Board Notes - Regular Meeting for October 7, 2024
Watch the October 7 Board Meeting
RECOGNITIONS
Bullying Prevention Month, October 2024
According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, 1 in 5 students will be bullied at school. Bullying Prevention Month was founded in 2006 to unite communities across the nation to educate and raise awareness about how we can prevent bullying.
During National Bullying Prevention Month, educators, parents, students, and community members are called to:
- UNITE: Amplify the message that no one deserves to be bullied.
- RAISE AWARENESS: Share information about bullying prevention widely.
- LEARN: Empower ourselves with knowledge about the definition of bullying, and what to do when we see or experience bullying.
- TAKE ACTION: Whether it is the implementation of student-led activities, supporting a child who’s being bullied, or simply showing more kindness in your daily interactions, every action counts.
Dr. Jessica Dreher, Director of Student Engagement and Support Services asked all to remember that silence is not an acceptable response to bullying. By working together – educators, parents, students, and community members – we can create a culture of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in our schools.
School Custodians Day October 2, 2024
Orange County Schools has 75 custodians who work hard for the district or as employees of contracted services for nighttime cleaning. According to Maintenance Director Hank McKee, custodians are in schools as early as 5:30 am and as late as 1:00 am, showing care and attention to every space for students and staff.
“The job of a custodian is never ending, striving to stay ahead of germs, on top of the mud and on time for the lunch rush. All while caring deeply for the students and staff in our schools and being a positive role model for the children to look up too. It's doubtful that any group in the district gives out more high fives in the hallways than our custodians do. I challenge everyone reading this to reach out to your school custodian and thank them for all that they do to make Orange County Schools the clean, safe environment that it is.”
Indigenous Peoples’ Day October 14, 2024
Created by a presidential proclamation on October 8, 2021, Indigenous People's Day "recognizes Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society. The contributions that Indigenous peoples have made throughout history — in public service, entrepreneurship, scholarship, the arts, and countless other fields — are integral to our Nation, our culture, and our society. On Indigenous People's Day, "we honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today."
National Principals Month, October 2024
Great schools do not exist apart from great leaders,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Koweek. “Principals across the state and nation shape the success of schools, including those within Orange County Schools. Principals, often the hardest-working yet least recognized individuals in education, tirelessly set the academic tone for their schools. Their vision, dedication, and determination drive student achievement, and it's important to appreciate their efforts.”
We want to publicly recognize all 13 leaders for their outstanding service to our district, schools, and community. Learn more about celebrations in schools and around the nation here.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Board approved Consent Agenda items including meeting minutes, personnel report, construction project change orders, the Board’s annual meeting calendar, and policy updates.
To learn how the Board considers and adopts new and updated Board Policies, see Board Policy 2410.
WORK SESSION (INFORMATION) ITEMS
School Opening Data (Enrollment, Membership, Demographic Update)
Staff presented the Board with a summary of enrollment after the first month (20 school days) of the 2024-2025 school year, with a look at recent trends in Orange County Schools. See the presentation slides here.
School opening data includes three primary components: enrollment, membership, and demographic information. Enrollment refers to the total number of students officially registered in a school district or institution that have attended at least 1 day. Membership represents the actual number of students attending classes on a given day. Demographic data provides insights into the characteristics of the student population.
Monitoring school membership, enrollment, and demographics is crucial for ensuring equity in education. By tracking these metrics, Orange County Schools can:
- Identify disparities: Comparing data across different student groups (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status) can reveal inequities in access to education.
- Target interventions: Data-driven insights can help schools tailor interventions and resources to address specific needs and close achievement gaps.
- Measure progress: Monitoring changes in membership, enrollment, and demographics over time allows for evaluation of the effectiveness of equity initiatives.
- Advocate for equitable policies: Data can be used to support arguments for increased funding, targeted interventions, and policy changes that promote educational equity.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day - Resolution Update
On October 11, 2021, Orange County Schools and the Orange County Board of Education adopted a resolution honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the natives of the land in North Carolina. Representation matters. There are currently 21 students who identify as Indigenous across eight OCS schools, as of September 2024.
The resolution called for actions in Orange County Schools, and this presentation details actions that are underway for increased recognition of Indigenous Peoples in the district’s calendar, curriculum, and employee engagement processes.
Click below for the schedule of Board and Board Committee meetings.