Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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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Sunday, October 20, 2013

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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Thursday, October 17, 2013

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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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

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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Thursday, October 10, 2013

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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Thursday, October 3, 2013

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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