February 2018

Comparison and construction

Kindergarten students at Axton Elementary recently completed a Gingerbread Man unit. Within this unit, students compared several gingerbread stories and shared a story with parents when they came to build gingerbread houses. While parents were there, teachers used the opportunity to discuss how important it is to read to their children and possible reading strategies they could use at home.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement

Real world learning

Students in Ms. Herring's class at Campbell Court practiced real world skills by purchasing items in their classroom this month. The students were given a set amount of play money and had to budget between what they needed  versus what they wanted. The students learned how to count money, make change, and how to shop on a budget. 

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction  

“steam-y” night

Families were invited to come to Drewry Mason Elementary for a "STEAM-y” night of fun recently. Each grade level planned fun activities for the students and their families, including a Tree Cup Challenge, Snow Painting, Paper Plate Marble Maze, Lighted Circuit Cards, Snowball Launchers, and Coding on the Computer.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement

Young Gentlemen

Several young gentlemen at GW Carver participate in the Young Leaders of Character QUE School Partnership. The group has weekly meetings during which mentors and young gentlemen in grades 3-5 discuss the importance of positive character traits such as responsibility, honesty, and accountability. Students complete various activities around the school such as helping with car rider, reading to Kindergarten classes, and helping with other building duties.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Daisy the Dinosaur

Students at John Redd Smith and Collinsville Primary have been coding during the month of January and kindergartners are using an app called Daisy the Dinosaur to code.  They have enjoyed seeing how big or small they can make Daisy as they collaborate with their peers to program the app’s features.

Goals 1, 3 & 4: High Quality Instruction, Safe & Orderly Learning Environment, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology 

Mt. Olivet museum of art

Elementary school or art gallery? Displays of student artwork throughout Mt. Olivet Elementary greeted students when they returned from winter break. The hallway gallery was left by their art teacher to remind students of their talent and of the power of art to inspire us all.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Learning strategies

During a STEM lesson at Sanville Elementary, students were asked to construct a LEGO car that will move using a balloon to serve as the force to push the car forward. Students experimented with their cars and worked together to solve the problem before measuring the distance their cars traveled and recording data on a graph.  While analyzing the data, children discussed why some cars moved further than others.  

Goals 1 & 2: High Quality Instruction & High Quality Professionals

Lines of Symmetry 

To complete a unit on symmetry, students in Autumn Smith’s class at Stanleytown created pieces of art. Students worked with partners to plan and design a symmetrical picture. Using pattern blocks, they implemented their design plan to produce their masterpieces.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

New experiences

Ms. Kolinski recently gave her 7th grade Agroscience students a tour of FC Middle School’s new greenhouse as part of their orientation to the class at the start of the new semester. She introduced them to new processes and safety measures to keep in mind as the semester progresses and they begin to work with spring plants in the space.

Goals 1, 3 & 4: High Quality Instruction, Safe & Orderly Learning Environment,  Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology 

Going the extra mile

Students at Laurel Park Middle School look forward to Tuesdays and Thursday.... Running Club days. Students top off their school days racing around the track on their way to becoming well-rounded students. The runners also exhibited excellent community citizenship by sponsoring their first 5K in uptown Martinsville recently.

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

Out of the box

Bassett High School’s Beth Jones implemented new strategies from January's teaching and learning conference in her classroom to engage her students on day one of the new semester by creating a "break-out" activity to allow her students to manipulate the class syllabus in order to familiarize themselves with its content. Each student received a puzzle piece that belonged to one of six different puzzles. They had to determine their groups based on these puzzle pieces and complete five additional tasks, which eventually revealed the final word of their course description.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

“Grandma came to dinner”

Students in The Language of Life English/Ecology Warrior Tech class completed a project before winter break that was designed to experience what it is like to plan on limited resources. Groups were given $6.00, which is the maximum food assistance provided for a family of 4, per meal. With their $6.00, they had to plan a holiday meal for a family of 4, which included actually purchasing and preparing the ingredients. Students then shared their meals with each other in a dinner event during class. Some groups had additional limitations such as gluten intolerance, peanut allergies, and even an extra member because "grandma came to dinner.” Students remarked it was an outstanding experience to see what it was like living and planning meals on a reduced budget, and expressed empathy toward others who deal with the issue on a daily basis.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Sweet surprise

I had the honor last week to surprise each of our principals at their schools for Principal Appreciation Week so that I could thank them for all they do for our students.

Goal 2: High Quality Professionals

CONGRATULATIONS!

Axton Elementary’s Amber Purdy, who was nominated by a parent.

Goal 2: High Quality Professionals

Mt. Olivet’s Lucian Hairston, who was nominated by a colleague.

Goal 2: High Quality Professionals

Mt. Olivet’s Loretta Gravely, who was nominated by a colleague.

Goal 2: High Quality Professionals

Mt. Olivet’s Jessica Sutphin, who was nominated by a colleague.

Goal 2: High Quality Professionals

Congratulations, as well, to FC Middle School’s Mary Stegall, who won an Apple TV for use in her classroom.

Goals 2 & 4: High Quality Professionals, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology

January 2018

The Second (grade) Thanksgiving

Second grade teachers at Axton Elementary provided their students and families a Thanksgiving meal prior to Fall Break. At the dinner, traditional Thanksgiving foods were served to teach families what the first Thanksgiving may have been like. Teachers wanted to provide an opportunity for families to gather and share in a time of gratitude. 

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement

Da Capo music experience

Campbell Court Elementary students in Mrs. Fulcher's class and Mrs. Herring's class recently participated in a Da Capo collaborative music event at Manga Vista High School. Students from across the county joined together to sing along with the Virginia Bluegrass Boys. Students learn communication skills and the value of self expression through Da Capo instruction.  

Goals 2 & 5: High Quality Professionals, Family & Community Engagement

Holidays across the world

Third grade students performed holiday songs from across the world at the Collinsville Primary/John Redd Smith December PTO meeting. The students sang songs and highlighted facts from many countries around the world.  Afterward, the third grade teachers, along with special guest Tim Hall, served refreshments to parents and students. 

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

Library lab

Every Friday, students at Drewry Mason Elementary participate in maker space activities through Mrs. Bonebright's "Library Lab" Day. Students look forward to Library Lab all week! And are always excited to share their creations.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Santa’s workshop

Families were invited to come out to GW Carver to participate in holiday activities such as having their caricature made, listen to holiday readings, and visit the Santa Shop. This month. Principal Marcie Seay and Assistant Principal Luke Boone served as elves to guide families through the evening’s stations.

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

A trip to the past

Virginia Studies came to life for Mount Olivet’s fourth and fifth grade students when they toured Yorktown and Jamestown this month. While in Yorktown, students viewed artifacts and served as privates in a mock military drill. In Jamestown, they learned how to fire muskets, prepare corn cakes, and make rope. They also toured the tween deck of the Susan Constant. 

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Passing the time

First grade has been studying past, present, and future as well as sequence of events at Rich Acres Elementary. Students in first grade were excited to show off their personal timelines and all they have accomplished many in their short number of years. Many of the students also have great plans for their futures: we are proud to have future animal scientists and doctors among us!

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Building a community

To enhance classroom instruction, students in grades K-2 at Stanleytown Elementary worked together to build communities.  After discussing what would be found in their communities, students made maps showing roads and buildings such as fire departments, police stations, grocery stores, parks, and hospitals.  After the maps were completed, students reviewed information about magnets and used magnets to move cars around the communities they had created.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Safety dance

FC Middle School SCA students worked hard to organize and prepare for a safe, engaging Winter Dance experience. Students designed and executed the creation of three-dimensional props, prepared entertaining activity stations, and established an easy-flow system to get classmates safely to and from the dance floor. The event was an incentive for good student behavior throughout the semester at FCMS.

Goal 3: Safe & Orderly Learning Environments

Serving our community

Volunteering as a service project, Beta students from Laurel Park Middle School assisted with the Harvest Foundation Thanksgiving Eve dinner for area residents in November. One student shared that this event was "very well organized and a great thing for our community." We are pleased to be able to partner with organizations in Henry County and Martinsville to allow our students the opportunity to serve others.

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

An early Christmas present

Mr. Jerry Byrd's class at Bassett High School takes pride in repairing items that are considered too broken to be useful. They take even more pride in helping those in need with the items they repair. On Friday, December 8th, a Service Solutions employee received an early Christmas gift from Mr. Byrd and this special group of students. When they heard she was in need of a dryer, they knew it was time to step in and help. The group was thrilled to experience what their work could do and the employee” felt the love” from her Henry County family.

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

Ringing in the holiday season

FBLA students at Magna Vista spent time supporting members of our community this month by ringing the Salvation Army bell and assisting in the traditional fundraiser that assists families in our area. The volunteers enjoyed being able to encourage friends and neighbors to help make the season bright in Henry County.

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

Real world experiences

HCPS was invited to present at the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) annual conference on Sunday, December 3rd. Students from Warrior Tech Academy and Bengal Tech Academy presented in a poster talk session at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. Their presentation focused on project based learning and learner use of technology. Conference attendees were especially intrigued by the real world nature of the students' experiences. 

Goals 1 & 4: High Quality Instruction, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology

CONGRATULATIONS to 

Magna Vista High School’s Pelzetta Perry who won an Apple TV for use in her classroom

Goals 2 & 4: High Quality Professionals, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology

Bassett High School’s Jerry Byrd who won an iPad for use in his classroom

Goals 2 & 4: High Quality Professionals, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology

Magna Vista High School’s Harley Patterson who won an Apple TV for use in her classroom

Goals 2 & 4: High Quality Professionals, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology

December 2017

Contraction construction

Second graders at Axton Elementary used their surgical skills when they acted as doctors in order learn about contractions this month. First, they had to remove part of the word and then place a band aid where the apostrophe would be. This process helped students understand the steps of converting words to contractions, an important grammatical skill.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Adaptation exploration

During a recent visit to the Greensboro Science Center, third graders from Campbell Court explored the exhibits and observed animals of all types at the zoo. A science center employee also treated students to a hands-on lesson about animal adaptations. Students were given an opportunity to touch various animals and participate in games which enhanced their understanding of animal adaptations as well.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement 

Selection of fall songs

Preschool classes presented a “Selection of Fall songs” at the monthly Collinsville Primary School PTO meeting. Students dressed in fall colors to represent leaves and sang songs to deliver a message of thanksgiving for their friends and families.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement 

Read your way to the race

After having 100% participation in Read Your Way to the Race, Mrs. Cox’s class at Drewry Mason Elementary was allowed to be on the track during truck driver introductions at this fall’s Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. The students were excited to be on the track as well as meet truck drivers, who signed autographs for the readers. We are very grateful to the Martinsville Speedway for this opportunity that they provide to our students each year as we work together to encourage reading.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction,  Family & Community Engagement 

Littlebits, ozobots, and spheros

At GW Carver’s recent STEM Night, students and parents enjoyed working together on SOL-related design briefs at each grade level. Parents and students were able to interact with STEM items such as Lego We Do 2.0, LittleBits, Ozobots, Spheros, Makey Makeys, and Osmo Coding Kits. All involved had an interesting evening exploring how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are creatively taught in Henry County and how teachers involve students in the process of using critical thinking to solve problems.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement

Multiple manipulatives

Fourth graders at John Redd Smith Elementary are using math manipulatives to help with division facts this fall. During one lesson last month, students collaboratively divided the math manipulatives to determine the answers to their problems and consulted peer experts to discuss a variety of ways to calculate the solution to a division problem.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Honoring those who served

In recognition of Veterans Day, Mount Olivet students were treated to several guest readers who have served their country with honor. Each visitor read patriotic books and shared some of their experiences in the armed services. Thank you to Joseph Ellison, Jonathan Fulcher, Curtis Millner, David Penn, and Sherwood Philpott for your service and for your support of our schools.

Goals 1 & 5: High Quality Instruction, Family & Community Engagement

Running toward a healthy lifestyle

On November 4th, Rich Acres Elementary’s Go Far Club traveled to High Point, North Carolina to participate in the Triad Go Far 5K. The mission of Go Far is to empower children to make sustainable healthy lifestyle choices. The club’s participants, fourth and fifth grade students, trained at school and at home for 10 weeks leading up to the 5K race. Each practice at school consisted of a short lesson on nutrition and character, followed by a workout. 

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement

Recipes for good writing

Sanville Elementary has launched a pilot program based on the writing program created by Lucy Calkins, the Founding Director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP). Calkins co-directs a literacy specialist program that trains teachers around the country to use ”Units of Study.” Sanville teachers are receiving this training. Throughout the year, Denise Trainor, a children’s literature and writing specialist, will observe lessons and offer support. Sanville students are using mentor texts to help them examine multiple genres of writing. Once they have identified key components, they then use their class generated “recipe” to write their own stories for others to read.  

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Culturally Inviting

November’s E L Night at Stanleytown Elementary was focused on celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Students created pieces of art while listening to traditional Latino music. All families brought a traditional dish to share. Important information regarding communication with the schools was shared with parents and all students were given a book to take home and read.

Goals 2 & 5: High Quality Professionals, Family & Community Engagement

Crime Scene Investigation

Sixth grade students were on the scene this month – the crime scene, that is! FC Middle School English students safely gathered together and used their investigative skills to make inferences about what they saw in a classroom crime scene this month. Using these skills in a thrilling case of "who did it," they drew several conclusions. The student detectives wrote about their inferences and conclusions in a crime scene/incident report after gathering as many clues as possible. This activity helped to solidify student understanding of what it means to make inferences as they read.

Goals 1 & 3: High Quality Instruction, Safe & Orderly Learning Environments 

Cross Curricular Activities

In order to show the importance of sequence in literature and life, Mrs. Davis had her seventh grade English students read and discuss the sequence of a story. In small groups, they created a secret message about the story, hid those messages for others to find, then recorded a video of themselves giving directions to find the message using their iPads. Once the message was found, they used the coding apps Tynker and Pyonkee to create code to represent the story they read and the message they discovered. 

Goals 1 & 4: High Quality Instruction, Innovative & Cutting-Edge Technology

Literary Pumpkins

Mrs. Decker’s AP Language and Composition class at Bassett High School celebrated pumpkin season in an innovative way – students were assigned a tone word for which they had to create a visual representation through pumpkin carving. Students also had to recreate a paragraph from Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher," using their assigned tone word. Mrs. Decker also challenged each of her tenth grade English students to paint a symbol to represent a scene from the short story "The Cemetery Path” onto a pumpkin as well.

Goal 1: High Quality Instruction

Trunk-or-Treat

The total turnout for Magna Vista High School’s annual trunk or treat event continues to grow. This year’s visitor count was 1,500 trick or treaters and family members. Over 100 MVHS students worked diligently with many of teachers and staff members to make the fun community event a success by greeting children with candy, books, face painting, and a host of fun activities.

Goal 5: Family & Community Engagement