Board to Meet with Chapel Hill Town Council

The Town of Chapel Hill is hosting a Town Council Meeting with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education on Wednesday, October 23 at 6 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Public Library (Room B) located at 100 Liberty Dr.

Click here to see the agenda.

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PTA Thrift Shop Ribbon Cutting

A community redevelopment project three years in the making is one step closer to having built its future. The PTA Thrift Shop, in conjunction with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, held the ribbon cutting for the redeveloped Carrboro store complex on Thursday, October 17.

PTA Thrift Shop Board and Campaign Team members, donors, volunteers, town officials, and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District officials were in attendance at the event, which was emceed by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Aaron Nelson.
   
“Our ribbon cutting was a huge milestone in our redevelopment journey. It gave us an opportunity to thank everyone for their support. This community has truly built our future---and we are so grateful for their time and donations.” shared Barbara Jessie-Black, PTA Thrift Shop executive director.

The new store complex, which is slated for a December 2 grand re-opening, will enable the PTA Thrift Shop to increase its already substantial 61 years of community impact on education, human services, and economic development. The redeveloped site consists of 14,000 square feet of retail space, donation drop-off site, processing and administrative offices with an additional 8,000 square feet dedicated to lease space, 100 percent of which is currently leased by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Head Start Administrative Offices.

Gill Hare and Dawn Ruston, community building campaign co-chairs and school district parents, continue to encourage Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents, school parents, local businesses, and foundations to invest in an organization whose mission has been to give back to the community.

“The new store is one step closer to opening—but the PTA Thrift Shop still needs our support—now more than ever. When you drive by the new building, remember that this is an organization that employs people in our community, donates $265,000 to our school system annually, and provides nearly $100,000 worth of coats and clothes for community members in need. Now, that is a high-impact mission!” explained Hare, who in conjunction with Ruston, has spent over two years raising funds for this project.
   
The PTA Thrift Shop is continuing to offer a variety of giving options to support the project, including on-site naming opportunities, $500 brick pavers that will be placed at the front entrance, and a $12x12 campaign (a donation of $12 for 12 months). The organization will hold its annual Birthday Bash fundraiser on January 31, 2014 at Top of the Hill Great Room. Tickets will go on sale via the website in mid-November. For more information on how to help, visit www.ptathriftshop.org/donate

The PTA Thrift Shop has two resale stores in Chapel Hill and Carrboro that sell a range of donated goods and treasures from clothing to furniture. Started in 1952, the nonprofit donates its profits—more than $5 million over the last 15 years—to local public schools through the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for each school. The organization also provides in-kind donations to help clothe clients of local social service organizations and partners with the community in supplying gift cards to its stores for families in need. Known as an environmental leader for its recycling and other eco-focused efforts, the PTA Thrift Shop was named the 2010 Progress Energy Sustainable Business of the Year and has received “Green Plus Certification” through the Institute for Sustainable Development.

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Board to Meet in Closed Session on Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education will meet in closed session to discuss personnel matters this Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 7 p.m. at Lincoln Center - 750 S. Merritt Mill Road; Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

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2013 Principal of the Year - Amy Rickard!

The votes are in and Amy Rickard, principal of Morris Grove Elementary, has been selected by her peers as the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 2013 Principal of the Year.

The Morris Grove team gathered after school on Wednesday for their weekly staff meeting. What they did not know is that shortly after the meeting began they would be interrupted by a group of visitors carrying flowers.

Superintendent Tom Forcella and members of the Cabinet surprised the principal by entering the meeting and making the announcement in view of Ms. Rickard’s team. The staff offered a rousing ovation for their leader. It was a memorable experience for all in attendance.

“I am honored to represent the district and my colleagues,” said Rickard. “It is a pleasure to work in such an outstanding school district and I truly love my job!”

“Amy Rickard is a great example of what is right about public schools,” said Forcella. “She advocates for children and families on a daily basis and sets high expectations for the learning outcomes at her school. We are privileged to have her in our district.”

Amy Rickard is a career educator who began as a language arts teacher in Kannapolis City Schools. She signed on with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools in 1999 as an administrative intern. After time spent as an assistant principal at both McDougle Elementary and Rashkis Elementary, Rickard served as principal of Glenwood Elementary from 2004-2007. When Morris Grove Elementary opened in 2007, she was named as the school’s first principal. Rickard earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rickard will now be entered into the Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year competition along with a principal from each district in the state. Following portfolio reviews and personal interviews, eight regional finalists will be named to participate in the state selection process. 

Since 1984, Wells Fargo Bank has financially supported the Principal of the Year program in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in an effort to recognize outstanding principals from the North Carolina public schools.

Amy Rickard is presented with flowers from Superintendent Forcella

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Board of Education's Closed Session Canceled for Oct. 16

The Board of Education's Closed Session scheduled for Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln Center has been canceled.  The Closed Session had been called for the Board to meet on a personnel matter.

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17th Annual Walk for Education - Biggest Ever!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Walk for Education. The 17th annual Walk, organized by the Public School Foundation, was the largest to date with an estimated 8,000 participants.

School mascots, marching bands and many others gathered at McCorkle Place on the UNC campus on Saturday, October 5. Aaron Keck, this year's emcee and on-air personality from WCHL, eloquently entertained and informed walkers as they prepared to line up for the march down Franklin Street.

The Walk ended at Lincoln Center, where an enormous carnival took place, covering the front lawn, soccer field and parking lot. Participants enjoyed giant inflatable slides, obstacle courses, face painting, a dunking booth, and much more.

It was a great day - over $125,000 was raised.

We appreciate our Public School Foundation and all who helped make this day a very memorable event.

 

The Rashkis Raptors marching down Franklin Street

Overhead view of the carnival at Lincoln Center

Estes Hills Elementary Principal Drew Ware

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Schools to “Hit the Road” at Annual Walk for Education

Thousands of students, families, and school staff members will walk from McCorkle Place on the UNC campus to a huge carnival at Lincoln Center, the school district’s central office, on Saturday, October 5, at 2 p.m. 

Organized by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, the Walk for Education, now in its 17th year, raises funds for all schools in the district.  Each school designates its Walk earnings for specific projects, such as classroom libraries, technology and playground improvements. 

Over 6,000 walkers participated in 2012.  Students raised more than $90,000 for their schools.  The Foundation awards cash prizes to the school with the most walkers and the school demonstrating the most school spirit as they march down Franklin Street. 

“The Walk demonstrates community support for public education, engages participants in physical activity and raises funds for all our schools,” said Ashley Wilson, president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation.

The Carnival at Lincoln Center will feature giant inflatable slides, obstacle courses, face painting, a dunking booth, and other activities organized by school groups to raise funds for their programs.  Families can purchase a wide variety of food and drinks offered by school groups. 

“Schools are working especially hard to raise money at the Carnival because funds have been cut for teams and clubs,” said Kim Hoke, Foundation director.

New to the Carnival this year will be a silent auction, with each school presenting one item or experience for bidding.  Among the many auction items are Carolina-Duke basketball tickets, a week at a Cape Hatteras beach house, and sterling silver jewelry. All proceeds go directly to the schools.

Walk festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. at McCorkle Place on the UNC campus.  Led by the Carrboro High School marching band, walkers will head down Franklin Street at 2 p.m.  There is no registration for the Walk, which will take place rain or shine.  Everyone is welcome.  Dogs, however, are prohibited.

Shuttles from Chapel Hill and Carrboro High Schools to McCorkle Place will begin at 12:30 p.m.  Shuttles from the Carnival at Lincoln Center will return to the two high schools starting at 4 p.m.  Participants are encouraged to ride the shuttles.  There is no parking at Lincoln Center, and parking on Merritt Mill Road will not be permitted.

For information, contact Kim Hoke at khoke@chccs.k12.nc.us or by phone at 919-967-8211 (ext. 28301).

Pictured:  Scenes from 2012 Walk for Education.

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District SAT Scores Increase for 2012-13

The scores are in and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) high schools have raised the bar yet again. Among the public, non-charter and non-magnet schools, Chapel Hill High and East Chapel Hill High ranked first and second in the state with combined scores of 1,797 and 1,783 respectively. Carrboro High students averaged a very respectable combined score of 1,683, which ranked them fifth in the state. The district’s average score is 1,770, which is a four-point increase over last year and represents a 20-point increase in the last two years.

As a point of reference, North Carolina seniors in 2013 had an average combined SAT score of 1,479, which is a 10-point increase from the previous year, according to The College Board's annual SAT report released this morning. The national average combined score remained the same at 1,498.

“We recognize that this accomplishment reflects the culmination of the hard work that begins in kindergarten and continues through high school,” said Dr. Magda Parvey, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services. “As a district, we continue to strive towards instructional excellence with a goal of meeting the needs of every student to reach their full academic potential.” 

It is significant to note that the CHCCS participation rate was 86 percent, compared to 62 percent in North Carolina and 50 percent throughout the United States. 

The College Board also released summary results for the state's Advanced Placement (AP) program. North Carolina public school students once again shined, showing a 5.8 percent increase in the number of test takers, a 6.2 percent increase in the number of exams taken and a 6.7 percent increase in the number of scores in the 3-5 range. 

CHCCS students showed increases in all three areas as well, including a 7.7 percent increase in the number of students taking AP exams, a 7.9 percent increase in the number of tests taken, and a 6.7 percent increase in the number of scores in the 3-5 range.

To read more, as well as access local district and high school scores, please visit www.ncpublicschools.org and click on the appropriate link under “News.”

 2012-13

Chapel Hill High 1,797

East Chapel Hill High 1,783

Carrboro High 1,683

District 1,770

State 1,479

Nation 1,498

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Lindsey Linker - Hall of Famer

Congratulations to Lindsey Linker on her recent induction into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Hall of Fame.

Coach Linker has become known as one of the top tennis coaches in the history of North Carolina. A graduate of Myers Park High School in Charlotte, and then the University of North Carolina, Linker began her high school coaching at Chapel Hill High in 1981 and was there for ten seasons. Coaching both men’s and women’s teams there, her teams posted a 294-39 mark, won two NCHSAA state dual team titles and had four individual state champs.
                 
From 1998 through 2013, she guided the East Chapel Hill High tennis programs and continued her amazing success, with 11 individual state champions and a whopping 14 state dual team titles to go with almost 600 victories. She was named conference coach of the year during her career an incredible 39 times.
                 
Coach Linker has been very active in community activities and fundraisers and was the NCHSAA Doris Howard Coach of the Year in 2010. She is also a founding board member of the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association.

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District Dedicates Newest Elementary School

September 21 was another historic moment in Chapel Hill as the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools dedicated Northside Elementary, its eleventh elementary school.

While the building is new, the spirit of Northside is not.  There was another school from another era that used to sit on the site.  In 1924, Orange County Training School was originally built on the lot.  A Rosenwald School, funds were raised by the African-American community in conjunction with a grant from Julius Rosenwald to build the school.  Through the years, classrooms were added and in 1951, the school took on the name Northside Elementary.  When the district became desegregated in the 1960s, Northside was closed as students went to other district elementary schools.

As the new Northside Elementary opens, it continues the proud tradition in education, combining its rich history with 21st Century technology.  Northside Elementary is a place where every student can think, learn and grow with purpose, persistence and pride.

The dedication was attended by former Northside alumni, community members and new Northside Elementary students and staff.

Northside accommodates 585 students and has art, science and music rooms.  The school also has a memory hallway, which has pictures from the original schools, as well as the school's 1924 cornerstone.  The building is over 97,000 square feet and is LEED Green Certified through the US Green Building Council.  Sustainable design includes:

• stormwater management plan to reduce runoff and a rainwater cistern;
• vegetated "green" roof area, which is also used for science classes;
• rooftop solar thermal panels to generate hot water for the building's kitchen and space heating needs; and
• windows and clerestories to maximize daylight in classrooms.

Original steps built in 1924 still lead to Northside Elementary

For more pictures from the dedication, visit our Facebook page.

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