Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Phoenix Academy Graduation - True Lives Beginning

The students of Phoenix Academy High School spread their wings Monday night at the mid-year graduation. Six students earned their high school diplomas at an intimate ceremony attended by friends and family at Extraordinary Ventures.

The ceremony began with recollections by the teachers and students, fondly recalling the challenges overcome on the journey to graduation. Principal John Williams delivered an emotional summation of all the hard work that went into Monday’s accomplishments. 

“Everyone else will give up on these kids before they give up on themselves,” Williams said. 

Phoenix Academy is an alternative high school that capitalizes on an individualized educational approach. The school conducts small graduation ceremonies after every fall and spring semester to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates. This year, graduates included a student going into the Armed Forces as well as a young woman headed to Durham Tech to pursue a lifelong dream of nursing. Other students were either intending to start college or had already begun. 

Each student was recognized for the exceptional hard work and motivation it took to reach this milestone in their young lives.

"When these students walk out the doors tonight, their true lives will actually begin." said Williams. 
read more "Phoenix Academy Graduation - True Lives Beginning"

Monday, January 23, 2017

Delayed Opening, Feb. 2 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 2 de febrero

Delayed Opening Scheduled for February 2
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, 2 de febrero
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


read more "Delayed Opening, Feb. 2 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 2 de febrero"

Student-Led Environmental Projects Receive Grants, Recognition

Carrboro High School’s Eco-Action Club was the recipient of a first-place LEAF SEED grant worth $500. The grant is being used to fund the club’s goal of sparking increased volunteer and educational opportunities for high school students and fostering interest and knowledge of healthy foods and sustainable agriculture among local middle school students.

The grant was awarded by the Environmental Finance Center at UNC, which created the Literacy in Environment and Finance (LEAF) program to educate students and community members on environment finance and environmental services while promoting finance as a solution to achieving environmental protection. The LEAF SEED Grant competition was established to support student-led sustainability projects in schools while building environmental and financial literacy.

Carrboro High’s Eco-Action Club plans to use the funds to help pay for new raised garden beds, deer fencing, a water catchment system, and healthy soil. Ultimately, the club plans to expand viable grow-space, improve Carrboro High School’s composting and organic waste program, increase gardening and educational opportunities, and teach healthy food programs to students and community members.

Runners-up include East Chapel Hill High School’s solar panel project, Carrboro High School’s classroom composting and Phoenix Academy’s chicken coops.

The goal of East Chapel Hill High School’s Solar Panel Project is to have East Chapel Hill High partially run on solar energy while providing educational opportunities for students to learn about green energy. The compost group at Carrboro High School hopes to implement in-school composting stations in half of the classrooms in Carrboro High to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills and increase the student knowledge of composting in general.  The Phoenix Academy Earth Science team proposed building a chicken coop and purchasing and caring for four chickens over the next year. The class hopes to gain insight into growing food and the challenges of getting quality healthy food from farm to fork.

read more "Student-Led Environmental Projects Receive Grants, Recognition"

Thursday, January 19, 2017

East Chapel Hill High Football Star in National Showcase

East Chapel Hill High's Mujahid "MT" Turner recently returned from playing in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. The game was played at EverBank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday, January 14. The game was broadcast live on ESPN3.

Student-athletes selected for the game were mentored by a staff of NFL veterans. Quinn Gray coached the Grey squad.

MT checks in at 6'2" and 245 pounds. He plays defensive line.

Congratulations to MT and the entire Wildcat Nation!
read more "East Chapel Hill High Football Star in National Showcase"

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

YLI Students on MLK National Day of Service

Blue Ribbon Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) students served with the United Way of the Greater Triangle as part of the MLK National Day of service. The purpose of the "Community Reads" program is to increase childhood literacy (K-3) through reading. YLI students participated in group readings and skill enhancing activities through the Scrap Exchange. Sixteen students dedicated their morning of service and education for youth in our community. In the afternoon, students volunteered in Durham for Book Harvest. Students organized a book drive for communities that do not have access to high quality books.

Thank you to our students and their leaders for setting a great example of service. 

"Everyone can be great because everyone can serve." - MLK






read more "YLI Students on MLK National Day of Service"

Schools in Session on January 23 - No Teacher Workday / 23 de enero - Escuelas estarán abiertas y en sesión - No habrá día de trabajo para maestros

Teacher Workday Canceled and Inclement Weather Day on January 23
Because schools were closed on January 9 due to inclement weather, the next Inclement Weather Day to make up any missed school is Monday, January 23.  This means that school will be in session and the Teacher Workday is canceled.

Día de trabajo para maestros está cancelado el 23 de enero
Por que las escuelas estuvieron cerradas el 9 de enero, por mal clima, y el 23 de enero es el siguiente día designado en el calendario como día de reemplazo en caso de mal clima. Esto significa que las escuelas estarán abiertas para los estudiantes y en sesión y el día de trabajo para maestros está cancelado.


read more "Schools in Session on January 23 - No Teacher Workday / 23 de enero - Escuelas estarán abiertas y en sesión - No habrá día de trabajo para maestros"

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Schools, Offices Closed for Holiday on Jan. 16 / El lunes 16 de enero, día festivo, estarán cerradas las escuelas y oficinas

Holiday Scheduled
Schools and district offices are closed on Monday, January 16 in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Día festivo programado
Las escuelas y oficinas del distrito estarán cerradas el lunes, 16 de enero, en honor al día festivo de Martin Luther King, Jr.


read more "Schools, Offices Closed for Holiday on Jan. 16 / El lunes 16 de enero, día festivo, estarán cerradas las escuelas y oficinas"

Team Welcomes Chilean Teacher

This week Frank Porter Graham-Bilingue's International Teacher Support Team (ITST) welcomed a new first-grade teacher and her husband from Chile!  Parents, teachers, PTA Thrift Shop, Sweeps, and the team at Visiting International Faculty (VIF) came together to help them. They were able to assist with finding an apartment, connecting utilities, and moving enough donated furniture and household items to furnish the apartment. And it all happened before the snow came! 

#teamwork

 


read more "Team Welcomes Chilean Teacher"

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Schools in Session & Start at Regular Time on Jan. 12 / Escuelas abiertas y a la hora regular el 12 de enero

Delayed Opening Canceled on January 12
Thursday, January 12, was originally scheduled as a delayed opening for the purposes of staff development. However, because we have been out of school all week, that delayed opening has been nixed. Instead, tomorrow will be a full school day. Buses will pick up students at their normal times and all schools will begin at their normal start times.

Apertura demorada cancelada el 12 de enero
El jueves, 12 de enero, estaba programado originalmente como un día de apertura demora con el fin de desarrollo profesional. Sin embargo, porque no hemos tenido escuela toda esta semana, la apertura demorada ha sido cancelada. En su lugar, mañana será un día de escuela completo.  Los autobuses recogerán a los estudiantes a la hora regular y todas las escuelas comenzarán a sus horas de comienzo regulares.


read more "Schools in Session & Start at Regular Time on Jan. 12 / Escuelas abiertas y a la hora regular el 12 de enero"

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Schools Closed on Wednesday, January 11 for Students; Optional TWD for Staff with 3-hour Delay / La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 11 de enero

Schools Closed on January 11 for Students; Optional Teacher Workday for Staff
Due to inclement weather, all CHCCS schools are closed to students on January 11.  April 3, a scheduled Teacher Workday, is now a regular school day.

January 11 is an Optional Teacher Workday for staff.  Operational staff, including maintenance and custodians, should report to work as close to normal starting time as travel conditions permit. All other staff should report on a three-hour delay.

La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 11 de enero
Debido a condiciones del tiempo, todas las escuelas en esta zona estarán cerradas para estudiantes.


read more "Schools Closed on Wednesday, January 11 for Students; Optional TWD for Staff with 3-hour Delay / La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 11 de enero"

Monday, January 9, 2017

Schools Closed on Tuesday, January 10 for Students and Staff / La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 10 de enero

Schools Closed on January 10 for Students and Staff
Due to inclement weather, all CHCCS schools are closed to students and staff on January 10.  March 24, a scheduled Teacher Workday, is now a regular school day.

La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 10 de enero
Debido a condiciones del tiempo, todas las escuelas en esta zona estarán cerradas para estudiantes.


read more "Schools Closed on Tuesday, January 10 for Students and Staff / La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 10 de enero"

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Schools Closed on Monday, January 9 for Students and Staff / La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 9 de enero

Schools Closed on January 9 for Students and Staff

Due to inclement weather, all CHCCS schools are closed to students and staff on January 9. January 23, a scheduled Teacher Workday, is now a regular school day.

La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 9 de enero
Debido a condiciones del tiempo, todas las escuelas en esta zona estarán cerradas para estudiantes.


read more "Schools Closed on Monday, January 9 for Students and Staff / La Escuela Está Cerrada, el 9 de enero"

Friday, January 6, 2017

2-Hour Early Release, Jan. 6 & All Activities Canceled / Salida temprana de 2 horas, 6 de enero, y todas las actividades canceladas

2-Hour Early Release on Friday, January 6
Due to impending inclement weather, CHCCS schools are closing 2-hours early today, Friday, January 6.  All after school and evening activities for today are also canceled.  This includes the elementary after-school program.  Additionally all weekend games and activities have been canceled.

Salida temprana de 2 horas el viernes, 6 de enero
Debido al clima inclemente que tenemos por delante, las escuelas de CHCCS cerrarán 2 horas más temprano hoy, viernes, 6 de enero.  Todas las actividades de después de la escuela para hoy han sido canceladas.  Esto incluye los programa de después de la escuela de las escuelas de primaria y secundaria.  Adicionalmente, todos los juegos y actividades del fin de semana han sido cancelados.


read more "2-Hour Early Release, Jan. 6 & All Activities Canceled / Salida temprana de 2 horas, 6 de enero, y todas las actividades canceladas"

Activities, Athletics & After-School Canceled, Jan. 6-8 / Actividades, Deportes y Programas de después de la escuela cancelados, 6-8 de enero

All Activities Canceled for Jan. 6-8
In an effort to protect our students and staff from the impending inclement weather, CHCCS has canceled all after school and evening activities for today, January 6. This includes the elementary and middle school after school programs. Additionally, all weekend games and activities have been canceled.

Todas las actividades están canceladas del 6-8 de enero
En un esfuerzo por proteger a nuestros estudiantes y personal del clima inclemente que tenemos por delante, CHCCS ha cancelado todas las actividades de después de la escuela y noche de hoy, viernes, 6 de enero. Esto incluye los programa de después de la escuela de las escuelas de primaria y secundaria.  Adicionalmente, todos los juegos y actividades del fin de semana han sido cancelados.


read more "Activities, Athletics & After-School Canceled, Jan. 6-8 / Actividades, Deportes y Programas de después de la escuela cancelados, 6-8 de enero"

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Endowed Teaching Chairs Recognize Excellence in Education

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation (PSF) seeks nominations for the 2016-2017 Teaching Chair Awards. Chair honorees receive monetary awards of $1,000 annually for the duration of the award and will hold the chair award for two to three years, depending on the specific chair.

The current Teaching Chair categories include the following:

   - Upper Elementary Chair - For Excellence in Teaching Innovation (Grades 3-5)

   - Middle School Award - Zora Rashkis Chair for Excellence in Teaching Middle School Language        Arts or Social Studies

   - Middle and High School - Burton Stuart Chair for Promising New Teacher in Math or Science

   - PTA Chair for Excellence in Teaching Cultural Arts (All Grade Levels)

Students, parents, CHCCS staff and members of the community are invited and encouraged to nominate outstanding teachers for these respective awards. Criteria for eligibility and nomination links can be found on the Public School Foundation website (publicschoolfoundation.org).

All nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2017.

The PSF is a non-profit organization that financially supports students and teachers of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. Since its inception in 1984, the foundation has distributed over $ 5,000,000 for programs and projects that otherwise would not have received funding. The PSF receives funding from grants and private donations, and helps schools with fundraising through community events such as the annual 5K for Education and the Teachers First Breakfast and Roses. For more information, please contact Lynn Lehmann, PSF Executive Director at psf@chccs.k12.nc.us or by phone at 919-968-8819.
read more "Endowed Teaching Chairs Recognize Excellence in Education"

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Delayed Opening, Jan. 12 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 12 de enero

Delayed Opening Scheduled for January 12
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, 12 de enero
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



read more "Delayed Opening, Jan. 12 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 12 de enero"

National Board Certified Teachers

CHCCS is pleased to congratulate Toni Lehman, Daniel Segal and Hope Love for their recent National Board Certifications. Additionally, congratulations also go out to Andrew Tauber, Stephanie Wittmann, Molly Stoffregen, Ghada Ouri-Ramadan and Claire Nelson for their renewed National Board Certifications. 

North Carolina still leads the country as the state with the highest number of National Board Certified Teachers. NBCTs in North Carolina earn a 12% pay differential (in addition to their salary and supplement).

Nationally, 533 teachers were newly certified, and 3,384 renewed their certifications this year. Click here to see the full press release.

read more "National Board Certified Teachers"