SCHOOL CONNECTION

May 8, 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.

BOARD APPROVES BUDGET
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education approved its operating budget for 2003-2004. The school system's $785.1 million proposed operating budget will help fund the opening of two new schools - Holly Ridge Elementary and Holly Ridge Middle, help meet the needs of an expected 3,600 new students and provide the staffing and programs needed to further boost academic achievement.

The school system funding request now goes to the county commissioners. The school system operating budget seeks $231 million in county funding.

WAKE EDUCATION SUMMIT LAYS GROUNDWORK FOR NEW GOAL
More than 850 Wake County community, business and parent leaders met May 1 for the sixth annual Wake Education Summit, where the Wake community heard the results of and set priorities after a year-long initiative to gather input for a new community education goal.

In the year-long Voices & Choices initiative, Wake residents had the opportunity to tell the school system what they view as the most pressing priority for Wake public schools, what specific change they recommend for the schools, and what goal they would like to see the school system adopt for the future.

More than 1,850 citizens from across the county offered priorities, changes and goals for the future through Voices & Choices. Eight central themes emerged from their survey responses, which were analyzed using text-mining software from SAS. Summit participants prioritized the central themes as teachers, student achievement, involvement, size, assignment, testing, curriculum and change, and discussed goals that could connect to these themes.

Feedback generated during the summit will be presented to the County Board of Education to establish achievement goals beyond 2003. You can read more about the summit at http://www.wcpss.net/news/2003_summit/index.html

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, which debuted May 1, 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 find more information at http://www.wcpss.net/schooltv

BOARD GIVES TOBACCO POLICY FIRST READING APPROVAL
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education gave first reading approval to a revision of policy on tobacco-free environment. The revised policy prohibits use or display of any tobacco product by students, employees and visitors in any school system building, or leased or owned vehicle, or on any school system premises, not just in facilities serving children. It prohibits the possession of tobacco products by students. It defines tobacco products to include cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff and any of the items containing or reasonably resembling tobacco, or tobacco products and tobacco use to include smoking, chewing, dipping, or any other use of tobacco products. A second and final vote on the policy revisions may occur at the board's next meeting.

DAVIS DRIVE TEACHER NAMED CHARACTER EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Cindi Baker, a Davis Drive Middle School eighth-grade social studies teacher has been named Middle School National Educator of the Year by the National Character Education Center.

Baker was chosen for the Values in Action! National Award by the center after it reviewed numerous nominations from schools throughout United States.

"Teachers who are creative, respectful and challenging, not only educate their students, but are also remembered for a lifetime," Davis said. "They respect the individual differences of each student and set high expectations for all. If students are challenged in creative ways to a higher level of expected achievement, they experience the joys of discovery."

Parents describe Baker's gentle nurturing and professional teaching ability in giving youth a variety of lessons in the area of Civic Responsibility, Self Discipline, Good Judgment and Self Esteem.

You can read more at http://www.ethicsusa.com

WAKE COUNTY DANCE TEACHERS EARN ACCLAIM
Antonia Beh, Dance Educator at Northwoods, has been named dance educator of the year for NC by the N.C. Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. This is the second year in a row a Wake County teacher has been honored. Susan Hartley, Dance Educator at West Cary Middle School, was named dance educator of the year for NC last year. Recently she was selected by the Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance as K-12 Dance Educator of the Year at a conference in Savannah, GA. Then she was one of only three regional winners who were asked to "compete" in Philadelphia at nationals. Both educators have been asked to facilitate at the AAHPERD National Convention next year to share with participants, from around the USA, the wonderful dance programs that WCPSS is offering.

MATH/SCIENCE TEACHERS HONORED
Three Wake teachers were recognized by the NC State University Chapter of Sigma Xi before the Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday (May 6). Sigma Chi seeks annually to honor Wake County middle and high school teachers in science and math who instill in their students a love and appreciation for their subjects. This year's award winners are:

SANDERSON BAND DIRECTOR HONORED
Chris Branham, Sanderson High School's director of bands, has been chosen by the Central District Bandmaster's Association as Band Director of the Year for 2001-2002.

WAKE BUS DRIVERS EARN HONORS AT STATE ROADEO
Two Wake County bus drivers were honored at the state roadeo competition held at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. Billy McKemey of Fuquay finished second and Byron Lanier of Broughton finished sixth. Competition was keen and everyone said they thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality and professionalism. Margaret McLean and Bridgett Croom from East Wake placed third in the State Special Needs Roadeo. Wake Transportation Director Vern Hatley said "Being rated the third best special needs team in the state is a testament of the training, hard work, and compassion of these two excellent employees."

APPOINTMENTS
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education named principals for three schools and two new administrators.

The board named Richard Conley principal at Apex Middle, Jesse Dingle principal of Wildwood Forest Elementary, and Peggy Beasley-Rodgers principal of Washington Elementary.

Conley has served as assistant principal at Davis Drive Middle since 1998. He worked as a middle school teacher for four years. He is currently working on a doctoral degree at NC State.

Dingle has served as assistant principal at Durant Road Middle since 2000. He has worked as a principal, assistant principal intern and teacher since 1990.

Beasley Rodgers has served as principal of Powell and York elementary schools. She has also worked as an assistant principal and teacher since 1992.

The board named David Rockefeller as Director of Career and Technical Education in the Curriculum and Instruction Department and Ruth Steidinger as Director of Literacy in the Curriculum and Instruction Department.

Rockefeller has served as principal of Millbrook High since 2000. He has worked as an assistant principal and magnet program planner since 1991. He was named Wake County Assistant Principal of the Year in 1999.

Steidinger has served as principal of Dillard Drive Elementary.

BOARD RECOGNIZES STUDENTS
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education recognized 15 students with the Spotlight on Students Award. The students included Maddie Hodges of York Elementary, Morgan Burke of Leesville Road Elementary, Alfredo Ramirez of Olive Chapel Elementary, Viridiana Gasca of North Garner Middle, Rebecca Williams of Northwoods Elementary, Joseph A. Saenz of Yates Mill Elementary, Ryan Douglas Wood of Willow Springs Elementary, Buster Lee Carney of East Garner Middle, Luis Cadis of Douglas Elementary, Maria V. Polletta of West Cary Middle, Andrew Hardin of Hunter Elementary, Anwuli Chukwurah of Smith Elementary, John Daniels of Carnage Middle, Shane V. Lympany of Fuquay-Varina Elementary and Joseph Paul Hoffman of Southeast Raleigh High.

BOARD APPROVES BIDS FOR RENOVATION PROJECTS
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education awarded bids for five renovation projects. The board awarded:

BOARD NAMES DESIGNERS FOR PROJECTS
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education named designers for five construction/renovation projects. The board selected:

BOARD APPROVES SCHEMATIC DESIGN FOR RENOVATIONS
At its Tuesday (May 6) meeting, the Board of Education approved the design documents for the Wendell Elementary gym renovation project. The documents were prepared by MBAJ Architecture.

ENLOE WINS ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPETITION
Enloe High School was the overall champion in the 2002-03 Electric Vehicle Challenge.

Students from 35 schools in six states gathered in Wake County last month to drive, test, present and compete with their custom-built electric cars and trucks. Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the outstanding environmental education programs in the nation, the EV Challenge is a yearlong education program. Including students at the middle and high school level, the program is designed to offer a hands-on opportunity to learn about the transportation fuel issues facing our society today.

Enloe's team won with a 1986 Ford EXP powered by a 96-volt electric motor. Enloe's team members are Grant Nelson, Mike Kolba, Erin Lam, Josh Mayo, Geoff Stephenson, Eric Dunn, Richie Innis, Johnny Artica, Kyle Hojnacki and Shaun Patel. The adviser at the Raleigh magnet school is David Honea.

Wake Forest-Rolesville High School finished in first place for best web site and autocross car.

In the middle school competition, Davis Drive Middle captured first place in the Quiz Bowl and Lufkin Road Middle won in the technical category.

You can read more at http://www.evchallenge.org/finalevent2003/index.html

WAKE PTA COUNCIL BEST IN STATE
The Wake County PTA Council was named PTA Council of the Year by the state PTA.
Wake was recognized for strengthening roles as advocates for all children, effective communication between PTA, schools, government and the community, and developing successful partnerships among parents, schools and the community.

NEW WAKE PTA COUNCIL LEADER NAMED
The Wake County PTA Council swore in its new president Liza Weidle of Cary at its annual meeting April 29. Weidle, hosts of Parent Tips, on the new WCPSS television show School Connection, will lead the council, which represents all Wake County school PTAs.

Virginia Parker was sworn in as president-elect and will take over next year. The PTA Council thanked Paula Lipford for her service over the past year as council president.

WAKE PTA COUNCIL PRESENTS AWARDS
At its April 29 annual meeting, the Wake PTA Council handed out awards recognizing PTA leaders, educators and school system staff.

INSIDE THE NEWS

U.S. Department of Education reports "Paige Announces Teaching American History Grants, Encourages Local School Districts and Charter Schools to Apply for Funds"; and "Paige Approves North Carolina State Accountability Plan Under No Child Left Behind"

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reports "Lee Elected State Board of Education Chairman"; "Princeton Review Ranks N.C. Testing Program Among Best in U.S."; State Board of Education highlights"; and "North Carolina Earns Approval for Plan to Incorporate Federal Requirements into State Accountability Program"

The Princeton Review reports "Testing the Testers 2003: An Annual Ranking of State Accountability Systems Executive Summary"

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 13

12:30 p.m. Policy committee; 2 p.m. Community relations committee; 3:30 p.m. Finance committee

May 14

6 p.m., Teacher of the Year celebration, Embassy Suites Hotel, Cary

May 20

2 p.m. Committee of the Whole; 4 p.m. Board of Education

May 21

12 p.m. County Commissioners and Board of Education luncheon

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

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
Tell a friend about the School Connection and encourage them to sign up at
http://www.wcpss.net/online_newsletters/the_school_connection