Insider September 11, 2014

BCS Insider
September 2014
September 11, 2014
A Little
Extra ...
Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr.
Discovery Academy
Dedication
Join us on Sunday, September 21, as we will be
hosting a dedication
ceremony in the naming
of our Discovery Academy for the late Senator
Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr.
from 2:00 to 4:00.
Newsletter Date
BCS Announces District Teachers of the Year
Six District Teachers of
the Year for 2015 were
announced at the September 4 Board Meeting by
Associate Superintendent
Susanne Swanger.
Ben Alexander of Enka
High, Anna Austin of Erwin High, Laura Norris of
North Buncombe Middle,
Nicole Phelps of Owen
Middle, Will Henry of
Fairview Elementary, and
Aleisa Baker of Roberson
High, were all introduced
in front of the audience
and other Teachers of the
Year at the meeting.
“We must never forget
that it is the classroom teacher who is the most impactful
resource we have for our students. These outstanding
teachers represent some of the finest teachers not just here
in Buncombe County but in the entire state,” Swanger
said.
Continued on page 4...
Schools Showing Heart (and Gasps) in ALS Ice Bucket Challenges
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is created and
distributed by the BCS
Communications Department.
Schools all over Buncombe County have participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to help raise
money for ALS, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. To date, over $100 million has been raised. Check out our Facebook page for more pictures of the challenge.
E-mail us
[email protected]
Connect with us on the web
Twitter: @BuncombeSchools
Facebook.com/
BuncombeCountySchools
Website:
buncombe.k12.nc.us/communications
T.C. Roberson High
Avery’s Creek Elementary
Page 2
From the
Superintendent
BCS Vision Statement:
Buncombe County Schools’
students will reach their full
potential and become successful, responsible citizens in a
diverse, global society.
As the new school year gets
Dr. Tony Baldwin,
up to full speed, I have been
Superintendent of
incredibly encouraged by the
Buncombe County
efforts of all our administraSchools
tors, teachers and support
staff in facilitating such a smooth start I have been so
pleased with the highly positive attitudes I have found
within the school buildings throughout my campus
visits across the county.
This is incredibly invigorating for me, and I know if
I’m feeling this energy and optimism in our schoolsso are our students and parents!
In this column, I am going to spotlight a few other
wonderful things going on in our district. These will
include amazingly safe transportation, welcomed
funding for strategic student service needs, several
exceptional teachers who make immeasurable contributions daily, and encouraging student achievement
results.
Did you know we have 291 school buses on the road
transporting about 17,000 students over 17,000 miles
every day? The state conducts a comprehensive inspection annually, and I am pleased to let you know
that our school system's Department of Transportation
received the 5th highest rating among all North Carolina school systems. My congratulations and appreciation to Transportation Director Joe Hough and his
committed staff!
Very soon you will learn more about our recent award
of a $1.2-million grant over three years from the US
Department of Education entitled: Schools with Class
- Counselors Leading Advanced School Safety. A key
component of this grant will be an online bullying
BCS Insider
reporting and documentation program for elementary
schools as well as extensive staff training in trauma
response best practices. Director David Thompson
and Grant Writer Susan Andrew are to be commended
for their efforts to secure this important funding.
Speaking of successes, last week at the Board meeting
we recognized our 42 Teachers of the Year for 2015
and announced the six district finalists for the Buncombe County Teacher of the Year. A complete listing of the TOY for 2015 are located on page 3 of this
newsletter.
I believe Associate Superintendent Susanne Swanger
put it best when she said, “These outstanding teachers
represent some of the finest teachers not just here in
Buncombe County but in the entire state.” We will
honor all TOY and announce the BCS TOY at our
annual banquet on September 16 at the Crowne Plaza® Asheville. Congratulations to each of these remarkable educators!
The State Board of Education released the READY
Accountability Reports last week. A few of the overall results include: 76-percent of the total state performance targets were met by our schools; 14 of our
schools met 100% of their individual targets; 20 of 39
BCS Met or Exceeded their projected growth in performance. Most importantly, as we completed the second year of accelerated standards- 70% of our school
exceeded the state’s average grade level proficiency.
In closing, I thank you for everything you do to help
our district succeed in preparing our students to be
responsible citizens.
With a beautiful fall approaching, together, our journey continues.
September 11, 2014
Page 3
Congratulations to Our Teachers of the Year for 2015!
ENKA DISTRICT
Enka High
Enka Middle
Candler Elementary
Hominy Valley Elementary
Pisgah Elementary
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary
OWEN DISTRICT
Ben Alexander
Chelsea Paige
Ryan Hennessee
Amanda Hollifield
Leslie Cox
Jennifer Anderson
ERWIN DISTRICT
Erwin High
Erwin Middle
Eblen Intermediate
Emma Elementary
Johnston Elementary
Leicester Elementary
W. Buncombe Elementary
Woodfin Elementary
Early College
Karen Jones
Nicole Phelps
Jessica Marshall
Deborah Kubiak
Jeannette Hampton
Summer Kirkpatrick
REYNOLDS DISTRICT
Anna Austin
Jeff Baggett
Jason Miller
Toni Lane-Fulp
Christy Pace
Lora Jason
Brittany Hensley
Amy Clouse
Julie Maimes
NORTH BUNCOMBE DISTRICT
North Buncombe High
North Buncombe Middle
North Windy Ridge
Barnardsville Elementary
North Buncombe Elementary
Weaverville Elementary
Weaverville Primary
Owen High
Owen Middle
Black Mountain Elementary
Black Mountain Primary
Williams Elementary
Community High School
Gary Massey
Laura Norris
Heather Neal
Kate Trefzger
Kelly Zumwalt
Jeremy Aten
Mark Ussery
Reynolds High
Reynolds Middle
Cane Creek Middle
Bell Elementary
Fairview Elementary
Haw Creek Elementary
Oakley Elementary
Wendy Wheeler
Andrea Britt
Muriel Singer
Lisa Lyles
Will Henry
Jonathan Hintz
Sandra Langefeld
ROBERSON DISTRICT
Roberson High
Valley Springs Middle
Koontz Intermediate
Avery's Creek Elementary
Estes Elementary
Glen Arden Elementary
PEP
Aleisa Baker
Mike Reardon
Tom House
Christy Lusk
Paula Dinga
Laura Swangim
Katy Haughney
HELP DESK
(828) 255-5987 or [email protected]
Need help logging into your computer or website? Help is on the way!
The hours of the Help Desk are from 7:30am - 3:30pm, and they can be reached two different ways.
Call 255-5987, or email them any time at [email protected]. Every effort will be made to respond on
demand, but please understand that initial volume may delay response times.
Page 4
BCS Insider
Six District Winners Named
passionate
about
educating our students every day.
We are honored to
have them as a part
of the Buncombe
County
Schools’
family.”
“Without question,
each of these
exceptional teachers
are committed,
skilled and
passionate…”
-Susanne Swanger,
Associate
Superintendent
(…continued from page 1)
“While I congratulate the
district winners, I also
commend all of our educators who were selected
as their school’s Teacher
of the Year. Without
question, each of these
exceptional teachers are
committed, skilled, and
The district winners are selected
from all of the
school Teachers of the
Year in each of the six
districts. The six district
winners are competing for
recognition as the 2015
Buncombe County Teacher of the Year, which will
be announced at the
Teacher of the Year Banquet at the Crowne Plaza® Asheville on September 16.
The selection process for
the Buncombe County
Teacher of the Year includes a portfolio, interviews, classroom observations, and a prepared
speech presentation.
TOY pictures from the
meeting are located on
our Facebook page.
Microsoft Office Home User Program Now Available
Buncombe County Schools' (BCS) employees are now eligible to take advantage of
Microsoft's Software Assurance Home Use Program (HUP). This program enables
you to get a licensed copy of most Microsoft® Office desktop PC/Mac applications to
install and use on your home computer for $9.95.
Under the Home Use Program, employees who are users of qualifying applications at work (e.g. Office
Pro Plus 2013) may acquire a licensed copy of the corresponding Home Use Program software (e.g. Office Pro Plus 2013) to install and use on a home computer for $9.95. You may continue using
HUP software while you are under employment of BCS and as long as the corresponding software you
use at work has active Software Assurance coverage.
To access the Microsoft Home Use Program web site and our special access code, sign in to the BCS Employee Website at http://www.buncombe.k12.nc.us/Page/21176, click on "Microsoft Home Use Program
(HUP)" (right menu) and follow the directions.
Did you know…
BCS has 291 buses that travel 17,000 miles per day!
Buncombe County Schools’ graduation rate increased from 80% to 83%!
September 11, 2014
Page 5
PEP to Hold 20-Year Reunion
PEP is celebrating its
20th anniversary by hosting a reunion and fundraiser at TC Roberson
PEP on Saturday, September 20th from 1:00 to
4:00. Since its inception,
PEP has graduated more
than 150 of our very special students.
citing event. If you know
of anyone associated with
PEP that we may have
been unable to contact,
please inform them of this
special occasion.
We hope to see as many
current and former PEP
students, families, and
staff to celebrate this ex-
PEP 20 Year Reunion
More
information
available on the
is
PEP Website, or the
Facebook Page.
A student from the Progressive Education
Program hugs some friends after the PEP
graduation ceremony last June.
Enka Middle Literacy Team Supports ELA Teachers
The Enka Middle Literacy Team collected
530 books at the end of last school year
through student, staff, and community donations during the first annual Enka Middle
Book Drive. On Monday, ELA teachers were
able to enjoy snacks, learn about library resources, and select 60 books for their classroom.
“Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”
- Groucho Marx
Inside Story Headline
Join us for the 9th annual WNC Run/Walk for Autism at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 13, at UNC-Asheville! Proceeds from the WNC Run/Walk for Autism will fund local programs of the Autism Society of North Carolina
(ASNC). In our community, ASNC provides residential, recreational, vocational, and community-based services that
make it possible for individuals with autism to lead fulfilling lives. Everyone knows someone affected by autism – maybe your brother, cousin, friend at school, neighbor, or co-worker. Join others on September 13 to make a difference in
the life of someone you care about with ASD. Register at www.wncrunwalkforautism.com.
Page 6
September 11, 2014
Business Tagline or Motto
Good News!
Awards and Accolades
Report Criminal
Offenses
This is a reminder, that
as a Buncombe County
Schools
employee,
you are
under
obligation to
report any
offenses, in
writing, no
later than
the next scheduled
business day following
the incident.
Please refer
to www.buncombe.k12.nc.u
s/Page/54
(Policy Number: 7300 –
Staff Responsibilities) for
complete details.
Pictured above left to right: Meg Turner
Owen High Principal, High School Math
Coach Karen McPherson, Math Teacher
Kim Clark and District Math Specialist
Margaret Small.
Congratulations to Kim Clark for receiving
the Outstanding Secondary Math Teacher
Award at the September Board meeting.
Congratulations to Steven Chandler,
Principal of Candler Elementary for being named 2015 BCS Principal of the
Year. Chandler is pictured with Board
Chairman Bob Rhinehart and Superintendent Tony Baldwin.
BCS Receives $1.2 Million Grant
This month, Buncombe County Schools' Student Services Program was awarded a U.S. Department of Education grant, totaling $1.19 million over three years. The grant, awarded
through DoED's Office of Safe and Healthy Students, is an honor because only about 40
grants were awarded nationwide this year--less than one per state.
The project, entitled "Schools with CLASS: Counselor Leaders Advancing School Safety,"
aims to support the objectives of our Safe Schools Task Force. Specifically, the project will
provide:
Additional certified elementary counse-  Staff training in trauma-focused strategies to address students most at risk
lors, providing one full-time counselor at
each school--moving BCS closer to the
 Explicit support for military families,
national (ASCA) standard of one counseand related academic impacts
lor for every 250 students
 A digital accountability system to im A research-based counseling curriculum
prove our capacity to monitor safe schools
that includes anti-bullying and sociothrough the tracking of individual student
emotional learning strategies to advance a
interventions and outcomes
climate of school safety

Project outcomes will include:
1) improved student access to counselors;
2) reduced office referrals for discipline;
and 3) better outcomes for students-because crucial information is available
to properly-trained staff in a timely fashion, streamlining referrals to mental
health providers, and getting kids the help
they need to achieve in school.
Page 7
BCS Insider

Download Report