Teacher Starring in Training Videos - Fifth grade teacher, Pamela Perrigan, has been selected to represent High Point Elementary School and Washington County in a Virginia Department of Education training. In the film, Mrs. Perrigan will be teaching a reading comprehension demonstration lesson in Social Studies. Department of Education representatives will be in Washington County to film the lesson on January 7 and 8.

Learning Through Giving - The third grade classes at Watauga Elementary School have sent over 50 Christmas shoe box gifts in support of Operation Christmas Child. The boxes filled with small toys, school supplies, books, hygiene items, and an assortment of candy for children ages 2-14 years were sent to needy children in desperate situations around the world. Each box also contained $5.00 to pay the shipping costs. A special thanks goes to the families who were so generous with their time and money, and to the students who decided to support this organization instead of participating in our usual gift exchange.

Washington County School Alum Gives To Students -William R. Hill, a member of the Class of 1972 at Patrick Henry High School and a member of Virginia All-State Band 1971-72, returned to his alma mater on December 14 to perform for and speak to the current members of the Rebel Regiment, Patrick Henry's band. Following his graduation from Indiana University, Bill and his family reside in Denver where he is a percussionist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra and professor of music composition. Ms. Tammy Harman, Band Director, wants her students to know "what is possible."

Art Coming to Abingdon - The William King Regional Arts Center will be hosting the works of John S. Battle High School art students from January 12 through February 17, 2002. The opening reception for this show will be at the William King Regional Arts Center on Sunday, January 13, 2002, from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Our Students Are Competitive - John S. Battle High School student Amanda Hensley has been chosen as one of the three Virginia Congressional District finalists for the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. Leadership Award. This prestigious award is given to those high school seniors, who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and achievement. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony held in the courtroom of the Richmond Supreme Court on February 6, 2002.

Holston High School senior Thomas Abram McConnell, is a finalist in the ETSU Roan Scholars Leadership program. 8 students were selected from hundreds of applicants, from which 4 will receive a full scholarship to the ETSU honors program.

More Recognition from the State ? This month Holston High School received this month a Certificate of Recognition from Gov. Gilmore. It complimented the students, staff, administration, and families of the Holston High School community for their "outstanding example of academic achievement and educational leadership in the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Learning by Doing - Holston High School Junior Karla Powers is about to complete a mentorship with a teacher at Rhea Valley Elementary. Her work at Rhea Valley is in preparation for a planned career in early childhood education. This "real-world" experience was arranged through the Gifted & Talented program.

Doing Good Things - Holston High School Counselor Sondra Ratliff organized the adopting of nine "Christmas Angel" families to which Holston High School clubs provided canned goods and clothing. Much of the food was collected by the Future Business Leaders Association annual food drive.

Money Flowing to Good Programs ? Damascus Middle School was awarded a $300.00 grant from the Virginia Commission of the Arts. The grant will be used to help defray the cost of a hallway mural reflecting the history of the area. Additionally, the National 4-H Council's 2002 Youth in Action/Community Service program has granted $500.00 to the DMS CAUSE Ambassador Program. The school will use this money to raise student awareness of, and to address, community issues directly affecting their lives.

County Teacher Expertise Recognized ? Damascus Middle School teachers has Ms. Kim Roberts and Ms. Gail Gilland, will be presenters at the State Middle School Conference in Norfolk this spring.

The CAUSE Ambassador program has been awarded $500 in support of their efforts to work toward the first-ever Damascus Day, a day of caring through The National 4-H Council's 2002 Youth In Action Community Service grant opportunity. The CAUSE (Communities Allied to Uplift Success in Education) Program consists of fourteen eighth grade students from Damascus Middle School and four Emory & Henry College students. The program provides opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills, community knowledge, communication skills, and one-on-one mentoring experience with college students, and to build partnerships between youth and adults for the benefit of the places in which they live. Students participating in the program are: Mary Alice Slavik, Leah Wilson, Alicia Cook, Bonnie Van Dyke, Mary Clark, Crystal Blevins, Amanda Caywood, Montanan McCall, Naomi Kestner, Luke Parks, Jack Dorsey, Sarah Walls, Andy Wilson, and Jessica Eden.

The Appalachian Center for Community Service at E & H will match this funding. The grant proposal was written entirely by the youth in response to their concerns about a need for more positive activities for youth in the community.

Starting with the January 7, 2002 meeting, all online School Board Agendas will include much of the supporting documentation as well. The agendas and supporting documentation will be posted as one large PDF file.

The month of December has been a busy one for students at Greendale Elementary. Second grade students visited the Crab Orchard Museum in Tazewell, Virginia for a historic perspective of life in Southwest Virginia. The museum includes artifacts excavated on the site of an Indian village as well as a walking time line including items from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The differences in these historical eras demonstrated how a local community changed over time. (SOL 2.3) A large scale model of the Indian village and tools used by Native Americans were also on display. (SOL 2.2)

Students also learned of the many contributions of Native American art (SOL 2.2) by observing sweet grass, listening to Native American music, making Pueblo dream-catchers, and crafting an Indian medicine pouch. William King Art Center made these activities possible as a part of its Van Gogh Outreach Program which incorporates art education with Virginia Social Science SOLs.

Kindergarten students enjoyed A Visit from St. Nicholas at Barter Theatre on December 14. This is a play written and directed by Catherine Gray featuring a boy who had lost his belief in Santa. Merry elves and the boys sister spend the evening convincing him through familiar songs and stories that Santa really does exist in the hearts of those who believe.

Fifth grade students have been busy designing and making patterned garlands in math class. (Math SOL 5.19) The garland was strung from the ceiling with care in hopes it would still be presentable to hang on their tree at home. Students identified the patterns in each garland and determined what would come next if the garland was extended. All students and Nurse Karen voted to choose the most creative garlands and the winners were Kris J., Katie G., Ginny P. and Corey S.

Fifth graders recently enjoyed WMKS: A Christmas Story at Barter Theatre. One of our own classmates, Jessi N., starred in the play as Arthella. The play not only put us in the Christmas spirit, but also gave us a strong sense of patriotism. At one point in the play, the cast began singing the Star Spangled Banner and the entire Barter audience stood, saluted and sang along-it was an amazing experience.

In 1981, the Virginia State Reading Association, in association with the Virginia Educational Media Association, the Virginia Library Association, and the Library of Virginia Youth Services began offering youth throughout the state an exciting literary opportunity. The program, called Virginia Young Readers, allows young people to read the latest and best books, then vote on their favorite in a statewide competition. There are four levels of participation: primary, elementary, middle, and high school. At each level, a panel nominates ten books. Young people must read at least four of the nominated titles before voting on their favorite. Across our state, young readers broaden their awareness of literature as a life-long pleasure. They get to honor a favorite author and become better acquainted with contemporary literature. The Southwest Virginia Reading Council hopes to promote increased participation in this program in our area of Virginia. Information may be accessed on the Virginia State Reading Association's web site at http://www.vsra.org. The Southwest Virginia Reading Council, the local affiliate of the Virginia State Reading Association, encourages parents, students, and teachers to learn more about this program.