School Connection
Dec. 12, 2003
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.
189 WCPSS TEACHERS EARN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
A record-setting 189 teachers from the Wake County Public
School System earned certification from the National Board
of Professional Teaching Standards this year. The 189 teachers
earning National Board certification were the most of any
school district in the North Carolina, which led the nation
in the number of teachers earning certification. North Carolina
had 1,509 teachers earn certification this year bringing the
state total to 6,646 during the program's nine-year history
Salem Elementary had 10 teachers earn certification this year,
the largest number of any WCPSS school. There were 59 high
school teachers earning certification, including eight at
Millbrook High and 52 middle school teachers including seven
at Durant Road Middle.
BOARD MEMBERS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE
Five Wake County Board of Education members - two newly elected
and three returning - were sworn into office at the Dec. 2
Board of Education meeting. Susan Parry, Beverley Clark and
Rosa Gill returned to the board. Ron Margiotta and Carol Parker
are newly elected board members. Board members are elected
to four-year terms of office.
WCPSS HOLDS FALL TEACHER RECRUITING FAIR
More than 550 people visited the 2003 Fall Job Fair at Wakefield
Middle School Saturday (Dec. 6). Jobseekers brought their
resumes and were able to review WCPSS job openings and interview
for current vacancies and jobs that will open next fall. There
were 420 licensed teachers seeking employment information.
While 85 percent of the candidates were from North Carolina,
job seekers from 20 different states investigated WCPSS teaching
opportunities. They came from states along the east coast
from Florida to Maine, and from as far away as California.
The school system signed letter of intent forms with 11 prospects
including six elementary candidates, three math candidates
and two special education candidates. WCPSS Teacher Recruiter
Diane Kent-Parker said the fair drew a number of candidates
in critical needs areas, but special education, math, science,
English-as-a-second-language and foreign language teachers
are needed. She said candidates were experienced and ready
to go to work. Nearly two-thirds of the candidates were ready
to start work in January and 39 percent had masters degrees
or higher. More than 300 volunteers from the schools and central
office took part in the event where 100 WCPSS schools were
represented. Kent Parker said school principals complimented
the fair for being well-organized and job seekers described
the fair as 'awesome' and 'a great opportunity to network
with administrators.'
FACILITIES COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PRIORITY NEEDS
The Facilities Committee met Tuesday (Dec. 9) to discuss how
existing school needs were prioritized and how preliminary
programs were developed for the PLAN 2004 building program.
At the next meeting, Jan. 13, the committee will include a
review of the process for determining need for new schools,
and the process for acquiring sites for new schools
BOARD APPROVES DESIGN CONSULTANT AGREEMENT
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Board of Education approved a design
consultant agreement with Skinner, Lamm and Highsmith, PA
for PLAN 2004 renovations at North Garner Middle School.
BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Board of Education approved construction
documents for renovations at one high school and construction
of a new high school.
--The board approved documents designed by Jill B. Smith for
the PLAN 2000 dining addition at Wake Forest Rolesville High
School.
--The board approved documents designed by Cherry Huffman
Architects, PA for the PLAN 2004 Holly Springs High School,
which is a reuse of the prototype for Wakefield High, Green
Hope High and Middle Creek High. The Town of Holly Springs
is committing $350,000 and Wake County Parks is committing
$250,000 for amenities to sports fields that will be bid alternates.
BOARD APPROVES SCHEMATIC DESIGNS FOR SCHOOL RENOVATIONS
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Board of Education approved schematic
designs for renovations at Daniels Middle School and Ligon
Middle School.
--The board approved design documents prepared by Cline Design
Associates, PA for the PLAN 2000 construction of a bus loop
and parking lot at Daniels Middle School.
--The board approved design documents prepared by Pearce Brinkley
Cease + Lee PA for the PLAN 2004 renovations at Ligon Middle
School.
BOARD APPROVES MASTER PLAN FOR NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Board of Education approved master
plan documents prepared by Boney, PLLC for the PLAN 2004 elementary
school to be built near Brier Creek. The master plan includes
the location of the school with an attached gym and park components
for the City of Raleigh.
CLEAN SCHOOLS, SAFE KIDS FORUM
The Wake County Public School System was the focus of the
Clean Schools, Safe Kids Forum, Nov. 19, at Carroll Middle
School. WCPSS staff shared how the school system's integrated
pest management (IPM) program helps safeguard children's health
and environmental quality.
"Spraying is a thing of the past here, but it's still the norm across the rest of the state," said Fawn Pattison, executive director of the Agricultural Resources Center/ Pesticide Education Project. "The Wake County school system really deserves a lot of recognition - they're ahead of the rest of the state."
Superintendent Bill McNeal and his administrative cabinet endorsed a new pest management policy for Wake County schools, Nov. 13. The policy states: The Auxiliary Services Division shall implement and adhere to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to control structural, harmful and nuisance pests on school properties while minimizing exposure of children, faculty and citizens to pesticides and other chemical materials.
"The idea is to only use pesticides if other methods aren't successful," said Buddy McCarty, Environmental Health and Safety supervisor. "Pesticides are a last resort."
SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS AWARDS
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Board of Education recognized 12
students with Spotlight on Students awards. The honored students
included Sherly Perez of Swift Creek Elementary, Adam Meyer
of Ligon Middle, Jerome Lee Jones of Zebulon Elementary, Karalyn
Deroche of Timber Drive Elementary, Raymond Michael Carter
of Rand Road Elementary, Lindsay Erin Lombardi of Reedy Creek
Middle, Eleesha Lapino of Jeffreys Grove Elementary, Eric
Dodoo of Wake Forest Rolesville High, Tyler Womble of Apex
Elementary, Reina Lemus of Baucom Elementary, Shana Tomlinson
of Phillips High, and Corrie Ann Swanson of Sanderson High.
PIECES OF GOLD PERFORMERS SELECTED
More than 800 students representing 27 WCPSS schools have
been selected to perform in the 2004 Pieces of Gold. Groups
from 60 schools auditioned at Southeast Raleigh High Nov.
19-20 to be in the 21st annual show March 18, at the BTi Center
for the Performing Arts. Pieces of Gold is an annual arts
extravaganza produced by the WCPSS and Wake Education Partnership.
schools selected for this year's program include:
--Elementary Schools: Ballentine, Briarcliff, Combs, Conn,
Farrington Woods, Fuller, Fuquay-Varina, Hilburn, Joyner,
Lacy, Northwoods, Pleasant Union, Powell, Washington, Wendell,
Yates Mill.
--Middle Schools: Carroll, Daniels, Dillard, Fuquay-Varina,
Ligon, Martin.
--High Schools: Broughton, Enloe, Middle Creek, Southeast
Raleigh, Wake Forest-Rolesville.
POE STUDENTS WALK IN FEELIN' GOOD MILAGE CLUB
At Poe Montessori Magnet Elementary school a walking program
has been started called the "Feelin' Good Mileage Club."
Every morning from 8:35 - 9:05, three students from each classroom
have the opportunity to get outside and be active. The PE
teacher, Seth Palmer supervises them while they walk or run
their laps. Each lap they complete is added up. The PTA president,
Robin Oke, tallies the mileage up and posts these results
each week on a bulletin board at the entrance of the school
for all to see. The overall school goal is to reach Athens
Greece over 5, 000 miles away, where the 2004 Olympic games
are being held. Each class keeps track of their laps and receives
a small plastic foot for their room after every five miles
that they complete. Classroom teachers have schedules of when
each student will be walking and each classroom has their
own unique way of showing off their feet! This program was
set up with the help of the PTA and their funding. The kids
love it and they are learning the positive effects that exercise
can have on both your mind and body!
BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2004 GROUNDHOG JOB SHADOW
DAY
Thousands of Wake County students will be introduced to the
career paths that will help them enter the workforce of the
21st century during the seventh annual Groundhog Job Shadow
Day, to be held on Friday, January 30, 2004. The Wake County
Public School System's School-to-Career Council, in association
with Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina, is actively
recruiting businesses to host students in 2004. Last year
more than 5,000 Wake County students benefited from a job
shadowing experience with a local business. More information
is available at http://www.wcpss.net/news/2004-job-shadow/
INSIDE THE NEWS
The US Department of Education reports "How Educating America's Students Can Be Based on Science"
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports "Gov. Easley Unveils New N.C. School Report Cards" and "Gov. Easley Announces Number One Rankings For N.C. Teachers"
The Beacon of LEARN NC reports on education
Time Warner News 14 reports School News
CNN reports on education
The National School Board Association reports the School Board News
CALENDAR
|
Dec. 16 |
2 p.m. Committee of the whole meeting; 4 p.m. Board of Education meeting |
|
Dec. 17 |
12 p.m. County Commissioners and Board of Education luncheon at county offices, 337 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh |
|
Dec. 17 |
2 p.m., Program Committee Meeting-Board Conference Room |
|
Dec 18 |
5 p.m. Healthy Schools Task Force Meeting-Webster Center |
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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