TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2004

JULY 8, 2004

On July 19, local school districts will release the preliminary Adequate Yearly Progress results for their individual schools. All district results will be available through links at www.ncpublicschools.org (look under In the News). AYP results indicate how North Carolina schools are doing in terms of meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind. This is important, but other factors also are important, including the ABCs designations that will be released Aug. 5. As you know, schools must meet every AYP target in order to be considered successful under the federal model. There is no credit given for progress or for meeting a high percentage of targets. As you discuss AYP designations with your school community, I hope you will relay these facts as well as the broader picture of how well your schools are doing to meet student needs.

Regards,
Mike Ward

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. Work Session for Physical Education National Board Candidates to be Held Monday
3. Register Now to Attend the Third Annual High School Network Conference
4. Character Education Conference Scheduled for March
5. MEDS Conference Announces Call for Papers
6. Be Active North Carolina Receives Grant
7. Don't Forget to Take That Tax Break
8. NCCU Sponsors Teacher Education Summit
9. NC Symphony Concerts Complement Field Trips
10. FAA to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Wright Brothers' Flight
11. All Kinds of Minds Announces Position Vacancy
12. Foundation Offers Awards for Best Food Drives

State Board Meeting Highlights

State Board Meeting Highlights - The State Board of Education approved an anti-harassment, anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policy this month that notes that "it is the policy of the State Board of Education to maintain a safe, orderly and caring learning environment in the public schools and public charter schools of North Carolina that is free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination and is inclusive of all students." This policy states that local boards shall develop and maintain policies and procedures to prevent, intervene, investigate, document and report all acts of harassment or bullying no later than January 2005. Complete SBE meeting highlights are posted online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights/

Work Session for Physical Education National Board Candidates to be Held Monday

Physical education National Board candidates planning on attending the Monday, Jan. 20, work session should bring their entries, videos, laptops and all works in progress. There will be a TV/VCR available to use and NBCTs to answer your questions. Those candidates interested in the assessment center exercises will also have a time to review. The work session, which is sponsored by NCAAHPERD and Wake and Durham County physical educators, will be held from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., at Forest View Elementary, 3007 Mt. Sinai Road, Durham. If you plan to attend or would like to help, please contact Robin Derr, Forest View Elementary, 919.560.3932, or by email, robinderr@aol.com, or bbeals@wcpss.net or mflowedaw@aol.com.

Register Now to Attend the Third Annual High School Network Conference

High school administrators and teachers will want to register to attend The North Carolina High School Network's Third Annual Conference to be held Jan. 27-28 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, Durham. Topics will include instructional strategies, integrated learning, curriculum updates, school safety issues, classroom management, scheduling, athletics, and more. The registration fee is $100 for NCHSN members and $125 for non-members (includes a year's individual membership). The deadline to register is Jan. 20. For additional information, contact Marilyn Palmer, Staff Development Coordination, DPI, 919.807.3935, or by email, mpalmer@dpi.state.nc.us.

Character Education Conference Scheduled for March

The North Carolina Character Education Conference 2003, "The Road Best Traveled," will be held March 3 - 4 at the Greensboro Marriott Downtown, Greensboro. A pre-conference workshop, "Developing Character for Classroom Success: Strategies to Increase Respect&Responsibility, Achievement and Motivation in All Your Students," will be held Sunday night from 7 - 9 p.m. at no additional fee. The conference registration fee is $55 per person if received before Feb. 14 and $70 per person if received after. There will be no on-site registration. In addition, the Greensboro Marriott Downtown has reserved a block of rooms at a special conference rate of $59. The deadline for hotel reservations at this rate is Feb. 17. Ten contact hours will be awarded conference participants. For more information, including registration, please contact Charlie Abourjilie, Character Education Consultant, DPI, 919.807.3854, or by email, cabourji@dpi.state.nc.us.

MEDS Conference Announces Call for Papers

The Fourth National Conference on Moral Education in a Diverse Society (MEDS) will take place Sept. 19 - 21 at the Marriott Hotel, Durham. The conference focuses on the practice and teaching of moral courage and civic responsibility in educational settings. Conference planners are inviting proposals for papers, interactive workshops, poster presentations and roundtable discussions. Proposals must be submitted by Feb. 15. For application forms and detailed information about the conference, please go to http://kenan.ethics.duke.edu or call the Kenan Institute for Ethics at 919.660.3033.

Be Active North Carolina Receives Grant

Be Active North Carolina, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles among all North Carolinians, has been awarded a $76,456 grant by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. Be Active North Carolina will use the funds to expand its "Active Steps" youth walking program and implement pedometer-aided walking programs for physical education classes in 68 public schools. NC DPI and NC Healthy Schools are partners in the Active Steps Youth Program. For more information, please contact Shellie Pfohl, Be Active North Carolina, 919.765.7172.

Don't Forget to Take That Tax Break

Every little bit helps, which is why teachers are reminded that you are able to take a federal deduction of up to $250 annually for out-of-pocket classroom expenses when you prepare your 2002 tax returns. For 2002 and 2003 taxes, the deduction can be made on the 1040E-Z form. Nationally, teachers spend an average of $400 of their own money annually on classroom supplies, according to the National Education Association's estimates. Be sure and keep your receipts just in case!

NCCU Sponsors Teacher Education Summit

North Carolina Central University in Durham is sponsoring its 2003 Teacher Education Summit, "Fundamentals of Closing the Achievement Gap," on Feb. 7-8. The cost of the summit is $75 if registration is received by Jan. 25 and $100 if received after this date. Participants will receive one CEU for attendance. For more information, please call 919.530.6466.

NC Symphony Concerts Complement Field Trips

The North Carolina Symphony has designed a one-hour education concert for students in grades 3 - 5 to complement day trips to Raleigh. The Symphony can accommodate classes and schools of any size. Concert dates are available from January to early May 2003. Most concerts begin at 10:30 am. Cost is $6 per child and includes student workbook. For more information, please contact Susan Murray by email at smurray@ncsymphony.org or by phone, 919.733.2750, ext. 254.

FAA to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Wright Brothers' Flight

Dec. 17, 2003, will mark an important milestone in transportation history - the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first controlled, powered flight. The legacy of the Wright brothers' accomplishment, and the huge impact of powered flight in the twentieth century, can also be recognized as a challenge to today's students to set significant goals and achieve great things. Hundreds of events are planned throughout the country to celebrate this historic occasion. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is taking an active role in educating students on the history of aviation and the accomplishments of the Wright Brothers. For more information, please contact Opal Neely at 404.305.5310 or Hank Collier at 404.305.5902, FAA Executive Staff.

All Kinds of Minds Announces Position Vacancy

All Kinds of Minds has announced a position opening for their professional development curriculum coordinator. All Kinds of Minds, an Institute for the understanding of differences in learning, is seeking an experienced K-12 educator to refine/expand professional development curriculum for teachers of students struggling to learn. Requirements: BA in related field, MA preferred; curriculum/staff development experience with knowledge of facilitative model and NSDC standards; excellent writing/editing skills; and a commitment to enhancing the professional practice of teachers. Competitive salary and benefits. The deadline to send a resume and cover letter is Jan. 20. Please send resume and cover letter to saposition@allkindsofminds.org.

Foundation Offers Awards for Best Food Drives

The Feinstein Foundation, a non-profit Rhode Island foundation, is offering $1,000 each to the 50 schools across the country having the best food drives. The drive will last through April 30, 2003. The food is to be delivered to a non-profit agency in March or April only. For complete details, please go to the Feinstein Foundation's Web site at http://www.feinsteinfoundation.org