School Connection
February 6, 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.
BROUGHTON STUDENT FINALISTS FOR TWO SCHOLARSHIPS
Katherine Anne Evans of Broughton High has been named a finalist
for the Morehead and Park scholarships, two of the most prestigious
awards for North Carolina high school seniors.
SIX WCPSS STUDENTS NAMED MOREHEAD FINALISTS
Six Wake County high school seniors were among 60 North Carolina
students named finalists for 2004 Morehead Awards to the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The students include Roby Chatterji of. Sanderson High; Katherine
Anne Evans of Broughton High; Grant Miser of Apex Senior High;
Heloisa De Lima Nogueira of Wakefield High; Erin O'Quinn of
Enloe High; and Megan Tooley of Green Hope High
Foundation trustees will offer awards to approximately 40 students. Winners will be announced March 5. The Morehead Scholarship pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study, including the costs of a laptop computer and four summer enrichment experiences. The award is valued at approximately $72,000 for each North Carolina student
This year's selection process began last fall, when 1,298 North Carolina students were nominated by their high schools or applied for the Morehead.
SEVEN WCPSS STUDENTS NAMED PARK FINALISTS
Seven Wake County high school seniors were among 96 students
as finalists for the Park Scholarships for fall 2004. The
Park Scholarships pay all expenses for four years of study
at NC State, and include a stipend for each student to purchase
a personal computer and peripherals.
The students include Carla June Ammons of Garner Senior High; Rachel Anne Babson of Cary High; Ronald Ray Burton of Wakefield High; Katherine Anne Evans of Broughton High; Amber Danielle Gaither of Enloe High; Warren Maurice Perry of Southeast Raleigh High; and Erik Michael Sink of Enloe High.
The scholarships are valued at $52,000 for North Carolina residents. Scholarship recipients, selected from among the finalists, will be announced this spring.
Selection criteria for the merit-based Park Scholarships include academic achievement; personal characteristics such as character, integrity and motivation; exceptional leadership potential; and commitment to the betterment of one's community.
BOARD DISCUSSES INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, the Board of Education reviewed
the use of inclement weather days. The six inclement weather
days built into the school calendar were all used after winter
weather and icy road conditions canceled school for four days
in late January. In case of additional severe weather, the
board made May 28, April 12, June 1, June 2 and June 3 as
make-up days for traditional calendar schools. School administrators
noted that if the June days are required, high school graduation
dates have already been set and the make-up days would not
affect seniors.
Students at traditional calendar schools will go to school Feb. 13 and 16 and March 15 and 16 to make up for inclement weather days Jan. 26-29. Year-round schools will make up the days Jan. 31, Feb. 7, March 6 and March 27. Modified calendar schools will make up the days Feb. 16, March 8, April 8 and May 28.
PUBLIC HEARINGS SET FOR GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL
At the Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting for the Board of Education,
Superintendent Bill McNeal said the dates have been set for
public hearings on the growth management proposal that is
due for presentation to the board next month. McNeal said
hearings will be held Wednesday, March 17 at East Wake High
and Green Hope High. Speaker sign-up begins March 3.
COMMENTS BEING ACCEPTED ON GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL
Parents are continuing to offer suggestions on the growth
management proposal made public Jan. 21. The proposal was
developed following a series of community meetings in the
fall. WCPSS Growth Management has extended the deadline to
Monday, Feb. 9 for parents to provide suggestions. They can
leave comments on the Growth Management hotline at 501-7998,
e-mail information to studentassignment@wcpss.net or write
Growth management, Wake County Public School System, 3600
Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.
The input will be used in refining the proposal for presentation to the Board of Education in March. The board will hold public hearings and work sessions on the proposal before they vote on a plan in late March/early April.
NEW SCHOOLS INFORMATION
Information about the seven new schools opening in 2004-2005
is available at wcpss.net The website includes information
about principals and the schools. Principals have been named
for six of the schools. Five schools are under construction.
Two are being used as swing space, housing other school populations
while their facilities are being renovated. Students from
Wake Forest Elementary are currently housed at Jones Dairy
and students from Apex Middle are housed at Salem Middle.
The website is located at http://www.wcpss.net/2004_new_schools
MAGNET APPLICATION TIME NEARS
Parents who want to apply for their children to attend a magnet
school for 2004-2005 need to submit an application on line
or by mail post marked Feb. 7-18. The applications can be
submitted any time during the 11 days. Applications will be
available online at www.wcpss.net or forms can be picked up
at schools or the WCPSS Customer Service Center at 3600 Wake
Forest Road.
There are several questions being asked about applying. The student assignment proposal assigns some students to magnet and year-round schools. Siblings of students continuing at a magnet school are assigned to that school. In both cases, parents should still submit an application during Feb. 7-18. Magnet schools are holding open house through Feb. 11. For more information contact the Magnet school office at 501-7900 or visit http://www.wcpss.net/magnet Applicants will receive a response by late April.
COMBS ELEMENTARY HONORED
Combs Elementary has been asked to participate in the 12th
Annual Model Schools Conference June 25-28 in Washington,
D.C. held by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the
Council of Chief State School Officers and the International
Center for Leadership in Education. The conference seeks to
present schools that are among the best in the nation in having
all students complete a rigorous and relevant curriculum and
provide their leaders a chance to share their stories. Principal
Muriel Summers has been asked to talk about Combs' focus on
leadership and instruction using the concepts Stephen Covey
teaches in his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People." You can read more about the conference at http://www.daggett.com/model_schools.html
EAST WAKE HIGH AWARDED SMALL SCHOOLS GRANT
East Wake High is one of the first schools in the state to
initiate small school concepts with help from the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation. Gov. Mike Easley visited East Wake
Thursday (Feb. 5) to announce the first grants in the state's
New Schools Project, a high school reform effort supported
by an $11 million, five-year grant from the Gates Foundation.
East Wake will develop separate, small-scale academy for about 400 students with a health focus. The academy concept should engage students in ways that large, traditional high schools often cannot. The Gates Foundation has touted reducing the size of high schools as a way to boost academics and reduce dropouts.
The Academy will provide avenues for students to excel in university and community college programs by encouraging students to take a more rigorous curriculum. This elevated academic preparation will ease students' transition into the work force while preparing them for exciting and financially rewarding careers.
Superintendent McNeal said East Wake High will enter into a partnership with WakeMed to start the academy. McNeal said the New Schools Project grant will provide funds and access to research to help in planning the academy.
HEALTHY SCHOOLS TASK FORCE PREPARING REPORT
The 28 members of the Healthy Schools Task Force were praised
by Superintendent Bill McNeal and Board of Education Chair
Susan Parry at the board's Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting. Parry
congratulated Dick Daugherty and Dudley Flood who co-chaired
the task force for finishing their meetings Jan. 29. Parry
said a report is pending from the task force, one of several
reports the board has received to help create a system of
healthy schools. McNeal said the task force did an exceptional
job. He praised their efforts at synthesizing a great deal
of information and hammering out each recommendation.
GARNER PREPARES FOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
A breakfast kick off for the new International Baccalaureate
Program being established at three WCPSS schools in Garner
was held Feb. 3 at Garner Senior High. Amy White, Wake County
Board of Education District 2 member, and Garner Mayor Sam
Bridges talked with Garner business leaders about the new
program being established at schools in Garner.
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme will be offered to all students at East Garner Middle School, North Garner Middle School and ninth and tenth graders at Garner Senior High. Garner Senior High will offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Some important dates for the Garner IB schools:
Feb. 3 and 11, 9 am and 12 pm open houses at
· East Garner Middle School, 6301 Jones Sausage Road,
Garner, NC 27529
· North Garner Middle School, 720 Powell Drive, Garner,
NC 27529
Feb. 5, 7 pm, open house at
· Garner Senior High School, 2101 Spring Drive, Garner,
NC 27529
Feb. 7-18
· Magnet, year-round application period
BOARD REVIEWS ALTERNATIVE REVENUE PROPOSALS
In the Tuesday (Feb. 3) committee of the whole meeting, the
Board of Education reviewed recommendations from the finance
committee for alternative revenue sources. The Finance Committee
had recommended seven areas for review including
· Exclusive system wide contracts with vendors;
· Rebates from retailers;
· Naming rights for buildings, classrooms or facilities;
· Advertising and corporate sponsorships;
· Leases with telecom companies;
· Consolidating purchases to leverage purchasing power;
and
· Make available access to WCPSS professional expertise,
systems knowledge and professional development services.
Deputy Superintendent Del Burns said businesses, vendors and other school systems were polled to determine their interests in participating. Board members asked staff to determine if benchmark school districts were selling naming rights and to give further consideration to advertising and corporate sponsorships; leases with telecom companies; consolidating purchases; and making available professional advice. The board agreed not to further pursue exclusive system wide contracts with vendors or rebates from retailers.
MAINTENANCE EXCELLENCE INITIATIVES
At the Board of Education's Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, Joe
Desormeaux, senior director of Maintenance and Operations,
discussed the department's improved service to schools since
adopting Maintenance Excellence initiatives last spring. M&O
established a regional maintenance program, reorganized its
structure, and implemented an integrated, computerized work
order system (MAXIMO). With the help of consultants, the department
performed a facilities assessment, inventoried equipment,
assessed maintenance operating procedures and developed a
strategic plan for improvement.
The regional maintenance program established satellite maintenance locations at existing schools. On average, four employees maintain a cluster of five to seven schools, with four or five clusters making up a region.
"The program is a success because it brings the workforce closer to the work - quickening response times - and improves communications with the schools," Desormeaux said. Currently, four maintenance regions - north, south, east and west - are up and running, with the final, central region getting underway this month.
By the middle of last fiscal year, M&O reorganized its structure by cross-training employees, combining trades, and reducing the number of job titles. M&O developed new job descriptions and a career matrix, which shows the steps in job advancement.
Since implementation of these initiatives, the number of monthly work orders completed increased nine percent; emergency work orders decreased by 16 percent; and average response time was reduced by 20 percent.
HIGH PERFORMANCE DESIGN GUIDELINES
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) committee of the whole meeting, the
Board of Education reaffirmed its commitment to incorporating
high performance features in school construction projects.
WCPSS is one of the first - and few - school systems in the
nation applying environmentally-friendly design guidelines
to its building programs.
Facility Planning Director Jyoti Sharma worked with the Triangle J Council of Governments to develop and release "High Performance Guidelines: Triangle Region Public Facilities," in Feb. 2001. Representing Durham, Orange and Wake counties, the Triangle J Council was one of the first to work across jurisdictional boundaries to write and adopt a uniform set of guidelines for designing, constructing and operating public buildings.
WCPSS currently has 18 new and major construction projects with distinctive high performance features.
Environmentally-friendly buildings have several names - green, high performance and sustainable - but all share the same goals: use energy, water, materials, and land resources sparingly; promote occupant health and productivity; be flexible enough to last a long time; and minimize negative effects on the community.
BOARD APPROVES DESIGN CONSULTANT AGREEMENTS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting, the Board of Education named
design consultants for two new elementary schools.
-The board approved Small Kane Architects, PA for the reuse
of the prototype used at Cedar Fork Elementary, Carpenter
Elementary and Forestville Elementary in a new PLAN 2004 elementary
school (E11), which will be located near the intersection
of Mitchell Mill Road and Forestville Road.
-The board approved Boney, PLLC for the modifications to and
reuse of the prototype used at Jeffrey's Grove Elementary
and Baileywick Elementary in a new PLAN 2004 elementary school
(Brier Creek Area Site - E16). The project also includes a
community center and park in conjunction with the City of
Raleigh.
BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, the Board of Education approved
the construction documents for the PLAN 2000 construction
of bus loop and parking renovations at Daniels Middle. The
board also approved construction documents for the PLAN 2000
renovations of Northwoods Elementary.
BOARD APPROVES SCHEMATIC DESIGN FOR MARTIN
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, the Board of Education approved
the schematic design documents prepared by Davis Kane Architects,
P.A. for the PLAN 2004 construction of Martin Middle addition
and renovations.
BOARD AWARDS CONTRACT FOR GYM RENOVATION
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, the Board of Education awarded
the general contract to Scotia Construction, Inc. in the amount
of $724,000; award of the plumbing contract to Keen Plumbing
Company in the amount of $47,798; award of the mechanical
contract to Central Heating & Air Conditioning of Kinston,
Inc. in the amount of $189,470; and award of the electrical
contract to Electrical Maintenance and Services, Inc. (EMSCO)
in the amount of $259,000 for the gymnasium renovation at
Wendell Elementary.
APPOINTMENTS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, the Board of Education named
Craig Matthews principal of Jones Dairy Year-round Elementary
School. Matthews has served as principal of Wake Forest Elementary
since 1996. Before that, he worked as an assistant principal
at Durant Road Middle for two years, assistant principal of
Durant Road Elementary for one year, and a teacher at Martin
Middle for 13 years.
The board named Lisa Cruz assistant principal at Lincoln Heights Elementary. Cruz has worked as a teacher at the WCPSS Bridges Program since 1990.
BOARD RECOGNIZES STUDENTS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 3) meeting, the Board of Education recognized
17 students with Spotlight on Students Awards. The board recognized
Katherine Rodriguez of Carroll Middle, Damien Lavoie of Wakefield
High, Anna Estrada-Reyes of Centennial Middle, Chelsea Sumner
of Rolesville Elementary, Katie Zajovits of Oak Grove Elementary,
Kendall Dawson of Hilburn Elementary, Ivan Ramirez of Middle
Creek Elementary, Currin Paylor of Brooks Elementary, Kayla
McMillan of Baileywick Elementary, Kimbra McCargo of Partnership
Elementary, Dawn Shanae Privette of Carver Elementary, Rani
Patel of Adams Elementary, Joshua Reid of Fuller Elementary,
Jennifer Godsey of Martin Middle, Christopher Seamon of Green
Hope High, Aijalon Langston of Fox Road Elementary, and Brian
Grimes of Broughton High.
CALENDAR
|
Feb. 7-18 |
Magnet application acceptance period |
|
Feb. 7 & 8 |
Visit the WCPSS Project Enlightenment booth at the NBC 17 Health and Fitness Fair, Raleigh Convention Center |
|
Feb. 10 |
12:30 p.m. board of Education Facilities Committee, Board Conference Room |
|
Feb. 10 |
2 p.m. Board of Education Community Relations Committee-Board Conference Room |
|
Feb. 10 |
10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Elementary magnet school open house* |
|
Feb. 11 |
9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Middle magnet school open house* |
|
Feb. 17 |
2 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting, Board Conference Room; 4 p.m. Board of Education meets, Board Room |
|
Feb. 18 |
12 p.m. Board of Education/County Commissioners luncheon |
|
Feb. 20 |
Groundhog Shadow Day activities to be held |
|
Feb. 20 |
American Association of School Administrators announce 2004 National Superintendent of the Year at their conference in San Francisco |
*These events were re-scheduled to these dates due to this week's inclement weather. More information at http://www.wcpss.net/magnet
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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