Good News

January 17, 2007

WAKE TOPS THE NATION IN NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS
The Wake County Public School System has 1,137 teachers who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The 186 teachers who earned certification during 2006 and the 951 current WCPSS teachers with certification means WCPSS has the largest corps of teachers to earn certification from the National Board of any school system in the nation.

Wake Superintendent Del Burns received a congratulatory phone call from National Board president Dr. Joe Aguerrbere with the news that Wake County had more teachers earn certification than any other school district in the nation.

“What an honor to be recognized as the school district where teachers work hard to improve their skills for teaching and learning,” said Burns. “The certification process takes a year and is demanding work. These teachers are great role models for our students showing them the importance of studying hard and valuing academics.”

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards began its certification program 12 years ago. The Wake County Public School System and the state of North Carolina have supported and encouraged teachers to earn certification.

20 WCPSS STUDENTS NAMED MOREHEAD SEMI FINALISTS
Twenty Wake County Public School System high school seniors have been selected as semifinalists for Morehead scholarships to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The students include:
Chloe Joy Whiteaker of Apex High School
Rachel Suzanne Shocket of Apex High School
Caitlin Riely Pardue of Athens Drive High School
Rhea Dehesh Patel of Broughton High School
Gregory Forest Randolph of Broughton High School
William Mardre Bobbitt of Broughton High School
Elizabeth Landon McCain of Broughton High School
William McElwee Clayton of Broughton High School
Erin Elizabeth Collums of Cary High School
Jake Chung of Cary High School
Benjamin C Wang of Enloe High School
Anusuya Meenakshi Ramasubramanian of Enloe High School
Sendhilnathan Ramalingam of Enloe High School
Deirdre Nicole Anglin-Stone of Garner Magnet High School
Ryan Michael Dowd of Green Hope High School
Shelley Marie Fluke of Leesville Road High School
Graham Christopher Sharpe of Middle Creek High School
Claire Elizabeth Emery of Millbrook High School
Daniela de Lima Nogueira of Wakefield High School
Andrea Denise Jones of Wakefield High School

The Morehead Scholarship pays all expenses for four years of undergraduate study, including the costs of a laptop computer and four summer enrichment experiences. The scholarship is valued at approximately $80,000.

The students were nominated for excellence in academic achievement, leadership, moral force of character and physical vigor. Recipients are chosen by merit and achievement, not financial need.

The 20 WCPSS students were among the 252 semifinalists were selected from among 1,366 candidates from across the state -- 946 high school nominees and 420 direct applicants.

15 WCPSS STUDENTS NAMED PARK SCHOLAR SEMI FINALISTS
North Carolina State University has named 15 WCPSS high school students as semifinalists for the Park Scholarships for fall 2007.

The students include:
Julia L. Wofford of Athens Drive High
Brandee Nicole Woolard of Athens Drive High
Jonathan L. Wormald of Apex High
Victoria J. Ma of Broughton High
Mark W. Pratt of Cary High
Benjamin C. Wang of Enloe High
Matthew Ryan Guy of Fuquay-Varina High
Jenny Z. Jin of Green Hope High
Sindhura Varna Sevala of Green Hope High
Wyatt Elliott Bruton of Leesville Road High
Brian Christopher Mckearney of Leesville Road High
Ellen Woodward Meder of Sanderson High
Wayneho Kam of Southeast Raleigh High
Jayne Marie Goethe of Wake Forest Rolesville High
Nickolas Christopher Fields of Wakefield High

The Park Scholarship is a four-year, undergraduate merit scholarship that emphasizes scholarship, leadership and service. These prestigious awards are valued at $59,000. The scholarship covers tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal/miscellaneous expenses and transportation. Each Park Scholar will receive a one-time stipend for the purchase of a personal computer.

Park Scholars are selected according to four criteria: scholarship, character, demonstrated leadership and service and the potential for further leadership and service.

The semifinalists will be interviewed across the country by local committees composed of NC State alumni and faculty from January 16-21, 2007. Finalists will be named by January 31, 2007.

STUDENTS EARN ORCHESTRA HONORS
January 17, 2007 - A total of 72 WCPSS high-school students were recently selected to participate in the 2007 North Carolina Eastern Regional All-State Orchestra.

Wake Forest-Rolesville High Orchestra Director Jeremy Gibbs says students were selected to participate in the Symphony Orchestra or the String Orchestra.
“This is a very competitive program,” said Gibbs. “Our school system is very lucky to have so many students selected.”

The students auditioned for the program this month at 71st High School in Fayetteville. The selected students will participate in a clinic with renowned clinicians during the weekend of Feb. 23-25, 2007. The clinic culminates with a performance on Sunday, Feb. 25 at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville.

Students who were selected for the 2007 North Carolina Eastern Regional All-State Orchestra are listed below:

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
First Violin
Lucas Wollenzien of Enloe
Sabu Yamamoto of Enloe
Nick Johnson of Enloe
Susan Zhao of Enloe
Ashley Guo of Enloe
Indu Ramesh of Enloe
William Estes of Broughton
Sally Park of Leesville
Jacob Hwang of Enloe
Richard Lan of Enloe
Kirsten Raley of Enloe
Second Violin
Chung-hyun Ma of Enloe
Wesley Shang of Enloe
Alice Yen of Enloe
Shelby Austin of Enloe
David Jiang of Green Hope
Viola
Victoria Jones of Wake Early College
Katie Womble of Enloe
Valerie Romano of Enloe
Simon Ghofrani of Cary
Angela Ning of Enloe
Cello
Drew Comstock of Athens Drive
Jennifer Pittman of Athens Drive
Betty Anderson of Enloe
Natalie Parker of Wake Forest-Rolesville
Chad Johnson of Sanderson
Cheryl Schlitter of Green Hope
Meagan Kennedy of Leesville
Andrew Brown of Enloe
Deborah Tang of Cary
Bass
Jason Marcinowski of Athens Drive
Steven Metcalf of Cary
Dylan Tighe of Apex
Chris Tobin of Wake Forest-Rolesville
Mike McEwen of Wake Forest-Rolesville
Flute
Scott Kemsley of Enloe
French Horn
Carlie Huberman of Enloe
Trombone
Cathy Schule of Green Hope
Phil Condreay of Enloe
Tuba
Aaron Robinson of Wakefield

STRING ORCHESTRA
First Violin
Bobby Lam OF Green Hope
Tiffany Young of Enloe
Heather Jones of Broughton
Kana Kuroda of Cary
Courtney Bruun-Andersen of Enloe
Linda Yang of Enloe
Sam Wu of Green Hope
James Tang of Cary
Michael Chen of Enloe
Saira Butt of Enloe
Second Violin
Christopher McCarty of Enloe
David Gu of Enloe
Jackie Oh of Sanderson
Jessica Feng of Enloe
Akshay Nadkarni ofGreen Hope
Jennifer Scott of Enloe
Viola
Kathryn Henry of Enloe
Alice Kim of Green Hope
Hersh Shah of Cary
Erik Griffis of Green Hope
Patrick Ingram of Enloe
Stephen Smoak of Enloe
Cello
Amanda Dalton of Millbrook
Kwame Weldon of Enloe
Kathleen Lan of Enloe
Daniel Vitek of Enloe
Diana Park of Cary
Alyson Quigley of Wake Forest-Rolesville
Madelleine Campbell of Broughton
Bass
Bryan Hansen of Cary
Neil Park of Fuquay-Varina
Kevin Durso of Enloe

STUDENTS EARN HONORS AT ARTS COMPETITION
WCPSS students earned recognition in the 29th annual Eastern/Central NC Region Scholastic Art Awards sponsored by the Wilson Daily Times and Barton College. The competitions Gold Key Award winners will be recognized with a reception Jan. 21 at Barton College where their work was displayed.

Gold Key National Finalists are sent to New York for national competition along with five American Visions Award (Best of Show) Nominees. Special recognition awards are selected by the exhibition jury.

There were 32 WCPSS students representing eight high schools and three middle schools earning Gold Key Awards.

Gold Key Awards were presented to Scott Welsh of Apex High; Katie Darden and Sam Ogden of Cary High; Kseniya Baranova, Connie Chu, Alexandra Hammerberg, Natalaia Lopes, Kimberly Sudkamp and Rafael Vargas of Enloe High; Su Kim and Jordan Lewey of Leesville Road High, Sarah Brooks and Elise McAllister of Middle Creek High; Rebecca Liu and Shannon Woolfolk of Panther Creek High; Catie King and Thomas Trussler of Sanderson High; Ebonie Cunningham, Andrew Fetch, Keri Majikes, Sarah Vines, Julie Kate Cooper, Karin Hurwitz and Meredith Laxton of Southeast Raleigh; Matthew Battaglino and Francesca Matthews of Ligon Middle; Jenna Pilato, Nicole Seider and David Wyche of Martin Middle; and Erica Frederick, Justin Green and Rachel Odette of Zebulon Middle.

There were 34 WCPSS students representing 11 high schools and four middle schools earning Silver Key Awards.

Silver Key Awards were presented Scott Welsh of Apex High; Joshua Young of Athens Drive High; Anne Boehling, Christina Cannady and Jimen Yoon of Cary High; Mary Becker, Morgan Ferri, Grayson Bland, Amber Corbett, Wendi Jiang and Rafael Vargas of Enloe High; Jennifer Delgado of Garner High; Bridget Van Dyke of Leesville Road High; Chelsea Fullerton and Megan Smith of Middle Creek High; Rose Doland, Chris Pilley, Amanda Scott and Irma Tell of Millbrook High; India Cox and Robin Locke of Sanderson High; Mia Drabick, Tabor Hutchins, Rachel Sheffield and Corey Heyward of Southeast Raleigh High; Jessica Pryor of Wakefield High; Keaton Daniels of Durant Road Middle; Chelsea Masters of Ligon Middle; Griffin Connors, Rosemary Field and Virginia Niver of Martin Middle; and Erica Frederick, Miguel Quinto and Cassie Wheatley of Zebulon Middle.

The winners, their teachers and the artwork can be found here.

WCPSS BUDGET STAFF EARNS AWARD
The Wake County Public School System earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 2006-07 budget document.

WCPSS is one of 46 NC local government agencies to earn the GFOA recognition for 2006-07. WCPSS is one of the three NC school systems that had budget documents earn the award this year. The 46 NC local government agencies honored also include Wake County and the Town of Cary.

This is the 13th consecutive year the WCPSS budget document has earned the GFOA award. The budget is compiled at the direction of WCPSS Chief Business Officer David Neter by WCPSS Senior Director for the Budget Office Terry Kimzey and her staff.

The GFOA Budget Awards Program is designed to encourage governments to prepare budget documents of the highest quality to meet the needs of decision makers and citizens. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in government budgeting. The award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the school system had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.

THE 2007 PIECES OF GOLD SET FOR MARCH 7 AT MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
Pieces of Gold, an annual arts extravaganza produced jointly by Wake County Public Schools and Wake Education Partnership, celebrates its 24th year with the 2007 performance. Students and teachers work throughout the year to produce a performance that supports the curriculum as well as entertains an enthusiastic audience. More than 800 students from schools across Wake County will participate in this spectacular event this year. Tickets will go on sale to parents on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, and to the general public on Monday, Jan. 22, 2007. They can be purchased through the Progress Energy Center box office or through Ticketmaster. For more information about tickets sales, to order t-shirts or DVDs, or to check out the list of schools performing at the show, visit WakeEdPartnership.org .

BOARD RECOGNIZES FALL ATHLETIC STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND HONORS
At its Jan. 9 meeting, the Board of Education heard from WCPSS Athletics Director Bobby Guthrie about the honors earned by WCPSS athletes during the fall. Guthrie told the board the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) recognizes athletic accomplishments by providing state championships in 22 sports throughout the school year. During the fall sports season, Broughton High School Boys’ Soccer team won the State Championship. The team and coach were in attendnace as Guthrie read a resolution for recognizing their accomplishments. Guthrie also read a resolution commending Southeast Raleigh High’s Gabby Mayo who has won two national honors for her track accomplishments. Mayo has been named USA Track and Field News Female Athlete of the Year, and has been named USA Track and Field’s Youth Athlete of the Year for 2006.

BOARD RECOGNIZES STUDENTS WITH SPOTLIGHT AWARDS
At its Jan. 9 meeting, the Board of Education recognized 19 students with Spotlight on Student Awards. Each student received an award from Superintendent Burns and a round of applause for their accomplishments. The students included Amani McKenzie of Brentwood Elementary, Levi Warren of Carpenter Elementary, Zarvius Jones of Hodge Road Elementary, Davin Alexandrea Edwards of Kingswood Elementary, Colleen Sharp of Lacy Elementary, Hannah York of Penny Road Elementary, Tiante Washington of Pleasant Union Elementary, Jose Camero of Poe Elementary, Erin Van Gelder of Powell Elementary, Alexis Nicole Williaims of Wakefield Elementary, Hannah Nicole Dismuke of Weatherstone Elementary, William E. Dunn, III of Wilburn Elementary, Jonathan Crighton of Apex Middle, Sarah Oh of Carroll Middle, Andrew Tibbetts of Leesville Middle, Nia Chanel Wright of Fuquay-Varina Middle, Ryan Kirby of Leesville Road High, Melanie Lynette Gilkey of Middle Creek High and Haley Bateman of Wake Early College.

PROJECT ENLIGHTENMENT HOLDS KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION SESSIONS
"Off to a Good Start," a free information session about kindergarten is being offered to parents at a number of sites this month by Project Enlightenment, the early childhood education program for children serving parents and teachers.

The 90-minute workshops will include:

It's a chance for parents to learn how to help prepare their children for new and exciting experiences in kindergarten.

The sessions are scheduled for:
Tuesday, January 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
Wilburn Elementary
3707 Marsh Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27604

Thursday, January 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Carver Elementary
291 Liles Dean Road
Wendell, NC 27591

Monday, January 22, 7-8:0 p.m.
Fuquay United Methodist Church
100 S. Judd Parkway SE
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Tuesday, January 23, 7-8:30 p.m.
Wakefield Elementary
2400 Wakefield Pines Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614

Wednesday, January 24, 6:30-8 p.m.
Salem Elementary
6116 Old Jenks Road
Apex, NC 27523

Wednesday, January 31, 7-8:30 p.m.
Project Enlightenment
501 S. Boylan Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
If you have questions about the Project Enlightenment parent workshops, contact Project Enlightenment at 856-7774. Information is on the website at www.projectenlightenment.wcpss.net

WAKE COUNTY PTA COUNCIL HOLDS SESSION FOR NEW YEAR ROUND SCHOOLS
The Wake County PTA Council will hold a training session for PTA leaders at schools transitioning to the year-round calendar. The training session, "Smooth Transitions to a Year-Round School Schedule" will be held 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 at Impact Athletics and Fitness Center located at 280 Towerview Ct. in Cary.

The PTA Council has planned the training session as one-stop help for parents of elementary and middle school students who are headed to a year-round schedule or who may already be attending a year-round school and need help. The training session offers workshops, a year-round vendor expo, door prizes, babysitting and brunch.

Workshops run from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. with the following schedule:

Designing a successful year-round PTA board structure. ( 9-9:45 a.m.) This workshop includes tips for managing nominations for a board that runs on a year-round schedule – yes, you can plan for board members to take a vacation. By-law amendments can be a breeze and the basics of running the PTA like a business will be covered. Lead presenters: Bev Shipley-Sherron (BAC District 9 At Large Member) and Jill Touchberry (BAC District 3 Year-Round At Large Member).

Planning programs for multi-track schedules. ( 10-10:45 a.m.) This workshop helps PTAs develop goals for Cultural Resources and includes tips for PTA programs such as Reflections and Red Ribbon Week. Special calendar tips and building strong relationships with the principal and staff will be included. Lead presenters: Jan Ammons (Past PTA President for Jones Dairy Elementary and Cultural Arts Chair for Durant Middle) and Carolyn Koning (Green Year Round Elementary PTA President).

Building a budget that works year-round. ( 11-11:45 a.m.) This workshop includes the basics of budgeting including tips for treasurers. Great ideas for fundraisers that build community and bring in money on a year-round basis are essentials of this workshop. Lead presenter: Sarah Martin, Morrisville Elementary PTA President.

During the training session, the Wake PTA Council will offer a Year-round Vendor Expo from 8:30 a.m.to 12 p.m. which will include vendors such as Raleigh Parks and Recreation, YMCA, Write More Education Resources, Stones Education Superstore, Dead Broke Farm Horse Camp, The Clubhouse@Bright Horizons, Right Track Academy, Cary Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources, Exploris Museum, David Allred Soccer Camp and Impact Athletics and Fitness Center.

For more information, contact Cindy Smith, Wake County PTA Council President, at cindysmithpta@aol.com or Liza Weidle, WCPTA Council Community Relations, at familyfilter@nc.rr.com. For more information, visit www.wakeptacouncil.org.

NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK
On Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., State Superintendent June Atkinson will sign 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, ³School Counselors: Helping Students Reach New Heights.² You can find more information at American School Counselor Association.

 

WCPSS Good News is published electronically every other week for everyone interested in the Wake County Public School System. Is what you read in this edition helpful? What information would you like to see in future editions? Contact me by calling 850-1829 or e-mailing bposton@wcpss.net.

Bill Poston
Wake County Public School System
Communications Department
3600 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611

Tell a friend about the WCPSS Good News and encourage them to sign up for WCPSS electronic newsletters at http://www.wcpss.net/online_newsletters/the_school_connection