Pictured are: Front row, seated, left to right are Patsy Dillard and trainer Joyce Burgart. Second row, standing: Marie Burchell, Anne Smith, Derek Smith, Michael Smithwick, and Paul White. Third row: Elizabeth Treadwell and Sandra Strader. Not pictured are Vicki Longhofer Copeland and Deborah Brady.

These volunteer tutors will tutor local adults in reading, writing, and math.

The Rockingham County Literacy Project works with volunteer tutors to provide these skills to adults who need and want them, and provides instructional materials free of charge to the students.

For more information, contact Jean Light Kinyon at 336-627-0007, or visit www.rcliteracyproject.org .

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 19 school-aged children die in school transportation-related traffic crashes each year and more school-aged pedestrians have been killed between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. than any other time of day.

“Children are often eager to get off the school bus because they are excited to tell their parents about all of the fun they had at school that day,” said Sheriff Page.

“It is crucial that parents re-enforce the school bus safety rules children learn at school.”

Sheriff Page also suggests that parents drive their child’s bus route with them to practice the proper safety precautions they can take to help ensure their child enjoys a safe ride to and from school.

Sheriff Page encourages all parents to discuss the following safety measures with their children:

            Student

•      Always arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes early.

•      While the bus is approaching make sure to stand at least three giant steps away from the curb, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, the door opens, and the bus driver says that it’s OK to board.

•      Always walk on the sidewalk when preparing to cross the street near a bus.  Make eye contact with the driver so that you are sure he or she sees you.

•      Never walk behind the bus.

•      If you are walking beside the bus, walk at least three giant steps away.

•      Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus. Take extra precautions to make sure that clothing with drawstrings and book bags do not get caught in the hand rail or door.

•      Never stop to pick something up that you have dropped when a bus is stopped.  Tell the bus driver or wait until the bus has driven off to avoid not being seen by the driver.

Motorists

•      Remember that children are unpredictable in their actions.  Take extreme caution when traveling in a school zone.

•      If there are no sidewalks, drive cautiously.  Be more alert to the possibility of children walking in the road.

•      Slow down and prepare to stop whenever you see yellow school bus lights flashing.

•      Never pass a school bus when there are flashing red lights and the stop arm is extended.  This is a sign that children are getting on or off the bus. Motorist must wait until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

            Source:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Pictured: left to right…Lt. Grey Smith, Bob Gauldin (Bus Transportation Director), Dr. Rodney Shotwell, Trooper Rakestraw (Picture Provided by RCSD)

• recruiting and retaining quality teachers and administrators,

• a comprehensive turnaround plan for low performing schools, and

• 21st century technology for assessing students’ needs.

“North Carolina’s children today are one step closer to being guaranteed the best public education possible – something every child deserves. This grant will give us the resources to more aggressively implement our plan to ensure that all of our children graduate ready for a career, college or technical training,” said Gov. Perdue.

“It won’t matter where they live; it won’t matter what their school looks like; it won’t matter what their parents do for a living. What will matter is that North Carolina leaders have joined together to support the best and most innovative approaches to public education this state has seen in a decade. I thank Sec. Duncan for recognizing North Carolina’s ability to lead in education reform, and I thank everyone who worked so hard to make this possible,” said Perdue.

Gov. Perdue led the application process and the team that traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to interview with federal decision makers. Joining her were State Board of Education Chair Dr. Bill Harrison, State School Superintendent June Atkinson, Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators Dr. Bill McNeal, and Executive Director of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Glenn Kleimann.

“This is an incredible opportunity for the boys and girls in North Carolina,” said Board Chairman Dr. Harrison. “It will allow us to accelerate implementation of the governor’s Career and College: Ready, Set, Go initiative. I appreciate the many supporters across the state who played such a vital role in crafting this winning proposal.”

“This will allow North Carolina to continue the tradition of being a leader in public education,” said Superintendent Atkinson. “Through collaboration with state and local leaders, we are committed to putting every dime of the Race to the Top money to the best use possible for students.”

Education leaders across the state stepped up with their support of the round two Race to the Top application, and the General Assembly passed legislation aimed at better arming local school districts to implement the plan. Sherri Strickland, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, said, “I am proud of the work each NCAE local leader did with local superintendents and school boards to make North Carolina’s Race to the Top award possible. NCAE looks forward to continuing this partnership with Governor Perdue, Superintendent Atkinson and local school systems as we make this grant work for North Carolina students and educators.”

The Race to the Top award will be overseen by Dr. Harrison and the State Board, and Superintendent Atkinson will be responsible for implementing the approved program.

“In recent days North Carolina has benefitted from significant federal investments in education,” said Perdue. “Now we must put those new resources to good use – quickly, with the utmost efficiency and accountability, and with an eye toward our one common goal: preparing every child for their 21st century futures.”

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Additional quotes from state leaders:

“NCSBA is excited to learn that North Carolina has been selected to receive a Race to the Top grant. School boards, administrators, teachers, and parents all worked hard to support the development of the North Carolina plan. I am confident that our 1.4 million students will reap the benefits of our collective efforts.”

-Edwin Dunlap, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director, North Carolina School Boards Association

“I congratulate our North Carolina leadership for bringing home Race to the Top funding. In Guilford County, we will use the dollars wisely to make the Career and College: Ready, Set, Go! promise a reality.”

-Maurice “Mo” Green, superintendent of Guilford County Schools

“North Carolina’s success in winning Race to the Top reflects the great teamwork in our state, with more than 150 people from the Governor’s Office, NCDPI, UNC, school districts, professional associations, nonprofits, and the business community involved. It’s an important outcome, but we know the hard work lies ahead — implementing the Race to the Top plan to provide a great teacher in every classroom and a great leader in every school, greatly improve our lowest performing schools, move to internationally benchmarked standards and assessments, and use technology and data to enhance teaching and learning. The continuing collaboration and deep commitment of educators across our state will enable North Carolina to succeed.”

-Glenn Kleiman, Executive Director, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

“The Race to the Top award is validation of our career and college school improvement plan.”

-Bill McNeal, Executive Director of N.C. Association of School Administrators

“North Carolina’s business community is excited about the Race to the Top initiative and the Governor’s aggressive ‘Ready, Set, Go’ education agenda. Economic success in a digital, global economy depends on the educational achievements of today’s students who are tomorrow’s customers, employees and shareholders. Each one has the capacity to achieve something great. North Carolina has a well-earned reputation for creative, innovative educational initiatives designed to help each student reach his or her fullest potential. This award builds on that proud heritage and will open the door to accomplishment and success for thousands of students, their families and communities.”

-Cynthia Marshall, President, AT&T North Carolina and Chair, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce

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Press release reposted from: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?newsItemID=1310

(click to enlarge)

In Rockingham County, fourteen elementary schools, four middle schools, five high schools, the alternative school and the district as a whole met expected growth. Schools that exceeded the growth expectations set by the state are considered to have met high growth. Fifteen schools in Rockingham County and the district as a whole met high growth.

The schools that met the expectations of growth set by the state are: Bethany Elementary, Central Elementary, Douglass Elementary, Huntsville Elementary, Lawsonville Elementary, Leaksville-Spray Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Monroeton Elementary, Moss Street Elementary, New Vision School of Science, Math and Technology, South End Elementary, Stoneville Elementary, Wentworth Elementary, Williamsburg Elementary, Holmes Middle, Reidsville Middle, Rockingham County Middle, Western Rockingham County, McMichael High, Morehead High, Reidsville High, Rockingham County High, Rockingham Early College High School and The SCORE Center.

Schools that met high growth are as follows: Bethany Elementary, Central Elementary, Douglass Elementary, Leaksville-Spray Elementary, New Vision School of Math, Science and Technology, Stoneville Elementary, Williamsburg Elementary, Reidsville Middle, Rockingham County Middle, Western Rockingham Middle, McMichael High, Morehead High, Reidsville High, Rockingham County High, and Rockingham Early College High School.

In the recognitions category, four Rockingham County Schools were recognized as Schools of Distinction – Bethany Elementary, New Vision School of Math, Science and Technology, Rockingham County High, and Rockingham Early College High School. To qualify as a School of Distinction, 80 to 89 percent of students must test at or above Level III and the school must make expected or high growth.

Furthermore, seventeen schools in Rockingham County Schools earned the designation of Schools of Progress – Central Elementary, Douglass Elementary, Huntsville Elementary, Leaksville-Spray Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Monroeton Elementary, South End Elementary, Stoneville Elementary, Wentworth Elementary, Williamsburg Elementary, Holmes Middle, Reidsville Middle, Rockingham County Middle, Western Rockingham Middle, McMichael High, Morehead High, and Reidsville High. In order to meet the requirements to be a School of Progress, 60 to 79 percent of students must test at or above Level III and the school must make expected or high growth.

The 2009-2010 test scores show improvement over the 2008-09 results when 19 out of 26 (76%) Rockingham County schools made expected growth. In commenting on the district’s progress, Superintendent Dr. Rodney Shotwell stated, “We are extremely pleased with our progress. These results indicate the strength of our system to improve student achievement from year to year and illustrate the commitment of our students, teachers, administrators, staff, and community to

academic success. As we enter the new school year, we will continue to develop and enhance our students’ social and academic skills to help them become responsible and productive citizens to achieve even better results.”

For more information on ABCs or individual RCS’ school results, visit the NCDPI website at http://abcs.ncpublicschools.org/abcs/.

The Eden Chamber of Commerce will be collecting school supplies to fill the backpacks July 22nd-August 13th at their 678 S. Van Buren Road location. You can drop off supplies from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday. Items that are needed include, glue sticks, wide-ruled composition books and filler paper, safety scissors, rulers, copy paper, hand sanitizer and Kleenex. You can visit area stores to see what other supplies are required by certain teachers.

Both Pete Crouch, Owner of Eden Drug and Jean Ann Wood, President of the Eden Chamber of Commerce want to help those in need in our community. “As owners of Eden Drug, my wife Debbie and I are excited to partner with several local businesses and provide book bags and basic school supplies for over 1700 children, grades K-5 in the Eden area,” remarked Crouch. Wal-Mart and Sonic also contributed to the school supply effort.

“We invite businesses, civic groups and individuals to help “Fill the Back Packs” for our elementary school students. Together we can make a difference by providing the essential items our students need to be successful in school,” stated Wood.

For more information on the backpacks or how to donate supplies or funds to purchase supplies, contact Pete Crouch at 336-627-4854 or Jean Ann Wood at 336-623-3336.

Schools meeting 100% of the AYP goals included Bethany Elementary, Central Elementary, Douglass Elementary, Huntsville Elementary, Leaksville-Spray Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Monroeton Elementary, Moss Street Elementary, New Vision School of Math, Technology and Science, South End Elementary, Stoneville Elementary, Wentworth Elementary, Reidsville Middle, Western Rockingham Middle, and Rockingham Early College High. Dillard Elementary and Williamsburg Elementary each came within one goal of making AYP. Results for all Rockingham County schools may be found on the Rockingham County Schools website, www.rock.k12.nc.us.

Over the next few weeks, Rockingham County Schools’ principals and administrative staff will be examining the AYP data and reviewing plans to ensure that all students achieve academic success. Superintendent

Rodney Shotwell states, “While the number of schools achieving AYP this year is slightly lower than last year, we continue to make progress in our proficiency levels. We are pleased with the achievement of our schools and our students, but obviously we have more work to do. Our staff will be poring over the information available to us through these assessments and determining which academic tools have been successful and which strategies may need to be changed or implemented to meet our students’ needs.”

Background Testing Information

AYP is a federal requirement under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. AYP differs from the state ABCs testing model. ABCs standardized test results, however, are used in calculating AYP results. In order to achieve AYP, a school must meet all of its target goals. The number of goals a school has depends on its varied student population. In addition to academic components, attendance rates and percent of students tested are also taken into account for grades three through eight.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) divides students into ten groups that must achieve proficiency targets in reading/language arts and mathematics. In order for a school to make AYP, every group a) must make the targets in both reading and mathematics and b) have at least a 95% participation rate in the assessments for each area. The ten student groups are: 1) School as a Whole (all students), 2) White, 3) Black, 4) Hispanic, 5) Native American, 6) Asian, 7) Multiracial, Economically Disadvantaged Students, 9) Limited English Proficient Students, and 10) Students with Disabilities.

All schools in North Carolina also are judged on growth rates (ABC’s) which indicate how much progress students make across two years of academic work in a particular academic subject. Growth rate results will be available August 5, 2010, after the State Board of Education approval.

For more information on AYP or individual RCS’ school results, visit the NCDPI website at www.ncpublicschools.org/nclb/abcayp/.

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Results are preliminary pending State Board approval on August 5, 2010.

LEA: 790 Rockingham County Schools
15 school(s) (or 60.0%) out of 25 made Adequate Yearly Progress

School: 302 Bethany Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 100.0%) out of 13 target goals

School: 310 Central Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 17 (or 100.0%) out of 17 target goals

School: 314 Dalton McMichael High
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 9 (or 69.2%) out of 13 target goals

School: 318 Douglass Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 17 (or 100.0%) out of 17 target goals

School: 322 Draper Elementary
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 12 (or 80.0%) out of 15 target goals

School: 327 Huntsville Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 100.0%) out of 13 target goals

School: 330 J E Holmes Middle
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 24 (or 82.8%) out of 29 target goals

School: 334 John W Dillard Elementary
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 12 (or 92.3%) out of 13 target goals

School: 338 Lawsonville Ave Elem
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 11 (or 84.6%) out of 13 target goals

School: 344 Leaksville-Spray Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 17 (or 100.0%) out of 17 target goals

School: 347 Lincoln Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 17 (or 100.0%) out of 17 target goals

School: 350 Monroeton Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 100.0%) out of 13 target goals

School: 354 John M Morehead High
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 76.5%) out of 17 target goals

School: 358 Moss Street Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 100.0%) out of 13 target goals

School: 362 New Vision Sch.of Math/Sci/Tec
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 100.0%) out of 13 target goals

School: 366 Reidsville High
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 14 (or 82.4%) out of 17 target goals

School: 374 Reidsville Middle
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 25 (or 100.0%) out of 25 target goals

School: 378 Rockingham County High
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 9 (or 69.2%) out of 13 target goals

School: 379 Rockingham Co Early College Hi
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 9 (or 100.0%) out of 9 target goals

School: 380 Rockingham County Middle
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 19 (or 90.5%) out of 21 target goals

School: 386 South End Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 17 (or 100.0%) out of 17 target goals

School: 390 Stoneville Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 17 (or 100.0%) out of 17 target goals

School: 392 The SCORE Center
Status is not yet available
School is a Special Evaluation School

School: 394 Western Rockingham Middle
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 29 (or 100.0%) out of 29 target goals

School: 398 Wentworth Elementary
School made Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 13 (or 100.0%) out of 13 target goals

School: 402 Williamsburg Elementary
School did not make Adequate Yearly Progress
School met 20 (or 95.2%) out of 21 target goals

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Press Release reposted from: http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/rockingham/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=296369

The following totals for each high school include academic, athletic, military, merit-based and local scholarship offers:

McMichael High – $3,531,558 (graduating 211 seniors)

Morehead High – $3,303,648 (graduating 192 seniors)

Reidsville High – $4,667,306 (graduating 208 seniors)

Rockingham County High – $5,816,507 (graduating 258 seniors)

RCS grand total – $17,319,019

Dr. Rodney Shotwell, superintendent of RCS states, “We are pleased that our high school seniors’ achievements have been recognized through the offering of more than $17 million in scholarships from institutions of higher education and the military. Especially, we are grateful for the support of our community, our businesses, industrial and civic groups working to contribute scholarships for our youth. The scope of these awards reflects the capability of our students in competing academically with seniors across the country.”

Thanks to the diligent work of our high school counselors and the Carolina Advising Corp Advisors, this total is up 44% from last year’s sum of $12 million. “Their combined efforts have greatly enhanced our ability to help our students find their way and fund college.”

The Home Savings Bank Cup is awarded annually to the high school in Rockingham County whose athletic teams have the highest Grade Point Average.  This is the seventeenth year the Cup has been awarded.  This is the thirteenth year Morehead High School has won the Home Savings Bank Cup and Reidsville High School has won the award four times. This year Morehead’s GPA was 3.19 followed by Rockingham County with a 3.08, then McMichael with a 3.04 and Reidsville with a 2.97.

Rockingham County School’s Scholar/Athlete Awards Program also recognizes athletes who excel in the classroom.  The Athlete Award is in recognition of the highest achievement of a student-athlete on each varsity team in the four high schools.  The first semester winners were announced previously.  The second semester winners are:

WOMEN’S SOCCER

  McMichael       Savannah Brown

  Morehead        Tori Huffman

  Reidsville      Emily Imus

  Rockingham      Marie Clunan

BASEBALL

  McMichael       Ben Etringer

  Morehead        Tanner Trantham

  Reidsville      Isaac Jones

  Rockingham      Aaron Johnson

GOLF

  McMichael       Joseph Nelson

  Morehead        Dylan Morgan

  Reidsville      Alec Cobb

Rockingham      Caleb Keck

SOFTBALL

  McMichael       Lindsey Brim

  Morehead        Raven Hazelwood

  Reidsville      Lashawn Hart

  Rockingham      Grace Overby

MEN’S TENNIS

  McMichael       Jeremy Stevens

  Morehead        Tillman Yeatts

  Reidsville      Blake Covington

  Rockingham      Franklin Beeninga

WOMEN’S TRACK

  McMichael       Kristen Baucom

  Morehead        Elaina Philpott

  Reidsville      Rachael Chestnut

  Rockingham      Whitney Barker

MEN’S TRACK

  McMichael       Aaron Nelson

  Morehead        Lucas Flint

  Reidsville      Andrew Aliseo

  Rockingham      Bradford Cutler

The Scholar/Athlete Awards Program has also awarded certificates to athletes having a 3.5 Grade Point Average or higher and has awarded certificates to athletes who make the honor roll during a sports season.

The Awards Program presents the Team Academic Award that recognizes the team in each of the varsity sports with the highest Grade Point Average (GPA).  The fall and winter award winners were previously awarded and the teams listed below have won the Team Academic Award for the spring sports season:     BASEBALL – Reidsville High School GOLF – Morehead High School WOMEN’S SOCCER – McMichael High School SOFTBALL – Morehead High School MEN’S TRACK – Reidsville High School WOMEN’S TRACK – Rockingham County High School MEN’S TENNIS – Morehead High School 

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Press release from the Rockingham County School System: http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/rockingham/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=296264

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The Literacy Project is a non-profit charitable and educational corporation that provides basic reading, writing, language, and math skills instruction to the citizens of Rockingham County who are in need of these basic skills. About 20-30% of Rockingham County adults have only basic reading skills, preventing them from reaching their personal and employment goals. Adults work with volunteer tutors for 2-3 hours per week, with materials provided free of charge by the Literacy Project.

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Juan Austin, Community Affairs Manager for North Carolina (except Greater Charlotte) and South Carolina, The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, states, “Our mission at The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation is to build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life, and make a positive difference. Your organization is vital in accomplishing these goals and many others. We are proud to support your organization’s commitment to the community.”

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For more information about the Rockingham County Literacy Project, contact Jean Light Kinyon, Executive Director, at 336-627-0007, or visit www.rcliteracyproject.org .