New Hanover County Schools

Board of Education member Stephanie Kraybill participated in a webinar with the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) alongside Chief District Court Judge J Corpening. They shared how the school justice partnership that's been in New Hanover County since 2015 has led to markedly higher graduation rates and a 67% reduction in school-based referrals to the court system. The School Justice Partnership (SJP) is a group of community stakeholders – including school administrators, the law enforcement community, court system actors, juvenile justice personnel, and others – that develops and implements effective strategies to address student misconduct. SJPs work to reduce the number of suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to the justice system by timely and constructively addressing student misconduct when and where it happens, helping students succeed in school and preventing negative outcomes for both youth and their communities. We are grateful to have this partnership that leads to safer schools and gives students a second chance to be successful. Watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/er5zBFFj

New Hanover County Schools leaders held a two-day professional development summit last week, gathering principals, assistant principals, directors and supervisors under the theme “Reimagine.” In sessions ranging in topic from instruction and student health to cybersecurity and crisis communications, NHCS leaders shared transformative ideas for staff, students, and families. Acting Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes also held a series of breakout sessions for leaders to discuss the results of the recent staff climate survey. These small-group discussions were intended to allow leaders to delve deeply into the survey findings, share insights, and collaboratively develop a strategic plan of action, Barnes said. "This Leadership Retreat is a pivotal moment for us to reimagine what is possible for New Hanover County Schools,” Barnes said. “By coming together to share innovative ideas and address the crucial feedback from our staff, we’re ensuring that our collective efforts are aligned and that we are all moving in the right direction toward tangible improvements.” The Leadership Retreat was held July 9-10 at Murray Middle School and the Minnie Evans Performing Arts Center. The annual event gives NHCS leaders the opportunity to learn from each other in an environment of collaboration and reflection ahead of the start of a new school year. Year-round schools will have their first day on July 17; Restart schools start on Aug. 1; Isaac Bear, Wilmington Early College, and SEA-Tech High Schools start Aug. 7; Traditional Schools start Aug. 27; and Restart Pre-K starts Aug. 12 while Traditional Pre-K starts Sept. 6.

Congratulations to Board of Education member Stephanie Walker, who was selected as a North Carolina State Policy Fellow with the Hunt Institute. The program gathers leaders from around the state to form a bipartisan group of future education policymakers and aspiring state and local elected officials in North Carolina. The fellows will learn about different sectors of the education continuum, engage in constructive dialogue, and build relationships with one another and with policy experts across the state to better advocate for students. The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Congratulations, Ms. Walker!

Whatever your talents or passions or expertise are, we can promise you there are students in our schools who would love to learn from YOU. Last night we honored Jimmy Jordan with a Board of Ed recognition for his volunteer work with Science Olympiad. His advice to prospective volunteers? "Give it a try. You won't regret it." * * * * * Jimmy Jordan started volunteering with Science Olympiad more than a decade ago when his grandson said, “Granddaddy, I need help building a pasta tower.” A retired process supervisor at GE, Jimmy loves to tinker and loves a challenge, so he helped with the pasta tower that year, and the pasta bridge the next. And when that grandson entered middle school and wanted to do the flying event, the magic really happened. Jimmy has been into rubber-powered model airplanes since 1956, when at the age of 11 he bought himself a model plane and a model plane magazine to go with it. But he didn’t have an adult to help him, so he tried to teach himself how to fly it. And it took years… until one day an older boy in the neighborhood took him aside, explained some rudimentary aerodynamics, and showed him how it was done. Jimmy will tell you that he’s not an educated person just because he doesn’t have the right credentials, but that’s just not true. He can wax poetic about Newton’s Laws of Physics, or the interaction of velocity and acceleration of air to make flight possible. And when he’s volunteering with students at Murray Middle and Ashley High Schools throughout every Science Olympiad season, he’s not only imparting what he’s taught himself over the years, but he’s guiding them through the scientific method, and helping them be exactly the kind of learners we want them to be: curious self-starters, willing to experiment and admit they don’t know something or can’t do something – yet. The operative word there being… yet. Last month Jimmy Jordan was named the Science Olympiad Volunteer of the Year for the State of North Carolina for his years of mentorship and leadership in our community and all the way up to the national level. We are celebrating this recognition but we are also thanking him. He may not have had that adult to help him when he was 11 years old and wanted to learn the science behind flight… but he has been that adult for so many of our students, and changed their lives for the better because of it. Congratulations, Mr. Jordan.

Teachers make their students feel seen and welcomed in their schools. Annalisha shared her sincere gratitude for her third grade teacher Emily Koglar at Winter Park Elementary School. #ThankATeacher

Teachers do so much in the classroom to uplift their students, but they also make a tremendous impact in their roles beyond the classroom as well. Listen to eighth grader Jayden share his appreciation to lacrosse coach and art teacher Mr. William Fargo at Holly Shelter Middle School.

Not a dry eye when tenth grade student Marjorie surprised Spanish teacher, Carla Swan, at Wilmington Early College High School this morning. Stay tuned throughout the week for more students expressing their appreciation to their amazing teachers. #ThankATeacher

You are never too small to share a meaningful message! We loved seeing Ryan thank her kindergarten teacher, Ms. Sheena Ennett, at Murrayville Elementary School this morning. #ThankATeacher

Fifth grader Ava made her AIG teacher, Crystal Boger, feel very celebrated and appreciated over at Porters Neck Elementary! #ThankATeacher

We loved to hear the powerful words of ninth grade student Aaron to his favorite teacher, Mr. Craig Blackmon, over at J.C. Roe Center. #ThankATeacher