TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2007

MARCH 8, 2007 - Teachers' Biweekly Message

Last week, the NC Department of Public Instruction presented the state's first four-year cohort high school graduation rate showing that 68 percent of the ninth graders of 2002-03 had graduated by their senior year. While this rate does not reflect students who may need a fifth year to graduate or those exceptional children who complete the 12th grade and earn a certificate rather than a diploma, we know that too many young people drop out of high school without graduating. We have a number of activities underway to help improve high school: the New Schools Project, Learn and Earn high schools, high school turnaround teams adolescent literacy coaches, and others. I have encouraged your superintendents to work with you, principals and others in your district to examine any local policies that could be contributing to the high percentage of high school dropouts and to seek ways to better support students and keep them on track for graduation. A performance audit of all high schools is underway also. Results of this audit are due at the end of the 2006-07 school year, and we hope they will provide additional ideas for improving high schools.

Regards,
June Atkinson

In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:

1. State Board Meeting Highlights
2. Regional Meetings' Reminder
3. March 4-10 is School Social Workers Week
4. March 11-17 is Severe Weather Awareness Week/Tornado Drill Scheduled
5. Statewide Tornado Drill and the March 14 Makeup Day for the North Carolina Writing Assessments
6. 2007 Regional Wachovia Principals of the Year Named
7. Two Schools Recognized as Title I Distinguished Schools

State Board Meeting Highlights

At last week's Board meeting, members met under their new committee structure to address various action and discussion items. At their full Board meeting held Thursday morning, members approved individual class size exceptions waivers, recommendations for final approval of 2006 charter school applications, and a Praxis II option for birth-kindergarten teachers to be designated Highly Qualified. Board members also received the state's first four-year cohort graduation rate and a report addressing critical issues to watch as Congress begins reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. Complete Board highlights will be available online next week at www.ncpublicschoools.org/sbehighlights.

Regional Meetings' Reminder

Regional meetings are continuing to be held by the State Board of Education to receive public input on implementing a new high school core course framework. Remaining meetings are being held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the following locations: March 19, Region 1, Roanoke High School (Robersonville, Martin County); March 22, Region 8, Buncombe County Schools' Central Office (Asheville); and March 29, Region 3, Fike High School, Wilson (Wilson County).

March 4-10 is School Social Workers Week

Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed March 4-10 as School Social Workers Week in North Carolina. Easley urges citizens to recognize the outstanding contributions made to the education of our youth by school social workers. School social workers are hired by school districts to enhance the district's ability to meet its academic mission, especially where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving that mission. The proclamation is available online at http://www.governor.state.nc.us/News/Proclamations and select March 2007.

March 11-17 is Severe Weather Awareness Week/Tornado Drill Scheduled

North Carolina's Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 11-17 to remind citizens of the potential for damaging weather and provide information on how best to protect themselves. To coincide with this week, an annual statewide tornado drill has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 14. The National Weather Service will activate the Emergency Alert System at 9:15 a.m. in coordination with a required monthly test that will tell listeners to begin the tornado drill. Public schools are encouraged to participate. The drill will conclude when participants complete their drill activities.

Statewide Tornado Drill and the March 14 Makeup Day for the North Carolina Writing Assessments

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, the state of North Carolina will participate in a statewide tornado drill scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 14, at 9:15 a.m. The makeup sessions for the North Carolina General Writing Assessment at Grades 4, 7, and 10 and the NCEXTEND2 Writing Assessment at Grades 4, 7, and OCS 10 should occur on March 14 as stated in the Test Administrator's Manual. Schools, based on their daily schedules, should do makeup testing during the school day on March 14 as soon as feasible following the tornado drill.

2007 Regional Wachovia Principals of the Year Named

Congratulations to the following principals who were recently selected regional Wachovia Principals of the Year: North Central Region: Jamee Lynch, Hodge Road Elementary (Wake County Schools); Northeast Region: Whitney Bisbing, Moyock Elementary (Currituck County Schools); Northwest Region: Vickie Cameron, Central Middle (Surry County Schools); Southeast Region: Craig Hill, Kinston High (Lenoir County Schools); Southwest Region: Laura Kerr, North Albemarle Elementary (Stanly County Schools); Sandhills/South Central Region: Robin Lea, Union Pines High (Moore County Schools); Piedmont-Triad/Central Region: Deshera Mack, Mel and Zora Rashkis Elementary, Chapel-Hill/Carrboro Schools; and West Region: Pamela Cocke, Asheville Middle (Asheville City Schools). The 2007 North Carolina Wachovia Principal of the Year will be announced on April 5 at a luncheon sponsored by the Wachovia Corporation.

Two Schools Recognized as Title I Distinguished Schools

Congratulations to Eastover-Central Elementary (Cumberland County Schools) and A.B. Combs Elementary (Wake County Schools) for recently being recognized as Title I Distinguished Schools for 2007. Eastover-Central Elementary was nominated for Category 1 - Exceptional Student Performance for two or more consecutive years, and A.B. Combs Elementary was nominated for Category 2 - Closing the Achievement Gap between groups of students. To read more about their selection, please go to the NCDPI Web site at http://www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under "News."

 

If you'd like to review past Teachers' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/teachersarchive/ .