Virtual school updates and news from the end of the year

Good Friday, June 3, morning, everyone! I hope you are doing well and had a great week! For all of the hard work you are doing to close out the year strong, I thank you! 

 

Soon, our school division will hold its annual equity conference, this year entitled, "Wake up, Everybody!" 166 staff will share their journey to becoming credentialed in culturally responsive teaching! Our faculty and staff are all encouraged to join for this important professional development session, and this is a unique opportunity to learn more about the process and hear directly from educators who understand it best.

 

Well,  I made my final school site visit on Tuesday. I managed to visit all 28 schools this year including, Center 1, CATEC, and Post High, but until Tuesday, I had yet to visit our school that enrolled 400 of our students during the 2021-22 school year: the Albemarle County Schools Virtual School! 

 Late in the winter of 2021, with ACPS still offering hybrid virtual and in-person instruction and a lot of uncertainty about what school would look like going forward, we decided to use one-time funding to launch a virtual school for kindergarteners through 12th grade. The virtual school opened in the fall with 400 students, a number that declined to 300 today. The staff of the virtual school have been a vital part of our instructional program this year, and I am grateful to them for taking on the challenge; thank you! 

Tuesday afternoon, I had the joyful opportunity to visit Jordon Golomb’s kindergarten class via Zoom. As I joined the class, Ms. Golomb introduced me; they were practicing counting, moving on to days of the week. Just before a class brain break led by a student, Ms. Golomb asked the students if anyone had a question for me. A student raised his hand. After Ms. Golomb gave him the green light, he asked, “Dr. Haas, do you know that I have a little brother named William who comes into the virtual school with me every day even though he is not supposed to?”

Some things never change, virtual or not. 

I was in class for about 30 minutes, and Ms. Golomb involved all of her students in managing activities. A student was responsible for ensuring that all students answered a question. Another student led the brain break, and still another was in charge of ensuring that classmates fulfilled their roles. Before I left, students took time for “show and share” and we each shared how we felt about the day. 

After Ms. Golomb’s class, I got to join Principal Reed Gillespie and the virtual school staff for their meeting. I greatly appreciate the chance to visit, and I look forward to seeing how things go next year. For the 2022-23 school year, we will offer a virtual high school only. 

 

Here are a few media links for your consideration! 

 

Henley students placed second in the nation in the annual We the People competition. Students address constitutional issues through presentations made to a panel of judges. Here's a snapshot of this impressive accomplishment:  

Henley We the People Team Winning National Competition

Local Patriotic Students Put Their Constitutional Knowledge on Display

We the People Video

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Bernard Hairston's retirement from the school division and the influence he has had on closing achievement gaps was the subject of a Daily Progress profile:

Hairston Retiring After Laying the Foundation for Equity in Albemarle County

An interesting collaborative art project between Monticello High School and Mountain View students was captured in this video by our own Patrick Huddleston:

Mountain View & Monticello Mural Project

Also, a different mural project at Burley was the focus of a story on NBC 29:

Burley Restoration Project Adding Mural Documentary through New Grant

The Daily Progress described the work of an advisory committee working on recommendations for significant improvements to the learning community impacting Albemarle High School, Jack Jouett Middle School and Greer Elementary School:

New Plan Highlights Long Term Vision for Albemarle Lambs Lane Campus

The Progress also reported on two new appointments of principals--Dr. Beth Costa for Monticello and Center I's Michael Craddock, for Lakeside:

New Principals Named for Monticello and Lakeside

 

Upcoming Observances

  • June 10 is the last day of school for students.