GCS News Briefs Archive
August 26, 2011
GCS Welcomes 72,000 Students Back to School
On Thursday morning, 597 buses returned to the roadways as Guilford County Schools (GCS) marked the first day of school for all traditional-calendar schools. An estimated 72,000 students will receive instruction in 122 classrooms, educated by nearly 5,000 teachers.
On the first day alone, students consumed about 3,400 cantaloupes in their school lunches. Lunch menus are available online, and parents can prepay for their child’s lunch through www.lunchprepay.com.
For more back-to-school information, visit www.gcsnc.com/bts2011.
Board Begins Review of Student Assignment Boundaries
The Guilford County Board of Education began the process Thursday of reviewing proposals for student assignment boundaries affecting several schools. As the first step in a complex process, district staff presented preliminary boundary scenarios that will now be opened up to the public’s input.
The board will hold community forums to receive feedback on the attendance boundary scenarios. The meetings are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26, Monday, Oct. 3, Thursday, Oct. 13 and Tuesday, Oct. 18. The locations and times are to be announced.
The board is reviewing proposed student assignment boundary options for Ronald E. McNair Elementary and the southeast area elementary school along with the cleanup of boundaries for Oak Hill Elementary and the implementation of a final 2006 assignment plan shift. Cleanup of the boundary for Union Hill Elementary along Harvey Road was approved by the board during its meeting Thursday.
Staff prepared scenarios for the airport area high school attendance boundaries, but the board voted not to consider those boundaries at this time. Land acquisition efforts for the school are still underway.
The board has not made final approval for the purchase of land for the southeast area elementary school, but a review of the possible boundaries will continue based on the approximate locations within the search area for the school.
Drafts of the student assignment boundary scenarios and the supporting data that was used in the development of the proposals are posted on the GCS website at the links below.
Draft Student Assignment Boundary Scenarios
Supporting Data for the Development of Student Assignment Boundaries
Montlieu Reveals iPads to Students on First Day
What should a 21st century classroom look like and how should technology be used to help students learn? Montlieu Academy of Technology is developing a model other schools can follow as the district's prototype technology school.
The unveiling of new Apple iPad 2 tablets, laptops and other interactive devices contributed more excitement to the first day at Montlieu. GCS administrators and community members visited the school Thursday to watch students tap away on the iPads for the first time.
A donation from the business community of $250,000 a year for three years makes it possible for Montlieu to become the district's technology prototype school, a goal included in the Strategic Plan. Support from Businesses for Excellence in Education, the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, the William B. Millis Fund of the High Point Community Foundation and High Point University is providing one-to-one student access to Apple iPad 2 tablets. High Point University is also providing teachers with professional development related to the integration of technology into instruction. Teachers have been training on the iPads throughout the summer.
Read more. For pictures, click here.
GCS Bus Stop Information Available
GCS bus stop information for the 2011-12 school year is now available. Bus stop times and locations are available through the Bus Stop Locator tool on the GCS website. The stops also will be available in hard copy at school open houses.
While bus routes generally change from year to year based on student needs for transportation, some route times are changing this year as a result of the district's new multi-tier bus scheduling plan. The multi-tier schedule will help the district save money on transportation and increase the efficiency of the bus fleet.
Under the new multi-tier schedule, school start and end times will be as follows
- Elementary: 7:45 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.
- Allen, Guilford, Jackson, Kiser and Mendenhall middle schools: 8:10 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
- Remaining middle schools and high schools: 8:55 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Magnet schools and non-traditional schools may follow different schedules. All school bell schedules for 2011-12 are listed on the GCS website.
Read more.
GCS Appoints New Principals, Assistant Principals and Directors
- Kenneth Woody has been named the Director of Technology. He was previously a program specialist II in Technology. Prior to joining GCS, Woody was a technology coordinator and a biology/environmental studies teacher at Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, NC.
- Anthony Hall has been appointed as an assistant principal at Northwest Middle. He was previously the curriculum facilitator at Southeast High. Hall came to GCS after serving as an assistant superintendent in the Alleghany County School system.
- Mark Johnson joins The Academy at Lincoln as an assistant principal. He served as an exceptional children’s teacher at Southern Middle. Johnson also taught exceptional children at Ferndale Middle and special education at Castle Hill High School in Stockport, England.
- Kimberly Ibach is an assistant principal at Smith High. She was formerly a curriculum specialist for Social Studies K-8. Ibach came to GCS after serving as the project director for Safe Schools/Healthy Students in Natrona County Schools, West Virginia.
- Lisa Jordan has been named the new principal at Pleasant Garden Elementary. She served as an assistant principal at Margaret Pollard Middle School in Chatham County Schools. Jordan also served as the coordinator of induction & success in the Human Resources Division of Chatham County Schools, a curriculum specialist and teacher in Guilford County Schools.
- Karen Sylvester has been named the Director of Exceptional Children. She was previously the Director of Exceptional Children in Thomasville City Schools. Sylvester also served as a school psychologist for Thomasville City Schools, Cumberland County Schools and Indianapolis Public Schools.
Sixth-Graders Reminded to Get Tdap Vaccine Quickly
Sixth-graders who have not yet received an updated Tdap vaccine have less than a month to do so, or they will be excluded from class. State law requires all sixth-graders to have the booster shot if five or more years have passed since their last dose.
Tdap protects children from three serious diseases – tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). All three are potentially life threatening.
The Tdap vaccine is available at your family health care provider. It is also available at the Guilford County Department of Public Health. Call 641-3245 to schedule an appointment. Please bring your child’s immunization record with you to the appointment.
Community Forums Scheduled for BOE Electoral Districts
The Guilford County Board of Education will hold community forums to discuss and receive feedback on its proposed electoral districts. The meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, Aug. 30, 6:30 p.m. at Grimsley High, 801 Westover Terrace, Greensboro
- Thursday, Sept. 1, 6:30 p.m. at High Point Central High, 801 Ferndale Blvd., High Point
The purpose of the forums is to inform the public of the redrawing of districts for electing board members. Nine board members are elected by district and two are at-large members. The districts will be redrawn according to the most recent Census data. The meeting will not include a discussion of school attendance boundaries.
The board welcomes comments from the public. Speakers will be asked to sign in before the start of the meetings.
Community Input Sought Regarding African American Male Achievement
GCS has initiated an Achieving Educational Excellence for African American Male Students project team to review achievement trends of African American males and the barriers that prevent them from achieving academic excellence. As the project team prepares for its work, community forums are scheduled to seek input from students, parents, and community members. The forums are scheduled for the following dates and times
- Aug. 30, 6 - 8 p.m., Macedonia Family Resource Center, 401 Lake Ave, High Point
- Sept. 1, 6 - 8 p.m., New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1105 Willow Rd., Greensboro
The district invites persons unable to attend one of the community forums to participate in an online questionnaire that will be open through Sept. 1. To provide your input, please click here.
The findings from these and other dialogues will serve as a launching pad for focusing new efforts. For further information, please contact Monica Walker, Diversity Officer, at 370-3284.
NCCJ Seeking Sept. 11 Reflections for Contest
GCS and NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad will hold a Sept. 11 reflections contest for high school English and art students.
As part of this contest, students throughout the county will develop a monument or written work that honors those who died in the attacks and looks forward to a world in which we don’t allow our differences to divide us.
Winners of the English, Individual Art and Group Art categories will receive the NCCJ "I Will" award. Individual winners will receive $250 and the $250 prize for group projects will go to the school and sponsoring art teacher. Top entries will be recognized at the community-wide Sept. 11 Day of Service and Remembrance. One entry from each school also will be displayed at a public viewing on Sept. 8, 5-6:30 p.m. at NCCJ's office, 713 N. Greene St. in Greensboro.
Contact Ashley Bowman to learn more at abowman@nccjtriad.org. All submissions (one per category, please) are due Sept. 2.
Central Offices to Participate in September Food Drive
As a new school year commences, it is difficult to overlook the overwhelming needs that the majority of students are facing. More than 53 percent of GCS students participate in the free and reduced lunch program, and many utilize the services of the Second Harvest Food Bank. Currently the Second Harvest Food bank of Northwest North Carolina is experiencing the worst food shortage since 2009.
During the month of September, the district will hold a canned food drive at the Washington Street and Eugene Street central offices and all other central office locations. This is a great opportunity for the GCS employees to extend a helping hand to the students and families that they serve. For more information, contact Naomi Jessup, Formative Assessment Coach, at
433-7195.
GCSTV 2
The district’s television channel broadcasts throughout Guilford County on Time Warner Cable channel 2 and LIVE on the GCS website.
The Latest News from GCS
GCS Newsbreaks and select other GCS video productions are also available on YouTube.
Newsbreak
The Teacher Supply Warehouse opens for the new school year, and teachers prepare classrooms for students at Alamance Elementary.
Superintendent Green and the new school year
Superintendent Mo Green talks about the new school year.
Newsbreak
The Piedmont Triad Leadership Academy.
GCS Honors Retirees
GCS honors its retirees with a luncheon and awards presentation recently capped off with the presentation of this video.
Reading: It’s for Life
Encourage your child to read beyond the classroom. He or she can develop their skills in a host of creative ways. Check the GCSTV 2 schedule for broadcast times for this informative series developed in conjunction with GCS curriculum specialists.
Student Testimonials
See the reasons students are proud of the education they’ve received at GCS schools as they embark on the next chapter in their lives at college. Check the GCSTV 2 schedule for broadcast times.
Active Parenting - Teens
In conjunction with the Guilford Parent Academy, GCSTV 2 offers the latest in this award-winning series. Active Parenting of Teens helps parents discover their parenting style. Learn how mutual respect and giving choices reduces power struggles and promotes cooperation. Active Parenting in both English and Spanish is broadcast daily beginning at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The program is also available on the Guilford Parent Academy website.
Active Parenting Now
This series is directed at the parenting of children ages 5-12. It guides parents in how to develop courage, responsibility and character in their children. The program also explains positive discipline and communication techniques that help families run more smoothly. Broadcast in both English and Spanish, this program is televised daily at 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. The program is also available on the Guilford Parent Academy website.
Connect With Kids
Also in partnership with the Guilford Parent Academy, GCSTV 2 will broadcast the critically acclaimed series “Connect With Kids.” The series explores a variety of issues facing teens and their parents and offers up suggestions on ways to improve the lives of children and help parents become better parents. This series is broadcast daily at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. This program is also available on the Guilford Parent Academy website.
Superintendent’s Media Briefings
Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green hosts discussions about GCS programs and events and addresses general questions about Guilford County Schools from local media. Click on the link above for a selection of Media Briefings.
GCSTV 2-LIVE
Watch Our Live Broadcast Now Streaming on the World Wide Web
Guilford County Board of Education Meetings
Watch Guilford County Board of Education meetings live. Encore presentations of board meetings are telecast the day following the meeting at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the following Saturday at 1 p.m. You can also watch Board of Education meetings at your convenience. The meetings are now archived and available online anytime on the GCS website.
Also on GCSTV 2
GCSTV 2 Programming Guide
Find out what else is showing on GCSTV 2 here GCSTV 2 Programming Guide
Showcase Your Talent on GCSTV 2
GCSTV 2 is accepting student-, faculty-, staff- or parent-produced programming. See the details for submissions.
GCSTV 2 & ABC-45
GCS continues its partnership with ABC-45 television to share current news and feature stories about our district. These Newsbreak segments are broadcast on ABC-45 (Cable Channel 7) during “Good Morning America” each Wednesday and Friday at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.
For more information, contact Leonard Simpson, broadcast production manager, at 370-8167.
