Return to VBSchools.com
Department of Media and Communications | Office of Community Relations | December 2009


________________________________________________________________________________________

Working together with schools, educational partners support activities that are aligned with specific goals and provide expanded material, financial, and/or human resources to enhance and enrich teaching and learning. Each partnership is unique and individually planned between the school and the partner, allowing for unlimited opportunities to help promote students’ academic and personal growth and success.

For more information about the VBCPS Partners in Education program, visit the Volunteers and Partners page on vbschools.com.
 
Faith-based organizations provide mentors and resources
Landstown Elementary School and Courthouse Community United Methodist Church (CCUMC) are continuing their Backpack Buddies program this year to help provide food to select Landstown students for the weekends. CCUMC Women’s Group members meet on Wednesday nights to help sort and assemble the food bags, and backpacks are distributed to students every Friday through the school’s guidance office.

Photo: CCUMC members Janet Nash, Suzanne McIvor, and Laura Romeo prepare bags on a Wednesday night.
King’s Grant Baptist, King’s Grant Presbyterian, Thalia United Methodist churches are among the many community partners providing support to Malibu Elementary School’s Lunch Buddies Mentoring Program. Shirley Zartman, of Thalia United Methodist church, has volunteered as a mentor for 10 years. During this time she has had two different “buddies” for their third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade years, and she is now sharing lunch each week with her third mentee. King’s Grant Presbyterian Church members Sherry Hatfield and Joe Jordanna (photo) are also dedicated Lunch Buddies and were recently recognized by Kurt Williams of WTKR as People Taking Action. Joe drives Sherry, who is blind, and her service dog Naifa to Malibu every Monday to have lunch with their student buddies.
W.T. Cooke Elementary School has been able to expand its Anchor Club program thanks to the weekly support of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church (VBUMC) members. Anchor Club is an afterschool program for the school’s homeless students. The students participate in afterschool activities at Cooke two days each week and at VBUMC two days each week in its “Care by Community” afterschool program. At the church, VBUMC volunteers help students with homework, play games together, and provide students with a hot meal. VBUMC Director of Children’s Ministries Reesee Michalochik explains why the church works so closely with its neighborhood school.
Community partners help With back-to-school efforts

White Oaks Elementary School received a special delivery of school supplies from the First Class Petty Officers Association at Oceana.

Photo: AWF1 Pete Gruettner, AE1 Joe Liddon, Assistant Principal David Reitz, Counselor Kathleen Kutnak, YN1 Phillip Snead, AWF1 Andrew Heath, and A21 Dulce Tetter.

Crossroads Vineyard Church pastor Andre L. Jenkins delivered school supplies to Salem Elementary School principal Janet Zitt with that his congregants donated this summer.
The 11th Transportation Battalion of Fort Story was out in full force at John B. Dey Elementary the first week of school. Battalion personnel helped walk students to class, made copies for teachers, and assisted in the lower grade classrooms with routines and rules. The military unit plans to expand their partnership this year with tutoring in math, reading, and English as a second language, and the school plans to offer its support in the form of care packages for deployed soldiers.
Pembroke Elementary School staff members were welcomed back to school with a homemade barbeque luncheon prepared by Calvary Baptist Church members. During the summer months, two Calvary members, Fred Bollard and Marvin Bronson, visited the school twice a week to water the school’s newly-planted Courtyard Community Garden.  In addition to continuing to assist teachers as needed, church members plan to donate an extra refrigerator to the staff lounge.

Photo: Dale Dalping, Pam Roebuck, Joyce Bollard, Dr. Linda Hayes, Jan Murray, Pastor Bubba Pugh, Aileen Painter, Marvin Bronson

The Bayside Tri-Campus held a breakfast in October to show its appreciation for the many community partners that help with the three schools’ literacy efforts. Volunteers from partnering organizations such as the Sons of Norway, Virginia Wesleyan College, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the Virginia Medical Alliance attended and were ready to begin another school year of working and reading with students.
"We Got Spirit" – Spirit Night snapshots
To help promote an upcoming Spirit Night for Thoroughgood Elementary School families, the Chick-fil-A cow mascot visited the school to help Brianna C., Oscar S., Garrett M., Jasmine F., and Mrs. Krista Clark with the morning announcements. Thoroughgood families are enjoying a Chick-Fil-A kids night at the Haygood location the fourth Tuesday of every month, with 10% of all purchases donated back to the school.
John B. Dey Elementary School held its first “two-fer” Spirit Night at the Hilltop locations for The Skinny Dip and Qdoba. Students Torin and Rhains (photo) enjoyed picking their own dessert toppings at The Skinny Dip. Families could visit either business, or both, on two consecutive nights with a percentage of both night’s proceeds donated to the school to support technology. Two food locations near each other over two consecutive nights allowed more families to participate.
Held just before Halloween, North Landing Elementary School students enjoyed the school’s Firehouse Subs Family Night in costume. The Landstown Commons restaurant awarded a trophy for the best costume and provided other giveaways. Firefighters from Station #5, another school partner, also attended the event to visit with families and see the students dressed up for Halloween.
Salem Elementary School families, like the Paras family, enjoyed smoothies at the school’s Tropical Smoothie Night. The store located on Princess Anne Road is one of the school’s Partners in Education.
Noblemen visit third graders with special gifts
Every year the Virginia Beach Noblemen visit third graders at Title I schools to deliver brand new dictionaries to each student. (photo) A few of the students happy to receiving dictionaries at Windsor Oaks Elementary included: Brian M., Ciayah J., Mary P., Ananya D., Dashon V., and Haiden D. Also pictured are Noblemen Morris Long, James Speller, Al Midgett, Glenn Fortnier, and Windsor Oaks principal, Michael Maloney.
Can’t hide that Purple Pride
During Larkspur Middle School’s Purple Pride Night, seventh-grade teacher April Taylor enjoyed dinner donated to the school by the Greenbrier Chick-fil-A. To celebrate the school’s first home football game of the season, students and staff stayed after school to paint signs and prepare for a big home crowd. Chick-fil-A donated chicken sandwiches to be enjoyed by all those who volunteered their time to help with the event.
Partner helps students build home libraries
Lynnhaven Elementary School kindergarteners are reading their very own copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar at home with their families thanks to a donation by Walmart at Lynnhaven Mall. The store donated 90 copies of the Eric Carle book so that students could add them to their personal libraries at home.

Photo: Assistant Principal Laura Yoakam accepts the books from Walmart Manager Jennifer Spencer.
Police Association generously supports student programs
The Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association (VBPBA) presented Gay Thomas, director of the Office of School Social Work Services, with a check for $3,400. The donation will be used to support Social Work Services programs and Project HOPE, the school division’s homeless education program. Programs include supporting school supply drives, food closets, and holiday connections as ways to assist the neediest families in our community. The funds will also supplement other donations and grant funding for homeless students that are received throughout the school year.
The Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association Local 34 donated $1,000 to Windsor Oaks Elementary School in support of the school’s Accelerated Reader program.

Photo: Virginia Beach Police department officer Rich Cheatham presented media specialist Norene Skiles with a check for the school.

 
OfficeMax makes teachers’ days better

It’s no secret that many teachers spend their own money on supplies for themselves and their students throughout the year. OfficeMax eased that burden for six Virginia Beach teachers through its nationwide “Day Made Better” program. Local OfficeMax representatives made surprise visits to area schools and delivered supplies worth more than $1,000 to the following teachers: Adele Falardeau (Green Run Elementary School), Laura Beth Lawver (Cooke Elementary School), Ann Piland (Holland Elementary School), Robert Reynolds (Seatack Elementary School), Martha Schreiber (Rosemont Elementary School), and Crystal Wilkerson (Williams Elementary School).

Partner helps raise money for local charity
Three Oaks Elementary School’s partner Lucky Oyster supported the efforts of The Bag Ladies of Virginia Beach by hosting a fundraiser at the restaurant and donating a percentage of that night’s profits to the organization. Three Oaks Elementary teacher Laura Menger and Arrowhead Elementary teacher Beth Schlossberg started The Bag Ladies after a mutual friend, teacher Bobbi Hite, passed away from breast cancer. Before accounting for the restaurant’s contributions, Laura Menger stated that the organization had raised approximately $3,500 from the sale of its T-shirts and bags, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction during the event.
Family fun at the All-American Run
Kingston Elementary School held its annual Kingston All American Run (5K and 1 mile races) on October 10. School partner Beach Ford and the Kingston Elementary PTA have sponsored the event for 27 years, and Beach Ford’s Bob Barton was this year’s race marshal. All money raised by the race is donated to the school. Danielle C., Kingston 2nd grader and reigning Little Miss Virginia, presented race medals to children and adults finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in their age divisions. PTA members Betsy Kainer and Kara Minson served as this year’s chairpersons.
Partnerships build career awareness and offer work-based experience
Students in the Dental Assisting program at the Technical and Career Education Center gain hands-on experience throughout the year by working with the Oral Health Improvement Coalition of South Hampton Roads. Last month they had the opportunity to provide chairside assistance to dentists and hygienists who were supporting a Dental Access Day for the dentally uninsured in Chesapeake. “These students were eager to learn, and we were glad to give them the opportunity to have experiences that will excite them about their chosen profession,” commented an assistant from Dr. Dennis Cleckner’s office. “I commend the students on their skills but also on their positive attitudes and their willingness to try new procedures.”
The Advanced Technology Center Hotel Marketing class established a partnership with the Holiday Inn Executive Center Hotel this fall. Students will visit the hotel throughout the year to gain hands-on experience in the industry. 

Photo: Management student, Blake B., helped prepare the buffet table for a 200 person luncheon. 

 
 

Students in the A+ Computer Repair class at the Advanced Technology Center are gaining valuable workforce readiness skills by refurbishing 100 computers donated by the Virginia STAR — Student Training and Refurbishment — program. (below left) The program is a collaborative effort of various state offices to introduce Virginia's students to the field of IT repair by using surplus hardware from state agencies or private companies.

The school division’s Parent Connection program initiated the ATC’s participation and is working with the Office of School Social Work Services to identify families in need of a computer for home use. The first computer-giveaway celebration was held on December 8, and ATC students assisted families during computer-tutoring sessions. (below right)
 

School-to-school partnerships provide valuable experience to students enrolled in the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) program. During visits to elementary and middle schools, VTfT students learn more about the teaching profession by observing in classrooms, speaking with teachers, and assisting with lessons. While learning on-the-job, they are also helping younger students learn.

(below left) Landstown High School VTfT students recently visited Holland Elementary School to read to students, and (below right) Princess Anne High School VTfT students presented puppet shows on weather safety and good citizenship to second and third graders at Malibu Elementary.
 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided juniors in the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School with a closer look of its work through the FBI Teen Academy. Select juniors visited the FBI Norfolk field office where they heard from various speakers, toured the evidence room, and participated in hands-on evidence collection demonstrations. In October, FBI representatives visited First Colonial High School to lead students through FBI physical fitness tests, share a recruitment presentation, and conduct a conflict resolution seminar.

Military Partners in Education
In conjunction with their performances at the NAS Oceana Air Show, Blue Angels’ crews visited four high schools – Landstown, Tallwood, Cox, First Colonial – to discuss their careers. Following the officers’ presentation at First Colonial High School, student Blake R. spoke with pilot Major Brendan Burks and a Blue Angels crew chief.
With assistance from a grant she received from the Joint Military Services School Liaison Committee (JMSSLC), John B. Dey Elementary School Guidance Counselor Sarah Pope is starting a new project, memory books for students who are military dependents. Because of frequent moves, military students may have trouble remembering friends, teachers, and events from previous schools they have attended. Pope decided to help students capture their memories in books. Students will be able to take their books with them to a new school if they relocate and/or to share with their parents who are on deployment.

Frank W. Cox High School guidance department chairman Robert Jamison also was a recipient of a JMSSLC grant. The grant will be used to support the school’s Student2Student (S2S) Program which provides resources and opportunities to new students at Cox. Additionally, funds from the grant will be utilized to create “Welcome Packets” for new families to the school, which will include items such as informational handbooks, tickets to the Virginia Aquarium, and other school/community-related materials.

Schools Recognize “Partners of the Month”

The following partners have been recognized by schools as a “Partner of the Month” for their outstanding support this fall:

September 2009

  • Beach Ford - Kingston Elementary School
  • Broadcast Church - Tallwood Elementary School
  • Coldstone Creamery - Strawbridge Elementary School
  • City of Virginia Beach Public Utilities - College Park Elementary School
  • Crossroads Vineyard Church - Salem Elementary School
  • Lynnhaven River Now - Cox High School
  • Sam’s Club - Rosemont Elementary School
  • TACRON 21 - Point O’View Elementary School

October 2009

  • Burger King - Point O’View Elementary School
  • Chick-fil-A (Salem Crossing) - Salem Elementary School
  • Clearview Eye Care - Woodstock Elementary School
  • Kim’s Hapkido - Kempsville Meadows Elementary School
  • MIFC (U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center, Atlantic Area) - Windsor Oaks Elementary School
  • OfficeMax - Rosemont Elementary School
  • Payday Payroll Services - College Park Elementary School

November 2009

  • Jungle Golf - Salem Elementary School
  • K and J Lawn and Garden Service - Kempsville Meadows Elementary School
  • United Jewish Federation of Tidewater - College Park Elementary School
Award-Winning Partnerships
For nearly ten years, the school division has recognized “Model Partnerships,” which demonstrate how school-community collaboration leads to positive results for students, ranging from work-based experience to mentoring programs. The 2009 Model Partnership recipients include: Bryant and Stratton College, ECPI College of Technology, King’s Grant Presbyterian Church, LandMark Design Group, Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command, Oceanfront Jaycees, Oceans of Success (photo), Shmack Clothing, Southside Harley Davidson, STIHL Inc., United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, Virginia Beach Medial Society Alliance, Virginia Tech PREP Program, Virginia Wesleyan College, and Virginia Wind Symphony.

Visit the Model Partnership website for more information about these recipients and previous award winners.


| back to top |