Friday, September 25, 2015

Delayed Opening, Oct. 15 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 15 de octubre

Delayed Opening Scheduled for October 15
The district has approved a plan for schools to operate on a Delayed Opening schedule eight Thursdays during the 2015-16 school year.  Schools will open two hours late, allowing teachers to use the time for collaborative planning or professional development.

On these days, buses will run two hours later than the normal schedule and schools will open to students two hours later than usual. Schools will dismiss at their normally scheduled time.
  • Elementary Schools begin at 9:50 a.m.
  • Middle Schools begin at 10:20 a.m.
  • High Schools begin at 10:45 a.m.


Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 15 de octubre
Las escuelas públicas de Chapel Hill-Carrboro han aprobado las fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, correspondientes a ocho (8) jueves durante el año escolar 2015-2016.  Las escuelas abrirán 2 horas más tarde, para darle a los maestros tiempo para preparar y planificar las clases, así como tiempo para educación continuada.

Esos días los buses recogerán a los niños 2 horas más tarde de lo acostumbrado y las escuelas abrirán sus puertas a los estudiantes 2 horas más tarde de lo acostumbrado. Las clases terminarán a la hora regular.
  • Escuelas de Primaria empezarán a las 9:50 de la mañana
  • Escuelas de Secundaria Media empezarán a las 10:20 de la mañana
  • Escuelas de Secundarias Superior empezarán a las 10:45 de la mañana

read more "Delayed Opening, Oct. 15 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 15 de octubre"

Thursday, September 24, 2015

CHCCS Board of Education Special Meeting Notice

CHCCS Board of Education Special Meeting Notice
Saturday, September 26

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, NCGS § 143-318.12, the CHAPEL HILL-CARRBORO CITY SCHOOLS BOARD of EDUCATION provides notice of the following special meeting.  A majority of the CHCCS Board of Education may attend this event making the event subject to open meetings laws.

Members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board of Education have been invited to attend a Forum on Equity and Excellence on Saturday, September 26, 2015.  The event will start at 1:00 p.m. at Northside Elementary School (350 Caldwell Street – Chapel Hill, NC).

read more "CHCCS Board of Education Special Meeting Notice"

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Board Meeting Will Not Be Streamed/Recorded

Due to technical difficulties, tonight's Board meeting (Thursday, September 17) will not be streamed or recorded. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Minutes will be posted online once approved by the Board.

read more "Board Meeting Will Not Be Streamed/Recorded"

College Fair Scheduled, Sept. 24 / Feria Universitaria programada, 24 de septiembre

College Fair Scheduled, Sept. 24
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools are hosting a joint college fair on Thursday, September 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Dean Smith Center on the campus of UNC.

More than 100 colleges, universities, community colleges and technical schools will be represented at the event.  To see a complete listing, click here.

The event is free, and while it is geared towards juniors and seniors, any high school student is welcome to attend.​

Feria Universitaria programada, 24 de septiembre
Las Escuelas de las Ciudades de Chapel Hill-Carrboro y las Escuelas del Condado de Orange están organizando una feria universitaria conjunta el jueves 24 de septiembre, de 6:30-8:30 p. m. en el Centro Dean Smith en la Universidad UNC.
Más de 100 universidades, colegios comunitarios y escuelas técnicas estarán presentes en el evento. Para ver una lista completa haga clic aquí.
El evento es gratuito, y si bien está orientado a estudiantes de 11vo y 12vo grado, juniors y seniors, cualquier estudiante de secundaria está invitado a asistir.​


read more "College Fair Scheduled, Sept. 24 / Feria Universitaria programada, 24 de septiembre"

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

CHCCS College Fair Scheduled for Sept. 24

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools are hosting a joint college fair on Thursday, September 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Dean Smith Center on the campus of UNC.

More than 100 colleges, universities, community colleges and technical schools will be represented at the event.  To see a complete listing, click here.

The event is free, and while it is geared towards juniors and seniors, any high school student is welcome to attend.



read more "CHCCS College Fair Scheduled for Sept. 24"

Monday, September 14, 2015

National Arts in Education Week

This week (September 13-19) has been designated National Arts in Education Week. The arts are an essential part of a complete education, no matter if it happens in the home, school, or community. Students of all ages - from kindergarten to college to creative aging programs -
benefit from artistic learning, innovative thinking, and creativity. 

We would like for everyone in our community to celebrate the artistic endeavors of our students this week. Take a minute to ask about their creations, and let them know how much you appreciate their work. Also, be sure to offer a kind word of encouragement to our art teachers. Their expertise is certainly a great asset to our school district and to the well-rounded education we aim to offer.

National Arts in Education week is a national celebration recognizing the arts importance to a well-rounded education. Designated by Congress in 2010, the celebration is designated to bring attention of this cause to elected officials and educational decision makers across the country and to support equitable access to the arts for all students.
read more "National Arts in Education Week"

Friday, September 11, 2015

District Releases SAT Scores

CHCCS Scores Highest Ever in Critical Reading/Math Composite

The SAT is a commonly-known measure of college readiness provided by The College Board.  The most recent SAT scores have been released.  As a district, the results were extremely positive.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) scores are up 18 points on the Critical Reading/Math composite to 1201, our highest value to date.  The state average score was 1003 and the national average score was 1006.

The district scores are up 23 points on the Critical Reading/Math/Writing composite to 1776, matching a previous high.  North Carolina's average score was down five points to 1478.  The nation averaged 1490.

The number of seniors taking the SAT in 2015 (58,022) increased slightly from 2014 (57,997).  A total of 59 percent of seniors took the exam statewide compared to 64 percent in 2014 and 67 percent in 2011.  North Carolina has been considered an SAT state for many years with a majority of college-bound students electing to take this admissions test.  However, in 2012, all high school juniors took the ACT for the first time as part of the state's new READY accountability model.  This means that students can use their ACT results for college admission and not have to pay to take a college entrance exam.

Over 80 percent of CHCCS seniors took the exam.



2013
2014
2015

M+CR2
M+CR+W3
M+CR2
M+CR+W3
M+CR2
M+CR+W3
CHCCS
1192
1770
1183
1753
1201
1776
Carrboro High
1132
1683
1174
1736
1189
1768
Chapel Hill High
1215
1797
1193
1766
1199
1770
East Chapel Hill High
1198
1783
1180
1752
1212
1789



2013
2014
2015

M+CR2
M+CR+W3
M+CR2
M+CR+W3
M+CR2
M+CR+W3
CHCCS
1192
1770
1183
1753
1201
1776
Durham County
965
1426
952
1406
945
1398
Orange County
1038
1537
1051
1549
1041
1539
Wake County
1064
1572
1070
1577
1065
1569

M+CR represents Math/Critical Reading composite.

M+CR+W represents Math/Critical Reading/Writing composite.




read more "District Releases SAT Scores"

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Emma Richie Awarded Morehead After School Program Scholarship

Congratulations to Emma Richie, a fifth-grader at Ephesus Elementary, for being named a recipient of the coveted Morehead After School Program Scholarship. As a recipient of the scholarship, the $320 per month tuition is fully covered for the entire 2015-16 academic year. 

Emma is also a member of the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate (BRMA) program. To learn more about the BRMA program, click here.

Because of great students, like Emma, and her amazing teachers, Ephesus Elementary is a shining light in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community!

read more "Emma Richie Awarded Morehead After School Program Scholarship"

Delayed Opening Scheduled for September 17 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 17 de septiembre

Delayed Opening Scheduled for September 17
The district has approved a plan for schools to operate on a Delayed Opening schedule eight Thursdays during the 2015-16 school year.  Schools will open two hours late, allowing teachers to use the time for collaborative planning or professional development.


On these days, buses will run two hours later than the normal schedule and schools will open to students two hours later than usual. Schools will dismiss at their normally scheduled time.
  • Elementary Schools begin at 9:50 a.m.
  • Middle Schools begin at 10:20 a.m.
  • High Schools begin at 10:45 a.m.



Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 17 de septiembre
Las escuelas públicas de Chapel Hill-Carrboro han aprobado las fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, correspondientes a ocho (8) jueves durante el año escolar 2015-2016.  Las escuelas abrirán 2 horas más tarde, para darle a los maestros tiempo para preparar y planificar las clases, así como tiempo para educación continuada.


Esos días los buses recogerán a los niños 2 horas más tarde de lo acostumbrado y las escuelas abrirán sus puertas a los estudiantes 2 horas más tarde de lo acostumbrado. Las clases terminarán a la hora regular.
  • Escuelas de Primaria empezarán a las 9:50 de la mañana
  • Escuelas de Secundaria Media empezarán a las 10:20 de la mañana
  • Escuelas de Secundarias Superior empezarán a las 10:45 de la mañana

read more "Delayed Opening Scheduled for September 17 / Fechas para apertura demorada de las escuelas, 17 de septiembre"

Culbreth Middle Closes Early on Tuesday, September 8

Culbreth Middle School was evacuated earlier this morning (Tuesday, September 8) due to an electrical malfunction associated with a piece of refrigeration equipment in the cafeteria causing excessive smoke.

Students and staff were removed from the entire building as a safety precaution. 

Due to the conditions, the school will be dismissing early today. Buses will be departing at 10:30 a.m. Any parents wishing to pick up their student prior to 10:30 are welcome to do so using the drop-off loop.


read more "Culbreth Middle Closes Early on Tuesday, September 8"

Thursday, September 3, 2015

State Releases Performance Data

The North Carolina State Board of Education recently released preliminary information regarding student performance based on a variety of measures. According to most indicators, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) outcomes from 2014-15 mirrored those from 2013-14.

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE GRADES

North Carolina’s second annual school performance grades were presented to the State Board of Education today showing that 72.2 percent of traditional public schools earned grades of C or better, and 70.4 percent of public charter schools received grades of C or better.

For the second consecutive year, 100 percent of CHCCS schools received a grade of C or better.

“While the letter grades have been a controversial measurement since their inception, we are pleased that our schools are receiving good marks,” said CHCCS Superintendent Tom Forcella. “However, we will continue working to move all of our schools into the A and A+ categories.”

As required by state legislation, the School Performance Grades are based 80 percent on the school's achievement score and 20 percent on students' academic growth. There has been considerable public conversation regarding a change to the scoring system that would give greater emphasis on growth, which many feel would be a better indicator of a school’s efficacy.

This year, for the first time, some schools received a letter grade of A+ng. This new standard reflects schools that earned a school performance grade of A and that also do not have any student achievement gaps that were larger than the largest average gap for the state overall. Glenwood Elementary, Carrboro High and East Chapel Hill High each earned the A+ng grade.

GRADUATION RATES

For the tenth consecutive year, North Carolina’s four-year cohort high school graduation rate is up and is now at 85.4 percent. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools four-year cohort graduation rate for 2014-15 was 90.7 percent, nearly unchanged from the 90.8 percent the previous year.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools led the State on the five-year cohort graduation rate. By the end of five years, 94.6 percent of the cohort graduated in 2014-15.

“North Carolinians can be pleased that our high school graduation continues to increase and reached a new all-time high of more than 85 percent in 2015,” said State Superintendent June Atkinson. “Our graduation rate is a bright spot, and I also am pleased that mathematics performance improved across elementary and middle schools.”

GROWTH

The state’s accountability initiative monitors two primary areas: growth – as measured by the amount of academic progress students made during the school year; and performance – as measured by the percentage of students who scored proficient (levels 3, 4 and 5) or on the path to be College Ready (levels 4 and 5).

Using End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) test scores, school accountability is designated as having exceeded growth, met growth, or not met growth.

Overall, 63.6 percent of CHCCS elementary schools met or exceeded academic growth goals compared with 77.7 percent of those throughout the state; 75 percent of CHCCS middle schools met or exceeded academic growth goals compared with 69 percent throughout the state; and 100 percent of CHCCS high schools met or exceeded academic growth goals compared with 68.4 percent of those throughout the state.        
                                                                     STATE        CHCCS

        Exceeded Expected Growth                   28.2%         27.8%
        Met Expected Growth                            45.0%         44.4%
        Did Not Meet Expected Growth             26.8%         27.8%

PERFORMANCE

Performance Indicators include End-of-Grade and End-of-Course test scores, and a variety of high school measures. They include the ACT, ACT WorkKeys and students passing Math 3. Historically, scores were reported as percent proficient. Starting in 2012-13, the State raised the standards, so schools are held accountable for preparing students to be College Ready by graduation. Both scores are reported below. It is worth noting that the number of CHCCS students scoring at or above the UNC minimum for admissions was the highest in North Carolina.

            Indicator        Benchmark Definition                                        STATE         CHCCS

            EOG               Percent on path to be College Ready                      46.7%           69.5%
                                   Percent Proficient                                                   56.3%           75.8%

            EOC               Percent on path to be College Ready                      47.9%           76.6%
                                   Percent Proficient                                                   57.9%           81.5%

            The ACT        Grade 11 students who score a composite               59.7%           86.1%
                                   of at least 17 (UNC minimum for admissions)
   
   ACT WorkKeys      Graduates who are Career and Technical                 72.2%           74.7%
                                   Education (CTE) concentrators who earn a
                                   Silver Certificate or higher

             Math 3           Graduates who successfully complete Math 3          >95%           >95%
                                   (Algebra 2 or Integrated Mathematics 3)

Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) are progress targets for student groups. These groups include: School as a Whole, African American, Asian, Latino, Two or More Races, Native American, White, Economically Disadvantaged, Limited English Proficient, Students with Disabilities, and Academically or Intellectually Gifted. Performance and participation is reported for each identified group. Schools must have at least a 95% participation rate in the statewide assessments. Each group must meet or exceed the state’s percent on College Ready targets. Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools met 87.2 percent of their goals while the State met 55.2 percent.

For more information about North Carolina’s testing program, click here to visit the state’s testing site or contact the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Communication division, 919-807-3450. For information specific to Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, please contact Dr. Diane Villwock, Executive Director of Testing and Program Evaluation, at 919-967-8211.
read more "State Releases Performance Data"

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

East Chapel Hill Football Game Moved to Thursday

This week's football game featuring East Chapel Hill and Cedar Ridge has been changed to Thursday night (originally scheduled for Friday). The game will be played on Thursday, September 3 at East Chapel Hill High. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Come out and cheer for the Wildcats!

read more "East Chapel Hill Football Game Moved to Thursday"