PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2007
PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2007JANUARY 18, 2007 - Principals' Biweekly Message
Technology is embedded in every occupation today, but it is not always available in every classroom as much as we would like it to be. On Tuesday, Feb. 13, North Carolina legislators will have the opportunity to see how technology can make a difference in learning. On that day we will mark the 3rd Legislative School Technology Day - a great opportunity for public schools to showcase technology in schools and help build legislative support for technology in schools. So far, 67 schools plan to exhibit at the legislature on that day. We will kick off the activities at 10 a.m. when State Board of Education Chairman Howard Lee and I will welcome the students, teachers and other representatives of local schools. Following the opening, everyone will be invited to tour the exhibits. One school from every district has been invited to send students and a teacher to show legislators and the public how they use technology daily in their class work. I encourage you to showcase school technology whenever your legislators visit your schools and to underline the need for technology tools.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Principals' Message:
National School Counseling Week
On Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., State Superintendent June Atkinson will sign a proclamation declaring Feb. 5 - 9 National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week is celebrated to focus public attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors in public school systems. The week is designed to highlight the impact that school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for their futures. Schools nationwide will celebrate with the theme, "School Counselors: Helping Students Reach New Heights." Remember to recognize National School Counseling Week in your school system. You can find more information on the American School Counselor Association Web site, www.schoolcounselor.org.
Personalized Education Plans' Survey
NCDPI is conducting a survey about your experiences using Personalized Education Plans (PEPs). Our goal is to understand how PEPs are working in your schools and hear any opinions you may have about the process and policy. The information you provide will be vital for consideration of possible improvements to the PEP process. If you prefer, you may forward this survey to the person in your school most knowledgeable about PEPs. However, please designate only one person at your school to respond to this survey. A separate survey also will be administered for general input. Please read each question carefully and mark the answers that are closest to your own opinion. All of your responses will remain confidential, as your name will never be used in reporting the results of this survey. The results will be summarized and shared by an external organization. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please do not hesitate to contact Jackie Colbert at jcolbert@dpi.state.nc.us. To complete the survey, please go online to http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2262R6JBUUF. The deadline to complete the survey is Jan. 31. Thank you for taking the time to help us with this project.
National Youth Science Camp
High school seniors are encouraged to apply to serve as one of two delegates in the 44th session of the National Youth Science Camp® (NYSC®) held near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, W.Va. Established in 1963 as a part of West Virginia's Centennial Celebration, the NYSC® annually provides for 102 student delegates - two from each state and the District of Columbia - to attend an all-expense paid four-week summer forum where delegates exchange ideas with leading scientists and other professionals from academic and corporate worlds. Delegates to the NYSC® are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. The NYSC® academic program is complemented by an outdoor recreation program, which takes advantage of the camp's location in the Monongahela National Forest. The outdoor program offers backpacking, caving, rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking. Delegates arrive in Charleston, W.Va. on June 27 and depart on July 23. Application forms are available on the Science Camp Web site at www.nysc.org but must be submitted to North Carolina's Selection Coordinator: Ragan Spain, National Youth Science Camp 2007, 6352 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6352. Applications must be received by Feb. 16. For more information, please call Ragan Spain at 919.807.3950 or by email, rspain@dpi.state.nc.us.
North Carolina/China/Mexico School Partnerships
The UNC Center for International Understanding is seeking middle and high schools interested in partnering with Chinese schools in the Jiangsu Province, just north of Shanghai, and Mexican schools. To lay the foundation for that relationship, the Center is offering a study program for principals and partnership coordinators of partner schools to meet their counterparts and start planning. The study program includes an orientation on Aug. 16-17, a visit to China on Oct. 13-21 with an optional extension to Oct. 24 and a follow-up workshop on Dec. 1. Within the year it is hoped that Chinese officials will reciprocate to finalize plans. The Mexican program follows a similar model. Participants or their schools will be responsible for $2,325 of the study program fee for the nine-day program with the rest of the program fee covered by a grant from the Freeman Foundation. Applications and further details are available from Marty Babcock, Center for International Understanding, 919.715.2784, or by email, martyb@northcarolina.edu.
Technology Educator and Impact Model School Award Winners
The NCDPI Instructional Technology Division recently recognized the following North Carolina educators who have provided leadership in planning and implementing instructional technology in their schools and school district with the Technology Educator award: Donys Kaye Merrill, technology director, Transylvania County Schools; Kathy Barber, school library media specialist, Graham Barden Elementary, Craven County Schools; Bunnie Brewer, instructional technology facilitator, Jordan-Matthews High, Chatham County Schools; and Cynthia Stallings, technology facilitator, Perquimans Central School, Perquimans County Schools. Two schools also were recognized with the Impact Model School Award: Cape Hatteras Elementary, Dare County Schools, and Broad Creek Middle, Carteret County Schools. The Impact Model School Award recognizes schools that have both a certified media coordinator and a technology facilitator and where the entire staff is involved in collaboratively planning instructional programs, enriched by high-quality resources, current technologies and effective models of integration.
Jay Robinson Leadership Award Nominations
The Jay Robinson Leadership Award was established by the Public School Forum Board to recognize outstanding leaders in the public education field. The award may be given to anyone who has displayed innovative, creative, and effective leadership for North Carolina public schools. Nominations must be postmarked by March 1. The recipient will receive a $5,000 award sponsored by BB & T. The award ceremony will be held June 4 at the Raleigh Crabtree Marriott Hotel. To obtain an application, please contact Claire Ancelet, Public School Forum, 919.781.6833, or by email, cancelet@ncforum.org or you can download a copy at www.ncforum.org.
DonorsChoose is a Valuable Resource for Teachers
Principals are asked to remind their teachers about DonorsChoose - a resource that can possibly help them acquire supplies and materials that they may need for their classrooms. When teachers onto the DonorsChoose Web site and post a proposal, it will be seen by thousands of individuals across the country who support projects at DonorsChoose. Whether they need pencils and paper, math manipulatives, or costumes for their school play, teachers can request it at www.donorschooseNC.org.
If you'd like to review past Principals' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/principalsarchive/