Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 5, 1993 TAG: 9301050036
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN (staff)
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
YES, PRINCIPALS ALSO MAKE RESOLUTIONS
There's something about a new year that gives me a renewed sense of organization. A wipe-the-slate-clean approach in which I have vowed to do all the things I never got to in 1992. I guess that's what New Year's resolutions are all about.Schools, too, take the same approach to the new year. Many educators in the area have made resolutions that involve their schools. Here are just a few:
\ Ray VanDyke, principal at Gilbert Linkous Elementary, has two goals for the new year at his school:
"With a new superintendent coming on, and with all the changes taking place, I want to keep an open mind and stay focused so that no outlying political issues will interfere with the students. Also in light of the current controversy with the religious holidays, I want to serve as a buffer to keep a positive learning environment."
VanDyke added that there are "at least 40 countries represented and probably that many religions" at Gilbert Linkous.
\ Robert Peak, Check Elementary principal, says his goals include "continuing to support the excellent instructional programs provided by the faculty and staff." Also, in light of the plans for bringing Floyd County schools into the 21st century, Peak said he would like to "assist with the dissemination of information so that wise decisions may be made in a timely manner," regarding school renovations, new buildings and facilities for Check Elementary.
\ Rom Matlock, principal of Eastern Elementary in Giles County, said he wants to "continuously seek ways to improve the school and get more community involvement. The school is only as good as parental support, so therefore, I want to get as much parental community support and involvement as possible."
\ Denise Boyle, principal of Elliston-Lafayette, chose better reading for the pupils as her primary goal for 1993. "I would like for my children to increase their reading for pleasure and that each one of them - 230 in all - will read 30 books for pleasure between now and the end of the school year."
January is Financial Aid Awareness Month in Virginia. As part of this initiative a financial aid hotline will operate through the month.
Call 800-552-3006, toll-free, between 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings between Jan. 12 and Jan. 28.
Also, a financial aid workshop will be held at\ BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. Donna Taylor from the Virginia Tech financial aid office will conduct the session.
\ ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER support group will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Free Memorial Library in Dublin. The snow date is Jan. 14. For further information, call 674-2534.
The\ CHRISTIANSBURG HIGH SCHOOL after-prom committee will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. in the boy's health room. For further information, call Angie Knowles at 382-3283 or Betty Ashbrook at 381-0059.
The\ PARENT RESOURCE CENTER of Montgomery County will hold a support group meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m. The speaker will be David Pitonyak, a behavior consultant with the New River Valley Community Services Board. The topic of the meeting is "Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors."
The meeting will be held at the Special Programs Center, 1180 N. Franklin St. Child care is available. For further information, call 382-5194.
A showcase of Darcy May's illustrations at\ MARGARET BEEKS ELEMENTARY will be held during January. This is the third showcase of May's works in the Blacksburg area.
Several of the books May has illustrated are available in the Montgomery-Floyd Regional library, including her work in Jim Henson's "The Story Teller."
Carol Tomlinson will speak on "Ability - Grouping for Gifted Students," at the January meeting of\ PARENTS ADVOCATING GIFTED EDUCATION. The meeting will be held Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Blacksburg Middle School Auditorium.
Tomlinson was a member of the Virginia Department of Education team to review and revise state regulations for programs for the gifted. She also served as president of the Virginia Association for Education of the Gifted, and is currently serving as Virginia Legislative Liason for the Council for Exceptional Children.
For further information, call 552-7226.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, through its Commission on Elementary Schools, has awarded accreditation to\ FALLING BRANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. This is the school's first year of operation. Accreditation is based upon an evaluation of each school to determine if the needs of the pupils and community are being met. The evaluation included a self-study by the faculty and a review by a visiting committee of professional educators representing the association.
\ BETHEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL children recently participated in a readathon to benefit the Montgomery County Christmas Store. Each pupil read for one hour during a special readathon time. Parents and friends pledged money to support the Christmas Store for each hour their child read. The project raised $148.
If you have an interesting news item from your school, write to Melissa DeVaughn at P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073.