Good News
February 8, 2007 |
SOUTHEAST RALEIGH HIGH BAND TRAVELS TO NEW ORLEANS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Southeast Raleigh High Band will travel to New Orleans in March of 2007. During this trip the band plans to deliver donated items to schools in the New Orleans area in an effort to help rebuild their Performing Arts programs. They will perform at City Hall, present the Mayor with a Patrons List of Donors, a plaque commemorating the effort and a DVD of the performance of the 2006 Band Field Show – “The Rebuilding of New Orleans”. The students will be involved in the delivery of donations to area schools and a day of cleaning up and helping in the rebuilding of the city.
Through March 1, the Southeast Raleigh High Band is soliciting donations of (1) new and used band instruments, (2) band uniforms, (3) Visual Arts materials, (4) materials that can be used in Fine and Performing Arts Programs, and (5) monetary donations. Donations of money will be used to purchase new instruments and refurbish donated instruments, as well as purchase sheet music and supplies needed for Visual Arts, Fine and Performing Arts programs. Southeast Raleigh High band boosters plan to make arrangements to purchase a majority of these items in New Orleans in order to help businesses rebuild in that area as well.
Southeast Raleigh High band families are showing their support by sending their own band student to New Orleans. No donated funds will be used to pay for expenses for the band during this trip. All funds will go directly to support this project. For more information, go to www.bulldogband.net
PIANIST JOEL A. MARTIN AND ENLOE STUDENTS PREMIERE MUSIC
In collaboration with Enloe High School, internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Joel A. Martin will premiere five commissioned works in a program entitled Jazzical®: Enloeat 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, at Meymandi Concert Hall.
Martin, a Raleigh native, will be accompanied by members of the Enloe Concert Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Chorus.
Each ensemble will perform original compositions by Joel A. Martin in the Jazzical®, classical, and jazz styles. Jazzical® utilizes motifs from Martin’s classical piano repertoire as subjects for jazz interpretations for solo piano, chamber ensemble, jazz combo, and orchestra and bridges the gap between classical and jazz music while remaining true to both art forms. The program will include: Song of Love, a classical tone poem (concert band); Raleigh Alley, a jazz/choral piece (4-part chorus and piano); the Slavic-inspired Triple Concerto in E Flat Minor for Two Violins and Viola (string orchestra); and a series of original Jazzical® pieces for piano and jazz ensemble, with accompaniment by the graduating seniors who appeared with Mr. Martin at the Artsplosure Festival in April 2006. The string orchestra will also perform a musical setting of an original work entitled Gypsy, lyrics and melody by Enloe sophomore and soprano soloist Mara Howard Williams. The first half of the program will be conducted by Enloe faculty Ann Huff, Robert C. Hunter, Beth McCollum, and Martin.
The culminating event will be the finale in which all ensembles will appear together on stage to debut Martin’s mammoth composition, Requiem for Peace in Eight Movements for Concert Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Mixed Chorus and Piano. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem, the “Caged Bird,” the Requiem will be conducted by Robert C. Hunter, Director of the Enloe Band Program.
In the spirit of the Enloe Visual and Performing Arts program’s goal to enrich student’s learning by providing them with opportunities to work with guest artists in master classes and performance, this unique collaboration began in April 2006 when Martin was invited to conduct a week long arts-in-education residency at the magnet school, and appeared in performance with the Enloe Jazz Ensemble at the Artsplosure Festival. That experience received such an overwhelmingly positive response from both faculty and students that he was invited to return in September 2006 to conduct a six-month arts-in-education residency, and was also commissioned to write several original compositions for performance by the students.
Wake Educast |
WAKE EDUCAST will be a twice-monthly series on educational issues in Wake County. We begin with Dr. Del Burns, who describes the four strategic directives that have driven WCPSS since he became superintendent on July 1, 2006. |
REEDY CREEK AND VANDORA SPRINGS RECOGNIZED AS "SUPER SAFE"
Reedy Creek Middle and Vandora Springs Elementary have been recognized as Super Safe Schools by the NC Department of Public Instruction. Thanks to their efforts to provide students and staff with a safe learning environment, the two WCPSS schools were among 35 schools from across the state to be designated "2006-07 Super Safe Schools." Representatives of the schools received their awards during the 2007 Safe Schools and Character Education Conference held in Greensboro.
To receive recognition as a Super Safe School, schools voluntarily submit a portfolio documenting the safety processes they have in place. The portfolios are evaluated and the scores received determine which schools are recognized. In recognition of their achievement, each school will receive a plaque designating them as a Triple "S" School for 2006-07.
"We know that if we are to help students achieve at higher levels then all children and adults need to learn and work in a safe and supportive environment," State Superintendent June Atkinson said. "Proper attention to the school environment is critical to success in the classroom for every student and every teacher."
The Department of Public Instruction's School Safety and Climate Division established the Triple "S" School Award to recognize public schools' exemplary efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff.
SALEM NAMED REAL DEAL SCHOOL
Salem Middle School was one of the 10 schools across the state named Real DEAL (Dedicated Educators, Administrators & Learners) schools by Gov. Easley for participation in the state’s Teacher Working Conditions survey for 2006. Salem was recognized for strong teacher working conditions and high student achievement. The schools were named Real D.E.A.L. schools because of their dedicated educators, administrators and learners. In recognition, Salem has received a Real D.E.A.L award and banner.
A record of more than 75,600 educators across the state voluntarily completed the survey last spring. The survey helps shape state education policy, strengthen classroom working conditions and enhance the learning environment for students. Findings from the survey were released in a final report during the conference.
“In North Carolina, our first step to increasing student achievement has been to create exceptional teacher working conditions in our schools,” said Easley. “The Teacher Working Conditions Survey offers teachers an opportunity to tell us what they need to succeed in their classrooms and to make a difference in their schools and across the state. Good teacher working conditions are good student learning conditions.”
The survey gave teachers the opportunity to share their opinions on professional development, facilities and resources, school leadership and teacher empowerment in their schools and school districts. In 2002, North Carolina became the first state in the nation to implement a teacher working conditions survey. Feedback from administrators and teachers has helped shape policies that have changed how principals are evaluated, administrators are educated and schools are funded.
WCPSS SCHOOLS EARN SCHOOL COUNSELING AWARDS
Five WCPSS Schools have been recognized by the American School Counselor Association as 2006-07 Recognized ASCA Model Program Recipients (RAMP). The schools recognized include Broughton High, Millbrook High, Wake Forest-Rolesville High, Martin Middle and Pleasant Union Elementary. This award recognizes schools that have implemented a results-based, comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program that shows measurable results in improving student achievement, attendance, and behavior.
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY PARTICIPATES IN READ ACROSS AMERICA
Washington Elementary will participate in the Read Across America program at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 1st. There will be a performance of Cat in the Hat, children will receive a book, and the school will be presented $1000. For more information, contact Washington Elementary at 856-7960.
BOARD RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WITH SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT AWARDS
At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Board of Education honored 22 students from Wake County public schools with the Spotlight on Student Awards. The awards were presented to Vivek Hebbar of Adams Elementary; Omar Benitez Rosquero of Baileywick Elementary; Julia Rodecker of Brooks Elementary; Connor Earp of Carver Elementary; Corey Thomas of Fox Road Elementary; Lindsay Tucker of Fuller Elementary; Gabriela Guzman-Miguel of Harris Creek Elementary; Jasiman Jones of Hilburn Elementary; Rachel Gonzales of Holly Grove Elementary; Rubi Martinez-Castro of Middle Creek Elementary; Michael Roulliard of Oak Grove Elementary; Hannah Rogers-Frye of Partnership Elementary; Rostam Panjshiri of Rolesville Elementary; Maricela Maciel of Wakelon Elementary; Mary Markovich of Centennial Middle; Jennifer Marie Lieb of Martin Middle; Jessica Hernandez of River Oaks Middle; Randy Ndona Nimi of Broughton High; William Craigle of Green Hope High; Jeannine Brown of Phillips High; Anne Elizabeth Kloefkorn of Panther Creek High and Erica Kendra Smith of Wakefield High.
EAST MILLBROOK STUDENTS TAKE PART IN GROUNDHOG JOB SHADOW DAY
The East Millbrook Business Alliance hosted Groundhog Job Shadow Day on Feb. 2. The Job Shadow Day, in its ninth year, gives students across America the chance to "shadow" a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a day on the job. This provides young people nationwide with an up-close look at how skills learned in school are put to use in the
workplace. More than one million students and 100,000 businesses participated in Job Shadowing 2007. East Millbrook had more than 50 eighth graders shadow various businesses within the triangle. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to start making preparations for their future career. Companies that participated with East Millbrook included Closure Medical, Ray Price Harley-Davidson, Chic-fil-a, McDonald's, Eaton Powerware and EDS.
SANDERSON STUDENT RECOGNIZED BY PTA
Danny Dove of Sanderson High was honored by the NC PTA as one of the state winners in the National PTA’s 2008-09 Reflections Theme Search. Each year, the Reflections Program challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to the National PTA's Reflections Program Theme Search.
UNDERWOOD STUDENT RECOGNIZED IN ART COMPETITION
Linnea Howe, a third grader at Underwood Elementary won second place in the 12-and-under category of the National Arts Program City and County Employees Art Exhibition. The National Arts Program is an initiative to encourage the arts among employees of municipalities, counties and commercial organizations and their families. Annual art competitions are held in 39 states. Mayor Charles Meeker and Arts Commission Executive Director June Guralnick presented Linnea with a $50 check at a recent Raleigh City Council meeting, her prize for the work “Fall Sunrise”, created in Ms. Jacobs’ art class at Underwood Elementary.
POE WELCOMES MISS GARNER
Poe Elementary is looking forward to a visit from Kendria Perry, also known as Miss Garner, for a musical performance for the school’s fourth and fifth grade students. At 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 22, Perry will share her life story, introduce and perform a piano selection by Mozart, and then lead a question and answer session for students.
WCPSS CELEBRATES CHANGING HEARTS IN FEBRUARY
The Wake County Public School System Changing Hearts program has built upon the success of the school-based programs such as Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops for Heart and Staff Wellness Challenges to encompass the entire Wake County Public School System. Employees at WCPSS administrative offices will find opportunities to participate in free health screenings (body weight, body fat composition, flexibility, strength, blood pressure, cholesterol), healthy cooking classes and nutrition, stress management and safety courses.
“February is our premier heart health month, but our system goal is to provide education and screenings that will encourage our students and staff to make an on-going commitment to their health and well-being,” according to Kelly Creech, District Health Officer and architect of the Changing Hearts Program. Contact Creech at 856-8145.
WCPSS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Megan Kirkpatrick, WCPSS Business Alliance Coordinator and Chris Droessler, WCPSS School-to-Career Coordinator, made preentations at the international Career Technical Education 'CAREERS CONFERENCE 2007: Building Futures that Work' held Jan. 29-31 at
Madison, Wisconsin. Kirkpatrick and Droessler worked together on three presentations including one describing the WCPSS School-to-Career Initiative where they discussed the benefits of building relationships with dedicated business leaders so that educators and the business community worked to achieve common goals - helping students make realistic career choices, giving relevancy to the curriculum, and providing career experience and expertise to the next generation of productive citizens.
CONNELLY SPEAKS ON WCPSS PREVENTION/INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
Assistant Superintendent Marvin Connelly, of WCPSS Student Support Services, and Darryl Fisher, WCPSS Director of Intervention/Prevention Services will speak to parents 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 24 at Martin Street Baptist Church, 1001 East Martin Street, Raleigh. Connelly and Fisher will talk about Focused Intervention/ Prevention Strategies, Personal Education Plans, Accelerated Activities, Student Retention Notices and Testing/Retesting Opportunities. The talk is sponsored by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for African American Children. For more information, contact Calla Wright at 231-9057 or cccaac@nc.rr. com
NC STATE YOUTH PROGRAMS & CAMPS INFORMATION FAIR
NC State University Office of Pre-college Programs holds its annual Youth Programs & Camps Information Fair at 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25 at the McKimmon Center on NC State's campus. The fair gives students and parents an opportunity to explore the NC State University programs and camps offered for school age children ages 5 to 18. Opportunities range from aeronautics to wrestling and basketball to creative writing. To learn more about NC State Youth Programs & Camps Fair, visit www.ncsu.edu/ precollege or Contact Tracy Appling-Biel, NCSU Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs at tabiel@gw.fis.ncsu.edu
2007 CAROLINA PARENT CAMP & EDUCATION FAIR
Families can visit the 2007 Carolina Parent Camp and Education Fair 12 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11 at Cary Academy, 1500 N. Harrison Avenue in Cary. The fair will feature more than 100 exhibitors representing education, track-out, camp and summer programs available around the country. Explore a wide array of exhibitors, including residential camps, local day camps, academic summer programs, athletic summer programs, teen adventure programs, fine art programs and more. Admission is free. For more information on the Camp & Education Fair, call 956-2430.
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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