public schools
Head Start
March is recruitment month for Stafford County Head Start's preschool program. This federal program serves children from low-income families who turn 3 or 4 years old before Sept. 30. Applications are being accepted for the 2006-07 school year. Call 540/368-2559 for more information.
Tax assistance is available at Head Start every Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. No appointment is necessary. Parents should contact the family service worker for more information at 540/368-2559.
The Daisy Girl Scouts will meet tomorrow at 2:15 p.m.
At 10 a.m. Friday the school will host a baby shower for school parents who have had a child recently or who are currently expecting a child.
Parents, don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on April 2, and change batteries in your smoke detectors. Families needing batteries for smoke detectors should contact their family service worker. Batteries are available for Head Start families.
A Kinship Support Group is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. At 5 p.m., Family Literacy Night activities begin. A light dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
Students attending kindergarten at Rocky Run Elementary in the fall will tour the school April 4 at 10 a.m. Parents are invited to attend, but must meet us at the elementary school.
Students of the week were: Shane Charles, Tyler Gallahan, Jeffrey Dalby Jr., Diamond Burton, Tyrese Clinton, Corey Cochran, Mariela Amaya, Demetre Brooks, Tyler Brassart and Layla Harris.
--Alice Thompson
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
Tigerwear order forms went home last week. They are due back by Friday.
Students who had top scores in the recent Wordmasters Challenge are third-graders Shaina Sullivan, Chip Patton, Maxim Donohue and Amal Sagal; fourth-graders Karen Me, Matt Bowen, Dylan Thompson, Logan Fischer and Niara Thom; fifth-graders Alyssa Thibodeau, Delores Terry, Toby Pancione, Victoria Giordano and Bethany DeMerchant.
A PTO meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday.
--Carmen Healy
Margaret Brent Elementary
Mountain View High School guest readers came to share their favorite books with all grades at Margaret Brent Elementary School on "Read Across America Day" in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. We had a great time dressing up in "Seuss-y" costumes, guessing quotes from Dr. Seuss books, and listening to stories from our new high school buddies.
Margaret Brent Elementary School sent two teams to the regional Odyssey of the Mind competition at Atlee High School in Mechanicsville. Competing in the Great Parade Division I were team members Alex Martinich, Lalena Janke, Rachel Van Fleet, Shelby Reynolds, Hunter Madden, Drew Madden and Kennedy Worth. Brent's team, coached by Debby Martinich, took first place with a perfect score of 350 and will be moving on to the state competition in Newport News on April 8.
The February word of the month was "respect." Students selected by teachers for the citizenship award are: Jackson Schwab, Emily Webster, Madilyn Snyder, Ethel Ford, Grace Brison, Madeline Malinowski, Mackenzie Steed, Jared Littlejohn, Lauren Morgan, Tommy Wahlin, Shelby Slotter, Owen Brehn, Melinda Kong, Emily Wiesiolek, Dhiamani McClendon, Nathaniel Barker, Jacob Flett, Christen White, Maddie Albertson, Amy Jones, James Ayers Jr., Eli Wilson, Alexandra Arvai, Jessica Stanford, Ryan Patterson, Angelo Espiritu, Jesse Kachelein and Eliza Doss.
--Leslie Martin
Conway Elementary
Conway Cougar Junior Detectives in Susan Kesler's Focus classes are busy solving crimes. The cases involve experimentation and critical thinking. From the "Case of the Missing Lunch" to "The Great Chocolate Caper," these enthusiastic detectives are having fun while learning.
John Leonard's first-grade class has been adopted by William and JoAnne York. They are grandparents of Braeden York. Leonard will be able to use the adoption funds to purchase additional classroom supplies and materials to enhance the learning of his students.
Laurel Booth's kindergarten class and Lisa Bornholtz's third-grade class participated in an online Lucky Charms project. This one-day project, open to pre-kindergarten through third-grade classes, included 4,199 participants from 38 states, Canada and Germany. Each class divided a box of General Mills Lucky Charms into the following marshmallow shapes: pots of gold, horseshoes, moons, hearts, clovers, stars, rainbows and balloons. More than 91,000 Lucky Charms were counted during this project. Students collected their data by completing tally sheets. Booth's class brought their tally sheets to the computer lab on Friday and made pictographs of their data. Bornholtz's class performed a St. Patrick's Day Readers Theater play for Booth's class. Students were surprised to see the results. Of all of the Lucky Charms counted there were more stars--15,035--than any other shape.
Cougars are having an exceptional time in the After-School Enrichment Program. Students are eagerly learning the art of knitting, jewelry making and scrapbooking, as well as taking part in physical fitness and computer classes.
--Gail Wiltshire
Falmouth Elementary
The Falmouth PTO recently treated the faculty and staff to a delicious luncheon. Filly's Restaurant provided the wonderful soups, salads and breads, and the desserts were whipped up by several talented parent chefs.
Joan Baker's and Luanne Clatterbuck's classes went on a field trip to Liberty Lanes. Students and staff bowled together and some even made strikes.
First-graders presented a program called "Snowmen at Night," which was directed by music teacher Annamarie Severini. The first-graders participating were from the classes of Dale Conrad, Mary Bowe-Torrans, Wanda Fife and Felicia Staggs.
The PTO sponsored an author visit for students in grades three to five. The author was Linda Salisbury, who writes the Bailey Fish adventures.
--Doris Rutherford
Ferry Farm Elementary
Two Ferry Farm students won awards at the Fredericksburg PTA/PTSA 2005-06 "I Wonder Why " Reflections competition. At the awards ceremony on March 9 at the Sealy Auditorium at Germanna Community College, Amberly Thomas won first place in the visual arts primary division and Lauren Wick won second place in the musical composition primary division.
Students who have their artwork hanging at the Town & Country Giant are Jillian Weisbeck, Madison Greenan, Alora Harrison, Melissa O'Hara, Ethan Burgess, Ally Carrier, Katelyn Montrief, Candy Mellet, Caroline Payne and Max Walton.
More than 300 students participated in school science fair. Winning awards from the 58 judges are:
Kindergarten--Joshua Aftel, first; Andrew Wright, second; Adam Thomas, third and Kacie Donahue, honorable mention.
First grade--Josephine Gresko, first; Alexis Byers, second; Jacob Howell and Shane Daveler, tied for third; and Mary Kate Baker, honorable mention.
Second grade, Cruse--Alyssa Kniffin, first; Nicole Stickovitch, second; Trevor Wisecup and Will Augsberger, tied for third; and honorable mentions to David Jett and John Lenox.
Second grade, Jarnecke--William Hodges, first; Devin Gruber, second; Joseph Wright, third; and honorable mentions to Devlin Sacra and Ben Austin.
Second grade, Kusmierczyk--Cameron Wright, first; Sophie German, second; Riley Randall, third; and honorable mentions to Mikaila Reynolds, Caleb Cooper and Cameron Brandon.
Second grade, Ripley--Connor Byrd, first; Jeffrey Sullivan, second; Jacob Wright, third; and honorable mentions to Ellie Richards and Riley Coron.
Second grade, Walker--Charlie Ross, first; Serena Carrier and Howard Glaum, tied for second; Lydia Bullock, third; and honorable mentions to Matt Johnston and Benjamin Lewis.
Third grade, Byers--Kali Chapman, first; Devin McKoy, second; Kaitlin Bryant and Emma Clapp, tied for third; and Raxhana Mendez, honorable mention.
Third grade, Krentz--Hope Kincaid, first; Christopher Healy, second; Codey Kincaid and Rachel Coleman, tied for third; and Savannah Tweeddale, honorable mention.
Third grade, Kuhns--Henry Darron and Jennifer Suba, tied for first; Mason Woodyard and Kelley Baker, tied for second; Bryce Settles, third; and honorable mentions to Lizzy Drash, Kevin Hall and Jackson Payne.
Third grade, Steis--Mallory Young, first; William O'Neill, second; Ryan Wright and Ethan Burgess, tied for third.
Third grade, Vetter--Carter Hardy, first; Tristan Peot, second; Kennice Caple, third; and honorable mentions to Wayne Shamblin and Allison Cormier.
Fourth grade, Loy and Payne--Teresa Francom, first; Brooke Debernard, second; Megan Humphrey, third.
Fourth grade, Ward, Sypolt and Smith--Emily Byers, first; Makenna Shaver, second; Madeline Carr, third; and Elizabeth Miller, honorable mention.
Fifth grade, Belako, Dodd and Lowery--Brad Caudill, first; Courtney Jones, second; and Shona DiPaula and Dana Lee; tied for third.
Fifth grade, Lee--Abby Young, first; Destini Sheffield, second; Cassie Hooghouse, third; and honorable mentions to Tiffany Kornegay and Megan Walton.
Fifth grade, Sloan--Logan Duckett, first; Laura Poe, second; Nick Short and Alex Kniffin, tied for third; and honorable mentions to Analisa Wall, Rebecca Maurer and Hannah Lowery.
Fifth grade, Whited--Ben Keller, first; Donnie Kelley, second; Samantha Ibinson, third; and honorable mentions to Ian Franklin and Emily Pearce.
--Janet Smoot
Garrisonville Elementary
Kindergator registration is April 3-14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30. To register, you will need your child's original birth certificate, proof of residency and your child's Social Security number.
Yearbooks are on sale through April 14. The advance sale price for "Wally Gator Races Into Garrisonville" is $10. After April 14, the cost of the yearbook will be $15. All checks should be made payable to GES and include the student's name on the memo line.
--Kim Gilby
Grafton Village Elementary
Students have been busy helping others, while they stay fit. Students who participated in Grafton's Jump Rope For Heart event include third-graders Robbie Anderson, Mackenzie Clower, Ryan Greenlee, Steven Haun, Devon Howsman, Crystal Jones, Ashley Koehler, Gavin McCain, Sam Petto, Brynne Reeves, Maddie Smith, Jessica Turner and Justin Williams; fourth-graders Imani Anusiem, Derek Arbec, Jackson Carmichael, Zach Canova, Clair DeHart, Briana Fonesca, Katelynn Halstead, Alexis Hicks, Ethan Hughart, Dylan Hunziker, Clay Johnson, Mackensie Kairys, Taylor Lisco, Jacob McAllister, Megan McCain, Bria O'Kelly, Timothy Pellegrino, Jasmine Petrovic, Sarah Rearick, Gabriela Rivera, Michelle Shifflett, Matt Sompayrac, Jayden Steele, Brittany Stevens, Zana Wahdan and Katie Walz; and fifth-graders Ryan Dye, Tia Harding, Tierra Harding, Amber Hicks, Ryan Jones, Erin Keith, Anthony Karwoski, Ian Macleod, Travis McFadden, Caelynn Miller, Elizabeth Murray, Sarah Olsen, Zachary Olsen, Rebecca Pinnet, Ralph Price, Emily Quintana, Mia Romero, Sarah Soloman, Trey Spindle, Scott Turner and Brandon Williams.
These students collected more than $2,700 for the American Heart Association.
Fifth-grade students who received the most points for the math problem-solving contest were: Chloe Karlovichm, first place, five points; Anna Adams, Kellen Brau, Kyle Caron, Tierra Harding, Caelynn Miller, Ralph Price, Trey Spindle and John Sylvester, second place, four points; Christian Belman, Brendon Cobb, Bruce Dustin, Neariah Jefferson, Jacob Morgan, Aaron Small, London Smith, Sarah Solomon and Wade Winner, third place, three points.
--Kellie Lights
Hampton Oaks Elementary
The manager's lunch choice for Wednesday is tuna salad on a bun. Friday is Spirit Day so remember to dress in spirit wear. The PTO also holds its bake sale. All items are 25 cents each.
The St. Jude Research Hospital Math-A-Thon is in full swing. Please make sure your child's pledge form and donations are turned in by Friday.
--Susan Combs
Hartwood Elementary
WHES has a new staff. The announcers are Kassi Hoston, Rachel Huber, Tanner Ott and Colton Laub. Abrianna Fines, Alex Huh, Trista Wickline and Kyra Youngblood demonstrated mystery Boystown skills on the announcements.
Sarah Stimmel's fourth grade has the most recorder points in music with 8,815 points. Ali Graham's class is in second, Elena Beard's is in third and Lori Kania's is in fourth.
Angela Johnson and Caroline Pavlak have 250 points in Reading Counts. Lyndsey King has 225. Mary Howe has 200. Sarah Weisband, Maddie McMurray, Raelyn Fines and Lochlan Staker have 175. Tony Brown and Megan Deel have 125. Nick Lausten and Beth Barnes have 100.
Second-grader Brooke Hensen has 450 points in Reading Counts. Casey Titlow and Chelsea Fedowitz have 250 points. Ben Toal has 175. Katie Elliott, Sean Kenney, Shawn Mauldin and Megan Deel have 150. Shaunna Rainey has 125. Maggie Lynch, Clarista Alvarez and Matthew Guarracino have 100.
Becca Dixon was the winner of the "Guess How Many Worms Are in the Jar" contest. Becca's guess of 180 was only off by four. Becca won the worms and a $5 gift certificate to the book fair.
--Marilyn Thompson
Park Ridge Elementary
Park Ridge Elementary students were visited by two young adult authors this week. On Monday, Toni Buzzeo talked with the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders about the writing process. On Thursday, author Jarrett J. Krosoczka met with kindergartners, first- and second-graders to talk about writing children's books. The students asked these authors great questions. Students were able to purchase books and have the authors sign them.
Park Ridge students are once again participating in the WBQB reading month contest.
How much is 1,000,000? Our second-graders are "Going Buggy" trying to find out. They are working together to collect 1,000,000 pictures, stickers or drawings of bugs. Students have been sorting their pictures into groups of 10, 100, and 1,000. So far more than 10,000 have been collected. The goal is to collect 1,000,000 by spring break.
--Sharon Bennett
Rockhill Elementary
Artists of the week, chosen by school art teacher Don Newman, have their artwork displayed in the front lobby of the school and they received a certificate. Recent Artists of the Week include Carol Dorries, Sam Lichtman, Zack Massarella, Mireya Ortiz and Brian Zeilenga.
Planning is under way for the PTO spaghetti dinner, 6 to 8 p.m., April 13. The Rockhill Singers will perform at 7 p.m. If you would like to help, call PTO President Teresa Padgett at 540/658-6360.
--Marilyn Butters
Stafford Elementary
The Student Maintenance and Research Technology Team has started even stronger than we had hoped for. The SMART team has been thrown full-force into technology helping with computer-based art lessons. The SMART team members are Logan Bennett, Hannah Bussler, Caleb Caveny, Shea Corpora, Michael Cummins, Deana Hamlin, Alexis Hiles, Nici Jarrin, Ann Johnston, Krista Kennedy, Kris King, Kelsey Langford,Gabby LaPorte, Marion Lerner, Alex Mendoza, Miranda Merritt, Thomas Merritt, Erica Molnar, Haley North, Francis Nyarko, Russell Reily, Vanessa Rivera, Shikira Sherrod, Lyle Stanford, Samantha Wallace and Diamond Wheeler.
The lost-and-found bins are overflowing. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity soon.
--Ruth Guckian
Widewater Elementary
"Respect" was the character word of the month for February. Wildcats caught setting the standards for all and examples of showing respect are kindergartners Morgan Kerr and Kayla Walker; first-graders Alex Heap and Jared Kuchera; second-graders Zachary Harris and Alexander Walker; third-graders James Coe, Zhane' Barnes, Danielle Telmo and Rebekah Cammuse; fourth-graders Joshua Ver Cruz, Delois Parker and Tyshae Younger; and fifth-graders Tailia Leslie, Paul Ingraham, Abbey Phillips and Ashley Ricks.
March is Reading Madness Month at WES. Members of the Bookworm Club have been reading and sharing their recommendations of good books with the school on the morning announcements. Book reviews were done by Skip Epperson, Emilee Anderson, James Anderson and Paul Ingraham. Participation in WBQB's Reading Madness contest continues and 176,555 reading minutes have been turned in by Wildcats. Top readers are Eden Allegretti, Caroline Grass, Joseph Nelson, Michael Sutton, Manuel Reyes, Jaclyn Rapids, Jason Seelye, Amanda Drozd, Zachary Kersbergen, Katie Beiswanger, Nathan Fretz, Lauren Dixon, Sean English and Dominique Sanchez. Spotlighted readers on the morning announcements are Jakob Nelson, Fisher Niemeier, Grace Rose and Jeffrey Thagard. The paper chain in the hallways is growing with links added as children complete books.
Fifth-grader Caitlin Flinn is the first grand master on recorder this year. A system of recorder mastery, called recorder karate, is used to monitor students' progress. They will test on songs at different levels and receive a "belt" for each song mastered working their way up to seventh degree black belt and grand master. Once that level is achieved the student now becomes the teacher and will test other students on their recorder songs.
Fourth-graders stepped back into history by making a trip to Williamsburg recently.
--Nancy Brothers
Drew Middle
Eighth-graders recently enjoyed a storytelling presentation by renowned storyteller, Donna Washington. For the past several weeks, eighth-graders have been studying folk tales, fables, myths, legends and tall tales. They will be presenting their own stories in a public-speaking unit, and the storyteller from Bluemont Concert Series served as a wonderful speaker for students to model in their own presentations. The PTSA was responsible for bringing this wonderful speaker to our school.
Have you ever thought that math was hard, or boring, or that it had nothing to do with your life? Well, if you like sports, you need math. If you like money, you need math. If you like computers, you need math. In fact, it is difficult to think of one aspect of life that does not rely on some kind of math.
The math department at Drew Middle School is having a Math Night on April 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. to celebrate with the community all the wonders of mathematics. There will be games, manipulatives and prizes. Parents and students will be encouraged to move from table to table, just like at a carnival, to participate in a number of activities. Don't miss this opportunity to have fun with family and friends. All attending students will get a bonus card for bonus points in their math class.
Drew Middle choruses received one Superior and two Excellent ratings at the District Festival.
--Jan Dowling
Gayle Middle
Gayle's Technology Student Association chapter participated in the Northern Virginia TSA Regional Fair at Mountain View High School recently.
The chapter competed against five other middle schools and about 75 other students in 15 events. They placed in every event but one and swept first through third place in four events.
Individual results are:
Challenging Issues--team of Justin Looney and Tyler Tyson, second; team of Caitlyn Fendley and Phillip Freeman, first.
Digital Photography--Carrie Schnedier, first.
Dragster Design--Tyler Limbrick, third; Tyler Tyson, second; and Justin Looney, first.
Electrical Applications--Nick Sypolt, third.
Flight Challenge--Colin Harvey, third; Tyler Crisp, second and Brandon Hinton, first.
Graphic Design--Brandi Wick, third; Caitlyn Hinson, second; Carrie Schneider, first.
Marine Design Challenge--team of Juliana Kim, Thomas Rebbert, Joey Sorrentino, Alex and Nick Sypolt, Shawn Taylor, Eric Wittig, Chad Brann, Luke Smith and Jonathon Whitby, first.
Prepared Speech--Christine Woelfel-Monsivais, first.
System Control Technology--team of Colin Harvey, Adam Sawyers and Jared Eastman, first.
Technical Design Challenge--Caitlyn Hinson, third; and Brandon Hinton, second.
Technical Writing--Christine Woelfel-Monsivais, third.
Transportation Challenge--Sam Pak, third; Buddy Pillar, second; Alex Smith, first.
TSA Mulimedia--Carrie Schneider, second; Buddy Pillar, first.
--Scott Flath
H. H. Poole Middle
Superior ratings were received by the Poole sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade bands at the District XV Band Festival.
Sixth-graders participated in the first Mustang Mile Run on March 22. This one-mile fun run took place behind the school. All students who finished received a ribbon and the top five boys and girls received a medal.
Pi Day was celebrate by the Sea Otter team on March 14. Classes sang Pi Day songs and measured the circumference and diameter of several circular objects to discover where Pi comes from. Students ended the math-filled day by eating "Pi-with-an-E."
--Marilyn Dunn
A. G. Wright Middle
The sixth- and seventh-grade chorus students received an Excellent rating at the Choral Festival. The eighth-grade and Women's Chorus both received a Superior rating.
Additional students who will have their poems in the "Anthology of Poetry for Young People" include Christopher McIntosh, Christopher Versis, Cauri Myers, Bobbi Sue Sanders and Sarah Main.
--Norma McCoy
Brooke Point High
On March 18, the Brooke Point Downbeat traveled to Hanover High School for an invitational show choir competition.
The Brooke Point choral groups participated in the District XV Choral Festival. The madrigals, the lady madrigals and advanced chorus all received Superior ratings. The women's chorus and men's chorus received Excellent ratings. After festival, the madrigals and lady madrigals competed in Richmond at the Lee-Davis Festival of Choirs and received an Excellent rating.
Thirteen students represented Brooke Point at the Health Occupations Student Association State Leadership Conference recently. These students spent weeks preparing to compete against more than 800 other students from across the state. In addition, Brooke Point's HOSA chapter received first place as Outstanding HOSA chapter and was recognized for their National Service Project for the Alzheimer's Association and for HOSA week activities. Students placing in the top three are eligible for the HOSA National State Leadership Competitions. Students placing fourth will be alternates.
Health Education team event--Jarryd Mushatt-Valrie, Jasmine Bell and Matthew Kim (from NSHS), second.
Career Health Display team event--Darbey Cunningham and Samantha Plunkett, second.
CPR & First Aid team event--Jennalee Shumate and Kristin Troyer, fourth.
Clinical Specialty--April Fields, first.
Basic Concepts of Health Care--Jarryd Mushatt-Valrie, first; Stephanie Lamb, third.
Extemporaneous Health Poster--Sunnan Yoon, second; Laura Laperle, fourth.
Medical Math--Sunnan Yoon, third.
Medical Photography--Laura Laperle, third.
--Tom Coen
Colonial Forge High
The 2004-05 Molten Art literary and arts magazine was awarded the prestigious Gold Crown Award. The competition, hosted by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, is the most rigorous in the nation and success is a testament to the outstanding quality of CFHS students' creative works. Molten Art was one of only 16 schools in the nation to receive the Gold Crown Award.
Additionally, the 2004-05 Molten Art has been nominated as one of 10 finalists for the National Scholastic Press Association's Pacemaker award.
Courtney Martin has been selected as the Optimist Club's March student of the month. Brittany Dudley and Ashley Innis were both chosen for the Jaycee's student of the month award.
--Kerri McClafferty
Mountain View High
Learn & Serve classes were busy recently assisting Special Olympic athletes at the county qualifier held at MVHS. Students helped running clocks, taking scores, organizing teams and maintaining brackets. On a weekly basis, 21 Learn & Serve students tutor at Margaret Brent Elementary School. Students tutor in kindergarten to grade four classrooms in areas such as speech pathology, art, music, math, reading and special education.
The choral program recently performed in the District Concert Festival. MVHS had three groups participate in the festival under the direction of Bonita Keene. The festival format has each group performing three musical selections and they receive a rating from each of the three judges on the overall performance. The groups received the following ratings:
Beginning Women--two Excellent ratings and one Superior rating.
Mixed Chorus--two Excellent and one Superior
Lady Madrigals--three straight Superior ratings.
On March 14, Pat Reynolds coordinated 97 ESL students from all five high schools to visit Washington and the Museum of American History. The trip was designed for students to view exhibits about American history and culture, particularly an exhibit on the presidency.
While at the museum, students perused exhibits and participated in a scavenger hunt to aid in their viewing.
On April 13 at 6:30 p.m. "Wildcat Idol" will take the stage. Choral students have been busy organizing and preparing for the event which will benefit the choral department.
In "American Idol" fashion, each contestant will perform a song for the judges. Judges will then choose the top five, who will come back and sing a second song. At that point, the audience will cast their votes for the "Wildcat Idol." The winner will receive a cash prize of $50.
In conjunction with National Athletic Training Month, sophomores and juniors in Chad Cooke's sports medicine class decided to "Be Active, Stay Healthy." His class visited the University of Virginia Sports Medicine Complex on March 13. Students toured the complex and football stadium to witness injury treatments and rehabilitation programs in addition to experiencing the university athletic training setting.
The MVHS Band program, under the direction of Doug Armstrong, had two groups perform in the VBODA District Concert Festival. The Symphonic Band performed in the Grade IV category and the Wind Ensemble performed in Grade V. Both groups received overall ratings of Superior from the panel of judges for their performance.
--Nikki Eshelman
private schools
Fredericksburg Academy
Lower School parent-teacher conferences will be held tomorrow. There will be no classes for Lower School students, but day care will be provided.
The Middle School council will sponsor a talent and karaoke show for the Middle School at 1 p.m. today in the theater. The talent show is a great opportunity for middle school students to show off their singing, dancing and other talents.
Also today, a representative from Liberty University will be on campus at 1 p.m. to meet with interested Upper School students.
The third grade will present a musical version of the Chinese folk tale "Tikki Tikki Tembo" at 7 p.m. Thursday in the theater. They will perform a dress rehearsal for Lower School students earlier that day.
Geography Bee champion, eighth-grader Trent Butterworth, will compete in the National Geographic Society's Virginia Geographic Bee on Friday at Old Dominion University.
--Beth Hunley
Holy Cross Academy
The Sacrament of Confirmation was received by eighth-graders at St. Mary Church by the Rev. Paul S. Loverde and the Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA.
With great joy and sacramental grace we wish to congratulate Jana Biever, Nathan Bilodeau, Thomas Bowen, Patrick Brig, Patrick Carroll, Kelsey Cullinan, Nicolas Doyle, Elisabeth Dulin, Joseph Fitzgibbons, Christian Gates, Giannina Gonzalez, Charles Halsey, James Harrop, Jacob Hayes, Brandi Iorio, Ashley Jackson, George Keidel, Eric Kirn, Christopher Kopcak, Dakota Kuca, Anna Malinowski, Monica Mares, Ryan McBroom, Mason Mitchell, Conor Nevins, Kimberlyn Pepe, William Petrucelli, Raquel Pierre, Jesse Radolinski, Allyson Sims, Cecilia Smith, Christopher Stine and Rebecca West.
Five of Eileen Geary and Letsea Noller's eighth-grade authors presented their own plays to a very enthusiastic and receptive school audience in Bishop Keating Hall. The five were tasked with the responsibility of writing, directing, casting and performing in their own productions. Dakota Kuca created "The Runaways," Anna Malinowski created for "The Magical World of Nothingness," Kimberlyn Pepe created "The Ticket," Billy Petrucelli created "The Lottery Ticket," and Raquel Pierre created "Aubrey's Wish."
--Betsy Moran
Odyssey Montessori
Mauri Elkins and her early childhood class are studying Japan and its culture. This week students are creating lava for their volcano, dressing up in traditional Japanese clothing and learning the names and meanings of each piece.
Maureen Keeling's early childhood class has also been studying Japan and its culture. This week the students are learning about Japanese calligraphy, wardrobe, and some basic phrases, such as "thank you." The children will continue to study Japan for the next few weeks, including Japanese cooking. Then they will move on to studying the Middle East.
The mealworms in the lower elementary class have now turned into pupae. The students are patiently waiting until the pupae turn into beetles. They have also been studying and copying the style of artist Andy Warhol.
The upper elementary students of Carol Nicholson and the secondary students of Wendy LaRue had great success with the recent chili cook-off. They raised more than $400 and are well on their way to paying for their end of year, weeklong trip to the beach. The students are now prepping for an improv night. This will be another fundraiser for them.
Upper elementary students had a lesson on propaganda from University of Mary Washington intern Lisa Petriella. They also did reports on World War II and created experiments involving water and ice to discover density and the properties of water. They are also reading "Bud Not Buddy" by author Christopher Paul Curtis. This is about jazz, foster care and life in the early 1930s.
Secondary students are studying ancient civilizations with a focus on finding similarities by examining ways that people from each culture met their fundamental needs. They've also been studying persuasive writing.
--Ileana Figueroa-Davis
Stafford Christian Academy
Students 13 years and older will be participating in the annual Regional Student Convention on April 11-14. The convention will be held at the Appalachian Bible College, in Bradley, W.Va. The purpose of the Accelerated Christian Education Student Conventions is to give Christian young people opportunities to develop leadership skills.
--Arlene Witcher