Congratulations to Landstown High tenth grader Selene C. on winning the bumper sticker contest at the VADETS (Virginia Association for Driver Education and Traffic Safety) conference. She received a $50 savings bond and the honor of having her bumper sticker distributed at next year’s VADETS conference. Congratulations as well to her health and physical education teacher Barbara Chapman. Pictured left to right are Ocean Lakes High behind the wheel instructor Bill King, Landstown High health and physical education teacher Barbara Chapman, C&I behind the wheel lead teacher Ed Diehl, health and physical education coordinator Brenda Fuller, and Princess Anne High behind the wheel instructor James Wheelhouse.

Bonjour!Princess Anne High School French teacher Michele Christenson has received the I Make a Difference award. Not only does she ensure that her students understand French and English, she is always there for everyone who needs her, student or colleague, encouraging them to work to their full potential. As one example of her selfless service, she recently spent many hours helping with the Personal Project Camp; students are still referencing her great ideas. Her level of dedication and strength of character are truly remarkable.

Advanced Technology Center modeling and simulation instructor Bill Jackson and marine engineering and design instructor Jim Reich met with John Elliker, (Battleship Wisconsin Project Manager) in October to discuss a student re-design project of two areas on the ship, conversion of a bathroom space and the conversion of the Senior Chief Wardroom into a conference space. As part of the project, students will be learning both naval history and real-world ship design. Pictured left to right are John Elliker, (Battleship Wisconsin Project Manager), and Marine Engineering and Design instructor Jim Reich.

Fairfield Elementary School teachers hit the streets in the neighborhood to give out free books to preschoolers! WeeFalcons, a preschool outreach program at Fairfield, kicked off the year by distributing books, pencils and flyers to the community. The outreach was designed to encourage families to read to their children and to attend the special events for preschoolers held at the school throughout the year.

On October 5, the sun was shining inside New Castle Elementary School and the only clouds around were those on the video shared by WVEC meteorologist Julie Wilcox. On a visit to the school, Wilcox shared meteorological information with the New Castle's fourth graders as they concluded their study of weather. Students saw how lightning really can strike twice and how to stay safe during severe storms. Everyone also enjoyed learning about the cloud types and what life is like as a meteorologist.

Kayla P., Kevin S., Savannah D. assists Julie Wilcox by demonstrating safe positions during a severe storm.

WVEC meteorologist Julie Wilcox interacts with the students on the complexities of weather and storms.

The art students at Bayside Middle School recently created an art installation in front of the school. For the International Day of Peace, they designed pinwheels decorated with symbols and words concerning peace and tolerance and then put them outside the school as a public exhibit for passers-by on Newtown Road.The "Whirled Peace" project is part of Pinwheels for Peace begun six years ago by two art teachers in Florida. The project idea spread, and last year over 3.5 million pinwheels were spinning around the world. Art teacher Susan Carden said their particular focus was to stop bullying at school. She added that the students were so pleased with the project that they hope to "install" their pinwheels again, possibly in the courtyard.

Art teacher Susan Carden is pictured with the finished installation.

Sixth-grade art student McKendree G. installs pinwheels.

The first- and second-grade students at Windsor Woods Elementary School enjoyed learning about Abraham Lincoln. Bruce Spears, a Lincoln presenter, brought the life and contributions of Abraham Lincoln to life through stories of his childhood and his time in the White House. The children had many questions answered such as “Why did Mr. Lincoln wear a top hat?” and “Why did Mr. Lincoln grow a beard?” How fitting it is that Windsor Woods Elementary School is located on Presidential Boulevard!

Princess Anne High School office associate Susan Barnes has received the school's I Make a Difference award. In being selected, Susan was cited for being “the most pleasant person around!” In her position as data technician, she handles student records and deals with a variety of stressful situations. When a staff member has a problem, it becomes her problem. Her demeanor is always warm and personable and her calm presence reassures staff that all is (or soon will be) well. She maintains a helpful attitude and a willingness to do what it takes to make everything a bit easier and does it all with a smile!

Students from Virginia Wesleyan College visited Newtown Elementary School to help promote literacy. The Virginia Wesleyan program began in October and will go until May. The volunteer mentors come once a week for an hour during the students’ lunch time so the students can read to them. Pictured are second-grade students reading their favorite book to their Wesleyan partners Stephen Jones (below left) and Ariel Barnes (below right).

In celebration of Spirit Week at Bayside Middle School, eighth-grade English teacher Maryann Correia (center) and two students dressed as nerds to show others it is cool to be geeky. The SCA sponsored all the events for the week, including dressing as story characters and as people ready for careers. Competitive fall teams and clubs were recognized at the school’s pep rally for being positive representatives of the school.

Princess Anne High School technology education teacher Roger Crider (pictured right) and students displayed "Reverse Engineering" projects produced in their introduction to engineering class. A hands-on lab, the class offers an overview of all engineering career opportunities with a focus on the materials used in manufactured and engineered items. In this project, students disassemble small electronic devices to discover what is inside.

Five dedicated – and healthy – staff members at the Adult Learning Center were recently recognized for meeting the criteria for outstanding attendance during FY '10-11. Pictured (left to right) are English for speakers of other languages coordinator Paul Palombo, adult basic education teachers Julie Rakowski and Barb Joslyn, English for speakers of other languages teacher Nancy Hildebrandt, and adult basic education teacher assistant Gwen Stace, all of whom received letters of commendation from the Department of Human Resources.

Tiffany Nixon, third-grade inclusion teacher, was chosen Reading Teacher of the Year for Indian Lakes Elementary School. Nixon earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from East Carolina University and is in her seventh year of teaching. The first book Nixon remembers reading on her own is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which started her love for reading. It is obvious that she loves her job. As she says, "Simply put, I love children. I also enjoy teaching because it gives me the opportunity to show children that they are smart and loved. When children know those two things, they have the power to do anything!" Pictured left to right are third-grade inclusion teacher and Reading Teacher of the Year Tiffany Nixon and Indian Lakes Elementary principal Kathleen Starr.

Since arriving at Princess Anne High in July, Katie Palluch, recent I Make a Difference award recipient, has tackled the job of student activities coordinator with gusto. Whether handling eligibility, Josten's for graduation, Lifetouch for pictures or the many issues activities coordinators encounter, she is always professional and efficient. When a parent calls the office with concerns, Palluch is always willing to take the call and try to work issues out. She can even drive the White School Bus! For all the many jobs she does at PAHS, Katie Palluch truly is making a difference!

The Tagged by the Superintendent award was recently presented to eighth-grade math teacher and department chair Jessica Newell at Salem Middle School. Newell is a master teacher and serves as a role model in her school. She is an active leader in the AVID program, volunteers her time after school to help with the Hospitality Committee, and is always willing to go above and beyond when faced with a task. She works professionally with her colleagues and can always be counted on as a diligent and efficient team player.

Kathy Sargent, Internet Web professional (IWP) instructor at the Advanced Technology Center (ATC), is pictured (left) with Tony Cortinas (center), a founding partner with Marathon Consulting and Jaiquan J., advanced IWP student. Cortinas is an expert in Search Engine Optimization. One of the services being offered by the IWP class is the student-run Virtual Enterprise company, Splash Inc. Cortinas provided excellent advice for developing "optimized" websites and how results are measured.

On Monday, October 10, Salem Middle orchestra director Laura Parker was featured as a visiting lecturer for the School of Music at James Madison University (JMU). Her presentation was entitled District Assessment, The Big Picture: A Look at the Literature and Assessment Rubrics. This was Parker’s second visit to JMU’s campus; last spring her presentation was entitled What’s this? A Bassoonist Teaching Middle School Orchestra? Her continued partnership with the university will offer her a return trip in April 2012.

Princess Anne Middle School's I Make A Difference recipients for the months of September and October are (starting at 12 o'clock and moving clockwise) cafeteria assistant Louann Cieri, special education assistant Cody Chaplain, library media specialist Jen Crow, eighth-grade math teacher Angie Cole, head day custodian Richard Harris, seventh-grade social studies teacher Adam Henry, computer resource specialist Luke Hardin, and (center) social studies teacher Lindsay Thompson.

The Adult Learning Center (ALC) has done it again! For the fourth year in a row, the school has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as a Tier 1 adult education program! This is because the ALC delivers quality instruction, completes records on time, and meets the needs of students. Kudos to ALC director Bonnie Mizenko and all of her staff on being not only the Best of the Beach but the Best in Virginia!

Middle and high school counselors joined Advanced Technology Center (ATC) marketing management (MM) students for lunch and also got a taste of what it is like to be a student in the class. MM students provided a tour of the ATC as well as a presentation for the counselors who also had opportunities to win door prizes and ride the school bus to the ATC. Pictured are (first row, left to right) Dion W., Kelsey W., Danita S., Taylor V., and Justin O., MM students; Second row: Ann Marie Garvey, ATC assistant director; Lee Hubba, Landstown High counselor; Annie Chowns, Tallwood High counselor; Amy Bullock, Kellam High counselor, Nicole Calma, Bayside High counselor; Lisette Diehl, Landstown High Technology Academy coordinator; Kelly Greenberg, Landstown High counselor; Beanie Schleicher, First Colonial High counselor; Jeanita Lawrence, First Colonial High counselor; Last row: Cheryl Hummer, Princess Anne High counselor; Kelly Person, Kellam High counselor; Samantha Shannon, Ocean Lakes High counselor; Victoria Thompson, Princess Anne High counselor; Robert Lanz, Bayside Middle counselor; Jobynia Caldwell, Assistant Superintendent for High Schools; Karen Grauzlis, Plaza Middle counselor; Marlene Johnson, Bayside Middle counselor; and Lavelle White Landstown High counselor.