December 14, 2009

Cicero once wrote, “Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things.” What memories does Christmas bring to mind? Apart from all the hustle and bustle of planning, preparing, decorating, shopping, cooking and eating, there are the special memories of past celebrations with family and friends. Each of us recalls with fondness a magical moment that brought a smile to our face or happiness to our heart. Perhaps you remember the excitement of waking up (early) on Christmas morning to find a pile of presents under the tree. Many recall that special surprise or unexpected gift. Maybe you have fond memories of sledding, snow ball fighting, sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, or chopping down the Christmas tree. Whatever your recollections, there’s no denying that the holiday season is a memorable time of the year. Let’s not get nostalgic about the past. Lewis Carroll once said, “It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backward.” Our challenge this holiday season is to instigate fresh memories by starting new family traditions or by finding a way to share the “joy” of the season with someone less fortunate. On behalf of the Pittsylvania County School Board may I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

According to the calendar, Monday, December 21, 2009, is designated as a priority make-up day for students and staff. Students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Teachers and teacher aides will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Division operations will cease at 3:00 p.m. in observance of the Christmas Holiday. Please adjust your schedules and calendars accordingly.    

The Pittsylvania County Schools Salary Taskforce and the Pittsylvania Education Association endorse the following as initiatives for the 2010-2011 budget:

• Maintain staffing, programs and activities that relate directly to the delivery of instruction;

• Support the maintenance of effort for all benefits for all employees; and

• Provide a two (2) step increase on the salary schedule for 2010-2011 for each employee eligible to receive such increases. This would result in employees returning to their “correct” salary scale placement for the 2010-2011 term.

The results of the Fall 2009 English 11 Writing SOL end-of-course tests have been tabulated by Mrs. Wanda Vaughan, Director of Assessment and Accountability. The results are down somewhat from last year with the exception of Chatham High School. Accolades go out to the students and teachers that contributed to this most recent success story in Pittsylvania County Schools.  

*  Gretna High School is involved in a year-long Advanced Placement (AP) pilot program resulting in the delay of test SOL administration until the spring for a significant number of capable students.

Longwood University is offering a totally online graduate certificate program this year. EDUC 580, Mentoring Teachers and Students for 21st Century Leadership and Learning, will be offered online starting January 11, 2010. Information on the online 21st Century Learning and Leadership Certificate program can be found at http://www.longwood.edu/education/11210.htm. For spring 2010 course registration, the forms that have to be completed can be found at http://www.longwood.edu/online/registration_procedure.htm. They may be faxed, scanned and e-mailed, or delivered "snail" mail or provided in person. For registration purposes, the spring course is listed as Mentor Teacher Students 21 Cent - 31177 - EDUC 580 - B03.  Registration opened in November and will continue until the course start date of January 11, 2010. Dr. Linda Townsend (434.395.4954) will be the instructor for this first course. Tuition is the regular tuition rate for any online course at Longwood, $255.00 per credit hour. Each course is 3 credits.