Annual Report 2012-2013

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS 

T O T H E C O M M U N I T Y 

Partnering with You for a Better Community 

2012-2013 

Home · Classroom · School · Community

Partnering with You 

This is an exciting time to be part of the Orange County School District. 

This year the district will place an increased emphasis on science, 

technology, engineering and mathematics (S.T.E.M.) and academic 

rigor at all grade levels. As part of this initiative, we have made 

the largest investment in technology since the district created its first 

computer labs in the late 1990’s. The One-to-One Initiative will not 

only provide the students and staff with increased access to technology, 

but will also redefine the way children learn in our district. 

The Orange County Board of Education is dedicated to making sure 

our students have access to the technology that will help them become 

College-and-Career-Ready. They, along with our staff, understand 

that our students learn differently than their predecessors and that 

schools have to capitalize on the educational technology available. 

While computers cannot replace classroom teachers, they will help 

our students continue to excel academically. This is a major investment 

in the future of our students and it will be funded by the ¼ cent 

sales tax, capital monies and a portion of the district’s fund balance. 

These new initiatives, as well as the Common Core, Whole-to-Part, 

Engineering is Elementary and College-and-Career-Readiness, are 

threads in the district’s greater, overall mission of preparing all students 

for academic and personal success. Staff members from across 

the district collaborated throughout the 2011-2012 school year and 

over the course of the summer to prepare more rigorous lesson and 

unit plans that integrate technology. Without the support of our community 

partners, these initiatives would not be possible. 

We receive unprecedented support from you, our parents, business 

partners and the community. Hundreds of parents came out in 

support of the district’s requested budget and programs. Your 

support of Orange County Schools resulted in the district receiving 

an increase of $65 per pupil from the County Commissioners and 

will allow the district to continue to offer a wide array of outstanding 

academic programs. Our community partners continue to support 

our students through mentoring, volunteering, providing scholarships 

and adopting our schools. We are extremely fortunate to be members 

of such an incredibly supportive community. 

G. Patrick Rhodes 

Superintendent, Orange County Schools

Leadership 

Board of Education 

Donna Coffey 

Chair 

Dr. Stephen H. Halkiotis 

Vice-Chair 

Tony McKnight 

Anne Medenblik 

Dr. Debbie Piscitelli 

Lawrence Sanders 

Brenda Stephens 

Senior 

Staff 

G. Patrick Rhodes 

Superintendent 

Dr. George McFarley 

Chief Operating Officer 

Dr. Denise Morton 

Chief Academic Officer 

Dr. Marcie Holland 

Assistant Superintendent 

For Human Resources 

Michael Gilbert 

Public Information Officer 

Donna Brinkley 

Director of Finance 

Angie Veitch 

Director of Technology and 

Media

Table 

of 

Contents 

District Demographics...............................1 

Academic Highlights..................................2 

Initiatives....................................................4 

Community Partners.................................7 

Support Services.......................................10 

Capital Projects........................................12 

Communication Efforts...........................13 

Financial Data..........................................16 

Did You Know?.........................................18 

“The accolades received by the 

district belong to the community as 

a whole and would not be possible 

without your continued support.” 

–Patrick Rhodes 

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS 2012-2013 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

District Demographics 

Student 

Ethnicity 

ENROLLMENT 

Multiracial 3.18% 

White 65.12% 

Black 16.22% 

Hispanic 14.39% 

Asian .61% 

SCHOOL # Students Building Capacity 

Cameron Park Elementary 658 565 

Central Elementary 311 455 

Efland-Cheeks Elementary 456 497 

Grady A. Brown Elementary 449 544 

Hillsborough Elementary 449 471 

New Hope Elementary 623 586 

Pathways Elementary 455 576 

A.L. Stanback Middle 598 740 

C.W. Stanford Middle 615 726 

Hawaiian Pacific .08% 

American Indian .40% 

Fast 

Facts 

Number of Schools 13 

Elementary Schools 7 

(One Year-Round and Six Traditional) 

Middle Schools 3 

High Schools 2 

Alternative Schools 1 

Student Membership 7,401 

Teachers 527 

Teacher Assistants 123 

Support Staff 78 

(Guidance, Psychology, Media etc.) 

Principals 13 

Assistant Principals 15 

Central Office Administrators 20 

National Board 

Certified Teachers 134 

Licensed Staff with 

Advanced Degrees 264 

Gravelly Hill Middle 459 700 

Cedar Ridge High 1089 1000 

Orange High 1219 1518 

Partnership Academy 20 40 

PARTNERING WITH YOU FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY 1

Academic Highlights 

Growth in Science 

5th Grade 

Science ‣ 

80% 

70% 

60% 

50% 

40% 

30% 

20% 

10% 

0 

100 

80 

2007-08 

2008-09 

2009-10 

2010-11 

2011-12 

8th Grade 

Science ‣ 

60 

40 

20 

0 

2007-08 

2008-09 

2009-10 

2010-11 

2011-12 

100 

80 

BIOLOGY ‣ 

60 

40 

20 

0 

2009-10 

2010-11 

2011-12 

2 ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS 2012-2013 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

Academic Highlights 

• Student achievement and proficiency continue to rise 

• Achievement Gap continues to close 

• Graduation Rate over 85% 

• Lowest Dropout Rate on record – 2.37% 

• S.A.T. and A.C.T. scores exceed state and national 

averages 

• $5.6 million in scholarships awarded to the class of 2012 

• Nationally recognized Common Core initiatives 

Angela Wimberly 

Orange High School 

Mathematics Teacher 


Orange County Schools 

Teacher of the Year 

Angela Wimberly was named 

the 2012-2013 Teacher of the 

Year. Ms. Wimberly has been 

teaching for 16 years. 

88.0% 

86.0% 

84.0% 

82.0% 

80.0% 

78.0% 

76.0% 

74.0% 

72.0% 

70.0% 

GRADUATION RATE 

85.4% 

83.1% 82.8% 

81.4% 

76.3% 

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 

Ms. Wimberly is a teacher 

leader and has led district 

initiatives such as curriculum 

alignment, curriculum 

mapping and formative 

assessments. She is always 

eager to help students and is 

extremely energetic. 

Wimberly is described as 

“ marvelous at explaining 

difficult mathematics through 

concepts students can relate 

to.” She is respected by her 

colleagues and an advocate for 

all students. 


Initiatives 

1:1 Laptop Program 

Orange County Schools (OCS) has always been at the cutting edge of 

instructional technology. When faced with the lack of state funding for 

textbooks, the desire for more engaging student learning opportunities and 

the goal of online state testing by 2014, OCS began investigating 1:1 laptop 

programs in 2011. 

C 

n 

While doing research on effective programs, it was discovered that districts 

all over the United States that utilized 1:1 computers achieved increases of 

between a 10%-12% growth on test scores in one year and also increased 

attendance, graduation rates and improved academic climate in the schools. 

During the 2011-12 school year, OCS team members researched and 

evaluated existing 1:1 programs and began the process formulating a plan 

for an effective 1:1 laptop program. A pilot laptop program was tested 

in an English classroom, with follow-up interviews of the students and 

teacher. OCS technology team members assessed the district’s network 

and prepared a comprehensive plan to increase the network’s capacity for a 

laptop program of this magnitude. A professional development plan was 

developed for all teachers and administrators so that they would be wellprepared 

to support and teach in a digital classroom. Laptop models were 

evaluated based on criterion developed by our technology department 

and the Media and Technology Advisory Committee. Throughout the 

process, communication was a key factor. From in-house stakeholders to 

the community at large, OCS worked to keep everyone informed as the plan 

was developed. 

In the Spring of 2012, the Orange County Board of Education approved 

the implementation of the 1:1 Laptop Initiative and OCS began preparing 

for the rollout of the program at the start of the 2012-2013 school year. The 

initiative was funded in part by the recently approved quarter-cent sales tax. 

By September 2012, all middle and high school students received their new 

laptops. 

4 


Central Elementary School 

Central Elementary adopted the EiE curriculum this year. Engineering 

is Elementary is an inquiry-based curriculum reinforcing science 

concepts through activities that utilize the engineering process. Students 

are given the opportunity to apply their learning through problemsolving 

in real-world situations. This approach helps students connect 

ommunity Part- 

Engineering is Elementary (EiE) at 

erships 

instruction and learning to the world in which they live. It also develops 

and improves the higher order thinking and collaboration skills 

students will need to become the future problem-solvers of the world. 

EiE integrates science and math concepts with literacy, social studies, 

the arts and other disciplines, making science and math instruction 

relevant. 

The use of technology, collaboration and project-based learning keeps 

students engaged and allows them to take an active role in their own 

learning. 

Common Core & More 

In June 2010, North Carolina adopted the Common Core State 

Standards, a set of standards designed to ensure that all students 

are college and career-ready when they graduate from high school. 

Common Core Standards exist for English Language Arts and 

Literacy in Social Studies/History, Science and Technical Subjects and 

Mathematics K-12. The OCS Curriculum and Instruction team went 

to work quickly to develop guiding principles and a plan to educate 

our staff, families and community. The transition phase began in the 

summer of 2011 when teachers and administrators came together to 

develop plans and training documents. As a result of our planning and 

materials development, Curriculum and Instruction team members 

have been asked to share our Common Core work with other school 

districts at statewide events. 

Anne Purcell 

C.W. Stanford 

Middle School Principal 

2012 


Principal of the Year 

Ms. Anne Purcell of C.W. Stanford 

Middle School is the Orange County 

Schools’ 2012 Wells Fargo Principal 

of the Year. Ms. Purcell has been 

the principal of Stanford since 2008 

and has been a school and district 

administrator since 2002. 

“C.W. Stanford provides an example 

of the impact that an outstanding 

educational leader can have on a 

school,” said Rhodes. “During her 

tenure as principal, Ms. Purcell 

has worked diligently to develop 

a culture dedicated to improved 

student achievement. Under her 

leadership, Stanford has continued 

to demonstrate academic growth 

and has been named a School of 

Distinction by the Department of 

Public Instruction for the past two 

years.” 


Initiatives 

District Literacy 

Across all grade levels, Orange County Schools supports a balanced approach to literacy instruction. Each 

elementary and middle school has a literacy coach who works collaboratively with classroom teachers to assist in 

the achievement of balanced literacy instruction across disciplines. Beyond this, the district also provides several 

reading interventions. One is provided by elementary reading teachers, through Leveled Literacy Intervention 

(LLI), which also provides a balanced approach to literacy. Reading teachers work primarily with small groups of 

students for a limited and intensive time-frame. Another reading intervention for students in grades 3-12 who need 

support achieving grade level proficiency is Whole-to-Part. Students in Whole-to-Part are assessed to determine 

their greatest area of need as a reader and are then delivered instruction to meet that exact need in order to grow at 

least one year as a reader in that area. 

Strategic Plan 2010-2015 

As part of the district’s initiative for continuous improvement, Orange County Schools worked with staff 

members, students, parents and community members to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. This plan 

charts the course of the district for the next five years and guides Orange County Schools as we strive to 

become the best school system in the state. Since its implementation, the system has made major progress 

toward achieving its strategic goals. 

21st Century Community Learning Center 

With the assistance of the Orange Cross Road Missionary Baptist Church, the district has initiated the 21st 

Century Community Learning Centers Crossroads Program to assist 9th graders as they transition into high 

school. The program is located at Orange High School. It is offered after school. 

6 


Community Partners 

Hands for Habitat is a creative and unique 

partnership between Orange County Schools, Habitat for 

Humanity and Sports Endeavors. Their goal is to complete 

a fourth home for the Fairview Initiative. Schools, teachers, 

students and the larger community are now involved in 

“Hands for Habitat.” 

During the last three school years, classes at Orange High School 

designed, built and landscaped a green-certified home in the 

Fairview Community of Hillsborough. 

Classrooms throughout the county engage in educational and 

service learning activities specifically focused on housing issues that 

affect our community and world. These teacher-friendly activities have 

been designed by Habitat for Humanity International to meet state 

curriculum standards. 

Schools, classrooms and clubs joined with community businesses and 

organizations in fundraising to help Sports Endeavors fund the construction of the home. 

Schley Grange continues to support literacy education in Orange County Schools 

through the donation of dictionaries to every student in 3rd grade. The Grange has been 

delivering dictionaries since 2004 and with this year’s delivery of dictionaries, the Schley 

Grange will have placed over 4,000 dictionaries in the hands of our students. These dictionaries 

are designed for students to carry throughout their education. The Grange hopes that these 

gifts will help the students learn to read and will assist the teachers with their instruction. 

BB&T of Hillsborough is dedicated to supporting 

educational excellence in Orange County Schools. BB&T funds the 

Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year ceremony and provides 

college scholarships to outstanding seniors. 

abitat 

A Community Partnership Between 


and Habitat for Humanity 

Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce 

and the district have forged an excellent relationship that has increased opportunities for 

students and overall quality of life in our community. The Chamber’s Annual Chamber Golf 

Classic awards thousands of dollars in scholarships 

for the district’s students and its members provide 

support for our Teacher of the Year Celebration. The 

Education Committee has been integral in recruiting 

community volunteers to support the district’s Lunch 

Buddies program, Speakers Bureau and School Improvement Teams. 

Jeffrey Faulkner 

Kenan Fellow 

The Kenan Fellows Program 

for Curriculum and Leadership 

Development is a competitive 

fellowship offered to K-12 public 

school teachers. 

The mission of the Kenan Fellows 

Program is to enhance curriculum 

relevance for the benefit of all 

students; engage teachers, business, 

and universities through unique 

professional collaboration; and 

promote growth opportunities 

for teachers and the teaching 

profession. 

Mr. Faulkner designed the Middle 

School “Invite a Scientist” Program. 

He developed resources for 

educators and training materials 

for scientists. As a culminating 

activity he will implement the 

program at C.W. Stanford in fall 

2012, and evaluate the results before 

launching it across the state. 



NC State University staff offers coaching and support for the Engineering is Elementary program. 

The Cedar Grove Ruritan Club is dedicated to “Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service” 

and their mission is to improve the quality of life for the entire community. The Ruritans hosted the 2012 Orange 

County Schools Teacher of the Year Celebration. The Cedar Grove Ruritans also provide $4,000 in financial assistance to 

students to further their education past high school in the form of annual college scholarships. 

The Kiwanis Club of Hillsborough supports the Terrific Kids program in all of the district’s 

elementary schools. Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem and 

perseverance. Students work with their classroom teacher and establish goals to improve behavior, peer relationships, attendance 

or schoolwork. Students who achieved their goals are recognized as Terrific Kids. 

Each year the Hillsborough Kiwanis Club also makes a donation to help support the Orange County Robotics 

Club. This club, which has student members from Cedar Ridge and Orange high schools, builds robots 

that compete in a nationally organized event known as the FIRST Robotics Competition. This competition 

is a unique varsity sport of the mind event designed to help high school aged young people discover how 

interesting and rewarding the lives of engineers and researchers can be. 

Nutter Book Club Bob and Chris Nutter share their passion for books with Orange County elementary students. The 

Nutter Book Club has donated more than $100,000 in books to our students. 

Triangle High Five Regional Partnership is comprised of Orange County Schools and four other 

local districts. This partnership is committed to all students graduating with high school diplomas who are well prepared 

to pursue higher education and careers of their choice. Orange County Schools and its partners are dedicated to ensuring 

that by 2013 100% of students graduate high school; 90% of students complete college tech prep or college university prep 

course of study; and 80% of students meet the course requirements and admissions standards of the UNC system. 

Northern Orange Education Task Force (NOETF) works with Orange County Schools, 

parents, families and the northern Orange community to promote a sound, basic education for all Orange County Schools students 

in a healthy, safe and supportive environment while addressing the needs of minority children. Members of the Northern Orange 

Education Task Force are heavily involved in the district’s Raising Achievement and Closing the Gap initiative to increase the levels 

of achievement for the students of Orange County Schools. The NOETF also recognizes the achievements of minority scholars each 

year at the Sankofa Scholars Award Banquet. 

UNC Health Care partnered with OCS on a “Stuff the Bus” campaign for the second year in a row to provide school 

supplies for students in need. 

8 


Duke University is partnering with OCS to provide student researchers who 

assist with the research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) students and 

Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) students. Duke also sponsors the Scripps Spelling 

Bee. Elementary and middle school students from Orange County Schools compete in schoollevel 

spelling bees in the winter. The winners from each building compete for the honor 

of representing Orange County Schools at the Duke-hosted regional tournament at Page 

Auditorium in March 2013. Duke also supports the training of all Project Lead the Way teachers 

in the middle and high schools. 

Orange County RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program connects 

volunteers with schools across Orange County. RSVP volunteers tutor, mentor and support 

the overall educational mission of the district. The RSVP 55+ Volunteer Program provides 

opportunities for people 55 and over to make a difference in their 

community through volunteer service. RSVP volunteers are very active in 

Orange County Schools, providing additional academic and social support to 

our students. 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) volunteers perform service projects 

at our elementary schools to beautify the buildings and grounds. Through their “Day of Service” 

program, GSK has partnered with Central Elementary, Efland-Cheeks Elementary and Cameron 

Park Elementary. 

Chapel Hill Training - Outreach Project, Inc. is partnering with 

Orange County Schools to provide space for three Pre-K Headstart Programs located at Central, 

Efland-Cheeks and Pathways elementary schools. These programs provide early intervention 

services for approximately 60 four-year old students. Their mission is to develop, demonstrate 

and deliver programs and strategies that will enhance the lives of children, youth and families. 

Of principal concern to project staff are families in poverty, families caring for the elderly, 

children with disabilities or chronic illness and children at risk of abuse and neglect. 

Eric Landon McDuffie 

Environmental Educator of the Year 

Eighth-grade science teacher Eric 

McDuffie has used his years of 

work experience as a fisheries 

biologist to inspire youth at 

C.W. Stanford Middle School 

in Hillsborough. He successfully 

spearheaded the drive for a 

$355,000 Clean Water Trust 

grant to improve water quality. 

National Pawn owner Bob Moulton has established 2 annual academic scholarships 

for outstanding students. Since 2011, National Pawn also donated well over 200 musical 

instruments to the district’s middle school band programs and $4,000 to the school district to 

offset future repair and maintenance costs for their instruments. 


Support Services 

Child Nutrition 

The Orange County Schools Child Nutrition program 

is designed to meet the nutritional and educational 

needs of students and cooperatively developed to be an 

integral part of the total education program. It is the 

responsibility of the program to ensure that adequate 

meals are made available to all students in all schools 

at a minimum cost. Nutrition is a vital part of the 

educational process. Last summer, Orange County 

Schools participated in the Summer Food Service 

Program funded through the United States Department 

of Agriculture. Meals were provided to children without 

charge. 

Support S 

New Hope Elementary School was chosen to participate in the United States Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Program this year and received $31,194.00. One hundred six elementary 

schools across NC were selected to participate in the program which provides funds to purchase fresh fruits 

and vegetables and offer them to students for free throughout the school day. New Hope is the first school in 

Orange County to receive such a grant. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables will be available to students at scheduled times such as in their classrooms, on the 

playground and at other scheduled times coordinated by the principal, teachers and Child Nutrition staff. 

The goal of the program is to make a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables easily accessible to students 

so they will eat them and enjoy them more often. The program also creates a healthier school environment. 

Maintenance 

The Orange County Schools Facility Maintenance Department consists of 21 employees, including the 

director and assistant director, one painter, two HVAC technicians, one plumber, two electricians, one 

carpenter, eight miscellaneous specialists and two administrative support staff members. This department is 

responsible for providing maintenance support to buildings in the district totaling approximately 2,472,539 

square feet. 

Elementary School-Age Care Program (Afterschool Program) 

Orange County Schools has an outstanding Afterschool Program licensed by the North Carolina 

Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development. Each location has a five-star 

rating. The program combines leadership, guidance and independent exploration to give school-age children 

the confidence and structure they need. Students are encouraged to participate in dramatic play allowing for 

creative expression through arts and crafts projects as well as through reading and storytelling. The staff 

plan exploratory field trips, sports, games and opportunities to participate in community projects. All of the 

activities are developmentally appropriate and foster teamwork. The Afterschool Program offers students a 

safe, secure environment to receive homework assistance, read and have fun. 

10 


ervices 

Technology 

Student response systems are in all schools. Sometimes called “clickers”, 

these remotes allow students to answer questions on the fly, respond to 

surveys and take quizzes with immediate feedback for the teacher. 

Wireless access has increased in all schools to aid teachers in the use of 

laptops and iPods with their students. Our new laptop initiative is in 

place and students and teachers are exploring the many new educational 

opportunities this offers. 

Websites throughout the district are being updated/refreshed and new 

avenues of communication between parents and the schools are growing all 

the time. 

Orange County Schools has moved to Google Education, a free application 

that allows our staff and students the ability to work from school or home 

without having to worry about copying files. They are able to log into their 

Google account under a secure Orange County domain and access all of 

their files and emails. Google docs also allows for the sharing of files easily 

and securely so students working on collaborative projects can work on the 

same document or project at the same time. 

Our students are continuously using Web 2.0 tools such as Voicethread and 

Prezi. These online, interactive, presentation programs allow students to 

demonstrate their creativity as well as their knowledge of subject matter. 

Professional development for teachers and staff is an ongoing process. The 

challenge for educators to move from the 20th Century “teacher lead” 

lessons into the 21st Century student “inquiry based” lessons is one that 

teachers in Orange County have embraced. 

Transportation 

Each day, more than 4407 students ride a school bus operated by the Orange 

County Schools Transportation Department. Every day the district’s 

64 regular buses and seven mini buses travel more than 7,020 miles. In 

addition, the district has activity buses that are also used to transport 

students on field trips and to sporting events. 

Valerie Green 


Child Nutrition Director 

Recipient of 

The School Health Champion 

Honor 

The School Health Champion 

Honor is awarded to a healthy 

role model who demonstrates 

outstanding leadership in 

advancing school-based policies 

and programs improving 

the health of students and/or 

staff. The award is sponsored 

by the NC Department of 

Public Instruction and the 

NC State Board of Education 

in partnership with the local 

Subway Franchisees and Tar 

Heel Sports Properties. 


Capital Projects 

The Orange County School District is comprised of thirteen school campuses and four office buildings. 

The average age of the buildings in the district is 32 years and these facilities require routine 

maintenance and capital improvements to meet the needs of our students. During the 2011-12 school 

year, the district began or completed a variety of capital projects: 

• Auditorium Construction at C.W. Stanford 

• Main Entrance Renovations at Efland-Cheeks 

• Roof Replacement at Orange High School, Central Elementary School, Grady A. Brown 

Elementary and C.W. Stanford Middle School 

• Renovations to District Science Classrooms and Labs 

• Bathroom Upgrades in the Elementary Schools 

• Chiller Replacement at Cameron Park Elementary School, A.L. Stanback Middle School and 


• Duct Cleaning District-wide 

• Carpet Removal 

• Window Replacement at Grady A. Brown Elementary School and Central Elementary School 

12 


AM Car Rider Map 

PM Car Rider Map 

March 14 

Construction Update 

Click on Eagle Below: 

Capital Projects 

The “AlertNow” Phone System 

Communication Efforts 

AlertNow allows Orange County Schools to instantaneously communicate 

critical information to our families and staff. Each of the district’s schools 

can use this system to notify students and families about important school 

information, events, testing schedules, report card distribution, open houses, 

delayed buses, field trips and more. We are currently investigating using text 

messaging as well. 

Websites 

The Orange County Schools website, www.orange.k12.nc.us, contains a wealth 

of information for our families, students, staff and community. The site, 

updated daily, provides detailed information about the district’s curriculum 

and instruction initiatives, facilities, transportation, after-school programs and 

child nutrition as well as highlighting our student and staff accomplishments. 

Each school in the district also has a website providing current news and 

information about education and events in the schools. These sites also 

provide detailed information about the schools, teachers and staff. 

Orange County Schools http://www.orange.k12.nc.us/ 

Home 

District 

Board of Education 

Schools 

Curriculum & Instruction 

Operations & 

Support Services 

News 

Employment 


Quick Links Parents Students Staff 

The Student Transfer Request process for the 

2012-2013 school year is open from March 1 - May 15, 

2012. Click HERE for more information. 

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Mon. March 19 

Board of Education Meeting 

Location: Central Office 

Boardroom 

Wed., March 21 

Engineering is Elementary 

Informational Meeting 

Central Elementary 

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 

Click HERE for more 

information 

Efland Cheeks Elementary School http://www.orange.k12.nc.us/ec/ 

2011-12 Cultural Arts 

Events (Click to open or close) 

Important Construction Update 

C.W. Stanford 

Middle School 

Recipient of the 

2012 Lighthouse School Award 

C.W. Stanford Middle School received 

the distinguished Lighthouse School 

Award. They were recognized for 

innovative programs in literacy, 

environmental science and 

community outreach. This award 

is presented annually to five North 

Carolina schools who have exhibited 

leadership, excellence in student 

achievement and innovative 

programs. Each year NCASCD 

receives hundreds of nominations and 

a panel of distinguished educators 

is responsible for making the final 

selections. 

HOME ABOUT US STUDENTS PARENTS CLASSROOMS CALENDARS QUICK LINKS 

Children are born engineers—they are 

fascinated with building, with taking things 

apart, and with how things work. 

Click HERE to learn about the Engineering is 

Elementary (EiE) Initiative in Orange County 

Schools. 

A Parent Information Meeting will be held on 

Wednesday, March 21 from 6 pm - 7:30 pm. 

Welcome to Kindergarten 

at Efland-Cheeks Elementary School 

Welcome Class of 2025! 

Hands for Habitat 

Kindergarten Registration: 

Please call 919.563.5112 to schedule an appointment for registration. 

When: April 30, 2012 

Who: All students who are 5 by August 31, 2012 

What: Please bring your completed registration packet *, child’s birth 

certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence (electric bill, 

Current Events 

February 20-March 2 

Read-A-Thon 

February 27 - March 2 

Read Across America Week 

March 7 

Early Dismissal March 7 

March 8 

Bedtime Stories Around the World 

lease agreement, property tax bill, or contract to purchase). 

*Registration packets may be picked up in the office at Efland-Cheeks 

Elementary or printed from the Orange County Schools website 

http://www.orange.k12.nc.us/ 

Ready? Set? Go! Kindergarten Readiness Night: 

Learn about Kindergarten readiness skills and meet our fabulous staff. 

We will provide information about the academic, social, and emotional 

expectations for a rising Kindergartener. In addition, you will be 

provided with take home materials that will help you to prepare your 

child for their first day of school. The children will get to check out 

Visit our "Summer Opportunities" web pages to see great summer 

enrichment opportunities, camps and MORE! 

OCS Cultural Explosion 

April 30 

Kindergarten Registration 

their new school and visit the Kindergarten classrooms. 

When: May 22, 2012 from 6:30-7:30PM 

Who: Parents and their Kindergarten students 

What: An evening to interact with the ECE staff, engage in classroom 

activities, and get take home materials for use over the summer. 

Attention Staff 

Reserve your space by calling 919.563.5112 or 

email Wanda.Sykes@orange.k12.nc.uc 

Sincerely, 

Crystal Scillitani, Principal 

PARTNERING WITH YOU FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY 13 

2011-2012 Student Supply Lists 

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Communication Efforts 

Board of Education Meetings 

The Orange County Board of Education holds regularly scheduled 

meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The 

meetings begin at 7:00 pm and conclude at 10:00 pm. The agenda 

for each meeting is posted on the district’s website, www.orange. 

k12.nc.us/boardmeetings.html. The minutes from each meeting are 

available on the website once they are approved. 

At each meeting, the Board recognizes outstanding students and staff 

members for their accomplishments. The Board also schedules time 

for the community to address the Board of Education about issues or 

events in the schools. 

School Newsletters 

Along with the AlertNow system, each school produces a newsletter 

or student newspaper. These inform students, staff and families of the 

upcoming events in the school and celebrate the events happening 

each day in our schools. 

Curriculum Connections 

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) produces a 

quarterly publication that outlines the instructional accomplishments 

and initiatives underway in the district. These documents are 

available to the community on the district’s website. 

Valentine’s Day 

page 4 

February 14, 2012 

50 Cents 

Vol. 28 No. 1 Orange High School 

Page 1 

Famed novelist visits OHS 

By: Timothy Sheridan 

Editor-in-Chief 

ence”; he was born in Durham in Although the winner of 

1965 and, after graduating with two Edgar Awards, Hart considers 

his greatest achievement as a 

Thursday, February 9, 

a B.A. in French literature from 

New York Times-bestse ling author 

John Hart visited Orange 

Davidson Co lege in Charlo te, novelist to be able to “Feed my 

completed his Master’s Degree kids on my writing…I admire any 

High School to speak to Brooke 

in Law at UNC – Chapel Hill. writer who can do it for a living.” 

Smith’s creative writing class. 

Since writing his first short story Hart also feels accomplished 

The inquisitive students, who 

at the age of ten, Hart knew he to know that his books, a l of 

had just finished reading Hart’s 

wanted to be a novelist. After which so far have “drawn heavily” 

from eastern North Carolina 

2010 thri ler, The Last Child, 

experiencing moral qualms and 

had a plethora of questions 

dissatisfaction with being a lawyer, 

Hart resolved to walk away translated into 29 languages and 

where he grew up, have been 

for Hart concerning his novel. 

“The job of a writer is to 

from his well-paying career to are read in 70 different countries. 

entertain, sometimes to educate, 

pursue his dream of writing professiona 

ly. Hart lauds his change found a copy of my book on a 

“I’ l get emails saying a person 

and to portray reality,” Har told 

the students in a presentation in 

in lifestyle as the “freedom to dirt floor in an African country…I 

quit two good careers, 

the OHS media center. He also 

get paid for pure imagination.” 

had advice for the class’s aspiring 

writers: “Recognize that the 

Admi tedly, Hart has a law and stockbroker, to pursue 

“capacity for darkness,” which is my writing career. I am more 

world is fu l of doubters. People 

reflected in his thri lers. However, 

Hart has a reason for focusing Now a resident of 

proud of that than the awards.” 

wi l te l you you cannot do it.” 

Having never spoken to a 

so much on the evil in human nature: 

“If you paint the world dark, Hart is the author of The King 

Charlo tesvi le, Virginia, John 

creative writing class before, Hart 

describes his return to Orange 

the good qualities [hope, faith, of Lies, Down River, The 

County as a “hometown experi- 

humanity] shine through be ter.” Last Child, and Iron House. 

Top Right: John Hart discusses his writing process with Creative Writing students. He encouraged students to keep 

writing, even if they fail at ge ting published on the first few a tempts. 

Bo tom Right: Ms. Smith’s students were able to spend the full class period discussing the book and asking Hart questions 

regarding the plot, characters, and other elements. 

Interior improvements 

makes project a home 

By: Sidra McAdoo 

Copy Editor 

In just a few months’ time, 

the Orange High School construction 

class has worked hard 

in making an aspiration a reality. 

The team is very close to the finished 

product: the home of Marquis 

Poteat and Brenda DeMent. 

The roofing for the house has 

been completed in dark gray shingles. 

The exterior is decorated in 

blue vinyl siding accented with white 

wooden posts and white trimmings. 

The sma ler yet important details, 

plumbing vents, exhaust fans, cardboard 

insulation baffles, and a dryer bathroom which is handicap acces- 

tub has been installed in the main 

vent are just waiting to be installed. sible. It is mandatory that there be 

Furthermore, the interior at least one. Unlike any of the past 

of the home has come a long way. homes, this one is equipped with a 

There are no longer empty spaces, sprinkler system for fire protection. 

but rooms; the dry walling has been The structure has already been 

put up throughout the entire structure. 

The color of the paint for the is a ‘tighter’ inspection because high 

inspected and it has passed. “There 

wa ls wi l be Habitat White. Ms. school students participated in the 

Thomas’s FCCLA class is planning making of it,” says Mr. Hamlet. Everything 

that the class had worked on, 

on raising money to pain the baby’s 

room. In every room, a smoke detector 

system will be installed as ing, and floor framing was approved. 

such as the building frame, pre-sid- 

we l as a vent over each door to 

allow ventilation. The shower/ 

Photo By: Devin Johnson, Sta f Writer 

Above: Jacob Houser, Victoria Ho fman, 

Rakeem Torain, Logan Joseph,Tyler Bacon, 

and Nathan Greenhill work on insta l- 

ing the siding of the house. 

ONNECTIONS 

See Page 3 

Congrats Wrestling 

State Champs! 

Joint school dance successful 

By: Samantha Herrera 

Sta f Writer 

Joined Together to Educate All Children 

in Orange County Schools 

Photos by: Brooke Smith, Adviser 

for the festivities. The members arrived 

promptly at 10 AM on the morning of 

For the first time in history, the dance. After hours of hard labor, the 

Cedar Ridge High School and Orange venue was ready. In the past, OHS has 

High School joined forces to create not be very successful when the SGA 

one magical night. January 21, 2012 has attempted to have any type of dance. 

the doors of CRHS opened to both student 

bodies for a winter formal. Han- 

“The first ever combined winter semi- 

However, this time, DeLoatch says, 

nah Barnard, the senior President of formal was very successful. A l of the 

the Student Government Association at students whom a tended had an enjoyable 

evening. A l students are looking 

Cedar Ridge, worked very closely with 

Montrey DeLoatch, the senior President forward to this annual event in years to 

at OHS. According to Barnard, “[The come. ” 

dance was] Definitely [a huge success]! With the help of OHS assistant 

We brought in huge profits, and Mr. Felice 

li [the CRHS student government John Wheeler, and CRHS SGA advisor 

principal Jason Burt, CRHS principal 

teacher advisor] believes this is the Mr. Felicelli, both SGAs were able to 

best dance Cedar Ridge has hosted during 

our ten years. We look forward to a organization were able to provide both 

have a great night. These two student 

co laborative semi-formal with Orange student bodies with a safe, fun place 

again next year!” 

to be on a Saturday night. At the same 

About 300 students a tended time, both SGAs were able to earn a 

the dance. They enjoyed the music and li tle money for their schools. Both 

food which were provided. Committees schools are looking forward to holding 

were set up by both schools to prepare this event again next year, with OHS 

being the host school. 

Jan laptop winners announced 

By: Devin Johnson 

Sta f Writer 

this month are Zachary Taylor and Jake 

Lemaster. Principal Armond Hankins 

Congratulations to the freshmen says that it is good to reward those students 

who come to school everyday. He 

for winning the perfect attendance race 

for January. The winners for the laptops added if “you miss school you miss out.” 

November 2011 A publication of the Curriculum & Instruction Department of Orange County Schools Vol. 6, Issue 1 

Curriculum & Instruction | Welcome Fall 

Welcome to the fall edition of Curriculum Connections. 

It has been a busy fall for everyone as we continue our 

preparations for implementing the Common Core and 

Essential Standards for 2012-2013. 

Common Core and More 

I wan to compliment our staff for their very focused efforts 

on moving us toward implementation. We have three tiers 

of staff support: the Central Office Common Core and More 

team (Vickie Smith, Steven Weber, Lisa Napp, Ryan Miller 

and Patricia Harris), the multi-member schoo level teams 

who have conducted training for their own buildings in August 

and October, and our teacher leaders who are doing the heavy 

lifting in creating K-12 curriculum maps for all of the new 

standards. 

The Orange County Common Core and More distric team 

was recently selected, along with Union County and Ashe 

County, to presen to a group of over 400 educators at a state 

“Whole-to-Part” News 

On October 31st, Dr. Karen Erickson and Vickie Smith 

presented to the Joint Legislative Educational Oversight 

Committee (JLEOC) of the 2011 General Assembly on our 

district’s “Whole-to-Part” reading initiative. This committee 

has been charged with studying literacy to develop a 

comprehensive plan to address “implementation of a third 

grade literacy policy”. Our district was the only school 

district asked to present on our very successful Whole-to-Part 

literacy initiative. Thanks to Ms. Smith and Dr. Erickson for 

informing this committee of our efforts to make sure tha the 

children in Orange County can read and read well! 

The “Creators” of Whole-to-Part Visit 


conference hosted by the National Association of Supervision 

and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the Chief Council of 

State Officers, the North Carolina ASCD, and NC Department 

of Public Instruction to share our implementation guidelines. 

We wowed the crowd with a video produced by Ryan Miller 

On October 4th, Dr. James and Patricia Cunningham (the 

and created by the Common Core and More team which 

creators of the Whole-to-Part reading initiative) visited our 

school district at A.L. Stanback Middle School to see Wholeto-Part 

in action. Joyce Gilbert, A.L. Stanback Middle School 

literacy coach, orchestrated a great visit for them. Dr. Karen 

Exceptional Expressions 

The Exceptional Children’s Department produces a quarterly 

newsletter that highlights the outstanding work being done for 

our exceptional children. These documents are available to the 

community on the district’s website. 

Volume 2 • Issue 1 • October 2011 

Director’s Note 

provided a visual roadmap of all of our implementation 

efforts. This video, which features many of our staff, will soon 

be posted on our website under the “Common Core and More” 

icon. Please check it out. 

On The Inside 

Technology Tidbits ....................................................2 

Accountability and Testing ........................................3 

Common Core ..........................................................4 

Positive Action ..........................................................5 

Whole to Part ............................................................5 

AIG & ESL ........................................................... 6-8 

EXCEPTIONAL 

Departmental Updates: 

The Exceptional Children’s Department is off to an exciting 

start this school year. Teachers and staff have made 

incredible strides addressing areas in the Exceptional 

Children’s Strategic Plan. I would like to give you 

a sampling of some of the achievements and new 

initiatives that have taken place in the department thus 

far. 

Curriculum: 

‣ All of the Exceptional Children’s teachers and speech 

therapists are participating in Reading Foundations, a 

scientifically based reading instruction course taught 

by Dr. Karen Erickson. This course complements what 

we are doing district-wide with Whole to Part and is 

designed to better meet the needs of students with 

disabilities. 

‣ Teachers at the middle and high schools are continuing 

to receive staff development through The Hill Center 

in collaboration with the N. C. State Parent Teacher 

Association. There are now selected groups of students 

at each school receiving HILL RAP to address their 

reading needs. There are also 180 scholarships available 

through the dropout prevention grant to support 

Orange County Schools teachers’ participation in staff 

development through The Hill Center. 

‣ Both Cedar Ridge High School and Orange High School 

Published quarterly by 

the Exceptional Children’s 

Department of 

Erickson, Vickie Smith, Dr. Lisa Napp, Dr. Gloria Jones and 

myself accompanied the Cunninghams as they visited Wholeto-Part 

groups that morning. They were very impressed 

with A.L. Stanback’s Whole-to-Part organization structure as 

well as the 2-year testing data that shows that Whole-to-Part 

makes a difference for students. 

C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e 16 u 

AVID .........................................................................9 

Elementary Education ...........................................10 

Career & Technical Education ........................11,14 

Hands for Habitat ............................................12-13 

Cultural Arts Programs ..........................................14 


Expressions 

Exceptional Children’s Professional Development .15-16 

have opted to provide instruction to Occupational 

Course of Study students through the N. C. Virtual 

Public School. Our Exceptional Children’s teachers and 

the virtual teacher collaborate to provide instruction. 

This instructional model , piloted by Cedar Ridge High 

School last year, was extremely successful and we are 

excited about the expansion of this program. 

Staff and School Support: 

‣ This year’s Exceptional Children’s Teacher of Excellence 

is Mrs. Terry Moore from Cedar Ridge High School. 

She is an outstanding teacher with 30+ years of 

experience. Last year, Mrs. Moore facilitated the first 

blended online Algebra 1 course in our district for 

students with disabilities and the students excelled. 

She will represent our district at the N.C. Exceptional 

Children’s Conference in Greensboro this November. 

‣ The Exceptional Children’s Department welcomed the 

Orange County Schools nurses as part of the department 

at the end of September. There has been a longstanding 

relationship with the school nurses and the Exceptional 

Children’s Department; we are excited to have them as 

part of the program. 

‣ All of our departments now have Lead Representatives 

as suggested by the N. C. Department of Public 

Instruction’s review and they are: 

• EC Facilitator: Mary Quick 

• Speech Language Therapy: Elizabeth Dear 

...continued 

1 

On The INSiDE 

Co-Teaching At CRHS ............2 OT & PT News .......................4 

School Nurses ..........................3 Functional Behavioral Assess ....5 

PreSchool News .......................3 Psychology ...............................6 

Speech Lang. Path. ...................4 Mental Health ..........................7 

14 


Highlights for the 

2012-2013 School Year 

AUGUST 6 – 20, 2012 

Helping Our Students Start the School Year 

With the Supplies They Need to Succeed 

Common Core 

Implementation 

Team 

Members of the OCS Curriculum 

Division were asked to present their 

work on implementing the new 

common core and essential standards 

at two state conferences sponsored 

by the National Association of 

Supervision and Curriculum 

Development and its North Carolina 

affiliate. The conferences were 

attended by over 600 educators. 

The members of the common core 

imlementation team are: Dr. Denise 

Morton, Dr. Lisa Napp, Vickie Smith, 

Steven Weber, Ryan Miller and 

Patricia Harris. 


Financial Data 

Revenue Sources for 2012-2013 

$4,193,020 

6.2% 

Federal 

$24,021,695 

35.7% 

Local 

State 

$38,995,483 

58% 

4.8% 

1% 3.4% 

4% 

4.8% 

Charter Schools 

Community Programs 

Other Support 

4.8% 

27% 

55% 

Central Support 

Business Support Services 

Instructional (School Based) 

16 


Per Pupil Appropriation $ (2000-2012) 

2000-2001 

$2,395 

2001-2002 

$2,437 

2002-2003 

$2,516 

2003-2004 

$2,566 

2004-2005 

$2,623 

2005-2006 

$2,796 

2006-2007 

$2,957 

2007-2008 

$3,069 

2008-2009 

$3,200 

2009-2010 

$3,096 

2010-2011 

$3,096 

2011-2012 

$3,096 


$3,167 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 

FIRST FRC Robotics 

Team 587 

“The HedgeHogs” 

The Hedgehogs Robotics team is 

made up of students from Orange 

High School and Cedar Ridge High 

School. This is the team’s twelfth 

year of participation in the “For 

Inspiration and Recognition of 

Science and Technology” (FIRST) 

robotics competition. This year’s 

team was part of the winning 

alliance in the Georgia Regional 

Tournament held March 15 -17 in 

Atlanta, GA. The team also won the 

Spirit award for the second year in 

a row. 

The Hedgehogs qualified to 

compete in the Rebound Rumble 

International FIRST competition in 

St. Louis, MO. 


Did You Know... 

• Orange County Schools has been recognized by state and national organizations for our work on 

implementing the Common Core and Essential Standards. 

• The district’s Hands for Habitat program partners students and our local businesses to raise funds and build 

a Habitat for Humanity home in our community each year. 

• Central Elementary is one of only four Engineering is Elementary (E.I.E.) schools in the state. 

• A team of 4th and 5th grade students from Efland-Cheeks Elementary School were selected to attend the 

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s first Student Leadership Institute. 

• The district is fully accredited by AdvanceEd, formerly Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 

• The district offers the only International Baccalaureate Program in the county. 

• High school students attending Orange County Schools may earn college credit through Middle College High 

School at Durham Technical Community College or by enrolling in advanced placement or International 

Baccalaureate classes offered in the district. 

• High School students in Orange County Schools may enroll in an expanded curriculum through the North 

Carolina Virtual Public School. 

• District SAT and ACT scores have been above the state and national average for the past eight years. 

• Ten schools made “Expected Growth”; Five made “High Growth”. 

• Nine of twelve traditional schools made Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO). 

• Seven schools were named “Schools of Distinction.” 

• The district’s overall proficiency rate was 81.3%. 

• Our middle and high schools offer transition programs for rising 6th and 9th grade students. 

• The district has award-winning programs in music, drama, art and Career and Technical Education. 

• The graduating class of 2012 was awarded a record $5.6 million in scholarships. 

• The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program is offered at all three middle schools. 

• There are six district Pre-K classrooms and three Headstart Pre-K classrooms in our elementary schools. 

• District staff and community members serve on the Raising Achievement and Closing the Gap Committee to 

improve minority achievement. 

• All elementary and middle schools offer free and tuition-based afterschool care. 

• The district has been awarded numerous grants for afterschool programs at the middle and high school, 

world language education, child nutrition, science education and emergency management. 

18 


Contact Information 

Elementary Schools 

Cameron Park Elementary School 

919.732.9326 

240 St. Mary’s Rd. 

Hillsborough, NC 27278 

Central Elementary School 

919.732.3622 

154 Hayes St. 


Efland-Cheeks Elementary School 

919.563.5112 

4401 Fuller Rd. 

Efland, NC 27243 

Secondary Schools 

A.L. Stanback Middle School 

919.644.3200 

3700 NC Hwy 86 S. 


C.W. Stanford Middle School 

919.732.6121 

308 Orange High School Rd. 


Gravelly Hill Middle School 

919.245.4050 

4801 West Ten Rd. 

Efland, NC 27243 

Grady A. Brown Elementary School 

919.732.6138 

1100 New Grady Brown School Rd. 


Cedar Ridge High School 

919.245.4000 

1125 New Grady Brown School Rd. 


Hillsborough Elementary School 

919.732.6137 

402 N. Hayes St. 


New Hope Elementary School 

919. 942.9696 

1900 New Hope Church Rd. 

Chapel Hill, NC 27514 


919.732.6133 

500 Orange High School Rd. 


Partnership Academy 

919.245.4030 

1006 E. Storey Lane 


Pathways Elementary School 

919.732.9136 

431 Strouds Creek Rd. 


Administrative Offices 919.732.8126 

After School Programs 919.732.4166 

At-Risk Programs 919.732.8126 

Career & Tech Education 919.245.4003 

Child Nutrition 919.245.4002 

Curriculum K-5 919.245.4001 

Curriculum 6-12 919.245.4004 

Drivers Education 919.732.4581 

Employment Opportunities 919.732.8126 

English as a Second Language 919.732.3622 

Exceptional Children 919.245.4006 

Facility Rental 919.732.4166 

Finance 919.732.8126 

Healthful Living 919.732.8126 

District Mentor 919.732.8126 

Media/Technology 919.245.4100 

Print Shop 919.732.6133 

Public Information 919.732.8126 

School Maintenance 919.732.4581 

School Volunteers 919.732.8126 

Summer Camp 919.732.4166 

Testing/Accountability 919.732.2314 

Transportation 919.732.2531 

www.orange.k12.nc.us 

The Orange County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, 

color, national origin, creed or disadvantaging or handicapping conditions in its 

educational programs, activities or employment practices.

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS 

MISSION 

Orange County Schools, in partnership with students, families and the community, is 

committed to providing challenging and engaging educational experiences that will develop 

responsible, knowledgeable and resourceful citizens prepared to contribute in our global 

society. 

VISION 

Orange County Schools prepares students to be responsible citizens in a diverse world by 

promoting academic and individual success. 

Goals 

Orange County Schools will provide excellent instruction to prepare students for global 

competitiveness. 

Orange County Schools will recruit and support highly qualified educators who work 

collaboratively to enhance student achievement. 

Orange County Schools will provide opportunities for involvement of the community in 

improving the health, safety and well-being of our students and their families. 

Orange County Schools district leaders will promote a culture that embraces constructive 

change. 

Orange County Schools will be supported by effective and efficient operations.

Annual Report 2012-2013 - Orange County Schools

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