WCPSS News Headlines

Transportation Patterns Change with the Opening of New Schools
July 2, 2009 - Drivers should be prepared for changing transportation patterns caused by the opening of new schools and the return of school buses to the roadways transporting students to 52 year-round elementary and middle schools with the new school year beginning July 7. Read More...

Early Dismissal Wednesdays
In order for teachers to meet regularly to collaborate and discuss ways to improve individual student academic performance, the 2009-10 bell schedule provides weekly one hour early dismissal on Wednesdays for all students. On six of those Wednesdays, schools will release 2.5 hours early. Schools will continue to use the six 2.5 hour sessions for school-wide faculty professional development. Read More...

Wake County Drivers Earn Top Honors at 2009 Bus Roadeo
June 24, 2009 - Taking their driving skills to the obstacle course, school bus drivers from across North Carolina converged on the State Fairgrounds to compete with each other for top honors at the 2009 State Roadeo on June 16. Two Wake County Public School System bus drivers placed in the top 10 in this high-stakes, yet friendly competition. Read More...

Board of Education Conducting Search to Fill District 4 Vacancy
The Board of Education is searching for eligible citizens to fill the vacancy created by Rosa Gill's departure. Candidates interested in serving on the Wake County Board of Education must reside in District 4, which encompasses East Raleigh, to be eligible for the vacated seat. Read More...

Board of Education Adjusts Bell Schedule at Seven Schools
June 18, 2009 - At its June 12 meeting, the Board of Education made final adjustments to the bell schedule affecting seven schools: Hodge Road Elementary, Centennial Campus Middle, Moore Square Middle, Mt Vernon School, River Oaks Middle, Enloe High, and Phillips High. Read More...

Kevin L. Hill Selected as Board of Education Chair
June 16, 2009 - Kevin L. Hill was selected as the new chair of the Wake County Board of Education during the board's annual meeting June 16. Hill, a unanimous choice for the post, was the only person nominated by board members for the position of chair.

"I'm grateful for this privilege, and I look forward to serving as chair for the coming year," Hill said after being elected. "My commitment is to work closely with my fellow board members, always remembering that our responsibility is to help provide the best educational opportunities for all children in Wake County." Read More...

Dr. Burns launches Superintendent's Journal
The Journal is a videotaped message from Superintendent Del Burns to parents and the community regarding the issues that affect the Wake County Public School System. In what are expected to be regular webcasts, the Journal will allow parents and other key stakeholders the opportunity to hear directly from the Superintendent about plans for the new school year, ways to become involved and how we are improving to meet the needs of all of our students. Read More...

WCPSS Teams Compete in Odyssey of the Mind 2009 World Finals
June 10, 2009 - Three Wake County Public School teams of students took part in Odyssey of the Mind® 2009 World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa on May 27 - 30. Read More...

2009 High School Graduation Schedule
High school graduations are in full swing this week. Check the dates, times and locations of all of our high school graduations here. Read More...

Rand Road Elementary to Dismiss at Noon Today
June 9, 2009 - Rand Road Elementary School will dismiss at noon today due to an air conditioning system failure. Replacement parts expected this morning have been delayed, therefore the school will dismiss early due to today's expected high temperatures.

Crews will conduct repairs tonight with the hope of having the system operational by tomorrow morning. No End of Grade testing was scheduled today. We will keep parents updated if there are any changes to the school's testing calendar.

Please monitor the Wake County Public School System website for updates. Read More...

WCPSS Graduates More Than 8,000 Students for 2009
June 8, 2009 - The Wake County Public School System will award diplomas to 8,094 students in 21 ceremonies through Sunday, June 14.

Most of the students will continue their education in college, while others will enlist in the military or join the workforce. Read More...

H1N1 - Confirmed Case at Laurel Park Elementary School
June 4, 2009 - Wake County Human Services has notified school officials there is a second confirmed case of H1N1 in a Wake County Public School system student at Laurel Park Elementary School.

Yesterday, Public Health officials notified WCPSS of a confirmed case of H1N1 at Reedy Creek Middle School. In both cases, health officials have conducted case interviews, identified and notified all the close contacts that may have been exposed to H1N1 to date. We are limited in the specifics we can share regarding the case, but can say that the student is recovering and isolated at home. Read More...

New Graduates, a Returning Entrepreneur, Strawberries and More on The New School Connection
This month on The New School Connection we celebrate the Class of '09; Smith Elementary begins its International Baccaulaureate Programme and moves to a new building; a recent Cary High graduate and entrepreneur brings what she learned to WCPSS high school students; 15 elementary schools receive fitness help from the John Rex Endowment; and farm-fresh produce comes to our cafeterias.

Watch The New School Connection here on our website, or on Time Warner Cable channel 11 in Raleigh and Cary. Read More...

Graduation ceremonies underway for more than 8,000 students
May 28, 2008 - Ceremonies are underway for more than 8,000 students who will graduate from Wake County Public School System high schools this year. Read More...

Ten WCPSS Students Earn National Merit College Scholarships
May 28, 2009 - Ten Wake County Public School System seniors earned college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships, according to information released today by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Read More...

2009 WCPSS Valedictorians Celebrate Success
May 28, 2009 - Wake County Board of Education members will honor the 22 Wake County Public School System 2009 valedictorians at the board's June 2 meeting. Read More...

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....

...State Board of Education Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Harrison responded this week to the resolution in a letter to Superintendent Del Burns. Read More...

2009-10 Transfer Process
Parents now can submit Request for Transfer forms (download forms) for students to attend another Wake County Public School for the 2009-10 school year.

The Board of Education recently reviewed the student transfer process with Laura Evans of the WCPSS Office of Growth Management on May 19 and 20. The criteria staff use in reviewing transfer requests (PDF) are available for download. Read More...

Combs Elementary Teacher is 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year
May 14, 2009 - Combs Elementary School teacher René Herrick is the 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Del Burns presented Herrick the Wake County Teacher of the Year Award sponsored by Wachovia Bank at tonight's banquet. Burns praised Herrick for her data-driven classroom instruction and for her active involvement in the lives of her students. Herrick received applause from hundreds of community and education leaders attending the event. Read More...

2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year Finalists
May 12, 2009 - One of 12 finalists will be named the 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year at a banquet on Thursday, May 14 at the Embassy Suites in Cary. Read More...

Three WCPSS Seniors Named National Merit $2,500 Scholars
May 8, 2009 - Three WCPSS seniors were named 2009 National Merit $2,500 Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The three students include Alexey Vasilyev of Enloe High, Syed Saleh of Green Hope High and Kyle Swartz of Southeast Raleigh High. Read More...

Board Approves Assignment Process
May 7, 2009 - Following the ruling of the NC Supreme Court last week, the Wake County Board of Education approved a return to its assignment process allowing families the opportunity to apply for schools in February, receive an assignment in mid-May and request a transfer after assignment. Read More...

Full Circle: The Importance of Professional Learning Communities
Full Circle, the new WCPSS television program, returns this month with a discussion of Professional Learning Communities -- what they are, how important they are to the future of Wake County's schools, and how they help students achieve more. Read More...

Helpful Tools Can Prepare Students for State Testing
May 4, 2009 - Parents can find some online resources that can be used in helping their children prepare for the state testing administered by Wake County Public School System schools during May. Read More...

65 WCPSS Students Named NC Teaching Fellows
May 1, 2009 - Sixty-five Wake County Public School System high school seniors have been named North Carolina Teaching Fellows and eight students have been named alternates.

The Teaching Fellows Program provides a $6,500 per year scholarship for four years at one of 18 North Carolina colleges or universities in turn for the students agreeing to teach for four years in one of North Carolina’s public schools. Read More...

Supreme Court Rules
May 1, 2009 - In a majority ruling, The North Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that school districts have the authority to assign students to year round schools.

WCPSS's attorneys are currently studying the ruling and its impact; however this ruling means that WCPSS will now be able to fully utilize current and future building capacity. Read More...

Southeast Raleigh High Pre-Engineering Program Earns Certification from Project Lead the Way and Duke University
April 30, 2009 - Representatives from Project Lead the Way and Duke University have recognized Southeast Raleigh High for its exemplary pre-engineering program that has met and exceeded the program’s quality standards during a certification visit April 30.

The High School certification program recognizes schools which have successfully implemented the Project Lead the Way curriculum and provides an opportunity for students to receive college credit. Read More...

Enloe Swimming Coach Named 2009 Toby Webb Award Winner
April 29, 2009 - Vickie Peoples of Enloe High School will be presented the fourth annual Toby Webb Coach of the Year Award given by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Read More...

Four Teachers Honored with 2009 Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award
April 29, 2009 - Four Wake County teachers have been honored with the Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award, the award named after the late WCPSS teacher recruiter. The award recognizes outstanding first-year elementary, middle, and high school teachers who are nominated by his or her principal and school and have shown significant professional success during his or her first year of teaching.

The teachers are Ryan Williams of Rand Road Elementary, Jessica Benton of Underwood Elementary, Michael Dunbar, Jr. of East Garner Middle and Austin James of Millbrook High. Read More...

Information About Swine Influenza (H1N1 Flu)
As is the case with any communicable disease, the Wake County Public School System is in close contact with Wake County Human Services regarding the current public health concern of Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu). Read More...

Lisa Cox Named 2009 Teacher Assistant of the Year
April 27, 2009 - Lisa Cox, a teacher assistant for the Cross Categorical Resource special education classroom at Swift Creek Elementary, was named the 2009 Teacher Assistant of the Year by the Wake County Teacher Assistants Association during a banquet held at the McKimmon Center on April 27. Read More...

Spring Job Fair Cancelled
April 27, 2009 - The Wake County Public School System has cancelled its Spring Job Fair as the school system addresses budget issues brought on by the downturn in the nation's economy. Read More...

Eight WCPSS Seniors Named National Merit Corporate Scholars
April 24, 2009 - Eight WCPSS seniors were named 2009 National Merit Corporate Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The eight students include Rachel C. Rowe, Pradeep B. Gopinathan and Diana L. Xie of Enloe High, Michael S. Nokes of Apex High, Jonathan H. Edwards of Broughton High, Sean M. Bartell of Green Hope High, Sarah Phillips of Middle Creek High and John T. Primm of Panther Creek High Read More...

Two WCPSS Teachers Named Kenan Fellows
April 24, 2009 - Two WCPSS teachers have earned two-year fellowships with the Kenan Fellows Program for Curriculum and Leadership Development at NC State University.

Jason Wolfe of Enloe High and Justin Osterstrom of Combs Elementary were selected for the 2011 Class of Kenan Fellows and will work with university professors in research to develop math and science lessons for the classroom. Read More...

Enloe High Senior Wins Student Emmy Award
April 21, 2009 - And the Emmy goes to... . Enloe High senior Taylor Leslie who won in the writing category for a series of commercial spoofs called "Real Teachers of Genius." Also, Southeast Raleigh High students earned two honorable mentions.

Leslie is a student in the broadcasting class taught by Curry Leslie and is part of Enloe's Eagle Productions. This is the 12th Student Emmy award in 13 years for Enloe Eagle Productions and advisor Curry Leslie. The school has a total of 23 nominations. Read More...

School Teams Work To Speak Up For Every Child
April 21, 2009 - In schools across Wake County, teams of adults work behind the scenes speaking up for every child, working with families so that students achieve academic success. Read More...

Former Chair, Sen. Vernon Malone Remembered
April 20, 2009 - State Senator Vernon Malone, who served as the Wake County Board of Education's first chairman in 1976, passed away on Saturday, April 18.

"He was a strong supporter of education for all children," said Rosa Gill, current chair of the Wake County Board of Education. "He believed in equal access to opportunities for our students to become all they wanted to be in life." Read More...

Student Leaders Help to Establish School Culture
April 14, 2009 - Wake County educators have been putting older students to work realizing the impact these students have on sharing the school culture and offering advice to the younger students at their schools. Read More...

State Funding Restrictions Announced for Local School Districts
April 14, 2009 - Based upon continuing cash flow shortages, the State Department of Public Instruction yesterday issued funding restrictions to school districts across North Carolina. Read More...

WCPSS Prepares to Audit Individual Schools
April 9, 2009 - The Wake County Public Schools System is looking to build on the success of the changes brought by the Curriculum Management Audit for the school district by auditing individual schools. Read More...

Five WCPSS Seniors Named National Merit Achievement Scholars
April 8, 2009 - Five Wake County Public School System students were named National Achievement Scholarship winners today by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The WCPSS scholarship winners are Kaiya M. Aroyo of Middle Creek High, Lariah D. Ijames of Apex High, Amelia J. Lumpkin of Enloe High, Mariah Moore of Enloe High and Kelly A. Wyche of Broughton High. Read More...

Helping Hands Helps With Instruction
April 6, 2009 - A team of tutors are working with mentors and students in the Wake County Public School System Helping Hands program to strengthen student skills and prepare them for success on the state End-of-Grade testing in math and reading. Read More...

The New School Connection for April Takes the Stage
April 2, 2009 - Spring is in the air, and that means the curtains are about to rise on the annual spring musicals. That's just one of the interesting and informative stories you'll see this month on The New School Connection, The Wake County Public School System's monthly television news magazine. Read More...

Board Schedules Time to Support Learning and Teaching
March 31, 2009 - In its meeting today, the Board of Education approved the 2009-10 bell schedule including a change for the use of time to support learning and teaching, developing techniques for strengthening and enriching students' skills.

The new school schedule adds 10 minutes to the school day and provides one hour early dismissal on Wednesdays. On six of those Wednesdays, school will release 2.5 hours early. Read More...

2009-10 Bell Schedule
March 31, 2009 - The Board of Education approved the 2009-10 bell schedule, adding three new elementary schools and providing time for teachers to meet in learning teams to improve student instruction. Read More...

Board Approves Austere Budget for 2009-10
March 31, 2009 - The Board of Education approved the 2009-10 operating budget for the Wake County Public School System making $115,000 in cuts to the austere budget they received March 3 from Superintendent Del Burns. Read More...

Board Hears Recommendation on Using Time to Support Learning and Teaching
March 25, 2009 - Board of Education members meeting in the Student Achievement Committee Tuesday heard from representatives of a committee that has been studying the use of time to support learning and teaching.

The board gave tentative approval to a proposal that will provide teachers more time to meet together to study student testing results, discuss strategies to meet the needs of individual students and develop techniques for strengthening and enriching students' skills. Read More...

66 WCPSS Students Selected for 2009 Governor's School
March 24, 2009 - Sixty-six students from 19 Wake County Public School System high schools have been selected to attend the Governor's School of North Carolina for 2009. Read More...

Willow Springs Elementary Plants a Vegetable Garden
March 24, 2009 - Willow Springs Elementary has a new 90' by 30' vegetable garden that the students have named "The Grow Zone."

The first, second, and third grade students will have the primary responsibility for caring for the garden. Each class plants a section of the garden and then grade levels take weekly turns caring for it. Read More...

Sanderson's Bob Catapano Named to Hall of Fame
March 13, 2009 - Sanderson High Athletic Director Bob Catapano will be inducted into the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame later this month. Read More...

Eight WCPSS Seniors Named Park Scholars
March 10, 2009 - Eight WCPSS high school seniors are among 55 students North Carolina State University has named Park Scholars for the Class of 2013.

The WCPSS students named Parks Scholars include Ryan Alexander Collinsworth of Middle Creek High School, Tyler Confrey-Maloney of Broughton High School, Adam Carswell Dunn of Holly Springs High School, Alyse Cristen Flick of Athens Drive High School, Ebunoluwa Ololade Olaleye of Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, Patrick Joseph Short of Sanderson High School, Gretchen Louise Stokes of Apex High School and John Michael Turner of Middle Creek High School. Read More...

Two WCPSS High School Seniors Named 2009 Morehead-Cain Scholars
March 06, 2009 - Two WCPSS high school seniors are among the 70 Morehead-Cain Scholars selected to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Read More...

WCPSS Rates are Lower Than State Averages for Crime, Suspensions, Dropouts
March 5, 2009 - The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released a report today covering dropout, suspension, and expulsion data for the 2007-08 school year. Read More...

Full Circle: A Look at Great Teachers
This month on the School Connection TV show, we preview a new kind of storytelling for WCPSS. Jeff Nash invites intriguing guests and asks probing questions for a fast-paced and informative half hour about "Great Teachers." We hope you enjoy Full Circle. Read More...

Superintendent Recommends Austere Budget To Navigate Economic Hurricane
March 3, 2009 - An "economic hurricane" is the phrase Superintendent Del Burns used to describe the state of the economy as he presented the 2009-10 operating budget for the Wake County Public School System to the Board of Education.

New info:

Read More...

Wake County Families and Schools Support Student Success
February 24, 2009 - Families and schools are working in partnership to support success for students and for their schools.

To further foster this partnership, the Wake County School Board is embracing standards of the National PTA. The PTA's six standards for judging effective family-school partnerships are now included in Board Policy 2541. Read More...

WCPSS Congratulates 2009 National Board Certified Teachers
February 13, 2009 - The nearly 200 Wake County Public School System educators who earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards this year were congratulated by Superintendent Del Burns in a reception Wednesday. Read More...

Lifelong Learning Instructors Wanted to Offer Summer Classes to Adult Students
February 12, 2009 - Whether it's learning how to start a home-based business, learning a craft such as sewing, painting or graphic design, or becoming proficient with a computer application or foreign language, people are always looking to master new skills.

Teaching adult learners is a viable earning opportunity for potential instructors. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurs in Wake County are able to earn extra income by teaching classes through the WCPSS Community Services adult education program, Lifelong Learning with Community Schools. Read More...

Wake County Magnet Schools Earn National Honors
February 11, 2009 - Eighteen magnet schools in the Wake County Public School System have been notified by the Magnet Schools of America of their selection from a pool of more than 2,000 magnet schools from across the nation as MSA Schools of Excellence or MSA Schools of Distinction. Read More...

Kindergarten Registration Underway
The transition from preschool to elementary school can be an exciting but uncertain time for many students and parents. This month, as North Carolina school districts kick off the kindergarten enrollment period for the 2009-2010 school year, parents are encouraged to register their children early to save time and stress. Read More...

Forestville Road Elementary Named National Title I Distinguished School
February 6, 2009 - Forestville Road Elementary has been named the state’s National Title I Distinguished School, an honor recognizing Title I schools that improve student achievement through innovative approaches. Read More...

WCPSS Drop-out Rate at 4.17 Percent for 2007-08
February 6, 2009 - Wake County Public School System high schools reported that 4.17 percent of students dropped out of school during the 2007-08 academic year, according to the state’s 2007-08 Dropout Report released today. Read More...

WCPSS Freezes Hiring in Response to Economy
February 6, 2009 - Preparing for a challenging budget environment due to the continuing economic downturn, the Wake County Public School System has implemented a hiring freeze until at least June 30, 2009. Positions vacant as of February 6, 2009, will remain unfilled unless they are considered "mission-critical." Exceptions will be made for school-based teacher vacancies, but principals will have to fill those positions on a temporary basis. Read More...

Board Approves 2009-12 Multi-Year Assignment Plan
February 3, 2009 - The Board of Education has approved a multi-year assignment plan that will fill 10 new schools opening over the next three years. The plan was approved after an eight-month process that included seven public hearings, five community engagement meetings and additional comments that brought numerous changes shaping the final plan. Read More...

Application Period for Magnet Programs and Calendar Option Schools Ends Feb 28.
The magnet school application period ends at the end of the day on Saturday, Feb. 28. Families may apply for their children to attend one of the 33 magnet schools including 19 elementary, 8 middle, 5 high schools and 1 early college.

Important notes: Applications are accepted online only. Feb. 28 is the last day for on-time applications. Apply online here. Read More...

Parents are Invited to Visit Year-Round Application Elementary Schools
January 29, 2009 - The 14 year-round elementary schools that accept applications are holding open houses in February. If your child's base school is on a traditional calendar, and you want to apply for a year-round seat, there is an online Magnet/Calendar Option Application form. The application form must be completed and submitted online between February 9th and February 28th of 2009. Read More...

Board Continues Work on 2009-12 Reassignment Plan
January 29, 2009 - The Board of Education heard from 13 families last night in the board's sixth public hearing on the first-ever, multi-year assignment proposal to fill 10 new schools over the next three years. The Board has scheduled one more public hearing at noon on February 3 for those few nodes affected by the very latest changes to the assignment plan. Read More...

Blues Guitarist Visits Powell Elementary
January 28, 2009 - While dance teacher Stacie Shumake encouraged her students to feel the beat of the music, visiting blues guitarist Roger "Hurricane" Wilson strummed and crooned Monday afternoon at Powell Elementary School.

Read More...

Board Considers Changes at Student Assignment Work Session
January 23, 2009 - A number of changes were discussed to the multi year student assignment proposal during work sessions held by the Board of Education on Jan. 22 and Jan. 23. Read More...

Wake County Schools Communicate with Families
January 20, 2009 - Communication is important for families and schools to build a partnership that supports students in achieving their best.

To try and further foster this communication, the Wake County School Board is embracing standards of the National PTA. The PTA's six standards for judging effective family-school partnerships are now included in Board Policy 2541. Read More...

Board Hears 11 Hours of Comments in Student Assignment Hearings
January 16, 2009 - More than 200 people spoke and more than 1,000 people attended the series of five public hearings held by the Board of Education in its review of the multi-year assignment proposal that will fill 10 new schools over the next three years. Read More...

Congressman Etheridge Announces School Construction Bill at Ligon Middle
January 12, 2009 - Congressman Bob Etheridge called for school construction funding to be included in the economic recovery package before congress in a news conference today at Ligon Middle School. Read More...

Wight Named Regional Principal of the Year
January 12, 2008 - Matt Wight, principal of Apex High School, has been selected as the Regional Principal of the Year by the NC Department of Public Instruction, The Principals' Executive Program and the Wachovia Corporation. Read More...

Learning Teams Strengthen Instruction
January 7, 2009 - Teachers are talking excitedly about what's happening in their schools. There is a cultural shift underway transforming the way teachers teach and students learn. The change isn't the result of gimmicks or magic solutions. Read More...

Superintendent Burns Says Shared Leadership Can Lead to Student Success
January 6, 2009 - In his midterm report to the Wake County Board of Education, Superintendent Del Burns focused on leadership for school executives and classroom teachers. Read More...

Staff Multi-Year Assignment Proposal Online
December 16, 2008 - Public input has resulted in changes to the multi-year student assignment proposal presented today to the Board of Education by WCPSS Growth and Planning to fill 10 new schools with 25,486 students over the next three years. The full plan is online.

This is a staff proposal to the Wake County Board of Education. The school board will discuss the plan, consider changes, and adopt a plan following the public comment period. The public comment period is now over.

Videos of the speakers at all the public hearings are now online. Read More...

WCPSS Retains Quality Teachers
December 16, 2008 - An effort to retain quality teachers is having an impact in the Wake County Public School System, as the school system's teacher turnover rate remains below the state average and below other urban districts in the state. Read More...

Economic Slowdown Pinches School System Budget
The national economic downturn is being felt locally as the Wake County Public School System Board of Education approved $11.2 million in reductions from its budget. The reductions were in response to a requirement to return $5.47 million to the state as well as a pending request from Wake County to return $5.7 million. Read More...

Board Approves IB Magnet Changes
After agreeing to reconsider the magnet status of Broughton High School, the Board of Education today voted to phase out the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years and Diploma Programmes at Broughton over the next five years.

The board voted to implement the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programmes at Millbrook High School to continue to serve IB elementary and middle school students. Read More...

Nearly 200 WCPSS Teachers Earn National Board Certification
December 9, 2008 - Nearly 200 Wake County Public School System educators earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards this year, making WCPSS one of the nation's leaders in the certification program. Read More...

Board Cuts $11 Million Responding to State and Local Revenue Shortfall
December 2, 2008 - The Board of Education cut $11 million from its budget to return funds to the NC Department of Public Instruction and Wake County Commissioners, both short of revenue as national economic woes begin to affect North Carolina. Read More...

Wake County Schools Work to Welcome Families into Schools
November 20, 2008 - For students to succeed, it’s important for families and schools to build a partnership that supports the child. Read More...

2009-2012 Draft Assignment Proposal Released for Review & Comment
Nov. 15, 2008 - An unprecedented draft multi-year student assignment proposal from WCPSS Growth and Planning that fills 10 new schools with 26,771 students over the next three years was released this morning. You can submit comments online through the end of the day on Dec. 10. Read More...

Certification and Leadership are Connected
November 12, 2008 - Teachers who have earned certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards are challenged to become education leaders in their community. Read More...

Schedule Set for Multi-year Assignment Proposal
November 10, 2008 - A draft multi-year student assignment proposal that promises families greater predictability and better defined feeder patterns will be available for view online at wcpss.net at 9 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15. Read More...

Four WCPSS Schools Earn State's Highest Recognition
November 6, 2008 - Four Wake County Public School System schools were recognized as Honor Schools of Excellence, according to the 2007-08 state ABCs of Public Education announced today. Read More...

WCPSS Sees Impact of State Raising Reading Standards
November 6, 2008 - More than six out of 10 third- through eighth-grade Wake County Public School System students achieved reading proficiency on the state End-of-Grade tests in 2007-08 after the State Board of Education established significantly higher reading standards, according to reports being released today by the state. Read More...

Knightdale High Works to Boost Student Achievement
November 5, 2008 - Student success, classroom instruction and learning teams are the talk of faculty meetings at Knightdale High School. Read More...

Smith Elementary Named International Baccalaureate Magnet
October 29, 2008 - Change is coming to the instructional plan and the Maxwell Drive campus of Smith Elementary. When the work is completed, the school will become Smith Elementary International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in a completely renovated campus. Read More...

Explore Magnet Programs on Sat., Nov. 1
October 24, 2008 - The annual WCPSS Magnet Schools Fair is planned for Saturday, Nov. 1 at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Families interested in educational choice may explore the many innovative programs offered through the network of magnet programs. Read More...

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. Read More...

Teacher Job Fair Pre-registration Now Open
October 20, 2008 - Pre-registration for the Fall 2008 Teacher Job Fair opened today. Online pre-registration ends on November 30, and is mandatory. To participate, you are fully licensed, have completed your student teaching, or are eligible for a valid teaching license. School administrators will be on site to conduct interviews. The Job Fair is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2008. Read More...

Wight Named 2008 Principal of the Year
October 16, 2008 - The Wake County Public School System named Matt Wight of Apex High School the 2008 Principal of the Year and Shejuanna Rodgers of Apex Middle the 2008 Assistant Principal of the Year in ceremonies this evening at the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh. The awards ceremony is sponsored by the Wake County Public School System and the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals. Read More...

2008 Principal of the Year Finalists
October 15, 2008 - The Principal of the Year and the Assistant Principal of the Year for the Wake County Public School System will be named at ceremonies at the Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh Thursday night, October 16. Read More...

Wake Students Celebrate Walk to School Day 2008
October 8, 2008 - Students at schools across Wake County joined in today’s celebration of Walk to School Day. The national Walk to School Day celebration is designed to enhance the health of students and their families by providing an opportunity to increase physical activity, draw greater community awareness to safe walking and biking routes to school and demonstrate community strategies to improve air quality. Read More...

Kindergarten Eligibility Date Changes for the 2009-10 School Year
The State of North Carolina has made changes to the eligibility dates for children entering kindergarten. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, students attending kindergarten must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2009. Read More...

Laurel Park Elementary School Celebrates Opening
Laurel Park Elementary School celebrated the opening of their new school by holding a dedication ceremony Wednesday, October 1 for parents and members of the community. Read More...

Introducing New E-Newsletter and Emergency Notification Sign-up and Subscription Manager
September 30, 2008 - There's a new generation of electronic communication tools provided by the Communications Department of the Wake County Public School System. The new system will streamline and simplify the ability to receive e-newsletters and emergency notifications emails with a new Subscription Manager.

This Web-based interface will allow you to sign up and manage your subscriptions to our electronic newsletters and emergency notification e-mails which alert you to unexpected school closing, delayed opening, early dismissal or other critical system-wide news. Read More...

WCPSS Sees 3,700 More Students for 2008-09
September 30, 2008 - Enrollment in the Wake County Public School System increased to 137,706 on the 20th day of the 2008-09 school year, 3,700 students more than last year. Read More...

11 WCPSS Students Named Achievement Scholarship Semifinalists
September 25, 2008 - Eleven students from seven Wake County Public School System high schools have been recognized as semifinalists in the 45th annual Achievement Scholarship competition. The 11 students were among more than 1,600 Black American high school seniors recognized nationally. Read More...

Root Moves to Temporary North Hills Campus
September 19, 2008 - Root Elementary School has moved into swing space in a temporary modular campus for the school year while the school's campus is renovated. Moving into the temporary campus just days before school started was hard work for the school's teachers and families. Read More...

Increased Share of Construction Awarded Minority Business Enterprise Firms
September 17, 2008 - Minority Business Enterprise firms have been awarded an increased share of school construction work Don Haydon, WCPSS Chief of Facilities and Operations, told the Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday. Read More...

Tdap Vaccination Deadline for Sixth Graders Has Passed
Students entering the sixth grade on or after August 1, are required to have a Tdap booster shot if it has been five or more years since their last tetanus shot. The deadline was September 23 - after that date, students not immunized, or without proof of an immunization appointment scheduled on or before October 24, will be prohibited from attending school. Wake County Human Services is offering the Tdap shot by appointment at several locations around the county. Read More...

53 WCPSS Students Named Merit Scholar Semifinalists
September 11, 2008 - Fifty-three students from 11 Wake County Public School System high schools were among the approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 54th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Read More...

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. Read More...

Ligon Middle School Make-up Day is Nov. 4th.
Ligon students will make up for missing Monday on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Due to the potential additional traffic on Election Day, Ligon will open on a two-hour delay like all WCPSS year-round and modified calendar schools. Other WCPSS schools have a scheduled teacher work day on Nov. 4. Read More...

Free Seminar Shows Elementary Parents How to Help Their Children Improve At Math
Mastering math is not just a classroom skill, it's a life skill. Parents in Wake County can learn what they can do to help their elementary age children become strong math students, thanks to a special event scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11 from 7-9 p.m. in the Leesville Road High School auditorium. The event is free, but due to limited seating, online registration is required. Read More...

WCPSS Given Award for Creating Healthy School Environments
Cleaner air, fewer reports of problems, and well-trained school staff in place to troubleshoot concerns are just a few of the benefits to having successfully launched the indoor air quality program, Tools for Schools within our district two years ago. Read More...

Bus Routes Adjusted for Sycamore Creek Elementary
All students who attend Sycamore Creek Elementary School will be eligible for bus transportation. The routes that were established when Sycamore Creek was temporarily housed at Hilburn Elementary School will remain in effect throughout this school year. It has been determined that there will not be a “no transportation” zone around the school. Read More...

WCPSS Students' 2008 Scores Increase on SAT
August 26, 2008 - SAT scores for 2007-08 Wake County Public School System seniors increased while results at the state and national levels held steady. This year, WCPSS seniors averaged 541 on math, 518 on critical reading and 506 on writing. The combined average score is 1565. Read More...

WCPSS hires more than 950 new teachers for 2008-09
August 22, 2008 - More than 9,250 teachers will be prepared to teach 140,000 students at 157 Wake County Public schools this year. Read More...

First Day of Traditional Calendar Schools
August 25, 2008 - Thousands of students return to classes today for the first day of the Traditional calendar school year. They join roughly 40,000 year round students who returned to classes on July 7. Read More...

Teachers Meet in Learning Teams to Boost Student Achievement
August 22, 2008 - The call has gone out to Wake County teachers from Dr. Donna Hargens to work together to help more Wake County Public School System students enjoy academic success and to challenge all students academically. Learning teams may be one way to do that. Read More...

Traditional Calendar Schools Kick Off Monday Morning
With all schools in Wake County back in full operation on Monday, August 25, there will be an increase of traffic around schools, more students at school bus stops and changing traffic patterns with the opening of new schools. Read More...

Transportation Safety Follow-up
This memo outlines actions WCPSS has taken to address transportation safety issues. These steps are in addition to those listed in the August 2nd safety memo. Read More...

Greater Gang Awareness Helps Create Safer Schools
Children and teens join gangs for many reasons - peer pressure, boredom, gaining a sense of belonging - and unfortunately for some children, the lure of a gang is too great to resist. We know that gang activity is increasing in Wake County. That increase is impacting our entire community including our schools. As a result, the Wake County Public School System has increased its efforts to help stop the spread of gangs in our county by improving school policies and procedures and working closely with local law enforcement and community groups, as well as intervening at the social services level. Read More...

WCPSS Seeks Partnerships Between Schools and Faith-based Groups
August 20, 2008 - A new partnership between Brentwood Elementary and a North Raleigh church is providing students with some extra support inside the classroom and a facelift on the outside. Read More...

Finalists Named for 2008-09 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year
August 20, 2008 - Five principals and five assistant principals have been nominated as finalists for the Wake County Public School System 2008-09 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year. Read More...

Board Approves Hunter Education Policy
August 20, 2008 - The Board of Education gave final approval Tuesday night to a new policy, Policy 5135 for Hunter Education Programs, to address school participation in hunter safety programs. Read More...

New School Facilities Open for 2008-09
August 18, 2008 - New school facilities are opening for 2008-09 with some schools beginning the school year August 25 at new locations. The changing locations will mean new transportation patterns that drivers will need to consider. Read More...

School Board Briefed on Multi-Year Student Assignment Process
Currently under development, the Multi-Year Student Assignment plan will span three years and should provide advanced notice of where specific attendance nodes will be assigned. This is the first time WCPSS has sought to provide an assignment plan that covers more than one year. Read More...

Bus Routes Posted Online for August 25 Start of School
With the start of the traditional calendar school year right around the corner, parents are encouraged to review bus routes and stops for their child's school. Read More...

WCPSS Employee Contributes to Kid's Book on National Display
August 14, 2008 - A substance that isn't talked about much, yet is one of the most prevalent and valuable natural resources the world has to offer is finally receiving attention from patrons visiting a popular museum in the nation's capital. The National Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. has a new exhibit called Dig It! The Secrets of Soil (https://www.soils.org/smithsonian/). This exhibit features a new children's book co-authored by one of our own WCPSS employees. Read More...

Sycamore Creek Elementary Moves In Monday
August 14, 2008 - It's been six weeks since the first day of the 2008-09 year-round calendar, and now the students of Sycamore Creek Elementary will enjoy another first day of school on Monday, Aug 18. That's when they begin the first day of classes at their new school on Leesville Road in Raleigh. Read More...

Board Finalizes Plans for 14 Schools in Title I School Improvement
The Wake County Board of Education has approved public school choice options for 14 Wake County schools that receive Title I funding and are in School Improvement, as required by No Child Left Behind. Read More...

Preliminary ABCs: More Schools Achieve High Growth
August 7, 2008 – The Wake County Public School System is seeing big gains in the number of schools meeting state high growth standards. That’s according to preliminary results of the ABCs of Public Education released today by the NC Department of Public Instruction. Read More...

Transportation Update
Recently, concerns were raised regarding student transportation safety. The following link is a memo which recaps the actions taken to date by the system as well as future plans of action. Read More...

WCPSS Sponsors Event for Parents at McKimmon Center
July 31, 2008 - An educator who wrote the book on family involvement in schools will be one of the speakers at an August 13 event the Wake County Public School System will provide for the community. Read More...

Title I Elementary Summer School Celebrates Closing Like the Olympics
July 31, 2008 - Gold medal winners were celebrating across the Wake County Public School System Thursday with the completion of Title I elementary summer school programs. Read More...

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. Read More...

WCPSS Releases Preliminary 2007-08 AYP Results
July 21, 2008 - The NC Department of Public Instruction today released the preliminary results for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the federal "No Child Left Behind Law" (NCLB) for schools. With the data currently available, 37 of 152 Wake County Public School System schools met the AYP standard. Read More...

WCPSS Earns National Award for Learning Teams
July 9, 2008 - The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) and Pearson Achievement Solutions have named the Wake County Public School System one of three exemplary learning teams for 2008. WCPSS has been recognized for its "outstanding work in moving toward a collaborative model focused on improving student achievement" by using Professional Learning Communities in its schools and departments. WCPSS was one of 52 nominees for the award. Read More...

Three New Schools Open in 2008-09
July 7, 2008 - The Wake County Public School System will open three new schools for 2008-09, while more schools are being built and planned. The schools opening this year include three new year-round elementary schools: Laurel Park Elementary, Mills Park Elementary and Sycamore Creek Elementary. Read More...

WCPSS School Buses Return to Road for 2008-09 School Year
July 7, 2008 -The first morning bus rides for students attending Wake County’s year-round schools are expected to go smoothly, according to WCPSS Transportation administrators.

Buses will roll to 41 elementary and eight middle schools for the start of the school year. Since many parents like to take their youngest children to school on the first day, WCPSS Transportation Department administrators say they expect to see more students on the buses returning home this afternoon. Schools, bus drivers and families work out transportation issues together in the first days of schools. Read More...

Back to School 2008
You can find helpful back-to-school information on Back to School 2008 page. Year-round and Modified Calendar schools are already open. The Wake Early College of Health and Science starts Wednesday, August 6. Traditional calendar schools will begin Monday, August 25. Read More...

Transportation Patterns Change with the Opening of the 2008-09 School Year
July 2, 2008 - Drivers should be prepared for changing transportation patterns caused by the opening of new schools and the return of school buses to the roadways transporting students to 46 year-round elementary and middle schools with the new year beginning July 9. Read More...

New Lunch Money Payment Option Available for Parents
July 2, 2008 - This year, parents will have a new payment option that will, hopefully, make forgetting to pay for their child’s lunches throughout the school year a thing of the past. Starting July 7, parents will have the option of signing up with a new service called MyLunchMoney. The service is easy to use and allows parents to deposit funds into their child's lunch account anytime they want from their home computer, phone or fax. Read More...

School Board Reduces Budget by $39.2 Million
June 24, 2008 - The Wake County Board of Education yesterday identified $39.2 million in program and service reductions necessary to balance its budget for the coming school year. The budget cuts were necessary to reconcile the school board's 2008-09 Plan for Student Success with the Wake County Board of Commissioners' appropriation for the Wake County Public School System. Read More...

Rosa Gill Re-elected Board of Education Chair
June 17, 2008 - Rosa Gill was selected for a second term as the chair of the Wake County Board of Education during the board’s annual meeting today. Gill was a unanimous choice for the post, the only person nominated by board members for the job of chair. Read More...

Board Names Leesville Road High School Stadium in Honor of Marshall L. Hamilton
June 17, 2008 - Today the Board listened to family members and school staff share stories about the accomplishments and contributions of Marshall L. Hamilton, the former Leesville Road High School Athletic Director. Read More...

New School Construction Nearly Complete
June 16, 2008 - WCPSS is finishing construction on three new elementary schools that will be ready to welcome students for the upcoming 2008-09 school year and will allow room for future growth expected in 2009-10 and 2010-11. The three schools are Laurel Park Elementary, Mills Park Elementary, and Sycamore Creek Elementary. Read More...

Graduation Ceremonies at Reynolds Prepare for the Heat
June 6, 2008 – Parents and visitors attending the nine graduation ceremonies for Wake County high schools June 11 to 14 in Reynolds Coliseum need to be prepared for the heat.

Weather forecasts are calling for an extended heat wave and thousands of people are expected to take part in ceremonies at Reynolds which does not have air conditioning. Reynolds provides the space needed for ceremonies with schools that have 400 to more than 500 students in the graduating class. It’s been in use as an interim measure in recent years while a new Raleigh Civic Center has been under construction. Read More...

WCPSS Tackles Eliminating the Achievement Gap
June 6, 2008 - Eliminating the achievement gap is the number one recommendation of the curriculum management audit, an issue of discussion for the community Raising Achievement, Closing the Gap committee and is being tackled in schools now.

The curriculum management audit, an intensive study by national education experts of instruction in WCPSS schools, provided the school system with a blueprint for improvement. It recommends a number of steps for eliminating the achievement gap. Read More...

Students' Writing Tests Results Improve
June 5, 2008 - Results on the state writing tests show Wake County Public School System students continue to perform better than the state average and continue a three-year trend of improvement.

Local analysis of the state writing test results show that 67.9 percent of WCPSS fourth graders scored proficient in writing in 2007-08, eight percentage points above the state average of 59.8 percent. Read More...

Board Discusses Graduation Rate as Academic Goal
June 4, 2008 - Graduation rate was discussed by the Board of Education yesterday as a potential measure for the school system’s academic goal. In the board’s committee of the whole meeting yesterday, Superintendent Del Burns recommended that the WCPSS board, staff, and community commit to raising graduation rates to 90 percent by 2013 and to 95 per cent by 2015. Read More...

WCPSS Graduates More Than 7,600 Students for 2008
June 2 , 2008 - The Wake County Public School System will award diplomas to 7,684 students in 19 ceremonies through Sunday, June 14.

Most of the students will continue their education in college, while others will enlist in the military or join the workforce. Read More...

14 Seniors Earn National Merit Scholarships
May 29, 2008 - 14 Wake County Public School System high school seniors earned National Merit College Scholarships, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The 14 students are Noah Fontes of Apex High; Matthew Fox and Nancy Pace of Broughton High; Christine Dragonette of Cary High; Adam Buckholtz, James Cuffney, Miles Huang and Scott Possiel of Enloe High; William Schlieper of Green Hope High; Amanda Jackson of Knightdale High; Josh King of Leesville Road High; Terry James and Nicolette Rossmell of Middle Creek High; and Timothy Armstrong of Millbrook High. Read More...

Wake High Schools Schedule Graduation Ceremonies
May 23, 2008 - Nineteen schools will hold graduation ceremonies using five different sites beginning 10 a.m., Saturday, May 31 with the Southeast Raleigh High graduation ceremony at Reynolds Coliseum.

Schools are holding rehearsals for their graduation ceremonies this week so students will be familiar with the facilities and plans for their event. Students will receive admission tickets for their guests and schools will be following guidelines to keep the events safe and orderly. Read More...

39 WCPSS Students Named NC Teaching Fellows
May 23, 2008 - Thirty-nine Wake County Public School System high school seniors have been named North Carolina Teaching Fellows and seven students have been named alternates. Read More...

Board Approves New Teacher Employment Strategy for Wilburn
May 20, 2008 - Wilburn Elementary will become the first school in the state to implement a new strategy for teacher employment after action by the Board of Education cleared the way today.

At its meeting this afternoon, the Board of Education approved Wilburn Elementary School’s request to use Title I school wide funds for implementation of the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP). Of the four WCPSS schools that use Title I school wide funds, Wilburn chose to implement TAP. Read More...

Powell Elementary Teacher is 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year
May 15, 2008 - Powell Elementary School teacher Ann Quarles is the 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Del Burns presented Quarles the Wake County Teacher of the Year Award sponsored by Wachovia Bank at tonight's banquet. Burns praised Quarles as a teacher leader and for earning the school system's highest honor. Hundreds of community and education leaders attending the event congratulated her with applause. Read More...

Board's Plan for Student Success Goes to County Commissioners
May 13, 2008 - The Wake County Board of Education's Plan for Student Success has been delivered to the Wake County Commissioners and posted on the school system's webpage.

Preparing for End of Year Tests
May 12, 2008 - The months of May and June are busy and exciting times of the year for students in the Wake County Public School System. Students are busy finishing projects, completing their studies and seniors are eagerly awaiting commencement exercises. But there are two particular weeks this month and next that we want to remind parents of. Between May 12-23, our 3-8 graders will be taking End of Grade (EOG) tests, and between June 4-10, high school students will be taking End of Course (EOC) tests. We have collected information that we think will be useful to parents in helping their children prepare for these exams

2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year Finalists
May 9, 2008 - One of 10 finalists will be named the 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year at a banquet on Thursday, May 15 at the Embassy Suites in Cary.

Board Reaffirms Consent Process; Adjusts Dates and Procedures
May 6, 2008 - In light of a decision handed down by the North Carolina Court of Appeals today, the Board of Education reaffirmed the assignments made for students who are due to receive their assignment strips May 15 for the schools they will attend for 2008-09.

Attendance Is Important To Achieve Academic Success
May 5, 2008 - Wake County educators are working to boost academic success by focusing on attendance.

Board of Education Congratulates 2008 WCPSS Valedictorians
May 1, 2008 - Wake County Board of Education members held a luncheon to honor the 21 Wake County Public School System 2008 valedictorians. Board members, Superintendent Del Burns and school administrators met with the students at the NC State University Faculty Club.

Six Seniors Earn National Merit $2,500 Scholarships
May 2, 2008 - Six Wake County Public School System high school seniors earned National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Board Continues Discussion on School Construction Planning Assumptions
April 29, 2008 - Decisions made by the school board and county commissioners in the planning assumptions for schools in the next school construction program will have an impact on the number of schools needed.

Teams Report on Curriculum Audit Progress
April 25, 2008 - Teams of educators working on the curriculum management audit met together this week to provide an update on each group's progress and to hear from Dr. Fenwick English, a University of NC education professor known as the father of the audit process.

11 WCPSS Teachers Named Kenan Fellows
April 25, 2008 - Eleven Wake County Public School System teachers were among the 29 named Kenan Fellows in a ceremony this week by NC State University.

Board's Plan for Student Success Addresses Student Needs
April 24, 2008 - Expanded educational opportunities in foreign language, special education and reading instruction will be provided by funds the Wake County Board of Education approved in its Plan for Student Success Tuesday.

Board Approves Plan to Contact Parents
April 22, 2008 - A plan to obtain consent from families of students assigned to year-round and modified-calendar schools for 2008-09 was approved by the Board of Education today.

Six Students Earn National Merit Scholarships
April 21, 2008 - Five seniors attending Wake County Public School System high schools were among 1,100 students from across the nation to be named in the first group of National Merit Scholarship winners for 2008, according to an announcement from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Board Receives Update On Year-Round Schools
April 15, 2008 - A proposal to obtain consent from parents who have students assigned to year-round and modified calendar schools will be presented to the Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday, Assistant Superintendent Chuck Dulaney told the board at its facility committee meeting today.

Board of Education Considers Improvements for Wake Forest Rolesville High
April 15, 2008 - Improvements to Wake Forest Rolesville High School took another step forward today as the Board of Education indicated support for delaying the construction of two elementary schools and re-directing the funding to renovating the high school.

WCPSS Charts Progress on Curriculum Management Audit
April 8, 2008 - Six of the 117 action items identified in the 400-page Curriculum Management Audit of the Wake County Public School System are now complete, WCPSS Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens told the Board of Education today.

Six Students Earn National Achievement Scholarships
April 3, 2008 - Six Wake County Public School System high school seniors were among 800 National Achievement Scholarship winners announced today by the National Achievement Scholarship Program.

Spring Job Fair Set for Saturday, April 19
April 2, 2008 - 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.

Three Named 2008 Morehead-Cain Scholars
Three Wake County Public School System high school seniors are among 79 students named 2008 Morehead-Cain Scholars at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Among the largest and most competitive scholarship programs in the United States, the Morehead-Cain pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study, including the cost of a laptop computer and four summer enrichment experiences. The value of the scholarship is about $80,000 for each student.

13,500 Apply to Magnet and Calendar-Option Schools
March 12, 2008 - A total of 13,500 unique applications were received from families applying for magnet or calendar options in the Wake County Public School System during this year’s application period in February.

Three WCPSS Seniors Named Park Scholars
March 11, 2008 - Three Wake County Public School System high school seniors have been named 2008 Park Scholars by North Carolina State University. The Park Scholar awards provide full tuition for four years at NC State and are valued at about $59,000 for North Carolina residents.

Superintendent's Plan for Student Success Calls for 6% Increase in Local Per Pupil Funding
March 4, 2008 - In the presenting the Plan for Student Success to the Board of Education today, Superintendent Del Burns said the school system is looking at the resources needed to eliminate the achievement gap and help all students graduate on-time, prepared for the future.

WCPSS Challenges Gifted Students
February 29, 2008 - More than 23,000 students receive Academically Gifted services in the Wake County Public School System. The state provides funding at a level serving four percent of students, while the school system uses all of its state funding and some local dollars to serve 17 percent of its students.

Updated Curriculum Management Audit Resource Center Goes Live
February 26, 2008 - The Wake County Public School System has unveiled an updated website that will document its progress in implementing an independent audit team's recommendations for our academic programs.

Magnet Schools Earn National Honors
February 22, 2008 - Three Wake County Magnet Schools are in the running for the title of the nation's top magnet school after seven WCPSS schools were named by the Magnet Schools of America as Magnet Schools of Excellence or Magnet Schools of Distinction.

Six WCPSS Students Named Park Scholar Finalists
February 22, 2008 - Six Wake County Public School System students were among the 98 students North Carolina State University has named as finalists for 2008 Park Scholars. These prestigious awards are valued at about $59,000 for North Carolina residents. The scholarship winners were selected from among more than 1,000 applicants.

Board of Education Addresses Class Size Issues
February 20, 2008 - Principals at 13 Wake County Public School System schools are being given flexibility and if needed, additional teachers to help address the class size waiver issues being discussed by the Wake County Board of Education and State Board of Education.

Shaw University and WCPSS Partner in New Preschool
February 19, 2008 - A new partnership between the Shaw University Education Department and the Wake County Public School System will create a special education preschool program on the Shaw campus.

WCPSS Removes Meat Recalled by USDA
February 18, 2008 - Some beef products that originated at the Westland Meat Packing Company cited in a U.S. Department of Agriculture recall today were delivered to the Wake County Public School System and are being removed from WCPSS schools.

WCPSS Responds to State Board on K-3 Waivers
On Friday, February 8, the Wake County Public School System responded to requests for additional information from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as part of their approval of 114 waivers of class size on January 10, 2008.

Board Selects Three Firms to Move Forward with Public Private Partnership
February 5, 2008 - The Wake County Board of Education is moving ahead with plans that could lead to Wake County's first public private partnership for the construction of a school building.

Board Approves 2008-09 Growth Management Plan
February 5, 2008 - After months of discussion with the community on filling new schools, the Board of Education approved a growth management plan for 2008-09 at its meeting today.

WCPSS Encourages Training for a New Lifestyle
February 1, 2008 - Students and educators are being challenged to think smart and act smart when it comes to their heart, during the Wake County Public School System's Changing Hearts program that kicks off February 1.

How Green is Wake County Public School System?
January 31, 2008 - WCPSS continues to set high environmental standards on its existing and future school sites by choosing to build more high-performance "green" schools.

Board Considers Changes at Student Assignment Work Session
January 30, 2008 - Several changes were discussed to the 2008-09 Growth Management Proposal during work sessions held by the Board of Education on Jan. 25 and Jan. 28.

Public Private Partnerships Move Forward
January 30, 2008 - Public Private Partnerships moved another step forward in discussions at the Facilities Committee of the Wake County Board of Education yesterday.

WCPSS Recruits at Minority and Women Business Expo
With the Wake County Public School System growing by thousands of students every year, there are several opportunities for area businesses to get involved with future building and renovation projects.

Moore Named Regional Principal of the Year
January 24, 2008 - Cathy Moore, principal of Sanderson High School, has been selected as the Regional Principal of the Year by the NC Department of Public Instruction, The Principals' Executive Program and the Wachovia Corporation.

2008-09 Growth Management Proposal Presented to Board of Education
January 8, 2008 - A 2008-09 growth management proposal that potentially impacts 6,824 students, moves more than 3,600 students to schools closer to their homes and allows grandfathering for more than 1,600 students was presented to the Board of Education this afternoon. Full details, public hearing sign ups and online comments...

Superintendent Burns Calls for Elimination of Achievement Gaps
January 8, 2007 - In his midterm report to the community today, Superintendent Del Burns called for the elimination of the achievement gaps in the Wake County Public School System.

Cuda Named National C-T-E Teacher of the Year
January 7, 2008 - 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.

Elliott Named North Central Region Teacher of the Year
January 3, 2008 - Paige Elliott, Wake County's Teacher of the Year, has been named the North Central Regional Teacher of the Year and is now one of nine teachers in the running for the North Carolina Teacher of the Year.

Magnet and Year-round School Information Sessions Jan. 7 - Feb. 7
January 3, 2008 - Wake County families can take a closer look at the educational opportunities available to students in magnet schools with information sessions and school visits that begin this month. This will help families make decisions as they prepare for the February 2008 magnet application period.

Board of Education Schedules Three Public Hearings
January 2, 2008 - The Board of Education will hold public hearings on the 2008 Growth Management Proposal at three high schools this month.

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