Schools

Solar program Ribbon Cutting at "The Green Shack"

Shining bright at tech center

By Josh Mathews on May 11, 2017 Activities, Schools

While politicians debate over what’s best for the country in terms of “going green,” Chesterfield County Techn ical Center students are simply finding solutions. With a $4,300 grant from Dominion Power, applied for by teacher Holly-Faye Jenkins, three students — David Maloy, Jaydon Matz and Randy San Pedro — learned set up what’s been dubbed the “green shack,” or a small, shed-sized dwelling that’s powered by solar energy. “To see what this idea has become this is absolutely amazing,” said Chesterfield County Schools Superintendent James Lane. Maloy, an Eagle Scout, assisted the team, learning how to assemble the system initially.…

HOLT AT THE RACES WITH THE VIRGINIA529 TUITION MONSTER

Curtis fifth-grader wins essay contest

By Linda Fausz on May 4, 2017 Schools

Fifth grade student Michael “Mikey” Holt won a big prize for his classmates at Curtis Elementary: Papa John’s pizza for the whole fifth grade and $529 for the school to be used toward their graduation ceremonies. He also won some big prizes for himself and his family; a family pack of tickets to Richmond International Raceway’s NASCAR race last weekend, and a $1,000 college savings plan from Virginia529. He was surprised during a morning assembly at school a couple of weeks ago, and he was recognized before the fourth and fifth grade classes for his achievement and the first place…

JENNIFER MILLER-TAYLOR WORKS WITH ONE OF HER KINDERGARTNERS DURING HER CLASS AT BENSLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

TERRIFIC TEACHERS Miller-Taylor taps into kids’ imagination

By Mark Fausz on May 4, 2017 Community, Schools

Bensley’s Miller-Taylor brings out imagination in students The imagination runs wild thinking about how a kindergarten class might be to manage, much less teach. You may think it would be like herding cats. But it takes the right teacher, and many kindergarten teachers enjoy working with the clean slate that is the kindergarten mind. The structure is much different in kindergarten. Just as we saw with some of the other teachers in this series, teachers blend new ideas into the traditional curriculum. Jen Miller-Taylor keeps her class of five-and-six-year-olds moving from station to station working on projects that can be…

Vickie Van Nest, center with flowers was nominated by the mother of a special needs child who stands to her right with her son.

Hopkins special ed teacher receives Outstanding Educator Award

By Press release on May 4, 2017 Schools

Hopkins Elementary special education teacher Vickie Van Nest was Chesterfield County Public Schools’ winner of the Outstanding Educator Award at the annual “From PossAbilities to Practical Applications” education conference in Richmond. The award is a partnership between the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Counseling and Special Education and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond. Van Nest was nominated by a parent on behalf of her child, and she was selected for the award because of her outstanding dedication as an educational professional and focus on her student’s educational success. “Exceptional teachers believe all students can learn,” said John Erbach,…

Bruce Paterson – Construction Tradesman Terrific Teachers a series part 3

By Mark Fausz on April 26, 2017 Community, School Board, Schools

How many washers will six pieces of spaghetti spanning two cups hold? This is a good question, and it’s one Bruce Peterson asks his “Geometry in Construction” class at Carver College and Career Academy, where he has been teaching for the last five years. Until this year, Patterson has been teaching construction trades, and geometry was only a side subject, taught in a small room off the carpentry class, to teach carpentry students the geometry needed to square a wall or cut a rafter. This year he has teamed with the school’s geometry teacher to offer this new course. Students…

Thomas Dale presents “Eleemosynary,” “Spelling Bee”

By Press release on April 26, 2017 Activities, Schools

The Thomas Dale Theater department will present two productions next week. “Eleemosynary” will be performed Thursday, May 4 at 3 p.m., Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 6 at 3 p.m. The “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be performed Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m., Friday, May 5 at 3 p.m., and Saturday, May 6 at 7 p.m. “Eleemosynary,” directed by Sophia Anthony (TDHS Specialty Center for the Arts, class of 2018), is a heartwarming and intimate production about the relationship of three generations of women, the youngest of whom happens to be a National…

SUSAN WILSON REVIEWS A WORKSHEET WITH A GROUP OF HER THIRD GRADERS.

Personal touch

By Danielle Ozbat on April 19, 2017 Community, Schools

A Series Part 2 TERRIFIC TEACHERS IS AN EIGHT PART SERIES HIGHLIGHT SOME THE BEST TEACHERS IN EASTERN CHESTERFIELD. Last school year, Susan Wilson, a third-grade teacher at C. C. Wells Elementary School, decided to boost the confidence of her students who were about to take the SOLs by mailing all 24 of them a handwritten, personalized letter. Each one highlighted her students’ strengths and abilities developed during the school year. They had no idea the letters were coming. “I did not know she was doing this and one evening, my email started going nuts because the parents couldn’t believe…

Kindergarten registration April 20

By Press release on April 19, 2017 Back-To-School, Schools

Kindergarten registration for all school divisions in central Virginia is April 20. Kindergarten is a full-day program offered in every Chesterfield County elementary school. A child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2017, to attend kindergarten. Every Chesterfield County elementary school will register incoming kindergartners from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 20. Parents are asked to take their children to the elementary school they are zoned to attend. To find the correct school, parents may call 318-8743 or go online to mychesterfieldschools.com and click “Find my School” in the Parents section. Children should come with their parents April 20 for a brief evaluation.…

Kyle Berchtold, eighth grade teacher at Carver Middle School has a unique way of connecting with his students.

A different approach keeps students engaged – A series no. 1

By Danielle Ozbat on April 14, 2017 Community, Schools

A 2011 survey conducted by the ING Foundation showed that next to immediate family, teachers had the most impact on a person’s life as they grow up. According to the results, 88 percent of Americans had a teacher who positively impacted their life and 83 percent had a teacher who helped build their self-esteem and confidence. One such teacher who has been lauded for his positive impact and relationship with students is Kyle Berchtold, a fourth-year English and Social Studies teacher at G.W. Carver Middle School and recent Teacher of the Year nominee. Berchtold who attended Edenboro University and then…

Fool for Art: A day of art, learning and fun

By Press release on April 14, 2017 Activities

Get creative, experiment, analyze, discover, and dance. You can do all this and more at John Tyler Community College’s 12th Annual Fool for Art Festival on Saturday, April 22. Fool for Art is a family-friendly event where people of all ages can explore their inner scientist use their imagination, experience learning in fun ways,and enjoy arts, crafts, music, food and games. Plus, this year, attendees are invited to join in the celebration as John Tyler Community College marks its 50th anniversary with a variety of activities throughout the festival. Fool for Art highlights include: ** Arts and Crafts: Stroll through…

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