NCHS HOLDS CLERGYMAN BRUNCH FOR LOCAL PASTORS

On October 21, 2013, Nash Central High School held a “Clergymen Brunch” for local pastors and preachers throughout the school district. Eighteen clergymen and women attended and shared their ideas about what the community can do to educate the “whole child.” These stakeholders are truly excited to help NRMPS and make sure our students are successful in life. Many of them talked about tutoring sessions that their churches offer, and others discussed ways they would like to integrate their mentoring programs into the schools. Through the round table discussion, it was apparent that the spiritual leaders understand some of the challenges that students, staff and other stakeholders are facing in the public schools today. Nash Central High School officials said they were pleased to hear that they are committed and very supportive of meeting once a month to come up with a strategic plan for helping NCHS students become globally competitive.

Submitted by Claude Archer

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NRMPS NAMES FOUR NEW ADMINSTRATORS

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools recently announced three new administrative assignments during the NRMPS Board of Education meeting held November 4. Sheila Wallace was named the new Director of Federal Programs. Andrea Smith was named the new Director of Testing. Michael Jones was named the new 6-12 Math Educational Specialist.

Sheila Wallace began her career in education as a second and third grade teacher for six years. She then served as an assistant principal for two years at DS Johnson Elementary. She was principal at OR Pope Elementary for four years and is currently serving in her fourth year as principal at MB Hubbard Elementary. Wallace will now serve the school district as the Director of Federal Programs and Title I.
“My hope is to first be a positive informant to the district about the Title I trends and guidelines ensuring that the federal funding is used wisely to maximize academic achievement,” said Wallace. “As an instructional leader, I hope to build trusting relationships with the Title I Principals and assist them in bridging the achievement gaps within our district. My goal is to pursue resourceful means to meet the diverse needs of this community by developing lasting partnerships.”
Wallace graduated from Shaw University with a BS in Elementary Education. She also holds a MA in School Administration from Cambridge College and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Walden University.

Andrea Smith has 24 years of experience in public education. She spent 15 years as a classroom teacher, and nine years as an administrator. Smith is a Nash County native and former graduate of Southern Nash High School. She will now serve NRMPS as the Director of Testing.
“I look forward to assisting and working with educators from all of the schools in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools as we collaboratively strive to prepare our students for post-secondary education and careers in the 21st Century,” said Smith. Smith received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College and her Master's Degree in School Administration and Curriculum from East Carolina University.

Michael Jones has 20 years of experience in public education. He spent 12.5 years as a classroom teacher at the high school level in Edgecombe County Schools and Pitt County Schools. Jones taught every math subject from Pre-Algebra to AP Calculus. He spent more than five years as an Instructional Math Coach in Edgecombe County, before joining NRMPS last year as the 6-12 Instructional Math Coach. He will now serve NRMPS as the 6-12 Math Educational Specialist. Jones received his bachelor’s degree in Math and Math Education from NC State University. 

“During my career as a successful classroom teacher and instructional coach I have been engaged in helping students and teachers in Eastern North Carolina,” said Jones. “I have worked with teachers on enacting numerous curriculum changes, integrating technology into effective classroom instruction and implementing research-based best instructional practices. I look forward to continuing this work as the 6-12 Math Educational Specialist for NRMPS.”

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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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RMHS JROTC COLOR GUARD AT DOWN EAST VIKING FOOTBALL CLASSIC

The Rocky Mount High School Air Force JROTC Color Guard Team participated in the Down East Viking Football Classic on Saturday, September 28th.  Cadets Barrett, Harrison, Bateman, Richardson, and McDonald presented the American, North Carolina State, and Air Force flags in formation on the field.  Cadets Sheridan, Battle, Silver, Coburn and Condery raised the stadium flag simultaneously during the national anthem.  Under the command of Cadet Colonel Tiaysha Thomas, Detachment 933's Corp Commander, these cadets, representing all four grade levels, ensured that honor was properly provided to the symbol of America's freedom. 

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BENVENUE ELEMENTARY STAFF ARTIST AND MURAL

Benvenue Elementary School has a new mural to greet visitors as they walk into the building, thanks to a staff member who has shared her artist talent with school through several projects over the years.
Lavina Becilla, a first grade teacher assistant at Benvenue Elementary School, has presented the school with several works of art over her 20 years of service. Her latest piece is a mural that welcomes students, parents and all visitors as they enter the school.
Becilla shared her vision for the mural. “I wanted to do something that was universal and would appeal to everyone, which is why I chose to do a woodland theme”.
Becilla painted the wall mural during the summer of 2009 and added the pond mural during the summer of 2013.
“I decided on a Koi pond because of its attention to detail and color,” she said.
The murals were given the name “Copelands’ Pond,” and dedicated in honor of James Copeland who was a former staff and family member to staff and students attending Bailey Elementary School. A close look at the artwork reveals a little gray mouse hiding on the tree looking over the pond. This mouse is representative of Copeland looking over his Benvenue Elementary School family.

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PROPANE BUS RIDES INTO NRMPS

With fuel prices on the rise and clean energy more than a buzz-word, NRMPS recently received a propane powered school bus as part of a pilot program in the state of North Carolina.

“Being selected as a (pilot) site is evidence that our transportation department is operating effectively and efficiently,” said Dr. Eric Cunningham, Associate Superintendent of Facilities and Operations. “Learning about green energy and the benefits is definitely a plus as we continue to learn better ways to implement cost saving measures and share them with our colleagues in the state.”
Echoing Cunningham’s sentiment, Binford Sloan, Director of Transportation, stated, “To be chosen for this pilot program is tremendous because it puts our school district at the forefront in North Carolina for exploring alternative fuel sources,” said Sloan. “With funding resources declining propane is attractive in the respect the cost per gallon is about half of diesel.”

Not only is the lower fuel cost attractive, but other benefits include noise reduction inside the bus and lower environmental emissions. One visible benefit is the absence of the signature black diesel smoke that is typical from the current buses. 
“With less particulate matter being emitted into the air than conventional diesel engines, students and staff will breathe easier when around the propane bus,” said Sloan.
The purpose of the pilot program is to determine the viability of the propane buses and NRMPS has the honor of participating and helping determine if they provide a more efficient use of resources compared to diesel buses.

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COOPERS ELEMENTARY KICKS OFF PBIS

Positive Behavior, Intervention, and Support (PBIS) was in full swing at Coopers Elementary during October. Students who displayed positive behavior during the first six weeks were treated to 40 minutes of fun in the school’s gym. The school’s PBIS Team provided two inflatables (a bounce house and obstacle course), basketball shooting, and other activities that promoted physical activity.

To be eligible to attend the celebration, students could not have any office/bus referrals with fewer than three PBIS notes home. Students not attending the celebration completed missed/unfinished work or read books in the school’s media center. The next celebration will be in early December when the next grading period ends. Coopers wants all students to attend the next celebration and staff will be encouraging students to do their best to follow the Coopers’ PBIS behavior expectations of be respectful, be responsible, be prepared, and be a learner.

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