TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2007
TEACHERS' MESSAGES 2007APRIL 26, 2007 - Teachers' Biweekly Message
Spring is not the time of year when our thoughts typically turn to the flu. But, this year, the NC Department of Public Instruction, along with representatives from local school districts, is making plans for responses that would be necessary in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. Pandemic flu is not the same as seasonal flu and could break out at any time of year. It is characterized by being a type of flu for which there is little or no immunity worldwide, a large percentage of people infected and a potentially high mortality rate. Pandemic flu evolves in 6-8 week waves and could last overall 12-18 months overall. There would be large potential impact on public schools because of possible widespread student dismissals. More information is being developed for you and your colleagues and will be provided as soon as possible. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out the Web site, http://www.pandemicflu.gov/. It has excellent information for individual preparation and understanding.
Regards,
June Atkinson
In this Biweekly Teachers' Message:
State Board to Meet Next Week
The State Board of Education and its working committees will meet Tuesday-Thursday, May 1-3, in various rooms in the Education Building, Raleigh. Action items include approval of middles grades and high school graduation requirements, personal financial literacy and program approval and exemption requests under the Innovative Education Initiatives Act. Discussion items include the Future-Ready High School Core Curriculum Framework, proposed standards for the Standard Course of Study in American Sign Language Secondary Level, the response to the Report on Professional Development from the Center for School Leadership Development and revision of the standards for teacher evaluation. The full agenda and executive materials are available online at www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings by clicking on the appropriate link. The State Board's committee meetings and full Board meeting also are audio streamed for those who can't attend. To listen to the sessions, please go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/sbe_meetings/ and scroll to the Live Audio Stream links.
State Board to Recognize Teachers with 50 Years Experience
Do you have 50 years teaching experience and are still working hard in the classroom? Do you know a fellow educator who does? If so, the State Board of Education wants to recognize you at its monthly meeting. Please contact State Board of Education Director of State Board Operations Betsy West at 919.807.3405, or by email, bwest@dpi.state.nc.us by April 30 with your information.
Exceptional Children Division Sponsors Summer Institutes
This summer, the Exceptional Children Division is offering 25 institutes that address quality instruction and services for students with special needs. These sessions address a variety of topics including reading, behavior, technology, assessment, preschool services and new policies based on IDEA 2004. Complete information on the 2007 Summer Institutes, including the registration form, can be found online at www.ncpublicschools.org/ec/development/summerinstitutes.
Strawberry Photo Contest
The North Carolina Strawberry Association is sponsoring a Strawberry Photo Contest to celebrate fresh, locally grown strawberries. Photos, which may be digital or film, should feature strawberries or strawberry plants in some way, such as close-ups of strawberry flowers or plants, strawberry fields, strawberry harvest activities, adults or children handling or eating strawberries, strawberry desserts or other dishes, or strawberries used decoratively. The following prizes will be awarded: strawberries with people: first place - $100, second place - $75, and third place - $50; strawberries without people: first place - $100, second place - $75, and third place - $50; and children's category (under age 12) - $50. The deadline for entries submission is July 15. Entries are to be sent to the NC Strawberry Association, 1138 Rock Rest Road, Pittsboro, NC 27312. For complete information, including an entry form, please go online to www.ncstrawberry.com.
Grant Opportunities
"Grants to Enhance Learning About the Upper Ozone Layer." The CAPCO Science Class Challenge is a classroom contest that encourages students and teachers to learn about the Earth's protective upper ozone layer, CFCs, and the environment by using the provided activities or their own creative methods. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: teachers grades 4-9. Entries must be received by May 14. http://www.nocfcs.org/scc/rulesregs.htm. "Grants to Encourage Science Education." Motorola Innovation Generation Grants provide funds for initiatives that creatively generate a love of science early in life and show the new generation of inventors that careers involving science and math are important, challenging and possible. Priority will be given to programs that incorporate Motorola employees as volunteers. Maximum Award: $250,000. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline to apply is June 15. http://www.motorola.com/content.jsp?globalObjectId=8153.
If you'd like to review past Teachers' Biweekly Messages sent to the listserv group, just go online to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/teachersarchive/ .