PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2008

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 - Principals' Biweekly Message

Work is underway to address the recommendations in the "Framework for Change" document approved earlier this year by the State Board of Education. This work includes important changes to North Carolina's Standard Course of Study with a focus on essential standards and significant changes to the accountability system for our state. One of the first items to be delivered as a result of this work is the new writing assessment system that is being piloted during this school year (see item 2 below). In October, the State Board will receive a plan for continuing the rest of the work that is outlined in the Framework. I hope you will stay tuned. Many of the improvements that principals and others have been requesting for some time are on the way.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. 2008-09 Writing Assessment System Professional Development Module #1 Available Online
3. Learn and Earn Receives National Award
4. 2008-09 National Board Certification Online Application Process
5. Elementary School Conference to be Held in October
6. Seventh Annual Shelton Forum Scheduled
7. 2008 Fire Prevention Week Materials for Third Graders
8. Biotechnology Mini-Grants Available
9. Search Underway for Nation's Top Youth Volunteers

State Board Meeting Highlights

At last week's Board meeting, members approved a number of items including More at Four pre-kindergarten curricula recommendations, changes regarding eligibility criteria for accommodations and alternate assessments designated for students identified as limited English proficient, changes to the 2007-08 ABCs/AYP results, the local districts and one charter school that will be piloting the seventh grade writing assessment, and the LEA-wide calendar waiver requests. Highlights of the September State Board meeting will be available online Friday afternoon at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by clicking on the appropriate link.

2008-09 Writing Assessment System Professional Development Module #1 Available Online

The first Professional Development Module for the new Writing Assessment System is ready for access. As a reminder, the online Professional Development for Writing Courses is available to all K-12 teachers. However, the completion is highly recommended for all teachers in grades 4 & 7. This first online professional development course (via Moodle) will address the pedagogy and process of instructional delivery of writing in all classrooms. Any North Carolina teacher/administrator who needs access to the online professional development courses can obtain a user name and password from their LEA test coordinator (or their school test coordinator). To log into the Writing Assessment System, teachers and administrators will go to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/writing/writingpilotand read the Frequently Asked Questions section and click on the appropriate hyperlink. Principals are strongly encouraged to inform their teachers of this professional development opportunity.

Learn and Earn Receives National Award

North Carolina's Learn and Earn high school reform initiative recently received the 2008 Innovations in American Government Award. The program was selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants to represent the best in government innovation on the local, city, county, tribal, state and federal levels. As a part of the award, North Carolina will receive $100,000 toward the replication and dissemination of the program. The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government sponsors the annual awards competition. To showcase each award winner, Harvard also has produced videos about the programs. Videos for award winners can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/user/AshInstitute.

2008-09 National Board Certification Online Application Process

Principals are asked to pass along the following to their teachers: North Carolina teachers planning to seek National Board Certification should complete the online application available at www.nbpts.org and then complete the online application for state funding. Guidelines for applying for National Board Certification in North Carolina can be accessed at www.ncpublicschools.org/recruitment/nationalboardcertification/. 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 North Carolina eligibility criteria. The state funding application window for 2008-09 candidates pursuing National Board Certification is March 1-Oct. 31.

Elementary School Conference to be Held in October

Register now for the Fifth Annual NC Elementary School Conference, "Leading the Way: Preparing Learners for the 21st Century," to be held Oct. 26 - 28 at the Raleigh Convention Center. This year's event includes exceptional pre-conference sessions and Harry Wong as the keynote speaker. Information and registration can be found online at www.ncelementary.org. The deadline for the conference hotel rate is Sept. 26.

Seventh Annual Shelton Forum Scheduled

The Seventh Annual General Hugh Shelton Leadership Forum, "Leadership Without Borders: Preparing Leaders for the State, Nation and World," will be held Nov. 7 at the McKimmon Conference and Training Center, Western Blvd. and Gorman streets, Raleigh. Speakers include Gen. Hugh Shelton, Baseball Hall of Fame member Cal Ripken, Progress Energy Northern Region Vice President Hilda Pinnix-Ragland and Der. Thomas P.M. Barnett, author of "Blueprint for Action" and "The Pentagon's New Map." The registration fee is $159 if received by Oct. 15 and $179 if received after this date. For a complete agenda and registration information, please go online to www.ncsu.edu/sheltonleadership.

2008 Fire Prevention Week Materials for Third Graders

2008 Fire Prevention Week materials are being sent to elementary school principals for distribution to third grade students. These booklets are meant to teach third graders about fire safety and prevention and lead them through a series of activities until they become a "Junior Fire Marshal." The N.C. Department of Insurance sends out fire prevention materials every year as a free service in compliance with state education laws. This year, materials will be packaged in groups of 50 and shipped directly to schools. If you fail to receive your materials by Oct. 6, need to order extra materials (first-come, first-serve basis only) or have questions about the booklets, please contact Kristin Milam, North Carolina Department of Insurance, 919.733.5238 or by email, kmilam@ncdoi.net.

Biotechnology Mini-Grants Available

Applications are now being accepted for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's 2008-09 Mini-Grant Program. The Biotechnology Education Mini-Grant Program offers awards of up to $6,000 to assist in the development and implementation of activities, programs and courses for biotechnology education and training at the K-12 level. Any North Carolina non-profit institution may apply. All proposals must be submitted electronically using the Biotechnology Center's online submission process. Proposals must be received by noon on Jan. 21, 2009. For detailed information or to apply for a Biotechnology Education Mini-Grant, please go to www.ncbiotech.org/services_and_programs/grants_and_loans/mini_grant/index.html.

Search Underway for Nation's Top Youth Volunteers

Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is sponsoring its 14th annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. This Awards program recognizes outstanding community service by students in grades 5 though 12. The top middle and high school candidates in each state win $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C. Program information has been sent to all middle and high school principals and guidance counselors but also is available online at www.prudential.com/spirit or by calling 877.525.8491. Students must submit completed applications to their principals by Oct. 31. Schools will then select the top recipients and submit those names for state-level judging. The middle and high school recipients for each state will be named in February 2009. State honorees will travel with a parent to Washington, D.C., May 2-5 for national recognition events. Ten national honorees will be named and among other things, will receive an additional $5,000 in awards.

 

If you'd like to review past Principals' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/principalsarchive/.