PEARISBURG -- Students in the precision machining program at the Giles County Technology Center are expected to move into a new space Monday after final touches are put on the school's new machine lab this week. The new room is part of a $6 million renovation project at the school that began this summer. It's in conjunction with a $6 million renovation to Eastern Elementary/Middle School that the Giles County Board of Supervisors pledged the funds to support, Superintendent Terry Arbogast said.

The machine lab is the first phase of the project to be completed.

The renovation had been discussed in the county for about six years and won't be fully complete until next summer, said technology center Principal Forrest Fowler. Some sections of the technology school, such as its new offices, are expected to be complete within the next three weeks.

When it's final, the vocational school will have new machinist, nursing, welding and auto mechanic classrooms as well as new offices, storage space and community classrooms.

The technology center, which is located behind Giles High School in Pearisburg, has nine vocational programs and officials have wanted to expand sections of the 40-year-old school for a while to improve safety, security and classroom space as well as the school's visibility.

"We wanted an identity for this school," Fowler said. "Being behind Giles High, too many people think we're just another part of that school."

When complete, the renovations, which include upgrading nursing, welding, cosmetology and auto mechanic classes, could help with recruitment of students, Fowler said.

The additional classrooms also will provide opportunities for some daytime adult nursing classes.

The renovations are running concurrent with those completed at Eastern Elementary/Middle School. That project also is being completed in two phases. During the first phase, kindergarten through second-graders have been in nine portable classrooms. When the first part of that project is complete, Arbogast said the older students would then move into portables.

AWARDS

Giles Co. technology worker recognized

Jeff Young, a network administrator in Giles County's schools, has been named a winner of the Virginia Department of Education 2009 State Educational Technology Leadership Awards.

Presented annually, the awards recognize those who demonstrate leadership by assisting school divisions in education technology planning and implementation.

Superintendents in each of the education department's eight regions select individuals for the award. Recipients are chosen for their success in helping school divisions improve teaching and learning through the use of instructional media and technology.

RINER

School recognized for health initiatives

A bright banner in the Auburn High School hall announces that the school has won an award for emphasizing good nutrition and increased physical activity.

The school had to accumulate more than 140 points in the Governor's Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard to qualify for that program's bronze award. The scorecard is aimed at getting schools to focus on healthful eating and physical fitness.

Schools in Radford also were recognized in the program.

"If not for the efforts and dedication of Beverly Chamberlain [school cafeteria manager] and Michael Marcenelle [the county's supervisor of school nutrition], we would not have been considered," for the award, said Auburn's school nurse, Vicky Howard.

HOLIDAY

Elementary students to honor veterans

Students at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School in Blacksburg will participate in the annual Veterans Day celebration today.

The school invites local veterans to visit, and students will hear from guest speakers on the day's importance.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets also will be on hand to teach flag etiquette.