ParentVision Archives

ParentVision: Back to School

The new school year's about to begin at our year-round schools. Watch the latest ParentVision video podcast to find out about some available resources to help start the year off right. And don't forget to check out our Back to School section on the web!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:04 PM on July 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Helping Our Youngest Students on the Bus

Find out some of the steps we're taking next year to keep kindergartners and first graders safe on the bus in the latest ParentVision video podcast!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:17 PM on June 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Understanding Elementary Report Cards

What do "Level 1," "Level 2," "Level 3," and "Level 4" mean on elementary report cards? Find out in today's ParentVision video podcast!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:20 PM on June 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Celebrating Our Teacher of the Year

Local corporate sponsors and generous contributions from PTA units combined Thursday night to make possible a fantastic evening for René Herrick, the 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year. Get a glimpse of her at work in her classroom in today's ParentVision video podcast!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:06 PM on May 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: PLCs and the New Weekly Schedule

As promised, here are answers to some of the questions about PLCs we've received since our April 7 podcast. We'll have more information for you about the processes and practicalities in the weeks ahead.

This month's Full Circle discussion includes teacher, principal and school system leadership perspectives on the importance of Professional Learning Communities in our classrooms. Check it out for more context!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:20 PM on May 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Financial Aid

Especially in this economy, thoughts of financial aid for college can be nerve-racking. In today's ParentVision video podcast we get some tips from a high school guidance counselor on planning for the future.

Eric Sparks, our director of school counseling (and I completely botched his title in the podcast; sorry, Eric!), has found some additional tips for lining up financial aid and planning for tough economic times.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Time and Professional Learning Communities

There's a change coming in the 2009-10 weekly schedule for students, as additional time is being made on Wednesdays for teachers to meet across grade levels or subject areas to review instruction and look at ways to better meet the needs of individual students. This ParentVision video podcast provides an overview of the changes and invites you to ask your questions about this change, using the "Leave Feedback" link below, for a future podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:17 PM on April 7, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Magnet and Calendar Letters

Letters are on their way to parents from the Office of Growth and Planning letting them know whether their application for magnet programs or calendar options was successful. In this ParentVision video podcast, Chuck Dulaney, assistant superintendent for growth and planning, describes the process of going through the applications and what happens next. Important: if you want to decline your magnet or calendar offer, please let us know as soon as possible!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:27 PM on March 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: The Budget Picture

We're providing a lot of information on the WCPSS website about the budgeting process for the 2009-10 school year, which has been quite the challenge given the continuing economic uncertainty. I spoke with Chief Business Officer David Neter for an overview of the situation -- as we understand it today -- in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:04 PM on March 11, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: This Year's Graduation Ceremonies

With just a few exceptions, WCPSS's summer high school graduation ceremonies will be in the air-conditioned comfort of the Raleigh Convention Center. This ParentVision video podcast provides some information about the changes you can expect along with this move. We have a complete schedule online; for more details, please contact your school.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:24 PM on February 24, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Applying for Magnet Schools

Tamani Anderson Powell walks parents through the magnet program application period in this ParentVision video podcast. You can follow this procedure to apply for a calendar option as well.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:07 PM on February 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Kindergarten Enrollment

The kindergarten enrollment period for 2009-10 begins tomorrow, February 5! Jeff Nash, senior administrator for customer service, gives you simple instructions on registering your child in our latest ParentVision video podcast.

There's more information here as well. Remember that this year state law has changed the kindergarten eligibility date to 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2009.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:13 AM on February 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: New Graduation Requirements

There's a big change in graduation requirements beginning with this year's eighth-graders. The State Board of Education has adopted the "Future-Ready Core" course of study for all high school students, replacing the old Career Prep, College Tech Prep, and College/University Prep courses of study. (The Occupational Course of Study remains for certain students with disabilities.) According to the Department of Public Instruction:

Today, many in the business community say that it takes about the same level of academic preparation to be successful in the workplace as it takes to be successful as a first-year college student. That was the guiding principle for the State Board in making its decision.

You can find out more about WCPSS's approach to the Future-Ready Core from Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:43 PM on January 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Understanding the New Academic Goal

Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens and Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Marvin Connelly explain what the school board's new academic goal is all about, as well as its impact on parents and students, in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:13 PM on January 5, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: December Assignment Update

Earlier this month, I had a chance to catch up with Chuck Dulaney, our assistant superintendent for growth and planning, to talk about how the community engagement meetings and other public input affected the initial draft of the multi-year student assignment plan. You can hear Chuck talk about some of the types of changes that were made in this ParentVision video podcast.

Since this interview was recorded, the staff's formal proposal was presented to the school board on December 16. The board will now conduct its own public hearings and work sessions, considering possible changes with a goal of voting on a final plan in February.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:10 AM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Magnet Schools Update

In our latest ParentVision video podcast, Senior Director for Magnet Programs David Ansbacher extends an invitation to parents to find out more about our offerings. December and January are excellent times to explore magnet programs in person through visits and tours. David expands on this in the podcast and also notes the changes in the magnet draw area.

Much more information about our magnet programs is available on their website. The online application period is February 9-28, 2009.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:34 PM on November 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Positive Behavior Support

Recently Wildwood Forest Elementary's PTA invited us to visit their school's first quarterly celebration rewarding good behavior. Part of one day each quarter becomes a mini-carnival exclusively for students who maintain "Wolf PRIDE": Politeness, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence. That's just one way that Wildwood Forest implements a proactive strategy for improving the learning climate in schools: Positive Behavior Support (PBS).

More than 100 schools participate in PBS. Learn more about it in today's ParentVision video podcast featuring Wildwood Forest principal Gretta Dula.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:28 PM on November 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Multi-Year Assignment Planning is Back

Recent media coverage highlighted the economic downturn's impact on our school construction plans and, consequently, our efforts to provide the first-ever multi-year assignment plan for Wake County's schools. When the credit market contracted, Wake County was unable to sell voter-approved bonds to finance school construction at a favorable rate. School construction timetables were in jeopardy, which made the prospects for implementing an assignment plan that looked two or three years into the future uncertain as well.

However, county leadership was able to put together short-term financing for school construction that keeps the timetable moving forward. A multi-year student assignment plan will be brought to our community for review -- just a couple of weeks later than intended.

Find out more in today's ParentVision video podcast featuring Assistant Superintendent for Growth and Planning Chuck Dulaney.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:10 PM on October 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Kindergarten Enrollment Changes

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, students attending kindergarten must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2009. At a recent school board meeting I spoke with Dr. Christy Falba, senior director for elementary school programs, about the impact of this change on families and schools.

We have much more information about kindergarten registration online, including a recent audio podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:34 PM on October 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Attending School Board Meetings

Typically every first and third Tuesday, the Wake County Board of Education holds its regular meetings at 3600 Wake Forest Rd. in Raleigh. The school board also meets in several committees during the month. If you want to attend or participate, this ParentVision video podcast helps you find your way around, including tips if you want to speak at a full board meeting.

As always, board meeting schedules, agendas, minutes and contact information are available on the school board's page.

Update: Remember that Wake County Board of Education meetings air on local cable access channels, including RTN 11 in Raleigh (usually the following Wednesday) and Cary TV 11 (usually live). Check your local government channel for schedule information.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:57 AM on September 30, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Higher Reading Standards (video)

Reading standards have increased for North Carolina's third- through eighth-graders, and with that have come changes in the state's End-of-Grade tests. As a result, EOG results won't be available until October. We experienced similar changes in standards and testing with mathematics in 2005-06. In this week's ParentVision, Assistant Superintendent for Evaluation and Research David Holdzkom explains the nature of those changes and how they may affect students and schools.

ParentVision is our new video podcast series, picking up from where we left off with our previous Wake EduCast. We hope you find it helpful.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:48 PM on September 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback