PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2009

OCTOBER 15, 2009 - Principals' Biweekly Message

Congratulations to the high schools in North Carolina that have earned a spot in my 100% club for high schools with a perfect high school cohort graduation rate: Anson County Early College High, Early College at Guilford, Weaver Academy, Ocracoke School, Nantahala School and Newton-Conover Health/Science. These schools - as well as LEAs with the top graduation rates and other high schools with high cohort rates - were recognized Monday at the second annual Graduation Celebration held in Raleigh. I began this recognition celebration to highlight the fact that there are high schools and districts in North Carolina where graduation is not a crisis situation and where nearly every student graduates. What do these schools have in common? Many are small, but not all of them are. Several are early colleges. All of them have figured out how to create community, to link academic learning to real-world relevancy and how to provide support that students need to do their best in school. Read more at www.ncpublicschools.org under News.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Principals' Message:

1. NAEP Math Scores Released
2. Draft Science Essential Standards Update
3. Transition Plan Materials for Competency and Computer Skills Available Online
4. Race to the Top Webinars Scheduled
5. Don't Forget to Register Your High School for College Application Week
6. Banned Landfill Materials
7. Nonprofit Energy Management RFP
8. Mini-Grants Promote Safe Routes to Schools
9. Student Scholarship Opportunity

NAEP 2009 Math Scores Released

North Carolina fourth and eighth graders outperformed the nation in mathematics in 2009, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress results released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Education. North Carolina fourth graders had a particularly strong performance, increasing their average score by two points over fourth grade performance in 2007. Eighth grade students in North Carolina outperformed their national counterparts although their score did not change from 2007. Over time, students in North Carolina have consistently improved their performance on the NAEP. This is a state release and, as such, no district or school data are available. To read more, please visit the NCDPI's Web site at www.ncpublicschools.organd click on the appropriate link under "News."

Draft Science Essential Standards Update

The draft Science Essential Standards is currently in the final phase of the revision process. External stakeholders will have an opportunity to review and provide feedback in late October via the Web. Following the final round of review and revision, the NCDPI's Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Division will present the 2009 Science Essential Standards to the NC State Board members at their December meeting for discussion and for adoption at the January meeting, pending SBE recommendations. For more information, please contact NCDPI Deputy Chief Academic Officer Angela Quick at aquick@dpi.state.nc.us.

Transition Plan Materials for Competency and Computer Skills Available Online

The following information and resources on how to implement the Transition Plan for Competency and Computer Skills are now available online at www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/competency/competency2

• FAQ - List of frequently asked questions and answers (e.g., date on the diploma, data management, transcripts, diploma archive, etc.).
• SAMPLE: STUDENT NOTIFICATION LETTER - Sample letter that can be used to notify students of their opportunity to petition for a diploma.
• SAMPLE: PETITION FORM - Sample form that LEAs may use to collect student information from a student who petitions for a diploma.
• TRANSCRIPT NOTE - Note to be attached to each student 's transcript whose petition w- HISTORY OF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS - List of the graduation requirements for students who graduated in 1980-1981 through 2008-09.
• ELECTRONIC DIPLOMA ARCHIVE - Spreadsheet to record information on students who earned a diploma as a result of Senate Bill 202/S.L. 2009-451. Schools/LEAs will be required to submit this file to the NCDPI.

To the extent possible, please take steps to correct any actions that were previously taken that are inconsistent with this guidance. We apologize for not having this information available sooner and for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Carolan at ncarolan@dpi.state.nc.us or 919.807.3781.

Race to the Top Webinars Scheduled

Grab your calendars and place a hold on the appropriate date so that you will be able to attend the statewide Webinar on Race to the Top for principals. The purpose of the Webinar is to provide information on the state's Race to the Top grant proposal and how principals can be involved. Complete details, including specific invitations and directions for participation, will be forthcoming as the dates approach. Dates and times are as follows:

• Elementary Principals: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m.
• Middle School Principals: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 3 p.m.
• High School Principals: Monday, Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m.

Don't Forget to Register Your High School for College Application Week

It's not too late to register for College Application Week, Nov. 16-20. During College Application Week, high school seniors are encouraged to apply to at least one college on CFNC.org. Applications sent through CFNC's portal are accepted by all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities. Last fall, 293 high schools and more than 19,000 students submitted almost 38,000 online applications during the one-week program. Register for your school's College Application Week event at CFNC.org by clicking on "Register for CFNC Events." Registered schools will receive informational materials for how to prepare and implement an event, as well as student and CFNC materials such as pencils and mousepads. If you have any questions, please contact the CFNC Resource Center by phone at 866.866.2362 and select option "1" or by email at questions@cfncresources.org.

Banned Landfill Materials

Schools are reminded that as of Oct. 1, plastic bottles, oil filters and wooden pallets are banned from North Carolina sanitary landfills. This disposal ban recognizes that the recovery of these materials will contribute to the state's environmental and economic development goals. Please make sure that your district is in compliance with this new state law. Additional information about the bans can be found online at http://p2pays.org/BannedMaterials/index.asp

Nonprofit Energy Management RFP

The State Energy Office is requesting proposals for providing energy efficiency services and implementing energy efficiency measures for private non-profit organizations located in North Carolina. The work under this program includes: (1) identifying nonprofit agencies needing assistance; (2) performing energy audits on the facilities of these agencies; (3) specifying the energy efficiency measures needed and the materials and/or services required to increase energy efficiency; (4) arranging for the materials to be purchased in bulk quantity and installed at the non-profit organizations; (5) training and overseeing volunteers and/or contractors involved in the implementation process; (6) inspecting all work completed; and (7) measuring and verifying the energy savings that result from the project for each organization involved. The objective of this program is to ensure that a large number of nonprofit organizations are provided with energy efficiency measures to reduce energy expenses thus allowing more to be spent on program services. A secondary objective is to train volunteers to install some of the simple energy efficiency measu res to further leverage programcitizens in energy efficiency techniques and materials. Details of the RFP can be found online at https://www.ips.state.nc.us/ips (search by bid number: 200901040). Proposals are due no later than Friday, October 23, 2009 at 2 p.m. For additional information or questions go online to www.ncpandc.gov or call 919.807.4525.

Mini-grants Promote Safe Routes to School

The National Center for Safe Routes to School is awarding 20 mini-grants of up to $1,000 each to encourage student creativity in new or existing Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. The goal of SRTS programs is to enable and encourage children to safely walk and bicycle to school. SRTS programs are implemented nationwide by parents, schools, community leaders, and local, state, and tribal governments. Successful applications will include one or more of the following: student-led activities, concern for the environment, and/or promotion of physical activity. Funded activities must be part of a new or existing SRTS program. They must occur at elementary or middle schools, and activities must have the potential to have long-term impacts on safe walking or bicycling in the school community. Mini-grant applications will be accepted through Oct. 30. Award winners will be announced by Dec. 1. For complete details, including an application, please visit www.saferoutesinfo.org/minigrants .

Student Scholarship Opportunity

High school principals are asked to share the following information with school counselors. The General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative is offering for the fifth consecutive year a four-year college scholarship for a student to attend NC State University. The mission of the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative, which is housed at NC State University, is to "inspire, educate and develop values-based leaders who are committed to personal integrity, professional ethics and selfless service." The scholarship is valued at $10,000 per year and includes an annual $2,000 stipend for external leadership experiences such as study abroad. Please visit http://www.ncsu.edu/extension/sheltonleadership/leadership-scholarships/national-scholarships.phpfor a description of the scholarship, the criteria and application. The application deadline is Nov. 5.

 

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