Eagle Express
LHS Staff Newsletter--Year 18, Vol. 3, 09/10/2018
What an incredible first week we had. There were very few true scheduling glitches and students were able to traverse to classes with no problem. Chromebook distribution went smoothly and many classrooms have already begun the incorporation of Schoology with their students. Our two Advisory sessions were great opportunities for relationship building to begin and there were many positive comments from students and staff alike about this Advisory time.
Our OneLunch time has also gone well. Thanks to everyone who has voluntarily helped out in the hallways. Our success in endeavors like OneLunch is truly a team effort.The positivity was palpable all week and we are off to a great start.
Hopefully you have had an opportunity to see the senior class theme banner hanging above the main stairwell. The students worked for several days this summer on this banner and they did a wonderful job. They have incorporated our vision statement and have honed in on the importance of building a legacy here at LHS. Last week I received an email from 2018 graduate Becca Moore in which she wrote, "Praying plentiful blessings over you, the admin team, staff, and students this year. I am proud of the legacy that Landstown is!" Our students are doing amazing things and they are taking ownership of their school. Let's keep the positive energy going in this best year ever!
Picnic
Our family picnic with Kempsville this past Friday was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who came out for this fun event. Special thanks to our SCA students who provided activities and led the line dancing!
Princess Anne High School has invited us to a similar event at their place this Friday night. If you are interested in a tailgate picnic with our friends at PA, please complete this Google form by Wednesday at noon.
Announcements & Reminders
Tardy Station: The tardy station will begin operation today (Monday, 9/10). Students who are tardy to class must be sent to the tardy station for a pass. The admin team will handle all issues related to tardies. Mrs. Everhart, our attendance secretary, will enter the tardy codes in Synergy.
Attendance & No Shows: Taking accurate attendance every day is important. Accurate attendance the first weeks of school is critical to our staffing and enrollment process. Final staffing allocations will be based on our September 30th enrollment count. If you have students on your Synergy roster who have not attended your class at all this year, please email Beth Bryant. This will help us in the process of identifying “no shows” and withdrawing the appropriate students.
Emergency Drills: We are slated to conduct a fire drill this Wednesday (9/12) at 8:40 during Block 1B. Please ensure all of your students know the proper exit procedures. Know that with the potential for Hurricane Florence's effect on our area, we may need to postpone this drill. We will also conduct a drill during the OneLunch time period next week. We ask that you review the procedures for OneLunch evacuation with your students.
Course Expectation Form: The link to the Parent & Student Course Expectation Acknowledgement spreadsheet can be found here. It can be sorted by teacher and/or course and then by student.
Promethean Boards: If your board is not functioning, please submit a service ticket in order to have it repaired. We had a few Advisory rooms that were unable to view the videos last week because the board in the classroom was not functioning.
Principal's Advisory: Please vote for your choice of representatives on this year's PAC using this Google form.
Staff Recognition: Don't forget we have a new recognition for staff members--our Eagle Superhero Award. If you would like to nominate a staff member, please use this form.
PTSA Membership: If you have not yet paid your PTSA membership dues, you should obtain a form in the main office. Completed form and membership dues should be placed in the PTSA box in the mail room. Let's keep our 100% staff membership recognition going!
Reprographics: As a service to our staff, we offer copying and laminating services. This year our wonderful work experience students in Gina Wood's classes will be providing this service. Request forms are found in the mailroom on the Reprographics cart. Save yourself some precious planning time by having our students do your copying/laminating for you.
Employee Assistance Program: The division offers two services to employees related to wellness and support. Please see detailed information about these services here.
VASCD Conference: The VASCD Annual Conference will be held on November 29 & 30 in Williamsburg. You can see more information about the conference on their website. We hope to send a small group to this conference. If you have an interest in attending, please complete this form by Friday, 9/14.
Auditorium/Stage Use: If you or your group will be staging a performance event in the auditorium this year, Mrs. Gayer will be happy to train you or your students on proper use of our lighting and sound boards. There are also important new VBCPS Theater Safety items to be reviewed prior to your event. Additionally, there are Technical Theatre students that may assist you during your event if you prefer. Please communicate your technical needs to Mrs. Gayer two weeks prior to your event so that she may secure a lighting and sound operator for you to rehearse with and help stage your event. Landstown Theatre looks forward to collaborating with you to ensure your creative endeavors are a success!
SCA T-Shirts: The SCA received multiple requests from staff to purchase their Friends themed SCA shirts so they have decided to open up their fall order to faculty and staff. Order forms can be found in the mail room by the sign-in books. They are selling shirts at their cost, $7.50 S-XL, $8.50 2XL-4XL. Please bring the order form and exact change/ check to LHS to Chelsea Brechtel by September 21st.
Learning Target PL
On Thursday, August 30, we had a PL session on learning targets with members of the Department of Teaching & Learning. They have provided the link to the resources they used for that session here. If any PLCs want to work on the planning and alignment process using learning target, you can reach out to DTAL. They are happy to help.
Grad Coach Visits
Our graduation coach, T'na Bell, is visiting all Academic Support Blocks from September 10 through 21. This is an opportunity for her to meet students, discuss graduation requirements, and invite them to upcoming sessions on study skills and time management. All ASB teachers received an email including the date and time when she will visit their room. If you have any questions, email Mrs. Bell at Eugenia.Bell@vbschools.com.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-lNv6xqGYY5ycAKXOofB7u87bDRh7kNdE1uoNhP2DrA/edit?usp=sharing
Student Contests & Awards
Digital Contest: The American Evolution group has created a digital contest entitled, "Our American Story," for students in grades 8-12, designed to foster creativity, collaboration, critical examination and discussion among our country's next generation of leaders. Today's students have a crucial role to play in shaping the conversation and course of our nation's future. Students will share their unique perspectives on the themes of democracy, diversity and/or opportunity as part of the contest. In the process, students will gain a clearer vision of what America can be in the ages to come. The contest will close on November 30. Guidelines and additional information for the contest can be found here.
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: High school students who are making a difference through volunteering can applying for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. For an application and more information, visit the website here.
Education Foundation Grants
For the 2018-2019 school year, $150,000 will be awarded to Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) in Virginia Beach Education Foundation grants. VBCPS staff members are encouraged to apply for these grants if they have ideas for innovative projects they wish to implement to engage students in hands-on learning activities not already funded by the school division.
The Innovative Learning Grant application is available on vbcps.com under Hot Topics and is due Oct. 12, by 4 p.m. Each approved grant awards up to $2,000 for innovative learning projects that benefit students.
KUDOS
Adam Gehl - Top 5 design
Dawson Ambrose - Top 40 design
Trevaun Ramsey - Top 40 design
Kudos to our HPE department who were the first to have 100% paid membership in the Sunshine fund. Closely behind them were the math & FACS departments. Don't forget to submit your $15 Sunshine donation to your department rep.
Kudos and thanks to T'na Bell, Shelly Blanshan, Michelle Dowdy, Rich McCollum, Erik Moore, Krissy Sanderlin, Kelly Singer, Bruce Sundberg, Talon Tech Crew students and all our English teachers for their work/help in getting all of the Chromebook distributed last week.
Kudos to Landstown HS for being one of 71 VBCPS schools to receive the Sustainable Schools Award for 2017-18!
Upcoming Events
Monday, 9/10 (A)
Rosh Hashanah
Academy Staff Meeting, ECC, 2:15
Field Hockey vs Grassfield @ RTC, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, 9/11 (B)
National Day of Service and Remembrance
Volleyball vs Bayside, 4:00
Field Hockey vs Granby @ RTC, 4:30
Wednesday, 9/12 (A)
ACCESS College Financial Aid Night, 6 p.m.
Thursday, 9/13 (B)
Volleyball @ Cox, 4:00
Field Hockey vs Green Run @ RTC, 4:00
Friday, 9/14 (A)
Football @ PAHS, 7 p.m.
Library Info
When sending students to the library, teachers should complete the electronic pass online for each student in addition to the student hall pass. You will have access to the spreadsheet to help track your students. The pass can be found in a few places:
- Copy this link to your favorites ttps://goo.gl/forms/WEDEAX7Bk8eIN1OX2
- Click on Staff on the LHS webpage, you will find it under staff resources
- In the LiveBinder under library info
Blue Angels Assembly
On Friday, September 21, during Block 1B, the Blue Angels will be here at LHS. If you are interested in bringing your Block 1B students to this assembly, please complete this reservation form by Friday, September 14. Mr. Siock will be providing a seating chart to teachers accepted into the assembly.
09/10 Gina Wood, Special Education
09/11 Mark Doyle, English
09/11 Marie Marcia-Garner, Science
09/11 Ty Swartz, TCE
09/13 Chelsea Brechtel, Social Studies
09/15 Mark Alberda, World Languages
09/15 Latisha Martinez, Security
09/16 Terry Gayer, Fine Arts
Our Newest Eagle
Welcome Jackson David Alberda! He arrived on Wednesday, 9/5, at 4:11pm. He weighs in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measures at 20 inches. Both he and mom are healthy and happy and doing very well! Proud dad is Mark Alberda of our World Languages department.
NEW TO THE NEST
Andria Chambers
Scott Cray
James Freeman
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?
Report Card Calendar (MP1)
Beginning Date--September 4
Progress Reports Issued--October 9
Ending Date--November 5
Report Cards Issued--November 14
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