Speaking of Schools Archives

Speaking of Schools: Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones

Posted by Brighton McConnell | Aug 6, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, August 6.

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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks

Posted by Brighton McConnell | Jul 14, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Andy Jenks, the chief communications officer for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Monday, July 14.

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Speaking of Schools: Orange County Schools Superintendent Danielle Jones

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jun 26, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Orange County Schools Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, June 27, discussing district news and events. She talked about highlights from the school year that just concluded, what she’s learned about Orange County Schools in her first year and a half as superintendent. She also talked about the budget, and summer capital projects for the district. She discussed summer activities, including an upcoming back to school event and more.

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Speaking of Schools: North Carolina Principal of the Year and Orange High Principal Jason Johnson

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jun 16, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Orange High School Principal Jason Johnson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, June 16. He discussed the recently concluded school year, sharing highlights and surprises. He also talked about recently being named North Carolina’s Principal of the Year, and what that means to him. He talked about the responsibilities the role includes, and how he expects it to impact the coming school year. He also talked about leading a school through leadership changes, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: Gravely Hill Middle School Art Teacher Amanda Aguayo

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jun 10, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Gravely Hill Middle School Art Teacher Amanda Aguayo spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, June 10. She discussed her Middle School Art classroom and how she approaches teaching art to that grade level. She discussed highlights from the year and some of what she loves about teaching. She also discussed her appointment to Governor Stein’s Teacher Advisory Committee, and more.

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Speaking of School: New CHCCS Superintendent Dr. Rodney Trice

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jun 9, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

New Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Dr. Rodney Trice spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, June 9. He discussed his first day on the job, as well as the journey to becoming the district’s superintendent. He talked about what he wants his priorities to be as he begins in the role, including making listening to classroom teachers a focal point. He discussed this weekend’s high school graduation ceremonies, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: Daniel Kearns-Pickett on the OCS Health and Wellness Fair

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Apr 30, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Orange County Schools Mental Health Coordinator Daniel Kearns-Pickett spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, April 30. He discussed the upcoming Second Annual Orange County Schools Health and Wellness Fair at Orange High School on Saturday, May 3 from noon to 3 p.m. He talked about what would be at the Health and Wellness Fair, what motivated its creation initially, and who it is aiming to serve. He also discussed his journey in education, the importance of student mental health, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Board Vice Chair Riza Jenkins

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Apr 21, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board Vice Chair Riza Jenkins spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, April 21. She discussed the latest in the process of identifying the district’s next superintendent. She also discussed the district’s current budget discussions, the next steps on the capital improvement plan, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Director of Pre-K Programming Sophia Mapp

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Mar 3, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Director of Pre-K Programming Sophia Mapp spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Monday, March 3. She discussed the opportunities and challenges facing families with pre-K ages children, an upcoming registration event for pre-K, and more.

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Speaking of Schools: CHCCS Board Chair George Griffin

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Jan 27, 2025 | Speaking of Schools

Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education George Griffin stopped by the studio with Chief Communications Officer Andy Jenks to chat with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, January 28. They discussed snow days, makeup days, and what to expect through the rest of the winter season. Board Chair Griffin discussed the reasoning behind the 4×4 block schedule, and Andy talked about upcoming events to help families understand what will be different and how to register for courses. They also discussed other district news and events, and more.

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