November 22, 2011

For coverage information contact Tiffany Woods, Director of Public Relations for Roanoke City Public Schools, at tdwoods@rcps.info or 540.853.2905.

November 22

EVENT:  Local Colleges Unite to Prepare High School Students for Health Care Careers

LOCATION:  Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke 

DATE/TIME: November 22, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

DETAILS:  High school students interested in pursuing a career in health care are invited to attend Within Reach, hosted by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Jefferson College of Health Sciences on November 22. Representatives from both schools will discuss the education requirements for a wide range of health care careers and the steps students can take in high school to improve their chances of acceptance into suitable academic programs. The presentations will take place in the auditorium of  VTC’s School of Medicine. There will be a Q&A session involving presenters and current students.

EVENT:  Roanoke City Schools Earns Top State Recognition for Environmental Efforts

DETAILS: The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) has named Roanoke City Public Schools a platinum-certified green school division as part of its 2011 Green Schools Challenge. RCPS is one of only nine school divisions designated as platinum—which is the highest certification level.  Roanoke’s green programs include:

·         recycling and composting initiatives

·         school gardens

·         wind turbines at William Fleming Stadium

·         Food for Thought pilot program at James Madison Middle School

The VSBA Green Schools Challenge encourages implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community. Winners were announced during the VSBA Annual Convention in Williamsburg this month.

EVENT:  “Food for Thought” Pilot Program Offers James Madison Middle School Students New Elective Course on Healthy Living

SCHOOL:  James Madison Middle School

DETAILS: This school year, James Madison Middle School begins an edible education partnership called Food for Thought, which is sponsored by Roanoke City Schools, the City of Roanoke, and the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation. Madison students are able to take an elective course that encourages childhood nutrition and healthy living while at the same time supports state SOL content. The Food for Thought project includes plans to build a community garden, amphitheater and outdoor learning center at the middle school in the summer of 2012.

EVENT:  State Energy Outreach Program Highlights William Fleming’s Wind Turbines in Recent Blog

SCHOOL:  William Fleming High School

DETAILS: Virginia Energy Sense, the state’s consumer energy education and outreach program, included William Fleming High School as a Wind for Schools Project participant in its recent Tumblr blog. The Wind for Schools Project is an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that brings wind energy projects into the classroom. In 2010, wind turbines were installed atop light fixtures at the newly constructed William Fleming Stadium to help generate electricity. For more information go to http://virginiaenergysense.tumblr.com/

EVENT:  UVA Professor and Literacy Author Team Up to Assist Round Hill Elementary in Efforts to Improve Student Reading Skills

SCHOOL:  Round Hill Elementary

DETAILS:  Renowned literacy author Michael McKenna, the Thomas G. Jewell Professor of Reading at UVa, is helping to address individual reading needs of Round Hill Elementary students. The Differentiated Reading approach is based on student readiness and identifying areas where students need improvement. McKenna has spent more than a year training Round Hill faculty on innovative reading instruction best practices and recently provided on-site teacher support. Teachers are embracing the new method because it has proven to get results as evidenced by higher reading scores. In addition to the tailored reading instruction in the classroom, students receive continued support in after school programs.

November 23

EVENT:  Roanoke City Councilwoman Anita Price to Assist in Preston Park Elementary’s Student Council Inauguration

SCHOOL:  Preston Park Elementary 

DATE/TIME: November 23, 8 AM

DETAILS:  Roanoke City Councilwoman Anita Price and Preston Park Principal Eric Fisher, will install the school’s new student council officers on November 23. The elected positions include president, vice president, Sergeant at Arms, secretary, and treasurer. Student candidates campaigned during the week of October 31 with posters, hallway greetings, and recorded speeches for school announcements. The Student Council Association’s elected officers meet monthly with class representatives to prepare for assemblies, discuss activities they want to do in school, and organize community service projects such as United Way fundraising and canned food drives. A small reception will immediately follow the inauguration.

EVENT:  Crystal Spring Hosts Fifth Annual Turkey Bowl to Benefit Rescue Mission

SCHOOL:  Crystal Spring Elementary

DATE/TIME: November 23, 9:00 a.m.

DETAILS: Fourth- and fifth-graders from Crystal Spring Elementary will face off in the fifth annual Turkey Bowl fundraiser for the Rescue Mission on November 23, the day before Thanksgiving. The flag football game will kick off at 9 AM on Tiger Field, and students will present a check to the Rescue Mission during halftime. Last year, the school raised more than $2500 in donations.

December 8

EVENT:  Monterey Elementary School to Host 9^th Annual “Holidays Around the World” Celebration

SCHOOL:  Monterey Elementary School 

DATE/TIME: December 8^th, 8 AM-11:45AM

DETAILS:  The 9^th annual “Holidays Around the World” event at Monterey Elementary School will celebrate 15 different countries and eight languages represented at the school. The English Language Learners (ELL) students will display items such as pictures, crafts, and their country’s flag. Students and staff will wear something from a different country/culture. During the week, selected students will briefly speak on the intercom about their country, both in English and their native language.

December 10

EVENT:  Forest Park Academy Students Learn Important Fundraising Skills while Planning Schools’ First Winter Court Formal

SCHOOL:  Forest Park Academy 

DATE/TIME: December 10, 7 PM

DETAILS:  Forest Park Academy students will be hosting the school’s first formal “Winter Court” dance on December 10. The event is a fundraiser for a student field trip to Washington, D.C. and the school’s end of the year prom. Teachers hope that the Winter Court Formal will give students an opportunity to practice fundraising and public speaking skills while meeting with potential donors.  Students who raise at least $50 will be eligible for the title of king and queen. The court selection will be based both on the amount of money raised and votes received from the student body. The formal court presentation will be followed by a winter dance. The event is open to the public, and tickets cost $5.

December 12

EVENT: Breckinridge Middle Students Present their “Top Issues” to Roanoke Mayor David Bowers

SCHOOL:  Breckinridge Middle School 

DATE/TIME: December 12, 11:30 AM-1 PM

DETAILS:  Roanoke Mayor David Bowers will visit a sixth-grade classroom at Breckinridge on December 12. Teacher Sue Bryson’s students will practice their persuasive techniques by presenting their “top issues” to the mayor. The students will discuss both political and community topics they feel strongly about and they will ask the mayor to consider addressing them.

EVENT:  Highland Park to Host Annual Winter Program

SCHOOL:  Highland Park Elementary 

DATE/TIME: December 12, 6:30 PM

DETAILS:  Highland Park Elementary will host its annual Winter Program on December 12. The annual event, which is organized by the school’s PTA, includes student musical and dance performances to celebrate the season.

December 14

EVENT:  ROTEC’s Reality Store Project Gives Students First-Hand Experience on Making Financial Decisions in Life

SCHOOL:  Breckinridge Middle School

DATE/TIME: December 14

DETAILS:  ROTEC will be conducting a career exploration project called The Reality Store with every eighth-grader in the division this school year. The Reality Store is a program that helps to prepare students for career development, interpersonal development, and financial literacy. Each student imagines themselves at the age of 30 and must make monthly essential purchases/payments with the goal of having some money left over. There will be nearly 40 volunteers from the Advisory Council, Foundation, and area businesses to implement the project.

Upcoming date:

December 14  Breckinridge Middle School/NCTLA  8:00am – 3:30pm

E-mail Kathleen Duncan at kduncan@rcps.info with any volunteers from area businesses, or call 853-2803 for questions.