TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2007
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2007JANUARY 25, 2007 - Teachers' Biweekly Message
The NC General Assembly began its 2007 session this week. This year's session is a "long" one meaning that the field is open for new legislation and new budget items. At the heart of the legislature's work is development of the 2007-09 biennial budget. Key features of this year's budget request of the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction include 36 specific program items and can be viewed in its entirety at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/0612/eeo/0612eeo01.pdf. Some highlights that might be especially meaningful to you include: $25 million to better fund services to children with special needs, $9.6 million to expand the Learn and Earn project into 20 more high schools bringing the total to 54 in operation, $35 million to fund one full-time mentor for every 15 newly hired teachers in their 1st-3rd years of teaching and every 15 new instructional support personnel in the 1st-2nd year, and $121.8 million to begin the process of equipping all classrooms with 21st century technology such as digital white boards, data projectors, computers, document cameras and technology facilitators. In addition, the State Board of Education and I continue to support improvements in teacher salaries as well as other items. To keep up with weekly updates on the legislative session, check out the legislative report page at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/legislative/index?view=legislature throughout the session.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
National School Counseling Week
Last Friday, State Superintendent June Atkinson signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 5 - 9 National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week is celebrated to focus public attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors in public school systems. The week is designed to highlight the impact that school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for their futures. Schools nationwide will celebrate with the theme, "School Counselors: Helping Students Reach New Heights." You can find more information on the American School Counselor Association Web site, www.schoolcounselor.org.
Personalized Education Plan Survey
The NCDPI is conducting a survey about experiences using Personalized Education Plans (PEPs). Our goal is to understand how PEPs are working in your schools and hear any opinions you may have about the process and policy. The information you provide will be vital for consideration of possible improvements to the PEP process. To complete the survey, please go online to http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2262TATD6JJ. Please read each question carefully and mark the answers that are closest to your own opinion. All of your responses will remain confidential, as your name will never be used in reporting the results of this survey. The results will be summarized and shared by an external organization. The deadline to complete the survey is Jan. 31. Thank you for taking the time to help us with this project. Also, please share this message and link with others in your school and encourage them to respond as well. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Jackie Colbert at jcolbert@dpi.state.nc.us.
National Youth Science Camp
High school seniors are encouraged to apply to serve as one of two delegates in the 44th session of the National Youth Science Camp® (NYSC®) held near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, W.Va. Established in 1963 as a part of West Virginia's Centennial Celebration, the NYSC® annually provides for 102 student delegates - two from each state and the District of Columbia - to attend an all-expense paid four-week summer forum where delegates exchange ideas with leading scientists and other professionals from academic and corporate worlds. Delegates to the NYSC® are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members. The NYSC® academic program is complemented by an outdoor recreation program, which takes advantage of the camp's location in the Monongahela National Forest. The outdoor program offers backpacking, caving, rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking. Delegates arrive in Charleston, W.Va. on June 27 and depart on July 23. Application forms are available on the Science Camp Web site at www.nysc.org but must be submitted to North Carolina's Selection Coordinator: Ragan Spain, National Youth Science Camp 2007, 6352 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6352. Applications must be received by Feb. 16. For more information, please call Ragan Spain at 919.807.3950 or by email, rspain@dpi.state.nc.us.
Technology Educator and Impact Model School Award Winners
The NCDPI Instructional Technology Division recently recognized the following North Carolina educators who have provided leadership in planning and implementing instructional technology in their schools and school district with the Technology Educator award: Donys Kaye Merrill, technology director, Transylvania County Schools; Kathy Barber, school library media specialist, Graham Barden Elementary, Craven County Schools; Bunnie Brewer, instructional technology facilitator, Jordan-Matthews High, Chatham County Schools; and Cynthia Stallings, technology facilitator, Perquimans Central School, Perquimans County Schools. Two schools also were recognized with the Impact Model School Award: Cape Hatteras Elementary, Dare County Schools, and Broad Creek Middle, Carteret County Schools. The Impact Model School Award recognizes schools that have both a certified media coordinator and a technology facilitator and where the entire staff is involved in collaboratively planning instructional programs, enriched by high-quality resources, current technologies and effective models of integration.
Jay Robinson Leadership Award Nominations
The Jay Robinson Leadership Award was established by the Public School Forum Board to recognize outstanding leaders in the public education field. The award may be given to anyone who has displayed innovative, creative, and effective leadership for North Carolina public schools. Nominations must be postmarked by March 1. The recipient will receive a $5,000 award sponsored by BB&T. The award ceremony will be held June 4 at the Raleigh Crabtree Marriott Hotel. To obtain an application, please contact Claire Ancelet, Public School Forum, 919.781.6833, or by email, cancelet@ncforum.org or you can download a copy at www.ncforum.org.
American Stars of Teaching Awards
The U.S. Department of Education is currently accepting nominations for its 2007 American Stars of Teaching awards, which recognizes and honors superior teachers with a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies and making a difference in the lives of their students. One teacher from each state will be recognized. The nominations deadline is April 1. For more information, please go to http://www.t2tweb.us/AmStar/About.asp. If you'd like to review past Teachers' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/teachersarchive/