Five CHCCS Educators Selected as Emerging Leaders

NC Phi Delta Kappa (NCPDK) recently selected twenty North Carolina educators to participate in the NCPDK Emerging Leaders Program, to be held November 11 - 13, at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The cohort includes teacher leaders, instructional coaches, assistant principals, principals, curriculum coordinators, and superintendents from across the state. Nearly fifty educators applied for the leadership program.

Five Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools educators were selected: Laura Holmes (Glenwood Elementary), Nan Lujan (Seawell Elementary), Ashley McBride (East Chapel Hill High), Megan Stevenson (Culbreth Middle) and Anne Tomalin (Chapel Hill High).

The program will provide educators with an opportunity to network with leaders from across the state.  Leadership sessions will focus on curriculum and instruction, digital leadership, and education policy/advocacy. Participants will also have the opportunity to share resources, instructional strategies, and lessons learned. Each NCPDK Emerging Leader will be featured on the NCPDK website at http://ncpdk.weebly.com.

Leslie Kinard, President of NCPDK, said, “We are truly ecstatic to be able to impact the educational experience of students across the state of North Carolina by bringing together like-minded educators to offer growth opportunities and to create a new community of leaders.”

PDK International is an association that represents nearly 30,000 professionals in K-12 education. NCPDK is the state chapter of PDK International.

Congratulations Laura, Nan, Ashley, Megan and Anne!

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National MSAN Conference Hosted in Chapel Hill

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools hosted the national MSAN (Minority Student Achievement Network) Conference at the Sheraton Hotel, October 12-15, 2016. This year’s theme, “Every Step Leaves a Trail,” focused on student equity, advocacy and voice. Thirteen students worked for more than a year planning logistics, selecting speakers, selecting articles/videos for discussion, designing t-shirts and deciding on a tasty, southern teenage friendly menu.

Three wonderful days were dedicated to meeting students who represented 19 public school districts from around the United States. These visiting students engage in equity work in their respective districts. The conference focus, in addition to the achievement/opportunity gap, was looking at the disproportionate discipline for students of color. During the conference, students discussed and reflected on several essential questions: - What are your core beliefs about who you are? - What is your truth? - How do you define student advocacy? - In what ways can student advocacy create opportunities to achieve equity and excellence for all students in your district? - How can student voice influence student policies, practices and procedures in your school district? The outstanding slate of speakers included Dr. Dana Thompson-Dorsey, Professor at UNC-CH, Retired Lieutenant Conseulo Castillo Kickbush, and Robert Stephens, Assistant to Representative John Lewis. Students who are interested in getting involved in equity work should attend the monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Phoenix High School (behind Lincoln Center on Merritt Mill Road). Congratulations and thank you to our Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate team for organizing and administering this successful and memorable conference...a job well done!

 

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Rashkis Elementary Farmers Market

Exploring new flavors and fresh, local foods were on the menu at Rashkis Elementary School in the café and courtyard on Thursday, October 20. Students enjoyed an opportunity to participate in a pop-up Farmer’s Market at their school, sample new foods, talk with a Chartwells K12 Chef and select a made from scratch lunch in the café.

Chartwells K12 and Foster Caviness Produce partnered with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Rashkis Elementary to host a pop-up Farmer’s Market that allowed students to shop for fresh produce using fictional money to make purchases. Students were able to take home the fresh produce they “purchase” from the Farmer’s Market to share with their families. Additional celebrations occurred throughout the school including:

     • Featured café menu of fresh, house made foods including Italian baked lasagna with fresh made marinara sauce, pinto beans, Greek tomato salad, fresh steamed broccoli and assorted fresh fruits and vegetables;
     • Chartwells K12 Chef Jordan Keyser conducting a demonstration table featuring a warm tri-colored sweet potato sauté;
     • Guess the Greens game and a sampling of our Imperfectly Delicious Produce.

 “Our students are so excited about the Farmer’s Market, the opportunity to shop and to learn about the fresh and local foods served in the café every day,” said Liz Cartano, Chartwells K12 Director of Dining Services. “They really love the chance to meet one of the real chefs that help design their meal.”

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Pumpkin Auction at Morris Grove Elementary

The Pumpkin Auction is here! For the past six years, the fifth-grade Art Club at Morris Grove Elementary has hand-painted artificial pumpkins to auction as a means of raising money for The United Way. This year, however, the proceeds will be divided equally between the United Way, the Art Club, and the fifth-grade Sound to Sea scholarship.  

Over 30 pumpkins are displayed in the school lobby - directly in front of the office. They are ideal for decorating any home or office for the holidays. Because they are artificial, you can enjoy them for years to come.

Bidding opened on Monday morning, October 24, and continues through Friday, October 28 at noon. Bidding is open to any adult.  Phone calls or emails will be made on Friday afternoon to the individual with the highest bid for each pumpkin. 

Art Teacher Becky Springer wants to thank the community for its continued support of our student artists and this wonderful tradition.

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New American Flags at All CHCCS Middle Schools

CHCCS middle schools recently received a donation of 108 brand new American flags, along with mounting brackets, from our friends at WoodmenLife. Jon Corcoran, a representative of the company and parent of three CHCCS students, worked with the school principals to organize the donation, calculate the number of flags needed, and make the deliveries to all four of our middle schools. 

WoodmenLife is a non-profit full financial services firm with a 125+ year history of meaningful community involvement. They are the nation's second leading flag donor, trailing only the US government. We greatly appreciate their kind gesture in considering our schools.

Mr. Corcoran is pictured here (on the right) with Principal Bob Bales of McDougle Middle School.

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Teacher Workday, Nov. 8 & Parent Conferences, Nov. 8-9 / Día de trabajo para maestros, 8 de nov. & Conferencias de padres, 8-9 de nov.

Teacher Workday and Parent Conferences Scheduled
Tuesday, November 8 is a Teacher Workday.  It is also the first of two days scheduled for district Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences on November 8 are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on November 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please contact your student's school to schedule your conference.  Elementary report cards will be handed out at the Parent-Teacher Conference.

November 8 is also Election Day, so please remember to Vote! For more information on voting in Orange County, click here.

Día de trabajo para maestros y conferencias de padres y maestros
El martes, 8 de noviembre, es un día de trabajo para maestros. Los estudiantes no tienen escuela. También es el primero de dos días de conferencias de padres y maestros programado por el distrito. Las conferencias del 8 de noviembre son de 10 a.m. a 4 p.m. y las del 9 de noviembre de 5:30 a 8:30 p.m. Por favor contacte la escuela de su hijo(a) para programar su conferencia. Los informes de calificaciones de las escuelas de primaria son entregados a la mano a los padres de familia durante las conferencias de padres y maestros.

¡El 8 de noviembre es también el día de elecciones, así que por favor recuerde votar! Para más información sobre el proceso de votación en el contado de Orange haga clic aquí.

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CHCCS Earns Top SAT Scores in North Carolina

The 2016 SAT scores have been released and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools had the highest scores and the highest percentage of student participation in North Carolina. To see all North Carolina school systems and individual high school scores click here.

CHCCS had 76.3 percent of its senior class take the SAT (this is the highest percentage in the state) and had a combined score on the Math and Reading sections of 1205.  This is the highest in the history of the school system and by far the highest in North Carolina.

Carrboro High School had a combined score of 1172.  Chapel Hill High School had a combined score of 1198 (highest in the school's history).  East Chapel Hill High School had a combined score of 1228 (highest in the school's history and the highest of any non-charter high school in North Carolina).

The top five scoring districts in North Carolina are as follows:

• CHCCS at 1205 with 76.3 percent participation
• Carteret County Schools at 1081 with 42.8 percent participation
• Watauga County Schools at 1068 with 58.5 percent participation
• Wake County Schools at 1066 with 62.0 percent participation
• Asheville City Schools at 1062 with 63.7 percent participation

The National average was 981 with 45.8 percent participation and the North Carolina average was 1010 with 58.2 percent participation.

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Delayed Opening, Oct. 20 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 20 de octubre

Delayed Opening Scheduled for October 20
The district has approved a plan for schools to operate on a Delayed Opening schedule eight Thursdays during the 2016-17 school year.  Schools will open two hours late, allowing teachers to use the time for collaborative planning or professional development.

On these days, buses will run two hours later than the normal schedule and schools will open to students two hours later than usual. Schools will dismiss at their normally scheduled time.

• Elementary Schools begin at 9:50 a.m.
• Middle Schools begin at 10:20 a.m.
• High Schools begin at 10:45 a.m.

Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 20 de octubre
Las escuelas públicas de Chapel Hill-Carrboro han aprobado las fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, correspondientes a ocho (8) jueves durante el año escolar 2016-2017.  Las escuelas abrirán 2 horas más tarde, para darle a los maestros tiempo para preparar y planificar las clases, así como tiempo para educación continuada.

Esos días los buses recogerán a los niños 2 horas más tarde de lo acostumbrado y las escuelas abrirán sus puertas a los estudiantes 2 horas más tarde de lo acostumbrado. Las clases terminarán a la hora regular.

• Escuelas de Primaria empezarán a las 9:50 de la mañana
• Escuelas de Secundaria Media empezarán a las 10:20 de la mañana
• Escuelas de Secundarias Superior empezarán a las 10:45 de la mañana

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Beverly Rudolph Named CHCCS Principal of the Year

Culbreth Middle School Principal Beverly Rudolph was named the 2016-2017 Principal of the Year by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.  The announcement was made today by Interim Superintendent Jim Causby during a school assembly.

Rudolph was selected for the honor by her peers for the numerous accomplishments she has made during her tenure at Culbreth.  She will go on to represent CHCCS at the state level.

"Beverly Rudolph is one of the many exemplary principals we have here at Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools," said Interim Superintendent Jim Causby.  "She is the most significant person in the lives of the students at Culbreth as they continue their educational journeys.  You can tell how important each and every student's education is to her, as well as the morale of her staff.  Mrs. Rudolph was selected by all the other CHCCS principals as being the best of the best and you can't get a better recommendation than that."

Rudolph has served as the principal of Culbreth since 2011.  Previously, she was an assistant principal at East Chapel Hill High.  Rudolph joined the district in 2006 as an administrative intern at East Chapel Hill High before becoming an assistant principal in 2007.  Prior to joining CHCCS, she was a middle school English/Language Arts teacher for Tarrboro City Schools, Buncombe County Schools and Cabarrus County Schools.

Rudolph holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Interim Superintendent Jim Causby and CHCCS Principal of the Year Beverly Rudolph 

Left to Right: Interim Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, Rydell Harrison;
Culbreth Assistant Principal Rob Frescoln; Culbreth Principal Beverly Rudolph;
Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Todd LoFrese; Interim Superintendent Jim Causby

For more pictures, visit the district's Facebook page.

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Katie Caggia Named Glenwood Elementary Principal

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education, at its meeting on October 6, approved Katie Caggia as the new principal at Glenwood Elementary.  She replaces Dr. Darlene Ryan, who is now serving as the district's Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Caggia is currently at Estes Hills Elementary, where she serves as the school's assistant principal.  She is also the district's reigning Assistant Principal of the Year.

"Katie Caggia is an excellent choice to lead Glenwood Elementary," said Senior Executive Director of Human Resources Arasi Adkins.  "She has enjoyed a tremendously successful career as an educator.  Her understanding of quality instruction is only matched by her passion for student success.  She demonstrates superior leadership skills, and is an expert at building relationships with students, staff and parents."

Prior to her arrival at Estes Hills Elementary in 2013, Caggia was a principal intern at Green Hope Elementary in Cary.  She also served as a teacher for 15 years at Olive Chapel Elementary in Apex.

Caggia received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Katie Caggia speaking at the 2016 CHCCS Convocation as the district's Assistant Principal of the Year

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Carrboro High Student Taking Care of Pediatric Patients Nationwide

Leanne Joyce, a junior at Carrboro High School, is the founder and president of the 501(c)(3) Positive Impact for Kids. She was born with a heart condition narrowing her aortic valve. Formerly a nationally ranked jump roper, competitive swimmer and gymnast, she was unexpectedly told by her cardiologist, at age 12, to immediately stop sports because it was life-threatening. Extremely devastated, she remembered her hospital experience one month prior. While waiting for test results, teenage volunteers handed her a gift which relieved her stress and motivated her to give back. 

Positive Impact for Kids strives to improve the hospital experience for pediatric patients by purchasing items from hospital wish lists. To date, she has helped 83 hospitals, including one in every state. She has raised more than $70,000 and impacted more than 500,000 pediatric patients. 

The Chapel Hill Police Department is partnering with her to facilitate a 5K fundraiser on Sunday, December 4 in Southern Community Park, Chapel Hill. Afterwards, there will be a one-mile race for children 12 and under called Chase the Chief. We anticipate over 250 runners/walkers with the 5K starting at 1 p.m. and the children’s fun run beginning at 2:15 p.m.

Race Registration: https://www.sportoften.com/event/34309/%E2%80%8Bpositive-impact-for-kids-5k-and-chase-the-chief-1-mile-fun-run

Website: http://positiveimpactforkids.org

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Dr. LoFrese's Plain Talk Bond Video

Drawing of the reconstructed Lincoln Center Campus
featuring a Pre-K center on the first floor, adminstrative offices
on the second floor, and a new Phoenix Academy with
more than twice the capacity of the current school.

By now you have probably heard about the upcoming school bond referendum. Well, Assistant Superintendent Todd LoFrese has created a "plain talk" video designed to provide all the information needed to make the right decision on Election Day.

Please take five minutes to watch the video.

For more information, visit the County's bond education website: www.ocbond.org.

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Walk for Education, October 15 / la Caminata por la Educación, 15 de octubre

Walk for Education Takes Place on Oct. 15
The annual Walk for Education will be held on Saturday, October 15 and this year's theme is Walking the Walk.  Last year's Walk had about 3,000 participants and raised more than $115,000 to support CHCCS schools.  Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has distributed more than $5 million to CHCCS.  To get register for the Walk for Education, to involved or to donate, please visit the Public School Foundation's website at www.publicschoolfoundation.org.

Please remember that any donations and t-shirt orders for this year's Walk are due Friday, September 30.  For questions, contact the PSF Office at 919-968-8819.

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