Virginia Beach School Board Revises Grading Scale Effective for the

APPLE-A-DAY ARCHIVES
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The Virginia Beach School Board adopted a new grading scale that will become effective next school year for
grades* 3 through 12. The new scale is as follows:
Modified 10 Point Grading Scale
o f
Range
Letter Grade
Points
93 - 100
A
4.0
90 - 92
A-
3.7
87 - 89
B+
3.3
83 - 86
B
3.0
80 - 82
B-
2.7
77 - 79
C+
2.3
73 - 76
C
2.0
70 - 72
C-
1.7
67- 69
D+
1.3
64 - 66
D
1.0
Below 64
E
0.0
(Note: This new scale will not be retroactive.)
*Grades K-2 use a developmental grading scale to report student progress.
continued on page 2
Parents Can Preview Summer School Schedule
Although summer is still several months away, administrators and staff have been preparing for summer
school for some time. Designing curricula and coordinating schedules, staff, transportation, and students
is a complicated process. In fact, hundreds of hours of work are typically required to prepare for the
two summer school sessions that Virginia Beach City Public Schools offers its elementary and secondary
school students.
Summer school offers students several academic options: they can take courses that allow them to “catch
up” or even “get ahead” academically; or, they may choose to attend summer school to take advantage
of enrichment opportunities. Whatever their reason for attending summer school, approximately 8,600
students enroll annually.
We are providing the dates and times for summer school on the next page as a convenience to our Apple-A-Day
readers. As additional information such as summer school sites and tuition costs become available,
it will be posted on the school division Web site, vbschools.com. We encourage parents to check the site
or contact the guidance office at their child’s school for the most current updates. continued on page 2
March 2010 Vol. XVIII No. 5
Of Interest
F a m i l y
O u r
F o r
i
Virginia Beach School Board Revises Grading Scale
Effective for the 2010-11 School Year
I n t e r e s t e d
C i t i z e n s
apple-a-day
V
The 12th Annual VBCPS School Report
Cards Available at vbschools.com. . . . . . . . . . . 2
Two VBCPS Administrators Receive
National Recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Benefit “Fore Teachers and Students”. . . . . . . . . 3
TextTalk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Museum Honoring Black School
Will Open in May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Parents Have the Ability of Monitoring Their
Child’s Academic Progress in School. . . . . . . . . 6
Legal Studies Academy Celebrates
First Law School Admission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
It’s In Our Hands Census Campaign. . . . . . . . . 7
Virginia Beach School Board Appoints
D. Scott Seery as At-Large Member. . . . . . . . . . 5
Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning (VVBe) . . . . . 8
Advanced Technology Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Kindergarten Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
VBCPS Beach Bags Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ VA STAR
Program Computer Connections–Equity in Access
to Instructional Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
School Board Appoints Two to
Leadership Posts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Open Gym Starts at Bayside Middle School. . . 14
Tallwood Academy Selected for
Asian Classroom Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2
Apple-A-Day March 2010
virginia beach school board revises grading scale continued from page 1
The Board adopted the modified 10 point grading scale after hosting a comprehensive public input process that included
surveys of parents, staff and college admissions officers; input garnered from the school division’s On the Mark blog; and
comments received at a public hearing. At the conclusion of this public input process the majority of stakeholders indicated
they were in favor of revising the division’s grading scale, citing the need to ensure that Virginia Beach students remain competitive especially in the area of college and scholarship applications.
Over the upcoming months, staff will be working on the implementation of the new grading scale and communicating
its impact in upcoming issues of Apple-A-Day. Additionally, there will be a page on the school division’s Web site -http://www.vbschools.com/gradescale2010 -- that will include frequently asked questions and answers about the new
grading scale.
The School Board indicated that stakeholders should not regard this decision as lowering standards as leadership has every
expectation that added rigor in the Virginia Beach curriculum and assessments will sustain the quality of the grading system.
summer school schedule continued from page 1
DATES FOR 2010 SUMMER SCHOOL
Level
Dates
Student Hours
Elementary
June 29 – August 5, 2010 (Monday-Thursday)
22 days
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Middle
Session I: June 29 – July 21, 2010 (Monday-Thursday, no school July 5)
Session II: July 26 – August 12, 2010 (Mon.-Thurs., except for Aug. 6)
(no school July 22, 2010)
13 days per session, 26 days total
9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
High
ESL & Strategic Reading - 9:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Semester I: June 29 – July 21, 2010 (Monday-Thursday, no school July 5) Instructional day hours:
Semester II: July 26 – August 12, 2010 (Mon.-Thurs., except for Aug. 6) 7:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
1:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (double session)
13 instructional days per semester (26 days total)
2 exam days – Thursday, July 22 and Friday, August 13, 2010 (adjusted
dismissal at 10:15 a.m.)
Exam day hours:
7:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
12/08/09
The 12th Annual VBCPS School Report Cards Available
at vbschools.com
Parents and guardians
who are interested in
information related
to school and student
performance can find
it in the 12th Annual
VBCPS School Report
Cards. The 12th Annual
VBCPS School Report
Cards are an important
part of educational
accountability and are designed to
help parents evaluate many aspects of
their child’s school. Each report card
provides data for the current school
year along with several
previous years, which
allows parents to track
the school’s success
over time.
The report card
contains valuable
information about
the school including
testing data and
demographic characteristics of students
and staff. Additionally, parents will
find information regarding Virginia
accreditation and the school’s
progress in meeting federal
benchmarks as required by the
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Act of 2001.
You can access the Annual VBCPS
School Report Cards from the school
division Web site, vbschools.com.
If you would like a printed copy
of the Annual VBCPS School Report
Card for your child’s school, please
contact the Department of Research,
Evaluation, and Assessment
at (757) 263-1199.
Apple-A-Day March 2010
Benefit “Fore Teachers and Students”
Invites Golfers
Do you love the game of golf? If so, do we have an opportunity for you! Mark your calendar
for the “Fore Teachers and Students” golf tournament that will be held on Thursday,
June 24, 2010, at Heron Ridge Golf Club. The event is a fundraiser for the Virginia Beach
Education Foundation which awards grants to teachers and schools for innovative educational
projects that benefit students. This school year 100 projects were funded that impact
approximately 20,000 students.
To sponsor, play or donate for this event, please call the Education Foundation office
at (757) 263-1337 or e-mail [email protected].
To give readers an idea of the quality of programs that the Foundation funds, we offer a
glimpse of two environmental projects that were made possible by contributor donations.
Those projects are:
Water Conservation / H2O Pollution Solution
Student from left to right:
Raymond M. and Jordan “Chase” R.
telling and PowerPoint presentations.
Ninth- and tenth-grade Cox High
School students researched water
conservation and pollution issues in
their environment, as well as throughout Virginia. They then designed a
rain garden and are presenting their
findings through podcasts, digital story-
Director:
Ginny O'Malley Amount:
$635 Building Futures Grant
Underwriter: Norfolk Kiwanis Charities
Bountiful Botany: Growing Gardens, Growing Minds
Malibu Elementary students are
learning more about science, math,
reading, economics and writing
in their hands-on work building
an outdoor learning laboratory
for life science studies. Carpentry
students from the Virginia Beach
Technical & Career Education
Center have helped them build
platforms for rain barrels and shelves
for the greenhouse.
Co-Directors:Amy Furlich and Kelley Kasmark
Team:
Eileen Treon, Cecile Green, Gabrielle Hurst
Amount:
$5,000 School-Wide Grant
Underwriter: HBA Architecture & Interior Design
3
Museum Honoring
Black School
Will Open in May
A museum commemorating
the formerly all-black
Princess Anne County Training
School/Union Kempsville High
School (PACTS/UKHS) school
will open to the public
on Monday, May 17.
The Princess Anne County
Training School/Union
Kempsville High School
Memorial Museum will be
located on the first floor of the
new Renaissance Academy at
5100 Cleveland Street at the
site of the former school that
provided a secondary education for black children living
in Princess Anne County,
subsequently annexed by
the City of Virginia Beach.
Desiring that their children
get a better life through
education, a group of black
parents and businessmen
collected money to purchase
land and later build Princess
Anne County Training School.
Years later, the school expanded and changed its name to
Union Kempsville High School.
The school closed in 1969 after
the school division integrated
its classrooms. Virginia Beach
City Public Schools (VBCPS)
used the building to house
its School Plant operations
until the facility was razed
in 2007 to provide space for
the Renaissance Academy,
which houses alternative
education programs.
The museum was built by
VBCPS to commemorate the
legacy of PACTS/UKHS and its
contribution to the history of
Virginia Beach schools. The
museum will be operated by
a museum educator working
under the direction of City of
Virginia Beach’s Department
of Museums. The department
also manages the city’s historic
colonial homes such as the
Francis Land House, the Adam
Thoroughgood House and
the Lynnhaven House.
For further information,
contact Mark A. Reed,
historic resources coordinator,
Department of Museums,
at 385-5100.
4
Apple-A-Day March 2010
Legal Studies Academy Celebrates First Law School Admission
Compass to 2015 is Virginia Beach City Public Schools’
strategic plan. Its goal is to ensure that “95 percent or more
of VBCPS students will graduate having mastered the skills
they need to succeed as 21st century learners, workers and
citizens.” From time to
time, Apple-A-Day will
feature school system
programs that contribute
toward this end
and the students
who have benefited.
In Virginia Beach there
are seven high school
career-focused academies whose missions are highly
aligned with the goal of Compass to 2015. One of
these is First Colonial High School’s Legal Studies
Academy (LSA). Established in September 2002,
the academy has reason to celebrate – its first graduate
has entered law school. Emily Snyder is currently in her
first year of Regent University’s law program. She
maintains that the LSA prepared her well for her chosen
course of study.
“I feel that the introductory law courses (Intro to Law,
Into to Criminal Justice, and Legal Research & Writing)
were helpful in providing me with a grasp of some basics
of the law before I entered law school. Furthermore,
those courses allowed me to get a feel for the types
of things that I would be learning once I arrived
at law school,” Emily says.
The academy graduated its inaugural class in 2006,
meaning that the majority of students who complete
college in four years are beginning to apply for admission
to law school now. Emily, however, completed college
in just three years, graduating magna cum laude with
a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University
of Mary Washington.
“The main reason that I was able to graduate early,
Emily explains, “was because of the opportunity I had
in high school to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
I entered University of Mary Washington with 24 transfer
credits from AP classes, which is almost the equivalent
of one year of college courses and those transfer credits
were instrumental in allowing me to graduate early.”
As you can imagine, the first year of law school can be
stressful. But in addition to carrying a full course load,
Emily finds time to stay connected to her high school
alma mater. She shares her experiences with current
LSA students and is working with LSA coordinator
Paige Scherr to develop a blog chronicling her journey
to and through law school.
“It is important for me to give back to the LSA because
I feel that it really helped
me become interested in becoming an attorney in
the first place. Initially I was
interested in becoming a
forensic scientist. However,
once I participated in some
mock trials and learned more
about what attorneys do,
I decided that I was more called to be an attorney than
a forensic scientist. I am really excited about keeping in
contact with students who are experiencing those same
things that I was feeling only a few years ago and giving
them as much information as possible about what law school
is really like from the perspective of someone who has been
in their shoes,” Emily says.
Emily feels that the division’s themed academies and
advanced academic programs are of real benefit to students.
She would advise any student entering high school to check
them out.
“I would describe my LSA experience as one of the educational best decisions I have made,” she says. “Deciding to
attend a new program in a school outside of my attendance
zone and away from most of the friends I had known since
elementary school was not easy. However, I found that
being a part of the LSA was beneficial in so many ways.
Not only did I gain academic skills and knowledge that
has stayed with me through law school, but I also formed
many lasting bonds with both students and teachers that
I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
And a full life awaits Emily. About to complete her first year
of law school, she is considering a career specializing in elder
law or estate planning. “Ultimately – and we’re talking
several years down the road – I would like to open up my
own solo practice,” Emily adds. And we have no doubt she
will realize her dream.
If you would like more information about the Legal Studies
Academy at First Colonial, contact Academy Coordinator
Paige Scherr at (757)648-5300 or visit vbschools.com.
Apple-A-Day March 2010
5
Virginia Beach School Board Appoints
D. Scott Seery as At-Large Member
The Virginia Beach School Board recently appointed D. Scott Seery to fill a vacant at-large seat.
Seery is a lawyer with a firm specializing in general business law, real estate finance and development, and bankruptcy/creditor’s rights. He has been practicing law in Virginia Beach since 1989.
For the past eight years Seery has volunteered with the Red Mill Elementary and Princess Anne
Middle PTAs. He is presently a board member for the Virginia Beach Education Foundation,
serving on its finance committee. He also has been part of the Foundation's review committee
for the award of Building Futures Grants, a program that provides teachers and schools with
grants to implement innovative educational projects that benefit students. Seery has been actively
involved in his community for a number of years. He has served as both president and government relations officer for
his neighborhood civic league. Additionally, he is a coach for the Neighborhood Youth Soccer League (NYSL), sand soccer
and indoor soccer leagues and he volunteers his services for Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic, Medical Mercy Airlift, Habitat for
Humanity, and Kempsville Baptist Church.
Seery holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from James Madison University and a Juris Doctor from George Mason
University. His two daughters are enrolled in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, attending Red Mill Elementary and Princess
Anne Middle.
Seery fills the at-large seat vacated by Carolyn Weems when she was appointed to the District 4 – Bayside seat, following the
resignation of Dan Lowe. The term for Seery’s at-large appointment expires on December 31, 2010.
Two VBCPS Administrators Receive National Recognition
Two Virginia Beach City Public
Schools administrators have received
national recognition for excellence
in their respective fields. David Pace,
director of Virginia Beach City
Public Schools’ Office of Transportation Services, was named School Bus
Fleet's (SBF) 36th Administrator of
the Year during the National Association
David Pace
for Pupil Transportation’s (NAPT)
annual conference. Dr. Patrick Konopnicki, director of
technical and career education for Virginia Beach City
Public Schools, was awarded the 2009 C. Thomas Olivo
Outstanding Service Award by the National Occupational
Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI.) NOCTI is a
leading provider of high-quality occupational competency
assessment products and services to secondary and postsecondary institutions around the world.
The SBF Administrator of the Year award recognizes
individuals engaged in the management and maintenance
of school bus fleets for outstanding achievement and
commitment to pupil transportation at the local, state,
and national level. According to SBF, Pace was selected
for this honor due to his tireless efforts over the past 20 years
as a dedicated member of the NAPT and the Virginia
Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT). Testimony
to this, Pace has held every office in the VAPT, including
two terms as president. Nominated by his peers in the pupil
transportation industry, this award recognizes Pace’s longstanding commitment to the safe transportation of students
to and from school. Throughout the past two decades, Pace
has graciously shared his expertise with colleagues across the
nation on such issues as budgeting, interpreting legislation,
and bus stop criteria.
Named after one of the founders of
NOCTI, the C. Thomas Olivo Award
is annually given to an individual
who has demonstrated several
criteria. Those factors include:
credibility through recognition
by their peers as a sound leader
with visibility on the state, regional
or national levels; expertise by
Patrick Konopnicki
demonstrated performance and
active and successful participation in occupational
competency assessment with NOCTI materials;
dedication and commitment to the processes, products
and applications of occupational competency assessment
programs and services; and other personal qualities of
leadership which promote good interpersonal relationships
in advancing NOCTI; knowledgeable about and a contributor to NOCTI programs and/or services; and maintaining
professional affiliations through active participation
and contributions.
6
TextTalk
Apple-A-Day March 2010
Parents Have the Ability of Monitoring
Their Child’s Academic Progress in School –
24 Hours a Day, Seven Days a Week!
TextTalk is Virginia Beach
City Public Schools’ live online
discussion.
To join TextTalk, no special
equipment, other than Internet
access, is needed. Upcoming TextTalk Discussions
Online Coursework Offered by
Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning
Date: March 23, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Would an alternate method for
participating in high school coursework be helpful for students? If so,
learn about Virginia Beach Schools’
online education program, Virtual
Virginia Beach e-Learning (VVBe),
on TextTalk. Ten online courses will be
offered during Summer School 2010,
and plans are in place to offer 13
courses during the 2010-2011school
year. Join the discussion which will
be moderated by Distance Learning
Coordinator Bruce Harrison.
Parent Support & Information
Center
Date: April 15, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
If you’re the parent of a student
who has special needs, this online
discussion will allow you to ask
questions about the resources
available through the Parent Support
& Information Center. Dr. Brenda
Reid, coordinator of the Parent
Support & Information Center,
will serve as the moderator.
Hiring process for teaching
positions 2010-2011 school year
Date: May 11, 2010
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Human resources specialist Bernard
Platt will be available to answer
questions and share information
about the process involved with
hiring applicants for teaching
positions for the start of the
2010-2011 school year.
To access TextTalk go to
http://www.vbschools.com/
textTalk/index.asp.
SchoolNet Parent Portal is a powerful online tool for parents and guardians to monitor their
child’s progress in school. Best of all, it can be accessed from any computer connected to
the Internet – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parents have access to important current
school year information such as:
• Grades
• Attendance records
• Student assignments
• Missing assignments
• Notes from your child's teacher about assignments
• Standardized test scores (Example: SOL, SAT, AP, Stanford 10)
• Parents may sign up for e-mail notifying them when their child has an unexcused
absence or receives a certain class grade; detailed attendance reports; detailed assignments;
reports; and grade summary reports.
If you have not registered to use the SchoolNet Parent Portal, REGISTER TODAY
by following these quick and easy steps:
1. Click on the SchoolNet Parent Portal link found on the home page of vbschools.com
or your school’s Web site. This will take you to the SchoolNet Parent Portal Registration
and Help page.
2. As a first-time user, you must set up a new account. Please read the directions or watch
the video Register to Access the SchoolNet Parent Portal before you complete the online
registration form.
3. After you complete and submit the SchoolNet Parent Registration Form, your information will be verified by staff within two business days. 4. Once your information is verified, you will receive an e-mail providing you with a
PIN number, directing you to visit your child's school to confirm your identity. To confirm your identity you must bring your PIN number and a photo ID.
5. After school staff confirms your identity, a second e-mail will be sent to you within
24 hours containing a Username and Password, allowing you to access your child’s
or children's school information using the SchoolNet Parent Portal.
Apple-A-Day March 2010
7
It’s In Our Hands Census Campaign Arriving At Homes
It’s that time again!
Apple-A-Day wants to make parents and guardians aware that the U.S. Census Bureau will begin its responsibility of counting
everyone in the country by mailing census forms to homes beginning in March. The U.S. Constitution requires that a census
count be conducted every 10 years.
Calling its effort It’s In Our Hands, the U.S. Census Bureau wants everyone living in the United States – citizens and noncitizens alike – to be counted in the 2010 census sweep. The Census Bureau will mail to all households a short, 10-question
form. The form must be completed to account for everyone living in that household as of April 2010. The bureau will also
provide a prepaid envelope so the form will be mailed as soon as possible. If a household doesn’t return the form by mail,
the Census Bureau will dispatch a census taker who will visit the home to obtain information regarding people living in the
home. The form asks questions about the number of people living in the household on April 1, 2010; whether the occupants
are buying or renting the residence; racial and ethnic identifications of the occupants; and other inquiries.
The answers provided to the Census Bureau are used to count the number of residents living in a municipality. That population count is critical. According to the Census Website, the 2010 Census will help communities such as Virginia Beach receive
more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, public works
projects like bridges, and emergency services. The census count can also determine the number of seats each state will receive
in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Throughout the census process that ends in May, census representatives will provide, upon request, materials and representatives to schools on the elementary, middle and high school levels to supplement classroom lessons in civics, social studies and
government. In the fall, Hampton Roads census officials kicked off the census effort with a preliminary event with students
and faculty at Parkway Elementary School. Parkway Principal Toni Diggs and Title 1 Resource Karen Clevinger talked to
third-grade students about the census. Census official Patrick Knight read the story Horton Hears A Who, about a minute
community that lived on a speck of dust and wanted to be counted.
We Need
Your Help
to Keep the
Flu Out of
School!
Even though the typical flu season is over, Virginia Beach City Public Schools is still asking all
parents to help keep the flu out of school. In support of this, we offer you these reminders:
•Encourage all family members to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when
they cough or sneeze. •Vaccinate your child for seasonal and the H1N1 flu.
•Family members who have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat, and
have a chronic medical condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes) should contact their health provider. Additional symptoms to look out for include headache,
chills, fatigue and body aches.
•Students with flu-like illness should stay home until at least 24 hours
after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as
any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
•If your child displays any flu-like symptoms while at school, you will
be contacted and asked to come to school to pick up your child. This
is for the safety of other students and faculty and staff.
•Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
(the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice) is the best way to keep
your hands from spreading the virus. Encourage your children to use
this proper method to keep their hands free of germs and viruses.
Visit the school division’s Web site at http://www.vbschools.com/
health/FAQ-122209.asp for complete information on how to prevent
seasonal and H1N1 flu.
8
Apple-A-Day March 2010
Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning (VVBe)
Available to Virginia Beach Students
Virginia Beach City Public Schools is pleased to offer a
world of virtual learning opportunities to high school
students across the city through its Virtual Virginia Beach
e-Learning (VVBe) program. VVBe is designed with the
21st century learner in mind with online courses that offer
secondary students an alternative delivery method for core
courses. Delivered via the Internet to the student’s home
computer, Virginia Beach schools’ online courses are not
only designed to engage students with their written content,
video elements, and interactive tasks, but the course content
and credit are equivalent to that of core courses taught in
the traditional face-to-face manner.
Virginia Beach Schools is committed to integrating
technology into the curriculum. In fact, the division’s
strategic plan – Compass to 2015: A Strategic Plan for
Student Success – mandates the use of innovative
instructional practices and supportive technologies
to “motivate students to be self-directed and inquisitive
learners.” Online courses meet this goal and provide
students a 21st century learning experience, 24 hours
a day, seven days a week from the convenience of their
own home.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that not all
students’ learning styles are suited to the online format.
Students must be able to manage their time, be selfmotivated, and have the self-discipline to follow through
with assigned work and academic obligations without
being in a traditional, face-to-face classroom. In addition,
students who take online courses must have access to
a home computer with high-speed Internet connectivity.
Summer School 2010 will offer students the opportunity to
participate in one or more of the division’s 10 online courses.
• Online Algebra 1
• Online Earth Science
• Online English 9
• Online English10
• Online English 11
• Online English 12
• Online Geometry
• Online Health and PE 1
• Online Health and PE 2
• Online VA and US Government
In addition to the courses listed above, beginning in the
2010-2011 regular school year, the school division also
anticipates offering:
• Online Algebra II/Trigonometry
• Online Biology
• Online Math Analysis
• Online US History
Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning (VVBe) Web site
Students, parents, and school personnel can easily access
the most up-to-date information about the VVBe program
on the school division Web site, vbschools.com. The VVBe
program information can be found by selecting Distance
Learning from the Quick Link drop-down menu. Among
the sections listed on the VVBe site are:
• Course Descriptions which describe the 10 online
courses currently available.
• Is online for me?, which includes the READI tool
designed to help a student and parent determine whether
e-learning is a good fit for his or her learning style.
• Course Demo, which allows students and parents to
sample content from several of the VVBe courses. continued
Apple-A-Day March 2010
virginia beach e-learning available continued from page 8
• Academic Integrity Statement which emphasizes
that students must commit to doing their own work
and following online course rules.
• FAQ which provides detailed answers to frequently
asked questions.
• Getting Started which provides tips on organizational
and study skills helpful to students enrolled in an
online learning course.
• Minimum Computer Requirements
which stipulates the technology to which students
must have access.
Registration
Registration for online courses offered during the traditional
school year will take place as part of students’ annual
course selection process. Students who want to take an
online course in summer school will register via the Internet.
Complete information about online registration for
summer school online courses will be available (April 1)
on the Distance Learning Web site at vbschools.com.
For the 2010-11 school year, ninth and tenth graders
may register for one online class. That class could be one
of the six classes making up a student’s standard schedule
or it could be an additional seventh class. Eleventh- and
twelfth- graders may take two online classes. One or both
of these classes may be part of their regular schedule or
they may be additional courses. Because students do their
coursework at home, they do not face scheduling conflicts
at school.
Fast Facts About Online Courses
Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning courses are NOT the
same as the state-sponsored Advanced Placement online
courses offered through Virtual Virginia and delivered
at the local high schools. Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning
courses are delivered over the Internet and are undertaken
by the students at home.
Virginia Beach online courses conform to the school
calendar and are NOTself-paced.
Online courses include student-teacher and studentto-student interaction. The courses are NOT designed
as independent study courses.
A broad spectrum of students has completed online
courses successfully. However, online courses do require
high levels of motivation and commitment. While any
student who has completed the prerequisite courses is
eligible to take an online course, not all students’ learning
styles are suited to this method of course delivery. It is
advisable that students consult with their guidance
counselors to determine if online is for them.
Students and parents who would like more information
about the VVBe Program should contact their school
guidance counselor.
9
10
Apple-A-Day March 2010
The Advanced Technology Center is Enrolling Now for 2010-2011
Visit www.imagineinnovatecreate.com to complete an application or call 648-5800 ext. 0
ATC Awarded Grant
Congratulations to the Advanced Technology Center which was recently awarded a
$15,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant, Workforce Innovation
in Regional Economic Development (WIRED), is a collaborative effort among
Southeastern Virginia Partnership for Regional Transportation (SEVA-PORT)
partners, Opportunity Inc., and Virginia Beach City Public Schools. This grant
funds 14 work-based experiences for students in the ATC engineering and manufacturing strand (Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Marine Engineering and
Design, Engineering Technology, and Modeling and Simulation courses) to work
up to 98 hours. Participants in the grant meet the guidelines for the Work Based
Experiences and were screened by their instructor.
Students gained work experiences at the following companies: LifeNet, STIHL Inc.,
Clark Nexsen, Moseley Architects, Pace Collaborative, HBA Architects, City of
Virginia Beach/Department of Public Works, and Tidewater Community College/
Virginia Aviation Museum. Below are some of the students at their work sites.
Megan Robinson, Opportunity Inc. SEVA-PORT
Manager (standing left ) with Dave Mack, City of
Virginia Beach Engineering Technician II (standing
right), reviews city maps designed by Nick V.,
ATC CADD I/Marine Engineering and Design
student, and Constance O., ATC CADD/
Modeling and Simulation student. Students are
using MicroStation CADD software, ESRI Arc/
Map and Photoshop software. Rick Hottenstein,
City of Virginia Beach Engineering CADD
Supervisor, is also a mentor to the students.
Pictured at the Military Aviation Museum are:
David Hunt, Director Military Aviation Museum;
Ralph Denton Museum Curator/TCC CADD
Program Head/mentor; Joseph A., Modeling
and Simulation/Software and Gaming student;
Zygmunt B., Modeling and Simulation/Software
and Gaming student and William Jackson,
Modeling and Simulation instructor/mentor.
The students are modeling key aspects of the
museum in 3d Studio Max.
Attention
Rising 9th Grade
Students and
their Parents
Are you interested in a
summer camp dedicated to
fun with technlogy, people
skills, and opportunities to
experience hands-on
activities? The ATC
Summer Camp is for you!
Explore: Computer Repair,
Telecommunications, Marketing Management, Web
Design, Networking, 3-D
Modeling, Digital Design,
Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD),
Marine Engineering and
Design, Robotics and Engineering, Teambuilding,
a Planetarium and more.
The camp will take place
August 17-20, 2010,
and tuition is $125.00.
Registration forms will
be distributed at all middle
schools this spring.
Admission is limited.
For more information,
call 648-5800 ext. 0.
Imagine Innovate Create
Apple-A-Day March 2010
A whole
new world
of learning
awaits your
child in
kindergarten!
Will your child be five years old on or before September 30, 2010?
If so, plan on attending our Kindergarten Open House and Registration.
Parents are encouraged to bring their future kindergartener to participate
in a variety of activities planned at each school. Information will also be
available on student health insurance.
Please bring the following to registration:
• proof of residence/home address
(lease agreement and/or gas, electric,
or water bills)
• certified birth certificate
• your child’s social security number
• physical examination report
• current immunization report
• two emergency contact phone numbers
Tuesday,
April 27, 2010
at 9:00 a.m.
Registration will be conducted
at all elementary schools
(except Newtown, Bettie F. Williams
and Old Donation Center).
To determine your child’s assigned school for kindergarten, please use our School Locator/Map Center
found on the school division’s Web site at vbschools.com or call your neighborhood school. If you
have any questions about kindergarten, you may contact your neighborhood school. Detailed information
about the kindergarten program is available at vbschools.com.
11
12
Apple-A-Day March 2010
VBCPS Beach Bags Program…You can help our community
by packing a “Beach Bag” for a beach child!
Did you know that there are children right here in Virginia Beach who do not have
enough to eat? It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. This is especially the case during weekends
and school vacations when needy children cannot take advantage of available of free and
reduced price school breakfasts and lunches.
In addition, the tough economic times being
experienced through the country have forced
some parents to choose between keeping their
home or buying food for their families. Being
deprived of food on a regular basis is called
“food insecurity.” The U.S. Department
of Agriculture defines food insecurity as
“households that are uncertain of having,
or unable to acquire, enough food to meet
basic needs of all their members because
Lynnhaven Elementary teacher Recharta Walston and
of insufficient money or other resources.”
Assistant Principal Laura Yoakam receive delivery of Beach
It is impossible to predict the impact that
Bags with the help of Commonwealth Challenge students.
being deprived of food has on a child’s
development, but parents and teachers agree that even short-term hunger has an immediate
impact on student alertness, behavior and academic achievement.
Fortunately, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Parent Connection, Department of School Social
Work Services, and the Foodbank of Southeastern
Virginia are partnering to address this critical
need through the Beach Bags program. Launched
during this school year, Beach Bags provides needy
students with necessary food items over the weekend.
Food is packed by volunteers and distributed to
participating schools. The Beach Bags are actually
packed in brown paper (or plastic) bags and placed
in student backpacks at the end of the day so they
are not embarrassed or stigmatized for being selected
to receive the food.
Each
Beach Bag
Contains
(2) Individual cereal boxes
Small, individual sized
boxes or bowls
(2) 8 oz. shelf stable milk
Individual cartons
(juice box sized)
Student from the TCE Dental Assisting Program
packing Beach Bags. TCE Students have contributed
85 bags to the program!
Schools and the community can help in the
following ways: The Virginia Beach Public
Schools Education Foundation will accept
tax deductible donations at www.vbef.org.
Schools, PTAs, parents, and community
members can also “pack a Beach Bag”
by assembling the 10 items in the list below
in a paper or plastic (unsealed) bag. Beach Bags
can be delivered to School Administration at
Lisa Dulaney, Office Associate in School Administration,
Building 6 of the Municipal Center Complex
heads out to schools to deliver Beach Bags.
(across from the Post Office). In addition,
arrangement can be made for pickup of Beach Bag items by calling the Office of Community
Relations at 263-1936.
(2) Shelf stable main
course items
Ravioli, spaghetti &
meatballs, beef stew,
chicken & dumplings,
tuna/chunk chicken,
tuna helper,
macaroni & cheese,
chunky soups,
peanut butter & crackers
(2) 4 oz. or larger
fruit cups and/or
100% juice boxes
(2) Snack items
Questions? Please call Melissa McQuarrie, VBCPS Director of Community Relations
at 263-1936 or email at [email protected].
Apple-A-Day March 2010
13
Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ VA STAR Program
Computer Connections–Equity in Access to Instructional Technology
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools plan to improve access to technology for underserved families is aligned with the
division’s Compass to 2015 strategic plan.
Under the strategic plan, Objective 3 calls for eliminating achievement gaps in identified subgroups, particularly among
African American males. Objective 4 focuses on community engagement and parent involvement through opportunities
for parents to become actively engaged in their child’s education. Both objectives are naturally aligned to help improve
student scholastic performance. The Virginia Beach division’s response in meeting to these objectives includes curriculum;
mentorships; providing food for needy children over the weekends; and increased access
to technology for students and families.
Giving all families increased access to computers in their homes is vital for the academic
success of their children in this age of information technology. Statistics, however,
reveal a dramatic lack of equity in this area in Virginia. In fact, in Virginia, 35% of rural
households and 22% of urban households lack access to the Internet in a state consistently
ranked as a leader in both education and technology.1 This disparity of technological
access in households around the state lead to the development of the Virginia Student
Training and Refurbishment program (VA STAR).
Established in 2008 under the administration of former Governor Tim Kaine, VA STAR
addresses technological disparity among households by enlisting the aid of high school students pursuing industry
certifications as part of local workforce development initiatives. The students refurbish donated computers for needy families
who would otherwise not have home access to a computer. With the refurbished computers in their homes, households now
have an opportunity for parents to help students with homework, become engaged in education, and even pursue enhanced
job readiness skills themselves.
In 2008, then Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra (now a member of the Obama Administration) addressed the primary
goals of VA STAR in a 2008 press release. “VA STAR addresses two of our more pressing needs at the intersection of
technology and education,” Secretary Chopra said. “First, it offers hands-on training to address a growing skilled workforce
need; second, it closes the digital divide by offering public schools access to refurbished computers.” 1
VA STAR receives donated obsolete government computers from offices such as Social Security and collaborates with
Microsoft to allow the re-installation of operating systems onto the computers. Students in Virginia Beach (and other
participating school divisions including Prince William County) work on these computers and even train parents in their
use during a “Computer Connection” giveaway ceremony. Computers are then sent home with families loaded with
free software and a flash drive to use for taking schoolwork back and forth between home and school.
The program is a “win win” for the community; it allows students to gain computer and workforce readiness skills.
Students also gain community service hours through training families in the use of the computers. Families benefit
from receiving a free computer and having ready access to technology in their home. Finally, computers that are obsolete
for corporate purposes gain a “second life” for use in homes, as opposed to ending up in a landfill.
Virginia Beach City Public Schools plans several more giveaway events during the school year. For more information
about receiving a refurbished computer, please call the Office of Community Relations at 263-1936.
Adams, Duncan, “Bridging the digital divide: Public libraries and the VEC offer assistance to job seekers who lack access to computers and basic computer skills,”
The Roanoke Times, 22 March 2009, http://www.allbusiness.com/labor-employment/human-resources-personnel-management/12229089-1.html
1
14
Apple-A-Day March 2010
School Board Appoints Two to Leadership Posts
The Virginia Beach School Board has appointed Dr. Jeanne P. Crocker and Shirann C. Lewis to oversee elementary education
for the school system.
Crocker, the lead director of elementary education, and Lewis, the director of elementary education,
are supervising the operation of the district’s 55 elementary schools. These appointments address the
retirements of Richard Sidone and Dr. Pamela McKinney.
Crocker was previously the principal of Alanton Elementary School, a post she held for six years. She
began her career with Virginia Beach City Public Schools in 1991 as a teacher at Holland Elementary
School. She has also served the school division as an assistant principal and as a specialist in the Office
of Organizational Development. Crocker received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Elementary and Secondary Education from
The George Washington University. She received a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, otherwise known as Virginia Tech.
Lewis was most recently the principal of Diamond Springs Elementary, a post she has held since 2007. She has been
employed by the school division since 1977, serving as teacher, administrative intern, assistant principal and principal.
She was principal first at College Park Elementary School, where she served for six years. In 2007,
Lewis was appointed to Diamond Springs. Diamond Springs is part of the Bayside Tri-Campus which
encompasses three schools that serve two grade levels each. Diamond Springs enrolls kindergarten
and first-grade students while its partner elementary schools, Newtown and Bettie F. Williams, serve
second- and third-grade and fourth- and fifth-grade, respectively. Lewis received a Bachelor of Science
in special education from Virginia State University and a Master of Science in Administrative Supervision
from Old Dominion University. Lewis also received an endorsement in early childhood education
from Norfolk State University.
Open Gym Starts at
Bayside Middle School
The City of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City Public Schools and members of
the Bayside community are cooperating to provide important after school
recreational opportunities for children in that area of the city through the
establishment of an Open Gym at Bayside Middle School. The Open Gym’s
operating hours are 6 - 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Children who visit the Open Gym engage in activities such as participating in
3-on-3 basketball tournaments, step shows, ping pong games and other events.
A neighborhood church, Enoch Baptist Church, is assisting in the weekly operation
of the Open Gym. Church pastor Rev. Michael Daniels is managing volunteers and
working with city parks and recreation staff who provide supervision for children
during the Open Gym’s operating hours. Daniels says other activities are being
planned. Those who want to volunteer to help with this new effort should call him
at the church at 552-0620 e-mail the church at [email protected].
Apple-A-Day March 2010
15
Tallwood Academy Selected for Asian Classroom Network
In recognition of its potential as a model Chinese language program for the U.S., strong local leadership, demonstrated
commitment to international exchange and collaboration, and global vision for the future, the Global Studies and World
Languages Academy at Tallwood High School has been accepted as a member of the first cohort of schools in the Hanban –
Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network. This national network of 100 exemplary Chinese language programs will
be developed over the next three years, with 20 “pioneer” schools or districts that represent the future of Chinese language
education in the United States.
This first cohort of “Confucius Classrooms” includes 14 states and the District of Columbia; public schools, independent
schools, and charter schools; elementary, middle, and high schools; and urban, rural, and suburban schools. Each Hanban
– Asia Society Confucius Classroom will be matched with a partner school in China to enhance opportunities for language
learning and to provide students, teachers, and administrators with opportunities to conduct exchanges and joint projects.
The Network is linked through an online community where teachers will share resources and best practices in an effort to
build models for the field.
According to Rebecca Gurley, Academy coordinator at Tallwood:
“The Chinese language program began in 2005 as a part of the Global Studies and World Languages Academy, a schoolwithin-school. Our Mandarin Chinese program is a model of excellence and a reflection of one of the desired outcomes of
Compass to 2015, the school division’s strategic plan, to graduate students who are globally aware. That is in effect the stock
and trade of the Global Studies and World Languages Academy. Our students are eager to connect with the larger world;
and China's emergence as a world power makes the learning of Chinese indispensable in a global environment. With the
support from Hanban, we plan to partner with the local and global community to offer more opportunities for our students
to have authentic language learning and cultural experiences. We are especially pleased to partner with schools in China with
opportunities for teacher and student exchanges.”
As part of its continuing effort to help American students become more globally competent, Asia Society has been supporting
the development of Chinese language programs in schools across the United States. This work includes the Chinese Language
Initiatives e-newsletter, the annual National Chinese Language Conference co-organized with the College Board, which will
be held in Washington D.C. on April 22, 2010, and the development of resources for the field, including the new “Learning
Chinese in American Schools” DVD.
The Confucius Classrooms Network has been established with the support of an International Expert Advisory Committee
and in partnership with Hanban, a non-governmental agency supported by China’s Ministry of Education the branch of the
Chinese Ministry of Education that supports the teaching and learning of Chinese language and culture in all corners of the
world. The Network is more than just an attempt to recognize excellence in Chinese language teaching – it is the beginning
of an ongoing process of field building with the goal of establishing high quality, sustainable Chinese language programs in
all regions of the U.S., and one important step toward strengthening Americans’ understanding of China.
Asia Society will design the selection process for the 100 U.S. schools, assist them in creating linkages with schools in China,
convene an annual meeting in conjunction with the National Chinese Language Conference, provide support through
e-newsletters and professional development seminars, and collect data to assess progress.
More information about the Hanban – Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network and all of Asia Society’s Chinese
Language Initiatives is available as asiasociety.org/Chinese.
To reach Chris Livaccari, Associate Director, Education and Chinese Language Initiatives, of the Asia Society and to be
connected with Hanban – Asia Society Confucius Classrooms Network educators, parents and students, please contact
Jane Yoo at 212-245-0510 or [email protected].
Everything You Need to Know About the School Division
and More -- vbschools.com
Check out
these pages:
Summer School
Parent Support and
Information Center
Compass to 2015
Class of 2010
Graduation Schedule
Kindergarten Registration
School Construction
and Modernizations
On the Mark Blog
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Lunch menus
Schools/Centers
Curriculum Guides
Scholarship Central
Parent Connection
School Web Sites
SchoolNet Parent Portal
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy and childbirth,
or marital status. School Board policies and supporting regulation (Policies 2-33, 4-4, 5-7, and 6-7 and Regulation 5-44.1) provide equal access to courses, programs, counseling
services, physical education and athletics, vocational education, instructional materials, and extracurricular activities. Violations of these policies should be reported to the
Director of Student Leadership at 263-2020 or the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 263-1133.
The Virginia Beach City Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, will empower every student to become a life-long learner who is a responsible, productive and engaged
citizen within the global community. Featuring systemwide news and parent resources and highlighting initiatives of the school system. Published bimonthly by the Virginia Beach
City Public Schools, Department of Media and Communications Development, 2512 George Mason Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-0038. Alternative formats of this
publication which may include taped, Braille, or large print materials are available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Call or write Sarah Aho, Department of Media
and Communications Development, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, 2512 George Mason Drive, P.O. Box 6038, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-0038, (757) 263-1820
(voice); (757) 263-1010 (fax); (757) 263-1240 (TDD) or e-mail her at [email protected].
No part of this publication may be produced or shared in any form without giving specific credit to Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Apple-A-Day
School Administration Building
2512 George Mason Drive • P.O. Box 6038
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23456-0038
James G. Merrill, Ed.D., Superintendent
Kathy O’Hara, Assistant Superintendent,
Department of Media & Communications
Development
Yolanda D. Jones-Howell, Editor
Georgia Liguid-Miller, Graphic Designer
Sarah Aho, Administrative Office Associate
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