inside this issue - New Hanover County Schools

SPRING 2014
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Mrs. Melissa Gillespie of Laney High
School Named 2013-2014 Southeast
Regional Teacher of the Year
View a photo-journal article capturing moments of the
surprise ceremony held at Laney High School on Friday,
December 6, 2013, where the North Carolina Department
of Public Instruction announced Mrs. Gillespie’s nomination
as the Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year.
p.2 WE
NHCS!
These pages are dedicated to
showing the love for our dedicated
and AWESOME NHCS employees!)
Spring
Schedule
April 14-18
Spring Break
April 18
Good Friday Holiday
May 26
Memorial Day
Holiday
p.4 Two Schools Win $25,000
Sunset Park Elementary School and
Williston Middle School win U.S. Cellular’s
Calling All Communities campaign.
p.5 NHC Board of Education Announces Resolution in Support
of Teacher
The New Hanover County Board of Education passed a Resolution Regarding Changes to
Teacher Employment Law at the December 3, 2013 Regular Board meeting.
p.6 Best Foot Forward 2014
p.9 NHCS Teachers Achieve & Renew National Board Certification
p.11 2nd Annual Teacher Trot
p.14 WWAY Teachers of the Week
p.15 Employee News and Announcements
p.16 THIS & THAT
Send your news announcements to heather.miller@nhcs.net
Employee classifieds
WAVES is produced by
the Public Relations
Department. Please
submit news to:
heather.miller@nhcs.net
New Hanover County
Schools
WAVES Archives
Mrs. Melissa Gillespie
Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year!
A photo-journal article capturing moments from the
surprise ceremony held at Laney High School on
Friday, December 6, 2013, where the North
Carolina Department of Public Instruction
announced Mrs. Gillespie’s appointment as the
Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year.
Photography by Erin Whittle Photography.
Melissa was pleasantly surprised by the ceremony organized to honor
her for her designation as the Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year.
Chairman of the NHC Board of Education shared in the
excitement of the event, giving praise to Melissa for her service
to students, Laney, and the district.
Everyone is all smiles during the ceremony. Pictured with Melissa
is Kay Thompson, NCDPI Regional Education Facilitator, Region
II– Southeast.
2
"I entered the classroom with the conviction that it was crucial for
me and every other student to be an active participant, not a
passive consumer...education as the practice of freedom...
education that connects the will to know with the will to become.
Learning is a place where paradise can be created."
— bell hooks
Melissa shares this moment with friend and fellow teacher
Richelle Dombrowski. Richelle was Melissa’s mentor teacher
at Laney during her teacher internship 11 years ago and was
proud to help organize the surprise event.
SPRING 2014
(Continued on page 7)
Principals Deb Greenwood from Forest Hills, Bob Maxey
from Alderman,and Jakki Jethro from Sunset Park enjoy
the UNCW Women's Basketball game at Trask Coliseum
along with the UNCW Mascot.
Williams Elementary School’s student council honored Ms. Grathwol,
the school's crossing guard of over 7 years, at their holiday concert
assembly. Ms. Grathwol spoke to the students about the satisfaction
she gets from ensuring their safety each day.
Would you just
to share your
photos with fellow NHCS employees?
Send them to the Public Relations
Department with a caption describing
the photo!
Ms. Emma Jackon, Title I Director, served as the Grand Marshal for
Gregory’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March.
LOVABLE
LINKS
WE
News that Inspires
Castle Hayne Elementary and D.C. Virgo Academy each
received $250 from the Retired Teachers of The Cape Fear
Area. Pictured from left to right are Ms. Julia M. Bibbs, President
of Retired Teachers of The Cape Fear Area; Eric Irizarry,
Principal of D.C. Virgo Academy; Ms. Hazel Wrisbon, Chairman
of the Children First Committee and a retired NHCS Teacher;
Margaret Dickens, Principal of Castle Hayne Elementary.
3
NHCS!
You’re Awesome, so
Work Awesome
Things to Be Happy
About
SPRING 2014
Sunset Park Elementary School and Williston Middle School Win
$25,000 Each in U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities Campaign!
Students, teachers and administrators at Sunset Park
Elementary School and Williston Middle School are each
$25,000 richer today, Tuesday, December 10, 2013, after
being named a 2013 Champion in U.S. Cellular’s Calling
All Communities campaign. The winning schools
garnered the most community votes and each won
$25,000 to use as they wish to enhance their educational
experience.
“I want to thank U.S. Cellular for its commitment to
supporting K-12 education in Wilmington. Sunset Park
Elementary and Williston Middle School of Math, Science
& Technology have invested a great deal of time and
energy in rallying their teachers, parents and community
supporters to compete for a share of this $500,000.
These schools should be proud of the work they have
done to earn this recognition, and I know they will put
their prize money to good use,” said Wilmington Mayor
Bill Saffo.
Kathleen Revell, Sunset Park music teacher, started the campaign and worked at getting votes,
went out car to car with her laptop asking parents to vote, and championed the whole process.
She is pictured with the check and a 4th grade class.
“Sunset Park is ecstatic about this news! We plan to invest in
technology, playground equipment, a part-time tutor, and staff
incentives! Thank you so much!”
--Mrs. Jakki Jethro, principal of Sunset Park Elementary
School.
The 20 winners in U.S. Cellular’s 2013 Calling All
Communities campaign were revealed today in a video
that was posted on the company’s website
(uscellular.com).
North Carolina topped the list with four winning schools.
Iowa, Tennessee and Wisconsin tallied three winners.
Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and
West Virginia had one winner apiece to round out the
list of 2013 champions.
“We congratulate all the schools who were able to rally
their local communities to support their efforts,” said
Jeremy Taylor, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in
eastern North Carolina. “We can’t wait to hear about
how all the schools plan to use the winnings they
worked so hard to earn.”
4
Principal Oates shares in the celebration of the good news with students in the Media Center
at Williston Middle School.
“This recognition is truly a blessing and a testament to the
shared vision and commitment of the Williston students, staff
and community at large. This singular event will have an
immeasurable and unquantifiable effect on the culture of our
school. We are grateful to those who voted and to U.S. Cellular
for giving back to this community.”
--Dr. Jerry Oates, principal of Williston Middle School.
SPRING 2014
New Hanover County Board of Education Announces
Resolution in Support of Teachers
The New Hanover County Board of Education passed a Resolution Regarding Changes to Teacher Employment Law
at the December 3, 2013 Regular Board meeting. The Resolution urges the North Carolina General Assembly to
repeal the 25 percent contract and develop a more effective long-term compensation plan for teachers. The
Resolution also proposes a reallocation of the 25 percent contract funds for use as alternative pay or compensation
for teachers. Below is a copy of the Resolution.
5
SPRING 2014
Acts from Ashley, Bellamy, Carolina
Beach, Castle Hayne, Forest Hills,
Gregory, Hoggard, Holly Shelter, Howe
Pre-K, Laney, Murrayville, New Hanover,
Ogden, Parsley, Roland-Grise, and Snipes
are sure to please!
Special surprises are in store as the
district celebrates 25 great years!
**Tickets are on sale at participating
schools and at the Administration
Building, 6410 Carolina Beach Road**
6
SPRING 2014
Melissa Gillespie 2013-2014
Southeast Teacher of the Year
(Continued from page 2)
“It was really Laney
that’s made me the
teacher I am today.”
From left to right: Kay Thompson, NCDPI Regional Education
Facilitator, Region II– Southeast; Melissa Gillespie, Southeast
Regional Teacher of the Year; Karyn Dickerson, State Teacher of
the Year.
--Melissa Gillespie
Melissa Gillespie with Al O’Briant,
principal of Laney High School.
From left to right: Dr. John Welmers, Assistant Superintendent;
Marcia Kearns-Merkle, Evaluation and Beginning Teacher Support
Specialist; Melissa Gillespie, Southeast Regional Teacher of the
Year; Dr. Susan Hahn, Director of Human Resources; Toyota
representative (re: free Prius Melissa gets to drive!)
From left to right: Dr. Rick Holliday, Deputy Superintendent and
the former Laney principal who hired Melissa in 2009; Dale
Pelsey-Becton, Assistant Superintendent; Tammy Covil, member
of the NHC Board of Education; Melissa Gillespie, Southeast
Regional Teacher of the Year; Donald Hayes, Chairman of the
NHC Board of Education; Dr. John Welmers, Assistant
Superintendent; Valita Quattlebaum, Chief Communications
Officer.
7
Mrs. Gillespie pictured with Laney Teacher Cadets. Mrs.
Gillespie’s first period class also attended the ceremony in
support of their teacher.
SPRING 2014
Rachel Freeman teachers take Tacky Tuesday to a whole new level!
Free, Confidential Counseling
Available for all NHCS employees
Maria Black, Lead Parent Liaison (pictured right)
and Margarita Longenecker, Parent Liaison,
participated in College Park’s Career Day. They
had the opportunity to meet and chat with the
diverse student population of NHCS including
students from Thailand, Burma, Vietnam, Greece,
Mexico, Arab Nation, Russia.
Snipes Elementary held PBIS Assemblies to reward students and to get
everyone in the holiday spirit.
8
Ann Giers Foltrauer, CSAC
910-515-6214
Afoltrauer@ec.rr.com
4105 Fraternity Ct
Wilmington, NC 28413
Williams Elementary School first grade teachers dug deep into
their closets to show off their holiday spirit in the month of
December! From left to right: Alison Grover, Megan Barbour,
Brooke Kenworthy, Jennifer Maskell.
SPRING 2014
NHCS Teachers Achieve and Renew
National Board Certification
The following teachers achieved their National Board Certification:
Allison Altvater - New Hanover High School
Cheryl Jones - Snipes Academy of Art and Design
Erika Ancuta - Snipes Academy of Art and Design
Kimberly Royal - Wrightsboro Elementary School
Maureen Hill - Wrightsboro Elementary School
Carrie Boos - Carolina Beach Elementary School
Royanna Jackson - Carolina Beach Elementary School
Katie Snyder - Hoggard High School
Diane Snow - Codington Elementary School
Stacy Baysden - Codington Elementary School
Dana Wolfe - Stanislaw- Ashley High School
Paige Kyle-Haney - Ashley High School
Amy Fallon - Sunset Park Elementary School
Christine Gough - Sunset Park Elementary School
Courtney Hurlbutt - Sunset Park Elementary School
Chrystal Kaus - Sunset Park Elementary School
Erin Redmond - Sunset Park Elementary School
Heather Heinze - Sunset Park Elementary School
Hollis Leary- Sunset Park Elementary School
Jennifer Amorelli - Sunset Park Elementary School
Kathleen Gehron - Sunset Park Elementary School
Dora Davis - Murray Middle School
Sunset Park Elementary recently added 9 National Board
Certified Teachers to their staff when scores were released in
late November to increase their total to 14. Of their eligible
teaching staff, 52% are now National Board Certified
Teachers. 3 of their NBCTs have also renewed National
Board Certification.
The following teachers renewed their National Board Certification:
Jennifer Brady - College Park Elementary School
Celesta Bruton Woodard - Carolina Beach
Elementary School
Katherine Martin - Math Lead
Michelle Diffee - Bradley Creek Elementary School
Torri Bailey - Gregory Elementary School
Rhonda Hathcock Studebaker - Eaton Elementary School
Kristi Helms Youmans - Parsley Elementary School
Amy Hardison - Anderson Elementary School
Karen Horrell - Bellamy Elementary School
Kimberly O’Briant - Staff Development Supervisor
Shari Peacock - Blair Elementary School
Jacqueline Richardson - Sunset Park Elementary School
Amanda Rouse-King - Parsley Elementary School
Kimberly Rushton - New Hanover High School
Anne Sinclair - Hoggard High School
Jennifer Sugerik - Ashley High School
Mary Beth Utt - Eaton Elementary School
Jenny Weinkle - Pine Valley Elementary School
9
Paige Haney, Business Education teacher at
Ashley High School, and Dana WolfeStanislaw, Family and Consumer Sciences
teacher at Ashley, received National Board
status.
SPRING 2014
Williams Elementary enjoys furniture generously donated by Ashley
Furniture on Carolina Beach Road generously. The donated furniture resides
in the staff lunch area.
Joyce Ganey, 2nd Grade Teacher at Forest Hills was
surprised by a visit from "Elvis" in celebration of her
birthday. Doesn't he look familiar? Pictured are Deborah
Greenwood, “Elvis”, Joyce Ganey, and Donna Bens.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
--Dr. Suess
NHCS math coaches took a moment to pose for a picture during the county
MATHCOUNTS competition. Pictured from left to right: Kelsey Gage-Holly
Shelter;Regina Connors-Holly Shelter; Diana Woodlock- Trask; Amy
Yarborough-Noble; Christy Kornegay- Roland-Grise; Jessica Wells-Murray;
Aimee Bunker-Myrtle Grove; Cheryl Williams-Williston; Liz Crace-Murray
10
The Lazy Pirate Restaurant at Carolina Beach offers
50% off to all NHCS faculty and staff on most
Wednesdays. The Lazy Pirate also supports NHCS
bands.
SPRING 2014
2nd Annual Teacher Trot
When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 8:00 a.m.
Where: Ashley High School
Why: The goal for the 5k Teacher Trot is to model for students
and staff the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle.
Get Ready: The Couch to 5K program begins February 24th at
individual schools to get you in 5K shape.
The logo design contest for the 2nd Annual Teacher Trot
kicked off in January. Students in all grades will be
competing for the winning logo.
Registration Information
Register online at https://its-go-time.com/eventregistration?ee=128 (there is a small fee associated with
registering online)
$25 Adult
$15 Student
$10 Fun Run
$30 Race Day
Last year’s 1st annual Teacher Trot was a huge success with
over 600 runners! After being picked as one of the top new 5Ks
in the Roadies Runners Choice Awards, this year’s race is sure
to be an even bigger success!
*All costs include a t-shirt and fun!
EMPLOYEE LINKS
BENEFITS MONTHLY
YOUR SCHOOL NEWS
NHCS-TV Rundown
SCHOOL CALENDARS
Many school teams and individuals set out to win jeans days, amping
up the competition!
11
SPRING 2014
March is
National Nutrition Month
Don’t Be Overwhelmed at the Prospect of Improving Your Health
—from the American Heart Association
Researchers assessed stroke risk using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7 health factors: be active, control
cholesterol, eat a healthy diet, manage blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, control blood sugar and don’t smoke.
Take a moment to complete your free Life’s Simple 7 assessment to see where you fall and what small changes could
make a big impact on your heart health.
Looking for other small changes?
Tip 1: Don’t drink extra calories. Liquid calories count! Plus, they usually come with little or no nutrition and can have a
significant detrimental impact on health. Women who drank two or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily experienced
increasing waist circumferences, developed high triglycerides, and a high risk for type 2 diabetes. (Read the story here.)
The best choices? Plain or sparkling water, unsweetened tea, and black coffee. If you can’t stand plain water add a
slice of fruit or some mint leaves for a bit of flavor.
Tip 2: Just move. Or at least stand more!
~Stand while you talk on the phone. This will also improve your speech and energy on the call.
~Put your computer on a bookcase, counter, or get a standing desk. If your job happens from a chair, try to stand as
much as possible. Even better, a treadmill desk will allow you to walk while you work.
~If you can’t work standing, then take stretch breaks at least every hour. Walk to the water cooler and back.
~Move as much as possible during your lunch time.
~If you’re at home, stand, stretch, or do calisthenics while watching TV. March or jog in place during commercials. Add in
pushups, crunches, and squats if you’re already somewhat fit. Keep some dumbbells handy for a little resistance training.
Tip 3: Stock your freezer with produce. If you don’t want to visit the grocery store every few days, try stocking up on
colorful frozen veggies. (Not French fries and tater tots!)
Tip 4: Avoid trans fats. Trans fats can be found in many foods – but especially in fried foods like French fries and
doughnuts, and baked goods including pastries, pie crusts, biscuits, pizza dough, cookies, crackers, and stick margarines
and shortenings. You can determine the amount of trans fats in a particular packaged food by looking at the Nutrition
Facts panel and looking for the ingredients referred to as “partially hydrogenated oils.”
Looking for more in-depth information on lifestyle changes? Visit the American Heart Association’s “Getting
Healthy” center for material regarding food, exercise, and much more. Here’s to your health!
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SPRING 2014
WWAY Teachers of the Week
(Everyone knows NHCS teachers are awesome!)
Did you or someone you know win WWAY’s Teacher of the
Week award since the last WAVES edition but don’t see the
photo here? Please be sure to send the picture with a caption
to heather.miller@nhcs.net for inclusion in the web rotation and
in the next edition of WAVES!
Ashley High School Chief Thomas Frost.
Mrs. Karen Carlton, a first grade teacher at Gregory Elementary.
Shari Peacock, 3rd grade teacher at Blair, was nominated by a
parent of a student she taught 2 years ago.
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Christie Nye, second grade teacher at Eaton Elementary was
nominated by former student Jonathan Cooper from the Arizona
Cardinals. Jonathan talked to her students about following their
dreams. Mrs. Nye stated, "One of the most precious days of my
teaching career!"
SPRING 2014
Three Noble staff members were mentioned in the nationally
publicized Anchora of Delta Gamma magazine. To read more
about Paige Turner, Brittany Gigliotti, and Megan Demolina,
click on the link and scroll to page 16.
Five former Alderman Elementary School principals joined
Bob Maxey, current principal, at Alderman’s 50th Birthday
celebration. Left to right: Calvin Lane, 1963-67; Justine
Lerch, 1980-92; Harriet Lennon, 1992-2000; Dr. Julie
Duclos-Greenwood, 2000-2004; Mary Paul Beall, 20042007; and Bob Maxey, 2011-present. Two principals did not
attend: Eudell Smith, 1967-1980 and Mark Tracey, 2007-11.
Student/Teacher/Military discount: 10% off total
purchase
Products include: Luggage/Backpacks/Travel Ware/
Outerwear/ Apparel
And Introducing Kids Outerwear-- Fleece/Down/
Rainwear (sizes 5-14) in store
*some exclusions apply
*only two adcodes per transaction.
The countdown to retirement draws to a close for Dale Pelsey-Becton
and her long time assistant and friend Glenda White. They will be
greatly missed and we wish them all of the best in retirement.
14
Team Sunset Park took the Polar Plunge at Carolina Beach!
Brave souls!
SPRING 2014
Employee News & Announcements
R
obin
Hamilton, Principal
of Parsley
Elementary, received
her Doctorate degree
from ECU in
December 2013.
Q
uinn Elizabeth
Martin
October 2, 2013
7 lbs 12 oz
Proud parents Katie and
Sam Martin
L
isa
Klingensmith
completed her
Master's in
Language and
Literacy in
December 2013.
C
Manager
Stacie
Webber of Forest
Hills is a proud
grandmother of this
“ladies man.” He
was
born
on
1/17/14 at 8:14a.m.,
weighing in at 10lb
1oz and was 21
inches long.
***
Have you received a new degree, gotten married,
have a new addition to your family, or have any
announcement you would like to share?
Submit your news to heather.miller@nhcs.net
***
15
afeteria
SPRING 2014
MAKING
WAVES
Tutor available for students in grades 3-12.
Master’s degree in Special Ed. Areas of tutoring:
reading, writing, organization, strategies for
ADHD, and homework help. Contact Julia
Edmonds @ (336)391-1681 for more information.
References available upon request.
Tell us what you think. Your responses will be included in
this section of the next issue of WAVES:
How do you beat those winter blues?
(Email your responses to heather.miller@nhcs.net. Thank
you for taking the time to share with us!)
Go on a trip of a lifetime to Ireland and the
Highlands of Scotland with an optional extension
to London for a guided tour of Downton Abbey’s
Highclere Castle: 11 to 14 days: Dublin, Belfast,
Rathlin Island, Isle of Skye, Inverness, Pitlochry,
Edinburgh, and optional London.
Flights,
entrances, upscale hotels, transportation, and
much more included. For full information, contact
Lynn Knape at 910-619-3536. (Not associated
with or sponsored by NHCS.)
I am a substitute teacher for NHCS and I am
looking for more jobs. I am certified in Physical
Education, Health and Special Education
Resource. My Masters of Ed. is in Early Education
Literacy. I am interested in more subbing, tutoring,
or babysitting jobs. My name is Hope Moore.
Please call me at 770-841-6631.
16
For Sale: Solid oak TV armoire,
Mission style. Can hold up to a 40"
TV- $125.00.
Contact: Lisa Schnitzler 798-8628
or lisa.schnitzler@nhcs.net.
THIS
& THAT
Each WAVES edition includes an employees’
classifieds page, THIS & THAT. Employees
may submit ads for items (for
sale/rent/wanted/etc) or to promote a service.
All ads should be submitted in writing to
Heather Miller via fax: 910-254-4477 or email:
heather.miller@nhcs.net.
SPRING 2014