School Board Recognitions

December 19, 2006

5. Student, Employee, and Public Awards and Recognitions

5A. Distinguished Teaching Award in Geographic Education
The School Board is pleased to recognize Val Oblinsky of the Landstown High School Technology Academy as the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award in Geographic Education.

Ms. Oblinsky was presented this award by the National Council of Geographic Education (NCGE). The NCGE recognizes outstanding geography instruction in schools throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in U.S. Department of Defense schools abroad. This national award was given at the National Conference in October.

Congratulations, Ms. Oblinsky– We would ask that you remain at the dais for yet another award tonight.

5B. Excellence in the Teaching of International Studies Award
The School Board is also pleased to recognize Ms. Oblinsky as the recipient of the Excellence in the Teaching of International Studies Award.

Ms. Oblinsky was selected as the recipient of this award by the Virginia Center for the Teaching of International Studies, which is affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University. She was nominated by her school principal, Brian Baxter, for her success in incorporating international studies into her curriculum. International studies are defined as the examination of contemporary political, economic or social issues in different regions of the world. Ms. Oblinsky has been active professionally in improving her knowledge of international studies and how best to teach it. This national award was given at the Annual Gala Dinner of the Word Affairs Council of Greater Richmond in November.

Please join me again in congratulating Ms. Oblinsky!

5C. National Supervisor of the Year for Foreign Languages
The School Board is pleased to recognize Dr. Maria Still, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as the recipient of the National Supervisor of the Year for Foreign Languages Award.

Dr. Still, Foreign Languages Coordinator, was recognized by the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL) as the National Supervisor of the Year at the organization's annual Conference in Nashville, TN in November. This award, sponsored by Pearson Prentice Hall, recognized Dr. Still for providing educational opportunities that promote quality and innovative curricular and instructional projects; for assessing initiatives; for encouraging staff development for new and experienced teachers; and for establishing initiatives to promote foreign language education and business.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Still!

5D. Outstanding Attendance – November 2006
The School Board is pleased to recognize the schools with the highest rates of student attendance for the month of November 2006. Representatives from these schools are invited to come forward as their school's name is announced.

Plaza Elementary School, with an attendance rate of 98.62 percent is the recipient of the elementary school attendance flag for November. Accepting Plaza Elementary's attendance certificate are SCA Advisor Shannon Coleman; SCA Vice President Kareena M.; and third-grade SCA representative Joseph D. Congratulations to students and staff at Plaza Elementary! At this time, we would like to acknowledge that Plaza Elementary has also been awarded the Most Improved Attendance for November 2006 with a percentage rate of 2.19! Congratulations again to Plaza Elementary School!

Kemps Landing Magnet School, with an attendance rate of 97.71 percent, receives the attendance certificate for middle schools for November. Accepting the certificate for Kemps Landing Magnet is Assistant Principal Charles Foster. Congratulations to the students and staff at Kemps Landing Magnet School for their outstanding student attendance in November!

At the high school level, outstanding attendance for November 2006 goes to Ocean Lakes High School which reported a 96.09 percent student attendance rate. Accepting Ocean Lakes' certificate is Assistant Principal Norman Benwitz. Congratulations to Ocean Lakes High School students and staff!

6D. Most Improved Attendance – November 2006
The School Board will now recognize the schools with the most improved attendance for the month of November 2006.

In addition to Plaza Elementary School, which was recognized earlier, another school has earned the honor of most improved attendance, Open Campus Center. Open Campus had a 2.22 percent improvement in student attendance for November. Accepting Open Campus' attendance certificate is Interim Principal Josh Darden. Congratulations to students and staff at Open Campus Center!

Mr. Chairman, that concludes our scheduled recognitions for this evening.

School Board Recognitions Archives