Wythe County Public Schools
Spring 2013
The Summit
Volume 2, Issue 2
Inside this issue:
School Safety
2
Raising Trout
3
School Board Highlights
4
Construction Projects
4
Teacher Recognition
5
Robots
6
Summer Enrichment
7
Upcoming School Board meetings: May 15
9:00 a.m. SBO
June 12 9:00 a.m. SBO July 10
9:00 a.m. SBO
Aug 14
9:00 a.m. SBO
Relevant Reads Faces of Poverty, Educational Leadership May 2013; www.ascd.org “Students celebrate May Day in Wythe County, “ www.swvatoday.com “Wytheville student recognized for business venture,” www.swvatoday.com
One Special Birthday One little guy recently celebrated the best birthday of his life—his first. Jax Jackson, son of FCHS Assistant Principal Dyer Jackson and Sheffey 2nd grade teacher Lindsay Jackson, turned one this past January. This birthday was so special for not only the Jackson family but also for the FCHS and Sheffey students and staff members, who have supported them through a very difficult pregnancy and first year of life. Baby Jax, known to many as a “miracle baby,” has a rare form of kidney disease. Students and staff at Sheffey and FCHS have rallied around this family— featuring Baby Jax before
home football games, bringing awar eness to the disease, and raising a b o u t $4000 for the March of Dimes this past fall. As a former organizer of the March of Dimes, Lindsay said it was a humbling experience to be the featured family. “It was kind of overwhelming to see the sea of Team Jax shirts,” she said “and all those people who came out and supported him.” From taking care of bus
duty to dropping off meals at their house, the Jackson family has felt so encouraged during their journey. Now, Lindsay said, Jax is getting stronger every day. “He’s the happiest little baby,” she said. “He laughs all the time. Everything is funny to him!” Happy birthday, Jax! Love, your WCPS family
Community Day When planting season comes around this spring, Spiller students will know exactly what to do! At their first annual Community Day last year, students learned about planting trees, prune bushes, and started a greenhouse with the help of local gardening groups and plant enthusiasts. These hands-on activities centered around SOL-based objectives about plant/life cycles and the environment. So if you drive by and see some beautiful plants, be sure thank a Spiller student or local gardener!
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Volume 2, Issue 2
Page 2
Safety and Security Dear Community, The safety and security of our students and staff has always been a top priority for Wythe County Public Schools. We believe every student deserves a safe, comfortable environment in which to learn. We continually strive to make our schools as safe as possible, and the recent tragic events in our nation have heightened that responsibility. We understand that no measures we take can prevent every possible danger, but we are making every effort to dramatically reduce that potential.
Presently and in the upcoming months, WCPS administrators are thoroughly reviewing and revising our crisis management plans. Additionally, we are exploring funding for additional School Resource Officers. In all our capital improvement projects, we are researching the most up-to-date security systems available. We are planning to install buzzer systems at each elementary school and SMMS this summer, and equip each classroom with appropriate door stops. You may have noticed law enforcement vehicles at our
schools more often. Please do not be alarmed. In fact, in collaboration with local and state law enforcement agencies, all of our schools now have officers drop by routinely. Many have even visited the schools in teams to better understand the layout of each building. All school buildings have implemented a single or twopoint entry system. Once the tardy bell has rung and school has begun, principals have required that all visitors and other school traffic be directed through the front doors of the school. All other entrances will
be locked during the school day. All patrons are strongly encouraged, and personnel are required, to wear or have proper identification. As always, visitors should check in at the main office upon arrival. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we make every effort to ensure our children and staff have a safe place to learn and work. Sincerely,
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
Central Office Administrators Dr. Lee Brannon
Division Superintendent
Dr. Melinda Robinett
Exec. Director of Educational Services
Dr. 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
2012-2013 School Board Members
http://wythe.k12.va.us/ Educating students for success in the 21st century.
William Kidd, Chairman
East Wytheville
Chalmer Frye, Vice-Chairman
Speedwell
Walter White
Fort Chiswell
Stephen Sage
Blacklick
Patricia Hines
Lead Mines
Deborah Crigger
At-Large
David Martin
West Wytheville
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Volume 2, Issue 2
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Gone Fishin’ Throughout the school year, the students have raised trout from eggs to troutlings, learning about life cycles, water quality, and animal behavior along the way. They began in October with 300 eggs and quickly learned about natural selection and survival.
Speedwell Elementary students are proud parents!
In the beginning, several eggs had to be removed each day because they got infected with fungus. Then as the fish got older and students were more adept at
2013 Graduation Ceremonies WCTC
May 23
7:00 p.m.
GWHS Auditorium
RRHS
May 24
6:00 p.m.
Community Stadium
GWHS
May 24
8:00 p.m.
Pendelton Field
FCHS
May 25
10:00 a.m.
C. F. McKenney Field
2013 —2014 School Calendar Aug 14
First day for all teaching staff
Aug 15
Opening Session for teachers
Aug 16
Teacher Workday
Aug 19
Teacher Workday/Parent-Student Visitation (1:00 — 3:00 and 4:30 — 7:00 p.m.)
Aug 20
Teacher Workday
Aug 21
First Day of School
For a complete calendar, visit http://wythe.k12.va.us
caring for them properly, fewer and fewer died. Teachers used the opportunity to create lessons a bout e nv i ro nme nt a l threats, scientific measurement, and aquatic life cycles. Trout in the Classroom project is sponsored by Trout Unlimited and community supporters. Students will release their trout on May 28 during a Field Day trip to Ravens Cliff.
Schools will be closed May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. Last Day of School for students is May 31.
Have a SAFE, HAPPY, and HEALTHY Summer!
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On the Agenda Block Scheduling Beginning this fall, high schools will operating on a modified block schedule format. This transition from a six-period day will benefit students and staff in a number of ways. Block scheduling allows for more instruction sections during the year, which opens the possibilities of more elective class offerings, more remediation, and increased opportunity for taking advanced classes. Block scheduling allows for creative and intentional scheduling to best meet the needs of each individual student.
Students who take classes with End of Course exams will take those exams at the completion of the course. Extended daily classroom time will greatly benefit subjects such as science or band, which often require enhanced lesson continuity. The support and feedback from teachers and students has been overwhelmingly positive. Capital Improvement Negotiations for the construction of Phase 1 of the WCPS Capital Improvement Plan are well under way. Due to increased construction costs, WCPS does not plan to pursue add-
alternate projects of Spiller, Speedwell and FCMS at this time. RRMS and Sheffey Elementary will receive full renovations. The Wythe County Board of Supervisors has indicated they will increase their allocation to construct a new community center/gymnasium at Sheffey that will double as a recreation center for that area of the county. Upon successful negotiations with contractors, ground breaking is expected to begin in early June. (See more info and timeline below.) Budget FY 2014
approved the fiscal year 2014 budget at their reconvened meeting on May 22, 2013. This budget has been presented to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. Once the Virginia General Assembly approves their formal budget, the Board of Supervisors can then allocate the designated funds to WCPS.
A complete copy of the FY 2014 budget for WCPS will be available after official approval by the Board of Supervisors. A draft budget can be found online on Board Docs.
The WCPS School Board
There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education. It is the underpinning of our cultural and political system. It is the great common ground. Public education after all is the engine that moves us as a society toward a common destiny...It is in public education that the American dream begins to take shape.” —Tom Brokaw
Construction Time! After the School Board approves final construction plans during their meeting on May 22, construction crews will begin mobilizing equipment to Sheffey Elementary and Rural Retreat Middle School to begin renovations. Construction is slated to begin shortly after
students and teachers leave for summer vacation. Throughout the summer and through the next school year, crews will work around student schedules and activities to be as little of a distraction as possible. Principals will work with staff to accommodate and rearrange
Tentative Timeline classrooms as necessary to aid in the renovation process. We know our staff and students are excited about new facilities and will work diligently through this process. Begin with the end in mind!
May 27—June 1: Mobilization June 3-7: Groundbreaking Summer 2013: Major projects Fall 2013– Summer 2014: Full renovations Expected Completion Date: August 2014
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 2, Issue 2
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Integral Teacher Spotlight: Melissa Dalton We’re so proud!
she explained.
Not only has she been named the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year, RRHS math teacher Melissa Dalton has also earned the Chamber of Commerce Wythe County Teacher of the Year Award.
Her “4-P” philosophy drives her instructional method in the classroom: Practice, Patience, Passion, Persistence. Follow that prescription, Mrs. Dalton said, and any math task becomes manageable for students.
This veteran teacher, who has been working for WCPS for more than 20 years, credits her success to her students.
It’s not uncommon to find students in her classroom after the school day, even on early dismissal days.
“They’ve made me who I am,” she said.
“They feel comfortable in here,” she explained, an unusual quality of an advanced math classroom, which can often be intimidating for some students.
One of her favorite parts about her job is taking the time to work with students who might not understand the algebraic concept the first time around. “You to have to have a special bond with them to have patience to help them with that,”
For her, choosing a career in math education was pretty simple. Math was always the homework she completed first, and by the end of her sopho-
Teachers of the Year, by school FCHS:
James Colley
FCMS:
Brynn Cody
GWHS:
Lorna King
JMES:
Carrie Ball
MMES:
Mary Arnold
RRES:
Heather Mills
RRHS:
Melissa Dalton
RRMS:
Dawn Burkentine
SMMS:
Patricia Manuel
Sheffey:
Glenda Scott
Speedwell:
Amy Grubb
Spiller:
Kara Goforth
WCTC:
John Smith, Jr.
more year at Emory and Henry College, she knew she wanted to teach. She went on to get her Masters at Virginia Tech and become Nationally Board
Certified. School, she said, is like her home away from home, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Same faces, new places! FCHS: Robbie Patton, Principal; Rolland Cook, Asst. Principal FCMS: Brett Booher, Principal GWHS: Quinton Hensley, Asst. Principal RRHS: Dyer Jackson, Asst. Principal SMMS: Dr. Becki James, Principal
HATS OFF to the Class of 2013!
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Volume 2, Issue 2
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Backwoods Bots: Robots Rule We’re so proud of our “Backwoods ’Bots.” In March, a team of students and teachers from WCTC competed in the FIRST Robotics competition at Virginia Commonwealth University. Using an interdisciplinary approach through
CAD, Intro to Engineering, and Precision Machine, these students designed, fabricated, and programmed LeeRoy IV to do all sorts of tasks like shooting Frisbees through a basketball goal. They were the only team to go undefeated in qualifying rounds out of 65 teams. During quarterfinals, the team was knocked out of competition because their partner became disabled. Nevertheless, the team made an excellent showing and represented Wythe and Bland county schools well!
eled with LeeRoy IV to Scott Memorial Middle School to demonstrate its capabilities and to showcase the creative ways students can put math and science to use. Way to go! Team members included: Clark Cooper,, Josh Quesenberry, Megan Russell, Charlie King, Ariana Coulson, Rodney Moss, and Erika Stidham. Staff members included: Joe Webb, Curt Sumner, Charlie Odom, Mary Tillinghast, and John Willis.
Last week they trav-
Shout-Outs!
RRHS Concert band on receiving top Superior honors at a recent band competition
WCPS students for finding ways to serve their community
Top Science Fair winners Lydia Showalter (6th), Senah Stephens (7th), Max Dillon (8th), and Edward Morgan (high school)
WCPS Spelling Bee Champion Justin Porter (5th grade, Sheffey Elementary)
GWHS football team on their State Championship win
WCTC Automotive program on receiving NATEF accreditation
RRHS Senior Cory Williams on becoming a state champion in wrestling
RRMS staff and students for their creative leadership in differentiation and enrichment programs
FCMS/FCHS choir for using their talents in the community
Sheffey students Hunter Jackson, Julie Dowdy, and Brianna Rowe for qualifying for the state 4-H competition
All the staff and students who raised money for and participated in Relay for Life
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Summer Enrichment 2013 All Wythe County student Kindergarten through 8th grade are invited to participate in Kids STEAM Ahead — the 2013 Summer Enrichment Program through the Foundation for Excellence. The program offers teachers an opportunity to share their talents and interests with students and provides students a week of enriching education experiences. This year’s focus is Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
You may register for a class at any school, regardless of attendance area. Registration will be made on a first-come-first-serve basis. (Classes with less than 12 registrants may be cancelled.) Please register for the grade your child most recently completed. Also, students have an excellent opportunity to receive an on-site baseline heath screening through Mount Rogers Heath District. They must preregister for this screening.
Registration packets are located at each school, the School Board Office, and a t www.WytheExcellence.org. Please call the Foundation 228-5411 for more information or if you have any question. The deadline for all registration materials is Friday, May 24.
Summer Enrichment June 10 — 14 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
FCMS, RRES, Spiller, WCTC, Speedwell
Foundational Core Drawing Concentration
Students will have an opportunity to combine various techniques and materials to create a piece of artwork each day of the intensive. Through the use of direct observation and a little imagination, students will earn to render each drawing realistically in their own unique style. Jennifer Tiberi, MAT, Instructor June 24 – 28 Classes for students entering grades 3 – 12 Materials fee: $25 (Scholarships available) Old Hobert N. Grubb building, downtown Wytheville
Advanced Mixed Media Concentration
(for students who completed the core drawing concentration last year) Meagan Averill, MAT, Instructor June 10 – 14 Grades 8-12 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Grades 4-7 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Old Hobert N. Grubb building, downtown Wytheville
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2013 Space is limited so register early! Return all registration and payments to Foundation for Excellence P.O. Box 815 Wytheville, VA 24382
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Education in action
The Summit is a periodic publication of Wythe County Public Schools . All materials, including photographs and content, are copyrighted by WCPS unless otherwise noted.