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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PTSA Scholarship Program Enables Students to Attend Community College

In the fall of 2015, the Chapel Hill High School PTSA received a grant for approximately $7,000. During the conversations that followed, the PTSA Executive Board explored a variety of school initiatives that could be developed with that funding. Current president Kirsten Barker said that over the past several years, “The CHHS PTSA has been trying to highlight that we are an organization that supports ALL CHHS students, parents and staff. We felt that a good way to put those words into action would be to focus on students who were continuing to community college, so we could continue to provide support that they would be leaving behind when they left the safety net of high school.”
   
The first scholarships were awarded in the spring of 2016 to five students, to four students in 2017 and four more this spring. To hear the stories and ambitions from the students who have benefited from the fund is to understand how wide and deep the impact has already been.
   
Monicah Atwater, a recipient from the first class of 2016, will receive her Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting Technology from Alamance Community College on June 8. She has long held the ambition to work in an allied health field. Through her grandmother’s long illness, Atwater learned as much as she could to strengthen her support skills. During that experience, she became committed to further education in medicine, and she has loved the courses at ACC. “Without the scholarship to get started, it would have been completely different,” Atwater said.
   
DohSay Sein received the scholarship as a 2017 CHHS graduate, and his year at Durham Tech has allowed him to focus and define his educational path, well beyond any plans he had considered a year ago. “I would like to say thank you very much for the scholarship that I got from the PTSA. It has really helped me a lot with my school tuition and move forward with my education. I will be able to buy the books and other supplies that I need in each class.”
   
During his first semester, DohSay said he kept changing his mind about what he wants to study, but now he is confident that he would like to earn an Associate in Science degree to prepare for transfer to a four year college. He hopes to pursue a career in Network Security. “The teachers at Durham Tech are very, very nice,” DohSay said. “Every time when I need help with the subject, I can always contact them and make an appointment with them to help me with the subjects that I don’t understand. Overall, I really enjoy learning at Durham Tech, and what I have learned now and in the past, has made a big difference in my life.”
   
Kimberlee Spores is the current chair of the CHHS PTSA Scholarship Program.  She is the "face" of the program now and has developed new ideas to make the work of the committee more professional. Each fall, Spores, Barker and other Executive Board members meet with the most recent class of recipients to check in and hear how they are navigating their first semesters - and to provide guidance and cheerleading, if necessary.
   
The selection process has been fine-tuned by the Scholarship Committee, in consultation with Assistant Principal Anna Hipps and the counseling team at CHHS. Since counselors know which of the seniors hope to attend community college, they have been able to ensure that eligible students not only learn about the scholarships, but that they can provide direction and support to complete the application and secure teacher recommendations.
   
“We pay $500 directly to the school for fall tuition and then a follow-on of another $500 if they re-enroll for spring classes,” Barker said. “We also stay in touch with them and ‘mother hen’ them a bit to make sure they are registering, staying on track, etc…”
   
Linda Cervantes, another of the 2016 recipients, said that the “mother henning” part of the process was invaluable for her. As a first generation college student, she said that nearly every part of enrolling in her first semester at Alamance Community College was challenging, since she had no one to help her understand the process. “It was such a relief to start out in college, not worrying about how to pay for every little thing.”
   
Cervantes hopes to complete her Associates in Arts certificate this summer, so that she will be ready to enroll at Guilford College in August. In the university transfer track, she has met the general education requirements, except for a final course in biology. Her career ambition is to become a social worker, and she feels very optimistic about the kind of preparation she’ll receive at the private Quaker college. “They’re a school that talks a lot about social justice and community. I know I want to contribute and give back.”
   
Four 2018 scholarship recipients were recognized at the May 30 senior awards ceremony at CHHS. Among this year’s winners: a student who has been studying automotive technology through dual enrollment at Durham Tech, where he will enroll full time in the fall; one who has a passion for photography and will also attend Durham Tech; a student who hopes to study sonography and another student who will also enroll in general education courses at Durham Tech.
 
Barker and Spores are deeply committed to continuing the scholarship fund to provide multiple grants each year. “Our traditional fundraising activities now support the scholarship program in addition to our other initiatives like teacher discretionary funds, teacher supplies, student club support and mental health initiatives,” said Barker.
   
Although approximately ten percent of CHCCS seniors choose to attend community college, few are commended for that choice. “We felt that lots of kids get recognized for athletic signing and four-year college scholarships, but not much is said about or done for our kids who go on to community college,” Barker said. “We want the ultimate message to be that the path to success doesn’t only tie to UNC acceptances.”

Click here to learn more about the scholarships or to make a contribution.
 

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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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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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Chapel Hill High CTE Student Advances in National Competition

Nadiya Farrington loved art and math as a young child, but it wasn’t until she took a class on Career Explorations at McDougle Middle School that she discovered architecture as a path to blending her two passions. “The fire in her didn’t start at Chapel Hill High,” said Mary Jones, Career and Technical Education Special Populations Coordinator. “She arrived with it already strong.” Now, as a senior at CHHS, Farrington already has more experience and accolades in her budding architecture career than many college seniors. Among her numerous accomplishments is her recent nomination as one of five North Carolina CTE (Career and Technical Education) students to advance to the semifinalist level in the national Presidential Scholars Program for 2018. She is the only young woman of the five candidates from our state.
     
Bound for Cornell University’s top-ranked undergraduate Architecture Program this fall, Farrington has balanced academics, club and varsity volleyball and countless hours of service during her four years at CHHS. Her resume shines with all the highlights. But architecture drives most of what she has chosen for summer experiences and volunteering, both locally with Habitat for Humanity, and construction projects in Mexico and Guatemala. It all comes back to building and design for her.
   
“I love that it’s a permanent art form, and yet it impacts people in their everyday lives,” Farrington said. “It exists for such a long time, and the buildings stand as visual representations of cultural backgrounds and values that you as an architect have - and also as reflections of the community you build them in.”
     
Her formal study began in ninth grade, in William McSwain’s Drafting I class at CHHS. Then she took Drafting-Architectural II and III, and she excelled in each course. "Nadiya's passion for Architecture has honestly made me a better teacher. Her drive and natural curiosity have challenged me as a teacher to challenge her to perform to her potential, and I am a better teacher because of it," McSwain said.
     
Although Farrington participated in summer enrichment programs at the University of Tennessee and at NC State, it wasn’t until she won a scholarship to Cornell’s Introduction to Architecture 2017 summer program that she realized her entire frame of reference had changed. “I spent six weeks at Cornell, and I took on a new perspective. I learned to look at and appreciate experiences differently, to look at the world through an architect’s point of view, noticing how you enter a room, walk through a building or what you see when you drive through a city.”
     
At Cornell last summer, she earned six hours of college credit by completing both Introduction to Architecture and Design Studio. While there, she connected with her first female mentor, and she knows it’s important to keep seeking out women architects to learn from, in a field that is still dominated by white males. As one of only seven underrepresented minorities of the 100 participants at Cornell, Farrington said she recognized how important it will be to mentor other young women of color, once she advances in her career.
   
In addition to the pre-professional experience she has gained through the summer programs, she has undertaken much more strenuous and rudimentary building projects during her service trips to Guatemala and Mexico. “On both trips, I was helping build houses for families in need. In Guatemala, we first had to clear out their old living environment of corn stalks and dirt floors. It was really eye-opening that four sturdy walls represented so much to them,” Farrington said.
     
The trip to Mexico was organized by her church, and the main project was the construction of a church and parsonage which were on top of a hill. “They were visible for miles around,” Farrington said, noting that the experience taught her to consider how your work impacts not only the people who physically interact with the buildings but also from a distance, when people look up to those spaces for hope and inspiration.
     
When Farrington isn’t playing volleyball, studying physics or calculus or volunteering at Habitat, she still needs to find time to work on weekends, both as a cashier in a grocery store, and as an amanuensis for a visually impaired client. At home, she helps out as she can, cooking dinner and spending time with her younger sister. Yet she insists that she does sleep every night! “Because I’ve been passionate about everything I wanted to do, it wasn’t like I was being forced. I’m always driving myself.”
     
As Farrington’s nomination moves through the levels of judging, criteria for evaluation will prioritize involvement and service, leadership and character, heavy workload and obstacles overcome, in addition to academic achievement. Sixty CTE semi-finalists for this prestigious award will be announced in March, and the twenty winners will be selected in April.
     
“Although we had several outstanding nominations this year for the US Presidential Scholars program for CTE, Nadiya's overall experience and how she overcame personal barriers while maintaining academic excellence impressed our interview team the most,” said Kathi Breweur, Director of Career and Technical Education with CHCCS.  “Nadiya's passion for architecture, coupled with her strong desire to help others, is inspirational.  This is a young woman who is a natural leader and a solid role model for her peers. We wish her the best of luck in the next phase of the selection process.”

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Carrboro High Hosts Group from Dominican Republic

An international-CHCCS connection that’s now in its fifth year celebrated a new chapter in December as 15 students and staff from the Julian Javier High School in the Dominican Republic spent a week with families and teachers from Carrboro High. Each day was packed with activity, food and conversations in Spanish and English. Alejandra Castillo, a junior at Carrboro High said, “Not only did the students have fun, but the parents and staff also danced, sang, and laughed along with everyone. We had fun the whole time they were here, taking pictures and sharing stories. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.”

During the summer of 2013, several Carrboro High students traveled to the Dominican Republic with Transcending Borders of the Global Leadership Institute. One of those students was Leah Simon, who now attends UNC, and the trip ignited her passion and commitment to the culture and the people they met. When she and the other students returned to school, they began planning various projects and fundraising efforts, under the guidance - and with tireless energy - from teacher John Hite. Dr. LaVerne Mattocks, principal at the time, offered her enthusiastic support as the core group built bridges with the community of Tenares in Hermanas Mirabal Province.

So far, the collaboration-exchange between Carrboro High and Hermanas Mirabel has yielded a mural project (and two vivid murals at the school), as well as a major drive for funds and boots-on-the-ground support of a water project at La Cumbre, a small village that had no access to clean water. In recent years, Carrboro High students and their families have raised tens of thousands of dollars for La Cumbre and Tenares, and each year, new students join this ongoing endeavor. Current principal Beverly Rudolph has picked up where Dr. Mattocks left off, providing assistance to ensure that each undertaking runs as smoothly as possible. John Hite led nine Carrboro students on the most recent trip to the Dominican Republic during the summer of 2016.   

The December exchange that brought 15 Dominicans here had been in the works for some time, but plans were scrambled by the succession of powerful hurricanes in 2017. Throughout the months of delays and complications, Hite stayed focused on making sure the exchange could take place. “There were so many moving parts, I had to make sure it all fit together.” 

Teachers Angela McChesney and Nathalie Gaut also pitched in with a group of students. The hundreds of collective hours paid off in an enriching and entertaining experience for both the Dominicans and the Carrboro High community alike.    

Students and their parents hosted visitors, as did McChesney and Gaut. The itinerary was packed between the group’s arrival and departure from RDU: a UNC basketball game, bowling, trips to the Ackland Museum, the Bennett Place and the Planetarium. Karl Naomi, a Carrboro High senior, said, “They loved Chapel Hill and saw a lot of different things than what they have in their country. Just something as simple as leaves falling off the trees and even a little snow was really cool for them to see.”     

The Dominican group, with their student hosts, also toured the campuses of UNC and Duke, courtesy of former Jaguars who’d been involved in earlier exchanges and fundraising: Leah Abrams at Duke, and Leah Simon and Kristen Lee at UNC.      

But the Dominicans also spent plenty of time at Carrboro High during the week, going to classes and other in-school events, as well as attending both a breakfast and lunch hosted by Youth Leadership Institute students. Senior Stephanie Lopez of YLI said, “I learned new things from their culture and what the education system is like in the Dominican Republic and it was a great experience!” On the final day of the exchange, most of the Carrboro High student body gathered during lunch in the Cafe Commons to share songs and dances from both cultures. The Dominican students performed a traditional dance, in full regalia, and a number of Carrboro High students offered their talents as well.           

The parents of the visiting students expressed their gratitude in emails to Hite after their children had returned home. One father wrote, “More than grateful for that great experience my son has lived. You who welcomed them and treated them so well from North Carolina-- thanks to you, students, teachers, professors and high school director. Thank you very much, it was unforgettable for our children.”


“I am from Peru, but I grew up here and so I felt like I wasn't really connected to my Latino side,” said Alejandra Castillo. “I feel like being with them has awakened (that). Having them here not only brought me closer to people from a different culture, but also to other people from the Carrboro High School community. I can hardly wait for future exchanges between Carrboro High School and Liceo Julian Javier!”

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Mayor Hemminger Visits McDougle Elementary

Third grade students at McDougle Elementary School are diving into the subject of Local Governments this month, so what better way to learn about municipal leadership than to hear from the Mayor herself.

      

Mayor Pam Hemminger spent nearly an hour with the students on Monday, December 4 as they prepared to construct their own versions of municipal governments, including electing a mayor for each classroom.

      

Students and their teachers had prepared lists of questions, ranging from “What is your family like?” to “Why do houses in Chapel Hill cost so much?” and “When you make decisions, who do you think about?” The mayor managed the room full of children with ease, and she noted that when her four children attended district schools, she volunteered frequently. Blending specific facts and policy ideas with humorous anecdotes, the mayor provided an abundance of information to her audience.

      

In response to the question, “Is it hard or easy, being the mayor?” Hemminger shared that some days can be really challenging and long, while others are relatively easy. She described how she can’t go out in sweats like she used to, and how surprising it was to “lose” her name. “Now everyone just calls me Mayor.” When she noted that she’s paid as a half-time employee, even though she often works 70 hours a week, one student shrieked from the back of the room, “WHAT???”

      

Hemminger laughed. “Yes, I said What? too.”

      

A student asked if Hemminger had always wanted to be a mayor, which elicited a big smile. She said no, not at all, though she had served as class president in high school. “I guess I’ve always wanted things to run better…I love helping our community. I wasn’t really planning on running for mayor.” She noted that Chapel Hill has a tradition of welcoming diversity and outside-the-box thinking. “But I felt like we were moving away from that, towards being just a bedroom community for people who could afford it. My own children said, 'Mom, quit waiting for change to happen. You’ve always told us, Be the change you want to see in the world,'” a statement that made several students nod their heads.

       

Students wanted to know if she lives in a “fancy house,” and the mayor admitted it’s become fancier since her husband insisted they add a Ping Pong Room, which was also met with students’ approval. They asked her if she can take gifts, so the mayor explained that government officials take an ethics training that emphasizes how important it is to avoid gifts and special favors.

      

Many children were curious about the “best part” of being Mayor. Hemminger shared that she had been able to give hugs to both President Obama and singer James Taylor, and that day was one high point. A student inquired about other celebrities. “Have you hugged Taylor Swift?”

       

Natalie Sayag, one of their teachers, asked if Hemminger, also a former school board member and chair,

had specific advice to prepare them for the afternoon’s government simulation. The mayor replied, “It’s really important to hear every voice at the table.”

       

“It’s been an amazing, amazing experience,” Hemminger told the students as they stood up to file back to their classrooms. A few children hung back to give the mayor a hug.

       

At the end of the day, Stephens Watson, another third grade teacher, shared this observation, “During the simulations this afternoon, I think the kids were really taking Mayor Hemminger's advice to listen to everyone's opinion. The kids were excited to get their roles and it seemed like they realized the importance of each role in the government.”

       

Who knows? Maybe cafeteria and classroom conversations this week will include new phrases like “affordable housing,” “stormwater fees” and “rural buffers.” And maybe a few aspiring politicians, currently studying at McDougle Elementary, will look back on today’s mayoral visit as the day it all started.

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The Reality of Money

How many adults wish they could have learned about the reality of money, before they set forth into the world (or as Millennials say, before they began adulting)?

     

With guidance and resources from the local State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU), many parents, a team of teachers and support staff, and all of the eighth graders at McDougle Middle School recently experienced a crash course in personal finance. Maybe a little scary, but judging from the students’ evaluations, the event was also extremely valuable-- and fun.

     

The Reality of Money is a community outreach program created by SECU and offered to schools (grades 8-12) as a collaborative learning experience on financial literacy. Phillips Middle School has hosted this event the past three years, but this was the first time for McDougle Middle. The entire 8th grade class, approximately 200 students, participated in groups of 65 during the three sessions throughout the day.

     

In the media center, stations with pairs of parent volunteers were set up at tables: housing, healthcare/insurance, childcare, entertainment, and credit cards among others. First they received random profiles which gave details about their occupation, education level, family situation and monthly salary. As SECU’s Erin Roache said, “They then go through the same decision making process that we, as adults, go through every day.”

    

As students figured out their profiles, they compared information, laughing and shrieking, though at some points while circulating around the media center, some of them reflected stress and frustration. “I’m out of money,” rang out from station to station. One student said, “Things cost a lot more than I thought!”

     

Besides the categories of family and personal expenses, a wildcard element called “Stuff Happens” precipitated fear and amusement among students, as assistant principal Chassity Coston roamed around the stations, handing out cards. Surprise expenditures included buying a wedding present, buying $20 on Halloween candy, breaking a tooth and deciding on a dental treatment. Some cards yielded surprise bonuses, but most produced negative impacts on budgets. Coston said that students were running away from her, once their funds began to disappear.

      

Roache from SECU said, “The goals of the activity are to teach students to live within, or below, their means, to learn that credit can affect their way of living, that furthering your education beyond high school is important to a successful future, and that learning how to manage money now will help them avoid many financial pitfalls.”

     

As Robin Gallaher, District Career Development Coordinator for CTE said, “The 8th grade students learned financial information that many adults do not apply in their own lives.”

    

Nearly three dozen parents volunteered to cover stations, some for an hour or two, others for the full school day. Sarah Morales, 8th grade counselor, said, “Volunteer recruitment is key--we started early and enlisted the PTA's help.” The school provided lunch for volunteers, and a time to debrief, before gearing up for the afternoon sessions. “The volunteers had really positive feedback about their role in the program, too!”said Morales.

     

“A hundred lectures on budgeting wouldn't have as much impact on students as the experience of having to re-think their spending as their monthly balance dwindled away to nothing,” said Mellicent Blythe, parent of 8th grader Will Blythe.  “They also saw in really concrete terms how their education level and credit score can make things so much harder or easier for them down the road. I wish I had something like it when I was in school!”

     

What were the students’ reactions to the Reality of Money? Consider some of their responses to the question about what they learned: “I should definitely get insurance,” “Having two kids is really expensive and you never want to have bad credit,” “It’s hard to make decisions about money,” and “You can’t get everything you want.” One student who clearly had encountered assistant principal Coston with her Stuff Happens cards said, “You have to prepare for the unexpected.”

     

Several students reflected on how they now understand more about their parents’ responsibilities and concerns. One wrote, “I learned how to appreciate my parents”-- another, “Money is important and my parents sacrifice a lot.”

    

Eighth grade students, parents and teachers at Phillips Middle School will reprise this event in February.

   

“SECU relishes outreach opportunities like these as they help to foster relationships within the very communities we serve daily in our operations,” said Charles Robinson, the senior financial services officer who represented the organization at McDougle last month.

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FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER at Culbreth Middle School

On many weekday mornings at Culbreth Middle School, a cozy room called the Family Resource Center opens its doors to school and community visitors. The inviting environment looks less like a school space than a family room with packed bookshelves, a couch and a polished dining table. A jazz or salsa CD might be playing softly, and a coffeemaker sits ready for people to settle in with a cup and a book on parenting or common social/emotional challenges in children of all ages.

       

The Center was launched at Culbreth on March 3 with an all-day grand opening. Roslyn Moffitt, district director of Title I and Family and Community Engagement, believes that a school-based family resource center can, and should, be a priority when creating new engagement strategies. As she likes to say, “warm and welcoming” is the first mantra of family engagement. Slowly and steadily, the Center is gaining traction as a multi-purpose space for community sharing, support and education. Nationally, the value and flexibility of family resource centers is gaining prominence as a crucial element of building reciprocity and trust between schools and parents.

       

So far this year, direct publicity appeals have gone out to Culbreth families and the feeder elementary schools, including Scroggs, Glenwood and Frank Porter Graham, but anyone from the CHCCS community is welcome to drop by. The Center is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and again from 1:30-3:30 p.m..

       

“This center will be built by our families,” said Stefanie Mazva-Cohen, Culbreth social worker and site coordinator. “We are nurturing it and letting it grow.”

        

The basic mission of the Center aligns with an increasing emphasis on family engagement, rather than the prior educational focus on “parental involvement.” The new federal education guidelines of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) place more responsibility on school districts to cultivate ways to engage families through school activities, professional development for teachers and home visiting programs. Research shows that students attending schools that embed and prioritize family engagement have seen increased scores in both math and reading.

       

“Parents want their children to do well in school and to be a part of their child’s success,” said Meredith McMonigle of Orange County Family Success Alliance. “But sometimes parents don’t know how to help or how school works. A place like the Culbreth Resource Center is a welcoming place for parents to drop in, learn more about the school and find their own way to be a part of the school and the larger community. Parents need a place within the school to lend their voice and their commitment to the school’s success. The resource center at Culbreth does just that - kudos to them for making it happen.”

        

In keeping with the vision of developing and expanding resource options, Ms. Mazva-Cohen and Ms. Moffitt hope to schedule workshops several times a month, led by district staff, parents or community members. Topics will likely range from developmental psychology to basic workshops on citizenship or immigration services.

       

One recent host at the Center was Sandra Clifton, a local educational therapist. “I cannot say enough wonderful things about (the Center). It weaves in beautiful elements of outreach, education and inclusion.” She hopes to fill a host shift at least once a month and seek feedback as well as share information in her capacity as a Special Needs Advisory Council (SNAC) representative.

      

The selection of books, articles and DVD’s is already extensive, but Mazva-Cohen will keep building on existing materials in English, Spanish and a few Karen books, as well as accessing or creating handouts for parents who are English-language learners, or are simply new to the community.

     

Noa Stuchiner, now a math coach at Culbreth, arrived in Chapel Hill 18 years ago from Israel. Although she spoke English well, she was often assumed to be a Spanish-speaker and would receive school-based materials in that language. “What I needed were ways to understand the school system and the resources available to my children - and to me.” She says that now, after so much time, she still wants to say to new families, “Don’t lose who you are.”

    

“I think it is a great way to connect staff, families, and community members,” said Alisha Schiltz, Coordinator of Multi-Tiered System of Support in the district. “There are so many wonderful resources, not to mention how warm and inviting the space is. I’m eager to see more community members and families use this space to their benefit.”

Dr. Schiltz, like other CHCCS administrators and staff, has signed up to host shifts at the Center.

    

Carla Smith, the Parent Involvement Specialist with Parent University, summed up the prevailing opinions well. “This is a great space to engage families.”

   

“Please consider signing up to host within the next few weeks,” said Mazva-Cohen. “It's a great way to meet CMS families and staff. Please spread the word! The folks who are coming in are loving what is happening here and are returning to be a part of the action.”

                    

http://thefamilyresourcecenteratculbreth.weebly.com

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Dibujando Nuestro Pueblo (Drawing Our Village) at Frank Porter Graham Bilingue

Dibujando Nuestro Pueblo (Drawing Our Village) is a collaborative, school-based art project that took place at Frank Porter Graham Bilingüe (FPGB) throughout the 2016-2017 school year. The project focuses on ideas related to culture, home, identity, and unity. It culminated in a permanent, student/family-generated mural in FPGB’s courtyard. The project was completed through a partnership between the school’s assistant principal, José Nambo, the school counselor, Barbie Garayúa-Tudryn , and two local artists, Mary Carter Taub and Amy Keenan Amago, who are also parents of students at FPBG. The project was funded with generous support from the FPGB PTA, the Orange County Arts Commission, and the Grassroots Program of the NC Arts Council.

There were two phases of the Dibujando Nuestro Pueblo project. The Fall portion consisted of a series of four interactive sessions in which FPGB families (half Spanish-speaking, half English-speaking) participated by sharing their origin stories, discussing what their cultures and identities meant to them, and then making art related to those ideas. The artwork created during the Fall sessions was displayed in the school’s lobby, and it also informed sketches and ideas for the mural design. Throughout the Spring, Ms. Carter Taub and Ms. Keenan Amago collaborated with students, families, and faculty members to create the Dibujando Nuestro Pueblo mural. The mural illustrates the ideas, experiences, and symbols of the school community’s interwoven and varied cultural histories as well as FPGB’s focus on unity and cross-cultural understanding.

“The new mural is a wonderful addition to our campus,” said Principal Emily Bivins. “The collaborative planning on the front end served to capture the unique blend of cultures that makes our school a great place to learn.”

The permanent, large-scale mural is the first of its kind in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. A dedication ceremony celebrating the mural’s completion was held on Thursday, June 1 in FPGB’s courtyard.

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We Love Our Volunteers!

April 23-29 has been designated as National Volunteer Week. This is a special week in which we celebrate those amazing members of our community who donate their time and energy for the benefit of our students, families and staff. Under the leadership of Julie Hennis, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Volunteer Office relies on 881 registered district volunteers, with an in-kind value of approximately $900,000. Some of the programs that rely on our volunteers include School Writing Partners, School Reading Partners and First Day Friends (these folks are always on call for our students and they collectively speak 25 languages). One school, Culbreth Middle, currently has eight future educators serving as volunteers.

Our volunteers bring a fresh perspective, expertise, professionalism and immeasurable energy to our classrooms. Thank you to all who volunteer...and thank you to our Volunteer Office staff who recruit, train and place our volunteers.

If you would like to be a volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Office at 919-967-8211 (ext. 28281).

We hope to see you soon!

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The 2016-17 North Carolina PTA Diversity and Inclusion Award Goes To...

The Frank Porter Graham Bilingue Elementary School PTA has been selected as the recipient of the 2016-17 North Carolina PTA Diversity and Inclusion Award.

The purpose of this award is to recognize and pay tribute to a PTA that is dedicated to serving the needs of all families and individuals in their school, that supports practices and sponsors programs that are inclusive, supports the under-represented, and results in positive changes at its school.

Awards winners will be recognized during the Annual State Convention that will be held on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro on May 20.

Congratulations to the Frank Porter Graham Bilingue Elementary PTA on a well-deserved honor.

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Volunteers Support Students in Our Schools

The Volunteers and Partners Office has had a busy year.  They placed 798 volunteers this fall, made up of UNC students, community members and retirees, as well as some CHCCS parents and employees.  These volunteers serve throughout all 19 CHCCS schools as PreK-12 grade helpers, School Reading Partners, ESL Helpers, Writing Coaches, AVID Tutors and BRMA Tutors.

In this semester's Volunteer Spotlight, Jean Goeppinger was named the Volunteer Extraordinaire!  She is a School Reading Partners (SRP) volunteer at McDougle Elementary.  Goeppinger is also an ESL Helper and a Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate (BRMA) mentor for a student at Smith MS.

"Jean's relationship with the class and her students is one of the many things that makes her effective," said Linda Poythress, a second grade teacher at McDougle Elementary.  "The students respond to her caring attitude."

Julie Dermody, an ESL teacher at McDougle Elementary said, "We were thrilled when Jean said she'd come back to volunteer in our second grade co-teaching classroom!  She has become a valuable part of our classroom and builds relationships with our students as she patiently supports them."

"Jean also shares her travels with our students," added Dermody.  "Through her postcards and emails, she introduces other parts of our country and the world to our entire class.  We're fortunate to have her volunteer her time working with us."

SRP and ESL Book Giveaway
The Volunteer Office is continuously looking for ways to get books into the hands of children.  At the end of each semester, SRP and ESL volunteers give books to the students with whom they work.  The books are provided by CHCCS and are purchased through a special Literacy Partner grant with Scholastic.  Volunteers love having a semester-end parting gift for students and, of course, the children are happy to receive a book of their own.

Many Volunteer Opportunities Are Available
ESL, SRP, BRMA and CoachWrite volunteers all receive training before working with students.

As an ESL volunteer, English-speaking volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups with K-12 ESL students.  Volunteers work to engage students in simple interactions.  One, four-hour training session is required.

A SRP volunteer is paired with beginning readers in CHCCS schools.  SRPs support reading instruction by giving children opportunities to explore books and language.  A three and a half hour training session is required.

CoachWrite volunteers work one-on-one with students to improve their writing skills.  A one, three-hour training is required.

BRMA volunteers are paired with a student to help foster the full development of a child's academic, physical, emotional and social potential.  Volunteers make a two-year, two-hour per week commitment to their mentee.  Training is required.

Anyone interested in being a volunteer for CHCCS, should contact the Volunteer Office at 919-967-8211, ext. 28281 or email them at volunteer@chccs.k12.nc.us.  Please visit the Volunteer website for more information.

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