Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 16, 1993 TAG: 9302160086
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
BLACKSBURG `GARBAGE MINDS' GET OWN PLACE
The "Garbage Minds" of the BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL Mountain Academic Competition Conference finally have a place to call home. For years now, the academic team members have practiced for their grueling mind-matches in extra classrooms, empty closets, the library - wherever there was enough room to collect as a group.School officials recently gave the OK to convert part of the teachers' dining room into the official MACC team room, so team members have a place to practice.
"We get more practice done now because we used to spend 20 minutes just figuring out which room practice was in and setting up the equipment," said MACC member Jenny Schuetz.
Students involved in MACC compete in five categories: English, science, math, social studies and an all-around category, much the same as the television show "Jeopardy." They travel to other schools to compete, just as any athletic team or band does.
Principal Clinton LeGette has long thought the academic team deserved the same recognition as other extracurricular activities at the school. Building the MACC room is the beginning of this equal treatment.
The team "used to occupy a closet where our air-handling units were located," LeGette said. "It was the only place left in the school that wasn't being used. . . . We want to let young people know that the academic competitions are just as important as the athletic and band competitions - obviously, what we're supposed to be about is academics."
The students are happy about the new room because they now believe they are finally being recognized.
"The academic teams are getting more respect," said member Jonathan Tze, a junior. "It's nice knowing where practice will be and it really feels like our MACC room."
The room also provides a safe place to secure the equipment and materials used in practice, LeGette said. The equipment - a device for buttons to push that light up as each player responds - costs approximately $600. In the past, the equipment needed to be set up and taken down every day for practice. With the new room, the equipment stays set up and students can practice any chance they get.
The room also stores the team banner, countless team trophies, trivia books, a computer and other team supplies.
So, how did this team of successful trivia buffs get the name "Garbage Minds?"
Delores Grapsas, the head coach of the MACC team, affectionately uses the term to describe "all the stuff in their minds - you never know what they know - it's amazing," she says. "They're a small, dedicated and crazy group."
It's that time of year again - National Reading Month - and almost every school in the New River Valley has something special planned.
This week's featured school is CHRISTIANSBURG PRIMARY SCHOOL, whose theme is "Make Waves for Reading."
The school kicked off Reading Month with an assembly to motivate and encourage the children to read. There was music, and the New River Valley Scuba Diving shop brought scuba equipment for the children to see. Also, the Christiansburg High School cheerleaders did a couple of cheers.
Also scheduled for the school is "Read Me Day," when children can wear clothing or buttons with written messages. People from the community will come to read to the pupils, and kids will swap places in classes, reading to each other.
In keeping with the "Make Waves for Reading" theme, there will be beach music and a beach dress-up day. The last day of reading month will include a sea creatures parade with all sorts of creatures in costume.
The CHRISTIANSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL Parent-Teacher Association will hold its general meeting Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the school gym.
After a short business meeting, a performance by the Ujima Dance Theater will be presented.
"Creating Learning Organizations: Growth Through Quality," is the topic of a LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE to be held Feb. 26 from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Radford University's Heth Lounge A. The conference will examine the common needs of businesses and schools.
W. Edwards Deming, an international economic and business management consultant, and Peter Senge, director of the Organizational Learning Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will speak. The registration fee is $25.
Another video conference focusing on classroom use of multimedia will be held Feb. 23 from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m. at the same place. The speakers for that conference are William Graves, Diana Oblinger and James Noblitt, members for the Institute for Academic Technology at the University of North Carolina. Registration is $30.
For further information on either conference, call 831-5483.
The PULASKI COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL band boosters will meet tonight at 7:30 in the band room. For further information, call 674-8993.
\ BLACKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL will present "Voices," an original script written and performed by the eighth-grade students, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the school.
The script reflects personal accounts from the Nazi Holocaust and contemporary issues on human rights. Admission is $1, or a donation of two cans of food.
For further information, call the school at 552-2401.
The LEARNING DISABILITIES PARENT SUPPORT GROUP will meet Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Parent Resource Center, 404 Wilson St., in Blacksburg.
Chris Burton will speak on "How to Write and Improve an Individualized Education Plan."
For further information, call 382-5194.
The Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations is sponsoring several informational meetings on the 1993-94 school budget. Superintendent Harold Dodge will discuss the "preferred, essential and minimum" budgets that the School Board has submitted to the Board of Supervisors. The meetings are set for:
\ Riner Elementary: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
\ Elliston-Lafayette Elementary: Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.
\ Christiansburg Primary: Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.
The BLACKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL Parent-Teacher Association is conducting a fund-raising project through Friday. The purpose of the project is to raise money to bring in live theater, help with a beautification project and to purchase additional materials to benefit the school.
Students at the school will sell items from "Spring Collection" and "Grandma's Cupboard," which features various gift items.
For further information, call the school at 552-2401.
A daylong workshop will be held Thursday at Radford University on "V-QUEST," a state five-year plan for reforming math and science education in Virginia. It is an effort to join forces between business and schools to make students more prepared for work after graduating.
Representatives from Inland Motors, Hoechst-Celanese and Magnox will talk about what they look for in employees. Robert Small, dean of Radford University's College of Education and Human Development, will talk about how to be that employee.
For further information, call 831-5460.
\ RINER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has announced its winners of the 1992-93 Reflections Art and Literature Contest. They are:
\ Literature, kindergarten-grade 3: Leigh Fletcher, second grade, first place.
\ Visual Arts, kindergarten-grade 3: Lee Kegley, second grade, first place; Whitney Hawkins, second grade, second place; Bobbie Fletcher, first grade, third place.
\ Photography, kindergarten-grade 3: Courtney Vengrin, third grade, first place.
\ Literature, fourth-sixth grades: Anna Trivette, fourth grade, first place; Camille Teel, fifth grade, second place; Jessica Boothe, fourth grade, third place.
\ Visual Arts, fourth-sixth grades: Brian Bunn, fifth grade, first place; Brian Bunn, fifth grade, second place; Adrienne Reed, fifth grade, third place; Aaron Mosby, fifth grade, honorable mention.
\ Photography, fourth-sixth grades: Brandon Bunn, fifth grade, first place.
\ GILBERT LINKOUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL will hold International Night Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m., in the multipurpose room.
Come learn about different countries, their music, art, food, dance and other related activities. For further information, call 552-7764.
The Pulaski County HIGH ON TUTORING program, sponsored by New River Community College, will resume this week. Gary Hash, the site director, says tutoring is available for all ages, kindergarten through 12th grade. The program is held in the math pod at the high school.
The tutoring schedule varies from week to week. Schedules are posted at the high school. For further information, call the New River Community College office of continuing education at 674-3607 or Gary Hash at 980-7475.
The Blacksburg Host Lion's Club will sponsor the BLAND MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST March 7 at Blacksburg United Methodist Church. The contest is open to any instrumentalist or vocalist enrolled in school below the college level. Prizes of $35 and $25 will be awarded, and winners will have a chance to compete on the district and state levels. State winners will receive scholarships ranging from $300 to $1,500.
Those interested in entering must register by Monday. Register at your school's music department or call Joe Donckers of the Blacksburg Lions, 552-2317.
If you have an interesting news item from your school, write to Melissa DeVaughn at P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va. 24073.