What's Happening

A+ Updates from the Executive Director

A+ Moving to SERVE Center at UNCG
Effective July 1, 2009, the A+ Schools Program will move to SERVE at UNCG. The SERVE Center (Southeastern Region Vision for Education) at UNCG is a university based research, development, dissemination, evaluation, and technical assistance center. Its mission is to support and promote teaching and learning excellence in PK-12 education. Please take a moment to visit the SERVE website (www.serve.org).

At the core of SERVE Center’s work is the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL). Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, the REL-Southeast is one of ten regional organizations that conduct research and provide research-based information and services to all 50 states and territories. These Laboratories form a nationwide education research network, building a bank of research information and resources shared nationally and disseminated regionally.

We are excited about this move to SERVE and believe it is a good “fit” for A+. While the A+ Schools Program’s mission and work will continue to be focused on the support and development of the Network of A+ Schools in North Carolina and across the country, we look forward to the possibilities of new research and professional development projects with the staff at SERVE.

THE BOOK on the A+ Schools Program Just Published
The book on the A+ Schools Program has just been published! Creating and Sustaining Arts-Based School reform: The A+ Schools Program (2009, Noblit, Corbett, Wilson, and McKinney) is a wonderful story about the development and sustainability of the A+ Schools Network. It is a testimony to the power of the arts in learning and in creating professional learning communities, as well as a testimony to the good work being done in A+ Schools. To order a copy of the book, go to www.routledge.com

Welcome to Our Newest A+ School
Wendell GT Magnet Elementary in Wake County will join the Network this summer with its 5-Day Intitute. Wendell is a great example of what we have called the "organic" dissemination ofthe A+ Schools Program - the principal of Wendell is Winston Pierce, former classroom teacher at Bugg A+ Elementary (since 1995) and an A+ Fellow. Fourteen years later, Winston says she wants the teachers and staff at Wendell to enjoy teaching as much as she did in an A+ School. WELCOME Wendell!.

A+ Principals/Coordinators Retreats

Fall 2009 Statewide Networking Retreat

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Elliott University Center, UNCG Campus, Greensboro, NC
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Agenda TBD, but will include an arts integration workshop.
Lunch will be served.
Watch for registration information.

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A+ Fellows Retreats

Fall 2009 A+ Fellows Training/Networking Retreat - TENTATIVE

Saturday-Sunday, September 26-27
Gateway University Research Park, Browns Summit, NC
The A+ Fellows Retreat has not been confirmed for Fall 2009 due to uncertainty about funding. If we find that funding will be available by the fall to conduct this Retreat, we will notify each Fellow about registration.

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"New" A+ Teachers Mini-Institutes

2009 "New" A+ Teachers Statewide Mini-Institute - TENTATIVE

Tuesday, October 27
Elliott University Center, UNCG Campus, Greensboro, NC
The A+ "New Teacher" Mini-Institute has not been confirmed for Fall 2009 due to uncertainty about funding. If we find that funding will be available by the fall to conduct this one-day Institute, we will notify each of the schools about registration.

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Potential A+ Fellows Training

None scheduled at this time.

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A+ Professional Development Calendar

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Advocacy Links

Americans for the Arts
National organization that supports the arts and culture through private and public resource development.

North Carolina Arts Council

Arts North Carolina

NCDPI Arts Education Websites
Visit the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and click on "arts education" to access the Standard Course of Study, Frequently Asked Questions, Resources, Links to Professional Associations, and more.

Arts Education Partnership

More links are coming - check back!

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Grant Announcements

Under construction

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Art Spot

Under construction

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