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

EVENT: Patrick Henry High School Teacher Receives Science Honor

SCHOOL/LOCATION:  Patrick Henry High School

DETAILS: Patrick Henry High School teacher Mark Levy was awarded the 2011 Shirley Whorley Award for Outstanding RCPS Science Fair Teacher. The scholarship is in memory of long time RCPS educator Shirley Whorley. This is the first time the award has been presented in the division.

EVENT: Four RCPS Schools Advance to State Odyssey of the Mind Tournament

SCHOOL/LOCATION:  Madison, Crystal Spring, Wasena, Highland Park

DETAILS:  James Madison Middle School, Crystal Spring Elementary, Wasena Elementary and Highland Park all have OM teams heading to the state competition. The state competition will be hosted in Alexandria, VA at T.C. Williams High School on April 16. The winners of the state competition will advance to the World Finals to be held at the University of Maryland in College Park on May 27-30.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Photos available.

EVENT: Westside Elementary recognizes the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War

SCHOOL/LOCATION: Westside Elementary School Library   

TIME: March 11, 2011, 8:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

DETAILS: The 5^th grade students at Westside Elementary will present information on the Civil War by hosting a living museum. Groups of students will wear costumes while delivering presentations and information on famous people and events of the Civil War. Students from other grade levels will visit the “Living Museum” and spend 3 minutes at each station taking notes and asking questions while observing the presentations by the 5^th grade students.

EVENT: Westside Teacher Named State Reading Teacher of the Year
SCHOOL: Westside

DATE/TIME: March 17-19, 2011

DETAILS: Ashleigh Fisher, teacher and reading specialist at Westside Elementary recently was named the State Reading Teacher of the Year by the VA State Reading Association. She will receive the award during the Virginia State Reading Association Conference in March.

EVENT: William Fleming Hosts Rachel’s Challenge Community Event
SCHOOL: William Fleming High School

DATE/TIME: March 17 at 7:00 p.m., William Fleming Cafeteria 

DETAILS:  William Fleming students and faculty are encouraging parents, community and business leaders to attend their Rachel’s Challenge event to promote and encourage a positive school culture.

Rachel’s Challenge is an organization founded on random acts of kindness. Dedicated in loving memory to Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, the Rachel’s Challenge mission is focused on helping students make positive choices at school and in their communities.

 

EVENT:  Two Year RCPS Division-Wide Spelling Bee Champion Advances to Regional Meet

LOCATION: Holiday Inn Airport

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

DETAILS:  Breckinridge 7^th grader Elijah Martin has won the RCPS division wide spelling bee competition for two consecutive years and is now preparing for the regional competition. Martin won the RCPS competition by correctly spelling the word “zigzaggedness”. Martin will now advance to compete in the Roanoke Times Regional Spelling Bee Tournament where he will have a chance to win $500. The winner of the regional meet will then head to Washington D.C. for the 84^th Annual National Scripps Spelling Bee competition. 

EVENT: Hairspray Musical Features Talent from Across the Roanoke Valley
SCHOOL: William Fleming

DATE/TIME: March 18-19, 25-26, 2011; 7:30 p.m.

DETAILS: The Colonel’s Theatre Company will be bringing in talent from William Fleming, Patrick Henry, James Madison Middle, and Roanoke Catholic to perform in the musical Hairspray. The musical performance will feature both students and faculty from all over the Roanoke Valley. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and can be purchased on show nights at the Dickinson Auditorium Box Office (opening at 6:30); through Fleming’s Main Office (Larry Van Deventer, 853.6241) or Roanoke Catholic’s Main Office (Reed McGinn, 982.3532). For additional ticket information please call Fran Martin at 362.0139. Purchase tickets in advance as this show is expected to sell out all four nights!   

EVENT:  Fishburn Park Elementary Hosts “An Evening with the Arts”
SCHOOL: Fishburn Park Elementary

DATE/TIME: April 12, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

DETAILS:  Fishburn Park students will present a special event featuring the Strings, Choir and creative artwork. Light refreshments will be provided and the community is invited.