CHCCS Hosts First Family Engagement Summit

The planning began in June 2017, led by Roslyn Moffitt, Director of Title I/ Family and Community Engagement, and developed by a team of CHCCS staff from across departments and schools. The vision was to present a free educational and community- building summit for all families associated with the district. On Saturday, April 14, at Culbreth Middle School, the vision became a triumphant reality. More than 100 adult participants attended the summit.

“The Family Engagement Summit was a true testimony to the fact that we are in this together,” said Dr. Misti Williams, Executive Director of Leadership and Federal Programs. “The energy that morning at Culbreth was incredible as our staff, community partners and families came together to discuss our most important asset, our children. No matter what the topic, there was an obvious commitment to conversation and understanding around information shared, learning acquired and just plain fellowship with others.”     

The summit’s theme, “Building Student Self-Confidence,” was chosen to align with the district’s increased emphasis on the whole child, so the workshop topics went far beyond academic issues.     

The mission of the summit was to create opportunities for families to connect - and to learn more about their children’s needs and how to address them, both at home and at school. One of the first committee goals was to develop a communication strategy to inform all CHCCS families about the summit. From the earliest planning meetings, the team was mindful and vocal about how too many parents “fall through the cracks” with the traditional communication tools. Helen Atkins, Coordinator of English Language Learners, called upon her entire staff to assist with publicizing and registering non-English speaking families, and translators were on hand for the workshops.

As parents and others arrived to coffee, juice and pastries, they browsed a hallway filled with vendor tables from district and community organizations, including El Centro Hispano, Triangle Bikeworks and Book Harvest, who donated books for the families. The program opened in the Culbreth Auditorium, with Superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin welcoming participants. A local girls’ choral group, Sisters’ Voices, provided a musical interlude of traditional and popular songs. 

The featured speaker was Mary Andrews, long-time family literacy advocate in the community (and former reading specialist with CHCCS). Andrews talked about the tremendous importance of reading and speaking with children from infancy, in everyday conversations, as well as while sharing the magic of books. She punctuated her talk with a demonstration of how many books she keeps in her handbag, at the ready for her grandchildren, or her own reading appetite.     

Participants chose from 14 workshops, led by a variety of district staff and community experts. The topics ranged from “Everyday Math at Home” to “Helping Your Child Find Resilience” and “Mastering Complex Tasks,” and the content was carefully designed to address different stages of development and grade levels, from Pre-K to high school. Sessions also specifically targeted Exceptional Children and English language learners.    

One popular choice was a workshop on understanding “Cyber Security,” presented by Hugh Harris of the Public Protection Section of the North Carolina Department of Justice. “The event was fantastic. I loved the enthusiasm of the attendees and organizers of the event. I really enjoyed meeting everyone involved,” Harris said. “Because the internet is a major part of our daily lives, it’s important for families to understand there are online risks to our personal information and safety. It’s valuable for parents to have honest, open conversations with their kids to help them stay safe online.” Harris recommended visiting www.ncdoj.gov/internetsafety to learn detailed information about internet safety.    

A mother who attended Harris’ workshop praised the value of his presentation. “Now I know how to back up my mom-cop rules. Now we can talk about it and explain the reasons (for cyber safety). It helped me understand the why.”  

Another workshop that drew many participants was “Summer Reading for K-5,” co-led by Carolyn Sirera and Alma Berg, both Title I interventionists. Their session was filled with hands-on activities and introductions to websites with self-guided reading supports.     

Stefanie Mazva-Cohen, social worker at Culbreth and a core member of the planning team, said, “I always like the expression, ‘Life is made of moments, not milestones.’ What I loved was going into sessions and seeing parents accessing the information in their native language with the support of our CHCCS translators. Community and district folks were getting to know us as parents and families - and we were benefiting from their wealth of knowledge.”    


When the workshops wrapped up, most participants stayed for a taco bar lunch, provided by Chartwells School Dining Services. Because the summit offered free childcare, nearly 75 children also spent the morning at Culbreth, and after board games, activities in the gym and a movie selection, many of them joined their parents in the cafeteria. High school volunteers pitched in with various stations and tasks. They were key in providing childcare. 

Families nearly filled the cafeteria, mingling with both friends and new acquaintances. Dr. Williams called out numbers for the Walmart gift card raffle, with five families receiving $50 cards (provided by Public School Foundation) - and plenty of excitement was generated among the participants.    

“At the end of the sessions, families lingered over lunch, to continue conversations and to connect. Those moments made the summit priceless,” said Mazva-Cohen.   

Janet Cherry, CHCCS Director of  System of Care, said the event was "a refreshing day with parents and students, full of excitement and camaraderie. Looking forward to next year!"
     
Moffitt said, "The Family Engagement Summit was a wonderful vision that came to life. A cross section of individuals worked extremely hard to ensure that parents and families would have a meaningful day of workshops geared toward student success. It is important for families and educational staff to work together for the benefit of our students! We’re looking forward to the next summit to be held in October of 2018. ‘We  love our families’ is not just a catchy saying. It is one of our core beliefs!”

Click here to see more pictures from the summit.

A huge shoutout to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation for creating and providing magnets, pens, t-shirts and Walmart giftcards. Thank you team!

read more "CHCCS Hosts First Family Engagement Summit"

Dr. Baldwin to Deliver State-of-the-Schools Address

Superintendent Pam Baldwin will deliver a state-of-the-schools address on Wednesday, April 11 at 7 p.m. She will discuss the progress made during her first year on the job, as well as next steps and the challenges ahead.

The event is being hosted by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro PTA Council and will take place in the Culbreth Middle School auditorium (225 Culbreth Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516). The community is invited to attend. Admission is free.

For those wishing to watch remotely, the event will be streamed on Facebook Live and the video will be posted to the district website the following day.

read more "Dr. Baldwin to Deliver State-of-the-Schools Address"

Strategic Plan Update

One of the many opportunities bestowed upon the new superintendent as she opened the 2017-18 school year was the creation of a new strategic plan. The current five-year plan, launched in 2013-14, was entering its final year.

Because strategic planning is a lengthy and detailed process, Dr. Baldwin knew our school district would need to simultaneously finish the current plan while preparing the next…and that it would take nearly a full year. The rest of this story is divided into three sections: Past, Present and Future.

PAST

The first step was to identify a small internal team that would drive the process. Three staff members were tabbed: Jeff Nash (Executive Director of Community Relations), Diane Villwock (Executive Director of Assessment and Research), and Misti Williams (Executive Director of Leadership and Federal Programs).

Next, a committee would need to be established. It was crucial that this committee resemble a cross section of our community. Seventeen people were selected, representing parents, community groups, students, teachers, principals and our local university. To date, the committee has met four times with another meeting scheduled in April. 

In order to create a plan that will guide our work for the next three years, it was important to collect data – specifically regarding the definition of student success, what is currently working and what needs changing. We also wanted to know what our community wants to see in the new plan.

Data was collected in a variety of ways. This fall, we sent a survey out to all families and all staff members. It was available in a variety of languages. The survey also went out on social media and was placed on the district website. We were pleased to receive nearly 1,100 responses.

Additionally, we asked each School Improvement Team to host a table top discussion – an event in which parents and community members could come in person and talk through their thoughts about what is currently working and what needs changing. Twenty of these events took place in a five-week span during October and November.

Dr. Baldwin and Jeff Nash also traveled to all schools between September and January, hosting 19 student focus groups and 20 staff focus groups. Separate focus groups were also conducted for business partners, principals, assistant principals, the Instructional Services Division and the High School Student Advisory Council. Altogether, 44 focus groups took place, with a combined participation of approximately 475 people.

The feedback collected from the survey, table top conversations and focus groups was massive – in fact, it was approximately 500 pages of input.

K-12 Insight, a company that assisted with the survey, also helped us sort the data into categories of comments that were mentioned by a “strong majority of participants”, “several participants” and “some participants.”

From there, the Strategic Planning Committee helped sort the feedback into four main categories. While the names may eventually change, they are currently being referenced as the following: Whole Child; Family and Community Engagement; Human Capital; and Organizational Structure.

These groupings give structure to the new plan.

PRESENT

The four categories were presented to the Cabinet in early February, and a captain was assigned to each. Those assignments are listed below.

            Whole Child – Rydell Harrison (Assistant Superintendent – Instructional Services)

            Family and Community Engagement – Jeff Nash (Executive Director – Community Relations)

            Human Capital – Erika Newkirk (Senior Executive Director – Human Resources)

            Organizational Structure – Todd LoFrese (Assistant Superintendent – Support Services)

Each captain has been tasked with drafting a set of goals for his/her area based on the data collected this fall. These draft goals are in the process of being written and will be collected soon. 

This will give shape to the new plan.

FUTURE

The next step is to move the goals from draft to final. They will be vetted by the Strategic Planning Committee to ensure they match the data provided by our community. They will also be previewed by the school principals to make sure that what makes it to the final plan will be both accomplishable and beneficial for students and families. 

The plan will then be brought to the Board for final approval. Once approved, it will be distributed electronically to our community and to staff. This will happen before the end of the current school year. Printed versions of the plan will be produced during the summer and available upon the opening of the 2018-19 school year. 

_____

This new plan is indeed a huge project. However, our work will result in a compass that will surely keep us headed in the right direction for children. The planning process requires the participation of our entire community…but so does the implementation. Once we share the plan in June, know that the real work is just beginning. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed feedback and expertise, and to everyone who will help us move forward. Your continued support of our students and schools is greatly appreciated.  

read more "Strategic Plan Update"

AIG Partnership with Elon University

A collaboration was born last summer that promises to deliver gifts to both Elon University and especially the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. As a pilot outreach, Elon’s School of Education Project LAUNCH (Leveraging All Unique Needs - Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools) is offering the full 12-credit AIG licensure to a group of 20 district teachers. Superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin was instrumental in orchestrating this tuition-free partnership from its inception. Even the textbooks will be offered to participants, free of charge.

These teachers will be learning as a cohort over a period of 18 months. Instruction will be delivered by two Elon professors, Dr. Stephen Byrd and Dr. Glenda Crawford, and most of the class sessions will be taught at Morris Grove Elementary School, so that the participating teachers can minimize their travel to the Elon campus.

Because 30% of CHCCS students are identified as AIG, gifted education is one of the district’s primary areas of focus. Few, if any, public school districts in the state have such a high percentage of identified gifted students. Administrators and the school board are always seeking strategies to reach more of these students in their classrooms, across the grade levels. As the Gifted Education website for our district states, “Our mission is to promote habits of mind that grow creative problem solvers, passionate leaders, and lifetime learners - Growing Greatness.”  

In the current district AIG Plan (2016-2019), one of the key goals is to place “AIG students in general education classrooms with teachers who have earned an AIG add-on license from an Institute of Higher Education (IHE) or who have met the LEA’s professional development requirements for that position.” The impact of Project LAUNCH will do just that-- increase the number of AIG-licensed teachers by 20, with a much wider impact than in their own classrooms, through the sharing of information in Professional Learning Communities and other site- and district-based opportunities.    

Several high school teachers are part of the LAUNCH cohort, including English teacher Pierre Lourens at Carrboro High. “I am excited about the AIG partnership between Elon and CHCCS, because it provides me the chance to pursue mastery of instructional approaches and curriculum design. In my role as an English teacher, I encourage my students to think of “mastery” of our standards as an endless and active pursuit rather than a single achievable goal. To that end, I know that I can always grow, and I look forward to adding to my skillset - a skillset which benefits all students.” Lourens added that he was encouraged by the first reading assignment because it emphasized how much the broader use of strategies for AIG instruction will raise the bar for all students.      

Board Chair Rani Dasi said, “CHCCS is focused on optimizing resources to address the needs of all of our students. While the state does not provide adequate resources to serve our district's gifted population, we are pursuing a partnership with Elon to certify local teachers in gifted instruction. We are fortunate to have professionals on staff who are willing to put in the time and effort toward this initiative. The project also highlights the importance of community partnerships, as Elon is playing an important role in providing training and support for our teaching community."      

The 20 teachers met in late October for an orientation, but the first official class and coursework will begin on February 6. In the recent welcome letter sent to teachers, the Elon team wrote, “Our vision of the program is of a vibrant, challenging education community that fulfills the experienced teachers' desire to explore, to grow, and to actively engage in their love of teaching and learning.”     

The first of four courses is “Curriculum and Instructional Design in Gifted Education.” Other courses will include “Social/Emotional Needs of Gifted Students” and a final course called “Consultation and Collaboration” that will involve an internship designing, administering, and evaluating a summer learning enrichment experience for our students.  The courses will be taught integrating face-to-face sessions at Morris Grove, online coursework, and some sessions on campus at Elon University.      

Kelly Fox, a social studies teacher at Phillips Middle School, reflected pure excitement as she talked about this new learning experience. After 14 years as a classroom teacher, and in her third year at CHCCS, Fox noted that the range of giftedness she observes in her sixth grade classes is unlike any other level of exceptionality she has experienced as a teacher. “I’m excited for this opportunity to better meet the needs of all our children,” she said. “I already differentiate all of the time, but I look forward to having a new, expanded toolbox.”    

The operative word for all the partners seems to be “excited.” Dr. Byrd of Elon wrote to participants, “We are excited that you are taking this next, important step in your professional career. Really, it is a step of leadership. We look forward to partnering with you to promote your future success.” 

read more "AIG Partnership with Elon University"

Message from Dr. Baldwin

Greetings. I hope everyone is staying warm and dry as we wait for our snow and ice to melt. I used some of my down time this week to carefully examine a report recently released by the Youth Justice Project. The report is titled the Racial Equity Report Card and can be found here. I have a few thoughts I'd like to share with you about this report and our efforts.

Now, while this report card is well-organized and concisely presented, the information it contains is not news to us. In fact, our school district has suffered from issues of racial disproportionality since the day we integrated schools in the 1960's.

 

When I arrived in this district, I heard it said many times that we are a great school district - for most of our kids. I very quickly saw the unfortunate truth in that statement. There is indeed a sizable portion of our kids who are not enjoying the same kind of successful school experience...and that is not okay.

 

To that end, our Board of Education has approved a detailed equity plan that breaks down the issue into three digestable - but crucial - components: culture, curriculum and instruction. For the sake of our students of color, we must address each of these components head on, with no compromises. Strategies within these components include equity training for staff, restorative practices, a strategic focus on leadership development for school and district level leaders, emphasis on mentoring, and intentional efforts to improve scheduling that includes student services support. Please look through the full plan when you get time.

 

It is worth noting that the news is not all bad. The discipline data represented in the report card is from 2015-2016. Because of deliberate efforts to address those concerns, we recently presented an update to the Board of Education showing progress in the area of equity in student discipline (scroll to page 4 for specific numbers concerning the reduction of ODR's - Office Discipline Referrals). While we celebrate those efforts, we recognize this is just a beginning.

 

Please know that CHCCS is committed to addressing the racial disparities highlighted in this report. As a school district and community, we need to be comfortable talking about race, and courageous enough to take any action needed. Addressing the needs of all students should always be our top educational priority. 

 

Thank you for traveling this road with us. Together we will get it right...for EVERY child.

 

 

Pam Baldwin

Superintendent

read more "Message from Dr. Baldwin"

Strategic Plan Survey

We are in the process of creating a new strategic plan that will guide the work of our school district for the next three years. Our Strategic Planning Committee is requesting your input on a very brief survey - it includes only five questions and should take no more than three minutes to complete. Click here to access the survey.

We greatly appreciate your input...and your continued support.

read more "Strategic Plan Survey"

Table Top Conversations

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools operates under the direction of a strategic plan. The existing five-year plan is now in its final year. As we work hard to finish strong, we are concurrently in the process of creating a new plan. This new plan will govern our work for the next three years. We hope to have it ready by June.

In order to create a plan that points us in the best direction for serving students and their families, we need input from everyone. To that end, we have set up a series of 20 table top conversations that will take place throughout our community in the coming weeks. You are encouraged to find one that fits your schedule and come on out. The entire event should not last longer than 90 minutes. We will also be sending out a survey that attempts to capture feedback to the same questions discussed at the table top conversations.

Many thanks to our School Improvement Teams for organizing and hosting these events. Below are the dates and times. No reservations are needed, just show up and share your thoughts.

Morris Grove Elementary --- Monday, October 23  (6 p.m.)
Chapel Hill High --- Monday, October 23  (6 p.m.)
FPG Elementary --- Thursday, October 26  (6 p.m. Spanish and 7 p.m. English)
Northside Elementary --- Friday, October 27  (6 p.m.)
Culbreth Middle --- Wednesday, November 1  (9:30 a.m.)
East Chapel Hill High --- Wednesday, November 1  (6 p.m.)
Glenwood Elementary --- Wednesday, November 1  (6 p.m.)
Estes Hills Elementary --- Monday, November 6 (6 p.m.)
McDougle Elementary --- Monday, November 6  (6 p.m.)
Phillips Middle --- Monday, November 6 (6 p.m.)
Scroggs Elementary --- Monday, November 6 (6 p.m.)
Culbreth Middle --- Tuesday, November 7 (6 p.m.)
McDougle Middle --- Tuesday, November 7  (6 p.m.)
Lincoln Center --- Thursday, November 9  (6:30 p.m.)
Rashkis Elementary --- Monday, November 13  (6 p.m.)
Carrboro High --- Tuesday, November 14 (5:30 p.m.)
Ephesus Elementary --- Tuesday, November 14 (5:30 p.m.)
Seawell Elementary --- Tuesday, November 14  (5:30 p.m.)
Smith Middle --- Tuesday, November 14 (6 p.m.)
Carrboro Elementary --- Tuesday, November 14  (6:15 p.m.)

read more "Table Top Conversations"

John Williams - CHCCS Principal of the Year

Phoenix Academy High School Principal John Williams was named the 2017-2018 Principal of the Year by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.  The announcement was made today by Superintendent Pam Baldwin in the presence of students and staff.

Williams was selected for the honor by his peers for the numerous accomplishments he has made during his tenure at Phoenix.  He will go on to represent CHCCS at the state level.

“John Williams is a hero at his school, in our community, and, most importantly, in the lives of his students,” said Superintendent Pam Baldwin. “John is the principal who comes to work early on Monday mornings and picks up trash in the parking lot because he believes his students deserve a clean campus. His students tell stories of him showing up at their homes to take them to school on days when they decided not to attend. He laughs with them, he cries with them, and he is always there for them. John is a very worthy choice for Principal of the Year.”

Williams has been the principal of Phoenix since 2012.  Previously, he served as a principal and assistant principal with Durham Public Schools.  He began his teaching career in Greene County. Prior to his work as an educator, Williams served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Williams operated a private mental health counseling practice.

While his background is not the traditional path for a high school principal, Williams emphasizes the role his distinct experience has played in preparing him for his current position.

“My own high school experience was not positive, and returning to work in a school was never something that crossed my mind,” said Williams. “However, I realized that my background in both the military and in the mental health field provided a unique set of life experiences that could work for the benefit of young people. I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to genuinely help students every day.”

Williams holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, and master's degrees from Troy State University and East Carolina University.

read more "John Williams - CHCCS Principal of the Year"

Growth Rates and School Performance Grades Improve

State Releases 2016-17 Accountability Data

School accountability data was released earlier today to the State Board of Education. Student achievement results in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools remain among the highest in the state in all major categories.

“I am delighted to receive confirmation that the hard work of our students and staff is producing a quality return. It also speaks to the amazing support of our parents and community,” said Superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin. “While it is nice to see comparably high scores, we still have individual students who are not succeeding and, therefore, our work is not even close to being finished.”

In 2016-17, 94 percent of schools in the district met or exceeded expected growth in 2016-17. This number is up from 83 percent the previous year. Statewide, 74 percent met or exceeded expected growth last year.

School performance grades, required by state law, are based primarily on overall proficiency rates on the state’s standardized end-of-grade tests, and to a lesser extent, the growth students make during the year, irrespective of performance level. Eighty percent of the grade is based upon the percentage of tests earning a score considered grade-level proficient. Twenty percent is based upon growth, measured by a statistical model that compares each student’s predicted test score, based on past performance, against his/her actual result.

In Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, 94 percent (17 out of 18) of our graded schools scored an A or B last year, compared to 35.8 percent of traditional public schools statewide. Additionally, two of our schools moved up one letter grade with Frank Porter Graham Elementary moving from a C to a B, and Carrboro High moving from a B to an A.

Two schools, Glenwood Elementary and East Chapel Hill High, earned an A+. The “+” is added when the school’s achievement gap is less (better) than the state average.

Graduation rates remained mostly level. The four-year cohort graduation rate for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools dropped slightly from 90.2 to 89.6 percent. The state rate reached a new high at 86.5 percent. The five-year cohort graduation rate for the school district was 91.9 percent, a drop from the previous year’s 92.2 percent. The five-year cohort rate for the state is 87.5 percent.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has posted a variety of data reports on its website. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education will receive a full report at its October 19 meeting.

read more "Growth Rates and School Performance Grades Improve"

Board Candidate Information Session

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools understands the value of strong leadership. And for a school system, that leadership starts with the Board of Education.

With the candidate filing period underway, the school district is planning an information session for any community members who might be considering a run for the Board.

The session will take place on Tuesday, July 18 from 4-5 p.m. at Lincoln Center – the school district’s central office, located at 750 South Merritt Mill Road. All interested are welcome to attend.

“We wanted to offer an opportunity for potential candidates to learn more about the future direction of the school system and how Board members can move the district forward,” said Superintendent Pam Baldwin. “This is a non-committal meeting for the purpose of providing information and answering questions.”

Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP to Jeff Nash, Executive Director of Community Relations, at jnash@chccs.k12.nc.us.

read more "Board Candidate Information Session"

Good Luck, Dr. Causby!

After serving as the district's Interim Superintendent since August, Dr. Causby is returning to retirement. Throughout his time at CHCCS, Dr. C has been an amazing leader, helping guide the district until a new superintendent could be found.

At their last meeting, the CHCCS Board of Education presented Dr. C with a plaque, thanking him for all he's done (see picture of Dr. C and Board Chair James Barrett below).

Dr. C was always willing to meet with and help students, parents and staff, and he always put what was best for the students ahead of any decision, great or small.

Thank you, Dr. C and we wish you luck as you return to Asheville and retirement.

For those who want to hear Dr. C's convocation speech again, click here and be inspired by a true educator with over 40 years of dedication to the students and districts across North Carolina.

Board Chair James Barrett presents plaque to Dr. Jim Causby

Dr. Causby reads to students at Northside Elementary

read more "Good Luck, Dr. Causby!"

Dr. Pam Baldwin Named New Superintendent

At its special called meeting earlier this evening, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education voted to approve Dr. Pamela Baldwin as the district’s new Superintendent. Her targeted start date is early April.

During the search process, which was administered by the North Carolina School Boards Association, the Board of Education carefully reviewed applications and supporting documentation from a diverse field of candidates. Although many qualified candidates applied, the board felt that Dr. Baldwin’s leadership, experience, and dedication to students would best serve the CHCCS students, staff, and community for years to come. The board is confident that Dr. Baldwin will lead the district to even higher achievement.

“This search process was tedious and, at times, a bit overwhelming – but also very refreshing. We met many amazing educators along the journey,” said Board Chair James Barrett. “We started with 44 applicants from 17 different states, and eventually reduced our search to three excellent finalists. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found a leader like Dr. Baldwin. Her vision, her experience, and her skillset align perfectly with the plans we have for moving this district forward in the coming years to provide excellent education to all students.”

Dr. Baldwin has enjoyed a successful career in public education spanning over 17 years in North Carolina. Since 2014, she has served as the superintendent of the Asheville City Schools in Asheville, North Carolina. Prior to her current position, Dr. Baldwin served as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Scotland County Schools (2012-2014), and the director of teaching and learning for Currituck County Schools (2010-2011). Dr. Baldwin also previously served as a high school principal for New Hanover County Schools (2011-2012), and a middle school and high school assistant principal and principal for Onslow County Schools (2003-2010). She began her career in public education as a high school science teacher in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
 
Dr. Baldwin has an impressive academic background as well, including a bachelor’s degree in biology from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.  She went on to obtain a master’s degree in school administration from East Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Dr. Baldwin greatly looks forward to the opportunity to lead the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and to become part of the community.

“It is an honor to be appointed superintendent in such a wonderful community. I am excited to get started and to work with a board that values equity, integrity, and heart,” said Baldwin. “I look forward to building on the great work of the caring and committed educators, board members, and community members who have come before me, and to serving the students and staff of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.”


Please join the board in welcoming Dr. Pam Baldwin as the new superintendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

read more "Dr. Pam Baldwin Named New Superintendent"

Superintendent Search Update

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce that the deadline to submit applications to serve as the school system’s next superintendent has passed.  The board received 44 applications from 17 states.  The applications will be processed by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) and released to the board in mid-September.  The board looks forward to reviewing the applications and moving into the interview stage of the search process.      

The board continues to seek direct input from the community regarding the qualities and characteristics desired in the next superintendent.  Staff and community members are again invited to comment publicly on desired characteristics for the next leader of schools during a final scheduled public forum.  The public forum will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 10 in the cafeteria at Northside Elementary School. All are welcome.

read more "Superintendent Search Update"

Letter from Dr. Causby

Below is a message sent from Dr. Causby to all CHCCS  parents by phone and by email updating them on the opening of school.

_____

Dear CHCCS Families,

Another exciting school year opened yesterday. I have been out visiting schools and principals, and from all indications our students and teachers are off to a great start. However, I feel a need to update you on a few areas that did not go as planned.

First, we woke up on Monday to learn that Estes Hills Elementary had no power. I understand this school had electrical issues last year. Fortunately, yesterday’s power outage was not the fault of our school infrastructure. It was entirely on the shoulders of Duke Energy. We worked with them throughout the day and they got it fixed later in the afternoon. However, we did make the decision to send home the students at 11 a.m., primarily due to the lack of air conditioning. I am pleased to report that today has been a great day at Estes Hills. Classrooms are cool and students are learning.

The second big issue, and it is one that impacted almost as many people, is our transportation errors. While there are always problems on the first few days of school, the number of problems we have experienced this year greatly exceeds years past. There are a variety of reasons for this, but they all came together to create a perfect storm this year. Additionally, the heavy volume of parent questions and concerns being called into our Transportation Office quickly filled up all voicemail boxes and resulted in frustration on the part of both parents and Transportation staff.

To that end, we have asked our technology team to restructure the phone system to increase the number of incoming lines, and we are bringing in staff from Lincoln Center and schools to assist with manning these phones in an effort to increase our capacity to provide live assistance as needed. Now, of course, our Transportation leaders are working to resolve the bus route issues, and that is the bottom line goal. But in the meantime, we want you to know that we are working to get every route straightened out and to provide a greater level of customer service in the meantime.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support. I will call you again within the next 24 hours with another update. I hope you enjoy the remainder of your day.

Sincerely,

Jim Causby
Interim Superintendent

read more "Letter from Dr. Causby"

Rydell Harrison Named Interim Assistant Superintendent

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has named Dr. Rydell Harrison as Interim Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services for the 2016-17 school year. His appointment was approved at a special called meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, July 13. Harrison will replace Dr. Magda Parvey, who has accepted a position with the City School District of New Rochelle (New York).

“Dr. Harrison is absolutely the right person for this important job,” said James Barrett, Chair of the Board of Education. “He is a skilled leader with proven results in the area of instruction, has great relationships with the principals and teachers, and brings a clear understanding of the challenges we will face in the coming year.”

Harrison began his career as a music teacher in New Jersey, and has 19 years in education. Harrison currently serves as Executive Director of Professional Development and Project ADVANCE. He also served as principal of Phillips Middle School.

Prior to joining Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Harrison served as a principal at both an elementary and middle school, as well as a middle school assistant principal in Guilford County Schools.

Harrison holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Rutgers University and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He also holds a Master of School Administration, Specialist in Education and Doctor of Education in School Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

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Seeking Community Input

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education is in the process of searching for a new superintendent. The members of the board are seeking your input in this process. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at the link below. All survey responses must be submitted by September 1, 2016. Results and comments are anonymous, but not confidential. In other words, no one will know who submitted a particular comment, but the results will eventually be released to the public, with any references to specific individuals redacted.

Citizens may also sign up to address the board during the public comment period at any of the upcoming regular board meetings, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on July 21, August 18, and September 1. All meetings will be held at the Lincoln Center board room, located at 750 South Merritt Mill Road, Chapel Hill, NC. Citizens must sign up to speak before the meeting begins and must otherwise comply with Board Policy 2310, Public Participation at Board Meetings.

Staff and community members are also invited to comment publicly on desired characteristics for the next leader of schools during one of two scheduled public forums. The first forum will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30 at Chapel Hill High School. The second forum will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 10 at Northside Elementary School.

In addition to input received from the surveys, forums, and public comment, written statements from any local groups or organizations may be submitted to Allison Schafer via mail at NCSBA, P.O. Box 97877, Raleigh, NC 27624, via email at aschafer@ncsba.org, or via fax at 919-841-4020. These statements should be received no later than Thursday, September 1, 2016.

English Survey

Spanish Survey

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Welcome Dr. Jim Causby - Interim Superintendent

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection and appointment of Dr. Jim Causby as the Interim Superintendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS). Dr. Causby will take office on August 1, 2016 and will serve until the board selects a permanent superintendent.

After speaking with several potential candidates, the board determined that Dr. Causby’s extensive leadership, experience, and dedication to students would best serve the CHCCS students, staff, and community as the board continues its search for a permanent superintendent. The board is confident that Dr. Causby will continue the district’s efforts and will enable a smooth transition of leadership.

"In considering several people for an interim superintendent, we were pleased to hear how Dr. Causby’s deep understanding of the interim superintendent role and emphasis on working with all staff fit with CHCCS and this board,” said Board of Education Chair James Barrett. “That will allow us to keep what is working in this overall high-performing district while continuing our focus on areas we need to improve.  Having Dr. Causby in place will allow the board to focus more of our time on listening to the school community about what we require in a new superintendent and ensuring that we find the best candidate possible for this district."

A native of McDowell County, Dr. Causby has enjoyed a long and successful career in North Carolina’s public education system, including 27 years as a superintendent in four districts. He is currently semi-retired and works as an education and marketing consultant. Dr. Causby has a wide range of experience from the classroom to the central office, starting out as a teacher and coach before moving up to principal and ultimately superintendent positions. He has had success as a superintendent leading Swain County Schools for 11 years, Polk County Schools for five years, and Johnston County Schools for 10 years. He also served as interim superintendent of Hickory City Schools in 2011. From 2004 to 2013, Dr. Causby led two statewide organizations, serving as Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) and the North Carolina School Superintendents Association (NCSSA). His exemplary service and leadership have often been recognized; he was named NC Superintendent of the Year three times and was named to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine – North Carolina’s highest civilian award.

Dr. Causby has an impressive academic background as well. He completed his undergraduate degree and master’s in elementary education at Western Carolina University. He obtained his education specialists degree from Appalachian State University in 1975, and his doctorate in education administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1988.

Dr. Causby looks forward to the opportunity to lead CHCCS through this transitional period. He has issued the following statement: “I am extremely honored and excited that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education has chosen me to serve as Interim Superintendent while they seek a permanent superintendent.  The reputation and success of the school system is widely recognized, and the culture of high expectations and excellence found there is one that I look forward to being a part of.  It is my belief that every student can achieve at very high levels, and I want to help ensure that all 12,000+ students in the school system do that.”

Please join the board in welcoming Dr. Causby as the new Interim Superintendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

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Superintendent Tom Forcella Announces Retirement - Effective August 1

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Tom Forcella has announced his retirement, effective August 1.

Forcella has been with the school district since 2011, and in schools for 42 years. Notable accomplishments during that time include the increased focus on classroom instruction and lesson planning, the design and implementation of a long-range strategic plan that includes 28 specific strategies, and the creation of Project ADVANCE – a strategic compensation model that ties teacher pay to professional development. Forcella has been working with state leaders to investigate the possibility of Project ADVANCE eventually becoming a model for teacher compensation statewide.

“My five years in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools have been extremely rewarding,” said Forcella. “I am thankful for the opportunity to work with our amazing students, as well as the staff, parents and agencies that make this community remarkable.”

Board of Education Chair James Barrett indicated the school district will continue the progress made under Dr. Forcella’s leadership.

“While sad to lose him at this critical time, I am grateful for Dr Forcella’s five years of service to this district,” said Barrett. “His efforts to improve quality of instruction will make a lasting impact for the benefit of all our students. These efforts are cultural shifts in our district that will live beyond his tenure and continue to help our students succeed.”

“His diverse teaching and administrative background has allowed him to have the necessary perspective and vision to lead a school district,” said Board of Education Vice Chair Annetta Streater. “The district’s Long Range Plan speaks to his efforts to engage children, raise achievement and prepare all of our staff to be leaders. I will truly miss him and wish him well.”

The next meeting of the Board of Education is Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

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Teacher Appreciation Week

The first week in May is nationally designated as Teacher Appreciation Week. Parents and students at each school are taking great care of their teachers this week. The note below was sent to all staff from Superintendent Tom Forcella.
_____

I always found the hardest part of teaching to be not knowing if my efforts had any lasting impact.

After all, we pour uncountable hours and immeasurable energy into a student for a year, or perhaps even longer, and then wonder if we made any impact – if we prepared that student for success.

It’s not as easy as looking at a spreadsheet. It’s much more than a test score. There is no clear cut bottom line for a teacher’s impact.

Then one day, years later, a former student reaches out to you on Facebook. You bump into the parent of a former student in the grocery store. You read about a former student accomplishing something newsworthy.

And, in that moment, after all those years…you made a difference. More than a difference, you left a legacy!

Thank you teachers, and thank you to our entire CHCCS team, for your impact, for making a difference, for leaving a legacy. I hope you are enjoying Teacher Appreciation Week. All the accolades are well-deserved.

You are the real superheroes.

Tom Forcella

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Dr. Forcella Named Regional Superintendent of the Year

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Tom Forcella was presented with a pleasant surprise at last night’s Board meeting.

Dr. Neil Pedersen, Executive Director of the Central Carolina Regional Educational Service Alliance (RESA) and former superintendent of the same school district, showed up at the meeting and signed up to speak as part of the citizen comment portion of the agenda.

Upon approaching the podium, Dr. Pedersen used the opportunity to announce that Dr. Forcella had been selected as the Central Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year. He is now one of eight finalists for the North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, which will be announced in November. The state Superintendent of the Year then becomes eligible for the National Superintendent of the Year honor, which is announced by the American Association of School Administrators at its annual conference in February.

“We were extremely pleased to learn of Dr. Forcella’s selection as Regional Superintendent of the Year,” said Mike Kelley, Chair of the Board of Education. “His dedication to student success, innovative approach to leadership and determined focus on quality instruction make him an excellent candidate as he moves through the process.”

Back to CHCCS website

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