Podcasts Archives

Teacher Leader Retiring

Honors and recognitions were handed out to social studies leaders at a meeting of Wake County Public School System middle and high school teachers.

Melinda Stephani, the WCPSS Senior Administrator for Social Studies Instruction, presented a special recognition to Ruth Chell who is retiring after 36 years as a teacher. Chell talks about teaching social studies and teaching at Ligon Middle School.

Click here to listen to Teacher Leader Retiring

This is an 11 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:33 AM on May 09, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Preparing for AP Exams

Wake County high school students have begun taking Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams that could potentially provide them credit at the colleges and universities they choose to attend.

Teachers and students have been preparing for these exams all year and are hard at work reviewing in the final days before their exams. Here's a group of Cary High students talking about their preparations in class and at home.

Click here to listen to Preparing for AP Exams

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:42 PM on May 08, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Attendance : WCPSS PodCast

Wake County educators are working to boost academic success by focusing on attendance.
Donna Hargens, WCPSS Chief Academic Officer says being in school is important.

"Every time you are not in class, you have a gap in learning," said Hargens. "A gap in learning puts a student at a disadvantage to learn the next topic in class, especially in a sequential class."

Click here to listen to Attendance: WCPSS PodCast

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 09:40 AM on May 06, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Bus Roadeo: WCPSS PodCast

School bus drivers from across the state have taken part in their school district's bus roadeo and this week the local winners compete in regional competitions.

Three Wake County Public School System Transportation employees who are competing at the Winterville Regional Roadeo talk about the competition and how it focuses their attention on safe driving. Regional winners will move on to the state competition held in Raleigh.

Click here to listen to Bus Roadeo: WCPSS PodCast

This is a 10 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:16 PM on April 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Father of CMA: WCPSS PodCast

Superintendent Del Burns gathered the members of the eight teams reviewing the recommendations of the curriculum management audit to hear an update on their work.

Dr. Burns introduced the teams of school administrators and principals to University of North Carolina School of Education professor Fenwick English who helped to develop the curriculum management audit process in the 1970s.

Click here to listen to Curriculum Audit : WCPSS PodCast

This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file.

You can find out more about the curriculum management audit here and more about Dr. Fenwick English here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 01:47 PM on April 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

PLCs : WCPSS PodCast

Professional Learning Communities are helping to change the way students are learning, as teachers work together to find the best way to teach students.

Rosemary Reichstetter works in the WCPSS Evaluation and Research Department. We talk with her about the development of professional learning communities in WCPSS schools.

Click here to listen to PLCs: WCPSS PodCast

This is a 15.5 minute mp3 file.

You can find out more about data walls here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:05 PM on April 03, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Job Fair: WCPSS PodCast

More than 2,000 teacher candidates are expected to take part in the 2008 Spring Job Fair to be held by the Wake County Public School System on April 19.

Joan Kister is the WCPSS Senior Director for Teacher Recruitment and Retention. We talked about finding the teachers our students need.

Click here to listen to Job Fair: WCPSS PodCast

This is a 15 minute mp3 file.

You can find more information on the job fair here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 02:04 PM on April 02, 2008 | Leave Feedback

Childhood Obesity: WCPSS PodCast

U.S. Surgeon General Steven Galson visited Wake County and Barwell Road Elementary School today to promote the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative, "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future."

Ann Dishong is the WCPSS administrator who oversees our Health Education instruction. We talked about childhood obesity and what students learn about nutrition and fitness.

Click here to listen to Childhood Obesity:WCPSS PodCast

This is a 10 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about the Surgeon General's childhood obesity initiative here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:40 PM on March 28, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Art and Character

Character education and art have been important at Leesville Road Middle School. Susan Wasilewski is the school’s art teacher and leads character education efforts.

Wasilewski uses art and student research to create projects that stick with students and leave behind powerful memories.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Art and Character

This is a 14 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:09 PM on March 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: French Visitors

A group of 17 French students from Arbez Carme High School in the French town of Oyonnax, have been visiting Enloe High School since March 1.

The visiting students have been shadowing Enloe students at school during the day. Enloe families have opened their homes to the French students providing them a place to stay and learn more about life in Raleigh.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: French Visitors

This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file.

You can find more information about the Ain Department of eastern France here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:19 PM on March 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Building Character

Character education is important at Holly Ridge Middle School. Patrick McArdle is a seventh-grade social studies teacher and leads character education efforts at the school.

McArdle has found ways to subtly weave character education into life at the school. He says it makes a difference.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Building Character

This is a 15.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:43 AM on March 13, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Climbing Everest

Students at Martin Middle School met local Cisco engineer Chip Popoviciu who plans on providing them plenty to talk about at school as he climbs Mt. Everest.

Popoviciu plans to connect with the students by over the Internet to share information about his climb and teachers are finding ways to incorporate his climb into their instruction.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Climbing Everest

This is an 8.5 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about the Mt. Everest Project on the Martin Middle School webpage and in this news release.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:18 PM on March 11, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: AG Students

More than 23,000 students receive Academically Gifted services in the Wake County Public School System.

Joyce Gardner and Dan Turner of the WCPSS Academically Gifted Program talk about identifying and serving academically gifted students.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: AG Students

This is a 17 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about the WCPSS Academically Gifted Program here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:17 PM on February 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Happy Seuss-day

Schools across the US are marking the birthday of Dr. Seuss with Read Across America events.

After visiting one of our schools to read to students, Dr. Sherry Merritt, WCPSS Director for Literacy Services, talked about the importance of reading.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Happy Seuss-day

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:16 PM on February 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: SPAN

WCPSS Counseling Services provided the Student/Parent Access Network as a communication tool that helps in registering for courses.

Eric Sparks, Director of Counseling and Student Services, says the system has expanded to provide high school students and parents even more information about the student's performance at school.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: SPAN

This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about the Student/Parent Access Network here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:21 PM on February 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Magnets Honored

Seven WCPSS magnet schools have been recognized by the Magnet Schools of America, the national organization of magnet schools. David Ansbacher, WCPSS Magnet Programs director, talks about the three Schools of Excellence and four Schools of Distinction in WCPSS.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Magnets Honored.

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:43 PM on February 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Data Teams

A key strategy being used in Wake County Public School System middle schools is data teams. School data teams are meeting with WCPSS middle school administrators for district wide data driven discussion and problem solving.

Crystal Reardon and Christina Zukowski talked to the Board of Education Tuesday about the impact data teams are having on middle school instruction.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Data Teams.

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:46 PM on February 20, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Class-size Issues

Every school year, Wake County Public School System principals work to match resources with students. The principals look at the number of teachers and the classroom spaces in assigning students to classes. As students arrive and depart during the school year, it has an impact on class size.

The Board of Education heard in its committee of the whole meeting today from Area Superintendent Danny Barnes and principals James Overman and Shane Barham about creating classes and managing class size.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Class-size Issues.

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:48 PM on February 19, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Investing in Futures

You can find some Wake Forest Rolesville Middle School students still in school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. They are taking part in a new effort to help them become more successful academically and to see what lies ahead in high school and college.

Assistant Principal Ina Nyko and Assistant Principal Intern Andrea Greene say the school and students are investing in futures.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Investing in Futures.

This is a 10.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:27 PM on February 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: The Antigua Trip

Students from Broughton High School who spent their Thanksgiving vacation traveling to Antigua, Guatemala for a service learning project gathered today to talk about their trip.

Students remembered caring for young children and seeing a different culture. It was a memorable trip.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: The Antigua Trip.

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:30 PM on February 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Baileywick Honored

At a state conference in Greensboro today, Baileywick Elementary is being honored as one of the state's top schools in teaching students good character.

Principal Scott Scheuer and Counselor Dee Bostick say students learn the importance of character education and the school system's eight character traits: courage, good judgment, integrity, kindness, perseverance, respect, responsibility and self-discipline.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Baileywick Honored.

This is a 4 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:36 AM on February 07, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Dulaney on GMP

At its meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education approved the Growth Management Plan for 2008-09. The plan assigns students to fill the three new elementary schools opening in 2008-09.

Assistant Superintendent Chuck Dulaney describes the work Growth and Planning staff must complete before student assignment strips are sent home in May.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Dulaney on GMP.

This is a 5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:49 PM on February 06, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Enloe Sings in NY

At Enloe High more than 70 students in the Honors Chorus worked with the Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir today to prepare for their concert at Carnegie Hall in New York next month.

Enloe Chorus Director Ann Huff says students have worked hard and are excited about this opportunity.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Enloe Sings in NY.

This is a 5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:38 PM on February 04, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Changing Hearts

Changing Hearts will be the focus in February at the Wake County Public School System. WCPSS Health Officer Kelly Creech is encouraging active lifestyles and good nutrition as a way of developing new heart healthy habits.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Changing Hearts.

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:32 PM on January 31, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Learning with Legos

At Combs Elementary, teachers worked with a new tool for classroom instruction. Teachers say they learned to help their students use legos to better communicate ideas.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Learning with Legos.

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:49 PM on January 30, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Public Private Partnership

Public private partnership plans took another step forward today.

WCPSS Assistant Superintendent Mike Burriss told the Facility Committee of the Wake County Board of Education they would receive a recommendation at their meeting Tuesday of three companies moving to the next stage of discussion on public private partnership for the opening of E-25 elementary school near Wake Forest.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Public Private Partnership.

This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:01 PM on January 29, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Martin Club

One way to spark student interest in learning is through club activities. Assistant Principal Kevin Rowsey explored China last summer and excitedly returned to share information about Asian culture with his Martin Middle School students. Rowsey says the new Martin Middle School International Club will have its first meeting at the school on Jan. 24.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Martin Club.

This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:47 PM on January 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: Graduation Project

At its meeting yesterday, the Board of Education heard about the Graduation Project, a new requirement put in place by the State Board of Education that will be required for graduation beginning with students who entered high school in 2006-07.

Dr. Sherri Merritt, WCPSS Director of K-12 Literacy Programs; Sara Overby, Athens Drive High Graduation Project coordinator; and Abby Stotsenberg, WCPSS Middle Schools Social Studies coordinator and former Southeast Raleigh High teacher talked about the Graduation Project with the school board.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: Graduation Project.

This is a 9.5 minute mp3 file.

You can find more information about Graduation Projects here.

You can find information about Athens Drive High and the Graduation Project here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 08:50 AM on January 23, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS PodCast: 2008 MWBE Expo

On January 16, minority and women-owned businesses learned more about opportunities available at the WCPSS during the 2008 MWBE Expo held at Southeast Raleigh High School. Hear from Minority Business and Project Permit Manager Tammie Hall and many others about this free event which is coordinated annually by the city of Raleigh.

Click here to listen to WCPSS PodCast: 2008 MWBE Expo.

This is a 4:26 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Ashley Smith at 12:27 PM on January 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Winter Weather

Weather forecasters are predicting winter weather for Thursday. WCPSS Communications Chief Michael Evans talks about the school system's winter weather plans.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Winter Weather.

This is a 4 minute mp3 file.

You can sign up for the E-mail notification service here.

You can check school calendars for make up days here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:22 AM on January 16, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Lateral Entry Fair

Persons who have signed up for the school system's 2008 Lateral Entry Fair will meet at Wake Technical Community College Thursday afternoon to investigate teaching opportunities.

School officials will be there to talk with interested candidates about their educational background to determine what steps they would have to take to earn a teaching license and prospects for employment as a teacher in the school system.

Joan Kister of WCPSS Human Resources explains the importance of the Lateral Entry Teacher Information Fair.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Lateral Entry Fair.

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:22 PM on January 15, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Learning and Teaching

Superintendent Del Burns called on educators and the community to focus on learning and teaching in his mid-term report presented to the school board Tuesday and to a meeting of principals and central services staff Wednesday.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Learning and Teaching

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about Superintendent Burns' speech here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:47 PM on January 09, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Cuda Honored

Frank Cuda, a Wakefield High School construction technologies teacher, has been named the National Trade and Industrial Education Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the Association for Career and Technical Education.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Cuda Honored

This is a 9 minute mp3 file.

You can read an accompanying article about Frank Cuda here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:18 PM on January 07, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Explore Magnets

WCPSS Magnet School Coordinators are preparing for the information sessions and school visits to be held this month that will help parents make choices about attending magnet schools.

David Ansbacher, the new magnet school director, says this is a time for parents to explore their options.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Explore Magnets

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:55 PM on January 04, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: New Honors for Elliott

Wake County Teacher of the Year Paige Elliott was honored at Fuquay-Varina High School this afternoon as the Regional Teacher of the Year, making her one of nine teachers in contention for North Carolina Teacher of the Year.

The recognition came with a check for $5,000 and the opportunity to participate in national education conferences representing the state. Students cheered when Elliott was surprised with the announcement in the school's auditorium. She was honored with a reception in the school media center.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: New Honors for Elliott

This is a 4.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:44 PM on January 03, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: PE and Character Ed

At Yates Mill Elementary, students learn about good character and exercise. PE teacher Teresa Kessler and school counselor Joe Caldwell have found ways to help their students learn good character and good health at the same time.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: PE and Character Ed

This is a 10 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:44 AM on January 03, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Fund Balance Policy

In December, the Board of Education approved a new policy that deals with the school system's fund balance. WCPSS Chief Business Officer David Neter explains the fund balance and the new policy governing its use.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Fund Balance Policy

This is a 10 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:13 PM on January 02, 2008 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Lessons of Vietnam

Students who enter Lindy Poling's Lessons of Vietnam class at Millbrook High School learn many lessons. Poling's students explain the class visitors, correspondence with experts and questions about family they investigate.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Lessons of Vietnam

This is a 9 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:00 AM on December 26, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Poe and Peace

If you walk the halls of Poe Elementary School, you will notice the Montessori-themed magnet school has signs of peace. The calm hallways are one result of the Montessori instruction on peace, a word common in the vocabulary of Poe students.

We talked with students, teachers and Principal Sally Reynolds about the Peace Rose, the Peace Pole and other signs of peace at Poe.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Poe and Peace

This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:00 AM on December 24, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Graduation Project

The graduation project is one of the higher standards North Carolina high school students now face. Students who are in tenth grade this year are the first class required to complete this work to graduate.

At Wake Forest Rolesville High School, educators are meeting with students in advisory time known as Cougar Connections to help prepare tenth graders for the graduation project.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Graduation Project

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 09:42 AM on December 21, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Middle School Literacy Coaches

At the Dec. 18 meeting of the Board of Education, the school system's three middle school literacy coaches talked with the board about their newly created jobs introduced by the state for the first time in 2006.

Iris Sutton of North Garner Middle, Jo Poytress of East Wake Middle and Lynn Flood of East Garner Middle talk about their work as middle school literacy teachers.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Middle School Literacy Coaches

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 08:57 AM on December 19, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Counselors Earn RAMP

East Millbrook Middle, East Wake Middle and Reedy Creek Middle have just received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) Award!

The RAMP designation, awarded to schools that align with the criteria set in the American School Counselors Association National Model, recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment.

Susan Sigmon, Vanta Cox and Misty Southern are the counselors at East Millbrook Middle. They talk about earning RAMP recognition.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Counselors Earn RAMP

This is a 10 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 09:15 AM on December 18, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Sanderson Teacher Training

With the goal of helping all students graduate on time, teachers at Sanderson High School have taken part in "Framework for Understanding Poverty" training.

Sanderson Assistant Principal Dale Warren leads the school's training and teachers Kimberly Rose, BG Dunaway and Cindy Crabtree have taken part.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Sanderson Teacher Training

This is a 25 minute mp3 file. It may take a moment for this file to download because of the large file size.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:02 PM on December 14, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: National Board Certified Teachers

The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards has reported on the teachers across the nation who earned certification this year. WCPSS has the second largest number of teachers of any school system in the nation teaching in our schools.

With 169 teachers earning certification, the WCPSS Class of 2007 was the largest of any school district in the state.
Earning certification is a demanding process for teachers. Southeast Raleigh High teachers LaTonya Coley, Allison McMunn and Margaret Snellgroves earned certification this year and talk about the process.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: National Board Certified Teachers

This is a 12 minute mp3 file.

You can see the list of all WCPSS teachers to earn certification this year here.

You can visit the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 10:39 AM on December 10, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Assignment Policy

A revision of Policy 6200 for assigning students was approved by the Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday. The board's action followed months of study and discussion.

The revised policy now lists the board's goals for the student assignment process:
-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

The board also identified factors to be considered in assignment:
-Populations of students with higher needs
-Facility utilization
-Alignment with the magnet schools program
-Grade structure
-Stability of assignment
-Distance

Chuck Dulaney, Assistant Superintendent for Growth and Planning, discusses the revised policy for assigning students to schools.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Assignment Policy

This is an 8.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:11 PM on December 05, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Art at Phillips

An art teacher at Phillips High School has been working to tie African culture, art and character education together. You can see the effort imprinted on displays at the school, trash cans in downtown Raleigh and on the lives of his students.

Teacher Scott Renk and two of his students talk about a multi-cultural arts program that brings together drumming, dancing and art and helps relay the WCPSS character traits of courage, self-discipline, perseverance, integrity, respect, responsibility kindness and good judgment to the community.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Art at Phillips

This is an 10.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:23 PM on December 03, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: TAs at Peace

A group of Wake County Public School System teacher assistants are part of the first class at Peace College that enrolled this fall in a two-year teacher licensure program.

Jill Rohan who works at Olds Elementary and Eva Waithe who works at Weatherstone Elementary are working to move from teacher assistants to classroom teachers.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: TAs at Peace

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

You can find more on the Peace College adult education program here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 09:12 AM on November 29, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Broughton Visits Antigua

A group of 29 educators, students and adult volunteers from Broughton High School are traveling to Antigua, Guatemala over the Thanksgiving break. They will be taking part in Spanish-language immersion classes in the morning and working in volunteer jobs in the afternoon.

Students involved in preparing for the trip and traveling to Guatemala talk about the trip and the school’s participation in the Memory Project. Dr. Winn Cherry, Broughton’s coordinator for the school’s International Baccalaureate program, describes the importance of the schools travel plans.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Broughton Visits Antigua

This is an 11.5 minute mp3 file.

You can find more on the Memory Project here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:47 PM on November 16, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Enloe Wins Siemens Regional

A team of Enloe High School students including seniors Vivek Bhattacharya and Hao Lian and junior Daniel Vitek earned a silver medal and $6,000 team scholarship for winning at the regional Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition.

The three students worked with North Carolina State University professors Dr. Ann-Marie Stump, Associate Professor of Forestry and Dr. Donald Bitzer, Distinguished University Residence Professor.

Listen to the students talk about their work and participation in the competition.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Enloe Wins Siemens Regional

This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about the competition here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:22 PM on November 07, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Assignment Policy

At the Board of Education meeting tonight, the board gave first reading approval to a revision of the policy used to assign students to school.

Assistant Superintendent Chuck Dulaney talks about the months of study and discussion that led to the policy revision.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Assignment Policy
This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 07:34 PM on November 06, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Principals on PLCs

At the Board of Education meeting this afternoon, principals from three schools talked with the board about the impact of professional learning communities at their schools.

Edward McFarland of Fuquay Varina High, Timothy Locklair of Apex Middle and Denise Tillery of Wake Forest Elementary talked about the changes at their schools resulting from teachers working in learning communities.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Principals on PLCs

This is a 9.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:26 PM on November 06, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Principal of the Year

Sanderson High School Principal Cathy Moore has been named Wake County's 2007 Principal of the Year. Moore talks about her life as a high school principal and her years leading Sanderson High.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Principal of the Year

This is a 30 minute mp3 file. Because of its length, it may take a moment to download.

Posted by Bill Poston at 02:36 PM on November 05, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Report Cards

For WCPSS traditional calendar schools, first quarter report cards are heading home in student backpacks. WCPSS students on other calendars have already delivered first quarter report cards home and are into their second quarter.

Cary Elementary is a traditional calendar school sending report cards home Nov. 2. Cary Elementary Principal Rodney Stanton, fourth-grade teacher Lori Shaw and Cary Elementary parent Sherri Phillips talk about report cards.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Report Cards

This is a 15 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:33 PM on November 01, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Violinist Honored

Enloe High School senior Lucas Wollenzien is one of 110 students from across the nation selected to be a member of the National High School Honors Orchestra.

Beth McCollum, Enloe orchestra director, has worked with Lucas for four years. They talk with us about this honor.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Violinist Honored

This is a 10:30 minute mp3 file.

You can find more about the National High School Honors Orchestra here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:32 PM on October 31, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Heroes at Northwoods

Character education is built into instruction in schools across Wake County. At Northwoods Elementary School, the students are learning about the character trait of courage by meeting people in uniform. On November 8, students will spend time with Heroes in uniform from the military, law enforcement and emergency services.

Northwoods Counselor Beverly Mitchell talks about Hero Day at Northwoods and students explain their understanding of courage.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Heroes at Northwoods

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:01 PM on October 30, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Community Engagement Meetings

Community engagement meetings will provide an opportunity for discussion on assigning students to fill three elementary schools that are due to open in 2008-09.

Assistant Superintendent Chuck Dulaney talks about what will happen in the four community engagement meetings.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Community Engagement Meetings

This is a 6 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about the community engagement meetings here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:58 PM on October 26, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Why take AP?

Molly Emmett is a senior at Millbrook High School. While it's unusual, Molly is actually taking six Advancement Placement classes.

Molly talks about her decision to take AP classes and we talk with her English teacher Allyson Young and Millbrook High Assistant Principal Tara Drouhard about AP classes at Millbrook.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Why take AP?

This is a 12 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about Advanced Placement testing in the Wake County Public School System here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:34 AM on October 26, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Broughton Students Serve

At the International Baccalaureate high schools in the Wake County Public School System, students are involved in community service. Community service has been a requirement for students at Broughton High for years.

Hillary Pollan is a Broughton High senior in the IB program who is very active in community service. Myra Smith, Broughton High's Middle Years Programme IB coordinator, explains the impact of community service involvement on students.

Susan Schmidt, the WCPSS Character Education coordinator, sees Hillary's work in the community as an important part of character building instruction.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Broughton Students Serve

This is a 15 minute mp3 file.

One of Hillary's volunteer efforts is the Global Village Festival that will be held at Broughton High 12 to 5 p.m., Oct. 27 at the football field. She would love to see you there.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:36 PM on October 24, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Teacher of the Year on PLCs

Across Wake County, teachers are meeting together using student testing data in professional learning communities to better plan instruction.

While teachers met in the past to talk about teaching, Paige Elliott, the Wake County Teacher of the Year, says this new tool of professional learning communities is having an impact on teaching and learning.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Teacher of the Year on PLCs

This is a 12 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about Elliott's views on professional learning communities in the Classroom Connection.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:24 PM on October 18, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Kenan Fellows

At its Oct 16 meeting, the Board of Education heard about the NC State University Kenan Fellows Program. Kenan Fellows are public school teachers selected to participate in a two-year fellowship with a university professor or corporate professional.

Dr. Valerie Brown Schild, director of the Kenan Fellows Program, and Tom Knott, a former WCPSS teacher now working with the Kenan Fellows Program, talk about the benefits of the program to teachers and to Wake County students.

The 2006 Kenan Fellows include WCPSS teachers Carrie Jones of Middle Creek High, Chad Ogren of Enloe High, Jodi Reidel of Wakefield High, Katherine Smyre of West Cary Middle and Susan Taylor of Panther Creek High.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Kenan Fellows

This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:31 PM on October 17, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Public Private Partnership

At its Oct 16 meeting, the Board of Education approved a public private partnership pilot project to open an elementary school for 2010.

Assistant Superintendent Mike Burriss explains the school board's pioneering action.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Public Private Partnership

This is a 7 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 07:46 PM on October 16, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Mount Vernon Gets Boost

At its Oct 16 meeting, the Board of Education heard about the Boosters Program at Mount Vernon Middle School. Boosters is for students in the eighth grade who are 15 years or older.

Mount Vernon Middle School Principal James Hargett and one of his students talk about the Eighth grade Boosters.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Mount Vernon Gets Boost

This is a 4.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 07:19 PM on October 16, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Projecting Enrollment

Enrollment in the Wake County Public School System increased to 134,002 on the 20th day of the 2006-07 school year, 6,000 students more than last year. This increase in enrollment made WCPSS the largest school district in NC, passing Charlotte Mecklenburg schools which reported 20th day enrollment of 132,281.

Chuck Dulaney, Assistant Superintendent for Growth and Planning, discusses projecting the number of students entering schools in Wake County.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Projecting Enrollment

This is a 12.5 minute mp3 file.

Demographer Maja Vouk works in the WCPSS Growth and Planning Department and shares information in the wcpss.net Demographics Resource Center. Vouk has provided helpful information on enrollment projections.

Posted by Bill Poston at 11:12 AM on October 11, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Earning Honors for IPM

The Wake County Public School System was one of the top school districts recognized at the McKimmon Center today for an Integrated Pest Management program.

Ashley Smith talks with Dr. Dennis Osborne, the WCPSS IPM Program Coordinator, to better understand the benefits in our schools of this program.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Earning Honors for IPM

This is a 4.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:10 PM on October 10, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Eliminate the Gap

Eliminating the gaps in achievement of student groups on state testing results is a priority in the recent curriculum management audit report.

We talk with Assistant Superintendent David Holdzkom and several parents of elementary students to better understand the issue.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Eliminate the Gap

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

You can read more about testing outcomes for elementary students and middle school students, as well as newsletters for effective practices for elementary and middle school students with multiple needs.

A School Connection TV story on this topic is available here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:58 PM on October 08, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Building Bridges

East Garner Middle School assistant principal Carla Hoffman and eighth grade social studies teacher Andrea Plakmeyer are visiting a middle school in Puebla, Mexico to develop plans for joint instructional projects for students.

Hoffman says the conversations will help the two schools build bridges to provide students opportunities to learn together and from each other.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Building Bridges

This is a 4 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:11 PM on October 04, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Garner IB Students

At the celebration of authorization of the International Baccalaureate program in WCPSS schools in Garner today, three Garner High students in the IB Diploma Programme talked about IB.

After the ceremony, students Jack Thompson, Durga Sivamani and Kristen Bailey talked with us about the demands of the Diploma Programme.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Garner IB Students

This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:50 PM on October 03, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: IB Authorized in Garner

After four years of hard work at East Garner Middle School and Garner High School, the two schools celebrated earning authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization for the Middle Years IB Programme today with a reception attended by Garner community leaders and WCPSS educators.

Principals Michael Holton of Garner High and Cathy Williams of East Garner Middle School talk about earning authorization, the International Baccalaureate program and the impact of their schools receiving funds from the federal Magnet Assistance Grant.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: IB Authorized in Garner

This is an 11 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:14 PM on October 03, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Triangle Leadership Academy

At its Oct. 2 meeting, the Board of Education continued its participation in the Triangle Leadership Academy.

Dr. Joe Peel, director of the Leadership Academy, discusses its work with WCPSS administrators.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Triangle Leadership Academy

This is a 6.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 08:13 PM on October 02, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Interim Report Cards

Interim report cards have been sent home this week by Wake County Public School System teachers.

East Millbrook Middle School principal David Ansbacher and teachers Eric Burleson and Monica Franklin discuss the importance of interim report cards as communication between teachers and parents, and how parents can respond to these reports on classroom progress.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Interim Report Cards

This is a 7.5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 02:43 PM on September 28, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Multiple Academic Risks

The WCPSS Evaluation and Research Department has recently posted a study entitled WCPSS Students with Multiple Academic Risks: Achievement Patterns and School Experiences.

Nancy Baenen of WCPSS Evaluation and Research was one of the authors of this report and discusses what school system researchers found.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Multiple Academic Risks

This is a 9 minute mp3 file.

You can find a copy of this WCPSS Evaluation and Research report here.

You can find the WCPSS Evaluation and Research website here.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:44 PM on September 21, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Audit Action Plan

A six-month curriculum management audit that resulted in a 400-page audit report was presented this month to the Wake County Public School System.

Dr. Donna Hargens, WCPSS Chief Academic Officer, talked with the Board of Education today about the school system's audit action plan.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Audit Action Plan

This is a 5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 04:05 PM on September 18, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Planning for Safety

Safety is an expectation for students and employees in our schools. The WCPSS Security Department has been working with school administrators to prepare emergency plans for each school and department to keep students and staff safe.

Russ Smith, WCPSS Senior Director for Security, talked with Board of Education members in the committee of the whole meeting today about emergency planning.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Planning for Safety

This is a 5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:30 PM on September 18, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Driving Safety

With all schools in Wake County back in full operation, school and public safety officials are calling on all drivers to be aware of school zones and bus stops and to be more diligent when traveling in these areas.

Don Haydon, WCPSS Chief of Facilities and Operation, and Sgt. Jerry McCormick of the Town of Cary Police Department encourage drivers to be careful near schools and bus stops.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Driving Safety

This is a 4 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:27 PM on September 10, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Cooperation and Savings

Agreements that will provide an approximate sales tax refund of $12 million over the course of the next three years have been approved and executed by the Wake County Board of Education and the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

In legal agreements reached by the school board and county commissioners, purchases and contracts made as part of the $1 billion school construction program will result in a state sales tax refund.
WCPSS Chief Business Officer David Neter explains the agreement that provides this savings.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Cooperation and Savings

This is a 5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:01 PM on September 07, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Principals on Audit

A six-month curriculum management audit by Phi Delta Kappa International has resulted in a 400-page report presented to the Wake County Public School System. The report paints a picture of the changes WCPSS would need to make to meet the standards of the audit.

The report was presented to the Board of Education yesterday afternoon. This morning, WCPSS school principals and Central Service administrators heard from PDK lead auditor Rosanne Stripling.

Principals Luther Johnson of Holly Springs High School and Jamee Lynch of Sanford Creek Elementary School share their first impressions.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Principals on Audit

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 12:47 PM on September 05, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Curriculum Management Audit

A six-month curriculum management audit by Phi Delta Kappa International has resulted in a 400-page report presented to the Wake County Public School System. The report paints a picture of the changes WCPSS would need to make to meet the standards of the audit.

WCPSS Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens and Dr. Rosanne Stripling, PDK team lead auditor, discuss the audit and its findings.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Curriculum Management Audit

This is a 17 minute mp3 file. It may take a moment to download.

Posted by Bill Poston at 03:45 PM on September 04, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: The SAT

SAT scores for 2006-07 Wake County Public School System seniors provide the second year of the new scores for a three-section SAT with math, critical reading and writing. This year, WCPSS seniors averaged 538 on math, 519 on critical reading and 505 on writing. The combined average score is 1562.

Andre Smith is principal of Wake Forest Roles High School. For the second year in a row, his students' performance on the SAT has improved. We talk with Smith on the steps they've taken to help students succeed on the SAT.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: The SAT

This is an 5 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 02:55 PM on August 28, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: First Day of School

For nearly 100,000 students, August 27 will be the first day of school for 2007-08 in Wake County.

Don Haydon, WCPSS Chief of Facilities and Operations, says school buildings are ready and WCPSS Transportation is prepared for the start of the school year.

Donna Hargens, WCPSS Chief Academic Officer, says the first day is a special day and teachers are excited for the year of teaching to begin.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: First Day of School

This is an 8 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:41 PM on August 25, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Parents and Teachers

Parents and teachers play a critical role in student success. It's important for them to work together to boost student academics.

When WCPSS Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens heard Combs Elementary teachers Dyane Barnett and Kelley Schroeder talk to parents about ways to support their children, she was impressed.

We asked the two teachers to meet with Wake PTA Council President Cindy Smith and President-elect Sarah Martin to talk about the parent teacher relationship.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Parents and Teachers.

This is an 11 minute mp3 file.

Posted by Bill Poston at 06:19 PM on August 23, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Les Mis

More than 70 students from 22 WCPSS schools are busy preparing for the WCPSS/Broadway Series South student production of Les Mis September 28 and 29.

Broadway stars Terrence Mann and Lauren Kennedy have helped students prepare for the show. Mann, who earned a Tony nomination in the role of Javert in Les Mis, is directing this production.

Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler, WCPSS Senior Director for Arts Education, has coordinated the production.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Les Mis.

Posted by Bill Poston at 02:49 PM on August 22, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Improving Instruction

WCPSS Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens says the way Wake County teachers teach is changing because of professional learning communities and formative assessments. Teachers work together in professional learning communities to discuss classroom instruction. They use formative assessments, or tests, to determine students who have mastered a subject and students who need additional instruction.

In WCPSS Podcast: Improving Instruction, Dr, Hargens discusses the use of testing data to improve instruction -- data driven decision making.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Improving Instruction.

Posted by Bill Poston at 02:09 PM on August 17, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Teacher Recruitment

Assistant Superintendent Maurice Boswell is responsible for retaining and recruiting teachers and employees for the Wake County Public School System.

In WCPSS Podcast: Teacher Recruitment, Boswell discusses the recruitment of teachers for the 2007-08 school year and we meet two of Wake County’s newest teachers.

Click here to listen to WCPSS Podcast: Teacher Recruitment.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:07 PM on August 13, 2007 | Leave Feedback

WCPSS Podcast: Writing Instruction

Welcome to the first podcast of the Wake County Public School System, a new method of bringing you information about teaching and learning in our schools.

In this first podcast, you'll meet Beth Ware. Beth is an experienced teacher and expert on writing instruction.

We discuss teaching elementary students to write, the subject of her recent presentation to the Board of Education.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:36 PM on August 09, 2007 | Leave Feedback