June 14 Board Recognitions
Award of Merit in National PTA Reflections Program
Nags Head Elementary School student Briana Acuna's state level winning musical composition in the national PTA Reflections program went on to earn an award of merit in national competition. At its June 14 meeting at First Flight Elementary School, the Dare County Board of Education recognized the rising sixth grader for her accomplishment. From left, Board Vice-Chair Ben Sproul, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess, Brianna Acuna, and NHES Principal Dr. Adrienne Palma.
FFMS OM Team places Sixth Overall at World Competition
First Flight Middle School students participating in the Odyssey of the Mind "Unhinged" challenge placed first at the state competition held in Asheville at the beginning of April. The group of seven advanced to join a contingent of 35 elementary, middle, and high school teams that represented North Carolina at the 2011 OM World Finals at the end of May in College Park, Maryland, where they placed sixth overall among 50+ national and international teams. The FFMS "Unhinged" team is coached by parents Barrett Crook and Traci Potter. FFHS Academically Intellectually Gifted teacher, Colleen Vaughan coordinates OM at FFMS. The Board of Education recognized the students and their coaches at its June 14 meeting at First Flight Elementary School. (Students Alec Denton, Lake Lige, and Sam Willis - unable able to attend the meeting - are not pictured). From left, Coach Traci Potter, Evan Fish, Shay Crook (representing husband Barrett Crook, Coach), Kenzie Potter, parent Amy Fish, Luke Potter, Hunter Crook, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue Burgess, Board Vice-Chair Ben Sproul, and FFMS Principal Dr. John Donlan.
FFES 2010-2011 Employee of the Year
First Flight Elementary School custodian Kim Liverman was recognized by the Board of Education at its June 14 meeting for being named FFES Employee of the Year for 2010-2011. The Dare County Schools Classified Employee of the Year program recognizes non-faculty employees who exhibit dependability and dedication, produce an outstanding quality of work, and make unique contributions to the mission of Dare County Schools. Liverman has worked at First Flight Elementary for the past 12 years. From left, Board Vice-Chair Ben Sproul, Kim Liverman, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess.
FFES Teachers Join District NBCTs
First Flight Elementary School teachers Sherry Smalley, Chavaleh Wetzel, and Leslie Wiles are among the district’s 17 newest National Board Certified teachers. Dare County Schools now has 86 "NBCTs." In a word, the application process for board certification is intense. Teachers spend months preparing a detailed portfolio that includes extensive written reflections, a videotape of a lesson, and documentation of best practices and professional success. At the Board of Education's June 14 meeting at FFES, the trio was recognized for attaining their profession's highest credential by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. From left, Vice-Chair Ben Sproul, Leslie Wiles, Sherry Smalley, Chavaleh Wetzel, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess.
FFES Teacher of the Year Reaps in the Accolades in 2010-2011
School year 2010-2011 will always be a standout in the career of First Flight Elementary School AIG teacher Tricia Eldridge. In addition to her selection by the First Flight Elementary School faculty to represent them as 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, in early 2011 she was named Dare County Schools Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted. This spring, Eldridge advanced as 2011 Northeast Region Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted, one of eight regional finalists in the state for the annual award sponsored by the NC Association for the Gifted and Talented. She just completed her 16th year of teaching; her fifth year as gifted teacher at First Flight Elementary. Eldridge was recognized at the June 14 meeting of the Dare County Board of Education for her notable achievements this year. Click here to read more about Eldridge. From left, Board Vice-Chair Benjamin Sproul, Tricia Eldridge, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess.
FFES Principal Margie Parker Recognized at June Board Meeting
First Flight Elementary School Principal Margie Parker was named Dare County Schools 2010-2011 Principal of the Year in a program sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Wachovia. Appointed as principal in 2006, Parker’s leadership has made her school a state and national model in meeting the needs of all students. Parker was recognized at the June 14 meeting of the Board of Education at First Flight Elementary. Click here to read more about Parker and the student and faculty successes at FFES. From left, Board Vice-Chair Benjamin Sproul, FFES Principal Margie Parker, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sue F. Burgess.