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ParentVision: How You Can Stay Informed

We provide a rundown of many different ways you can keep up with the news and information about our school system in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:25 PM on August 18, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Voluntary Student Accident Insurance

Is your child interested in athletic or certain other extracurricular activities? Then find out what you need to know about accident insurance from this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:10 PM on August 18, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Immunization Requirements

This ParentVision video podcast is a quick primer on immunization requirements for entry into North Carolina public schools. For more details, visit our Newcomers' Guide.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:22 PM on August 17, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Information about HPV Vaccines

By state law, WCPSS provides parents and guardians of students in grades 5-12 with "information about cervical cancer, cervical dysplasia, human papillomavirus and the vaccines available to prevent these diseases." This ParentVision video podcast describes the ways we share that information.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:48 AM on August 17, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: How to Enroll Your Child

If you're a newcomer to the Wake County Public School System,this ParentVision video podcast is for you, as we walk you through the basics of registering your child for school. You'll find more details at our Newcomers' Guide.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:59 AM on August 17, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Enrolling from Private Kindergartens

Last year, the state changed the eligibility date for children entering kindergarten to five years old on or before August 31. This can present an unforeseen challenge to families who enrolled their children in private kindergartens at a younger age and expected their children to enter WCPSS as first-graders. This ParentVision video podcast takes a look at the issues involved.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:30 AM on August 17, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Coping with Enrollment Changes

What happens when a school's enrollment at the start of the school year comes in under or above projections? This ParentVision video podcast talks about the changes principals sometimes have to make after classes are in session.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:04 PM on August 16, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: School Meals

Learn more about school breakfasts and lunches -- including how to easily pay for them and track your child's usage -- on today's ParentVision video podcast, part of our Back-to-school guide.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 8:00 AM on July 27, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Freshman Camps

Find out more about our schools' efforts to ease the transition for rising ninth-graders in today's ParentVision video podcast, part of our Back-to-school guide.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:11 PM on July 14, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Back-to-school Resources

The new school year will be here before you know it -- especially for year-round students. In today's ParentVision video podcast we unveil our Back-to-school website and resources for 2010, with more to come.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:21 PM on June 28, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Curriculum Connections for Grades K-8

How can you find out what material will be covered in your child's elementary or middle school classrooms? How can you choose supplementary material or experiences that will prepare your child for his or her course of study? The curriculum Connections brochures for grades K-8 can help you, and today's ParentVision video podcast explains how.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:41 PM on June 17, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Transfer Appeals Process Update

Today's ParentVision updates our previous overview of the transfer process for families seeking a different school assignment for their child. Since that podcast, the school board decided to conduct appeal hearings with WCPSS staff acting as hearing officers before the board renders its decisions.

The formal transfer application period ends on June 1. After that point, only transfer requests from families that have changed their address are guaranteed appeal hearings. More information is available at the Growth and Planning website.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:51 PM on May 28, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: When and How to Apply for a Transfer

Today's ParentVision provides an overview of the transfer process for families seeking a different school assignment for their child. The transfer application period is from May 14 through June 1.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:39 PM on March 22, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Your Options After the Calendar Conversions

At its March 2 meeting, the Wake County Board of Education changed the calendars of Leesville Elementary, Leesville Middle, Mills Park Elementary, and Mills Park Middle from year-round to traditional. As a result, the magnet/calendar application period has been extended for families directly affected by the calendar changes, and consequently the notification date and date for families to decline their magnet/calendar offering have been moved as well.

In this ParentVision video podcast, I take you through the details. More information is available in a letter sent to roughly 4500 families who are eligible for the new magnet/calendar application period.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:13 PM on March 9, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Applying for Pre-Kindergarten

Here's a quick reminder of the opportunity to apply for the pre-kindergarten programs provided by Wake County SmartStart. WCPSS is a partner in these programs.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:20 PM on February 22, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Snow Days

In today's ParentVision video podcast, we take a look at the scheduled snow days following last week's snow and ice.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:47 PM on February 8, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: 2010 Kindergarten Registration

In today's ParentVision video podcast, Jeff Nash from our Customer Service Center walks parents through the kindergarten registration process for 2010.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:19 AM on January 27, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Updating Student Demographic Information

Due to changes in federal and state reporting requirements for reporting student race and ethnicity information, WCPSS must give families the opportunity to update their children's demographic information. For example, multi-racial students can now identify the different parts of their heritage, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is now treated separately from racial background, and the former "Asian or Pacific Islander" category has been split. These changes are in line with the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census Bureau. In today's ParentVision video podcast, we talk about how this information will be updated -- and we will have more details for you on the WCPSS Website soon.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:15 PM on January 11, 2010 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Home for the Holidays

With the holiday season upon us, I asked WCPSS educators for their ideas about fun ways to keep kids engaged in learning during their vacations. Here's what they shared.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:38 PM on December 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Learning Math at Home

We recently shared some information about supporting literacy instruction at home for young children. We continue in that vein with some tips for helping our youngest children get ahead in math on today's ParentVision podcast.

Here's an expanded list of tips for helping your young child with math, with thanks to the state Department of Public Instruction:

Find opportunities to count; i.e. how many people are in your family or how many people are in line at the grocery store.
Draw a picture of your family and talk about the position of family members; i.e. beside, between, in front etc.
Clap a pattern for your family to copy.
When you are cooking, invite your child to help measure. Compare sizes of various measuring tools (cups and spoons).
Look at some coins. Sort and count the number of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters.
Work a puzzle together.
Construct shapes using materials such as straws, play dough, pipe cleaners, Q-tips or silverware.
Choose a special "shape of the week" and find it in many places.
Draw pictures to tell as story, telling what happened first, next and last.
Look at a calendar. Discuss what day, week and month it is. Go over what comes next.
Have your child estimate how long it will take to clean his or her room.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:27 PM on November 30, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Staying Active As Winter Approaches

Mild weather in the spring and fall gives children more opportunities for exercise and play. Find out what our physical education teachers do during the colder winter months, and find some ideas for healthy indoor activity, in today's ParentVision podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:20 PM on November 17, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Report Cards and SPAN

For most of our students, it's report card time. Families new to WCPSS may not be familiar with the grading system used in elementary schools, while middle and high school parents might want a bit more information about their students' day-to-day progress before the report card arrives through the Student/Parent Access Network (SPAN). Learn more about both in today's ParentVision podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:48 PM on November 2, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Web Resources for Disability Awareness and Literacy

Disability History and Awareness Month is happening now, and Curriculum and Instruction is rolling out a new effort to support Reading at Home. Learn more about the information we have available for you in today's ParentVision podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:34 PM on October 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: "College Is Possible" Event for Latino Students and Families

The ESL Department, LEP Family Outreach Program, and LEP Coalition in collobaration with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Inc. will host a Town Hall Meeting, "College is Possible," for middle and high school Latino students. The event is open to all students and the sessions will be in English and Spanish. Find out more about the event on today's ParentVision podcast.

The event happens at Millbrook High School on October 7, 2009, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We also have a flyer and further information available.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:49 AM on September 25, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: About the PTA

Sarah Martin, president of the Wake County PTA Council, offers an invitation for you to join your school's PTA in today's ParentVision podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 7:18 PM on September 8, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: More Back-to-School Info

Jeff Nash from our Welcome Center offers his top five tips for a smooth start to the school year in the latest ParentVision podcast.

Don't forget our online Back-to-School guide!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:01 PM on August 24, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: PLTs at Combs

Combs Elementary leaders describe the impact of Professional Learning Teams on their academic improvement last year in the latest ParentVision podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:55 PM on August 10, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Understanding the EOG and EOC

Dr. Burns discussed in his last Superintendent's Journal the "modest, steady" improvements in last year's End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests. For a further explanation of what the EOGs and EOCs are, and how they're used, we turn in this week's ParentVision video podcast to Brad McMillen, our senior director for school accountability.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:31 PM on July 27, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Our First Early Dismissal Wednesday

WCPSS schools will dismiss one hour early each Wednesday to allow teachers the time to meet in Professional Learning Teams to collaborate on improving student achievement. In the latest ParentVision video podcast, we visited Jones Dairy Elementary to learn how well the first early dismissal Wednesday of the year went.

Principal Mike Chappell also provided notes from their first round of PLT meetings on the school website; here's a direct link to them.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 12:13 PM on July 13, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Back to School

The new school year's about to begin at our year-round schools. Watch the latest ParentVision video podcast to find out about some available resources to help start the year off right. And don't forget to check out our Back to School section on the web!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:04 PM on July 1, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Helping Our Youngest Students on the Bus

Find out some of the steps we're taking next year to keep kindergartners and first graders safe on the bus in the latest ParentVision video podcast!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:17 PM on June 16, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Understanding Elementary Report Cards

What do "Level 1," "Level 2," "Level 3," and "Level 4" mean on elementary report cards? Find out in today's ParentVision video podcast!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:20 PM on June 3, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Celebrating Our Teacher of the Year

Local corporate sponsors and generous contributions from PTA units combined Thursday night to make possible a fantastic evening for René Herrick, the 2009 Wake County Teacher of the Year. Get a glimpse of her at work in her classroom in today's ParentVision video podcast!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:06 PM on May 15, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: PLCs and the New Weekly Schedule

As promised, here are answers to some of the questions about PLCs we've received since our April 7 podcast. We'll have more information for you about the processes and practicalities in the weeks ahead.

This month's Full Circle discussion includes teacher, principal and school system leadership perspectives on the importance of Professional Learning Communities in our classrooms. Check it out for more context!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:20 PM on May 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Financial Aid

Especially in this economy, thoughts of financial aid for college can be nerve-racking. In today's ParentVision video podcast we get some tips from a high school guidance counselor on planning for the future.

Eric Sparks, our director of school counseling (and I completely botched his title in the podcast; sorry, Eric!), has found some additional tips for lining up financial aid and planning for tough economic times.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:43 PM on April 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Time and Professional Learning Communities

There's a change coming in the 2009-10 weekly schedule for students, as additional time is being made on Wednesdays for teachers to meet across grade levels or subject areas to review instruction and look at ways to better meet the needs of individual students. This ParentVision video podcast provides an overview of the changes and invites you to ask your questions about this change, using the "Leave Feedback" link below, for a future podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:17 PM on April 7, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Magnet and Calendar Letters

Letters are on their way to parents from the Office of Growth and Planning letting them know whether their application for magnet programs or calendar options was successful. In this ParentVision video podcast, Chuck Dulaney, assistant superintendent for growth and planning, describes the process of going through the applications and what happens next. Important: if you want to decline your magnet or calendar offer, please let us know as soon as possible!

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:27 PM on March 23, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: The Budget Picture

We're providing a lot of information on the WCPSS website about the budgeting process for the 2009-10 school year, which has been quite the challenge given the continuing economic uncertainty. I spoke with Chief Business Officer David Neter for an overview of the situation -- as we understand it today -- in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 6:04 PM on March 11, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: This Year's Graduation Ceremonies

With just a few exceptions, WCPSS's summer high school graduation ceremonies will be in the air-conditioned comfort of the Raleigh Convention Center. This ParentVision video podcast provides some information about the changes you can expect along with this move. We have a complete schedule online; for more details, please contact your school.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:24 PM on February 24, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Applying for Magnet Schools

Tamani Anderson Powell walks parents through the magnet program application period in this ParentVision video podcast. You can follow this procedure to apply for a calendar option as well.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 1:07 PM on February 6, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Kindergarten Enrollment

The kindergarten enrollment period for 2009-10 begins tomorrow, February 5! Jeff Nash, senior administrator for customer service, gives you simple instructions on registering your child in our latest ParentVision video podcast.

There's more information here as well. Remember that this year state law has changed the kindergarten eligibility date to 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2009.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:13 AM on February 4, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: New Graduation Requirements

There's a big change in graduation requirements beginning with this year's eighth-graders. The State Board of Education has adopted the "Future-Ready Core" course of study for all high school students, replacing the old Career Prep, College Tech Prep, and College/University Prep courses of study. (The Occupational Course of Study remains for certain students with disabilities.) According to the Department of Public Instruction:

Today, many in the business community say that it takes about the same level of academic preparation to be successful in the workplace as it takes to be successful as a first-year college student. That was the guiding principle for the State Board in making its decision.

You can find out more about WCPSS's approach to the Future-Ready Core from Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:43 PM on January 21, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Understanding the New Academic Goal

Chief Academic Officer Donna Hargens and Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services Marvin Connelly explain what the school board's new academic goal is all about, as well as its impact on parents and students, in this ParentVision video podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:13 PM on January 5, 2009 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: December Assignment Update

Earlier this month, I had a chance to catch up with Chuck Dulaney, our assistant superintendent for growth and planning, to talk about how the community engagement meetings and other public input affected the initial draft of the multi-year student assignment plan. You can hear Chuck talk about some of the types of changes that were made in this ParentVision video podcast.

Since this interview was recorded, the staff's formal proposal was presented to the school board on December 16. The board will now conduct its own public hearings and work sessions, considering possible changes with a goal of voting on a final plan in February.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:10 AM on December 18, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Magnet Schools Update

In our latest ParentVision video podcast, Senior Director for Magnet Programs David Ansbacher extends an invitation to parents to find out more about our offerings. December and January are excellent times to explore magnet programs in person through visits and tours. David expands on this in the podcast and also notes the changes in the magnet draw area.

Much more information about our magnet programs is available on their website. The online application period is February 9-28, 2009.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:34 PM on November 24, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Positive Behavior Support

Recently Wildwood Forest Elementary's PTA invited us to visit their school's first quarterly celebration rewarding good behavior. Part of one day each quarter becomes a mini-carnival exclusively for students who maintain "Wolf PRIDE": Politeness, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Excellence. That's just one way that Wildwood Forest implements a proactive strategy for improving the learning climate in schools: Positive Behavior Support (PBS).

More than 100 schools participate in PBS. Learn more about it in today's ParentVision video podcast featuring Wildwood Forest principal Gretta Dula.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:28 PM on November 12, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Multi-Year Assignment Planning is Back

Recent media coverage highlighted the economic downturn's impact on our school construction plans and, consequently, our efforts to provide the first-ever multi-year assignment plan for Wake County's schools. When the credit market contracted, Wake County was unable to sell voter-approved bonds to finance school construction at a favorable rate. School construction timetables were in jeopardy, which made the prospects for implementing an assignment plan that looked two or three years into the future uncertain as well.

However, county leadership was able to put together short-term financing for school construction that keeps the timetable moving forward. A multi-year student assignment plan will be brought to our community for review -- just a couple of weeks later than intended.

Find out more in today's ParentVision video podcast featuring Assistant Superintendent for Growth and Planning Chuck Dulaney.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 3:10 PM on October 27, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Kindergarten Enrollment Changes

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, students attending kindergarten must be 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2009. At a recent school board meeting I spoke with Dr. Christy Falba, senior director for elementary school programs, about the impact of this change on families and schools.

We have much more information about kindergarten registration online, including a recent audio podcast.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 5:34 PM on October 14, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Attending School Board Meetings

Typically every first and third Tuesday, the Wake County Board of Education holds its regular meetings at 3600 Wake Forest Rd. in Raleigh. The school board also meets in several committees during the month. If you want to attend or participate, this ParentVision video podcast helps you find your way around, including tips if you want to speak at a full board meeting.

As always, board meeting schedules, agendas, minutes and contact information are available on the school board's page.

Update: Remember that Wake County Board of Education meetings air on local cable access channels, including RTN 11 in Raleigh (usually the following Wednesday) and Cary TV 11 (usually live). Check your local government channel for schedule information.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 11:57 AM on September 30, 2008 | Leave Feedback

ParentVision: Higher Reading Standards (video)

Reading standards have increased for North Carolina's third- through eighth-graders, and with that have come changes in the state's End-of-Grade tests. As a result, EOG results won't be available until October. We experienced similar changes in standards and testing with mathematics in 2005-06. In this week's ParentVision, Assistant Superintendent for Evaluation and Research David Holdzkom explains the nature of those changes and how they may affect students and schools.

ParentVision is our new video podcast series, picking up from where we left off with our previous Wake EduCast. We hope you find it helpful.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 4:48 PM on September 17, 2008 | Leave Feedback