PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2013
PRINCIPALS' MESSAGES 2013AUGUST 1, 2013 - Principals' Biweekly Message
With the legislative session over for the 2013 long session, I know that many of us are still getting up to speed on the impact of lawmakers' decisions. The best thing that happened this year was the end of the discretionary reduction, a budget tactic used to balance the budget by requiring local districts to return significant dollars to the state. Ending this practice is a victory for greater transparency in school budgets. Other legislative decisions will mean fewer teachers and fewer teacher assistants, fewer resources for textbooks and instructional supplies, no pay increases and the delay of implementing the A-F school accountability grades until the fall of 2014.
Regardless of how you view these changes, the landscape of public schooling will be a new one this fall. While I know that you and your staff will diligently ensure that schools run in an orderly fashion, there will be a new, lower level of resources. You may hear some people say that the dollars going to public schools have increased, but that "increase" is linked to three things that don't really affect the level of resources for students: an increasing number of students (approximately 17,000 more students), an accounting action that shifted last year's pay increase into the state's Public School Fund this year and increases in the state retirement contribution and hospitalization costs.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Principals' Message:
Sept. 12 Webinar Seeks Feedback on the Common Exams and Roster Verification
The NCDPI and NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association will host a webinar on Thursday, Sept. 12, to receive feedback on the 2012-13 administration of the Common Exams and the Spring 2013 roster verification process. School administrators are invited to participate in an open dialogue from 3:30-5 p.m. Please visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/640959049 to register for the webinar. Questions regarding the webinar may be sent to educatoreffectiveness@dpi.nc.gov.
Resources for Differentiation, Global Awareness and Critical Thinking
Skills students will need for college and career readiness include global awareness and critical thinking - with and without technological tools. How widely are these embedded within instructional delivery and learning? How often are teachers using data to differentiate? Visit http://si2013p21 for resources to assist teachers with using the framework for 21st century skills to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all learners. For more information, please contact Lynne Johnson at lynne.johnson@dpi.nc.gov or Jessica Garner at Jessica.garner@dpi.nc.gov.
Checklist for Science Safety Requirements
On July 11, the North Carolina State Board of Education voted to update the "Checklist for Science Safety Requirements." The updates include a revision to the dishwasher requirement in prep rooms where the dishwasher can now be a residential grade washer with a notification placard regarding rinsing before use, refrigerators are installed at the option of the school system but must be spark proof when installed, the ½" lips required for all cabinetry shelving in prep rooms and chemical storage rooms are now required only where chemicals will be stored, and the last revision adds the chemical data sheet "SDS" reference to the required information to be posted. The updated checklist can be reviewed on the School Planning website at www.schoolclearinghouse.org.
Apply Now for 2013-14 Green Ribbon Schools' Award
It is time for schools' staff to begin preparing their applications for the U. S. Education Department's Green Ribbon Schools' (GRS) award. The GRS award recognizes schools and districts from across the United States that excel in three areas: reduction of environmental impact and costs; improvement to the health and wellness of students and staff; and, providing effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills and green career pathways. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan started the program in 2011 to recognize these schools. In 2012, district achievements were added. Two North Carolina schools have received this outstanding national award. Principals should send their completed applications to the NCDPI. Up to four North Carolina schools can be nominated by the department and sent to the USED for national consideration. Additional information and applications are available online at www.SchoolClearinghouse.org under "Green Ribbon Schools." You also may direct questions to Ron Collier at ronald.collier@dpi.nc.gov or 919.807.3562.