SEPTEMBER 2015

LETS SHINE!

CELEBRATING OUR TEACHERS!

Congratulations to our FABULOUS Teachers of the Year! We are so very proud of your
accomplishments and celebrate that your colleagues have selected you represent all that is
E X C E L L E N T in Teaching! On Thursday, October 8, 2015 the Newton County School
System, along with The Newton County Chamber of Commerce and Chamber
Champions, will celebrate twenty-three teachers who were identified by their peers as being
the best in their respective schools. The Teacher of the Year celebration gives us an
opportunity to thank our teachers and recognize their efforts. What our teachers do
matters! Teachers are dedicated professionals who go above and beyond when it
relates to the growth and development of the students they teach. They work diligently to
ensure our students face the world beyond high school prepared to deal with the challenges
they will encounter. With our selected Teachers of the Year leading our classrooms and
schools, I am confident that our students will be college and/or career ready.

Congratulations to each of our NCSS Teachers of the Year!

Even the most interesting of lessons could

use a little shining. The shine of a
lesson captures the attention of students
and refocuses them on their learning.
Adding shine to a lesson infuses brief
periods of time (1 minute or less) in
which students practice what they are
learning or recall previous learning.
Shining requires upbeat, short,
connected actions that link to the content.
Shining moments must be developed
and implemented with care, otherwise, they
could take students off task. For example,
in a lesson covering action verbs, students
would stand up to do what the
predetermined verbs require---shake,
dance, stretch, and hop. Once the
students act out the verbs, they should
quickly refocus. To maintain order,
ground rules must be declared early in
the shining process. The shining of
a lesson reinforces academics in general
and supports the learning goal of the day.
How will you shine up your lessons to
better engage your students?

SEPTEMBER 2015

TEACHERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Research indicates that the single most important influence on students achievement is the classroom teacher! Last week, I visited
the classrooms of the three teachers of the year to surprise them with the great news: You have been selected as one of the three finalists
in our Teacher of the Year program. This visit was my third visit as Superintendent to make this declaration, and each visit has been an
honor--- I must admit, it is a goose-bump moment for me as I am so proud of our teachers and recognize their dedication, commitment,
love for the profession, and desire to be the best. Our teachers are unsung heroes who work diligently to provide our students with
everything they need to be successful as they move from grade-to-grade and ultimately into the real world. Mrs. Angulo, Mrs. Bagwell,
and Mr. Holder epitomize all that is fantastic, awe-inspiring, and wonderful about teaching and teachers in general. I am proud of the
accomplishments of each of our finalists, and I look forward to learning, October 8, 2015 at Newton High School who will represent the
Newton County School System in the state level Teacher of the Year Program. I hope you will join me at the event as we celebrate and
honor the work of our teachers!
GOOD LUCK, Mrs. Angulo, Mrs. Bagwell, and Mr. Holder---you make us PROUD!

IS HOMEWORK THE ANSWER?

Our Grading Smarter, Not Harder PLC met in September to discuss the topic of homework. Homework can be the key to academic success for one
student and the downfall of another. Its crucial to determine the extent to which homework is needed, and students must complete the homework themselves
if the homework is to provide information about students understanding/learning. Homework should be thought of as a tool in the learning process, not an
instrument for measuring understanding. In the text, a science teacher recounts her experience with a student whose homework habits were dictated by
her fathers arrival home from work. The student had to do her homework by the light of her fathers vehicles headlights. It was then
that the teacher realized that students grades were influenced by factors outside of the students control; she stopped assigning
homework as a method to check for understanding. Check out Myron Duecks thoughts about the impact and influence of a students
life at home on their learning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAAvbns3do4

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela

SEPTEMBER 2015

COLLEGE AND CAREER READY PERFORMANCE INDEX (CCRPI)

The CCRPI has been changed for the 2014-2015 school year (yes, thats right, for last year.) This means that FY 14 CCRPI scores cannot be
compared to FY 15 CCRPI scores as both the indicators and methodology for scoring has been adjusted in FY 15. The FY 15 data is our baseline given
our new Georgia Milestones assessments and the change in indicators and calculation methodology. FY 16 (Spring Milestones of 2016) CCRPI indicators
mirror the changes seen in the FY 15 document. I have received notification from the Georgia Department of Educations Assessment and Accountability
Department indicating following changes will be applied to FY 15 and FY 16:

Content Mastery

For all Content Mastery Indicators for all grade levels and high school courses, Developing Learners will earn 0.5 (one-half) point,
Proficient Learners will earn 1.0 (one) point, and Distinguished Learners will earn 1.5 (one and one-half) points.
o These revisions acknowledge the level of proficiency attained by students at each achievement level of the Georgia Milestones
Assessment System. Developing Learners have demonstrated partial proficiency, Proficient Learners have demonstrated strong (not
basic) proficiency, and Distinguished Learners have demonstrated advanced proficiency.

Exceeds Indicator

2015 High School Indicator 15, Middle School Indicator 10, Elementary School Indicator 11
2016 High School Indicator 14, Middle School Indicator 10, Elementary School Indicator 11
o These indicators in the Post High School Readiness (High School) and Predictor for High School Graduation (Middle and Elementary
School) components of CCRPI award points for the percentage of students achieving at an exemplary level on state assessments. For the
CRCT and EOCT, this was the Exceeds level. The indicator has been revised to award points for the percentage of students
achieving at the Proficient and Distinguished Learner levels on Georgia Milestones. This indicator will not be benchmarked. This
revision adheres to the intent of the indicator, which is preparing students for the next educational level. With Georgia Milestones,
Proficient Learners have demonstrated strong (not basic) proficiency and are prepared for the next grade, course, or college and career.

Middle and Elementary School Predictor for High School Graduation Indicator

2014 Middle School Indicator 12, Elementary School Indicator 13

o This indicator has been removed from the 2015 and 2016 CCRPI in order to simplify calculations and reduce redundancy. The
indicator was largely a duplicate of the indicator that followed but was restricted to one grade level. This revision simplifies calculations and
enables scores at all assessed grades in the school to count equally towards the indicator.

High School Pathway Indicator

The IB Career-Related Certificate component of Indicator 10 has been moved to Indicator 9 to better align the Pathway Completer Indicators. The
SBOE previously approved this revision for the 2016 CCRPI. This revision makes it effective for the 2015 CCRPI, as well, in order to maintain
consistency in calculations.

CCRPI Component Weights

The weights of the CCRPI components have been revised to incentivize and reward student growth and progress towards the states higher
achievement expectations associated with the Georgia Milestones Assessment System. Increasing the contribution of Progress recognizes the work
districts and schools are making toward the increased expectations for student achievement; importantly, growth is independent of proficiency
classifications.

Previous Weights
Achievement
Content Mastery
Post Readiness
Graduation Rate
Progress
Achievement Gap

60%
40%
30%
30%
25%
15%

New Weights
Achievement
Content Mastery
Post Readiness
Graduation Rate
Progress
Achievement Gap

50%
40%
30%
30%
40%
10%

SEPTEMBER 2015

ITS ALL LATIN AND GREEK TO ME!

Simply put, teaching Greek and Latin roots and affixes (beginning in elementary school) allows students to construct their own
vocabularies. Educators who choose to teach roots leverage word parts, creating opportunities for students to grow their
vocabularies exponentially. Each root a student acquires can lead to the understanding of twenty or more English words
(Rasinski, Padak, Newton, & Newton, 2008.) Over 60% of the words students will encounter in school textbooks have
recognizable word parts and many are Latin and Greek roots. Latin and Greek prefixes, roots, and suffixes have predicable spelling
patterns (Rasinski & Padak, 2001) Content area vocabulary is largely Greek and Latin-based and research supports this
instruction, especially for struggling readers (Harmon, Hedrick, & Wood, 2005). Finally, since Spanish is also Latin-based,
Latin and Greek can be used as a bridge to help Spanish-speaking students use knowledge of their native language to learn English.
Below, you will find a few websites that list Latin and Greek roots and affixes and articulate varied teaching strategies. As you are
aware, one methodology for building background knowledge is to teach vocabulary using Marzanos Six Step Process. Its
not a bad idea to discuss with your Professional Learning Community the possibility of utilizing an Interactive Notebook for the
study of Latin and Greek roots and affixes. Preparing students for success beyond high school will require our students to possess
vocabulary knowledge. Understanding Latin and Greek roots and affixes will position our students to be competitive whether
entering the workforce or going to college. Additional Reading: ASCD article--http://lsurl.me/13ZXE (Great for a PLC discussion)
http://lsurl.me/13ZNV

http://lsurl.me/13ZNW

http://lsurl.me/13ZNX

http://lsurl.me/13ZNY

WORDS TO KNOW---TODAY!
The following fifteen words have prefixes or roots that are part of over 15,000 words; thats as many words in most student
dictionaries! Students should know/learn the words and meanings of the prefixes and roots below---doing so, will significantly improve
their vocabulary knowledge and skills.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

inaudible (not, hear)

dismiss (away from, send)
transport (across, carry)
unsubscribe (not, under, write)
predict (before, say)
remit (again, send)
encounter (in, against)

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

offer (against, carry)

inspect (in, see)
epilogue (upon, word)
antigen (against, people)
empathy (in, feeling)
intermediate (between, middle)
destruction (apart from, middle)
superimpose (over, in, put)

Vocabulary words are the building blocks of the internal

learning structure. Vocabulary is also the tool to better define a
problem, seek more accurate solutions, etc. - Ruby K. Payne

SEPTEMBER 2015

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through
AP courses and exams with the AP Scholar Awards. Although there is no monetary award, each award-winning student receives a certificate,
and the award is acknowledged on any AP score report that is sent to colleges after the award has been conferred. The Newton County School
System has received notification that 82 students have been identified as AP Scholars. To be an AP Scholar, students must earn a score of
3 on three or more AP exams. The AP Program further delineates AP Scholars into the following additional areas of recognition:

AP Scholar with Honor--Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or
higher on four or more of these exams
AP Scholar with Distinction--Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of
3 or higher on five or more of these exams
National AP Scholar: Granted to students in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and
scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams

Twenty students were designated at AP Scholars with Honor, and an additional twelve students were identified as AP Scholars with
Distinction. Forty-nine students qualified for the AP Scholar Award.
Congratulations to our students, families, faculty, and school leaders! Expanding access to Advanced Placement courses enables our
students to experience the rigor associated with college courses and prepares them for life beyond high school. Keep up the EXCELLENT work!!

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Our Newton County School System Strategic Plan School Strategy calls for
the use of effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). Highfunctioning PLCs focus their efforts on improving student outcomes by defining
what we want students to know, do, and understand. PLCs spend time
determining how best to engage students, and how to identify whether or not
students know, do, or understand that which has been taught. Finally, PLCs
should determine how they will collectively serve students who dont know, do,
and understand what we want as well as students who do know, do, and
understand the material taught. Data discussions should drive the PLC work.
Over the next several months, our school leaders will discuss with each school
team their learnings taken from the text, Learning By Doing. It is imperative that
all schools have in place high-functioning PLCs committed to the students they
serve.

The NCSS Strategic Plan can be found here:

http://lsurl.me/140AA

STAY INFORMED!
Public Education and the systems that support public education are
political footballs that are often tossed around in the political
stadium in an effort to improve. It is important that we remain
attentive and involved in the political conversation. Stay abreast of
the legislative changes that are discussed throughout the course of
a school year. Each time our legislature meets, I read the
proposals to determine what each means for our school
systems students and staff. Each of our employees must do
the same. Connect to your professional organizations and
affiliations to learn about the potential after-effects of legislation and
study the legislation for yourself---to make informed decisions
when necessary-ask questions to clarify. Most importantly, each
and every time you have an opportunity to VOTE, you should give
your opinion. The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) is
an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that does a
fantastic job analyzing data and educating to inspire informed
discussion and decision-making. You can get to GBPI here:
http://gbpi.org/ STAY INFORMED! YOUR VOICE COUNTS!

SEPTEMBER 2015

TWITTER HIGHLIGHTS

The Newton County School System's Strategic Plan can be found at the link below.
Take the time to review the plan!
http://www.newtoncountyschools.org/about/accountability/strategic-plan.aspx

Students, teachers, and our community working to ensure our students are the
beneficiaries of a high quality, relevant, engaging education.
Check out Twitter- See for yourself! #NCSSBeTheBest