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School News

November 26, 2003 1:08 am

city schools

The students enjoyed Story Time with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library and Joanne Lawson on Nov. 24, which was also Pajama Day.

--Ellen R. Noel

Art teacher Cathy Herndon won the Regional Middle School Art Teacher of The Year Award. She was the winner of the Northern Virginia region, which includes Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria. Herndon also was named the State Middle School Art Teacher of the Year for the 2003-04 school year.

--Valerie L. Morgan

SAE Engineering scholarship information for students interested in the study of engineering and the related sciences is due on Monday.

Future Business Leaders of America students must have their District Leadership Conference registration in by Monday.

The Forensics' Team will compete in several tournaments this school year. The Northern Neck District Tournament in February 2004 will be held here.

The Future Business Leaders of America will be sponsoring a schoolwide food drive for the Fredericksburg Food Bank from Dec. 3 to 17. Also, members must have their District Leadership Conference registration in by Monday.

Scholarship information is available on the guidance Web site, cityschools.com/jmhs/guidance/Default.htm.

The Free Application for federal student-aid applications for the period of July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, were distributed to all seniors on Nov. 6.

If you have questions about this application, or for more information on eligibility requirements and the U.S. Department of Education's student aid programs, look on the Web at studentaid.ed.gov. You can also call 800/4-FED-AID.

Lauren Renee Garland has been selected as the school's nominee for the Harry F. Byrd Jr. Leadership Award for Congressional District 1, based on her academic record, citizenship, extracurricular activities and duty to her peers and school.

In order to process college applications for the Jan. 1, 2004, deadline, they must be submitted to the counseling center by Dec. 12. Remind individuals who are writing the recommendation letters of this deadline.

All seniors are responsible for adhering to individual college's deadlines. Seniors must remember that all completed applications need to be in guidance at least one week in advance of a college's due date so that the guidance counselor can process the data. If community leaders and teachers are providing recommendation letters, please give them the guidance deadline, too. Colleges will not review your application if you are late. Remember also that the time of mail delivery varies.

All seniors are given equal access to all scholarship information. After reading and reviewing data on the available scholarships, seniors should come to the Guidance Department to secure the application or download the application as directed in the packet.

The next SAT date is Dec. 6 and will be held here.

--Heidi Miller

county schools

The second-graders at Battlefield participated in an American Indian Round Robin yesterday. The children made clay pots, dream catchers, necklaces, Indian buffalo-skin drawings and candles.

--Lynne Jennings

Art teacher Cat Madigan is continuing to work with classroom teachers to help combine grade-level Standards of Learning with the art standards.

Using the science curriculum, fourth-grade students have been creating rain gauges and weather vanes in art class. The students' parents donated items that were used for these creations.

Using the social-studies curriculum, third-grade art classes have been illustrating the differences between Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. They will continue their studies of ancient Rome by making paper mosaics.

Second-graders have been creating thunderbird rugs using recycled grocery bags, markers and crayons. The project directly relates to the American Indian lessons in social studies.

This year, selected students in grades two through five are being chosen to participate in a pilot writing program called W.O.W., which stands for Workshop on Writing.

Top writing students in each class are being offered the opportunity to strengthen and enrich their writing skills under the guidance of SCOPE teacher Tammy Jones. Every two to three six weeks, students from each grade level are chosen to go through the program.

At the end of the program, students will choose one piece of writing to publish in "Berkeley's Budding Authors" book, which will be bound together and published for placement in the school library.

The students chosen to participate in the workshop for the first part of the school year are as follows:

Second grade--Rebecca Hines.

Third grade--Emily George, Patricia Smith, Alex Sewell and Angelica Sewell.

Fourth grade--Victoria Angold, Tommy Houck, Cristal Iden, Jordan Massey and Greg Pollard.

Fifth grade--Alysia Awlasewicz, Elizabeth Goodman, Nathan Javaras, Paige Romeo and Gary Wilkinson.

To help promote drug awareness, students and faculty came together for the first ever faculty versus student "Shoot For Hoops, Not Drugs" basketball game. The spirit and excitement were incredible as the students and staff cheered their fellow friends on in friendly competition.

Playing for the faculty team were Ted Beltz, Anthony Bramlett, Beth Egner, Deanna Ferraras, Tammy Jones, Jon Lehman, Kimberly Mandzak, Jason Ostrander and coach Jennifer Waller.

Representing the students were fifth-graders: B.J. Collins, Jayrin Waller, Jeremy Vaughn, Matthew Perkins, Travis Bishop, Devin Johnson, Deandre Johnson, Kierston Brock, Liam Ezzell and Kaneisha Woolfork. Basketball star Bernadette Hill guided and coached our young superstar team.

The game was close and competitive in the end. With the help of "Slam Dunk" Anthony Bramlett, the faculty pulled through for a win. Referees were Eric Cunningham and Charlie Hagan. There are plans to make this fun, spirited game a yearly event.

Title I parents are invited to participate in a two-hour workshop called "Rainy (Snowy) Days and Saturdays" on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.

The free workshop will be held at the school to introduce parents of kindergarten through sixth-grade students to a wide range of fun and creative indoor activities for the times when children have nothing to do and parents are low on ideas.

Parents will receive an activity book to take home. A light lunch will be provided. Parents can make reservations by returning the reservation form given to the students.

Students who had perfect SOL scores will be recognized on Dec. 8 during the board meeting at Courtland High School. They are William Davis for English and math; Austin Hamilton for science; Jessica Hamlin for science; David Justis for science; Kayla Kruckenberg for math; Emily McNeil for writing and Tess Simms for writing.

--Tammy Jones

Students in Kathy Fagan's class created Thanksgiving pins and donated them to a local nursing home for the residents to enjoy this holiday season.

Amy Smith played her guitar while the children in Shelly Rock's kindergarten class sang along. Amy, a student teacher with the class, used the guitar to reinforce the integration of the arts in the classroom.

Rock's kindergarten class was also entertained by Ronald Escalante with a magic show. He was the guest of Makenna Finnegan, who was the Star of the Week.

The following students were named Cardinal of the Week for the week of Nov. 17:

First grade--Kylee Carney, Alexis Defrancisco, Starla Foosness, Austin Burton and Hayley Burton.

Second grade--Arica Shaw, Ryan Saucier, Elizabeth Denson, Hunter Cattlett and Elissa Amador.

Third grade--Jaedyn Sullivan, Skyler Mills, Tyler Hegadorn, Sara Iannarelli and Dorien Thomas.

Fourth grade--Jeremy Aleo, Abigayle Dargan, Victoria Peterson, Trevor Acree, Cree Davis and Kandace Wright.

Fifth grade--Alex Galimore, Charles Knudsen, Caitlyn Heath and Brittany Berry.

--Susan Debus

The top 10 readers for the month are Katherine Santschi, Christopher Weber, Madeline Santschi, Lindsey Bates, Casey Guditus, Brian Finderburke, Kent Furie, Ryan Weber, Johnannah Clayman and Maggie McKneely.

Third-grade students are having a great time learning the alphabet in Spanish. They are creating their very own Spanish book and picture dictionary.

--Billie Rae Drake

The following students were selected as Superstars: Ben Umble, Taylor Cannon, Taylor Myers, Karen Dang, Gabrielle Williams, Maggie Meckle, Deryll Minor, Matthew Biskup, Devin Atkinson, Olivia Pounders, JaRhea Shumpert, Brandon Barnett, Brent Betts, Craig Patterson, Davina Cooper, Todd Lear, James Smith, Christopher Hamilton, Cesia Acevedo, Kirstin McCeney, Megan Power, Brian Garcia, Ronniqua Bright, Josue Jimenez, Rachael Lowery, Jane Richardson, Nick Vasquez, Jennifer Rivas, Nicole Cafiero, Caleb Hammond, Tylor Dillon, Olivia Smith, Joshua Thaxton, Caleb Groover and Pete Seftas--who we apologize for accidentally omitting last week.

Here are Señora Silvia Mabie's Star Students for the week:

Kindergarten--Michael De Maio, Savanah Brown, Kameron Curry, Cassiana Dejesus, Charlene Tate and Kevin Parks.

First grade--Makayla Tate, Jason Ley, Lacey Wilburn, Benjamin Kim, Sarah Ross and Ashley Karnes.

Second grade--Samantha Dahmen, Joshua Hassinger, Caleb Bennett, Haley Newton and Brittney Cox.

Third grade--Keid Idrizi, George Basilica, Kimberly Pitts, Jessica Ardizzoni, Anthony Do and Kaitlyn Miniter. Señora Mabie hopes everyone keeps trying their best.

The kindergarten students prepared a Thanksgiving Feast yesterday. Each child made their own place mat to use. They also made pilgrim hats and Indian vests to wear. During the feast, each kindergarten class sang a song or performed a skit.

A winter workshop will be held on Dec. 12-13, as well as a Breakfast With Santa on Dec. 13. There will also be a winter program on Dec. 16. Look for more information on these events in upcoming Thursday folders.

--Donna Pirnat

The following students were recognized for their top point earnings for the school in Accelerated Reader so far this year: Jared Oliver, Kelsey Link, Andrea Fiorito, Taylor White, Brittney Morris, Lauren McCumbee, Alex Whelchel, Dominic Cronin, Aurora Frejosky, Zachary Tiblin, Sarah McCoy, James Griczin, John Langin, April Jett and Shelby Brockway.

The following students were the top-point earners in their classrooms:

Fifth grade:

Stephanie Fox's class--Jared Oliver, Sarah McCoy and Kiendra Alsop.

Louise Smith's class--Kelsey Link, Andrea Fiorito and Alex Whelchel.

Jo Merritt's class--James Griczin, Shelby Brockway and Justin Quimby.

Lori Clark's class--Taylor White, Zachary Tiblin and John Langin.

Fourth grade:

Robin Valentine's class--Billy Milem, Sarah Blattenberger and Katelyn Griczin.

Juanita Tinsley's class--Brittney Morris, April Jett and Jeromy Colson.

Laurie Lammond's class--Sierra Stewart, Taylor Thierry and Cady Saunders.

Third grade:

Chris Knighting's class--Jeffrey Durante, Travis Dishman and Maggie Croson.

Nancy Holderbaum's class--Dominic Cronin, Amanda Ramirez and Ebony Whalen.

Sandy Eckel's class--Matthew Taylor, Jonathan Zepeda and Brooke Parker.

Second grade:

Teri Lee's class--Aurora Frejosky, Kellie Taylor and Heather Thomas.

Karen Jones' class--Nickolas Polanosky, Sabrina Parks and Bethany Bishop.

Karrie Helsley's class--Lauren McCumbee, Matthew Bennett and Carlee Deale.

First grade:

Stacy Rose's class--Colin Davis, Katelyn Johnson and Isiah Fox.

Cindy Raymond's class--Taylor Subacius, Jordan McCall and Chelsea Chewning.

Sandy Beverage's class--Maranda McFadden, Randall Livesay and Samantha Hornung.

Kindergarten:

Alida Smith's class--Leah Dyer.

Rachel Papciak's class--Zachary Cuba and Devin Carter.

--Rita Caruth

The following students entered the PTA Reflections' contest: Phillip J. Allan, Mollie Bruce, Olivia Campbell, Christopher Chan, Meghan Hannifin, Majesta Hayhurst, Jacob Klein, Taylor Lopez, Nathan Loprete, Gabriella Moreno, Laura Murdaugh, Jordan Rubbins and Emilee Zuna. The PTA Arts in Education sponsor is Taylor Rubbins, whose efforts and enthusiasm in support of the Reflections' program is greatly appreciated.

--Lois Murdaugh

General Mills Box Tops for Education continue to be collected through the classrooms. The classroom collecting the most box tops each quarter will receive an ice-cream party. An announcement will be made after Thanksgiving with the winner of the first ice-cream party of the school year. Get your box tops in by then to help your child's classroom for the next party.

--Terri Hague

The Art Open House will be held Dec. 11. Student artwork will be displayed from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the fine-arts hall and art classroom. The teacher is Barbara Studer.

The math department recently participated in the St. Jude Math-a-Thon. Fifty-three students raised $4,145, twice as much as was raised last year. Sixth-graders raised the most money for the school, with Cheryl Gray's students raising more than $1,300. Stephanie Peed was the school winner, with contributions totaling $400. She will receive a CD boom box. The Math-a-Thon was sponsored by Cheryl Gray.

The following are members of the boys basketball team: Shelby Anthony, Waverly Austin, Brian Bailey, Wayne Conner, Andrew Dodson, Brandon Ellis, Jerael Hardison, Sean Murray, J.R. Ragland, Keith Rich, Freddie Richardson and Matt Taylor. The team is coached by Adam Pence.

--Theresa Harvey

Seventh-grade SCOPE students recently completed a life-science unit on coral reefs. While researching and writing lesson plans about the reef, they organized a homeroom penny drive to help pay for a school reef aquarium for the library. Students contributed $1,080 toward the aquarium project. The homerooms of Scott Wilson, Elizabeth Marcum, Kristi Brown and Lisa Evans will receive a pizza party on Friday for contributing the most pennies to the aquarium drive.

The aquarium will be ordered and set up over the next few months.

Coach Steven Smith would like to announce that the football team finished with a record of four wins and one loss, making them county runner-up. Malcolm Moore, Ryan Sutherland and Nathan Istre all earned awards at the team's football banquet held Nov. 12.

Business Partners In Education are Scafa's Italian Restaurant, Old Country Buffet, Liberty Lanes, Panera Bread, Hair Quarters, Subway Salem Fields, Mama's Pizza and Subs, Slapshotz Indoor Recreation, Primo's Pizza and Marquee Cinemas.

--Debra Heckman

The following students have been selected and trained for our Peer Mediation program:

Sixth grade--Josh Mullins, Billy Bishiop, Elizabeth Patterson and Maegen McDonald.

Seventh grade--Logan Andrew, Rachel Sheaffer, Angela Segal, Claire Robinson, Laura Hugesen and Paul Hurdle.

Eighth grade--Danny Patterson, Logan Watts and Craig Sweeney.

The boys that made the basketball team this year are: John Anderson, Daniel Crouch, Andrew Monk, Michael Parker, Kyle Pfeiffer, Jake Rasmussen, Chris Shearer, Logan Watts, Austin Whitlock, D. J. Edmond, Darious Green, Matt Krout, Michael Phillips and Travis Thomas.

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Four hundred thirty-seven students had perfect attendance for the first six weeks; this is 57 percent of the student population. The average daily attendance rate for the first six weeks was 96.9 percent, a 0.8 pecent increase over last year. We are working toward a goal of 97 percent for the 2003-04 school year.

Upcoming benchmark testing dates are as follows for all grade levels: Tuesday, science; Dec. 3, English; Dec. 4, social studies; and Dec. 5, math.

--Angie Branham

Students brought in approximately 2,000 canned food and boxed items for the Food Bank. The winning home room was Jean Chetnik's, with a total of 689 items. Honorable Mentions for the grade levels were:

Sixth grade--Marcia Sullivan's class.

Seventh grade--Carol Noon's class.

Eighth grade--the Latin Club.

The seventh-grade Survivor Team is sponsoring the annual Toys for Tots drive from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12.

Students are asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. There is no limit on the price for toys. A competition will be held between homerooms.

The National Junior Honor Society gave the staff candy coins in honor of National Education Week. Their November speaker was Capt. Don Taylor who spoke on how the subjects in school relate to the work of emergency medical technicians and firefighters.

The following boys are on the Bulldog basketball team: Chris Williams, Cody Pratt, Luke Sellers, Dalec Cromwell, Brian Buchanan, Josh Fulena, Lucas Zaluzney, Travis Combs, Xavier Hines, John Jones, Joe Young, Nate Solow, Dwayne Smith, Aaron Harper and Chris Jones. Team managers are Tenisha Minor, Josh Mastin, Felicia Howard and Kendra Jackson. Kevin Race coaches the team.

The following boys are on the Bulldog wrestling team: Bruce Crane, Ryan Cash, Adrian Brown, Darby Burke, Chris Saffy, Barry Beavon, Corey Brigner, Zach Goodwyn, John Kernisky, Matt Moden, Ryan Libbon, Richard Blattenberger, Andrew Harper, Kenny Doustou, Josh Ennis, John Reynolds, Blake Winningham, Brandon Shunamon, John Balog, Mike Becker, Anthony Brown, Sam Ivanovich, John Longtin, Josh Shea, Deonte Jones, Ethan Morris and Trenton Taitague. Ray Balog coaches the team assisted by Mike Donald.

--Lisa Simmermon

The organizational meeting of the Future Business Leaders of America club was held Nov. 5. The following students attended the first meeting: Carlina Henderson, Phillip Haasenritter, Christina Manuel, Michael Williams, Gaisha Pryor, Amy Cook, Danny Sibert, Missy Hayden and Vince Cordero. Membership drive will end today and officers will be elected at the next meeting. Tina Cook is the club's sponsor.

Members of the photography club are Sarah Kazanjian, Jakob Curtis, Allison Carrick, Caretta Williams, Roshonda Wake, Matt Shelton, Caitlin Barlow, Alyssa Perry, Nadia Quasimi, Dillion Mahaffey, Matthew Lloyd, Charlie Zalewski, Chriss Allen, Cassie Miodus, Erin Wilkins and Malique Maris. The club is sponsored by Bobbie Jo Sheilds.

Eighth-grade students of the week for the week ending Nov. 21 were Sierra Fells and Jacob Swain.

Sixth-grader Courtney McDonald, along with her grandmother, coordinated the collection of winter jackets for the needy. They collected about 100 jackets. Courtney is in Kellie Krenzer's class.

The following students were selected for the 2003 Spotsylvania County All-County Band: Marissa Fox, Suzanne Sillman, Hattie Figgers, Kylie Hagedoren, Michelle Minnich, Christina Mattaliano, Jonathan Kibbey, Tara Powell, Xavier Boudreaux, Kyle Smith and Chuckie O'Leary. The band is under the direction of Kevin Coleman.

The school is establishing an e-mail database with parent names. This is another tool to keep parents up to date on events/ announcements and allow personal contact with teachers. If you have not yet signed up, forms are available at the greeter desk and the main office, or you may send in e-mail contact information to your child's homeroom teacher. If you have signed up and are not receiving e-mail, send a note to the homeroom teacher and the information will be checked.

--Vicky Bowens

The sixth-grade Mustang Team is collecting school supplies for the children in Iraq. Students are also making posters featuring holiday greetings for the American soldiers who are serving in Iraq. Mustang Team teachers Cathleen Goodman, Mary Clifton, Yvonne Washington and Margaret Newman are coordinating this project.

Students desiring to purchase yearbooks engraved with their names must do so prior to Dec. 5. After that date, no name engraved yearbooks will be sold for the 2003-04 school year. The next opportunity to purchase yearbooks will be March 1, 2004. Yearbook prices are $22 without an engraved name, and $25 with the student's name engraved. Denise Hamlett is the yearbook sponsor.

A contest was held for the homeroom classes with the highest percentage of students returning impact aid forms by Nov. 12. The winning classes at each grade level were:

Sixth grade--Pam Smith's class.

Seventh grade--Teresa Dudziak's class.

Eighth grade--Rita Truelove's class.

Betsy Graham is the new library secretary. Former library secretary Pauline Woolfolk retired in October.

This year, the SCA is sponsoring a "Kiss the Iguana" contest to raise money for needy families. The contest will end Dec. 16. Students will put coins into jars with the pictures of teachers willing to kiss the iguana. Then, live on the school's televised news, the teacher who collects the most money will kiss an iguana.

Parents are reminded about the after-school SOL Remediation Club and Homework Club. The Homework Club offers students assistance with homework and time to begin and/or complete assignments before coming home. The SOL Remediation Club offers students an opportunity to strengthen weaknesses in reading and math. Teachers leading both clubs will consult with classroom teachers to provide students with help in areas needed the most. Parents wishing to enroll students in either club can call or send a note to the school.

--Helen S. Cielakie

The officers of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America are as follows: President Katherine Doeppe, Vice President Lakeeta Lipkins, Secretary Jessica Black, Assistant Secretary Antoinette Smith, Treasurer Tommy Wuyek and Reporter/Historian Heather Ellis.

The Key Club sponsored their annual blood drive, and students and staff donated 32 pints. Sylvia Burton is the club sponsor.

The following students were the Business Students of the Month for October: Beverly Waller, Lisa Butler, Charles Griffen, Matt Pullin and Kylie Rafferty.

The Debate team competed in the Commonwealth Speech and Debate League Tournament at Massaponax High School. In Lincoln-Douglas debate, Nicole Chapman placed first; Tom Liles, second and Nick Novak, third. In policy debate, Liz Lauzon and Sarah Stewart placed first and Tiffany Cann and Joanne Westbrook were second. In forensics, Angelica Dejesus placed second in dramatic performance.

The Academic Team defeated King George 175-160, Caroline 185-170 and Chancellor 215-125. Members of the team are: Michael Taylor, Mike Woodward, Paul Tierney and Katie Greenstreet.

The following students were inducted into the National Honor Society: Laura Aspen, Lauren Bowden, Amanda Brown, Taylor Burrow, Christopher Cahoon, Colin Campbell, Tiffany Cann, Kristen Croskey-Freshwater, Adrian Elliott, Elizabeth Frank, Emily Funderburke, Brittany Gleason, Shana Howell, Keisha Johnson, Nicole McManus, David Meriovsky, Scott Mersiovsky, Samantha Oddi, Megan Penn, Kelley Quinn, Emily Reese, Sara Reese, Matthew Resnick, Jessica Schatz, Lauren Shrader, Kathryn Sienicki, Lauren Skinner, Nicholas Weiss and Lauren Wise.

--Carolyn Libby

The Speech Team had a good showing at the Nov. 13 competition. Katie Van Buren placed third in storytelling, while Jonell Finley placed third in a competitive dramatic performance field.

The Massaponax Debate team held a competition on Nov. 13. In policy debate, Nat Marks and Tyler Kirkman came in third in JV and Crystal Richardson and Michelle Blizzard came in first place in JV. Also in varsity policy debate, Rebecca Smith and Stephanie Slankard came in third place and Rebecca Smith received first speaker. In Lincoln Douglas, Ashley Betts came in third place, Andy Franklin came in second place and Luciana Perez came in first place.

Cassie Smith was named as a member of first-team, all-District for volleyball. She was also ranked as the third best volleyball player in the area. Fatimah Davis was named to second team all-district and Jez Sullenberger was given honorable mention.

The tennis season came to an end for one of the best doubles teams in the area, Liz Thedford and Katie Quesenbery. The two ladies played a great match against the two-time state champs from Mils Godwin, but just came up a little short. They were the first doubles team to make it to the state tournament.

The boy's cross country team finished their season on a positive note at the VHSL championships. They finished 11 out of the 16 field team. This team showing was their best in school history and helped Massaponax to outscore district champions Colonial Forge. Additional school history was made by Michael Disilvesto's 19th-place finish (just missing making all-state), and Brandon Dick's 35th-place finish. With the help of Chris Meeks, Massaponax had three of the top five times for local school finishers.

Nicki Hollibaugh was selected to the All-District field hockey team.

Amanda Davidson's name was left out of The Free Lance-Star's recognition of field hockey players. Amanda received recognition on second team All-District.

On Nov. 10, the School Board recognized Cindie Kelly as the Foreign Language Association of Virginia Teacher of the Year.

--Melissa Schultze

private schools

Today, middle school students will participate in a number of projects to benefit the Fredericksburg SPCA. Sixth-graders will bake homemade dog biscuits. Seventh-graders are making cat and dog toys, while eighth-graders make Christmas ornaments with an animal theme. All these items will be sold at the SPCA Open House on Dec. 6 and 7, with proceeds benefiting the SPCA's programs and projects.

The LS program will be held in the Sports Center this morning at 11 a.m. First-graders will sing about the first Thanksgiving and fifth-graders will provide a medley of songs on the hand bells.

Classes will dismiss for the Thanksgiving holiday at 12:30 p.m. No after-care will be provided. Classes will resume on Tuesday.

--Liz Barnes

Chapel will be held at 9 a.m. on Dec. 4.

Thanks to the generous support of parents, staff and the community, new playground equipment is being installed on campus. On Monday, a short program will be held in celebration.

Congratulations to the students making the All A honor roll: Richard Alt, Alyson Banks. Olivia Burnett, Christian Capobianco, Aaron Custalow, Kelvy Donovan, Glynnis Downs, Breanne Duffy, Rebecca Easterling, Sean Floyd, Shalynn Goldizen, Nathanael Hoffman, Carolyn Jensen, Ashley Leupold, William Matthews, Brandi McAleese, Heather McCray, Megan Murphy, Stevie Noble, Chris Pak, Amanda Panak, Amber Plourde, Rachel Sansone, Morgan Silverstein, Jessica Stamper, Alan Tate, Alex Tyson, Megan Wiles, Michelle Williams, Kelsey Woods and Rebekah Zello.

Congratulations to the new cheerleading squad: Katie Beale, Leah Brady, Heather Clarke, Erin Curtas, Jessica Farmer, Jessica Ledoux, Courtney Lucas, Stevie Noble, Jessica Stamper, Cameron-Ann Standish, Arica Vess, Christina Williams and Vanessa Wright. The team is coached by Mrs. Bobbi Clark.

Congratulations to seniors John Rogacki and Amanda Sansone, who were recently honored by the Optimist Club as Students of the Month.

The annual Christmas party is Dec. 12. Exams are Dec. 16-19.

Fruit Sale pickup/delivery day is Dec. 10-11 at the Middle School/Upper Elementary campus.

Parents are encouraged to buy grocery gift cards, which can be used at Food Lion, Giant Food, Shopper's Food Warehouse, and Ukrop's.

Users purchase the cards in denominations of $25, $50 or $100, and the school makes a profit on the sale of the cards as well as a bonus from the stores when they are used.

Gift cards can always be purchased from the school office. Parents may also order special scrip gift cards that can be used at many of the stores in the area, including some of the most popular shopping spots at Spotsylvania Mall and Central Park.

The school receives a percentage of the profit on the sale. These cards make wonderful gifts or can be used while doing holiday shopping. Call Cindy Gossett in the Development Office at 373-5355 for details.

FCS is working with WPER radio to support Operation Stocking Stuffer. This is an opportunity to share our love with children in our community. Stuff a stocking or a WPER Christmas-stocking bag, which is available in the office, with gifts for either a boy or a girl, from babies to age 17. Turn them in the week of Dec. 8.

Holiday shopping at Spotsylvania Mall? Go to the Mall's customer service booth and register your receipts for the School Spirit program. FCS has received $5,000 through this opportunity.

The Development Office is looking for medium-size baskets. If you have extras at home that you can donate, send them with your student to school and label them "for Development Office."

On Dec. 10, the fruit and nut orders from the annual sale will be ready to be picked up at the middle school campus in Fredericksburg.

Dec. 19 is an early-dismissal day. Christmas break is Dec. 22-Jan. 2, 2004.

Fredericksburg Christian School is collecting shoes for Russian orphanages. These are mailed each month. FCS families and the community may donate used or new shoes for children and youth by bringing them to the office at any FCS campus.

Prices increase for the Silver Anniversary Yearbook if you order after Dec. 19. Save $5 per book by ordering now. Elementary edition, $20 (two or more, $15 each); middle school and high school editions, $45 (two or more $40 each).

Shop at Ukrop's? Then save your receipts and turn them in promptly to FCS, which receives contributions based on the totals. Please don't collect them over a long time period and then turn them in, as the program is time-sensitive.

Shopping for Thanksgiving? Getting ready for Christmas baking? Make your food purchases work for FCS by purchasing grocery gift cards from the school that can be used at Food Lion, Giant, Shopper's Food Warehouse and Ukrop's. Users purchase the cards in denominations of $25, $50 or $100, and FCS makes a profit on the sale of the cards as well as a bonus from the stores when they are used. Gift cards can always be purchased from the school office.

Parents may also order special Scrip gift cards that can be used at many of the stores in the area, including some of the most popular shopping spots at Spotsylvania Mall and Central Park. FCS receives a percentage of the profit on the sales. Call Cindy Gossett in the Development Office at 373-5355 for details.

Order a color photo of the truly amazing once-in-a-lifetime 25th Anniversary all-school gathering. The aerial photo shows all the students and staff dressed in white and gathered on the athletic field in lines that spell out "FCS 25!" Prints are just $8; call the development office at 373-5355 to order. T-shirts with the photo and FCS anniversary logo are also available. Check with your school office or call development.

Fredericksburg Christian Schools are looking for families to host elementary Korean students in January. The students travel to the U.S. to improve their English and are housed with families that have children of the same gender. For more information, contact Marie Stanley at 373-5355.

--Cindy Gossett

The faculty and staff are pleased to announce that Maria-Ofelia Duquiatan has joined our administration as the new school secretary and receptionist.

The new altar servers are: Zach Chiavaroli, Joshua Craig, Francisco Gonzalez, Nick Kroko and Samuel Pak. They were installed at the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Nov. 16. Keep them and all of our young people in your prayers.

"Mix-It-Up Lunch Day" was celebrated last week with more than 500 students and their sandwiches participating. When randomly assigned a table during their regular lunch shift, this "food and friendship" initiative was aimed at getting the children to break down barriers and get to know one another. Ideally, they were able to get to know someone new and ultimately to recognize the gift of God in one another.

An informational meeting to discuss the current progress of the new Catholic high school to be built in Prince William County will be held on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Lake Ridge. All are welcome.

--Betsy Moran

This past weekend, teachers Monica Balzer, Linda Powell, Susan McClintock, Tina Mazza, and Pam Karr, as well as administrator Pam Soper and Girl Scout leader Amy LaPore, completed the Red Cross first-aid course and the infant/child/adult CPR course. All full-time teachers at Sonshine Academy are now certified in these courses.

On Friday, parents, grandparents and siblings joined the Sonshine students for the annual Family Thanksgiving Feast. Parents and teachers supplied the complete turkey dinner, and students wrote the blessing for the meal. Students in each grade made decorations and dressed for the occasion.

Students have been assigned their parts and are busy learning lines for the annual Christmas Extravaganza, a musical pageant and play. Every student in the school will have a role in the performance, with the music under the direction of music teacher Pam Karr. The performance will be held on Thursday, December 18, at 6 p.m. on the stage at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library headquarters on Caroline Street in Fredericksburg. Families are invited and will be issued tickets later in December.

Parents are reminded that uniforms are on sale daily at lunchtime and after school in the school store, recently renamed after our school mascot, the Lamb Shop.

--Pam Soper