Teacher-leaders gather to reflect and recharge at Star3 retreat

About 100 teachers gathered yesterday at Graylyn Conference Center to reflect on what they’ve learned in their roles as “teacher-leaders” in Star³ schools.

Star³ is the program supported by a $19.6 million federal grant given to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in 2010. The program is measuring what effect incentive pay and comprehensive teacher support has on student achievement.

Teacher-leaders provide additional support to teachers in the 15 schools that are in the program. Yesterday, they listened to what each other had learned in their roles and discussed what could be applied in other schools.

For example, second-grade teacher Laura Bilton spoke about how Old Town Elementary has used SMART goals: goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound.

Bilton said these incremental goals help students to larger successes. She pointed to a photo of her data wall to show its impact on students. The wall is full of photos showing where students are at the beginning of the year, and where they had progressed by the middle of the year. In just four months, it’s easy to see how many students have moved to higher-scoring levels.

Graylyn’s walls were full, too – decorated from one end to the other with posters created by the teacher-leaders showing the effects of Star³.

For more information about the Star³ program, visit http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Domain/6318.

Hanes Technology Student Association Places First in 10 Competitions at Regionals

On Feb. 21, students in the Technology Student Association (TSA) headed to Appalachian State for the TSA regional competition. The students did quite well. They won placed first in 10 competitions, second in 10 more competitions and third in seven competitions.

“Fun Fact : every girl that competed in the competition for Hanes won at least one medal,” said teacher Natalie Norman.

Career Prep
1st - Pavan Meka

Communication Challenge
1st - Ava Cox

Construction Challenge
1st - Hanes Magnet School

Digital Photography
1st - Sarah Jarrell
2nd - Emily Orlick

Dragster

2nd - Landon Nelson 

Flight
2nd - Jacob Hastings

Medical Technology Issues
1st- Hanes Team 1
2nd – Hanes Team 3

Prepared Speech
3rd - Miguel Ocampo

Problem-solving
1st - Ali Mizazadeh / Kushagra Chopra
2nd - Lauren Carroll / Miguel Ocampa

Promotional Design
2nd - Pavan Meka 
3rd - Sarah Jarrell

STEM Animation
2nd – Hanes Team 1
3rd – Hanes Team 2

Technology Bowl Written
1st - Ali Mirzazadeh
2nd - Sung Girard
3rd - Richard Leary

Technology Bowl Oral
1st -  Ali Mirzazadeh / Sung Girard / Richard Leary

Video Game Design
1st – Hanes Team 1
2nd – Hanes Team 3
3rd – Hanes Team 2

Water Infrastructure
1st – Hanes Team 1
2nd – Hanes Team 2

Website Design
1st – Hanes Team 1
2nd – Hanes Team 2

Letting Bus Drivers Know How Much They Are Appreciated

Students at Ibraham Elementary

During Bus Driver Appreciation Week, we invited people to let us know about bus drivers they appreciate.

Danielle Harris wrote in about Don Carbonaro, who drives bus No. 446, which serves Vienna Elementary School.

“Just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate our bus driver,” Harris wrote. “He is always friendly and courteous.  He always makes sure he can wave to me, knowing that I have received my daughter after drop off.  One day she got sick on the bus and he escorted her to the school office while also helping her carry in her very large science fair project.  He then called me to let me know what happened and that he hoped she felt better soon.   My daughter said she was very happy that he helped her, just like a grandpa would.

“So thank you for having such a nice bus driver!  We appreciate him very much!!”

Because schools were closed a couple of days during that week, several schools, including Ibraham Elementary School, rescheduled the activities they had planned for bus drivers.

Student Art in February 2014 Issue of Forsyth Family Magazine

In the February 2104 issue of Forsyth Family magazine, you will find art by four Winston-Salem/Forsyth County students on page 78.

Katy Rice and Siobahn Dunigan are both in the eighth grade at Hanes Magnet School. Their art teacher is Barbara Butryn.

Hannah Saseen is a sophomore at West Forsyth High School. Her art teacher is Elizabeth Betson.

Hannah Kennedy in the eighth grade at Meadowlark Middle School. Her art teacher is Heather Dutton.

By Katy Rice

By Siobahn Dunigan

By Hannah Saseen

By Hannah Kennedy

Reynolds High Students Work with Graphic Artist to Create Patterns for Wall Paper

Nadia Hassan, a graphic artist who works in Greensboro, and a team of educators from the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) have been working with students in a number of classes at Reynolds High School.

The participating classes are math classes taught by Allison George, Art I classes taught by Emily Beach-Munday, an Advanced Studio Class taught by Amy Cruz and a Digital E-Media class taught by Phil Benenati.

“On the first day with students, Hassan spoke with students about her work as a graphic designer and students created their own patterns using various supplies,” said Beach-Munday. “On the second visit, students in each class collaborated to come up with class patterns which were then printed on a long strip of canvas using a PVC roller. These patterns are being turned into wallpaper that is being printed by North Carolina company Spoonflower. The wallpaper will be hung at SECCA in collaboration with their ongoing graphic arts exhibit. Students will visit the museum this month to see their final creations on exhibit and to discuss patterns and printing techniques of wallpaper in the Hanes house as well as current graphic arts and printing techniques in the modern exhibit in the museum.

“I was pleased to see how the collaboration all came together. Students are excited about the upcoming trip to SECCA and to see how their hard work all paid off in the end.”

Hassan wrote about the project on the Pattern of the Week blog. You can find her post at Pattern of the Week

Student Leadership Committee at West Forsyth High Recognized for Contributions to Clemmons Food Pantry

On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Student Leadership Committee (SLC) at West Forsyth High School was recognized at halftime of the Wake Forest/Georgia Tech basketball game as Community Heroes for their contributions to the Clemmons Food Pantry.

During December, students at West – with the leadership of the Student Leadership Committee – collected 21,326 canned food items for the food pantry. It was the largest donation that the food pantry has ever received. This was the fourth year in a row that students at West have made a record-setting donation.