THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508220120
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
David Rose would like to be a hockey player and a brain surgeon, in that order, someday. His friend and classmate, Brad Jamieson, has similar aspirations. His career path will lead him to soccer stardom and, later, law school, he hopes. But recently the two 11-year-old, rising sixth-graders had more mundane chores to perform. They and about 150 other volunteers were preparing Kemps Landing School for its reopening next month.
When school starts, David, Brad and 248 other hand-picked middle school students will begin the academic year as the first class to attend Kemps Landing Magnet School. The school is the first middle school in the city devoted to the needs of gifted sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. The school hasn't been in use since Larkspur Middle School opened last September. But, the magnet school idea has been in the offing for several years.
The Community Day effort readied the school for classes. Students, teachers and parent volunteers spent a Saturday cleaning out lockers, classrooms and hallways. Several braved the heat and humidity to mulch the flower beds around the entrance on Kempsville Road.
Hazel Jessee, principal of Kemps Landing Magnet School, watched the flurry of activity and smiled. She served as principal at the Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented, the elementary-level component, and many of her former students have followed her to Kemps Landing.
``The level of support has been gratifying,'' she said. ``We had an open house last Tuesday and about 500 or 600 parents and grandparents attended.
``And, today we have all the volunteers out, probably 150 or so, helping.'' Jessee called the students ``academic powerhouses.'' They applied at the end of the last school term to attend her school, where they will take classes five days a week.
Selectees were notified of their acceptance in July, said Cindy Rose and Ginger Jamieson, mothers of David and Brad.
Workers from the school system worked four weeks building shelves, putting in hallway cabinets, painting and otherwise refurbishing the World War II structure. In a previous incarnation, the building housed Kempsville High School, which graduated its last class in 1954. It was a junior high/middle school until 1994.
The interim school superintendent, James Pughsley, was on hand during Community Day and was impressed by what he saw. The school system has programs in place for academically gifted students at the elementary and high school levels. Pughsley seemed pleased at the continuity Kemps Landing will offer.
``The school certainly won't lack support from what we're seeing,'' he said. ``This is a fine group of students and a fine group of parents.''
Pughsley also bestowed praise upon Jessee for her pioneering effort. ``She had to start from scratch. There was no existing program. She began with nothing - no computers, no supplies, no phone lines. She deserves a great deal of credit.''
Benjamin Sachs tended to a recycling can and talked about his new school. Like David Rose and Brad Jamieson, Sachs attended Providence ELementary School last year and will begin the sixth grade at Kemps Landing. He and his two classmates contributed to the discussion on school colors, a mascot and an honor code. Unlike them, Sachs didn't voice any athletic aspirations. He does, however, have a goal.
``I want to be an aerospace engineer,'' said Sachs, who also attended the Old Donation Center.
Andrew Willis, 9, will be a fourth-grader at Lynnhaven Elementary School. His brother, Craig, will be a sixth-grader at Kemps Landing. Andrew came along to help out.
Jessee stopped to thank Andrew for his efforts.
``Andrew helped us clean out the lockers,'' she said. ``Among other things, we found a Dirt Devil and a radio someone had left.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GARY EDWARDS
Volunteers mulch the flower beds around Kemps Landing Magnet School
in preparation for opening day.
by CNB