11/16/2014 5:27 PM Some habits should be broken; some habits should be formed. A recent article by by Adriana & George Sifakis in the Huffington Post on November 6, 2014 provides the reasons why developing a habit of reading daily with your child (or grandchild)can instill confidence, knowledge, and a love of reading:
1. Students who read 20 minutes per day score in the 90th percentile on standardized tests vs. students who read for 1 minute per day score in the 10th percentile on standardized tests.
2. Reading with your child, or alongside your child, models a love of reading for your child.
3. Students and children listen better and longer and develop a wider vocabulary.
4. Reading together promotes social and emotional interactions among family members.
5. Reading together engages children and parents in a nurturing way.
| 11/11/2014 2:00 PM 
Fall is here. The leaves have changed colors and are on the ground. Temperatures are falling and there has been a mention of the possibility of “light snow” or a “wintery mix” in the near future. All of these are signs that winter is on its way, and with winter there is the potential for weather related school closings and delays.
Superintendents do not like winter. Closing school due to inclement weather is one of the more difficult and controversial tasks superintendents must undertake. In such decisions the safety students and employees is always first.
So, how are weather related school closings and delays determined?
Monitoring several internet websites and local news for short and long term forecasts is an ongoing process, however making school closing or delay decisions on a forecast is not always the best action for weather is not a precise science.
Conversations with the sheriff’s office, state transportation, and transportation staff to assess road conditions must take place early enough to make a closing or delay decision by 6:00 AM. Occasionally, a 2-hour delay opening becomes a closing. Such a change must be made by 8:00 AM. If weather and road conditions are known and warrant a closing or delay, a decision is made the night before.
The SchoolMessenger notification system is launched to notify parents, students, and staff of a delay or closing by phone, e-mail and/or test message. The notification process includes four attempts to complete phone calls. If a number is busy, the system will try three more times. It is important that parents notify schools of updated contact information and notification preferences.
Radio (WCHG 107.1) and television stations (WDBJ 7 and WSLS 10) are notified as well.
Occasionally, school closings or delays are made for reasons other than weather. The SchoolMessenger system may announce a closing due to other emergency situations - electricity outages, water problems, or heating problems.
Again, school decisions to close or delay school are taken seriously and are often difficult to make, but will always err on the side of safety.
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| 11/10/2014 10:29 PM The following was written by Representative Randy Forbes (Virginia's 4th Congressional District) and posted on November 7, 2014. He shares five things you may not have known or remember about Veterans Day.
Daily, we are surrounded by heroes. There are men and women in our neighborhoods, sitting next to us in our churches, coaching our children's soccer teams, and standing next to us at the gas station, who have made selfless commitments, faced harrowing situations, and borne the weariness of battle. On Veterans Day, we are once again reminded of the ways in which our freedoms and liberties have been preserved by the dedicated service of the men and women in our Armed Forces.
How much do you know about the history and vision behind Veterans Day? Here are five things you may not have known about this federal holiday.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and it’s always on November 11th. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased with an armistice. Armistice Day, established in 1919, was set aside to honor veterans of World War I. Decades later, Veterans Service Organizations pushed for Congress to replace Armistice with the word Veterans. It wasn't until 1954 that Veterans Day became a day to honor all Veterans.
When President Woodrow Wilson issued the declaration for the observance, he said the day should “be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations...”
Veterans Day and Memorial Day are similar, but serve different purposes. Memorial Day honors those individuals in our U.S. Armed Forces who died while serving our nation. Veterans Day honors all of those who have served in our Armed Forces honorably during war or peace, either living or deceased.
The first unknown soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921. Arlington National Cemetery now holds a Veterans Day National Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier each year on Veterans Day. It begins precisely at 11 a.m. Engraved on the tomb are the words, “Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier Known but to God.”
Americans often wear poppies on Veterans Day. This vibrant red flower is known for thriving on disturbed soil and symbolically represents those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Although poppies are traditionally associated with Memorial Day, many individuals choose to wear poppies on Veterans Day, too, in honor of those who lost their lives in service.
There are nearly 800,000 veterans living in the Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s nearly 800,000 unique reasons we, as citizens of the Commonwealth have to observe Veterans Day.
As you go about your day this Veterans Day, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices our service members have made for our nation. Fly an American flag. Shake hands with veterans to say thank you. Participate in local parades to honor the living. Wear poppies to remember the fallen. Talk to your children about how we’re free because of the brave. Read more about the history of Veterans Day on the Department of Veterans Affairs website. Show our veterans that we are grateful to be surrounded by men and women of such courage.
| 10/15/2014 3:27 PM Influenza can be a serious disease, especially in the very young, the very old and in people with certain medical conditions which make them vulnerable to the effects of flu. Influenza is also the cause of many school and work absences. Although no vaccine provides 100% protection, it is important that as many people as possible be vaccinated.
This year the Central Shenandoah Health District (Virginia Department of Health) and Bath County Public Schools are partnering to offer students the nasal mist vaccine against influenza, Flumist, which appears to be the most effective in children with the exception of children with asthma who regularly use inhalers and children with weakened immune systems. These children should receive the injectable vaccine from their health care provider or the local health department.
Flu clinics have been scheduled for each school:
Millboro Elementary School – Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Valley Elementary School – Monday, October 20, 2014
BCHS – Wednesday, October 22, 2014
The charge for the vaccine is $25 for each dose. The Health Department will accept payments from insurance companies or payers with which the VDH has a billing arrangement, including Medicaid, Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, FAMIS, Coventry Cares, Optima, Carenet, Virginia Premier, Majesta Care, and Anthem Healthkeepers Plus. If your child is insured by some other company, you will receive a bill for $25 per dose.
Should you have any questions, contact Jackie Baughan, R.N., at the Bath County Health Department (839-7246).
| 9/27/2014 8:28 AM SchoolMessenger is the notification system used by BCPS to provide timely school closing information and occasional emergency notifications. Parents and others may receive messages by phone, e-mail, and/or text message. By default, the system will use phone contact information provided on emergency care forms, however you may adjust contact information for your specific needs or preferences. Directions are provided from the division's SchoolMessenger website:
http://www.bath.k12.va.us/SitePages/SchoolMessenger.aspx
School secretaries will be glad to help you if you have questions or need assistance with your personal online account.
| 9/22/2014 12:48 PM Last week a 3-day artist-in residence program, “Science Songs Rock” provided opportunities for Millboro and Valley Elementary School students in grades 3-5 to explore songwriting and music performance. Students created songs, poems, stories, drama, and narratives related to the Virginia Standards of Learning for Science. Students performed with guest musicians for a final concert.
 
This program was sponsored by the Bath County Arts Association. Other programs sponsored by the BCAA include visual and performing arts programs, supplemental elementary art education, and student scholarships.
A few program videos are linked below. These large files may take a minute to load.
 Science songs rock at valley elementary_ lava lava BOOM!.mp4
Science songs rock - valley elementary.mp4
Science songs rocks valley elementary- round the sun[1].mp4 | 9/22/2014 8:31 AM In the first quarter of the school year teachers are getting to know their students and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Parents are wondering how their children are transitioning into a new school year and how they are progressing academically. So, at the midpoint of the first grading period, progress reports will be sent home today. Parents are encouraged to contact teachers if they have any questions or concerns, and likewise, teachers will request a conference with parents if necessary.
Throughout the year, parents can check student academic progress and attendance information online through a “Parent Portal” of our student records system. Parents should use the following link to create personal accounts to connect with their children's records.
http://www.bath.k12.va.us/tech/SitePages/PowerschoolParentPortal.aspx
| 9/17/2014 1:19 PM Today is the 225th anniversary of the Constitution. Since 2004, September 17 has been federally designated as Constitution Day or Citizenship Day to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. The Federal Convention had first convened in May to revise the Articles of Confederation, but the need for an entirely new frame of government became clear. State delegates debated issues, such as federalism and representation, all through the summer as they drafted the articles of the new Constitution. | 9/15/2014 12:41 PM | 9/11/2014 6:09 AM 13 years later, we join the rest of our nation to honor victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
| 9/5/2014 5:03 PM Monday, September 8, 2014 is International Literacy Day. It is celebrated annually to focus attention on literacy issues, because it is estimated that 780 million adults, nearly two-thirds of whom are women, do not know how to read and write, and 94 -115 million children worldwide do not have access to education.
What can you do to promote literacy in our own community and abroad? Here’s a list of ideas that can get you started:
- Tutor someone in your community that is learning how to read. Ask your local library to connect you to an adult literacy program or volunteer to be a reading tutor at a local school.
- Start a book club with an international theme or add an international flair to an established book club.
- Host a read-a-thon fundraiser to support school or community literacy efforts.
- Donate children’s books to a Books for Babies program or a charity that provides books to support literacy in developing countries.
- Give a book as a gift.
- Visit your local library. Offer to volunteer. Host a book exchange.
- Contact your local newspaper with a story about how literacy has impacted your life and some facts about literacy to raise awareness.
| 8/29/2014 4:04 PM Bath meets East Montgomery tonight at Carl F. Williams Field. Kick-off is at 7:00 PM. Wear your orange and black and bring your cowbells to cheer for the Chargers to defeat the Mustangs! | 8/20/2014 11:36 AM One reason we do what we do!
And on the first day of school we welcomed 553 other K-12 students!
| 8/20/2014 10:54 AM The Division’s instructional staff met at Garth Newel on Tuesday, August 12th. At the beginning of a new school year it was an opportunity to recognize past accomplishments and to acknowledge the challenges ahead in our journey of continuous school improvement and to make 2014-2015 our best year yet. My address to faculty and staff follows.
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Good morning! Welcome back! The 53 days or seven and one half weeks of summer break passed by too quickly, but I hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating summer with families and friends. Fall is in the air and it is an exciting time to begin another school year; to begin anew, a fresh start.
As I have said before the key to the excellence of any school division is PEOPLE. Many preparations to reopen school have been made during the summer and some will continue into the fall. Each of us must thank individuals that are not with us today. Be sure to let maintenance, custodial, food service, school and division secretarial, and transportation support staff know how much you appreciate their efforts throughout the year. And don’t forget to say thank you to principals and other administrators – each having worked while on vacation, school nurses, school resource officer, and behavior intervention specialists.
There is not one of us who chose this profession for any other reason than to make a difference in the life of our children and youth. Even those in non-instructional roles delight in the part they play in seeing the smile and glimmer of hope and promise in those entrusted to our care. Our success is measured in the diversity of our population, and we should all take great pride in being part of something so significant and so far reaching. Don’t ever lose sight of the value of your education, training, and motivation in becoming a part of an educational system for those components are great gifts that we share every day. The vision of Bath County Public Schools is that we make a positive difference for every child, in every class, everyday.
For a long while the division met or exceeded established benchmarks to achieve state accreditation and to meet federal Annual Measurable Objectives. As benchmarks changed and the rigor of standards and assessments increased, progress in academic achievement - as measured by SOL test results – slowed. This was evidenced by decreasing three-year averages in English and mathematics. Performance in 2012-2013 resulted in an ACCREDITED with WARNING IN MATHEMATICS status for one of the division’s schools for 2013-2014, and without improvement, all three schools were in danger of receiving an ACCREDITED with WARNING designation. Last year presented us with a challenge and an “opportunity for success”.
One school underwent an academic review and all three schools developed school improvement plans, increased expectations, and made significant and remarkable improvements. I CONGRATULATE and THANK you for rising to the occasion. Focus has once again been placed on the things that matter most – curriculum alignment, pacing guides reflective of test blueprints, thoughtful and relevant lesson plans, assessments at the correct cognitive level and context, and the use of data to inform instruction and predict academic success. Last year’s journey was a shared responsibility as illustrated by school improvement teams, vertical content teams, and targeted and scheduled remediation during the school day.
As we celebrate our success in some areas, we must also recognize that we have more work to do in other areas. I encourage you to build upon what has been learned and applied in the past two years to effect continued overall academic progress and also, progress in gap groups. English, especially early reading and K-12 writing, will need our focus while continuing and sustaining improvements that have been made in mathematics.
Linked to academic improvement is the demeanor and attitude with which we handle the matters before us day by day, the relationships we form with colleagues and students, and how we form partnerships with parents and the community. The FISH! Philosophy reminds us that while external factors may trigger our attitudes, each of us has the power to choose the right attitude for a positive school climate. Being there, truly mentally and physically present, for each other and our students, builds community. If we practice making each other’s day and we play a little along the way our difficult work will be easier and school will be a good place to teach and to learn. After a year of exploration and a year of installation and training, we are ready to begin initial implementation of PBIS which will require strong leadership teams and faculty and staff commitment. Consultation and support will be tailored to each school and effective procedures for minimizing and dealing with discipline will go a long way to support academic progress and make school an enjoyable place to be.
Bath County has a Local Composite Index of .80 – the highest possible. This means that county funds equal 4 times the amount of state and federal funds received. Based on next year’s budget the estimated per pupil cost is just over $18,000. Our teacher-pupil ratios are very favorable and in the past two budget years progress has been made in improving salaries in all employment areas to be more regionally competitive. In return, our community expects that we do our jobs well and that students graduate college and career ready. We must do better, as individuals, as schools and as a division, at “telling our story”.
Over the past two years our schools have become safer and more secure with the addition of camera surveillance systems, keyless entry systems, and door alarms. A School Resource Officer (SRO) now serves BCHS and as needed, the elementary schools. Once again we have two school nurses working 6 hours per day instead of 4.
This year, all students in grades 6-9 will have Kuno mobile tablet technology to enhance and individualize learning.
I said earlier that our work is not easy – especially if we do it well. We must work SMARTER not harder by replacing less effective behaviors with behaviors that research shows work best. Our students are individuals and as such require differentiation in content, process and product. Some students will learn in spite of what we do, and others will learn only because of what we do.
Dr. Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don’t like." Her call to fellow educators was to believe in their students and connect with them on a real, human and personal level. Listen as she reminds us that “Every kid needs a champion” – an adult that will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be - from TED TALKS EDUCATION, May 2013 – one month before she died. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFnMTHhKdkw
Again, welcome to a new school year – make it our best year yet!
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