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Fun and fashion lead the way in school supplies BY LEANNE ITALIE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — It’s school supply time and there’s no shortage of nifty backpacks, pencil cases, erasers and more for kids young and older. “Most people are looking for something unique,” said Larina Lin, founder of the site Coolpencilcase.com, which sells supplies imported from Japan. The sum families will spend on supplies this year is up slightly over last year, according to the National Retail Federation, based on a poll of 6,178 U.S. consumers conducted in July. The average family with kids in kindergarten through 12th will spend $669.28 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics, up 5 percent from last year, according to the trade group’s 2014 Back-to-School Survey. Requests from teachers for classroom contributions is a possible factor in increased spending on supplies, according to the survey, which predicted a 12 percent hike in such spending this summer over last — to an average of $101.18 from $90.49 in 2013. Since 2009, the retail federation has been asking how the U.S. economy plays out in school supply shopping. While spending has loosened up slightly this year over last, more families are going for store brands or generic items for school — 34 percent when compared to 32.8 percent last year, the survey said. And 25.6 percent hope to get along with last year’s items, up from 23.7 percent last year. Nearly 20 percent said they shop online more often to save money, up from 18.5 percent last year and the highest percentage ever noted by the retail federation.
“Back-to-school is the second-largest sales driving season that we have as a company. It’s second only to the holiday season. It’s critically, critically important for Target,” said Jenna Reck, a company spokeswoman. Here’s a look at what’s cool for school:
PARTNERSHIPS AND LICENSED PRODUCTS Staples and Teen Vogue have teamed up this year for a collection of notebooks, pencils, erasers and folders appealing to teen girls with florals, plaids and hearts. For younger boys, SpongeBob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remain hot among licensed characters, the latter about to get a boost with the August release of the latest “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie, said Alison Corcoran, a senior vice president at Staples. “What we’re seeing this year that’s an evolution is this mixture of fun and fashion together,” she said.
GIVING BACK Target is committed to donating one school supply item to a student in need for every item purchased through Aug. 1 from the company’s “up&up” brand, up to $25 million. The program was inspired by Yoobi.com, also available at Target, featuring funky new items using the same nonprofit partner, the Kids in Need Foundation, to distribute supplies to needy kids on a onebought, one-donated basis.
AP PHOTOS
Product images, shown above and bottom left, are provided by Coolpencilcase.com. Larina Lin, founder of the site says “Most people are looking for something unique.” Among her school supplies are hedgehog pencil sharpeners, shown above, and milk carton pencil cases, shown bottom left. The product image shown bottom right and released by Staples shows the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dual hole pencil sharpener.
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Lin and other sellers point to the enduring popularity of the wide-eyed owl on pencil cases and other supplies. Lin’s site
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SUPPLIES
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designed Hootie the Owl for vinyl cases with: “I will be by your side wherever you go.” They come in blue, red and yellow with a mesh compartment, elastic bands for chunky highlighters or markers and a roomy main compartment. “Owls are definitely back,” agreed Reck. “They started in the baby space and then bled into homes and now for school.”
The pink kind might still rule, but Lin offers a way to make your own erasers. She sells kits for creating them out of special clay that can be molded like putty then dipped into boiling water for 10 minutes. Each set includes a Kawaiitheme mold and 12 pieces of clay in bright green, yellow, red, blue and white. Head to YouTube for how-to videos and ideas for freehand designs. (Kawaii is a Japanese term for cute or unique.) Silicone molds work with the material to broaden design options.
BACKPACKS
LOCKER ACCESSORIES
There’s a backpack for every sports fan, TV or movie character enthusiast and fashionista, but one new company, MadPax, has broken out with spiky designs in an array of colors and themes. The company has added funky block and bubble textures to its signature spikes, which look sharp but are soft to the touch. “We’re seeing that lots of people are buying them,” Corcoran said. JanSports are plentiful with new colors and patterns. Kipling has a Seoul-inspired abstract print and recently added a monogram option online.
Mini-chandeliers and shag rugs were the rage a few years ago. On the functional front, LockerBones is in the mix as featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” earlier this year. As a way to keep lockers from becoming dumping grounds, Mississippi inventor Greg Cronin came up with an adjustable system of interlocking shelving for his daughter. He brought in a partner, Stephen Coachys, to pitch the TV sharks and wound up with a deal at Staples. The shelving fits standard lockers and comes in pink and blue plastic or natural wood. The two also sell off their website, LockerBones. com.
Continued from Page 2
AP PHOTO
Left: This product image released by Kipling USA shows the Kipling Seoul print backpack with laptop protection. The average family with kids in kindergarten through 12th grade will spend $669.28 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics, up five percent from last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Back-toSchool Survey.
back to school affects them too!
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Loss Of Appetite Excessive Barking Or Howling Sudden Onset Of Pottying In The House Pacing Or Extreme Moping Unusual Behavior Such As Chewing.
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Bedroom desk? It’s somewhere under all that stuff BY DIANA MARSZALEK ASSOCIATED PRESS
A
lyssa Kimble, a soon-to-be fourthgrader in White Plains, New York, says she uses the desk in her bedroom for “everything” ? creating lesson plans for her make-believe school, writing stories and storing stuff. Everything, that is, except homework. “Usually, my desk is covered with things, a computer isn’t nearby and my mom isn’t there to help me,” Alyssa says. So she prefers doing homework at the kitchen table. Although bedroom desks remain common, many kids don’t use them for their intended purpose. Thanks to laptop computers and more casual living spaces, they often opt to do homework in kitchens and family rooms, on couches or on beds, turning their desks into depositories for books, toys and crafts. What that means for study habits depends on who’s doing the work, educators and parents say. “I could always get my homework done
wherever I was. But some kids, especially if they have ADHD or another disability, can benefit from doing homework at a specified location like a desk because it tells them, ‘This is the spot where I focus,’” says Ellen Pape, a La Grange, Illinois, school reading specialist. “Separating it from other locations gives kids more of a straightforward definition of expectations,” she says. Melissa Kaufman of Santa Clara, California, says that where her daughters ? Rebekah, 14, and Sarah, 11 ? do their homework reflects their different needs and study habits. Kaufman bought Rebekah a desk several years ago because letting her work at the kitchen table in their small house became too hard on the rest of the family. “It meant nobody could do anything in the kitchen or living room until homework was done because it would be distracting,” she says. But having “a nice big desk surface” did little to change that. “I don’t think she did her homework at her desk more than once,”
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This June 2014 photo courtesy of Michael and Melissa Kaufman shows the cluttered desk belonging to their ninth-grade daughter, Rebekah. Although the Kaufmans bought Rebekah the desk so she would have a place to study, she instead uses it as “a repository for the four outfits she tried on earlier that day and rejected,” Melissa says. Rebekah prefers doing homework on her bed. M4
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THAT ENCOURAGES A LIFETIME OF DISCOVERY
Add zing to notebooks, DESK store-bought or DIY
Continued from Page 4
BY KIM COOK ASSOCIATED PRESS
W
hen it’s time to start stocking the school backpack, it’s easy to just grab a stack of plain, boring notebooks. But since kids have to tote these things to and fro every day, why not trade the standard-issue ones for something snazzy and personalized? There are plenty of eyecatching options to buy or to make yourself. At Zazzle and Cafepress, you can upload favorite images and decorate custom journals and notebooks with different fonts and colors. There are also fun backgrounds like chevrons, animal prints, sports themes and nature motifs that can be jazzed up with monograms or catchphrases. (www.zazzle.com ; www. cafepress.com ) Frecklebox offers cute, 50-page, wide-ruled spirals printed with owls, hearts, flames, robots, camouflage, flowers and other kid-centric patterns for grades 2-8. They can be personalized with names or initials in a
AP PHOTO
This photo provided by Shutterfly shows a pretty floral pattern that graces a notebook from Tiny Prints. It can be personalized with a student’s name or initials to create a custom look for school materials. variety of styles. (www. frecklebox.com ) My Paper Monkey’s got some fun designs, including sporty cartoon dinosaurs for the younger set, and star, splatter and checkerboard designs for older kids. Names can be ordered in cool fonts that resemble graffiti, industrial stamps or pretty, Parisi-
enne-style script. (www. mypapermonkey.com ) Add your name to a chalkboard image of inspiring words on a notebook at Tinyprints, or choose from designs like patchwork, meadow or feathers. (www.tinyprints. com ) Please see NOTEBOOK, Page 6
Encourages our members to support local teachers and students through Round Up for Education. Round your monthly bill up with the difference set aside for the school of your choice! Teachers may apply for reimbursement of out-of-pocket materials and supplies.
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Kaufman says. Initially, Rebekah resisted being isolated from the rest of the family. And although today Rebekah does do homework in her room, it is usually on her bed. The desk is where she puts “the four outfits she tried on earlier that day and rejected.” But Kaufman says she doesn’t fight it. “She has still managed to get excellent grades, despite what I would consider less than stellar study habits and environment, so we have to let her go with what she is comfortable with,” she says. Sarah, on the other hand, “needs much more help and encouragement to get her homework done, so doing it in isolation in her room is not really an option” ? meaning she’s back at the kitchen table, Kaufman said. Sarah’s desk has suffered a fate similar to her sister’s; it’s covered with piles of books, art supplies and knickknacks. Tami Mount, a New York-area educational consultant, says it’s important for children to have a quiet, dedicated workspace, but it doesn’t matter where that is. “All the tools they need to do their homework, like scissors, rulers, erasers and pen-
cils, should be organized in a place they can be easily retrieved. You don’t want to spend 15 minutes looking for tape,” she says. But some kids work better in an environment where there is, say, music playing or a parent nearby, than isolated at a desk, Mount says. “A quiet desk, a busy kitchen, Starbucks or the living room floor. Like adults, kids find a place that is comfortable and productive,” she says. “And if the living room floor is not proving productive, try something else.”
“A quiet desk, a busy kitchen, Starbucks or the living room floor. Like adults, kids find a place that is comfortable and productive.” — Tami Mount, New York-area educational consultant
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NOTEBOOK Continued from Page 5
If your kids are crafty, consider making a notebook or journal from scratch using recycled paper. Magazines, scrapbook paper and maps make good cover art, and can be cut into geometric shapes or left intact; apply to chipboard or cardboard, add blank or lined paper, and secure. Online tutorials suggest binding them with staples, duct tape, brads, book rings, wire, elastic or
Online tutorials suggest binding [notebooks] with staples, duct tape, brads, book rings, wire, elastic or stitchery.
stitchery. (www.babbledabbledo.com ) Yarn and ribbon make pretty patterns on a plain book. Create stripes of color, or make a bunch of little bows or loops as embellishment. You can affix bandanas or cloth napkins in zingy designs. Glue on buttons, sequins or shells. Or give a composition book about three coats of chalkboard paint and add a bulldog clip to hold some chalk so you can carry an always-ready art space. Find some craft pipe cleaners and create a colorful, textured notebook cover. Or add a rainbow of rubber bands to a notebook cover to hold clips and pencils. Is there some material or felt lying around the house? Cover a book with soft velvet and add a stamped design of leaves for a luxe little book you’ll love to get to work in. Or if you like to sew, cut out a felt cover and embroider it closed around the edges; add a pocket for an eraser or pen. (www.spoonful.com )
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Got a favorite cereal, cookie or other food that comes in a box? Cut it up and grab the Mod Podge adhesive to make fun notebook covers that will remind kids that home, and snack time, await at the end of the school day. (www. mypaperpony.blogspot.com)
AP PHOTOS
Above: This photo provided by Zazzle shows a monogram spiral notebook. Left: This photo provided by Zazzle shows a photo collage custom monogram notebook in mint green. Monogrammable notebooks for back-to-school come in a variety of cool designs including geometrics and animal prints. Kids can also design their own by uploading photo collages and adding type.
BACK TO SCHOOL
SAVINGS
Back-to-school help from professional organizers BY KATHERINE ROTH ASSOCIATED PRESS
S
uccess in school often depends on how well a student manages to organize everything from demanding schoolwork to a dizzying array of after-school activities to technological distractions. That’s a lot to ask of a child, or even of busy parents. For those with disposable income, a new breed of experts is stepping in to help: professional organizers for kids. “Nine years ago, when I started Order Out of Chaos, I had to explain to people what a professional organizer was. Now, it’s not what’s an organizer, but who’s your organizer?” says Leslie Josel of Mamaroneck, New York, who offers to help kids manage everything from elementary school to dorm life. “As parents, we walk into the house and say, ‘Go get your soccer cleats,’ ‘Go get your dance things,’ ‘Do your homework,’” says Josel. But organization is like a muscle, she says, “and if you’re the one spewing all
those instructions out, the only one working out that brain muscle is you. You’re ending up nagging instead of training.” Ask children before they head out the door what they think they will need for the day. “After a while, it becomes as much of a habit as brushing teeth or putting on a seat belt,” Josel says. And come up with systems for paper and time management at home and at school. “If it takes your child more than two steps to do something, they’re not going to do it,” she says. Many of the hundreds of professional organizers nationwide are mothers or former teachers who have helped children deal with “executive dysfunction,” the technical term for the problem. Some earn certification from groups such as the New Jerseybased National Association of Professional Organizers or the St. Louis-based Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Often, professional organizers are hired to help kids with special needs. But they are increasingly invited to speak at parentteacher associations and community groups to offer general tips. “Academic tutors help with science or
storage system. A launching pad can be a bench or box by the front door or bedroom door that holds everything that goes in and out of the house: library books, backpacks, cell phone, soccer cleats. “For this population, the more time they spend looking for something, the less remaining stamina they have to do what they need to be doing,” says Josel.
math ... but the study skills part of the picture has been a no man’s land,” says Kathy Jenkins, who runs the Richmond, Virginiabased company The Organizing Tutor. Some tips from her and other experts:
MANAGING THEIR STUFF At home, each student in the household should have a “launching pad” and portable
Please see ORGANIZATION, Page 8
Saluting All Our Local School Systems! Congrats to Brian Coey for his many decades of service to Prince George. His tireless efforts on behalf of the independent local pharmacy are appreciated, and we hope to continue his traditions. To transfer any scripts, please call us at (804) 458-DRUG (3784). Sincerely, George Fetko, RPH
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SOUTHSIDE HEALTH EDUCATION FOUNDATION THANKS OUR HEALTH CAREERS EXPLORING PROGRAM SPONSORS: Bank of America Charitable Foundation,The John Randolph Foundation and The Cameron Foundation. IN-KIND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY SRMC, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Poplar Springs Hospital, John Randolph Medical Center, Crater Community Hospice, Southside Virginia Emergency Crew,Virginia State University, John Tyler Community College and SRMC Professional Schools. In partnership with the Boy Scouts of America's Exploring For Life Program
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ORGANIZATION Continued from Page 7
The portable storage station should be a clear box with everything needed to get homework done. “It’s essential to have one box per student, not one per household,” Josel says. “An elementary student might have glue and colored pencils, while a middle schooler might need a Spanish dictionary and a calculator.” Boxes should be labeled ? but not by parents ? with the child’s name and a list of contents. “Have your child fill the box and label it. It’s part of the ownership process,” Josel says. Boxes should be portable because although some students work happily at the same desk each evening, for others, “it really helps if you change workplaces not only every day, but for every study subject,” says Josel. AP PHOTO
STUDY TOOLS
Although organizing systems vary with the individual’s learning style, some frePlease see ORGANIZATION, Page 9
Order Out of Chaos has a storage system box for index cards, pens, pencils, AP PHOTO ruler, paper and scissors in the Storage Station. Clear and portable supply stor- This undated photo provided by Order Out of Chaos shows the launching pad area. age boxes for every student in the house Everyone should have a designated “launching pad,” professional organizers say, are a must, says Leslie Josel. where everything that goes in and out of the house is kept.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2014-2015 WELCOME BACK & BEST WISHES For a very successful school year! “The City of Colonial Heights Where quality education is a step ahead” Dr. Joseph O. Cox, Jr. Superintendent
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE
(804)524-3400
512 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 Website: www.colonialhts.net (Please check website for school Start & End times)
SCHOOL BOARD Chairman Mike Yates Vice Chairman J. Chris Kollman, III Board Members Sandra Coleman Cindy Shortlidge Angie Woody Clerk Nancy M. Bosher
Holidays
➢ July 4, 2014 Independence Day ➢ September 1, 2014 Labor Day ➢ November 26, 2014 ½ Day Thanksgiving ➢ November 27-28, 2014 Thanksgiving ➢ December 19, 2014 ½ Day Winter Holiday ➢ December 22-31, 2014 Winter Holiday ➢ January 1-2, 2015 Winter Holiday ➢ January 19, 2015 Martin L King Day ➢ February 16, 2015 Presidents Day ➢ April 6-10, 2015 Spring Break ➢ May 25, 2015 Memorial Day
Report Cards Go Home:
Elementary November 10, 2014 February 2, 2015 April 20, 2015 June 11, 2015
M8
School
Grades
Phone
Address
Colonial Heights High School Colonial Heights Technical Center Colonial Heights Middle School North Elementary Lakeview Elementary Tussing Elementary
9-12
(804) 524-3405
9-12
(804) 524-3405
6 –8
(804) 524-3420
K-5
(804) 524-3430
K-5
(804) 524-3435
K-5
(804) 524-3440
3600 Conduit Road Colonial Heights, VA 3451 Conduit Road: Colonial Heights, VA 500 Conduit Road Colonial Heights, VA 3201 Dale Avenue Colonial Heights, VA 401 Taswell Avenue Colonial Heights, VA 5501 Conduit Road Colonial Heights, VA
Nine-Week Grading Periods September 2 – October 31 (44 Instructional Days) November 3 – January 22 (45 Instructional Days January 27 – April 3 (48 Instructional Days) April 13 – June 11 (43 Instructional Days)
Student Holidays ➢ November 4, 2014 Professional Day ➢ January 23, 2015 Professional Day ➢ January 26, 2015 Teacher Work Day
Middle & High November 10, 2014 February 2, 2015 April 20, 2015 June 12, 2015
School Hours of Operation Elementary Schools: 8:25 am – 3:05 pm Middle School: 7:40 am – 2:32 pm High School: 7:30 am – 2:18 pm Early Release Dates & Times Nov 26, 2014: ES – 11:42am; MS – 10:55 am; HS – 10:41am Dec 19, 2014: ES – 11:42am ; MS – 10:55 am; HS – 10:41 am June 11, 2015: ES – 11:30am ; MS – 9:22 am ; HS – 9:05 am
Mission Statement Colonial Heights Public Schools, in partnership with the home and the community will provide each student with a relevant, quality education. The skills taught shall enable each student to become a self-sufficient, productive member of the global society prepared to enter the job market and/or continue his/her education. Our Guiding Principles To accomplish our mission, Colonial Heights Public Schools will provide: 1) A challenging/instructional program that will meet the present and the future needs of our students. 2) A well-trained and caring staff who is sensitive to the needs of students and who accepts responsibility for student learning. 3) A safe, clean, attractive, nurturing student-oriented environment. 4) A school climate where schools governed through a collaborative decision-making process. 5) A system of effective, ongoing communication that will enhance the relationships among school system, home, and community.
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2014-15 School Calendar JULY 2014 ➢ 4 Independence Day Holiday AUGUST 2014 ➢ 11-22 1 Flex Day – 10 month personnel (8AM-3PM) ➢ 18-22 New Teacher Orientation (8AM-3PM) ➢ 25-29 Professional Development (8AM-3PM) SEPTEMBER 2014 ➢ 1 Labor Day Holiday ➢ 2 First Day of School ➢ 8 Back to School Night - HS 7PM ➢ 10 Back to School Night - MS 7PM ➢ 11 Back to School Night - ES 7PM OCTOBER 2014 ➢ 2 Interim Report Day (HS, MS, ES) ➢ 6 HS Parent Teacher Conferences (4-7 PM) ➢ 9 MS Parent Teacher Conferences (4-7 PM) ➢ 31 End of First Nine Weeks NOVEMBER 2014 ➢ 4 Student Holiday/Professional Development Day ➢ 10 Report Card Distribution Day ➢ 13 ES Parent Teacher Conferences(4-7PM) ➢ 26 Half Day Student/Staff Holiday ➢ 27-28 Thanksgiving Holiday DECEMBER 2014 ➢ 4 Interim Report Day (HS, MS, ES) ➢ 19 Half Day Student/Staff Holiday ➢ 22-31 Winter Holiday
JANUARY 2015 ➢ 1-2 Winter Holiday ➢ 5 School Reopens ➢ 19 Martin Luther King Day Holiday ➢ 20-22 Secondary Exams ➢ 22 End of Second Nine Weeks ➢ 23 Student Holiday/Professional Development Day ➢ 26 Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day FEBRUARY 2015 ➢ 2 Report Card Distribution ➢ 16 Presidents Day Holiday ➢ 26 Interim Report Day (HS, MS, ES) MARCH 2015 ➢ 2 HS Parent Teacher Conferences (4-7 PM) ➢ 5 MS Parent Teacher Conferences (4-7 PM) ➢ 12 ES Parent Teacher Conferences(4-7PM) APRIL 2015 ➢ 3 End of Third Nine Weeks ➢ 6-10 Spring Break ➢ 20 Report Card Distribution Day MAY 2015 ➢ 7 Interim Report Day (HS, MS, ES) ➢ 25 Memorial Day Holiday JUNE 2015 ➢ 8-10 Secondary Exams ➢ 11 Last Day of School - ½ Day Students ➢ 11 End of Fourth Nine Weeks ➢ 12 Report Card Distribution Day ➢ 12 Professional Day/Graduation
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOLS OPEN SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
Schools will open for the 2014-2015 school year on September 2, 2014. Back-to-School Orientations are scheduled at schools the week of August 25-29, 2014. Prince George County Public Schools anticipates enrollment of 6250 for grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. District personnel have been busy during the summer with cleaning of buildings and preparation of school grounds for the September opening. There have been numerous administrative, instructional, and support changes as result of retirements and realignment of duties. Hopefully, you and your child have enjoyed summer travel or activities and ready for the upcoming school year. Please access www.pgs.k12.va.us for specific information on Back-to-School Orientations and district and school news throughout the school year. The Prince George County School Board and staff thank you for choosing the district to educate your child or children. Bobby R. Browder, Ed.D, Superintendent
MISSION
Prince George County Public Schools, in partnership with parents and the community, will provide a rigorous educational program in a safe environment that prepares all students for post-secondary education and the workforce and to be responsible citizens in a global society.
Guiding Principles
We provide quality education in a safe environment; We are committed to understanding and meeting the needs of our school community; We trust and respect each individual so that all may experience pride and joy in their work; We are committed to continuous improvement.
SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE Telephone 733-2700 PO Box 400 6410 Courts Drive Prince George, Virginia 23875 Website: pgs.k12.va.us
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS District 1 Roger E. Franklin, Jr., Chair Robert E. Cox, Jr., Vice Chair District 2 Lewis E. Stevenson Kevin S. Foster Jerry F. Warren
Central Office
Dr. Bobby Browder Superintendent Shelly Bazemore Assistant Superintendent Renee Williams Assistant Superintendent Lana Pearce Coordinator of Food Services John Brockwell Director of Technology Zetta Ethington Director of Student Services TBD Director of Finance William Barnes Director of Secondary Education Becky Kirk Assistant to the Superintendent Brenda Gore Director of Elementary Education Kathy Alexander Coordinator of Transportation Willie Elliott Director of Gifted and Title I
Elementary Student Orientation Schedule 2014-2015 L.L. Beazley Elementary School, 6700 Courthouse Road, Prince George, VA 23875, Tel: (804) 733-2745 August 28, 2014 Kindergarten 9:00 a.m. Grades 1-5 10:30 a.m. David A. Harrison Elementary School, 12900 East Quaker Road, Disputanta, VA 23842, Tel: (804) 991-2242 August 28, 2014 Kindergarten 9:00 a.m. Grades 1-2 10:30 a.m. Grades 3- 5 12:00 p.m. North Elementary School, 11106 Old Stage Road, Prince George, VA 23875, Tel: (804) 458-8922 August 28, 2014 Kindergarten 9:00 a.m. Grades 1-5 11:00 a.m.
Secondary Student Orientation Schedule 2014-2015 J.E.J. Moore Middle School, 11455 Prince George Drive, Disputanta, VA 23842, Tel: (804) 733-2740 August 27, 2014 8:30 a.m. 6th Grade 1:00 p.m. 7th Grade N.B. Clements Junior High School, 7800 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, VA 23875, Tel: (804) 733-2730 August 27, 2014 11:00 a.m. Prince George High School, 7801 Laurel Spring Road, Prince George, VA 23875, Tel: (804) 733-2720 August 26, 2014 7:00 p.m. New Students Prince George Education Center, 11455 Prince George Drive, Disputanta, VA 23842, Tel: (804) 733-2748 July 28-31, 2014 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Students returning to Project Choice sign paperwork any time during the week August 5, 2014 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. New Project Choice Students August 6, 2014 7:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. PG PALS August 12, 2014 7:30 a.m. Project Choice Makeup Meetings 3:00 p.m. PG PALS Makeup Meetings School
Grades Classroom Hours Office Hours Phone
Address
Principal
L.L. Beazley Elementary D.A. Harrison Elementary North Elementary South Elementary W.A. Walton Elementary J.E.J. Moore Middle School N.B. Clements Jr. High Prince George High Prince George Education Center Rowanty Vocational Tech Center
K-5 K-5 K-5 K-5 K-5 6-7 8-9 10-12 Alternative Technical
6700 Courthouse Rd., Prince George, VA 23875 12900 East Quaker Rd., Disputanta, VA 23875 11106 Old Stage Rd., Prince George, VA 23875 13400 Prince George Dr., Disputanta, VA 23842 4101 Courthouse Rd., Prince George, VA 23875 11455 Prince George Dr., Disputanta, VA 23842 7800 Laurel Spring Rd., Prince George, VA 23875 7801 Laurel Spring Rd., Prince George, VA 23875 11455 Prince George Dr., Disputanta, VA 23842 20000 Rowanty Rd., Carson, VA 23830
Jim Scruggs Sharon O’Neill Donna Branch-Harris Robin Pruett Sharon Kushma Stephanie Bishop Chris Romig Pete Fisher/Mike Nelson Mattie Thweatt Dr. Thomas Cope
733-2745 991-2242 458-8922 733-2755 733-2750 733-2740 733-2730 733-2720 733-2748 732-4950
* Teacher Workday ** Holiday # Staff Development Day @ No School for Students
APPROVED BY SCHOOL BOARD 4/7/2014 Modified 6/26/2014 Nine Weeks Marking Periods July 2014
Mon.
Tues.
Wed.
5 12 19** 26#*@
6 13 20 27
7 14 21SER 28
Thu. Fri. 1** 2** 8 9 15 16 22SER 23SER 29 30
Wed. 4 11 18 25
Thu. 5 12 19 26
Fri. 6 13 20 27
Wed. 4 11 18 25
Thu. 5 12 19 26
Fri. 6 13 20 27
Mon. 1** 8 15 22 29
Wed. 1 8** 15 22 29
Thu. 2 9** 16 23 30
Fri. 3 10** 17 24
Mon.
Tues.
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
Tues.
Wed.
Thu.
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
Fri. 1 8 15 22 29
Mon. 3 10 17 24
February 2015
William A. Walton Elementary School, 4101 Courthouse Road, Prince George, VA 23875, Tel: (804) 733-2750 August 28, 2014 Kindergarten 8:30 a.m. Grades 1-2 9:30 a.m. Grades 3-5 11:00 a.m.
8:00-4:00 8:00-4:00 8:00-4:00 8:00-4:00 8:00-4:00 7:15-3:45 7:15-3:45 7:15-3:45 7:30-3:30 7:45-3:45
***August 18-19 – New Teacher Orientation August 20-29 – All Teachers Report September 2 – First Day of School
January 2015
South Elementary School, 13400 Prince George Drive, Disputanta, VA 28342, Tel: (804) 733-2755 August 28, 2014 Kindergarten 9:00 a.m. Grades 1-5 New Students 11:00 a.m. Grades 1-5 Returning Students 11:30 a.m.
9:00-3:30 9:00-3:30 9:00-3:30 9:00-3:30 9:00-3:30 7:40-2:30 7:50-2:30 7:50-2:30 7:45-2:25 8:00-2:00
SCHOOL CALENDAR 2014-15
Mon. 2 9 16 23
Tues. 3 10 17 24
Tues. 3 10 17 24 31
Tues.
6** 13 20 27
7** 14 21 28
4 11 18 25**
Tues. 2 9 16 23 30
Thu. 3** 10 17 24 31
Fri. 4 11 18 25
Mon. 4 11 18*** 25*
Tues.
Wed.
Thu.
6 13 20# 27*
7 14 21# 28*
Fri. 1 8 15 22# 29*
5 12 19*** 26*
Tues. 2 9 16 23 30
Wed. 3 10 17 24
Thu. 4 11 18 25
Fri. 5 12 19 26
Wed. 1 8 15 22 29
Thu. 2 9 16 23 30
Fri. 3 10 17 24 31
Wed. 5 12 19 26**
Thu. 6 13 20 27**
Fri. 7 14 21 28**
Wed. 3 10 17 24** 31**
Thu. 4 11 18 25**
Fri. 5 12 19 26**
November 2014
June 2015 Mon. 1 8 15 22 29
Wed. 2 9 16 23 30
October 2014
May 2015 Mon.
Tues. 1 8 15 22 29
September 2014
April 2015 Mon.
7 14 21 28
August 2014
March 2015 Mon. 2 9 16 23 30#*@
Mon.
Tues. 4*@ 11#@ 18 25
December 2014 Wed. 3 10SER 17 24
Thu. Fri. 4 5 11SER 12SER 18 19 25 26
Mon. 1 8 15 22** 29**
Tues. 2 9 16 23** 30**
Days Blocked Indicate Payday
**Holidays:
July 3 – Independence Day September 1 – Labor Day November 26-28 – Thanksgiving Break Dec. 22 – Jan. 2 – Christmas Break January 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 6-10 – Easter Break May 25 – Memorial Day Observed
School Buildings & Central Office will be closed during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Breaks. June 6, 2015 – Graduation Day 2014 Summer Work Hours for 12-Month Employees: June 16-August 14, 2014 (M-Th) 2015 Summer Work Hours for 12-Month Employees: June 15-August 13, 2015 (M-Th)
This calendar is prepared for 180 instructional days with full Teacher Work Day hours from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. AND full Staff Development hours from 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. This calendar is not part of the employee’s contract. Teachers are contracted for 200 days of which 192 days are reflected.
*The School Board reserves the right to modify the calendar.*
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ABROAD
Continued from Page A9
Weiss, 19, a New York University student who spent spring semester in Florence and is now in Israel for the summer. “My mom needs to hear from me every night before I go to sleep,” she said. From Italy, six hours ahead of her parents, she’d call in the morning before her dad went to work, and then text throughout the day. She said most of her fellow American students also “stayed in contact with everybody from home. It was very comfortable and so easy. It’s not like I felt like I was missing out on the immersion. But I wanted to share things with my mom.” She did get one snail-mailed letter in Italy from a friend back home. “That was really exciting,” she said. “Nobody does that any more. So that was a really cool moment. I Facebook-messaged her as soon as I got it.” Jason Fischbach, 24, studied in Sydney, Australia, during his senior year at Babson College in 2010-2011, and stayed in touch with family through Facebook and Skype, though he tried to limit it: “I was able to keep myself from getting home-
sick, without really watering down the experience.” But he added that others did fall into the “traps” of too much screen time: “People would get back from class and hop on Skype/Facebook with family and significant others. People would skip social outings or classes to reach back out to people at home. Evenings would be spent on social media.” Technology helped, though, when his grandfather died during his months away. He took part in the funeral via Skype and emailed a eulogy home, which was read out loud by his brother. “I probably would have had a different, and possibly better, experience if I’d completely disconnected for the whole time,” he said, but his family’s mourning “was not an event that I would have been comfortable missing out on.” Annmarie Whelan, a spokeswoman for Forum Education Abroad, which develops standards for education abroad programs, doesn’t advise parents on how often to communicate with kids overseas. Some kids are more independent than others, she said. But she acknowledges that students miss out if they spend too much time online with folks back home. On the positive side, she added, some students gain confidence dealing with
“[Most fellow American students] stayed in contact with everybody from home. It was very comfortable and so easy.” — Daniele Weiss, New York University student who is studying abroad
unfamiliar situations if they can process the experience with someone they know. Another plus: It’s now easier to maintain relationships with host-country families, friends and professors when semester abroad is over. The technology, Whelan said, “has dissolved the distinctions between before, during and after studying abroad.”
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Sunday, August 10, 2014 The Progress-Index, Petersburg, VA
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Moving? How to choose the right school from afar BY MELISSA RAYWORTH ASSOCIATED PRESS
J
anine Boldrin Gwinn has become an experienced house-hunter and an expert packer of boxes. Seven times, this Army wife has managed to move her family from one place in the U.S. to another, improving the process a little more each time. But the search for schools for her children is never easy. How can a parent choose the right school when it’s not possible to visit the potential choices? As we’ve become a more mobile and global society, many families now face this challenge as they move cross-country or even internationally. The decision is ultimately a personal one, but several strategies can make the process go more smoothly: Please see SCHOOL, Page 11
It’s Here!
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL ACHIEVER’S PLUS PROGRAM
REGISTER NOW!
• • • • • •
ALSO REGISTER NOW!
The Progress-Index
Mobile App Get all your local news, sports and more on your smart device. Free to Download In Your App Store Now! Unlimited Access For Progress-Index Subscribers
After School Program Provides Homework Assistance and Tutoring The After School Program begins on September 2, 2014 and ends on June 12, 2015 The After School Program will operate from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Monday thru Friday. The cost for Before Care and After Care is a total of $30 per week School Bus Transportation or Van Transportation Available Before School Care will operate from 7:00 AM until School arrival time
September Enrollment In THE LICENSED CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER • • • •
Children 2 years – 5 years for Preschool Tuition is $100 per week Before School Extended Care 7:00 to 8:00 AM – Ages 2 years to 12 years After School Extender Care 5:00 to 6:00 PM – Ages 2 years to 12 years
THE CHILDREN’S HOME OF VIRGINIA BAPTIST, INC. 6900 Hickory Road • Petersburg, Virginia 23803
CALL TODAY– (804) 590-2080
Dinwiddie County Public Schools REGISTER YOUR CHILD BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Dinwiddie County Public Schools will no longer register students on the first day of school. Parents who have not registered their child/children before the opening of school will be able to pick up a registration packet. At this time an appointment will be scheduled to complete the formal registration process. Parents are encouraged to register students prior to the opening of school.
MEET THE TEACHER ELEMENTARY MEET THE TEACHER DAY will be held at all Elementary Schools on Thursday, August 28, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fees may be paid during Open House. Student fee (Agenda) - $15.00. Gym Suit fee is $13.00. Chorus fee $10.00 Art fee - $10.00 Orientation for Rising 6th Graders ONLY – August 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fees can be paid August 18 -28, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; August 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or August 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Student fee (Agenda) - $15.00. Gym Suit fee is $13.00. Permanent Parking Pass $25.00. Driving Range fee - $100.00. Optional Accident Insurance (Tablet) is $33.00. Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, 9th and 10th grade students at Dinwiddie High School will be issued ASUS T-100 tablet computers for use as part of their educational curriculum. Dinwiddie County Public Schools believes that these tablet computers will help improve our students overall growth and help develop skills that are necessary in the 21st Century. There will be mandatory informational meetings for parents and students. Parents and students must attend one of these meetings prior to the student receiving his/her tablet this school year. During this meeting, information will be shared about guidelines, expectations, and insurance options for the devices Parents and students must sign a Tablet Agreement prior to the student being issued the device in September. TABLET TRAINING DATES AND TIMES: August 19th (9:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.) August 20th (10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.) • August 21st (5:00 p.m. OR 7:00 p.m.) Middle and High School fees are now accepted online using your Visa or MasterCard charge/debit card at: www.osp.osmsinc.com/DinwiddieVA. A non-refundable processing fee of 4% plus an additional. 35 cents of your total order will be applied to all purchases. If you have questions regarding Online Student Payments, please call the bookkeeper.
Elementary Schools
Grades
Phone
Principal
Dinwiddie Elementary School 13811 Boydton Plank Rd., Dinwiddie, VA 23841
K-5
(804) 469-4580
Mrs. Danielle Moore-Winn
Midway Elementary School 5511 Midway Rd., Church Rd. VA 23833
K-5
(804) 265-4205
Mrs. Kathleen Burgess
Sutherland Elementary School 6000 R. B. Pamplin Drive, Sutherland, VA 23885
K-5
(804) 732-4168
Mrs. C. Michelle Powell
Southside Elementary School 10305 Boydton Plank Rd., Dinwiddie, VA 23841
K-5
(804) 469-4480
Mrs. Tamara C. Oliver
Sunnyside Elementary School P.O. Box 250, 10203 Melvin B. Alsbrooks Avenue McKenney, VA 23872
K-5
(804) 478-2313
Mrs. Wanda Snodgrass
Secondary Schools
Grades
Phone
Principal
Dinwiddie Co. Middle School P.O. Box 340, 11608 Courthouse Road Dinwiddie, VA 23841
6-8
(804) 469-5430
Mr. Alfred Cappellanti
Dinwiddie Co. Senior High School P.O. Box 299, 11501 Boisseau Road Dinwiddie, VA 23841
9-12
(804) 469-4280
Mr. Randall Johnson
“Making the Difference” • Dinwiddie County Public Schools “Our Children, Our Pride” The Progress-Index, Petersburg, VA Sunday, August 10, 2014
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Sunday, August 10, 2014 The Progress-Index, Petersburg, VA
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