Roanoke schools show off summer face-lifts
The mobile units that sat outside Virginia Heights Elementary School for years are gone. In their place is a construction zone. The school’s parking lot is crammed with building materials and pickup trucks. Nearby, a crane towers close to the school and its playground. When students return to classes next week they’ll be greeted by a new art room, multipurpose room, library, courtyard and classrooms. The added space will alleviate
McDonnell announces school grants during Roanoke Valley visit
As Gov. Bob McDonnell announced two Roanoke Valley school systems are receiving significant grant funds to reward high performing educators, he also said he expects his next and final budget to increase spending for K-12 and higher education. During events in Salem and Roanoke on Friday, McDonnell said his spending plan would also aim to boost the state's Rainy Day Fund to more than $1 billion, and announced Salem and
Nonprofit group asks to use building on Hidden Valley High School campus
A nonprofit wants to move into a little-utilized Roanoke County Schools building that’s in disrepair. But the cash-strapped school system may be turning to the community for help funding repairs. The Prevention Council of Roanoke County approached the Roanoke County School Board about using the Woods End House, located on the Hidden Valley High School campus. The home predates the school and was on the property when it was purchased.
Some Bedford County students to receive laptops
BEDFORD — When school starts in Bedford County next week, a select number of eighth-graders won’t be using traditional textbooks. They will have school-issued laptops instead. Director of Instruction Mac Duis said roughly two-dozen students in each of the county’s three middle schools would participate in the pilot program, designed to test the waters of the new frontier of digital learning devices. The school division plans to have meetings with
Pulaski County educator to become principal in Roanoke
Longtime Pulaski County Public Schools educator Theresa Reed Kabath is leaving to become a principal in Roanoke, according to a Pulaski County schools news release. Justin McLeod, a Roanoke City Public Schools spokesman, said in an email Kabath has accepted an offer to be principal pending school board approval. McLeod declined to answer what school Kabath will lead, explaining officials want to first notify the school's faculty. According to the
EDUCATION NOTEBOOK: Roanoke to hold Back to School Extravaganza
Roanoke City Public Schools will hold its annual Back to School Extravaganza on Saturday at William Fleming High School. School system spokesman Justin McLeod likened the event to a “resource fair” where parents and students can meet school system officials and representatives from various community organizations. He said there will also be activities for children. The event is open to Roanoke families. Families will be mailed a postcard prior to
Roanoke City Schools adds new assistant superintendent
Roanoke City Schools central office has several new faces, including a new assistant superintendent. School system officials recently filled three high level vacancies and introduced some of the new staffers during a joint school board city council meeting Monday. While the personnel moves still need official school board approval, several administrators have already started work. Matt Hurt, director of curriculum and instruction for Wise County Schools, has been named the
Roanoke County Schools approve Jean Brammer as Penn Forest principal
Penn Forest Elementary School assistant principal Jean Brammer will take over as the school's leader. The Roanoke County School Board approved two personnel measures during a brief and informal meeting early Wednesday. Brammer was tapped as the school's principal. She replaces Linda Wright, who was named the system's director of elementary instruction and technology in July. She had been principal at Penn Forest since coming to Roanoke County in 1995.
EDUCATION NOTEBOOK: Bank of America grant funds will benefit Virginia Western students
The Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation recently received $5,000 from Bank of America to support the foundation’s Community College Access Program. The program provides tuition-free education to qualifying graduates from Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke counties, as well as Roanoke and Salem. The program launched in 2008 in Salem and has since grown to encompass the region. The grant funds will create an “emergency fund” to help CCAP students
Roanoke Co. school board appoints director of elementary instruction and technology
The Roanoke County School Board approved three personnel measures Tuesday, including appointing a new director of elementary instruction and technology. Penn Forest Elementary School Principal Linda Wright was named the system's new director. She takes the place of Rebecca Eastwood, who was tapped earlier this summer to become the system's director of human resources. Eastwood fills the spot of Carol Whitaker, the system's assistant superintendent of personnel. Whitaker plans to
Program aims to show educators how to make science lessons more engaging
Something was burning inside a room in Virginia Tech’s Seitz Hall: Cheetos. The cheesy (and now chargrilled) snacks were sacrificed to a lesson on science and teaching. It was part of the VISTA Elementary Science Institute, which is being held at universities across the state. The goal of the four-week program is to show educators how to make science lessons hands-on and question-based to engage students and put them in
Attendance meets expectations at summer school program, Rita Bishop says
About 2,000 students are participating in Roanoke’s new summer enrichment program. The figure is about 700 fewer than initially signed up, but on par with what was projected when the program was first proposed. Superintendent Rita Bishop said it’s typical for summer programs to have more students sign up than actually attend. She cited several factors, including divorces and moves. “We had students that didn’t show,” Bishop told school board
EDUCATION NOTEBOOK: Foundation recognizes accounting students
The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants Educational Foundation recently awarded scholarships valued at more than $43,000 to Virginia students. The foundation, a nonprofit promoting business and accounting education, awarded 23 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and minority scholarships to accounting college students across the state. According to a news release from the group, scholarships were given to reward academic excellence and encourage students pursuing careers as certified public accountants. Eligible students
Downturn paralyzed pay scales for Virginia's teachers
The salary freeze for Virginia teachers that began with the 2007-09 recession might be thawing, with most divisions in the state poised to increase pay when the fiscal year begins Monday. Still, years of fixed wages have created stagnant pay scales for educators and challenges to school systems. While divisions have limped through recessions before, the past several years mark the first time in recent memory that educators have faced
Salem summer camp reopens with a tribute to volunteer
She was gentle and compassionate, especially when it came to children. As a teen, Jill Bailey Chenet even spent several years volunteering at a Salem summer camp for developmentally delayed children. It wasn’t surprising when she later became a teacher working with hearing impaired students. Last summer the young educator and expectant mother died while swimming off the North Carolina coast. Chenet and her husband, who nearly drowned as well,
EDUCATION NOTEBOOK: Roanoke College honors longtime educator Doris Ennis
Longtime Roanoke educator Doris Ennis recently received the Margaret Sue Copenhaver Contribution to Education Award. The annual honor is given on the final day of Roanoke College’s Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute for Teaching and Learning, a three-day training program for teachers and administrators. The institute, named for retired Richmond teacher Margaret Sue Copenhaver, is given to an educator who shares Copenhaver’s passion for teaching. Since 2003 administrators of the institute
Honor rolls
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8th grade Principal’s list: Logan Akers, Emilee Altice, Cassidy Anderson, Jacob Barber, Tiffany Bennett, Kaitlyn Bobbitt, Austin Boone, Kaitlyn Bousman, Travis Bowman, Timothy Brown, Kelsey Campbell, Mariah Campbell, Tyler Craghead, Madison David, Hannah Dodrill, Angela Dorss, Mercedes Duncan, Kimberly Fike, Destani Fitzgerald, Grace Flora, Leatha Fretwell, Timothy George, Linsi Goodin, Brianna Hall, Robert Hanes, Mykah Heaslip, Caitlin Hodges, Jacob Hodges, Kimberly Holcomb, Brandon Hollandsworth, Tyler S.
Ferrum College official named to Franklin County School Board
The Franklin County School Board voted unanimously Monday to appoint Ferrum resident Julie Nix to replace Ed Jamison, the former board member for the Blue Ridge District and chairman, who resigned in May. Nix, 42, is a native of Rocky Mount who works as Ferrum College’s assistant director of financial aid. She and her husband, Patrick Nix, an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Franklin County, have two daughters. One is 8
Jablonski picked as new Patrick Henry High principal
A Patrick Henry High School assistant principal has been tapped to lead the Roanoke school. Assistant Principal Joe Jablonski has been named the school's new leader. According to a news release from the school system, the school board is expected to approve Jablonski's appointment at a meeting next month. He fills the role of principal Connie Ratcliffe, who is retiring after six years leading the school, one of the largest
Roanoke County School Board names new HR director
The Roanoke County School Board named a new director of human resources during a called meeting today. Rebecca Eastwood, the system’s current director of elementary instruction and technology, was named to the post. She will fill the role of Carol Whitaker, assistant superintendent of personnel, who plans to retire Sept. 1. Board members unanimously signed off on the personnel measure during a brief morning meeting. Superintendent Lorraine Lange said replacing
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
8. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
THE ROANOKE TIMES
