WOES Glossary of Terms

100th Day Celebration
A First grade celebration held on the 100th night of the school year where students can bring their families to the school to engage in various activities to celebrate in all of the first grade classrooms.

504
Section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that assures students with disabilities are served academically through provision of an appropriate individualized education in the least restrictive environment.
 
A+ Program
A model of instruction that provides daily instruction in the arts in all subjects.  The dedication to this program allows students to learn about topics when different aspects (i.e. music and art) are used in instruction.

A+ Stars
Beginning in 3^rd grade, students are eligible for the A+ Stars program.  Students must earn between a 36-45 points in various areas; homework, grades, attendance, etc.  A special trip or activity is planned each nine weeks, which is only for those that earn at least 36 points.  It is during the school day for approximately 2 hours.  There is a minimal fee to cover the cost of the activity 

 ABCs of Public Education
The ABCs is North Carolina's comprehensive plan to improve public schools that is based on three goals: strong accountability, an emphasis on student mastery of basic skills, and as much local control as possible. The ABCs has been in operation in all schools since 1997-98. The model focuses on schools meeting growth expectations for student achievement as well as on the overall percentage of students who scored at or above grade level. The model uses end-of-grade tests in grades 3-8 in reading and mathematics to measure growth at the elementary and middle school levels and end-of-course tests to measure growth at the high school level and at the middle school level where appropriate. Certified staff receives bonuses based on student growth and schools receive recognition based on the percentage of students' scores at or above grade level.  http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/glossary.jsp
 
AIG
Beginning in the 3^rd grade year, students are evaluated to join the AIG program.  It begins with the COGATS in October.  The AIG teacher looks at COGATS and EOG scores, grades and teacher input throughout the year, as well as testing students.  They are placed the following year.  Academically or intellectually gifted students perform or show the potential to perform at substantially high levels of accomplishments when compared with others their age, experience or environment. Academically or intellectually gifted students exhibit high performance capability in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, or in both intellectual areas and specific academic fields. Academically or intellectually gifted students require differentiated education services beyond those ordinarily provided by the regular educational program. Outstanding abilities are present in students from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human behavior.
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ec/development/gifted/program/

AR
Accelerated Reader program – A computerized program whereby a student takes a 5-10 question quiz on an AR designated book to determine the recall of the selections facts.

Assessments
The process of gathering and discussing information in order to understand what students know, understand and can do with their knowledge as a result of their education.  The goal of assessment is to improve subsequent learning.  Two forms of assessment: formal tests and projects: informal – observations.
 
AYP
Measures yearly progress of different groups of students at the school, district and state levels against yearly targets in reading/language arts and mathematics.
 
BOE
Board of Education is a governing body of our county schools.  A seven member Board of Education leads the Carteret County Public School System. Board Members are elected to four year staggered terms.  http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/aboutoursystem/aboutus.htm
 
CCC Lab
Success maker – New program is NCS Learn – this is the program used in the technology lab to build computer skills in reading, math, spelling and test taking.  

Co-Curricular Activities
White Oak Elementary School provides several co-curricular activities for students. Participation in these activities is based on entrance criteria, which includes but is not limited to the completion of all required class work and maintaining an A+ attitude.  These activities may include Jump Rope Club, President’s Physical Fitness Club, News Team, yearbook and chorus.

• Jump Rope Club - The after-school jump rope club was formed to promote healthy lifestyle activities for children. Boys and girls in grades 3, 4 and 5 enjoy learning both simple and complicated skills.

• Presidents Physical Fitness Club The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness, and sports in America. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors, the Council serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity, fitness, and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through participation in physical activity and sports. The twenty Council members are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the President. 
  When a student passes the Presidential Fitness Test, they qualify to attend an extra P.E. class. They play a variety of games that are enjoyed by that group of students. The President's Club meets twice each month.  http://www.fitness.gov/

• News Team – a fifth grade club of students who produce, direct and deliver the morning news broadcast daily.

• Yearbook – a fifth grade club of students who take photographs and design the annual school yearbook.

• Chorus – a fifth grade club of students who perform periodical school concerts and participate in competitions.

CoGats
Cognitive Aptitude Test – measure how students think.  Testing takes place in 3^rd grade.

Curriculum Mapping
Curriculum mapping is a process for collecting and recording curriculum-related data that identifies core skills and content taught, processes employed, and assessments used for each subject area and grade level. The completed curriculum map becomes a tool that helps teachers keep track of what has been taught and plan what will be taught. When shared across the grade levels it can be used as a tool to align curriculum from one grade level to the next, helping to identify gaps and avoid duplications.  White Oak’s curriculum maps can be found on our school website. http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/curriculummaps/curriculummaps.htm

D.A.R.E
Drug Awareness & Resistance Education - the highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence. D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now being implemented in 75 percent of our nation's school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world. D.A.R.E. is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives.  http://www.dare.com

DPI
Department of Public Instruction (see NCDPI)

Early Release
A school day, which ends early (traditionally at 12:00 noon) for students. The remainder of the day is used for professional development for teachers.

Encore Classes
A general term that refers to the Arts in school: visual art, music, drama, dance, physical education, and computer technology.

EOG
End of Grade (test). State standardized achievement tests are taken by students in grades 3-5 during the last three weeks of the school year. These tests cover reading, math, and science. Parents receive test results reports for their child. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/testing/eog/20070907eogreadingedition3informationrevised90707.pdf

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/eog/

Excusable Absences
From school include illness, injury, quarantine, death in the immediate family, medical and dental visits, court or administrative proceedings, religious observances, and alternate education opportunities (Title 16 NCAC.0404).  Within two days of a child’s return to school after being absent, the parent or guardian should send the teacher a note stating the reason for the absence. Absences for “alternate education opportunities” require prior approval from the principal.  To request such approval, please submit your planned activity in writing at least five school days prior to the anticipated absence. 

Fastmath
This computer intervention program helps students develop fluency with basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Using the FASTT system (Fluency and Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with Technology), the software provides a continuously adaptive program that efficiently increases math fact fluency in customized, 10-minute daily sessions. Developing automatic recall of basic facts enables students to focus on higher-order math skills such as advanced computation, problem solving, and algebra. FASTT Math also includes prescribed print activities for those students who need additional instruction in the conceptual foundation of numbers and operations. 
http://www.scholastic.ca/education/tom-snyder/m-fastmath.html

Fifth Grade Awards Assembly
A form of graduation ceremony from 5^th grade.  It is held on the last day of school.  Fifth grade students are recognized for various achievements attained during the year.

Honor Roll and Principal’s List
Student success is celebrated and acknowledged at White Oak.  An awards presentation ceremony is held each quarter for students who earn A-B Honor Roll (no grade lower than 85 or less than an "S") or Principal’s List (no grade lower than 93 or less than an "S"). The names of these third, fourth, and fifth graders are published in the local newspaper, posted outside their classrooms, and the student’s photos are posted on the school website.

IEP
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a formal education plan for a student with a disability. This plan is updated annually, by a team of professionals knowledgeable about the student, in partnership with the student’s parents, and in some instances the student as well. The plan describes the strengths of the child, the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child, and when, where, and how often services will be provided. The IEP is required by federal law for all exceptional children and must include specific information about how the educational needs of the student will be met and what goals he or she will work to accomplish. 

Interventionist
A part time position in which the person works with struggling students in grades 3 – 5 in reading and math.

Language Arts
The ultimate purpose of the English Language Arts curriculum is to teach students the language abilities they need to communicate effectively as individuals and as contributing members of society. It is a spiraling curriculum in the sense that many of the same skills develop over time. Students at any grade level continue to develop skills in the three language strands of oral language, written language, and media/technology use. The term Language Arts includes the subject areas of reading, writing, and spelling.

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/languagearts/

Lexile
The Lexile Framework is an educational tool that links readers and reading material ("text") on the same scale. The difference between a reader's Lexile measure and a reading material's Lexile measure is used to forecast the comprehension the reader will have with the reading material.  http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/parents/lexiles/

Meet the Teacher
An open house type event held at White Oak Elementary on a summer evening just before school begins. Parents and children have the opportunity to find out who their teacher is, visit the classroom and meet the teacher. In addition information regarding bus routes and school meals is available to parents. The PTO is usually present at this event to recruit volunteers and provide information.

NCDPI
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. NCDPI administers the policies adopted by the State Board of Education and offers instructional, financial, technological and personnel support to all public school systems in the state.  http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
NCLB is the more recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and represents a sweeping change in the federal government's role in local public education. NCLB has a variety of goals, but the most dominant ones are for all public school children to be proficient in reading and mathematics school by the 2013-2014 school year, as measured by student achievement on state tests and for every child to be taught by a Highly Qualified teacher. The law emphasizes new standards for teachers and new consequences for Title I schools that do not meet student achievement standards for two or more consecutive years. For more information on NCLB, please go to http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nclb/.

North Carolina Testing Program Overview
In North Carolina, elementary school students are required to take the following assessments: Pretest-Grade 3; End-of-Grade Mathematics and Reading at grades 3,4, and 5; and the North Carolina Writing Assessment at grade 4.
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/parents/elementary

Description of the North Carolina Testing Program tests required under the ABCs of Public Education and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP); elementary school-grades 3-8; high school grades 9-12; and alternate assessments

http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/accountability/policyoperations/overview0708.pdf

NCWISE

North Carolina Window of Information for Student Education. This secure Web-based tool provides educators with direct and immediate access to a full spectrum of data on a student's entire career in the North Carolina schools.  This tool is replacing the SIMS system.  http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/

Odyssey of the Mind (OM)
Is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten though college.  There is a K - 2^nd  long term problem and a 3^rd – 5^th problem.  The program runs September/October through March.   
Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. Team members work together at length to solve a predefined problem (the Long Term problem).  They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and world level.   The teams must also generate spontaneous answers to a problem they have not seen before; this is the spontaneous competition.  Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.  The competion is open to all students, the team members are selected by the AIG teacher with input from grade level teachers.  Teachers are asked to recommend children who are creative, problem solving thinkers.
The program may also be run by non-AIG teacher or a parent. 

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/whatis.php

http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/learn_more.php

PAC
Parents Advisory Council – a group consisting of a minimum of eight persons who are parents of students in that school during that term of office.  The Council shall also include a community representative, who resides within the school’s attendance zone but does not have children attending that school.  The president of each school’s Parent Teacher Organization and a community member of the Site Based Management Team, selected by the team of the school, shall also be appointees to the school Advisory Council.  Board of Education employees are not eligible to serve on school Advisory Councils.  The Councils’ primary tasks are these: 

·        To advise and counsel with the Principal and/or Superintendent and Board of Education concerning curriculum and activities of the schools.

·        To assist the Principal and his staff in interpreting the school program and needs of the professional staff to the school community.

·        To assist the Principal, his staff, and other groups on the care and beautification of the school buildings and grounds.

·        To have the chairman from each school’s Advisory Council meet regularly with the Board of Education, at the Board’s discretion, to receive information and to have dialogue important to the enhancement of effective operation of the schools.

·        To help the P.T.O. and other groups within the community create an environment that will attract and hold good teachers and other school staff members.

·        To assist the school staff in creating a community atmosphere of pride and concern in regards to the school and its program, by encouraging the participation of parents and other citizens in the various activities of the school; and by assisting school personnel in recruiting volunteers for the Primary Reading Program, Health Clinic, or other school needs.

·        To serve as a sounding board.

·        To receive suggestions from parents for improving the school.

·        To hear complaints of teacher or principal has not properly handled parents who feel their concerns or problems.

·        To assist the Principal in formulating policies and procedures governing the use of school facilities subject to the approval and rules and regulations of the Board of Education.

·        To establish a time for regular monthly meetings with the Principal, in order to keep themselves well informed of the progress and problems of the school that they may be effective channels to and from the school community.

·        To assist the Principal in handling problems and complaints, when requested by parents or the Principal.  These problems may be discussed in private conferences or may be taken up at regular Council meetings.

 Advisory Council members are appointed by the Board of Education for one-year terms commencing on August 1 and ending July 30.  Individuals may only serve on one school’s Advisory Council at a time.  Advisory Council members may not serve more than three consecutive years at the same school.  After a break of one year of service, former Council members may be eligible for another appointment at the same school.  If both parents from the same household are appointed to the same school’s Advisory Council, they will represent only one Board appointment and represent only one vote during an Advisory Council meeting.

http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/hr/PolicyManual/schoolbdgov/BCF.doc

PBS
Positive Behavior Support – a discipline program, in use at White Oak Elementary, in which the emphasis is on school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create a positive school environment. http://www.pbis.org/schoolwide.htm

Principal’s List and Honor Roll
Student success is celebrated and acknowledged at White Oak.  An awards presentation ceremony is held each quarter for students who earn A-B Honor Roll (no grade lower than 85 or less than an "S") or Principal’s List (no grade lower than 93 or less than an "S"). The names of these third, fourth, and fifth graders are published in the local newspaper, posted outside their classrooms, and the student’s photos are posted on the school website.
 

Proficiency
Proficiency is mastery or the ability to do something at grade level.  http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/glossary.jsp

PTO
Parent Teacher Organization - The mission of the White Oak Elementary School (WOES) PTO is to unite the school faculty, parents, and community working in a combined effort to secure monies, donations and materials to aid the school in its efforts towards achieving a quality education for the children, as well as promote school-sponsored extracurricular activities for the WOES Community.

• Fall Festival - A family and community event held in September or October. Teachers sponsor booths to raise money for their classrooms. PTO helps to staff and coordinate this event! Fun for the entire family!  http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/pto
• Spring Fling - Similar to the Fall Festival, Spring Fling celebrates SPRING with a carnival like event for both school and community! Each May the PTO coordinates and staffs this fun, family orientated event!  A family focused 5k & fun run occurs in Emerald Isle on Saturday morning following the Spring Fling! http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/pto

·      Holiday Workshop - For 1 week in December each year, the PTO opens a Holiday Workshop for all students to come and purchase reasonably priced gifts for family and friends! PTO Volunteers help the children shop and wrap their treasures! http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/pto

·        Fundraiser - an event or campaign whose primary purpose is to raise money for a cause.  The White Oak Elementary runs various fundraisers. These have included: Zap-A-Snack, World’s Finest Chocolate, Art to Remember, Fall Festival, Spring Fling, DQ Nights, Holiday Workshop and Breakfast with Santa.

• Dairy Queen Night – The White Oak Elementary PTO has coordinated monthly fundraising evenings with both the Swansboro & Emerald Isle Dairy Queen Restaurants.  Each month a special evening is tagged “DQ Night”. During this evening, usually 4-8pm, 10% of the total sales at each restaurant are donated back to the PTO.  In addition the classroom with the most participation overall wind a Dairy Queen ice cream cake. http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/pto
• Box Tops for Education - Look for the 10¢ Box Tops coupon on hundreds of your favorite products. You can find Box Tops on brands such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Pillsbury®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more!  Clip the BoxTop & send it to school!  White Oak Elementary PTO collects, cuts, sorts, etc… thousands of box tops each year, which generate funds for the PTO.   www.boxtopsforeducation.com
• Upromise - The Upromise Program is an exciting and powerful new fundraising program for Upromise members. You can save for college with Upromise—while you help raise money for your local K-12 school. Membership in the Upromise Program is required.  www.Upromise.com
   

Quantiles
Is a tool used for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students to determine how well a student understands mathematical concepts and skills.  It helps to identify materials and resources that are targeted to the student’s learning level. 

Read In and Read Across America
The National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America Day is held annually and is the nation's largest reading celebration.  Various events to celebrate are held at White Oak Elementary including community volunteers who come in to read to students.  The event is always scheduled around the birthday of Dr. Seuss, which was March 2nd.  The students also spend time during the day celebrating his contribution to children's reading.

RTI
Responsiveness to Instruction is a problem solving approach to meet the needs of students.  It is a process for developing educational solutions for problems that arise in school.  Student difficulties are specifically defined, possible solutions are determined and targeted instruction is provided.  The educational plan is monitored to determine if the instruction plan is making a difference and modified if necessary.

SAS
Student Accountability Standards. Statewide standards North Carolina public schools students are required to meet as consideration for promotion from gateway grade levels 3 and 5. Reaching these standards means the student would score at least a Level III on state EOG tests in both reading and math, and meet local standards by passing all subjects with a grade of 70 or above. If students do not meet these standards, by state law, they are not promoted to the next grade level.  http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/

SBE
State Board of Education. The State Board of Education is charged with supervising and administering "the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support,” for the State of North Carolina. The Board consists of the Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer, and eleven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly in Joint Session.  http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/

Schools of Distinction
Under the ABCs of Public Education, Schools of Distinction have 80-89 percent of students score at, or above, Achievement Level III on EOG tests and while making expected or high growth.

Schools of Excellence
Under the ABCs of Public Education, Schools of Excellence have 90-100 percent of students score at, or above, Achievement Level III on EOG tests and while making expected or high growth.  http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/glossary.jsp 

Schools of Progress
Under the ABCs of Public Education, Schools of Progress have 60-79 percent of student score at or above Achievement Level III while making expected or high growth.  http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/glossary.jsp

SCOS or SCS
North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The NC SCOS is the guiding document outlining what should be taught in North Carolina public school classrooms, as required by the State Board of Education.  http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/

Silent Lunch
Silent lunch is a consequence for violation of school or classroom rules. It is a behavior management tool whereby a student sits at a designated table (or in the Think Tank) during lunch and is not allowed to socialize with peers.

SIP
School Improvement Plan. Schools are required by North Carolina law to write and implement school improvement plans. The process of developing and writing a SIP includes collecting and analyzing current school data; identifying areas of strengths and areas for improvement; writing goals for improvement, accompanied by action plans to accomplish the goals. Plans are written to cover a three-year period and updated/revised annually. White Oak’s plan can be found on our school website. http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/SIP/sip.htm

http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/woes/SIP/sip2.htm

SRI
The Scholastic Reading Inventory is a computerized assessment program which gauges reading comprehension, providing a score reported in Lexiles. The assessment is taken by students in grades three through five a minimum of once per grading period and scores allow students, parents and teachers to monitor reading comprehension growth as the Lexile scores increases.

SRO
The School Resource Officer (SRO) is a Cape Carteret Police Officer who has attended the North Carolina Justice Academy and been certified by the State of North Carolina as a SRO.  The basic outline of duties for the SRO includes investigating crimes that occur within the school and on school property, creating a positive role model for students, creating a link between law enforcement and the students and being a resource for parents, staff, administration and students with regard to law enforcement and community problems. The SRO also takes steps to ensure the children know how to stay safe while in the community and at their homes. The SRO does this by conducting classes on different safety concerns that face our children in today's society. Classes range from safety topics on stranger danger to bicycle safety.

SSR
Self Selected Reading is time dedicated to quiet reading and the student, based on personal interest, selects the reading material. At White Oak Elementary, classes dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes per day for SSR.

Staggered Entry Day
During the first week of school, small groups (5-6) of Kindergarten students are scheduled for a portion of the day to visit the classroom in order to become familiar with the class and school.  The other part of the day is for the Kindergarten teachers to make home visits. 

Think Tank
This is a quiet space furnished with desks and chairs where students are sent by administration for cool downs, time outs, and in-school suspension. While in the Think Tank, students are required to reflect on the behavior that resulted in their being referred to the office; describe this behavior in writing; list the consequences for this behavior; and write a goal to improve their behavior in the future. The amount of time spent in the Think Tank is directly impacted by the age of the student. Adult staff members monitor the Think Tank at all times.

Title I
Title I is the largest federal education-funding program for schools. Its aim is to help students who are behind academically or at risk of falling behind. School funding is based on the number of low-income children, generally those eligible for the free and reduced price lunch program. Many of the major requirements in the No Child Left Behind federal law are outlined in Title I - Adequate Yearly Progress, teacher and paraprofessional standards, accountability, sanctions for schools designated for improvement, standards and assessments, annual state report cards, professional development and parent involvement. Title I used to be known as Chapter I.  White Oak is not at Title I School.
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/

United Streaming
Discovery Education streaming is a digital video-on-demand and online teaching service to help improve students' retention and test scores; it is aligned to U.S. state and provincial standards.  Discovery Education streaming integrates seamlessly into any curriculum with 4,000 full-length videos segmented into 40,000 content-specific clips.
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm

White Oak Academy (WOA)
An after-school enrichment program for WOES students, which is taught by volunteers and professionals.  Classes vary over time are created based on the talent of professional volunteers in the WOES family.  Class sizes are limited and class fees are kept to a minimum.  The academy is not affiliated with WOES, they simply allow us to use their facilities.  This academy was developed to allow our students additional opportunities for learning after school."

WOES
White Oak Elementary School

WOW!
White Oak Wildcats!  During the 2006-2007 school year the student body voted the Wildcat to be the school mascot.

Writing Assessments
The North Carolina Writing Assessment program requires that the different types of writing assessed at grade 4, 7, and 10 be aligned with the curriculum expectations as specified in the NCSOC. White Oak fourth graders take a NC State Writing Test each year in March. Scores are reported out in two parts: content of narrative and conventions (grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation). 

http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/writing/