PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2006

SEPTEMBER 7, 2006

North Carolina is well-known as a military-friendly state. What is less well known is that approximately one-third of all North Carolina counties have mobilized soldiers from the N.C. National Guard or the Military Reserves. You may have students in your school who have parents who are deployed now. I hope that you and your faculty will consider ways to be especially supportive of the children of deployed military personnel. The Department of Public Instruction, in conjunction with the Governor's Office and others, is developing a Web site that will be housed at www.ncpublicschools.org, to provide a one-stop shop of resources you can use. In the meantime, you may want to check out these two sites for help: www.nc.ngb.army.mil/family (North Carolina National Guard Family Readiness site) and www.nmfa.org (National Military Families Association).

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. Schools to Watch Application Deadline Approaching
3. National Board Update
4. USDA Awards $1 Million Grant to the NC Department of Public Instruction
5. Drought Conditions Prompt Request to Conserve Water
6. NASPE Offers Teacher Toolbox to Get Students Moving
7. Training Sessions Help K-8 Teachers Implement Healthy Active Children Policy
8. Curriculum Pathways Update
9. “Words to the Wise” Newsletter Online
10. Register Now for Elementary School Conference
11. NC Middle School Association Sponsors Fall Institutes
12. Fall Leadership Conference to be Held in October
13. Workshops Support Stock Market Game
14. New Teacher Guide to LEARN NC
15. LEARN NC Media Library Available
16. Teachers Encouraged to Submit Project Proposals to DonorsChoose

State Board Meeting Highlights

At today’s State Board meeting, members approved corrections/additions to the 2005-06 AYP results, LEA Improvement and Title I School Improvement lists, and the list of high schools with performance composites less than 70 percent for two years in a row. Currently 60 districts are in LEA District Improvement. The Board also approved the state’s 100th charter school - Charlotte Secondary School in Mecklenburg County. In addition, Board members discussed the ABCs reporting delay and committed to ensuring that the results would be approved in time for certified staff to receive their bonuses prior to the winter holiday break. Complete Board highlights will be available online Wednesday morning at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights.

Schools to Watch Application Deadline Approaching

The North Carolina Middle School Association, in partnership with the NCDPI and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, is inviting middle grades schools to apply for the prestigious national “Schools to Watch” recognition. Schools to Watch is in its fifth year and has been awarded to 86 schools across the country. In North Carolina, 18 schools have been recognized for being academically excellent, developmentally responsive and socially equitable. The Schools to Watch criteria are being used in hundreds of schools across the country to drive improvement and reduce achievement gaps. Schools interested in applying for recognition in the 2006-07 school year are encouraged to visit www.ncmsa.net or call the North Carolina Middle School Association at 800.424.9177 for more information. Applications are due Sept. 15.

National Board Update

NBC Online Application Process for 2006-07 Candidates - North Carolina teachers planning to seek National Board Certification should complete the online application at www.nbpts.org and then complete the online application for North Carolina funding. Guidelines for applying for National Board Certification in North Carolina can be accessed at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nbpts/apply.html. Initial NBC candidates will pay a $65 processing charge to NBPTS before they submit their application. North Carolina pays the assessment fee of $2,500 for all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. The NC funding application window for 2006-07 candidates pursuing National Board Certification is March 1-Oct. 31.

NBC Renewal Information - National Board Certified teachers who achieved certification in 1997 or 1998 may pursue renewal of their National Board certificate this year. For NBCTs who achieved it in 1997, this is the second and final opportunity to pursue renewal. For NBCTs who achieved it in 1998, this is the first opportunity to pursue renewal. The application window for renewal is open Nov. 13-Dec. 31. Deadline for payment of the application fee is Jan. 31, 2007. The Profile of Professional Growth must be submitted by April 30, 2007. Scores for renewal candidates will be released in October 2007. For more information about renewal, visit the NBPTS Web site at www.nbpts.org and view the NBC Renewal Presentation on the NCDPI Web site at www.ncpublicschools.org/nbpts/resource.html.

USDA Awards $1 Million Grant to the NC Department of Public Instruction

Thanks to a $1 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), students in 25 elementary schools will be able to participate this year in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. This is the third consecutive year North Carolina has been awarded the opportunity to participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which promotes increasing student consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. To find out which schools will participate in the program, please go to the NCDPI Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under “News.

Drought Conditions Prompt Request to Conserve Water

The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources reminds the public school community that most of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions or is in a moderate drought, and that school districts are recommended to do their part to conserve water. Recommendations include adhering to local water use restrictions, staying informed regarding drought conditions and advisories at www.ncdrought.org, assess your vulnerability to drought conditions and adjust water usage to prolong water supply, and to check water delivery system components to ensure that leaks are repaired promptly and that water delivery equipment is operating as efficiently as possible.

NASPE Offers Teacher Toolbox to Get Students Moving

Need classroom activities to get kids moving? The National Association for Sport and Physical Education Teacher's Toolbox for September is now posted. Included are the popular fitness calendars in English and Spanish, upcoming observances, Back to School Night Ideas and a new feature called “Classroom Energizers.” The classroom teacher is a very important component in the creation of a positive attitude toward physical activity. Through the use of classroom activities, teachers not only instill the value of physical activity, but also allow students to refocus their attention to classroom tasks. A three-five minute energizer break at least once a day helps improve student performance and reduces potential boredom. Visit http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=teachers_toolbox_sep06.html for more information or contact Kymm Ballard, Physical Education, Athletics, Sports Medicine consultant, NCDPI, 919.807.3858, or by email, kballard@dpi.state.nc.us.

Training Sessions Help K-8 Teachers Implement Healthy Active Children Policy

The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission (HWTFC) is providing free training sessions to all elementary and middle school teachers in your district to assist with implementation of the Healthy Active Children policy. During training sessions, K-8 teachers will receive instruction on how to use FREE resources such as Energizers and Fit Kids Activities available online at www.FitKidsnc.com in order to incorporate physical activity into the classroom. HWTFC has contracted with Be Active North Carolina to work with your district’s contact to set up trainings. Please encourage all your teachers to attend ONE training. A message will be sent announcing training dates in your district once they have been scheduled. Please encourage your teachers to learn how to implement the Healthy Active Children Policy. For more information on the resources and training sessions, please visit www.beactivenc.org and click on “Healthy Active Children Policy.”

Curriculum Pathways Update

The latest release of Curriculum Pathways(r) 2007 was released Aug. 7-8 and includes several new features for teachers, all available online at www.sasinschool.com/products/pathways/pages/pathways2007.shtml. The Investigating Curriculum Pathways(r) - Web Inquiry module (www.landmark-project.com/ebistro/modules/module1/index.php?module_id=36&mod e=view) and the Investigating Curriculum Pathways - Interactivity module (www.landmark-project.com/ebistro/modules/module1/index.php?module_id=35&mod e=view) introduce teachers in the core disciplines of English, social studies, science, mathematics and Spanish to Curriculum Pathways' core curriculum resources. eBistro is a professional development tool for educators in North Carolina that helps teachers integrate technology into the curriculum. Looking for training for your district? Contact your instructional technology coordinator or director for more information, or visit www.ncwise.org or www.sasinschool.com.

“Words to the Wise” Newsletter Online

The “Words to the Wise” newsletter is back with all the latest information on NC WISE. In this issue:

• Read the latest news for the Wave 2 deployment.
• Learn what is being done to improve NC WISE in the Project Update report.
• Find out what's new for SIMS users.
• Meet some of the newest members of the NC WISE team.
• Check out the photos from the Coordinators’ Summer Conference.
• Register to become a member of the North Carolina Student Information Association (NCSIA). Check it all out online at: http://www.ncwise.org/newsletter/wise_newsletter_08_31_06.pdf. As always, staff welcomes your feedback, suggestions and story ideas. Please contact us through the NC WISE mailbox at ncwise@dpi.state.nc.us.

Register Now for Elementary School Conference

Space is still available for the Third Annual Elementary School Conference, “Leading the Way,” to be held Oct. 9-10 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center, Research Triangle Park. Registration forms are available online at www.ncelementary.org. Conference rates for hotel rooms expire Sept. 8. For more information, please contact Michelle Palmer Weaver at mweaver@dpi.state.nc.us.

NC Middle School Association Sponsors Fall Institutes

The North Carolina Middle School Association will be conducting its annual Fall Institutes to inform teachers, administrators and counselors about the latest strategies in areas important to those who work with young adolescents. NCDPI’s Middle Grades Division will be partnering with the North Carolina Middle School Association to conduct sessions on Bullying and on Balanced Curriculum. In addition, well-known author and consultant Melba Johnson will be conducting a workshop on reading that will focus on reading and problem-solving strategies to meet literacy goals, and the Schools to Watch State Team will conduct a session on the Schools to Watch criteria. Dates and locations are as follows: Sept. 18, Asheville; Sept. 25, Hickory; and Oct. 2, Rocky Mount. Space is limited, and participants are encouraged to register early to avoid being closed out of a session. Please visit www.ncmsa.net or call the North Carolina Middle School Association at 800.424.9177 for more information.

Fall Leadership Conference to be Held in October

The North Carolina Principals & Assistant Principals’ Association 2006 Fall Leadership Conference, "Educational Cruise Line-S.S. NCPAPA, " will be held Oct. 8-11 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Resort, Atlantic Beach. This year’s Fall Leadership Conference will be packed with informative sessions, professional development opportunities and networking. Make reservations on the "S.S. NCPAPA" where the destination is excellence and the adventures are unlimited. For more information, including registration, please visit the N.C. Principals & Assistant Principals' Association Web site at www.ncpapa.org.

Workshops Support Stock Market Game

The North Carolina Council on Economic Education (NCCEE) is once again conducting free workshops for teachers interested in utilizing the Stock Market Game as a learning tool. These two-hour workshops are being held in various locations throughout the state. To register for the workshop nearest you, go online to www.nccee.org. Additionally, the NCCEE will tailor a workshop for your school’s or LEA’s needs free of charge on subjects relating to economics and financial literacy. For more information, please contact Sandy Wheat, Programs Director, NCCEE, 866.606.2233.

New Teacher Guide to LEARN NC

How can teachers support the NC Standard Course of Study as they plan for instruction? Where can teachers get ideas for engaging activities to relate their subject matter to the outside world? Where can their students find quality educational resources for research projects? These questions and more are easily addressed with a New Teacher Guide to LEARN NC. This quick-reference guide highlights resources and strategies for locating what new teachers or teachers who are new to North Carolina need for instructional planning. To download a copy, see "New Teacher Guide" under the header "How-to guides" online at http://www.learnnc.org/support/workshoptools.

LEARN NC Media Library Available

LEARN NC has launched a new collection of images - and soon, audio and video - for educational use. High-quality photographs will take you from Bear Island, NC, to Bangkok, Thailand. Photographs are accompanied by thorough descriptions and are integrated into slideshows and other longer works, so teachers can quickly find an educational context for them. Keyword tagging and a "tag cloud" make browsing easy and enjoyable, and links from image records help you find related media on similar topics. Follow the new link under "Teaching&Learning" in the LEARN NC navigation column, or go directly to http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia.

Teachers Encouraged to Submit Project Proposals to DonorsChoose

Have your teachers ever found the perfect project to engage their students, only to be told their school doesn’t have the resources to put it into action? Have they found the ideal field trip to bring a classroom topic to life, only to discover there isn’t enough funding? DonorsChoose is a simple way to turn your teachers’ best ideas into reality. By going to DonorsChoose.org and submitting a proposal, teachers are offering interested citizens the chance to directly fund books, supplies, technology, or field trips for students. To help bring attention to this program, DonorsChoose is kicking off a back-to-school campaign to get public school students in North Carolina classrooms off to a great start. This campaign will bring thousands of donors to the site. Encourage your teachers to take a few minutes in the coming weeks and post a proposal at www.DonorsChoose.org.