School Connection

November 4, 2004

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.


WCPSS MAGNET FAIR SET FOR NOV. 6
The Magnet Fair, which takes place on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Southeast Raleigh High, offers parents and students a chance to explore WCPSS's wide variety of magnet school programs. Information about magnet school transportation, the application process, and individual magnet school open houses and information sessions will be available. Magnet school information is on the web at http://www.wcpss.net/magnet/

MORE THAN 400 ATTEND SIX COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS
More than 400 people attended six community engagement meetings WCPSS held during October to discuss managing the growth of student enrollment, plans for opening new schools and the resulting student assignment. Associate Superintendent Don Haydon and Dr. Ramey Beavers reviewed plans to open the new Cedar Fork Elementary and two elementary modular schools next year. Participants had a chance to share their ideas for managing growth in breakout sessions. Their comments, answers to questions they raised and their survey responses on the meetings can be reviewed at http://www.wcpss.net/growth-management/community-engagement/2004/

A second round of meetings will be held this month to discuss:

Meetings will be held


Cutting the ribbon are Mayor Boyd, Principal Connelly, Commissioner Bryan, Board member Watson Quigg and Area Asst. Superintendent Barnes.

Meetings start at 7 p.m.

RIBBON CUTTING HELD FOR KNIGHTDALE HIGH

More than 100 people gathered for the ribbon cutting at Wake County's newest high school, Knightdale High, Oct. 29, shortly before a football game and school dance. Principal Marvin Connelly led ceremonies in the school's auditorium. He presented a jersey to Knightdale Mayor Doug Boyd and recognized the school's faculty. County Commissioner Joe Bryan and Board of Education member Kathryn Watson Quigg offered congratulations. The school chorus and band provided music. Connelly was joined by Bryan, Quigg, Boyd and Area Assistant Superintendent Danny Barnes in cutting the ribbon to ceremonially open the new school.

Classes began August 10 at Knightdale High for 695 ninth- and tenth-graders. Juniors will be added next year and seniors in 2006. The three-story design of the school is a prototype that is being reused at Panther Creek High School, under construction and due to open in 2006.

BOARD RECEIVES PROPOSED CALENDARS FOR 2005-2006 AND 2006-2007
At its Oct. 19 meeting, the Board of Education received proposed calendars for traditional, year-round and modified calendar schools for the next two years. The calendars reflect the input of the 34-member calendar committee, which met Sept. 29. The calendars follow all parameters of the state's new calendar law.

For the traditional calendar: In 2005-2006, the first day for students is August 25, and last day June 9. Winter break is Dec. 23 - Jan. 2 and Spring break is March 27-31. The second quarter ends Jan. 20. In 2006-2007, the first day for students is August 25, the last day June 8. Winter break is Dec. 22 - Jan. 1 and Spring break is April 6-13. The second quarter ends Jan. 19.

For the year-round calendar: A year-round calendar committee met to review input from parents and staff and to review drafts of year-round calendars. The committee reviewed parameters for calendar development, annual testing dates, and inclement weather make-up days. In 2005-2006, the first day of school is July 11 and the last day is June 2. For track four, the first day will be August 1 and the last day June 30. Winter break is Dec. 21 - Jan. 1. In 2006-2007, the first day of school is July 10 and the last day is June 6. For track four, the first day will be July 31 and the last day June 29. Winter break is Dec. 22 - Jan. 1.

For the modified calendar: The modified instructional calendar combines features of the traditional and year-round calendars. The first semester is similar to track 4 of the year-round calendar and second semester is similar to track 1. The calendar provides a summer break of approximately seven weeks. Holidays for students closely match typical holidays of the traditional calendar. Plans are for this calendar to be used at Southeast Raleigh High School, Centennial Campus Middle School, Moore Square Middle School, Carver Elementary School, and Partnership Elementary School. In 2005-2006, the first day for students is July 25, and last day May 26. Winter break is Dec. 19 - Jan. 2 and Spring break is March 20-31. In 2006-2007, the first day for students is July 26, the last day May 25. Winter break is Dec. 20 - Jan. 5 and Spring break is March 26 -April 9.

The board will consider approving the calendars at its meeting Nov. 9.

USA TODAY HONORS MILLBROOK HIGH TEACHER
USA Today named Millbrook High teacher Lindy Poling one of the 20 teachers from across the nation on their All-USA Teacher First Team. Poling has been a history teacher at Millbrook High School since 1984. She has earned honors in Wake County and across the country for her Community-in-the-Classroom approach to studying history and her class, Lessons of Vietnam/Recent International Relations. Poling received a trophy and check for $2,500 for her school. USA Today recognized teachers for their vision, creativity and ability to inspire the best in their students. Winners are selected from hundreds of nominees by two panels of educators. USA Today states that teachers named to its First Team have the ability to transform students into lifelong learners. And in educating students, these teachers ultimately improve their communities.

EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARDS PRESENTED
The Board of Education recognized nine Wake County school employees with WCPSS Employee Excellence Awards.

The Employee Excellence Awards were presented to Catherine Carcich, Teacher Assistant, Millbrook High; Izetta Hawkins, Bus Driver, Cary Transportation; Tina Hoots, Assistant Principal, Wake Forest-Rolesville High; Jacquie Jeffers, Media Specialist, Zebulon Middle; Denise Jones, Teacher, East Wake Middle; James Lassiter, Area Facilities Manager, General Services; Linda Main, Lead Secretary, Aversboro Elementary; Carolyn Moss-Kelly, Head Custodian, Dillard Drive Elementary; and Louise Perk, Media Assistant, Wiley Elementary

The Employee Excellence Awards were created to recognize Wake County school employees for their hard work in providing one of the country's top-performing school districts. Employees are nominated for the honor and selected by a committee established by Assistant Superintendent Maurice Boswell. At the board meeting, Superintendent Bill McNeal presented the employees to the board. McNeal awarded the employees a plaque as Boswell described the employees' achievements.

BOARD OF ELECTIONS REPORTS ON STUDENT ELECTION ASSISTANTS AND POLL WORKERS
WCPSS high school students worked at the polls Nov. 2. Melinda Stephani, WCPSS Senior Administrator for Social Studies, reports that more than 140 students worked election day polls, either as 17-year old Student Election Assistants or full-fledged poll workers. High School students from 15 high schools participated. Leading the way were Sanderson High and Enloe High, each with 20 students participating. Other schools with high numbers of students participating were Wakefield High with 18, Middle Creek High with 13 and East Wake High with 11. Reports from the Wake County Board of Elections employee charged to oversee this program, Natalie Tennant, said that the chief judges in the various precincts reported lots of compliments about these 17- and 18-year-old workers. This program was promoted through the social studies departments in each high school who also worked this spring to register nearly 4,000 students to vote in this election.

BROUGHTON HIGH MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Broughton High's 75th Anniversary Celebration continues all year and several special events have taken place this fall. The premier showing of "Stone by Stone," a documentary of the history of Broughton produced by Brian Martin, a Broughton teacher and graduate, was a big success! Approximately 500 people attended the two showings on Oct. 28. Nancy Carty and some of her art students produced a beautiful calendar in honor of this special year. At Broughton's Hall of Fame inductions on Oct. 29, the school welcomed back honorees, their families and friends. The homecoming crowd was huge and many alumni returned for the barbecue dinner, homecoming football game, and the reception after the game. At half time the school had a birthday cake and the audience sang "Happy Birthday to Broughton." Carol Allen and Tom Hamilton, who are currently teaching at Broughton and who are also Broughton alumni, serve as co-chairs of the 75th Anniversary committee. The anniversary events were a lot of fun! The 75th anniversary will culminate on Saturday, May 7 when the school will host a big anniversary celebration.

BOARD APPROVES BROUGHTON FIELD TRIP TO GUATEMALA
At its Oct. 19 meeting, the Board of Education approved a field trip by students from Broughton High School to Antigua, Guatemala. Students participating will be representative of grades 9-12. Approximately 15 students will participate and 5 chaperones. Students will depart from Raleigh Nov. 20, and return Nov. 27. Only two days of school will be missed as this is over the Thanksgiving break. Students will study Spanish one-on-one with a native speaker and be immersed in Spanish language and Guatemalan culture. The students will tour historic Mayan ruins and volunteer at a children's center. The cost per student will be approximately $1,250.00. Individual students will bear the cost of the trip themselves. Students who cannot afford the full cost will have their trip subsidized by fundraisers.


Safety Officer Jan Parker of the Raleigh Fire Department makes sure Sherrod Tucker is comfortable in his new booster seat.

LIGON CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY
Ligon Middle School has celebrated the school's 50th anniversary with a series of activities that began at the end of October. The school held a ribbon cutting for the new $7 million art wing Oct. 29. The ceremony featured performances by student performing arts groups, an Alumni/Student chorus and Ligon alumni Chuck Davis's African American Dance Ensemble. The school also displayed pictures and memorabilia from its past 50 years. During half time ceremonies at the Oct. 27 football game, the school paid tribute to Pete Williams, Ligon High School's first coach and honored the school's former athletes. The school will continue to celebrate its anniversary. A schedule of activities is available at http://ligon.wcpss.net/home/anniversary_schedule.html

BOOSTER SEAT LAW GOES INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1
Joyner Elementary students received trick or treat bags with information about the state's new booster seat law when Darrell Jernigan of the Governor's Highway Safety Program and state lawmakers visited the school Oct. 29. The new law increases the transportation safety, requiring a booster seat for children up to age 8 or weighing less than 80 pounds. This will better protect youngsters as they make the transition from car seats to adult seat belts. Jan Parker of the Raleigh Fire Department presented a booster seat to a kindergartner and helped install the seat in his parent's car and made sure he fit safely in it. The state plans to provide low-cost seats to qualified North Carolina families with supplies of the seats arriving in January. More information on booster seats can be found at http://www.buckleupnc.org

CALENDAR

Nov. 6

10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Magnet Fair at Southeast Raleigh High

Nov. 8

Community Engagement Meeting - 7 p.m. at Sanderson High

Nov. 9

2 p.m., Committee of the Whole; 4 p.m., Board of Education meeting

Nov. 9

Community Engagement Meeting - 7 p.m. at Wakefield High

Nov. 10

Community Engagement Meeting -7 p.m. at Green Hope High

Nov. 11

Holiday for Veterans Day

Nov. 16

Community Engagement Meeting - 7 p.m. at Garner High

Nov. 17

12 p.m., Board of Education luncheon meeting with County Commissioners

Nov. 17

2 p.m. Board of Education Facilities Committee meets

Nov. 17

3:30 p.m., Board of Education Community Relations Committee meets

Nov. 17

Community Engagement Meeting - 7 p.m. at Holly Ridge Middle

Nov. 18

Community Engagement Meeting - 7 p.m. at Knightdale High

Nov. 18

6 p.m., Principal of the Year Celebration at Exploris Museum, 201 E. Hargett

Nov. 22

2 p.m., Committee of the Whole; 4 p.m., Board of Education meeting

Nov. 25/26

Holidays for Thanksgiving

Dec. 4

8:30 a.m. registration begins for WCPSS Fall Teacher Job Fair

You can find more information on school events at http://www.wcpss.net/Calendars

School Connection 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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