This RSS feed displays the 10 newest news articles from Washington County Schools. en-us http://www.wcs.k12.va.us Copyright 1998-2004, Washington County Schools http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/24/high-point-s-90-million-word-readers-beat-the-odds "This is your distinguished host, Effie Trinket. The time has come to select 5 courageous boys and girls to represent each district. Would the following tributes please come forward....Congratulations to all our tributes, and may the odds be ever in your favor!" This was the announcement students heard over the intercom every Friday at High Point Elementary School, as Effie Trinket (Principal, Sherry King) announced the Reading Games winners from each grade level. To earn the privilege of selecting a prize from the "cornucopia," students read . . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/24/john-s-battle-band-director-receives-2013-yale-distinguished-music-educator-award The Yale School of Music is pleased to announce that Mark Collins was among those selected to receive the 2013 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award. The Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award is presented biennially to fifty music educators selected for their outstanding accomplishments teaching music in the nation’s public schools. From a pool of nearly 300 nominees representing 45 states, a panel of music professionals selected this year’s 50 Distinguished Music Educators. The selected educators hail from 32 different states, includin. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/24/high-point-elementary-fifth-graders-look-ahead The 5th grade students from High Point Elementary traveled to Wallace Middle School on April 10th. While there, the students were able to hear from Wallace Middle School principal, Mr. Lambert and Guidance Counselor, Ms. Ratcliff about expectations for next year. Mr. Lambert told the students of the many exciting opportunities they would be experiencing during middle school. Students were also allowed to tour the school and get a first hand glimpse of what they have to look forward to. Our students seemed very excited about the after school c. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/23/watauga-first-grade-visits-bays-mountain-park On Friday, April 12, Watauga first graders visited Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Students were amazed by the Planetarium, where they learned about our Solar System. First graders were also taken on a nature walk by park rangers, and saw deer, bobcats, turtles, snakes, fish, and various birds from our area in the animal habitats. The highlight of the trip for many was hearing the wolves howl or petting “Priscilla” the corn snake. Students returned to Watauga after a picnic lunch in the park. It was a fun and educational day!. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/23/wallace-middle-school-s-gate-program-hosts-school-wide-science-fair This year Wallace Middle School’s GATE Program sponsored a school-wide science fair. There were a total of 34 entries submitted by individuals or teams covering such topics as rocket propulsion, aero-dynamics, electricity, chemistry, and magnetism. Students were encouraged to participate by their science teachers and were required to follow the steps of the scientific method. Each group created a presentation board to display pictures and data for each project, and they demonstrated their findings in front of a panel of three judges during. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/22/ben-franklin-visits-watauga-first-grade On Friday, April 19, Watauga First Graders enjoyed a visit from a special famous American-Ben Franklin! Mr. Franklin began his talk by explaining how newspapers were once made by the print press when he was a young apprentice at his brother’s newspaper. He then spoke about some of the major events in his life, including his famous kite experiment, starting the first library and volunteer fire department in Philadelphia, and signing the Declaration of Independence. Students were very impressed when he showed how to work his “Magic Squares�. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/22/congratulations-jr-trojans The Jr. Trojans travel basketball team, comprised of fourth and fifth grade students from High Point Elementary and Valley Institute Elementary Schools, finished their basketball season with a 16-10 overall record. These young men played in tournaments all across Southwest Virginia, meeting teams from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. They made it to five straight championship games and earned several trophies, plaques, and medals along the way. Team members are Reed S. #1, Zane P. #4, Major H. #10, Garett B. #12, Andrew C. #1. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/21/new-signs-of-spring-at-patrick-henry-high-school On Friday, April 26, members of the United Way of Washington County, United Way of Russell County, and a long-term recovery group visited Patrick Henry High School to plant a maple tree and a dogwood tree in front of the school. This project intends to aid in the restoration of damages from the 2011 tornadoes in the Glade Spring area. Students in Mr. Scypher’s Landscaping class assisted in the actual planting of the trees. On Arbor Day, April 27, these organizations will be planting trees at approximately 400 Glade Spring households affect. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/21/ancient-china-brought-to-life-for-watauga-second-graders Second graders at Watauga Elementary were fortunate to welcome a guest speaker, Sujean Bradley, to discuss Ancient China. She teaches preschool at Rhea Valley Elementary. She has visited China twice. Her grandfather, John Wilson Bradley, was a Presbyterian medical missionary to China who helped raise money to build a new hospital in Suqian, China in 1905. In 2005, family members of those who had helped were invited to visit Suquian to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the hospital. As a result of her trip, she has many experiences to share. Sh. . . http://wcs.k12.va.us/articles/2013/05/20/high-point-elementary-goes-scientific-in-third-grade High Point Elementary School students have been gathering all of their scientific skills to showcase in the First Annual School-wide Science Fair! Third-grade students in Mrs. Miller's class worked hard on their projects; Oil slicks, bread mold, plant growth, and dissolving substances were just a few of the topics studied. Students worked in groups of four or five, and followed the scientific method to create and carry out an investigation. They created boards to display their work and creativity, and practiced their typing skills in order to . . .