Duke Energy Foundation $40,000 Grant Supports STEM Instruction

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the Public School Foundation are pleased to announce a $40,000 grant from Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will go toward the development and teacher training for an Inquiry and Nature-Based STEM Program to serve elementary school students in grades 3-5, beginning with a pilot at Northside Elementary School.
   
The grant was submitted by Dan Schnitzer, CHCCS Sustainability Director, in collaboration with a team from the CHCCS Instructional Services Department, in order to raise both the level of rigor and engagement in science instruction. The Institute for the Environment at UNC will design the training and curriculum in collaboration with CHCCS teachers, ensuring that the content is aligned with College and Career Readiness standards.
   
“The vision for delivering this nature-based STEM instruction capitalizes on the natural curiosity of children, combined with their immediate environment,” said Schnitzer. “Above all, the inquiry-based approach will be more successful in engaging all students in STEM. The anticipated result is deeper student interest and excitement in STEM education and the environment, leading to increased proficiency in mastering 3rd-5th grade science concepts and a closer relationship with their environment.”
   
The measurable goal of the Inquiry and Nature-Based STEM Program is to reduce non-proficiency on the Grade 5 Science Test by half over a period of five years. Dr. Elaine Watson-Grant, Director of Elementary Education, explained how the approach of this new program will better reach every student. “One key factor in meeting the needs of all students, and in particular, students from traditionally underserved groups, is participation in immersive, interdisciplinary learning experiences that build their background knowledge, develop and deepen their interests, and connect them to life outside of school. An inquiry-based approach will lead to greater student engagement, understanding and transfer of knowledge.”

“We are proud to partner with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the Public School Foundation to expand access to STEM programming for students and educators,” said Indira Everett, Duke Energy district manager. “Programs that foster a growing interest in STEM fields help our communities continue to grow and produce skilled workers who bring new thinking and ideas to the table.”

With an overarching goal of decreasing the achievement gap in the district, the program designers noted that there are statistically significant gains in achievement on challenging tasks among students who were taught with inquiry-based practices. Research on culturally relevant teaching practices supports the premise that hands-¬on, real-world learning activities are particularly critical for the achievement of students of color as well as students from economically disadvantaged households.
   
“We are grateful to Duke Energy Foundation for recognizing this need in our district and supporting our students with increased opportunities for STEM-based learning,” said Dr. Pam Baldwin, Superintendent of CHCCS. “We look forward to the enthusiasm and energy for science that will develop from this grant.”

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Food for the Summer Kicks Off at Northside Elementary

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for the late afternoon kick off of Food for the Summer at Northside Elementary on Tuesday, June 5. Across the expansive lawn behind the school, a brightly colored Bounce House claimed the center of attention, along with art tables, corn hole stations, a farmers’ market - and a mouthwatering cookout spread from Chartwells, Inc. Families from the Northside community and beyond arrived early and stayed till “closing time” as the children played games, and adults visited with friends and new acquaintances.
   
Summer nutrition programs existed in this community before the creation of Food for the Summer, but it took the inspiration, and then countless hours dedicated to that vision, by Mayor Pam Hemminger before the rollout of the organization in the summer of 2016.
   
The Food for the Summer website (foodforthesummer.org) notes that in 2018, 27.9% or 3,432 children in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are food insecure. Yet that stark statistic is not widely known among many local residents. For the third year, the program comprises a collaboration among CHCCS departments, the Chapel Hill Mayor’s office, Varsity Church, a number of community non-profits like Porch and the Inter-faith Council, as well as No Kid Hungry NC and UNC Food for All.
   
During the first summer of Food for the Summer, a smaller partnership of organizations served lunches at four sites in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. This year, volunteers will provide lunches at 16 sites for any child from infant to 18 years old. A new feature that will be phased in at some sites is Lunchtime Camp, an opportunity for volunteers to extend their time with children to interact with them in a variety of enrichment activities. Food and activities will be packed in easy-to-carry bins and volunteers will pick them up at central distribution zones.
   
For some of our community’s children, the USDA-approved lunches will be the most substantial or healthy meals they receive during weekdays. The bonus ingredients of conversation and creative engagement should also provide a social-emotional boost for the children who participate. Roslyn Moffitt, CHCCS Director of Title I and Family and Community Engagement, said, “Once again, different aspects of the community came together to support our families. This speaks to the uniqueness of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area.”
   
The need for volunteers is still high! The program begins on Monday, June 11 at all 16 sites. Employees of CHCCS and the Town of Chapel Hill do not need additional background checks; all other volunteers can link to a five minute process that will provide the clearance necessary to participate. High school students can earn service-learning hours, and many sites are on the town’s free bus service.
   
Carolyn Brandt is the director of Food for the Summer, and she welcomes your questions at foodforthesummer@ifcmailbox.org. Please visit the website or go straight to the sign-up link!
       
https://www.foodforthesummer.org/volunteer

2018 Organizations of the Partnership

Book Harvest
Town of Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Mayor’s Office
Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools
Chartwells, Inc.
Family Success Alliance
Inter-Faith Council for Social Service
No Kid Hungry NC
PORCH
Refugee Support Center
TABLE
UNC Chapel Hill Food for All
Varsity Church
YMCA of the Triangle

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CHCCS Hosts First Family Engagement Summit

The planning began in June 2017, led by Roslyn Moffitt, Director of Title I/ Family and Community Engagement, and developed by a team of CHCCS staff from across departments and schools. The vision was to present a free educational and community- building summit for all families associated with the district. On Saturday, April 14, at Culbreth Middle School, the vision became a triumphant reality. More than 100 adult participants attended the summit.

“The Family Engagement Summit was a true testimony to the fact that we are in this together,” said Dr. Misti Williams, Executive Director of Leadership and Federal Programs. “The energy that morning at Culbreth was incredible as our staff, community partners and families came together to discuss our most important asset, our children. No matter what the topic, there was an obvious commitment to conversation and understanding around information shared, learning acquired and just plain fellowship with others.”     

The summit’s theme, “Building Student Self-Confidence,” was chosen to align with the district’s increased emphasis on the whole child, so the workshop topics went far beyond academic issues.     

The mission of the summit was to create opportunities for families to connect - and to learn more about their children’s needs and how to address them, both at home and at school. One of the first committee goals was to develop a communication strategy to inform all CHCCS families about the summit. From the earliest planning meetings, the team was mindful and vocal about how too many parents “fall through the cracks” with the traditional communication tools. Helen Atkins, Coordinator of English Language Learners, called upon her entire staff to assist with publicizing and registering non-English speaking families, and translators were on hand for the workshops.

As parents and others arrived to coffee, juice and pastries, they browsed a hallway filled with vendor tables from district and community organizations, including El Centro Hispano, Triangle Bikeworks and Book Harvest, who donated books for the families. The program opened in the Culbreth Auditorium, with Superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin welcoming participants. A local girls’ choral group, Sisters’ Voices, provided a musical interlude of traditional and popular songs. 

The featured speaker was Mary Andrews, long-time family literacy advocate in the community (and former reading specialist with CHCCS). Andrews talked about the tremendous importance of reading and speaking with children from infancy, in everyday conversations, as well as while sharing the magic of books. She punctuated her talk with a demonstration of how many books she keeps in her handbag, at the ready for her grandchildren, or her own reading appetite.     

Participants chose from 14 workshops, led by a variety of district staff and community experts. The topics ranged from “Everyday Math at Home” to “Helping Your Child Find Resilience” and “Mastering Complex Tasks,” and the content was carefully designed to address different stages of development and grade levels, from Pre-K to high school. Sessions also specifically targeted Exceptional Children and English language learners.    

One popular choice was a workshop on understanding “Cyber Security,” presented by Hugh Harris of the Public Protection Section of the North Carolina Department of Justice. “The event was fantastic. I loved the enthusiasm of the attendees and organizers of the event. I really enjoyed meeting everyone involved,” Harris said. “Because the internet is a major part of our daily lives, it’s important for families to understand there are online risks to our personal information and safety. It’s valuable for parents to have honest, open conversations with their kids to help them stay safe online.” Harris recommended visiting www.ncdoj.gov/internetsafety to learn detailed information about internet safety.    

A mother who attended Harris’ workshop praised the value of his presentation. “Now I know how to back up my mom-cop rules. Now we can talk about it and explain the reasons (for cyber safety). It helped me understand the why.”  

Another workshop that drew many participants was “Summer Reading for K-5,” co-led by Carolyn Sirera and Alma Berg, both Title I interventionists. Their session was filled with hands-on activities and introductions to websites with self-guided reading supports.     

Stefanie Mazva-Cohen, social worker at Culbreth and a core member of the planning team, said, “I always like the expression, ‘Life is made of moments, not milestones.’ What I loved was going into sessions and seeing parents accessing the information in their native language with the support of our CHCCS translators. Community and district folks were getting to know us as parents and families - and we were benefiting from their wealth of knowledge.”    


When the workshops wrapped up, most participants stayed for a taco bar lunch, provided by Chartwells School Dining Services. Because the summit offered free childcare, nearly 75 children also spent the morning at Culbreth, and after board games, activities in the gym and a movie selection, many of them joined their parents in the cafeteria. High school volunteers pitched in with various stations and tasks. They were key in providing childcare. 

Families nearly filled the cafeteria, mingling with both friends and new acquaintances. Dr. Williams called out numbers for the Walmart gift card raffle, with five families receiving $50 cards (provided by Public School Foundation) - and plenty of excitement was generated among the participants.    

“At the end of the sessions, families lingered over lunch, to continue conversations and to connect. Those moments made the summit priceless,” said Mazva-Cohen.   

Janet Cherry, CHCCS Director of  System of Care, said the event was "a refreshing day with parents and students, full of excitement and camaraderie. Looking forward to next year!"
     
Moffitt said, "The Family Engagement Summit was a wonderful vision that came to life. A cross section of individuals worked extremely hard to ensure that parents and families would have a meaningful day of workshops geared toward student success. It is important for families and educational staff to work together for the benefit of our students! We’re looking forward to the next summit to be held in October of 2018. ‘We  love our families’ is not just a catchy saying. It is one of our core beliefs!”

Click here to see more pictures from the summit.

A huge shoutout to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation for creating and providing magnets, pens, t-shirts and Walmart giftcards. Thank you team!

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CHCCS Teachers Benefit from $29 Million DonorsChoose Gift

Unless you keep up with Stephen Colbert’s fundraising preferences, you would be forgiven for asking what the comedian has to do with the new Sphero robots at Ephesus Elementary, or the soon-to-be-delivered collaborative desks at Seawell Elementary. But Colbert has long been a friend and fan of DonorsChoose, the national non-profit that funds teacher requests. This spring, Colbert used his late night show to announce a $29 million gift from the cryptocurrency company Ripple, a gift that funded every single active request on DonorsChoose nationwide. Five Chapel Hill-Carrboro teachers had the good fortune to be among the 28,210 teachers whose projects were filled by the Ripple gift.
   
Claire Nelson, third-grade teacher at Ephesus, said, “Needless to say, I’m still quite shocked at Ripple’s generosity!”  She had requested six Sphero Mini robots and one Sphero SPRK robot, after learning about the resource at the North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) conference that she attended in March. “My son is on a high school robotics team. I have seen what a difference robotics and coding has made to him. Even though robotics and coding are out of my comfort zone, I wanted to challenge myself to integrate it into my classroom instruction. I sought out a few sessions on Robotics and Programming at NCTIES. I decided Sphero would be a perfect place to start!”
   
Tori Mazur, Digital Learning Specialist at Ephesus, said she has been using DonorsChoose since 2008, and she now writes most of her project requests with the school’s Hour of Code in mind. “We borrowed a 12-pack [of Spheros] from Morris Grove for Hour of Code in December and we discovered so much potential, that we had to have our own!”
   
The title of Mazur’s funded project was “May the Force & Motion Be With Us!” She wrote in her proposal, “My students need a 12-pack of Spheros to work in programming teams. We can use the force (and motion) standards to engage in STEM every day, not just during Hour of Code.”
   
Nationally, the Ripple gift funded more than 35,000 classroom requests, which according to DonorsChoose, will cover 70,000 books, 15,000 art supplies and 6,200 pieces of lab equipment. The day after Colbert announced the Ripple gift on his show, teachers created more than 15,600 projects on DonorsChoose, which beat the site's record for the number of projects created in an entire week.
   
Nan Lujan, English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Seawell Elementary, benefited from Ripple’s gift with the funding of two separate requests: i-Pads for first grade math centers, called “Math that is Just Right for Me,” and “Black History Matters” for twenty T-shirts for children and adults to wear at school events. For the i-Pads, Lujan wrote, “One of our centers is technology, in which students can utilize a program which uses a screener to determine what specific skills a student is proficient in and which skills they need to work on in order to become proficient. It then tailors their time in the application to allow them to practice the skills they need the most work in so that they may advance.” In regards to the T-shirts donation, Lujan explained, “We want our kids of color and all of our kids to know that at our school, Black History Matters.We would love to be able to outfit our teachers and students in our affinity group with Black History Matters t-shirts to make a strong statement at our assembly and throughout the school year. It's important that we tell the stories of strong black men and strong black women and inspire a new generation.”
   
Tomika Altman-Lewis, the fifth-grade Learning Environment for Advanced Placement (LEAP) teacher at Seawell, has a long and fruitful history with DonorsChoose, and she now serves as an ambassador for the non-profit, as well as an essay reader for project proposals. “As an ambassador, I help spread the word about DonorsChoose and assist teachers with creating their projects.” Over the years, DonorsChoose has funded 61 of Altman-Lewis’ requests, most of which have supported her wide-ranging and creative approaches to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) instruction.
     
Her most recent grant was for twelve standing desks, plus materials for hands-on learning activities. For “The Ultimate Learning Space,” Altman-Lewis wrote, “Learning does not stand still and neither should my students. Students need the opportunity to move, materials for them to work collaboratively or independently, and space for them to feel comfortable. Students will learn about architectural design and blueprints as they create the ultimate learning environment because my students will design the layout of our class.”

“Game On” was what Altman-Lewis named her other request. “Integrating literacy with hands-on experiences will allow my students to truly understand the concepts taught in school and this project will allow them to share such learning with their families. I am requesting a variety of STEM-related games such as the Food Chain, Mammal Survival, Human Body, and Forces and Motion activity kits and family games such as 'Smath, 5 Second Rule, Man Bites Dog, and etc. These games will also serve as models when they create their own games.”
   
The fifth teacher to receive a DonorsChoose gift from the Ripple donation was Jessica Plant, seventh-grade math teacher at Culbreth. Titled “Help! I Can’t Sit Still,” Plant’s request was for additional seating choices. “Students will have the option to sit on the classroom rug, sit on yoga balls, or on the bean bags to complete classwork assignments and work collaboratively with their peers. These materials will make a difference in the lives of my students and help students that have a lot of trouble staying focused for the entire class period.”
   
Two years ago Stephen Colbert, as a member of the board of directors of DonorsChoose, pledged to pay for every project request in South Carolina, his home state. Little did he know that he was establishing a national model for blanket funding.
   
DonorsChoose CEO Charles Best told EdSurge, "We believe in the wisdom of the front lines. Hardworking, passionate teachers know their students' needs better than anyone else in the school environment. If we can tap into their needs, we can unleash smarter solutions and empower those people on the front lines."

View Colbert’s announcement here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfw4FWJJVOQ



     

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Teachers First Breakfast Celebrates 15th Year at Squid’s

Squids Restaurant and Oyster Bar isn’t normally known for its teeming early morning crowds, but on Friday, April 27, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools teachers and staff enjoyed a full, hot breakfast at the restaurant before they headed off to their classrooms and offices. Another 1,182 staff went through a “drive thru” line and received to-go orders of breakfast burritos, fresh fruit cups, muffins, yogurt  and other treats, many of which were prepared by School Board members Rani Dasi and Mary Ann Wolf, as well as Public School Foundation’s former executive director, Kim Hoke. This wildly popular parent-supported fundraiser for the Public School Foundation drew crowds of teachers lining up in the dark, outside Squid’s well before the 6 a.m. opening time. Nearly three hours later, when the last steam table trays were scraped clean of scrambled eggs, bacon, grits and sausage, more than $100,000 had been pledged for our teachers, a record amount.
   
Since the first breakfast in 2003, the owners of the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group have provided all of the food and pulled off the increasingly large numbers of meals, with the help from dozens of volunteers. Tom Herzog, manager of Squid’s, said that the early years felt more stressful for his team, until the veteran volunteers from the Foundation learned the ropes. Herzog smiled as he nodded at the bustling helpers throughout the dining room. “They can run the show now,” he said. However, the Squid’s folks still came in between 2 and 3 a.m. to start preparing the food.
   
Lynn Lehmann, Executive Director of the Public School Foundation, said, “To the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group...what can we say?  You guys are the best and your generous spirits overwhelm us.  We appreciate all of you so much - and all that you give to our organization - and the community.  THANK YOU!”

The total amount raised in 15 years reached $856,431 this year, all of which has been earmarked for the Teachers First Fund to support programs, grants and professional development opportunities for CHCCS teachers, including scholarships towards National Board Certification.
   
As the sun rose, Ron Stutts from WCHL took the microphone to broadcast the beginning of his morning show from Squid’s, interviewing Lehmann and Stephanie Yost, breakfast volunteer organizer - as well as Dr. Todd LoFrese, Board Chair Rani Dasi and Gloria Sanchez-Lane, school social worker from Phoenix Academy. Various greeters from Lincoln Center rotated through their posts, as other School Board members hauled trash and collected plates and cups. The collegial spirit and contagious adrenaline allowed the waves of teachers and staff to move quickly through the serving line, providing them time to visit among the tables.

“The Annual Teachers First Breakfast and Roses is a CHCCS community-sponsored event,” said Lehmann. “I’m so very grateful to the parents who support this effort, while honoring their teachers with the gift of a breakfast and rose at the same time. It is a win-win-win for CHCCS families, the Public School Foundation and our deserving teachers.”

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Local Landscaper Helps Beautify McDougle Middle School

Susannah Zimmermann, PTA parent at McDougle Middle School, said she had never tried anything like it - seeking a major gift from an unaffiliated business. But when she contacted Sands Landscape Management about supporting an overhaul of the school’s grounds, she struck gold. Mike Sands replied that he could offer 80-90 yards of mulch, plus machinery and manpower. “I reached out to them blindly via email and they said YES...which makes this donation even more generous!” Zimmermann said. “They have no link to McDougle Middle School - no kids there, they don’t live in Chapel Hill. They said they were motivated to donate ‘because we asked.’ Amazing!”
     
Once the PTA planning team knew they would be receiving the mulch and physical assistance, they scheduled Beautification Day for April 7, a day which turned out cold and rainy. The rescheduled day on Saturday, April 14, was sunny and warm, and more than 70 people worked on the landscaping tasks from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.  The school received a true makeover! Sands and a colleague brought over a Bobcat and other machinery, and the parent and community volunteers arrived with armloads of rakes and shovels.
     
Sands said they were happy to make McDougle a “better place for kids to learn. I feel like the day was a big success after seeing everyone work as a team and with such great attitudes. We had a big turnout thanks to the PTA and students!”
       
In addition to parents and staff, “landscapers” included Cub Scout Pack 825 and their families, as well as the McDougle Middle School Boys Lacrosse team and their families. A group from the National Junior Honor Society also pitched in, some for almost the entire day. Madi Lin, an 8th grade student, said, “As part of our school's NJHS chapter, I was very happy to help beautify our school. I feel our school is now a much more enjoyable learning environment for everyone.”
         
Zimmermann said it was “an amazing day full of hard work and a beautiful sense of community.” She expressed gratitude that their administration was so supportive, and helped the PTA spread the word about the event.

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Phoenix Academy Hosts Arts Residency

For two weeks in February, the students at Phoenix Academy experienced a daily music smorgasbord, courtesy of award-winning playwright and professional teaching artist, Anita Woodley. Woodley also received a lot of Help from Her Friends - a cast of successful local musicians who represented a variety of musical genres. They arrived each day before lunch, and students seemed to leave with more energy and bounce than when they had arrived. “She was always trying to make me smile,” said one student on his participant evaluation. “So I finally broke out in a smile.”
   
Woodley likes to speak about her goals as a teaching artist as “looking for ways to serve up plates of creativity and positivity.” During her work with the students at Phoenix, she rarely stopped smiling herself, and she sang and danced and exhorted the young people until they had little choice but to sample those plates of positivity. To say Woodley’s enthusiasm for music is infectious is an understatement.
   
A student wrote on the final evaluation, “Thank you soooo much for expanding my horizons,” and another wrote, “I found out how much I love different music.” Although many students were quiet observers and listeners during the first week of the residency, the level of participation increased steadily through the second week.
     
“I always want students to believe in themselves and have hope,” Woodley said. “And to know how to create that in themselves.” She offered lists of positive affirmations, in addition to all of the music, and she spoke each day about how to frame experiences into validating expressions. “Everyone has to have self-love. If you have that, you stop looking outside all the time, thinking about how people are treating you.”
   
The residency was sponsored by the Town of Chapel Hill Community & Cultural Arts, and the choice of Woodley was a great match for the students at Phoenix. “Someone might look at a group of high school students and assume, okay, they all want rap, but then we start to look at diverse tastes,” she said. “You might find inspiration in a mandolin, but you didn’t know.”
   
Lex Parker said that he often turns on the radio when he’s stressed out. “After hearing the bluegrass they played, I realized it was kind of relaxing.”
   
During the first week, Woodley performed a medley of songs that represented some of the genres they’d been exploring, Little Richard’s “Tutti Frutti,” Bob Marley’s “One Love” and “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holliday. She led them through activities for group songwriting and showed them how lyricists, like poets, “make a chain of words.”

The students learned about the history of foot stomping as a musical accompaniment, and Woodley encouraged them to recognize the importance of hand clapping.
   
As the list of visiting musicians grew - Vattel Cherry, Charles Pettee, Yah-I Tafari - the number of instruments also mushroomed beyond guitars and stand up bass. Students also experienced the banjo, flamenco guitar, harmonica, djembe drum and mandolin. Students noted on their final evaluations how much they appreciated learning about different instruments. As Cherry played his guitar the first day, he used his “old school style, it makes you think of cutting grass and delivering papers.”

Throughout the discussion of musical genres, Woodley and her guests shared tidbits of cultural and social history, and they often returned to questions like “How can music be used to comment on social issues and to bridge gaps?”
   
TayNov El, a guest musician who calls himself a “Conscious Rap M.C,” spoke at length about his deep roots in the African-American community of Chapel Hill-Carrboro. “I keep my grandparents’ voices in my head all the time. They went to Lincoln High, right here where we are today.” His grandfather played in a gospel group, and as his website shares, “His uncles used to spit freestyles to him when he was single digit age.”
   
When TayNov was in eighth grade at Culbreth Middle School, he cut his first hip hop album, and later went on to perform as a member of an iconic group, TyFu. He shared many of the lessons he’s learned from integrating music into every part of his life. “When you’re not at peace, not satisfied with what’s going on, music gives you the chance to speak out,” he said. “Hip hop was created out of hard times.”
   
Brenda Whiteman, CHCCS Arts Education Coordinator, said, “I think the biggest thing that the students got from the residency was the opportunity to learn about and explore a wide variety of musical styles and instruments - bluegrass, jazz, hip hop, spirituals - drums, harmonicas, percussion, mandolin, guitar, banjo.  They seemed genuinely interested and many of them learned things about themselves and their preferences.”
   
Anthony Hairston, a freshman at Phoenix, said he really enjoyed the entire experience. “It allowed me to express myself in ways not usually available in schools. To be myself.” On the last day of the residency, as Woodley invited students to engage in a rap battle, Hairston was front and center, full of confidence and energy - being himself.

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Dr. Baldwin to Deliver State-of-the-Schools Address

Superintendent Pam Baldwin will deliver a state-of-the-schools address on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. She will discuss the progress made during her first year on the job, as well as next steps and the challenges ahead.

The event is being hosted by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro PTA Council and will take place in the Culbreth Middle School auditorium (225 Culbreth Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516). The community is invited to attend. Admission is free.

For those wishing to watch remotely, the event will be streamed on Facebook Live and the video will be posted to the district website the following day.

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Cisco Networking Academy Offers Opportunity

If you ask most parents and students in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools about the Cisco Networking Academy courses for high school students, unfortunately you’ll hear, “Cisco What?” But if Jennifer Walker and her colleagues at Chapel Hill High have their way, the pathways within the Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) will soon be recognized throughout the district - and beyond. Walker is both passionate and tireless in her work with Cisco NetAcad, and to hear her talk about current and future projects is to recognize she’s barely gotten started as a mentor and teacher.
   
Within a couple years, labor analysts in the U.S. predict there’ll be over one million more tech jobs than qualified applicants to fill them. And the salary for many of these tech jobs? Often in the $80,000 to $110,000 range. It’s surprising that more high school students aren’t standing in line to enroll in these information technology (IT) pathways.
   
How are Chapel Hill High’s AOIT and Cisco Networking Academy courses laying foundations for students to join the ranks of the “quickly employed” tech workers? Students can now choose two Cisco course pathways, either CET (computer engineering technology) or NET (network engineering technology). Upon completion of the specialized courses in either pathway, students can sit for rigorous and prestigious industry certifications before graduating from high school. The district will even pay for one certification exam voucher for each student.     
     
The AOIT is housed at Chapel Hill High, but it’s open to all CHCCS high school students who can travel from their home schools to take the academy classes. The Cisco Networking Academy is an international training program accessible through universities, community colleges, and some high schools. It provides the curriculum and hands-on lab experiences for students, as well as resources to deliver and extend IT training for instructors.  From this framework, Walker provides students with an ever-growing range of activities, information about opportunities to apply skills outside the classroom, and she works with AOIT to provide internships. Cisco's IT Essentials in the Computer Engineering courses provides training in hardware, software, and troubleshooting skills, while preparing students for CompTIA A+ certification. Cisco's CCNA (Certified Cisco Network Associate) Routing and Switching curriculum is used in the Network Engineering courses, training students in the process of data transmission, network design, device configuration, and troubleshooting, while preparing students for the Cisco CCENT (Certified Cisco Entry Networking Technician) and CCNA certifications.
     
Walker teaches all of the Computer Engineering and Network Engineering courses at Chapel Hill High, and her enthusiasm about the Cisco curriculum and its enduring benefits to students is apparent in the first few minutes of conversation. She’s a true believer, based on more than fifteen years in the IT field, as well as ten years in previous instructional positions. The keyword for her is “Opportunity,” and she loves to reel off the many opportunities students can pursue to sharpen their networking and engineering skill sets.
     
Earning one or both of the “certs” by graduation is the crown jewel of Cisco NetAcad participation, but all of the students who complete one of the pathways are well-qualified to work in IT, right out of high school. In this district, as Walker notes, most students will continue to a four year university, but some NetAcad graduates pursue classes at community colleges, or take their skills into the military. “Even without the certs, by completing these courses, students can transfer their skill sets into any profession,” said Walker.
     
“Cisco Networking Academy is a very useful program that teaches you a lot about computer engineering and networking,” said Dhruv Patel, who’s currently taking both Computer Engineering 2 and Networking Engineering 1. “Paired with the lab work Ms.Walker sets up, it prepares you for the CompTIA A+ and the CCENT certifications and gives you skills for practical use, at home and on the job.”
     
Walker’s students frequently take advantage of service-learning opportunities, both in-district and in the community. “I say to them all the time, Use your skills for good.”
     
This year, she and Darren Bell, manager of the CHCCS Community Connection Program, have collaborated to create the Tiger Tech Squad with more than 35 of Walker’s students. The Squad will soon operate as a Chromebook service depot, beginning with tech support for the Career and Technical Education staff at Chapel Hill High, but they will expand that support in the future.
     
Walker encourages her students to earn service-learning hours - plus invaluable Real World experience - at events like Volunteer Night at the Kramden Institute in the Research Triangle Park. Students provide assistance to local residents through Kramden, performing tasks like desktop refurbishing and monitor testing.
     
“It’s great for these students to see their skill set has value. In three hours, you can give people something that can change their lives,” said Walker. “Students say, 'But it’s so easy to swap out a hard drive,' and I say - to you it is!”
     
Beyond the service opportunities touted by Walker, she is constantly sharing news about internships and scholarships for summer study. Her Twitter feed @LearnITWalker is a goldmine for students in search of (there’s that word again) opportunities: cybersecurity workshops, Virtual Reality instruction and UNC’s Imagine Lab are just a few of the recent links or posts shared.
     
Walker also brings in a regular slate of tech speakers from Lenovo, Cisco and other industry giants in the area, as well as creates informative field trips for students to observe and experience a range of IT professionals in action.
     
Liz Anderton is a sophomore in Computer Engineering Technology 1, and she described how fortunate she feels to have landed in the NetAcad, even as one of the few young women in Walker’s classes. “It can be a little intimidating being the only female in a class, but it’s interesting because sometimes they (her male classmates) just think differently.” Anderton said that she’s very shy and has tended to dislike group work in previous classes, but she thrives in the team-learning format of Walker’s class. “This experience has helped me be more open in general. Everyone is really encouraging, and it’s been amazing.”
     
Anderton moved to Chapel Hill from Tennessee before ninth grade. “There was never anything like this where I lived before,” she said. “Kids don’t realize how lucky they are to have these programs. And if more people sign up for NetAcad, we can grow and do even more things.”


The Cisco Networking Academy celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017. According to its website “since 2005, more than 1.6 million students who have completed advanced courses have gotten new jobs thanks to Cisco Networking Academy. In the United States, 30 percent of enrolled students are underrepresented minorities (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian/Alaska Native), and numerous academies specifically serve military service members, veterans, and their families. Additionally, Cisco Networking Academy has made a commitment to benefit 10,000 people living with disabilities within the next five years.

https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?articleId=1894689

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NCCU Football Players Visit FPG Third Graders

When the third grade students arrived at Frank Porter Graham Bilingue (FPGB) Elementary on Wednesday, March 7, they found a large banner hanging in their hallway: FPGB (loves) the Eagles. A mystery, to be sure. Several young football fans thought maybe the Super Bowl winners were being celebrated, and one student asked why the Patriots weren’t included. But a little past 10:30 that morning, the mystery cleared when 10 football players from North Carolina Central University - the Eagles!- showed up in their jerseys, wearing big smiles. As they divided up in small groups and entered each classroom, many of the astonished third-graders squealed and clapped, while others stared in disbelief.
     
During these long weeks before spring break, teachers welcome all the creative measures they can use to keep their students engaged. Kelsey Mackay, a teacher on the team, approached social worker Kerry Sherrill, seeking strategies for the extra encouragement and motivation some of her students really needed. What better way to get their attention than to invite a group of conference-winning football players over to spend part of the morning?
     
MacKay grew up in football-rich South Carolina, and she attended Clemson. She already had a strong sense of how much impact can come from athletes in the classroom. She and Sherrill brainstormed ideas. “We decided to try Central, because of the reputation of their tight community among alumni and current staff and players,” Sherrill said, “and to expose our small population of Black American students to positive messaging and role models who look like them.”
     
Sherrill reached out to her social work colleagues in the district and very quickly, a couple of NCCU alumni were able to arrange a contact in the football office. In the email invitation to Travis Taylor, director of football operations, Sherrill and MacKay wrote, “Third-grade is a tough year with the End-of-Grade exams starting and more pressure on the students.  We would like to have players come to each of our four third-grade classrooms and talk about what character traits have helped them as they developed into adults, if they have faced and overcome challenges and barriers, and what advice they would give the children about not giving up.”
   
The carloads of players and athletic support staff drove up to FPGB a few days later.
   
After the Eagles’ surprise entrance, and once the students had settled down and taken their seats on the floor, the pairs and trios of athletes answered questions about ways to strengthen team unity and how to manage conflict and frustration. When one student asked, “What do you do when you’re frustrated?” the players’ responses ranged from, “Try to step away and get myself together,” to “Go and call my mom and talk it through.”
   
The children listened intently, faces upturned toward the tall young men, and often they nodded solemnly. Sherrill reported that the very next day, “One student was getting frustrated and he pulled out his autographs to motivate him and was able to re-engage in his assignment.”
   
“What are some values that have helped you?” asked a student.
   
“My mom always got me to school on time and she made sure I ate my vegetables and fruit-- no junk food!”
   
“Mom always made me do my homework and then go to sleep by 9:00,” said another Eagle, to which a teacher called out to her students, “Did you hear that ? 9:00!”
   
“I always try to do my best and stay ahead of the game," said one player. "It’s hard to be successful without doing well in school - and always support your friends!”
   
One athlete said, “No matter what people say about you, don’t let them tell you what to think about yourself.”
   
"Knowledge is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you,” an athlete told the children, and Sherrill reported that a week later, the teachers were still sharing that quote.
   
When a student asked, “What does it take to win a championship?” the football players became even more animated.
   
“You’ve got to be a family, from the coaches down.”
   
“Gaining knowledge everyday - trust in what your teachers and coaches tell you. They really care about you!”
     
The players all talked about their very hectic schedules, but they emphasized that they’re students first, and they’re always working hard to balance classwork with being student-athletes.
     
Then came Part Two of the Eagles’ visit - board games in each classroom! Sherrill and MacKay had hoped to organize outdoor activities, but with the cold rain, they had to devise a Plan B. The laughter and hooting that came from each table of game-players filled the rooms.
     
Over and over, the students said, "BEST DAY EVER!!!!"
     
As athletes finished signing autographs and began to say goodbyes, one child asked, "When are they coming back?"
     
Over and over, the teachers talked about how amazing it was to see all the smiles on children's faces, and the excitement and joy they expressed.
     
Travis Taylor shared his own message once the football players had returned to the NCCU campus.

“Thank you for reaching out. The players absolutely loved their time at your school. I think this is a new partnership that’s going to be wonderful for both parties. It’s moments like this that make you realize you’re doing something right, to know that we inspired and made those kids’ day special. We love you guys - you are a part of our team. One family, one team!”

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Strategic Plan Update

One of the many opportunities bestowed upon the new superintendent as she opened the 2017-18 school year was the creation of a new strategic plan. The current five-year plan, launched in 2013-14, was entering its final year.

Because strategic planning is a lengthy and detailed process, Dr. Baldwin knew our school district would need to simultaneously finish the current plan while preparing the next…and that it would take nearly a full year. The rest of this story is divided into three sections: Past, Present and Future.

PAST

The first step was to identify a small internal team that would drive the process. Three staff members were tabbed: Jeff Nash (Executive Director of Community Relations), Diane Villwock (Executive Director of Assessment and Research), and Misti Williams (Executive Director of Leadership and Federal Programs).

Next, a committee would need to be established. It was crucial that this committee resemble a cross section of our community. Seventeen people were selected, representing parents, community groups, students, teachers, principals and our local university. To date, the committee has met four times with another meeting scheduled in April. 

In order to create a plan that will guide our work for the next three years, it was important to collect data – specifically regarding the definition of student success, what is currently working and what needs changing. We also wanted to know what our community wants to see in the new plan.

Data was collected in a variety of ways. This fall, we sent a survey out to all families and all staff members. It was available in a variety of languages. The survey also went out on social media and was placed on the district website. We were pleased to receive nearly 1,100 responses.

Additionally, we asked each School Improvement Team to host a table top discussion – an event in which parents and community members could come in person and talk through their thoughts about what is currently working and what needs changing. Twenty of these events took place in a five-week span during October and November.

Dr. Baldwin and Jeff Nash also traveled to all schools between September and January, hosting 19 student focus groups and 20 staff focus groups. Separate focus groups were also conducted for business partners, principals, assistant principals, the Instructional Services Division and the High School Student Advisory Council. Altogether, 44 focus groups took place, with a combined participation of approximately 475 people.

The feedback collected from the survey, table top conversations and focus groups was massive – in fact, it was approximately 500 pages of input.

K-12 Insight, a company that assisted with the survey, also helped us sort the data into categories of comments that were mentioned by a “strong majority of participants”, “several participants” and “some participants.”

From there, the Strategic Planning Committee helped sort the feedback into four main categories. While the names may eventually change, they are currently being referenced as the following: Whole Child; Family and Community Engagement; Human Capital; and Organizational Structure.

These groupings give structure to the new plan.

PRESENT

The four categories were presented to the Cabinet in early February, and a captain was assigned to each. Those assignments are listed below.

            Whole Child – Rydell Harrison (Assistant Superintendent – Instructional Services)

            Family and Community Engagement – Jeff Nash (Executive Director – Community Relations)

            Human Capital – Erika Newkirk (Senior Executive Director – Human Resources)

            Organizational Structure – Todd LoFrese (Assistant Superintendent – Support Services)

Each captain has been tasked with drafting a set of goals for his/her area based on the data collected this fall. These draft goals are in the process of being written and will be collected soon. 

This will give shape to the new plan.

FUTURE

The next step is to move the goals from draft to final. They will be vetted by the Strategic Planning Committee to ensure they match the data provided by our community. They will also be previewed by the school principals to make sure that what makes it to the final plan will be both accomplishable and beneficial for students and families. 

The plan will then be brought to the Board for final approval. Once approved, it will be distributed electronically to our community and to staff. This will happen before the end of the current school year. Printed versions of the plan will be produced during the summer and available upon the opening of the 2018-19 school year. 

_____

This new plan is indeed a huge project. However, our work will result in a compass that will surely keep us headed in the right direction for children. The planning process requires the participation of our entire community…but so does the implementation. Once we share the plan in June, know that the real work is just beginning. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed feedback and expertise, and to everyone who will help us move forward. Your continued support of our students and schools is greatly appreciated.  

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Glenwood Hosts African-American Read-In

History Month by hosting a Read-In with guest readers, who all shared storybooks, poems and biographies of and by African-Americans. Glenwood’s event took place February 8th and 9th in classrooms and the media center. Nearly every student, K-5th, experienced the gifts offered by more than two dozen readers who included Superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin, CHCCS district staff members, School Board members, UNC athletes and a variety of Orange County commissioners and others.

"I always enjoy my time reading with our students," said Board Member James Barrett. "Their natural curiosity and passion for learning is inspiring." Board Vice-Chair Margaret Samuels and Board Member Amy Fowler also took their turns in the reader’s seat.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners was also well represented in the slate of readers. Chair Mark Dorosin shared a quote that really inspired the 5th graders: "The struggle is the victory." That simple statement prompted much circle discussion among the 5th grade students. They shared their own struggles and talked about how working through struggles is a victory in itself.

Commissioner Renee Price first spoke about her educational background, as well as her professional journey. She mentioned that, as a graduate student, she had spent most of a weekend accompanying Rosa Parks to events. Students were fascinated by that revelation, and they had plenty of questions for Price. She then read a number of Langston Hughes poems to 4th grade students, and she sought their responses and interpretations.

“The readers inspired students to learn more about African-American history, leaders, and authors, as well as inspiring them to continue working hard in their educational paths,” said Katherine Whittington, Glenwood, Principal Intern and co-organizer of the read-in.

A small group of 5th grade female students enjoyed a Lunch-and-Listen when their guest readers appeared in the classroom. JoJo Jones, a UNC freshman basketball player, and Ru Mucherera, a soccer player, took turns reading, asking the girls questions and sharing their own thoughts about education, stories, and sports. 

Jones read Despite the Height, a book by former UNC star point guard, Ivory Latta; the picture book captures the WNBA player’s experience learning to play basketball against her older, bigger brothers. Both women encouraged the girls to remember how important it is to focus on academics, even when sports are a primary passion. “Do the best you can in school,” Jones said. “Just because you play the sport well doesn’t mean you automatically get to go to any school you want.” She went on to say that she’d like to play professional ball, but not for long; she hopes to return to law school and become a sports lawyer. Jones provided an off-the-cuff, brief overview of Title IX, and she urged them to think about why it matters in so many areas of women’s lives.

“Discussions about the books, authors, and lives of those that they read about continued to be discussed throughout the week,” Whittington said. “We loved seeing our young scholars interact with community volunteers who inspire them and challenge them.”

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CHCCS Student Artists Exhibit at FRANK Outreach Gallery

Ori and Valen Moore, brothers who attend Seawell and Rashkis Elementary Schools, are veteran prize-winners in past Reflections competitions, but they had never had the opportunity to greet the public and discuss their creations in a gallery space, until last week.

     

The annual PTA Reflections Art competition rose to a more visible and celebrated stage on Friday, February 9 when the FRANK Community Outreach Gallery hosted a reception and show of CHCCS artwork, at the same time the main FRANK Gallery welcomed hundreds of friends and patrons to its recently opened location at University Place. The inaugural event was a crowded and joyful success.

      

Each year, the district selects 30 works of student art to compete at the state level of the Reflections Program. This year’s winners came from eleven CHCCS schools, and they embraced all of the eligible art forms: dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. Additionally, all students who entered Reflections this year were invited to display their art in the gallery, so there were over 100 pieces to enjoy. In the large gallery space, student artists, their friends and families mingled with community patrons.

     

“The PTA Reflections Art Show brought families from schools throughout the district together and created a great community feeling,” said Lisa Kaylie, PTA Council President. “We are so grateful to the FRANK for allowing us to host the PTA Reflections Art Show in their new community space in University Place.  People enjoyed walking back and forth between the two FRANK spaces and everyone was so proud of the work of our student artists.  I heard one woman marvel, ‘Is this art from the students in our local CHCCS schools?’”  

       

Kaylie praised the intensive commitment from Carrboro Elementary PTA parent and visual artist Heather Lewis who organized the district Reflections contest for the first time. Most observers hope it won’t be her last. “I wanted to be involved to help promote the arts for the students,” Lewis said. “Once the entries from the schools started coming in, I was really touched by all who wanted to participate and thought it would be great to provide a platform to highlight the talent in the area.  I reached out to University Place, and that is where I learned about the opportunity with the FRANK. The show is really touching,” she added. “You can see the variety of interpretations on the theme ‘Within Reach,’ from a giraffe reaching for a beautifully colored red apple, to music compositions about the sea, and wonderfully choreographed dances. What has inspired these children has inspired me, and I hope the community feels the same.”

       

During the reception, the Moore brothers stood near their complex art pieces and quietly took questions and explained their process and sources of inspiration. Ori, a fifth-grade student at Seawell, had explored the experience of spending “a day on a river” with an original musical composition, photographs and a lyrical artist’s statement. Rashkis third-grader Valen used an original composition for saxophone, a poem and two photographs to capture his feelings about spending time on a boat in the ocean. The past two years, Ori has placed second in the state Reflections competitions, and in 2016, as a first-grader, Valen received a first place North Carolina award and went on to receive an honorable mention at the national level.

       

Another sibling pair, April and Kevin Guo from Morris Grove, also will move on to the state level. Their paintings hung side by side, similar in their compelling use of color and the sophistication of their concepts and execution, but very different in other ways.

       

Many of the art pieces drew a steady flow of admirers throughout the evening. A favored spot in the gallery was where tables were set up along a wall with laptops showing dance performances and original videos on continuous loop.

       

Near the front of the gallery hung the largest piece on display, a brilliantly detailed painting of animals, both extinct and endangered. Abby Welch, a student at Carrboro High School, talked patiently and graciously to a constant stream of viewers, from beginning to end of the reception. “Having my art up in the FRANK Gallery and getting to talk to so many people about it has been a truly unique and wonderful experience,” Welch said. “I was astonished by how many people were interested in my piece, and I enjoyed hearing their interpretations and questions. It was also amazing to have the opportunity to spread awareness of the challenges facing wildlife and the environment, which was the main focus of my art, and have it be seen by so many people. I am very thankful for the school, the PTA, the Reflections contest, and the FRANK Gallery for this incredible opportunity.” Welch won a third place award in film production at the state level in 2016.

    

Welch is one of six Carrboro High School students whose work will progress to the state level, an impressive feat, since only 30 CHCCS artists can claim that distinction. Art teacher Candacie Schrader said, “I cannot think of a better group of young artists to work with and be proud to call my students. My students absorb so much of what is taught to them, and the level of understanding and interpretation of everything expected is very well-rounded and mature in their visual representations.”             

    

FRANK Gallery allowed the show to hang from January 28 until the end of the reception on February 9, so the number of people who viewed the art numbered in the many hundreds. Jean LeCluyse, Artist Membership Chair of FRANK said, “We are delighted that the exhibits and the receptions went so well! Partnering with CHCCS is perfect for our inaugural event at the Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Community Outreach Gallery. As artists in the community we are thrilled to have the opportunity to encourage our young artists and creatives! We look forward to future collaborations. Thanks also to University Place for their support.”

      

“The Reflections art show was a tremendous event,” said Board Chair Rani Dasi. “We have amazingly talented students, and it is always a treat see their talents on display.”

View slide show from reception:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vT5lQUeR_-Z4YbsOmE2SMDAguo7yR9NX

                                  CHCCS Reflections PTA Winners:

Carrboro Elementary:

Griffin Kalavsky

Juliette Elia

Lucy Safir

Tova Ohlrich

McDougle Elementary:

Katarina Rosario-Soto

Morris Grove:

Leah Johnson

Kevin Guo

April Guo

Ephesus:

Becca Clarke

Smith:

Ariya Jensen

Victoria Schmidt

Jovie Forrest

Marin Lissy

Rashkis:

Valen Moore

Seawell:

Ori Moore

Estes Hills:

Mena Boggs

Nico Sye

Poppy DeAlmeida

Valentina Podolyanskaya

Frank Porter Graham:

Emmanuel Bastides

Michael Penaskovic

East Chapel Hill High:

Esther Bach

Yushentong Fang

Jabria Oliver

Carrboro High:

Riley Erwin

Amelia Mack

Luisa Marin

Wah Oo

Mia Parent

Abby Welch

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