PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2005

NOVEMBER 3, 2005

Last week, as we prepared for the State Board of Education's November meeting, it became clear that the annual report on school crime and violence was not going to ready in time for the Board meeting. Several logistical and other issues meant that in order to ensure the report's accuracy, we would need additional time. This delay until the December Board meeting also necessitates a delay in the issuance of the N.C. School Report Card until Tuesday, Dec. 6. The N.C. School Report Cards site will be opened for principals and other staff to begin downloading and printing the Snapshot PDFs on Friday, Dec. 2. An email notification will be sent out with a special address for access to the site. Thanks for your patience with this process.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. Governor Proclaims Nov. 14-18 as "International Education Week"
3. Public Comment Sought on North Carolina State Performance Plan
4. Regional Meetings Scheduled on NC WISE
5. Applications Being Accepted to North Carolina Principals Fellows Program
6. Literacy to Learn Open House Extended
7. Middle Grades Institute to be Held in December
8. Reading and Writing for Learning
9. Fulbright Seeks Schools/Districts Willing to Serve as Hosts
10. Pre-register Now for Stock Market Game
11. NC Office of School Readiness' Newsletter Online

State Board Meeting Highlights

At their November meeting, State Board members continued their discussion on whether to add a sixth strategic priority addressing global preparedness. Board members also approved changes to the 2004-05 ABCs/AYP report and procedures for implementing the Board's Persistently Dangerous Schools Policy. The Board approved revisions to its policy about informing ninth grade students about accelerated preparation for college entry. The revisions would incorporate language reflecting the Board's rigor policy, and require counselors to guide and inform students prior to the ninth grade about course selections and requirements. In addition, Board members discussed a draft report from their Ad Hoc Committee on Physical Education that included recommendations for an action policy and a proposed addendum to the Arts Education Standard Course of Study that would add Advanced Placement courses in music and visual arts, including Studio Art (2D, 3D, and Drawing), Art History and Music Theory. Complete Board Highlights will be posted online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by Tuesday afternoon.

Governor Proclaims Nov. 14-18 as "International Education Week"

Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed Nov. 14-18 as "International Education Week" and encourages citizens to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Easley said that international understanding, respect and appreciation begins with education and the exchange of knowledge between students, scholars and the public. International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Dept. of Education and the U.S. Dept. of State. This year's theme is "International Education: Improving Student Achievement Around the World." The U.S. Dept. of Education encourages schools to visit the Web at http://iew.state.gov for further information about the event and how students and schools can participate.

Public Comment Sought on North Carolina State Performance Plan

Educators, parents and community members are encouraged to review North Carolina's State Performance Plan and offer comment between Oct. 28 and Nov. 28. The State Performance Plan is designed to evaluate North Carolina's efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how the state will improve its implementation. Beginning Oct. 28, the North Carolina State Performance Plan will be available on the NCDPI's Exceptional Children Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ec. Comments may be submitted via email to Ira Wolfe, Exceptional Children Division, NCDPI, by email to iwolfe@dpi.state.nc.us or by US mail to Ira Wolfe, Exceptional Children Division, NCDPI, 6365 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6365.

Regional Meetings Scheduled on NC WISE

The NC WISE Team is scheduling six town hall-style meetings across the state during the first three weeks in November. These meetings will give users an opportunity to address concerns and discuss issues regarding the current and future status of the project. DPI, IBM and State Information Technology Services representatives will be present to answer questions and listen to user concerns. The meetings will be held on: Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m., Ray Street Conference Center, Graham; Nov. 9, 1:30 p.m., Catawba County Schools' Board Room, Newton; Nov. 15, 1 p.m., Roland Grise Middle School, Wilmington; Nov. 16, 9 a.m., Martin Community College Auditorium, Williamston; Nov. 17, 9 a.m., West Johnston High School Auditorium, Benson; and Nov. 22, 9 a.m., Buncombe County Schools' Board Room, Asheville. For more information about the town hall meetings, please contact Teresa Rickert, Technology Services, NCDPI, 919.807.3199, or by email, trickert@dpi.state.nc.us.

Applications Being Accepted to North Carolina Principals Fellows Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2006-07 NC Principal Fellows Program, which assists selected individuals to prepare for a career in school administration (assistant principal or principal). Each scholarship loan will provide funding for up to two years in the amount of $20,000 per year to support students who enroll in and complete a full-time, two-year master's degree program in school administration at one of the participating institutions of the University of North Carolina. Recipients of the scholarship loan must be willing to practice at an approved site in North Carolina as a full-time administrator for two years for each year of funding (four years) or repay in cash. The deadline to apply for the 2006-07 academic year is Jan. 16. For applicant requirements and an application, you may write to the NC Principal Fellows Program, Attn: Director, 140 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517; or call 919.962.4575; email mupdike@northcarolina.edu; or fax a request to 919.962.4328. Program information also is available online at http://www.ga.unc.edu/Principal_Fellows/

Literacy to Learn Open House Extended

Due to popular demand, the Literacy to Learn Open House has been extended to midnight Nov. 18. Please visit www.usdlc-l2l.org to preview new online courses available free to all North Carolina educators. Visitors who sign the guest book may win an Apple iPod. For more information, please contact Linda Walters, USDLC Professional Development Coordinator, at 919.807.3497, or by email, lwalters@dpi.state.nc.us.

Middle Grades Institute to be Held in December

The NCDPI's Middle Grades Division will convene its first Middle Grades Institute Dec. 1-2 at the Radisson in RTP. The Institute's purpose is to increase awareness of the middle grades philosophy; provide content strategies that promote intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth; share recommendations that connect schools and communities in raising achievement and closing gaps among all students; and to create a venue to discuss issues pertinent to maintaining healthy students in a safe, orderly, and caring environment. Registration forms have been sent to all local superintendents and middle school principals. To obtain additional forms, please contact the NCDPI's Middle Grades Division at 919.807.3914. There is no cost to attend. Space is limited to 200 attendees. The registration deadline is Nov. 21. For further questions, contact Tracey Greggs at tgreggs@dpi.state.nc.us.

Reading and Writing for Learning

Reading and Writing for Learning is a Web-based professional development course for middle grades and high school teachers and administrators. The course is designed for team participation - both on site at school and online - for schools seeking to improve reading and writing instruction and learning. Please go online to http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/ela/archives/2005/10/reading_and_wri.php for more details. The deadline for response is Dec. 15. For more information about cost and registering a school team for this course, contact Vickie Smith, RW4L project manager, at vickiesmith@verizon.net.

Fulbright Seeks Schools/Districts Willing to Serve as Hosts

The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program is currently seeking U.S. schools to host teachers and school administrators from Uruguay in February 2006. A special need is for schools with language immersion or bilingual programs. The deadline to apply is Nov. 21. For more information, including an application, please visit the Fulbright Web site at http://www.fulbrightexchanges.org/View/ViewOtherOpps.asp and scroll down to "Hosting Opportunity - Uruguay."

Pre-register Now for Stock Market Game

The North Carolina Stock Market Game (SMG) is a motivating, interactive approach to learning about the American economic system. Led by their teachers, teams of students in grades 4-12 compete twice a year in a 10-week stock market simulation during which teams compete for portfolio growth. Teachers are provided with free ongoing promo games. The next two promo periods begin Oct. 31 and Nov. 28. Please go to www.nccee.org and click on the Stock Market Game link to pre-register. The spring session of the SMG will begin Feb. 13, 2006. For more information, please contact Sandy Wheat, North Carolina Council on Economic Education, swheat@nccee.org

NC Office of School Readiness' Newsletter Online

The inaugural edition of the North Carolina Office of School Readiness' newsletter is now online and contains the following articles: Collaborating for Children's Success: Announcing the North Carolina Office of School Readiness, Professional Development, and School Readiness Resources. To read more, please go online to http://www.governor.state.nc.us/Office/Education/Newsletter.asp