Fuller Elementary is a magnet school with the gifted and talented theme that seeks to identify, value, nurture and reward the gifts and talents that students possess.

Thanks to Martin Boonstra for sharing this information through GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:46 PM on March 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Martin Drama Students Earn Honors

Students in the Martin Middle School Theatre Arts Department won a number of honors at the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) Regional Middle School Play Festival on March 21 at Winston-Salem. Students in Martin's Drama Production, Technical Theatre III, and Playwriting classes earned a Superior Rating for their production of their original piece, "Serpent of Stone", as well as Theatre Arts awards for Excellence in Puppetry, Excellence in Choreography and Excellence in Directing. In addition, student Lauren Bullamore's one-act play was recognized for Excellence in Playwriting.

This collaborative production piece, featuring a 40-foot-long silver Chinese dragon (body made by the Drama and Tech Theatre students, with the dragon head by Maggie Bennett's Visual Arts sculpture class), was inspired by an all-school collaboration with Cisco engineer and mountain-climber Chip Popoviciu, who climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest last spring. The Martin Drama Production students wrote a poem to commemorate his climb, and local composer Marshall Thomason wrote an original composition for the school's Honors Chorus (directed by Ramona Jenner) using the poem as the basis for the lyrics. Playwriting student Lauren Bullamore wrote an original one-act that was inspired in turn by the music. The musical portion of the production was included in this year's WCPSS/Wake Education Partnership production of Pieces of Gold.

Teachers leading the group are Judy Dove, theatre director, and Kirt Landry, technical director.

Martin Middle students created this 40-foot-long silver Chinese dragon. The Drama and Tech Theatre students created the body and Maggie Bennett's Visual Arts sculpture class created the head.

Martin Middle is a magnet school with the gifted and talented theme that seeks to identify, value, nurture and reward the gifts and talents that students possess.

Thanks to Judy Dove for sharing this information through GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:45 AM on March 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Music Students Prepare for Concerts - Updated

Our students are busy preparing for several upcoming concerts.

Wakefield High School Choral Department will present its Spring Concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 26 in the Wakefield High School Auditorium. The concert will feature literature performed by the Women's Concert Choir, the Advanced Women's Chorale, the Wolverine Chamber Singers and student soloists. The Women's Concert Choir and student soloists received Superior ratings at the recent NCMEA Solo and Small Ensemble Music Adjudication. For more information contact Arts Department Chair and Head of Choral Activites John-Philip Mullinax at jmullinax@wcpss.net

The Cary High Chorus will present a choral concert with the Concert Singers of Cary at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28 in the school auditorium. For more information, contact Edward Yasick at eyasick@wcpss.net or call 380-3618.

Cary High will present its Green Tie Gala with performances featuring the Cary High Band, Choral, Orchestra ensembles, drama presentations, and art exhibit at 7 p.m., April 23 in the school auditorium. For more information, call 380-3618 or visit http://sites.google.com/site/chspabc/

Cary High will present the Cary Choral Classic with performances featuring choirs of Cary, Green Hope, and Panther Creek high schools at 7 p.m., April 28 in the Cary High School Auditorium. For more information, call 380-3618 or visit http://sites.google.com/site/chspabc/

Cary High will present the Cary High Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz bands in the Spring Band Concert at 7:30 p.m., April 30 in the school auditorium. For more information, call 380-3618 or visit http://www.caryband.org

At Enloe High, students will present piano recitals at 7 p.m. on April 28, April 30 and May 4 in the school's chorus room. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

The bands of Hunter Elementary, Ligon Middle School and Enloe High School will perform in a joint band concert at 7 p.m., Friday, May 1 in the Enloe High auditorium. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

Middle Creek High Band Department will present a Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m., Thursday May 7 at the school. For more information, contact Arts Department Chair Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468 or areaves@wcpss.net

Cary High will present the Cary High Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz bands in the Spring Band Pops Concert at 2 p.m., May 10 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. For more information call 380-3618 or visit http://www.caryband.org

Hunter Elementary School will have its Spring Orchestra Concert in the Ligon Middle School auditorium at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 11. For more information, contact Hunter Elementary Orchestra Teacher Melissa Taylor at 856-7676 or mtaylor4@wcpss.net

The Middle Creek High Band Department will present a Band Concert on Sunday, May 17 at the school. For more information, contact Arts Department Chair Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468 or areaves@wcpss.net

The Millbrook High School Choral Department will present it's spring chorus concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 in the school auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults, $1 for students, and is free to all faculty and staff with an identification badge. For more information, contact Megan Boyd at mboyd@wcpss.net .

The Enloe High Orchestra will present its Spring Concert at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 19 in the school auditorium. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

The Middle Creek High Choral Department will present a choral concert at 7 p.m., Friday, May 21 at the school. For more information, contact Arts Department Chair Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468 or areaves@wcpss.net (Updated thanks to Middle Creek High Choral Director Mike Gilliam).

The Cary High School choirs and orchestra will perform in the Spring Choral Concert at 7:30 p.m., May 21 in the school auditorium. For more information, call 380-3618 or visit http://sites.google.com/site/chspabc/

The Enloe High Chorus will present its Cafe Cabaret Performance at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22 at the school auditorium. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Matt Rice at 856-7918. (UPDATE reflects time change to 7 p.m.)

The Enloe High Band will present its Symphonic Band & Chamber Music Concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 28 in the school auditorium. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:29 AM on March 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Four WCPSS Teams Name State Winter Sport Champs

WCPSS Athletics Director Bobby Guthrie has reported the school districts accomplishments for the
2008-09 winter sports season. Guthrie said WCPSS had 4 state champions, which we will honor at the Board Meeting on April 21.

Girls' Basketball

• Southeast Raleigh HS won their Sectional, but lost in the Eastern Regional Finals (Final 4).

Boys' Basketball

• Panther Creek HS won their Sectional, but lost in the Eastern Regional semi-finals (final 8)


• Enloe HS won their Sectional, but lost in the Eastern Regional semi-finals (final 8).

Wrestling

• Individual Team Championships - Cary HS won the NCHSAA 4A State Championship after winning the Eastern Regional - Coach Jerry Winterton - 6th state championship in last 7 years and 11th state championship since individual team championships began 22 years ago


• Team Championships - Cary HS won the NCHSAA 4A State Championship for the 3rd straight year after winning the Eastern Regional Championship. This is Cary's 15th state championship since 1981. Coach Jerry Winterton


• Green Hope HS and Panther Creek both finished in the final 8.

Girls' Swimming

• Green Hope HS won the Eastern Regional championship - finished 4th in the state championships.


• Leesville HS finished 2nd, Enloe 5th, and Panther Creek 9th in the state championships.

Boys' Swimming

• Enloe finished 3rd in the state championships after winning the Eastern Regional Championship for the 11th straight year.


• Green Hope HS finished 6th, Athens Drive 7th, and Sanderson 8th in the state championships.

Gymnastics

• Panther Creek HS won the State Championship (Small Team). Coach Krystal Kramer


• Southeast Raleigh (2nd), Apex (3rd), and Broughton (4th) finished in the top 4 of the Small Team State Championship.


• Enloe (2nd), Green Hope (3rd), and Leesville (4th) finished in the top 4 of the Large Team State Championship.

Indoor Track (Girls)

• Wake County Schools in State Championship in top 10: Southeast (3rd), Millbrook (6th), and Enloe (9th).

Indoor Track (Boys)

• Southeast Raleigh HS won the State Championship. Coach Eddie Harden


• Wake County Schools in State Championship in top 10: Green Hope (3rd), and Cary (10th).

Middle School Sportsmanship Awards

• Davis Drive, Fuquay-Varina, Apex and West Cary (Southern Conference), West Millbrook, Heritage, Wendell, Leesville and Wake Forest-Rolesville (Northern Conference) and Carnage, Carroll and Martin (Central Conference) won the sportsmanship awards for the Winter Sports Season. Sportsmanship banners will be displayed at these schools.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:25 PM on March 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Powell Elementary Celebrates One Book - One School

One Book - One School is an annual school community project at Powell Elementary that creates a common literacy experience through the school-wide exploration of a single book. This year's book, Yesterday I Had the Blues, by Jeron Ashford Frame, with illustrations by R. Gregory Christie, is a poetic interpretation of the emotional qualities of different colors. Each kindergarten through fifth grade class will study this book and its themes in a variety of ways. In addition, every Powell family will receive a paper back copy of the book to share at home.

The kick-off to this years' One Book One School project started in January when Powell school hosted the state's first "Blues in the Schools" residency with Blues Musical Artist in Residence, Roger "Hurricane" Wilson and professional musician and Powell parent, Ira Planer. These musicians worked directly with teachers and students during a week-long musical residency in January.

The entire period of study will culminate in a student created, collaborative, multi-media performance in six acts; each act is a different color and may contain combinations of art, dance, theatre, music or video.

You are invited to the performances at 7p.m., March 19 and 2:15 p.m., March 20 in the school’s multi purpose room. The students promise you'll leave feeling in the pink!

Thanks to Deb Bray of Powell Elementary for submitting this article to GotNews!

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:00 PM on March 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

12 WCPSS Students Earn Honors at State PTA Reflections Competition

The North Carolina PTA has announced the state winners for the PTA art contest, Reflections. The Wake County PTA sent 24 entries to the District 3 competition, and 18 winners from Wake County won at the District Level and were sent to the state competition. Of the 18 Wake County entries, 12 were winners at the state level, including the following:

Primary Dance:
1. Dorrit K. Eisenbeis, Fuller Elementary

Intermediate Dance:
1. Athena Z. Kuang, Davis Drive Elementary

Middle/Junior Dance:
2. Grayson B. Troxler, Martin Middle

Intermediate Video Production:
1. Nathaniel G. Brooks, Baileywick Elementary

Middle/Junior Video Production:
2. Clay M. Connors, Salem Middle

Senior Video Production:
1. Justin R. Poliachik, Apex High

Senior Literature:
3. Jennifer C. Li, Enloe High,

Primary Music Composition:
3. Olexia D. Mitchell, Baucom Elementary

Middle/Junior Music Composition:
2. Nathalie C. Tondeur, West Lake Middle

Senior Music Composition:
1. Myles P. Travitz, Panther Creek High

Senior Photography:
1. Jennifer C. Li, Enloe High

Middle/Junior Visual Arts:
1. Katelyn C. Schubel, Daniels Middle

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:32 PM on March 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Lufkin Road Student Qualifies for GeoBee

Lufkin Road Middle School student Daniel Ghan has qualified to participate at the state level of the National Geographic Bee. The state GeoBee will be held Friday, April 3 at Wake Technical Community College. One winner from each state and territory will advance to the national competition which will be held May 19 and 20 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington D.C.

Melinda Stephani, WCPSS Senior Administrator for Social Studies, offered her congratulations to Ghan and Lufkin Road teachers and school GeoBee organizers Paulette Thomas, Mirka Christesen and Leslie Sniegkowski. Stephani will continue to serve as moderator for the State GeoBee this year.

"It is truly a cross-social studies content activity," said Stephani. "In order to be a winner in the Bee, students need to know a lot of science, current events, history as well as geography."

Posted by Bill Poston at 6:00 PM on March 11, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Art Students Earn Awards

Eight Enloe High students earned top prizes at the district level of the Woman's Club Student Arts Festival. Art teacher Susan Euler says awards were presented to the following students.

Natalia Ehrich - 1st place ($25 cash)
Casey Clements - 1st place for pastel painting ($25)
Kristie Kim - 1st place for watercolor ($25)
Lauren Clapper - 2nd place for pastel painting
Ian Harwood - 1st place for pastel drawing ($25)
Kayee Au - 2nd place for pastel drawing
Elizabeth Poston - 2nd place charcoal drawing
Elizabeth Poston - 1st place colored pencil ($25)
Shannon McKenzie - 1st place graphite pencil ($25)
Shannon McKenzie - 2nd place pen & ink

All the first place winners will now be going on to the competition at the state level.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:46 PM on March 10, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Student Author Explains What It Means to be Normal

Articles about author Samantha McLeod can be found in this month's Skirt magazine and this week's Cary News. During a meeting last month, Wake Superintendent Del Burns passed out copies of her book to all Board of Education members giving it rave reviews. McLeod is a Salem Middle school student whose first self-published book, Normal, is being praised:

• This book is a MUST HAVE for all educational settings to teach acceptance of children with differences. I commend Samantha for reaching out to others with this book and encourage her to provide us with more stories so that we may learn more from her. Keep up the good work!
• Great Book! Can't wait for the next one!
• Wonderful book! Very funny. My kids loved it.
• Great book for children and adults of all abilities. Should be available in all schools and bookstores. The author shows excellent insight. Working in third grade, I highly recommend this book.
• Wonderful learning tool. Should be in every elementary grade classroom! Bravo!

The book, written and illustrated by Samantha McLeod is based on her personal experiences. In the book, a girl named Samantha sets out to change her brother, who has Autism, into being normal but first she needs to find out what normal means. The book is available online through the self publishing website, lulu.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:25 AM on March 9, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Partnership Elementary Students Win at Odyssey of the Mind

Partnership Elementary had 21 children participating on three Odyssey of the Mind teams at the regional competition on March 7 in Chapel Hill. They worked on the problems called Earth Trek, Superstition and Shock Waves.

The Partnership Elementary Shock Waves team came in 2nd and goes on to the State finals in Wingate on April 4th. The Earth Trek and Superstition teams came in 5th place.

Team members include:

• Earth Trek: Zachary McFarlane, Aila Sullivan, Julianne Lefelhocz, Robinson Carroll, Asia Diggs, Elizabeth James and Katie Holt
• Superstition: Irene Bauer, Micah Brown, Olivia Bryant, Annie Degraffenreid, Abigale Hughes, Chaz Mitchell, Meghan Perkins
• Shock Waves: Julianne Cinoman, Ginger Dudley, Rhett Dudley, Riley Falk, Kelvin Graham, Hannah Koszegi, Carol Seigler

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program. You can find more here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:49 PM on March 8, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Business Volunteers Needed for Career Exploration Event

Xtreme Beginnings is WCPSS's annual career exploration event for more than 600 high school students. On April 17, hundreds of educators and business professionals will be on hand to help them explore career possibilities, higher education and employment opportunities.

One of the highlights is a series of roundtable discussions where a small group of students spend twenty minutes with a business professional talking about careers in one of 30 different career areas.

And that's where you come in.

We are looking for career models for several of the roundtable discussions, as well as volunteers to conduct 10-minute practice job interviews with our students. You can help WCPSS students gain a more realistic appreciation for the level of preparation and commitment necessary to thrive in a competitive workplace.

Especially if you're familiar with the following areas, please consider volunteering for Xtreme Beginnings. You can sign up online.

• Skills needed for your future
• Work-based learning
• Getting your foot in the door
• Life after high school
• Performing Arts
• Arts: printing, graphic design
• Visual arts: interior design, floral design
• Education/Training
• Finance
• Government Public Admin non-military
• Medical research
• Hospitality & tourism
• Human Services personal care
• Manufacturing
• Marketing careers

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:59 PM on March 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Eagle Eye Reports: Where Are They Now?

A recent edition of the Enloe High student newsletter included a feature on five alumni. Here's what the newspaper said about these graduates:

John O'Quinn is a U.S. Deputy Associate Attorney General. After graduating Enloe, O'Quinn was a valedictorian and Student Body President at NC State. After attending Oxford University, he received his master's degree from MIT and attended Harvard Law School where he graduated first in his class. Since 2006, O'Quinn has been the Deputy Associate Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice. He is responsible for overseeing much of the government's civil litigation and arguing appeals on behalf of the government.

Jamie Jones is a video game designer. Jones work with the company Bungie, includes creating the illustrations and designs for video games such as characters and landscapes. Learning basics about drawing and painting in his Enloe art classes started his successful career in video game design, including creating the popular game Halo.

Kendall Stewart works for Habitat for Humanity. This '02 graduate has worked for Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador since the summer of 2006. As an International donor Relations Coordinator, Stewart works to raise international funds for low-income Salvadoran families. Recently, she and her colleagues were able to build an entire community for 60 families. She thanks her demanding Enloe schedule for preparing her to manage many responsibilities at once, and credits Key Club with introducing her to a life of service.

Greg Auman is a sports writer. Auman discovered his interest in writing as a staff writer, and later a co-editor for the Eagle's Eye. Auman has written for the St Petersburg Times in Florida for about nine years and has spent the last four and a half of them covering the athletic department at the University of South Florida. His job responsibilities include covering major sports events such as the Super Bowl in Tampa this year.

Evan Rogister is a conductor. Rogister, a 1998 graduate, was Enloe's Student Body President. While attending Julliard for a master's degree in music, Rogister traveled to Paris where he attended conducting courses at the National Conservatory. Now, Rogister is a part of the Houston Grand Opera Studio as a conducting fellow for two years, and has conducted performances such as Hansel and Gretel at the Miller Outdoor Theater.

Enloe High Eagle Eye reporter Becca Rubin compiled this report for the student newspaper.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:34 PM on March 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Davis Drive Wins Battle of the Books

The team of students from Davis Driver Middle School was winner of the 2009 Battle of the Books, held Saturday, February 28 at Green Hope High School. 23 middle school teams competed in five rounds after having read 27 books.

The Davis Drive team included Madhu Vadlamani, Caroline Reilly, Jessica Wan, Jared Tippens, Rushi Marthala, Ria Ray, Malvika Pillai, Anita Simha, Chelsey Lin, Jaya Krishna Pokuri, Hilary Sun and Christine Wei. The team's advisor was Bridget Hayes. Drive is invited to participate in the regional competition to be held in Johnston County in April 2009.

The runner-up was West Cary Middle School. The West Cary team included Aparna Arigala, Lindsay Carbonell, Aditi Chakravarty, Madison Hoke, Brenna Loendorf, Aishwarya Nag, Samantha Ongchuan, Vivek A. Pisharody, Julie Ren, Julia Shen, Fariha Syed and Lisa Wong. The team's advisors were Jan Garrett, Sheila Pattee and Rachel Cooper.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:15 PM on March 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board names principals and administrator

At its March 3 meeting, the Board of Education named two new principals and a new administrator.

The board named Elizabeth Battle principal at Daniels Middle School and Bob Umstead principal at Swift Creek Elementary.

Dr. Battle has served as assistant principal of Sanderson High since 2004. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal and career development coordinator at Southeast Raleigh High. She was a teacher at Wake Forest-Rolesville High.

Umstead has served as assistant principal of Swift Creek Elementary since 2000. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal at Knightdale Elementary and a teacher at Poe Elementary. Umstead has been selected as a finalist for Assistant Principal of the Year repeatedly.

The board named Phyllis Lewis a Senior Director in WCPSS Human Resources-Employee Relations. Dr. Lewis has worked as chief learning and professional development officer for the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, mediator and training consultant with the Dispute Settlement Center of Orange County, NC and senior associate vice president for Human Resources at Drexel University.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:38 PM on March 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake County Teacher of the Year Semi-finalists Selected

Twenty-four teachers have been named semi finalists for the 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year. The following teachers selected from the Teacher of the Year named by each school have been selected as semi-finalists:

Elaine Cansler, Brassfield Elementary School
Ann Hughes, Brooks Elementary School
Barbara Nichols, Broughton High School
ShaRonda Smith, Carpenter Elementary School
Michelle Holt, Cary Elementary School
Rene' Herrick, Combs Elementary School
Andrea Plakmeyer, East Garner Middle School
Sarah Reives, East Wake High School of Engineering Systems
Julia Robertson, Green Year Round Elementary School
Christine Tuttell, Holly Grove Elementary School
Mark Townley, Holly Springs High School
Barbara Fair, Kingswood Elementary
Caroline Valentine, Knightdale High School
Heather Dinkenor, Leesville Road High School
Kara McLendon, Lynn Road Elementary
Judith Darling, Middle Creek High School
Arlie Harris, Moore Square Museum Middle School
Carla Tuttle, Panther Creek High School
Colleen Kanters, Penny Road Elementary School
Jasmine Hart, Sanderson High School
Jaime Warkonyi, Stough Elementary School
Anthony Calabria, Wakefield High School
Shana Broders, Wake Forest Elementary School
Charlene Bryant, Zebulon Middle School

The next step in the process for the semi-finalists is a classroom observation by committee members to determine the finalists. A reception will be held in April to honor the semi-finalists and name the twelve finalists. The Wake County Teacher of the Year banquet is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, when the Teacher of the Year will be honored.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:13 PM on March 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Leesville Road Middle Students Troops

Some students on the Stingrays team at Leesville Road Middle School received special thanks from the staff and volunteers of the USO lounge at the Raleigh Durham airport this week. The students in Mrs. Hedgepeth's seventh grade Language Arts class collected a basket of more than 500 valentines they delivered in early February to the USO lounge at the airport. Then when volunteers stopped in the lounge as they headed overseas, they scooped up handfuls to share with troops stationed aboard.

Thanks to teacher Vicki Hedgepeth for sharing her story on GotNews

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:29 PM on March 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Lufkin Students' Studies During Black History Month

At Lufkin Road Middle School, students did online research on notable figures connected to Black History Month, summarized their contributions, and posted their findings online at a Blackboard discussion group for the class to read and offer comments. One class read the novel, The Watsons go to Birmingham, which takes place in 1963, at the height of the civil rights movement. Other students read Melba Pattillo Beal's memoir Melba's Choice about school integration in Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Some band classes began playing jazz music while other classes were introduced to the Blues. One team created a quilt of the people involved in the civil rights movement, made a mural depicting scenes from the civil rights movement, or a created an illustrated timeline of events that occurred during the civil rights movement after they studied the movement. One team acted out the play Warriors Don't Cry about the Little Rock Nine and the integration of Little Rock High School, following up with an illustration as a post-reading assignment. Classes studied Dr. Martin Luther King, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Charles Drew, Jesse Owens, Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson, Hattie McDaniels, Hank Aaron, Steven Slade, President Obama and Langston Hughes. They studied the prejudices during World War II and the Holocaust and compared those to current prejudices in school and society. One team saw the play Heroes of the Underground Railroad, another saw Freedom Train, and two more saw Black Journey.

Thanks to Assistant Principal Camille Hedrick sharing her story on GotNews.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:12 PM on March 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Qualify in Math Competition

Ten Enloe High students qualified to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination on March 17 based on the results of their testing on the AMC 12 and AMC 10. The AMC 12 qualifiers are Daniel Vitek (school winner), Alex Vasilyev and Shreyas Tikare. The AMC 10 qualifiers are Nick Tobey (school winner with a PERFECT score), Michael Bai, Amitoj Singh, Claire Zeng, Jeremy He, Arjun Bhattacharya and Ivan Kuznetsov. The tests are 25 questions, 75 minute multiple choice examinations in secondary school mathematics containing problems which can be understood and solved with pre-calculus concepts. The AMC 12 is for students in grade 12 or lower and the AMC 10 is for grade 10 or lower.

The tests seek to spur interest in mathematics and to develop talent through the excitement of solving challenging problems in a timed multiple-choice format. The problems range from the very easy to the extremely difficult. Students who participate should find that most of the problems are challenging but within their grasp.

All students who took the AMC 12 and achieved a score of 100 or more out of a possible 150 or were in the top 5% are invited to take the AIME. All students who took the AMC 10 and had a score of 120 or more out of a possible 150, or were in the top 1% also qualify for the AIME.

For the 2008-09 school year, the date for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination is Tuesday, March 17. The AIME is a 15 question, 3 hour examination in which each answer is an integer number from 0 to 999. The questions on the AIME are much more difficult. Students who take the AIME are seeking to qualify for the United States of America Mathematics Olympiad.

UPDATE
In a second round of testing, Enloe High students Kimberly Yao, Yash Mehta and Lisa Zheng qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME). Lisa missed only one question on the AMC 10B to qualify with a score of 144 out of 150 possible. Sophomores Kimberly and Yash qualified based on their scores on the AMC 12B - the version given to juniors and seniors. In addition, Calvin Deng, an 8th grade student from Ligon who takes AP Calculus AB at Enloe, also qualified for the AIME. He got a perfect score on the AMC 10A.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:43 PM on March 2, 2009 | Leave Feedback

East Millbrook Students Attend STEM Conference

Seven East Millbrook Middle School seventh grade girls have been selected to attend an all day conference "Expanding Your Horizon" at NC State University Tuesday, March 3, celebrating Women in (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers. The students are Sorena Dagar, Trinity Edelen, Felicia Field-Turner, Alexis Fox, Megan Frazier-George, Alexandria Gilmore and Sienna Grimes. The students will attend workshops, lab experiments, a keynote lecture and take part in a panel discussion from accomplished women in these fields. The day is designed to encourage girls to major in and pursue careers these fields.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:37 PM on March 2, 2009 | Leave Feedback

High Five Partners for Student Success

High Five is a partnership of five school districts and five business partners focused on high school reform with the vision that all students graduate with a high school diploma, well prepared to pursue higher education and a career of their choice. You can download a poster developed by High Five here and find more information about the organization here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:18 AM on February 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

East Millbrook Holds International Festival Concert

East Millbrook Middle School, an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme magnet school, welcomes you to attend our first ever International Festival Concert with performances by the Advanced Orchestra, Taiko Drum Ensemble, African Drum Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. Join us as the students answer the question, "How does music reflect culture?" through performance of music from various countries. The concert will take place on Friday, March 13th at 7pm in the brand new, state-of-the-art East Millbrook Auditorium located at 3801 Spring Forest Road in Raleigh. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:57 AM on February 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Severe Weather Awareness Week; Drill Next Wednesday

Governor Bev Purdue has declared that March 1-7 will be Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina. This is a great time for families to make sure that they're prepared for weather emergencies. Please note that our schools will be doing their part as well by participating in the statewide severe weather drill Wednesday morning, March 4. Students and staff will be practicing emergency procedures in case of a tornado or other serious event.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:29 PM on February 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Middle Schools Recognized for Sportsmanship

WCPSS middle schools have been recognized as sportsmanship winners for the 2008-09 winter sports season. The schools are recognized for good sportsmanship based on a vote of the coaches for that sport season. In all, twelve schools were honored in five different conferences.

• Apex and Fuquay-Varina in Southern, Division 1


• Davis Drive and West Cary in Southern, Division 2


• Martin, Carnage and Carroll in Central


• Wake Forest-Rolesville, Wendell anad Heritage were in a three way tie in Northern, Division 1


• Leesville Road and West Millbrook in Northern, Division 2

WCPSS Athletic Director Bobby Guthrie says as part of the voting, teams and coaches were complimented:

• Coaches were class acts and great role models


• Courteous, respectful, cooperative, friendly greeting


• Coaches encouragingto their own players


• Assisted with injured athletes


• Provided for needs of the visiting team


• Good on-field sportsmanship by players and coaches


• Students, parents, and athletes showed sportsmanship


• Great place to play, good atmosphere


• Players played hard but showed good sportsmanship

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:01 AM on February 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Dillard Drive Teacher Elected NCAGT President

Dillard Drive Middle School Academically Gifted Resource Teacher Dr. Jim Brookshas been elected President of The North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented (NCAGT). His two-year term will begin in March 2009. Dr. Brooks is currently serving his 8th term on NCAGT's Board of Directors as its teacher representative. He follows Dr. Laurene Madern, Senior Director in the WCPSS Growth Management Department, as president of the 1,000 member NCAGT, the largest and oldest advocacy group for gifted students in North Carolina. Dr. Brooks has indicated his agenda as NCAGT President will center on legislation at the state and national level, and on providing support and services for teachers and parents of gifted students.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:46 AM on February 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook Grad Knows LOV and War

A Millbrook High grad who knows LOV and war is featured in the latest edition of BRIDGES, the newsletter of the Millbrook High (LOV) Lessons of Vietnam class. You can read about 1992 graduate Sean Patrick Keenan and his service in the Marine Corps in this newsletter published by the students of Millbrook High teacher Lindy Poling. Click here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:11 PM on February 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Cary High Wins Fifth State Wrestling Title

Four-time defending champion Cary High made it five state team titles in a row in convincing fashion on Saturday night in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A wrestling tournament championships at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Cary, under veteran coach Jerry Winterton, placed four wrestlers in the championship matches and went on to record 126.5 points, ahead of Davie County in second place with 98.

All four Cary wrestlers in the finals earned state titles, including Ben Creed at 103 pounds, Gabe Brotzman at 152, Matthew Colvard at 160 and heavyweight Eloheim Palma. Palma, a senior and one of the top ranked wrestlers in the nation, completed a perfect 62-0 season.

The Imps won the dual team championship earlier this month and have now captured six of the last seven NCHSAA tournament titles.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:02 PM on February 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Chuck Davis Dancers Visit East Garner

Students and teachers are enjoying a visit from Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble at East Garner Middle School. Visual Arts Teacher Janice Jarrett says her Advanced Visual and Performing Arts students are working with the professional dance company during its seven-day artist residency that will conclude with a grand finale performance of student and professional dancers. The performance will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 10 at East Garner's Performing Arts Center. The performance is open to the public and free of charge.

In addition to the evening performance, East Garner's Advanced Fine Arts students will join the Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble in three performances for students on March 10.

Members of the Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble dance with teachers from East Garner Middle School, as part of a seven day visit by the dance company at the International Baccalaureate magnet school.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:06 AM on February 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator

The Raleigh Jaycees invite individuals and organizations in Wake County to participate in the nomination process for their 2009 Distinguished Service Awards. The Distinguished Service Awards are the highest awards a non-Jaycee can receive from any chapter. Awards recognize individuals from the community who have shown exceptional leadership qualities, an outstanding record of personal achievement and service to the community. This award can only be given once and only one recipient per category is selected annually.

The purpose of the Outstanding Young Educator program is to foster better relations through Jaycee-educator contacts and by creating a greater public interest in and understanding of today's educator. The individual selected as the Raleigh Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator will receive local recognition and awards and will become a nominee in the state competition. This form serves as the official entry form for local and state competition.

You can find information about nominations here which must be submitted by March 4.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:39 PM on February 24, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Students On Stage

Students from Enloe High will take part in the Regional Shakespeare Monologue Contest in the school's auditorium at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24. For more information, contact assistant principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

The Broughton Drama Club will present the musical Footloose in the school's Payne Auditorium at 7 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and 28. Tickets are $7.

Apex Peak Players present the musical Once Upon a Mattress on March 3, 5, 6, and 7 at 7:30 p.m., in the Apex High School theatre. This hilarious version of the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, is suitable for all ages. Tickets are available at www.apexdrama.org for $7.50 students/seniors and $8.50 adults. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Wakefield High will present a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre All Over But the Shooting in the school's auditorium March 6 and 7. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $18.75-$25. For more information, visit www.wakefieldtheatre.net

At Cary High, students will present their spring musical, The Wizard of Oz, in the school's auditorium at 7 p.m. March 12-14 and at 2 p.m. on March 14. For more information, call 380-3615.

Leesville Road High's Pride Productions will present Guys and Dolls on March 19- 21 in the school auditorium at 8409 Leesville Rd Raleigh NC 27613. The show will run nightly at 7 p.m. with a cost of $8.

Holly Springs High School Theatre Company is proud to present the musical comedy, Li'l Abner, March 19-21. Curtain is at 7:00 PM and tickets are $7.00, sold online at www.HSHSTheatreCompany.org. For more information, contact Rome Buttner, HSHS Theatre Arts Director, at mbuttner@wcpss.net .

Wakefield High will present The Princess & the Pea at 7 p.m., March 20 in the school auditorium. Tickets are $5 general admission at the door.

The Middle Creek High Fine Arts Department will present the musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with shows in the school auditorium at 8 p.m., April 23-25. Tickets are $10 and will be on sale about a week before the show. For more information, contact, teacher Athena M. Reaves at 919-661-5468.

Wakefield High will present Barry Manilow's COPACABANA! at 7 p.m., April 23-25 and at 2:30 p.m., April 25. Tickets are $7-$10. You can find more information at www.wakefieldtheatre.net

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:20 AM on February 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board Names Principals and Administrators

At its Feb. 17 meeting, the Board of Education filled two key administrator positions, named a new principal for Leesville Road High and an interim principal for West Lake Elementary.

The board named Scott Lyons principal at Leesville Road High.

Lyons has served as principal of Ligon Middle School since 2005. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal at Enloe High. He worked as mentor coordinator and teacher at Enloe. As a teacher, Lyons earned certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and was once named Enloe's Teacher of the Year.

The board named Joe Desormeaux Assistant Superintendent of the Facilities Department and Robert Snidemiller Senior Director for Transportation Operations and Finance.

Desormeaux has served as senior director of WCPSS Maintenance and Operations since 2001. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring after serving as the Facility Maintenance Director at Kelly Air Force Base.

Snidemiller has served as Director of Finance for WCPSS Auxiliary Services since 2007. Prior to that, he was a WCPSS Senior Administrator for Finance. Before joining WCPSS, he worked as a controller, corporate accountant and staff accountant with businesses in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The board named retired principal Charles Langley to serve as interim principal at West Lake Elementary. Langley served as principal of Willow Springs Elementary for 14 years and was an assistant principal at East Millbrook Middle, West Millbrook Middle and Whitley Middle.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:13 PM on February 19, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Ligon Holds Bolt for the Blue 5K Race

Ligon Middle School's fundraiser "Bolt for the Blue 5K Road Race/Walk" is on Saturday, March 21st from 9-10:30am. There is a twenty dollar entry fee which includes a student-designed BOLT FOR THE BLUE t-shirt. Register by March 6th to guarantee your shirt size. Start getting fit for life by training for the BOLT FOR THE BLUE Road Race!

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:53 PM on February 19, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Grimes-Droessler Honored as Arts Educator

Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, the WCPSS Senior Administrator for Arts Education, was honored Tuesday night by the United Arts Council and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce as their Arts Education awardee in the annual Business Support of the Arts Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the arts in our community.

Grimes-Droessler began her professional career in arts education in 1982 as a dance and theater teacher at what was then Martin Junior High School. Currently, as the WCPSS Senior Administrator for Arts Education, Liz works closely with over 500 arts teachers from all arts disciplines in all grades. She coordinates two countywide arts events: for 26 years, the highly successful Pieces of Gold event, which showcases the county's best art programs for students. In 2002, she teamed with Broadway Series South and produced a student production of Les Miserables with four performances at Memorial Auditorium. The success of that production led to others in ensuing years. Each time, Liz assembled a team of Broadway professionals to lead WCPSS students in creating a first-class musical production.

Her commitment to arts education extends beyond the school system. She has served on the boards of Raleigh Little Theatre, Arts Access, Even Exchange Dance Theater, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. Since 2003, Liz has been an adjunct faculty member at Meredith College where she teaches future educators how to integrate the arts in elementary classrooms. Since 1984, Liz has been the Technical Director for Chuck Davis and the African-American Dance Ensemble.

In 1995, Liz was awarded the City of Raleigh Medal of Arts; in 2002 she was named the Dance Education Administrator of the Year for North Carolina; and in 2003, she was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women in the Arts and Entertainment category.

Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce chair Sepi Asefnia presents Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler with the Arts Educator Award from the Chamber and United Arts Council.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:31 PM on February 19, 2009 | Leave Feedback

High School Students Can Register for the Shelton Challenge

The Shelton Challenge is a six-day residential experience to help students expand their knowledge and skills of what it takes to be a leader. Students will participate in activities that will help them have a greater understanding for: Personal Leadership Assessment and Interpersonal Dynamics; Role of Values and Ethics in Leadership; Leadership Traits and Approaches; Teambuilding and Empowering Others; Civic and Social Responsibility; and Goal Setting. Students also have the opportunity to participate in team building activities, low and high ropes courses and a service project. The cost to attend the program is $550, which includes lodging, meals, curriculum, and all activities. Students who are rising 9th thru 12th graders with a 3.0 grade point average may want to consider attending one of the following sessions: UNC- Charlotte - June 21- 26; NC State University - July 12- 17 or July 26- 31. For more information, including an application, click here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:34 PM on February 17, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Students On Stage

At Enloe High, the Theatre Department will present Senior Directed One Act plays in the school's studio 1508 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 and 18 and on March 5 and 6. For more information, contact assistant principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

At Enloe High, the theatre Department will present E. Company's Shakespeare-a-thon in the school's studio 1508 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 23. For more information, contact assistant principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

Students from Enloe High will take part in the Regional Shakespeare Monologue Contest in the school's auditorium at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24. For more information, contact assistant principal Matt Rice at 856-7918.

At Cary High, students will present their spring musical, The Wizard of OZ, in the school's auditorium at 7 p.m. March 12-14 and at 2 p.m. on March 14. For more information call 380-3615 or visit here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:12 PM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

FAFSA Day - February 21, 2009

The 2009 FAFSA Day program will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21.

FAFSA Day is a program offered by College Foundation of North Carolina and the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators each February. On FAFSA Day, North Carolina high school seniors can receive free help completing and submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms at any of 65 locations across the state. The two locations in Wake County are:

• Feb. 21 at 9:00AM - 12:00P at Meredith College in the Atrium of the Science and Math Building located at 3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC, 27607
• FEb. 21 at 9:00AM - 12:00PM at Wake Tech. Comm. College in the lobby of the Student Services Building at 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC, 27603

You can get more information and register here. If you need additional help completing your FAFSA, please call 866-866-CFNC, or contact your campus financial aid office.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:07 PM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Stomp Visits Enloe High

Dance students at Enloe High had some special visitors at school last Friday. Enloe dance teacher Courtney Greer arranged for some of the cast members from the Broadway Series South presentation of STOMP to visit the school. Greer says the students were excited to work with the cast members. The show's performers combine percussion, modern dance and slapstick comedy showing that anything can make music if you really want it to. The show was at the Progress Energy Center's Raleigh Memorial Auditorium Feb. 10-15.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:14 PM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

2008-09 School Statistics and Maps Report Online

WCPSS demographer Maya Vouk has published her 2008-09 School Statistics and Maps report. The report includes an overview, quick facts, individual school reports, student demographics, and enrollment projections. The majority of the data and maps included in the report represent summaries for the 2008-09 school year. However, also included are enrollment projections until 2018, and updates of the Capital Improvement Plan 2006 data and maps that were used to support the one billion building program approved by Wake County voters in 2006. The report is available here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:49 AM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS High School Students Win Essay Contest

Enloe High student Jennifer Li and Broughton High student Alex Chin are among the 68 national semi finalists competing for a scholarship of $1,500 and recognition as an honored guest at a celebration at the United Nations Headquarters in March 2009. Li and Chin won the 2009 Hanna Ridgeway Prize/Semi-Finalist Award from the United Nations Association essay contest. Each of the students were recognized and awarded a $250 prize at the Wake County Chapter UNA membership meeting held Feb. 11 at Meredith College. The students' essays have been sent to the national UNA/USA high school essay contest.

The theme of the UNA-USA 2009 National High School Essay Contest was "What can the US do to help ensure environmental sustainability?" Li wrote a "letter to President Obama" about how to ensure environmental sustainability for the future. The article discussed population growth, renewable/nonrenewable resources, deforestation, climate change, and how these issues affect poverty. Li says she's been studying these topics in her Advanced Placement Environmental Science class.

More information on the essay competition is available here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:02 AM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Percussion and Winterguard Competition at Green Hope High

A Percussion and Winterguard Competition, the Atlantic Indoor Association competition, will be held Saturday, Feb. 21 at Green Hope High School. The competition will include 41 regional teams, such as Athens Drive High, Broughton High, Cary High, Green Hope High, Panther Creek High, Sanderson High and Wakefield High.

This Percussion and Winterguard competition will emphasize synchronicity, with only brief solo moments for individuals or small groups to shine. The Percussion competition is performed first. The Winterguard competitions use flags and sabers along with dance movement, body expression and drill patterns to express the theme of their show which is choreographed to recorded music.

Atlantic Indoor Association was formed in 1994 to support and benefit organizations which engage in and support youth activities in the performing arts. With over 300 member units, AIA is the third largest circuit in the nation. Winning teams will continue to AIA Circuit Championships for 2009 which will be held in Dale City, Virginia at the end of March.

The all day event starts about noon and costs $8 per adult and $3 for children under 10. Concessions will be available. Parking is free. Directions are available here. Green Hope High School is located at 2500 Carpenter Upchurch Road in Cary, NC 27519. For more information, click here or call 469-0954.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:22 AM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

SE Raleigh High Wins State Track Championship

Southeast Raleigh High won the NCHSAA 4A Men's Indoor Track State Championship Saturday night at the Eddie Smith Indoor Arena on the University of North Carolina campus. WCPSS Athletics Director Bobbie Guthrie congratulated Coach Eddie Harden and his team and noted they won a very exciting meet by one-half point against New Bern, the state's perennial power.

Southeast Raleigh won the title by 0.5 points and what boiled down to 0.89 seconds. New Bern won the final event of the night, the four by 400 relay, in a state record time of 3:21.79. But Southeast Raleigh finished fourth, 0.89 seconds out of fifth, and that was just enough to nip New Bern in the team standings. Southeast Raleigh scored 62.5 points to 62 for New Bern. There were 43 schools scoring points in the men's competition.

The Southeast Raleigh High women's team finished in a tie for third in the women's state championship. Southeast Raleigh and Charlotte's Myers Park High tied for third with 43 points. A total of 41 schools scored points in the women's meet.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:02 AM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

News for Parents

Want to know how to pick out the best books for your elementary reader or need some help keeping your high school student motivated and on track for graduation? Find out this information and more by reading the lastest Parent Matters Newsletter. Click here (or visit the parent page).

The Winter 2009 Parent Matters for Elementary and Secondary parents both contain information about the upcoming budget, the new academic goal and ways to help your children be successful at school. The Parent Matters Newsletter is published several times throughout the school year to provide parents with valuable information about the school system including ways they can help support their children's education.

Separate versions are published for the parents of elementary students and the parents of secondary (middle and high school) students. A spanish version is also available. Feel free to send your questions or any feedback and suggested topics for future newsletters to Ashley Smith at asmith9@wcpss.net

Posted by Ashley Smith at 8:25 AM on February 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

National Board Has Video on Certification

The Wake County Public School System has one of the nation's largest number of teachers in its classrooms to earn certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The school system just held a reception to congratulate the 197 teachers who earned certification this year.

The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has a new 10 minute video that describes the impact of certification. You can see it here.

The latest report from the NC Department of Public Instruction on teachers earning certification can be found here. Click on the January 2009 report.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:42 AM on February 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Considering the Benefits of Diverse Schools

The explosive growth of population in Wake County in recent years has been felt in many ways. Our school system has been given tremendous support by our community in providing resources that our county's leadership has wisely used to best serve the children of our community. Seven new schools have already opened and 10 more are scheduled to open over the next three years. In approving a historic three-year assignment plan to fill these 10 schools and relieve crowding in our fastest growing areas of the county, the school system has been guided by its assignment policies that include these goals:

• Creating stable school environments (families, classmates, and peers)
• Protecting the ability to offer quality programs in every school
• Collaborating with the community (all parties/stakeholders)
• Creating and maintaining a diverse student body.
• Alleviating overcrowding
• Filling seats efficiently
• Achieving academic success for all children
• Providing a logical progression between elementary, middle, and high school
• Creating good teaching conditions (the social, emotional, and physical environment).
• Retaining good teachers
• Ensuring consistency across the System over time
• Building a sense of community and connection (i.e. neighborhoods, parent involvement)
• Fairness

A target of criticism in this list of goals is "Creating and maintaining a diverse student body."

In January 2008, Assistant Superintendent David Holdzkom compiled an annotated bibliography that examines the issues of diversity and schools. You can find the bibliography here. You can find earlier reports from the WCPSS Evaluation and Research Department from 2005 and 2004.

Posted by Bill Poston at 6:08 PM on February 12, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Pre-Kindergarten Applications Available

This year, parents may apply for the following programs for the 2009-10 school year using one application:

• WCPSS/Title I Pre-Kindergarten program
• Wake County Human Services Child Care Subsidy Services
• More at Four Pre-Kindergarten Program
• Telamon Corporation/Head Start

The deadline for accepting Title I applications is April 11, 2009. The application period for the other pre-Kindergarten applications is open. Your child must be four years old by August 31, 2009, to apply. All children will be screened for academic needs.

You can download the application here. If you have any questions, please call the Title I Office at 790-6428.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:46 PM on February 10, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Nine WCPSS Students named Park Scholar Finalists

Nine Wake County Public School System students were among the 105 students North Carolina State University has named as finalists for 2009 Park Scholars. These prestigious awards are valued at about $59,000 for North Carolina residents.

The WCPSS students are Ryan Alexander Collinsworth of Middle Creek High, Tyler Andrew Confrey-Maloney of Broughton High, Adam Carswell Dunn of Holly Springs High, Alyse C. Flick of Athens Drive High, Ebunoluwa Ololade Olaleye of Wake Forest Rolesville High, Patrick Joseph Short of Sanderson High, Ashwin Paul Srikrishna of Enloe High, Gretchen Louise Stokes of Apex High and John Michael Turner of Middle Creek High.

The finalists will take part in a further screening process that will lead to the announcement of the Park Scholars in the coming weeks.

The Park Scholarships program is among America's most prestigious undergraduate merit scholarship programs. The scholarships pay expenses for four years of study at NC State, and include a computer stipend and funds for academic enrichment activities.

Selection criteria for the merit-based Park Scholarships include academic achievement; personal characteristics such as character, integrity and motivation; exceptional leadership potential; and commitment to the betterment of one’s community. The scholarships are renewable each year, based on academic achievement and personal conduct.

The Park Foundation of Ithaca, N.Y., established the scholarships at NC State in 1996 with an initial gift to support 25 Park Scholars. The scholarships are named in honor of the late Roy H. Park, a distinguished alumnus of NC State and president of the media company Park Communications Inc.

You can find more information about the Park Scholarship here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:46 PM on February 10, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Information on Federal Student Aid Available

The 2009 FAFSA Day program will take place on Saturday, Feb. 21. This event is offered each February to high school seniors and provides free help completing and submitting their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms at any of 65 locations across the state. For more information on the event that is being held near you, visit www.CFNC.org.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 10:07 AM on February 10, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Graduation Rates and Advanced Placement Testing

In the State Board of Education meeting underway in Raleigh today, there are discussions on high school graduation rates and participation in Advanced Placement classes. You can find more information on these topics in these WCPSS articles and reports:

WCPSS Evaluation and Research Department report: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES, WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM: 2007-08

WCPSS Releases 2007-08 Graduation Rate Results
July 21, 2008 - Three high schools have graduation rates above 90 percent as described in a report on graduation rates for 2007-08 released by the Wake County Public School System today.

Wake High Schools Recognized for Graduation Rate
September 9, 2008 - Two Wake County Public School System high schools were recognized yesterday by Dr. June Atkinson, State Superintendent of Education, for achieving some of the top graduation rates for high schools in the state.

WCPSS Evaluation and Research Department report: WCPSS ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TEST RESULTS, 2007-08

More WCPSS Students Taking College-Level AP Exams
October 23, 2008 - More Wake County Public School System students are taking college-level Advanced Placement exams and the percent of WCPSS students with a passing score remains significantly higher than the average for North Carolina.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:51 AM on February 5, 2009 | Leave Feedback

East Millbrook Middle Phone Service Being Repaired

East Millbrook Middle School Principal Andrew Livengood says due to unexpected construction issues, the incoming phone lines to the main office and to guidance were cut at approximately 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4. We are told that full functionality of the phone lines will be restored by noon on Friday, Feb. 6. Until that time please understand that we have limited ability to answer incoming phone calls. You may leave a voicemail message, and we will be checking for messages throughout the day. Your message will be returned as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for this inconvenience.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:48 AM on February 5, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board names principals

At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Board of Education named principals for a new elementary school opening next year, a middle school and a high school.

The board named James Argent principal of the new Lake Myra Elementary, Craig Harris principal of West Lake Middle and Jamee Lynch principal of East Wake School of Integrated Technology.

Argent has served as principal of Swift Creek Elementary since 2005. Prior to that, he served an assistant principal at Timber Drive Elementary and served as an assistant principal intern and curriculum integration coordinator at Centennial Campus Middle School. He was a teacher in the Burke County, NC and Catawba County, NC schools. He was a finalist for WCPSS Assistant Principal of the Year in 2004.

Harris has served as principal of a Wilson County, NC middle school since 2005. Prior to that, he served as an assistant principal and teacher in Wilson County, NC schools. He was the Wilson County Principal of the Year in 2008.

Lynch has served as principal of Sanford Creek Elementary since it opened in 2007. Prior to that, she served as principal of Hodge Road Elementary. She was an assistant principal at Vance Elementary and a teacher at Garner High. She was an assistant principal in the Johnston County, NC schools and an administrator at Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC. She was the WCPSS Principal of the Year in 2006.

The board named retired teacher Ann Deegan as interim principal at West Lake Middle School. Deegan has served as an interim principal at Washington Elementary, Lufkin Road Middle and Dillard Drive Elementary. She was principal of Martin Middle School and Underwood Elementary, as well as a WCPSS administrator.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:17 PM on February 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Magnet Open Houses at 1:00 p.m. only today

Magnet Open Houses at elementary schools will take place at 1:00 only today due to the 2-hour delay. While the 10:00 session will not be rescheduled, parents are encouraged to call individual schools or the
magnet resource center (501-7900) for additional times to visit throughout the application period. Applications will be available online from Feb 9-28.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:24 AM on February 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

2008 North Carolina School Report Cards Now Online

The 2008 North Carolina State Report Card is now online. The report card uses data from the NC Department of Public Instruction to provide a wide range of information about every school and school district in the state. You can find the 2008 North Carolina State Report Card here.

The report card provides seven years of data with the most current from the 2007-08 school year. You can select the year at the top of the page, click on a school system in the list on the right hand side or type in your schools name in the box on the left.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:40 PM on February 2, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Sycamore Creek Crocodile Blog

As part of our school system's goal to make students more globally competitive, our schools are finding creative ways to integrate technology into the classroom for students. Sycamore Creek Elementary is no exception! The school has a unique spin on blogging which helps to keep their students engaged and connected even during track-outs. The school's technology coordinator, Matthew Clobridge, shares the news below:

Students at Sycamore Creek Elementary School have been learning 21st-century technology, critical thinking, and information literacy skills with the help of Kyle Crocodile, a small green stuffed animal, and his crocodile siblings, Kirby, Katie, and Carlyle.

The project takes advantage of the school's year-round schedule by sending the stuffed animals on trips with students, staff, and friends when they are tracked-out. The crocodiles' adventures are posted to a weblog (www.kylecrocodile.com ) where students ask questions and write comments.

Since the project's kick-off in October 2008, the crocodiles have traveled to Europe and many places within in the United States. Currently, Kirby Crocodile is in Iraq with Captain Christopher Peterman of the Army Reserves National Guard. Katie Crocodile recently witnessed history first-hand while attending the presidential inauguration in Washington, DC. Other crocodiles will be visiting Asia and Central America in upcoming weeks.

Sycamore Creek's technology specialist, Matthew Clobridge, is responsible for this project. Clobridge works with teachers to integrate the use of technology into the curriculum through projects such as the Kyle Crocodile blog. This project is one way to introduce students and teachers to blogging as well as serving as a means to expose students to people, places, and events they might not otherwise be able to experience themselves. For more information, please visit the web site at www.kylecrocodile.com or contact info@kylecrocodile.com.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 3:15 PM on January 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board names principals

At its Jan. 22 meeting, the Board of Education named principals for two high schools and for two new elementary schools opening next year.

The board named Stephen Mares principal at Broughton High and Diane Payne interim principal at Leesville Road High.

Mares has served as principal of Daniels Middle School since 2005. Prior to that, he served as principal of Joyner Elementary. He also worked as an assistant principal at West Lake Elementary and an assistant principal intern at Apex Elementary. He was the WCPSS Principal of the Year in 2004-05 and was the NC VIF Principal of the Year in 2006-07.

Payne retired from the school system after serving as principal of Broughton High for 14 years. Prior to that, she served as principal of Enloe High and West Millbrook Middle, as well as interim principal at Poe Elementary. She was a WCPSS Special Assistant for Leadership and Staff Development, NC Department of Public Instruction administrator and NC State University Assistant Dean of Student Development. She was WCPSS Principal of the Year in 1990.

The board named Mary K. Warren principal of Herbert Akins Elementary and Franklin Creech principal of Banks Road Elementary, two schools opening for the first time in 2009-10.

Warren has served as principal of West Lake Elementary since 2005. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal at Adams Elementary and West Lake Elementary. She was a teacher at West Lake Elementary and Enloe High.

Creech has served as principal of Fuquay-Varina Elementary since 2003. Prior to that, he served as assistant principal of Timber Drive Elementary and was a teacher at Clayton High in Johnston County.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:59 AM on January 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Music Students Prepare for Concerts

Our students are busy preparing for several upcoming concerts.

Cary High School will hold its Sweetheart Serenade, a musical evening of singing valentines at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12 in the Cary High School Auditorium, Cary. For more information, contact Edward Yasick at eyasick@wcpss.net or call 380-3618.

The Middle Creek High Chorus will have Dinner and A Show! Thursday, Feb. 12. Dinner at 6:30pm, Show at 7:30pm. For more information, contact Athena M. Reaves, Middle Creek High's Theatre Arts Educator at AReaves@wcpss.net or call 661-5468.

There will be a joint chorus concert featuring Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School Chorus and Sanderson High School Sandpipers at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information contact Elsie Shuler at eshuler@wcpss.net or Marshall Butler at mbutler@wcpss.net or call 856-2835.

The Sanderson High Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble will perform in concert at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 in the school's auditorium. For more information, contact Creighton Flowers, Sanderson High Director of Bands at cflowers@wcpss.net or call 881-4839. You can check the band website here.

The Enloe High Orchestra will perform in concert with guest conductor Dr. James Waddelow of Meredith College at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Enloe High auditorium, Raleigh. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information contact Beth McCollum at emccollum@wcpss.net or call 856-7982

The Enloe High Chorus will perform in concert at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 3 at the Enloe High auditorium, Raleigh. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information contact Ann Huff at ahuff@wcpss.net or call 856-7918

Cary High School will hold its Winter Band Concert featuring Concert, Symphonic, and Jazz Band Performances at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19 in the Cary High School Auditorium, Cary. For more information, contact Edward Yasick at eyasick@wcpss.net or call 380-3618. You can find more information about the Cary High Band here.

The Cary High Chorus will present a choral concert with the Concert Singers of Cary at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28 in the Cary High School Auditorium, Cary. For more information, contact Edward Yasick at eyasick@wcpss.net or call 380-3618.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:38 AM on January 26, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Powell Elementary Blues in the Schools Program

During the week of January 27, Blues recording artist Roger "Hurricane" Wilson will be visiting Powell GT Magnet Elementary School from 2:00-3:30 p.m. to work with students and teachers during a weeklong music workshop for elementary school students. The event is part of the first-ever Blues in the Schools pilot program in the Wake County Public School System.

Working in conjunction with Burriss Amps, Powell Elementary invited Mr. Wilson as the Artist in Residence. Wilson will stay at Powell during the week and his residency will conclude with a performance by Mr. Wilson himself and Powell Elementary students on Friday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m.

In addition, this year, the Blues in the School project will be tied to Powell's One Book One School program and will integrate the Blues musical genre through history, art, writing, music and dance developed during Roger "Hurricane" Wilson's residency. Each year Powell Elementary conducts a One Book One School program which introduces a single book to the entire school and culminates in a multi-disciplinary stage production. The Powell community will read and discuss the story "Yesterday I Had the Blues" by Jeron Frame. The work will conclude with a student performance led by Powell Elementary Media Specialist Jessica Gill and Drama Specialist Marta King. The performance is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, March 20 at 2:15 p.m. The public and press are welcomed to attend.

For more information, contact Debora Bray, Magnet Coordinator, at 919-856-7737, dbray1@wcpss.net.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 9:03 AM on January 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Selecting Weather Make-up Days

Our Customer Service Center has fielded some calls and e-mails asking about how the make-up days for this week's snow cancellations were chosen. Dawn Dawson, senior director for state and federal programs and the administrator who coordinated our calendar committee, responds:

The calendar law requires there be 180 student days, 14 workdays, 10 vacation days, and 11 holidays. The instructional calendar may not start earlier than August 25 and may not end later than June 10. A committee, made up of parents, teachers, school administrators, community members, and central services staff, develop the school calendar which is then recommended to the Board of Education for approval. We are required to build in inclement weather days, which are listed on the left of the traditional calendar. Spring break is often used for inclement weather days because the parameters of the calendar law make scheduling so tight. According to the calendar law, make-up days can't be after June 10 and can't be the end of quarter workdays (January 26, April 13).

Our next calendar committee will be meeting in the fall of 2009 to develop the 2011-2012 calendar.

Christy Falba, senior director for elementary education, adds this information regarding year-round schedules.

The decision to have this Saturday as a make-up day is based on several things:

Board Policy 5030.2 - The calendar shall provide for one hundred eighty (180) full days of instruction, and allowances consistent with state law shall be included for making up days that might be needed because of inclement weather or other unforeseen occurrences that might make it necessary to temporarily close a school or schools.

Selecting the Saturday immediately following the inclement weather helps to maintain the instructional pacing for student learning. Additionally, the same three tracks that miss school due to inclement weather need to make up the day(s) together. Because Track 3 is going out, the next time the same three tracks are together is in April. Therefore, the second Saturday make-up had to be scheduled farther out.

Days cannot be added to the tracks during the week because the schools can only accommodate students from three tracks at any one time.

Student absences for the Saturday make-up days do count.

Although this does not solve the issue of Saturday conflicts, it does ensure that students receive the instruction they missed and that the 180 days required by state statute is met.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:41 PM on January 22, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Board discusses assignment in work session

As the work session on the multi-year student assignment proposal began this morning, Assistant Superintendent Chuck Dulaney recommended two changes to the Dec. 16 staff proposal presented to the Board of Education. Dulaney recommended:

• Staff recommends that a transfer request for a student be automatically approved if that particular student will be impacted by district assignment decisions twice within a three year period. For example, if a student was in School A as either a base or a calendar applicant and board action changes that student's assignment to School B and then subsequent board action would change the student's assignment to School C after less than three years in School B, a transfer request for the student to remain in School B would be automatically approved.
• Staff recommends that when the "grandfathering" process leads to approval of a transfer for a student and the family applies for a transfer for a younger sibling who has also already begun attending the same school as the older sibling (for example, a rising 1st grade sibling of a rising 4th grade student or a rising 10th grade student assigned to a new high school that has a rising 11th or 12th grade sibling) that the transfer request for the younger sibling automatically be approved.

The board heard additional staff recommendations and then began reviewing the multi year assignment proposal that will fill 10 new schools over the next three years. Today's work session is scheduled to continue until the board's regular meeting at 3 p.m.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:09 AM on January 22, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Tdap Booster Shots Required for Sixth Grade; April Clinics Ahead

North Carolina law now requires a booster shot of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) vaccine for all children entering sixth grade. Without it, the protection from childhood immunization wears off over time.

Wake County Human Services will be offering free, no-appointment Tdap clinics in April:

• Monday, April 6
  9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
  Northern Regional Center
  350 East Holding Ave., Wake Forest
  919/562-6300
  
  
• Tuesday, April 7
  9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
  Eastern Regional Center
  1002 Dogwood Lane, Zebulon
  919/404-3900
  
  
• Thursday, April 9
  9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
  Southern Regional Center
  130 North Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina
  919/557-2501
  

For more details about the vaccination and state requirements, visit our parent tips page.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:40 PM on January 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

East Millbrook Holds Winter Festival

East Millbrook Middle School has rescheduled its annual Winter Festival to Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m. The school choose to push the event back a week after winter weather closed the school system for two days this week.

Each year, East Millbrook Middle students and teachers consider an Essential Question and present the results of their studies in the Winter Festival. This year the Essential Question is: "What is the relationship between Freedom and Responsibility?" Students and teachers will be displaying the work they have done and student groups will present various performances. For more information, contact East Millbrook Principal Andrew Livengood at 850-8755.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:27 PM on January 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Earn Honors at Business Competition

Enloe High students took top honors in the Future Business Leaders of America Triangle East Region Competitive Events held at Princeton High School on Jan. 17. The Enloe Future Business Leaders team included Ahmal Baloubi, Kayla Douglas, Shamika Hodge, Taylor Norris and Tyler Richards. Norris earned first place in Accounting. Placing second were Baloubi in Word Processing II and Douglas in Public Speaking II. Richard earned third place in Business Calculations. These students will advance to compete in FBLA's State Leadership Conference in April. Their advisors are Natasha Deese and Patricia Taylor.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:26 PM on January 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook High Honored for Supporting Juvenile Diabetes Research

Millbrook High School was recently honored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for its fundraising efforts. Millbrook's Student Government Advisor Valerie Hubard and junior Reid Bauman accepted the awards for the school during the annual Awards Celebration dinner. For the 4th year in the row, Millbrook has raised more money for this charity than any other school in the WCPSS. For the past two years, Millbrook students have raised more than any other school in North Carolina.

Under the leadership and direction of Valerie Hubard, SGA Advisor, over 180 students raised money and participated in the JDRF Walk for Cure Diabetes. The school used a myriad of creative methods including "Kiss the Pig", videos, sneaker sales and more to raise a record $21,150.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:47 PM on January 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Chairs of Hope

Fifth grade art club students at Vandora Springs Elementary have begun working on painting chairs for their annual Chairs of Hope silent auction to benefit the Garner-area Relay for Life. This year's theme is songs of the 50's, 60's, and 70's, with a silent auction scheduled for April 16. For more information, contact art teacher Jim Hunt at 662-2486,or email:jhunt@wcpss.net.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:45 PM on January 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Holds Lateral Entry Fair

The Wake County Public School System is holding its Lateral Entry Teacher Information Fair Jan. 15 at the Student Services Building of Wake Technical Community College, 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh.

The 708 pre-registered candidates are looking to change careers and become classroom teachers. They have relevant college degrees, earned at least a 2.5 GPA in college, or have passed the Praxis II subject area test for the area of license they are eligible.

The school system's critical needs areas include special education, math and science. Some teachers in hard-to-hire career and technical areas such as Health Occupations may also be needed.

The WCPSS Human Resources Department holds the fair to provide information to persons considering a career change to teaching.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:12 PM on January 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Cemetery Report Online

The Management Summary for the report on the Cemetery Exploration at the H6 high school site completed by Chicora Foundation is available here. The total file size of the report is 23.9 MB.

The school system plans to build the H6 high school at the site, while fencing and preserving the cemetery.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:39 PM on January 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS/City of Raleigh Plan Business Expo

The 2009 Annual Minority/Women Business Expo will be held Thursday, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. at the Raleigh Convention Center. This is an opportunity for potential contractors and small business owners to learn about business opportunities with the school system's construction program. The WCPSS Facilities Department will showcase construction projects including: the Rolesville Middle site, Wilburn Elementary, Wake Forest-Rolesville High, and a new High School in Northern Wake County. Information will also be available for business opportunities in maintenance and operations for school facilities and campuses. For more information contact Tammie Hall, 919-856-8179 or thall@wcpss.net.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 4:24 PM on January 14, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Combs Elementary Holds Inaugural Ball

Inauguration ceremonies for President Riley Martin are planned for Tuesday, Jan. 20. The Combs Elementary Inaugural Ball will be held at Centennial Campus Middle School. Martin, a fifth grader, will be administered the oath of office by Judge Larry Miller. Her cabinet of class delegates will march in through the school's flags of the world and then students will dance. In PE class, they have been learning dances that fit with their studies. For example, the fourth graders who study NC History will be shagging. The Inaugural Ball is the most formal event at Combs, a magnet school with a leadership theme. School administrators say the school will have instructional activities that help students see the link between their inaugural activities and the inauguration of Barak Obama as U.S. President.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:43 PM on January 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Deadline Extended to Apply for Kenan Fellows

The Kenan Fellows Program has extended the deadline until Jan. 30, 2009 for K-12 public school teachers from all disciplines to apply for a Kenan Fellowship.

Teachers selected as Kenan Fellows will:

• Receive a $10,000 stipend


• Work with a mentor in a research setting to develop new and innovative STEM-related curriculum


• Earn six graduate credits from NC State University

Find out more at www.kenanfellows.org .

For more information, call or email Danielle Seneschal of the Kenan Fellows Program at (919)515-5118.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:31 PM on January 12, 2009 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS HR administrator recognized

Teresa Lynn Cunningham-Brown, Director of Recruitment and Retention in WCPSS Human Resources, was one of a number of HR Executives highlighted in a recent edition of Profiles in Diversity Journal. Cunningham-Brown was part of a grant writing team that secured a $2 million federal grant to "Grow Our Own" helping teacher assistants to become teachers. She developed a Teacher Education Diversity Roundtable where WCPSS HR staff worked with representatives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to facilitate the hiring of minority teachers. She was the first educator in NC to earn Cornell University's credentials as a Certified Diversity Professional after taking part in a year-long course and passing an exam.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:30 PM on January 12, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Wake PTA Sponsors Brains and Bodies Workshop

Parents may register to take part in "Brains and Bodies: How parents can influence the health and academic success of children." Tuesday, Jan. 13, 10 until 11:30 a.m. at the WakeMed North Healthplex Conference Room, 10000 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh. The event is sponsored by Wake County PTA Council and Advocates for Health in Action.

In this interactive workshop, attendees will hear about statewide efforts to prevent and reduce childhood obesity while helping children achieve success in school. Learn about the tools and resources that exist in our state and nation to help us achieve our goal of healthy, happy children. Through small group work, you will find creative and fun ways to incorporate the use of these tools and concepts into the work we do as parents in our schools. This workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about children's health initiatives - PTA parents, teachers, administrators, school nurses, grandparents, caregivers - anyone with an interest!

Registration is required. Please call 350-7132 to reserve your place.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:29 PM on January 12, 2009 | Leave Feedback

Happy Holidays

The Wake County Public School System is officially closed for the holidays beginning tomorrow, December 23. Our central services offices will reopen on Friday, January 2. All students with the exception of those on year-round track four return to school on Monday, January 5.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:15 PM on December 22, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teachers May Apply for Kenan Fellowships

The Kenan Fellows Program is accepting applications for Fellowships through January 23, 2009. K-12 public school teachers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Recipients will:

• Receive a $10,000 stipend
• Work with a mentor in a research setting to develop new and innovative STEM-related curriculum
• Earn six graduate credits from NC State University

Find out more at www.kenanfellows.org .

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:10 PM on December 22, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Get Ready for Magnet Season in Jan. and Feb.

Magnet program application season is almost upon us, and that means you have many opportunities to learn more before the online application period begins on February 9.

Your first stop should be the Application Process and Schedule for the 2009-10 School Year. This is a simple overview of what you need to know. Note that the application period is from February 9 to February 28, and that all applications must be submitted online. Rising kindergarten students must be registered with WCPSS before applying for a magnet program.

School visits are also coming up. Elementary school visits will be on January 21 and 29; middle and high school visits take place between January 5 and February 5.

Finally, we'll be hosting parent information sessions at the Magnet Resource Center every Tuesday in January and February at 10:00 a.m. The Magnet Resource Center is located behind Millbrook Magnet Elementary School at 1600 East Millbrook Road in Raleigh.

There's a wealth of additional information at our Magnet Programs website. Check it out or call the office at 501-7900 to find out whether our magnet programs are something you want to pursue for your child.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:37 PM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Project Enlightenment Schedules Parenting Classes

Project Enlightenment, the early childhood education and intervention program of the Wake County Public School System serving teachers and parents of young children, has published its schedule of parenting classes for January to April 2009. Classes include creating connections with our kids, positive discipline, the spirited child and bully proofing your child. You can find more information about classes, schedules and registration here or by calling 856-7804.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:12 AM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Free Native American Programs and Resources for WCPSS Students

Any student with a connection to a Native American tribe can take advantage of the free resources of the Wake County Public School System's Title VII program. Many students have connections to a state or federal tribe and don't know about the resources available to them. There are upcoming three-session Saturday afternoon writing classes in January and February for students in grades 2-12. Parents can find culturally-relevant educational resources in other Saturday classes, tutoring, the annual conference and other opportunities all provided through the federal Title VII grant. Contact Title VII liaison Melinda C.M. Stephani, WCPSS Senior Administrator for Social Studies, for more information at 850-1881 or at mstephani@wcpss.net.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:01 AM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Wakefield High Students Attend State Board of Education Meeting

Two Wakefield High students, Amanda Hooker and Christina Tessitore, attended the NC State Board of Education meeting on Dec. 4 in celebration of Family and Consumer Sciences 100th Birthday Celebration.

The students along with three other current and former Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) students from North Carolina spoke to the board about their experiences and how their FACS courses prepared them for future careers and adult life.

State Board of Education chair Howard Lee and Superintendant of Education June Atkinson congratulated the students on their accomplishments.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:59 AM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Triangle Leadership Academy Honored

The Triangle Leadership Academy has been recognized by Leadership Triangle with a Goodman Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership by an Organization.

In presenting the award during the Seventh Awards Gala, Jim Goodmon, President of Capital Broadcasting and board chair of Leadership Triangle recognized the Triangle Leadership Academy as an organization that has developed an innovative regional program to address a pressing regional issue, consistently providing outstanding support and leadership on regional issues vital to public education.

Dr. Steven Bingham, Executive Director of Triangle Leadership Academy, said he was happy to accept the prestigious award for work supporting school systems in Wake, Durham and Orange Counties, including Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

"Building leadership capacity in our school districts is an investment in North Carolina's place in the global community," said Bingham. "Triangle Leadership Academy is honored to play a continuing role in creating schools where future-ready leaders build future-ready students."

The Triangle Leadership Academy has presented 161 seminars over 199 days to nearly 2,600 Triangle educators, worked with regional education partnerships and co-developed leadership institutes and induction programs that have included:

• 22 graduates and 18 current participants in the Wake Aspiring Principals Leadership Institute
• 66 participants in the WCPSS-NC State University Master of School Administration Program
• 9 sessions in WCPSS Principal Induction Program
• 9 sessions in WCPSS Assistant Principal Induction Program
• 10 sessions in the DPS Aspiring Principals Academy
• 10 sessions in the DPS Assistant Principal Academy
• 5 sessions in the CHCCS Leadership Academy

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:57 AM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teacher Published in Peace Corps Newsletter

Millbrook High teacher Lindy Poling has an article on "Developing Citizens of the World" in the winter edition of Global Teachnet, a publication of the National Peace Corps Association in cooperation with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Poling's article describes the "Community-in the-Classroom" approach she uses with more than 60 community members from all over the country and the world help her to "team teach" the Lessons of Vietnam/Recent International Relations elective each semester. She describes the impact of having guest speakers visit her class and pairing students up with adults as pen pals who have experienced the events students are studying. You can read the article on page 6 of the newsletter here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:19 PM on December 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback

December 16 School Board Agenda

Here's a look at what's on the agenda for the December 16 meetings of the Wake County Board of Education.

Committee of the Whole: The school board gathers in the Board Conference Room at 1 p.m. to discuss Future Ready Core Graduation Requirements and quarterly appropriation and reallocation requests for capital funding.

The regular board meeting then begins at 3 p.m.

Financial information: The school board will receive the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, as well as information about the annual audit from the Independent Auditing Committee and the auditing firm. The CAFR will be posted at the Accounting Department website.

Multi-year assignment recommendations: The Department of Growth and Planning will present recommendations for the three-year assignment plan. The school board will conduct public hearings and work sessions on the plan beginning in January.

Action items: The school board will consider:

• its legislative agenda for 2009,


• Future Ready Core Graduation requirements for 2009-2010,


• an interlocal agreement between the City of Raleigh and the school board regarding roadway and site improvements for Lacy Elementary,


• a request to the Town of Cary for a modification to its Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance,


• offsite road improvements for Panther Creek High,


• and reallocation of Capital Improvement Plan 2006 funding to continue progress on the H-6 high school.

As usual, there's also a list of items handled all at once as part of the consent agenda. These are routine, procedural actions; any single board member can pull an item from the consent agenda for further discussion in the action agenda.

Sign-up sheets for the public comment period will be available at 2:00 p.m. and will be taken up at approximately 3:45 p.m.

For the full meeting agenda, click here.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:06 PM on December 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

River Bend Moves into New Facility

School started Monday at the brand new home of River Bend Elementary at 6710 Perry Creek Road after several days of hard work by River Bend teachers and staff and Wake County Public School System Facilities staff.

The new River Bend Elementary is a 51 teaching space reuse of the two story elementary school prototype used at East Garner Elementary. The facility was designed by Pearce, Brinkley, Cease and Lee. Barnhill Construction was the Construction Manager. The 103,806 square foot facility is located on a 20 acre site, master planned in collaboration with Wake Technical Community College and the City of Raleigh. It is adjacent to the Wake Tech North campus and a future City of Raleigh Park.

Principal Lois Hart worked closely with Clint Council, the WCPSS Facility Department Project Manager, in preparing for the move which she says went smoothly thanks to the hard work of her faculty and staff. The school opened in 2006, starting early in the temporary modular campus on Spring Forest Road while the new facility was built. Construction was completed and the building received final inspections at the end of November.

Hart offered her thanks to Becky Romine of WCPSS Facilities for organizing and scheduling the move. Romine had the new school's furniture moved into place Dec. 2 and 3.

Hart had her media specialist and physical education teacher working with the movers on Dec. 3 moving items from the Spring Forest Road campus into the brand new Perry Creek Road facility. On Dec. 4, everything in the school's administration spaces were packed and moved, except for the computers Hart and her staff were using.

The evening of Dec. 4 and 5, movers packed up materials from the classrooms and by 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, the movers had finished their work and River Bend faculty and staff were preparing the building for the arrival of students. They worked Saturday and Sunday to get everything in place.

Hart worked with parents to make the move into the new school seamless. She communicated her plans for the first day and everything fell into place.

Students were dropped off by bus and car at the new campus Monday morning. Students in kindergarten through second grade went to the media center. Students in grades 3-5 went to the gym. They found their teachers there and then as a group went to their new classrooms for the first time. After some time to settle into their new rooms, teachers took their classes on a tour through the new building to help them become familiar with it.

"Children are already at home in the new campus after just a week," said Hart.

Parents are being encouraged to attend an open house at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday Dec. 16 just before the school's holiday celebration. Hart said parents will have time to enjoy the new building and then attend the second and third grade student performance in the school's new multi-purpose room.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:15 PM on December 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Principals Named

At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Board of Education named two new high school principals and an interim principal for a third high school. The Board named Dr. Greg Decker principal of Sanderson High, Dr. Tina Hoots principal of Wake Forest-Rolesville High and Dr. Ramey Beavers, interim principal at Holly Springs High.

Dr. Decker has served as principal of West Lake Middle since 2004. Prior to that, he was principal of Lead Mine Elementary for six years. Earlier he had worked as an elementary school principal and middle school assistant principal in Illinois.

Dr. Hoots has served as principal of Davis Drive Middle since 2006. Prior to that, she was assistant principal and a teacher at Wake Forest-Rolesville High. She also worked as an administrator in the Franklin County Schools and a high school teacher in the Cumberland County schools.

Dr. Beavers is a retired WCPSS administrator and school principal who is returning to serve as an interim principal. Beavers was senior director of WCPSS Growth Management, as well as principal of West Lake Middle and Cary High.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:48 AM on December 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Broughton High Magnet Status Reconsidered

At its Dec. 2 committee of the whole meeting, the Board of Education agreed to rescind its decision on the magnet status for Broughton High, responding to parents' concerns about the impact of proposed student assignments from the school to create space for magnet students.

The board agreed to further discuss removing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme from the school and the impact this would have on elementary and middle International Baccalaureate schools that feed Broughton. The board is seeking to make a decision that will be included in the multi-year student assignment proposal.

The board plans to meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in the board's conference room on the second floor of the Central Services Building at 3600 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. Board members agreed to start the meeting with a 30 minute public hearing to allow the Broughton community time to comment with 15 minutes set for discussion in support of keeping the magnet program and 15 minutes for phasing it out. Speakers would have up to three minutes. The board then will receive information from WCPSS staff on the issue.

Community Engagement Meetings are being held by WCPSS on the staff student assignment proposal. One of the meetings will be held at Broughton in the school’s auditorium at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:48 AM on December 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Recognition for Wakefield High and Swift Creek Elementary Teachers

Congratulations to the following award-winning teachers:

• Foreign Language Teacher of the Year: Karen Guy, Latin Teacher at Wakefield High School, was named as the NC Teacher of the Year by the Foreign Language Association of NC (FLANC). Mrs. Guy received the award at the annual FLANC conference in Winston-Salem on October 11th. Mrs. Guy will represent North Carolina in the Southern Regional (SCOLT) Teacher of the Year. (Thanks to Karen Tharrington at NCSU for the tip.)
• Outstanding Science Teacher: Zebetta King, academically gifted teacher at Swift Creek Elementary, was recently selected as the District Three (thirteen counties) Elementary School Outstanding Science Teacher by the North Carolina Science Teachers Association. (Thanks, Assistant Principal Bob Umstead!)

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:35 AM on December 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Combs Elementary Mentioned in Time Magazine

In a recent issue of Time Magazine, there is an interview with Stephen Covey about his new book, The Leader in Me, which tells how several principals nationwide applied his "7 Habits" to their schools. Included in the book and article are Combs Elementary, where principal Muriel Summers developed a leadership magnet school.

In the interview, Covey noted that Combs made the 7 Habits its value system, so that when "teaching a science class with a team experiment, the instructor would say [to the team], You came up with a solution that was better than either one of you proposed separately. But look at what you had to do to get there. You had to discipline yourself. That's Habit 1: Be proactive. You also had to come up with a vision, or the second habit, Begin with the end in mind. Then you lived by that and practiced what you learned -- Habit 3: First things first. So little by little it became part of the culture of that school. So everyone became, in a sense, a leader, even if you were the leader of cleaning the classroom."

You can find the article here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:30 AM on December 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Educators Published in Education Journal

Two WCPSS educators co-authored an article published in the December 2008/January 2009 issue of Educational Leadership, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's magazine published eight times a year for 175,000 subscribers. Carolann Wade, who serves as liaison for the WCPSS/Peace College Teacher Education Partnership, and Paula Trantham, principal of Millbrook Elementary, wrote the article, "Using Data, Changing Teaching" with Dr. Barnett Berry of the Center for Teaching Quality.

The article uses information from a survey of teachers on working conditions to examine some changes Trantham has made at her school. Millbrook Elementary partners with Peace College in preparing pre-service teachers for teacher licensure. As part of the partnership with Peace, Millbrook teachers receive professional development tailored to the needs they indicated on the survey. The survey indicated teachers responded positively to changes occurring under Trantham's leadership, such as instituting professional learning communities and reducing duty assignments that took teachers away from teaching and learning. The article indicates more data are needed before researchers can determine whether these improvements in working conditions can improve student achievement. You can read more about the article here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:26 AM on December 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Congratulations to Wake PTA Reflections Winners

The Wake County PTA Council has announced its winners of the 2008-09 Reflections contest. Reflections is a cultural arts program designed to enhance quality arts education for students in preschool through grade 12. New artwork submitted by students using this year's theme -- "Wow!" -- was eligible for recognition at the school PTA level, with the winners moving on to the PTA Council level. The following students' art will be displayed at the Wake County PTA Reflections Celebration in February, with the first place winners advancing to the state competition.

For a list of the winning entries, read on!

PRIMARY (Pre-K through Grade 2) LITERATURE:
1 - Andrea Huynh (grade 2) - Davis Drive Elementary
2 - Shelby Hinshaw (grade 2) - Swift Creek Elementary
3 - Lily Levin (grade 2) - JYJoyner Elementary

PRIMARY (Pre-K through Grade 2) VISUAL ARTS:
1 - Chloe Wood (grade 2) - Salem Elementary
2 - Ashna Patel (grade 2) - Carpenter Elementary
3 - Neha Vangipurapu (grade 2) - Fuller GT Magnet Elementary

PRIMARY (Pre-K through Grade 2) MUSIC COMPOSITION:
1 - Olexia Mitchel (grade 2) - AV Baucom Elementary
2 - Marlene Fasolt (grade 2) - Laurel Park Elementary
3 - Ariana Lipton (grade K) - Swift Creek Elementary

PRIMARY (Pre-K through Grade 2) VIDEO:
1 - Mason Boyles (grade K) - Rolesville Elementary
2 - Ryan Warbington (grade 2) - Laurel Park Elementary
3 - N/A

PRIMARY (Pre-K through Grade 2) DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY:
1 - Dorrit Eisenbeis (grade 1) - Fuller Elementary
2 - Maggie LeRoy (grade 2) - Lincoln Heights Elementary
3 - N/A

PRIMARY (Pre-K through Grade 2) PHOTOGRAPHY:
1 - Michael Li (grade 2) - Salem Elementary
2 - Tyler Dickinson (grade 1) - Underwood Elementary
3 - Jacob Schuster (grade 2) - Baileywick Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Grade 3 - 5) LITERATURE:
1 - John Michell (grade 5) - AV Baucom Elementary
2 - Leah Jensen (grade 4) - Weatherstone Elementary
3 - Halle Powers (grade 4) - Rolesville Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Grade 3 - 5) VISUAL ARTS:
1 - Anna Holshouser (grade 3) - Lead Mine Elementary
2 - Erin Kenedy (grade 5) - Penny Road Elementary
3 - Sarah Meyer (grade 3) - Weatherstone Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Grade 3 - 5) MUSIC COMPOSITION:
1 - Samantha Sobek (grade 5) - Heritage Elementary School
2 - Amanda Lee (grade 3) - Mills Park Elementary School
3 - Richard "Clayton" Delp (grade 5) - Lincoln Heights Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Grade 3 - 5) VIDEO:
1 - Nathaniel Brooks (grade 5) - Baileywick Elementary
2 - Jonathan Brechbiel (grdae 5) - Douglas Elementary
3 - Zyon DeVaughn (grade 4) - Durant Road Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Grade 3 - 5) DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY:
1 - Athena Kuang (grade 3) - Davis Drive Elementary
2 - Shea Carpenter (grade 5) - Joyner Elementary
3 - Cassie Callahan (grade 4) - Brassfield Road Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Grade 3 - 5) PHOTOGRAPHY:
1 - Anna Waked (grade 5) - Swift Creek Elementary
2 - Noah Watkins (grade 3) - Douglas Elementary
3 - Josh Barr (grade 3) - Davis Drive Elementary

MIDDLE/JR (Grade 6 - 8) LITERATURE:
1 - Camila Molina (grade 8) - Holly Ridge Middle
2 - Travis Hinshaw (grade 6) - Dillard Drive Middle
3 - Madeline Hren (grade 7) - Ligon Middle

MIDDLE/JR (Grade 6 - 8) VISUAL Arts:
1 - Katelyn Schubel (grade 8) - Daniels Middle
2 - Tianna Knuckles (grade 8) - Zebulon Middle
3 - Anupama Warrier (grade 8) - Reedy Creek Middle

MIDDLE/JR (Grade 6 - 8) MUSIC:
1 - Nathalie Tondeur (grade 7) - West Lake Middle
2 - Stephen Perry (grade 7) - Dillard Drive Middle
3 - Andrew Zalesak (grade 6) - Martin GT Middle

MIDDLE/JR (Grade 6 - 8) VIDEO:
1 - Clay Connors (grade 8) - Salem Middle
2 - Alex Lesniak (grade 6) - Fuquay Varina Middle
3 - Leah Bishop (grade 8) - West Lake Middle

MIDDLE/JR (Grade 6 - 8) DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY:
1 - Grayson Troxler (grade 8) - Martin Middle
2 - Hallie Hoy (grade 8) - Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle
3 - Kelsey Spragley (grade 8) - Ligon Middle

MIDDLE/JR (Grade 6 - 8) PHOTOGRAPHY:
1 - Sadie Egan (grade 8) - Zebulon Middle
2 - Jasmine Yu (grade 8) - Davis Drive Middle
3 - Lucas Bobay (grade 7) - Centennial Campus Middle

SENIOR (Grade 9 - 12) LITERATURE:
1 - Jennifer Li (grade 11) - Enloe High
2 - John Cuffney (grade 12) - Enloe High
3 - Mitchell Brady (grade 9) - Holly Springs High

SENIOR (Grade 9 -12) VISUAL ARTS:
1 - Laura Green (grade 12) - Millbrook High
2 - Vianka Cotton (grade 11) - Holly Springs High
3 - Caitlyn Kurilich (grade 10) - Green Hope High

SENIOR (Grade 9 - 12) MUSIC:
1 - Myles P. Travitz (grade 10) - Panther Creek High
2 - Anokhi Shan (grade 11) - Enloe High
3 - Ruicong (Jack) Zhong (grade 9) - Green Hope High

SENIOR (Grade 9 - 12) VIDEO:
1 - Justin Poliachik (grade 11) - Apex High

SENIOR (Grade 9 - 12) DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY:
1 - Alexia Lipscomb (grade 10) - Green Hope High
2 - LeTian Dong (grade 12) - Green Hope High
3 - Lea Ved (grade 12) - Enloe High

SENIOR (Grade 9 - 12) PHOTOGRAPHY:
1 - Jennifer Li (grade 11) - Enloe High
2 - Yassee Mohebbi (grade 12) - Apex High
3 - Sarah Brady (grade 12) - Holly Springs High

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:56 PM on November 30, 2008 | Leave Feedback

1,500 Students Attend Great Xplorations Career Fair

A premier example of the School-to-Career Initiative was held Nov. 21 at the McKimmon Center. More than 1,500 students, grades 8-10, attended the 6th Annual Great Xplorations Career Fair. Students benefitted from face-to-face career discussions with area business leaders. The unique opportunity gave students a chance to explore career interests with companies representing all the 16 career clusters recognized nationally. Students from middle and high schools arrived at the event prepared to discuss issues such as educational requirements for a specific career, how the company is dependent on the global economy, and the hiring criteria for the company/industry, including evaluating character through background checks.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:16 PM on November 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook High Teacher Honored

Millbrook High social studies teacher Lindy Poling was recently presented the Kiwanis International Distinguished Service/District Patriotism Award from the California, Hawaii, Nevada District of the Kiwanis.

In Poling's Lessons of Vietnam class, she matches students with persons who experienced the Vietnam War. This year, Poling matched or linked student Alicia Baldelli with Ken Delfino, a U.S. veteran. Delfino is a senior officer of Kiwanis International who lives in Colfax, California, and he made a beautiful plaque which congratulates Poling as:

"Educator/Historian/American Patriot in recognition and grateful appreciation of your creation of the Millbrook High Lessons of Vietnam class and Link Program. Your innovative program has been the key to unlocking and opening the door of memories and experiences that have not been recorded and need to be shared. On behalf of our fellow Vietnam Veterans in our District...we thank and salute you!"

WCPSS Social Studies Administrator Melinda Stephani offered her congratulations to Poling.

"You know how proud I am of your tremendous efforts in working with students to recognize that history is something that affects and impacts them today as well as in the past," said Stephani.

Poling's class publishes a newsletter that captures discussions students have in their class and with the people from across the nation with which they are linked. You can find the Bridges newsletter here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:07 PM on November 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Middle Schools Honored for Sportsmanship

Twelve WCPSS middle schools in five different conferences earned Fall Sports Season Sportsmanship Banners. The banners will be presented to the schools at the Dec. 4 athletic director meeting.

The schools included Holly Ridge and Lufkin Road in Southern (Division 1); Davis Drive, East Cary and Salem in Southern (Division 2); Carnage, Ligon and Martin in Central; Wake Forest-Rolesville and Wendell in Northern (Division 1); and East Millbrook and West Millbrook in Northern (Division 2). East Cary and Salem were tied after a vote of Southern (Division 2) athletic directors. Both schools will display sportsmanship banners during the winter sport season.

WCPSS Athletic Director Bobby Guthrie said he received comments about the sportsmanship winners such as:

• Friendliness of the coaching staff


• Good on-field sportsmanship by players and coaches


• Made visiting teams feel welcome


• Very polite athletes


• Coaches demonstrated sportsmanship, and players followed their example


• Assisting with injured athletes


• Parents cheered for both teams, no booing heard


• Great team spirit


• Students athletes respectful


• Good pregame communication


• Coaches had a genuine concern for not running up the score

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:06 PM on November 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

December Magnet Information Sessions

The WCPSS Magnet Programs will be hosting evening information sessions exploring the variety of K-8 magnet programs during the first week of December. For dates and times, please download this flyer.

For the latest information from our magnet programs, check out the latest MagnetMatters newsletter.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 9:57 AM on November 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Counselor Named Best in NC

Karen Rowe , a school counselor at Wakefield High School, was named as the NC School Counselor Association Secondary School Counselor of the Year. Rowe received the award at the NCSCA Fall Conference in Greensboro on Friday, Nov. 7.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:46 PM on November 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Students Create Links with British Students

Panther Creek High School was mentioned in a Cisco Systems employee publication recently. Six students from Panther Creek High had a chance to video conference with six students at a school in Feltham, England. The students were among the first to use Cisco’s Telepresence technology. The students have had several sessions getting to know each other and comparing life and schools in the US and UK. Collaborations between the schools are continuing.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:24 PM on November 7, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Free computers provided to some Enloe students

Enloe High math teacher Alan Letarte has worked with an organization named the Kramden Institute to provide computers to about 40 Enloe students.

Letarte received some help from his Advanced Placement Calculus students and teacher Michael Paul Shumake of Phillips High today as they distributed the computers. Students formed a bucket brigade in Enloe's East Building moving all the equipment from a storage area down the length of the hallway to Letarte's classroom.

In Letarte's classroom, Shumake organized students into setting up workstations equipping each with a computer, monitor, cables, mouse and keyboard. They worked with the students receiving the computers to get them set up and running.

Letarte first became involved with kramden.org when he was asked by a parent to write a letter of reference on behalf of that person's child to the charitable organization.

"Then the next thing I knew, they were contacting me and basically asking me to use my Enloe connections to identify students to receive computers," said Letarte. "Over the last six months or so, working with my fellow teachers, we've been able to identify students that we know do not have computers and will benefit from the computers."

Letarte organized the distribution of the computers during the school's three lunch periods. The classroom was busy with students setting up computers and recipients eager and excited to get the computers.

"It's a difference for the students to have access to software at home or even the internet or having to do their computer-related work at school," said Letarte. "I think it sends a message to our students that the school cares about them and that we are willing and able to put resources in a place where they can access it."

Shumake is a Kramden volunteer, donating his time with the Durham organization that accepts used computers and refurbishes them for distribution to Triangle students. Shumake encouraged the Enloe students to consider volunteering their time with Kramden. More information on Kramden is available at www.kramden.org.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:07 PM on November 6, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Broughton Wins State Men's Cross Country

The Broughton High Men's team won the NC High School Athletic Association 4-A Men's state cross country championship Saturday at Tanglewood Park near Winston-Salem.

Broughton's top finisher was Reidy Jones who ran the 5K in 16:02.99 and finished fourth. Broughton's Blake Askin was seventh.

WCPSS had two other top ten teams: Green Hope High finished fourth and and Leesville Road High was seventh. The fastest WCPSS student in the competition was Cary High's Mohamed Abushouk who finished third. Green Hope's Doug Black finished eighth.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:30 PM on November 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Pride of Our Community Award

Our congratulations goes to WCPSS's Tulia Pascht and Elisa Cabellero-Miller who were among four honorees in the entire state to have recently been selected as the 2008 winners of the Univision 40 "Orgullo de Nuestra Comunidad" (Pride of Our Community) award.

"Pride of our community" is a program done once a year by the Hispanic TV station, Univision 40 which recognizes four exemplary members of the community around North Carolina who work closely with the Hispanic community, demonstrating a commitment to the families they work with and success in their workplace. To be considered for this honor, families and organizations must send letters of recommendations.

Tulia is a Parent Educator and Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for Project Enlightenment. Elisa is the English as a Second Language (ESL) Communications Specialist in the WCPSS Customer Service Center.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 2:30 PM on November 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Healthy Lifestyles Support Student Success

Sarah Martin is president of the Wake County PTA Council and provided this article on the council's efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles.

We're all familiar with the Wake County Public School System's vision that "All students will graduate on time prepared for the future." Every action of the school system is geared towards this vision. The Wake County PTA Council (WCPTA) is also working towards this end. Countless research and educational studies have found that student attendance is a significant factor in students' overall educational success. In 2008-2009, WCPTA has espoused a Healthy Lifestyles focus in order to ultimately support student attendance and overall student success.

National PTA has designated the month of November as "Healthy Lifestyles Month" all across America. WCPTA has taken that one step further this year and ramped up a focus on Healthy Lifestyles throughout the year. WCPTA is taking this initiative to heart for the children, families, and staff members of the Wake County Public Schools.

In July, WCPTA issued a challenge to all PTAs in Wake County to consider beginning Walking Clubs at their schools. While there is no formal reporting mechanism in place to see how many PTA units took up the challenge, there have been reports of great things from the schools that have done it. WCPTA has example documents explaining the program and how to get it started if any schools are interested in beginning such a club.

In the fall of 2008, WCPTA partnered with Advocates for Healthy in Action (AHA), a local health collaborative, to present a series of workshops called "Brains and Bodies." These October workshops provided information to attendees about nutrition, physical activity, wellness policies, and how PTAs can help schools strive to be healthy environments for the children, families, and staff members at the schools.

As a fall culminating activity for the walking clubs at the schools, and as a way to get our students, staff, and families off the couch and moving, WCPTA is holding the first (hopefully annual) Wake PTA Healthy Lifestyles 5k Run/Walk on Sunday, November 23, 2008. This event will take place at NC State Centennial Campus in Raleigh at 3:30pm on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

At this time, WCPTA is moving from the planning phase into the promotion and registration phase of this Healthy Lifestyles 5k, registering race participants from across the County. Early Bird registration will end on November 9th, and registration fees will rise after that date. While registration will continue through the afternoon of the event, participants are not guaranteed a race t-shirt unless they register prior to the end of early-bird registration. See http://www.pta5k.org for more details and registration information. One of the race sponsors has even developed a 5k training plan that can help you prepare for the event. You can download the plan from http://www.pta5k.org.

One really neat thing about the Wake PTA Healthy Lifestyles 5k Run/Walk is that it provides local PTA units the ability to earn Healthy Lifestyles grant funding to support Healthy Lifestyles programming at their schools. The three schools (one elementary, one middle, and one high school) with the highest number of registered participants will win these grant funds. Registered participants can be registered runners, registered walkers, or registered volunteers. On the registration form, participants are asked for a school of affiliation. Please note that you do not have to be a PTA member in order to register an affiliation with a school.

And there's more Healthy Lifestyles work on the horizon. Contact Wake PTA Council at wakeptacouncil@wcpss.net for more details on how you too can support student success through this program.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:28 PM on November 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Athens Drive Women win State Golf Championship

Athens Drive High women's golf team won the NCHSAA 4A State Championship last Tuesday playing at Pinehurst No. 1. Led by Katherine Perry, Raleigh Athens Drive overcame a five-shot deficit after Monday's play and took the team title. Athens Drive was led by Katherine Perry who shot 156 on the 5,713-yard layout.

There were five WCPSS teams in the top 15. Athens Drive finished number one. Wake Forest-Rolesville High was number six. Wakefield was number nine. Broughton was twelve. Green Hope was fourteen.

The top WCPSS individual performances were Courtney McKim of Wakefield finishing second with a 152. Perry from Athens Drive was tied for eighth. Shauna Walor of Wake Forest-Rolesville was thirteenth with 161. Courtney Rousse of Middle Creek was fourteenth with 164.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:22 PM on November 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Two-hour delay on Election Day

For students at WCPSS Multi-track, year-round schools on tracks 1, 2 and 4 and Modified calendar schools, school is in session Nov. 3 and 4 . On Nov. 4, school will start on a two-hour delay. The school system anticipates heavy traffic during the morning rush hour around schools that are used as polling places.

For students at WCPSS Traditional-calendar schools, Nov. 3 and 4 are scheduled as teacher workdays. There will be no classes for students, but teachers will be completing their end-of-quarter paperwork and taking part in professional development.

For students at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences, school is in session Nov. 3 and 4.

WCPSS employees and students on all school calendars will be off Nov. 11, marking Veterans Day and Nov. 26-28, marking Thanksgiving.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:03 PM on October 28, 2008 | Leave Feedback

School Lunch Program Receives National Recognition

Our Child Nutrition Services Department recently won a best practice award for increasing participation in school lunch. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented the award during the annual Conference for Child Nutrition Administrators in October.

Last year, lunch participation almost doubled in high schools. One of the main factors helping to increase school lunch participation among older students has been the idea of moving specialty entrées from the a la carte price structure to the center of the plate entrée in high schools. The center of the plate entrée presentation encourages students to select fruit, vegetable and milk choices to be included in the meal price of $2.00, with the theme "it's all good." This also encourages students to adopt better eating habits by offering them well-balanced meals with fruits and vegetables.

School districts were recognized on Wednesday, October 22 by the USDA's Southeast Regional Office for the fifteenth annual Best Practice Awards in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Food Distribution Program. The purpose of this awards program is to encourage and recognize outstanding practices in schools and School Food Authorities in the Southeast Region.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 3:02 PM on October 28, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS on Stage

Students are staging a variety of theatre productions at WCPSS schools in the coming weeks.

Ligon Middle presents The Odd Couple by Neil Simon 2:30 p.m., Oct. 29, and 7 p.m., Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Phone 856-7929.
Apex High presents The Foreigner Nov. 6-8. Phone 387-3016
Wakefield High presents See How They Run Nov. 20-21. Pools Paradise will play November 22. Phone 562-3659.
Green Hope High presents Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw at 7 p.m., Nov. 20-21. Phone 380-3700.
Middle Creek High presents Web of Murder. Nov. 20, 21, and 22nd. Phone 773-3838.
Middle Creek High presents Theatre I Showcase at 7 p.m., Dec 16. Phone 773-3838.
Middle Creek High presents Quik Witz Improv Show at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 18. Phone 773-3838.

For more information about these student productions, call or click on the link for school websites.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:49 PM on October 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Davis Drive Middle School Musicians Perform

The Davis Drive Middle School Honors String Quartet will perform Friday night, Oct. 24 as part of the Ovations Series sponsored by the North Carolina Symphony. Eighth graders Amy Guo, Stephanie Chien, Amber Wang and Chelsey Lin will be performing in the lobby of Meymandi Hall prior to the NC Symphony Concert. Be sure to offer your congratulations to these students.

The Davis Drive Middle School Band and Orchestra will perform its Fall Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct 23 The student musiciains will perform music from Star Wars, The Pink Panther and James Bond, as well as music from video games, like Halo, Super Mario Brothers and Final Fantasy. The concert is in the school gym and admission is free.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:46 PM on October 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Three WCPSS Teachers Selected as NC Art Educators of the Year

Three of our WCPSS art teachers have been selected as art educators of the year by the North Carolina Art Education Association (NCAEA) and will receive the state's highest honor for their accomplishments in the classroom and community.

Wiley Elementary art teacher Vicky Powers has been selected as the Elementary Art Educator of the Year. Vicky has served on the NCAEA Board of Directors for two terms as the Elementary Division Chair. She has been an active member in NCAEA for close to 16 years. During her service, Vicky has had the opportunity to present at the National Board for Professional Teaching standards process at the state conference each year since 2002.

East Wake Middle art teacher Alexa Molden has been selected as the Middle School Art Educator of the Year. Alexa has been teaching at East Wake Middle School for 9 years and specializes in sculpture and painting. As an art teacher, Alexa participates each year with the Raleigh Street Painting Festival. During the festival last year, East Wake Middle won Honorable Mention out of 15 middle schools. Alexa leads an active art club which meets each month. The club is able to attend several outside events and field trips along with her 8th grade students.

Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School art teacher Jodi Aker has been selected as the Special Needs Art Educator of the Year. Jodi began teaching at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School to address the needs of students who were not naturally leaders. She used her Art Therapy background to design a Visual Art 1 - Expressive Art class. Students learn art skills and also have the opportunity to use art as an outlet for self-expression, with the goal of a more intense focus on school, success and leadership. All of the students Jodi works with have special needs. Although not all have an IEP, some need extra time to complete artwork, some need physical or emotional support, and some need an outlet for academic pressure.

Congratulations to this year's recipients! The awards will be presented at the annual NCAEA Professional Development Conference in Asheville during an awards luncheon on November 7.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 9:45 AM on October 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Two from Green Hope High

Green Hope Band Earns Honors: The Green Hope High School band's Falcon Regiment travelled to Western Carolina University on Saturday to compete in the Tournament of Champions. They received 2nd place in Class 2A in preliminary competition and moved onto finals, where they received 6th place overall for the day of 26 bands. They received the North Carolina Roll of Honour, the award for the highest scoring North Carolina band. Congratulations to these students! Their next competition is at J.H. Rose High School in Greenville, NC Saturday, October 18.

Cross Country in USA Today: Green Hope High School's cross country team has received some local media attention recently, and now this week, some national attention. In a story this week on large high school sports teams, USA Today profiled coach Michael Miragliuolo's 200+ member cross country team and what make it so unique. You can read the USA Today article here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:18 PM on October 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Conn Teacher named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year

Belinda Best, a fifth-grade teacher at Conn Active Learning and Technology Magnet Elementary School, was recently named the local 2008 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year by Wal-Mart/Sams Club.

Wal-Mart contributed $1,000 to Conn in honor of Mrs. Best. She was presented with a certificate and a Wal-Mart gift card for her personal use.

Mrs. Best has been a teacher for more than 15 years - the last 11 at Conn. She was the Teacher of the Year at Conn in 2007 and a finalist for WCPSS Teacher of the Year. She is a member of the school's Leadership Team and Positive Behavior Support Team and serves as a mentor to beginning teachers, a student support team coordinator and a cooperating teacher for Meredith College student teachers. She has also served as grade level chair for eight years at Conn.

Mrs. Best is passionate about teaching and says working with children brings her joy. She said she especially enjoys watching them grow and mature into responsible boys and girls. She believes that all children can learn and she works hard every day to provide a learning atmosphere that is firm yet loving and fun. She emphasizes the importance of being responsible, respectful and kind each and every day. Through hands-on learning activities, she teaches the curriculum with enthusiasm and comedy. Her classroom is a community where students are consistently working together and supporting each other with their learning.

The Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year program began in 1995 and has recognized more than 30,000 teachers nationwide and more than $29 million has been contributed to local schools.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 10:58 AM on October 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Student Publication Earns Award

The Enloe High Literary Organization student magazine Stone Soup won First Place in the 2008 Student Publication Awards competition (High School Division) held by the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association. The magazine itself, with its staff of student editors, is the product of the literary and visual arts talent at Enloe High School. English teacher Priscilla Chappell serves as the advisor. You can find more about Stone Soup here.

You can read more about the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:40 PM on October 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS on Stage

Students are staging a variety of theatre productions at WCPSS high schools in the coming weeks.

Enloe High presents Romeo and Juliet Oct 16 - 18 and 22 - 25.
Holly Springs High presents A Night with William Shakespeare Oct. 23-25. Phone 577-1444
Apex High presents The Foreigner Nov. 6-8. Phone 387-3016
Wakefield High presents See How They Run Nov. 20-21. Pools Paradise will play November 22. Phone 562-3659

For more information about these student productions, click on the link for school websites.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:40 PM on October 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

October is Disability Awareness Month

Governor Mike Easley signed Senate Bill 753: Disability History and Awareness Month into law on July 27, 2007. The intent of NC Disability History and Awareness Month is to increase public awareness and respect for people with disabilities.

WCPSS is committed to both the spirit and the letter of the law through provision of services and supports for students with disabilities throughout the school year. This October, WCPSS - Special Education Services would like to share information regarding Disability History and Awareness, including information as it relates to WCPSS - Special Education Services. The 2000 United States Census provides information that 1,117,577 people with disabilities are living in the State of North Carolina out of a total population of 8,046,485. According to the NC Department of Public Instruction Child Count, Wake County Public Schools served 18, 820 students with disabilities as of April 1, 2008.

The State of North Carolina recognizes that most families are likely to become affected by someone with some kind of disability. Additionally, research has made more people aware that students with disabilities encounter more difficulty fitting in with peers, making friends, and becoming involved in school and community-based activities and clubs than their non-disabled peers. This led to Governor Easley signing Senate Bill 753, so that the community at large can expand their knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the history of disabilities and the disability rights movement. In Wake County Public Schools that means we will continue to teach our present and future generations to understand that people with disabilities have a rich history and have made valuable contributions through North Carolina and the United States. We want to ensure that our present and future generations understand that disability is a natural part of life and that people with disabilities have a right to be treated as individuals above all else.

This powerpoint presentation on Disability Awareness was created to help begin and continue conversations in schools and the community. (PPT - 241k)

Thank you for supporting teachers and students!!

Posted by Christy Barnett at 4:46 PM on October 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Look for WCPSS at the State Fair

You will see the work of Wake County Public School System students and staff at the state fair.

A number of high school students have been hard at work decorating the large animal figures featured in the fair's Farm Animal Frenzy this year. There are 11 WCPSS high schools competing. You can see their work here.

Be sure to visit the Kerr Scott building to take a look at the artwork. You will see a number of paintings, drawings and photos from our students.

If you stroll through the gardens, you should find several WCPSS student designed garden projects.

You may also see several WCPSS employees who take vacation time to work at the fair. Look for Chris Droessler, a WCPSS School-to-Career Coordinator, who will be managing the Green NC exhibit which highlights energy-efficient lighting, smart climate control devices, alternative fuels and renewable energy sources like solar, wind and biofuels, locally grown foods, recycling programs, water conservation and more.

You can find more information about the state fair here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:41 PM on October 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Educator Speaks on National Board Report

Carolann Wade, WCPSS Coordinator for National Board Certification, will be speaking in Miami, Florida this month on a report she helped author about the effectiveness of National Board Certification on teacher leadership and on student achievement. She works with National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and with teachers who are pursuing the certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

As one of ten National Board Certified Teachers who wrote Measuring What Matters: The Effects of National Board Certification on Advancing 21st Century Teaching and Learning for the Center for Teaching Quality, Wade synthesized research on the impact of National Board Certification on teachers as instructors and as teacher leaders. As part of the ten member Teacher Solutions team, Wade joined in the call to action urging National Board Certified Teachers to build the profession by:

• Establishing and growing local and state networks dedicated to educational problem-solving and innovation.
• Adding to the knowledge base about effective teaching through classroom-based research that documents and spreads ideas about practice.
• Becoming informed and active participants in the discourse about educational policy matters, from the building level to the national arena.
• Serving in mentoring, peer coaching and other instructional leadership roles that support colleagues who are striving to improve their practice.
• Speaking out on key questions and issues, from a teaching perspective.
• Designing collaborative experiences for professional learning and leadership development, creating a robust vision of what it means to be an effective teacher leader and pursuing that vision together.

You can read the full report here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:40 PM on October 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

East Millbrook Students to Learn about Japanese Drumming

Students at East Millbrook International Baccalaureate MYP/Creative Arts Magnet Middle will be learning this week about Japanese drumming techniques from Takuni Kato, a Master Taiko Drummer and winner at the Tokyo International Taiko Contest 2008.

Kato will visit students at their school at Wednesday, Oct. 8, to talk with students about the connections between music and culture and provide an interactive clinic for the newly founded East Millbrook Taiko Drum Ensemble. Kato will be speaking about the importance of Taiko to Japanese culture, presenting a short video of the competition in Japan, and demonstrating each of the drums for the audience. Later, he will work with the 16 students of the new East Millbrook Taiko Ensemble committed to the work of learning the Taiko drumming tradition.

East Millbrook Magnet Middle is a magnet school with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and A+ Creative Arts that encourages students to explore their individuality through a global, realistic and inquiry-based education. East Millbrook is the only middle school in the country with both a full, authentic African Drum Ensemble and Japanese Taiko Ensemble. These ensembles offer East Millbrook students a unique and hands-on opportunity to learn about West African and Asian cultures, and to complement the focus on international awareness that flows through the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

This exciting opportunity has been made possible through a partnership with Rocky and Yoko Iwashima, the founders of the Triangle Taiko Ensemble. This organization is committed to fostering a relationship between the Taiko Ensemble, Japanese cultural societies in the Triangle, and young people. The drums for the Taiko Drum Ensemble at East Millbrook have come through a partnership with WCPSS Magnet Programs, the East Millbrook Arts Boosters and the East Millbrook PTSA.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:48 PM on October 7, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Wake PTA Council Holds 5K Run/Walk, Focuses on Healthy Lifestyles

As part of the National PTA's Healthy Lifestyles Month in November Wake County PTA is holding the first annual Wake PTA Healthy Lifestyles 5k Run/Walk at the NC State Centennial Campus on Sunday, Nov. 23. The race begins at 3:30 p.m. and is geared towards individuals and families of all ages and all skill and experience levels. Packet pick-up will take place from 12:30 until 3 p.m. at the race site.

For registration and race information, please see www.PTA5k.org . You can register online or you may print and mail-in a registration form to the race director. Early Bird Registration fees are $20 through Nov. 9 and $25 after that date. Volunteer registration is free of charge, regardless of registration date. Early Bird registrants will receive a race t-shirt.

Healthy Lifestyle Workshops
The Wake PTA Council has partnered with Advocates for Health in Action to provide free of charge workshops on statewide efforts to reduce childhood obesity while helping children achieve success in school.

• Thursday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at WakeMed Cary Hospital Conference Center, Cary
• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Lake Wheeler Park, Raleigh

While, there is no charge to attend the workshops, an RSVP is requested. Please call 350-7132 to reserve your spot at the workshops .

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:29 PM on October 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Schools Earn PBS Honors

Ten WCPSS schools taking part in the NC Positive Behavior Support initiative will be recognized at the state PBS conference in November.

Swift Creek Elementary will be recognized with a plaque as an Exemplar School, the top PBS recognition. Mt. Vernon School and River Oaks Middle will be recognized as Banner Schools. Apex Elementary, Carver Elementary, Kingswood Elementary, Reedy Creek Elementary, Underwood Elementary, York Elementary and Heritage Middle will be recognized as Green Ribbon Schools.

Participating schools across the state are being honored for successfully implementing PBS as measured by school wide evaluation tool scores, implementation inventory scores, achievement data and discipline data.

The Positive Behavior Support Initiative helps schools develop more effective strategies for working with challenging student behaviors. This is achieved through working with schools to develop school-wide positive behavior support plans; to provide professional development on best practices; to work with teachers to master new strategies; and, to provide assistance in developing individualized plans for specific students.

WCPSS introduced the PBS program in 2005 at 14 schools. Additional schools have begun using the program including 30 this year bringing the total number of WCPSS schools using PBS to 102.

The state PBS conference will be held in Greensboro on November 19 and 20.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:27 PM on October 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Chalk Street Drawings Earn East Millbrook Students Recognition

East Millbrook Middle School students in Advanced Visual Arts took part in the 10th annual Visual Art Exchange Street Painting Festival at Moore Square in Raleigh earlier this month. The students of teachers Andrea Croom and Farrall Davis designed four 6 x 6 squares using chalk pastel.

At the end of the day, an awards ceremony was held where East Millbrook students were recognized for their work.

Eric Bleckhorn received the Best in Design category for the Middle School level while Tatiana Brown, Zadey Feliciano, and Sorena Dadgar earned Honorable Mention among participating middle schoolers.

Elisabeth Frasch and Grace Hallman created a beautiful Lily pastel and afterwards they assisted Ms. Croom and Ms. Davis in completing their chalking to earn an Honorable Mention Award.

Scott Drewitt, Christopher Lockard, and Ryan Schultz executed a drawing of a Tiger's eye that stopped onlookers. The Advanced Visual Art students spent their Saturday working hard and created works of art that made East Millbrook Middle School staff and students proud.

East Millbrook business partner Closure Medical supported the school by sponsoring two of the squares.

Posted by Bill Poston at 6:14 PM on September 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teachers Use Book Studies in Professional Development

Professional development efforts at Salem Middle School earned the WCPSS school a mention in the Sept. 10 issue of Teacher Magazine. The magazine has an article "Hitting the Books," about teacher book groups gaining traction as a way for educators to reflect on ideas and create change in schools. Salem Middle is one of eight schools from across the US mentioned in the article that uses book studies as a professional development tool. A group of teachers at the school have been reading Classroom Assessment for Student Learning by Rick Stiggins, Judith Arter, Jan Chappius and Steve Chappius. Salem teacher Bill Ferriter said a learning team of teachers used parts of the book as a guide as they broke each social studies standard into measurable parts and wrote assessments for each. The magazine article describes book study as easily localized professional development that can be shared among a team of teachers that's economical at a time of rising costs and declining revenue.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:55 PM on September 26, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Athens Drive Publishes Arts Newsletter

Athens Drive High arts teachers created Sparks, a monthly newsletter showing the Athens Drive community what the school's artsy people are creating in the Fine Arts Department. The newsletter includes news, events, and congrats to all of the visual and performing arts. You can find information about the band's participation in a competition in Clayton on Sept. 27, see the giant chicken being decorated for the state fair and a list of upcoming performances by students in area stage productions. Teachers Pat Goldsmith and Lora Stager edit Sparks.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:39 PM on September 26, 2008 | Leave Feedback

High School Seniors Are Preparing College Applications

High school seniors are hearing from school counselors about the importance of keeping pace with the college admission process. By this point in the college search, seniors have often begun to narrow the search and visited a number of college and university campuses to get a first hand look and determine if they can picture themselves studying there. Students may be taking the SAT again to strengthen their resume. Students usually develop a list of possibilities that include colleges that will be easy, difficult and challenging to gain admission. Each college will have its own admission and scholarship timeline; some may have early, regular and late admission options. The college applications may require letters of recommendation from high school teachers and counselors. Families may find it helpful to create a timeline that tracks all the applications, visits and deadlines.

Families may want to become familiar with the website for College Foundation of North Carolina. The webpage promotes the use of its online application process where students can fill out applications online that will be accepted by many North Carolina colleges and universities. It is a one-stop-shop for parents and students on careers, post-secondary planning and financial aid. Each high school also has a Financial Aid Advisor, one day a week starting in October.

Now is the time for families of high schools juniors to begin discussions about college; develop plans for college campus visits; and look at SAT preparation materials. Sophomores and freshmen need to consider their plans and think about activities they can take part in to strengthen their resume for college.

There are several websites that may be helpful in the college search such as cfnc.org and collegeboard.com. Counselors at your high school can provide some great ideas and will be offering programs to help families navigate the complex process of finding the next step after high school. You can also check out the district's Post-Secondary Planner for seniors.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:00 PM on September 25, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Students in Grades 10 and 11 to take PSAT

Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, WCPSS will administer the PSAT to 10th grade students. The shift from 11th to 10th grade is expected to help identify more high school students for advanced placement courses. Before the transition in 2009, WCPSS will pay for both 10th and 11th grade students to take the exam this year. (Read more....)

Posted by Ashley Smith at 1:10 PM on September 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board Names Principal

At its September 16 meeting, the Board of Education named Sandra Barefoot principal of York Elementary School.

Barefoot has served as principal of Cumberland Road Montessori Elementary School in Fayetteville, NC since 2000. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal in the Cumberland County Schools.

The board named Rebecca Viersen interim principal at Washington Elementary School. Viersen has served as the school's assistant principal since 2001.

The board named assistant principals including Jason Ramirez at West Cary Middle, Katherine Rackley at Lincoln Heights Elementary and Dorothy McGirt at Dillard Drive Middle.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:09 PM on September 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Students Perform A Chorus Line

The audience stood, applauded and cheered as area students decked out in gold top hats and costumes danced onto the stage at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the end of their performance of A CHORUS LINE Saturday night.

There were spectacular performances by actors in the 37 member cast in the Broadway Series South production that gave students a chance to stage a show with the help of Broadway veterans Terrence Mann, Charlotte D'Amboise and lighting designer Craig Stelzenmuller (Enloe Graduate).

The Chorus Line student edition of the Marvin Hamlisch Broadway hit included 12 musical numbers - three highlighting the entire company of student performers and nine that allowed for individual students to sing and dance - the big finale reprising "One" that brought the audience to its feet.

The show featured Wakefield High's Kalas Pendergraft as Diana Morales singing "What I Did for Love" and "Nothing." Ariana Debose, Wake Forest-Rolesville High senior, as Cassie danced and sang in "The Music and the Mirror." Justin Faircloth, Enloe High freshman, as Mike tap danced and sang his way through "I Can Do That." Andrew Way, Enloe High junior, as Zach wove the musical numbers together as he questioned the actors who are trying out for one of the eight jobs on the chorus line.

The show features an orchestra of 10 WCPSS students and six middle school band directors led by New York City music director Tammy Holder.

The show gave students a challenging opportunity to act, sing and dance in a classic American musical that focuses on the real world of a career in the arts. Paul Orsett, Wakefield High drama teacher, and Freddie Lee Heath, Ligon Middle dance teacher, devoted hours of work with the students. Orsett was the show's assistant director and Heath was the choreographer. All of this was organized by Elizabeth Grimes Droessler, WCPSS arts administrator.

Congratulations to all for a great show!

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:49 AM on September 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback

2008-09 Principal of the Year Celebration Set for Oct. 16

The 2008-09 Wake County Public School System Principal of the Year celebration is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 16 at Marbles Kids Museum, 201 East Hargett Street in Raleigh.

Five principals and five assistant principals have been nominated as finalists for the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.

The five finalists for Principal of the Year are:

• James Sposato of Powell Elementary


• Rod Stanton of Cary Elementary


• Savon Willard of Salem Elementary


• Dalphine Perry of Zebulon Middle


• Matt Wight of Apex High

The five finalists for Assistant Principal of the Year are:

• Edna Faye Jones of Forest Pines Elementary


• Kathy Godfrey of Harris Creek Elementary


• Lisa Cruz, Brier Creek Elementary


• Shejuanna Rodgers of Apex Middle


• Teri Whyte Scott of East Wake High School of Engineering

Lisa Cruz of Brier Creek Elementary has been named a finalist for Assistant Principal of the Year. She was next in line for the honor after Bob Umstead of Swift Creek Elementary declined the nomination this year. Umstead was a finalist for the honor in 2003.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:17 AM on September 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS School Counselors of the Year Named

Three school counselors have been selected as 2008-09 WCPSS School Counselors of the Year for their grade level.

Kelli Kirk of Sycamore Creek Elementary was named the WCPSS Elementary School Counselor of the Year.

Brenda Joyner of Wakefield Middle School was named the WCPSS Middle School Counselor of the Year.

Karen Rowe of Wakefield High School was named the WCPSS High School Counselor of the Year.

Packets are being submitted for these school counselors to the NC School Counselor Association and the American School Counselor Association for consideration for the state and national award processes.

Eric Sparks of WCPSS Counseling Services congratulated the three for earning recognition. "We wish them the best of luck, and we know that they will represent Wake County well," said Sparks.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:16 PM on September 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Lufkin Road Middle dedicates Freedom Shrine

Lufkin Road Middle School will dedicate its new Freedom Shrine on Sept. 17.

The school received the Freedom Shrine as a donation from the Swift Creek Exchange Club. One of the Exchange Club members who helped install the shrine on the school's second floor is Cliff Feather who has a granddaughter attending the school.

The Freedom Shrine is a wall of replicas of significant American documents including the Preamble to the Constitution, Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, the account of Susan B. Anthony's trial, the Emancipation Proclamation and many others.

Pictured on one of the nights they worked on the Freedom Shrine are Swift Creek Exchange Club members Marvin Pate, Phares Nye, Gary Stafford and Cliff Feather.

You can read more about the Freedom Shrine here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:14 PM on September 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Remembering Sept. 11

The anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, is being marked by schools across Wake County.

We checked to see what schools may be doing. Here's a sample of what we found:

At Zebulon Middle School, the school will mark a moment of silence at 9 a.m.

At Dillard Drive Middle School, social studies teacher Michelle Smith will have a class participating in a day of service. Smith noted a news article about a man whose brother died on 9/11 trying to help others escape. In tribute to his brother and others who passed away, he wanted to turn 9/11 into a day dedicated to community service and helping others. He started a website called mygooddeed.org where people can register good deeds done on or around 9/11. "Each year in my class and some other classes in our school we talk about the article and do a good deed as a class. Two years ago we sent care packages to soldiers and last year we collected items for the children's hospital. I let the students pick the deed. This is what we do to remember 9/11," said Smith.

Several schools will have classes that will discuss Patriot's Day, the federal recognition of September 11 established by the Congress in October 2001. You can read the 2008 Presidential Proclamation for Patriot's Day here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:04 PM on September 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Moore Square Middle School Holds Homework Information Night

How can you find out your student's homework assignments? Do you know what your student learned in Language Arts last week?

Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School will hold its first Homework Information Night of the year 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11.

Moore Square families will be able to take part in informative seminars, a Q and A session with staff, and a PTSA sponsored spaghetti dinner. Parents will select from a variety of informational seminars, including "How to use Blackboard Website," "AG at Moore Square," "Language Arts in Museums Education," and "Math in Museums Education."

In addition, the school will hold the year's first Museum Gallery Walk, transforming the school into a museum of student work. Students will be exhibiting projects created during the first quarter which demonstrate understanding of specific curricular goals and objectives. Each grade level gallery and the ENCORE gallery (Language, health and fitness, music, art, dance/drama and CDC/technology) will have exhibits on display.

Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School is open to students throughout Wake County. The Museums approach to learning focuses on collaboration and interaction with area museums, a Project/Paideia-based approach to learning, student seminars conducted with Paideia principles, and grade level museum field experiences as part of basic instruction.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the magnet program at Moore Square Museums Magnet School, contact Dave Kershner, principal, at 856-7723 or dkershner@wcpss.net.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:03 PM on September 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

No Charge, No Appointment Tdap Booster Shots Available Sept. 13

North Carolina law now requires a booster shot of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) for all children entering sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008. The deadline for getting the Tdap booster for students meeting those criteria is Sept. 23.

Wake County Human Services (10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh 919-212-7000) has set up another No Charge, No Appointment clinics for rising sixth graders who need booster shots. Parents, remember to bring your child's shot record to the clinic.

Saturday, September 13
9-11 AM
Wake County Public Health Center-Clinic E
10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh, NC

Posted by Paul Cory at 9:38 AM on September 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Graduation Awareness Week is Sept. 7-13

The week of September 7-13 has been recognized as Graduation Awareness Week in Wake County and in North Carolina.

Resolutions were issued by the Wake County Board of Education and Gov. Mike Easley to stress the importance of high school graduation.

The Wake County Board of Education resolution states:

WHEREAS, the Wake County Board of Education believes that graduation is a basic goal that all students should accomplish;

WHEREAS, graduation rates impact the future economic development of our community and are the responsibility of the entire community;

WHEREAS, the Wake County Public School System and the Wake County Board of Education are committed to preparing students for citizenship in the 21st Century;

WHEREAS, the Wake County Public School System and the Wake County Board of Education are committed to on-time graduation for all students.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Wake County Public School System and the Wake County Board of Education join hands with educators, community leaders, faith-based representatives, parents and students within the community and across the state to increase awareness and support of on-time graduation for ALL students.

The board approved the resolution September 2.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:07 PM on September 9, 2008 | Leave Feedback

137,592 students on day 10

WCPSS had 137,592 students in school Monday, September 8. This is 3,957 more students in school than the 133,635 students who attended the tenth day of school in 2007-08.

WCPSS had 67,464 elementary students, 30,884 middle school students and 39,244 high school students.

This count of students includes the seventh day number for Ligon Middle School which did not meet classes Sept. 8 because of facility issues caused by weekend weather.

On the 20th day of 2007-08, student enrollment was 134,002.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:40 PM on September 8, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teachers discuss using technology to teach about North Carolina

Eighteen WCPSS teachers who have been part of an 18-month staff development program with NC State professors will present their Inquiry Projects Sept. 12 at the Friday Institute at Centennial Campus Middle School. The teachers have been a part of a program exploring North Carolina's history, dialect and language and represent both Social Studies and English/Language Arts teachers.

Other teachers who have been taking part in a class "Cross Curricular Technology Tips for Middle/High School Social Studies and English/Language" will attend the presentations by the 18 teachers to hear how they infused technology into their programs at school. This day will be followed up by a class in October 2 after planning and reflection by all present.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:15 PM on September 8, 2008 | Leave Feedback

School Board Meets with Congressmen

The Wake County Board of Education sat down to a breakfast discussion with the Wake County's Congressional delegation about education issues yesterday.

In the photo, School board chair Rosa Gill leads the discussions with Representatives Bob Etheridge (2nd District), Brad Miller (13th District) and David Price (4th District).

The meeting gave the school board members a chance to get to better know the congressmen and they heard from the congressmen about teacher recruitment and retention, science and technology education and the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:46 PM on September 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Hunter Elementary Musicians to Perform

When North Carolina music educators meet in Winston-Salem in November, they will find a group of WCPSS elementary students in the midst of the middle and high schoolers who people expect to see at the conference. The Hunter Elementary Wind Ensemble led by Matthew Pellas has been invited to take part in this year's North Carolina Music Educators Association In-Service Conference November 7-11. The Hunter students are scheduled to perform Sunday evening. Following the performance, the Wind Ensemble will be the demonstration band in a clinic for band directors focusing on teaching beginning band. The performance and clinic will be held at the Benton Convention Center South Main Hall. The invitation to perform at the annual event for the state's music educators is a tremendous honor for Hunter Elementary students and Mr. Pellas.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:45 PM on September 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

3,900 More Students on Seventh Day

WCPSS had 136,828 students in school Wednesday, September 3. This is 3,923 more students in school than the 132,905 students who attended the seventh day of school in 2007-08.

WCPSS had 67,140 elementary students, 30,721 middle school students and 38,967 high school students.

On the 20th day of 2007-08, student enrollment was 134,002.

WCPSS will check student enrollment on day 10.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:14 PM on September 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook High Senior Attended Girls Nation

One of Wake County's representatives to Tarheel Girls State was picked as one of North Carolina's two representatives to attend Girls Nation. Rising senior Ashley Honeycutt was one of 10 Millbrook students who attended Tarheel Girls State this summer. The students travelled to Catawba College where they worked with girls from all over North Carolina for a week to learn about and participate in various parts of government. Honeycutt was selected to represent North Carolina and travelled to Washington, DC to attend Girls Nation July 19 - 26. She met and worked with various legislators, visited the White House and met President Bush. After she returned home, a fellow Girls Nation honoree from New York visited Ashley here. Ashley will also serve as a leader for next summer's Girls State. You can find more on Tarheel Girls State here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:20 AM on September 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

4,025 More Students on Fifth Day

WCPSS had 136,060 students in school Friday, August 30. This is 4,025 more students in school than the 132,035 students who attended the fifth day of school in 2007-08.

WCPSS had 66,835 elementary students, 30,559 middle school students and 38,666 high school students.

On the 20th day of 2007-08, student enrollment was 134,002.

WCPSS will check student enrollment on day 7 and 10.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:07 AM on September 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Building the Connection Between Home and School

The start of the new school year is the start of building new relationships. One of the key relationships is between parents and teachers. It's important to build that relationship at the start of the school year, rather than waiting until the child's needs require attention. Schools often have Meet the Teacher events or open houses at the start of the year to help build those bridges.

The National PTA website has information on getting involved at your child's school.

The Teacher Leadership Network offers suggestions for teachers in Marsha Ratzel's article on "The Parent Meet and Greet."

One of the keys to your first meeting is to determine the best way to communicate. Both teachers and parents need to understand the best ways and times to share information.

• Is the phone or e-mail better?
• Do I have their contact information?
• Should I expect an immediate response or will it take a day or two?

Be sure to ask how you can be of help in making your student's year successful.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:54 AM on August 28, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Traditional German Welcome Planned for Wiley Kindergarteners

A group of kindergarten students, the newest Wiley International Studies Magnet students, will receive a traditional German welcome of schule tute.

At the end of the kindergartners' first full day on Sept. 2, the Wiley PTA and Broughton High German Club students will honor the kindergartners in small classroom ceremonies.

The ceremonies will follow the German tradition of presenting children on their first day of school a hand-made schule tute or school tote. The cone-shaped totes will be filled with school supplies or other goodies honoring a young person’s entry into school.

The ceremonies draw attention to the collaboration of two WCPSS magnet schools: Wiley Elementary with its International Studies magnet program and Broughton High with its International Baccalaureate magnet program. The elementary school PTA and high school German Club students want the ceremonies to highlight international understanding.

The Wiley International Studies Magnet program focuses on providing opportunities for concentrated instruction in one of five foreign languages, using technology to facilitate learning across cultures, promoting international understanding, and encouraging the connection of local and global issues through service learning.

For more information on the schule tute tradition or Wiley Elementary, contact Principal Erin Kershner at 856-7723 or ekershner@wcpss.net.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:47 PM on August 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teaching Fellows Applications Available for Seniors

2008-09 applications to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship/Loan Program are now available online at www.teachingfellows.org along with additional program information.

High school seniors accepted as Teaching Fellows will receive a $26,000 scholarship/loan from the state, paid in $6,500 annual increments. The full loan is forgiven after the Fellow has completed four years of teaching in North Carolina public schools.

Applications are due to your high schools' Teaching Fellows Liaison Counselor by the end of the school day on October 17, 2008.

(Thanks to the Public School Forum of North Carolina for the news.)

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:33 AM on August 25, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Panther Creek High School Modular Classroom Update

The Wake County Public School System is working closely with the Town of Cary to expedite the installation of modular classrooms at Panther Creek High School. Unfortunately, installation delays will create crowding issues at the school, but students will be accommodated in a manner that minimizes distractions to the learning environment.

Be assured that we are working to have installation of the modular classrooms completed as quickly as possible and are trying to expedite what is a complicated process. We apologize for the inconvenience.

You can read a timeline describing the Installation of Modular Classroom Units at Panther Creek High School here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:59 PM on August 22, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board Chair Gill and Superintendent Burns join PTA

Wake County School Board Chair Rosa Gill and Wake County Public School System Superintendant Del Burns today extended their support of students by joining the PTA. Gill and Burns signed up as part of a Join the PTA event sponsored by the Wake County PTA Council, the umbrella organization of the more than 50,000 PTA members in Wake County.

Gill and Burns joined the NC PTA, a statewide, community-based PTA, as a way to show support for family involvement and as a means of encouraging other community members to also join.

Each school-based PTA in Wake County and the rest of the state are automatically part of the NC PTA as well as the National PTA.

"The Parent Teacher Association is a powerful voice for the children of Wake County, and we truly appreciate the support of both Dr. Burns and Mrs. Gill," said Sarah Martin, president of the Wake County PTA Council. "It is our hope that community members, school staff and administration throughout Wake County will follow the lead of these two education leaders, join the PTA, and become active in their local school communities."

For more information, including how to join the PTA, contact your child's school.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:48 PM on August 19, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Athens Drive High School Band Earns National Honors

The Athens Drive High School Band Percussion Ensemble and its director John Antonelli have been selected to perform for the National Percussion Ensemble Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana next March.

"Our percussion ensemble is one of 12 across the nation to be selected for performance," said Dr. Jerry Markoch, Athens High Drive band director. "I believe we are the first Wake County ensemble to be invited to participate in a Music for All/Bands of America National Festival."

This is one of the most prestigious festivals in the nation, and is a significant honor for Athens Drive students and staff.

At the festival, the students will participate in:

• A 40 minute concert to be performed for a panel of the nation's most respected percussion educators as well as for percussion students from other participating schools


• A clinic immediately following the performance with one of the evaluators


• Student master classes


• Full participation in all of the "Music for All National Festival" events such as the Opening Session, Gala Awards Banquet, and Honor Band of America Concert.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:32 AM on August 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

New Publications for Parents and Teachers

The Evaluation and Research Department has established two new publications: Teachable Moment for teachers and Facts for Families for parents. These newsletters disseminate information about E&R's research findings and provide a starting point for conversations throughout the community. This is part of a new set of publications designed to give families and schools common information on which to base discussions about helping students achieve. Both can be found on the department's website.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:51 AM on August 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

CNS serves nearly 60,000 free meals during summer

WCPSS Child Nutrition Services (CNS) provided free meals to thousands of Wake children as part of the Summer Feeding Program-a program established by the USDA to ensure that children in lower-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals in the summer or during track-out times in year-round schools.

"Last year we had about 28 percent of our students who qualified for free or reduced lunch during the school year. This program is designed to keep those children from going hungry over the summer, since they are not getting school lunch," said CNS Senior Director Marilyn Moody. "It is a major operation that runs efficiently and effectively for us every year."

Between June 9 and August 8, the Summer Feeding Program provided breakfast and lunch to children at 33 different locations in Wake County. In June, 5,532 breakfasts and 21,027 lunches were served. In July, 6,465 breakfasts and 26,689 lunches were served.
"We have seen an increase in participation and continue to work with more and more organizations who want to offer the program," said CNS Area Supervisor Karen Taylor.

This year, about 2,400 children received two meals a day through the Summer Feeding Program. Meals are typically served at Title I summer schools, other school-based programs and many non-school-based summer camp sites organized by churches and the Department of Health and Human Services. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible to receive meals free of charge if they are enrolled in programs that work with CNS to offer the Summer Feeding Program.

The Summer Feeding Program is staffed by CNS employees who work at six kitchens to coordinate the delivery of daily breakfasts and lunches to each of the 33 sites. One change to the program this year was the new boxed lunch and breakfast. These prepackaged meals held all of the components necessary for a healthy lunch when served with milk.

"We've had a tremendous response since we started purchasing boxed lunches. Kids really seem to like them and it is not as labor intensive because our staff no longer has to prepare the meals themselves," said Taylor.

Turkey and ham sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly, apple sauce, graham cracker cookies, nuts and milk were some of the items included in the boxed lunches. Children also had their choice of cereal, French toast, pancakes, fruit, juice and milk in the morning.

WCPSS Child Nutrition Services established the Summer Feeding Program in Wake County more than 20 years ago.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 2:44 PM on August 11, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Three Wake Schools Win National Recognition

The WCPSS Environmental Health and Safety Department and three Wake County schools won recognition for promoting energy education and were honored at the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Youth Awards Program in Washington, D.C., June 20-23, 2008. The Wake County Public School System's Environmental Stewardship Program was selected as Finalist for District of the Year at the national level. Forestville Road, Fox Road, and Rolesville elementary schools were also recognized for their energy conservation projects at the state and national levels.

Many Wake County schools have classroom-based programs in which students learn about energy. Many schools have teacher and student leaders who extend their activities to other students, their families, and communities. To recognize outstanding achievement and reward student leadership, the NEED Project conducts the National Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement. Many schools participating in NEED's programs submit reports on their energy activities. A national review panel evaluates the schools reports and chooses the state and national winners. This year's NEED Youth Awards Review Panel included judges from Dominion, Energy Information Administration and U.S. Department of Energy. Awards are given to the winner and runner-up in the elementary, junior and senior levels; and rookie awards are given at each level for schools in their first year of the NEED program.

NEED's "Kids Teaching Kids" approach encourages students to teach their peers and communities about energy in fun and innovative ways. These students are sharing their energy knowledge with their communities and leading the way toward changing the world.

In 1980, the NEED Project began as a one-day celebration of energy education. A joint Congressional Resolution established National Energy Education Day. A Presidential Proclamation from President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the need for comprehensive energy education in our nation's schools, a reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels, and increasing use of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency. Today, twenty-eight years later, the same message holds true.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 12:43 PM on August 8, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Youth Empowerment Summit Coming This Weekend

The WCPSS Prevention Services Department is working with Another Step Forward Ministries, the Wake County Gang Prevention Partnership and Radio One to sponsor a "Back to School Rally" on Monday, August 11, for traditional-calendar students at Dorton Arena from 10 a.m. to noon. Students at the rally will be encouraged to "Say YES" to graduating on time, sexual abstinence, staying drug free, and staying gang free. Another focus of the rally will be to reconnect the faith community and schools through the "Adopt a School" partnership, thereby increasing the capacity of schools to support students who need mentoring and tutoring.

"Adopt a School" encourages faith-based organizations to adopt a school of their choice, encouraging members to volunteer to mentor or provide other services to schools. According to Darryl T. Fisher, WCPSS senior director for prevention services, a Memorandum of Understanding will be developed between the faith-based organizations and the school system "so that each organization will be able to work within a framework which defines the expectations and caveats of the relationship."

The rally is part of the weekend's "Say Y.E.S." Youth Empowerment Summit, including an "Adopt a School" workshop for faith-based organizations at Solid Rock Ministries in Garner on August 9 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and a town hall meeting at Southeast Raleigh High on August 10 from 6 p.m to 8 p.m., hosted by Radio One's Russ Parr. For more information, call WCPSS Prevention Services at 858-3225.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:55 PM on August 7, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Apex High Academy of Information Technology Earns National Honor

The Apex High School Academy of Information Technology received recognition as one of the top model academies in the nation at the National Academy Foundation’s 2008 Annual Institute for Staff Development held earlier this month. The Apex High Academy of Information Technology earned one of five Aldo Papone awards for leadership in Academy performance from the National Academy Foundation. The Apex High academy was recognized for its ongoing commitment to create meaningful experiences for students. Julie Oster is the director for the Apex High Academy of Information Technology. The academy received $5000 as an award recipient.

More than 1,100 students, teachers, Academy directors and people from the corporate world attended the weeklong professional training and development institute. The National Academy Foundation is an acclaimed national network of high school career academies predominately based in urban schools with rigorous, career-themed curricula created with current industry and educational expertise.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:18 AM on August 6, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Athletic Practice Begins

High school fall sports athletic practice will begin over the next couple of weeks. Football and cheerleading may begin Friday, August 1st. All other fall sports may begin Monday, August 4th. Each high school athletic department sets specific dates and times for the start of fall practices for all sports. Middle school fall sports athletic practice may begin on Monday, August 25th. Contact the school for more specific information.

You can read more about WCPSS athletics here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:11 PM on July 31, 2008 | Leave Feedback

College Fair Set for Sept. 21

Parents of high school students who have begun their college search need to mark this date on their calendar: Sunday, September 21. The College and Post Secondary Opportunities Fair will be held 2-4:30 p.m., September 21 at the McKimmon Center on the NC State University campus. The fair is sponsored by Counseling and Student Services of the Wake County Public School System, the Carolina Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and NC State University. The event will feature representatives from more than 100 colleges, universities, community colleges and all military institutions. Free sessions will be available on college search and financial planning for college.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:38 PM on July 30, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Combs Earns 2008 Models of Distinction Award

Combs Elementary has been named by the International Center for Leadership in Education as the top elementary school in the nation and presented a 2008 Models of Distinction Award. Combs was singled out from among approximately 40 model schools from across the country that were invited to share their best practices for sustained school improvement. The award was presented as part of the center's 16th annual Model Schools Conference attended by 7,500 educators last month. The award is based on the center’s Learning Criteria to Support 21st Century Learners, a holistic goal-setting and measurement tool used to measure school excellence across four dimensions: core academic learning, stretch learning, student engagement and personal skill development. A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School emphasizes developing leadership in young children. The principles of Dr. Stephen R. Covey , author of the 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE, are embedded in the school's culture and guide the student, faculty and staff in building the leadership model.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:23 PM on July 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Panther Creek prepares for Class of 2012

High schools are preparing for entering freshmen who will be the Wake County Public School System Class of 2012. One way high schools help their incoming ninth graders is by holding freshman camps where fun activities are developed to help students learn their new campus, meet new friends, learn new traditions and find the way from their lockers to classrooms.

At Panther Creek High, one of WCPSS's newest highest schools, approximately 100 upper classmen are taking part in training today for the school's freshmen orientation on August 11. These students are taking part in leadership training to equip them with the skills to run an interactive orientation day program and serve as mentors to freshmen during the school year.

While some schools like Southeast Raleigh High and Sanderson High held freshman camps in July, most WCPSS high schools will hold camps and orientation in August. You can read more about WCPSS freshman camps and orientation here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:15 AM on July 25, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Back-to-School Notes: Durant Road Middle

One last message from our faculty and staff that began a new school year on July 7: Durant Road Middle dance instructor Sue Hill writes that after seven years, the rapid turn-around in ending one school year and beginning the next "seems fairly seamless."

The joy I have of that very quick turn-around is during our open houses for each track of students to visit their homeroom teachers, pick up P.E. uniforms, and find out about various needs. As a greeter I got to welcome many new people to Durant and through several conversations I found out that some of the students were very interested to find out what elective they had gotten. When I found out they wanted to take dance and the child found out I was the dance teacher, the smile I received was huge and it seemed to make the whole day just that much better for the child. The impression we make in a very brief time can put the nerves at ease.

It is kind of funny to see the kids enter the building with confidence on the first day of school, while the parent is following behind as if to reassure and the child's wishing they had been dropped off five blocks before the school. Welcome to middle school!

We'll be back with more "Back-to-School Notes" when the traditional-calendar schools open on August 25!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:44 PM on July 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Principals Named

The Board of Education named four school principals at its meeting July 15. George Risinger was named principal of Heritage Elementary. Edward Gainor was named interim principal at York Elementary. Frank Graham was named principal at Lufkin Road Middle School. Teresa Pierrie was named principal at Wake Early College of Health and Science.

Risinger has served as director in the WCPSS Office of Growth and Planning since 2004. Prior to that, he served as principal of Heritage Elementary, Jones Dairy Elementary and Joyner Elementary.

Gainor has served as interim principal of Green Elementary for several months this year. Prior to that, he was principal at Leesville Road Elementary and Wiley Elementary. He was an assistant principal and teacher at Daniels Middle School.

Graham has served as assistant principal at Cedar Fork Elementary since 2005. Prior to that, he was a clinical assistant professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, an assistant principal intern at Salem Middle and a product manager and senior curriculum developer for a Massachusetts firm.

Pierrie has served as assistant principal at Wake Forest-Rolesville High since 2007. Prior to that she was director of the Small Learning Communities Federal Grant for WCPSS Instructional Services, a senior administrator in WCPSS Continuous Improvement and Professional Development, a senior administrator in WCPSS Human Resources and an administrator for Technology Connections for WCPSS Instructional Services.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:25 AM on July 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Back-to-School Notes: Holly Grove Elementary and Heritage Middle

With the new school year having already begun for approximately 30,000 students (with another 10,000 on Track 4 to begin in two weeks), we're already hearing some interesting stories about helping students and staff start off on the right foot.

• Beginning a school year takes on a whole new meaning when you've only just left the last school year behind. Wiladean Thomas, principal of Holly Grove Elementary, writes:

  The thought of finishing one school year one day and starting the next the very next day is quite a daunting task and you wonder how to create the momentum and the excitement that a traditional opening brings. We decided to include our staff by having them introduce themselves in a different way, so I told them that we would be hosting the Hedgehogs Idols (our mascot is the hedgehog) and seeking to find our Hedgehog Idols for the year. One AP [assistant principal] was Simon, one was Paula and I was Randi.

  We divided the entire staff into teams that included everyone from our custodians, grade level teams, specialists, special education team, teacher assistants, etc. Their task was to take 15 minutes to come up with a way to introduce themselves. Then we spent about an hour for them to present and get to know one another. They were unbelievable! I gave them a hint the day before and so some got a "head start." They did skits, songs, poems, and the list goes on.

  Of course the judges gave each group a 10. This way of having the staff introduce themselves was fun and gave such insight to the talent that exists within our learning community. There was so much information that we learned about each other. It created the "backdrop" for a wonderful retreat and a positive start to a grand new year!

• Dhedra Cross, principal of Heritage Middle, wrote in to let us know of the important role her members of the National Junior Honor Society played. "Our NJHS members served as escorts for sixth graders and new seventh/eighth graders at the schedule pick-up event and the first day of school. The honor society members certainly seemed to comfort the new students through the transition," she says.

  As a Positive Behavior Support school, Heritage Middle took advantage of NJHS students' leadership. "During the first week of school, we teach and review the expectations outlined in our behavior matrices for hallways, cafeteria, classrooms and bathrooms," writes Mrs. Cross. "At the end of last school year, our counselors and NJHS sponsors trained NJHS members to be PBS ambassadors for the sixth graders. For four days last week, NJHS students went as groups of three into same-track homerooms of sixth-graders to explain school-wide expectations and recognitions. This endeavor gave the eight graders leadership opportunities and gave sixth graders an opportunity to learn from students who've mastered the expectations."

  Kudos and congratulations to Heritage Middle's NJHS students!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:41 PM on July 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Kickoff to Kindergarten August 17

WCPSS's Project Enlightenment is co-sponsoring the fifth annual Kickoff to Kindergarten at Marbles Kids Museum on August 17, 2008 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Rising kindergartners will "go through their first lunch line, board a real school bus, get their very own library card" and more at this free event. Check out the flyer here (PDF).

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:11 PM on July 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Outstanding Bus Drivers

June 24, 2008 - Each year, the school system recognizes its top bus drivers during the annual Bus Drivers Awards Luncheon. This year's event was held on June 5, 2008. During the luncheon, bus drivers from each district were recognized as the school system's Outstanding School Bus Drivers for the 2007-08 school year. This year, 14 school bus drivers and three team leaders were recognized as outstanding employees!

The criteria used to select outstanding bus drivers for the year include no at-fault accidents and safety record, good attendance with minimal absences, job performance, extraordinary acts and/or heroism.

Click here to see the 2007-08 Outstanding Bus Drivers.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 2:06 PM on June 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Camp Links Leadership to Learning

Approximately 100 rising sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Centennial Campus Middle School are spending a week this summer gaining the skills needed to become effective leaders in their school, community and futures.

This summer marks the first time the school has offered its students the opportunity to attend a summer camp on the school's campus. The "Linking Leadership to Learning" camp provides students the opportunity to work together with professional educators to empower themselves with effective leadership skills.

Professional Leadership Speaker and Author Nancy Hunter Denney opened the camp with a presentation about the traits of effective leaders and how students can use their leadership skills to make a real difference in the world. Later in the week, Author Marlon Smith will discuss "Living with Purpose."

Throughout the week, students will also participate in a challenge course offered by the Raleigh Parks and Recreation, receive technology instruction, take part in leadership activities and games, and attend sessions on topics such as Active Listening, Characteristics of Confidence, Group Dynamics, Public Speaking Skills and Covey Leadership Traits. The camp will end with bowling and a tour of NC State University.

Posted by Christy Barnett at 5:07 PM on June 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names principals and administrators

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education named Kathy Hartenstine principal of Baileywick Elementary, Mark Kenjarski principal of Partnership Elementary, Kenneth Proulx Senior Director in Organizational Development and Support, and David Gourley Senior Administrator in Real Estate Services.

Hartenstine has served as special assistant to the Northern Area Superintendent’s Office since 2006. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal intern at Salem Elementary and Durant Road Middle and a teacher at Moore Square Middle, Durant Road Middle, Brassfield Elementary and Powell Elementary.

Kenjarski has served as assistant principal at Partnership Elementary since 2005. Prior to that, he worked as a part time assistant principal intern and part time instructional resource teacher and a teacher at Partnership Elementary. He also worked as a teacher at Cary Elementary.

Proulx has worked as a principal at Holly Ridge Middle since 2006. Prior to that, he worked as a principal, assistant principal and teacher at middle and elementary schools in New York.

Gourley has worked as owner and senior real estate specialist in his own real estate business since 2004. Prior to that, he worked as a real property agent with the State Property Office and a real estate specialist with the City of Raleigh.

The board named Ann Deegan as interim principal at Lufkin Road Middle. Deegan, a retired WCPSS principal, has served as interim principal at Washington since March 2008. She served as interim principal at Dillard Drive Elementary in 2007. Prior to that, she was principal of Martin Middle and Underwood Elementary and a senior director for WCPSS Curriculum and Instruction.

The board named Jonathan Murdock as assistant principal at Davis Drive Middle and Stacey Alston as assistant principal at Knightdale High. Tracie Sauers was named part time assistant principal at Durant Road Elementary and part time assistant principal at Harris Creek Elementary. Douglas Cox was named part time assistant principal at West Lake Elementary and part time assistant principal at Turner Creek Elementary.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:01 AM on June 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Washington Wins Scholastic Pursuit Tournament

A team of eight students from Washington Elementary won the annual WCPSS Magnet Programs Scholastic Pursuit Tournament last month. As part of a nine week elective, teams of students from grades three to five from six Wake County magnet schools prepared for the tournament competition.

Teams competed from Fuller Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary, Hunter Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary, Powell Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary School of the Visual and Performing Arts, Washington Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary, Wake Forest Gifted and Talented Magnet Elementary, and Wiley International Elementary Magnet School

At the end of the three preliminary rounds, Hunter and Washington had the two highest scores qualifying for the final round. Washington won the close contest in an auditorium before a full audience and earned the Scholastic Pursuit trophy for the next year.

Approximately 25 administrators from various Central Services departments helped out serving as tournament officials.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:00 AM on June 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Parents Needed for Textbook Selection

Committees are being formed by the Wake County Public School System for Textbook/Materials Selection for elementary mathematics for 2008-09. Parent and community volunteers are needed. If you are interested in being considered for membership on a committee, please complete the application form and fax to Sarah Williams at 850-1821 by June 25.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:40 AM on June 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Aversboro Office Staff Relocates for the Summer

Aversboro Elementary principal Paul Domenico asked us to let you know that a school construction project has ushered him and his summer office staff out of the building beginning today, June 16. Domenico and his staff will be using temporary office space at Creech Road Elementary until approximately mid-July.

Parents in Aversboro's base attendance area who wish to register their children for the coming school year are encouraged to visit them at 450 Creech Road in Garner.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 9:06 AM on June 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Southeast Raleigh High Students Receive Math and Science, Arts Honors

Southeast Raleigh High students earned first place for the NC State University chapter of the Math and Science Education Network in the state MSEN competition. Of the 700 students competing in the chemistry competition, two Southeast Raleigh High students, John Daniels and Kenrica Sands placed first. In the Algebra II competition, Southeast Raleigh High students Coraleisha Banks and Spencer Carr placed second. Ninecia Scott placed third in Biology. The combined efforts of these students helped the chapter earned first place. MSEN serves to strengthen the quality and increase the size of the teaching base in mathematics and science education as well as increase the pool of students who graduate from North Carolina's high schools prepared to pursue careers that require mathematics and science. You can learn more about MSEN here.

Also, five Southeast Raleigh High students earned photography honors taking part in Photographer's Forum Magazine's photo contest. The five students include Chelsea Eason, Brian Sappie, David Robinson, Brooke Gooding and Robbie Holliday. The competition is sponsored by Nikon - the only student competition fully sponsored by a major camera manufacturer. The winners are inducted into the Nikon Emerging Talent Hall of Fame. It is the single most prestigious competition for amateur photographers in the US. This year there were 28,000 entries.

Posted by Bill Poston at 8:51 AM on June 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Everest mountain climber cheered as hero

Ciprian "Chip" Popoviciu, local mountain climber and Cisco engineer, received a hero's welcome at Martin Middle School this Tuesday after returning home from a two-month journey to the summit of Mt. Everest.

Students at Martin followed Popviciu's trip to the top of Mt Everest thanks to mobile wireless Internet connectivity facilitated by the school, MCNC, Arch Rock Corporation and Cisco.

Students had last seen Popoviciu in March when he visited the school to brief them on his plans to climb Mt. Everest, just days before he left on his trip.

He talked with students and teachers throughout the climb from March 22 to May 29, using a Cisco Mobile Access Router, powered by a combination of batteries and a solar panel, to connect through a satellite modem from Mt. Everest Base Camp (17,700 feet). He used a handheld personal computer and a Linksys web camera to post messages and photos, and answer student questions, all through a WebEx portal during his two months on the mountain. Students joined Popoviciu and his Sherpa guide in a video conference from the mountain on May 15.

Internet Protocol-based wireless sensor nodes and software provided by the San Francisco, Ca.-based Arch Rock monitored Popoviciu's external environmental conditions and communicated those readings back to students in Raleigh. Another sensor monitored Popoviciu's physical activity and caloric consumption. Dr. James R. Stevens, Raleigh physician and President and Chief Medical Officer of the American Institute of Healthcare and Fitness, worked with students to interpret the readings and explore the effects of high altitude on the body.

MCNC, a non-profit organization in the Research Triangle Park, facilitated the partnership between Cisco and the school and played a key role in managing the project as teachers integrated Popoviciu's experience into classroom instruction, including math, science, language arts, social studies and art classes. The interactive educational experience for teachers and students through Web-based sharing of information is a model for 21st century learning enhanced by network-based collaboration and communication, which MCNC is working in partnership with state government to extend to every school in North Carolina.

Popoviciu departed North Carolina on March 22 for Kathmandu, Nepal, and reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 22. He returned to North Carolina on June 2.

You can find more information on Martin Middle School and Mt. Everest here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:42 PM on June 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

2008 CNS Employee Awards

Child Nutrition Services (CNS) honored several of its employees for their outstanding customer service during an annual awards banquet held on May 22. The annual program acknowledges the hard work and service of CNS employees, in particular highlighting outstanding performance in the areas of perfect attendance, length of service, recruitment, sanitation, financial status, and student meal participation.

During the ceremony, CNS recognized four managers of the year; one driver of the year; financial awards for highest and most improved status; highest percentage increase in lunch, breakfast and total participation; 10 retirees; 17 schools with 100 percent sanitation scores; 11 people recruited new employees who stayed at least six months; and 51 employees had perfect attendance for the year.

"It was a pleasure to recognize the achievements of CNS employees. Cafeteria workers are dedicated and committed to our school system and it shows in the number who receive special recognition during the event," said Marilyn Moody, CNS Senior Director.

Go to http://www.wcpss.net/news/2008_cns_awards/ for a complete list of award winners.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 3:47 PM on June 11, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Updated Electronic Resources Policies Online

As promised last week, we now have the updated policies and administrative procedures on employee and student "acceptable use of electronic resources" intended to help kids participate safely in a Web 2.0 world.

• Employee use: Board Policy, Regulations & Procedures (R&P)
• Student use: Board Policy, R&P

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:54 AM on June 9, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Helping Kids Participate Safely in a Web 2.0 World

Using today's computer technology to support student learning was something of a theme during the June 3 school board meeting. Centennial Campus Middle gave a detailed report of their one-to-one laptop initiative, which has brought online instruction and collaboration to an awe-inspiring level thanks to a grant funded by SAS Institute, Inc. (You can find out more in Bill Poston's podcast, and you can watch their presentation during the first hour of the school board meeting -- check with your public/government access channel for airtimes.)

Among the tools Centennial is bringing to bear are blogs, podcasts, wikis, and other so-called Web 2.0 technologies. They bring an unprecedented level of interactivity and participation to the classroom, just as in the business community and the day-to-day life of an increasingly hyper-connected generation. As chief technology officer Beverly White sees it, that brings opportunities as well as responsibilities.

"This is fantastic," says White. "Anything that engages students in learning is exactly what we need to do. Technology can be transformative, and bringing it into the classroom in this way makes it transformative for learning." At the same time, she says, caution must be taken when more and more personally identifiable information may be released onto the Web. Those concerns were reflected in updates to the school board's policies on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources enacted Tuesday night.

"We needed to recognize the fact that since we first put the policy in place, the Internet has really changed from being just a place to pull information from," says White. "Now it's a two-way exchange of information. So we need to encourage and we need to teach 21st-century skills, Web 2.0 tools, all those kinds of things. That's the conundrum: finding ways to protect students who are doing the posting and taking advantage of the two-way conversations available while teaching them how to do it -- because it's their world."

The updated policies and administrative procedures clarify the need to get parental permission before posting personally identifiable information. White says that while students' involvement in public activities -- say, scoring the winning touchdown in a football game -- is "directory information" and may be publicized on the Web, day-to-day classroom activities require more care in the absence of parental permission (for example, using a pseudonym or "handle" instead of a student's real name on a blog).

"The whole concept is, let's get information out there -- let's show the child's artwork, let's do things to make people proud of what they're doing and proud of where they are, and help them understand the skills -- but let's protect our employees, and let's protect our students," says White. She's also hopeful that revising acceptable use policies will encourage further adoption of instructional technology: "This can help teachers, some of whom are skeptical of letting kids get out to these resources, have more confidence that there are effective guidelines and that the district will stand behind the teachers."

White adds that the Technology Services Division will also work collaboratively with teachers who have already embraced online and Web 2.0-based teaching tools, many of whom have independently adopted similar rules, helping them realign when necessary. "We might say, 'We're not experts about what you want to do your wiki about, but we can certainly look at some generalities. Let's look at the acceptable use policy,'" White says. "That's the approach: to educate and involve you in the solution, not to waggle a finger and say, 'No.' We need to enable that teaching to happen."

(We'll provide links to the updated policies here when they are posted to our website.)

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:05 PM on June 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Congratulations to First-Year Teachers of the Year

At last month's Wake County Teacher of the Year banquet, WCPSS recognized four recipients of the Diane Kent-Parker First Year Teacher Award. The award recognizes four teachers (two from elementary, one from middle, and one from high schools) who have accomplished significant professional success in WCPSS in their first year of teaching. The winners for 2008 were:

• Ashley Mann, Reedy Creek Elementary
• Nichole Emond, Cary Elementary
• Megan Ciarfello, Davis Drive Middle
• Elizabeth Metropulos, Southeast Raleigh High

Teachers were nominated by their principals and schools, and a selection committee reviewed the nominations and interviewed candidates. Each recipient received an acrylic award from the school system and a $75 gift certificate to Stone's Supply Company compliments of Delta Kappa Gamma/Gamma Theta Chapter.

The award is in honor of the late Diane Kent-Parker, former senior director of recruitment and retention, who had a passion and enthusiasm for teaching -- especially for first-year teachers. Kent-Parker's sister, Frances Richardson, was on stage to present the awards.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:14 PM on June 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names principals

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education named Anthony Muttillo principal at West Millbrook Middle School and Drew Cook interim principal at Garner High School.

Dr. Muttillo has served as assistant principal at the Wakefield High School ninth grade center since 2007. Prior to that, he was an assistant principal at Wakefield High and Martin Middle School. He also worked as an assistant principal intern and teacher at Martin Middle.

Cook will serve as the school's interim principal until July 1 and then return to his duties as the school's assistant principal. He has served as assistant principal at Garner High since 2005. He has also served as an assistant principal intern and teacher at Garner High.

The board named new assistant principals including Michael Applewhite at Wakefield High, Stacey Weddle at East Wake Middle, Timothy Chadwick at Olive Chapel Elementary. Carolyn Penny was named a 50% assistant principal at Holly Grove Elementary.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:37 AM on June 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Challenging Gifted Students

Some students at East Millbrook Middle School have been challenged by a series of projects designed by teacher Jon Roach and April Grybosky, the school's Academically Gifted Specialist. Students will make presentations in an afterschool program after spending some time working on one of three projects. Students were challenged to design a traveling Korean War Memorial, produce an edible 3-D model of an Australian animal or produce a work of art based on their study of artwork at the NC Museum of Art. The artwork presented was part of the project the teachers designed that challenged students to research and present information on these topics.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:10 PM on May 28, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Hurricane Preparedness Week

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 25-31, 2008. The Wake County Public School System can play a significant role during these types of natural disasters. Consider that hurricane evacuations from the coast can be directed west along interstate 40 and highway 70 toward Wake County. Consequently, if there's an evacuation of the coast, a few of our schools could serve as receiving centers and information distribution points for evacuees. At today's facility meeting, staff went over the various types of support the school system provides when emergencies arise in Wake County. Our school system works in partnership with Wake County's Emergency Operations team and other relief agencies to provide temporary shelter, food service, and sometimes transportation during emergencies. Any school can be designated as a Reception Center and/or Shelter in response to an anticipated emergency.

For more information about Hurricane Preparedness and planning for other emergencies within Wake County visit: http://www.wakegov.com/emergency/em.htm

Posted by Ashley Smith at 2:06 PM on May 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Martin Middle and Mt. Everest

Since March 10, students at Martin Middle School have been taken along on a high tech journey with mountain-climber and local Cisco engineer Ciprian "Chip" Popoviciu as he attempted to climb to the top of Mt. Everest. Popoviciu made it and the Martin Middle School family has been elated. You can follow part of the school's discussions with Popoviciu online here where there are links to a blog about the activities, as well as reports the school received from Popoviciu.

Teachers at the school have incorporated the trip into instruction in many classes. You can hear Popoviciu and Martin students talk about the project in a WCPSS audio podcast

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:33 AM on May 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Reviewing the Teacher Working Conditions Survey Results

Earlier this week the 2008 Teacher Working Conditions Survey results were released. Teachers responded to a series of questions assessing their perceptions of time, facilities and resources, decision-making, leadership, and professional development. With 87 percent of eligible North Carolina educators responding, and 95 percent of WCPSS teachers, this survey is distinctive according to David Holdzkom, assistant superintendent for evaluation and research: "This means, for all practical purposes, that we do not need to generalize from a sample to the larger population. In effect, everyone participated, so we can accept the results at face value."

So what were those results? WCPSS improved on its performance in the 2006 TWC survey in the categories of time, facilities and resources, leadership, and professional development. WCPSS declined in the decision-making category, which had been called "empowerment" in 2006, although we were still ahead of the state average. "I was a little surprised by that," said Holdzkom, "because in the last two years we've had increased opportunities for teacher involvement in decision-making, such as professional learning communities and school improvement planning. So we need to explore what that means a little further."

"I was interested that WCPSS teachers reported higher satisfaction in facilities and resources," said Holdzkom. "I think that's a real tribute to the work in our Facilities Department to not only provide better facilities and support to teachers, but also be respectful to teachers as they do so."

As the Evaluation and Research Department gets deeper into the results of the 2008 Teacher Working Conditions Survey, Holdzkom is hopeful that the school-level data and the responses to specific questions will foster continuous improvement in our schools and further benefits to teachers' working environments. "I hope we keep using the TWC survey to feed into and inform future revisions in our school improvement planning," said Holdzkom. "But at an overall level, I'm pleased to see this improvement of teachers' perceptions of working conditions in the Wake County Public School System."

See more notes from Holdzkom here.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:16 PM on May 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Students Win Rocketry Challenge

A team of ten students from Enloe High School is headed to England after winning the national Sixth Annual Team America Rocketry Challenge held outside of Washington, D.C. earlier this month. The Enloe team includes team captain Levon Keusseyan, Alexandra Vitek, Julianne Schmitz, Zachariah Smith, Timothy Kijewski, Christopher Cox, A.J. Grant, James Cuffney, Francisco Cobo and Justin Bost. Their teacher/advisor is Bradley Bowen. After earning the top spot in the U.S. competition, the Enloe team will now travel to the Farnborough International Airshow and a fly-off against the winners of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge from Horsforth Secondary School in Yorkshire. Raytheon Company, a major supporter of the competition, is sponsoring the team's trip as part of the TARC winners' first prize package for the third year.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:52 PM on May 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Schools on Newsweek List

Four Wake County Public School System high schools are in Newsweek magazine's new rating of the top 1,300 U.S. high schools.

Enloe High is ranked 72. Broughton High is 443. Green Hope High is 594. Wakefield High is 1,163.

The magazine has created a formula that uses the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests given at a school in May, and divides that by the number of seniors graduating in May or June. All of the schools on the list are in the top 5 percent of public schools measured this way.

The magazine includes the Top 100 schools in its printed edition that's on the newstands for May 26. The list of 1,300 schools is online. You can read about the list here.

Students are currently taking Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams at WCPSS high schools for 2007-08. You can find a report on student performance on the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams taken for 2006-07 here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:31 PM on May 22, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Enloe High Art Student Earns Scholarship

Enloe High artist Kathleen Peterman earned first place in the 13th District's Congressional Art Contest and was congratulated by Congressman Brad Miller in a ceremony at the NC Museum of Art May 17.

Petermann was awarded a $20,000 scholarship from the Savannah School of Art and Design, a $500 US Savings Bond, and complimentary framing of her artwork. She will be flown to Washington, D.C. where she will participate in a national reception. Her work will hang in the Cannon Tunnel as part of a special show for one year. In addition to gift certificates, Petermann's teacher, Dr. Susan Euler, will receive an honorarium substitute teacher pay for a day off. Petermann's work was acrylic paint and felt tipped marker work titled "LA Farmer's Market #4: The Reader."

Joel Phelps of Wakefield High earned second place with the water color work titled "Ooops."

Katie Darden of Cary High earned third place for her colored pencil work titled "Smoggy Future"

Christopher Pilley of Millbrook High earned fourth place with the colored pencil work titled "Epicurious"

The 2nd through 4th place winners receive free framing and a $50 gift certificate.

More than 80 works of art were entered from high school students across the 13th district in the Annual Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery. The competition showcases the artistic talent of high school students within each Congressional district, acknowledging the nation's most gifted young artists.

All 50 pieces of art are displayed online including seven from Cary High, five from Enloe High, five from Millbrook High, four from Wakefield High and three from Athens Drive High. You can see the work here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:30 PM on May 22, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names administrator and principal

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education named Juliet Blackmon a senior administrator in Human Resources, Camille Miller principal of Willow Springs Elementary and extended Anne Deegan's time as interim principal at Washington Elementary.

Blackmon has served as assistant principal at Davis Drive Middle since 2001. Prior to that, she worked as a teacher in Durham, NC and an assistant principal and teacher in Akron, Ohio. She worked several years as a college instructor in Japan.

Miller has served as assistant principal at Willow Springs Elementary since 1995. Prior to that, she worked as a teacher at Leesville Road Elementary and Brooks Elementary. She was the WCPSS Assistant Principal of the Year in 2003-04.

Deegan, a retired WCPSS principal, has served as interim principal at Washington since March 2008. She served as interim principal at Dillard Drive Elementary in 2007. Prior to that she was principal of Martin Middle School and Underwood Elementary and a senior director for WCPSS Curriculum and Instruction.

The board named Keith Faison as assistant principal at East Garner Middle.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:39 PM on May 21, 2008 | Leave Feedback

A Memorable Evening for our Teacher of the Year

Last Thursday night's banquet celebrating our schools' Teachers of the Year culminated in the naming of Powell Elementary's Ann Quarles as the 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year. Here are some audio snapshots of a dramatic evening....

Dr. Burns announces, the crowd cheers, and a moved and humbled Ann Quarles accepts the honor (3:55):

Quarles: It also feels a little bit strange to be here all by myself up here, becuase teaching is a team effort. And anybody who's a good teacher knows that: we stand hand in hand with our fellow colleagues every day and are supported by -- well, there's my team right there -- but I couldn't do it without them. And my administration and my students and their parents and the other staff at Powell. And I think we all, as teachers who work hard, stand on the shoulders of people who've come before us. Our own teachers who had an impact on our lives, as well as mentors, family members. So, thank you for recognizing all those people in my life that have been so influential and hopefully touched the lives of my students every day. So thank you very much. I look forward to representing all of the wonderful teachers of Wake County.

Prior to the announcement we honored Paige Elliott, the 2007 Wake County Teacher of the Year and the 2008 North Central Region Teacher of the Year for North Carolina. Paige offered her thanks (1:41) to a constellation of supporters, but also took a moment to remind teachers of the strong advocates they have in our school system and community:

Elliott: Serving as Wake County Public School System's Teacher of the Year has afforded me the opportunity to observe and be a part of our educational system outside of my classroom and school. I wish that all of you knew -- truly knew -- how appreciated you are. At all the meetings, conferences, ceremonies and events I attended, our educational administrators, business leaders, and community members never failed to remark on the excellence of the educators of the Wake County schools. I smiled with gratitude, but my heart always sank, wishing that all Wake County teachers could feel what I felt during those moments, wishing you knew just how much you are truly appreciated.

I also had a moment to get Paige and Ann together and ask Paige to prepare Ann for the year ahead (1:12):

Quarles: Well, I'm really looking forward to exactly what Paige said. I love seeing what other teachers are doing in our classrooms and seeing all the wonderful things that are going on around the district, and the state, and everywhere, because I always pick up new ideas for my own classroom from other people's classrooms, so I'm looking forward to learning more about great ideas for teaching.

Also, Powell Elementary principal James Sposato praised Ann (0:20) and I tried to start an argument among Ann's three-member teaching team over who got to be the first passenger in Ann's new two-seater convertible. I failed -- Quarles, Sandy Thurmond and Evelyn Cheek are a true team in every sense of the word (2:39):

Thurmond: We read each other's minds. We are such a complementary team because one has one strength, several different strengths. Ann brings to the table just this cooperation, responsibility, and dedication, it's just amazing, in addition to her enthusiasm.

Cheek: And she's very, very smart, very intelligent, and I always say she's the brains of the operation.

Look for an extended conversation with Ann in an upcoming podcast with Bill Poston.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:38 AM on May 21, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Wake Early College Students Study CPR

Students of Wake Early College of Health and Sciences took part in a CPR training session this week where they learned about the different varieties of CPR through practice and DVD. The students learned about the CPR certification process and received kits that will allow at-home use for practice. The CPR kits complete with an "inflatable Mini Annie" and DVD were provided to each student by WakeMed. The training will be supervised by the Wake Early College Medical Club students and teacher Rachel Woods. Wake Early College students earn their high school diploma and Associate Degree from Wake Technical Community College in five years. Early College students begin the program in the ninth grade. The school has 155 students and is expecting 75 new students in the fall. The Wake Early College has a partnership agreement with WakeMed and Wake Technical Community College. More information is available here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:06 AM on May 21, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Enloe Student Named Presidential Scholar

Enloe High School student Richard Lan of Morrisville has been named a 2008 Presidential Scholar. Lan is one of two NC high school students and one of 139 outstanding high school seniors in the nation recognized by the US Department of Education as Presidential Scholars this year. Students earn the recognition by demonstrating outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and service to their schools and communities. Presidential scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C. from June 21-24. The student who earns this honor is asked to name a teacher from his school to receive a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education and to participate in the recognition events. Lan chose Enloe High teacher John Noland. You can find more about the Presidential Scholars Program here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:19 PM on May 20, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Millbrook Student Newsletter Earns Award

The Millbrook High School Bridges Newsletter Club has been as selected as an "Outstanding History Club of the Year" by the National History Club. The Millbrook High students are the only North Carolina students and one of 20 chapters out of 260 from across the nation honored by the National History Club for "exemplary activities, community service, and overall commitment."

The Bridges newsletter is published by students in the Lessons of Vietnam class taught by Lindy Poling. The class has been awarded by the Reagan Museum a copy of "Ronald Reagan: Presidential Porfolio" and a DVD entitled "Price for Peace" from the National World War II Museum. The student newsletter is available here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:19 PM on May 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Awaiting the Teacher of the Year; Thanks to Corporate Sponsors!

The main ballroom at the Embassy Suites in Cary is a frenzy of activity right now, and that's before a single guest has arrived for tonight's banquet honoring the 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year. Who will that be? Well, we'll find out at roughly 8 p.m. tonight, which gives you a few hours to refresh your memory of our ten finalists.

Tonight's banquet celebrates all of the school Teachers of the Year who were nominated by their peers from WCPSS schools. There will be door prizes and gifts for them, further gifts for the ten county-wide finalists, and an impressive prize package for the 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year.

How's that possible? It's all due to the generosity of corporate sponsors who make the Teacher of the Year program possible every year. They know that teachers are the heart and soul of the Wake County Public School System, and have made a public commitment to elevating and supporting excellence in teaching. So we'd like to offer a special thanks to the following:

• Wachovia Bank, our primary sponsor
• The Angus Barn
• Center for International Understanding
• Carolina Hurricanes
• Cary Chamber of Commerce
• Delta Kappa Gamma/Gamma Theta Chapter
• Embassy Suites
• Hunt Ward & Lifetouch Photography
• IBM
• NCAE
• North Carolina Bar Association
• News and Observer
• Office Depot
• Pierce Group Benefits
• Progress Energy
• Saturn of Raleigh/Cary
• Michael Strawbridge & Strawbridge Studios
• Triangle Temporaries

Tune in later tonight to find out the name of Wake County's 2008 Teacher of the Year, and thanks again to the sponsors who support this event.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:44 PM on May 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Summer School

Summer School will begin June 9 at Southeast Raleigh High and July 2 at all other Wake County Public School System high schools.

Each school is organizing its summer school program and there is limited space at each site. The schools will use their NovaNET labs to provide individualized instruction to students for repeat credit only. Registration for WCPSS students will take place at their base schools and each school will determine when applications will be accepted.

You can find more Summer School information here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:26 PM on May 5, 2008 | Leave Feedback

New Law Requires Booster Vaccine for Rising 6th-Graders (UPDATED)

Kelly Creech, WCPSS's Health Officer, asked us to share that North Carolina law now requires a booster shot of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) for all children entering sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008.

This Tdap vaccine booster is intended to help teens ward off whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria. Without it, the protection from childhood immunization wears off over time.

Wake County Human Services recommends that parents talk to their child's doctor to find out whether the child needs a Tdap booster, make sure the child gets the shot before school starts, and take a copy of the child's shot record to school. WCHS has more information in this handy flyer (English, Spanish), including contact information for their health centers in case a child does not have a health provider.

You can also find out more from the state Department of Health and Human Services' Immunize North Carolina project.

UPDATE in response to a question: According to Kelly Creech, the sixth-grade Tdap vaccination is technically not required of year-round tracks 1, 2, or 3 this year, "but we encourage parents/guardians to contact their private physician or local health department for advice on their student's vaccination needs."

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:16 AM on May 5, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-10

The National PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week in 1984 "to honor the dedicated men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children." All of us in WCPSS join our entire community in saluting and celebrating our teachers -- the heart and soul of learning and teaching in Wake County.

National PTA has offered some suggestions for honoring teachers at their website.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 8:59 AM on May 4, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Roadeo Regional Winners

Drivers from the Wake County Public School System Transportation Department took top honors at the Regional Bus Roadeo held in Winterville, NC yesterday. There were 41 drivers who competed in the Roadeo and the top 10 winners were invited to compete in the State Roadeo on May 15 at the state fairgrounds in Raleigh. Four WCPSS drivers secured a spot in the top 10 and these drivers will compete on May 15th.

First Place: Byron Lanier (Broughton)

Second Place: Jeff Mellen (Fuquay)

Third Place: Stephanie High (Millbrook)

Sixth Place: Billy McKemey (Fuquay)

Congratulations to all of our winners and good luck at the State Roadeo!! You can hear WCPSS bus drivers talk about the bus roadeo here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 3:09 PM on May 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Ken Smith on Career Tec Ed

You can listen to Ken Smith of WRAL-TV, the Association for Career Technical Education's first Image Award Winner, talk about winning this national award for his volunteer service in the Wake County Public School System. You can hear Smith on ACTE's Career Tec Talk here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:19 PM on May 2, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Leesville High Chorus Honored

Students in the Leesville Road High School chorus room were surprised this morning with the presentation of a trophy naming them the area's top youth chorus.

You can read more about the honor, see photos of the excited students and hear from teacher Diane Covington here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 4:32 PM on May 1, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teacher Job Fair

More than 1,700 teacher candidates attended the 2008 Teacher Job Fair held April 19 by the Wake County Public School System to recruit licensed teachers.

The candidates came from 42 different states with many from other school districts in NC. The job fair provides the opportunity for school principals and administrators to meet and interview persons who can be licensed to teach in NC in 2008-09. All WCPSS schools had representatives at the fair to meet and talk with teacher candidates.

Elementary school candidates met at Green Hope High and secondary school candidates met at Panther Creek High.

As a result, WCPSS signed 57 letters of intent and made another 10 early contract offers to persons who attended the fair and may be teaching in Wake County classrooms soon.

WCPSS administrators conducted more than 2,800 interviews. Comprehensive spreadsheets of the interview results at both the elementary and secondary fairs have been compiled and sent to principals. Principals will be able to use this information throughout this hiring season.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:33 AM on April 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Better Bus Ratings

Inspection ratings are greatly improved for the school bus fleet that transports more than 68,500 Wake County Public School System students to and from school every day.

The state gave the maintenance of the WCPSS bus system a score of 67.59. This score is significantly lower than the 94.02 from a November 2006 inspection and the 73.10 re-inspection requested by the school system and conducted by the state in May 2007.

Superintendent Del Burns stated that while there is still room for improvement in inspection scores, he is proud of the progress made by the Transportation Department team.

The inspections are somewhat like those drivers are required to have for their cars annually. The scores reflect the number and type of incidents inspectors find in their random inspections. The lower the score the better.

Eddy Adams, Senior Director of Transportation, places credit for the improvement on an increased focus on monthly bus inspections and training, realignment of mechanics' responsibilities, and hard work by all department personnel.

State Transportation staff made their annual unannounced visit this month traveling across the county randomly inspecting ten percent of the school system's 878 buses.

Posted by Bill Poston at 2:49 PM on April 28, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Students Compete in NC Math Contest

14 students from three high schools and one middle school will represent the Wake County Public School System in the State High School Mathematics Contest on Thursday, April 24 at the NC School of Science and Mathematics in Durham.

The 14 WCPSS students are among 139 qualified in regional contests held earlier this year across the state to qualify for the state competition.

The WCPSS students include Athens Drive High seniors Kyle Goodman and Eric Dees, junior Leo Chen and freshman Troy Oneal; Enloe High seniors Vivek Bhattacharya and Emil Mayev, junior Daniel Vitek and freshmen Michael Bai and Arjun Bhattacharya; Green Hope High senior William Schlieper and freshman Jessie Duan; and Ligon Middle School eighth graders Nicholas Tobey and Allan Yang and seventh grader Calvin Deng.

The students will be contending for a position on the state American Regions Mathematics League team. They will be competing for scholarships, books, software and other prizes. More than 30 winners of the competition have been awarded full-tuition scholarships to Duke University over the years.

Registration and a chess tournament begin at 9 a.m. the contest begins at 10:30 a.m. There will be a sprint contest from 1 to 2 p.m. where students run from one part of the gym to another and quickly solve a math problem. The awards ceremony begins at 2:15 p.m. in the Frederick Education Technology Center Auditorium at the NC School of Science and Mathematics.

For 30 years, the State High School Mathematics Contest has tested and identified the best math students in the state. The contest is sponsored by the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is endorsed by the NC Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:50 AM on April 22, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board Committee Requests Marksmanship Policy Revisions

The Policy Committee of the Wake County Board of Education today directed its attorney and WCPSS staff to present a draft policy at its next meeting centered around concerns regarding marksmanship competitions.

The committee requested the draft policy revisions be presented on Tuesday, May 13. In their discussion, school board members cited the need for oversight procedures consistent with other school sponsored activities while recognizing the higher level of safety and scrutiny necessary for marksmanship.

Any policy revisions recommended by the Policy Committee would be referred to the full school board for approval.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:07 PM on April 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Ten Teacher of the Year Finalists Named!

Ten WCPSS teachers, nominated by their peers to be their schools' Teachers of the Year, have been named finalists for 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year. Congratulations go to Belinda Best from Conn Elementary, Cynthia Clavijo from West Lake Elementary, Laura Cochrane from Highcroft Elementary, Taela George-East from Sanderson High, Kim Jackson from Project Enlightenment, Danielle McCaslin from Bugg Elementary, Melinda Mouzzon from Knightdale High, Susan Pullium from the East Wake School of Health and Science, Susan Taylor from Panther Creek High, and Ann Quarles from Powell Elementary.

The 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year banquet will be May 15, at which time we'll find out which of these outstanding teachers will represent WCPSS. We'll have more detailed information about each of these finalists soon.

We would also like to take a moment to thank the many businesses who support the WCPSS Teacher of the Year program, including our corporate sponsor Wachovia.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:44 PM on April 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names interim principal

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education named Anne Deegan the interim principal at Washington Elementary.

Deegan, a retired WCPSS principal, served as interim principal of Dillard Drive Elementary earlier this school year. She was principal of Martin Middle for six years and Underwood Elementary for five years. She also worked as a senior director in WCPSS Curriculum and Instruction and an assistant principal at Apex Elementary.

The board named Karen Summers as assistant principal at Mills Park Elementary; Julia Smith as interim assistant principal at Sycamore Creek Elementary; and William Parker as interim assistant principal at Millbrook High.

Posted by Bill Poston at 9:15 AM on April 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

See Marilyn Moody on OPEN/net tonight

April 1, 2008-- Child Nutrition Services Senior Director Marilyn Moody will appear on the guest panel of this Tuesday's OPEN/net to talk about childhood obsity and WCPSS' committment to providing healthy good-tasting meals to students. Tune in this Tuesday evening from 8pm-10pm to hear the discussion. The list of channels where OPEN/net can be seen -- organized by county -- is available at: www.ncapt.tv/local.htm. Or watch the program via live streaming video on APT's website: www.ncapt.tv. OPEN/net is a weekly live call-in cable program that invites experts to talk about timely and topical issues in North Carolina.

Parents & Schools on OPEN/net
Hosted by Charles Coble
TUESDAY, April 1, 2008
8-9:00 pm

Child Nutrition and Obesity Prevention

More and more of North Carolina's children are overweight or obsese. Determining how this has happened is fairly straightforward - our young people are consuming more calories than they burn. But why this has happened and what we can do as a community to address this alarming trend is more complex. The family, the community, the school all have roles to play as we work together to try to reverse the trend and help our children live well and learn well. Join us for this hour of Parents and Schools on OPEN/net to discuss child nutrition and obesity prevention. Here to talk with you will be:

Sheree Vodicka, Healthy Weight Communications Manager for the Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch of the NC Division of Public Health;
Marie Shelton, Healthy Weight Communications Specialist with the Physical Activity and Nutrition Branch;
Marilyn Moody, Senior Director of Child Nutrition Services for the Wake County Public School System; and
Heidi Carter, a Board member of Durham Public Schools Board of Education, and a member of the Eat Smart Move More Advisory Council to the State Department of Public Health and of the DPS School Health Advisory Council.

The list of channels where OPEN/net can be seen -- organized by county -- is available on our web site: www.ncapt.tv/local.htm. Or watch the program via live streaming video on APT's web site (www.ncapt.tv). OPEN/net is also available on C-Band satellite, Galaxy 26 on Transponder 12C. New! For archived video of OPEN/net programs, a partial selection of the month's schedule can be found on Time Warner Cable's Carolina On Demand Channel 1234. Go to the OPEN/net pull down menu and select one of the available hours.

You can participate in this program by calling 1-888-228-6736.
Additionally, you can share your questions and comments by e-mail. Send them before or during the program to open@ncmail.net.
General Information about OPEN/net: OPEN/net is a statewide television call-in program produced by the Agency for Public Telecommunications (APT) in the NC Department of Administration. Since 1984, more than 43,000 viewers across the state have called or e-mailed OPEN/net to talk with policymakers about the issues and services of state government. OPEN/net has partnered with the cable industry to reach more than 400 communities across North Carolina every Tuesday evening from 8 to 10 pm. For more information, go to www.ncapt.tv, contact Fran Wescott at fran.wescott@ncmail.net, or call 919-733-6341.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 11:08 AM on April 1, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Students Selected for Governor's School

Sixty-six students from 15 Wake County Public School System high schools have been selected to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina for 2008.

You can read more about the WCPSS students selected to attend Governor's School here and more about the Governor's School here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:53 PM on March 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names interim principal

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education named Ed Gainor as interim principal at Green Elementary.

Gainor, a retired WCPSS principal, has served as principal of Leesville Road Elementary and Wiley Elementary. He was an assistant principal and teacher at Daniels Middle School.

The board named Che-Von Stone as assistant principal at Wildwood Forest Elementary.

Posted by Bill Poston at 1:20 PM on March 19, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Congratulations to Southeast Raleigh's Robodogs

The Southeast Raleigh Magnet High FIRST Team, also known as the "Robodogs," took regional honors in the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics competition. The student robot designers will go on to the world championships this April, trying to reclaim the title the Robodogs won in 2004.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 9:05 AM on March 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Answer Man...Revenue Review

So, just where does the school system get its money? After all, the operating budget is over a BILLION dollars! Who foots the bill?

That's a terrific question, but it can become a complex answer. Fortunately, I'm not a complex man, so I think I can decipher it in a way that's easy to understand.

There are four categories of revenue applied to the WCPSS operating budget: State, Local, Federal and Other. Many people seem to think the Federal government would be the largest supplier of funds. Not true. Check out the list below:

State of North Carolina 61%
Wake County Appropriations 27%
Federal 6%
Other (fines, forfeitures, enterprise, etc.) 6%

Together they supply $1,242,461,654 in revenue, which makes up our operations budget request for the 2008-2009 school year.

Posted by Jeff Nash, the Answer Man at 4:18 PM on March 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Child Nutrition Services Job Fair

Child Nutrition Services invites you to their job fair on April 10, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Millbrook High School and East Cary Middle School/Cary Ninth-Grade Center.

CNS representatives will be present. Applicants will be able to complete their applications on site and have preliminary interviews during the Job Fair.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:17 AM on March 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Business Alliance Volunteer Receives National Award

As we announced back in June, Sanderson High School Business Alliance volunteer Ken Smith will receive today the Image Award from the Association for Career and Technical Education. The award recognizes his eight years of service to Sanderson's students as well as his commitment to career and technical education. Smith is an anchor and reporter for WRAL-TV.

ACTE's press release is here.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:15 AM on March 10, 2008 | Leave Feedback

So What???

You may ask "So what?"

So what if you are not a parent? Why should you care about a quality school district? Why should our community care?

I have racked my brain to find a list of answers to the "why care" question. Here is my conclusion: If providing our children a future full of opportunities is not reason enough, then there are two specific areas of financial impact that hits all of us straight in the wallet.

First, a quality school district attracts businesses and jobs. Obviously, the lure of a well-educated workforce is always a foundation for commerce. But we must remember the people making the decisions to either relocate or incorporate a business often have parental considerations of their own. Tax-incentives may be a nice draw, but they really want a place where their families can thrive.

I recently spoke with a high-ranking official of a large company that is bringing over 2,000 jobs to our area. Our school system has been involved from the beginning. We have met with corporate staff on multiple occasions and have more presentations lined up in the coming weeks. They are big fans of the work done by local educators.

A friend of mine moved here from New Hampshire a few years back to open a new creative technology firm. He specifically listed five criteria used for choosing our area as his new home. First on his list was the need for high-quality public schools. He has four children himself and also knew he would need to hire staff, which in many cases may have children of their own.

So what? In addition to luring business opportunities to our area, another very tangible benefit of a strong local school district resides in its direct impact on home values.

Sandra Black once wrote in The Quarterly Journal of Economics (May 1999), "I find that parents are willing to pay 2.5 percent more for a 5 percent increase in test scores." This is good news for residents of a district that ranks near the top of the state in End-of-Grade tests and well above the national average on SAT scores.

Recently, I asked Ida Terbet, a recognized real estate expert, to tell me how the local school district impacts home values. Her response was strong and passionate. "The quality of the school system impacts home value because the schools are demanded, needed and wanted! The more demand you have on a school district, the higher the price for the home."

So what? Why should I care about the quality of my school district? Hopefully, you care about the children attending the schools and you want only the best for them. But in case that is not enough, the economic impact of a healthy school district directly impacts every member of our community. Chad P. Wick, CEO of KnowledgeWorks Foundation, emphatically claims "Education should be viewed as an investment rather than a service that government provides."

Alan Greenspan stated simply, yet eloquently, that wealth creation lies in the "knowledge and skill of our population."

So what? That is what!

Posted by Jeff Nash, the Answer Man at 8:16 AM on March 7, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names administrator and principal

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education named Rebecca Hargraves senior director for Compensation Services and Kimberly Short principal at Ballentine Elementary.

Hargraves will now lead the WCPSS staff that manages payroll and benefits for school system employees. She has served as a senior administrator in WCPSS Transportation, a director for business applications in WCPSS Technology Services and a senior administrator in the WCPSS Budget Department. She began working with WCPSS in 1990 as a payroll technician in WCPSS Compensation Services.

Short has served as assistant principal at Ballentine Elementary since 2006. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal intern at Ballentine Elementary, and was a teacher at Morrisville Elementary, Weatherstone Elementary, Baucom Elementary and East Cary Middle. Short is a visiting instructor and has served as a clinical supervisor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at NC State University. She is a NC Principal Fellow and took part in the Principals' Executive Program for Developing Future Leaders in 2003. She has also served as an educational consultant at the local, state and national level.

The board named new assistant principals including Tracie Sauers at Durant Road Elementary, Robert Grant at Briarcliff Elementary and Dwayne Cook at Wake Forest Rolesville High. Named as interim assistant principals were retired principal Susanne Warren at Sanderson High, retired principal Gary Gammill at Oak Grove Elementary, Cheryl Munn at Sanderson High and Jeremy Gibbs at Davis Drive Middle.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:20 AM on March 6, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Teacher of the Year Semi-finalists Announced

Congratulations to these twenty teachers, who have been selected as semi-finalists for 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year!

• Laura Ellen Cochrane, Highcroft Elementary School
• Anne Mayer, Leesville Elementary School
• Sarah Gaither Fleming, Oak Grove Elementary School
• Danielle McCaslin, Bugg Elementary School
• Susan Taylor, Panther Creek High School
• Claudia Dickens, Holly Grove Elementary School
• Cynthia Clavijo, West Lake Elementary School
• Tammy Lackey, North Garner Middle School
• Michelle Harrell, Southeast Raleigh High School
• Kim Jackson, Project Enlightenment
• Melinda Mouzzon, Knightdale High School
• Stacey Daniels, North Ridge Elementary School
• Mona Fulgham, Lockhart Elementary School
• Susan Pullium, East Wake School of Health & Science
• Taela George-East, Sanderson High School
• Carolyne Odenwelder, Brassfield Elementary School
• Kristen Thomasson, Martin Middle School
• Belinda Best, Conn Elementary School
• Ann Quarles, Powell Elementary School
• Ana Rodriguez, West Cary Middle School

These semi-finalists will be honored at a reception in April, when the ten finalists will be announced. Wake County's Teacher of the Year for 2008 will be named on Thursday, May 15.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:23 AM on March 3, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Water Conservation Measures

WCPSS Water Conservation Measures Presented During Height of Drought

At the February 19 Board of Education meeting, Bob Bittner, Director of Energy and Physical Plant reported on water and energy conservation measures being taken within the Wake County Public School System.

Part of the report focused on our system's water usage in 2006-07 school year. Bittner explained that last year Wake County schools spent $2.2 million on water, sewer, storm-water, and irrigation charges. This cost was based upon a total usage of 227 million gallons of water in the buildings, plus an additional 29 million gallons of water for irrigation.

On average, students and teachers are using about 8.9 gallons of water per person, per day. When you factor in the water that would be used for irrigation, that average goes up to 9.9. Our school system has taken a number of voluntary measures both before and during the drought to ensure we are doing our part to conserve water:
* We have stopped irrigation at all schools. We halted irrigation in the fall before Stage 2 measures were implemented. With this measure alone, we are reducing our water usage by about 12%.
* We have ordered 4500 flow restrictors to add to the faucets in older schools. (Recently built and renovated schools already have these or similar devices in place.) These will reduce water flow from the faucet from approximately 2.5 gallons per minute to 1.5 gallons per minute. This will result in a reduction of 3% of our water usage.
* We have informed our staff about the need to conserve water, and we have a heightened our response to water leaks.
* We have discontinued all vehicle and bus washing.
* Our Energy Savers team is rolling out a new initiative to educate students about water conservation at both school and at home. This program is called SWAT, for Student Water Audit Teams.
* We have a meeting planned next week with the 21st Century Learning Group to talk about how we can incorporate conservation into the character education program.
* We will be looking at our current design guidelines, and make sure that they are more specific in requiring water conserving equipment and design.
* We are looking to use re-use water, where possible. We are already doing this in Cary at Middle Creek High School, where we use reclaimed water for irrigation. The City of Raleigh is expanding its piping of reuse water, and we are looking into the possibility of using this where possible. The charges for this water will be half that of potable water, and its use will not be restricted during times of drought.

One area we want to continue to reinforce is the need for good hygiene for students and staff, which should not be sacrificed in order to save water.

Energy and water conservation is an ongoing concern to us. Our conservation efforts did not just begin with the current drought.

* Over the last several years, we have begun installing waterless urinals in our new schools. This saves us approximately 1.2 million gallons of water annually.
* Three of our schools have rainwater collection systems. We use this water for commode flushing and some irrigation. The systems at these three schools save us 1.1 million gallons of potable water annually.
* We are moving to planting more drought tolerant plants and using mulch in planting beds.
* We have installed small scale photovoltaic systems in some schools as learning tools.
* Cafeterias have been using disposable plates and utensils. In addition to reducing the need for dishwashing, this has also reduced our need to pump out grease traps, which formerly had to be done monthly.
* We are implementing real time metering of all utilities with our building automation system.
* We have implemented a comprehensive online utility tracking system.
* We are using re-use water for irrigation at one site in Cary. As the availability of this expands, we will look to increasing our use of it, and may look to using it for other purposes, such as bus washing at our Rock Quarry Road facility.
* We have hired an energy analyst to more accurately review our utility bills and usage. In less than a year, she has produced over $66,000 in one time savings, and has identified rate changes and other cost saving strategies that will save us $133,000 annually.
* We are upgrading our building automation system to provide web access which can be viewed at the school level.
* We have reduced the HVAC system overrides from a period of 4 hours to 2 hours.
* We will continue with our nationally recognized Energy Savers program, which involves students in 'learning by doing," and teaches them energy and water conservation skills that they can use not just at school, but to take home with them as well.

The above information was presented on the same day the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council updated drought conditions to reflect that Wake County along with 63 other counties in the state are experiencing exceptional drought conditions, the highest drought classification. Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories, visit: (www.ncdrought.org).

Posted by Ashley Smith at 8:38 AM on February 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board Names Administrator/Principal

At its Feb. 19 meeting, the Board of Education named Wilma Jenkins-Flythe the Senior Director for Staffing and Operations in WCPSS Human Resources and Ann Deegan as interim principal at Washington Elementary.

Jenkins-Flythe has served as a director in WCPSS Human Resources since 2003. Prior to that, she worked as a senior administrator in WCPSS Human Resources for two years and was an assistant principal at Martin Middle School. She was a teacher at Broughton High and Wake Technical Community College.

Deegan served as interim principal at Dillard Drive Elementary for five months last year. Prior to that she served as principal for six years at Martin Middle School and five years at Underwood Elementary. She worked as a senior director in WCPSS Curriculum and Instruction and was an assistant principal at Apex Elementary.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:40 AM on February 26, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Budget Team Honored

The Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the Wake County Public School System a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2007-08 Plan for Student Success.

The award is a significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the school system and the WCPSS budget staff to meeting the highest principals of government budgeting. The budget staff earned the recognition by meeting nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines assess how well the budget document serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device. Budget documents must be proficient in all four categories to receive the award.

In recognition, the association has presented a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation to the WCPSS budget staff.

You can find the WCPSS budget document, the Plan for Student Success, here; and information on the awards program here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:31 PM on February 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Spring Teacher Job Fair

The Spring Teacher Job Fair is coming on Saturday, April 19 from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. If you (or someone you know) are fully licensed, have completed your student teaching, or are eligible for a valid teaching license, join hundreds of other candidates at the Spring Teacher Job Fair. School administrators will be on site to conduct interviews and to offer contracts to selected applicants. Elementary candidates will meet at Green Hope High and secondary candidates at Panther Creek High.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, online pre-registration through the WCPSS Website is required and runs from March 7 - April 14, 2008. All candidates are encouraged to submit an online job application prior to attending the job fair. For more information, contact our Office of Recruitment and Retention at 919-854-1690 or check out this link:

http://www.wcpss.net/HumanResources/jobfair.html

Posted by Jeff Nash, the Answer Man at 4:07 PM on February 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Magnet/Calendar Applications

According to the Office of Growth and Planning, as of Thursday morning we have received approximately 6,700 magnet/calendar applications. Applications will be accepted online until February 29. Parents will be informed of the results in March.

Posted by Jeff Nash, the Answer Man at 3:57 PM on February 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

The SAT is Coming

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) administration begins on March 1. Parents and students can find a lot of helpful information at our online SAT Resource Center. Check it out!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 9:43 AM on February 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Board names principal

At its meeting yesterday, the Board of Education named Beth Jarman principal at Oak Grove Elementary School.

Jarman has served as assistant principal at Oak Grove Elementary since 2005. Prior to that, she was assistant principal at West Lake Elementary, an assistant principal intern at Middle Creek Elementary and a teacher at Vance Elementary. Jarman was in the first cohort in the Triangle Leadership Academy.

The board also named retired principal Barbara Crocket as an interim assistant principal at Wake Forest Elementary School.

Posted by Bill Poston at 5:02 PM on February 6, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Happy Career and Technical Education Month!

February is National Career and Technical Education Month, and that makes this a perfect time to salute more than 530 teachers, Career