SCHOOL CONNECTION
Feb. 7, 20032003 Goal: By 2003, 95 percent of students tested will be at or above grade level as measured by NC End-of-Grade testing at grades 3 and 8.
WAKE DROP OUT RATE DECREASES
The rate of students dropping out of the seventh to 12th-grades
in the Wake County Public School System fell to 2.34 percent,
lower than other metropolitan school systems in the state.
A report issued Tuesday (Feb. 4) by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction showed that Wake County's dropout rate for seventh to 12th grades fell from 3.07 percent in 1998-99 to 2.34 percent in 2001-2002. This is the lowest the WCPSS drop out rate has been since the state and school system began gathering the data in the early 1970s.
THREE WCPSS STUDENTS ARE FINALISTS FOR MOREHEAD
Three WCPSS students are among 68 North Carolina high school
seniors have been named finalists for 2003 Morehead Awards
to UNC-Chapel Hill, valued at $70,000 each. The WCPSS students
include Damian Anthony Cannon and Zachary Scott Clayton of
Broughton High School; and Ashmita Chatterjee of Sanderson
High School. The finalists will be interviewed in Chapel Hill
between March 1 and 4. The winners will be announced March
7. The John Motley Morehead Foundation trustees will offer
awards to about 40 students, who will have until mid-April
to accept.
The Morehead Awards pay all expenses for four years of undergraduate
study, including the purchase of a laptop computer and four
summer enrichment experiences. The summer programs are designed
to complement scholars' education with leadership and problem-solving
training. Criteria for the merit-based Morehead Awards are
academic achievement, leadership, moral force of character
and physical vigor.
FARMINGTON WOODS RECEIVES OFFICIAL IB AUTHORIZATION
Farmington Woods Elementary School in Cary has become the
first elementary school in North Carolina to be authorized
by the International Baccalaureate to offer the International
Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. The school joins an
elite group of 17 schools nationwide that have been authorized
to offer the program by the organization.
Farmington Woods began its journey to becoming an authorized International Baccalaureate School four years ago in 1999 when it began investigating a change from a traditional school to a magnet school, offering the Primary Years Programme.
WAKE ADMINISTRATORS RECOMMEND PROGRAMS
Wake County Public School System administrators recommended
Tuesday (Feb. 4) that three WCPSS schools in Garner become
magnet schools offering the International Baccalaureate program.
Associate Superintendent Jo Baker and Magnet Programs Senior Director Caroline Massengill outlined proposed program enhancements at the Board of Education Committee of the Whole meeting. Issues brought to the Committee of the Whole that require action will be on the board's agenda at the next regularly scheduled meeting two weeks later, and not the same day the committee hears the item.
Massengill said the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme would be offered to all students at East Garner Middle School, North Garner Middle School and ninth- and 10th-graders at Garner Senior High. Garner Senior High would also offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
The proposal would require Board of Education approval. Massengill said International Baccalaureate training programs for staff could begin at the schools as early as this spring. The schools would be required to train teachers and develop lesson plans that meet the standards of the International Baccalaureate program. Massengill said a year of planning would be required, and the program could be launched in the 2004-2005 school year.
MISS AMERICA VISITS WCPSS
Miss America 2003 Erika Harold talked with WCPSS students
at Southeast Raleigh High Wednesday (Feb. 5) about empowering
youth to stop violence and bullying. Harold told students
about the difficulties she had encountered. "In ninth
grade, I was the victim of pervasive and severe racial and
sexual harassment. I was incessantly called degrading names,
my home was vandalized numerous times, and vulgar songs were
sung about me during class. In many instances, teachers and
school officials were cognizant of the harassment and took
no steps to intervene. When I told one school official about
my classmates' discussions of their plans to pool their lunch
money together to buy a rifle to shoot me, he suggested that
my problems would be stymied if I would only be more submissive,
like the other girls." Harold encouraged students to
care for others - befriending those who are left out, sitting
in the lunchroom with those who sit apart, offering kind words
to others and creating civility in their school. She spent
time autographing pictures for students. In the evening, she
spoke to the public at the BTI Center where she was joined
by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper and student
performers from Moore Square Middle.
SUMMER CAMP FEES
At its Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting, the Board of Education approved
an increase from $100 per week to $125 per week in summer
camp fees. The increase in rates was needed to cover the costs
of the program.
BOARD APPROVES ADDITIONAL MAKE-UP DAYS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting, the Board of Education approved
additional inclement weather make-up days for traditional
and modified calendar schools. For traditional calendar schools,
the board approved extending the school year beyond May 29,
which is currently designated the last day of school. The
additional make up days include May 30, June 2, June 3, June
4 and June 5. For modified calendar schools, the board approved
May 26 as the first make-up day with additional days scheduled
to extend the school year beyond May 30. The additional make
up days include May 26, June 2, June 3, June 4 and June 5.
BOARD RENEWS DRIVING SCHOOL CONTRACT
At its Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting, the Board of Education renewed
the contract with Jordan Driving School, continuing the three-year
renewable contract issued to them in July 2001 for driver's
education training. The N.C. Department of Transportation
allocation funds the costs of WCPSS driver education.
BOARD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting, the Board of Education approved
construction documents for two middle schools. The board approved
documents prepared by Cherry Huffman Architects, PA for Apex
Middle additions and renovations, and documents prepared by
The Roberts Group for East Cary Middle additions and renovations.
GARNER HIGH STUDENT HONORED FOR VOLUNTEERING
Garner Senior High junior Shannon Stancil has been honored
by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide
program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Stancil was named one of North Carolina's top two youth volunteers
for 2003. As a state honoree, Stancil will receive $1,000,
an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C.,
in May where she will compete for national honors. Stancil
created "Operation Jean Teens," a community-wide
program that solicits donations of new and gently used clothing
and sports equipment for adolescent patients at a local mental
hospital. She explained the project to youth groups, recruited
volunteers and sought help from businesses.
Southeast Raleigh High junior Serena Jones was one of six other finalists recognized for their service work. Jones organized a fundraiser and special holiday program for special-needs students.
The awards program is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. More than 24,000 students submitted applications.
SANDERSON HIGH STUDENT SELECTED FOR LAW FORUM
Sanderson High student Erin Duber has been selected to participate
in the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law March 11-16
in Washington, D.C. Students have the opportunity to meet
professionals from some of the nation's top law firms, observe
the legal process in action at courthouses and interact with
faculty from renowned law schools. They test the fundamentals
of law through simulations and engage in debate over legal
issues. Students conduct a model Supreme Court hearing based
on an actual case. Participants learn court procedures and
apply them as they analyze and argue the constitutionality
of the issue at hand. Duber is one of 350 high school juniors
and seniors from across the U.S. who will attend this year's
forum.
BOARD RECOGNIZES SPOTLIGHT STUDENTS
At its Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting, the Board of Education recognized
17 students with its Spotlight on Students Award honoring
students for their outstanding achievements and accomplishments.
The board honored Molly Kuo of Adams Elementary, Zack Kraus
of Brooks Elementary, Wesley E. Davis of Baileywick Elementary,
Brett Meier of Fox Road Elementary, Julie Doran of Middle
Creek Elementary, Devante Mosley of Fuller Elementary, Andrew
Newcomb Tibbets of Hilburn Drive Elementary, Benjamin Reid
of Centennial Middle, Keeley Brooke Simmen of Wakefield High,
Karina McCorkle of Oak Grove Elementary, Joshua Lynn Standridge
of Broughton High, Lisa N. Allen of Green Hope High, Carolyn
Lewis of Rolesville Elementary, Nora Foegeding of Martin Middle,
Reba Le-Shae Hodge of Partnership Elementary, Samuel Kirk
of Carver Elementary and James Cross, Jr. of Philips High.
HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES STUDENTS
At the Tuesday (Feb. 4) Board of Education meeting, Cindy
Shelton of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County
congratulated six schools and 12 students in the "If
I Could Build A House" art contest. Students learn about
the building industry as they draw a home. Thirty-five schools
participated in this year's competition submitting drawings
from four of their students.
Shelton congratulated teachers Phyllis Leach of Baileywick Elementary, Martha Bassett of Combs Elementary, Debra Houck of Davis Drive Elementary, Susan Separk of Durant Road Elementary, Jim Hunt of Lincoln Heights Elementary, and Valerie Everett of Olive Chapel Elementary. The association presented $500 to each school's visual arts program for supplemental materials.
Shelton recognized students Eric Barnes of Wilburn Elementary; Katelyn N. Brevoort of Wakefield Elementary; Cameron Bryan, Robbie Finck, Meredith White and Kelly Williamson of Baileywick Elementary; Catherine Carter of Stough Elementary; Lara Funke of Hunter Elementary; Logan McAllister of Holly Springs Elementary; Jimi Payne of Durant Road Elementary; Maddy Rossie of Briarcliff Elementary; and Julian Simpson of Olds Elementary.
The student's artwork was displayed at Crabtree Valley Mall and in the News and Observer last month.
INSIDE THE NEWS
U.S. Department of Education reports "Paige Announces That All States Are on Track by Submitting No Child Left Behind Accountability Plans on Time"; "President Bush Requests $53.1 Billion -- a 5.6 Percent Increase -- for Education Department in 2004"
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports "Dropout Rate Decreases for Third Consecutive Year"
National Association of School Psychologists reports "Columbia
Tragedy, Uncertain Times" (Requires Acrobat Reader)
Education Week reports "With
Support, Teachers Would Stay Put, Report Finds";
and "Federal
Influence Over Curriculum Exhibits Growth"
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
|
Feb. 10, 12 p.m. |
Board of Education luncheon with Wake legislative delegation |
|
Feb. 10-11 |
Emerging Issues Forum at NC State University |
|
Feb. 11 |
Board of Education committee meetings: Policy at 12:30 p.m. Community Relations at 2 p.m., Finance Committee at 3:30 p.m. |
|
Feb. 13, 6-9 p.m. |
No Child Left Behind - Greater Understanding 2003 at Ligon Middle School |
|
Feb. 19, 12 p.m. |
Luncheon meeting of Wake County Commissioners and Wake Board of Education |
|
Feb. 27, 5 p.m. |
Healthy Schools Task Force meets at 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 Schools. 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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