GSSV Gazette
August 2023
And We're Back!
Jump for Joy
Hula Hoop Race
Duck It
Mirror of Erised
Alberta Students Support Each Other
Keysville Students Support Each Other
Virginia Boys State
Seniors Kai Coronas, Benjamin Long, Zaivyon Maxey, and Cameron Shriver had the opportunity to participate in Virginia Boys State at Radford University for a week this summer. Boys State is a leadership program structured to teach students about the three branches of the government while instilling pride in their citizenship. Each of the boys had positive things to say about their week:
Kai: "I proudly played the Alto Saxophone in the 80th Session's marching and concert band. I wholeheartedly recommend Boys State to all young men throughout Virginia."
Benjamin: "Not only was Boys State an incredible opportunity to represent our community, but it also allowed us to showcase our own talents. I got the role of being my city's circuit court Judge, where I presided over multiple city-wide trials. Boys State was a great place for meeting new, like-minded individuals who are just as ambitious."
Zaivyon: "Boys State was a great experience that taught me about our local government and helped me reflect on myself. I learned that boys will ALWAYS be boys!"
Cameron: "Boys State was an eye-opening experience for me and provided me with lots of information for my future endeavors. I held the office of Director of Finance for my city. I was lucky to be selected."
Dissection Fun
As part of the introductory study on the taxonomy and phylogeny of living things, senior Biology students are getting an up close and personal view of select representative species from various phylums of animals (pigs, sharks, frogs, etc). Dissections over the next few weeks during these comparative anatomy labs will help develop an appreciation for the unity and diversity of life.
Favorite God and Hero
The Christanna World Literature students transformed into their favorite gods and heroes from myths around the world. As the chosen god, each student through a soliloquy or monologue revealed not only information about the god but also insight into the character. Those of the Greek pantheon--Zeus, Hera, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes, Artemis, Apollo, and Demeter--enjoyed the spotlight, but the African goddesses of Oshun, Aja, and Oya; the Norse gods Thor and Freyr; and the Celtic Aine, Caer Ibormeith, and Morrigan made their presence and their gifts known. Sorceresses Medea and Hecate spun their webs of trickery, while Cupid created havoc for ladies such as Atalanta and Persephone. With such outfits, tools, symbols, personality, and enough food that Hercules could not eat it all, Hypnos did not stand a chance. Students have begun the year with an appreciation of the world's cultures and earliest stories, so many of which still enhance their literature.
GSSV GEAR ONLINE STORE
Parent Emails
Mrs. Swain is in the process of creating parent email list-serves separated by grade, site, and strand. If you would like to be added to these emails and have not already completed the Google Form, please take a moment to do so. If you cannot access this form, please email Mrs. Swain with your email address and child's name to be manually added.
Meet the Instructors
Our Christanna Campus in Alberta staff is as follows:
- Mrs. Kristen Beekwilder -- Research and Biology instructor
- Mrs. Wendy Kidd -- English instructor
- Mrs. Ann Moore -- Math instructor
- Mrs. Lori Moore -- English instructor
- Mrs. Chelsea Thorpe -- Research and Chemistry instructor
- Mrs. Tara Beck -- Research and English instructor
- Mrs. Katherine Clatterbuck -- Research and Biology instructor
- Mrs. Sarah Fenwick -- Math instructor
- Mrs. Lori Moore -- English instructor
- Mrs. Leslie Poling -- Research and Chemistry instructor
- Ms. Connie Tucker -- Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Wesley Swain is the GSSV director, and she splits her time between the two campuses but her main office is in Keysville.
We also have many SVCC instructors who teach a class or two for us. We thank them for their willingness to teach our students so that we can offer a full Associate Degree to our students.
Remember, we are here to work together to support the high schools and the students. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns that arise throughout the year. We are looking forward to a memorable school year.
Upcoming Events
September 1 & 4 -- Labor Day -- NO SCHOOL
September 7 -- NASA Presentation
September 8 -- Keysville STEM Seniors to Chesapeake Bay Foundation
September 14 -- Alberta Seniors to Chesapeake Bay Foundation
September 15 -- Alberta Juniors trip to Longwood
September 18 -- Keysville Juniors trip to Longwood
September 26 -- Alberta College Information Night 6pm
September 27 -- Keysville College Information Night 6pm
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Mrs. Tara Beck -- tara.beck@southside.edu
Mrs. Kristen Beekwilder -- kristen.beekwilder@southside.edu
Mrs. Katherine Clatterbuck -- katherine.clatterbuck@southside.edu
Mrs. Sarah Fenwick -- sarah.fenwick@southside.edu
Mrs. Wendy Kidd -- wendy.kidd@southside.edu
Mrs. Ann Moore -- ann.moore@southside.edu
Mrs. Lori Moore -- lori.moore@southside.edu
Mrs. Leslie Poling -- leslie.poling@southside.edu
Mrs. Chelsea Thorpe -- chelsea.taylor@southside.edu
Ms. Connie Tucker -- connie.tucker@southside.edu (Administrative Assistant)
Mrs. Wesley Swain -- wesley.swain@southside.edu (Director)