ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 1997 TAG: 9703110066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: class notes
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
Jay Jennelle kissed a pig and lived to tell about it. Jennelle, a media specialist at Shawsville Elementary School, challenged the students with a goal that they met. His challenge was that if the students read for at least 20 minutes every day during reading month in February, he would kiss a pig. The students met their goal and Jennelle kept his promise. Everyone, literally, went hog wild about reading.
On Feb. 28, during a schoolwide assembly celebrating the end of reading month, Jennelle kissed a pig in front of everyone.
"It was very smelly. It was not a clean pig," Jennelle said. He also said that he would never do it again.
The students participated in a variety of activities related to reading throughout February. In addition, students raised money for the school library. They donated a penny to the library for every 20 minutes they read.
Going along with the theme "hog wild about reading," a pig pen was set up at the school for students to sit in when they read. Children also wrote and read stories, poems and facts about pigs during morning announcements. Trivia questions were also read about pigs with prizes given to students with correct answers. Prizes were also awarded individual students and classes for reading the most.
Sylvia Wright of Blacksburg is recipient of the 1997 Reading Teacher of the Year award. The award is given by the New River Council Reading Teacher of the Year Committee. Wright is a teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools. She is a reading teacher at Margaret Beeks and Kipps elementary schools. She was recognized last month by the Virginia State Reading Conference in Crystal City.
Six students from Community Christian Academy competed in the Association of Christian Schools International annual spelling bee for grades 1-4. Eight schools participated in the event, which was Feb. 21 at Roanoke Valley Christian Schools. The following students received certificates for participation:Cody Beasley and Corbin Keith, second grade; Evan Gall and Matthew Durham, third grade; and Bethany Kitts and Joshua Goodhart, fourth grade. Teacher Donna McGrady served as a round-keeper for the third-grade spelling bee and CCA board member Gina Beasley served as head judge for the fourth-grade spelling bee.
EVENTS, MEETINGS & HAPPENINGS
Prices Fork Elementary School will have a Scholastics Book Fair Tuesday until Friday in the school's library. The hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
The fair will feature the newest titles from 100 publishers, including the latest works by popular authors and illustrators. Books for parents and teachers will also be available. Proceeds from the fair will be used to purchase books for the Accelerated Reader program. For more information, call 951-5736.
There will be a PTA meeting at Bethel Elementary School today at 7 p.m. Topics will included information about child health and safety, and an update on the new school. Parents can also visit classrooms and talk with teachers.
Christiansburg High School parent conferences are scheduled for Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Call 382-5178 to schedule a parent-teacher conference. From 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. basic information on the advance placement program will be given Some AP teachers will be present to answer questions.
Pulaski County schools will begin kindergarten registration March 17. Parents whose children will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 are encouraged to attend the registration. Registration will take place at all elementary schools in the county. Parents or guardians should register their children at the elementary school in their home attendance zone. Registration process takes about one hour.
Parents or guardians need to bring the following to the registration: birth certificate, Social Security number, immunization and health information and emergency contact information. Parents should also bring their child with them. Trained professionals will administer a hearing test and vision screening. An assessment of development skills will also be conducted during the registration. This information will allow teachers to plan appropriate instructional programs for kindergarten children. Parents will also receive information to help them to prepare their child for school. For more information, call the principal of the school where the child will attend. Following is a list of dates for registration at each elementary school. Registration time for all schools is from 4 to 7 p.m.
Newbern Elementary, March 17
Northwood Elementary, March 20
Riverlawn Elementary, March 20
Snowville Elementary, March 24
Claremont Elementary, March 25
Dublin Elementary, April 10
Critzer Elementary, April 14
Draper Elementary, April 14
Community Christian Academy has started student registration for grades K-8 for the 1997-98 school year. The school will have its annual spring open house on March 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. The open house program will provide information packets, curriculum displays, open classrooms and a tour of the school. Parents of currently enrolled students will also be available to answer questions. CCA is an independently operated, inter-denominational school. For more information, call 382-5674.
The Blacksburg High School Student Council Association will hold its annual Spring Festival March 17 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The festival includes passing down the Laurel Chain, a symbol of academic excellence, plus the announcement of the 22 students in the Spring Court. Blacksburg High students will also perform. For more information, call 951-5706.
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. Jay Jennelle, a media specialist at Shawsvilleby CNBElementary School, kisses a pig during a schoolwide assembly
celebrating the end of reading month. 2. (headshot) Wright