Dare County Schools

Photos and captions released from CHSSCS BOE meeting November 10

National Merit Scholar Semifinalist -
Cape Hatteras senior AnnaGrace Gray is one of Dare County's two PSAT National Merit Scholar semifinalists.  As a junior, AnnaGrace took the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.  The nationwide pool of semifinalists - representing less than one percent of US high school seniors - includes the highest scoring students in each state.  FFHS senior Patrick Gray is AnnaGrace's peer in this honor. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2010 will be announced beginning in April.  AnnaGrace received a certificate of recognition from the Board of Education at it November 10 meeting at CHSSCS, from left with Board member Anthony Fletcher, Principal Jean Taylor and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sue Burgess.

Best in State -
Last spring at the General Federation of  Women's Clubs of North Carolina Annual Art Show in Winston-Salem, Cape Hatteras Secondary art students  - as eighth graders - Olivia Gaskins and Savannah Brown won first place awards. Olivia took first place overall in the paper craft category; Savannah placed first in dye craft.  Locally, the Outer Banks Woman's Club sponsors the District Nine portion of the competition.  Olivia and Savannah were joined by art teacher Marta Martinez and Principal Jean Taylor as they accepted certificates of recognition from the Board of Education at its November 10 meeting at CHSSCS. From left, Board member representing Hatteras Island Anthony Fletcher, Taylor, Savannah Brown, Martinez, Olivia Gaskins and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess.

CHEC Bright Ideas Times Two -
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative makes available "Bright Ideas" grants for innovative, creative and hands-on classroom projects. Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies science teacher Tracy Shisler and art teacher Marta Martinez each received CHEC Bright Ideas grants this year; both were recognized for their projects at the November 10 Board of Education meeting at CHSS. Art teacher Marta Martinez’ award is for a locally-inspired Mural Makers project. The murals will be displayed within the school and community celebrating the uniqueness of life and living on a barrier island.  Science teacher Tracy Shisler received a grant to continue the school’s award winning oyster hatchery program. From left - Board member representing Hatteras Island Anthony Fletcher, Shisler, Martinez and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess.

Awarded Dominion Foundation Grant -
Cape Hatteras Secondary School teacher Christin Brown has received a $6,400 grant from Dominon Power for new sustainable gardening and aquaculture programs, and to expand the school’s oyster hatchery project to high school students.  The Dominion Educational Grants Partnership Program, through the Dominion Foundation, helps schools strengthen the mathematics and science skills of students in grades K-12. Brown  - here with Board member Anthony Fletcher and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess - received a certificate of recognition from the Board of Education on November 10, 2009 at Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies.

Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies Teacher of the Year -
Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies Band Director Sean McCroskey was selected by his peers to represent them as Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010. This is Mr. McCroskey’s eighth year as a music educator; his fourth in DareCounty at CapeHatteras. (More to come on this talented teacher).

 
Dare Schools 2009-2010 Principal of the Year -
Cape Hatteras Elementary School Principal Ray Gray is Dare County Schools Principal of the Year for 2009-2010.  Gray is marking his 30th year in education this year.  Gray was recognized for his acheivement at the November 10 meeting of the Dare County Board of Education at Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies. This is the third time Gray has been named Principal of the Year.  Here - Board member representing Hatteras Island Anthony Fletcher, Ray Gray, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess. Under Gray’s guidance, Cape Hatteras Elementary School garnered state and international acclaim when the school’s collaborative teaching model was named North Carolina Impact School of the Year for 2006.  In the spring of 2007, CHES received the International Reading Association’s Exemplary Reading Program award.
Most recently, Cape Hatteras Elementary was Dare County’s top performing school in the state’s accountability program, earning Honor School of Excellence status for 2008-09.  On end-of-grade tests in reading and math, 92% of students performed on and above grade level. The NC Principal of the Year program is sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company.