TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2006FEBRUARY 9, 2006
Last weekend, one of the national television networks showed the first Harry Potter movie. The fantastic world of Harry and his schoolmates at Hogwarts is, in many ways, a dream for teachers. At Hogwarts, teachers wield nearly total control over their students' lives and their students know that their performance in school is important for their future. (Who wouldn't want to know how to fly, after all?) Yet, even at Hogwarts, safety is the top concern for all, and that is no different in the schools where you work. Safety is the first requirement of public schools and the first prerequisite for a strong academic environment. Congratulations to the schools that received Super Safe School designations last week.
Regards,
June Atkinson
State Board Meeting Highlights
At last week's Board meeting, members approved an option for a growth model for determining Adequate Yearly Progress. This proposal will now be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, which will consider it for possible inclusion into its growth model pilot. Board members also discussed items to include in their 2006-07 Supplemental Budget request and approved a resolution establishing a relationship with Jiangsu Province, China, for K-12 education. Complete Board highlights are available online at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbehighlights by clicking on the appropriate link.
Thanks to their efforts to provide students and staff with a safe learning environment, 43 schools in 22 school districts were recently designated "2005-06 Super Safe Schools" at the 2006 Safe Schools and Character Education Conference. To find out which schools received this honor, please go to the NCDPI Web site at www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under "News."
January Words to the Wise Online
The January edition of the Words to the Wise newsletter is now available online. In this issue you can read about the import and export procedures for USDDC, learn about the new ACC Data and Test files, find out what's new in SIMS, and learn how to register for the NC WISE Symposium. To read or download the newsletter, just go online to http://www.ncwise.org/newsletter/wise_newsletter_01_27_06.pdf.
2006 Abstinence Education Regional Workshops
The NCDPI is sponsoring a one-day workshop on effectively teaching abstinence education. Workshop topics address what you can and cannot teach in the classroom, how to access new data and effective classroom activities. Workshop dates are as follows: Feb. 20, Holiday Inn Asheville Biltmore East, Feb. 21, Holiday Inn Express Greensboro East, and Feb. 22, Holiday Inn Express East (Greenville). There is a limit of 60 abstinence educators per site. Registration is $25 and is non-refundable. Registration information is available online at http://www.nchealthyschools.org/abstinence/workshop/. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Langer, NCDPI, 919.807.3867, or by email, slanger@dpi.state.nc.us.
Information Sessions on 2006-07 Online Courses
Each year, LEARN NC hosts teleconferences for individuals who are interested in learning more about online courses offered through LEARN NC. These information sessions are conducted by phone and include a LEARN NC staff member and one or more instructors of the online course subjects listed for that day. Teleconferences generally last 30-45 minutes and include a 10-15 presentation by the instructor and time for students, parents, facilitators, guidance counselors and principals to ask questions. Schools must register in advance for teleconferences. For the full schedule of teleconferences and registration information, please visit http://www.learnnc.org/announcements/34
The next 10-week trading session for the NC Stock Market Game begins on Feb. 13. Teams of students in grades 4-12 compete against other students across the state. Students receive a $100,000 portfolio to invest in securities, mutual funds and bonds. Visit www.nccee.org to register your teams. For information on training materials, please contact Sandy Wheat via email at swheat@nccee.org. The cost to participate in the competition is $14 per team, with that money going back into the awards banquets. The Stock Market Game is sponsored by the North Carolina Council on Economic Education.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is sponsoring its fifth annual essay contest for students in fifth through 12th grades to honor the 168 people killed in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The essay contest invites students to share their insights about "personal responsibility and making a difference in the world." Winning essays become a part of the Memorial's Virtual Archives. Winners in each division will receive a monetary award in addition to being recognized along with their teachers at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. Additional information, including essay topics and submission procedures are available online at http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/media/medi_pres_deta.htm?id=2458573 or by contacting Lynn Roller, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, at 405.235.3313, or by email, lynneroller@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.