Eagle Express
LHS Staff Newsletter--Year 18, Vol. 5, 09/24/2018
I Make a Difference
Our first I Make a Difference recipient of the school year is presented by Megan Wong, our Teacher of the Year. Megan writes, "It is my honor to present this award to our esteemed colleague, Mr. Keith Leonard. Keith works hard to provide our students with purposeful and meaningful learning opportunities. Walk into his physics classroom and you’ll find students engaged in various activities, such as whiteboarding free body diagrams, using the latest technology to collect and extrapolate data, and even measuring the speed of flying pigs. Keith holds his students to the highest standards; instilling responsibility, perseverance, and integrity each and every day. It’s no surprise that he has earned the utmost respect from students and staff. His current and former students often express how fortunate Landstown is to have Mr. Leonard. I would have to agree wholeheartedly with these students. Keith is often one person I turn to for advice and ideas. Keith, THANK YOU for inspiring so many people! You truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of ALL EAGLES: students, staff, and faculty."
Professional Learning Input
During our August In-service week, there were many opportunities for learning snapshots related to the foundations of the VBCPS Strategic Guiding Documents. Ideas presented touched on Compass to 2020, the guide to transformational learning with a focus on teacher and student dispositions, and the profile of a graduate.
As we continue on the journey of professional learning this year, we would like input on areas where you seek more information and also areas where you feel you have information to contribute. The goal is for professional learning to model the same type of transformational style we advocate for in the classroom: agency, voice and choice, multiple pathways, time for reflection and feedback, etc.
Announcements & Reminders
Aviation Teachers Grant: A grant of up to $500 is open to educators teaching in any subject grades K-12. Ideas for grant applications include: using grant money to purchase wood and building materials for model airplanes, expensing a trip to one of Virginia's aviation museum, developing and building a drone, purchasing kits for model rocketry, or purchasing flight simulation materials and programs. Apply online at www.doav.virginia.gov
Sunshine Committee News: The Science and Social Studies departments are at 100% Sunshine membership. Don't forget that when we have 100% membership from the whole staff, we will have jeans days every Friday. Until then, however, no jeans on Fridays.
Clarification on Sustained Silent Reading: During ASB, if students do not have any work to do or tutoring to attend, they should read something for the first 20 minutes. Extra reading materials are available to each ASB and students are also encouraged to come to the library to partake in its offerings regardless of workload. Please note that there is no expectation that all students must read the first 20 minutes regardless of their situation. Many students want to utilize their ASB time to get their school work done and should be permitted to do so.
From the TST: Please do not remove the HP-440 laptops that are connected to the whiteboards. They are assigned to the classroom to reduce the number of issues with the SmartBoards and Promethean boards. All teachers are provided a different laptop for their use that can be taken home or moved around if necessary. If a teacher needs a laptop, please see Mr. McCollum in the TST office.
Block 1B Forms: Block 1B teachers are reminded to bring all forms from the 2nd day packets to the main office. There are boxes on the back counter in which to place the forms. IF YOU HAVE ANY PACKETS IN YOUR POSSESSION, PLEASE TURN THEM IN TO TERRI MUENCH!
Heritage Week Speakers: Do you know someone who would be willing to be a speaker during our Heritage Week event this year? Our theme is "Leaving a Legacy" and we are looking for lots of speakers who can give presentations on the importance of legacy. If you know of someone who fits this bill, please send their names and contact information to Dave Siock or Kay Gramling.
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.
OneLunch Info
Classrooms on the first floor are reminded that the release of students 5 minutes early for OneLunch is now concluded. All classes (except PE) will release to OneLunch when the bell rings at 11:50.
We will conduct a drill during OneLunch this Wednesday (9/26). Please review with students the procedures they are to follow for exiting the building during OneLunch. The drill processes can be found in the OneLunch folder here.
Our OneLunch success is definitely a whole school effort and your diligence in assisting during OneLunch is very much appreciated.
Reflections Contest
The PTSA Reflections program encourages students to explore the arts and express themselves by giving positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Since it was founded in 1969 by Mary Lou Anderson, millions of students have benefited from this program.
Reflections Awards Program Students in Pre-K through grade 12 create theme-based artwork in dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts. There is also a special artist category for students with an IEP. This year's theme is, "Heroes Around Me." Please encourage your students to consider entering this contest. They can access the entry form here.
Heritage Week Display Boards
Heritage Week is set for November 11-17 and will be here before we know it! A new addition to our second annual Heritage Week this year will be the opportunity for clubs and groups to create a display board (think large stand-up bulletin board & see samples above) to be displayed throughout the building during Heritage Week. It should showcase your group's legacy to LHS in keeping with our theme this year, "Leaving a Legacy". If you are interested in having your club/group participate, please reply on the following google form: https://goo.gl/forms/Pg6Aw7NA380RjXja2
Pink Out Shirts
JV Cheer has launched the 4th annual Landstown "Pink-Out" campaign at www.tinyurl.com/lhspink18 . Orders close October 11th. This year there are long-sleeve shirts, crewneck sweatshirts, and baseball tees, as well as a polo option (that can be worn for jeans days all year). The Pink-Out football game is on November 2nd and we hope to see you there!
KUDOS
Kudos and thanks to our Work Experience students for taking over the reprographics and laminating work this year!
Kudos to the HPE department for providing open gym during OneLunch every day. This has been a very popular option for many of our students.
Counseling Corner
There are two important upcoming dates:
Tuesday, September 25th - ACCESS Financial Aid Night
Wednesday, October 10th - PSAT and CWRA testing
Parent Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Monday, 9/24 (A)
Staff Meeting, Library, 2:20
Volleyball @ Kempsville, 4:00
Josten's Ring Night, Cafeteria, 6:00
Football vs First Colonial, 6:00
Field Hockey @ RTC, 6:00
Tuesday, 9/25 (B)
Golf vs Kempsville @ Red Wing, 2:30
Field Hockey vs Kempsville, 4:00
ACCESS College Financial Aid Night, Auditorium, 6:00
Wednesday, 9/26 (A)
SCA General Assembly, Auditorium, OneLunch
PAC Meeting, ECC, 2:30
XC @ Kellam, 4:30
Thursday, 9/27 (B)
Volleyball @ Kellam, 4:00
Field Hockey @ PA, 4:00
JV Football @ Cox, 6:00
Friday, 9/28 (A)
Field Hockey vs Green Run @ RTC, 4:00
Saturday, 9/29
Football @ OLHS, 2:00
09/24 Tonya Carney, Custodian
09/24 Allison Haley, Counselor
09/25 Annie Labedz, Custodian
09/25 Wellinthon Muñoz, AP
09/28 Kevin Gmiter, Math
09/30 Karyn Simonelli, English
Our newest baby Eagle is Miraclle Destiny Gardner. She was born on 9/11/18, at 11:59 p.m. and weighed 4 lbs. 13 oz. Proud dad is Brandon Gardner in our Counseling department.
News from Our SCA
The SCA is seeking chaperones for our Homecoming events. Dr. Askew has agreed to award comp time to chaperones, and the kids love seeing teachers at these events.
- On Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:30 (doors @6:30, movie starts at 7) we are hosting a "Screen on the Green" which is a movie on the tennis courts. We will be showing Lilo and Stitch and the event is free and open to the community. Bring your families!
- On Saturday, October 6th, we are hosting our annual Homecoming Dance from 7-10pm in the gym.
Screen on the Green Volunteers:
Dance Volunteers:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XpQ_lU0IzT0foI3rbD5auHQCWID293ORAkIdYB4a8HE/edit
Dance ticket sales begin next Monday, September 24th.
We would also love to have a lot of enthusiastic faculty and staff participation in spirit week! Please see the infographic below for more details!
Finally, if you would like to participate in our door decorating contest, use the link below to sign up by 9/28. Doors must also be complete by 9/28! They will be judged on 10/1!
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.
NEW TO THE NEST
Elizabeth Grossmann
Elizabeth is one of the new members of our Social Studies department. She hails from Arlington, VA, and attended Christopher Newport University. She enjoys outdoor activities and fitness.
Billy Kraus
Billy is from Detroit, MI, and attended Central Michigan University. He and his wife, Kourtney, have one daughter (Evelyn, 2). Billy enjoys snowboarding and he is a youth pastor. Billy is one of our new special education teacher assistants.
Bruce Sundberg
Bruce is our new LMS and came to us from VB Middle. He attended Old Dominion University. He and his wife, Joanne, have a daughter (Jessica, 17). Bruce enjoys bowling, music, and football. He is also on a quest to see a baseball game at every MLB park in the country.
Annual Mandatory Employee Training
Employees can complete the annual mandatory online training at a convenient time while working at their own pace. Some of the training courses have changed again this year and have been customized to meet the needs of particular departments and schools. Failure to comply fully with this training requirement may result in disciplinary action. All employees will be required to view each entire training module assigned to their job title. New employees will also be required to view the training modules from the previous year. Five license renewal points will be awarded to all eligible employees who complete the training before the deadline. A target completion date of February 15, 2019 has been established. Employee training modules required for ALL employees:
- Boundary Invasion
- Diversity Awareness: Staff to Staff
- Email and Messaging Safety
- Health Emergencies: Life Threatening Allergies
- Office Ergonomics
- Protection Against Malware
- Sexual Misconduct: Staff to Student
- Slips, Trips and Falls
- Workplace Bullying: Awareness and Prevention
Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is October 1 through October 24 at 5 p.m. This is the annual opportunity for staff to review and make changes to benefits and covered dependents. It is required that staff elect or re-elect the following benefits through the BENEFITFOCUS platform during Open Enrollment to have coverage in 2019: health, dental, legal, identity theft protection, health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts. (Please note: any other benefit plans do not require re-election.)
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. Congratulations to the following staff members who have been voted into membership 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.
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