THREE SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED AS REWARD SCHOOLS

Earlier this month, Liberty Middle School, Alcovy High School, and Newton High School were identified as Title I High Progress Reward Schools. A “High-Progress School” is a Title I school among the 10% of Title I schools in the State that is making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over three years on the statewide assessments. Congratulations to the faculty, students, parents, staff, and school leaders at each of these schools. It is imperative that we continue to ensure that all students are supported so that they may enjoy high levels of learning.

SNAPPING SHOALS EMC BRIGHT IDEAS GRANTS

Several teachers who were SSEMC Bright Ideas grant recipients were recognized at a breakfast hosted by the Newton County School System in partnership with Snapping Shoals EMC. Congratulations to the following teachers whose grants will enhance the experiences of their students: Terry Badertscher-Cousins MS, Katoya Bledsoe-Newton HS, LaTrelle Cathown-NCSS Adapted PE, Moran Corbett-Eastside HS, Kena Hudgins-NC Theme School, Kristin Koterba-Liberty MS, Alexis Laughhunn-Eastside HS, Shannon Lawrence-Eastside HS, Vicki Meeler-Indian Creek MS, Monique Mitchell-Eastside HS, Beth Bryan-Eastside HS,Cathy Moll-NCTheme School, Chantae Pittman-Alcovy HS, Julia Riggs-Eastside HS, Lisa Roby-Middle Ridge ES, Terry Silvey-Alcovy HS, Shelley Yeatman-NCCA Early Learning Center.

GENERAL MILLS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS

The General Mills Community Partnership awarded grants to district office personnel and teachers at both Cousins Middle and West Newton Elementary Schools during a reception earlier in the month. Congratulations to Terry Badertscher whose grant allows for her continued work on the community garden at Cousins Middle School. Congratulations to Sabrina Grant whose grant request focused on science at West Newton Elementary School. Congratulations to Karen Dozier and Kathy Garber whose grant will allow for the purchase of supplies for teachers participating in the “Math Endorsement” program through the Math-Science Partnership.

NEWTON FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE GRANTS

Four teachers were notified earlier this month that they were the recipients of a ReImagine Newton Classroom Grant sponsored by the Newton Foundation for Educational Excellence. Grant recipients were recognized at a meeting of the Board of Education. Congratulations to Kelsey Veihman-Eastside HS, Ken Meakins-Porterdale ES, Lori Wardingly-NC Theme School, and Kena Hudgins-NC Theme School.

This year’s Principal-For-A-Day

(PFAD) initiative was a great success!

This event, sponsored by the Newton

County Chamber of Commerce, connects

business and community leaders with our

schools.

The feedback and impressions described

by our PFADs at a lunch meeting,

sponsored by the Newton Foundation for

Excellence in Education, serves as

confirmation of our focus and work. The

experience is designed to help

participants understand the complex role

of the principal and gain an insider’s

perspective on the school system. The

leadership role of the principal and the

instructional delivery model of our

teaching staff have changed over the last

several years. Today’s school setting is

different from the setting most of our

PFADs experienced when they were in

school. We appreciate their time and

support!

We look forward to

the 2014-2015 PFAD Event!

Principal-For-A-Day

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DEVELOPING A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE

A recent discussion with Alcovy High School seniors in Ms. Kelly Musgrove’s “Tools for College Success” course further underscores

the need for The Newton County School System to ensure a “college-going culture” exists throughout each grade span—with discussions

beginning as early as Pre-K. Stories told by the students in this class indicated that their choices for their futures beyond high school would

likely have been different if they had learned what it takes to be successful earlier. Some students even indicated that the school system

should not leave it to chance that students have opportunities to engage in discussions about life after high school because not every student

receives the same guidance and support. College-going cultures are marked by environments, attitudes, and practices in both schools

and communities that inspire and encourage students and their families to gather the information and tools necessary to enhance access

to and success in post-secondary education. “College-going cultures” possess an emphasis in the following areas:

Schools, families, and communities give students the same message of high expectations for their future

As early as elementary school, students learn about options for the future

Schools convey the expectation that all students can prepare for the opportunity to attend and be successful in post-secondary education

An additional focus in systems with a “college-going culture” is to ensure students believe they can have a great future, and that they can plan and prepare for options that lead to a creative and productive life after high school. As students grow in their education, it’s likely their visions and ideas of the future will be adjusted; they need to be ready for those possibilities. Students need to know the varied and many paths they can take to have a successful life journey.

AdvancED/SACS-EXTERNAL REVIEW

The AdvancED/SACS External Review Team’s visit is approaching quickly. The visiting team will arrive on Sunday, March 23, 2014 to begin the review process. The team will visit several schools and the district office to spend time interviewing various teacher and leader groups, system leaders, other stakeholders, and the members of the Board of Education. The visit will conclude with a special called meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Keep up the great work and focus as we continue to prepare for the

visit.

STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council met for the first time during the month of November; they will meet again in February and May. The Council is comprised of students from each middle and high school and represents a vast array of interests and talents. The Advisory Council provides a pipeline for students to share ideas outlining how the system could enhance their educational experiences; the students are eager to make a difference! During the first meeting, students reviewed the District Strategic Plan and began to provide feedback regarding the district’s goals and strategies. Some of their thoughts are as follows: more technology integration, more time for classes in which they struggle, more interactive classrooms, opportunities to stress the importance of assessments, encourage those who succeed just as much as those who do not, better communication between students and faculty, more one-on-one graduation assistance, arrange for college visits earlier, start talking about the future much earlier, and add incentives and opportunities for students to excel and

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The Newton County School System's Strategic Plan can be found at the link below.

Take the time to review the plan!

http://www.newtoncountyschools.org/Portals/0/newtoncounty/main/documents/strategic%20plan/NCSS%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf

TWITTER HIGHLIGHTS

Students, teachers, and our community working to ensure our students are the

benefactors of a high quality, relevant, engaging education.

Check out Twitter- See for yourself! #NCSSBeTheBest

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