Agenda - 10-15-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 1 This, the fifth day of September 2013. 2 3 A motion was made by Commissioner Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to approve a 4 proclamation recognizing the UNC Women's Lacrosse Team for winning the 2013 NCAA Division 5 Women's Lacrosse National Championship and authorize the Chair to sign. 6 7 VOTE: UNANIMOUS 8 9 b. Resolution Commendinci the Northern Orange Education Task Force, Its Founders and the 10 Sankofa Award Recipients 11 The Board considered a resolution commending the Northern Orange Education Task Force, its 12 founders and the Sankofa Award recipients and authorized the Chair to sign. 13 Mr. Keith Cook and representatives from the Northern Orange Education Task Force were present, 14 and gave information on the history and significance of the name. A Sankofa is an African bird that bends 15 his head backwards while flying. This posture is necessary to help fetch and bring someone along. 16 Task force members, Kenneth Woods, Lawrence Saunders, Anna Kenyon, and Denita Thompson 17 were introduced. 18 Mr. Cook thanked Commissioner Price for coming to the ceremony and he noted that this is a labor 19 of love. He said he has attended many graduation ceremonies over the years and saw a minimal number 20 of minorities represented, which led to the creation of this group. He said it created its own criteria of a 21 minimum 3.0 grade point average requirement to be recognized. He said 125-200 students are recognized 22 every year. He thanked the Board for their support. 23 Commissioner Price read the resolution: 24 25 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 26 27 RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE NORTHERN ORANGE EDUCATION TASK FORCE, ITS FOUNDERS 28 AND THE SANKOFA AWARD RECIPIENTS 29 30 Whereas, in 2007, concerned members of the Orange County community convened and established the 31 Northern Orange Education Task Force, inclusive of the Sankofa Award Committee, under the guidance of 32 Mr. Keith Cook and in partnership with Orange County Schools; and 33 34 Whereas, the mission of the Northern Orange Education Task Force is "to collaborate with Orange County 35 Schools, parents, families and the Northern Orange community in promoting a sound basic education for all 36 Orange County Schools students in a healthy, safe and supportive environment while addressing the needs 37 of minority students"; and 38 39 Whereas, the vision of the Northern Orange Education Task Force is "to serve as an advocate for Northern 40 Orange parents and actively involve the community as a catalyst for change in building understanding and 41 support for all students," and "to ensure accountability and equity in a healthy, safe and supportive 42 environment"; and 43 44 Whereas, since 2008, a total of 1,356 students have satisfied the requirement to receive the Sankofa 45 Award, having achieved and maintained a 3.0 or higher grade average throughout the school year; and 46 47 Whereas, the 6th Annual Minority Student Academic Achievement Awards Program was held in June 2013, 48 whereupon 253 high school students were honored with Sankofa Awards; 49 50 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, on 51 behalf of the Orange County community, commends the members of the Northern Orange Education Task 52 Force, Mr. Keith Cook and Orange County Schools for their commitment to closing the academic 53 achievement gap among minority students, and to promoting self confidence within minority students; and 54