North Carolina considers adjusting Common Core — or scrapping it altogether
North Carolina's superintendent hopes to eliminate Common Core standards. Questions linger, though, over whether that's the right path forward.
EDUCATION
OCS board looks to combat 'lunch shaming' with these new proposals
Lunch shaming is a phenomenon occurring in schools across the United States where students are shamed for not being able to pay for their lunches every day in order to pressure families to pay student lunch debt quickly. Orange County Schools is attempting to combat this issue by implementing new lunch policies.
Orange County commissioners consider changing elementary class sizes
The SJAC is working with the Orange County Board of Commissioners to discuss possible solutions to reduce elementary and pre-K class sizes.
McDougle Elementary fifth-grader starts new environmental initiative
Degan Foreman emailed his principal and ask if he could pay for some metal silverware for the cafeteria. After some research, he helped the school devise a strategy to exchange plastic utensils for silverware, helping eliminate the school's plastic waste.
N.C. superintendent candidates talk educational equity and school funding
The current state superintendent is leaving in a bid to become lieutenant governor, which has led to a plethora of candidates contending for the position.
February is now Black History Month for Orange County Schools
Orange County Schools have decided to create different programs throughout February to show the history of important African American leaders in history. Dena Keeling, the district's chief equity officer, said a goal of this initiative is to create a curriculum with classes that deal with different cultures and place an emphasis on these heritage months all the time.
Severe weather causes clashes between parents and local school districts
Parents express disappointment online after Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools announced on their Facebook pages Thursday morning that there would be a two-hour early dismissal in anticipation of severe weather.
Here's what you need to know about this year's Orange County School Board primary
Three of the seats on the Orange County Schools Board of Education are up for election this year. With concerns about achievement gaps, school safety and funding, candidates are hoping to provide a path forward for the future of Orange County schools.
Community groups continue decades-long fight for increasing educational standards
A coalition of social interest groups from N.C. and beyond are collaborating to promote a sound, basic education for all North Carolina children.
Save Orange Schools attempts to address aging infrastructure in Orange County Schools
“There are critical issues and needs across the board regarding public education. We just believe that there is a need for advocacy in this area that isn’t being met."
Meet the new principal of Cedar Ridge High School
“I would love to see an articulated program that runs from elementary, to middle, to high school,” Ramirez said. “I’ve seen it in action when I worked as an educator in Texas, and it’s quite a powerful thing to get students as young as fifth graders started on the IB track.”
Keeping you (com)posted on new eco-friendly programs at two Orange County schools
“The schools came to us and said — as part of the County’s overall climate action plan — we want to reduce waste,” Pollock said. “Specifically, they want to focus on food waste generated from cafeterias as that is where the majority of food waste comes from.”
Second-graders in Orange County School to start free swimming lessons next month
Orange County Schools, Swim for Charlie and the Orange County Sportsplex have teamed up to provide second-graders free swim lessons.
'I'm Smart, Too': Local group aims to fight racial disparities with documentary
A new documentary hopes to ignite change by shedding light on CHCCS and how since integration, racial disparities have taken shape and continue to persist.
Orange County Schools considers adding three new pre-K classrooms
Adding three new pre-K classrooms was proposed during a joint meeting of the Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Board on Jan. 17, which would lower the gap between enrolled students and the waiting list and provide for early exposure to the classroom. Board members believe school enrollment at an early age is vital for successful young students.
Student art brings color to the Lincoln Center year-round
Brenda Whiteman, the school district's arts coordinator, said the student work's art show this year will take place on April 20-22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. People can come during business hours to see the student work through mid-May.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP president talks community engagement and expansion
In a conversation with senior writer Amena Saad, Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP President Anna Richards discusses the most rewarding and challenging parts of her job, as well as the future of the chapter.
'We’re fixing fishes, we need to fix the lake': Community speaks on CHCCS gaps
The achievement gap between white, Black and Hispanic students in CHCCS schools has persisted for a long time — the disparities between students can be found in various areas, including AP course enrollment and suspensions.
Five takeaways from last week's Orange County School Board meeting
Many important topics were discussed at the last Orange County School Board meeting.
