PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2004

FEBRUARY 19, 2004

Thirty North Carolina schools were recognized today as 2003-04 Super Safe Schools at the 7th Annual Safe Schools Conference in the Research Triangle Park. These schools, representing a variety of schools districts in terms of size, demographics and other characteristics, have documented the safety processes they have in place and demonstrated these through on-site visits. The complete list is included in a news release on DPI's Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org under "In the News." Congratulations to these schools for going the extra mile in this important area. Having a safe school environment is a basic requirement for high student achievement.

Regards,
Mike Ward

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. Weighted Quality Point Policy Update
2. Six Middle Schools Recognized as National Schools to Watch
3. Gov. Easley Proclaims "Days of Remembrance
4. Web Site Links Teachers to Donors
5. Friedberg Elementary Receives Technology Award
6. Arsenic Treated Wood Alert
7. Registration Closed for Gap Conference
8. Course Offered on How to Respond to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
9. NCSU Hosts Science Teachers' Workshop
10. World View Offers Spring Seminars

Weighted Quality Point Policy Update

Students who will be ninth and tenth graders in 2004-05 may gain honors credit by taking university and 600+ community college courses. Students who will be juniors and seniors in 2004-05 will still be affected by the current Weighted Quality Point (see HSP-L-004 for the current policy available online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/state_board/). For the 2004-05 school year, the current policy will remain the same in terms of which courses are eligible to receive weighted credit at the high school level. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Institutions of Higher Education (Community College System and Universities) delegates authority for determining weighted quality points for high school courses to the Department of Public Instruction/State Board of Education. During the 2004-05 school year, the Department of Public Instruction will begin to develop standards for honors credit. Principals recently received an email about revisions in the Weighted Quality Point policy. Please be sure to share this information, in addition to the information you previously received by email, with appropriate staff. For additional information, please contact June Atkinson (919.807.3815; jatkinso@dpi.state.nc.us) or Wandra Polk (919.807.3816; wpolk@dpi.state.nc.us), Instructional Services, DPI.

Six Middle Schools Recognized as National Schools to Watch

Congratulations to Dixon Middle (Onslow County Schools), East Burke Middle (Burke County Schools), East Lincoln Middle (Lincoln County Schools), John Griffin Middle (Cumberland County Schools), Reid Ross Classical School (Cumberland County Schools), and South Charlotte Middle (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools) for being recognized as National Schools to Watch. They received this recognition because of their academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and their commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels. North Carolina is one of seven states participating in the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform as a way to introduce the Forum's criteria for high performance in middle schools and recognize middle schools that meet or exceed the criteria. To read more, please go to DPI's Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org and look under "In the News."

Gov. Easley Proclaims "Days of Remembrance"

Gov. Easley has proclaimed April 18-25 as the "Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust." North Carolinians are encouraged to "remember the inhumanity of those who perpetrated the Holocaust, and to reflect upon our own humanity and the need for respect of all people."

Web Site Links Teachers to Donors

Gov. Mike Easley and the First Lady last week helped launch DonorsChoose N.C. in 15 pilot school districts across the state. DonorsChoose is a nonprofit marketplace on the Internet where teachers and citizens connect to give students resources they need to learn. DonorsChoose selected North Carolina as its first expansion outside New York. Originally launched in 2000, http://www.donorschoose.org allows teachers to submit proposals for any resource that would enhance their students' learning. Proposals may include requests for books, art supplies, science equipment, computers or a variety of other materials. Individuals around the state and the country can review the proposals and choose to fund the ones they find most compelling. When a proposal is funded, DonorsChoose purchases the materials for the teacher and compiles photographs, student thank-you notes, a teacher impact letter, and receipts for the donor. The following 15 school districts have been selected as pilot districts: Asheville City Schools; Burke County Schools; Caldwell County Schools; Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Schools; Cumberland County Schools; Durham Public Schools; Elizabeth City/Pasquotank County Schools; Granville County Schools; Halifax County Schools; Nash/Rocky Mount Schools; Onslow County Schools; Pender County Schools; Wake County Schools; Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools; and Wilson County Schools. The program will be available to teachers statewide in August. For more information on DonorsChoose or to find out how you can participate in the program, visit www.donorschoose.org or contact the North Carolina office at 919.806.4249.

Friedberg Elementary Receives Technology Award

Congratulations to Friedberg Elementary School (Davidson County Schools) and Principal Elaine Harris for their recent selection as North Carolina's Instructional Technology Model School for 2004. Harris will receive the award in March at the North Carolina Association for Educational Communications and Technology Conference to be held in Charlotte. Last year, a group of the school's fifth graders and their teacher won the Multi-Media Mania Award at the elementary level in an international competition. They received their award last October at the National Superintendent's Technology Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

Arsenic Treated Wood Alert

As of Dec. 31, 2003, arsenic will no longer be used in treating wood for decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, gazebos, residential fencing, patios, walkways, boardwalks, and play structures. Arsenic, a toxic chemical, can be released from treated wood, leaving residues on the wood's surface and in nearby soil. Young children who play on or near treated wood can get arsenic on their skin and into their bodies, especially if they eat or drink without washing their hands or put their hands in their mouth after touching the treated wood. You can protect children by sealing the wood every 1-2 years with a weather-resistant coating such as an oil-based stain sealant. The sealant covers the wood to minimize the release of arsenic from the wood. If the structures are in need of repairs or are brittle, then you may want to replace the structures with something other than arsenic treated wood materials. More information on public health recommendations can be found at http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/oii/cca.html or by calling Dr. Luanne Williams, N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 919.715.6429, or by email, luanne.williams@ncmail.net.

Registration Closed for Gap Conference

If you haven't already registered for the Eighth Annual Closing the Gap Conference scheduled for March 29-31 at the Sheraton Four Seasons/Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, it's too late as the conference has reached capacity. If you have questions regarding a registration that has already been submitted, please contact Marvin Pittman, Director of School Improvement, DPI, 919/807-3911 or by email, mpittman@dpi.state.nc.us.

Course Offered on How to Respond to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

Principals and teachers may want to attend a two-day lecture being sponsored by The Western North Carolina Justice Academy in Edneyville, "Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Within the Educational Setting - The Educator's Response," to help explore options for responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. The program will be held March 1-2 at the Justice Academy. Although there is no cost for the course, participants must pay for their meals and travel arrangements. Dormitory housing is provided or the participant may make hotel arrangements at their expense. Spaced is limited. For additional information or to reserve space, please contact Leigh Rodgers at lmrodgers@ncdoj.com or by phone, 828.685.3600, ext. 225.

NCSU Hosts Science Teachers' Workshop

High school principals are asked to let their science teachers know that North Carolina State University's Department of Nuclear Engineering is hosting a Science Teachers' Workshop on Nuclear Science Applications on Friday, March 5. Each attendee will receive a certificate of attendance, CEU credits and the following materials: Geiger counter, radioactive source that is safe for classroom use, Teacher Handbook (includes workshop lectures), and reference books. For more information, including registration, please go online to http://www.ne.ncsu.edu and click on "Upcoming Events."

World View Offers Spring Seminars

Register now for World View's spring seminars on "Hispanics/Latinos in the Carolinas" (March 9-10) and "Eastern Europe" (March 10-11) to be held at the Friday Center, Chapel Hill. For program information, including online registration, please visit http://www.unc.edu/world or call 919.962.9264. Individual registration is $135 for one seminar or $225 for both. Discounted rates are available for teams of four or more. (1.5 CEUs offered.)