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12/21/2011

Growing up in Madison County as the youngest of five children presented me with many unique experiences that I will cherish forever. I can recall as a young boy the sweet smell of Russian tea cooking on the stove and the scent of our fresh-cut pine tree decorated with popcorn strands and other homemade ornaments-each having their own special meaning to me, my mother and siblings. Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on our true “gifts” and how fortunate we are to call this great nation our home and the jobs we have been so graciously provided to serve others.

The time is here once again for you to step away from the daily grind to enjoy family and friends. We are all very blessed in many ways and I hope each of you will not be too rushed to clean the dishes following the holiday meal. Leave the wrapping paper on the floor and savor the spirit of giving as long as you can. Remember those special people in your life and the sacrifices each has made to make your life a little better. And finally, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration as we have already received the ultimate gift and sacrifice that continues to present each of us with hope.

From my family to you and yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sincerely,

Dan Brigman, Superintendent

Posted at 11:03 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

10/26/2011

College & Career Readiness

On March 6, 2012, all current juniors (11^th graders) in North Carolina will be required to take the ACT. All sophomores (10^th graders) will be required to take the PLAN. Results from the ACT will become part of the revised high school accountability model and are aligned with the North Carolina Career & College Readiness requirements. The ACT will be administered on March 6, 2012 with make-up exams scheduled for March 20, 2012. Our current school calendar is in conflict with both of these dates that have been designated by ACT. During the regular monthly Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 24, 2011, this conflict was presented to members of the Board along with a brief discussion. Rather than amend the current school calendar at this early date to reflect a regular student day on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (Spring Intersession), we will continue to communicate with our state-level officials regarding these two important requirements as we complete the academic year.

Posted at 10:47 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/30/2011

Reading is a Priority in Macon County

Reading is the foundation for academic success! Working closely with the Board of Education, local civic organizations, and other stakeholders, reading has remained a priority in the Macon County School System. Various strategies have been deployed to support this objective with sporadic improvements throughout our schools. This past summer, Macon County expedited a partnership with the Lindamood-Bell Professional Learning Community to provide innovative professional development and literacy approaches that can dramatically affect student achievement. Lindamood-Bell is a research and literacy organization with more than 30 years of clinical and school-based experience. Some of the key components of this partnership include:

Professional development in innovative literacy programs

On-site coaching and program management

Leadership training

Accountability reports - including the presentation of comprehensive data analysis and written reports at school board meetings

Community outreach

Teachers and students who were involved in our initial training and summer literacy program are really excited about the progress each individual made in a very short amount of time. Mr. Paul Worthington, Director of School Partnerships and Professional Development for the Lindamood-Bell Company has taken a special interest in Macon County. As demonstrated by the level of participation in our recent community presentation, the community has been actively engaged in this innovative process. The morning and noon Rotary Clubs of Franklin have provided funding to support lodging and meals for our trainers while local churches have provided snacks for the children who attended the four-week summer program. We remain committed to a collaborative effort with our school partners to best meet the needs of all students throughout the school system. The LMB learning process is in direct alignment and support of our Macon County School System Strategic Plan, Goal #1 - Improving Student Performance (Objective 1.1.3).

In response to a request from our Board of Education, a site visit has been arranged for elementary teachers, administrators and Board members to review process implementation in the Bristol City School System, Bristol Tennessee. The group of 45 members will be conducting this visit on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Participants will be provided access to an online survey to collect feedback on the experience and their perception of the program. Input collected from the visit and the survey process will be discussed during a special-called meeting of the Macon County Board of Education on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. During this meeting, the Board will consider a detailed partnership agreement for the 2011-12 academic year. The survey has been made available through the following link.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CZCGH94QJ/

Posted at 9:04 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/5/2011

Day 2 Attendance Outcomes

STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY 2

This week, our school district celebrated one of the best openings we have experienced in several years. According to our district's data manager, this has been the highest percentage of attendance during the first two days that we have had in several years. All principals, teachers, parents and students are to be commended on our very smooth opening.

SCHOOL

TOTAL EXPECTED

PRESENT 8/4/11

PRESENT 8/5/11

NO SHOW

%

CAE

350

331

337

13

96.30%

EFS

426

354

411

15

96.50%

IOE

269

261

261

8

97%

SME

510

498

492

18

96.50%

MVI

616

587

590

26

95.80%

MMS

598

570

576

22

96.30%

MEC

150

142

144

6

96%

FHS

990

939

947

43

95.60%

UNION

60

49

51

9

85%

HIGH.

384

355

370

14

96.40%

NANT

116

113

115

1

99.10%

TOTAL

4469

4199

4294

175

96.10%

Posted at 3:38 PM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

Welcome Back!

August 4, 2011

This academic year has already begun with a tremendous level excitement throughout the district as our staff and students gather in classrooms and other meeting areas in each school to teach and learn. August 4^th presented us with an outstanding attendance rate at each school. This outcome is a true demonstration of the value our students, parents and community members continue to place on education in our tremendous county. Thank you to all parents, students, faculty, staff and administrators for making this the best opening day we have had in many years! In partnership with parents and community members, we will continue to see success for all students under our care.

The following chart will provide you with actual attendance data and percentages on August 4, 2011.

SCHOOL	TOTAL EXPECTED	PRESENT 8/4/11	NO SHOW	%
CAE	350	331	19	94%
EFS	379	354	25	93%
IOE	269	261	8	97%
SME	512	498	14	97%
MVI	616	587	29	95%
MMS	592	570	22	96%
MEC	150	142	8	95%
FHS	990	939	51	95%
HIGH.	374	355	19	95%
NANT	115	113	2	98%
TOTAL	4347	4150	197	95.4%

NOTE: This chart does not include Union Academy data for Day 1.

Posted at 7:43 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

8/1/2011

Superintendent’s Opening of School Message

Dr. Dan Brigman, Superintendent of Schools

August 1, 2011

Welcome back to all faculty, staff and students! The beginning of a new school year presents to each of us the unique opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of the children.

As we open our doors once again to approximately 4,400 students, please know that it takes an abundance of resources supported by exceptional staff and administration to provide the best possible environment for improving teaching and learning. Our state financial support for public schools has once again been drastically reduced with a greater burden placed on local operational revenue and other funding streams. Our recent budget shortfall for 2011-12 has been very challenging as we were forced to revert more than $1.2 million dollars back to the state. In an effort to offset the loss of federal stabilization and stimulus dollars, our school system has been preparing for this budget year for the past two years by absorbing approximately 22 positions and reviewing all departments for areas to improve operational efficiency. A sound financial foundation continues to be of great concern as we strive to meet all local, state and federal requirements; however, we can not let the state budget predicament distract us from pursuing our district’s mission. As your superintendent, I will remain committed to all parents and taxpayers that our school system will provide the best education possible and that we will continue to align resources to ensure the success for all children under our care as measured by federal, state and local standards.

As we progress through the new academic year, improving student achievement will continue to be one of our school system’s top priorities. Our continued success will require informed and engaged parents and community members. We are extremely fortunate to live in a community that values education and embraces change as we attempt to improve the quality of education for all children. Please join me in partnership as we ensure that all students receive the best education possible. I wish each of you a very safe and successful school year!

Dr. Dan Brigman, Superintendent

Posted at 5:10 PM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

7/20/2011

Preparing for 2011-12

Summer is quickly passing by and August will present us with the beginning of another outstanding school year. Although our state budget situation continues to present challenges for Macon County and all districts across the state, the Macon County School System will open our doors once again to approximately 4,500 young people who expect the best education possible. As we prepare for the common core and address the state's requirements for implementation this year, our school district will continue to focus on five important questions to support teaching and learning:

1. What do students need to know?

2. How will they learn it?

3. How will we know they’ve learned it?

4. What will we do if they don’t learn it?

5. What will we do if they already know it?

Working in partnership with families, community leaders, and other stakeholders, our students will continue to make extraordinary gains in all academic areas. As your superintendent, I look forward to the rewards and challenges of another great academic year. Best wishes to all students, faculty, staff, administrators and parents as we welcome a new academic year!

Dr. Dan Brigman, Superintendent

Posted at 7:47 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/10/2011

Superintendent’s End of Year Message

June has arrived and will once again present each of us with a summer vacation that is greatly needed and appreciated by all students, staff, parents and community members. This year has been one of significant changes throughout the Macon County School System. With the opening of Mountain View Intermediate School (MVI) during the summer of 2010, reorganization was expedited in the Franklin attendance area to secure our K-4 elementary schools. MVI now accommodates all students in fifth and sixth grades. Successful completion of renovations and additions at East Franklin Elementary School made way for the consolidation of Cullasaja and East Franklin Elementary Schools. The faculty, staff and community did an outstanding job blending each of our two school communities to ensure the success of all students this year.

Last summer, our maintenance crews and school-based employees devoted many hours towards the consolidation of the former Iotla and Cowee Elementary Schools. Maintenance workers relocated ten portable units to the Cowee campus to temporarily accommodate students in grades K-4 while our new school is constructed at the Iotla site. Under the leadership of Mr. Brooks and Mr. Brown, this transition has gone extremely well. Construction of Iotla Valley Elementary School continues at a rapid pace with the opening planned for August 2012.

Each of these significant changes have gone very well and could not have been possible without the ongoing support of our parents, employees, school communities and county commissioners. These partnerships will be essential as we strive to improve educational services to all students throughout our district.

We will continue to monitor the state budget situation. All eyes are on Raleigh and each member of the North Carolina General Assembly. For the past 30 years, our state has steadily progressed towards national recognition in terms of educational improvements. As a result, the corporate world has viewed our state as an international magnet for hosting a quality workforce and educational giant. With the international competition we now have, North Carolina can not afford to move from 42^nd in the nation in per pupil expenditures to 50^th in the United States. The children in our county will be eliminated from competitiveness for college and career opportunities. Our citizens demand more and our children deserve to be #1 in the world, not 50^th in the nation!

With the previous approval of school-based academic calendars in our district, this summer will be shorter than usual for one time only as we implement our non-traditional academic calendars at each location. Next summer will consist of the regular length of summer break as students will end the academic year on May 24^th. Thank you to all parents, students, staff members and local businesses for your patience and support as we expedite a calendar to promote teaching and learning throughout our great school district. For a copy of the Macon County School System 2011-12 academic calendars, please access our district website at http://www.mcsk-12.org

Have a very safe and relaxing summer break!

Posted at 11:32 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

5/2/2011

Child Nutrition Employee, Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week May 1-7, 2011

This week is a very special week as we recognize each cafeteria employee, teacher and staff member for their tremendous dedication and service to the children in the Macon County School System. Each of these individuals plays a very important role in our school system as we pursue our vision of being a globally competitive school system striving to be better.

At the beginning of the current school year, we were very fortunate to have Dr. Crystal Kuykendall provide us with an outstanding keynote address during opening convocation. During her address, Dr. Kuykendall stated, “Educators are “Missionaries of Hope” for a lot of students under our care. YOU are often the only hope some children have in life!”

THANK YOU to each of our employees in the Child Nutrition Department, each teacher and staff member for the job you do on a daily basis and for being “Missionaries of Hope” for many of our young people. Have an awesome week!

Posted at 5:19 PM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

4/13/2011

Macon County Family Literacy Night A Huge Success!

Last evening, 346 parents and students signed in for Family Literacy Night at East Franklin Elementary School. There were approximately 20 preschoolers in the story room. We had 32 teachers and central office personnel helping/attending. Three New Century Scholars also helped. Several individuals are to be commended for their leadership and efforts to make this very special event possible including Diane Cotton, Carol Waldroop, Paula Ledford, Larry Brooks and many others. This was truly a great kickoff to our Lindamood-Bell Reading Partnership in Macon County!

Posted at 9:24 AM by Dan Brigman | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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