Classroom Connection - August 25, 2009
Traditional Schools Start Today
Wake County students on the traditional calendar began the 2009-10 school year today. Combined with students on the year-round and modified calendars who began the year in July, WCPSS is expecting approximately 140,000 students this year. The first early dismissal Wednesday for traditional calendar schools will be tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 26.This year, WCPSS has a total of 159 schools: 102 elementary, 30 middle schools, 23 high schools and 4 special/optional schools. Out of our 159 schools, 51 are year-round schools. Three schools changed calendars this year: Leesville Road Middle changed to multi-track year-round; Baucom and Knightdale Elementary changed to traditional calendar. Our Transportation Department is expecting to provide transportation services to approximately 75,000 students on 900 buses this year.
WCPSS Students' 2008 Scores Increase on SAT
Wake County Public School System seniors continue to score well on the SAT and continue to outpace other large districts in North Carolina as well as the national average, according to results released today by the College Board. SAT scores for 2008-09 WCPSS seniors increased by 20 points over average WCPSS scores for 2007-08 with increases of eight points in critical reading, seven points in math and five points in writing.
WCPSS SAT Scores |
||||
|
Critical reading |
Math |
Writing |
Total |
2008-09 |
526 |
548 |
511 |
1585 |
2007-08 |
518 |
541 |
506 |
1565 |
The WCPSS average score of 1585 is 76 points higher than the US average and 99 points higher than the North Carolina average.
WCPSS Vending Machines to Contain Healthier Drinks
WCPSS vending machines, which are provided by Pepsi Bottling Ventures under an exclusive contract, will provide healthier soft drinks to high school and middle school students in the 2009-10 school year. This year, only bottled water will be provided in middle schools, while low-sugar beverages, bottled water, and sports drinks will be available in high schools. The change follows the company's announcement of compliance with guidelines set forward by the American Beverage Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation.Smith Magnet Elementary School Holds Ribbon Cutting
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Principal Chris Lassister cuts the ribbon. |
Principal Chris Lassiter said the flexibility his staff and the school community showed in quickly moving the event indoors is symbolic of how they all have responded to the challenges presented to them over the past couple of years.
“Over the past two years, this journey has required a lot of teamwork,” he said. “This would not have happened without several key role players. First, our special guests – they all had a role in making this building a reality; our parents and our students who went seven to 10 miles further down the road to Banks Road and their flexibility and patience; and most of all our teachers. I have never worked with a more dedicated group of educators than this group.”
Smith Elementary students and staff spent last school year on the campus of Banks Road Elementary while their campus underwent major renovations. The $22 million construction program added new general and special programs classrooms, art and music classrooms, as well as administration, student support services, child nutrition services and plant operations areas. Old Buildings B and C and a portion of Building A were demolished. Older classrooms, corridors and toilets were upgraded, and canopies were provided for student drop off.
The new renovation isn’t the only change for the students and staff at Smith Elementary this year. Staff members have been preparing for months to implement the IB Primary Years Programme at the school. The school is currently an International Baccalaureate candidate and is working through the process of earning authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization.
International Baccalaureate schools are committed to inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness and community service. Smith students will be able to follow the WCPSS Magnet Schools IB pathway to the IB Middle Years Programme at East Garner Middle and Garner High. Students seeking an academically rigorous path could also take part in the IB Diploma Programme at Garner High.
Principal of the Year Finalists
The finalists have been named for the 2009-10 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year.The Principal of the Year finalists are Mary Page of Bugg Elementary, Annice Williams of Barwell Elementary, Teresa Winstead of Durant Road Elementary, John Wall of North Garner Middle and Edward McFarland of Fuquay-Varina High.
The Assistant Principal of the Year finalists are Melissa Blackmon of Willow Springs Elementary, Lisa Brown of Leesville Rd Elementary, Edna Fay Jones of Forest Pines Elementary, Christopher Coby of Wendell Middle and Robert Matheson of Apex High.
The finalists are nominated by the principal and assistant principals of the Wake County Public School System. The Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year celebration is scheduled for October 15 at 6 p.m. at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh.
Panther Creek AD Earns Certification
Panther Creek High School Athletic Director Todd Schuler has completed the certification process to become recognized as a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator's Association (NIAAA). This certification is based on years of experience, completion of required Leadership Training Courses, and successful completion of the CAA Leadership Training Test.Baileywick Elementary School Counselor Published
Baileywick Elementary School counselor Dee Bostick was published in the Professional School Counselor Journal Special Issue: Action Research in School Counseling. Her article is titled Evaluating a Small-Group Counseling Program: A Model for Program Planning and Improvement in the Elementary Setting.Bostick is co-author of the article with Ron Anderson, former WCPSS Senior Director of Guidance and Social Work.
The American School Counseling Association's Professional School Counseling Journal communicates the latest theory, research, practice, techniques, materials and ideas to assist school counseling professionals at all levels in their professional development. Additionally, it strengthens bonds among school counselors and helps maintain a shared awareness of the roles, problems and progress of school counseling at various settings and levels.