Friday, June 2, 2017

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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Thursday, June 1, 2017

Carrboro High Women’s Soccer Three-Peats!

Congratulations to our own Carrboro High School women’s soccer team on winning its third consecutive 2A State Championship! The Lady Jags scored a 3-0 victory in Raleigh over West Stokes this past weekend.

Laura Sparling, Evie Joseph and Miah Araba scored the goals, and goalkeeper Grace Nanney secured the shutout.

Carrboro finished the season with a record of 21-1-1, including victories in their last 19 games.

Way to go, Jaguars!

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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Five CHCCS Staff Named Teacher Voice Fellows

The Hope Street Group recently named 26 North Carolina Teacher Voice Fellows. The Fellowship program consists of teachers and coaches who serve as spokespeople for positive change in their profession through connecting with other teachers, and local and national policymakers.

Five of these Fellows are members of our CHCCS team: Marlow Artis, Tracy Letitia Harrison Bell, Jaclyn Holland, Mary Alicia Lyons, and Elaine Myles.

The North Carolina Teacher Voice Fellows positively inform decisions made by education policymakers by providing feedback from colleagues that represents the collective and diverse opinions of educators throughout the state. By collaborating with partner organizations and engaging peers to learn more about and share their own stories related to policy decisions, Fellows will accelerate a movement of constructive teacher-led conversations around solutions that bring the most benefit to the students of North Carolina.

Congratulations to our Fellows!
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017

2016-17 SNAColades



The Special Needs Advisory Council (SNAC) created SNAColades to honor Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' teachers, staff and administrators who, through their hard work and creativity, make our children's school experience more meaningful. The following have been selected for this recognition based on the testimonials of the Exceptional Children community.

Below each name is a quote from an appreciative parent or administrator.

Carrboro High School

Melissa Barry

"She is an INCREDIBLE EC teacher. Melissa integrates EC students with school-wide events and networks with colleagues to create inclusive opportunities in electives and academic areas. She developed an effective communication system with parents via blog, text, email, conferences and classroom social opportunities."

Chapel Hill High School

Dominick (Nick) Barone

"Not only is Mr. Barone keeping tabs on my daughter during the day, he has spent many hours after school with her, and time after those meetings, discussing issues with me in addition to the emails and phone calls...And he is always smiling!"

Jennifer Michalenok
Beth Racine 
Rodney Carter 
Melissa Walton

"Miss Jennifer and all the teachers in my son’s class work hard everyday to help him learn and grow. They are invaluable to his life and his education, and have helped him make huge strides in learning to communicate and engage with the world."

Frank Smith

"Mr. Smith went above and beyond in helping our son transition to high school. He scheduled a long meeting to become familiar with our son's disabilities, coached our son through getting organized at the beginning of the year, and advocated on our son's behalf to his teachers. He has continued to support our son through the school year."

Ryan McGraw

"Mr. McGraw, our son's counselor also met with us at various times throughout the school year, counseled and supported our son and us, and was willing to consider and follow-up on plans even when they were outside the box ideas."      

East Chapel Hill High School

Vanessa Diggs

"She demonstrates her care and concern for our children - it is much appreciated!"

Karina Pascht 

"Karina supports my son directly as his Academic Strategies teacher as well as in collaborative English and Science classes. Furthermore, she has guided the transition during a Civics class change and math class. We would have been lost without her this year."

Northside Elementary

Deandra Hill

"Deandra not only provides students with strong academic support in their areas of need, but she also addresses their social/emotional needs. She has a way of making all students feel welcomed, loved and successful. Deandra has been a saving grace for my son this year by tapping into his interests, giving him opportunities to be a leader, and propelling him forward academically. Northside is blessed to have her!"

Ronetta Walker

"She is an amazingly, caring, loving, and patient teacher. She goes above and beyond to make sure that my son has a good day and that his needs are met. She is always willing to try new things to get him where he needs to be."

Pre-K

Sarah Michaels - PreK

"The growth that my son has made since she has worked with him is amazing. I cannot describe and thank her enough for the hard work she has put in."

Morris Grove Elementary

Jordan Lupton

"Jordan has introduced Peer Mediated Instruction and Intervention (PMII) to the school for many of her students and their peers! Here is an article that she wrote about it."

Phillips Middle

Christine Ewing

"Christine has been a quiet force for good at Phillips in her first year here in the school district. She has helped my son have a smooth year and advocated for his appropriate placement in his transition to high school."

Scroggs Elementary

Sandy Scheuermann

"Sandy never complained when I asked for yet another meeting to discuss goals or my concerns. She willingly shared the small milestones that make up seemingly unnoticeable progress for kids like my son. She sent updates and pictures of my son working. She shared pride with me over writing milestones and even the smallest improvements. As my son moves into middle school, I know I have Sandy Scheuermann to thank for pointing out to him each day how capable and smart he really is and for providing excellent EC support."

Jasmine Johnson
Cindy Greenert
James Nohe
Dottie Small

"Thank you for your patience and your perseverance in support of my son. Thank you for your willingness to try new things even when I know you already had many other things to juggle. And thank you for encouraging him, and for giving him something to think about each day that recognized his capability."

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Last Day of School, June 9 & 2-Hour Early Release / Último día de escuela, 9 de junio, y salida temprana de 2 horas

Last Day of School Has 2-Hour Early Release for Students
The last day of school for CHCCS students is Friday, June 9.  Students will be released from school two hours early that day.  Have a safe, restful summer!

Los estudiantes salen 2 horas más temprano el último día de escuela
El último día de escuela para los estudiantes de CHCCS es el viernes, 8 de junio. Los estudiantes salen 2 horas más temprano ese día.  ¡Esperamos que tengan un verano seguro y tranquilo!


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Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Social Workers and UNC

Pictured left to right: Marne Meredith (Ephesus Elementary),
Wendy Johnston (Glenwood Elementary) and Melissa Breaden
(Pre-K)
The Field Education Program of the UNC School of Social Work recently extended its appreciation to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools for long standing service and commitment to the field of social work and to the community by serving as a training site for Master-level social work interns.  

Congratulations, CHCCS school social work field instructors!






.
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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Smith Middle Quiz Bowl Team Represents!

Pictured from left to right:
Ariel Shatz, Benjamin Knight, Benjamin
McAvoy-Bickford, Sam Klosowski
Congratulations are in order for the Smith Middle School Quiz Bowl team which recently returned from the National Championship in Dallas, Texas as one of the top teams in the nation. With 160 teams participating, Smith Middle ended up in a tie for fifth place. 

Members of the team who went to the National Championship include Sam Klosowski, Benjamin Knight, Ariel Shatz and Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford. The team is coached by Bratton Holmes.

A special shout out goes to Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford who finished 10th in total points scored out of 789 competitors. 

Way to go, Cyclones!
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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Memorial Day Holiday, May 29 / Día festivo de Conmemoración, 29 de mayo

School and District Offices Closed for Memorial Day
Monday, May 29, CHCCS schools and district offices are closed in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.  School will resume as usual and district offices will be open on Tuesday, May 30.

Las escuelas y oficinas del distrito están cerradas para el Día de Conmemoración
El lunes, 29 de mayo, las escuelas y oficinas del distrito de CHCCS están cerradas en observancia del Día de Conmemoración.  Las escuelas y oficinas del distrito estarán abiertas en su horario normal el martes, 30 de mayo.


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State Competition Brings Awards for Technology Student Association

Recently, fifty-five students from the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools competed at the 2017 North Carolina Technology Student Association (TSA) state competition in Greensboro, North Carolina.  TSA chapters from Phillips and McDougle Middle Schools, as well as East Chapel Hill High and Chapel Hill High Schools represented the district. 

The Technology Student Association is a national non-profit student organization which seeks to inspire student members to prepare for careers in a technology-driven economy and culture.

The students garnered a long list of awards (see below) as they competed among nearly 1,300 TSA students from across the state. All the students learned valuable career and technical skills both during the competition and as they prepared throughout the year.

Good luck to all of the students who will next compete at the National TSA Conference in Orlando, Florida, June 21-25.

2017 North Carolina TSA Awards

Phillips Middle School (Mr. Dale Haiducek, Adviser):
1st Place Awards:
- Structural Engineering - Kabir Grewal, Raymond Zhao
- Website Design - Spencer Gordon, Jake Boggs, Tyler Yang, Reilly Galloway, Ayden Xu
- Geospatial Technology - Savannah Xu, Ayden Xu
- Microcontroller Design - Ethan Bartlett, Jake Boggs, Kabir Grewal
2nd Place Awards:
- Forensic Technology - Meilin Weathington, Deegan Albrecht
- VEX Robotics Skills - Alex Abdo, Leo Bergmann, Alice Karakachian
- VEX Robotics Tournament Ranking - Alex Abdo, Leo Bergmann, Alice Karakachian
3rd Place Awards:
- Mass Production - Jon Grabowski, Will Swanson, Finn Harris

McDougle Middle School (Mr. Redmond Grigg, Adviser):
3rd Place Awards:
- Digital Photography - Lucas Gutierrez-Arnold
- Inventions & Innovations - Lars Kahn, Derek Yao
- Problem Solving - Lucas Gutierrez-Arnold & Diogo Gomes
- American Cancer Society Fund Raising - McDougle Middle School

East Chapel Hill High School (Mr. Patrick Pudlo, Adviser):
TSA Chapter of the Year - Small Chapter
1st Place Awards:
   - CAD 3D Engineering - Tarun Goyal
   - Flight - Gabriel Valera
   - Transportation Modeling - Mike Pudlo
   - Coding - Aidan Beggs, Itai Rivkin-Fish, Ben Meadows
2nd Place Awards:
   - Video Game Design - Aidan Beggs, Itai Rivkin-Fish, Ben Meadows
3rd Place Awards:
   - Promotional Design - Lydia Treml
   - On Demand Video - Lydia Treml, Gabriel Valera, Gillian Arleth, Rachel Peters, Sam Sapeta, Zachary Seelbach
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Tuesday, May 16, 2017

East Chapel Hill High Captures WRAL Brain Game Championship

We are pleased to announce that a team from East Chapel Hill High has been crowned 2017 Brain Game champions.

This WRAL-sponsored contest began with 36 teams. In the opening round, East Chapel Hill High scored 569 points to defeat Northwood (300) and Rolesville (380) to advance to the playoffs, which began in February. East Chapel Hill High won its first playoff game with a score of 525, topping Longleaf School of the Arts (280) and Cape Fear Christian (160). In April, East Chapel Hill High defeated Raleigh Charter 888 to 420, advancing to the Final Four. In May, East Chapel Hill High beat Nash Central 461 to 260, and qualified for the championship game.

On May 13, East Chapel Hill High squared off against Enloe High, and pulled out an impressive 777 to 440 victory.

The team is coached by Brian Link and contains the following members: Daniel Cronin, Nikkhil Niranjan, Nick Parker, Vincent Du, Lindsay Nottingham and Sophie Cronin.

Congratulations to everyone involved...Way to go, Wildcats!
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