TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2005

JANUARY 13, 2005

On Jan. 18, the State Supreme Court will hear the appeal of State Superintendent candidate Bill Fletcher concerning the election for the State Superintendent. Until the Court rules, we will not have a newly elected State Superintendent, and I will continue to serve in that role. I want to assure you that during this unusual time, the Department and I continue to move forward to fulfill the State Board of Education's goals and priorities. There is a great urgency to work on high school reform, on closing achievement gaps, on recruiting and retaining high quality teachers and on many other priorities. I want to ensure you that our work continues as we await new leadership. I appreciate your support and the many relationships I have built among the educators in this state. Thank you for your dedication to your students and their achievement.

Regards,
Tricia Willoughby

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. SBE Meeting Highlights
2. Message from N.C. Teacher of the Year
3. LEA Policy for Nursing Services Available for Comment
4. NC Arts Education Teacher Survey
5. Child Restraint System Requirements
6. High School Social Studies Workshop Scheduled for January
7. High School Network Conference to be Held This Month
8. "Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State" Airs January-February
9. NC DPI Arts Education Newsletter Online
10. Mathematics Item Writers Needed
11. UNC-TV's ED Channel Features Professional Development Opportunities for K-12 Educators
12. Scholarship/Grant Opportunities Available in Culinary Arts' Field
13. Grant Opportunity

State Board Meeting Highlights

The State Board of Education this month approved on first reading waivers to the calendar law for LEAs that requested waivers under the inclement weather provision. Members also received other waiver requests for information this month and action in February. In addition, the Board approved Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Funding for Robeson County and approved the report from the Select Committee on Lateral Entry. The report from the Business Education Technology Alliance also was presented. Complete Highlights will be posted online at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights/

Message from N.C. Teacher of the Year

During the first week of school in 2005, many of us will ask our students to write a New Year's resolution. We hope they write something related to school, such as, "I will do my homework every day." "I will take more time to study." "I will learn the times tables." What about you? What are your New Year's resolutions? "To exercise more," "To stay in touch with friends," or maybe "To wash the car more often." Those are nice personal goals; however, as a professional educator, what is your professional resolution? A resolution is a goal, a dream, something you hope to achieve. Did you know that a life without goals is just activity without direction? Did you know that a teacher who does nothing actually moves backwards? Someone once said, "Good teachers are students who never stop learning." I hope your New Year's resolutions include something like, "Read an educational book." "Become an even more effective teacher." "Achieve National Board Certification." "Help my students even more." This second semester, YOU can make a difference! Reach out to those students who are struggling. Take advantage of every minute you have with them. Try something different in your classroom! You will be amazed at the results. Best wishes for a New Year filled with many success stories! Lizbeth Alfaro - 2004-05 N.C. Teacher of the Year.

LEA Policy for Nursing Services Available for Comment

The NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Medical Assistance has notified DPI staff that the LEA policy for Nursing Services is available on the Web for comment at http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dma/mp/proposedmp.htm by clicking on the appropriate link. Please note that only the section on nursing services is open for comments. For more information, please contact Diann Irwin, Behavioral Support Services, DPI, 919.807.3298, or by email, dirwin@dpi.state.nc.us.

NC Arts Education Survey

All K-12 teachers of Dance, Music, Theater Arts or Visual Arts are asked to complete the NC DPI NC Arts Education Teacher Survey. The purpose of this brief survey is to obtain contact information for those coordinating arts education programs at the local level, and to determine some information regarding the current status of arts education programs in the state. The online survey can be accessed at http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB223UJB6FZL8

Child Restraint System Requirements

Teachers are reminded of the new child restraint system requirements that became effective Jan. 1. Amended N.C.G.S.§20-137.1 provides that a child less than eight years of age and less than 80 pounds in weight shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system. If no seating position equipped with a lap and shoulder belt to properly secure the weight-appropriate child passenger restraint system is available, a child less than eight and between 40 and 80 pounds may be restrained by a properly fitted lap belt only.

High School Social Studies Workshop Scheduled for January

NC DPI is offering a free workshop, "Membership in American Society," for high school social studies teachers to explore both the promise and the reality of America's pursuit of civic equality. The workshop will be held Jan. 24 in Fayetteville and will address what it means to be and become an American, including the legacy of the American Eugenics Movement and its effect on immigration, education, and health policies, as well as the very concept of race. Workshop participants will gain access to valuable classroom and professional development resources, including Facing History's Online Campus containing curriculum outlines, lesson units, and teaching strategies, as well as an extensive lending library of videotapes and books for classroom use. To register, please contact Steven Weber, English Language Arts and Social Studies Section, DPI, 919.807.3828, or by email, sweber@dpi.state.nc.us.

High School Network Conference to be Held this Month

It's not too late to register for the 5th Annual Conference of the North Carolina High School Network to be held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, RTP. For additional information, including registration, please go online to www.nchighschoolnetwork.com or call Marilyn Palmer, Division of School Improvement, NC DPI, 919.807.3935, or by email, mpalmer@dpi.state.nc.us.

"Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State" Airs January-February

This six-hour documentary television series will be broadcast nationwide on public television stations in January 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The series will air in three, two-hour blocks on Wednesdays from 9-11 p.m. beginning Jan. 19. The series carries one-year off-air taping rights for educators. An extensive Web site, containing articles, maps, interactive features, streaming video, and complete teaching guides for each of the six-hour episodes, can be online found at http://www.pbs.org/auschwitz/

NC DPI Arts Education Newsletter Online

The January 2005 issue of the NC DPI Arts Education Newsletter is available online at http://www.learnnc.org/dpi/instserv.nsf (click on "News and Happenings" and then "Arts Education Newsletter" under dance, music, theatre arts or visual arts education). Highlights of this issue include: NC Honors Course Standards, NC Action Plan for High School Innovation, National Symphony Orchestra American Residency, Events, Resources and Opportunities for Arts Educators, and a Calendar of Events.

Mathematics Item Writers Needed

NCSU TOPS is seeking item writers, specifically retired teachers or teachers who are not teaching in the public school system this year, for Grades 5 and 8 mathematics. The invitation and response form can be found online at http://leapnc.ncsu.edu under the heading "Item Writing Information." (Please disregard the deadline to apply.) Questions also may be directed to Sloane Thrasher via email at sloane_thrasher@ncsu.edu or by phone 919.515.1301.

UNC-TV's ED Channel Features Professional Development Opportunities for K-12 Educators

To assist educators with meeting the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, UNC-TV's digital ED channel will offer professional development programming for K-12 educators, produced by the United Star Distance Learning Consortium (USDLC), beginning in January. This programming, made possible through support by the NC DPI, will include the Achieving Academic Excellence series. To learn more about the programs, visit the Distance Learning Web site at http://ncpublicschools.org/distancelearning and click on the News & Announcements link. For additional questions, please contact Linda Walters, USDLC Professional Development Coordinator, NC DPI, 919.807.3497, or by email, lwalters@dpi.state.nc.us.

Scholarship/Grant Opportunities Available in Culinary Arts' Field

The North Carolina Restaurant Association's Hospitality Educational Foundation recently announced its 2005-06 scholarship and grant program, which makes available more than $60,000 to 27 deserving students interested in pursuing a career in culinary arts or hospitality management. Grants also are available to educators seeking funds for student, program or faculty development. These grants can be used for a variety of needs including research, equipment or materials for the classroom. Scholarship/grant applications must be submitted by Feb. 28. For more information, including applications, please go online to http://www.ncra.org or call 800.582.8750

Grant Opportunity

The NEA Foundation's next round of Innovation Grant and Learning & Leadership Grant applications will be reviewed beginning Feb. 1 with award notification by June 15. Grants fund activities for 12 months from the award date and are available for all subjects, including the arts, literacy, science, and technology. All practicing K-12 public school teachers and education support professionals are eligible to apply. Applications for these grants are accepted on an ongoing, year-round basis. Read about recent projects on the foundation's Web site, then submit your proposal by going online to http://www.neafoundation.org