Parent Teacher Magazine - Gaston County Schools

BRINGING TOGETHER PARENTS, TEACHERS AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE EDUCATION
this issue is proudly sponsored by:
Oct. 2-6
Time Warner Arena
Sept/Oct 2013
Ti Y
The YMCA offers After Schoo

Time Well SpenT
YmCA After School enrichment
The YMCA offers After School Enrichment in schools across Gaston County.
Cost:
• School-based sites*:
$48/week for members, $68/week for non-members
• YMCA pick-up sites*:
$58/week for members, $78/week for non-members
* Schools listed in BOLD indicate DSS child care vouchers are accepted for children attending these schools
Year Round Registration
You have the option to register for a year’s worth of programs at once! This includes 2013-14 After School Enrichment, holiday camps
and 2014 Summer Camp. The weekly cost remains the same for all 52 weeks.
Please Note: registration for this option is only available until October 31, 2013
See the list below to determine if the Y services your child’s school and contact Amy Cook with any questions at acook@
gastonymca.org or 704-865-8551.
School-based sites:
Brookside
Carr
Gardner Park
Sherwood
Central Family YMCA
Pick Up sites: children transported to Central YMCA
Forest Heights
Grier Middle
HH Beam
* Schools listed in BOLD indicate DSS child care vouchers are accepted for children attending these schools
School-based sites:
Cherryville Costner
School-based sites:
New Hope
Robinson
School-based sites:
Belmont Central
Lowell
Page Primary
Pinewood
Cherryville Family YMCA
South Gaston Family YMCA
Hawk’s Nest (participants go to Robinson Elementary site)
WA Bess
Stowe Family YMCA
Pick Up sites: children transported to Stowe YMCA
Belmont Central
(overflow only)
Belmont Middle
Highland Charter
Holbrook Middle
Lingerfeldt
Catawba Heights
Cramerton Middle
Piedmont Charter
Pleasant Ridge
Rhyne
Mt. Holly Middle
North Belmont
Sadler
Woodhill
York Chester Middle
Ida Rankin
McAdenville

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SEPT/OCT 2013
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News from Gaston County Schools
• 2013-2014 School Calendar 2
• Gaston County Schools Points of Pride 2
• School Bus Safety 3
• Graduation Rate up for Fourth Year 4
• After School Care 5
• Volunteer Opportunities 6
• Immunization Requirements 6
• GCS Celebrates Grand Opening of Stuart W. Cramer High School 7
• GCS Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon Announces Retirement 8
On the Cover: Danae Ratchford,
Sherwood Elementary, 5th Grade
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Parent Teacher Magazine •September/October • 1

2013-
2014
n Systemwide Accreditation
Gaston County Schools is
accredited by the Southern
The class of 2013
included some
of the nation’s top scholars. Our
graduates were offered more than
$47 million in scholarships, the
largest amount in GCS history.
n Student Attendance Up
Attendance climbed significantly
over the past few years (95.2
The Highland School
of
schools in the state to receive the
Honor School of Excellence status.
n Graduation Rate Up
The graduation rate increased
over last year’s and the dropout
The Gaston County Teacher of
the Year was selected
as the top
Southwest Region Teacher of the
On the state violence report,
GCS was rated one of the safest
Gaston County
Schools
Points of Pride
Association of Colleges and Schools
as a top rate quality school system.
Accreditation is extremely important
for students going to college. This is
a very difficult process that looks at
all areas of the school system.
n Scholarships Up
percent) and remained steady this
year.
n Achieved Highest State
Graduation Rate
Technology has a 99.3% graduation
rate and it is one of only a few high
rate decreased.
n Southwest Region teacher of
the Year
Year for the past three consecutive
years. This honor ranks the teacher
in the top eight teachers in the state.
n Rated a Safe School District
school districts in the state. Among
the 10 largest school systems in
North Carolina, GCS has the lowest
school campus crime rate – well
below the state average and the
lowest
in this region.
2 • September/October 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine
2013-2014 School Calendar
Gaston County Schools
Approved by Board of Education on February 18, 2013

School Bus Safety
The Gaston County Schools Transportation
Department operates one of the safest school
bus fleets in the state. Bus transportation
is provided to elementary, middle, and high
school students living at least a mile and
a half from their assigned school. All bus
drivers must be 18 years or older and pass
a bus driver training program designated by
the N.C. Division of Highways. Bus drivers are
trained and licensed by the N.C. Division of
Motor Vehicles.
The transportation department was
chosen as one of the Top Ten School Bus
Fleets in the country and we are the first
school system in the United States to produce
its own biodiesel fuel. The department
uses recycled vegetable oil from our school
cafeterias to make the fuel.
Bus Schedule
Question concering your child’s bus
schedule should be directed to the school
principal.
School Bus Safety Tips
School bus safety is a top priority with
Gaston County Schools. In order to make
the bus transportation system as safe as
Book your education program today by
filling out the program reservation form
online. CRC offers formal education
programs for K-12 students on the Raptor
Trail or in your classroom.
possible, parents should remind children of
the following conduct and bus safety rules:
n Always obey your bus driver.
n Observe good conduct. Always talk quietly
on the bus. Never scream.
n Be at your bus stop on time.
n Help keep the bus clean.
n Stay off the street when waiting for the bus.
n Stay in your seat until the bus comes to a
complete stop.
n Don’t play with the emergency door.
n Leave the bus only at the front of the door
except in case of an emergency.
n Always keep hands, arms and head inside
the bus.
n Never use drugs, tobacco, alcohol or profane
language on the bus.
n Always use the handrail to get on and off
the bus.
n Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic
when going to the bus stop. Always stay well
off the road.
n When approaching or leaving your bus, if
you must cross the street, always cross in
front of the bus where the driver can see you.
n Always make sure the bus has stopped and
the stop signal is extended.
n Always occupy the seat assigned by the
driver or principal.
Citizens, Please Be Cautious
As the new school year begins, we ask
all citizens of Gaston County to watch out for
children who ride the bus. During the morning
and afternoon hours when the yellow buses
are transporting children to and from school,
pay close attention to children getting on and
off the bus. Always be extra cautious when
approaching a yellow school bus. After all,
we do transport daily the most valuable and
precious resource in the world - our children.
Improving Education
is Our Vision
Gastonia 704-853-3937 • Dallas 704-922-9808
www.gastoneye.com
Parent Teacher Magazine •September/October • 3

Graduation rate up for fourth year – highest rate ever reported
Graduation rate improves again – five high schools boast 90 plus rates
Gaston County Schools’ cohort graduation
rate increased to 81.2 percent in 2013, the
highest four-year graduation rate ever reported
for GCS, according to results released today by
the State Board of Education.
The cohort graduation rate is the percent of
ninth graders who entered high school in 2009-
2010 and graduated four years later in June 2013.
Gaston County Schools’ average graduation rate
climbed to 81.2 from 77.8 last year.
Since the State Board of Education released
the first cohort graduation rate in 2005-2006,
GCS high schools’ average graduation rate has
improved 13.1 points from 68.1 in 2006 to 81.2
today.
Some students require a fifth year of
high school in order to complete graduation
requirements. The district’s five-year cohort
graduation rate for the students who entered the
ninth grade in 2008-09 and graduated in June
2013 was 80.4, up from 78.2 last year.
The graduation rate is not the same as the
dropout rate, which is the number of students
who dropout in a given year.
Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon
said, “This is Gaston County Schools’ highest
graduation rate ever and the fourth consecutive
year that our rate has increased. We’re
definitely pleased that our graduation rate
continues to improve each year. This is what we
are looking for – the continuous steady increases.”
McGlohon added, “We applaud our school staffs,
students, parents and support personnel who work
together to ensure our students stay in school
and graduate. Our goal is for every student to be
successful, and we intend to continue doing everything
possible to ensure this happens.”
2012-2013 Graduation Rate Highlights:
n The countywide four-year cohort graduation
rate increased over last year. The district’s average
graduation rate was 81.2. This is up from 77.8 in 2012
and 75.4 in 2011.
n Since 2006 when the state released the first
cohort graduation rate, GCS has climbed 13.1 points,
from 68.1 to 81.2.
n The four-year graduation rate is above 90
percent at five of nine high schools: Cherryville,
Forestview, Gaston Early College, Highland and South
Point.
n Highland has the highest rate with 99.3.
n Cherryville (+ 5.8) and North Gaston (+6.4) saw
the greatest gains over last year.
• Cherryville – 90.3 +5.8
• North Gaston – 81.2 +6.4
n GCS increases over last year +3.4; the state
increase was only +2.3.
n The GCS five-year cohort graduation rate
increased to 80.4 in 2013, up from 78.2 last year.
4 • September/October 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine

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After-School Childcare
A partnership with the YMCA in Gastonia, Belmont and Cherryville
After-school childcare is available at 31 elementary and seven
middle schools through a partnership with the YMCA Prime Time
Program. Programs are directed by the Central Branch YMCA in
Gastonia, the Stowe Branch YMCA in Belmont and the Cherryville
Branch YMCA.
The Central Branch YMCA directs after-school childcare for 20
schools. Programs at W. A. Bess, Bessemer City Central (Bessemer
City Primary students served at the Bessemer City Central site),
Brookside, Carr, Chapel Grove, Costner, Gardner Park, Lingerfeldt,
Lowell, Robinson and Sherwood are directed at the school site.
Students are picked up and taken to the Central Branch YMCA from
Forest Heights, H. H. Beam, Pleasant Ridge, Rhyne, Sadler, Woodhill,
Grier Middle and York Chester Middle.
The Stowe Branch YMCA is responsible for after-school programs
at the following schools: Kiser (Springfield students bused to the Kiser
site), Belmont Central, New Hope, North Belmont, Page, Pinewood,
Mount Holly Middle, Belmont Middle, Cramerton and Holbrook.
Students from Belmont Central, Catawba Heights, Ida Rankin and
McAdenville are picked up and taken to the Stowe Branch YMCA.
The Cherryville Branch YMCA directs the after-school programs
at Cherryville Elementary and Tryon Elementary. Students at
Beam Intermediate and Chavis Middle are bused to the Cherryville
Elementary site.
YMCA staff member Paula Morgan directs the after-school childcare
program for the Central Branch YMCA, Monica Lileton coordinates
the program in Belmont and Josh Collins oversees the program in
Cherryville. The program is offered from the time school is dismissed
until 6:00 p.m. On teacher
workdays, the program runs from
7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
To register for after-school
childcare, contact the Central
Branch at (704) 865-8551, the
Stowe Branch at (704) 822-9622
or the Cherryville Branch at (704)
445-9622.
Time Well S
YmCA After School en
The YMCA offers After School Enrichment in schools Parent Teacher Magazine across •September/October Gaston • Count 5
Cost:

Volunteer Opportunities
One Person Can Make A Difference. YOU Can Make A Difference.
In a time of unprecedented change to
public education, we know that one thing
remains unchanged - the power of one - the
power of one volunteer, one mentor or one
caring adult to make a difference in the life of
one child.
Gaston County Schools’ volunteers donate
countless hours helping children. They
contribute their time, talents and resources
offering academic support, serving on school
committees, advising student organizations
and assisting with special events and
programs.
Volunteers enhance the educational
program - they help our children gain selfesteem,
improve reading and math skills
and become successful in school and life.
Volunteers may donate their time to serve as
a mentor, tutor, reading buddy, lunch buddy,
test proctor, field trip monitor, do clerical
work, assist in the library or help in some
other way.
Examples of volunteer
opportunities in our schools:
Mentor - serve as positive role models
for a student one-hour a week by talking
with, encouraging and building a trusting
relationship with the student. Mentors help
with homework, offer advice on college and
career plans and provide positive support.
A child must be five years
old on or before August 31,
2013 to attend kindergarten. All
children entering kindergarten
this fall must have a health
physical between August 25,
2012 and August 27, 2013. The
assessments must be submitted
to the school principal on
kindergarten assessment forms
provided by the N.C. Department
of Human Resources and the N.C.
Department of Public Instruction.
Kindergarten health assessment
forms are available at elementary
schools, the Gaston County
Health Department and all
pediatrician offices. Students
who do not meet the state
requirements for immunizations
and a school physical exam by
6 • September/October 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine
September 25, 2013 will not be
allowed to remain in school.
North Carolina law requires
the following immunizations for
students:
n 5 DTP/DTaP
(Diphtheria, Tetanus,
Whooping Cough)
If the fourth dose is on or
after the fourth birthday, fifth
dose is not required.
n 2 Mumps
n 4 Polio – IPV 3 doses
are acceptable if the last dose
was given on or after the fourth
birthday.
n 1 Rubella
Tutor - work one-on-one or with small
groups of students on classroom or homework
assignments and with reading.
Junior Achievement - assist in
classroom instruction programs on
economics, personal finance and business
entrepreneurship. Volunteers usually come
from the business community.
Reading Soul Mates - donate time each
week through the Gaston Literacy Council to
help a child or a group of children improve
reading skills.
Clerical Support - assist the
administration, teachers and office staff with
copying materials, answering phones, data
input and greeting visitors, etc.
Volunteers are needed and welcomed
at all 55 schools. Adults wishing to help
Gaston County students improve achievement
should contact their school principal for more
information on volunteer opportunities.
An on-line application and screening
is required to volunteer in Gaston County
Schools. The application is available at www.
gastonschoolvolunteers.com.
Volunteer Orientation
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Just
complete the online volunteer application.
Immunization Requirements
n 1 HIB (Haemophilus
Influenza B)
Must be given at 15 months
of age and before five years of
age. Not required after age five.
n 3 Hepatitis B
Required for all students born
on or after July 1, 1994.
n 2 Measles
Two doses after the first
birthday and at least 28
days apart. Usually given as
MMR(measles, mumps, rubella).
n 1 Varicella(Chicken Pox)
Required for all students born
on or after April 1, 2001.
Mentor Training Sessions
(601 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC)
September 18, 2013
October 16, 2013
November 20, 2013
January 15, 2014
February 19, 2014
March 19, 2014
Once your volunteer application is approved,
you will receive an e-mail requesting that
you attend a Volunteer Orientation session.
Volunteer Orientation sessions will be held
weekly at the Gaston County Schools Central
Office, 943 Osceola St., Gastonia, N.C.
Sessions last approximately 20 minutes.
Dates for orientations are posted monthly.
A reservation is not required to attend an
orientation.
Mentor Training Sessions
*A one hour training session is
required for volunteers in the mentoring
program. For information or to reserve a
seat for training contact the GCS Business
Partnership Office at 704-866-6329 or email
businesspartnerships@gaston.k12.nc.us
New Immunization
Requirement (Effective
January 2008)
n 1 Tdap (Tetanus,
Diphtheria, Pertussis-Whooping
Cough)
Required for all students
entering the sixth grade on or
after August 1, 2008, if five
years or more have passed since
the child took the last dose of
Tetanus/Diphtheria.
Please consult your school
nurse with any questions
regarding student immunization
records or requirements.

GCS celebrates grand opening of Stuart W. Cramer High School
Gaston County
Schools celebrated
the grand opening
and dedication of
Stuart W. Cramer
High School during
a formal ceremony
Sunday afternoon,
August 18.
More than 1,000
people attended
the program, which
included the official
ribbon-cutting, a
reception, and tours
of the building and
athletic facilities.
Superintendent
L. Reeves McGlohon
presided over the
program. Board of
Education chairman
Kenneth Lutz, Jr. and
Stuart W. Cramer
principal Audrey Devine provided welcoming comments. Other
speakers included Board of Education vice chairman Jeff Ramsey and
Tracy Philbeck, vice chairman of the Gaston County Commissioners.
Stuart W. Cramer tenth grade student Yates Collier spoke on
behalf of the student body and students Stewart Butt, Mallory Lebrun
and Rachel Neisler led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
The school’s cheerleaders
also participated in the
ceremony.
Program highlights
included the
n Naming of the
auditorium in honor of
McGlohon, who will retire
December 31 after serving
as Superintendent of
Schools since 2006.
n Hearing from John
Scott Cramer, grandson
of Stuart W. Cramer, who
shared special remarks
on behalf of the Cramer
family;
n Accepting the building
from Stan Anthony of MBAJ
Architecture, who presented
a symbolic key to Lutz,
McGlohon and Devine; and
n Seeing the purple ribbon fall to the stage floor, which signified the
official opening of the school.
The grand opening and dedication ceremony will air on the GCS
Education Station Channel 21 at various times in September.
CabarrusCountyFair.com Sept 6-14th
Parent Teacher Magazine •September/October • 7

GCS Superintendent L. Reeves McGlohon Announces Retirement
Gaston County Schools
Superintendent L. Reeves
McGlohon announced his
retirement at the Board of
Education meeting Monday
evening, effective December
31, 2013. McGlohon took the
reins as superintendent on
April 1, 2006 and has served
for the past seven and a half
years.
A 43-year veteran
educator, McGlohon has
been with Gaston County
Schools since 1991. He
began his career as a
teacher in Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools and
later served 15 years as
deputy superintendent for
the State Department of
Public Instruction (1976-
1991) before joining GCS as
assistant superintendent of
human resources in 1991.
He was named GCS deputy
superintendent of administration in 1996 and
superintendent of schools in 2006.
Board of Education Chairman Kenny
Lutz, Jr. said, “Reeves McGlohon has been
an outstanding superintendent who has
carefully guided Gaston County Schools and
moved us to higher levels of achievement and
expectations. Due to his excellent leadership,
student attendance is up. Scholarships earned
are up. The graduation rate is up, and the
dropout rate has decreased. The district
was one of the first in the state to achieved
system-wide accreditation from the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools.”
Lutz continues, “I am so grateful for the
opportunity to work with him. Mr. McGlohon
is one of the top superintendents in the
country and our schools have reaped the
benefits of his strong leadership. Under his
careful guidance, this system has made
progress by leaps and bounds. He is a
trailblazer in so many areas of education. He
has worked diligently to ensure our schools
have the technology needed to properly
prepare students for a successful future,
and he sought to ensure we have the most
highly qualified and best teachers in our
classrooms.”
When McGlohon became superintendent,
GCS was 113 out of 115 school systems in
the state in average daily attendance. He
designed a plan to improve attendance and
called on students, teachers, parents and the
community to help. The results have been
8 • September/October 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine
truly overwhelming. His plan to implement
a rigorous curriculum led to higher academic
progress. By using data-based decisions
to guide instruction, the district has made
strides toward closing the achievement gap.
The class of 2013 earned $49 million
in scholarships, the highest in history. In
comparison, just six years ago, the amount of
scholarships earned (by a larger graduating
senior class) was only $14 million. McGlohon
made it a priority to do everything possible
to assist students and parents in acquiring
funding for college.
McGlohon sought to recruit and retain the
most highly qualified and diverse teachers.
He developed an exemplary, nationallyrecognized
Teacher Induction Program for
Success to assist new teachers in their first
year. Other school systems have modeled
programs after Gaston County’s. McGlohon
worked hand-in-hand with Gaston College
to establish the Gaston Early College High
School, which gives students a unique
opportunity to graduate with a high school
diploma and a two-year college degree.
He led the way to implement strong
Professional Learning Communities in schools
where best teaching practices are shared and
teachers are given opportunities to grow and
learn. The popular Teaching and Learning
Conference conducted each summer is a part
of the program.
McGlohon’s contributions to education in
this community and at the state and national
levels are immeasurable.
His colleagues chose him
as 2011 Southwest Region
Superintendent of the Year
– the most coveted award
given to a superintendent.
He was named the 2008
State Administrator of the
Year by the N.C. American
Counseling Association, and
in 2007, he was honored
by the North Carolina
Association of School
Administrators with the
Trailblazer Award for his
innovative work to enhance
classroom technology. He
received the prestigious
Rotary International service
honor in 1998.
His leadership in school
safety resulted in Gaston
County Schools having one of
the top safe schools programs
in the state. Through
McGlohon’s collaboration
with local law enforcement agencies, GCS
developed a model safe schools program. The
district has a lower school crime rate than any
school system in the region, and among the
10 largest districts in the state, GCS has the
fewest incidents of crime.
Although the district is underfunded
when looking at other systems’ per pupil
expenditures, Reeves McGlohon turned this
obstacle into an opportunity. He worked
closely with local government, and through
state and national grants and business
contributions, he was able to implement
many new innovative programs and provide
the technology needed to advance classroom
teaching and learning.
McGlohon put classroom technology in
the forefront, and the district is reaping the
benefits. He launched a community campaign
to raise four-million dollars to put SMART
Board technology in every classroom. In just
one year, through his tenacious leadership,
the district raised the funds.
Ashbrook High School Principal Joey Clinton
said, “Reeves McGlohon is an extraordinary
superintendent. His visionary leadership and
hard work moved GCS forward despite the
challenges created by the economy and state
budget cuts. His steadfast commitment to
school safety, improving academic performance
and putting state-of-the-art technology in all
classrooms are just a few of the ways he has
made a lasting impression on our schools and
this community.”

Annual Renaissance Festival
ROYAL SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Free Children’s Admission
Participate in the Royal School Supply
Drive by donating school supplies at the
Festival entrance or at
Park Road Books
in Charlotte and receive FREE child
admission ages 5-12 (children under 5 always free).
Saturday & Sunday
October 5 - November 24
Toll Free 877-896-5544 or 704-896-5544
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Rain or Shine • No Pets • Free Parking
Time Travelers Weekend!
Nov. 16th & 17th!
Patrons don’t need a Passport to Time Travel
to the 16th Century! Dress as your favorite
Time Traveler or dress as a character
inspired by your favorite movie, TV program,
comic book, work of science fiction and/or
fantasy - all are welcome! (Even Pirates and
SteamPunks!) Participate in the Time
Traveler’s costume contest and win prizes!
Student Education Field
Trip Days!
Immerse Your Students Into the
16th Century!
Tuesday October 15th
ElementarySchool Students
Wednesday October 16th
Middle School Students
Thursday October 17th
Middle / High School Students
Tickets: $9.00
Order tickets online at RenFestInfo.com
by September 30, 2013
Home Schools Welcome!
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10 • September/October 2013 • Parent Teacher Magazine