Good News
Goal 2008: WCPSS is committed to academic excellence. By 2008, 95 percent of students in grades 3 through 12 will be at or above grade level as measured by the State of North Carolina End-of-Grade or Course tests, and all student groups will demonstrate high growth.Feb 1, 2006
2006 REGIONAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD SET FOR FEB. 4 AT WAKE TECH
Middle and high school students from Wake, Durham, Granville and Johnston
counties will compete in the Science Olympiad Region 4 tournament at Wake
Technical Community College beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 4. There
are 58 middle and high school teams each with 15 - 18 members expected to
compete in the regional competition. The students are vying for the opportunity
to compete at the State Science Olympiad in Raleigh April 7 and 8, and the
National Science Olympiad at Indiana University May 19 and 20.
Schools have teams of 12 to 18 students that practice in clubs or elective classes during the school year to compete in the regional tournaments. Teams have two students compete in events at the tournament by taking written tests and performing lab activities. Middle school teams compete against each other in Division B activities. High school teams compete against each other in Division C activities. The top six high school teams and the top seven middle school teams from Region 4 will advance to the state Science Olympiad. Students earn medals and trophies at the regional competition and the chance to compete for prizes and scholarships at the state level.
This is the first year Wake Technical Community College has hosted the Regional competition. More information on the Science Olympiad is at http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/science_olympiad/
WCPSS BUDGET OFFICE HONORED
The WCPSS Budget Office received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
from the Government Finance Officers Association of the US and Canada for
its 2005-06 budget document. The award reflects the commitment of the governing
body and its staff to meeting the highest principals of governmental budgeting.
In order to receive the award, the government agency must satisfy nationally
recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The document is
assessed as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and
a communications tool. GFOA is an association of 14,000 government budget
professionals throughout North America.
LIGON EARNS NATIONAL GRANT ON RETURN OF BILL OF RIGHTS
Eighth grade students at Ligon Middle School will be working with a state
agency on a Save Our History preservation grant awarded by The History Channel
Jan. 23. Ligon and the NC Department of Cultural Resources, Office of Archives
and History received one of the 26 grants awarded nationally to fund innovative,
educational projects designed to bring communities together, actively engage
children in the preservation of their local history and communicate the
importance of saving local history for future generations. The Ligon project
is entitled "Recovery & Return: The Bill of Rights Comes Home."
A group of Ligon eighth graders led by Social Studies teacher Jackie Brooks
will work with the Office of Archives and History to create a museum exhibit
and video re-enactment of events depicting the 1865 theft of the North Carolina
handwritten copy of the Bill of Rights, which was recently recovered in
an exciting "sting" operation. Save Our History is an Emmy®
Award-winning strategic philanthropic initiative of The History Channel
that launched in 1998, educates the public on the importance of historical
preservation and motivates communities across the country to help save endangered
local historic treasures.
GREEN HOPE WOMEN SWIM TEAM WINS CONFERENCE TITLE
The Green Hope High Women's Swim and Dive won their second consecutive title
at the Tri 7 Swimming and Diving Championships held at Pullen Pool in Raleigh.
The women were lead by Freshman Stephanie Hughes and Amanda MacCreary -
both individual winners. Stephanie set two individual school records winning
the 500-yard freestyle and placing second in the 200 freestyle. Hughes was
also a member of the record setting 200 yard Freestyle Relay. Teaming up
with Stephanie on that relay were Senior Monica Mohe, Junior Michelle Seremak
and Freshman Whitney Sweesy. Junior Laura Calabretta set a school record
in the 100-yard backstroke eclipsing her old record by .27 seconds. Women's
All Conference honors went to Stephanie Hughes for the 200 Free, 500 Free
and the 200 Freestyle Relay, Whitney Sweesy for the 50 Free and 200 Freestyle
Relay, Michelle Seremak and Monica Mohe for their efforts in the 200 Free
Relay and Amanda MacCreary in the 1 meter diving.
MOORE SQUARE STUDENTS TAKE SECOND IN BETA BANNER CONTEST
Moore Square Middle School students participated in their first National
Junior Beta Club Convention this month in Greensboro. Ten students from
Moore Square attended the convention and entered into the Banner Contest.
They earned second place with a banner they designed and painted with their
interpretation of this years theme: Red, White and Beta.
NORTHWOODS 5TH GRADE STUDENT IS THE G-WIS SHOOTOUT CHAMPION
Northwoods Elementary fifth grader Casey Traudt won the ninth annual Girls
and Women in Sports (GWIS) Shoot-Out Contest. The competition included hundreds
of young women from Wake and Johnston counties shooting baskets during the
NCSU Women's Basketball game on Jan. 22 Casey was one of four talented girls
to compete in a final shootout. She made the most baskets in 30 seconds
and won an autographed basketball and a full scholarship to Kay Yow's basketball
camp.
WCPSS SCHOOLS WIN CHALLENGE GRANTS
Fifteen Wake County public schools won challenge grants from Wake Education
Partnership through their participation in the 2005 Annual Fund for Education
campaign. The school challenge is an awards process in which schools compete
within categories based on the number of employees at each school. The awards
process allows the Partnership to recognize outstanding schools based on
a variety of achievements they have made throughout their individual campaigns.
Awards of unrestricted grant money ranging from $125 to $1,500 are given
to the schools that represent the highest standards of merit in dedication
to their campaign. One first, second and third place award will be given
to each of the following schools:
Category I (1-65 employees)
1st Place: Swift Creek Elementary
2nd Place: Vance Elementary
3rd Place: Highcroft Drive Elementary
Category II (66-75 employees)
1st Place: Middle Creek Elementary
2nd Place: Hilburn Elementary
3rd Place: Forestville Road
Category III (76-86 employees)
1st Place: North Ridge Elementary
2nd Place: Salem Middle
3rd Place: Cary Elementary
Category IV (97-99 employees)
1st Place: Zebulon Elementary
2nd Place: Willburn Elementary
3rd Place: East Wake Middle
Category V (100+ employees)
1st Place: Middle Creek High
2nd Place: Zebulon Middle
3rd Place: Wake Forest Rolesville High
The 2006 School Challenge was Jan. 23-31. Schools seeking additional information about this year's campaign should contact Alison Gaucher at 821-7609 ext. 35 or agaucher@wakeedpartnership.org .
PIECES OF GOLD TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Tickets for the 23rd annual Pieces of Gold performing and visual arts extravaganza
are on sale now through Ticketmaster and the Progress Energy Center box
office. This year's performance will take place on Wednesday, March 8, at
7 p.m. at the Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.
Wake Education Partnership and WCPSS host Pieces of Gold each year to emphasize
the importance of art in education as well as to challenge students and
educators in creative thinking as they prepare a performance that both entertains
the audience and supports their curriculum. The show features more than
800 students representing 30 groups from 29 Wake County public schools.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $50. For more information, visit http://www.wakeedpartnership.org/Events/POG/Pieces_Of_Gold.htm
STATE SUPERINTENDENT VISITS WEST CARY
Dr. June Atkinson, State Superintendent of Schools, will visit West Cary
Middle School 8-9:15 a.m., Friday, Feb. 3. Dr. Atkinson will meet with teachers
and staff while observing various programs at the school. She will discuss
her goals and plans for middle school education in North Carolina.
AUTHOR SPEAKS TO ENLOE STUDENTS
Kevin Cropp, author of the Time Keeper will speak to students at Enloe
High 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 2 in the school's media center. Cropp's book
reflects on his life as the son of a cancer victim. He writes about Linda
Wails who is diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 38 and has only
one dying wish-to make amends with her son. The book is based on the author's
own story.
KNIGHTDALE HOLDS HEALTH AND FITNESS FAIR
The Forestville Road Elementary PTA and the Town of Knightdale are coordinating
the Knightdale Health and Fitness Fair 4-7p.m., Thursday Feb. 2 in the Knightdale
Recreation Center, adjacent to Forestville Road Elementary School. There
will be FREE health screens including: vision; hearing; scoliosis/spinal;
blood pressure; blood glucose; and fitness. Fitness demonstrations will
be conducted by the following groups: The Dance Center, Dancers Corner,
The Forestville Elementary PE Department, The Danny Tighe School of Irish
Dance, Cheer America, and White Tiger Karate. Special information will focus
on health topics specific to senior citizens, children, and the Hispanic
Community. Duke Health Raleigh is a sponsor of the event and the REX Blood
Mobile will be conducting a blood drive Many different types of vendors
will be available with information on keeping healthy and fit.
MIRACLE LEAGUE PREPARES FOR GROUND BREAKING
The Miracle League of the Triangle is planning to hold a ground breaking
4 p.m., Feb. 20 at Adams Elementary School for the ball field where they
will provide opportunities for children with mental or physical disabilities
to play baseball in an organized league. The goal for opening day is Spring
2006. The League is currently seeking players, additional volunteers and
financial support. For more information visit http://www.miracleleagueoftheTriangle.com
WCPSS Good News is published electronically every other week for
everyone interested in the Wake County Public School System. Is what you
read in this edition helpful? What information would you like to see in
future editions? Contact me by calling 850-1829 or e-mailing bposton@wcpss.net.
Bill Poston
Wake County Public School System
Communications Department
3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
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