PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2009

MARCH 19, 2009 - Principals' Biweekly Message

North Carolina was highlighted recently as one of the states making significant progress in improving our high school graduation rate. (See second item, below.) This recognition is exciting because it shows that our state is on the right track to turning around one of our most important measures of success: high school graduation. I congratulate every principal for the role you have played in our improvements, and I encourage you to continue your efforts. Everyone – from a kindergarten teacher to a high school principal, is important in this work.

Also, Gov. Perdue presented her budget on Tuesday. The state budget will be a major topic of conversation between department staff and local superintendents on Friday. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. Summer Leadership Conference 2009
2. NC Highlighted for Improving Graduation Rate Gains
3. Deadline Approaching for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Nominations
4. LEARN NC Offers Professional Development Opportunities
5. North Carolina Teacher Academy Summer Modules Posted
6. Summer 2009 Biotechnology Workshops for Educators
7. Hop on the BUS! Business Plan Competition Winners Announced
8. Qualities of a Great Principal
9. National Weather Service Marks Hurricane Floyd Anniversary with Events
10. Western NC Summer Music Camp Scholarships Available

Summer Leadership Conference 2009

The Summer Leadership Conference will be suspended for 2009 due to the current economic situation. Anyone who has made room reservations at the Grove Park Inn will need to call and cancel those reservations if you do not plan to use them. The Summer Leadership Conference will return in 2010. The 2010 conference will be held at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville on June 27-30.

In place of the Summer Leadership Conference, we will have a one-day virtual Summer Leadership Update on Tuesday, July 14. This one-day virtual conference is being sponsored by WRESA, NCASA, and the NCDPI. Michael Horne, co-author of "Disrupting Class" will be one of the keynote speakers. Each of the eight RESAs will have a central site to view the conference. You will have the opportunity to go to this location to view the conference or you can view it from your district or office. Once the details are completed, more information will be sent to you. Please mark this date on your calendars.

If you are still interested in visiting the Asheville area this summer or during the year, and would like to stay at the Grove Park Inn, you can receive the best rate available by using the code 4429Q5. You will receive the weekday rate of $199 or the best rate available. The weekend rate will be $289 or the best rate available. The Biltmore Estate is also offering North Carolina educators a discount rate of $38 per adult for any daytime visit to the estate between April 4- Dec. 31. To take advantage of this special rate, please contact Biltmore's Group Sales Office at 866.851.4661 and give Promo Code: NCED.

NC Highlighted for Improving Graduation Rate Gains

North Carolina is ranked seventh in the nation in graduation rate gains between 2002 and 2006 according to "Rising Graduation Rates: A Series of Data Briefs," released last week by The Everyone Graduates Center. The report is the first in a series of briefs examining the progress states are making in raising high school graduation rates over the past decade. Although the nation's overall graduation rate was noted as remaining essentially flat at 74 percent, 18 states posted gains in their graduation rates with gains posted by the top 12 states considered "substantial." Tennessee was first on the list with an 11.2 percentage point g ain (72 percent graduation rate) followed by Delaware and Kentucky with a 6.8 percentage point gain (76 percent and 78 percent graduation rates respectively). North Carolina's percentage point gain was 3.6 percent (72 percent graduation rate). North Carolina has initiated a number of programs designed to positively impact the state's graduation rate including dropout prevention grants, Learn and Earn Early College High Schools and other dual enrollment programs, credit recovery programs such as those offered through the North Carolina Virtual Public School and public schools, and a number of local initiatives targeting at-risk students including ninth grade academies, alternative diploma programs, Learning Centers and graduation coaches. To access the full report, please visit www.every1graduates.org/PDFs/StateProgressReport.pdf

Deadline Approaching for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Nominations

May 1 is the deadline to nominate a secondary school teacher for The National Science Foundation's 2009 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th–grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. This program recognizes teachers for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. To apply, teachers must first be nominated for the award. Teachers may nominate themselves or may be nominated by someone else (e.g., principals, teachers, parents, or other members of the general public). Once nominated, teachers will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online application. The application deadline for secondary school teachers (Grades 7–12) is May 1. Elementary school teachers (Grades K–6) are eligible to apply in 2010. Online nomination forms are available online at www.paemst.org. Presidential awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip for two to Washington DC to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

LEARN NC Offers Professional Development Opportunities

LEARN NC is offering an online professional development course entitled "Getting Ready for Algebra by Using Virtual Manipulatives." In this online course, teachers will explore the 17 algebra readiness indicators developed by the Southern Regional Education Board and the Educational Testing Service, including the five process indicators and the 12 content and skills indicators. By the end of the course, teachers will complete a technology- enhanced classroom project for students that is aligned to NCTM and state standards. The course begins April 27, costs $150, and provides two CEUs. To enroll or for more information, please visit www.learnnc.org/courses/current/eLEReadyAlgebra_Hunter_04_09.

LEARN NC also is offering "A Crash Course in ESL." This course is designed to provide a concise overview for teachers working with ESL students. Among other things, the course will explain testing, policies and procedures for ESL students; assist in understanding second language acquisition, cultural issues and challenges that all play a role in learning English; and explore appropriate strategies for reaching English language learners that are consistent with each student's level of language development, educational background and life experiences. The course also supplies teachers with reliable resources for supplemental information/assistance. The course begins May 6, costs $150, and offers two CEUs. For more information, please visit www.learnnc.org/courses/current/CrashCourseESL_05_09_Hill.

North Carolina Teacher Academy Summer Modules Posted

Principals are asked to share the following information with their teachers. The 2009 North Carolina Teacher Academy sum mer modules are now posted online. Participants in this residential program will receive a $400 stipend, unless otherwise specified in the individual application. (Twelve month participants must take annual leave in order to receive a stipend.) Housing and subsistence for residential academies will be provided by the Teacher Academy. Participants will be required to complete 12 hours of sustained online follow-up activities in order to earn 3.6 CEUs. Applications and additional information are available online at www.teacheracademy.org by clicking on the Summer 2009 Residential Academies' link. The application deadline is March 31.

Summer 2009 Biotechnology Workshops for Educators

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center will again sponsor biotechnology workshops for educators this summer. Five introductory workshops will be offered around the state for high school science teachers, and one workshop for middle school teachers. North Carolina educators receive a daily stipend, room and board, technology or regular CEUs, and access to the Biotechnology Center's free supplies and equipment loan programs. Complete information about the workshops can be found on the Biotechnology Center's Web site at www.ncbiotech.org/summerworkshops.

Hop on the BUS! Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

Congratulations to Mary Kylie Cranford, Eastern Alamance High (Alamance-Burlington Schools), Kristin Huiznega, Apex High (Wake County Schools), and Brittany Pritchett, Durham School of the Arts for submitting and presenting the top three business plans in the 3rd annual "Hop on the BUS! Business Plan Competition." Over 400 high school students took the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, collaborate with peers, and communicate ideas to possibly enhance or offer a product/service by writing a business plan. NCDPI's Career and Technical Education Division partnered with North Carolina 4-H Youth Development, REAL Enterprises and the Rural Economic Development Center to sponsor the competition. The students were recognized during National Entrepreneurship Week, Feb. 21-28. More information about the competition is available online at www.hoponthebus.org.

Qualities of a Great Principal

2008-09 AT&T North Carolina Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year honors Cindi Rigsbee wrote an article that appeared in the Feb. 18 edition of "Teacher Magazine" entitled "What Makes a Principal Great?" In the article, Rigsbee summarizes several characteristics great principals have in common that were gleaned from her many visits to schools and conversations with teachers, support staff, parents and students. Read the results of her unofficial research by clicking here

National Weather Service Marks Hurricane Floyd Anniversary with Events

The National Weather Service is marking the anniversary of Hurricane Floyd by reminding people to be prepared for each hurricane season, and to be aware of the potential for flooding. As part of this effort, the Hurricane Hunter aircraft with NOAA Hurricane Experts will travel to the Floyd impacted cities of Raleigh and Wilmington on May 6 and 7 respectively. For more information, including educational materials on hurricanes and flooding, please visit http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/Floyd/index.php. Lesson plans for grades 4 and 5 are available online at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/mhx/Floyd/PDF/LessonPlan.pdf. Questions may be directed to sarah.jamison@noaa.gov.

Western NC Summer Music Camp Scholarships Available

Middle and high school students in the western part of the state who are instrumental music students may want to consider applying for a full scholarship to attend the Western North Carolina Summer Music Camp scheduled for June 21-26 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Additional information, including the application form, is available online at www.ashevillesymphony.org/guild. Applications are due to school music teachers by April 15.

"Love the Bus" 2009

Schools across North Carolina participated in "Love the Bus" last month and celebrated the important work of school bus drivers safely transporting over 700,000 students to and from school each day. Pictures of this event are available online at www.ncbussafety.org.

America's Greenest School

The IC Corporation is sponsoring an essay contest for K-12 students that could lead to a new hybrid school bus for their school. Students are to write a 500-word essay describing how his or her school is showing its commitment to going green, how it teaches its students the value of green living, how it shows it dedication to green transportation, or how it embodies the spirit of a greener planet. Details are available online at www.americasgreenestschool.com. The entry deadline is April 30 after which ten finalist essays will be posted for public voting. A related story on this contest can be found on USA Today's Web site at http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-02-22-bus-contest_N.htm. If you have any questions, please contact NCDPI Transportation Services Section Chief Derek Graham at dgraham@dpi.state.nc.us or 919.807.3570.

 

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