School Connection
May 11, 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.
TESTING UNDERWAY AS END OF SCHOOL NEARS
It's the final few weeks of school and testing is underway
in WCPSS classrooms. In grades three through eight, students
are taking End-of-Grade tests. Tests are administered in elementary
and middle schools over a three-day period that began May
6. In grades nine through twelve, students will be taking
End-of-Course tests. The EOCs are administered early for high
school seniors. Ninth- through eleventh-graders take their
tests the last week of school.
The End-of-Grade testing results are used in the accountability standards of the state's ABC's of Public Education and the federal No Child Left Behind laws. Student performance on the tests is considered in making decisions about promotion to the next grade.
BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES 2004-2005 BUDGET
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education approved the
school system's budget request for the 2004-2005. Fiscal Year.
The board's budget now goes to the Wake County Commissioners.
The 2004-2005 budget request helps to open seven new schools,
meet the needs of an additional 4,000 students, launch Goal
2008 efforts and retain high quality teachers. It proposes
using $15 million from WCPSS fund balances and makes $12.9
million in cuts.
The budget request seeks $15.7 million in increased local
funding. Much of the increase goes toward growth and inflation.
Nearly $2 million would go to new initiatives to promote parental
involvement in schools and hire new teachers to work with
academically gifted students and special-education students
Once federal and state money is included, the proposed 2004-05 operating budget would total $864.6 million.
2004 WAKE EDUCATION SUMMIT SUPPORTS GOAL 2008
More than 600 Wake County community, business and parent leaders
offered recommendations to help schools reach Goal 2008 during
the seventh Wake Education Summit April 27.
Goal 2008 is the system-wide goal for student achievement adopted using feedback from last year's summit
Participants prioritized potential obstacles to the success of Goal 2008 and discussed ways that the schools and the community can overcome obstacles. The top ten road blocks on the journey to Goal 2008 identified by participants were: 1) Inadequate funding; 2) Recruitment and retention of quality teachers; 3) Lack of support for teachers; 4) Overcrowded facilities and large class sizes; 5) Lack of parental involvement; 6) Lack of resources for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs; 7) Overemphasis on standardized testing; 8) Inability to identify and meet needs of individual students; 9) Lack of commitment from parents and community to care for ALL children; 10) and Inadequate support for 6th- and 9th-graders making the transition to middle and high schools.
Feedback generated during the Summit by business, government, school and community partners will be presented to school and community leaders for their consideration in creating strategies to reach Goal 2008.
BOARD APPROVES SCHOOL START RESOLUTION
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education approved a resolution
supporting local control over school calendars. In response
to discussions that would ask the state legislature to mandate
that schools start after Labor Day, the board resolution asks
that the school systems retain control over school calendars.
The resolution reads:
Whereas, the North Carolina General Statutes give local boards
of education the authority to establish starting dates for
the school year, and
Whereas, local control over school calendars allows local
boards of education to respond to the educational needs and
calendar preferences of the children and families in the school
district, and
Whereas, legislation has been proposed that would take away
local control over schools calendars from local boards of
education,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Wake County Board of Education
unanimously opposes legislation that would deprive boards
of education of local control over their school calendars.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT WAIVERS
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education approved the
request of 15 high schools for a local waiver to their annual
school improvement plan. The waiver would allow schools to
consider granting juniors the privilege to leave campus during
lunch.
The schools include Apex High, Athens Drive High, Broughton High, Cary High, East Wake High, Enloe High, Garner High, Green Hope High, Leesville High, Middle Creek High, Millbrook High, Sanderson High, Southeast Raleigh High, Wake Forest-Rolesville High and Wakefield High.
The schools cite crowded cafeterias and resulting safety concerns as their reason for requesting this waiver. The high schools that currently have this waiver have not noted any effect on student auto accidents during lunch.
WAKE TEACHERS NAMED 2004 KENAN FELLOWS
Eleven Wake County teachers were honored in a reception May
4 as the 2004 Kenan Fellows after being selected by North
Carolina State University's Kenan Fellows for Curriculum and
Leadership Development Program.
The eleven teachers include Amy Davis of Wakefield High, Benjy Downing of Enloe High, Edward Kelley of Combs Elementary, Thomas Knott of Southeast Raleigh High, Kirtikumar Patel of Dillard Drive Middle, John Pritchett of Broughton High, Gail Powell of Leesville Road Middle; Laura Stiles of Wakefield High; Carol Swink of Hunter Elementary; Kelly Taft of Moore Square Middle; and Marie-Anntoinette Watson of Leesville Road Middle.
The teachers will engage in a two-year fellowship in partnership with distinguished scientists and university faculty to develop innovative curricula for use in North Carolina classrooms.
TEACHERS, SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED BY WAKE COUNTY PTA COUNCIL
Three Wake County teachers were honored by the Wake County
PTA Council, as the 48,000 member organization installed new
officers and recognized school employees, volunteers and programs
during its annual awards program at Sanderson High School
May 4.
Kelly Tabolt of Green Hope Elementary was named Elementary School Teacher Of The Year. Phil Byrd of Wakefield Middle was named Middle School Teacher Of The Year. Julia Royall of Broughton High was named High School Teacher Of The Year.
Greg Decker of Lead Mine Elementary was named Elementary School Principal Of The Year. David Ansbacher of East Millbrook Middle was named Middle School Principal Of The Year. Gerald Pickett of Fuquay-Varina High was named High School Principal Of The Year.
Virginia Parker was sworn in as the new president of the Wake County PTA Council. Parker has been an active education supporter in leadership with the PTA, Wake Education Partnership and Communities in Schools.
GARNER TOWN BOARD RECOGNIZES WCPSS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
At its April 20 meeting, Garner Mayor Sam Bridges and the
Town Board recognized Wake Superintendent Bill McNeal and
student Carla Ammons of Garner Senior High. McNeal was recognized
for earning the National Superintendent of the Year Award.
Ammons was congratulated for earning a Park Scholarship to
N.C. State University. Mayor Bridges congratulated McNeal
for striving for academic success for all students and noted
McNeal's ties to Garner. He served as principal of East Garner
Middle for four years. Bridges praised Ammons for her academic,
athletic and volunteer efforts. McNeal and Ammons were honored
with a reception and plaques.
WCPSS PRESENTS LIGHTS OF HOPE AWARDS
In a program May 3 that capped off a year of study, teachers
in the WCPSS Conversations About Diversity Program gathered
with Superintendent Bill McNeal and Board of Education chair
Susan Parry to present Lights of Hope Awards. Awards were
presented to community leaders Richard Dial, Allyson Duncan
and Marion Robinson.
Awards were presented to Amanda Alfonso of Durant Road Middle, Justin Bradley of West Millbrook Middle, Ali Brown of Davis Drive Middle, D'Maedra Chestnut of Apex High, Crystal Clark of West Lake Middle, Christina Cobb of Fuquay-Varina Middle, Alexandria Graham of West Millbrook Middle, Carly Jones of Leesville High, Kiara Jones of East Millbrook Middle, Jaymee Patel of Davis Drive Middle, Dasia Robinson of East Garner Middle, Alexandria Scott of Enloe High, Morgan Williams of Durant Road Middle, Charlie Wolf of Cary High and Morgan Woods of Broughton High. The awards celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King recognizing the work of community leaders and the students for their year of paideia study on diversity.
iSAFE AMERICA DISCUSSES INTERNET SAFETY FOR STUDENTS
i-SAFE America held a series of events at West Millbrook Middle
School May 6 highlighting safety for students using the Internet.
Congressman Brad Miller, officers from area sheriff and police
departments and state and local school officials attended
a community leaders session. Parents were invited to an evening
session at the school to help learn how they could keep their
children's Internet experience safe. iSAFE also provided a
professional development session for teachers at the Webster
Center. The iSAFE program provides awareness and knowledge
that enables the students to recognize and avoid dangerous,
destructive, or unlawful online behavior and to respond appropriately.
Sessions include discussions on personal safety, security,
plagiarism, privacy, intellectual property theft and social
issues.
EVALUATION AND RESEARCH WEBPAGE WINS AWARD
The Wake County Public school system Evaluation and Research
Department Web page won 1st place at the 2004 American Educational
Research Association (AERA) Division H annual publication
competition. The site was judged on its usefulness for research,
evaluation, and assessment activities and for innovation and
clarity of presentation.
AERA Division H has over 1500 members working in organizations doing applied research and evaluation in schools. Division H members are from both school districts and universities. You can visit the Web page at http://www.wcpss.net/evaluation-research/index.html
APPOINTMENTS
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education named three principals,
three administrators and six assistant principals.
Elizabeth Colbert was named principal of Moore Square Museum Middle School. Colbert has been serving as principal at Partnership Elementary since 1998. She has also worked as a WCPSS assistant principal, teacher and summer site coordinator.
Gail Turner was named principal of Oak Grove Elementary School. Turner has been an elementary school principal in Chapel Hill/Carrboro since 1994.
Mary Bishop Rich was named principal of Carroll Middle School. Rich has been a middle school principal in Guilford County since 2001. As a teacher in Union County, she was named state and regional Dance Teacher of the Year.
George Risinger was named a director in the WCPSS Growth management Department. Risinger has served as a WCPSS elementary school principal since 1989.
Dr. Alice Garrett was named Leadership Program Coordinator in the Wake Leadership Academy. Garrett has served principal of Carroll Middle since 2001.
Bobby Allen was named WCPSS Helping Hands Coordinator. Allen has served as principal of West Cary Middle since 1997.
BOARD PRESENTS SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS AWARDS
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education recognized 18
students with the Spotlight on Students Awards. The honored
students include Alfredo Sierra of Willow Springs Elementary,
Britnie Freeman of Southeast Raleigh High, Diego Castillo
of Leesville Elementary, Kanita Shepherd of North Garner Middle,
Zachary Oplinger of Olive Chapel Elementary, Anita Mateo of
Yates Mill Elementary, Monjue Campbell of Douglas Elementary,
Ronald Bryan Alford of East Garner Middle, Rogelio Anaya of
Holly Ridge Elementary, Virginia Grace Meng of West Cary Middle,
Chandler Rock of Smith Elementary, Jessica Perez Valerio of
Millbrook High, Mallorie Morse of Fuquay Varina Elementary,
Michael Rittiner of Carnage Middle, Javier Monguia of York
Elementary, Caitlin Michelle Seipel of Holly Ridge Middle,
Pernell James of Northwoods Elementary and Davis Muma of Hunter
Elementary.
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD FOR HOLLY SPRINGS HIGH
There was a groundbreaking ceremony for Holly Springs High
School April 29, near the intersection of Cass Holt and Avent
Ferry roads in Holly Springs. Superintendent Bill McNeal,
Wake County Board of Education Chair Susan Parry, Holly Springs
Mayor Dick Sears, and Wake County Commissioner Kenn Gardner
made remarks. Cherry Huffman Architects, DeVere Contracting
and others involved in the project were recognized.
The new high school will make a noticeable difference by adding 1,690 new classroom seats. Holly Springs High is a prototype (re-used) three-story design, similar to Green Hope, Wakefield and Middle Creek high schools. The new school will include a football field with a track and stadium, baseball field, softball field, two practice fields and tennis courts. Construction begins the last week in April, with the high school opening for the 2006-07 school year.
BOARD APPROVES BID FOR STADIUM AT PANTHER CREEK HIGH
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education approved a change
order with D.H. Griffin Construction Co., LLC in the amount
of $1,312,564 for the Panther Creek High stadium complex.
Bids for the new Panther Creek High were received March 11
and the contract was awarded to Griffin by the board April
13. The contractor had agreed to holds its price for the stadium
complex until May 13 to provide WCPSS staff additional time
to determine if funding could be found. After discussions
with the Board of Education, funding for the stadium was identified
from the PLAN 2004 School Building Program contingency.
BOARD APPROVES SCHEMATIC DESIGN FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education approved schematic
design documents for Brier Creek Area Elementary prepared
by Boney, PLLC for the construction of a new 625 student capacity
elementary school, community center and park in cooperation
with the City of Raleigh. The new school will be built with
funds from PLAN 2004.
BOARD NAMES DESIGN CONSULTANT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education named Small Kane
Architects, PA to design a new elementary school in the Barwell
Road area in southeast Raleigh. The architects will adopt
the prototype used at Forestville Road Elementary. This is
the third reuse of this prototype. The new school will be
built with funds from PLAN 2004.
BOARD APPROVES BIDS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
At its May 4 meeting, the Board of Education approved bids
received on nine different school system projects.
The board awarded a single prime contract to D.L. Restoration, Inc. in the amount of $145,980 for the Broughton High Gyms Abatement Project. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000 and PLAN 2004.
The board awarded a single prime contract to R & G Construction Company in the amount of $1,133,728.16 for the bus loop and parking lot renovation at Daniels Middle School. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
The board awarded a single prime contract to Beau Chene Company, LLC in the amount of $296,834 for the Modular Classroom Units at Douglas Elementary. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000 and PLAN 2004.
The board awarded a single prime contract to Scotia Construction, Inc. in the amount of $328,500 for system-wide improvements at Lacy Elementary. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
The board awarded single prime contract to Associated Industrial Services. Inc., in the amount of $124,300 for the Northwoods Elementary Asbestos Abatement Project. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
The board awarded a single-prime contract to Capital Paving and Grading, Inc. in the amount of $279,143.46 for site improvements at Olive Chapel Elementary. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
The board awarded the single-prime contract to A & M Electrical Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $113,000 for the electrical infrastructure renovations for WCPSS Technology Center at the WCPSS Central Office. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
The board awarded single prime contract to Waddell Industrial Services, Inc. in the amount of $416,400 for the system wide improvements at West Millbrook Middle. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
The board awarded a single prime contract to Climate Control, Inc., in the amount of $240,267 for the system-wide improvements at Zebulon Middle. The project will be funded by PLAN 2000.
CALENDAR
|
May 13 |
6 p.m. Teacher of the Year Banquet, Embassy Suites Hotel, Cary |
|
May 18 |
Superintendent and Board of Education Valedictorian luncheon |
|
May 18 |
2 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting, Board Conference Room; 4 p.m. Board meeting, Board Room, 3600 Wake Forest Road |
|
May 19 |
12 p.m. Board of Education and County Commissioners luncheon |
|
May 28-30 |
WCPSS High school graduation ceremonies |
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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