Wythe County Public Schools
Spring 2012
The Summit
Volume 1, Issue 3
Inside this issue:
Budget Season
2
Backpack Nutrition
3
School Calendar
3
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
4
Talent (cont.)
4
FCHS basketball
5
iPods (cont.)
5
Classroom Grants
6
Student Pride
7
Photo Gallery
8
WCPS School Board monthly meetings April 11 9 a.m.
SBO
May 9
9 a.m.
SBO
June 13 9 a.m.
SBO
Interesting Reads
“George Wythe student conducts research in Alaska,” www.swvatoday.com (Wytheville Enterprise)
“Benefit will help student,” www.swvatoday.com (Wytheville Enterprise)
The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
iPods generate great ideas iPods that only play music are so 2011. In Mrs. Sheila Waller’s 2nd grade class at Jackson Memorial Elementary, students are using iPods to reinforce concepts like counting money and telling time on an analog clock. “It actually helps us learn,” exclaimed Ethan Cassell, peering over the shoulder of classmate Hayleigh Robinson as she caught falling apples on the iPod during a time-telling exercise. The pilot project began as an idea that developed from a discussion in JMES leadership team meeting. Mrs. Waller thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if
there were some way to record the lessons so the students could watch them again when it came time for homework?” The 5 iPods the school purchased will be sent home with struggling students for extra 2nd graders at JMES reinforce new math concepts with applications on an iPod Touch. reinforcement. “Sometimes,” Mrs. Waller explained, “parents don’t know how to help their children with their homework.” This tool is a great way to help both the child and the parent understand the concepts that are being taught in the classroom.
See Page 5 for more information on how iPods are aiding and reinforcing leaning.
Sheffey Elementary raises fun(ds) In case you hadn’t already heard, “The Greatest Show in Piney” was a class act. Literally.
formers included a HeeHaw spin-off, a dance number or two, and commercials that brought peals of laughter from young On February 24, and old alike. the staff at Sheffey Elementary hosted See Page 4 for more their first annual about the shenanigans (semi) talent show. at Sheffey Elementary 4th grade teacher Glenda Stuart plants a smooch on The line-up of per- last month. Bam-Bam during Sheffey’s 1st annual talent show.
The Summit
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 2
School Board moves toward budget adoption during a recent trip to Richmond for the annual VSBA legislative conference. Several bills pending in the G.A. could significantly affect funding for public education.
School Board members made a stop at the General
Assembly building to visit Del. Anne B. Crockett-Stark
The Board is scheduled to adopt the 2012-2013 budget after a work session on March 28. The local budget adoption is contingent on the adoption of a state budget, which has not yet been passed. Dr. Lee Brannon is scheduled to
present the WCPS budget request to the Wythe County Board of Supervisors on April 2. Copies of the anticipated budget figures and allotments can be found by accessing the March agenda on Board Docs. An updated capital improvement plan for facilities renovations can also be found there. A link to the agendas is located on the WCPS homepage.
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/ Educating students for success in the 21st century.
Central Office Staff Dr. Lee Brannon
Division Superintendent
Dr. Melinda Robinett
Exec. Director of Educational Services
Jeff Noe
Exec. Director of Instruction
Richard Thomas
Director of Personnel
Marcy Olinger
Director of Elem. & Middle Education
Beth Cochran
Coordinator of Federal Programs and Testing
Dr. Wesley Poole
Director of Facilities and Operations
Keith Cochran
Technology Supervisor
2011-2012 School Board Members Chalmer Frye, Chairman
Speedwell
William Kidd, Vice Chair
East Wytheville
Walter White
Fort Chiswell
Stephen Sage
Blacklick
Patricia Hines
Lead Mines
Deborah Crigger
At-Large
David Martin
West Wytheville
Sign up to receive this newsletter via email by contacting Amanda Evans at amanda.evans@wythek12.org
The Summit
Volume 1, Issue 3
Page 3
Backpack program promotes nutrition A few elementary schools in our county are taking a stand against hunger. Recently, Sheffey joined Max Meadows and Jackson Memorial Elementary schools by starting a backpack nutrition program. Local churches, community organizations, and PTOs have partnered with the schools to provide supplemental food for those children who may need a little extra over the weekend at home. These backpacks are filled with items such as oatmeal, crackers and peanut butter and distributed discreetly each Friday to be sure no student at the schools goes hungry. JMES, Sheffey, and MMES all participate in similar backpack nutrition programs, sponsored by local churches and community organizations.
Want to get involved? Contact one of the schools for more information!
Did you know? 1 in 5 children lives in a household that is food-insecure. Source: www.ers.usda.gov
Shout Out to Scott Memorial Middle School students who are doing their part to end hunger. They donated almost 2,000 canned goods to the Agape Food Pantry in Wytheville!
See the next edition of The Summit for a feature story on the creative project students at RRHS are doing in relation to the novel series The Hunger Games.
Revised 2011-2012 School Calendar April 4
Last Student Day Before Spring Break
April 5‐9
Spring Break
April 12
End of Fifth Six Weeks
April 13
12:30 Student Dismissal; 1/2 Teacher Workday
May 24
Last Day of School; 12:30 Student Dismissal
May 25
Teacher Workday
Graduation Dates WCTC Thur., May 17 7:00 p.m.
GWHS Auditorium
RRHS Fri., May 18
6:00 p.m.
Community Stadium
GWHS Fri., May 18
8:00 p.m.
Pendleton Field
FCHS Sat., May 19
10:00 a.m.
C.F. McKinney Field
*Note: These dates have been set and approved by the WCPS School Board. School closings due to inclement weather will not affect these dates. Schools will use their auditoriums in the event of inclement weather the day of their graduation ceremony.
For WCPS spring sports calendar information, visit http://wythe.k12.va.us/ to find links to the Mountain Empire and Hogoheegee District schedules.
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Volume 1, Issue 3
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Read across America week Left: Students at Speedwell Elementary get in the spirit of Read Across America Week (Feb. 27 March 2) by wearing costumes of their favorite Dr. Seuss character.
Above: Superintendent Dr. Lee Brannon reads to 2nd graders at JMES on March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go…” -Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You’ll Go!
Talent show (cont.) “I could hear my mom back there laughing,” giggled nine-year-old Garrett Porter, who sat with his friends near the stage that night. Teachers and staff worked for months to prepare original skits and comedy acts for the evening’s entertainment. “It was a hoot,” said Principal Chad Newman. “Everyone’s still talking about it.” The goal of the evening, aside from fun, was to raise money to help purchase playground equipment for the school. A hot dog sup-
per was held beforehand. With about 500 people in attendance, the school raised a total of just under $3,000. In addition to bringing in money, the talent show brought the staff together.
The goat-kissing contest at the end was a definite highlight. Students donated quarters to vote for which teacher they’d like to see kiss “Bam-Bam,” who was borrowed from the Fort Chiswell Animal Park.
“Overall, it brought us together as a team,” said Mr. Newman. At first, he explained, the teachers were anxious about putting on the show, wondering how it would turn out., but once it got started, he said, it only got better.
4th grade teacher Billie Sue Martin was one of those lucky teachers.
“They’re already talking about what they’re going to do next year,” he said.
Mr. Newman said they are hoping to have DVDs of the event available soon.
“As far as kissing goats go, I guess it was all right,” she laughed. And in case you ever need to smooch a goat, the kids said red lipstick is the key.
Check out our website at http://wythe.k12.va.us
Spring Break is April 5-9 Schools across the county are taking advantage of their own Outdoor Classrooms, local national parks and the beauty of nature. Get outside and play!
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Pioneer basketball takes a shot at state playoffs
2011-2012 FCHS Men’s Basketball Team #0 Levi Mooney #2 Cory Mabry #3 Corey Gravley #5 Chase Rathbone #10 Brett Mabry #11 Daniel Hamm #12 Joe Stoneman
CONGRATULATIONS to the FCHS Men’s Basketball Team on winning the Region C championship. This is the first time in recent memory FCHS has contended for the state title in the semi-final round of the playoffs. Their regular season record was 17 W— 5L. After clinching a position in the state tournament
with a win against neighboring George Wythe High School, FCHS went on to beat Glenvar for the Region C Group A championship. Student and community support for the team was high; many supporters even drove the distance to the Siegel Center in Richmond to watch them play George
Mason High School from Falls Church. The boys played a tough game, falling to George Mason 62-50. With the majority of the team being strong sophomores, the team is looking forward to becoming an even more dominating force on the court next season.
#14 Desmond Perry #15 Lane Edmonds #22 Jared Hovencamp #24 Josh Quesenberry #30 Austin Widelo #32 Coleman Thomas #35 Nathaniel Worrell #45 Dylan Hale
Way to go Pioneers!
The FCHS Men’s basketball team would like to thank their sponsors: Hutchinson Sealing Systems, Pioneer Ruritan Club, First Bank of Virginia, A&I Mechanical, Inc., Coalfield Services, Inc., New Seasons Assembly of God, Fort Chiswell BP, Dollar Shoppe, Burger Express, Center Manufacturing, Rodney and Janet Cassell, Jack and Frances Lawson, Randy Lund, Graham Watson, Carl Stoots, Amanda Ayers, and Louie Watson
iPods (cont.) “We want to be consistent in the way we’re helping the child,” Mrs. Waller said. JMES Principal Tammy Watson said she is excited to see an increase in parent involvement with this program. The hope, she said, is that parents will take a more vested interest in their child’s education and feel like they, too, have a tool to
help their child succeed.
skills a few more times.
Right now, they are waiting for protective covers to arrive so the iPods can be sent home for the first time.
“The kids are really motivated with this,” Mrs. Waller said. “They ask me for them all the time.”
She said she has found that even working 10 or 15 minutes on the iPods has bolstered student confidence in their learning. Late bus students, like Hayleigh, can get an extra 15 minutes in the afternoon to practice those
Even Mrs. Waller’s enthusiasm about this project is difficult to contain. “I’m so excited to learn all these new things,” she said. She’s only recorded handful of lessons at this
a
point, but Mrs. Waller said she hopes to build a library of lessons. Then, if the program were to be expanded, perhaps even share those short video lessons with other second grade teachers across the district.. This innovative project is just one of the ways WCPS teachers are getting creative with learning and incorporating 21st century skills.
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Volume 1, Issue 3
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Foundation awards 2012 classroom grants World Travelers
Brittany Sage
Sheffey
Supported by the Wytheville Rotary Club Outdoor Classroom
Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc.
Susan Jones, Wendy Pease
Spiller
Tabitha Martin, Karen Barton
RRES
Supported by an anonymous donor High Interest Books for Boys
Supported by a grant in memory of Janie Gates Patterson by the family Trout in the Classroom
Duane Snavely
SMMS
Kindergarten
Spiller
Supported by an anonymous donor iPads to Enhance Learning
Supported by Jones, Adams & Delp, P.C. The Dome Planetarium
Stacey Minton, Mary Bland
SMMS
Supported by an anonymous donor Substance Abuse and Prevention Heart Rate Monitors
Karen Hodock,
Sheffey
Kristen Williams
MMES
Walter Midkiff
RRMS, Speedwell
Supported by Ruth Chitwood in memory of husband Dr. W.R. Chitwood iPads in Classroom
Kindergarten
Books for Mad Scientists and Explorers
3rd grade MMES
Cultural Explorations
DeAnne Burch
JMES RRMS
Supported by the Wytheville Rotary Club iPad Intervention
Jessica Cornett, Jenn Ryan
JMES
Career Search Program
Jeff Graham, Anita Aymer
FCHS
Tchoukball
Michael Brown
RRHS
SmartBoard for PreK
Courtney Alley
WCTC
Jumping 2 B Fit
Donna Jones
JMES
Little Shop of Horrors
Nichole Scartelli
FCHS
Non-Fiction Navigators
Sara Williams
RRES
Make plans now for your student to attend the 6th annual Foundation for Excellence Summer Enrichment Program, J u n e 2 5 - 2 9 . Classes will be held for grades PreK-8 in areas such as cooking, dance, math, crafts and more! High school students are being recru ited to serve as Class Assistants. Special emphasis will be placed on physical fitness, nutrition and the importance of summer reading. A parent expo will be held on the final day of the progra m, allowing students to show off wh at they have learned during the week. Families will also receive information about health, wellness, and keeping students engaged during the summer months. Registration materials will be sent home soon. Remember, allotted spaces fill up quickly, so return your registration for m to your student’s school as soon as possible. The d e a d l i n e t o r e g i s t e r is May 11. The Summer Enrichment program is supported by a grant from the Wythe-Bland Foundation and the generosity of
Supported by a grant given in memory of Janie Gates Patterson by the family The iPad Project
1st grade
Speedwell
Traveling with the Tree House
Sheila Waller
JMES
Supported by Wythe County Community Hospital Cake Appeal
Mary Alice Hardin
WCTC
iPads in Kindergarten
Kindergarten
RRES
Dance into Fitness
Jo Repass, Joey Russell
GWHS
Supported by an anonymous donor
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Wythe County Public Schools is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities.
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Volume 1, Issue 3
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Worth their weight in gold
GWHS FBLA collected 112 lbs. of “pop-tabs” for charity so far this year. Way to give back to your community!
The RRHS Scholastic Bowl team placed first in the district. (from left to right) Caleb Whalen, Lindsay King, Will Patton, Grace Ellis, Joey Gallimore, James Willard, Brandi Cline, Bill Mullins, Selena McGrady, Izsak Barnette
Congratulations to Senah Stephens from SMMS. Senah was the WCPS Annual Spelling Bee grand champion. Her winning word was “cellophane.”
WCTC students competed in the Skills USA regional competition on Feb. 24. First place winners will have the opportunity to compete at the state level in April. April Mulkey (RRHS)—1st place, Chapter Display Samantha Crabtree (GWHS)—1st place, Spelling Alysen Rorrer (FCHS)—2nd place, Occupational Display Kacy Pruitt (GWHS)—3rd place, Cosmetology Ben Wassum (GWHS)—1st place, Architectural Drafting Casey Hardin (RRHS)—2nd place, Architectural Drafting Amanda Ambroiso (GWHS)—2nd place, Poster and 2nd place 3D Animation & Visualization Chase Copper (FCHS)—2nd place, 3D Anim. & Visual. Haley Padget (FCHS)—1st place, Poster
MMES 1st graders participate in the “Paws to Read,” a program founded by FCHS librarian Marilyn Garnto. The program helps students practice their reading skills by reading aloud to Sammie, a registered therapy dog.
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Volume 1, Issue 3
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Education in action
The Summit is a publication of Wythe County Public Schools. It is published four times a year—autumn, winter, spring, and summer . All materials, including photographs and content, are copyrighted by WCPS unless otherwise noted.