Eagle Express
LHS Staff Newsletter--Year 18, Vol. 22, 02/04/19
I Make a Difference
From Sarah Culpepper
What does it mean to make a difference? It certainly is not an exaggeration to say that a great teacher can change a student’s life. Teachers are responsible for more than just academic enrichment. By forging strong relationships, teachers are able to affect virtually every aspect of their students’ lives, teaching them the important life lessons that will help them succeed beyond term papers and standardized tests. Landstown is blessed with so many of these great teachers and I would like to honor one of them this week. I can only imagine how intimidating and unnerving it can be to come from an elementary school classroom to a high school classroom. The change has to be shocking and interesting all at the same time. So much to learn, yet the students were coming and prepared Mary was for our Eagles. Mary Webber joined my math classroom as a co-teacher, coach, cheerleader, teammate, and an inspiration to all. The students have embraced her infectious smile and warm heart. She nurtures the courage to learn, to make mistakes and grow from those mistakes. Mary is constantly searching for strategies, offering suggestions, and giving praise to encourage and motivate learning and student success. She understands how important it is to connect with the students and instill a love for learning. The students look to her for guidance, comfort, strength, and knowledge. Mary graces the classroom with passion and enthusiasm that should be admired by all. Marry Webber, you make a difference!
Advisory Info
This week’s Advisory, which will take place on Wednesday, February 6, will focus on a topic all students expressed interest in when surveyed: KINDNESS! Similar to recent school choice advisories, this is once again more discussion oriented and there are no tasks for students to complete in Schoology, so they will not necessarily need their Chromebooks (10th and 11th grade classes will need a device to complete a School Counseling survey at the end of the session). Teacher notes, including links to everything you need for the lesson, have been placed in Schoology in the LHS Advisory Group. Remember, once in the group, click Resources to access the grade level folders and then the February 6 folder. Since students do not need access to anything in Schoology this time, you DO NOT NEED to copy this week’s folder into your own Advisory course; instead, you can simply access the Teacher Notes from within the LHS Advisory group. After you have reviewed the lesson, get in touch with Kelly, Krissy or T’na if you have questions prior to Advisory day.
Admin Update
Mr. Nelson has accepted a coordinator position in the Office of Safe Schools. He will also begin this new position next Monday (2/11).
Beth and Mike have both contributed much to LHS over the past 2.5 years. They will be greatly missed. Please stop by before Friday and let these two know how much we appreciate what they have done for us.
News on their replacements will be forthcoming.
Family Movie Night
Be sure to click the button above to download the flyer you must present at Brixx.
Thanks to our wonderful counselors: Melody Cariello, Jennifer Cholick, Brandon Gardner, Ricky Hailey, Allison Haley, Jeanita Lawrence, and Shawniquea Rozier. WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!
Upcoming Events
Monday, 02/04 (B)
Happy Monday!!
Tuesday, 02/05 (A)
Basketball vs Kellam, 5:30
Wednesday, 02/06 (B)
ADVISORY DAY
Signing Day Celebration, 1:00, Library
Parent-Teacher Conferences, 2:15, Cafeteria
Region Dive, 3:00, Southside Rec
Thursday, 02/07 (A)
ILT, 1:00, Library
Region Wrestling @ Kellam
Friday, 02/08 (B)
Region Wrestling @ Kellam
Region Track @ Boo Williams
Basketball @ FC, 5:30
Saturday, 02/09
LHS Band Craft Fair, Cafeteria
Region Gymnastics, 11:00, Salem HS
Region Swim, 2:00, PA Rec Center
Region Wrestling @ Kellam
Region Track @ Boo Williams
On Wednesday, February 6, we will celebrate our student athletes who will be continuing in their chosen sport at the collegiate level. The celebration will be held at 1 p.m. in the Library. Teachers who are free Block 4B are welcome to join in the celebration!
Congratulations to the following students:
Aubrey Bangoura, Soccer, Richard Bland College
Michael Christmas, Basketball, James Madison University
Jalen Jennings, Football, North Carolina Wesleyan University
Taeveon Lane, Football, Norfolk State University
Nadim Lissa, Soccer, Virginia Military Institute
Kenan Luchun, Football, Sacred Heart University
Alyssa Norris, Basketball, Christopher Newport University
Bryan Pedersen, Football, Christopher Newport University
Giovanni Ramirez, Football, Elizabeth City State University
Makayla Rutledge, Softball, William Peace University
Jaden Scarna, Soccer, Tiffin University
Trinity Sudderth, Soccer, Shenandoah University
Isaiah Williams, Football, Christopher Newport University
Announcements & Reminders
Exceptional Eagle Awards: Don't forget to turn in your nominations for Exceptional Eagle Awards to Terri Muench in the main office this week. These awards are then returned to you to distribute on Monday, 2/11.
February 18: All schools and administrative offices will be open Monday, February 18, as a makeup day for instructional time lost due to Hurricane Michael. As a reminder, it will be a B Day for middle and high school students.
Annual Mandatory Training: Don't forget the Annual Mandatory Employee Training is to be completed by February 15!
Microsoft apps now available: The Department of Technology upgraded the Sharepoint site over winter break. Along with that migration came access to a suite of new apps in Office 365. Every employee may install the Microsoft apps on up to four additional personal devices. Visit here for more information.
Parent Contacts: All parent contacts for students receiving an E for semester 1 must be documented in Synergy by February 12th.
JV Softball Coach Needed: We are currently looking for a JV Softball coach. If you are interested, please see Dave Siock in Student Activities as soon as possible.
Teacher Assignment (Wish List) Form: Don't forget to submit your input on your assignment for the 2019-2020 school year. You can access the form here. It must be completed by Friday, February 8.
PAN SALE
Leadership Opportunity
We are looking ahead to the 2019-2020 school year and our plans for Advisory. We are looking for folks who are interested in serving as grade level leads. This is a work in progress so those chosen to be grade level leads will have a voice in shaping what Advisory looks like at LHS and in their particular grade level. If you are interested in serving as a grade level Advisory lead, please complete this form by February 15.
Kudos
Congratulations to junior Scott Cummings who was chosen as one of ten students to participate in NATO's Model Press Corps!
Congratulations to our NJROTC cadets who captured 2nd place overall at the Varsity Drill and Academic Competition at Salem High School on January 12, 2nd place overall at the NS1 Drill Competition at Lee Davis HS on January 19, and 2nd place overall at the Varsity Drill and Academic Competition at Maury HS on January 26!
Congratulations to our Swim & Dive Team for a fantastic showing at the District Meet this weekend. Special shout out to Indigo Flynch for placing 1st at the Beach District Dive Meet and breaking his own school record and Alex Neff for placing 1st in the 100 Backstroke at the Beach District Swim Meet! They had a record number of personal bests this weekend. Congratulations to the following swimmers for dropping time in one or more events on Saturday:
Medley Relay: Paul Kruthoff, Ryan Koprowski, Alex Neff, and Nic Noto
200 Free: Brice Zimmerman, Joe Brown, Emma Good, Alex Rockefeller, and Shyenne Diaz
200 IM: Paul Kruthoff, Stratos Zouros, and Tori Andersen
50 Free: Chad Edralin, Courtney Edwards, Courtney Tucker, Brice Zimmerman (Lead-off leg), and Dannielle Salcedo (Lead-off leg)
Diving: Indigo Flynch and Enrique Balmaceda
100 Fly: Brice Zimmerman, Nic Patzig, Chad Edralin, Dalia Fields, and Lauren Cruz
100 Free: Nic Noto, Cameron Anderson, Aidan Davis, Will Irvine, Dannielle Salcedo, and Logan Byrd
400 Free: Aidan Burke, Stratos Zouros, Joe Brown, Alex Rockefeller, and Emma Good
100 Back: Alex Neff, Paul Kruthoff, Dalia Fields, and Ava VanAmeringen
100 Breast: Aidan Burke, Nick DiDonna, Nathan Rufh, Courtney Tucker, and Tori Andersen
400 Free Relay: Nic Noto, Ryan Koprowski, Paul Kruthoff, and Alex Neff
Congratulations to Kelli Bradshaw who was selected as a College Board consultant to attend the AP with WE Service Teacher Summit in Seattle this March.
Kudos to our Math Department who worked diligently and used out-of-the box thinking to address the needs of our students for their second semester math classes. Kudos also to our counselors and our Data Tech, Margaret, for all their work with this process.
Congratulations to the winners of our first Chili Cook-Off. First Place and the Golden Spatula Award went to Mike Wilder. Tied for second were Ty Swartz and Terri Gayer. Thanks to the following folks who also made great chili for us to sample: Wendy Barcroft, Shaylee Laton, John Kovar, Monica Lukas, Kay Gramling, Lynne Williams, Karin Eakin, Paul Smith, Matthew Hamaker, Tom Sanchez, and Judi Lassiter-Williams.
Congratulations to the winners of last week's trivia question. The question was, "What historical contract was signed on January 28, 1959?" The answer is: Vince Lombardi signed a five-year contract with the Green Bay Packers as the team’s coach and general manager. Our winners are: Katie Bennett, Cindy Enroughty, Kay Gramling, Jim Quick, Kasi Daniel, Susan Livingston, Lisa Ferran, Sarah Culpepper, Margaret Burgess, and Isaiah Hunter. They will all receive coupons to the Eagles Nest Brew.
Kudos to our SCA for hosting a hugely successful Elementary School Leadership Workshop this weekend!
Career Teacher Allowance
The $1,000 Career Teacher Allowance is an incentive using a comprehensive approach to identify a teacher’s commitment to his/her profession and desire for high student achievement and learning. The process focuses on four major areas: Teaching and Learning, Building Leadership Capacity, Professional Development, and Community Relations. The Career Teacher Application for 2019 will be available for downloading from the Intranet (Forms/Human Resources/Career Teacher Application) beginning in February. Every teacher requesting consideration for a Career Teacher allowance needs to:
- Complete the Career Teacher Application 2019.
- Collect supporting documentation as directed by the building principal to verify actions in each of the four categories of the form. (Teachers keep all of the supporting documentation with a copy of the completed application for their records.)
- Request the signature of the building principal on the cover sheet between Feb. 1, 2019, and the last day of school, June 21, 2019.
- If applicable to the application, include a copy of the National Board Certification if not already on file in the Licensure Office.
All applications must be scanned by Mrs. Muench in the main office. Applicants will be notified by email upon receipt of their application. Once the Career Teacher Application is reviewed and processed, the teacher will receive another email indicating approval or denial of the application.
February 5: Valerie McQueen-Vance, NJROTC
February 6: Paul Smith, Math
February 6: AnneMarie Sprague, Science
February 7: Karin Eakin, Math
February 10: Sarah Culpepper, Math
February 10: Monica Lukas, World Languages
February 10: Ann Nguyen, Cafeteria
Teacher Assistant of the Year
Here Comes the Bus
Beginning February 4, 2019, VBCPS will be implementing an innovative mobile device app and website entitled, Here Comes the Bus®. This application allows parents to view the real-time location of their child’s school bus on any smart device. Here Comes the Bus enables the parent to:
- See the location of their child’s bus both before and after school.
- Confirm that their child’s bus has arrived at the bus stop, at school or both.
- Receive a notification when the bus is near the child’s stop, has been substituted, or when we have important information to relay.
Media and Communications will inform parents via a divisionwide AlertNow. The vbschools website will include information on how to set up accounts.
Principal's Advisory Committee
The Principal's Advisory Committee serves in an advisory capacity to address employee concerns as they relate to site conditions that negatively impact on high student achievement and high employee morale. The PAC is committed to resolving issues professionally and in a timely manner. The following staff members have been elected to serve on this year's PAC: Katie Bennett, Caroline Clark, Jae Clark, Terri Gayer, Woody Gehlert, Kay Gramling, Kathy Holbert, Suzette Johnson, Connie Martinez, Michael Robinson, Kelly Singer and Anne Marie Sprague. Use this form to submit concerns to the PAC.
You can access the minutes from the January 29 meeting here.
Our Guiding Questions
- How do students determine and engage with their learning targets?
- What is the evidence that students are exercising their voice and choice throughout the learning process?
- What evidence is there that the teacher has planned opportunities for students to choose from a variety of tools/structures during their learning?
- How are teachers using assessment tools as part of their assessment strategy?
- What evidence exists that supports student collaboration, exploration, and creation efforts?
Landstown High School
Email: cheryl.askew@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.landstownhs.vbschools.com/
Location: 2001 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757-648-5500
Twitter: @LandstownEagles