DONORSCHOOSE BENEFITS STUDENTS, TEACHERS IN NRMPS

Three hundred and fifty funded grants, Sixty-seven motivated teachers, and Twenty-two schools. Thousands of students in the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools district have benefited from materials and opportunities from grants funded through Donorschoose.org.
Donorschoose.org is an on-line charity founded by a public school teacher to support public school students. Public school teachers can write grant proposals and submit them to the website. Once posted, citizens choose which grant(s) that they want to support, and then make donations to fund the grant(s). By combining the efforts of many people through the website, teachers have a better chance of receiving the materials they need for special projects. 
In Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, twenty-two schools have received funding. Teachers have requested a wide variety of items for all grade levels, subjects and activities; Books, field trip expenses, computers, iPads, art supplies, musical instruments, lab equipment, classroom furniture, athletic equipment, printers, and cameras are examples of materials that teachers have obtained through the Donorschoose grants.
Joan Vick, music teacher at Baskerville Elementary and OR Pope Elementary had her first grant funded this fall.
“Because of the Donorschoose program, three Tubano drums have been purchased for the students at Baskerville and Pope,” said Vick. “Two of them were funded by the grant and one was a gift from a friend that wanted to purchase one after being made aware of the need. There is a new level of enthusiasm in my music classes and the students are really enjoying learning to play the drum. Students are now saying things like "Are we playing the drums today?" when they come to music class. When I answer with "Yes!" they give me a hug. I would encourage teachers to write grants for items they may need in their classrooms.” 
All grants have a structured process of completion, accountability and documentation. Teachers never handle the funding; all materials and services are purchased and delivered directly to the classroom by Donorschoose. Teachers must document how they used the materials with their students by posting pictures to the Donorschoose website. Students and teachers write Thank You notes to the donors in a specified time frame. Donors get feedback in a visual and written format about how their donations contributed to student learning.
Rocky Mount High School has nine teachers who have received over a hundred funded grants and Winstead Avenue Elementary has thirteen teachers actively writing grants, leading the way in Nash County.
Lindsey Murray, teacher at Winstead Elementary School is also supportive of the Donorschoose program. “I love Donorschoose and I think it's amazing, said Murray. She used her grant funds to purchase books for a special reading area in her classroom. Grants have been funded for Bailey Elementary, Hubbard Elementary, Cedar Grove Elementary, Red Oak Elementary, Middlesex Elementary, O R Pope Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Benvenue Elementary, Tar River Academy, Spring Hope Elementary, Williford Elementary, Coopers Elementary, Baskerville Elementary, Nashville Elementary, Parker Middle School, Nash Central Middle School, Edwards Middle School, Southern Nash Middle School, Nash Central High School and Northern Nash High School.
Paisley Cloyd, art teacher at Rocky Mount High said Donorchoose has played a major role in several experiences for her students over the past several years.
“The success opportunities provided by Donorschoose grants have enhanced my classroom possibilities for ten years,” said Cloyd. “My latest grant will take our Art Club to the Museum of Art in Raleigh again this year. My Donorschoose homepage documents that my grants have reached over six thousand students.”
Parents and community members are encouraged to the visit Donorchoose website at www.donorschoose.org to learn more about how they can support classroom projects in NRMPS.

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NRMPS BOASTS THREE MOREHEAD-CAIN SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS

Isabel Marrero

Sam Lilly

Three students from NRMPS have been selected as finalists for the Morehead-Cain Scholarship.  Samuel Lilley, a senior at Rocky Mount High School and two seniors from Northern Nash High, Isabel Marrero and Faith Jarvis have advanced to the next round and will interview in January.  Congratulations to all!

Faith Jarvis

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PRE-K PARENT AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION SEESIONS

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools is gearing up to host a series of Parent and Community Information Sessions on the school district’s Pre-Kindergarten Application Process for the 2014-15 school year.
The Pre-Kindergarten information sessions are scheduled for January 6 at the Rock Springs Free Will Baptist Church located at the intersection of Old Highway 264 and Camp Charles Rd. in Bailey; and January 7 at the Nash County Agricultural Center, located at 1006 Eastern Ave. in Nashville.
“It is important for parents who are interested in the Pre-K program to attend the information sessions so they may understand all the components required for their child to be considered for placement,” said Bethany Mayo, Early Childhood Educational Specialist.
During the meetings, Pre-Kindergarten staff will discuss important topics including step-by-step instructions on how to apply for Pre-Kindergarten, the eligibility process and Pre-Kindergarten requirements.
Parents and community members will also have the opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session. Light refreshments will be provided at each of the meetings.
For more information on the NRMPS Pre-Kindergarten program, parents are encouraged to visit the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools website, www.nrms.k12.nc.us, and click on ‘2014-2015 Pre-K Application Process’ on the announcements area of the district homepage.

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RMMS TAKES HOME 1ST QUIZ BOWL SEMI-FINAL WIN!

Approximately 100 NRMPS middle school students filled the Booker T Theatre on December 10 to compete in the district's Semi-Final Quiz Bowl competition. After 15 rounds and more than 500 questions, the results were tabulated. Congratulations to Rocky Mount Middle School who finished with 5 wins and 410 points! RMMS is coached by Angel Pope. Following right behind RMMS with 4 wins and a total of 400 points was Nash Central Middle, coached by Stephen Tobie. Three wins and 315 points was earned by third place Red Oak Middle coached by John Pietryk and Crystal Waters. Congratulations to all of the students and their coaches who competed in the event! We look forward to the final competition in March!

Contributed by Laura Parrot

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NRMPS SEEKS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK VIA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SURVEY

December 11 marked the launch of the latest outreach by Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools to the local community through the district’s Capital Improvement Plan survey. This brief survey seeks parent and community views on how NRMPS can maintain safe 21st century learning environments for all students. 
Administered by technology and communications firm K12 Insight, the Capital Improvement Plan survey is one of many collaborative efforts to assess school facilities. Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools recently completed a long-range facilities needs assessment to outline the major needs of each school facility across the district. In addition to the needs assessment, the school district hosted a preliminary group of parent meetings, toured sites and shared information with county commissioners about improvement opportunities. Engaging the broader community in the Nash-Rocky Mount region will help determine next steps.
“Our needs assessment identified several facility and mechanical needs, which we examined closely as we developed this 10-year Capital Improvement Plan,” said Dr. Anthony Jackson, NRMPS Superintendent. “The CIP lists each potential improvement project, and establishes an order of priorities, based on the level of need. Just as with student reassignment, community input will be essential as our school board seeks to make informed decisions.”
Parents and residents with email addresses on file will receive invitations to participate in the survey. It will also be accessible via the Your Voice Counts link on the district website homepage (http://www.nrms.k12.nc.us). All responses are anonymous and confidential. Paper copies are also available upon request. 
Following the survey closing on December 31, the district will engage the community by sharing results.
“A healthy infrastructure is the foundation for student success,” said Jackson. “By engaging in ongoing, two-way dialogue, we can begin to examine how significant improvements will help prepare NRMPS and all our students for a bright and prosperous future.”
For more information on the NRMPS Capital Improvement Survey, parents and community members are encouraged to visit the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Your Voice Counts page at  www.nrms.k12.nc.us/your-voice, and take the survey.

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READ TO ACHIEVE PARENT MEETINGS - THIRD GRADE PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools will host a series of four parent meetings for parents of third grade students regarding the potential impact of the Read to Achieve legislation on student promotion and retention.
The meetings are scheduled for December 2 at Nashville Elementary, December 3 at Bailey Elementary, December 10 at Benvenue Elementary and December 12 at OR Pope Elementary. Parents of students in kindergarten, first and second grades are also invited to attend the meetings.
“Read to Achieve is part of the Excellent Public Schools Act, which became law in 2012 and took effect this school year,” said Melissa-Dancy Smith, Executive Director of Elementary Instruction. “We want all parents to be informed of how this impacts promotion and retention for third grade students.”
The goal of the legislation is to ensure that every student reads at or above grade level by the end of third grade. If a student is not performing on grade level, he or she can enroll in a Summer Reading Academy that will be offered by the school district. Parents have the option to decline enrolling the student in the Summer Academy, but students who do not attend will be retained in a third grade classroom next school year.
Each of the parent meetings will be hosted in a town hall format. A moderator will pose questions to a group of panelists including school administrators, instructional coaches, directors and other staff. Parents will also have the opportunity to ask additional questions, as needed.
For more information on Read to Achieve, parents are encouraged to visit the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools website, www.nrms.k12.nc.us, and click ‘Read to Achieve’ on the district homepage.

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PARENTS TURN OUT FOR NATIONAL PARENT INVOLVEMENT DAY

Information and appreciation, that is National Parent Involvement Day in NRMPS. From a college and CTE information session with high school parents at Rocky Mount High School to a special lunch with parents and students at Englewood Elementary, parents were the focus in the district November 21, 2013.

"Parents are the primary educators.  It is in the home where children start learning.  We can't do the work we do without parents," said Leondus Farrow, Principal of Rocky Mount High School.  Parents at RMHS were treated to a light buffet reception followed by informative talks from Tim Tucker and Bebe Wall of Nash Community College.
"We know the connection between parent involvement and student achievement.

Having them here for lunch just seemed like a natural fit for us," said Englewood Elementary School Principal, Crystal Whitley. Englewood Elementary tied their annual Thanksgiving lunch in with their parent's day festivities.  Parents had the option of buying lunch in the cafeteria, or bringing in a special lunch from home.  Whitley added, "We wanted to create a culture where they [parents] feel welcome and involved and know that they are a crucial part of their child's education."

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MANY ATTEND CTE SHOWCASE AND STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS ADDRESS

October 22 was a big night for students, staff and parents, as Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools held its annual Career and Technical Education Showcase event at the Nash Community College Brown Auditorium, in conjunction with the ‘State of Our Schools’ Address, given by Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent. 
Students in grades 6-12 and their families had the opportunity to see all of the Career and Technical Education opportunities offered in the school district, and how those opportunities translate into programs offered by Nash Community College. In addition, families heard Dr. Jackson speak about the accomplishments, challenges and goals of the school system, and saw exemplars from each of district’s six strategic priorities as presented by Central Office staff. 
“This event was designed to share important information about our schools with the community,” said Jackson. “We wanted to give our families and community supporters an opportunity to hear and discuss our successes, our challenges, and our goals to improve.”
Dr. Jackson’s full ‘State of Our Schools’ presentation and a video of the event is posted on the school district’s website for those who were unable to attend. 
Following the presentation, school administrators, educators, students, parents, staff, community members, elected officials and business leaders were among those who participated in the annual CTE Showcase event, which draws roughly 1000 participants each year.
Nearly 100 tables and demonstrations representing Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools’ classes, Nash Community College programs of study gave attendees a preview of what they can expect in CTE class and program offerings. Representatives from several local businesses and industries were also on hand to share information with students and parents about their organizations and reinforce the importance of a skilled and educated workforce.
Pam Lewis, Director of Career and Technical Education, (CTE) said she was pleased with the number of parents and students who attended the event.
“We were very pleased with level of participation and the energy of parents and students,” said Lewis. “Parents were very interested and many asked questions regarding how our programs can meet student's needs.”
Culinary students and staff from Nash Central High School provided refreshments for special guests attending the event. Donna Cady, CTE Coordinator for Nash Central High School, said teachers go the extra mile to make the event successful.
“The CTE Showcase was a collaborative effort between staff from NRMPS and NCC.” Cady said. “The teachers went above and beyond to ‘showcase’ all that CTE has to offer our students. It was a night full of fun and excitement for everyone that participated.”

The CTE program touches nearly 10,000 students in a total of eight program areas. NRMPS offers eight CTE Academies, in addition to a host of other CTE course offerings. The newest two academies, Industrial and Advanced Manufacturing and the Fire Training Academy started at the beginning of this school year. The Industrial and Advanced Manufacturing Academy represents a unique partnership between Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, Nash Community College and the Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant, via the Career and College Promise Initiative. Students take courses through Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools and Nash Community College, and then have the opportunity to continue their education at East Carolina University. Scholarships and potential job prospects are additional benefits of the IAM Academy.
For more information about Career and Technical Education, students can contact the CTE Coordinator assigned to their school or Pam Lewis, CTE Director, 252-462-2536.

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NEW ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS - SEVEN SCHOOLS MAKE GROWTH

2012-13 Test scores for Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools and other school districts across the state were approved by the State Board of Education November 7. Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools had 32.5 percent of students make proficiency on the assessments administered last year, tests that were modified in all subject areas to match the higher levels of rigor in the Common Core and NC Essential Standards Curriculum. Seven of the district’s schools met growth and one exceeded expected growth under the new accountability standards.
Bailey Elementary, Baskerville Elementary, Englewood Elementary, Middlesex Elementary, OR Pope Elementary, Red Oak Middle, and Williford Elementary all met expected growth. Williford Elementary exceeded expected growth. 
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson said he was pleased to see the number of schools that made growth, despite the tougher standards.
“We continue to emphasize the importance of our growth data, during this critical transition year for our students and educators,” said Jackson. “Historical data clearly shows that when assessments are changed, proficiency scores dip as students and teachers adjust to the higher levels of rigor. Growth data, however, shows that our schools and students are moving forward. This year’s scores provide baseline data for us to improve upon as we continue to implement the new Common Core and NC Essential Standards in our classrooms. It is clear that we have much work to do. We embrace the new levels rigor and higher accountability expectations. I am confident that with the structures we have already put in place to support our students and teachers that our performance will improve as we continue this journey.”
The school district met several of its Annual Measurable Objective targets, under the state and federal accountability models. For reading in grades 3-8, 77.3 percent of state targets were met; in math for grades 3-8, 63.6 percent of state targets were met. At the high school level, 62.5 percent of the state targets were met in grade 10 for reading, and 87.5 percent of state targets were met in math.
At the federal level, NRMPS met 75 percent of the targets for grades 3-8 reading, and 60.0 percent of the targets in grades 3-8 math. For high schools, NRMPS met 57.1 percent of federal targets in reading, and 85.7 percent of federal targets in math.
NRMPS met 100 percent of the state and federal targets for attendance and cohort graduation rate, which this year was at an all-time high of 79.4 percent.

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A WELCOME BACK FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

Click on the video to view a message from Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. 

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A NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS

Classrooms all across the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools district buzzed with excitement, as students returned August 26.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson visited several schools on the first day, and said he was pleased overall with the first day of school, especially given the many new initiatives that impacted this year’s opening. "I must thank our parents and family members for the role they played in making our opening of school a successful one." Jackson said. "We have a number of new initiatives that we are in the process of implementing: PowerSchool, our new school security access control, and the reassignment of over 2000 students. Our families continue to be patient as we work through these processes and we appreciate their support." 
Jackson also expressed his appreciation for school staff members who went above and beyond to make sure students were able to jump right into learning. “While we experienced the normal 'first day' transitions, our administrators, educators and other staff took deliberate care to ensure that we were ready to start the year off with excellence.” Jackson said. “Our students arrived eager to start a great year, and our staff members welcomed them with enthusiasm and compassion. Our theme for the year is 'No Limits...Possibilities 2.0,' and the learning I saw as I visited classrooms throughout the first day was only a glimpse of great things to come." 
Some students and parents experienced bus delays during morning and afternoon routes, but all students arrived to and from their destinations safely. Over 10,000 students were transported on 153 buses, with a high percentage of the buses providing routes for more than one school.
Transportation director Binford Sloan said bus drivers and other staff at the schools took great care to ensure that all students were on the correct bus, and dropped off at the correct bus stop during the afternoon routes. “We had some bus delays, but the transportation team and school staff worked together to address them.” Sloan said. “It will take a few days for our bus routes to be complete, but they are being constantly monitored and changed as new students are enrolled or existing students are registering for bus service.”
Parents can go to www.nrms.k12.nc.us, where they can access the school system’s online transportation portal.

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THE EXCITEMENT BEGINS...STUDENTS RETURN

After a summer away, the students of NRMPS came back to school on August 26th. Click on the video below to get a quick view of what the first day of school was like for students from elementary to high school. At NRMPS the first day of school is the first day of new learning.

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STUDENT ENJOYS SPECIAL FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BUS RIDE

When Winstead Avenue Elementary kindergarten student Bria Hines prepared to board bus 144 for the first time Monday, she was excited to see a special guest come off the bus to greet her. “Good Morning!” was the chorus of words she heard, spoken by none other than Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. As Jackson talked with her and other students about the new school year, Hines shared that she was excited to go to school. "I’m going to learn to read this year!” she said.  Hines’ mother, Pamela Ward, was equally enthused about the special bus visit from the Superintendent. After helping Bria get on the bus with Dr. Jackson and the other students, she and Bria’s grandmother, Janie, drove to the school to also walk Bria to her classroom.

"Entering kindergarten is a very important and memorable moment in a parent and child's life,” said Ward. “Along with shedding a few tears, I am very excited and happy that Bria will continue to learn and grow at Winstead Avenue Elementary School."

The first day bus ride is a tradition for Dr. Jackson, a perfect way to celebrate the opening of school and the efforts of the NRMPS transportation department to safely transport students to and from school. Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools operates 153 buses every day, serving over 10,000 students each morning and afternoon of the school year.

Tracy Cooper, who drives bus 144, provided Jackson with an overview of her morning and afternoon bus routes, which serve Rocky Mount High School, Winstead Avenue Elementary and Englewood Elementary. Cooper has served as a bus driver for nearly 17 years. “My day starts at 4:30 in the morning,” said Cooper.  Jackson says he appreciates all of the time spent by the transportation staff to prepare safe and efficient routes for students. “I am so proud of our transportation department, all of our bus drivers, technicians and other staff who work tirelessly to ensure that our students arrive safely to school,” said Jackson. “These men and women make an intentional, daily commitment to the education of students in this school system, and we cannot thank them enough for the service they provide.”

NRMPS Transportation Director Binford Sloan says the bus drivers and transportation staff recognize the magnitude of maintaining safe bus routes every day. “For each student that rides a school bus, his or her learning day starts and ends with that ride, every day,” Sloan said. “We view ourselves as a child-centered department, with a major role in the cycle of learning.”

Parents are encouraged to access bus routing information online, by visiting the Nash-Rocky Mount Public schools website: www.nrms.k12.nc.us. The Transportation department can also be reached by phone at 252.462.2481 or 252.462.2482

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TWO NRMPS SCHOOL RECOGNIZED AS TITLE 1 REWARD SCHOOLS

Two Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools are among only 174 schools in the state that were recently named Title I Reward Schools by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Cedar Grove Elementary School and Nashville Elementary School were recognized on September 9 by the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education.
A Reward School is a Title I school that, based on the most recent data available, has been identified as being among the highest 10 percent of all Title I schools in one of two categories:

      • Highest-performing school: The school has the highest absolute performance over a number of years for all subgroups, including the all students group, on statewide assessments; or 
     • High-progress school: The school has made the most progress in improving the performance of the all students group over a number of years on the statewide assessments. 

Both Cedar Grove Elementary and Nashville Elementary were recognized with the designation of highest-performing schools. Cedar Grove Principal Brad Jones and teacher Brenda Tuten accepted the award on the school’s behalf. Nashville Elementary Principal Sharon Huneycutt and teacher Angela Joyner accepted the award on behalf of their school.
Assessment data from the 2011-12 school year and the two previous years was used to determine which Title I schools were among the top 10 percent. 
“It is truly rewarding to build upon Cedar Grove’s foundation of high student achievement and motivates the entire learning community to embrace our theme to ‘BELIEVE in The Grove!’ this year and beyond," said Jones.
“I feel proud to serve as principal for a staff that has worked so hard to ensure academic achievement for all students.” said Honeycutt. “As we move forward, we will continue to focus on driving instruction through rigorous and relevant classroom activities.”
All Reward Schools are invited to submit portfolios that identify the best practices that contributed to the school's success. Members of the Title I Distinguished Schools Advisory Council will review the portfolios and, along with on-site visits, determine one school for each category to represent North Carolina in the national Title I Distinguished Schools Program.

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NRMPS 'ROLLS ON' WITH iCONNECT ROLL-OUT - DEVICES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

More and more Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools students are receiving their devices and NRMPS officials are now optimistic that the distribution may be completed earlier than originally expected. Fifteen schools are completed as of this writing. 
 “We continue to be pleased with the iConnect deployment for the schools that are completed,” said Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. “Our Technology department, administrators and school staff have worked together to ensure that everyone receives their device in an efficient manner. We are taking great care to make this transition seamless, and we are excited to report that we have now moved ahead of our schedule.”
Baskerville Elementary, Coopers Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Spring Hope Elementary, Edwards Middle, Nash Central Middle, Red Oak Middle, Rocky Mount Middle, Nash Central High, Northern Nash High, Southern Nash High, Rocky Mount High and Nash Rocky Mount Early College High are among the schools that are finished with the deployment as of the end of the day September 18.
“As we complete more schools, we are able to streamline our processes,” said Jane Finch, Chief Technology Officer. “Issuing this number of devices was completely new for us this year, but we gain more experience with each deployment. At this point, we are much more efficient and comfortable with our routine.”
The deployment process for each school is now averaging less than a day, depending on the number of students at the school. Principals at each school have received a copy of the tentative schedule, which is adjusted daily, as needed, since some deployments may take shorter or longer than others.
Parents, students and educators are asked to remain patient as the technology and instructional teams work through the process to ensure every student receives his or her device in a timely, but precise manner.

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NRMPS STUDENTS RECEIVE GOLDEN LEAF SCHOLARSHIP

Seven NRMPS students recently received the Golden LEAF Foundation Scholarship.  The $3,000 scholarship was awarded for up to four years of study at a participating North Carolina public university or private non-profit college or university. Selection criteria included review of school and community service activities, goals and expressed intent to contribute to rural communities upon graduation from college.
The following students received the scholarship:
Lillie Culpepper - NCHS
Makayla Butler - NRMS ECHS
Emily Drake - RMHS
Jeremy Johnson - RMHS
Ashley Silber - RMHS
Selena McKoy - SNHS>
Virginia Melton - SNHS

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TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS TALK ABOUT THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Students aren't the only ones who look with anticipation on the first day of school. Teachers and principals alike are excited to get back into the classrooms.
Amy Quigley, a teacher at Englewood Elementary school said, "The first day of school is always so exciting!! I love getting back in the classroom, laying the foundation for the relationships I will build with my students, and facilitating rigorous and relevant instruction! The possibilities for this school year are endless thanks to NRMS providing our students with one to one technology! I look forward to having technology at our finger tips and opening my students' realizations of new and broader horizons in learning." Quigley's thoughts are echoed by many in NRMPS.
Shelia Wallace, Principal at Hubbard Elementary, spoke to overcoming challenges and the school system's iConnect digital learning intiative, "As Hubbard's staff embark on a new school year we are committed to the district's motto, 'No limits...possibilities 2.0'. In lieu of the budgetary reductions, our staff is dedicated to our school's vision and ensuring that ALL of our students will receive a rigorous and relevant education. The opening day for the staff began with team building activities aligned to the strategic plans for NRMS. I am most excited about the technology initiatives and the endless opportunities it will provide for our 21st Century learners. Hubbard Hornets are prepared to accept the unforeseen challenges that this year may bring as an undivided force. WE=POWER!!!"
For the teachers and principals of NRMPS no challenge is to great and this will be the best year yet!

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ICONNECT PARENT/STUDENT MEETINGS A SUCCESS

Students and parents from across the school district gathered at schools in August to learn just what they can expect when they receive iPads or MacBook Air laptops in September. The iConnect orientations were held across the district to prepare students and parents for the transition.
“We have been very pleased to see the number of parents and students attending the iConnect sessions,” said Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of Schools. “The excitement is building, and we want to ensure that our students and parents are ready for this new learning environment.”
Sessions were offered for every school participating in the iConnect digital learning initiative, which serves students in grades 4-12. Each session lasted about an hour and was designed to address any concerns students and parents had regarding digital learning, digital citizenship, device care, security, and instructional resources.

Tanisha Clanton, a mother of three with students at Edwards Middle, Williford Elementary, and Nash Central High expressed her enthusiasm for instructional technology. "[I’m] excited because my children can get their hands on technology and can access it at home to look up information for reports and other things," said Clanton.
NRMPS has been preparing for the iConnect digital learning initiative since 2011. Several schools participated as pilot schools during the spring semester of last school year to prepare the district for the full-scale implementation. Orientation sessions for this year included several ‘lessons learned’ from the pilot schools.
Jane Finch, Chief Technology Officer for NRMPS, said she was pleased with the level of participation and engagement of parents, many of whom asked detailed questions regarding the initiative. “We appreciate our parents for working with us,” said Finch. “This is a major shift in the teaching and learning process, and we will be counting on parents to be critical partners with us to make iConnect successful.”

As they attended the sessions, parents were given the opportunity to pay the usage fees for the devices, which stand at $40 for the year, per student, for the iPads, and $50 for the year, per student, for the MacBook Air laptops. A process is in place to assist families with financial hardships on a case-by-case basis. Payments can also be processed online through the NRMPS website, nrms.k12.nc.us. Cash, debit card, and credit card payments are accepted.
Students will receive their devices following the Labor Day holiday. School officials chose to start distribution after enrollment patterns had settled for the year. “Typically during the first few days of school, there’s a lot of movement and transition.” Finch said. “We want to be sure that students’ schedules are finalized before we begin the deployment.”
For now, students and parents can look forward to the possibilities that will come with the opportunities to learn in a digital environment. "I think it is a wonderful idea, and I feel good about it,” said Gale Chaffin, a mother of a Nash Central High student. “The kids need to be connected to technology. It will make it easier for homework assignments."

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NASH CENTRAL MIDDLE QUIZ BOWL TEAM PLACES 4TH IN NATIONAL BETA CLUB COMPETITION

Nash Central Middle School (NCMS) students, parents and staff recently welcomed home a Junior Beta Quiz Bowl team that ranks among the top in the nation. Bradley Leasure, Austin Luper, Adam Moore, and Trina Phan, made up the foursome that represented Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools and North Carolina during the National Junior Beta Club Quiz Bowl Competition held June 15-16 in Mobile, AL. Team members said they were very pleased with how well they matched up against the top quiz bowl talent from across the country.
“Not many teams get to compete at the state level, let alone the national level, and we never expected to place fourth,” said Leasure, a rising 9th grader at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College. “Our biggest challenge was going against the champions and facing defeat, because we were unbeaten this year.”
The NCMS team dominated local contests, and won first place at the state-level Junior Beta Club Quiz Bowl competition in February, beating out nearly 80 teams from other schools, and earning the chance to represent North Carolina in the national competition.
The National Junior Beta Club Quiz Bowl competition brought together 28 teams of the best and brightest quiz bowl students, all vying for the top spot. Teams of four competed in rounds, during which they had to answer 10 questions that increased in difficulty level as each round progressed. In the first round, NCMS defeated Pottsville Middle School of Pottsville, AR. In the second round, NCMS defeated Nandua Middle School of Onley, VA, the school that was last year’s champion. In the third round, NCMS defeated Arab High School of Arab, AL. NCMS then advanced into the semi-finals, and was defeated by River Trail Middle School of Johns Creek, GA, the school that was eventually named the 2013 champion. NCMS then lost the third-place match to Lee Middle School of Sharpsburg, GA.
Adam Moore, rising 9th grader at Nash Central High School, said all of the teams were well-prepared for the competition.

“We really felt challenged, and it was much more difficult than we expected,” said Moore. “We were disappointed that we didn't get first place, but we felt good about making the top four. The entire team had a huge part in our success. We worked together really well to get that far.” Team coach and NCMS educator, Stephen Tobie, said he was proud of the resiliency shown by team members, especially given the level of competition. Tobie said he admired the spirit of the players, who were always ready to give their best effort and were “gracious,” even in defeat. “The NCMS Beta Club Quiz Bowl Team -- Bradley Leasure, Austin Luper, Adam Moore, and Trina Phan -- showed great competitive heart and exhibited great sportsmanship throughout,” said Tobie. “I could not be more proud of them. They represented our school, school system, and community in the most positive, uplifting way.”
Trina Phan, a rising 8th grader at Nash Central Middle School said she enjoyed having the chance to compete, and she hopes the team’s performance will set a precedent for other students participating in quiz bowl. "I really enjoyed competing with our team," said Phan. "It was challenging, but a really great experience. I hope that other students at our school in the future will also get to do it."

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NRMPS CELEBRATES HIGHEST GRADUATION RATE ON RECORD

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools celebrates the highest four-year cohort graduation rate on record, of 79.4 percent, which was released August 8, as part of North Carolina’s 2012-13 Cohort Graduation Rate Report.
The NRMPS graduation rate jumped nearly 10 percentage points, from 70.8 percent in 2010 to 79.4 percent in 2013. The increase represents nearly a 3 point jump from 2012, when the rate was 76.7 percent. The cohort of students represented in this year’s data started high school in the 2009-10 school-year and completed high school in four years or less. Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of Schools, attributes the increased graduation rates to what he called the deliberate actions of educators and administrators at all levels across the district to prepare students for a changing world. “We are proud to share this year’s graduation rate and trend data with everyone in our community.” said Jackson. “As educators, we are committed to preparing the students of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools for a competitive and global economy. Our graduation trend data demonstrates that students recognize the investment and the rewards of completing their K-12 education, by earning their high school diplomas.” Jackson cited several factors for the increase including innovative school programs such as Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School and Tar River Academy. He also acknowledged the impact of increased relevance of academic subjects through the Common Core and the Essential Standards curriculum. Jackson also cited the changes in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program such as the increase the number of high school CTE academies and course offerings. He also accounted for the impact of student support services, increased use of instructional technology, and stronger communication between students, families and educators.
“We are consistently building our capacity to make critical connections with our students in the world they live in,” Jackson said. “Regardless of background or various abilities, our top priority is to empower all students with the opportunity to experience success.” In nearly every subgroup, the graduation rate increased from 2012 to 2013. One of the largest increases among subgroups was for students with disabilities, which jumped from 45.7 percent in 2012, to 61 percent in 2013. The percentage of students classified as economically disadvantaged who graduated on time also increased from 73.1 percent in 2012, to 76.1 in 2013. 
“We are impressed with the gains we see from this year.” Jackson said. “The Class of 2013 had 117 North Carolina Scholars, and earned more than $11.3 million in scholarships funds, the highest amount ever. Our 2013 graduates will travel to more than 13 states to continue their education, jump start careers or join the armed forces. But, we recognize that we still have a long way to go. As we have outlined in our strategic plan, our goal is have 100 percent of our students graduating from our schools by 2018. We believe that our efforts will make this vision a reality for our schools and our community.”
For more detailed cohort graduation data, and the full state report, please visit the NRMPS website, www.nrms.k12.nc.us.

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