May 2014 PREPARING STUDENTS FOR NEW DIRECTORS 2015 TEACHERS OF THE SPOTLIGHT JOIN BCS 2 3 6 THE YEAR NATHAN ALLISON NAMED AS PRINCIPAL OF BUNCOMBE DISCOVERY ACADEMY Dr. Tony Baldwin announced that Mr. Nathan Allison will be the principal for the Buncombe Discovery Academy. Mr. Allison has been an assistant principal at A.C. Reynolds High ERWIN GRAD CALEB JOHNSON School for the last eight ROCKS AMERICAN IDOL years. Caleb Johnson, a 2009 graduate of Erwin High School, Believing that the is moving on to the American Idol Finals. Johnson Buncombe Discovery garnered enough votes to stay in the final two and will face 17-year-old Jena Irene in the finals next week. Academy will provide an inspiring level of academic innovation, Mr. Allison is confident this new school’s focus on STEM curriculum will Johnson has never given up on his dream of a singing lead to highly challenging and empowering learning environments and career, auditioning for the show in 2011 and 2012, but beneficial collaborative partner associations. “I am looking forward could not make it to the all-important Top 20. This to establishing a faculty and staff, who are devoted to promoting season Caleb has not only survived in the competition, an educational environment focused on student engagement and but thrived as he continues to compete for the title of achievement. I am also eager to continue building the partnerships we American Idol. have with our local businesses, industries, colleges and universities, and the community.” He has never been in the bottom three, and has impressed the national audience and judges alike with his rock vocals and dynamic performances. This week Mr. Allison earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from the Caleb was fighting bronchitis, sinusitis, and a vocal cord University of North Carolina-Asheville and a Master of Arts degree in hemorrhage, prompting the following comment from School Administration from Western Carolina University. Commenting Idol Judge Jennifer Lopez, “You on your worst night are on how he envisions the exciting future of the new school, Mr. Allison better than people on their best night.” said, “The Buncombe Discovery Academy will focus on an environment which is hands-on, promotes critical thinking, collaboration, inquiry, On the results show, Caleb will sing with the rock group and is relevant to the 'real-world'. In my opinion, the STEM philosophy KISS. The competition will have its final sing-off live at is the perfect recipe for student success. I hope in the near future, 8 p.m. May 20 on Fox. The winner will be announced on the two-hour reults show that begins at 8 p.m. May 21. this focus becomes the new tradition.” Buncombe County Schools...Elevating Young Minds www.buncombe.k12.nc.us Preparing Students for Their Spotlight Dear Fellow BCS Employees, 'The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to economize.' - President Franklin D. Roosevelt It is amazing to me how critical our jobs impact the immediate and future successes of the students in our community. They leave our campuses and follow their paths toward realizing their version of the American Dream. There are many examples of hometown graduates blazing a path that makes our corner of the world so very proud. A current example of this pride is our very own Caleb Johnson, a 2009 alumnus of Clyde Erwin High School. His continuing success on American Idol is a testament to the power of talent, strength of will, and finding the right time and place to showcase star quality. We Letter from all wish him well in the upcoming final week of competition and beyond. His story serves as a powerful inspiration to others who are chasing dreams, too. Buncombe County Schools Dr. Baldwin are fortunate to have so many faculty and staff dedicated to preparing our students to achieve their goals. With over 25,000 students in our schools today, there are many, many great tales yet to be told! President Roosevelt was right when he said that schools are the last expenditure America should be willing to economize. Beyond money, we should freely and willingly expend our energies on positioning students to realize their fullest potential into a career or post-secondary education. While most of our students will likely not be singing before a national audience, their hopes and dreams are no less valid. This belief in the attainably of individual success is powerful and invigorating- for the students AND the teachers! The truth is I can think of no more important profession upon which we should focus. While the school year is winding down and anticipation of a restful summer break in on the horizon, I encourage each of you to remain focused on the tasks at hand. Our students will follow your lead, so I urge you to remain dedicated to having them prepared and concentrating on performing their best on their assignments, year-end tests, and projects. I am also honored to announce the 2015 Teachers of the Year for our schools. Their names are located on the last page of this newsletter. Each was chosen for this distinction by their fellow teachers who are well-positioned to recognize and reward excellence in our schools. Without question, these teachers’ dedication and commitment to students serve as an inspirational motivator for us all. Congratulations! Of course all news coming out from the district has not been cause for celebration. In the weeks and months ahead, we will learn more about teacher pay, tenure, Common Core standards, budgets, technology upgrades, and much more. In the meantime, our district vision remains unchanged as each of us helps our students to reach their full potential and become successful, responsible citizens in a diverse, global society. Their success is largely dependent on our determination to help make this a reality for each student. Public education is an expensive investment; yet it is one asset that yields far greater returns than a high school diploma. It provides for the type of life our students want to live and deserve to enjoy. Moreover, it affords us the first-hand satisfaction of knowing we played an important part in helping our students shine on whichever stage they choose. In closing I want to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for your dedicated efforts in making our schools the absolute best they can be for our students. The true strength of our school system continues to be found in the quality of our human resources. Whether serving in a role that is classified or certified, school specific or system based, classroom or campus wide; it is the collaborative and coordinated efforts of all that make our system so special. - Dr. Tony Baldwin, Superintendent 2 Buncombe County Schools...Elevating Young Minds www.buncombe.k12.nc.us ELCOMES HREE EW BCS W T N Deborah Frisby is the new Chief Finance Officer. DIREctORS IntO KEY POSITIOns Ms. Frisby served as Finance Officer for Madison County Schools for 23 years and she worked for Buncombe County Dr. Donald Porter is the new Director Schools from June 1984 through February 1987 in the of Communications. He will oversee Payroll department. She earned a Bachelor's degree In the system’s overall communications Business Administration from Mars Hill College. She holds strategies in the areas of community certification from the State Board of Education as a School engagement, media relations, internal Business Director and is a graduate of the NC Association of and external school communications, School Business Officer's Finance Officers' Academy. marketing, social media, and web content. "I am honored to have been chosen for this position. I look forward to working for Buncombe County Schools Since 1997, Dr. Porter has worked in and working with the people in the school system. I am public education at the local and state excited about the opportunities ahead of me in this new levels of government in various capacities. Most recently he adventure." served as the Director of Communications for the Bibb County School District (Macon, Georgia). Dr. Porter has also worked Ms. Frisby has a daughter who is a Biology teacher in as the Director of Public Information for the Richmond County Madison County Schools. In her spare time she loves to School System (Augusta, Georgia) and as a Public Information cook, cater special events and make jewelry. Specialist at the Georgia Department of Education (Atlanta, Georgia). Prior to beginning his career in education, he was a television reporter and morning news anchor at WRDW TV-12, MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY FACILITATOR TO the CBS-affiliate in Augusta, Georgia. ATTEND PRESTIGIOUS DENSI SUMMER INSTITUTE Dr. Porter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Augusta College, a Master of Public Administration degree from Augusta State University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum Studies with a concentration in Multicultural Education from Georgia Southern University. Barry Pace is the new Director of Technology. Mr. Pace will oversee all aspects of the district’s direction when it comes to technology and says, “The responsibility to innovate and cultivate a robust digital learning environment rests with all of us. Communities must think and act in new ways to thrive in the connected age and I see education as the foundation. Cutting edge digital resources and on-demand training must be accessible by all, off-campus as well as on, and teachers and administrators should feel empowered by technology to apply their craft effectively to enrich lives.” Conni Mulligan has been selected through a competitive application process to join 149 other Mr.