4Shore for Sure Visited Beach Schools
Fresh from their performance on the national TV show, X Factor, singing sensation 4Shore returned to three Virginia Beach schools they once attended as students. On Friday, October 7, singers Jessie Nunn, Brandon Showell, Daijreous Poole, and Allynn Walker-Bey visited Salem Middle School and Landstown and Salem high schools, talking with students and treating music classes to brief performances. The quartet recently gained national attention when they advanced during an elimination round for X Factor and were invited to compete in LA.
Singer Daijreous Poole, currently a student at Virginia Tech, attended Salem Middle School as well as Salem High School where he was enrolled in the Visual and Performing Arts Academy. During a brief question and answer session, Poole told the audience, “I will forever be indebted to teachers Anna Scully (Salem Middle music and vocal teacher) and Donald Krudop (Salem High music and vocal teacher) who helped me discover my talent and pushed me to pursue my dream. They took a shy kid who didn’t like to perform in front of a group, and now I can sing on stage before a live audience of 4,000 and Simon, Paula, and Nicole.”
The group’s members met in high school and decided to audition for a chance to perform at Beach Street, the musical venue on Atlantic Avenue sponsored by the city of Virginia Beach during the summer. Audiences loved them. The organizers of Beach Street encouraged the students to practice every day and to “stay ready” in the event an opportunity to perform presented itself. “Try to keep in mind that an audience is there pulling for you to support you. They are looking for what makes you unique, so put your own 'spin' on whatever you do to bring your artistry out,” Brandon Showell told the students. The singers also reminded students that a bad attitude is never acceptable and that they should “dream big” and believe that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. 4Shore performed a number of songs, among them Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.
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| Members of 4Shore perform for music students at Salem High School. | Brandon Showell , Daijreous Poole, Jessie Nunn, and Allynn Walker-Bey – aka 4Shore – pose for a photo after performing for students! | |
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| Brandon, Daijreous, Jessie, and Allynn are happy to have their picture taken with Salem High guidance counselor Robert Marlin (pictured center) who was the school counselor to several quartet members. | Pictured with 4Shore are Visual and Performing Arts Academy coordinator Eva Melatti (far left) and Salem High principal Don Robertson (far right). | |
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Salem Middle School welcomes Daijreous Poole who credits Salem Middle music and vocal teacher Anna Scully (pictured shaking hands) and Salem High music and vocal teacher Don Krudop with helping him realize his dream. |
Accelerated Reader is a hit at ODC
Old Donation Center (ODC) students love participating in Accelerated Reader (AR). To reflect this sentiment, the school has adopted a reading theme -- “We ARe Building Readers... One Story at a Time – which piggybacks on this year's school theme, "Building for Success...Scholars Under Construction."
To encourage students to read, points are awarded to those who read an AR book and then pass an accompanying test. Points awarded vary, depending on the difficulty or complexity of the book read. For example, Harry Potter books are worth 40 points while some easier picture books earn students only half a point.
ODC library assistant Sally Appleback, along with reading specialist Camille Grabb and art specialist Karen Haddaway, have created an imaginative mural to inspire students to read. The mural pictures five of the world’s largest skyscrapers and students each received a SupAR Reader (hero) figure that is able to climb the buildings as students gain their super powers through reading (eg. power through knowledge). The mural’s background comprises acronyms such as B.A.N.G. (Books are Novel Gifts), P.O.W. (Power of Words), B.A.M. (Books are Marvelous), and P.O.P. (Power of Print) that also serve to inspire the students.
As the SupAR Readers (SR) climb the skyscrapers, villains are clinging to the top of each one, trying to keep the students from succeeding by “interfering with their brain power.” The villains include LA-Z Monster, Dr. Dis, (Disrespect), the vidiot, Iggy and Illy, (Ignorance and Illiterate), and the Squigger (draws on everything). As they read their books, readers may consult a chart next to the AR wall that shows how many points each student in each grade level has to earn in order to move up the buildings and to another building.
Students must climb all five skyscrapers before entering the TOWER OF FAME and having their photos displayed in the cafeteria. The names of students who have moved up on the skyscrapers are highlighted during morning announcements and the Superman movie theme is played as their names are called. Students who participate in the program receive a SupAR Hero cutout with their names attached. They can also receive bookmarks, stickers, book bags and more as they collect specified numbers of points.
ODC teachers feature this program every year and, in fact, it has become a tradition at the school. Students eagerly wait to hear what the year's AR theme will be. The students love the program and also look forward to the culminating activity at the end of the school year.
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| Pictured are ODC reading specialist Camille Grabb, art specialist Karen Haddaway, and library media assistant Sally Applebach, preparing the “AR Wall". | Students who participate in Accelerated Reader have the opportunity to collect points that allow their SupAR hero to “scale the building” to get to the top. |
Kempsville High teacher inducted into the James Madison Athletic Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Kempsville High School special education teacher and field hockey coach Eileen Arnaldo Sutton. She was recently one of six former James Madison University (JMU) student athletes inducted into the Class of 2011 JMU Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on Thursday, September 29 as part of the university’s homecoming weekend activities. The athletes were also recognized at the University’s October 1 home football game.
During Arnaldo’s field hockey career, the JMU field hockey team went a combined 55-29-2 while achieving multiple national rankings and NCAA tournament appearances. In addition, the team captured the program's first national championship. In 1991, Arnaldo led the team to a No.13 ranking in the national polls and scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win at nationally ranked Duke. In 1992, she participated in the U.S. Field Hockey Association A camp and was also voted to the All-CAA second team. The 1993 campaign also brought great success for Arnaldo. She was part of the U.S. Under-21 Team and participated in the U.S. Olympic Festival. On the field with JMU, she led the Dukes to a second-place finish in the CAA Tournament and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Dukes finished the '93 season 18-6 as an NCAA quarterfinalist and ranked eighth nationally. The team set eight program records, including tying the mark for wins. Arnaldo was voted All-CAA Second Team as well as All-South Region First Team and was invited to train in residency with the U.S. National Team.
Arnaldo and the Dukes reached their ultimate success in 1994, capturing the first national championship in JMU history and finishing third in the national polls. The Dukes went 20-3-1 and shattered 11 school records, including winning percentage, wins, and longest unbeaten streak. Arnaldo was honored as part of the NCAA All-Tournament Team as well as being honored as a second team All-American by the College Field Hockey Coaches Association, participating in the North-South Senior All-Star Game. She was again voted to the All-South Region First Team while claiming a spot on the U.S. Under-21 Team for the second consecutive year, participating once more in the U.S. Olympic Festival. She finished her collegiate career with 23 goals and 11 assists for 57 total points while notching five game-winning goals for JMU.
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Eileen Arnoldo Sutton is pictured with her JMU Hall of Fame award. |
Princess Anne High School is “calling all hands on deck”!
All “hands” are needed this year at Princess Anne High School as the school strives to “respond to student needs,” its Vanguard School objective. To celebrate those who are going “above and beyond” to ensure students are receiving the attention they need, a clapping “hand” is awarded to individual staff members during faculty meetings. This fun way of recognizing individual effort is a big hit with the staff as the “voyage” through the school year continues!
Pictured are (top row) Brian Miller, special education teacher; Margaret Burton, special education teacher; Steve Delaney and Lee Mitchell, computer resource specialists; (center row) Sheila Givens, special education teacher; Jacqueline Davis, English teacher; Jill Davis, English teacher; Tobie Davis, special education teacher; (bottom row) Katie Palluch, student activities coordinator; Kathy Carlson, English teacher; and Pat McGloine, social studies teacher.
Each One Teach One at Bayside Elementary School
Fourth graders at Bayside Elementary are taking advantage of the opportunity to mentor the school’s kindergarten students. On Monday, October 17, Jaime Turner's fourth-grade class read books to Lisa Dunphy's kindergarten class. Each student was paired up with a buddy. The fourth graders were prepared to read to their buddies as well as point out the letter "m" and the sight word "the." The fourth graders were excited about the opportunity to teach their buddies, and both teachers were amazed by the collaboration between the buddies. The fourth graders are already counting down the days until they meet with their kindergarten buddies again.
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Kindergartener Makai (left) gets some reading tips from fourth grader Jonathan (right). |
A pumpkin is a pumpkin is a pumpkin – except when it’s a Literary Pumpkin
John B. Dey Elementary art teacher Amber Hester and library media specialist Susan Hardesty teamed up to create Literary Pumpkins! Each class read a favorite book and came up with a plan for decorating a pumpkin to look like one of the book characters. Hester and Hardesty along with parent volunteers worked in art class to create the special pumpkins which were on display in the library to promote literature. At the end of the month, the students voted for their favorite. First place was won by Sara Chiaverotti’s kindergarten class, second place was won by Stacey O’Donnell’s kindergarten class, and Shawn McArdle’s third-grade class was the third place winner.
| Congratulations to the Literary Pumpkin winners! | ||
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Library media specialist Susan Hardesty (left) and art teacher Amber Hester (right) help a student work on a Literary Pumpkin. | |
Check out the creativity of ALL these Literary Pumpkins by clicking here for a brief video!
New programs at the Adult Learning Center
Did you know that the Adult Learning Center (ALC) has developed several new career programs for the fast growing healthcare field? One of these, pharmacy tech, is already a popular course. In addition to these programs, the ALC also offers an 18-month Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. In case you didn't know, classes at the ALC are much more affordable than comparable classes or certificate programs at other schools or universities offering the same thing!
The ALC poster presents a graphic summary of new courses in healthcare.
The Adult Learning Center also continues to have great success with the GED. In fact, the ALC is the largest GED® testing site in Virginia. This year it had a pass rate of nearly 70 percent for those taking the test. This includes students who prepared for the test by taking classes at the ALC as well as those who registered for the exam without preparation. More than 1,000 (1,059) motivated people earned their GED® certificate between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011. In recognition of this outstanding record, the ALC was honored as the GED® Examiner's meeting in Williamsburg. ALC director Bonnie Mizenko attended and happily brought back a framed certificate recognizing the test center for having issued the highest number of credentials statewide in FY '2010-11. Congratulations!
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ALC director Bonnie Mizenko is pictured with the center’s award. |
Alanton Elementary welcomes NASA space shuttle commander
NASA astronaut Commander Scott Kelly returned to Alanton Elementary School on Thursday, November 3 bearing a special gift, a school banner that had flown in space! Last school year, Kelly visited the school and first-grade students in Lisa Anthony’s class presented him with the banner with a request that he take it with him into space when he commanded one of the last voyages of the space shuttle this year. When he was in space for Expedition 26 (October 2010 through March 2011), Commander Kelly did just that. In fact, while he was in space, he SKYPED with the students to show them he had the flag on the shuttle. During his recent return visit to the school, Kelly showed the flag to the students and described his flight during the morning announcements. He also brought with him a video from his time in space!
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Pictured are first-grade teacher Lisa Anthony and her class from last year with Commander Scott Kelly. As first graders the students presented Commander Kelly with an Alanton banner and asked him to fly it in space. He returned the banner during a special visit to the school on November 3. |
Tommy Reamon named Redskins High School Coach of the Week
Congratulations to Landstown High head football coach Tommy Reamon on being named the Washington Redskins High School Coach of the Week for the week of October 24. The Coach of the Week program is designed to recognize and reward excellence in high school football coaching.
Coach Reamon is in his third season at Landstown High School and has an overall record of 106-90 in his 25 years of coaching. The Eagles are currently 7-2 on the season. Off the field, Reamon is a valued member of the school’s community and is actively involved with local youth football programs, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
According to athletic director David Siock, Reamon “expresses a genuine concern for the students and puts in numerous hours to give them the opportunity to succeed on and off the field. He meets with his student-athletes, their parents, and guidance counselor to go through the student’s course history, SAT/ACT scores, and GPA to come up with a plan for success after high school. Reamon has a caring relationship with his team. He’s become a father figure to some and his tough love approach works well to help these young men grow into strong leaders.”
Each of the coaches chosen throughout the high school season receives a $1,000 donation from the NFL Youth Football Fund to their football program and a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan, and Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen.
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Landstown High School head football coach Tommy Reamon |
Advanced Technology Center (ATC) IT student leaders give back!
ATC information technology (IT) students in business, computer networking, Internet Web professional, and software and game development classes have teamed up with the school division’s community outreach initiative, Parent Connection, to offer a series of free technology classes to parents! Students in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) met with Parent Connection leaders and discussed the many areas of technology that parents from across the school system could benefit from learning about. Following this discussion, the group designed classes, created workbooks, and organized monthly tutorials for parents that would be led by these students. Classes have already been held on word processing and the Internet. Additional monthly classes will focus on such topics as wireless networking, computer maintenance, security, and social networking.
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Pictured (left to right) are FBLA students Jerry M., Devin G., Jeremy S., John K., Advanced Technology Center CNA instructor and FBLS sponsor Linda Lavender, Andrew A., Ryan G., Shad C. and Chris H. |
Tech Center works the crowd!
The Technical and Career Education Center sponsored a booth at this year’s recent Neptune Festival. Faculty and students came out to spread the word about the programs offered at the Tech Center with displays, demonstrations, and other activities. Practical nursing instructor Rosa Abbott and others offered free blood pressure screening while legal and medical systems administration instructor Marvella Phillips presented information about that program. Later in the day the electronics program instructor Kevin Pace provided remote control robots for children to operate. Landscape design and management program instructor Andrea Tomlin provided rosemary cuttings for people to take home and plant. The dental assisting and nursing program students assisted in handing out program information, providing blood pressure screening, and offering tips for good oral hygiene. Early childhood instructors Theresa Cole and Lisa Embry did face painting and played games with children. In addition, instructor Bob Shanks, representing the construction trades, spoke about the Foundation House Project, and Bill Myers, instructor for the television communication and production program, demonstrated the operation of a TV camera and monitor with fellow teacher Bill Rowe. The day culminated with the drawing for an Adirondack chair and foot rest made by the carpentry department. All in all, the booth was a big success.
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A Tech Center adult student promotes her nursing program at the Neptune Festival. |
NJROTC units compete for a spot at Nationals
The First Colonial and Cox NJROTC Units recently traveled to Lake Taylor High School to compete in the first competition of the year. In the southern division of the Area 5 district, 12 teams from the Virginia Beach and Norfolk area compete against each other in a series of athletic events in the hopes of being selected to compete at nationals. This year nationals are slated for Pensacola, Florida, in the spring.
The standard events for these competitions actually involve more than athletics. For example, most meets include academics, unit personnel Inspection, the 100 and 220 yard run, sit ups, and pushups. The Lake Taylor meet had several extra events, as well, including the Australian Trolley race and the tug of war.
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NJROTC Cadet Mckenzie D. crosses the finish line in the 220 yard run at the Lake Taylor Athletic Meet. |
Editor’s note: thank you to First Colonial High School NJROTC Cadet/CPO Jeffrey D. for submitting this feature.
Leadership training is “elementary”
The Virginia Beach Elementary School Leadership Workshop was held on Saturday, November 5 at Larkspur Middle School. SCA advisors, officers, and committee chairmen from all of the city’s elementary schools were invited to attend this “Cookin’ Up Leadership” workshop which began at 8:15 a.m. and ended at 4:30 p.m. During the day, the advisors and students participated in assembly sessions, including group dynamics, the decision making process, and a general assembly which featured skits by the students. In separate meetings advisors discussed building leadership skills in students and participated in idea-sharing sessions while the students participated in ice breakers, learned how to conduct effective meetings, and reviewed the duties and responsibilities of SCA officers. Students also had a lot of fun competing in the Chef’s Academy Challenges which were held in the gym.
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Pictured are Creeds’ students and their SCA advisors, gifted resource teacher Barbara Messina (right) and second-grade teacher Mona Brandl (left). Everyone agreed, “It was lots of fun meeting new friends from all around our city and learning new ways to make our SCA and our school better for everyone!" |
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