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Department of Media and Communications | Office of Community Relations | January 2012


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Virginia Beach City Public Schools realizes that everyone benefits from helping to positively impact the academic, social and emotional growth of our children. Working together, unique and individually designed partnerships are collaboratively planned between schools and community partners. Matching the needs and goals of the school with the collective wisdom from various resources within the community, provides opportunities to enhance and enrich teaching and learning experiences throughout the district. Partnerships help promote students' academic achievement as well as personal growth and success.

For more information about the VBCPS Partners in Education program and to learn how you or your organization can take an active role in contributing to the education of our students, visit the Volunteers and Partners page on vbschools.com.
Partner in Education Coordinators from all 85 schools/centers attend 4 hours of training annually. These are the wonderful individuals who help to facilitate school/community partnerships with businesses, military commands, faith-based groups, and civic organizations. They also work with the guidance department to help to coordinate mentorships in many cases. After a brief introductory activity highlighting this year's theme, Growing Together: Virginia Beach Schools and the Community, PIE Coordinators met several community partners who shared their program offerings. Next, coordinators reviewed program updates and responsibilities, and participated in breakout sessions conducted by experienced coordinators and Virginia Beach PTA Council President, Shelly Jones. To conclude training, drawings were held awarding exciting donations by local businesses wanting to support these outstanding coordinators who serve in this capacity in addition to their daily instructional responsibilities. Pictured (above) are PIE Coordinators Lindley Fox, (Tallwood Elementary School), Recharta Walston-Johnson (Lynnhaven Elementary School), Jo Claire Marshall (Landstown Elementary School), Carolyn Jackson (Rosemont Elementary School), Paula Gee (Glenwood Elementary School), Teresa Smith (Luxford Elementary School) and others enjoy potting their plants that will grow as their school/community partnerships grow throughout the year. Also pictured are PIE Coordinators (below, L to R) Ann Marie Garvey (Advanced Technology Center) and Shannan Haas (Shelton Park Elementary School) who conducted two of the four breakout sessions offering tips to coordinators on how to recruit partners to meet school/student needs and to effectively publicize events and accomplishments while showing appreciation.
The fun didn't stop at training! Teachers gathered at Arla Shindelar's house to learn how to cook Red Snapper and Onion and Mushroom Quinoa at home. Arla was the Betty Crocker Red Spoon Squad winner -- which allowed her to select a menu of choice and have a traveling "Betty" (here, Rebekah Snider) provide the groceries and show Arla and a few friends how to easily prepare a fabulous dinner after work. Pictured are teachers Elaine Shindelar (Diamond Springs Elementary School), Arla (Pembroke Meadows Elementary School), Rebekah Snider, and Kristine Wilson (Diamond Springs Elementary School). Congratulations went out to a very excited Blaire Withers, a new Partner in Education Coordinator this year at Brookwood Elementary School, who won the Back to School Basket donated by TAPS (Teachers and Parents Store).
Students from Virginia Wesleyan College, a Partner in Education with Newtown Elementary School, help to promote literacy. Pictured here are second grade students Jaylon S. and Eniyah S. who read from their favorite books to their Wesleyan mentors Stephen Jones and Ariel Barnes.
The Green Run Elementary School safety patrol squad checks out Officer Ramon Abreu-Perez's police car during school safety patrol training. In the front are Gabe B., Faith F., Andrea C., (second row) Allison A., Dasani A., Cameryn B., Elijah B., Trinity P., Maile T., (third row) Summer S., Taylor G., Naiylah M., Corbitt W., and Officer Abreu-Perez from the Virginia Beach Police Department, a school partner.
Shelton Park Elementary School hosted its first Rita's Italian Ice Literacy Day. Missy Cotter Smasal, owner of Rita's, a school partner, held a fundraiser at her Shore Drive location and brought the 78 books that were donated by the community to the school. Some of the books became part of the library collection while the rest became part of teacher, Shannan Haas's Bookbag Reading Program. Pictured (in the back row) are Ethan V., Nasir C., Missy Cotter Smasal, Jontae B., Ryan G., Christopher G., (middle row) Sam K., Kai T., and (front row) Ethan K., Phate M., Joseph H., and Jasmin P.
Lynnhaven Elementary School participated in a school-wide Math Night hosted by Chili's, a Partner in Education. Students and parents were invited to dine with teachers and staff members as well as to complete math activities together. A great time was had by all. Students and siblings, Lena N. and Edwin N. are proud of their accomplishments as they hold up their completed placemats.
Students in Sherri Winnett's first grade class at Ocean Lakes Elementary School enjoy a visit from school Partner in Education, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt at Red Mill Walk, to celebrate outstanding school spirit and participation at a recent school Spirit Night. Shown here (front row, L to R) are Dylan P., Cole S., Kevin M., Cassady P., Aidan E., Hannah L., and Dylan R. (second row, L to R) Ethan R., Tahmiah T., Damon L., Dylan L., Mary H., Kyle C., Sierra K., Mariama S., Evan T., Abby R., Sophia A., Gabe E. and (back row) Joel Sterling from Menchie's and teacher Sherri Winnett.
Ocean Lakes High School Biology and Oceanography Teachers, Laura Wood and Leslie Peate (not pictured), took their students aboard a boat provided by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), for a two-day trip to gather water samples and sea life to catalog and study back in the lab. As part of an exciting environmental partnership with Virginia Beach Schools and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the Virginia Beach Systemic Environmental Literacy Program, will be funded by a three-year grant awarded from NOAA and the CSX Corporation. The program will provide hands-on Chesapeake Bay experiences and related classroom activities for all 11,500 sixth grade students throughout the district as well as provide professional development for more than 50 middle and high school teachers. Pictured are students Hailey W., Devyn W., Adam B., Mikal B., and James P.
Gay Thomas, Coordinator for VBCPS School Social Work Services, and Jessie Calevas, Partner in Education and founder of The AidNow Foundation, collaborated to bring Jewel's Closet to Virginia Beach students this fall. Homeless as well as high-needs students throughout the city were invited to a Back-to-School Shopping Extravaganza at Plaza Elementary School to pick out new outfits, shoes, winter coats, backpacks filled with school supplies (thanks to the Virginia Beach Schools Federal Credit Union Backpack Drive held during the summer) and to get professional haircuts to start the upcoming school year. Transportation was also provided to and from the event for families who would otherwise have missed out on what can only be described as a huge success. Volunteers Rick Stone, Youth Pastor from 757 Life Church, and Abby, daughter of one of the founders of the AidNow Foundation, peruse tables helping students to look for the perfect pair of jeans to wear on the first day of school.
Tony L. began kindergarten this fall and couldn't be more excited about his new Cars backpack.
Grandparents packed the house at Tallwood Elementary School's Grandparents' Day celebration in November. Here (left), grandparents Judy and Samuel Harper join their granddaughter, third grader Azaria C., mom Kenya Cabrera and Grandma Violet Cabrera to enjoy some punch and cookies, while listening to the musical talents of Mrs. Lindley Fox's kindergarten music students. School partners from Kohl's Department Store were on hand to assist during the event and here (bottom left), Kohl's Manager, Eugene Shum, presents a $500 check to Principal Tommy Chowns that will be used to support student programs. Bottom right is third grader Nicardo N. who helped to welcome guests and amazed the audience with his "very professional" rendition of the National Anthem.
InMotion Hosting, Partners in Education with the Advanced Technology Center (ATC), have been a wonderful resource for the Internet Web Professional (IWP) students—offering everything from classroom assistance to their expert coaching in preparation for the Virtual Enterprise Business Challenge held in December!
Pictured L to R: Todd Robinson- President, Kathy Sargent, ATC IWP instructor, Darry'lin O., Jordan D., Khadijah B., Amanda F., Elayne C., JaiQuan J., Mallorie B., Tyler S., Sheldon H., Lea D., Alex S., Quantez S., and Sunil S., Vice President.
Brandon Middle School, currently developing a partnership with Gamma Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Golden Fold Mentorship Program, attended Mentorship Training in December offered by the Office of Community Relations. Members from the fraternity will meet with students weekly to provide support to students, either academically or personally. Depicted are (front row) Linda Wormley, Assistant Principal, sixth grade teachers Joan Tyson and Jennifer Combs, and (back row) Seko Varner, Project Support Staff in the Office of Exceptional Children, William Calhoun, Guidance Counselor at Tallwood High School, Laura Smart, Partnership Coordinator, Joan Ligon, School Improvement Specialist, and Robert Ambrose, Assistant Principal.
Rosemont Elementary School families were very excited about attending the PTA Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse, one of the school's Partners in Education. Pictured are Alexis T., Fantasia F., Joseph G., Khalid C., Andy Armadillo, Zymiere L., Haley J., Joley D., and Brianna W.
Thalia Elementary School kindergarten students attending the KinderBuddies Program, a program sponsored by Partner in Education, the Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Department. Pictured are Reese M., Michaiah G., and Seth L. with KinderBuddies teacher Lequisia Snowden.
To kick off a new partnership between Stihl Inc. and Landstown High School, Stihl representative Simon Nance recognized three Landtown students Brad H., Sinh L. and Morgan A. for their participation in the Stihl Summer Manufacturing Camp. Because Brad and Sinh finished first in the First Tech Challenge robotics competition this past summer, Stihl is fully funding Landstown's participation in the upcoming FTC event which will take place in January at Norfolk State University. Pictured left to right are Dr. James Barger, LHS Pre-Engineering Department Chair, Carol Edelman, FTC representative, Dr. Brian K. Matney, Principal, students: Morgan A., Brad H., Sinh L., , Simon Nance, Stihl Training and Development Director, Sally Sylvester, FTC representative, , LHS Technology Instructor Anthony Alfonsi, and Lisette Diehl, Technology Academy Director (front).
Rosemont Elementary School first grader, Malayah C., participates in an activity as school partner Master Cielo from King Tiger Martial Arts, talks to the students about putting a stop to bullying.
Petty Officer SW1 Loren Clint of the First Naval Construction Division Command (1NCD) Acey Deucey Petty Officer Association, a school Partner in Education, visits Bayside Elementary School's third graders and shares the story, "America's White Table." Here, he explains the symbolic message of the Remembrance Table as well as the importance of Veteran's Day to third graders. The tradition originated during the Vietnam War as a symbol for and remembrance to service members held prisoner of war or missing in action. Solitary and solemn, it is a table set where no one will ever sit. Pictured are students Noah E. and Julia M.
Cindy Cook, PTA President at Linkhorn Park Elementary School and owner of Norfolk Wholesale Florist is presented with a new partnership plaque by Debbie Gibbs (on the right), Media Specialist and Hospitality Chair at the school. Debbie and Cindy will be working closely together to ensure they develop a positively blooming partnership.
Partner in Education Co-Coordinators, Erin Berens and Carla Daubenspeck at Strawbridge Elementary School, shared a heart healthy snack with staff members that participated in the Heart Healthy Survey conducted by one of the school's newest partners, the American Heart Association.
"And they call it Puppy Love…" Well, that's what students from Ocean Lakes and Corporate Landing Elementary Schools are calling the new program in which they are playing a part in helping to train guide dogs for the blind through. The Guiding Eyes for the Blind introduced third graders to "Joanie" and "Godrick," black Lab puppies that are being raised by seniors at the Atlantic Shores Retirement Community with assistance from their student Partners in Education. Ocean Lakes and Corporate Landing students are helping to "socialize" the puppies during visits that include play time and story time. The "Puppy Love Program" is one of the first in the nation to link generations together to help train the guide dogs that will eventually become so important in the lives of someone who is visually impaired. Pictured here is Mason S. with fellow third graders from Lisa Scott's third grade class at Ocean Lakes and teacher Kelly O'Brien to welcome the puppies with drawings and a poem. It looks like Joanie really appreciated her new friends' efforts.
Puppy trainer Kathy Parks is pictured with Godrick, Kesha B., Rosaria C., teacher Lisa Scott, Tyler C. and Malia B.
January is National Mentoring Month and one of the fastest-growing types of mentorships involves students mentoring other students. In fact, every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 43 eighth-grade National Junior Honor Society members from Princess Anne Middle School volunteer their time to work as mentors with students at Princess Anne Elementary School. The middle school students arrive at school early so they can work one-on-one to coach, encourage and tutor their mentees at the elementary school. NJHS students, like Sarah H., pictured here with fifth grader CreAsia D., are excited to be involved with the program so they can continue to give back to their community and make a difference in the lives of younger children.
Virginia Beach's Mayor Will Sessoms was joined by a member of the Virginia Beach Police Department, a Partner in Education, as they visited several classrooms at Williams Elementary School in October to give an encouraging message to young learners. Mayor Sessoms and Officer Burton, a resource officer at Independence Middle School, delivered an inspiring message about taking behavior and school work seriously to have the best possible future; encouraging young learners to aim for success. Fifth graders, Jyleel L., Arnetrial W., Athliah B., Taija A., Makenna R., Ny'Kira F. and Ericka B. all listened closely as Officer Burton concluded, "YOU are our future, and YOU are going to have to keep US going when we are old and retired."

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