School Connection
Sept. 24, 2003
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS FRIDAY TO REVIEW MAKE-UP DAYS
When school was cancelled Sept. 18 and 19 because of hurricane
Isabel, the first two days built into the calendar as make
up days were Oct. 6 and 17. School officials announced those
two days as make up days for traditional calendar schools.
Members of the Jewish community contacted the school system
to express their disappointment with the designation of Oct.
6, the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur as a school day.
In the Tuesday (Sept. 23) committee of the whole meeting, Board of Education members heard recommendations for moving the make-up day to Feb. 13 or Nov. 26. Board members agreed to meet 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26 to further discuss and possibly vote on a change to the make-up day.
YEAR-ROUND AND MODIFIED CALENDAR MAKE-UP DAYS
Make-up days for schools closed on September 18 and 19
will be:
Year-round calendar schools: Saturday, Sept. 27 and Saturday,
Oct. 18;
Modified calendar schools: Sept. 29 and 30.
BOARD CONSIDERS PLANS FOR JONES DAIRY CAMPUS
In the Tuesday (Sept. 23) committee of the whole meeting,
the Board of Education discussed the future of Jones Dairy
Elementary. Ramey Beavers, senior director for Growth Management,
discussed the impact of Jones Dairy becoming a year-round
school when it reopens in 2004-2005. Beavers outlined a proposal
where students would be moved among Wilburn, Durant and Heritage
year-round elementary schools to establish a transportation
pattern for Jones Dairy. This would allow base populations
to be established at Durant, Heritage and Jones Dairy. These
steps would help the north Wake County year-round schools
to more nearly reflect the school system's capacity models
and free and reduced price lunch percentages, while reducing
crowding and free and reduced price lunch percentages at nearby
traditional calendar schools. Board member Patti Head said
she would like for parents who didn't want to be on the year-round
schedule to have the chance to transfer to a traditional calendar
school.
Dr. Beavers said students will be identified for the new school at the same time as the reassignment plan occurs and the year-round transportation changes will be discussed in the growth management community meetings. The Jones Dairy calendar now goes to the board for approval.
COMBS ELEMENTARY NAMED 2003 NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARACTER
Combs Elementary is one of ten schools in the nation named
a 2003 National School of Character by the Character Education
Partnership of Washington, D.C.
Combs was recognized for the school's exemplary work to encourage the social, ethical and academic development of their students through character education.
Guided by Stephen Covey's "seven habits," A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School made a commitment to leadership development and placed this goal at the heart of its character education program. With an emphasis on developing job skills, inclusion of special needs students, service learning, and curriculum integration of core ethical values, this multicultural school reinvented itself into a model magnet school with 95 percent of students performing at or above grade level on student achievement tests.
Principal Muriel Summers said the school will celebrate the award with an event Friday morning(Sept. 26).
RAND ROAD TEACHER HONORED
Amanda Curly, a Rand Road Elementary kindergarten teacher,
has been named WalMart's 2003 North Carolina Teacher of the
Year. Curly was presented a $5,000 educational grant for her
school, a personalized Teacher of the Year jacket, a certificate
and a one year membership to Phi Delta Kappa. You can read
more about the awards program at http://www.pdkintl.org/walmart/home.htm
WAKE COUNTY PTA HOLDS GREAT EXPECTATIONS CONFERENCE
Great Expectations 2003 is the annual leadership training
conference of the Wake County PTA. This year's event is scheduled
for Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Southeast Raleigh
High. The conference was rescheduled from earlier in the month
because of hurricane Isabel. The conference provides training
in a variety of leadership skills and offers best practice
sharing workshops. You can register at the Wake County PTA
website at www.wakeptacouncil.org or contact Virginia Parker
at 846-1928 or parkerervg@earthlink.net
CALENDAR
|
Sept. 25 |
5 p.m. Healthy Schools Task Force meets at the Webster Center |
|
Oct 2 |
Moore Square Middle receives award from the City of Raleigh Appearance Commission |
|
Oct. 7 |
ELECTION DAY-Wake County votes on school construction referendum |
|
Oct. 8 |
2 p.m. Board of Education Committee of the Whole meeting; 4 p.m. Board of Education meeting at 3600 Wake Forest Road |
|
Oct 13 |
7 pm Growth management meeting at Leesville Road High |
|
Oct 14 |
7 pm Growth management meeting at Southeast Raleigh High |
|
Oct 15 |
12 pm Board of Education and County Commissioners luncheon |
|
Oct 15 |
7 pm Growth management meeting at East Wake High |
|
Oct 16 |
9 am Career Fair at Triangle Town Center |
|
Oct 16 |
7 pm Growth management meeting at Green Hope High |
|
Oct 21 |
2 p.m. Board of Education Committee of the Whole meeting; 4 p.m. Board of Education meeting at 3600 Wake Forest Road |
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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