Classroom Connection - November 12, 2008
Centennial Campus Middle Needs Your Vote
Jamie Hall, a sixth-grade teacher at Centennial Campus Middle School, along with a group of seventh- and eighth-graders from the school recently entered a music video contest to win technology for their school. The students' video has been chosen as a finalist, and they need your vote to win the contest.
As part of the Interactive Classroom Makeover Contest, students are encouraged to make a music video with their class that shows how amazing it would be to have a technology-fueled classroom. The winning class receives an Interactive Classroom makeover worth over $25,000.
The students' video is called "eInstruction - it's time" and features an original song that talks about some of the ways the students use technology in their classroom. The lead singer is a seventh-grade student at CCMS.
To vote for Centennial Campus, log on to www.eimakeover.com and click on "Click Here to Vote for the Finalists." Scroll down to the 6-8th grade finalists. Click on "eInstruction - it's time." Click on "Vote for this." You will need to register to vote. Please note: This company will not spam your e-mail if you sign up.
Green Schools Grant Awarded to WCPSS
The Wake County Public School System has just been awarded a grant valued at over $35,000 that will help to "green" our school system.
The grant allows our school system to participate in a pilot program that will enable the WCPSS Facilities Department to continue the LEED certification process that was approved by the Board of Education in February. Under the pilot, key district staff will work with and receive valuable guidance from members of the U.S. Green Building Council related to green maintenance and operations practices. In return, WCPSS's participation in this pilot will help the U.S. Green Building Council create the resources and tools other school districts need to green their operations and maintenance efficiently and economically.
The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations and make improvements to maintenance on a consistent scale. The goal is to maximize building efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs and systems upgrades.
WCPSS Employees Receive Pride of our Community Award
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Cabellero-Miller, Dr. Burns and Pascht |
Our congratulations goes to WCPSS's Tulia Pascht and Elisa Cabellero-Miller who were among four honorees in the entire state to have recently been selected as the 2008 winners of the Univision 40 "Orgullo de Nuestra Comunidad" (Pride of our Community) award.
"Pride of our Community" is a program conducted each year by the Hispanic TV station, Univision 40. The program recognizes four exemplary members of the community throughout North Carolina who work closely with the Hispanic community, demonstrating a commitment to the families they work with and success in their workplace. Finalists considered for this honor are nominated through letters of recommendation from families and organizations.
Tulia is a Parent Educator and Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for Project Enlightenment. Elisa is the English as a Second Language (ESL) Communications Specialist in the WCPSS Customer Service Center.Mills Park Elementary School Holds Dedication Ceremony
A dedication ceremony for Mills Park Elementary was held on November 6 to celebrate the newest school in Cary that opened its doors to students for the first time in July.
The large three-story facility can serve up to 800 students. The school is one of three new year-round schools that opened earlier this year. The ceremony included performances from Mills Park Elementary students, a tour of the building and remarks from school and town leaders. Principal Mike Regan, Superintendent Del Burns, Board of Education Representative Ron Margiotta, and Town of Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht all raved about the new school.
Wake Forest-Rolesville Coach and Teacher Recognized for Effective Monitoring Tool
Wake Forest-Rolesville High football coach Earl Smith and teacher Rebecca Luhm were recognized in a News and Observer article for boosting student athletes' academics. Smith and Luhm developed a student performance monitoring system to aid the school's coaching staff in holding athletes accountable for their academic progress. You can read the full article here .
Brassfield Elementary School's Bearly TV Program Featured
Bearly TV, Brassfield Elementary's morning news program, is featured on the latest episode of The School Connection. Student Grace Briskman serves as host of the feature that highlights the work students do on the television show each morning - including serving as the on-air talent and operating the camera, teleprompter, audio board and switcher. Teacher Bill Notarnicola oversees the student-led production.
The feature on Bearly TV and other stories about WCPSS can be viewed on our website.
School Lunch Program Receives National Recognition
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Our Child Nutrition Services Department recently won a best practice award for increasing participation in school lunch. The U.S. Department of Agriculture presented the award during the annual Conference for Child Nutrition Administrators in October.
Last year, lunch participation almost doubled in high schools. One of the main factors helping to increase school lunch participation among older students has been the idea of moving specialty entrées from the a la carte price structure to the center of the plate entrée in high schools. The center of the plate entrée presentation encourages students to select fruit, vegetable and milk choices to be included in the meal price of $2.00, with the theme "it's all good." This also encourages students to adopt better eating habits by offering them well-balanced meals with fruits and vegetables.
Wakefield Counselor Named Best in NC
Karen Rowe , a school counselor at Wakefield High School, was named as the NC School Counselor Association Secondary School Counselor of the Year. Rowe received the award at the NCSCA Fall Conference in Greensboro on Friday, Nov. 7.
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