Education briefs

WRN website created
Individuals seeking the scoop on the best books in town typically read critics’ reviews. For those looking for something a little more exciting, visit www.bcswan.net/wrn for a creative book review experience known as Who’s Reading Now (WRN).
WRN was an idea launched by Brunswick County media coordinators in partnership with Acacia Dixon, instructional technology coordinator.
This bi-weekly video segment is designed to highlight student and adult reading practices throughout the district. Media coordinators participate on a pre-established rotational calendar to ensure inclusion of students in elementary, middle and high school. All segments are archived on the website just in case you miss one.
The Brunswick County Board of Education adopted the Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader resolution on Aug. 2. The resolution establishes a 10 percent overall increase in reading proficiency in the 2011-2012 school year, followed by an overall reading proficiency rate of 90 percent by 2013.
Who’s Reading Now directly supports the system’s literacy initiatives by actively engaging students and staff in conversations about the books they are reading.
Generating excitement about books and increasing exposure to print materials is one way to improve reading skills. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to partner with Brunswick County Schools by reading to or with their children at least 20 minutes each day.
For more information about WRN, contact Acacia Dixon at adixon@bcswan.net or call 253-1067.

Technology safety class is Nov. 10
Community organizations and businesses throughout Brunswick County are banding together to help keep kids safe when they are online. All parents and concerned citizens are invited to learn more about the Internet, social media and cell phone safety from representatives of the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and Brunswick County Schools from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, at Odell Williamson Auditorium.
Attendees will receive a free booklet with take-home tips for parents of kids at different ages and a chance to win door prizes.
Topics during the evening are designed for adults and contain information that may not be suitable for children. Trained childcare professionals will be available to offer activities and supervision.
Local Internet and cell phone providers and other community agencies will be onsite hosting booths in the lobby from 6-6:30 p.m. to share information about parental controls and strategies to keep children safe.
This event is sponsored by Brunswick County Schools, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Communities In Schools of Brunswick County, Odell Williamson Auditorium and Smart Start of Brunswick County.

Union nominated for award
Union Elementary School has been nominated by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as a 2011 National Title 1 Distinguished School in the area of Sustained Student Achievement.
A ceremony honoring this achievement took place Thursday, Nov. 3, during a special luncheon at the North Carolina Association of Compensatory Educators (NCACE) Conference in Greensboro.
“We were thrilled to learn that Union Elementary School, based on statewide data, earned a nomination for their efforts in closing the achievement gap,” said Faye Nelson, executive director of elementary education. “Teachers and staff at Union Elementary work diligently to meet the needs of individual students. This honor is just one example of how their efforts make a difference.”

Teachers learn math leadership
Brunswick County teachers and administrators representing all 10 elementary and four middle schools received hands-on training to support the teaching and learning of mathematics last week during the statewide math leadership institute in Greensboro.
Thanks to the TAP Math grant (Teachers and Administrators Partnering for Mathematics Learning), participants received a combination of on-site professional development, web-based tasks and discussions and attendance at a spring symposium, which will support the networking of schools with similar math initiatives.
In the second year, participants document continued implementation of strategies from year-one as part of a research study to compare student achievement scores with similar schools not participating in the project.
The ultimate goal is to increase student achievement.
During training, participants learned the program received a one-year extension that will allow another group of teachers and administrators from Brunswick County to receive training next school year.
“As a system, we have talked about the Common Core State Standards,” said Faye Nelson, executive director of elementary education.
“This training gives teachers and administrators the opportunity to delve into the standards to consider how this information will translate into to the teaching-learning process and real-life experiences for our students.”

SEARCH 5K is Nov. 19
Brunswick County’s SEARCH for healthy-active people is on. Join in at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, for a free 5K run at Holden Beach. All ages and abilities are welcome.
There is no official sign-up for this event. Participants should meet under the bridge at Holden Beach for the 9 a.m. start. Festivities also include a live deejay, onsite healthcare professionals to answer questions and prizes.
According to Nick Westfall, event coordinator and physical education teacher at Virginia Williamson Elementary School, “Over the last 30 years, childhood obesity rates have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in Brunswick County are overweight.”
Westfall and other physical education teachers throughout the district are promoting this event to raise awareness about obesity and the importance of a healthy diet, physical activity and annual check-ups.
“Every race you see online always has a price that normally goes to help a company raise money for a cause,” Westfall said. “Well, the Brunswick County SEARCH 5K has a cause as well: childhood obesity. Childhood obesity can be fixed for free, so the race is free.
“By being active each and every day, we can prevent this debilitating epidemic. We can do it for free.”
For more information, contact Westfall at nwestfall@bcswan.net.