D9 Connection

On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Tuesday, I had the honor of visiting Project SEARCH at Embassy Suites Raleigh Durham (Harrison Oaks Blvd). This is an amazing program for a great group of students and staff. Click here to learn more about Project SEARCH. WCPSS, Embassy Suites, Community Workforce Solutions, VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) are working together to provide opportunities for growth, employment, and more for our students. On Wednesday, I attended the Green Hope High School's performance of The Disappearance of Daniel Hand. The cast and crew did a fantastic job. On Thursday, I attended the virtual public information meeting on Draft One of the Student Assignment Plan. On Friday, I visited Green Hope Elementary and volunteered to provide support. It was great to spend time with some awesome students and staff. On Saturday, I will be wrapping up my week at Cary Band Day! This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Student Achievement Committee and Policy Comm...

On Monday, I attended the Turning Insight and Vision Into Awareness Webinar. Two young adults, Billy Pickens and Mayia Warren, shared information about the history of Blindness Awareness Month. They also shared their moving personal stories of blindness/vision impairment, struggles and victories in school, and the importance of self-advocacy. On Wednesday afternoon, I visited West Cary Middle and provided class coverage. I loved seeing all the orange for Unity Day. On Thursday, I visited Laurel Park Elementary and offered breaks to teachers. It was fabulous to see the students engaging with other students, school staff, and a wide variety of materials. Later on Thursday, I attended the Virtual Public Information Session for Draft One of the Student Assignment Plan. On Friday afternoon, I visited East Cary Middle School and volunteered to sub. What a great way to end the week! This week as a Board, we had three meetings: Finance Committee, Work Session, and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday...

On Tuesday, I attended the Green Hope versus Holly Springs High Volleyball game. Well done Falcons! It continues to be exciting to see the students engaging in athletics and all the students, families, and school staff cheering them on at the games. Later on Tuesday evening, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Friday, I attended the Cary High School Homecoming Parade. Wow! That was a rocking parade. The floats, NJROTC, the band, East Cary, West Cary, and Reedy Creek Middle students, and much more made the parade a lot of fun for the participants and all those standing along the street. This week as a Board, we had one meeting: Facilities Committee.  At the Wednesday, October 13th Facilities Committee Meeting: Betty Park, Senior Director, Real Estate Services; presented naming options for the new Cooperative Innovative High School in Morrisville/Research Triangle Park Area (H-11). The Board showed support for naming H-11 the Wake Early College of Information and Biotechnologies and...

On Monday, I attended the WakeEd Stars of Education 2021 Virtual Gala. To watch the recording of the event, click here . On Wednesday, I attended the incredible performance of the 12 Angry Jurors at Cary High School. This was the first CHS Performing Arts live theatrical performance since March 2020. The students were powerful; their emotion and energy was moving. On Thursday, I attended the WCPSS Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year Banquet. Congratulations to the finalists, the Principal of the Year-Keith Richardson, Knightdale High School, and the Assistant Principal of the Year-Bonnie Mwanda, Heritage High School. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, October 5th Work Session: Glenn Carrozza, Senior Director, Office of Student Assignment, presented Draft One of the Enrollment Plan for 2022-23. Please review the presentation at this link . There will be info sessions this month. Dates TBD. Draft two will be released on No...

On Sunday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Tuesday, I attended the Digital Transition Webinar- In Case No One's Told You Today: I Love You! with guest speaker: Dr. Elena Ashburn, NC Principal of the Year. On Thursday, I attended the Davis Drive versus West Cary Middle Football Game. It was great to see so many students, families, and school staff supporting the football teams and cheerleaders.  This week as a Board, we had four meetings: Finance Committee, Student Achievement Committee, Policy Committee, and Safety and Security Committee. At the Monday, September 27th Finance Committee Meeting: Dr. Muttillo, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, presented information about the support staff compensation history and possible scenarios for pay increases using local funding. To view the presentation, click here . I did voice my appreciation for bringing some possible specific plans to the table. I believe our staff deserve to know where we are headed with their pay since...

On Wednesday, I hosted a Board Advisory Council (BAC) Meeting. Please read to the end of this entry to learn more about the meeting. On Thursday, I visited the Connections Academy. I appreciate all the important work the staff, students, and families are doing at Connections. On Friday evening, I will be attending the Green Hope vs. Panther Creek High School Football Game. This week as a Board, we had two meetings: Work Session and Board Meeting. At the Tuesday, September 21st Work Session: Paul Koh, Assistant Superintendent, Student Support Services; and Kelly Creech, Senior Director, Health Services, shared information about staff vaccinations and testing and student testing. To view their presentation, click here . There are federal requirements for staff vaccinations and testing (see slide 9 of the presentation). OSHA is developing an Emergency Temporary Standard. North Carolina OSHA will have 30 days to adopt the same rules as OSHA or an equally effective alternative. WCPSS is wa...

On Monday, I hosted a D9 Connection Meeting. On Wednesday, I attended the Cary Chamber of Commerce's Annual Banquet. The Chamber presented awards for Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, and Ambassador of the Year. On Friday, I visited Reedy Creek Elementary and Reedy Creek Middle School. It was fantastic to see students "flying into" Letterland, excited to have learned about animals, and more. I am grateful to all the school staff for continuing to connect with students and for the support our families give our staff and school communities. On Friday evening, I will be attending the Cary High vs. Green Level football game. On Saturday, I will wrap up my week volunteering at Weatherstone Elementary School's Edible Garden Fall Cleanup Event. This week as a Board, we had one meeting: Facilities Committee. At the Wednesday, September 15th Facilities Committee Meeting: Betty Parker, Senior Director, Real Estate Services, provided an overview of the agreements which ...