Ms. Young's class at Hallsboro Middle School presented a
reader's theatre Halloween play recently. The students helped compose the
play and create the props. Great job kids!
Tabor City Middle School Yam Display
The art and careers classes at Tabor City Middle School recently
participated in the annual Yam Festival display competition, taking 2nd
place.
Congratulations 2009 Bright Ideas Winners!
November 15-21 is American Education Week! Thank you to
all the faculty, staff and support personnel that make education possible!
Columbus County Schools Awarded 1.75 Million Dollar
Grant
Columbus County Schools received word February 4th that
the Fair Bluff Technical Academy has been awarded a 1.75 million dollar
grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation.
More details will be released as they become available.
South Columbus FFA on National TV
If you don't see the movie, please download flash player at adobe.com
Click on the above slideshow for exciting information
about Cerro Gordo Elementary School.
South Columbus High School Visual Arts Retrospective
A retrospective of some of the excellent artwork created
by students at South Columbus High School under the direction of Joy
Lewis.
Good News from Acme Delco Elementary
Claudia F. participated
in the Major General Robert Howe Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution American History Essay Contest. She won second place in the
fifth grade division. She read her essay at the awards ceremony at
Southeastern Community College on February 10, 2010
.
Alisha H. recently won first place at
the Acme Delco Elementary School science fair in the fifth grade
department. As a winner at ADES, she was chosen to compete in the Region
IV Science Fair at Pembroke University. On February 20, 2010 Alisha was
one of eight students chosen in the elementary division to move to the
state competition. She will compete in Raleigh on March 26th
and 27th.
Boys and Girls Home School
Boys and Girls Homes School is located on the campus of Boys and Girls
Home, Inc. at Lake Waccamaw. All of our students are residents and
live within walking distance of the school. Our school serves
students in grades 6-12 from any area in North Carolina. However, the
majority of our students are from Southeastern North Carolina.
Boys and Girls Homes, Inc. and Boys and Girls Homes School form a
great partnership in providing for all the needs of our students.
Emphasis is placed on a well rounded education at our school, and that
often encourages students to develop and express an interest in
school. Some students complete their formal education at Boys and
Girls Homes School, others return to their home school after a period
of time, and others pursue college and university degrees.
Southeastern
Early College High School is a safe, secure and stimulating environment
that is conducive to learning. All students at SEC will become proficient
in 21st Century Skills. Graduates will be college-ready and possess
critical thinking skills, academic knowledge, communication skills,
professional skills, technological skills, and healthy habits.
Frequently Asked
Questions:
1.Busing
•
Free transportation is available as long as enrolled.
2.
Meals •
school lunch is provided.
3.Uniforms
•
Students are required on most days to wear a college I.D. and also a polo
shirt identifying them as part of our school.
4.Calendar/Schedule
•
SEC runs on a different schedule than the other public schools in order to
allow students to take college courses. We begin the first week in August
and end the middle of May. Our day starts later too-at 9:15 am.
5.Can
I still do sports, JROTC or band at the “big high school.”
When a student comes to SEC, he or she is no longer a student at the other
high school and can not participate in their extracurricular activities.
Of course, you can still go to their games and public events!
6.Yes,
it is hard!
Students report that it takes a lot of organization and dedication to do
well at SEC, however, you do not have to be super smart. Our school is
great at reaching kids at their current level and helping them move
forward, but they have to want it!
7.How
do I enroll?
Our student ambassadors will go to each middle school in Columbus County
in January and talk to 8th graders. They will pass out applications at
that time that will explain everything.
8.Can
someone who is already in high school transfer to SEC?
No. We are sorry, but the only time to enroll is prior to the 9th grade.
The February 25th blood drive hosted by the
West Columbus High School HOSA with assistance from the West Columbus
JROTC “Viking “ Battalion resulted in 101 units of blood collected. Jenny
Herring and her HOSA blood drive recruitment team were excited by the
number of units collected. The blood received at the West Columbus High
School drive was immediately typed and underwent testing for hepatitis,
AIDS and other diseases in Red Cross laboratories. The blood is then made
available to area hospitals for use by their patients. One unit of blood
can be separated into various components, and for this reason one donation
can save as many as 3 lives. Nationally, someone needs blood every two
seconds. The Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross
must collect 1,600 units of blood each day to meet the needs of patients
in the 110 area hospitals it serves. To schedule an appointment to donate
blood, call 1 -800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448- 3543.) Blood donors must be at
least 17 years of age, (16 years of age with a signed American Red Cross
parental consent form,) weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in general
good health.
EggCam at Cerro Gordo Elementary School
(screenshot of the webcam)
With the help of the Technology Department,
teacher Terry Brown has set up a live webcam showing chicken eggs in an
incubator at Cerro Gordo Elementary to complement the science curriculum.
We'll keep you posted when the eggs start to hatch. Click on the image
above or here to go to the live webcam view.
Cerro Gordo Elementary School's First Stinger Club Day
CGES started a new
initiative for middle school students on January 29th, Stinger Club Day.
Students voted online for clubs they would like and then registered for
them prior to the first club meeting. The twelve clubs chosen were: Animal
Care, Board Games, Child Care, Cosmetology, Crafts, Drama/Readers’
Theatre, Jazz Band, Journalism/Broadcasting, Landscaping, Law Enforcement,
Mechanics, and Photography. The successful club day was made possible by
partnership with community leaders and members. Club sponsors include a
collaboration of SCC Child Care Director, Ms. Emily Cook and her student,
Ms. Erica Shanice Jenkins, SCC Cosmetology students, Ms. Amber Corder and
Ms. Mary Grace Taylor, The News Reporter’s journalist, Mr. Jefferson
Weaver, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit detectives,
Lt. Steven Worthington and Detective Justin Worley, WCHS’s automotive
mechanics teacher, Mr. Dean Byerly, and CGES faculty members. Students
really enjoyed the new experience and are anxiously awaiting the next club
day. Clubs are scheduled to meet once a month.
New Inside Columbus County Schools Episodes
Hosted by Dr. Strickland, and produced by Educable at
Southeastern Community College.
Snuggle Up and Read
at Hallsboro Artesia Elementary
DAR Winners
The Major General Robert Howe Chapter of
the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized the winners of the DAR
American History Essay and Christopher Columbus Essay Contests on
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Southeastern Community
College auditorium. The nine schools with students participating in the
essay contests were Acme Delco Elementary, Central Middle, Edgewood
Elementary, Guideway Elementary, South Columbus High, Tabor City
Elementary, Tabor City Middle, Whiteville High and Williams Elementary.
American History
Essay Contest Winners 2009-2010 were
Grade 5
Kierra
Brown
Guideway Elementary School
Honorable Mention Diana
Garcia Guideway Elementary School Honorable Mention
Miranda Elizabeth Riggs Guideway Elementary Fourth Place
Dylan Todd Kermon Guideway Elementary Third Place
Claudia Blair Floyd Acme Delco Elementary Second
Place
Katelyn Lauren Caines Guideway Elementary First Place
Grade 6
Jane Woodard Hawthorne Central Middle First Place
Grade 7
Trevor McCoy Tyree Williams Township
First Place
Grade 8
Olivia Watson Tabor City
Middle First Place
Christopher Columbus Essay contest winners 2009-2010 are
Grade 9
Megan Victoria Bass South Columbus High Second Place
Derere’ Tylar Mizell South Columbus High First Place
Over 325 people attended an arts fundraiser February
6th, 2010 where the bluegrass band Chatham County Line performed. This
project, a collaboration between Southeastern Community College, Columbus
County Schools and Whiteville City Schools, helped raise funds for the
spring musicals. Video by Michael Graham.
South Columbus Veteran Teacher Featured on WWAY
If you don't see the movie, please download flash player at adobe.com
Everlene Davis, 54 year teaching veteran at South
Columbus High School, was featured recently on wwayTV-3 for her dedication
to the athletic program of South Columbus. Over the course of her career,
she has kept score for over 5,000 basketball games. Video courtesy of WWAY.
Family Math Night at Guideway Elementary School
Recently, Guideway Elementary School hosted a Family
Math Night with 210 students and parents.
Instructional Technology at Tabor City Middle
Marcus Rising's students at Tabor City Middle School
created publicity materials as part of a mock campaign assignment based on
the electoral contests of John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. The above
clip is from a commercial that the students created for the campaign.
Congratulations to the South Columbus High School FFA,
which was a featured chapter on RFDTV's Inside Agribusiness over the
weekend. The sponsors for SCHS' FFA are Danny Green, Marlette Watson and
Berry Strickland. RFDTV is viewed by
over 30 million people nationwide.
Positive Changes at Chadbourn Elementary School
Over the past few months, Chadbourn
Elementary has gone through quite a few positive changes.
“The faculty and staff at Chadbourn Elementary School are
willing to do whatever it takes to provide a quality education for our
students. They have welcomed our new initiatives with a positive attitude
and have worked diligently to implement them in an effective and efficient
manner,” said Chadbourn Elementary Principal Deanna Shuman. “I am very
proud of the Chadbourn Elementary School team.”
The recent changes have been countless. In the area of
reading, Chadbourn Elementary teachers are carrying out focused
intervention lessons with targeted students each morning. This gives
teachers the opportunity to work with small groups of students who need
very focused, targeted skill-based instruction. Along these same lines,
teachers are implementing small group guided reading lessons each day.
This allows teachers the opportunity to work with students on same skill
level tasks.
The school also has modified their computer lab schedule
to enable all students in grades 3-5 to have access to the SuccessMaker
program three times weekly.
In addition to the scheduled time in the lab, students
have access to the program in the classroom setting. This program focuses
on the areas of Reading and Mathematics. It is skill-based and allows
students to advance on their level as the performance increases. If
students need additional work in a particular area, they are not advanced
until a particular objective has been mastered.
Along with those two major initiatives, there has also
been a new focus in the area of mathematics. The new adoption focuses on
targeted objectives and heavily integrates the use of manipulatives and
problem-solving. Through this initiative students being actively engaged
in high level hands-on problem solving activities. The improvements from
this initiative have been extremely powerful, Shuman said.
With all of these three new, great initiatives in place,
Shuman is certain that everyone will see a positive impact on student
achievement.
“The focused intervention and guided reading groups will
impact the area of phonemic awareness, thus providing an increase in
student achievement in the area of reading,” she said. “The SuccessMaker
program will result in increases in the areas of reading and mathematics.”
All of these initiatives are bringing to pass positive
results, but also requiring a lot of hard work and dedication from
Chadbourn Elementary’s staff.
“I’ve been so impressed at how eager the staff is to make
a difference in the lives of their children,” said Kim Edwards, the
Columbus County School District’s Elementary Curriculum Director. “Many of
the teachers ay they are in the profession to make a difference, and I’ve
seen that to be true through all of their hard work and dedication.
Congressman McIntyre Visits CGES
Congressman Mike McIntyre visited Cerro Gordo Elementary
School recently. Mr. McIntyre taught a group of students a lesson about
government and presented a check for Columbus and Bladen County Schools
for 4.3 million dollars to be used for the Early Reading First program.
National Board Certified Teachers
Recognized
Congratulation to Shellie Britt of West Columbus High
School and Lynn Barnes of Hallsboro Artesia Elementary who were recognized
as Columbus County's newest National Board Certified Teachers at a recent
board meeting.
New Chair and Vice Chair for Columbus County Schools
Board of Education
Sheila Pridgen, Clerk of
Courts, swears in Bill Johnson as Vice Chairman and Junior Dew as
Chairman at a recent meeting of the board in December
.
Veteran's Day Celebration at TCES
Tabor City Middle School Students Share the Christmas Spirit
Thirteen eighth graders from
Tabor City Middle School visited Tabor City Elementary School on Wednesday
to share the Christmas spirit by reading Christmas stories aloud to
pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first and second grade students.
Jeffrey Russell
awarded Administrator of the Year &
Marilyn Ward receives Educational Office Professional of the Year
South Columbus Art Student is
National Artsonia Student of the Week
Fanny Marin from South Columbus High
School has been selected as Artsonia.com's 7th-9th "ARTIST OF THE
WEEK!" for December 13, 2009 - December 19, 2009. During the contest,
Fanny received 2078 votes from website visitors! Be sure to check the
Artsonia homepage at
http://www.artsonia.com/museum/aotw/default.asp where you will see
artwork featured for the next few days. Her instructor is Joy Lewis.
Three students from Williams Township School won the
Nakina VFW Post 6066 youth essay contest, Patriot's Pen. Mia B. (8th
grade) won first place ($200 savings bond), Tristyn C.(8th grade) won
second place ($100 savings bond), Matthew W. (6th grade) won third place
($50 savings bond). They responded to the question, "When is the Right
Time to Honor Our Military Heroes?" These essays have been sent to a
district-level competition which can lead to both state and national level
competition. Commander Tommy Gore presented the awards to the students.
These tutoring services are offered after
school hours to increase the academic achievement of economically
disadvantaged students, particularly in the areas of reading and math. The
tutoring services are paid for by the district and are free of charge to
parents of eligible students (receiving free or reduced priced lunch).
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Law, Title I schools in School
Improvement must offer SES to eligible students.
The following schools will offer SES:
Acme Delco Elementary
Acme Delco Middle
Cerro Gordo Elementary
Chadbourn Elementary
Chadbourn Middle
Evergreen Elementary
Guideway Elementary
Hallsboro/Artesia Elementary
Hallsboro Middle
Tabor City Elementary
Tabor City Middle
Williams Township
Parents and guardians of students attending any of the above schools
are receiving information by mail which explains the program, includes an
application form and a list of state approved providers. An applications
due date is included.
If you don't receive the packet, please contact your school. Parents
must provide transportation.
Data Trends
for SES - Columbus County Schools
SES Participation for 2007-08 School Year:
Eligible - 1789 Attending - 211
SES Participation for 2008-09 School Year
Eligible - 2990 Attending - 431
The 2009-2010
Providers Serving Columbus County Schools are:
1. Achieve Success Tutoring
2. Bright Future Learning Center
3. Master Mind Prep
4. Prime Time for Kids
5. Sylvan Learning Center "Ace It"
Congratulations Seniors on Presenting
Your Senior Projects
Above: Seniors at South Columbus High School showcase what
they've learned throughout their Senior Projects
Dale Ward Named to All-State School Board
The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) has
named Columbus County Board of Education member Dale Ward to the honorary
All-State School Board. Ward was recognized during the Awards Ceremony of
the Association's 40th Annual Conference for Board Member Development in
Greensboro on Nov. 17. During his introduction to ceremony attendees,
participants learned that Ward has been an advocate for change and an
insistent voice in the fight to improve student dropout rates in his
county. He has been passionate on the issue of school improvement, working
to implement many programs designed to increase student performance. Ward
has also worked to increase student health and wellness by contributing to
the initiation of a program that will offer free breakfasts to all
students. He is continually trying to help his school system move
forward by working to incorporate technology into the classroom and
supporting partnerships with the local university which allow students to
earn college credits free of charge. Ward has the unique ability to
incorporate traditional customs and practices while looking to the future,
all with the aim of helping students grow and succeed. The
All-State School Board is comprised of eight board members
selected throughout the state. These individuals have made significant
contributions to boardsmanship during their tenure on the local board of
education. The members of the All-State School Board were peer-nominated
for NCSBA's Raleigh Dingman Award, which was won by George Litton,
Cleveland County. Other members of the honorary board are: Brian Gates,
Surry County; Joyce Hawington, Asheboro City; Rebecca Kafer, Craven
County; Walter Leigh, Perquimans County; Tom Manning, Alamance-Burlington;
Dr. Nancy Routh, Guilford County; and Chris Wilson, Camden County.
NCSBA was established in 1937 as an advocate for public
school education. Its mission is to provide leadership and services that
enable local boards of education to govern effectively.
Winter Concerts
Date
Time
Group
Location
December 10, 2009
7:00 PM
HMS Arts
HMS
December 10, 2009
7:00 PM
EES, CMS Band
WCHS
December 10, 2009
6:00 PM
CGES Arts
CGES
December 14, 2009
7:00 PM
WTS/NMS Arts
SCHS
December 14, 2009
7:00 PM
ECHS Band/Chorus
This video contains highlight from the first 9 weeks of school at
Hallsboro Artesia Elementary.
EAST COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN RED
CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
The October 26th blood drive hosted by East
Columbus High School resulted in 82 units of blood collected. Hope Tyson
and her HOSA blood drive recruitment team were thrilled with the outcome.
"We are so grateful to Ms. Tyson, Principal Bridgers and the faculty and
students who supported this drive," stated Bany Hooker, District Manager,
American Red Cross. "They are truly life savers."
The blood received at the East Columbus High School drive was immediately
typed and underwent a battery of tests for hepatitis, AIDS and other
diseases in Red Cross laboratories. The blood then became available to
help patients in area hospitals. Because a unit of blood can be separated
into its various components, one donation can save as many as 3 lives.
Nationally, someone needs blood every two seconds. The Carolinas Blood
Services Region of the American Red Cross must collect 1,600 units of
blood each day to meet the needs of patients in the 110 area hospitals it
serves. "The success of our drive gives us a tremendous feeling of
satisfaction," stated Hope Tyson, "When someone needs blood in our
community, we know we're doing our part to make sue it's available." To
schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1 -800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-
3543 .) Blood donors must be at least 17 years of age, (16 years of age
with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form,) weigh a minimum
of 110 pounds and be in general good health.
2009 Waccmaw Siouan Pow Wow
School Day for the Waccamaw Siouan Pow Wow was
held recently at the Waccamaw tribal grounds in the Buckhead community.
Over 300 students learned about pottery, story telling, beadwork and
history. To learn more about
the Waccamaw Siouan, click here.
Acme Delco Middle Japanese Culture Celebration
Bright Ideas Winners
Brunswick EMC is pleased to announce the Bright Ideas
Grant Winners for the 2009/2010 school year. We will be awarding nearly
$33,000 in grants to 27 teachers from Brunswick and Columbus counties.
After receiving almost one-hundred grant applications, the following
teachers from Columbus County Schools were selected as grant winners for
their creative teaching ideas. Congratulations! Energy Around Us, Acme
Delco Elementary, Neala Hardie; Reading, Writing, and Blogging! Cerro Gordo Elementary School, Rachel Smith; WhisperPhone
Reading, Chadbourn Elementary School, Sheryl Bauer; Enhancing Student
Learning with Interwrite Pads, East Columbus High School, Dorothy
Chestnutt; 21st Century Classroom, East Columbus High School, Sherry
Jordan; Connect with Net Books, Guideway Elementary School, Stephanie
Sellers; Get Moving! Get Fit!, Guideway Elementary School, Stephanie
Sellers; Powerful Attraction, Hallsboro/Artesia Elementary School, Delia
Robinson; Now Hear This!, Nakina Middle School, Julie L. Sellers; In the
Beginning, Old Dock Elementary School, Diane Gore; Algebra 1 Classroom
Jeopardy, South Columbus High School, Tanya Martinez.
Old Dock Elementary Pre-K
Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
As part of the Red Ribbon celebration, Ms. Orrum and Mrs.
Simmons' Old Dock Pre-K students wore red.
TCES Lifeskill Leaders
Tabor City
Elementary School has begun a new program honoring a student from each
classroom as the Lifeskill Leader for each month. The students pictured
were named Lifeskill Leader for Respect:
West Columbus Students Participating in
Exchange Project with The Light Factory Photography Museum
Students from West Columbus High School's Advanced Art
Class have been exchanging ideas and photos with students from Charlotte.
The project, sponsored by The Light Factory, brings together students from
diverse locations in an exchange project that will culminate in a visit
from the Charlotte students to Columbus county. Both students have created
photography based on "The Road as Metaphor" and "Self Portraits". The best
of the work from all students will be on display at the Light Museum in
Charlotte next year.
Students in grades 6-12 are participating in the world's
largest online art gallery, artsonia.com. Teachers take photographs of the
student work which can be viewed, commented and even placed on cups,
mouse pads or t shirts. To date, over 300 pieces of artwork have been
placed on Artsonia from Columbus County Schools students..
If you would like to view the galleries,
click here.
Dr. Strickland named North Carolina
Southeast Region Superintendent of the Year 2009-2010
At a surprise celebration, board members and fellow employees gathered to
celebrate Dr. Strickland's exciting award.
Attention
Parents, Students and Staff
This year there will
be some changes in the lunchrooms. A new food company, Sodexo, has been
brought into the district. With this new company, the following changes
will occur:
·There will be free breakfast
for all pre-k through 8th grade students
·The breakfast will be
provided in the classrooms at Old Dock Elementary School and Cerro Gordo
Elementary School. Others schools will be implementing in-the-classroom
breakfast in the future.
·The high schools will no
longer have only 2 cashier stations. Instead, each high school will have 4
cashier stations. Each station will be labeled with signs that coincide
with the categories on the menus. At two of the stations, students will be
able to choose from 14-15 entrees daily. The third station will be a
made-to-order deli station, and the fourth station will be a pre-made
sandwich, salad and wrap station. IMPORTANT: Free, reduced or
purchased meals can be retrieved from any of the four stations!
·The middle schools cashier
stations will remain the same. The students, however, will have more to
choose from. They will have 8-10 entrees to choose from daily.
·The elementary schools
cashier stations will remain the same. The students, however, will have
more to choose from. They will have 3 entrees to choose from daily.
This is an exciting addition to
the Columbus County
School District.
Enjoy!!
Columbus
County Schools excel on ABC Test
After
receiving the 2008-09 ABCs of Public Education Accountability Report
approved by the State Board of Education, the Columbus County School
District has reason to be proud. Out of their 19 schools, 16 met their
expected growth scores. These expected scores are assigned based on the
school’s test scores from the previous year.
Acme Delco
Elementary, Nakina Middle, Tabor City Middle and West Columbus High School
were four of the 16 schools who reached high growth status, which honors
those schools that exceed their state-mandated academic improvement by a
significant percentage.
Overall,
Columbus County Schools test scores increased an average of 5.7 points.
Chadbourn Elementary School had the highest increase in test points in the
county, increasing 17.1 points from last year. Following closely, the
elementary with the second highest increase in test points was Acme Delco
Elementary School with an increase of 15.4 points, with the highest middle
school improvement being Tabor City Middle School with an increase of 9.5
points. East Columbus presented the highest increase of points of the high
schools with 4.4 points and the most improved K-8 school was Cerro Gordo
Elementary school with an increase of 16.8 points. Williams Township had
the highest performance composite scores in the county with 73.2 percent,
followed by Nakina Middle with 72.6 percent. The highest elementary
composite scores were at Old Dock Elementary School with 66.4 and the
highest high school composite score was at Southeastern Early College at
68.8. All of the district’s high schools were above 60 percent proficient,
which is where Judge Howard Manning recently challenged all high schools
to be.
Columbus County Schools 2008-2009 Preliminary Proficiency
2008-2009
2008-2009 AYP
School
Name
Expected Growth
Hi
Growth
Performance Composite
Acme
Delco Middle
59.5
Acme
Delco Elementary
Met
Met
64.4
Met
Boys
and Girls Home
ID
ID
25.5
Met
Cerro
Gordo Elementary
Met
71.2
Met
Chadbourn Middle
Met
47.2
Met
Chadbourn Elementary
Met
50.3
Met
East
Columbus High
Met
61.7
Evergreen Elementary
Met
62.0
Guideway Elementary
Met
50.0
Met
Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary
Met
65.8
Met
Hallsboro Middle
Met
60.8
Met
Nakina
Middle
Met
Met
72.6
Old
Dock Elementary
Met
66.4
Met
South
Columbus High
Met
65.4
Tabor
City Elementary
Met
57.4
Met
Southeastern Early College
68.3
Met
Tabor
City Middle
Met
Met
64.6
Met
West
Columbus High
Met
Met
64.4
Williams Township
Met
73.2
Met
Columbus County Leadership
Academy Kicks Off
Principals and other county administrators came together for their week
long retreat. Among other topics being discussed, the educators will
address century and teacher standards, successful professional development
strategies and gearing up to further forge into 21st century learning.
The Columbus County School District extends a special
to the following for
sponsoring the Annual Fall Leadership Retreat being held at Interim
Healthcare, Whiteville, NC:
Interim Health Care, Steve Smith, Brunswick Electric Membership
Corporation, Judy Gore, Value Teachers/Life of the Southwest, Sam Revis,
Pierce Group/Colonial Employee Benefits, Donald Pierce/David Charland,
Teachscape, Linda Bellamy, Pearson Digital and Heather Ayala
COLUMBUS COUNTY SCHOOLS
MAKE LARGE GAINS IN ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS
Columbus County Schools showed marked improvement in
student achievement according to the federal No Child Left Behind Adequate
Yearly Progress (AYP) model. During the 2008-2009 school year, 13
out of 19 schools made Adequate Yearly Progress, compared to
just four schools making the grade a year ago. As a school system,
Columbus County Schools met 91 % of target goals, an increase of almost
10% from the previous year. Additionally, the schools system made AYP in
grades 3-8.
Several initiatives have been credited for this
increase. Prescriptive benchmarking, a process by which students
weaknesses are identified early in the year, is taking place on all grade
levels and gives teachers data that is used to tailor instruction.
Research-based software is also being utilized on all grade levels to
increase student achievement, especially in the area of reading and math.
Classroom walkthroughs allow principals to easily gather data and develop
connections between teaching methods and student achievement, allowing
educators to focus not just on how curriculum is being taught, but rather
focusing on the level of student engagement and the rigor of the material
being presented. Teachers and principals have also been credited with
implementing innovative ways of teaching.
“Worksheets and lecturing are no longer viable teaching methods in the 21st
century. Classrooms have to be exciting, engaging places where complex
ideas and meaningful connections are made”, says Dr. Dan Strickland,
Superintendent of Columbus County Schools. “The gains that we have made
have been a result of our teachers striving to reach every child in an
engaging and effective way and realizing that growth occurs one child at a
time.”
For a school to make AYP, each of the 10 student
groups (School as a Whole, White, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian,
Multiracial, Economically Disadvantaged Students, Limited English
Proficient Students, and Students With Disabilities) in the tested grades
(3-8,10) must meet proficiency targets in reading/language arts and math
and each student group must have at least 95 percent of its students
taking tests in both subjects. In addition, the School as a Whole (all
students) must show progress. If just one target goal is not met, the
school does not make AYP for that year. The 2008-2009 AYP scores are
preliminary pending state board approval on August 6th, 2009.
DR. STRICKLAND NAMED REGIONAL
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Dr. Dan Strickland, Superintendent of Columbus County
Schools, has been voted by his peers as the regional “Superintendent
of the Year” for 2009-2010 by the Southeast Region Superintendents’
Council. This Council is composed of the superintendents of all
seventeen public school systems in the Southeast. All regional
Superintendents of the Year across the state will have their
applications reviewed by a state level committee for final selection
as the North Carolina Superintendent of the Year to be announced in
November.
The North Carolina Superintendent of the Year program is part of the
National Superintendent of the Year Award Program sponsored by the
American Association of School Administrators to recognize outstanding
leadership. Each candidate is judged on the following criteria:
Leadership for Learning; Communication Skills; Professionalism; and
Community Involvement. The Superintendent of the Year program believes
that leadership in education is as much about “opening doors to
dreams” as it is about “opening minds to learning.” To be selected as
an outstanding superintendent does not mean that the person is just a
school system leader, but is a community builder and advocate as well,
who encourages teachers, principals, families and others who touch the
lives of students.
Guideway Student Wins National Essay
Contest
Eber Noyola,
Southeastern Division and NATIONAL winner of the fifth grade "American
History Essay Contest" from Guideway Elementary School, was recognized at
a recent board meeting. Pictured are: Eber Noyola, Betty Worrell,
Jonathan Williams, Mr. Noyola and Mrs. Blackmon. She was presented a
"Certificate of Achievement" at the Meeting. Eber's essay was chosen from
over 44,000 entries nation wide.
The two Columbus County schools were two of only five
schools in the state to be awarded
the Reading First Exemplary School Award.
Left to right: Kim Edward; Reading First coach for Williams
Township Elementary School, June St. Clair Atkinson;
State Superintendent, Jeff Spivey; Principal of Williams Township
Elementary School, Agatha Brown;
LEA Reading First Contact, Jeanna Allen; Reading First Coach for Cerro
Gordo Elementary,
Tanya Head; Principal of Cerro Gordo Elementary , and Mary Ann Prevatte;
Reading First Consultant
Custodian Awards Dinner
Aramark Facility Services hosted the annual awards dinner for the
custodians in the Columbus County Schools on Tuesday, May 26&. Awards for
the top schools went to: Top School of the Year- South Columbus High
School, Top Elementary School - Old Dock Elementary School, Top Middle
School - Nakina Middle School, Top High School - South Columbus High
School. Kathy Jacobs at Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School won an award
for the Most Improved Custodian and the Top Custodian award went to Milton
Smith, Head Custodian at South Columbus High School. Runners up were
Guideway Elementary School, Chadbourn Middle School and West Columbus High
School with Nakina Middle School as runner up for the top school award.
Top Custodian- Milton Smith, Head Custodian, South Columbus High School
Top School of the Year -South Columbus High School -Mike
Grate, Cora Nealy Barbara Howard, Luberta Hunter, Freeman Grate, Milton
Smith, Head Custodian
Top Elementary School -Old Dock Elementary School- Graham Lee, Head
Custodian and Kevin Gore
Top Middle School- Nakina Middle School -Larry Small and Graham Andrews,
Head Custodian
House and Senate education budget negotiators met jointly
for the first time Thursday afternoon to review differences in the
spending plans proposed by the two chambers and to begin crafting a final
budget.
A major focus of the work on the budget was to gain
support for a tax package that will provide $783.6 million in new state
revenues that will head off some of the most severe cuts the House
previously had proposed for public schools. The revised tax package, which
is now incorporated in the state budget bill, would raise the state sales
tax by a quarter cent. For public schools, the new funding will: maintain
class sizes in kindergarten through third grade; save the following
positions in FY 2009-10 – 2,586 teachers, 274 assistant principals and 357
instructional support personnel; and provide full funding for low wealth
and at-risk allotments that help vulnerable schools and students.
We encourage you to contact your representatives and
express your opinions about this matter.
Dewey Hill
Email: Dewey.Hill@ncleg.net
Legislative Mailing Address:
NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1309
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
919-733-5830
R.C. Soles
Email: RC.Soles@ncleg.net
Legislative Mailing Address:
NC Senate
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2022
Raleigh, NC 27601-2808
(919) 733-5963
(portions of this release were extracted from NCASA's Legislative Link).
Archives Updated
Approximately 150 photographs have been added to the
Columbus County Schools archive.
See them here.
New Streaming Radio Station
Columbus County Schools now has a new streaming radio
station. The station is operational 24 hours a day, streaming podcasts and
events from the schools. If you have audio you would like to contribute,
or if you are interested in broadcasting athletic events or other school
events, please contact Kelly Jones. If you have questions or need
software, please visit
http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/stream.
"Inside Columbus County Schools" Regarding Budget
Shortfall
West Columbus High School North Carolina Arts Council
Photography Residency
West Columbus High School recently hosted Charles
Thomas, renowned photographer, at a 7 day residency where students
photographed with film cameras then developed their own negatives. The
theme of the project was "self and community". This slideshow explains
about the process and shows aprox 60 of the 800 photographs that were
taken. A large photo mural of many of the photographs will be on display
in the coming weeks at West Columbus. the photographs themselves can be
viewed at http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/ncac/
West Columbus High School North Carolina
Arts Council Photography Residency
West Columbus High School recently hosted Charles
Thomas, renowned photographer, at a 7 day residency where students
photographed with film cameras then developed their own negatives. The
theme of the project was "self and community". This slideshow explains
about the process and shows aprox 60 of the 800 photographs that were
taken. A large photo mural of many of the photographs will be on display
in the coming weeks at West Columbus. the photographs themselves can be
viewed at http://www.columbus.k12.nc.us/ncac/.