School Connection
August 10, 2004Goal 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.
SUPERINTENDENT MCNEAL STARTS NEW YEAR AT HODGE ROAD
At 6 a.m. on the first day of the new school year, Superintendent Bill McNeal
was talking with news reporters live on morning television in front of Hodge
Road Elementary School. McNeal talked about growth that is expected to push
WCPSS enrollment above 113,000 students, the opening of new schools and
the hiring of more than 900 new teachers. He said quality teachers and the
relationship of teachers and parents working together will continue to boost
student academics. From Hodge Road, McNeal made his way to Knightdale High
School, one of seven new schools opening for 2004-2005. He planned to visit
other schools throughout the day.
WCPSS ENROLLMENT INCREASES
First day enrollment for WCPSS was 108,353. That's 5,426 more than the 102,927
students who were in school the first day one year ago. The 20th day population
number for last year was 108,970.
SEVEN NEW SCHOOLS OPEN FOR 2004
Seven new schools open for 2004-05, three schools return to campuses that
underwent major renovations, two high schools will open ninth grade centers,
one school will move to a new campus, and several wrap up major renovation
and addition projects. Knightdale High, Salem Middle and Forestville Road
and Highcroft Drive elementary schools open this year. Knightdale High opens
with ninth- and 10th-grade students. Salem Middle opens with sixth- through
eighth-graders. The elementary schools open with students in kindergarten
through fifth grade. Jones Dairy and Turner Creek elementary schools and
Heritage Middle School opened as year-round schools July 12. Three schools
- Kingswood and Wake Forest elementary schools and Apex Middle - return
to their renovated campuses this year. Meanwhile, Northwoods Elementary
has moved into swing space this school year while its campus is renovated.
Cary High and Green Hope High will have their ninth-graders located at separate
campuses this year. The Cary High ninth-graders will be housed at the former
East Cary Middle School campus. The Green Hope ninth-graders will be housed
at the recently completed Carpenter Elementary School campus. The ninth-grade
centers will be there for the next two school years, allowing time for completion
of two new high schools in western Wake County.
64 WCPSS SCHOOLS NAMED 2004 SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE
The Wake County Public School System had 64 schools named Schools of Excellence
this year, 15 more than last year, according to the results of the 2003-2004
state ABCs of Public Education. These 64 schools had at least 90 percent
of their students perform at or above grade level and met expected or high
growth. Wake County had 35 Schools of Distinction. These schools had at
least 80 percent of their students perform at or above grade level and met
expected growth.
In another first, 22 of Wake County's schools had ABCs performance composite scores above 95 percent, and 13 of those 22 schools also met the high growth standard. Davis Drive, Green Hope and Morrisville elementary schools had scores above 98 percent. Brassfield, Kingswood, Oak Grove and Pleasant Union had scores above 97. Last year 12 schools had ABCs performance composite scores above 95.
Heritage Middle School was named one of the state's Top 25 Most Improved K-8 Schools. In its first year, the school was composed solely of sixth graders housed at Heritage Elementary School. Heritage Middle had a composite score of 96.4 and was recognized as an Honor School of Excellence with high growth.
Wake had 58 schools achieving high growth, 47 achieving expected growth, and 20 not meeting expected growth. None were low performing.
HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS BRING SUCCESS
Students have been academically successful in Wake County Public School
System classrooms because of the school system's high quality teachers.
Wake has more than 7,400 teachers at 134 schools teaching more than 113,000
students. Teachers are recognized as leaders in Wake County. Superintendent
Bill McNeal has established a Teachers Advisory Council he meets with regularly
to address teacher concerns. WCPSS, NC State University and Wake Education
Partnership have worked to establish a Teacher Leadership Academy for teachers
to earn a master's in school administration. WCPSS supports teachers who
seek National Board certification, a difficult process of self-examination,
hard work, and testing that a teacher chooses to do in addition to his or
her classroom instruction. 665 WCPSS teachers have earned certification.
Assistant Superintendent Toni Patterson says WCPSS has hired more than 900
new teachers for the 2004-2005 school year. WCPSS aggressively recruits
high quality educators by holding two job fairs annually, visiting job fairs
held by education schools and through the efforts of teacher recruiters
and school principals.
WCPSS TRANSPORTATION PREPARES FOR FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
The start of the school year is a hectic time for transportation. Transportation
staff began creating the routes for the new year by looking at the students
that were transported the prior year and receiving information from schools
about their new students. Transportation staff created new routes based
on their expectations of student ridership. The first week of school, parents
and students are making decisions about the best use of buses to get to
and from school. As families make decisions about their use of buses, the
Transportation Department adapts routes to meet the daily rider demands.
As families finalize decisions about their use of bus service, bus routes
are finalized. This process generally takes about two weeks. Parents have
many questions about bus service at the start of school. Transportation
Director Vern Hatley has set a goal of responding to inquiries within 48
hours. Questions can be e-mailed to transportation@wcpss.net Hatley says
his Transportation staff will be working hard during the first weeks of
school to meet the needs of families and all year long to make sure children
are safely transported to and from school.
BUILDING TEACHER PARENT RELATIONSHIPS HELPS CHILDREN
The relationship between parent and teacher can be critical to educational
success for children. WCPSS Teacher of the Year Marcella Cox and Ann Rollins,
mother of two WCPSS students and one WCPSS graduate, agree there are important
steps that parents and teachers can take to benefit children. At the first
of the year, Cox said it is important for parent and teacher to get to know
each other. Schools often facilitate this with Meet the Teacher sessions
in elementary and middle schools. Rollins said parents should be knowledgeable
about the educational program their child is receiving and should be actively
involved with the school. The first week of school many teachers explain
their expectations for the child's work and classroom behavior, as well
as the consequences of not complying with these rules. If parents make sure
their child understands the guidelines early, this helps the child, teacher
and class get off to a good start. Early discussions with teachers give
parents an opportunity to provide helpful information about their child.
This is the time for the parent to assure the teacher of their support and
cooperation and for the teacher to assure the parent of their interest in
the child. For parents and teachers building these successful relationships
takes time and commitment. Together they can work to support a child's success.
VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP ON NEW COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM
When school opens this year, schools will be asking volunteers to sign up
on new computerized systems. Persons who volunteer in the schools will be
asked to provide information and to select the types of volunteer activities
in which they are interested. Volunteers will be encouraged to use a school
computer to register. Persons unable to do that may download an application
from the Internet. The applications can be updated at any time.
Over the past year, school system administrators worked with school and parents leaders to develop guidelines for volunteers. An important outcome of their work was adoption of a chart describing a range of volunteer activities. They grouped activities into four levels based on a volunteer's contact with students and supervision by staff.
Level 1 activities would include a volunteer doing clerical work in the classroom with the teacher. Level 4 activities would include off-campus tutoring where the volunteer would be alone with the child in the community. Persons volunteering for Level 1 and 2 activities will be asked their name, address, phone number, e-mail address and the days and times of day they would be available. The application provides a checklist of Level 1 and 2 volunteer activities. Persons volunteering for Level 3 and 4 activities will be asked to fill out their name, address, phone number, e-mail address, as well as birth date, driver's license number, social security number and addresses for residences during the last seven years. The application provides a checklist of Level 3 and 4 volunteer activities. Applications for Level 2 or higher activities would take part in orientation. Applicants for Level 3 or higher activities would have a criminal background check. Any checks that indicate a criminal arrest are reviewed by the WCPSS Volunteer Coordinator and WCPSS Security Department.
Parents like the added concern for children's safety. Schools like the additional organization it will provide their volunteer efforts. The new system will provide clear rules that will help people better understand their duties. It will allow schools to better match volunteers to their interests. It will better assure safety for all students.
SCHOOLS ENCOURAGE GOOD NUTRITION AND FITNESS HABITS
Nutrition and fitness habits established in school can affect children's
health for the rest of their lives. Wake County school administrators are
working with teachers to help children learn the benefits of eating well
and staying active. Artie Kamiya, WCPSS Health and Physical Education Senior
Administrator said physical education teachers provide a range of activities
and instruction that emphasize fitness for life. Kamiya says teachers encourage
motor skill activities to run, jump and throw that will prepare children
for tennis, swimming or after school sports activities.
Students make nutrition decisions daily when they enter the school cafeteria. Marilyn Moody, WCPSS Child Nutrition Services Director, says all Wake schools participate in the Winners Circle program to help children select nutritious meals. Moody said CNS school staff clearly mark the food choices on the service line every day to provide the best combinations of foods to meet the Winner Circle's nutritional standard. Kamiya said families can build on the fitness and nutrition habits schools introduce to children. Parents can encourage children to eat right and be physically active.
CALENDAR
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August 17 |
2 p.m., Committee of the Whole-Board Conference Room ; 4 p.m., Board Meeting-Board Conference Room |
|
August 18 |
12 p.m., Joint Luncheon-County Commissioners and the Board of Education |
|
August 18 |
2 p.m., Facilities Committee (tentative); 3:30 p.m., Community Relations Committee (tentative) |
|
August 24 |
8:30 a.m. Board Retreat |
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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