HCPS Superintendent's Highlights: 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