Wythe County Public Schools
Winter 2012
The Summit
Volume 1, Issue 2
Inside this issue:
New Walking Track
2
Student Publishes Novel 3 School Calendar
3
Foundation Grants
4
Anti-bullying, continued 4 Going Green
5
iPads, continued
5
Civics, Civility
6
Facilities Study
6
3-D Learning
7
WCPS School Board monthly meetings Jan 11
9 a.m.
SBO
Feb 8
9 a.m.
SBO
Mar 14 7 p.m.
MMES
Interesting Reads
The Wizards War, by Selena McGrady. Read about this RRHS senior novelist on Page 3. “Virginians duped about lottery funding, educators say,” The Virginian Pilot. Nov 26, 2011 www.pilotonline.com
Anti-bullying campaigns a knock-out Students and staff in Wythe County Public Schools are knocking out bullying one proactive step at a time. Throughout the fall semester, every school in the county received training in bullying prevention practices. Elementary and middle school staff members were trained using the internationally-recognized OLWEUS anti-bullying strategies. In the high schools, staff members developed regular class meetings to discuss the issue of bullying with their students. Many schools kicked off their anti-bullying cam-
Students at RRES kick off their anti-bullying campaign with an interactive concert performance. Schools across the county promoted their initiatives in a variety of ways.
paigns with pep rallies or engaging assemblies for students. See Page 4 for more information on WCPS bullying prevention.
Did you know? January is Bullying Prevention Month.
“A” is for Apps The iPad 2 is earning top marks in the grade books of middle school teachers in Wythe County.
Students use iPads to enhance and reinforce learning in the classroom.
After purchasing a pilot classroom set of iPad 2s for students at Rural Retreat Middle, administrators decided to expand that tech-
nology to the other two middle schools as well. Everyone can’t say enough good things about them, principals said. The teachers are regularly using them in SOL remediation, in Special Education instruction and in everyday class. Continued on Page 5.
The Summit
Volume 1, Issue 2
Page 2
Speedwell receives grant for community walking track Speed-walkers will soon find a niche in Speedwell. Thanks to an almost $30,000 grant from the Wythe-Bland Foundation, Speedwell Elementary will be the site of a new walking track for the students and the community. “The underlying goal is to jumpstart community interest and involvement,” said Speedwell Elementary Principal Alan Rouse. “Community involvement is one of the keys to a success-
ful school.” Last year, Mr. Rouse and a committee made of school and community members decided this was something they thought would bring a lot to their town. “We have a lot of people in our community that enjoy walking,” he said. The asphalt track will perimeter the baseball field and be nine feet wide and approximately 1/4 mile in length.
Speedwell’s PTO has already pledged to help with the upkeep and beautification of the track once it’s completed.
“It’s another venue for us to do things with instruction that are outside the box,” Mr. Rouse said. “The sky’s the limit.”
As a former P.E. teacher, he knows the health and fitness benefits of having a facility like this.
Some preparatory work, including removing an old goal post, batting cage and building, has already been completed.
As an educator, he knows the instructional benefits this track can bring, citing measurements, nature walks and other tools to take learning outside the classroom.
Mr. Rouse said he hopes to break ground when the weather warms in April and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the end of school in May.
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 School Board Members Chalmer Frye, Chairman
Speedwell
William Kidd, Vice Chair
East Wytheville
Walter White
Fort Chiswell
Stephen Sage
Rural Retreat
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 2
Page 3
RRHS Senior publishes first novel Coming to a Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com near you!
she recalled the standing ovation she received from her school community.
Selena McGrady, a senior at RRHS, self-published her first novel entitled The Wizards War.
“Everyone is so proud of her,” said teacher Susan Hedrick, one of Selena’s biggest supporters.
The ideas, she said, “have been in my head a whole lot longer than they’ve been on paper.”
“I think it’s inspiring,” said student Toni Shumate, her friends nodding agreement.
In fact, she started writing the book when she was in 6th grade, after a boy told her she could never write a book. She’d only learned to read the year before.
“It makes me want to go out and do something too,” said freshman Makayla Taylor
At her book reading and signing, held in the RRHS auditorium in front of her classmates, Selena read an except from her book. RRHS senior Selena McGrady autographs her first novel, The Wizards War, for her school community.
“When I got done it was like the world exploded,” she said, beaming as
After graduation, Selena wants to pursue a career in search and rescue to fund her writing on the side. She plans on making her book a trilogy; her sequel already in its final draft stages. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a bestseller.
2011-2012 School Calendar Dec. 13-16
Exams
Dec. 16
12:30 Student Dismissal; Last Day before Winter Holidays
Dec. 19 & 20*
Make up days for up to 2 days missed prior to Dec. 16, Last Day in Attendance, Student Dismissal 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 – Jan. 2
Schools Closed – Winter Holidays
Jan. 2 **
Teacher Workday; Make up day if more than 2 days have been missed before Dec. 16
Jan. 3
First Day for Students after Winter Holidays
Jan. 12
End of First Semester
Jan. 13
12:30 Student Dismissal; 1/2 Teacher Workday
Feb. 23
End of Fourth Six Weeks
Feb. 24
12:30 Student Dismissal; 1/2 Teacher Workday
April 4
Last Student Day Before Spring Break
April 5-9
Spring Break
April 10
End of Fifth Six Weeks
April 11
12:30 Student Dismissal; 1/2 Teacher Workday
May 22
Last Day of School; 12:30 Student Dismissal
For WCPS winter 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 2
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Foundation builds firm foundation Teachers are currently in the process of applying for 2011-2012 Foundation for Excellence Classroom Grants.
Wythe County teachers Sarah Williams and Lisa Gates run the Foundation for Excellence annual Seven Sisters Extreme race in November. The event raised more than $1,000 for the Summer Enrichment Program and Classroom Grants.
Teachers may apply for funding ranging up to $2,500 to support innovative projects in their classrooms. Recent grants have provided instructional tools such as iPads, classroom gardens and new fitness equipment.
Classroom Grant Donors
Thanks in part to the generous support of the Wythe Bland Foundation, close to $200,000 has gone directly into Wythe County classrooms to support teacher and student creativity in the past five years through The Classroom Grant Program.
Mrs. Ruth Reed Chitwood Jones, Adams & Delp, P.C. The Family of Janie Gates Patterson Bobby Walters Wythe Music Fund Wythe-Bland Foundation Wythe County Community Hospital Wytheville Noon Rotary Club An Anonymous Donor Foundation for Excellence Board Members
Special thanks to all donors and supporters who have helped make these and other Classroom Grants possible.
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” —William Butler Yeats, 20th century Irish poet and playwright
Anti-bullying continued nizes each January as Bullying Prevention Month and plan events that place special emphasis on treating others with respect.
Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc.
Posters promoting respect and tolerance can be seen on the walls of any of our buildings. Some schools had T-shirts and rubber bracelets made to remind students of their commitment to a bully-free school. Anti-bullying poster created by students at GWHS
Bullying, an issue of national importance, has made headlines repeatedly throughout the past year. Here at WCPS, our School
Board has established a “zero-tolerance” stance on bullying, which the schools enforce diligently. The School Board also recog-
WCPS always strives to create a safe atmosphere for our students to learn and succeed, and our staff is determined to stomp out bullying.
Check out our website at http://wythe.k12.va.us
The PLAY Fund and the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence are happy to offer two productions from the Barter Theatre to Wythe County students in January. Wythe County 1st and 2nd graders will see the production of Just So Stories on the morning of Thursday, January 26. 9th and 10th graders will see Romeo and Juliet that afternoon. The plays will be presented in the George Wythe High School auditorium. There will be no charge to students or schools for this opportunity. Special thanks to the VA Commission for the Arts, First Bank of Virginia and Mrs. Ruth Chitwood.
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Volume 1, Issue 2
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School Board agendas go green The Wythe County Public Schools School Board is modernizing the way it does business. Beginning with the upcoming Dec. 14 meeting, all agendas and supporting documents for meetings will be online. “The primary benefit,” said School Board Chairman Chalmer Frye, “is accessibility—having it online, ready and available for Board members and the public as well.” Used by more than 500 governing bodies nationwide, BoardDocs ® allows for greater public access and increased transparency. Dozens of districts in Virginia have already made the switch, some of them local
such as Washington County and Roanoke County schools. The move to paperless will save the district money on printing costs, is more environmentally friendly, and helps further the WCPS mission to promote 21st century education. In addition, the online service offers extensive capabilities for keyword searches on past BoardDocs-enabled meetings. Users will also benefit from web links and enhanced features that allow them to research and gather information about certain topics of the Board’s agenda or discussion, including past meetings. “This innovative system
will allow us to quickly and easily approve and track agenda items,” said School Board member Deborah Crigger. “BoardDocs will allow us to improve our technology capabilities in a number of areas while providing greater access to our community prior to the monthly meetings.” The online version of the agenda will be active, effective Dec. 9, 2011. As is WCPS general practice, agendas will be available for the public approximately five days before each meeting. Anyone wishing to view the agenda can do so by clicking on the link provided on the WCPS website: http://wythe.k12.va.us
Copyright www.boarddocs.com
Congratulations to Walter White, Chalmer Frye, Deborah Crigger and David Martin on being re-elected to a four-year term to the WCPS School Board.
“BoardDocs will allow us to improve our technology capabilities in a number of areas while providing greater access to our community prior to the monthly meetings.” —School Board member Deborah Crigger
iPads continued Special apps allow students to record and create their own videos, see constellation placements in broad daylight and learn the periodic table of elements in science class with 3-D models. Principals said it has significantly increased studentteacher interaction and participation during class.
I nc le m e nt W ea t he r Not only that, but teachers have found that the concepts they’re teaching using the iPads have improved student understanding and information retention. There’s no doubt this instructional tool is bringing our students’ education and skill sets into the 21st century.
Do n’t f orget t o si gn u p f or the H o n e y w e l l I n s ta n t A l e r t system to get t he latest news fr om your scho ol a bout d elays, closi ng s and wi nter emergencies. G o t o the WCPS we bsi te and foll o w the li nk o n t he ho mepage . In the event of inclemen t weat her, sch o o ls wil l be d e l a y e d t w o h o u r s or c l o s e d for the wh ole d ay. Early d ismis sals will be d etermined on a case - by -case basi s to e nsure t he safety and security of our stud ent s and s taff.
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Volume 1, Issue 2
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A lesson in civics, civility Christmas came early for 12 students in Wythe County. As part of their professional development, small teams of employees at AMCOR in Wytheville assembled bicycles to give away to local children, six for girls and six for boys. Elementary school principals each selected one boy and one girl from their schools to receive the bicycles and helmets. Students and their parents were invited to the plant to meet the employees who built their bikes, try the bikes out for themselves in the parking lot, and for some tasty lunch. Johnny Hernandez-Canales, a 3rd grader at RRES, tries out his new bike.
Virginia House of Representatives delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark visited a few area schools during the month of November as part of Take Your Legislator to School Month. Mrs. Crockett-Stark spoke to students about local government and the importance of staying informed.
Close to 100 WCPS seniors and business students attended the annual Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce Business Etiquette luncheon on Nov. 29. “The etiquette luncheon added another layer to my business knowledge because I now know how to function properly at a formal business meal.” — Hannah Fowler, GWHS ’12
Facilities study follow-up Plans for the upcoming renovations to WCPS buildings are coming along smoothly. At their last work session in October, the WCPS School Board decided on five schools to include in Phase 1 of the renovations—Sheffey Elementary, Speedwell Elementary, Rural Retreat Middle, Fort Chiswell Middle, and Scott Memorial Middle. Electrical upgrades and additional classroom space are priorities for several of these schools, as is hardware and facility replacements. In November, School
Board members toured all school facilities to get a better understanding of plans laid out by architect Randy Jones from the firm OWPR.
Board Chairman Chalmer Frye.
In January, both boards will tour school facilities together. A co-budgetary After spending numerous committee will be estabhours evaluating the lished to decide how to schools, consulting with most effectively fund these administrators and receiving upcoming construction proinput from School Board jects, which are estimated to members, Jones made a cost a total of $31.4 million. presentation at the Nov. 9 “We look forward—as joint meeting with the soon as possible—to comWythe County Board of mitting ourselves to Phase 1 Supervisors regarding the so that our students and plans ideas for renovations. staff can have modern, up“I feel we are on a very to-date facilities,” Mr. Fyre positive track for improving said. our facilities,” said School
Phase 1 Renovations
Sheffey
RRMS
Speedwell
FCMS
SMMS Estimated Cost of Phase 1 Projects: $12.9 million
Estimated Total Cost: $31.4 million
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 2
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Integration and innovation: WCTC students design, create ornaments together to design, create, and manufac- difference in their students. ture trinkets and ornaments of all shapes “They’re starting to think in 3-D,” said and sizes. manufacturing teacher John Willis. “It’s that cross-curricular approach,” One of the biggest benefits to instrucsaid WCTC Principal Anthony Sykes, tion, said drafting teacher Curt Sumner, that makes this project an ideal learning is that “we can create models we can use opportunity. to help them visualize the concepts Beginning in the Auto CAD computer software program, drafting students design the object, such as an ornament. The item is then sent electronically to a 3-D printer that builds a plastic replica of the design. Then, students in the manufacturing and precision machinery classes finish the object by painting or replicating it with a different material, such as metal. Students at the Wythe County Technology Center are improving the model for what education is supposed to be like. Aided by their new 3-D printer, purchased this fall, students in the drafting, precision machinery, and manufacturing classes are working
But this printer’s effects reach farther than just the classroom. After working with this technology, Tyler said he plans to transfer into the engineering program at Virginia Tech after a couple years at WCC. “It made me sure I want to make something that can change the world,” he said.
For senior Tyler Irvin, “being able to see something you do come to reality,” is the best part. He’s made key chains, ornaments and snowboard company logos with his design skills. “Before, when we made it on the computer, it just stayed there.” Administrators are noticing a
SHOUT OUTS!
we’re teaching...and the cool factor doesn’t hurt.”
Wythe County Technology Center was recognized as a National School of Distinction by the Schools Fight Hunger Program for their “Souper Bowl” canned food drive for the Agape Food Pantry earlier this year. They are one of about 2,000 schools across the country to receive this award.
Sandman Extreme for Excellence Half Marathon and 9-mile run Saturday, January 14, 2012 9:00 a.m. Old Wytheville Recreation Center On 4th Street across from Courthouse
Melissa Dalton, a teacher at RRHS, was chosen as the Southwest Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year and is a finalist for the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2012 William C. Lowry Mathematics Educator of the Year Award.
Registration Fee $45.00 through January 12 $55.00 January 13 - 14
Kasey Crockett, a 3rd grade teacher at JMES, is a semi-finalist for the prestigious McGlothlin Award for Teaching Excellence.
on-line, mail-in and on-site registration available
Registration www.WytheExcellence.org
All proceeds benefit the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence.
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Volume 1, Issue 2
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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.