Wythe County Public Schools
Autumn 2014
The Summit
Volume 4, Issue 1
Inside this issue:
Rural Retreat Middle School – Renovation
2
Sheffey Elementary School—Renovation
3
Calendar
3
Dr. Brannon (Cont.)
3
STEAM Team
4
Board Matters
4
Capital Improvement (Cont.)
5
Education in Action
6
Upcoming School Board Meetings:
November 13th
7:00 p.m.
December 11th
9:00 a.m.
January 8th
9:00 a.m.
February 12th
9:00 a.m.
March 12th
7:00 p.m.
Dr. Lee Brannon Announces Retirement Plans Dr. Lee Brannon, Wythe County Superintendent, has loyally served the Wythe County School division for the past five years. It was with a heavy heart that he announced his intention to retire effective June 30, 2015. Dr. Brannon, a lifelong educator, has held various administrative positions during his tenure. In addi-
tion to fulfilling his duties as Superintendent for WCPS, he served as the Chairman of the Region VII Superintendent’s group, on numerous executive boards of education services, including the Governor’s Task Force on School Safety, and the Southwest Virginia Public Education Consortium. Continued: Page 3
PAES Lab: New Beginnings for Brighter Futures Wythe County Public Schools has implemented a new program to bridge the gap between graduation and workforce entry for Wythe County students. The PAES classroom, new to the WCTC building this year, transforms the classroom into a work-like environment. A PAES classroom, or Practical Assessment Exploration System, is conducive to students advancing their career and life skills in business/ marketing, construction/ industrial, consumer/ service, processing/
production, and computer/ technology. The new program, a joint effort between WCPS and Minnick Education Center, will increase the ability of a number of students to discover foundational workforce skills, ad-
vance problem solving abilities, and explore avenues that could benefit them in future career and workforce efforts. These students are excited to clock-in and begin their “jobs” in the PAES Lab.
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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: Rural Retreat Middle School Renovation Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Presentation The October 2, 2014 ribbon cutting marked an important beginning and ending for Rural Retreat Middle School. The WCPS Board members were able to ceremoniously conclude what had been a long and extensive renovation project.
ensure that the facility would encompass a bright and cheerful learning environment. The end result for Rural Retreat Middle School was nothing short of miraculous. The new building design is beautiful and will be conducive to improving student achievement When construction began in and learning. June 2013, this middle school startAt approximately $3.8 million ed an extensive journey into what in renovations, Dr. Poole noted would seem like an entirely new that tying in to a new HVAC sysfacility. The architectural design tem adjoined with the high school from OWPR gave the building was one of the most extensive structure an entire makeover. The tasks. front entrance is an impressive exThe Rural Retreat Middle ample of the building’s new eleSchool’s faculty and students both gance. agree, this renovation project is a The project’s general contractor, success story, and they are delightClark Brothers Construction, ed with their new building. worked diligently with WCPS to The mission of WCPS, in partnership with our entire community, is to ensure that each student is empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of the future.
Wythe County Public Schools
1570 W. Reservoir Street Wytheville, VA 24382 Phone: 276-228-5411 Fax: 276-228-9192
http://wythe.k12.va.us/
Central Office Staff Dr. Lee Brannon
Division Superintendent
Dr. Melinda Robinett
Exec. Director of Educational Services
Dr. Becki James
Exec. Director of Instruction
Richard Thomas
Director of Personnel
Richard Skeens
Secondary Education/Operations Supervisor
Marcy Olinger
Director of Elem. & Middle Education
Beth Cochran
Coordinator of Federal Programs and Testing
Dr. Wesley Poole
Exec. Director of Finance and Operations
Keith Cochran
Technology Supervisor
2014 School Board Members William Kidd, Chairman
East Wytheville
Deborah Crigger, Vice Chairperson At-Large
Educating students for success in the 21st century.
Chalmer Frye
Speedwell
Walter White
Fort Chiswell
Stephen Sage
Blacklick
Patricia Hines
Lead Mines
David Martin
West Wytheville
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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: Sheffey Elementary School Renovation Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Presentation The renovation at Sheffey Elementary ended with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on October 10, 2014. With a newly designed interior and exterior, the building is almost unrecognizable. Sheffey, the larger of the two construction projects for this phase of school improvement, came in costing approximately $5.2 million. The architectural designs of OWPR helped improve not only the school, but the community as well. One of Sheffey’s most notable changes lies within the construction of the new gymnasium. This gym will also be utilized as a community center for projects and
events sponsored by the Wythe County Parks and Recreation Department. According to Dr. Poole, aside from the new gym, the most extensive portion of this project was the new electrical and plumbing upgrades throughout the building. At its dedication ceremony, Sheffey Elementary students boasted pride in their new facility and thanked R.L. Price Construction for their tireless work and efforts. The students and staff at Sheffey Elementary now have a beautiful school facility of which they can be proud.
Additional pictures of the newly renovated buildings of Rural Retreat Middle School and Sheffey Elementary School can be found on page 5.
Dr. Brannon Retirement (Cont.) WCPS has thrived under the leadership of Dr. Brannon as he championed for the cause of continuous improvement in the schools.
grow and develop, always focusing on the best interest of the children, which has been his motivation as an educator.
Dr. Brannon oversaw the completion of three renovation construction projects — Rural Retreat High School, Rural Retreat Middle School, and Sheffey Elementary School. His firm conviction that educational facilities and overall environment directly impact learning experiences were mirrored in his dedication to capital improvement.
Dr. Brannon stated, “I want to express to everyone how much I have enjoyed working with the employees, School Board members, and students in Wythe County Public Schools. My retirement from the field of education was predicated on the fact that another opportunity presented itself that would allow me to pursue a new path in the latter stages of my career.”
Dr. Brannon has paved the way for WCPS to carry on with this driving force. His hope is that WCPS will continually
WCPS is grateful to Dr. Brannon for his dedication to education. He will be missed by all.
For WCPS sports calendar information, visit http://wythe.k12.va.us/ to find links to the Mountain Empire and Hogoheegee District schedules.
2014-2015 School Calendar Nov. 26
12:30 p.m. Student Dismissal
Nov. 27-28
Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 19
12:30 p.m. Student Dismissal (End of 1st Semester)
Dec. 22-Jan. 5
Winter Holiday — Schools Closed
January 5
Teacher Workday for Grading and Recording of 1st Semester
January 6
Students return after Holidays
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STEAM Team Wythe County Schools has embraced a new exploratory program for middle schools this year. The implementation of the STEAM Team is an offering designed to improve educational initiatives and boost student achievement. STEAM encompasses the opportunity to build knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering,
Art, and Math. The program allows Wythe County middle school students to have the same opportunities for expanding their educational structure. The four traveling teachers that lead this venture, visiting each middle school every day, include Mrs. Maloskey-Science, Mrs. Hedgepeth-Technology, Mrs. Shupe-Engineering, and Mrs. Wilson-Clapp-Art. Each
exploratory unit incorporates math into the program by applying real-world application projects. STEAM has leveled the playing field for sixth and seventh graders, ensuring that each student has the ability to explore these interconnected fields. The program is sure to be a winner for these students as it fosters innovation and prepares students for future success.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” —Dr. Seuss
Board Matters In addition to cutting ribbons and dedicating buildings, the Wythe County School Board members have been hard at work with other business within the division. At their August meeting, Board members approved policy revision regarding the standards of student conduct which would allow for pre-approved piloting of a communication device program within the schools. In September, the Board adopted a resolution that would authorize procurement of officiating services through competitive negoti-
ations. This would ensure that the County maintains a high level of quality for athletic officiating services. At their October meeting, the Board finalized the application for the 20142015 Title VI, Part B, Subpart 2– Rural and LowIncome School Program. This program, for the third year, will assist with funds for instructional supplies and professional development for WCPS.
For closings and delays due to inclement weather, sign up for Honeywell Instant Alert through the school. Additionally, local media outlets broadcast inclement weather information. 12 Month Staff Codes Code 1: Two-hour delay
Click on the Board Docs link on the WCPS homepage for past meeting agendas and documents.
Code 2: Schools and offices closed. Code 3: Two-hour delay (Except Maintenance, Bus Shop, Custodians)
The Wythe County School Board is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination with regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, gender, ethnicity, ancestry, marital or parental status, or in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
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Capital Improvement (cont.)
Above: Computer Lab at Sheffey Below: Sheffey Classroom
Below: Sheffey Classroom
Above: Library at RRMS
Below: RRMS Classroom
Below: Gym at RRMS
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Education in Action
The Summit is a publication of Wythe County Public Schools. It is published periodically throughout the year. All materials, including photographs and content, are copyrighted by WCPS unless otherwise noted.