Superintendent Newsome's Blog

Two thumbs up!

2011-09-16T16:19:00.002-04:00

Here’s the report I gave at Tuesday’s School Board meeting about the start of the 2011-12 school year.

Back to School Report (PDF)

Back-to-school whirlwind

2011-09-07T15:43:00.002-04:00

Our first day of school was outstanding. Teachers, administrators and staff members went above and beyond to prepare schools and classrooms. Smiling faces and getting right to work were the order of the day. Not even a hurricane can dampen the spirits of our students!

Welcome to a new school year.

2011-08-31T12:11:00.002-04:00

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” — Plato

There is something special about new beginnings. From new beginnings spring hope, encouragement and optimism. After the past several days, we can all use a new beginning: Last week, we experienced a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, and this past weekend we endured the fury and destruction of Hurricane Irene.

As of today, we still have 12 schools without power. But our dedicated and hard-working employees are not letting that stand in the way of making sure schools and classrooms are prepared to accept more than 58,000 students on the first day of school on Sept. 6. Our employees are committed to making our students’ first day a very special new beginning.

For our employees, here are a few new school year resolutions from TeachHub.com: stay positive, get your work/life balance in order, set goals and avoid autopilot mode, and give individual time and attention to students.

Let’s keep working together to overcome barriers and challenges as we make this the best year ever for our students.

“Coming together is a beginning. Staying together is progress. Working together is success.” — Henry Ford

Our bus drivers are on a roll!

2011-06-29T16:15:00.003-04:00

Chesterfield County Public Schools has outstanding school bus drivers who make a difference in the lives of students, and two of our drivers won statewide awards this week: For the second year in a row, Leslie Alderman is Virginia’s best school bus driver. She won the conventional school bus category in the statewide road-e-o and will represent Virginia and Chesterfield County Public Schools during national competition July 16-17 in Baltimore. A 20-year bus driver, Ms. Alderman helps train our new bus drivers in addition to transporting Elizabeth Davis Middle, Marguerite Christian Elementary and Chesterfield Technical Center students.

Bobby Shuart received the Above and Beyond Award at the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation conference. Mr. Shuart, who joined Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2006, drives students with special needs to Woolridge Elementary and James River High. To make bus rides as pleasant as possible for students, Mr. Shuart gets to know students and their families before school starts, puts together a kit of personalized activities for each student to enjoy on the bus and celebrates special days throughout the year, which includes dressing as Santa in December

2011-06-16T07:57:00.004-04:00

Class of 2011
A week ago, the class of 2011 graduated from Chesterfield County Public Schools. Each of our 4,300 graduates has a special story. Here are just a few:

“From homelessness to high school graduation” was the headline about one of our students, whose determination to get an education is inspiring. Click here to get to know this Clover Hill graduate.
A Manchester High grad is heading to Liberty University and planning a career in ministry. I have no doubt he will succeed because he is already using his gifts to help classmates and the community overcome challenges and commit to leading lives that matter.
One of our Cosby High graduates was honored as a Gates Millenium Scholar, which will pay the entire cost of her undergraduate and graduate degrees. There are no limits to this young woman’s future.
From Bird High, a graduate is going to the University of Virginia, where he will be an Echols Scholar. This is especially noteworthy because this young man is the first in his family to attend college.
Losing his mother might have sidetracked a senior at Bird High, but he chose instead to honor her memory and achieve at high levels. To learn more about this determined valedictorian, click here.

These are just a few of our inspiring graduates. Others have equally moving stories of overcoming obstacles, achieving success, reaching out to help others and growing into adults who will lead our community, our state, our country and our world into the future. Supported by families, educators and the community, Chesterfield graduates are well prepared for their futures.

I feel privileged to have been part of their graduation ceremonies and I look forward to hearing more of their stories in the coming years. Congratulations to the class of 2011!

2011-06-06T13:22:00.001-04:00

You say goodbye, and I say hello
In less than a month, 11 of our principals are retiring. That is a sizable percentage in a school system with 62 principals. And more than 11 of our schools will open in September with a new principal because another school’s principal may move into a retiring principal’s spot, creating a ripple effect of new principals.

Retiring principals are
• Robin Morgan, Bellwood Elementary
• JoAnn Crowell-Redd, Ecoff Elementary
• Joyce Lanier, Evergreen Elementary
• Donna Venable, Hopkins Elementary
• Anne O’Toole, Robious Elementary
• Lee Horgan, Alberta Smith Elementary
• Dr. Donald Bechtel, Swift Creek Elementary
• Dianne Smith, Winterpock Elementary
• Michael Rose, Chesterfield Technical Center
• Robert Stansberry, Thomas Dale High
• John Titus, James River High

Principals are among our hardest working and most important team members. They are catalysts in their school communities, bringing together students, teachers and staff members, parents, community partners and others. Principals mix together all those different groups and inspire them to rally around their school.

We thank our 11 retiring principals for all they have done for our schools and wish them well in their next endeavors. They will be missed. Simultaneously, we welcome our new principals, who are well-prepared to lead Chesterfield schools into their futures.

2011-05-05T11:39:00.001-04:00

Appreciating teachers

Meeting with my Student Advisory Group on Education is always a bright spot on my calendar. Student leaders from every Chesterfield high school make up the group, and we get together monthly to discuss education and additional ways to engage students.

During yesterday’s meeting, during Teacher Appreciation Week, I asked these high school seniors to jot down how their favorite teachers make a difference:

My favorite teacher encourages me to succeed. She is helpful, easy to talk to, very caring and thoughtful.
My favorite teacher is hard to describe in one sentence, but he has inspired me to be a better person. He has been a friend for many students and is a great person.
My favorite teacher has inspired me to pursue what I love to do and is always available to talk, regardless of the situation.
My favorite teachers (I have two) are funny and only strict when necessary. I trust them enough to talk to them about anything. They offer great advice. They treat me like an adult.
I like that I can come to my teacher anytime during the day, and I can talk about anything.
My favorite teacher is not too strict or too easygoing, and she always finds a way to make the lesson interesting and fun.
My favorite teacher isn’t afraid to laugh with us or have conversations with us — treat us like people, not just like students.
My favorite teacher has supported me all through high school and has always been available for advice even though she hasn’t taught me since ninth grade.
My teacher helps me with everything. My teacher is an all-around nice person with a good heart.
My favorite teacher taught me the most important thing: to think and problem-solve for myself.
My favorite teacher is very energetic and involved. She is motivating and encourages us to do well.
My favorite teacher is important to me because of the help she gives me outside the classroom; she teaches the class and me great moral lessons and she is someone I can talk to about anything.
My favorite teacher incorporates critical thinking in every class and relates every topic to real-world issues or pop culture.
My favorite teacher is funny and connects well with students.

Celebrating Students of the Year

2011-04-19T08:39:00.002-04:00

Celebrating Students of the Year

Few events are as uplifting as our annual Students of the Year celebration. Every school selects two Students of the Year, then the Midlothian Rotary Club sponsors a celebration for our 164 Students of the Year and their parents.

Some Students of the Year are honor roll students — and we applaud their academic success — but that is not why they are selected as Students of the Year. Some are terrific athletes, gifted musicians, passionate artists, technology wizards and brilliant writers — and we delight in their abilities — but that is not why they are honored as Students of the Year.

Students of the Year are chosen for the excellent choices they are making and for demonstrating good values.

Every year I am moved by the demonstration of our school division’s core values in addition to the strong work ethic, positive leadership, generosity, thoughtfulness, kindness and determination of the students and their parents. This year’s honorees are equally amazing. I met one student who is recovering from brain surgery and another who is fighting leukemia. I sat next to a parent of one of our Students of the Year who did not have any kidneys. Something they all have in common is a positive attitude and courage.

Congratulations to our Students of the Year. I am sure that each and every one will continue to lead lives of purpose and give us additional reasons to celebrate their achievements in the future.

2011-04-15T13:02:00.006-04:00

Golden

Our PTAs and PTSAs are definitely worth their weight in gold, which is now selling for more than $1,400 an ounce. That’s how valuable PTAs are.

Earlier this week, the Chesterfield County Council of PTAs/PTSAs gathered to share ideas and celebrate this year’s successes. Monacan High was honored as this year’s most welcoming school. Mary Simpson of Cosby High, Beth Hanna of Robious Middle and Ann Ertzner of Wells Elementary were named volunteers of the year.

As I said at the gathering, we do not take our PTAs for granted. Their involvement and support and creativity are appreciated every day. In the lives of Chesterfield students, PTAs are golden.

*((left to right) Superintendent Marcus Newsome, Monacan High Principal Bill Broyles, County Council of PTAs/PTSAs President Stella Edwards and Monacan Assistant Principal Brian Russell)

2011-03-31T10:14:00.003-04:00

We believe

Final Four fever is contagious, and there is an epidemic at Jacobs Road Elementary.

Jacobs Road feels a special connection to VCU’s Final Four-bound basketball team because VCU guard Bradford Burgess is Principal Myla Burgess’ son, and the team has spent time at Jacobs Road, encouraging students to achieve.

I was glad to be there yesterday when Jacobs Road surprised their principal with a high-energy pep rally. Students and staff members made clear that they believe VCU can win the national title.

Mrs. Burgess accepted their encouragement, then expressed to her students that they can achieve at high levels. That is an attitude that we can all rally around. Each and every one of us, whether we are students or adults, can work to achieve our goals and reach our own Final Four.

Go, Rams! Go, Jacobs Road!

Chesterfield’s got game

2011-03-24T13:04:00.005-04:00

When Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond play their Sweet 16 games tomorrow, Chesterfield County Public Schools will be well represented.
Three players have ties to our school system:

UR’s Justin Harper graduated from Meadowbrook.
UR’s Darien Brothers played for Monacan before switching to Benedictine.
VCU’s Bradford Burgess played for Manchester before transferring to Benedictine.

It’s possible that Chesterfield has more Sweet 16 alumni than any other school system this year! Chesterfield County Public Schools has another connection with Bradford Burgess: His mom, Myla Burgess, is principal of Jacobs Road Elementary, and VCU basketball players and coaches have spent time there with students. The photo at the top of this blog shows Bradford Burgess during a reading celebration in October at Jacobs Road Elementary. Congratulations to our hard-working, talented alumni. Go, Rams! Go, Spiders!

Reading is Fundamental

2011-03-17T15:49:00.003-04:00

I love reading, which is the foundation of all academic success. Yesterday, I read aloud to preschoolers at the Children’s Museum of Richmond as part of National Reading Month. On Dr. Seuss Day, “Green Eggs and Ham” was what I shared with students at Watkins Elementary.

I encourage students and families to spend time reading every day, because I truly believe what Dr. Seuss wrote in another book: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

2011 Holds New Optimism And Promise For Our School Division

2011-01-03T15:43:00.003-05:00

2010 was another successful year for our school division. Our schools, staff and students continued to win national acclaim for their work. When our students return to class today, we trust that they will be well rested and prepared to give their best efforts in the new year.

2011 holds new optimism and promise for our school division. Personal visits to classrooms the past four months reaffirmed my faith in our teachers' and administrators' abilities to overcome challenges we face in preparing our students for success.

Thank you for your continued support of Chesterfield County Public Schools. Working together, we are creating better futures for our students and staff.

Graduation Rate Increases

2010-10-18T16:46:00.000-04:00

The on-time graduation rate for Chesterfield County Public Schools improved to 87.8 percent in 2010, up from 85.9 percent the previous year, according to figures released today by the Virginia Department of Education. Chesterfield students continued to outperform their peers across Virginia; Virginia’s on-time graduation rate is 85.5 percent in 2010 and was 83.3 percent in 2009.

Students graduating on time is a key measure of success in Chesterfield County Public Schools’ Design for Excellence strategic plan, which includes strategies for increasing the percentage of students who graduate in four years with a standard or advanced diploma.

Students, teachers, parents and school leaders can all celebrate the fact that more Chesterfield students are graduating from high school in four years. Chesterfield’s rigorous curriculum prepares our graduates for their futures, while our support systems help students stay in school even when life gets complicated.

Principal for a Day

2010-10-15T15:56:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday, the school division and the Chesterfield Business Council co-hosted the fourth annual Principal for a Day program. More than 30 local business leaders signed up to shadow a school principal. In participating, business leaders gain insights into what a principal experiences during a typical day by observing and participating in activities such as patrolling the building and grounds, bus duty, morning announcements, classroom walk-throughs, responding to crises, conferences and phone calls, team or faculty meetings, lunch duty and assemblies. This opportunity also affords the business community a chance to see 21st century skills in practice and to discuss with school leaders ways businesses and schools can work together to support student achievement.

What does the future hold for Chesterfield County Public Schools?

2010-10-13T15:50:00.003-04:00

A series of forums featuring dynamic speakers will offer information, pose questions and seek answers. Invited to attend these forums on the future are community members, business leaders, parents, teachers, students and school administrators.

Taking place 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays this fall, the forums begin the process of updating the strategic plan of Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Admission to the forums is free; reservations are not required.

The schedule of speakers is available on the school division’s website, www.chesterfield.k12.va.us. The series kicks off on Oct. 20 with a presentation titled “A World Without Boxes.” A brick-and-mortar school isn’t the only place to learn. Online classes made it possible for Joel Erb to complete high school while running the marketing agency he founded when he was 15 and continues to lead today.

http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/instruction/files/Educational%20Forum%20flier.pdf

Welcome Back to School!

2010-09-09T13:12:00.005-04:00

I would like to welcome you and your family to a brand-new school year filled with opportunities and possibilities.

Academic success for every student is the top goal of our school system, and we are pleased that every Chesterfield school is again fully accredited.

Our teachers, staff members and community partners worked hard to prepare for the first day of school. When our 59,000 students entered their classrooms on Sept. 7, they were surrounded by positive energy and support. Our expectations for our children, our schools and our community are high.

Success depends on effort, and I am confident this will be a successful year if we all work together and live our core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and accountability.

Thank you for your support — have a terrific school year!

Thank you to our teachers!

2010-08-30T16:06:00.006-04:00

Today is the first official workday for Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers and for countless teachers throughout the country. In my opinion, teaching is the most noble of professions. Professionals throughout our community deserve our praise and appreciation for their contributions in making the world a better place: police and law enforcement officers, doctors, firefighters, nurses, engineers, craftsmen, judges, therapists, ministers, managers, etc. But they all have one thing in common: All of their lives were touched by a teacher.

As our teachers ready their classrooms to receive more than 59,000 students next Tuesday, I join thousands of parents in Chesterfield County in saying thank you for being a teacher.

Here is a “Tribute to a Teacher”:

We held their hands the first day of school.
Our hearts were filled with pride.
There was an aura of fear and apprehension
As we stood close to their side.
We deposited our children at your door,
Our most precious and prized possessions.
We trusted that you would give them more
Than Reading and Writing lessons.
Our unspoken words were, give them self worth.
They are little children, respect their rights.
Teach them with love and remember compassion.
Use a firm hand to break up their fights.
As the years went by, you did us proud
With your guiding hand and understanding smile.
You gave much more than we expected.
That was your way, your undeniable style.
What higher tribute can we pay a teacher?
To what greater heights can he ascend?
Than to have his students praise his work,
And to say "He is my friend."
- by Myrna Beth Lambert

All Schools Fully Accredited for Third Year in a Row!

2010-08-12T11:17:00.007-04:00

I am pleased to announce that all Chesterfield County schools are fully accredited for the 2010-11 school year, making Chesterfield the largest division in Virginia to have all schools fully accredited three years in a row. This academic achievement is a true credit to the hard work and focused determination of our students, parents and school employees. Virginia’s academic standards are the model for schools across the country and to have all of our schools fully accredited is an accomplishment in which we can all take pride. As we head into the new school year, we will build on our success and redouble our efforts to ensure continued academic success and progress for every student.

View a list of Chesterfield schools that are fully accredited here

Student Leaders Create New Leaders

2010-06-04T08:22:00.000-04:00

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is working with students. Throughout the course of this year I have taught several classes at the elementary and secondary levels, and have worked with an outstanding group of students who serve on the Superintendent’s Advisory Group on Education (SAGE). It is always a good feeling to be recognized by your colleagues and peers for accomplishments and success in the things you strive to do.

Recently I was honored by some of these wonderful students, who recognized me as the recipient of the 2010 Regional Community Leader of Education Award by LEAD UP!, the Midlothian High School Leadership Certificate Program. Two Midlothian High seniors, Khaki LaRiviere and Stacey LaRiviere, created this program that featured leadership training offered by community and business leaders, and small group activities led by students and guest speakers. The training was offered to all students in the school, and after each student attended three training sessions and participated in one community service project, I had the privilege of awarding the students with a certificate of completion.

Here is an excerpt of the invitation to speak at the program.

“During the past two years it has been wonderful getting to know you through the Superintendent’s Advisory Group for Education. Learning about effective student leadership in the Chesterfield County Public Schools inspired Stacey and I to extend that wonderful leadership opportunity to other students. We want every student to have equal access to leadership training that will help prepare them for jobs in the future. Now L.E.A.D. UP! has almost 40 members!”

This program was inspirational in that it was a program created and implemented by student leaders who desired to enable their fellow students to become leaders as well. The program had outstanding topics and speakers, and no doubt participants learned a great deal. I commend our student leaders, Stacey and Khaki, for starting the leadership program – and I am most grateful for their leadership, compassion, empathy and generosity. They are a model for our school division’s core values and service to others.

Remembering Art Linkletter

2010-05-27T12:23:00.000-04:00

TV host Art Linkletter, who made the world a happier place just by asking children what they thought, died yesterday at age 97. As a tribute, I’d like to share a short video that always makes me laugh. I hope you enjoy Art Linkletter’s humor and way with children as much as I do.

CCPS Scenes of Success

2010-05-26T11:45:00.000-04:00

I am again pleased to share with you the third in a series of presentations to the School Board that depict successes within our schools of students and staff. I enjoy compiling these visual presentations because reviewing these wonderful images, some of which I have snapped myself, reminds me of the dedication that our employees have to our students, and of the hard work our students put into learning and meeting their goals. Hope you enjoy the images.

CCPS Scenes of Success

Thanks to Our 2010 Retirees

2010-05-21T15:59:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to all of the employees who are retiring this year. I would like to commend for your excellent service to this school system, in all of the varying capacities you have served. Of the 191 staff members retiring, I thank you for the 4,060 years total you have given to Chesterfield County Public Schools, and I applaud you for the 5,390 years total service to education you’ve given during your careers.

Yesterday we recognized many of the retiring employees at a reception held at Thomas Dale. I would like to share with you some comments that I made to our 2010 “graduating class.”

Retirement is a change – a big change. You are entering a new part of your journey, trying out your retirement wings, deciding what’s next in your life.

Those of us remaining in Chesterfield County Public Schools will also be entering a new phase: the phase of trying to get along without all of our talented and dedicated colleagues who are retiring this year. It will not be easy – we will miss you. Oh boy, will we miss you!

You may not miss us – at least not right away. But I believe that you will find your way back into our schools as volunteer mentors, reading buddies, coaches and more. After all, where would we be without you?

Your work and your vision and your energy have transformed Chesterfield County Public Schools into a high-achieving, award-winning school system. Our students are succeeding at high levels today because of you. Thank you. Thank you for your contributions in our schools, for our students and for this community. I am grateful for you.

Finally, I’d like to share one more quotation with you. This comes from Mark Twain and I think it is excellent advice for all of us, whether we are retiring or not retiring:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Joining the Bus Road-e-o

2010-05-14T14:33:00.004-04:00

I drove a school bus for the first time yesterday, and my respect for the excellent job our bus drivers do is at an all-time high.

My turn at the wheel came during a bus rodeo sponsored by our Transportation Department. I was driving on a closed course — far away from obstacles, people and other vehicles. The course included cones to navigate through, corners to turn, tight spaces to park in, a cutout representing a child at a bus stop and other situations that bus drivers handle every day.

Only a few cones were flattened during my trip around the half-mile course, so I feel pretty good about my performance. Of course, my performance was aided by the experienced bus driver sitting right behind me, letting know how hard to cut the wheel and when to turn. Without the special assistance I received from Barbara Musick, I probably would have flattened all of the traffic cones!

Each year, our top scorers in the bus rodeo go on to compete regionally and statewide against bus drivers from other school systems. The top-scoring bus drivers for Chesterfield County Public Schools this year are Leslie Alderman, Marion Trent, Amy Ellington, Pamela Krueth, Jennifer Langford, Rose Moody, Annette Norwood, Linda Thacker, Bill Johnson and Barbara Jordan. Regional competition is next week, then state competition will take place June 22 at James River High School.

I congratulate our top drivers and all of our Chesterfield school bus drivers who navigate 8.5 million miles each school year safely transporting about 44,000 students to school.

Outstanding Youth Awards Program

2010-05-07T14:30:00.002-04:00

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Outstanding Youth Awards program at Bird High, where youths and adults who have made differences in others’ lives in the community or at school were honored. I was so proud of the students who were recognized for the courage, compassion, leadership and service they exhibit in their daily lives.

Scenes from Chesterfield County Public Schools

2010-04-28T15:42:00.007-04:00

Much of the conversation recently has been devoted to the budget. During my time in schools this past month, it has been refreshing to see in my classroom visits that our core business of teaching and learning continues. The slideshow below will give you a glimpse into instruction and community support of our schools.

CCPS Scenes

2010-04-22T15:21:00.006-04:00

Recently I had the pleasure of co-teaching a math lesson with Mrs. Pattie Sutton to her first-grade students at Evergreen Elementary. We had a great time during the math lesson, and I enjoyed reading to them and playing a game of "Simon Says."

MGT Efficiency Review of Chesterfield County Public Schools

2010-03-31T13:45:00.007-04:00

I would like to share with you a recent news report from WWBT Channel 12 on the MGT Efficiency Review of CCPS, which found that our school system is currently operating at 99.3 percent efficiency. Please click the link below to view the news coverage.

http://www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/news/video.php?v=http://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/api/videos/FJuSTGjQM84

If you would like more information about the audit and its results, please visit the CCPS web site here:
http://www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/operations/budget/budget.htm

Scenes of Success from CCPS

2010-03-11T16:58:00.003-05:00

Here is a video I would like to share that I presented to the School Board recently of sights and scenes of success in our schools. I am so proud of the students' accomplishments shown in the video, and of the various activities they participate in that show strong character and uphold our core values. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do.

February 2010 Comcast Interview — Community Service

2010-02-26T16:12:00.005-05:00

Question
Education is more than what happens in the classroom, and every day students in our schools are reaching beyond the classroom to help other people.

This is the 10th anniversary of the core values of Chesterfield County Public Schools and living those values means looking beyond yourself to see how you can be of service.

Question
Sometimes, students are helping other students in Chesterfield schools.

For many years, our high school students have returned to middle schools and elementary schools to mentor or tutor younger students. And we have several examples of middle school students going back to their elementary schools to serve as reading buddies for elementary students.

In the past few years, we’ve seen some of our schools “adopt” other Chesterfield schools that might need extra support. For example, art students from Cosby High provided a lot of art supplies for one of our elementary schools. And several of our schools have reached out to other Chesterfield schools to provide books or warm clothing or holiday food baskets on an ongoing basis.

Question
Other community service efforts are more global. For example, students at many Chesterfield schools support U.S. military men and women by collecting helpful items for them or by writing letters.

Yes. Students bring in books and snacks, video games and blankets, and much more to send to military personnel who are stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan or somewhere else overseas.

Sometimes, the schools don’t know exactly who will receive the items, but sometimes the schools have a specific soldier they know about through a student or a staff member, and they send things to his or her unit.

For example, Woolridge Elementary just recently collected items to send to Peter Fritz, who has been deployed overseas. This was a personal connection for Woolridge because he was one of the first students to attend Woolridge and some of his teachers are still teaching there today. Woolridge Elementary’s mascot is the Wildcats, so the school said this outreach was “from one Wildcat to another.”

Question
I believe that many schools are helping raise money and personal items to help Haiti.

This is such a good example of how Chesterfield students are part of a larger world. Our students reacted quickly to the terrible earthquake that devastated Haiti earlier this year. They have been holding coin drives and other fund-raisers help the survivors in Haiti. Several of our schools have held Hats for Haiti days – students and staff members make a contribution of a dollar or more for the privilege of wearing a hat during school and the money goes to help Haiti.

Another time that Chesterfield schools quickly reacted to a major disaster was just a few years ago when our students did the same types of things to help Hurricane Katrina survivors in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Question
How does community service prepare Chesterfield students for their futures?

By encouraging our students to engage in strong community service, we are preparing them to become good citizens. This will enable them to be empathetic to others and help them create a strong community foundation for themselves and others around them. Being a good and caring individual is the basis of democracy in our country.

FY2011 Financial Plan

2010-02-24T13:35:00.006-05:00

We have great students and great employees who deserve the best support available, even in a bad economy. On Jan. 26, I presented the Superintendent’s Proposed FY 2011 Financial Plan. The plan was the result of recommendations from the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee, which included business, parent, teacher and county representatives.

Over the past month, we have received comments and recommendations from the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors/School Board Budget Advisory Committee, school officials, teachers, parents and citizens. We have carefully considered all input and tonight I propose a revised plan that minimizes the impact of cuts on our students and on our employees.

In a difficult economy, the school division will endure its fair share of pain. However, I do not believe that cuts of $40-50 million, in addition to approximately $40 million in cuts and changes to the current budget, are fair or in the best interest of our children or community. Therefore, I am still presenting an FY 2011 operating budget that makes $26 million in cuts.

Changes in this revised proposal are aimed at

• lessening the financial burden placed on employees
• decreasing the number of positions eliminated

This proposal helps accomplish those goals by

• delaying some capital projects to lower the amount paid toward debt service
• reducing non-school division personnel costs such as grounds maintenance and reducing travel expenditures
• consolidating services through efficient use of space and resources
• increasing revenue through higher fees

There remains a need for additional funding, as the proposal’s expenditures still exceed the revenue projected to be available. We continue to seek additional resources from Chesterfield County and the Virginia General Assembly. We appreciate the commitment to public education demonstrated by our local and state government and remain hopeful that they will continue to provide adequate resources for public education as required by the Constitution of Virginia.

While these revisions save 105 jobs from the Jan. 26 proposal, we still must eliminate 200 positions (in addition to the approximately 250 positions eliminated in the FY 2010 budget). Our workforce, with growing demands, will be asked to work with fewer resources and for less pay.

We have worked hard to get where we are today. Now, we are at a crossroads. Do we want to seek continuous improvement, increased student achievement and a school division that benefits everyone in the community or will our community accept a cookie-cutter school division that offers much less for children? The choice is clear.

A very exceptional report

2010-02-08T16:30:00.001-05:00

Chesterfield County Public Schools recently received a glowing exit interview from a team of auditors who visited the school division to review its exceptional education efforts. The review was for compliance with federal regulations and procedures. The visiting team of auditors held conferences, reviewed data and discussed 14 special education indicators from the commonwealth.

While a formal written report likely won’t be available until March, the exit interview yielded a great deal more positive comments than recommendations or findings. The team members noted that there is generally a limit on positive comments allowed in the report, so they would have to be selective and include the ones that were most powerful.

Among the comments

• The climates in all 10 schools visited was engaging and very inclusive.
• Inclusion was excellent throughout the school division.
• There was excellent organization in documentation and files.
• There were many outstanding programs ongoing within schools.

o Tomahawk Creek Middle’s Lunch and Learning
o Gates Elementary’s co-teaching and co-planning
o Bird and Manchester high schools’ transition focus

Overall, the review was excellent. This is extremely encouraging, as Dr. Kalkofen noted, considering the unusual amount of scrutiny from several parties in recent months.

Turning out the lights

2010-01-29T15:00:00.003-05:00

Another group of employees seeking to make a difference with our available resources is our Facilities Department.

In April 2009, we raised the summer set point from 74 to 75 degrees. Statistics show that for each degree the set point is raised or lowered the potential savings is 2-3% of the schools energy usage.

Our proactive power management program involving Dominion Power's Schedule 132 also has been very successful. This is how the time-of-use schedule (132) is intended to be used. It reduces Dominion Power’s peak load on peak days, and it reduces our consumption significantly. On the cooling days that Dominion Power determined were peak demand days they would notify us, usually less than 12 hours in advance. We would then send a mass e-mail to all high schools and those middle schools that were on the schedule 132, informing them that we would be raising their set point from 75 degrees to 78 degrees. That change would last from 11 a.m. until 9 pm.

These are the reductions in usage we experienced from the schedule 132 conservation measures.
- June 2008 - August 2008 total kwh usage at (20) schools currently qualifying for 132 was: 11,968,000 kwh ($1,303,753 )
- June- 2009-August 2009 total kwh usage at (20) schools currently qualifying for 132 was 9,34400 kwh ($961,688)
According to our Energy Management Dept., that translated into an overall reduction in usage of 1,106,312 kwh for those 20 schools. That’s equivalent to $342,065.

In addition, Mike Evans began a team cleaning concept that completes cleaning by zones. The lights, and if necessary, heat or air are provided only for the zone being cleaned. Once that zone is cleaned the lights and air are turned off and the process is repeated as the team moves to the next zone. We do not have the impact on energy usage for this practice at this time, but anticipate that it will be significant.

As we look at next year’s budget, Facilities has shared that we also can find substantial savings by eliminating all personal electrical devices that may be in classrooms and offices. By eliminating lights, refrigerators and microwaves, we believe we can save between $400,000 and $500,000 in energy savings.

Thank you to our Facilities staff for working to help conserve energy and thus save money!

The Virginia Index of Performance Awards

2010-01-22T11:07:00.003-05:00

Virginia last week honored 32 Chesterfield schools and the school division with Virginia Index of Performance awards, with 12 of those schools winning the highest honor, the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence.

Chesterfield schools earning the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence are Bettie Weaver Elementary, Bon Air Elementary, Elizabeth Scott Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, Gordon Elementary, Midlothian High, Midlothian Middle, Robious Elementary, Swift Creek Elementary, Swift Creek Middle, Winterpock Elementary and Woolridge Elementary. Statewide, 153 schools won this award. The Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence was first given in 2008, and three Chesterfield schools have won every year: Gordon Elementary, Swift Creek Elementary and Midlothian Middle.

To qualify for the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, schools must meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve goals for elementary reading, enrollment in Algebra I by eighth grade, enrollment in college-level courses, high school graduation, attainment of advanced diplomas, increased attainment of career and industry certifications and participation in the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Schools and school divisions also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including the Governor’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard.

Fifteen Chesterfield schools earned the next highest award, the Board of Education Excellence Award: Alberta Smith Elementary, Beulah Elementary, Clover Hill Elementary, Crenshaw Elementary, Ecoff Elementary, Enon Elementary, Gates Elementary, Grange Hall Elementary, Greenfield Elementary, Harrowgate Elementary, Providence Elementary, Reams Road Elementary, Spring Run Elementary, Watkins Elementary and Wells Elementary. Statewide, 288 schools won this award.

Five Chesterfield schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools as a whole earned the next award, the Board of Education Competence to Excellence Award: Bailey Bridge Middle, Curtis Elementary, Cosby High, Hening Elementary and Jacobs Road Elementary. Statewide, 281 schools and 17 school divisions won this award.

How about a round of applause for these administrators and these schools!

Chesterfield Students Earn National Recognition

2009-12-18T14:36:00.001-05:00

Chesterfield semifinalists in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program are Lloyd C. Bird High student Ryan Ball, Clover Hill High student Larson Lasek, Midlothian High students Alan Hauser and Bryan Kauder, Monacan High student James McLees and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School students Susan Ballentine, Stephanie Humphrey, Jacob May, Elizabeth Pickering and Elissa Trieu.

This program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., annually recognizes as semifinalists about 16,000 academically talented high school seniors across the country. Later in the school year, about 90 percent of the semifinalists will advance to become finalists and about half of the finalists will earn scholarships.

Chesterfield employees show compassion during tough times

2009-12-17T09:40:00.001-05:00

Late last month, the school division wrapped up its 2009-10 United Way employee campaign drive. I’m happy to report that despite the tough economic times in which we currently find ourselves, our employees continue to demonstrate their compassion and desire to assist those less fortunate that others.

Employees pledged more than $231,000 during this year’s campaign. That was nearly 10 percent more than the school division’s goal of $212,000. In a time where other local government/schools campaigns are struggling to meet their goals, I am proud of our employees’ continued desire to give back to the community.

In addition, more than half of our buildings reached 100 percent of their building-level goals. Of this group, Harrowgate Elementary, Perrymont Middle, Community High School and the Chesterfield Technical Center contributed 200 percent of the goal set for the school.

The school division reached an all-time best when 85 employees pledge to give more than $500 to the United Way campaign. Of this group, 14 reached the United Way’s Capital Society, which denotes a gift of $1,000-$4,999.

More Chesterfield students are graduating in four years

2009-12-14T08:49:00.002-05:00

The on-time graduation rate for Chesterfield County Public Schools improved to 85.9 percent in 2009, up from 84.7 percent the previous year, according to figures released recently by the Virginia Department of Education.

Chesterfield students continued to outperform their peers across Virginia; Virginia’s on-time graduation rate is 83.2 percent in 2009 and was 82.2 percent in 2008. For every subset of students who entered ninth grade in the fall of 2005, Chesterfield’s on-time graduation rate improved.

Students graduating on time is a key measure of success in Chesterfield County Public Schools’ Design for Excellence strategic plan, which includes strategies for increasing the percentage of students who graduate in four years with a standard or advanced diploma.

I would caution those listening against misinterpreting this data. Thousands of students who entered ninth grade in 2005 remain in school and continue to work toward finishing their graduation requirements. The dropout rate is not the inverse of the on-time graduation rate.

Inclusive Schools Week

2009-12-09T14:27:00.002-05:00

This week, Chesterfield County Public Schools joins school divisions across the country in celebration of Inclusive Schools Week.

The theme this year is Inclusive Technologies, which is in line with our school division’s focus on utilizing technology to enhance 21st century learning skills. Our employees and our schools continue to work diligently to foster an inclusive culture where all students, reflecting our rich diversity, are provided opportunities to learn 21st century skills and build relationships for a lifetime.

At the first Board meeting in January, members of our Exceptional Education team will be present to provide a look back at some of the activities that are scheduled to occur in our schools this week to celebrate inclusion.

Celebrating Student Success

2009-11-30T08:27:00.007-05:00

Recently I had the opportunity to attend Hopkins Elementary's Success Night. This uplifting program began with a tribute to our veterans by the third-grade students, which was one of many school programs honoring our country’s heroes. Then, I was honored to be able to speak to the students about never taking their education for granted. I encouraged them to continue to excel in their studies, and congratulated them on their many outstanding achievements. I was very pleased to watch as the students were awarded for making honor roll, achieving goals on quarterly tests and outstanding attendance.

I am very proud of Hopkins Elementary, and I thank them for allowing me to spend an evening with them celebrating their successes. This is just one example of the student success occurring at all of our schools. Chesterfield schools consistently have high-achieving students who excel every day in their studies and personal commitments.

R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence Winners

2009-11-16T16:33:00.009-05:00

I would like to congratulate the six Chesterfield teachers who were recently awarded the R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. These teachers are wonderful examples of the extraordinary effort our teachers put into providing exciting learning experiences for our students. Chesterfield received more grants than any other school division this year. The monetary awards the winners will receive will go towards allowing our teachers to gain hands-on experiences and training from visiting various places such as eight national parks, Botswana and Central Europe.

Congratulations again to the winners and the finalists. I commend you for the innovative teaching methods you bring to the classroom. Keep up the great work!

Please take a moment to view a list of these accomplished teachers and learn more about their projects here: http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/About_CCPS/awards.htm

Congratulations to James Wilson from Midlothian High, Suzanne Beck from Spring Run Elementary, Victoria Hugate from Grange Hall Elementary, Alice Potts from Manchester Middle, Anne Canipe from Cosby High and Cindy Jones from Clover Hill Elementary.

Mentoring our Students

2009-10-29T16:05:00.008-04:00

This year I have asked all CCPS central office administrators to spend time mentoring students in our schools. To model my expectations, several of my colleagues from the central office have adopted male students from Perrymont Middle School to mentor. Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend a team-building and confidence-building ropes course exercise with approximately 40 Perrymont boys.

The participating administrators included Dr. Lyle Evans, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources; Dr. Ed Pruden, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Administration; Dr. Robert Wingfield, Director of Middle School Education; Dr. Joe Tylus, Director of High School Education; Dr. Dallas Dance, Director of School Improvement; Dr. Alice Rose, Principal of Perrymont Middle School, Dr. Dallas Dance, Director of School Improvement; Tim Mallory, Security Manager; and program organizer, Harold Saunders, Assistant Director of Leadership.

The day provided challenging and fun experiences that emphasized the importance of teamwork in our everyday lives. Here are photos of the boys and their mentors climbing a 30 foot pole and then jumping off with the assistance of students holding a harness rope lowering us to the ground. When the boys first saw the pole, many said they were afraid of heights and could not climb that high. However, at the end of the activity, virtually every boy climbed to the top and jumped off safely. They proved that with teamwork and encouragement, we can overcome our fears and nothing is impossible. The boys even encouraged me to take on the challenge of climbing to the top – harnessed of course!

Educational Editorial: 21st Century Skills

2009-10-13T10:39:00.004-04:00

I would like to share with you an editorial written by NBC12 Educational Specialist Dr. Bill Bosher regarding the skills we need to provide to our students that will enable them to succeed in work and in their lives. Dr. Bosher attended a Chesterfield schools seminar for educators of area school divisions. Here's what Dr. Bosher wrote:

Last night, 16 school divisions from central Virginia gathered at the University of Richmond for professional development.

Ken Kay, President and Co-Founder of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, was the keynote speaker. His organization consists of companies, some of the most influential in America, and institutions that have banned together to promote the development of skills beyond the three R's: problem solving, creative thinking, entrepreneurship, and self-direction.

The discussion was an avalanche of common sense, validated in research, and enabled by the development of sound public policy.

The exercise began with a question, "What are the two-three biggest changes in society in the last 25-30 years?" You can imagine the answers: the internet, workforce requirements, increase in the pace of change, and family dynamics.

The second assignment was, "List two-three skills that your students need to address the changes in society that you have described." The responses included: accessing and analyzing information, communicating with those who are different, solving problems, and adapting to many different jobs.

The last question was, "Looking at your school or district, how intentional are you in helping your students to develop these skills?" WOW, perhaps more of a goal than a question!

Ken Kay's quest, now adopted in 13 states, is not about creating a new set of disciplines or courses but about using the content that we teach to develop skills that are critical to successful work, and living. Do you remember asking your teacher, "how will I ever use this?"... well this is the answer, and it's coming to Virginia.

Lights, Camera, Take Action Campaign

2009-09-30T16:06:00.001-04:00

This morning we held a press conference at Manchester High School to kick off the 3rd year of the Lights, Camera, Take Action campaign. I would like to share with you some of my remarks:

“Good morning! Welcome to Chesterfield County and to Manchester High School – proud home of the Mass Communications Specialty Center and of the 2008-09 Lights, Camera, Take Action video winner Jamet Jackson! We are always happy to showcase our talented students. This particular opportunity provides our students with hands-on learning; but even more importantly, it gives our students a chance to make a difference in our society. I’m extremely proud of our students’ efforts to eliminate underage drinking. Their efforts are strong indicators that our School Board-adopted core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and accountability resonate with many of today’s youth. It’s a personal honor to celebrate their successes here today, in light of CCPS celebration of the 10th anniversary of these core values. CCPS is a strong supporter of this region-wide effort to provide a safe community for our students. What makes this effort and the message even more powerful is it is designed and delivered by students. Parents in the room remember the challenges of trying to get our children to listen to our sage advice. When my three children were growing up, they often seemed to receive messages much more positively when they came from their peers than from my wife and I. This campaign is a gift that takes advantage of positive peer pressure. I challenge not only our students, but schools across the Richmond metro area to participate in this campaign. One of our annual goals is to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment. I can’t think of a better way to support and nurture our students: they need to understand the great decision-making responsibility that has been placed in their hands. Again, welcome to Chesterfield County. Thank you for your efforts to make our county and region a safe place to live and work!”

Congratulations!

2009-09-11T16:25:00.002-04:00

Good afternoon!

Thank you for everything you have done to ensure an exciting start to the 2009-10 school year. I had the opportunity to visit 10 schools this week, and everywhere I visited I saw clean facilities, well-organized classrooms and routines, on-task teamwork by employees, and happy, highly motivated and engaged students. Our community is blessed to have outstanding teachers, administrators and support staff helping to create a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment for our students. It is rare for educators to receive “positive” public feedback. So, I wanted to take time to share some of the many recent comments left on the school division’s Facebook page (no grammatical edits made to original postings):

We love all the teachers and office staff at Grange Hall! Mrs Sefrin is the BEST principal around :)

We have a 3rd grader at Gordon ES. We always feel like part of a family there and that everyone supports everyone's efforts. For example, we ran into a teacher that neither of my sons ever had at an event to raise money for charity. That teacher went out of her way to find my son the next week and commend him for giving his time to help others. That meant a lot to him. My younger son is very artistic and, thanks to his teachers, almost the entire faculty and staff knows about it. So many of them have commented on his art and encouraged him. When he is the next Maurice Sendak, he will remember these times!

The teachers and staff at OB Gates are the greatest! We are also fortunate to a have great principals and Mrs Mick, Mrs Evans and Mrs Linville help to keep everything running smoothly!!

My children and I are looking forward to another great year with the staff at Alberta Smith!

I taught Kindergarten at C.C. Wells years ago and just loved it! I miss seeing my fellow teachers and the wonderful kids. My kids go to Robious Elem. and Middle and we are so lucky to be a part of such a fantastic learning environment. Looking forward to another great year!

My grandson Tyler attends Providence Elementary . He is ADHD and at times has trouble with attending and acting out. The teachers and staff take the time to understand and help him daily.The prinicipal is loved and respected . I have noticed he calls every student by name and takes the time to talk or at least say good morning when he sees them.I want to thank everyone at Providence for taking the extra step to teach my grandson.Thanks with love from Tylers grandmother

My daughter will be going entering 5th grade at Enon Elementary, we absolutely love this school, from the office staff to the teachers they are all so friendly and professional!

I just graduated from probably the best high school in the county. whoo hoo! Go Dale!

Curtis is an exceptional school because of the courteous and professional staff as well as the very active P.T.A. Once your child enrolls you are welcomed and made to feel like you can make such a difference in your child's education if you take the time. My children are actually excited to go back and I think that is the best testament to Curtis!! ♥

All of my children have attended A.M. Davis. The teachers and staff have always been very helpful and accomadating to me, a parent with a disability!!!!

Let's hear it for the two new schools in Chester..E. Scott Elementary and E. Davis Middle. Way to go!

Beulah Elementary in is a wonderful school i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

At Swift Creek Elementary last year, I love that Dr.Bechtel listened to my Kindergartner's story and wrote me a personal note home to tell me what a great reader he was.

I love the people I work with at Curtis Elementary! Also, I LOVE the kids!!! My husband and I, as well as all five of our children and our oldest granddaughter attended Curtis. I am one of the lucky people in this world that LIKES their job!

The best thing about Matoaca High School is that the Special Ed department is awesome. They never get credit for all the love,attention,patience and time they put into their jobs. You never see Special Ed teachers get teacher of the year. Their jobs are 10 times harder than regular teachers. My son loves his teachers there and is looking forward to starting back.Thanks for all the wonderful Special Ed teachers at Matoaca High School. You are the best!!!

Teachers with big hearts!

MATOACA ELEMENTARY LOVES MY SON! He is a special needs child ...his teachers truly love him and see so much potential in him. What more could a parent ask?

I have 2 kids at Curtis and I love it! I don't have to worry about what teacher they will get because they are all so good. Awesome office staff too - Brenda, Diane and Karen do an amazing job.

Awesome students at Meadowbrook. Can't wait for the new school year!

We love Crestwood Elementary! Great teachers and staff! Looking forward to another great year in the first and third grades.

Again, congratulations on a great start to the new school year. To quote our president in his back to school message to America’s students: “I expect great things from each of you…. I know you can do it.” Best wishes for even better things to come.

Marcus Newsome

THANK YOU!

2009-09-01T14:15:00.002-04:00

Partnerships between our students, parents, staff and the community are essential for academic success. One unique partnership we have formed is the From Crayons to Computers Store. The store is stocked with donations from small businesses, large businesses, community groups and individuals. This is a free store for our teachers who may take whatever they can use. Donations are tax deductible; only food and clothing are not accepted.

This year local businesses and the Chesterfield community have surpassed all expectations. We have received a record number of donations. On behalf of the school division, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to the store. Our teachers are very appreciative of the many different ways our community continues to rally in support of our team.

Thank you again and please don’t forget that the store is open all year. If anyone is interested in making a donation all you need to do is call 276-7407. Arrangements can be made for donations to be received at the store. If it is easier, arrangements can also be made for donations to be picked up.

Happy new school year!

2009-08-31T16:31:00.001-04:00

Welcome to our newest members of the Chesterfield County Public Schools family and welcome back to those returning to work. I hope you enjoyed a restful summer and return to work with a renewed passion and enthusiasm for educating our students.

I am proud of Chesterfield County Public Schools’ rich heritage of success and our outstanding reputation as a leader in public education. Working together, we have experienced extraordinary success and have set a high bar for quality education. I have no doubt that we will continue to meet any challenge and even exceed the expectations we have for ourselves.

Helen Keller once said: “One can never consent to creep when one feels the compulsion to soar.” I ask that you join me in making a personal and professional commitment to help our students to soar this school year. We can encourage and inspire them to reach their highest potential.

Thank you for your amazing service and devotion to our students and community. I extend my warmest regards and best wishes for a successful and rewarding 2009-10 school year!

Marcus Newsome

Leadership Meeting

2009-08-28T16:37:00.003-04:00

About 200 principals, assistant principals and central office administrators participated Monday in the first superintendent’s leadership meeting of the new school year. I would like to thank our Professional Development Department under the leadership of Donna Dalton and Harold Saunders for organizing an outstanding series of professional development sessions for our leaders.

Our keynote speakers were Kati Haycock and Brooke Haycock from the Education Trust. Kati Haycock is one of the nation’s leading child advocates in the field of education.

She currently serves as president of the Education Trust. Established in 1992, the trust speaks for what is right for young people, especially those who are poor or members of minority groups. The trust also provides hands-on assistance to educators who want to work together to improve student achievement, prekindergarten through college. Previously, Kati Haycock served as executive vice president of the Children’s Defense Fund, the nation’s largest child advocacy organization.

She shared a 162-slide PowerPoint presentation on national and international student achievement trends as well as specific student performance in Chesterfield County Public Schools. Overall, Virginia elementary students ranked seventh in reading among the 50 states. Chesterfield County elementary students ranked 10th in reading among Virginia’s 132 school districts. Like most high-performing school systems, we strive to be No. 1.

The training session began and ended with Brooke Haycock, who portrayed a troubled student, one of 16 characters in her one-woman show. She received a standing ovation for her powerful presentation of the challenges and hopes of our most challenged students and the power of caring educators to transform a life.

Digital Natives

2009-07-27T15:39:00.003-04:00

Marc Prensky is acknowledged to have coined the term digital native in his 2001 work “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants.” In his article, he assigns the term to a new breed of student entering educational establishments.

According to Wikipedia the term draws an analogy between a country's natives, for whom the local religion, language and folkways are natural and indigenous, and immigrants to a country who often are expected to adapt and assimilate to their newly adopted home. Prensky refers to accents employed by digital immigrants, such as printing documents rather than commenting on screen or printing out emails to save in hard copy form. Digital immigrants are said to have a "thick accent" when operating in the digital world in distinctly pre-digital ways, when, for instance, they might "dial" someone on the telephone to ask if his e-mail was received.

In Chesterfield County Public Schools we educate approximately 59,000 digital natives every day. We are making every effort to bridge the digital divide between digital natives and digital immigrants by expanding our communication tools in a safe and user friendly cyber environment. Last week we unveiled our new and improved web site, which includes 21st century communication and social networking tools like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

I encourage you to browse our web site. In a world saturated with negative images and messages, I plan to use the 140 characters allotted by Twitter to post positive and encouraging quotes.

In return, I would like for you to share your favorite quotes with me and our readers.

National School Change Award at Carver

2009-05-27T11:45:00.002-04:00

Today I had the pleasure of attending the Panasonic National School Change Awards ceremony for Carver Middle School. I would like to share with you some remarks I made while introducing Dr. Lew Smith, Director of the Panasonic National School Change Awards.

We expect a lot from young people:
We expect you to study hard. Get good grades. Believe in yourself. Do your best. Help your community. Make good choices. Be a friend. Dream big. Be a success.

The National School Change Award is proof that our students at Carver Middle School are succeeding in a big, big way. You have decided that you will excel in class, that you will make a difference in the community and that you will achieve your dreams. Your commitment to excellence is clear.

Congratulations to the Carver Cougars on this outstanding accomplishment. I am proud of your success, and I am happy to share this moment with you.

Let’s not stop. I challenge Carver Middle School to continue to move forward, to work hard and to see how much higher your star can rise. There are no limits to what you can achieve if you remain focused and committed.

At this time, I would like to introduce Dr. Lew Smith, who is here to present the Panasonic National School Change Award to Carver Middle School. Dr. Smith is directs the National School Change Program, which is based at Fordham University in New York. He began his career as a high school social studies teacher and has extensive experience in many, many areas of education.

This is the third time that I have helped welcome Dr. Smith to Chesterfield County Public Schools because this is the third year in a row that a Chesterfield school has won a National School Change Award. We are always delighted to greet Dr. Smith with a warm Chesterfield County welcome.

Message to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors and School Board at May 7 Joint Meeting

2009-05-11T16:29:00.002-04:00

It is my hope and desire that all parties participating in this meeting leave enlightened, encouraged, and united as a result of the staff presentations and your discussion. Both the Chesterfield County Government and School Division have earned exemplary reputations as a result of the outstanding services and education it offers its citizens, both young and old.

This past week I attended a national education conference in the Washington, D.C. area where our school division was highlighted as one of the exemplary systems in the nation. And this week I participated in the Virginia Annual Conference of the Superintendents on Global Education, where again, our innovative and forward thinking strategies to prepare our students for success in the 21st Century was validated as we examined the work of Harvard Professor and author of the Global Achievement Gap, Tony Wagner, and engaged in discussions with educators from Finland and a panel from India. They also helped affirm the profound challenges ahead in light of the remarkable progress we are experiencing.

Our president recently said, “The time for finger-pointing is over. The time for holding ourselves accountable is here…It is time to expect more from our students…Let there be no doubt, the future belongs to the nation that best educates its citizens.” Furthermore, he states, “Economic progress and educational achievement have always gone hand-in-hand in America.”

We can all agree that strong schools are good business for Chesterfield County, for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for the United States of America.

In closing, I extend a special thanks to each of you for your service, and a special thank you to Jay Stegmaier and his staff for the collaborative manner in which they have worked with our school division staff during some very difficult times. May we always remember that it's not about us, but it is all about our children and citizens we serve. United we stand.

Respectfully,
Marcus J. Newsome

Practical Lessons for Aspiring Leaders

2009-03-20T08:20:00.019-04:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to serve as a pre-conference presenter for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development annual conference in Orlando, Florida (http://www.ascd.org/professional_development/Workshops/One-Day_Pre-Conf_Institutes.aspx#PD09PC034). My topic was “Practical Lessons for Aspiring Leaders and Superintendents.”

While I thoroughly enjoyed my time interacting with leaders from around the world, the highlight of the conference for me was a keynote speech by Greg Mortenson. Since a 1993 climb on Pakistan's K2, Greg Mortenson (http://www.gregmortenson.com/) has dedicated his life to promoting community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Through his unique perspective on the region's culture, history, and geopolitics, Mortenson shared insightful commentary about his extraordinary journey and efforts to promote peace one school and one child at a time.

Mortenson is also founder of Pennies For Peace (www.penniesforpeace.org) and co-author of the #1 New York Times best-seller, Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School At A Time (Penguin 2007) (www.threecupsoftea.com). It was Mortenson’s work to promote peace that as earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

I was particularly moved by Mortenson’s efforts to raise money. After failing to attract business and corporate sponsors for his plans to build a school for poor children in Afghanistan, his daughter led a penny fundraising effort in her school. The students at her elementary school donated over 65,000 pennies for the first major donation. This may not seem like much to some, but for the boys and girls in an Afghan village with no school or books, and only sticks to write in the dirt to educate themselves, $652 was a blessing. The penny campaign is now worldwide and children who may have grown up to be enemies of our nation, are now being educated because of the generosity of American children.

The lesson learned here is that during tough times, pennies go a long way. They can even change the world if used creatively.

The GED can be FREE in March

2009-03-16T16:16:00.001-04:00

In March, GED® tests are free. The usual cost is $45, but first-time test takers who register in March will pay nothing to take the test. Chesterfield County Public Schools is able to offer free tests for a limited time because the Adult Continuing Education Office received a grant from the Virginia Department of Education.

GED stands for General Educational Development, and a GED certificate is equivalent to a high school diploma. Last year, 560 adults earned a GED through the Adult Continuing Education Office of Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Why is earning a GED important? By 2012, according to the Virginia Department of Education, 70 percent of job opportunities will require a technical skills certificate. Entry into these programs requires a high school diploma or a GED.

For more information, call 768-6140 or go online to chesterfield.k12.va.us.

Editorial on student-teacher ratio

2009-02-05T10:34:00.019-05:00

I wanted to share with you a recent editorial by Dr. William Bosher on NBC12 regarding student-teacher ratio. Please view the video on the NBC12 site.

A Call to Action

2009-01-26T12:39:00.001-05:00

When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, the first satellite to orbit the Earth that was considered by many a threat to American national security, the immediate response was the turn to education to solve the crisis. When the Nation at Risk report was released in 1983, education was described as the central issue that would define our nation’s future. Three years ago, noted author Thomas Friedman warned in his book, The World is Flat, that globalization had shifted into warp speed and if America was to meet the challenges of advances in technology and communications we must step up our pace. Education, again, was seen as the key component.

Today we are experiencing change in the midst of an economic recession and collapsing financial markets and the transition of the presidency. These are unprecedented times, and few people in the community, state or country are unaffected. If ever a call to action was needed, the time is now.

That change and action begins with education, which is the backbone of a democracy. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

The price of education may seem high to some, but the cost of ignorance is much more expensive. The Chesterfield community has long understood and benefitted from the investment in public education, which many describe as the economic engine that drives the county. As elected officials grapple with ways to balance budgets in times of declining state and local revenues, we should remind them to continue to make education their top funding priority. While we are competing for tax dollars with many other critical services, it is important to remember that our police and firemen, nurses and doctors, judges and social workers were all educated by teachers.

Every locality in this region is struggling to adequately fund education. Many now face drastic cuts. In Chesterfield County alone, we face the daunting task of cutting $52 million from our FY2010 operating budget based on state and local cuts to previously approved funding for public education.

Recent external audits have documented that Chesterfield County Public Schools is one of the most cost-efficient school divisions in Virginia. Administrative costs are 2.4 percent, which is lower than the state average. Chesterfield is the largest school division in Virginia with all of its fully accredited, yet ranks near the bottom of Virginia’s 132 school divisions in terms of per-pupil spending.

With recommendations from internal and external stakeholders serving on the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee, we will make every effort to minimize the impact of these cuts to student learning. However, cutting $52 million from the operating budget will have a profound impact. Every single aspect of our education system, inside and outside of the classroom, will suffer. Some have said these funding cuts can be taken care of by cutting administrative costs and positions. That is simply not true. Wiping out the entire Chesterfield schools administration would still require the system to cut the budget by another 5 or 6 percent. The magnitude of these budget reductions on our school system is equivalent to the state shutting down five entire smaller school systems.

It is for all of these reasons that our school system has provided continuous budget updates to employees, parents, students and the Chesterfield community. I feel a professional, moral and personal obligation to discuss these challenges openly in order for our community to prepare for the future ramifications these budget cuts will have on Chesterfield students and families.

Asking our teachers to meet higher standards of state and federal accountability, teach larger class sizes and respond to more behavioral problems with fewer resources and slashed budgets is like the Pharaoh asking the Israelites to make bricks without straw.

We are maximizing our efforts and efficiencies to provide the best education possible for our students. But our school division needs help. So I ask Chesterfield residents, and others in the Richmond metropolitan area, to contact their local and state elected officials to ensure that everything possible is done to protect our teachers, other school staff members and most importantly our students. The vitality of our nation, state and county rests squarely on the shoulders of a strong public education system. It is time for citizens to act.

2009-01-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

I would like to share with you a presentation I made yesterday to colleagues at the Quarterly Leadership Meeting. The presentation discussed budget updates and our key measures progress.

Please feel free to view it here: http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/superintendent/files/presentations/0106%20supts%20quarter%20meeting.pdf

FY2010 Budget Update

2008-12-19T13:30:00.002-05:00

Dear colleagues,
Earlier this week, Gov. Tim Kaine released his proposal to balance Virginia’s operating budget for FY2010. According to his report, there is a statewide $3 billion deficit that elected officials must work to close in Virginia’s two-year, $77billion budget. The Governor shared with members of the General Assembly’s finance committees that he is proposing to cut more than $400 million in funding for the state’s public schools.

Our budget staff has spent the past two days reviewing the initial documents from the state. Early indications suggest an even deeper cut in state funding than was expected. Because of these state cuts, we expect that our overall funding gap now has increased to $52 million. As the Governor, General Assembly and locally elected officials continue to work, this funding gap could widen.

As I shared with you previously, cuts this large mean the entire school division will be affected. The Governor’s cuts mean that we definitely will be forced to increase pupil-teacher ratios, reduce support staff and services, and reduce administrative positions and other costs. The budget advisory committee and staff continue to study specific options. No final decisions have been made, but the impacts will be wide-reaching.

This information remains painful for me to share, especially right before the holidays. However, I am committed to keeping you informed so that you can help us educate the community about the realities that are ahead. We will continue to communicate as additional information is received and decisions are made.

Communities in Schools – Chesterfield

2008-12-04T15:30:00.004-05:00

Communities In Schools of Chesterfield recently celebrated 16 years of helping students achieve success. Attendees brought children’s books as gifts to Communities In Schools of Chesterfield. The books will be used at Bellwood, Chalkley and Ettrick elementary schools.

Communities In Schools is a public-private partnership operating across the United States to help children succeed in school and prepare for life. Communities In Schools of Chesterfield supports five schools: Bellwood Elementary, Chalkley Elementary, Ettrick Elementary, Perrymont Middle and Chesterfield Community High.

Column for the Chesterfield County Public Schools employee newsletter

2008-12-04T15:30:00.003-05:00

I want to share with you the recent column I wrote for our Chesterfield County Public Schools employee newsletter. My message discussed the tough choices ahead given the current economic climate.

Charles Dickens probably didn’t have us in mind when he penned in 1859 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” But his words aptly describe modern day Chesterfield County Public Schools. Our school division, the largest in Virginia to have all of its schools fully accredited, now faces one of the worst financial crises in decades.

According to the most recent projections, Chesterfield County Public Schools stands to see a $40 million revenue shortfall in FY 2010, and the forecast seems to be getting worse by the day. If the numbers hold true, next year’s operating budget will be smaller than it was three years ago — even though we have nearly 1,000 more students and four additional schools.

School divisions across the commonwealth are moving toward unchartered territory as we face draconian cuts. Fairfax County Public Schools plans to close a $220 million funding gap by cutting more than 1,000 positions, while Loudoun County Public Schools will consider a 15 percent budget cut.

We face tough choices ahead. In reality, all expenditures are on the table. Some decisions already have been made. We still must eliminate another $20-plus million to balance the FY 2010 budget. In a people-intensive business with 80-plus percent of the budget devoted to salaries, we are forced to take a hard look at staffing models and efficiencies.

Though state and national expectations continue to grow and budgets continue to dwindle, we will maintain our focus and commitment to children. The vitality of our community rests on the shoulders of a strong public education system. So in the spirit of the holidays, let’s also remember that this truly is among the “best of times.” Our school division made adequate yearly progress for the third straight year, our students continue to outperform state averages on standardized tests, and our staff members continue to earn state and national recognition. Our children did not create this financial crisis, and we must work with citizens and elected officials to ensure that we provide the best education possible. We will overcome our challenges, much like the Pilgrims did almost 400 years ago.

Milken Award Winner

2008-11-26T09:45:00.000-05:00

Grange Hall Elementary third-grade teacher Laura Marshall received a nice treat the day before Halloween. Mrs. Marshall was surprised during a schoolwide assembly with the announcement that she had been chosen to receive a $25,000 Milken Educator Award this year.

Mrs. Marshall was one of just 80 educators across America this year to win the Milken Award, dubbed “the Oscars of teaching.” This is the third time in four years that a Chesterfield County teacher has received a Milken Educator Award. James River High teacher Laura Lay won in 2005, and Chalkley Elementary teacher Joshua Cole won in 2006.

Chesterfield students honored for academics

2008-11-17T13:45:00.001-05:00

Three national scholastic competitions have recognized Chesterfield County students: Chesterfield semifinalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program are Clover Hill High student Michael DeWitt, Cosby High student David Casalaspi and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School students Matthew Henderson, Matthew Kluge, Caroline Martin, Megan O’Donnell and Carson Wang. This program, conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., annually recognizes as semifinalists about 16,000 academically talented high school seniors across the country.

Chesterfield semifinalists in the 2009 National Achievement Scholarship Program are Lloyd C. Bird High student Tolulope Omojokun, James River High student Brian Henry, Meadowbrook High student Osasumwen Benjamin, Monacan High student Tilghman Goldsborough and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School student Kelly Diaz. Conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., this program recognizes outstanding African-American students throughout the nation.

Clover Hill High students Bethany May and Ian Teune were recognized in the 2009 National Hispanic Recognition Program. Operated by the College Board, this program honors outstanding Hispanic students throughout the nation. Each year, about 3,300 students are selected for outstanding scores on the PSAT.

Two more schools achieve AYP

2008-11-12T08:30:00.000-05:00

Two more schools have been certified as making adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Davis Elementary and Gates Elementary achieved adequate yearly progress, bringing to 51 the total number of Chesterfield schools achieving AYP for 2008-09.

As a school division, Chesterfield County Public Schools made adequate yearly progress for the third straight year and the fourth time in six years.

RTD Article: Schools chief reflects on first two years

2008-11-04T15:40:00.011-05:00

I recently visited with the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD) to reflect on my first two years as Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools.

I emphasized that while we have made great progress, our work continues. We must and we will remain focused on the five goals of our Design for Excellence strategic plan. Our focus on continuous improvement is central to our shared vision of every school as a thriving, dynamic and inspiring educational environment that produces self-directed learners with 21st-century skills.

To view the full article, please visit http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-19-0195.html. Here are some highlights from the article:

Chesterfield County Superintendent Marcus J. Newsome knows he has to make a good school system better. Taking it from good to great, he would say. He also knows that to improve the system requires change, and change often brings conflict, especially when the system is perceived to be successful, he said. "I just want people to understand that we can never be satisfied with our progress, and the greatest barrier to that is resistance to change," he said in a recent interview…

…Newsome said he's happy with the progress made during his two-year tenure. The 64 schools are fully accredited for the first time under the state's Standards of Learning, and the school division has made Adequate Yearly Progress, a federal No Child Left Behind measure of student progress, for the past three years. But he acknowledges that some areas need improvement. More students, especially minority students, need to take more rigorous courses, and the achievement gaps need to be closed. The Design for Excellence six-year strategic plan adopted last year lays out achievement goals and plans addressing the areas in need of improvement…

…Schools need to improve in a time when federal and state accountability systems are asking teachers and students to do more, Newsome said. But school districts are trying to do more with the same agrarian school calendar and the same number of instructional hours, he said. That needs to change, but some bold actions are hard for people to accept, Newsome said…

Note to the Chesterfield Schools Community

2008-10-29T16:26:00.000-04:00

Recently the Chesterfield Observer contacted me about an article they decided to write regarding inappropriate student behavior at dances. I want to share with you the statement I sent the Chesterfield Observer for inclusion in their article:

“I am very disturbed by the inappropriate behavior of some of our students, and we are taking further actions to promote proper behavior and decorum at all school activities. My staff discussed with you in a number of previous conversations that our schools have been facing this issue for the past several years, as have many other school divisions across the country. As mentioned earlier this month, I have directed our principals to put together a new plan to address inappropriate student behavior at dances. We must work in partnership with the community in an effort to offset some of the negative influences of this generation’s entertainment world on our students. Schools are a reflection of our society and the communities we serve, but the type of dancing reported at some of our schools will not be tolerated. It is inappropriate and goes against the core values for which this school division and community stand. We will continue to work to ensure that this type of behavior does not cast a negative perception of the great majority of students whose behavior is acceptable.”

Thank you to the Chesterfield Schools Community

2008-10-20T16:31:00.001-04:00

I would like to share with you a brief statement I released last week after the Chesterfield County School Board unanimously approved my new four-year contract. I was not able to attend the School Board meeting as I was in Lynchburg last week participating in the Virginia Association of School Superintendent’s legislative conference where I serve as the co-chair.

It is truly an honor to work with such a dedicated school board and the many talented team members of Chesterfield schools. I am proud of the accomplishments of our students, teachers and school system employees, and the support of our parents and the community. This long-term commitment by our School Board will ensure stability and continuous progress of our collaborative work over the next four years.

To view a copy of my statement, please visit http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/superintendent/files/statement.pdf.

Professional development for CCPS staff

2008-10-10T08:32:00.003-04:00

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has written an article about our PD 360 Professional Development On-Demand program, which gives teachers and staff members the flexibility to take classes at times that are convenient to them, and they can access the system from school or home. Take a moment to review the article for more information about our ongoing professional development opportunities.

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/community/chesterfield.PrintView.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-06-0015.html

Educating a Diverse Community

2008-10-01T09:22:00.003-04:00

The increasing needs of a changing student enrollment provide us with the challenge of continually adapting our educational environment to best serve all students. Our strategic plan for continuous improvement, known as The Design for Excellence, is built to meet that challenge and support academic excellence for all students. As part of our initiative to provide opportunities for all students in Chesterfield, last week Chesterfield County Public Schools Board members held a public engagement session inviting the public to participate in a conversation about educating a diverse community of learners. The Richmond Times-Dispatch has written an article about the session, providing insight about our efforts from our School Board Chair Dianne Pettitt, as well as opinions and suggestions from others who attended.

I invite you to review this article to learn more about our objectives:http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-30-0097.html You can also view the new "Educating a Diverse Community" publication posted on our web site: http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/news/files/Educating%20a%20Diverse%20Community.pdf

Welcome Back Teachers!

2008-09-23T16:15:00.006-04:00

The 2008-09 school year is off to a great start, and I want to take a moment to thank the teachers of Chesterfield County Public Schools!

A high-quality educational system is critical to the vitality of Chesterfield County; and, one of our School Board’s core beliefs is that effective teaching is the most essential factor in student learning. Our students cannot be successful workers and productive citizens by learning only reading, writing and arithmetic. The needs of a global economy are changing daily, and we must equip our students with skills required to achieve success. To do otherwise would put our community at risk.

We are fortunate to have some of the very best teachers in the country working right here in Chesterfield County. Nicole Winter is one example. Last week I was joined by Dr. Billy Cannaday, Virginia State Superintendent for Public Instruction, Board of Supervisors member, Marlene Durfee and School Board member U. Omarh Rajah as we interrupted Mrs. Winter’s AP U.S. History class at Cosby H.S. to inform her that she had been selected as Region I Teacher of the Year (see press release dated September 17, 2008). Eight of the last 12 Region I Teachers of the Year have been from Chesterfield County Public Schools.

To be considered “highly qualified” in the commonwealth of Virginia, a teacher must have obtained state certification and be teaching at the level and in the content for which he/she is endorsed. The Virginia Department of Education’s web site provides a searchable database the public can visit to determine a teacher’s license and/or endorsement area. The link to the site is
https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/tinfo/.

It is our charge to ensure that Chesterfield County students are prepared for success after high school. Thank you to our teachers for all you do on behalf of Chesterfield County’s children!

Help Us Prepare Your Child For Success

2008-08-25T09:00:00.008-04:00

The U.S. Department of Education has posted information for parents interested in becoming more involved in their children’s education. One document is called, Key Things Parents Can Do To Make Sure Their Children Are Prepared For The 21^st Century. Some of the tips include:

Make sure your child understands the importance of math in elementary school, and encourage your child to take more math, science and critical language courses in high school
Encourage your child to take more Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school

Find out if your child’s teacher is “highly qualified"

Get involved in helping your child’s school improve

Make sure you receive a report card on your child’s school and that it is easy to understand (if you don’t receive a school report card or if it is hard to decipher, contact your child’s school district)

In just the past two years we have implemented a number of initiatives to prepare our students for success in the 21^st Century: the Virginia Preschool Initiative for 4-year olds who may need a little extra preparation for school; allocation of 60 new reading teachers throughout the division; “safety net” and wellness grants; elementary school World Language Program; John Hopkins Reading Model; Algebra for all middle school students; enhanced security programs; and the Spring Forward and Chesterfield Academy alternative education programs.

Chesterfield County schools enjoy a strong reputation for excellence, and extraordinary support from school volunteers, business leaders, elected officials, and citizens throughout this region. Education is the great equalizer in America. Our schools provide students with the opportunity to achieve their unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For more information on preparing students for success in the 21st Century, parents can visit these web sites:

www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/prepared.html

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

www.nas.edu/21st/education/

We All Have a Role to Play

2008-08-25T08:46:00.003-04:00

As parents and educators prepare for the new 2008-09 school year, we must be mindful of the profound impact of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, better known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), on the landscape of public education. This law demands accountability for public schools and highly qualified teachers. Many educators were looking forward to a new and improved version of this law. While there is broad consensus that the current law is flawed and needs to be reauthorized, Congress has not come to consensus about what needs to be done. Therefore, Chesterfield County Public Schools will continue to comply with the increasing standards of NCLB, building toward the 2013-14 school year when 100 percent of students are required to achieve at a high level on the state standardized tests.

Our school board envisions every Chesterfield school as a thriving, dynamic and inspiring educational environment that produces self-directed learners and stimulates citizens of all ages to trust in, invest in and benefit from public education. Our school system’s No. 1 goal is to help every student meet high expectations and reach his/her full potential. It is essential we keep that goal at the forefront of our work with students this year. Our Design for Excellence six-year strategic plan for continual improvement identifies four goals to support student achievement: safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments; a competent and knowledgeable workforce; community investment in schools; and effective and efficient operations.

Our greatest challenge is preparing students for the future. We don’t know what the world will look like when today’s students enter the workforce. Just imagine, today’s kindergarteners will graduate in 2021. We need to prepare them with life skills that will aid them throughout their lives. And we cannot do it alone. Involved parents can make a substantial difference in the academic life of their children and in our school and community. The entire school community has a role in play in supporting parental engagement in our schools. Please do all you can to maintain positive, regular and open communication with school officials throughout the year.

Transportation Department Excels at Road-eo

2008-07-03T16:11:00.001-04:00

Bus drivers from Chesterfield County Public Schools earned the top awards at the recent regional Bus Road-eo.

The regional Bus Road-eo is a competition of bus driving knowledge and skill between drivers from Chesterfield, Richmond, Henrico and Hanover. Contestants are scored on their bus handling skills as they perform challenging maneuvers like parallel parking and turning in a small area. Drivers also have to take a written knowledge exam.

Chesterfield County bus drivers earned the Director’s Plaque for the highest overall combined score at the regional competition. Individually, Leslie Alderman received first place and Tina Smith received third place in the conventional bus driving competition. Marion Trent received first place and Michelle Davis received third place in the transit bus driving competition.

Adult GED celebrates graduation

2008-07-02T08:53:00.000-04:00

More than 70 Chesterfield County residents recently took part in the annual Adult GED graduation exercise. The graduation ceremony was held earlier this month at Carver Middle School and was sponsored by the school division’s Adult Continuing Education Office.

These 70 graduates represented a small portion of the more than 600 county residents who have earned a GED during the past year.

State statistics indicate that earning a GED can help a person make between $7,000 and $12,000 more per year than an adult without a high school diploma. Not only is a GED a potential moneymaker, it is a career enhancer as well. A GED is accepted by 95 percent of U.S. employers and helps adults seek full-time employment or advance existing careers.

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers GED test preparation classes and practice tests as well as testing sessions for county residents. For more information, call 768-6140.

Celebrating change and success at Harrowgate

2008-07-01T07:50:00.001-04:00

Last month, the faculty at Harrowgate Elementary School celebrated being one of only six schools in the county to earn the Panasonic National School Change Award.

The award recognizes schools that have achieved significant positive change, measuring them in 16 stringent criteria. Harrowgate was selected after submitting a detailed application that outlined the school’s progress from underperforming to outstanding achievement.

During the past five years, Harrowgate has implemented many programs that helped students achieve success. SOL test scores at Harrowgate, where 56 percent of the students receive free or reduced price lunches, have climbed steadily in all subject areas since 2002.

This is the second year in a row that a Chesterfield County school has won a National School Change Award! Chalkley Elementary won in 2007, and Bensley Elementary won in 2002.

We will bring the staff of Harrowgate Elementary before the board in the fall for a more official recognition of their efforts.

Winter a teacher for all seasons

2008-06-30T07:48:00.000-04:00

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to recognize a Chesterfield County Public Schools teacher described as a humble leader and an effective teammate.

Nicole Winter recently was named the 2009 Teacher of the Year for Chesterfield County Public Schools. A National Board Certified Teacher, Mrs. Winter teaches history at Cosby High School, where she also founded and sponsors the Beta Club.

In noting that all of her students pass their history SOL tests, nominators said of Mrs. Winter: “She demonstrates strength of character and a genuine love of teaching.”

Mrs. Winter has taught at Cosby High since the school opened in September 2006. She taught at Manchester High from 1992 to 2006.

Congratulations to a wonderful role model for students and teachers!

SAT Readiness Academy

2008-06-27T08:59:00.000-04:00

Chesterfield County Public Schools is a high-achieving, forward-thinking school division focused on equipping students with the 21st century skills they will need to achieve success after high school.
All schools are accredited and our Standards of Learning results exceed state averages in nearly every category. However, we have areas in need of improvement: our 2006-07 SAT scores trailed state averages in math, critical reading and writing.
With an eye on continuous improvement, Instructional Division leaders have developed an SAT Readiness Academy that will be held July 14-Aug. 7 at Clover Hill High School. Through this program, students will learn more about the SAT so that there are no surprises on test day.
Why are SAT scores important?
SAT scores can tell college admissions staff members how well prepared a student is for college-level academics.
The scores also allow colleges to compare a student’s college readiness with other students in a standardized way.

The two-part SAT Readiness Academy is spread over three weeks: lessons in week one and week two are identical, while week three is reserved for additional, more intensive preparation. By the end of the program, it is expected that students will understand their individual strengths and weaknesses identified by their PSAT results, know what to expect on SAT test day, review practice questions and learn valuable test-taking strategies.

Superintendent’s Summer Policy Institute

2008-06-26T09:50:00.000-04:00

This week I joined many of my colleagues for the 2008 Superintendent’s Summer Policy Institute held at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Darden Business School. The session began with a presentation on drop-out rates and special education legislation by Dr. Billy Cannaday, Virginia State Superintendent for Public Instruction. Attorney Craig Wood of McGuire Woods led a discussion on legal issues facing public education.
Teachers and school-based administrators joined us on Wednesday for a session entitled, Performance Incentives: A Growing Impact on K12 American Education. Presenters included Dr. Lois Adams-Rogers, Deputy Executive Director for the Council of Chief State Officers; Dr. Grover Whitehurst, U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Services, and Dr. Linda Cavalluzzo, Senior Researcher for CAN Education.
These presenters prompted rigorous debate about the merits, benefits and challenges associated with teacher compensation reform. Dr. Lyle Evans and several members of our Human Resources Department as well as several CCPS educators attended this session.
As a result of this session, I have asked Dr. Evans to work with his team to draft recommendations for differentiated compensation for “hard to fill” positions to be consider for funding in FY 2011.