THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9510310102
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jon Glass
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Wilbert R. ``Bert'' Harrell, current athletic director, head football coach and driver's ed teacher at Lake Taylor High, has been hired as Norfolk schools' first Virginia High School League coordinator.
Harrell, a 34-year veteran of the city school system, will earn $59,125 in a job designed to beef up and improve school sports. The School Board approved the position in hopes of making the program more cost-efficient and to provide a central control system.
Harrell also will oversee debate and forensics, and other VHSL functions. In addition, he will coordinate use of school facilities with the city Department of Parks and Recreation and other school and community groups.
In response to parents' concerns, board members in recent months have voiced support for improving gender equity in the sports program and for a more organized middle school athletic program.
``We've had a need for this position for a number of years,'' school spokesman George Raiss said. ``It's been part of preliminary budget discussions for the past five years but has never made the final cut.'' Special ed training for parents
The Norfolk Public Schools Parent Resource Center will sponsor a free seven-hour training course to help parents of special education students participate effectively in their child's schooling.
The program will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 9 at Meadowbrook School.
Called ``Understanding Special Education,'' the course will include instruction in understanding parents' roles in educational planning, learning how to work effectively with teachers and other school personnel, identifying children's strengths and needs and learning their due process rights and procedures under state and federal laws.
The course is being funded through a three-year grant from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.
Parents should call 441-2970 to register. Space is limited. Child care and transportation can be arranged. Hosting Israeli students
The city's schools will host 16 teenagers from Haifa, Israel, from Nov. 1-10 as part of the 1995 U.S.-Israel Youth Ambassador Exchange Program.
The Israeli students will visit city classrooms, historic and cultural sites, meet with city officials and experience American life with host families.
As part of the exchange program, seven Norfolk students will live and study in Israel for three weeks in November and December. by CNB