The School Connection
May 29, 2003
2003 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.
SECURITY ENHANCED AT GRADUATION CEREMONIES
Due to the Department of Homeland Security's change of the
national threat level to "high" on May 20 expanded
safety and security precautions will be in place during Wake
County Public School System graduation ceremonies, according
to chief of security Corey Duber.
No one without an admission ticket will be admitted to a
graduation ceremony, Duber notified high school principals
in a May 23 memo. In addition, no packages or balloons will
be permitted and all electronic equipment will be searched.
Duber asked principals to advise students of the security
precautions during graduation rehearsals. Students will be
told to share this information with their guests.
"We will try to minimize any inconvenience to our graduates
and their families, and not interfere with their celebration,"
Duber said. "But we do take the 'code orange' seriously.
Homeland Security has recommended additional steps to ensure
safety at large public gatherings such as graduation ceremonies,
and we're working with the Raleigh Police Department to respond."
BOARD APPROVES BELL SCHEDULE FOR 2003-2004
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved the
2003-2004 bell schedule, setting the opening and closing times
for schools.
The board action establishes times for two new schools, Holly Ridge Middle and Holly Ridge Elementary, and modifies bell schedules to change tiers at eight existing elementary schools (Adams, Brassfield, Dillard Drive, Holly Springs, Kingswood, Lincoln Heights, Underwood and Wakefield). The action also modifies by 15 minutes or less the schedules for 39 existing schools to bring dismissal times in line with a true three-tier system. These changes provide bus drivers the time they need to deliver students in a safe and timely manner to school and back home.
In the three-tiered system, one bus serves three different
schools in the morning and three different schools in the
afternoon. For the three-tiered system to work there must
be at least 45 minutes between the start and stop times of
the three tiers because of traffic, geography and distance.
Without sufficient time, drivers have complained of being
rushed, and second and third tier students have been waiting
longer for their bus.
Currently, 728 buses transport 54,661 students who ride the
bus daily, and that number is growing by 1,500 to 2,000 children
a year.
Board members asked staff to study the current transportation system for consideration in the bell schedule for 2004-2005 next year.
HONORED TEACHERS CONNECTED
Middle Creek High Principal John Williams noted that Wake
County Teacher of the Year Johnny Gatlin had a former student
earn recognition at the Teacher of the Year banquet. Four
teachers were recognized with Outstanding First-Year Teacher
of the Year Awards in Wake County including Erin Thomas of
Lincoln Heights Elementary.
Thomas remembers Gatlin as a fresh voice in high school. She said as a teacher, Gatlin instilled in students "that we can be anything we want to be, as long as we were doing what we love."
Thomas describes her first year of teaching as "absolutely wonderful." She noted the support from her school and parents made it possible for her to have a successful year.
Gatlin remembers being Thomas's Key Club advisor and her participation in service projects such as tutoring younger students, and visiting orphanages and convalescence homes.
"She had a genuine compassion for other people," said Gatlin. "Even in high school, you could tell she was a natural leader who really cared about people. It was who she was and what she did."
WAKE WEIGHS TOBACCO BAN
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education gave initial
approval to a policy that would ban tobacco use anywhere on
school campuses but would designate outside smoking areas
for school employees at facilities not used for educational
services for children.
The board will have to give second reading approval to finalize
the policy. The May 20 action replaces a May 6 proposal that
would have banned any possession or use of tobacco products
in school facilities. Current policy bans tobacco use in school
buildings and during school hours.
CENTENNIAL CAMPUS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND NC STATE BUILD CONNECTIONS
Drought and the impact of the Gulf Stream on North Carolina
weather were the issues four Centennial Campus Middle School
eighth-graders worked on this year as part of internships
in the State Climate Office.
The Wake County school and North Carolina State University,
where the climate office is located, hope to create similar
opportunities for more students as they strengthen connections
between the Wake County magnet school and university programs.
You can read more about the middle school and university
at http://www.wcpss.net/news/poston/centennial_climate_may2003/index.html
APPOINTMENTS
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education named a new
associate superintendent and principals for six schools.
The board named Luther Cherry associate superintendent for operational services. Cherry moves into the new job after serving as the assistant superintendent for western Wake County schools.
The board named Dana King principal at Millbrook High, Mark Barbar principal of Penny Road Elementary, Franklin Creech principal of Fuquay-Varina Elementary, James Sposato principal of Powell Elementary, Julie Vandiver principal of Dillard Drive Elementary and Teresa J. Winstead principal of Durant Road Elementary.
 Wade |
 Bledsoe |
 Allen |
BOARD RECOGNIZES NATIONAL AWARD WINNING TEACHERS
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education recognized two
Wake County teachers for earning the 2002 Presidential Awards
for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nations'
highest honor for teachers.
Carolann Wade of Apex Elementary earned the honor as North Carolina's elementary math teacher. Heidi Bledsoe of Wendell Elementary earned the honor as North Carolina's elementary science teacher.
The honor in bestowed by the White House and administered by the National Science Foundation. Four winners from each state, one each from elementary and secondary mathematics and science, are honored. Each awardee is presented a special citation signed by President Bush, a $7,500 cash award from the National Science Foundation to improve science and mathematics instruction, gifts from donors, and a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the award ceremony and participate in various educational and celebratory functions.
BOARD RECOGNIZES STATE AWARD WINNING MATH TEACHER
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education recognized Lynne
Davis Allen, a first-grade teacher at Wakefield Elementary,
to represent the Wake County Public School System as the Outstanding
Elementary Mathematics Teacher of the Year. The North Carolina
Council of Teachers of Mathematics sponsors this award. Each
elementary school was encouraged to submit their candidate's
nomination to their district office for recognition. Lynne
will receive a year's free membership in the North Carolina
Council of Teachers of Mathematics and will be recognized
at its awards ceremony at the 2003 fall conference.
FOUNDATION HONORS AREA TEACHERS
Local Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs honored seven Wake County
teachers as part of the company's Teacher of the Year program.
The company honored Gail Ausley of Lead Mine Elementary, Irma
Bode of Southeast Raleigh High, Laura Cochran of Briarcliff
Elementary, Julie Collins of Lockhart Elementary, Amanda Curly
of Rand Road Elementary, Virginia O'Brien of West Cary Middle
and Lindy Poling of Millbrook High. Each teacher's school
receives $1,000.
MATH TEAM FINISHES FIFTH IN NATION
Two Wake County students were part of the North Carolina team
that finished fifth in the nation in the Mathcounts competition.
Vivek Bhattacharya of Ligon Middle and Misha Lavrova of Martin
Middle made up half of the four member state team. The competition
drew more than 225 middle school students from all 50 states
and other U.S. schools to Chicago earlier this month.
BOARD RECOGNIZES BATTLE OF THE BOOKS WINNERS
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education recognized Wake
County students for their outstanding achievement in the Battle
of the Books literacy program.
The board congratulated Carnage Middle's team for winning the eighth-grade competition, Martin Middle's team for winning the seventh-grade competition and Lufkin Road Middle's team for winning the sixth-grade competition.
The Carnage team included Taylor Coggins, Michael Cyzewski, Nick Garner, Marisa Gilmore, Duncan Hardee, and Smitha Sharma.
The Martin team included Augusta Gudeman, Jenny Levine, Lorna Knick, Katie Ludovici and Tim Waer.
The Lufkin Road team included Tyler Barnes, Jared Gritz,
Josh James, Shayon Saleh, Laura Wilkinson and Jennifer Yeh.
Nearly 400 middle school students from 20 different Wake County
middle schools competed in the Battle of the Books this year.
BOARD APPROVES BIDS FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education awarded bids
for five renovation projects. The board awarded:
- A single prime contract to Blair Construction in the amount of $6,446, 805 for the addition and renovation at Kingswood Elementary.
- A single prime contract to Beau Chene Company, LLC in
the amount of $122,000 for foundation and wall repairs at
Leesville Elementary
BOARD APPROVES BIDS FOR TRACK AND FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Education awarded bids
for track and field improvements at three high schools. The
board awarded:
- construction and associated engineering services contract to Advantage Sports Surfaces in the amount of $129,100 for Millbrook High.
- construction and associated engineering services contract to Precision Sports Surfaces, Inc. in the amount of $148,894 for Sanderson High.
- construction and associated engineering services contract
to Precision Sports Surfaces, Inc. in the amount of $138,569
for Enloe High.
WCPSS BEGINS MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE TV SHOW
The School Connection is the Wake County Public School System's
monthly television program connecting you to news, features
and information about education in Wake County.
This 30-minute news magazine program focuses on WCPSS news,
programs, employees, students, services and issues. Each month,
the show takes a look at interesting programs or activities
in our schools, features employees who make a difference in
the lives of our students, offers insight into an educational
issue, and provides answers to parents' questions. The program
concludes with an artistic performance by a different student
group each month.
The School Connection will air on Time Warner Cable channels
10 and 11 in Raleigh and on channel 11 in Cary. You can view
the show online at http://www.wcpss.net/schooltv
INSIDE THE NEWS
U.S. Department of Education reports "Department
Seeks Broad Input for New National Education Technology Plan"
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports "State
Education Leaders Announce Strong Support for Accountability"
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
|
May 29 |
5 p.m. Apex High graduation; 8 p.m. Cary High graduation |
|
May 30 |
5 p.m. Leesville Road High graduation; 8 p.m. East Wake High graduation |
|
May 31 |
8 a.m. Sanderson High graduation; 11 a.m. Athens Drive High graduation; 2 p.m. Broughton High graduation; 5 p.m. Garner Senior High graduation; 7 p.m. Phillips High graduation |
|
June 1 |
8 a.m. Green Hope High graduation; 2 p.m. Southeast Raleigh High graduation 5p.m. Millbrook High graduation |
|
June 2 |
8 a.m. Enloe High graduation; 11 a.m. Wakefield High graduation; 2 p.m. Wake Forest-Rolesville High graduation; 5 p.m. Fuquay-Varina High graduation |
|
June 3 |
2 p.m. Committee of the Whole; 4 p.m. Board of Education |
|
June 17 |
2 p.m. Committee of the Whole; 4 p.m. Board of Education |
|
June 18 |
12 p.m. County Commissioners and Board of Education luncheon |
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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