PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Head Start
The Head Start/Virginia Preschool Initiative Program will continue to accept applications for the preschool program for the 2009-10 school year. Call 540/368-2559 for more information.
Valerie Preston's VPI class graduates tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Brooke Point High School. Margaret Mayhew's class graduates Friday at 10 a.m. at the Melchers Complex. VPI students' last day of school is June 16.
Employees of the Month were Nancy Sanderson, Liz Beatty, Sandy Thatcher, Patty Fessler, Andy Stevens, Margaret Mayhew, Denise Homan, Christine Ruffino, Connie Holder, Rebecca Feldman, Alice Thompson, Sue Stello, Teri Lockett, Patti Bricken, Charlotte Hooten, Schelle Langham, Brenda Spencer-Wells, Jennifer Holmes, Christa Stoots, Cynthia Allen and Karen Raymond.
Volunteers of the Month were Kathleen Lucas, Megan Kirkpatrick, Eileen Delewski, Rebecca Kolanda, Anita Neri, Sarah McInteer, Tynika Hood and Shazia Rahman.
Children recognized for Character Education "dependability" for May were Jada Arnold, Kevin Neri, Madelin Membreno, Trinity Tucker, Madison McKenna, Arturo Osario-Bautista, Daisy Contreras, Zeinab Mahgoub and Ashliy Ortiz.
--Alice Thompson
Margaret Brent Elementary
Award winners for May for "dependability" are Savannah Dittmann, Sterling Thatcher, Carolina Villarreal, Kayla Gayle, R.J. Ward, Helen Hazard, Alex Kemp, Hannah Loving, Nolan Small, Amaya Reynolds, Nolan Conway, Lori Nerdahl, Jillian Bleakley, Broden Domenico, Michael Oliver, Lindsey Huntt, Jane Riley, Christina Clements, Madison Perry, Mark Denecke, Madeline Malinowski, Raymond Cao, Michael English, Brendan Sumpter, Marissa Simons, Reagan King, Wyatt Jenkins, Cam-eron Jones, Cody Weinberger, Zachary Phillips and Kimberly Napier.
Award winners for June for "forgiveness" are Isaiah Hill, Laila Nelson, Lacey Winkels, Kylie Cullop, Patricia Oliver, Annie Webster, Anna Carlson, Cassia McCormick, Rachel Vitas, Tarryn Levesque, Ricky Dorsch, Stone King, Taylor Vines, Zoreli Simien, Alexis Garvey, Tyler Faulkner, Luke Dotson, Rakiah Grende, Layla Cooley, Julia Hoffmeier, Austin Flecker, Courtney Wilder, Crystalynn Vaughan, Lily Bryngelson, Joyce Barsana, Antonio Kibler, Emily Wiesiolek, Khearstyn Bartlett, Ahdaysia McAllister and Martin Hanse.
Students exemplifying Bobcat Spirit are Thea Hanse, Lucas Sablotne, Kody Brown, Mason Mullins, Joseph Finn, Haleigh Vernon, Luke Smith, Savannah Dittman, Olivia Rodeheaver, Sam Wiler, Madison Cruzan, Curtis Reed, Cassia McCormick, Jana Riley, Eric Shay, Broden Domenico, Lucas Michaelis, Stone King, Shana Rose, Hannah Jones, Phillip Evans, Adam Skoloda, Macy Wirman, Kailey Clasen, Tyler, Christian, Danielle Nogales, Nolan Conway, Tarryn Leves-que, Barbara Hovermale, Jack Wiler, Nicholas Scholes, Caroline Kalcheff, Nathan Dvornick, Justus Jenkins, Kayla Hester, Zachary Mountjoy, Jessica Bauer, Trent Sisson, Adria Peyton, Damon McLeod, Conner Frazier, Ethan Nechamkin, Nyle Van Doren, Erika Hager, Justin Bitsie, Abigail Chapman, Hannah Cruzan, Sharai Huestis, Brendan Sumpter, Megan Crispin, Tariq McAllister, Emily Shine, Andrew Young, Lily Babbie, Jensen Margheim, Megan Cann, Jordan Phillips, Arica Dass, Gabby Carmina, Sammy Flett, Joyce Barsana, Robert Jackson, Antonio Kibler, Melinda Kong, Ashley Finley, Martin Hanse, Halie Ebert and Adam Dingus.
--Leslie Martin
Falmouth Elementary
Students were treated by the PTO to ice cream at lunch last Friday. The students have worked hard in their classes this year and gave their best efforts on the SOL, and they enjoyed getting a special reward.
Movin' On Skate Night was a fun evening of skating, pizza and camaraderie for fifth-graders and the staff before leaving the elementary years behind. The last skate night for all grades is Thursday, 6-8 p.m. at Cavalier Skate.
Order forms for the SchoolKidz supply kits for the 2009-10 school year are due tomorrow.
--Mary Garrett
Ferry Farm Elementary
The before-school music ensembles performed a Spring Concert for the school and parents recently. The fourth-grade instrumental ensemble performed songs such as "Ode to Joy" and Brazilian songs using recorders, xylophones, drums and other percussion instruments. The fifth-grade instrumental ensemble played a polka, and "Jungle Heart," a Brazilian-inspired song. The Super Singers, made up of fourth- and fifth-graders, sang a medley of songs from Broadway shows, such as "South Pacific," "Little Mermaid," "The Music Man" and "Godspell." There were solos, small singing groups, dancing and acting. All this was performed under the direction of music teacher Susan Montrief and accompanied by fifth-grade teacher Heidi Sloan.
Tomorrow all fifth-graders will attend DARE Day and will have their Fifth-grade Fling on Thursday. There are early dismissals Thursday and Friday.
--Janet Smoot
Moncure Elementary
The Bags of Love community service project has begun. The school is accepting donations of new or gently-used backpacks, new pencils, crayons and paper to donate to the Stafford County Department of Social Services.
These school supplies will help them send children to school prepared and ready to learn. Donations will be accepted in the box inside the front doors through June 16.
Yearbooks are available through the front office. Checks for $15 should be made payable to Moncure PTO.
The new PTO board of directors are Gina Long, president; Lisa DiMola, vice president of programs; Heidi Cox, vice president of fundraising; Reyna Del Toro, secretary; Lisa Munoz and Chrissy Lukacs, treasurers; Emily Fallon, volunteer coordinator; and Kerri Rogers, appreciation chair.
The position of communications chair is still available. Anyone interested in helping the PTO should contact the school.
--Diane Morris
Rockhill Elementary
Hearing impaired interpreter Christine Pruitt is PTO Employee of the Month.
The following students were chosen to present speeches at fifth-grade Recognition Night: Naomi Carson, Molly Hawkins, Erykah Tinnin and Brittney Vargas.
Second-grader Brenda Gonzalez won third place in the Rappahannock Emergency Medical Services Council Art Contest in recognition of National EMS Week.
The following are Students of the Month for Cooperation: Samantha Atkinson, Robby Boyd, Thomas Burkott, Jordan Burzynski, Chloe Butler, Ruben Caldwell, Avery Carr, Mariah Childs, Ty Corbett, Sallie Cramer, Alexis D'Amico, Ayla Daniels, Shivir Dhar, Jasmin Duenas, Megan Flood, Adeline Flores, Matthew Gillette, Tanner Givler, Brenda Gonzalez, Alexis Green, Reagan Hasselstrom, Noah Hernandez, Selena Hernandez, Zarr Holmes, Jessica Jabro, Ryan Johnson, Zach Kaatz, Kayla Hilado, Michael Klocek, Aiyanna Lee, Ashanti Martin, Cornelious Mayes, Autumn McCaleb, Jasmine McNeill, Shyanne Michael, Angela Minger, Sophia Morales, Angel Nguyen, Sironsi Nraanzi, Seth Olds-Swint, Matthew Payne, Megan Pedigo, Sydney Penella, Sophie Perez, Sydney Petersen, Sarah Pleskovitch, Brian Ponce, David Quash, Cameron Ramsey, Madeline Reiten, Xavier Robinson, Chipper Ruongrat, Kailey Schneider, Madisen Seybert, Alexis Sterner, A.J. Strother, Catheryn Stumpf, D'Angelo Taylor, LaShae Thomas, McKayla Thomas, Jordan Tieng, Mya Tino, Joseph Tran, Jorge Vargas, Nicole Vile, Faith Walsh, Emily Ware, Josh Weiler and Brandon White.
--Marilyn Butters
Rocky Run Elementary
Third-graders have been learning about soil, plant life cycles and animal life cycles. The students have been creating terrariums and observed the water cycle in their terrariums. Classes have been raising butterflies and watching them change from larvae to pupae and finally to adult butterflies.
Field Day was May 22. Parent volunteers helped make the day special by running the stations.
--Kathy Mimm
Stafford Elementary
Health Information forms for fifth-graders need to be updated and returned with them to their middle schools.
Sixth-graders need to have their immunization status updated prior to middle school entry.
Kindergarten and new student physicals are due before school starts in September.
The first Family Extravaganza was held recently.
This week was the kindergarten Moving On celebration. The rising first-graders celebrated through songs directed by Jason Collett.
Students collected $1,700 this year through Box Tops for Education. Bev Ritacco is the coordinator and she has planned many creative ways to raise even more for technology next year.
Thursday is the fourth-grade awards ceremony. After the awards students will be treated to a Hawaiian picnic.
Fifth-graders will also have their final awards Thursday at 9:15 a.m. The Moving On ceremony and DARE graduation are Monday at 9:15 a.m.
PTA officers for 2009-10 are Robin Garcia, president; Thera Blehar, Jocelyn Stewart, Kellee Twiggs, Shawn Durand and Dana Hill have been elected to the board.
--Suzie Ludwig
Widewater Elementary
The school chorus had a beautiful performance at Kings Dominion. They scored 97 out of 100 points, which earned them a superior rating and a trophy.
--Bonnie Cox
H. H. Poole Middle
The following are members of the Pep Band which participated in the pep rallies. Pep Band is led by Caroline Nesbit.
Seventh grade--Khaa'Rym Alleem, Mitchell Baker, Nathan Bennett, Siobhan Bernard, Jared Boyce, Jennie Brandt, Kerri Bumgarner, Lee Collard, Colin Doescher, Catherine Evans, David Evans, Devin Griffin, Cristina Garcia, Ben Haskin, Kyrie Law, Cole Metz, Matt Morrison, Kylie Rose, David Reinaman, Billy Roets, Natalie Pendie, Rachel Park, Megan Rebholz, Katie Taylor
Eighth grade--Aaron Brown, Michael Bakum, Ryan Bennett, Samantha Charriez, Hollis Cuffie, Hunter Jacobs, Joe Montemayor, Rebecca Nauschuetz, Mereidth Offerjost, Haley Sims, Muse Sagal, Colin Thiboeau.
The following boys made All-County Track: Kyle Toussant, Eric Szymanski, Darnell Parker, Jacob Ralph, Anthony Shegog, Lyndon White, Cory McGee, Ryan Halvorson, Sheldon Sullivan, Anthony Ross, Kwesi Dadzie, D.J. Purvis, Patrick Arata, Kevin Watts, Jonathan Miller, Tyler Colgan, Devante Purvis, Quentin Richmond, Chris Hamilton, T.J. Rainhart, William Gomez, Jacob Gallaher, Cullen Guthrie, Michael Bakum and Joseph Slye.
Alternates are Ryan Deguzman, Hunter Jacobs, Deandre Stinson and Nicholas Scroggin. Coaches are Mike Brooks and Rashad Cook.
The following girls made All-County Track: Kaitlin VanDevelde, Jessica Joe-Cobblah, Kari Schott, Emily Reinwald, Hayley Roulston, Olivia Cheek, Sydnei Foster, Quincy Slora, Ella Wade, Katie Kashmer, Alyssa Thibodeau, Sara Dix, Caitlyn Peace, Elise Carlson, Lynika Chapman, Tyler Turner, Ashlyn Ingalsbe, Madison Cox, Kaitlyn Hawpe, Samantha Humphrey, Erin Quinn, Mariah Cottongim. Coaches are Monica Balzer and Sarah Markham.
Michelle Egan's physical
In physical science, the eighth-graders made soda pop bottle rockets and launched them. Propelled by compressed air and water, some of these rockets traveled more than 135 meters. Another culminating activity for eighth-graders was the hot air balloon project. Each student designed a tissue paper balloon and launched it; some balloons flew over the roof of the school and at treetop level.
Vickie Blanchard and Anna Mullins took the ServeSafe class.
--Julia Goll
A. G. Wright Middle
Students in grades six through eight will be recognized for their accomplishments at tomorrow's awards assemblies. The three ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. for eighth-graders, 11:32 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. for sixth- and seventh-graders, respectively.
Eighth-graders will attend Friday's farewell picnic, 1-3 p.m., featuring food, drink, music and games.
Receptionist Gloris Seay has been named Staff Person of the Month for May by her colleagues. She has worked at A.G. Wright since the it opened in 1981.
--Bridgett Roos
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Fredericksburg Christian Schools
Fredericksburg Christian Schools held their high school graduation May 30. Jonathan Lesher was valedictorian and Heather McCray was salutatorian.
The last day of school for all students was June 5. Over the summer, the staff will be making the changes necessary to combine some of the Fredericksburg campuses.
The school is offering many opportunities for students in their summer programs. Information is available on the school Web site.
A team of five students and three adults left June 5 for a three-week mission trip to Tanzania, Africa. They will be working in children's homes, churches, schools and doing some light construction.
The football program will begin in the fall.
--Jill Shigley
Red Apple School
Kindergartners students sang a medley of patriotic songs at their graduation ceremony last week. The students are celebrating Spirit Week this week. The kindergarten class will celebrate the end of the year with a class picnic Monday at Willowmere Park. The kindergarten Reader of the Week was Nathan Brinkley. The Writer of the Week was Nashua Haque, and the Artist of the Week was Sarah Sindle. Word of the month for May was "dependability." The kindergarten students best exemplifying this characteristic were Bella Barbee and Sarah Sindle.
--Pam Soper
South Stafford Christian School
The final grand prize winners for May and June are Alyssa Blevins, Kyle Horn and Catherine Feuer.
--Kimberly Horn
St. Michael the Archangel High
Eight students were honored at the annual academic awards assembly recently. Twenty-two awards in seven academic areas were presented to the top student in each course. The honorees were:
James Balch--English 9, Theology 9, Biology and History 9
Katharine Fitzgerald--English 11/12, Pre-Calculus, Theology 11/12, Physics, U.S. Government, French II and Drama
Caroline Ford--English 10, Algebra I and Spanish II
Megan Pitts--French I
Mark Turner--Geometry
Jon VanDeusen--Theology 10 and Modern History
Stephanie Wilson--Spanish I
Elizabeth Wise--AP English, Chemistry and Art.
Luke Cassidy, Heather Burgess and Nathan Woodhead received commendations for completing the Mile Swim program.
--Theresa M. Vivona