January 30, 2012

Top News

Board Receives Update on Initial Magnet Results

In a Jan. 24 work session, the school board heard that demand for magnet schools remains strong, with more than twice as many magnet applications submitted as seats available for 2012-13.

The school system received more than 4,200 magnet school applications. 1,865 were selected for seats in magnet schools. Another 1,808 rising sixth- and ninth-grade magnet students, who otherwise would have applied, were pre-assigned to magnet schools following their feeder pattern. 2,671 were put on a waitlist for their first choice and will be placed as spaces open before the start of the 2012-13 school year.

"Although this is a year of change for all of our schools, when we look at the data we see many signs that the magnet program is healthy and robust in Wake County," said James Overman, the Student Assignment Task Force leader. "We had the highest number of parents at the magnet fair in recent years, good attendance in the open houses and tours, and most importantly a good number of applications and high interest in all the programs. The vast majority of our magnet schools have waitlists."

Overman said the task force will monitor factors such as seat allocation targets for magnet and proximity seats, evaluating the popularity of programs, and surveying the community to identify high-demand programming themes for the future to keep the magnet program healthy.

You can read more about 2012-13 magnet results here.

Board Receives Update on Hiring Freeze

Assistant Superintendent Stephen Gainey reviewed the hiring freeze put in place on Jan. 10 with the school board at its Jan. 24 work session. The freeze applies to all central services and school-based positions with the exception of principal, bookkeeper, NCWISE data manager, and lead secretary positions for the 2012-2013 school year.

The school system will face several funding challenges for the 2012-13 school year including the expiration of the federal EduJobs funds and forecasted state budget reductions.   

The freeze was put into place to manage WCPSS contractual/employment obligations for the 2012-13 school year prior to the school system receiving definitive budget information.  As the budget picture becomes clearer, the hiring freeze will be adjusted to the greatest extent possible to promote hiring flexibility.

Board Receives Update on New Common Core Standards and Math

At its Jan. 24 work session, the school board received an update on changes coming for math. The changes are the result of a State Board of Education decision in 2010 to adopt the Common Core Standards to replace the State Standard Course of Study. The changes will impact the way middle and high school math courses are organized and assessed. You can view the discussion online here and read more about the Common Core Standards here.

More News

Parent Information Sessions Scheduled for Rolesville Middle

Principal Dhedra Lassiter held the first in a series of information sessions on the new Rolesville Middle School at Sanford Creek Elementary on Jan. 26. Two more sessions will be held at area elementary schools:

• Mon., Jan. 30th at 6 p.m. at River Bend ES (6710 Perry Creek Road, Raleigh)
• Tues., Jan. 31st at 6:30 pm at Rolesville ES (307 S. Main Street, Rolesville)

The new middle school will open for the 2012-13 school year

Update on School Choice Selection Process

At the school board work session Jan. 24, Student Assistant Task Force leader James Overman said 10,311 families have signed on to the new student assignment website as of Jan. 24 and selected at least one choice. 4,935 of those families have incoming kindergartners. WCPSS expects to enroll more than 12,000 kindergartners next year.

School Choice Selection Process Is Underway

If you are a parent wanting to choose a new school for your child to attend next year, the new school choice selection process is underway and continues until Friday, Feb. 24. During that time, if you are new or returning to the school system, the parent of a rising kindergartner, or a parent who wants to change schools for next year, you may visit the student assignment website, investigate your options and make your choices. You can find more here.

Elementary Schools Plan Kindergarten Registration Events for Feb. 2

Many Wake County elementary schools are scheduling special events on Thursday, Feb. 2 for families who need to register and enroll their child to begin kindergarten in 2012-13.

In order to attend kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old on or before August 31 of the current school year.  In accordance with state law, gifted children who are age four by April 16 also will be considered for admission.

Please encourage families with children who will be in kindergarten this fall to register and enroll their child now. The school system moved registration and enrollment for kindergartners earlier this year to prepare families to participate in the school choice selection plan. We need everyone to help get the word out.

You can read more about kindergarten registration events here.

Mobile Enrollment Locations to Help Families Choose Schools

On the road and in communities around Wake County, the Wake County Public School System is rolling out help for families who need to enroll their children or choose a school for next year.

To assist families where we saw low response to previous student assignment tests, WCPSS is offering a number of mobile enrollment events where student assignment staff will provide computers and assistance in helping parents choose.

You can find a list of locations and more information about the mobile enrollment events here.

In addition to these mobile enrollment events, some larger-scale activities are scheduled:

• Thurs., Feb. 2, WCPSS Kindergarten Round-up: WCPSS elementary schools will hold a coordinated event inviting parents to tour their schools, pre-enroll, and make their choices.
• Sat., Feb. 4, Positive Youth Development Day, Tarboro Community Center, 121 N. Tarboro St., Raleigh: Principals and non-profit youth support organizations will gather to support families, with student assignment staff available to help with choice selection.
• Sat., Feb. 11, Education Summit - Early Childhood Learning, St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, 605 Bridge St., Fuquay-Varina: Parents will receive a broad range of information and assistance regarding pre-K and elementary education, with pre-enrollment opportunities provided by WCPSS student assignment staff.