PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Head Start
The Head Start/Virginia Preschool Initiative Program is recruiting for two new 4-year-old classes to begin in January. The child must have turned 4 by Sept. 30, 2009, to qualify. For information, call 540/368-2559.
Free Adult Basic Education/GED test-preparation classes meet Monday through Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 540/898-8165 for information.
There will be no school for Head Start students and staff on Wednesday for Veterans Day. School will be closed for Veterans Day.
The Money Smart Workshop is Thursday at 10 a.m., followed by the men's luncheon at 11:30. Dads, grandfathers, brothers, uncles and other significant male family members are invited.
The ERSEA PRISM is Friday at 10 a.m. The Mental Health PRISM is Nov. 16 at 10 a.m., followed by the Child Health and Development PRISM meeting at 1 p.m. The Child Health and Safety PRISM is Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.
Family Literacy Night is Monday, at 5 p.m., followed by a light dinner at 6 p.m.
Students of the Week were Estrella Hernandez, Carlos Diaz, Taleah Gaither, Dylan Dalby, Mario Echeverria, Nizigiyimana Ejide, Kailea Flanary, Casey Clark, T'Laya Johnson, Andrew DeMar, Blaze Chavonelle, Lawrence Fye III, Diana Estevez and Wilmer Delcid-Portillo.
--Alice Thompson
Kate Waller Barrett Elementary
Fifth-grade Focus students joined other fifth-graders for The Big Think. Three events showcased problem-solving ability, creativity, teamwork, and communication skills. Students attempted to build the tallest tower, created geometric shapes with a 50-foot rope while blindfolded, and performed a skit using a variety of characters and props. Students who participated were Cougar Conley, Alex Dunn, Madison Fernandez, Maddie Haight, Emily Martinez and Trenton Pettigrew. Chaperon was Maggie Dunn.
--Carmen Healy
Margaret Brent Elementary
Student selected for demonstrating responsibility were: Riley Rivero, Marlinda Hofferek, Vicente Pacheco, Gabriella Davis, Benjamin Wiler, Tara Pirooz, Brianna Beckwith, Jordyn Urrea, Kendall Cooke, Andrew Goodman, William Cary, Ethan Drake, David Poole, Mackenzie Rivero, Derek Altstaetter, Jailine Guerrero, Josie Urrea, Hannah Eddins, Nathan Sidor, Amanda Vacher, Justine Meyer, Kristen Mehr, Sierra Villarreal, Paige Nageotte-Taylor, Zachary Mountjoy, James McCulloch, Rileigh Ecker, Alayna Johnson, Jordan Staebler, Tyler Phares, Joshua McConnell and Kody Brown.
--Leslie Martin
Falmouth Elementary
P.E. teacher Dennis Emerson selected the following students to receive the Prime Time Award for October based on a positive attitude, good sportsmanship, improvement and preparedness:
Fifth grade--James Shellington, Erin Pugh, Lindsey Sullivan, Roshun Patterson, Raul Rodriguez, Camille Downes, Ryan Brown, Josephine McBride
Fourth grade--Alexis Heaney, Robert Oglesby, Jordan Day, Jhade-Alexis Sinclair, Neilay Williams, Jamise Shellington, Deanna Stone, Preston Morgan
Third grade--Alysha Hintz, Michael Kanoa, John Brown, Elena Craig, Tyson Taylor, Meranda Richardson, John Kennedy, Quincy Carter
Second grade--Gabriela Villatoro-Rodriguez, Justin Hepler, Judah Stone, Madison Carter, Leanna Logan, Aiden Dingus, Tristan Mitchell, Sasha Ramirez-Ayala
First grade--Jeidy Guevara-Zarate, Lew Tranca, Grace Carlson, Brian Linares-Gomez, Ashley Costner, Rahim Sargent, Anna Romanello, Ryan Salzgaber, Billy Tetrault, Alissa Campbell.
The Student Council Association will meet after school Nov. 17, 4-5 p.m. Orders for the SCA Cookie Dough fundraiser should be placed by Friday.
The next PTO Market Day and Fall Fundraiser pickup is Thursday, 7-8 p.m. in the cafeteria.
Music teacher Annamarie Bollino has been appointed as the Fine and Performing Arts Coordinator for Stafford County Public Schools.
--Mary Garrett
Ferry Farm Elementary
On Oct. 30 the school held its traditional D.A.R.E. Drug March through the streets of the Ferry Farm community.
Leading the march were McGruff, the crime dog; the D.A.R.E. lion; and the Ferry Farm Eagle.
Former principal Bill Kennedy, who started the march, also attended. The march culminated at the school steps. Principal Robert Freeman thanked all those who helped with the drug march and those people who play important roles in the students' future. Sheriff Charles Jett talked of the students taking a stand against drugs and making a personal commitment to a "Just Say No." D.A.R.E. officer, Deputy Tracy Scroggins, told the student to take pride in themselves, their school and their community. Assistant Principal Nick Roman talked of how students should respect themselves and choose a healthy and happy lifestyle. Finally, music teacher Susan Montrief led the crowd in the D.A.R.E. song.
--Janet Smoot
Garrisonville Elementary
Kindergartners had a wonderful time at the Fall Festival. In October they learned about the characteristics of fall and pumpkins. This month, Pocahontas and the Powhatan will be introduced and lessons on estimating, number sense, phonemic awareness, interactive writing and guided reading will be continued.
To encourage questioning skills, Linda Britt's first-graders took a virtual field trip to Hershey, Pa., in the computer lab. The children created "I wonder" questions, researched their answers, and are presenting what they have learned with a television commercial, billboard, bumper sticker or promotional brochure.
Third-graders are focusing on writing a paragraph. In math they are working on strategies for adding two- and three-digit numbers. All third-graders are working toward their monthly reading goals.
The annual Fall Festival was held Oct. 31. Staff and parent volunteers dedicated many hours to make this event a fun time for everyone. The Poster Contest winners were:
Preschool--Michaela
Kindergarten--Amelia Suthers, first place; Grace Holst, second place; Caitlynn McKevitt, third place
First grade--Megan Pikkart, first place; Amelia Milliard, second place; Ethan Stafford, third place
Third grade--Emily Ponce, first place; Kimberly Sharp, second place; Hailey Kortman, third place
Fourth grade--Nolan Biddle, first place; Broc Girard, second place; Brittany Baity, third place
Fifth grade--Joseph Millard, first place; Ally Devall, second place; William Lynch, third place.
Cake decorating contest winners were:
Best Overall Cake--Christy Ferriria
Most Gatoriffic Spirit Cake--the Harrel family.
Family Bingo is Friday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7 p.m.
--Amy English
Moncure Elementary
The PTO has purchased four additional ActivBoards, which enable anything that can be seen or done on a computer screen to be projected onto the interactive whiteboard. Staff members Tyler Newton and Kevin Bertolo will oversee the installation.
There will be a tribute to veterans Thursday at 10 a.m. The students, faculty and staff will honor the veterans' service and dedication to our nation. Music teacher David Vita is organizing the assembly.
--Diane Morris
Rockhill Elementary
School is closed Wednesday for Veterans Day.
School dismisses at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 for elementary students.
School is closed Nov. 25-27 for Thanksgiving.
Tables are available for rent for the annual PTO craft fair being held at the school Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call Teresa Padgett, 540/720-2955.
--Marilyn Butters
Rocky Run Elementary
Almost 800 Accelerated Reader quizzes have already been taken. Recently, prizes were given out for students whose reading ranges improved since their initial STAR Test was taken. Many students received those prizes. Their names will be posted on a bulletin board outside the library.
In October, students participated in a schoolwide math activity called "The Great Estimation Challenge." Each month students will practice using estimation strategies to guess the number of objects present in their grade level's estimation jar. At the end of each month, the class with the closest estimate will receive a reward. The following were class winners:
Kindergarten--Kathleen Catalano's class
First grade--Lori Willden's Class
Second grade--Michelle Rush's Class
Third grade--Sherry Brannen's class
Fourth grade--Kali Hamill's class
Fifth grade--Vicki Talcott's class.
--Kathy Mimm
Widewater Elementary
Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders have run student campaigns, posted election posters and given speeches. Students voted in the classrooms, and SCA representatives acted as delegates in the Electoral College to become familiar with the democratic process. SCA officers are:
President--Samantha Hambrick
Vice president--Abby Harrigan
Secretary--Jared Joyner.
The preliminary round of the National Geographic Geography Bee was held in all fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms in October. The following students will be representing their classes in the school GeoBee Jan. 13: Tyler Sinclair, Jeremy Williams, Christian Valle, Frank Ardakwa, Brandon Friend, Arvin Sarbah, Jamie Hiller, Erik Espinoza, Joey Berns and Julian McDowell.
The classroom with the most box tops will be treated to a pizza party. First deadline to turn in box tops is Friday.
Counselor Melissa Greene honored the following as October Students of the month for responsibility: Autumn Sinclair, Tyrone Conteh, Allen Jones, Nicole Wortman, Hailey Askelson, John Dickinson, Ava Rutkowski, Nickolas McCann, Andrew Zalar, A.J. Gryder, Malaysha Wilkins, Riley Henslee, Kelsie Emmer, Jalen Satchell, Noah Ramos, Angel Flores-Bonilla, Daquan Reeves, Seyatta Schillace, Alexis Davenport, Nora Protillo Vallejo, Jose Gutierrez, Zachary Myers, Trent Clark, Shae Carro, Josie Burggraf, Jason Seelye, Carl Lewis, Erik Espinoza, Sheree Weaver and Jessica Good. These students were invited to a breakfast with their parents, a book made by their classmates and a medal.
--Nancy Brothers
Winding Creek Elementary
Teacher of the Month is fourth-grade teacher Mary Meadows. Angie Stanley is Paraprofessional of the Month.
P.E. teachers Megan Winkels and Ryan Mytrysak announced the winners of the recent Pumpkin Run: Camden Henderson, Jordyn Romero, Jacob Kitchen, Paityn Walker, Andrew Watson, Anaisa Sibel, Paten Rodier, Bailee Walker, Jeremy Buechler, Lindsey Winkels, Jennylynn Johnson and Mark Roberts, whose mile time was 6:17.
--Martha Ross
Dixon-Smith Middle
The following students were selected for the All-County Middle School Band and will be performing at Colonial Forge High School Friday and Saturday: Justin Wilder, Westley Jennings, Lewis Hailey, Chase Agnew, Hannah Rearick, Olivia Haynes, Samantha Hunt, Megan Humphrey, Kaitlyn Creager, Aiyannah Terry, Emilio Kalogiannis, Kenly Belman, Katie Sell, Lora Koytcheva, Brad Allison, Colton Reifert and Zach Luce. Receiving first-chair honors were:
Morgan French: piccolo and flute
Nick Gilgenast: timpani.
The Dixon-Smith band is directed by Kathy Davis.
Debate winners attended a countywide debate workshop at Shirley Heim Middle School. Debate winners were Ramsey Brown, Jackson Carmichael, Kendall Parker, Haley Larson, Olivia Haynes, Katie Brandon, Austin Enfinger, Ryan Hurley, Megan Humphrey, Rebecca Sprow, Teresa Francom and Westley Jennings.
--Stephanie Pettengill
Drew Middle
The following students have been chosen to represent their classmates:
Student Ambassadors--Kenndi Agley, Kejuan Bembry, Angela Blount, Tohlig Bugg, Katherine Chase, Adeline Colebaugh, Liam Corey, Ashley Cornett, Brigitte Cruz, Irving Davis, Alexis Delgado, Shannon Fenwick, Zachary Harris, Brian Henderson, Marissa Lynch, Kyra Nosal, Diana Ortiz, Chi-Ann Todd.
Agents of Change--Bryce Baxter, India Kithcart, Ana Nosal, Ellie Pare, Mark Polimine, Cara Sizemore
Peer Mediators--Colby Blackburn, Colby D'Lugos, Olivia Owens, Mclain Powell, Dominic Romanello, John Romanello, Abraham Shikh, Allie Tanner.
PTA members have been sponsoring concessions at home football games and have enjoyed a good turnout at each game. The Rams play their final home game of the season against H.H. Poole today.
--Joe Godsey
Stafford Middle
SCA officers are:
President--Michael King
Vice president--Elizabeth Fauth
Treasurer--Laura Yang
Secretary--Tyler Myers
Historian--Layla Bryant.
The following students will compete today in the County Middle School Debate: Tully Thompson, Lucas Artes DeToledo, Layla Bryant, Nick Marshall, Jasmyn Abrams, Robert Walker, Christian Krawczyk, Ben Kramer, Darien LaPorta, Elizabeth Fauth and Joseph Grant. Alternates are Brett Peterson, David Guckian, Liz Washington and Kathryn Rosewitz.
These eighth-graders participated in the in-school debate: Zoe Stephenson, Macaela Walters, Ali Beery, Hailie Huppman, Selena Nejati, Britney Blann, Khayla McGowan, Paul Grady, Patrick Frick, Jake Thompson, Jayda Abrams, Haley Palys, Lisa Pignalosa, Kaleigh Savage-Smith, Haley Roberts, Andrew Friedman, Jon Stenger, Rusty Dixon, Brittany Washington, Raymond Maloney, Alex Radu, Rachael Payne, Yousra Neberai, Sidney Drury, Lil Buranen, Cori Jacobsen, Jackie Heins, Chris Bass and Jimmy Dixon.
--Liz Featherstone
A. G. Wright Middle
Band teacher Arlene Mandoudis announced that the following students were selected to participate in the All-County Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday at Colonial Forge High School: Grayson Cordova, Casey Castelli, Lelani O'Connor, Naomi Cassell, Amanda Horan, Millie Biddle, Callie Lockett, Lauren Kahle, Torii Masinsin, Joey Webster, Emma Guy, Ryan Lutzkanin, Collin Choe, Alec Youngson, Elayna Youngson, Klara Farren, Rannell Kauffman, Morgan Dunn, Ben Sanford, Indigo Ballister, Jake Flett, Connor O'Baker, and Nick Phillips. Alternates are Megann Herdegen, Tyler Moeller and Journey Haven.
Twelve students were chosen to represent the school in the All-County Debate at Shirley Heim Middle School this evening. The students, coached by Focus teacher Robert Long, are Megann Herdegen, Marina Castro-Meirelles, Sarah Belton, Carrie Marcolini, Casey Castelli, Madison Bunderson, Hannah Shipp, Sarah Rippetoe, Jasmin Nguyen, Jessica King, Emily Wood and Chelsie Divver.
--Bridgett Roos
Brooke Point High
The staff of the Spectator, won the Trophy Class Award from the National High School League for last year's yearbook.
John O'Brien, AP U.S. History teacher, recently met the renewal standards of National Board Certification set by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. He is the first SCPS teacher to have to go through the National Board renewal process.
The PTSO designer bag and gift card bingo is Nov. 17. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and games begin at 7 p.m. There will be raffles and concessions. Presale tickets are $10 and can be obtained from guidance or $15 at the door. Students can get in for $10 at the door. Proceeds will go to the PTSO scholarship fund.
--Tom Coen
Colonial Forge High
The following students were chosen to perform in the North Central Virginia Junior/Senior Regional Orchestra, performing a free public concert recently in the James Monroe High School auditorium: Priyanka Arora, Ashley Clark, Brian Corbin, Maren Hunsberger, Natalie Inada, Nikki Joshi, Ariana Kim, Cassie Mankus, Anita Oh, Linda Oh, Samuel Pak, Christian Purdy, John Santucci and Michael Wallis.
The following choir students, under the direction of Barbara Perry, participated in All-County Choir: Anna Malinowski, Shea Smith, Devyn Whitlock, Margaret Howe, Ashley Jackson, Morgan Kyer, JP Miller, Donovan Moore, Brad Schrade, Keith Bishop, Kenneth Luong, Aaron Robeson, Angelina Arola, Erin Bello, Faye LeBlanc, Jana Biever, Emily Newcomb, Sarah Wallingford, Jake Bumbrey, Garrett Haderlie, Hunter Lutes, Richard Perry, Quartavious Sharpe and Chad Strong.
The Colonial Forge Sound and Guard, under the direction of Andrew Loft and Dennis Weaver, participated in the VBODA State Marching Band Festival and, for the ninth straight year, earned a superior rating from all judges in Class AAAA.
Colonial Forge Drama's one-act entry, "The Proposal" by Anton Chekhov and directed by senior Patrick Greco, won first place at the Virginia Theatre Association Competition. They will be Virginia's representative at the Southeast Theatre Competition in Lexington, Ky., in March. Alexandria Gogolin and Sam Heiney were named to the All-Star Cast, and Ian Bamberg was named a best actor. In addition, 12 Colonial Forge seniors auditioned for Virginia colleges and universities and they received many offers of interest from prestigious performing arts schools. Colonial Forge Drama is sponsored by Deborah Hansen and Russell Hainline.
Local DECA chapter officers were installed and learned to "Live, Learn and Lead" from local business leaders during the Fall Leadership Conference at Fredericksburg Baptist Church. Gregory Nowotarski, a Colonial Forge High School student and the District 19 president, ledd the conference.
Forty nine Colonial Forge High School DECA members attended the Washington Redskins FedEx Field Stadium Tour.
--Julie Bates
Mountain View High
The marching band participated in the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) competition at Liberty High School and received a Superior rating, which is the highest rating possible.
--Nikki Eshelman
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Blake Farm Dayschool
Laurence Smith's three-day preschool class is learning about the Algonquians. They have made clothing, art, habitats and recipes. They will dress up as the Powhatan and demonstrate what they have learned in a presentation.
Chanthon Swart's five-day preschool class finished designing and building ships.
Grace Cellucci's first- and second-graders are being anthropologists and learning about Handy Man, Lucy, and other hunter-gatherers. Her third- and fourth-graders are exploring Conquistadors, and the middle school students are supporting them by studying the economic and political history of that period. Her middle-school students also presented a skit on guilds and are making their way toward a free market system through the exploration of entrepreneurs, innovations, and analyzing the ups and downs of mercantilism.
This quarter's immersion topic is Colonial trades. Lauren Bevard's class learned about Colonial toy making and made egg-head dolls. Grace Cellucci's class finished sewing and stuffing their dolls. They are now working on crocheting.
Latisha Spire's aftercare group created a book of short stories and celebrated with a book-signing event. They are selling copies of their book for $1.50.
The Music Club's concert is Saturday at 4 p.m.
School will dismiss at 1 p.m., today and tomorrow and will be closed for the Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-27.
--Susie Hawk
Fredericksburg Christian Schools
Lower school fifth- and sixth-graders had the opportunity to meet Christian fantasy fiction author Bryan Davis, who gave his testimony, shared why he became an author, answered questions and signed books for students. He is the author of a series which includes the popular books "Dragons in Our Midst" and "Oracles of Fire."
High school students Rachel Evans, Sarah Bower, Rachael Baciocco, Lizzie Steigerwald, Caleb Worrell, Becca Manning, Nathan Storms, Rachel Rutherford, Carley Woodard, Zach Rodenberg, Hannah Clay, Meredith Landry, Sam Brad, Kassie Booker, Ashley Jones, Kelsey Woods, Kelvy Donovan, Michael Adams, Abby Pressley, Lauren Williamson, Laura Long and Katie Diehl attended the 2009 Association of Christian Schools International Leadership Conference. Students were challenged by speaker Ben Williams, professor at Bryan College, to seek truth by asking the hard questions.
High school students will present A Night of One-Acts Nov. 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and students, and $3 for children 12 and under.
Joy Hopper's sixth-grade class earned a non-wardrobe day for collecting 150 Busted Badges. Students receive Busted Badges when they are caught doing the right thing, such as helping out fellow students or holding the door for others.
--Jill Shigley
Holy Cross Academy
Many students participated in the All Saints Parade recently and parents offered costuming skills that contributed to its success as a meaningful display of love.
The Knights of Columbus Annual Christmas Tree Sale is Nov. 21-Dec. 22 at St. Mary Catholic Church. Preorder 10-, 11- and 12-foot trees as soon as possible as the supply will be limited. Call the school for instructions about preorders.
Freshly cut 4- to 12-foot Fraser firs will be sold this year.
--Beth Loveless
South Stafford Christian School
The grand prize winners for October were Alyssa Blevins, April Hall, Wilson Pezzuto and Samuel Warren. Parent-teacher fellowship is tonight at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Lt. Col. "CJ" Horn will be guest speaker.
--Kimberly Horn