School district makes plans for annual Summer Institute
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 6, 2011 1:46 PM
Wayne County Public Schools will host a four-day conference for educators and parents next month, with this year's effort featuring an emphasis on getting children to the ultimate finish line -- graduation.
The sixth annual Summer Institute will again be held at Mount Olive College from Aug. 2-4, with this year's theme being "Educate and Graduate!"
A pre-conference on early childhood education is set for Aug. 1. That day's focus will be "Early Education Leads to Graduation."
Workshops will be held throughout each day, and registration is free to participants.
Teachers, administrators and educators will present staff development sessions on such topics as specific content areas, reading, writing, exceptional children, legal issues, English as a second language, family engagement, technology and academically intellectually gifted students.
New and veteran teachers will take part in the event in preparation for the upcoming school year. While all workshops are open to the public, particularly parents of students in the schools, Aug. 3 has been deemed "Parent Day."
Registration is free and can be done in advance online at www.waynecounty schools.org or at the conference each morning from 8:30-9.
Certified employees can also earn credit for participation, officials said.
"We use this time at the beginning of the school year to discuss legislative changes, best teaching and learning practices, classroom management, high yield strategies and other pertinent topics," said Dr. Sandra McCullen, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction and one of the event organizers. "It is important for all stakeholders of Wayne County and Wayne County Public Schools to understand the role of public education in today's society and what the teaching and learning process requires."
The annual conference will focus on current education trends and will address such state efforts as the "Common Core" and "Essential Standards in North Carolina," she added.
"We will also be announcing a new initiative for Wayne County educators on how to become a model educator," she said.
Sessions will be held at the following times: On Monday, Aug. 1, from 9:15 a.m. until 2:15 p.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 9:15 a.m. until 4 p.m.; Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. until 2:45 p.m.
A complete listing of sessions is available on the district's website. For more information, contact Kim Copeland at 705-6108 or kimcopeland@wcps.org or Karen Small at 920-2044 or karensmall@wcps.org.