Please join me in offering congratulations to the Pittsylvania County Educators of the Year! Ms. Angela Jones, Kentuck Elementary School, Ms. Kate Wells, Tunstall Middle School and Ms. Emily Potts, Tunstall High School, are our representatives. Ms. Potts has been selected by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce to represent Pittsylvania County in Virginia’s 2011-2012 Educator of the Year program. Clearly, this is an accomplishment worthy of distinction. These recipients have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, participated in many school-related activities, and are concerned deeply about their students, colleagues, school and work. They model consistency and serve as excellent mentors to their peers. They encourage others to think and problem-solve and serve as a catalyst for change. Their work is always completed in a quality manner as they continually strive for excellence. They readily accept other assignments, regardless of the request, and provide first-rate treatment to each duty. All the while, they continue to keep the school and district in mind by refusing to limit their view of what is best for all children.

Your input is very important to Pittsylvania County Schools as we evaluate our present programs and plan for the future use of technology in our schools. Please assist us in gathering information relative to the community's use of the Internet by completing the 2012 Community Technology Survey located at http://www.pcs.k12.va.us/survey/ by May 13, 2012. The results of this survey will be considered as we continue to evaluate the current and future uses of the Internet in our schools.

Recently, Pittsylvania County Schools students participated in the Young Authors Contest sponsored by the Piedmont Area Reading Council. Students were given the opportunity to participate in one of the three areas of fiction, poetry, or essay. Congratulations to all of our district winners!

AVERETT UNIVERSITY TEACHER RECERTIFICATION COURSES

ED534 Teaching of Reading in the Content Area Huff, N. (3 credits) Martinsville #208 Schedule: Fridays (5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.): June 8, 22 and 29. Saturdays (9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.): June 9, 23 and 30.

This course provides for study and application of literacy to teach all content area courses across the curriculum when applying Virginia Standards of Learning. Topics include development of study and independent reading habits, reading comprehension, vocabulary, written expression, motivation, attitude and self-assessment. Classes will include flexible skill groupings of learners including gifted and talented and those with special needs to accelerate or remediate instruction according to student needs. Technology will be addressed in class discussions and various class activities and assignments.

ED562 Characteristics of the Student with Learning Disabilities Montgomery, J. (3 credits) Martinsville #304 Schedule: 8 a.m. until 12:00 noon: July 9-14 and July 16-20.

Theories, characteristics and needs of students with specific learning disabilities are studied from an interdisciplinary perspective. This course provides a comprehensive view of research of the study of learning disabilities, criteria and diagnostic techniques for identification and appropriate intervention.

For registration or additional information: Call Valerie Dosier at (800) 849-0115 or contact by email: valerie.dosier@gps.averett.edu

May 7-11 2012, is proclaimed National Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers make public schools great by opening students’ minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams. They help lay the foundation for good citizenship and serve as listeners, explorers, role models, motivators and mentors. Indeed, teachers continue their influence long after the school days have ended. We honor those hard working, patient and understanding people who are entrusted with the responsibility to provide our students with the tools they need to be successful in an ever-shrinking, highly competitive world. How do we effectively say thank you to a group of individuals that are making the most significant impact on the lives of our students? There are many possibilities; however, I would like to take this opportunity to simply say “thank you” to these talented individuals for all they do to make Pittsylvania County Schools “A Great Place to Learn and Work!”

May 7-11, 2012, is also designated as the sixth annual Support Staff Appreciation Week for Classified Employees. The significant contributions of custodians, cafeteria workers, teacher aides (attendance clerks, guidance clerks), nurses, maintenance workers, transportation mechanics, technology specialists, bus drivers and bus attendants will be celebrated and honored. Principals will recognize the contributions of these talented individuals based at a school. We plan to have a cookout on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. to show our appreciation to the support staff (Central Office, Information Technology, Maintenance and Bus Shop) affiliated with the School Board Office. Indeed, they make Pittsylvania County Schools a high-quality and inviting place to learn.

Since 1972, National School Nurse Day has been set aside to recognize school nurses. Wednesday, May 9, 2012, has been designated as School Nurse Appreciation Day. It is a day to recognize and acknowledge the contributions and work of school nurses, including collaboration with families and communities in recognizing that the health, safety, and well-being of students are crucial to their growth, development, and educational success. The theme this year is “Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring.” We are indeed fortunate to have these quality health-care professionals working with us to ensure that our students remain healthy and productive learners.

May 7–11, 2012, is Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week. Each member of the School Nutrition Team plays a crucial role in providing nearly 1.3 million nutritious meals and snacks for the children, parents, faculty and staff during the 2011-2012 school year. They also strive to provide nutrition education that will help our students make food choices that lead to a healthy lifestyle. Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week provides an excellent opportunity to recognize these caring individuals for their special effort and dedication. Caring, trained, thoughtful, professional and dedicated are just a few of the words that could be used to describe today’s child nutrition professional. Please join me in thanking these individuals for their hard work!

Thus far, my experiences in Pittsylvania County Schools’ classrooms have been interesting, enlightening and engaging. Although my visits have resulted in “snapshots” of what is taking place in the classrooms, there are certain fundamental instructional practices that I am focusing on during these “walk-through” visits.

• Do the students know what they are learning?

• Are students activating their prior knowledge?

• Are students provided think time?

• Do students actively participate in their learning?

• Is the learning objective posted and understood by the students?

• Are measurements being used to assess learning?

• What is the engagement level of the students?

• Does the classroom environment contribute to student learning?

• Is the use of technology being successfully integrated into the instructional program?