When planting season comes around this spring, Spiller students will

know exactly what to do!

At their first annual Community Day last year, students learned about

planting trees, prune bushes, and started a greenhouse with the help of

local gardening groups and plant enthusiasts. These hands-on activities

centered around SOL-based objectives about plant/life cycles and the

environment.

So if you drive by and see some beautiful plants, be sure thank a Spill-

er student or local gardener!

One Special Birthday One little guy recently

celebrated the best birthday

of his life—his first. Jax

Jackson, son of FCHS As-

sistant Principal Dyer Jack-

son and Sheffey 2nd grade

teacher Lindsay Jackson,

turned one this past January.

This birthday was so special

for not only the Jackson

family but also for the

FCHS and Sheffey students

and staff members, who

have supported them

through a very difficult

pregnancy and first year of

life.

Baby Jax, known to

many as a “miracle baby,”

has a rare form of kidney

disease.

Students and staff at

Sheffey and FCHS have

rallied around this family—

featuring Baby Jax before

home foot-

ball games,

b r i n g i n g

awareness

to the dis-

ease, and

r a i s i n g

a b o u t

$4000 for

the March

of Dimes

this past

fall.

As a former organizer of

the March of Dimes, Lind-

say said it was a humbling

experience to be the fea-

tured family.

“It was kind of over-

whelming to see the sea of

Team Jax shirts,” she said

“and all those people who

came out and supported

him.”

From taking care of bus

duty to dropping off meals

at their house, the Jackson

family has felt so encour-

aged during their journey.

Now, Lindsay said, Jax is

getting stronger every day.

“He’s the happiest little

baby,” she said. “He laughs

all the time. Everything is

funny to him!”

Happy birthday, Jax!

Love, your WCPS family

Community Day

The Summit

Wythe County Public Schools

Spring 2013

School Safety 2

Raising Trout 3

School Board Highlights 4

Construction Projects 4

Teacher Recognition 5

Robots 6

Summer Enrichment 7

Inside this issue:

Relevant Reads

Faces of Poverty,

Educational Leader-

ship May 2013;

www.ascd.org

“Students celebrate

May Day in Wythe

County, “

www.swvatoday.com

“Wytheville student

recognized for busi-

ness venture,”

www.swvatoday.com

Upcoming School Board

meetings:

May 15 9:00 a.m. SBO

June 12 9:00 a.m. SBO

July 10 9:00 a.m. SBO

Aug 14 9:00 a.m. SBO

Volume 2, Issue 2

1570 W. Reservoir Street

Wytheville, VA 24382

Phone: 276-228-5411

Fax: 276-228-9192

http://wythe.k12.va.us/

Safety and Security

Educating students for success in the 21st

century.

Wythe County Public Schools Central Office Administrators

Dr. Lee Brannon Division Superintendent

Dr. Melinda Robinett Exec. Director of Educational Services

Dr. Jeff Noe Exec. Director of Instruction

Richard Thomas Director of Personnel

Marcy Olinger Director of Elem. & Middle Education

Beth Cochran Coordinator of Federal Programs and Testing

Dr. Wesley Poole Director of Facilities and Operations

Keith Cochran Technology Supervisor

2012-2013 School Board Members

William Kidd, Chairman East Wytheville

Chalmer Frye, Vice-Chairman Speedwell

Walter White Fort Chiswell

Stephen Sage Blacklick

Patricia Hines Lead Mines

Deborah Crigger At-Large

David Martin West Wytheville

The Summit Volume 2, I ssue 2 Page 2

The mission of WCPS, in partnership with our entire community, is to ensure that each student is empowered with

the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the challenges of the future.

Dear Community,

The safety and security of

our students and staff has al-

ways been a top priority for

Wythe County Public Schools.

We believe every student de-

serves a safe, comfortable envi-

ronment in which to learn. We

continually strive to make our

schools as safe as possible, and

the recent tragic events in our

nation have heightened that

responsibility. We understand

that no measures we take can

prevent every possible danger,

but we are making every effort

to dramatically reduce that po-

tential.

Presently and in the upcom-

ing months, WCPS administra-

tors are thoroughly reviewing

and revising our crisis manage-

ment plans. Additionally, we

are exploring funding for addi-

tional School Resource Offic-

ers. In all our capital improve-

ment projects, we are research-

ing the most up-to-date security

systems available. We are plan-

ning to install buzzer systems at

each elementary school and

SMMS this summer, and equip

each classroom with appropri-

ate door stops.

You may have noticed law

enforcement vehicles at our

schools more often. Please do

not be alarmed. In fact, in col-

laboration with local and state

law enforcement agencies, all of

our schools now have officers

drop by routinely. Many have

even visited the schools in

teams to better understand the

layout of each building.

All school buildings have

implemented a single or two-

point entry system. Once the

tardy bell has rung and school

has begun, principals have re-

quired that all visitors and other

school traffic be directed

through the front doors of the

school. All other entrances will

be locked during the school

day.

All patrons are strongly en-

couraged, and personnel are

required, to wear or have prop-

er identification. As always,

visitors should check in at the

main office upon arrival. We

appreciate your cooperation

and support as we make every

effort to ensure our children

and staff have a safe place to

learn and work.

Sincerely,

Gone Fishin’

Speedwell Elementary students are proud parents!

Throughout the school

year, the students have

raised trout from eggs to

troutlings, learning about life

cycles, water quality, and

animal behavior along the

way.

They began in October

with 300 eggs and quickly

learned about natural selec-

tion and survival.

In the beginning, several

eggs had to be removed

each day because they got

infected with fungus. Then

as the fish got older and stu-

dents were more adept at

caring for them properly,

fewer and fewer died.

Teachers used the op-

portunity to create lessons

about env ironmenta l

threats, scientific measure-

ment, and aquatic life cy-

cles.

Trout in the Classroom

project is sponsored by

Trout Unlimited and com-

munity supporters.

Students will release

their trout on May 28 dur-

ing a Field Day trip to Ra-

vens Cliff.

The Summit Volume 2, I ssue 2 Page 3

2013 Graduation Ceremonies

WCTC May 23 7:00 p.m. GWHS Auditorium

RRHS May 24 6:00 p.m. Community Stadium

GWHS May 24 8:00 p.m. Pendelton Field

FCHS May 25 10:00 a.m. C. F. McKenney Field

Have a SAFE, HAPPY, and HEALTHY

Summer!

Schools will be closed

May 27 in observance of

Memorial Day.

Last Day of School for

students is May 31.

2013 —2014 School Calendar

Aug 14 First day for all teaching staff

Aug 15 Opening Session for teachers

Aug 16 Teacher Workday

Aug 19 Teacher Workday/Parent-Student Visitation

(1:00 — 3:00 and 4:30 — 7:00 p.m.)

Aug 20 Teacher Workday

Aug 21 First Day of School

For a complete calendar, visit http://wythe.k12.va.us

Construction Time! students and teachers leave

for summer vacation.

Throughout the summer

and through the next school

year, crews will work around

student schedules and activi-

ties to be as little of a dis-

traction as possible. Princi-

pals will work with staff to

accommodate and rearrange

classrooms as necessary to

aid in the renovation pro-

cess.

We know our staff and stu-

dents are excited about new

facilities and will work dili-

gently through this process.

Begin with the end in

mind!

After the School Board

approves final construction

plans during their meeting

on May 22, construction

crews will begin mobilizing

equipment to Sheffey Ele-

mentary and Rural Retreat

Middle School to begin ren-

ovations. Construction is

slated to begin shortly after

Students who take classes

with End of Course exams

will take those exams at the

completion of the course.

Extended daily classroom

time will greatly benefit sub-

jects such as science or

band, which often require

enhanced lesson continuity.

The support and feedback

from teachers and students

has been overwhelmingly

positive.

Capital Improvement

Negotiations for the con-

struction of Phase 1 of the

WCPS Capital Improve-

ment Plan are well under

way. Due to increased con-

struction costs, WCPS does

not plan to pursue add-

Block Scheduling

Beginning this fall, high

schools will operating on a

modified block schedule

format. This transition

from a six-period day will

benefit students and staff in

a number of ways. Block

scheduling allows for more

instruction sections during

the year, which opens the

possibilities of more elective

class offerings, more reme-

diation, and increased op-

portunity for taking ad-

vanced classes.

Block scheduling allows for

creative and intentional

scheduling to best meet the

needs of each individual

student.

alternate projects of Spiller,

Speedwell and FCMS at this

time. RRMS and Sheffey

Elementary will receive full

renovations. The Wythe

County Board of Supervi-

sors has indicated they will

increase their allocation to

construct a new community

center/gymnas ium at

Sheffey that will double as a

recreation center for that

area of the county.

Upon successful negotia-

tions with contractors,

ground breaking is expected

to begin in early June. (See

more info and timeline be-

low.)

Budget FY 2014

The WCPS School Board

A complete copy of the

FY 2014 budget for

WCPS will be available

after official approval

by the Board of

Supervisors. A draft

budget can be found

online on Board Docs.

Page 4 The Summit

There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education. It is the underpinning of our cultural

and political system. It is the great common ground. Public education after all is the engine that moves

us as a society toward a common destiny...It is in public education that the American dream begins to

take shape.”

—Tom Brokaw

On the Agenda

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, Wythe County Public Schools is prohibited from discrimi-

nating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities.

approved the fiscal year 2014

budget at their reconvened

meeting on May 22, 2013.

This budget has been present-

ed to the Board of Supervi-

sors for final approval. Once

the Virginia General Assem-

bly approves their formal

budget, the Board of Supervi-

sors can then allocate the des-

ignated funds to WCPS.

Tentative Timeline

May 27—June 1: Mobiliza-

tion

June 3-7: Groundbreaking

Summer 2013: Major projects

Fall 2013– Summer 2014: Full

renovations

Expected Completion Date:

August 2014

Volume 2, Issue 2

Integral Teacher Spotlight: Melissa Dalton

Page 5 The Summit

Same faces, new places!

FCHS: Robbie Patton, Principal; Rolland Cook, Asst.

Principal

FCMS: Brett Booher, Principal

GWHS: Quinton Hensley, Asst. Principal

RRHS: Dyer Jackson, Asst. Principal

SMMS: Dr. Becki James, Principal

We’re so proud!

Not only has she been named

the Virginia Council of Teach-

ers of Mathematics Teacher of

the Year, RRHS math teacher

Melissa Dalton has also earned

the Chamber of Commerce

Wythe County Teacher of the

Year Award.

This veteran teacher, who has

been working for WCPS for

more than 20 years, credits her

success to her students.

“They’ve made me who I am,”

she said.

One of her favorite parts about

her job is taking the time to

work with students who might

not understand the algebraic

concept the first time around.

“You to have to have a special

bond with them to have pa-

tience to help them with that,”

she explained.

Her “4-P” philosophy drives

her instructional method in the

classroom: Practice, Patience,

Passion, Persistence. Follow

that prescription, Mrs. Dalton

said, and any math task be-

comes manageable for stu-

dents.

It’s not uncommon to find

students in her classroom after

the school day, even on early

dismissal days.

“They feel comfortable in

here,” she explained, an unusu-

al quality of an advanced math

classroom, which can often be

intimidating for some students.

For her, choosing a career in

math education was pretty

simple. Math was always the

homework she completed first,

and by the end of her sopho-

more year at Emory and Henry

College, she knew she wanted

to teach. She went on to get

her Masters at Virginia Tech

and become Nationally Board

Teachers of the Year, by school

FCHS: James Colley

FCMS: Brynn Cody

GWHS: Lorna King

JMES: Carrie Ball

MMES: Mary Arnold

RRES: Heather Mills

RRHS: Melissa Dalton

RRMS: Dawn Burkentine

SMMS: Patricia Manuel

Sheffey: Glenda Scott

Speedwell: Amy Grubb

Spiller: Kara Goforth

WCTC: John Smith, Jr.

Certified.

School, she said, is like her home

away from home, and she wouldn’t

have it any other way.

HATS OFF

to the

Class of 2013!

Volume 2, Issue 2

Shout-Outs!

RRHS Concert band on receiving top Superior honors at a recent band competition

WCPS students for finding ways to serve their community

Top Science Fair winners Lydia Showalter (6th), Senah Stephens (7th), Max Dillon (8th), and Edward

Morgan (high school)

WCPS Spelling Bee Champion Justin Porter (5th grade, Sheffey Elementary)

GWHS football team on their State Championship win

WCTC Automotive program on receiving NATEF accreditation

RRHS Senior Cory Williams on becoming a state champion in wrestling

RRMS staff and students for their creative leadership in differentiation and enrichment programs

FCMS/FCHS choir for using their talents in the community

Sheffey students Hunter Jackson, Julie Dowdy, and Brianna Rowe for qualifying for the state 4-H

competition

All the staff and students who raised money for and participated in Relay for Life

CAD, Intro to Engineer-

ing, and Precision Ma-

chine, these students de-

signed, fabricated, and

programmed LeeRoy IV

to do all sorts of tasks like

shooting Frisbees through

a basketball goal. They

were the only team to go

undefeated in qualifying

rounds out of 65 teams.

During quarterfinals, the

team was knocked out of

competition because their

partner became disabled.

Nevertheless, the team

made an excellent show-

ing and represented

Wythe and Bland county

schools well!

Last week they trav-

eled with LeeRoy IV to

Scott Memorial Middle

School to demonstrate its

capabilities and to show-

case the creative ways stu-

dents can put math and

science to use. Way to

go!

Team members included:

C l a r k C o o p e r , ,

Josh Quesenberry, Megan

Russell, Charlie King, Ari-

ana Coulson, Rodney

Moss, and Erika Stidham.

Staff members included:

Joe Webb, Curt Sumner,

Charlie Odom, Mary

Tillinghast, and John Wil-

lis.

Backwoods Bots: Robots Rule

Volume 2, I ssue 2 The Summit

We’re so

proud of our

“Backwoods

’Bots.” In

March, a

team of stu-

dents and

t e a c h e r s

from WCTC

competed in

the FIRST

R o b o t i c s

competition

at Virginia

C o m m o n -

wealth Uni-

versity. Us-

ing an inter-

disc ipl inary

a p p r o a c h

t h r o u g h

Page 6

Registration Deadline: May 31, 2013

Space is limited so register early!

Return all registration and payments to

Foundation for Excellence

P.O. Box 815

Wytheville, VA 24382

Summer Enrichment 2013

All Wythe County stu-

dent Kindergarten through

8th grade are invited to

participate in Kids STEAM

Ahead — the 2013 Sum-

mer Enrichment Program

through the Foundation for

Excellence. The program

offers teachers an oppor-

tunity to share their talents

and interests with students

and provides students a

week of enriching educa-

tion experiences. This

year’s focus is Science,

Technology, Engineering,

Arts and Mathematics.

You may register for a

class at any school, regard-

less of attendance area.

Registration will be made

on a first-come-first-serve

basis. (Classes with less

than 12 registrants may be

cancelled.) Please register

for the grade your child

most recently completed.

Also, students have an

excellent opportunity to

receive an on-site baseline

heath screening through

Mount Rogers Heath Dis-

trict. They must pre-

register for this screening.

Registration packets are

located at each school, the

School Board Office, and

a t

www.WytheExcellence.org.

Please call the Founda-

tion 228-5411 for more

information or if you have

any question.

The deadline for all reg-

istration materials is Fri-

day, May 24.

Summer Enrichment

June 10 — 14

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

FCMS, RRES, Spiller,

WCTC, Speedwell

Volume 2, I ssue 2 The Summit

Advanced Mixed Media Concentration (for students who completed the core drawing concentration last

year) Meagan Averill, MAT, Instructor

June 10 – 14 Grades 8-12 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Grades 4-7 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Old Hobert N. Grubb building, downtown Wytheville

Foundational Core Drawing Concentration

Students will have an opportunity to com-bine various techniques and materials to create a piece of artwork each day of the intensive. Through the use of direct obser-vation and a little imagination, students will earn to render each drawing realistically in their own unique style.

Jennifer Tiberi, MAT, Instructor

June 24 – 28 Classes for students entering grades 3 – 12 Materials fee: $25 (Scholarships available)

Old Hobert N. Grubb building, downtown Wytheville

Page 7

The Summit is a periodic publication of Wythe County Public Schools . All materials, including photographs and content, are

copyrighted by WCPS unless otherwise noted.

Education in action

The Summit Volume 2. I ssue 2 Page 8