December 20, 2005
5. Student, Employee, and Public Awards and Recognition5A. 2005 National Board Certified Teachers
The School Board is pleased to recognize the following educators for earning national board certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). I invite them to come forward as their names are announced:
These teachers have earned National Board Certification, which is a voluntary process established by NBPTS and is achieved through a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes nearly a year to complete. Through the assessment process, teachers document their subject matter knowledge; provide evidence that they know how to teach their subjects to students most effectively; and demonstrate their ability to manage and measure student learning. The hard work and dedication of these educators is to be commended. Please join me in congratulating these teachers for earning national board certification!
5B. Leadership in Cultural Diversity Education Award
The School Board is now pleased to recognize staff from Birdneck Elementary School for receiving the 2005 Leadership in Cultural Diversity Education Award from the Virginia Department of Education.
Here this evening to accept on behalf of Birdneck Elementary are:
Barbara Sessoms, Principal
Dottie Ridge, Literacy Coach
Wendee Long, Teacher of Preschool Handicapped
Ralph James, Guidance Counselor
Ken Magee and Tane Sheppard, Physical Education teachers
Annette Walker, Gifted Resource Teacher
Karen Lewis, 2nd grade teacher Teacher
Sharon Bivens, Art Teacher, and
Melissa Moeller, Special Education Teacher
Birdneck Elementary School was selected to receive this award because they have initiated effective programs that promote an understanding of cultural diversity within the school community, as well as a number of activities that are designed to be inclusive for all students. Birdneck has implemented programs for all students and staff designed to transform organizational culture and that require deep commitment at all levels to raise awareness of cultural diversity and student achievement.
For example, staff at Birdneck have created a “Hall of Diversity” as a tribute to the cultures present in their school community. Birdneck’s “Voices of Tomorrow” are a diverse singing group at the school that captures diversity in the music they perform, from spiritual to patriotic tunes. The school’s “Eagle Club” teaches students etiquette and qualities like good sportsmanship.
From celebrations of cultural diversity held throughout the school year to the development of a literacy program called “ Reading Takes you Around the World,” Birdneck Elementary school has focused on cultural diversity education.
The Leadership in Cultural Diversity Education Award was presented to Birdneck by the Virginia Department of Education for effectively providing educational opportunities that promote an understanding and responsiveness to cultural diversity.
Congratulations to the staff and students at Birdneck Elementary for receiving this award!
5C. 2005 Foreign Language State Awards
The School Board will now recognize Hope Damergis, a teacher at First Colonial High School, and Dr. Maria Still, Foreign Language Coordinator in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for receiving 2005 Foreign Language State Awards from the Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA).
Hope Damergis has been awarded the 2005 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Foreign Language Association of Virginia. Ms. Damergis, who currently teaches Spanish III and IV at First Colonial High School, has been teaching Spanish since receiving her BS in education in K-12 Spanish and History from Old Dominion University. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, which she earned in 1980. In addition, Ms. Damergis is the 2005 recipient of the VBCPS Foreign Language Teacher of the Year Award. This year’s FLAVA’s Distinguished Service Award, was presented to Dr. Maria Still. Dr. Still has served as the coordinator of Foreign Languages for our school system since 1991. She holds a BA in Spanish from DePaul University in Chicago, a Master’s Degree in Education, from the College of William and Mary, with endorsements from Old Dominion and Norfolk State Universities, and a doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Congratulations to Ms. Damergis and to Dr. Still!
5D. Outstanding Attendance – November 2005
The School Board is pleased to recognize the schools with the highest rates of student attendance for the month of November 2005. Representatives from these schools are invited to come forward as their school’s name is announced.
Old Donation Center, with an attendance rate of 97.12% is the recipient of the elementary school attendance certificate. Accepting the school’s certificate is Camille Grabb, Reading Resource Specialist. Congratulations to the students and staff at Old Donation Center for their outstanding attendance in November!
Kemps Landing Magnet School, with an attendance rate of 97.92%, receives the attendance certificate for middle schools for November. Accepting the certificate for Kemps Landing is Mr. Jim Karle, Latin I teacher . Congratulations to the students and staff at Kemps Landing Magnet School for their outstanding student attendance!
At the high school level, the attendance certificate for November goes to Ocean Lakes High School who reported a 95.26% student attendance rate. Accepting the school’s certificate is Norman Benwitz, assistant principal, and Senior Katherine T. who has had perfect attendance during her entire high school career. Congratulations to Ocean Lakes High students and staff for their outstanding attendance in November!
Mr. Chairman, this concludes our recognitions for this evening.
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