Schools

Where legislation begins? School board asks legislators for help

By Caleb M Soptelean on December 4, 2018 Politics, Schools, State News

ABOVE: Matoaca District school board rep Rob Thompson, center, speaks while state Sen. Rosalyn Dance and House Speaker Kirk Cox listen. Adding school resource officers at each of the 38 elementary schools in Chesterfield County was one topic discussed at a joint meeting of school board members and local state legislators last week. The school board made some of their requests known during the Nov. 27 meeting with seven state legislators at the Chesterfield Career and Tech Center. “We would be grateful for any help,” board member Dianne Smith said. The SRO funding is part of a list of recommendations from…

Seven local JMU students to march in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Press release on November 20, 2018 Activities, Schools

HARRISONBURG – The James Madison University marching band, the Marching Royal Dukes, will march in the 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City at 9 a.m. Nov. 22. It will be televised on NBC. It will be the band’s fourth appearance in the holiday classic. Marching 535 strong, the Marching Royal Dukes is the largest band in the parade and one of only three college bands invited. Local students in the band include: Nathan Childs of Chesterfield, majoring in music education; Christian Davis of Colonial Heights, majoring in music performance; Julia Dubois of Colonial Heights, major undeclared;…

Former Marine enjoys challenging his Tech Center students

By Danielle Ozbat on November 20, 2018 Schools, Teachers

At Chesterfield Career and Technical Center at Courthouse, Scott Steinruck is known as the “Oorah” guy. The former Marine said he tried to bring the Marine Corps into the classroom, but quickly realized that didn’t work. He instead used motivational techniques he learned in the Marine Corps to help motivate his students, but also learned how to temper that with compassion. Steinruck went on to manage different companies after he left the Marines and was involved in information technology when it was a burgeoning industry. Working in IT was an easy transition for him because he used to take things…

Meet the new superintendent

By Press release on November 13, 2018 Community, Schools

New Chesterfield County school superintendent Merv Daugherty will host several meetings this fall as part of his work to get to know the community and better understand issues of importance to residents. These informal gatherings are one way for Chesterfield County residents to meet Daugherty, share their desires about their children’s education and learn more about Daugherty’s plans for continuing to provide safe schools. A former superintendent of the year in Delaware, Daugherty was previously superintendent of Red Clay Consolidated School District, a job he held since 2009. In that post, he led Delaware’s largest school division. The meetings are…

Swartz incorporates gardening and yoga into her classes

By Danielle Ozbat on November 13, 2018 Schools, Teachers

As a gardener and environmentalist, Jennifer Swartz brings her love of nature into the classroom. She is an “exceptional education” teacher at Curtis Elementary. After the school received a grant a year and a half ago, a sensory garden was created. The garden also boasts vegetable and herb and butterfly and bee gardens, Swartz said. “The students like the gardens in general, and they like planting in the garden,” she said. “They really enjoy when we’re able to go outside and just do even writing or reading or math.” Swartz is the faculty coordinator for the Curtis Conservationists Club, which…

From the big screen to the classroom: O’Neil is glad she made the switch

By Danielle Ozbat on November 6, 2018 Schools, Teachers

Stephanie O’Neil teaches ninth- and 10th-grade English at Carver College and Career Academy, but her journey started in the film industry. She wanted to be a screenwriter and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream. She spent three years working for a talent manager. However, she wanted a more creative career so she pursued teaching. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on film studies from Messiah College and completed additional coursework for her teaching certification. “I honestly love it,” she said. “I can’t imagine not teaching high school. It matched all my interests, and it’s…

School Safety Task Force issues recommendations

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 6, 2018 Schools

Chesterfield’s School Safety Task Force recently completed its list of recommendations, which are scheduled to be considered by the school board Dec. 11. Four working groups presented their recommendations Oct. 31 at the Chesterfield Tech Center. Among the recommendations are: that the state and Chesterfield adopt best practices for professional-to-student staffing ratios in regard to school psychologists, social workers, nurses and counselors; develop a plan to fund and sustain multi-tiered “whole child” frameworks, such as social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and positive behavior interventions and support; increase funding for mental health staffing; provide education instead of suspension for students…

VSU welcomes new hires in 4-H, forestry and operations

By Press release on October 30, 2018 Community, Schools, Teachers

ABOVE: Chantel Wilson, Jerry Bettis Sr. and Ronald Howell Virginia State University recently added three new personnel to the Cooperative Extension and the College of Agriculture. Chantel Wilson joined as a 4-H STEAM specialist, Jerry Bettis Sr. was hired as forestry specialist, and Ronald Howell rejoined the College of Agriculture as director of Operations Management. “We are thrilled to welcome two new specialists to our Extension family,” College of Agriculture dean M. Ray McKinnie said. “The addition of Dr. Chantel Wilson will enable us to enhance our capacity to engage youth in agriculture through our 4-H program. Dr. Jerry…

Allen enjoys teaching early grades

By Danielle Ozbat on October 30, 2018 Features, Schools, Teachers

As a teacher with 22 years in the field, Alycia Allen has taught kindergarten, second, third and fourth grades and multi-age classes. Her preference is K through 2 because they are interested in learning. “You can actually observe them growing and learning,” she said. “They’re just excited to learn new things, so I like the younger kids.” Allen has been teaching at O.B. Gates Elementary for 12 years. She taught kindergarten for two years and first grade for 10. However, her career could have been different. She loved computers, so she majored in computer information systems in college, however, her…

Banzai! Online tool helps teach students about financial responsibility

By Danielle Ozbat on October 16, 2018 Schools

ABOVE: Gracia DiPace, a teacher at Salem Church Middle School, shows students how to use a Banzai financial tool; Chesterfield Credit Union’s Chris Miller In an effort to encourage financial literacy and responsibility, some Chesterfield County schools have implemented a program to teach students how to manage their money. Banzai, a financial literacy program for students, exposes them to real-life adult financial dilemmas, from taming a budget and paying auto insurance to navigating taxes. The program uses lifelike simulations, which help students learn how to make hard decisions, protect their credit and even go through the home-buying process. The premium…

Browsing: Schools