Our Future, Our Commitment, Our Students

and her mother who introduced me to the members of the Louisburg In-ter-Church Council.

As this issue is released, school board members and Jane’s Franklin County Schools’ colleagues will gather at the Murphy House to ex-press our appreciation for the years of service Jane dedicated to the school system and to the community. My appreciation is personal and pro-fessional – she is arguably the best writer I’ve had an opportunity to work with, and she is a dear friend. Frank-lin County Schools will miss Jane, but she promises that she is a phone call away.

Dr. Bert L’Homme

Nearly three years ago, Jane-Waring Wheeler was the first Franklin County Schools’ staff person I met. I quickly realized that she was the person who could and would introduce me to Frank-lin County. In the hours before that first board meeting, we had an opportunity to have a lengthy conversation about all the people and places that made Frank-lin County a wonderful place to live and work. From that day on, I began to look forward to our many conversations. Our conversations broke all the rules. We discussed and sometimes argued about local, state and national politics. We even talked about religion – all sorts of religious issues. In fact, it was Jane

In the past couple of years, we learned something about teaching that parents have always known – everyone teaches reading, and teaching happens all the time. On November 9, our K-8 physical education teachers will learn how to teach reading in PE and how to support our classroom teachers. The class is called Integrating Reading Strategies in PE. This will be the beginning of an ongoing professional development that will last two years. For more information, please call Dianne Carter, Director for Elementary Schools, at 496-2116.

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Franklinton High School Principal Charles Fuller is a firm believer that leadership and teamwork yields success. Fuller has been aiming to steadily improve FHS since becoming principal in 2003, and his effort has earned him one of the top accolades Franklin County Schools has to offer – Principal of the Year. Fuller was selected by principals of Franklin County Schools and senior administrators.

“It is a testament to the hard work that everyone at this school does,” said Fuller. “It’s a joint effort that allows our school to progress. We have

wonderful staff. The students are willing to work, and we get great input from parents. If we don’t continue to work, we won’t progress. We still have things we want to work on, but we are headed in the right direction.”

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Public Information Officer

2

Board Notes 2

Testing 2

Tips for Parents 3

Upcoming Events 5

V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4

F I R S T T H U R S D A Y

Appreciation — Jane-Waring Wheeler

Workshop for PE Teachers

Charles Fuller named Principal of the Year

Franklin County Schools did not have to look far to find a highly qualified person to fill the Public Information Officer (PIO) vacancy. Nathan Moreschi, a graduate of Franklin County Schools and a former Franklinton High School social studies teacher, has earned the title. Moreschi, who once worked for local Franklin County and Wake County media, intends to focus on student progress. In addition, and perhaps more important, the new PIO intends to strengthen the public’s positive impression of Franklin County Schools. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of helping the public realize how outstanding Franklin County Schools really are.” Moreschi said. “I believe students in all grade levels are achieving wonderful things and are routinely meeting and surpassing state goals and objectives. There are several important county-wide programs that many people are unaware of.” Moreschi graduated from Franklinton High School in 1993 with honors and received a Batchelor of Science degree from UNC/Charlotte in 1998. He will assume his new duties on November 6th.

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Moreschi New Public Information Officer

On November 6, the Board of Education will present a signed contract to the Board of County Commissioners to purchase property for a site to construct the replacement for Franklinton High School. The property is located at the intersection of Cedar Creek and Lane Store Roads. If the contract is approved by the commissioners, the Board of Education will purchase up to 75 acres at $30,000 an acre. We hope to complete the purchase by the end of the calendar year. The Board of Education directed school board attorney, Mr. Boyd Sturges, to negotiate the purchase of a parcel of property for a new elementary school. The property is located at the intersection of Long Mill and Bert Winston Roads. Negotiations are proceeding, and we hope to make an announcement before the beginning of December. School Board minutes and agendas can be found on our homepage at www.fcschools.net

Board Notes

F I R S T T H U R S D A Y V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4 Page 2

Over and over again we hear this question when we start talking about the 2005/2006 test data. I would like to share a few quotes from today’s newspapers. Todd Silverman wrote in the News and Observer, “Fewer North Carolina public schools meet academic expectations, and fewer students earned passing scores last spring thanks to tougher state standards.” (11/2/06) Lou Fabrizio (State Testing Director) said, “When you raise standards, you’re not go-ing to see the same kind of success you have in the past.” Kelly Hinchcliffe wrote in the Herald Sun, “Schools across the state … saw lower scores on last year’s tests because of a change in the way results were compiled, … A new formula raised standards for meeting growth tar-gets.” (11/2).

By the numbers …

Nine schools made expected growth (achieved a state-set target for growth) and three schools made high growth (exceeded the state target). Six schools are designated “Schools of Progress,” which means at least 79% were on grade level. Five schools are “Priority Schools,” less than 60% were proficient at grade level. Twelve schools made Adequate Yearly Pro-gress (AYP) in at least 80% of their subgroups, nine schools made AYP in at least 90%, and five schools made 100% of their goals.

(See table on Page 4.)

CONTINUED TO PAGE 3

What’s going on with the test scores?

F I R S T T H U R S D A Y V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4

• older children, in grades 3-6, can handle 30-60 minutes a day • in junior and senior high school, the amount of homework will

vary by subject. Most older students will also have homework projects, such as research papers and oral reports, that may have deadlines weeks away. They may need help organizing assignments and planning work times to make sure home-work is ready to turn in on time.

Your children's teachers can tell you how much time they expect students to spend on homework. How can I help with homework? • Send your children to school each day, well-rested, fed and

with a positive outlook. • Take an active interest in your children's schooling. Ask spe-

cific questions about what happens at school each day and how your children feel about it.

• Try not to let any of your own negative experiences keep you from supporting and encouraging your children's learning. Let them know how much you care about education by continuing your own learning both informally and formally, to impress its importance upon them.

• If possible, set up a quiet, comfortable study area with good lighting and the school supplies that your children need. This can be almost any place in your home; you don't need a spe-cial room.

• Set a family "quiet time" where you and your children can work together on homework, reading, letter writing and play-ing games.

Our Future, Our Commitment, Our Students

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

The National Education Association offers answers to questions that many people have about homework in its following article entitled “Help Your Student Get the Most Out of Homework.” Here are excerpts from the article. “Homework. Many students try to avoid it, but teaching and learning research indicates that children who spend more time on regularly assigned, meaningful homework, on average, do better in school, and that the academic benefits of homework increase as children move into the upper grades. Parents and families play an important role in the process. Together, families and teachers can help children de-velop good study habits and attitudes to become lifelong learners. Why do teachers give homework? • to help students understand and review the work that has been

covered in class • to see whether students understand the lesson • to help students learn how to find and use more information on a

subject. Homework is also the link between school and home that shows what children are studying. Research shows that when homework is turned in to the teacher, graded, and discussed with students, it can improve students' grades and understanding of their schoolwork. How much time should my children spend each night on home-work? • Most educators agree that: • for children in grades K-2, homework is more effective when it

does not exceed 10-20 minutes each school day

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Page 3 F I R S T T H U R S D A Y V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4

School Expected Growth

High Growth

Performance Composite

ABC Status Performance

ABC Status Growth

AYP % Goals

Bunn Elementary No No 67.3% No Recognition No 94.1%

Bunn High School Yes No 59.4% Priority School Expected No 82.4%

Bunn Middle School Yes Yes 74.7% School of Progress High Growth No 95.7%

Cedar Creek Middle Yes No 65.0% School of Progress Expected No 95.2%

Edward Best Elemen. Yes No 75.1% School of Progress Expected Yes 100%

Franklinton Elementary No No 56.1% Priority School No 88.2%

Franklinton High Yes Yes 61.4% School of Progress High Growth Yes 100%

Laurel Mill Elementary No No 60.2% No Recognition No 94.1%

Louisburg Elementary No No 56.8% Priority School No 94.7%

Louisburg High School Yes Yes 59.2% Priority School High Growth Yes 100%

Terrell Lane Middle Yes No 58.6% Priority School Expected No 78.3%

Royal Elementary Yes No 76.5% School of Progress Expected Yes 100%

Youngsville Elementary Yes No 78.3% School of Progress Expected Yes 100%

TESTING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Homework Help T I P S F O R P A R E N T S

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Page 4 F I R S T T H U R S D A Y V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4

Look at these numbers …

The table below has the reading and math scores for all our middle and elementary schools for the past two years. Compare the math scores. It’s clear the bar has been raised. The principals and teachers tell me that our students worked hard last year. Considering re-port card grades and our teachers knowing your children and their capabilities, they are confident that our students learned more last year than they did the year before.

TESTING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

School Grade Subject 2004/5 2005/6

BES 3rd Reading 74.3 85.7

3rd Math 81.0 66.3

4th Reading 75.8 85.4

4th Math 90.1 46.9

5th Reading 86.5 90.5

5th Math 84.5 52.6

EBES 3rd Reading 84.6 83.3

3rd Math 89.4 75.0

4th Reading 85.3 84.5

4th Math 93.0 65.3

5th Reading 92.7 98.6

5th Math 82.9 67.6

FES 3rd Reading 65.3 69.8

3rd Math 59.3 43.3

4th Reading 53.4 77.0

4th Math 74.6 45.0

5th Reading 91.8 91.0

5th Math 78.8 44.1

LMES 3rd Reading 71.7 73.1

3rd Math 83.3 51.9

4th Reading 84.6 91.7

4th Math 78.8 43.8

5th Reading 78.7 82.5

5th Math 76.6 46.0

LES 3rd Reading 66.7 70.4

3rd Math 63.9 36.6

4th Reading 80.5 80.7

4th Math 83.3 43.9

5th Reading 78.2 78.4

5th Math 76.1 43.8

RES 3rd Reading 87.0 94.7

3rd Math 91.3 84.7

4th Reading 77.9 90.0

4th Math 90.6 77.8

5th Reading 83.3 90.0

5th Math 89.9 59.8

YES 3rd Reading 84.0 91.9

3rd Math 86.6 76.8

4th Reading 90.8 91.6

4th Math 95.4 66.3

5th Reading 95.2 98.0

5th Math 92.0 73.3

BMS 6th Reading 85.8 83.3

6th Math 90.2 61.8

7th Reading 88.4 93.4

7th Math 89.1 76.1

8th Reading 91.5 91.7

8th Math 85.5 71.1

CCMS 6th Reading 69.8 86.5

6th Math 82.7 53.4

7th Reading 80.3 86.5

7th Math 74.0 43.5

8th Reading 79.3 87.4

8th Math 71.1 50.7

TLMS 6th Reading 72.3 78.0

6th Math 82.3 39.8

7th Reading 77.4 85.9

7th Math 76.6 43.2

8th Reading 83.2 85.4

8th Math 71.9 44.6

School Grade Subject 2004/5 2005/6

What can we do? Byproducts of raising standards are often confusion and disappointment. If your child did not earn a 3 or 4 on the Math End-of-Grade Test, make an appointment with your child’s teacher. The teacher will show you your child’s work and will be able to indicate what objec-tives are being mastered and what objectives are not mastered. The teacher will also tell you what is happening in class and what you can do to help your child with his/her homework. The new standard … After all is said and done, we know that the new higher standard is best for all children. The consequence for raising standards is higher academic achievement, and that’s a good thing. We are confident that next year you will see an improvement not only in reading but in math, too.

Page 5

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F I R S T T H U R S D A Y V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 4

• Allow your children to study in the way each of them learns best. For example, some children work best when they're lying on the floor with background music playing.

Can my children do homework while listening to music or watch-ing television? Some students can work with a radio or stereo on, while others must work in silence. Television can be a big problem. Many teachers ask that the television be turned off while children are doing homework. Research shows that American children on average spend far more time watching television than they do completing homework. Although it's worth noting that television can be a learning tool, it's best to leave the television off during homework time. How much help should I give? This depends on each child's grade level and study habits. Younger students often need extra homework help. First, make sure the child understands the directions. Do a few problems together, then watch your child do a few. When your child is finished, check the work. Praise right answers, and show how to correct mistakes. Avoid doing your children's homework for them. Teachers need to see where your children are having trouble.

Meeting Date Time Location

Board of Education Meeting 11/6 7:00 p.m. Riverside Campus – A107

Holiday – Veterans’ Day 11/10 ---- Students, Teachers, and Staff

Principals’ Meeting 11/14 8:30 a.m. Riverside Campus – A107

Early Release Day 11/15 ---- Traditional +Year-Round Calendar

SHAC Meeting 11/17 8:30 a.m. Child Nutrition Annex

APs’ Meeting/Academy 11/21 4:00 p.m. Riverside Campus – A107

Teacher Workday 11/22 ---- Traditional +Year-Round Calendar

Thanksgiving Holiday 11/23+24 ---- Students, Teachers, and Staff

BOE Meeting 11/27 7:00 p.m. Riverside Campus – A107

Music, Band, and Drama Teachers’ Meeting 11/28 4:00 p.m. Riverside Campus – A107

United Way Educational Grants’ Reception 11/30 7:00 p.m. Mitchell Media Center

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U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

One of the most helpful things you can do is to show your children that you think homework is important. Many children today do their homework while their parents are at work. When you are at home, ask to see your children's homework and discuss it with them. What if I don’t understand my child’s assignment? Today's students may have subjects that you never had or that you didn't like when you were in school. You can still help your children by praising their progress, getting help from a public library or homework hotline, and talking with their teachers. You don't have to be an expert in a subject to help with homework. There are many places to go for help.” To read the complete article and for more parent tips, go to www.nea.org. Reprinted with permission from the National Education Asso-ciation

Homework Help