March 16, 2018

Employee of the Week:
Please join me in recognizing Mrs. Janet Wood, Cafeteria Manager at Union Hall Elementary School, on her selection as Employee of the Week for Pittsylvania County Schools. Please click on the following link to find out what employees do to make this A Great Place to Learn and Work! http://www.pcs.k12.va.us/staff/employee-of-week/

County to Hold Public Input Sessions on 2018-2019 Budget:

During the month of March, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors is considering the County budget for 2018-2019. You may wish to attend one of the public input sessions to speak on behalf of full funding for the School Board’s advertised budget. I encourage you to speak with your principal about this opportunity. Your attendance at one of these events in support of the schools is very important. Thank you.


Spelling Bees:

Hurt Elementary Spelling Bee
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, selected third, fourth and fifth grade students at Hurt Elementary School participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Karmen Evans emerged as the winner and Kristen Waller received second place. Both students are invited to participate in the region spelling bee at Averett University on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

The following students also earned a spot in the final round of the school spelling bee: Amber Davis 5th grade, Angel Farmer 5th grade, LaVern Glass 5th grade, Dylan Turk 4th grade, Nathan Payne 4th grade, Christopher Dawson 4th grade, Lillie McKenna 3rd grade, Jonathan Ferris 3rd grade, Avery Jennings 3rd grade, Autumn Cooper 4th grade, Layah Lopez 3rd grade, Katelynn Brumfield 3rd grade, Joseph Runells 3rd grade, and Carmen Haskins 4th grade.

Twin Springs Elementary Spelling Bee
On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, third, fourth and fifth grade students at Twin Springs Elementary School participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The students were given words to spell from materials prepared by the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. Students displayed knowledge learned throughout their school experience while competing for top honors. Ceilidh Hicks, a fourth grader, and Anna Inman, a fifth grader, emerged as the first and second place winners. The following students also earned their way into the final round of the school spelling bee: Kayleigh Mazza, Ethan Leftwich, Lauren Torborg, John Daniel Adkerson, Amaiya Price, Carleigh Strader, BreAsia Wyn, Andrew Howell, Jan Blair Quintan, Cody Emerson, Paris Spencer, Jordan Tisdale, and Sheila Rose. Ceilidh and Anna are invited to participate in the Danville Area Spelling Bee, which will be held at Averett University on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

Brosville Elementary Spelling Bee
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, third, fourth and fifth grade students from Brosville Elementary School participated in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The students were given words to spell from materials prepared by the Scripps National Spelling Bee program. Students displayed knowledge learned throughout their school experience while competing for top honors.
Marlee Sharpe, a fifth grader, and Carsen Barksdale, a third grader, emerged as the first and second place winners. The following students also earned their way into the final round of the school spelling bee: Bryan Hudson, Abram Bryan, Reese Jenkins, Mary Bledsoe, Emily Nunn, Catherine Mansfield-Campbell, Xavier Christian, Timia Prunty, Karianna Roberts, Sophia Blair-Chisom, Elijah Keatts, and Whitney Nelson.

Delta Dental Healthy Tip:

Hurt Elementary School Black History Month Celebration
Students at John L. Hurt, Jr. Elementary School wrapped up Black History Month with a very special interpretive program presented by two National Park Service Rangers from the Booker T. Washington National Monument. Ranger Brittany Webb Lane and Ranger Betsy Haynes presented programs in all grade levels, Pre-K through Grade 5. The students in the primary grades heard about the tools of the trade and Booker's life down on the farm when he was a slave. The students in grades 3-5 received a look at life after the slaves were freed on the plantations after the Civil War.

The first picture is Ranger Betsy Haynes, from Booker T. Washington National Monument, demonstrating what can be learned about our ancestors through archeology; she made that point by showing what we can learn about someone by digging in their trash. Students in the picture are from Mrs. Cynthia Bryant's 4th grade class, from left to right as follows: Hailey Glenn, Heaven Jennings, Connor Brumfield, and NaShiya Hailey.

The second picture is in Mrs. Lori Goad's kindergarten classroom. Ranger Brittany Webb Lane and Ranger Betsy Haynes talk to the children about the tools that young Booker would have used as a slave working on Mr. Burroughs' Plantation in Franklin County in the mid 1800's. Students seated in the chairs from left to right are as follows: Isabella Turner, Hailey Yowell, Cameron Shelton, Jackson Rigsby. Students pictured seated on the floor from left to right are as follows: Payton Deel, Kaidden Coffey, Noah Rigney, Hailey Kinsler, Dickson Hastings, Caleb Johnson, Ace Blair and Adrianna Benton

Gretna High School Constructs Outdoor Classroom:
The picture below shows the progress being made on the outdoor classroom being built at Gretna High School. When the classroom is completed, teachers will be able to take their classes outside for instruction.
 

Tunstall High School Band Performs at WGI:

Please join me in recognizing the Tunstall High School band for being selected a finalist and champion at the Digi awards.

Representatives with JMU and NCI will be onsite to discuss current program offerings at NCI including:

• Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership

• Bachelor’s Degree of Individualized Studies with concentrations in autism spectrum, entrepreneurship, workplace communications, business technology, and human resources development

• Educational Leadership Certificate

• Cyber Defense Competition for regional high school students on April 14

• Cyber Boot Camp for regional educators June 4-8

• A variety of health and human services certifications:

  • Certified Coding Associate (CCA) and Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

  • Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

  • Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

  • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

The All-County Art Show to be held at Reid Street Gallery on March 21-29:

Please take time to visit the All-County Art Show being held at the Reid Street Gallery on March 21-29, 2018.  Student artwork from the County schools will be on display.   

Character Word of the Month – Fairness

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• Family Life
  Brosville Elementary School
  Grade 4 March 22-23, 26-27 p.m.
  Grade 5 March 22-23, 26-28 p.m.
  
  Dan River High School
  Grade 9 March 19-20
  
  Stony Mill Elementary School
  Grade 4 March 22-23, 26-27 a.m.
  Grade 5 March 22-23, 26-28 a.m.
   

• Budget Public Input Session, Monday, March 19, 2018, Twin Springs Elementary School, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (Rescheduled from March 12.)

• Instructional Assistant Principals’ Meeting, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, School Board Office @ 9:30 a.m.

• School Board Budget Meeting, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, School Board Office, 6:00 p.m.

• All-County Art Show, Wednesday, March 21, to Thursday, March 29, 2018, Reid Street Gallery

• Budget Public Input Session, Thursday, March 22, 2018, Dan River High School, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

• JROTC Military Ball, Saturday, March 24, 2018, Olde Dominion Agricultural Center, @ 6:00 p.m.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN HISTORY?

• March 19 – 2003 War in Iraq begins

• March 20 – 1934 Babe Didrikson goes to the mound for Philly

• March 21 – 1871 Stanley begins search for Livingstone

• March 22 – 1765 Stamp Act imposed on American colonies

• March 23 – 1839 OK enters national vernacular

lease send media requests to: http://www.pcs.k12.va.us/media/. This may be (1) to request media presence on site to cover an upcoming event or (2) to request media coverage (without media on site) of an upcoming event or (3) to report news from a past event. Thank you for identifying the great things happening in the schools!