Volume 1, Issue 2 Thomasville City Schools Spring & Summer 2015

From the SuperintendentAs second semester is well underway, and the business of learning is in full swing, I can’t helpbut reflect on the academic progress made overthe past year. Each of our schools eithermade or exceeded growth expectations on

2013-14 North Carolina mandated tests.While I am proudof all the efforts of our students, staff members, and parents, wemust continue to focus and diligently work to achieve our aca-demic goals for this school year. I trust that you will take note ofthe testing calendar, test-taking tips, and other timely informationcontained within this newsletter. This will be critically importantas we prepare for continued learning, spring assessments, andend-of-year events.

As I continued to reflect, I thought about the fantastic district andcommunity we share. I would personally like to thank everyonewho attended the Parent Get-Together in October and district-wide parent breakfast sessions held in November, February, andApril. These sessions provided opportunities for us to come together focusing on specific issues and strategies to moveThomasville City Schools forward. I believe sessions were wellattended, helpful and certainly cause for celebration.

As the end of the year approaches, I invite you to regularly visitour system’s website. It provides pertinent information aboutteaching and learning, details about our strategic plan for improvement, calendars, Board of Education policies, and aforum-type section for policy feedback. Also located there is an entrance to the Parent Portal which enables parents to receive accurate, real-time information for each of their childrenattending TCS.

This truly has been a great year for Thomasville City Schools! Ourjourney is exciting and I am happy to be taking the journey withyou, your student, and this community! Together we can achieve Excellence - because in Thomasville City Schools,

“Excellence is the Standard!”

66666666666666Community Parent Meeting

YMCAMay 195:30 p.m.

All Parents are Encouraged to Attend!66666666666666

We are honored to celebrate the recognition of Liberty Drive ElementarySchool as a recipient of the Signature School Award presented bythe Piedmont Triad Education Consortium! The Consortium presents awards each December to schools in itsparticipating districts which have experienced significant improvement within the past 12 months. The Piedmont Triad Education Consortium is a collaboration of fifteen K-12 publicschool districts and seventeen higher education institutions inNorth Carolina.This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication exhibited by the entire Liberty Drive staff. We are proud of LDSand the manner in which challenges are being addressed to meet the needs of our students and community.

Signature SchoolAward...

It is our mission in Thomasville City Schools to partner with parents, community, and staff to nurture and prepare our students for success in the 21st Century. Educating the whole child and providing them with the tools needed forsuccess in life is paramount. Expectations for a positive learning environment along with rigor, relevance, and relationship building will ensure success for all students.

Testing Tips...Teachers, parents, and schools havea common goal and shared responsibility to have children perform well on tests. Tests are, after all, the primary means by which students and schools are measured. Consider givingthese tips a try.

Preparing for a Test: • Keep up with your regular classwork and assignments. • Start reviewing a few days before the test • Make lists, rhymes, or pictures to organize and remember information • Use a ‘buddy system’ to study. Teach the information in your own words to a classmate. • Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast

Taking a Test: • Carefully follow all directions. If you don’t understand, ask. • Pace yourself - Don’t rush • Consider all the choices before answering the question • Eliminate answers that you know are incorrect • Answer every question • Fill-in bubbles completely • Use any remaining time to check your answers • Think positively and DO YOUR VERY BEST!

Thomasville City Schools will continue implementing the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBiS) Initiativeat both Thomasville Primary and LibertyDrive schools. Plans are also being made tobegin implementation at Thomasville Middle and Thomasville High Schools.

Positive Behavior Intervention and SupportPrograms are ways to positively impact learning environments atthe school level in order to support high student performanceand to reduce behavioral problems. Our schools are working tointegrate their Safe Schools Plans, Character Education efforts,and discipline strategies as part of their own Positive BehaviorIntervention and Support (PBiS). We believe this initiative willmake our schools safer, more consistent, nurturing places forlearning.

PBiS is a team-based system involving the entire school staff; itis a systematic approach which establishes and reinforces clearbehavioral expectations. PBiS is individualized according to theschool’s own data, considering each individual campus and instructional day perimeters to guide decision-making. Emphasis is placed on continuous, data-based improvementsfor every student. PBiS is also an instructional approach that focuses on teaching appropriate social behaviors using effectiveinstructional methodology. Implementing behavioral interven-tions for the most difficult students is also a key component. Forsuccessful implementation, the school staff adopts a commonapproach to discipline that is proactive, instructional, and outcome-based.

The goal is to help educate all students, even students with challenging behaviors.

MAY 2015 TESTING DATES:MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

4AP Psychology

5AP Calculus AB

6AP English Literature

7 8AP U.S. History

11AP Biology

12AP U.S. Govern-ment

13AP English Language

14 15

18TIMMS taken by APCalculus Students

26 273rd Grade ReadingEOG

283rd Grade Math EOG

293rd Grade EOGMake-ups

JUNE 2015 TESTING DATES:15th Grade Science

25th Grade Science

35th Grade Science6, 7, 8 Grade MathEOGSenior 4th BlockEOCs

45th Grade Science6, 7 Grade Science EOGSenior 3rd Block EOCsSeniors 1st Block CTE inafternoon

55th Grade ScienceSenior 2nd BlockEOCs

83rd Grade Read toAchieve 8th Grade ScienceTHS 1st Block EOCs

93rd Grade Read toAchieve (make-ups)LDS ReadingEOGs8th Grade ScienceTHS 2nd Block

10LDS Math EOGs8th Grade ScienceTHS 3rd Block

11THS 4th Block

12THS Make-ups

Thomasville City Schools honored its busdrivers Feb. 9-13 during School BusDriver Appreciation Week.

Each weekday, TCSbus drivers transport1,405 childrenthroughoutthe district.They’re someof the first toarrive atschools in the mornings especially onparticularly cold days as they get thereeven earlier to warm up the buses beforestarting their routes.

“Our bus drivers are tasked with the incredible responsibility of transportingthe most precious cargo to and fromschools on tight schedules,” said AssistantSuperintendent for School Operations,Georgia Marshall. “We appreciate theirdedication and compassion for all the students in their care.”

End-of-Year Testing CalendarEnd-of-Year Testing Calendar

It is very important for students to be on-time and present each day of testing. All HS exams count 20% of the students final grade.

Thomasville Primary NewsSUCCESS! TPS Jump Rope for HeartThank you to everyone who supportedThomasville Primary's Jump Rope for Heart

program! Not only did the students raise over $2,500 for theAmerican Heart Association, they also learned life lessonsabout their hearts and the importance of exercising and eating healthy. Many classes worked together, raised moneyas a team and found out how much more they could accomplish when they worked together. Jumping rope is astrenuous exercise, but the kids LOVED it!Goal in sight! TPS BoxTops for Education This year,TPS is tracking BoxTop submissions by teacher, so funds collected will go directly to classrooms for supplies and educational resources. It's been a heart-warming activity tosee students, teachers, parents, grandparents and the localcommunity become engaged in this easy and rewarding program to give back to our schools. We currently have collected close to $750 and are on track to reach the goal of$1,000 in BoxTops this school year!

Liberty Drive NewsMonday, March 31st was bring your parents to school day at Liberty Drive. The day

began with 23 parents joining students for breakfast. After everyone enjoyed some tasty treats, they startedon their way to class. Parents enjoyedmathmadness, reading,lunch, recess, a multiplication championship, and even the computer lab. Families visited throughout the day, and experienced 4th and 5th grade life in today's world. In total, 85families participated. It was amazing to see somany families support our students.

Bring Your Parents toSchool Day!

Bring Your Parents toSchool Day!

Thomasville High NewsIf you enjoy fun-filled,exciting learningexperiences, then THS’s Teen Tech Week was theplace to be during March 13-17, 2015!Teen Tech Week is sponsored by Young Adult Li-

brary Services Association, a division of American Library Asso-ciation. This is a time when libraries showcase digital resourcesand services which are available to help teens succeed in school,prepare for college, and 21st century careers. It is also a time toextend learning beyond the classroom and explore, create andshare.This year’s theme was “Libraries are for Making...” Ms. JoAnnaHiggins, media specialist at THS, explained that many libraries(both school and public) are moving towards something called“Makerspaces.” This is a shift from the traditional “library as awarehouse for books and information” to a space where studentscan collaboratively create and learn by making. THS will beginto implement Makerspace next year in the Media Center. TeenTech Week was simply a taste of what is to come.

The following is a list of student activities: *Cool Tech Videos ~ students learned about amazing new technology developed this year.*Sphero (Robotic Ball) ~ students participated in a variety of competitive activities.*TapeTricity~ students created cards, signs, or wearable tech by creating simple circuits with tape, LED’s, batteries, and other items.*Sound Effects Fun ~ Students used a computer program (coded by two members of the THS Computer Club) to create sound effects for silent films.*3D Printer ~ A representative demonstrated various products which can made using a 3D printer. Digital Scavenger Hunt ~ This was a week long activity in which students had a list of tasks to complete. Students formed teams of two to travel around Thomasville using their cell phones to locate places and items in the city. This activity got parents involved as they drove the students around town. Teams had 72 tasks to complete. Prizes were awarded based on the number of tasks a team completed. Fourteen teams of students took on the Scavenger Hunt Challenge. Walmart gift cards were awarded to the top three teams listed here:3rd place (Team Trendy) Wendy Deras & Trinity Harris completed 48 tasks and each received a $10.00 Walmart gift card.2nd place (Team McCoy) Brandon McCoy & Ariel Reamous completed 66 tasks and each received a $15.00 Walmart gift card.1st place (Team Adriana Crew24) Kendra Canty & Monifah Ray completed 67 tasks and each received a $25.00 Walmart gift card.Other outstanding participants:Araceli Flores Carmen Salgado Marlene MartinezKenya Mejia-Giron Kimberly Valdez Giselle VillafanGabriela Jimenez Evan MakupsonOver 650 THS students participated and experienced the funand excitement of a great week!

Thomasville Middle NewsSpring is in the air and the anticipation ofthe school year ending is upon us. TMS

started the year off with a roar and were ending with abang. The Thomasville Middle School PTA has beenrecognized with the Newcomer Award for the 2014-15 membership year. The award is presented bythe North Carolina PTA during their 2015 Parent Education Conference. The goal is to continue the momentum set forth by the staff and parents. So a bigthank you to everyone who made this year a success.

TCS StudentsWinSkillsUSA Regional Competitions

Thomasville High Construction students, Zachery Hawkins, Marcus Collins and Sheyanne Hawkins, displayed their Bulldog winning spirit on March 20 at the SkillsUSA Regional Competition. SkillsUSA is a student organization for high school students which provides apartnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps students through educational programs,events and competitions that support career and technicaleducation (CTE) in our classrooms. This student organization is sponsored by Dwight Brodar,THS Carpentryinstructor.During the March Carpentry Core Regional Competition,Zachery Hawkins took 1st place and Marcus Collins placed2nd. In addition, Sheyanne Hawkins was elected as theSkillsUSA Regional Vice President for the 2015-2016 schoolyear. Congratulations to these students who representThomasville so well!

4th Annual Hunger Run 5K Color Run

Communities in Schools, Thomasville in conjunction with Novant Health will host its annual Hunger Run on Saturday,

May 16, 2015. The event begins and ends at theThomasville High School track in front of the gymon Bulldog Drive and will be held rain or shine.Live music will be provided by Firehouse Enter-tainment. Register to participate at active.com orcontact Judy Younts at 336-474-4233.

Schedule of events are: 7 - 8 a.m. - Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-up 8:30 a.m. - 5K Start Time 9:30 a.m. - Awards CeremonySponsorships are available & non-perishable food donationswill be accepted. All proceeds will benefit CIS of Thomasville’sBackpack Program which provides weekend food for hungrychildren in our local community. For information about becoming a sponsor, contact Judy Younts at 474-4233 oryountsj@tcs.k12.nc.us

Congratulations toMr. Juan Ortiz, ESL teacher at

Thomasville Primary School, for being awarded the Brown Finch Grant.This is the second year Mr. Ortiz has received the award which he uses to support ESL students in third grade.

Mr. Ortiz is dedicated to developing reading comprehension,vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills through consistent useof Free Voluntary Reading (FVR) within his classroom.

Using the grant funds, Mr. Ortiz was able to purchase morethan 100 of his students’ favorite books. Students remain engaged throughout the school year checking out books andmagazines that they enjoy reading in class and at home.

At the end of last school year, ESL students showed significantgrowth in various reading and language assessments. Out of 50 identified ESL students, 20 (40%) successfully exited the LEPprogram due to their high scores in the ACCESS test (this testmeasures listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency). The same percentage (40%) of ESL studentspassed the EOG Reading test and were reading at or abovegrade level, as measured by the Reading 3D assessment administered at the end of the year.

Besides the great job done by excellent third grade classroomteachers, Mr. Ortiz believes that this intensive, voluntary reading opportunity, helps students to grow in their learningprocess.

Who: Children turning 5 years old by August 31, 2015

When: Monday, June 1st - Friday, June 5th

Where: Thomasville Primary School

Time: Call to schedule your child’s personal appointment 474-4160 (Appointments Only)

Bring: Child’s Birth Certificate Immunization Record Two (2) proofs of residency (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)

KindergartenScreening Information

Admissions to attend Thomasville City SchoolsThe superintendent or designee will approve or deny requests for admission to the school system for students who do not meet thedomicile or residence requirements outlined in School Board policy 4120, Domicile or Residence Requirements. Requests from thoseresiding outside the school system’s attendance area, who wish to attend Thomasville City Schools, will be given consideration upon request. Annual tuition fee of $75 will be assessed.

Request forms must be submitted each school year in which admission is desired. Admission forms are available at the 400 Turner Street administrative office.

Forms and tuition must be received during the annual application window: April 1st through July 1st.

Thomasville City Schools is excited to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program once again this year. This nutritional program has been very well received by the Thomasville community and has proven to be a huge success for kids living in the district.

This year, we will begin on Monday, June 15 and will last through Saturday, August 15. Meals will be provided Monday through Saturday weekly. The only day of no delivery will be Saturday, July 4.

Meals are free to all children 18 and under regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability.

Lunch will be provided at Thomasville Primary School 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and also at Thomasville High School 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Van routes (bus stop routes during school year)times may vary for these deliveries:118 Dedmond Court Morton & Maple Douglas Drive & Cohen Tremont & Fairway Avenue908 Trinity Street Koontz & Goforth E. Guilford & Cates Worrell & Pine StreetHinkle & Fisher Ferry King Row Park June & Reid Culbreth Avenue & BrewerCox Avenue & Morton Thompson & Cole South Street Church Street & Forsyth205 Arthur Drive Davidson & Long Street Polk Street & Cole Street Pineywood CourtFisher Ferry & Colonial Drive 302 Culbreth Culbreth Avenue & Griffin 317 Winston StreetHigh Street 417 Doak Street Walker Street 110 Brown StreetChurch Street & Highland Barnwell & Afton 40 Hunter Street Barnwell & John213 Polk Street & Dillon 110 Carr Street Cox & Fife Street 215 W. Colonial Drive11 Pine Street 321 West Main Street Leonard Street & Memorial Park

Please contact Brenda Watford, Child Nutrition Director, with questions.She can be reached at 336-474-4219

Remember ~ lunches will be delivered on Saturdays!

This school year was a very important one for your studentand may help determine the direction of their learning formany years. Failing a class or not being proficient in a corearea may seem devastating but luckily summer school canremedy many issues before they become serious road blocksfor your student. Thomasville City Schools is providing severalopportunities this summer. Daily transportation, breakfast,and lunch will be provided for all students attending thesecamps.

TPS Literacy Alive: Summer Camp 2015 Read to Achieve Legislation requires third grade students scoring below Level 3 in Reading on thethird grade EOG to attend Summer Camp, unless they qualify for a ‘good cause exemption’. SummerCamp attendees must successfully complete an intensive summer program grounded in standards-based instruction. Students must successfully complete Summer Camp in order to be promoted tofourth grade. Students not proficient at the end of Summer Camp will be retained in third grade ormove to a fourth grade transitional class. Literacy Alive hours are 8:30-1:00 for the weeks listed:

Week 1: July 6-9 (Monday-Thursday) Week 2: July 13-16 (Monday-Thursday) Week 3: July 20-23 (Monday-Thursday) Week 4: July 27-30 (Monday-Thursday) Week 5: August 3-4 (Monday-Tuesday)

Summer Transition Camp will be held for select 3rd -12th graders June 15-29 from 8:00-12:00each day. Students will receive invitations to Transition Camp following EOG and EOC testing. Students are expected to retest during camp.

• Instructional Dates: June 15-24 • Testing Dates: June 25, 26, 29

Cardinal Camp is for incoming kindergarten students and will be held August 10 - 15, 2015. Camp will begin at 8 a.m. and dismiss at 12 p.m.

Freshman Academy is for all rising freshmen and will be held August 10 - 15, 2015. Classes will begin at 8 a.m. and dismiss at 12 p.m.

A I G C r e a t i v i t y

C a m pAIG Creativity Camp will beheld for selected 2nd -11thgrade students June 22-26

from 8:00-12:00.

Elementary students will attend camp at

Liberty Drive Elementary.

Middle and High school students will attend camp atThomasville High School

Transportation to both siteswill be provided.

Breakfast and lunch will beserved to all

participating students.

Thomasville City Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, parental status or disability in any of its educational or employment programs or activities.

Maria Pitre-Martin, PhD.Superintendent of Schools

400 Turner Street Thomasville, North Carolina 27360

www.tcs.k12.nc.us

WE BELIEVE in every child and celebrate their worth and value. WE BELIEVE parents are a critical component of each student’s success. WE BELIEVE in high expectations for all students and staff, and expect our students to be challenged to reach their greatest academic potential. WE BELIEVE in working collaboratively to enhance student learning. WE BELIEVE all students learn differently and therefore require instructional methods to be tailored to their needs. WE BELIEVE that diversity is a valuable and vital asset to our school community. WE BELIEVE that learning is a lifelong process for both students and staff. WE BELIEVE that all students and staff will incorporate innovative 21st Century technology in the learning process. WE BELIEVE in promoting the health and well-being of our students and staff: emotional, physical, and nutritional.

“Excellence is the Standard!”

Administrative Office400 Turner Street

Phone: 336.474-4200Transportation: 336.474.4173

Thomasville Primary School (PreK-3)Dr. Angela Moore, Principal915 East Sunrise AvenuePhone: 336-474-4160

Liberty Drive Elementary School (4-5)Mrs. Krystal Sanders, Principal

401 Liberty DrivePhone: 336-474-4186

Thomasville Middle School (6-8)Mr. Kevin Leake, Principal

400 Unity StreetPhone: 336-474-4120

Thomasville High School (9-12)Mr. Deboy Beamon, Principal

410 Unity StreetPhone: 336-474-4250Bulldog Academy

Mr. Matthew Pugh, Administrator19 East Guilford StreetPhone: 336-474-4324

Thomasville City Schools

F.Y.I.: Leave for Parental Involvement inSchools ~ Family and community involvement has a powerful and positive impact on student outcomes. Studentswith involved parents are more likely to: Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-

level programs;

Be promoted, pass classes, and earn credits;

Attend school regularly;

Have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; and

Graduate and go on to post secondary education.Therefore, in North Carolina, employers must grant four hoursleave per year to any employee who is a parent/guardian of aschool-aged child in order to allow for involvement at school. This type leave is subject to the following conditions: • Leave time must be mutually agreed upon between the employer and the employee. • The employer may require a written request for the leave 48 hours prior to the desired time for leave. • The employer may require written verification from the school stating that the employee attended during the requested time of leave.Employers may not take adverse action against an employeewho requests or takes leave under this section. Employers arenot required to pay for leave taken for this purpose.

§ N.C.G.S. 95-25.3http://www.nclabor.com/wh/fact%20sheets/child_involvement.htm

Your Student’s Safety is #1!

NThomasville City Schools Nhas a

School Resource Officer

yA Licensed School Nurse

located at each school

Just a Reminder...

JUNE 12is an Early Release Day &

the LAST Day for Students!!

yAugust 24

is the First Day for Students

Just a Reminder...