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Congratulations to members of the WJCC School Board who have been recognized by the Virginia Schools Boards Association for their continued dedication and service to the students, teachers and staff of Williamsburg-James City County Schools. The community appreciates their commitment to creating innovative learning opportunities for children and their critical thinking when considering policy and strategic planning. WJCC Schools are fortunate to have such outstanding leaders working on behalf of our children and employees.

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CELEBRATE MANUFACTURING DAY

6th Annual Manufacturing Day – October 5, 2018

Manufacturers are opening their doors to WJCC students! Come explore careers in modern manufacturing firsthand from production, operations and maintenance to programming, robotics, design and engineering

Learn about diverse career opportunities. Facility tours hosted by companies such as:

• Anheuser-Busch
• Ball Corporation
• Coresix Precision Glass
• Five Forks Water Treatment Facility
• Nicewood Enterprises, Inc.
• Owens-Illinois
• Printpack, Inc.

Interested in participating? Please ask your Math, Science, CTE teacher or the School Counseling Department for a permission slip.

Spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis!

Sponsored by Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, Association for Manufacturing Excellence & James City County, Virginia

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Stephen Legawiec, Virginia and U.S. History teacher at Lafayette High School, is Virginia’s 2019 Region 2 Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during a surprise visit to Legawiec’s classroom by Dr. James Lane, the state superintendent for public instruction, and Williamsburg-James City County Schools Superintendent Dr. Olwen Herron.

Legawiec has been a teacher for seven years. He joined Williamsburg-James City County Schools in 2016 and quickly established himself as an innovative and passionate educator who is committed to engaging all students. He was named the WJCC Teacher of the Year in April.

“I commend each and every one of these [eight regional] teachers for the excellent work they do every day to empower students and engage them in excellent learning experiences,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “While we are currently recognizing these eight teachers, they represent the thousands of amazing teachers in classrooms across the state.”

“Any child would be fortunate to have Steve Legawiec as a teacher,” said WJCC Superintendent Olwen Herron. “His passion for history is evident in every lesson and he has the unique ability to guide students as they make important connections between the past, present and future.”

Through research and participation in classroom debates and seminars, students in Legawiec’s class are challenged to assess their views and ideas. He has made it his mission to ensure that all students, regardless of abilities or limitations, are thinking critically and developing the skills necessary to confront the realities of the 21^st century.

“I expect my students to have conversations about history and politics with their families at the dinner table, to write to their representatives when they feel unheard, and to engage actively in the betterment of our community and world,” Legawiec said.

A self-described “history nerd,” Legawiec sees himself as a facilitator of lifelong learning. Outside of the classroom he supports students as a SOL tutor, Model United Nations coach, and mentor.

Beyond his work with students, Legawiec strives to share innovative instructional strategies with his colleagues at this school and across the school division. He has been an active participant and leader of professional development focused on engaging struggling learners, empowering students to shape their own learning, and creating opportunities for cross-curricular lessons.

As the 2019 Region 2 Teacher of the Year, Legawiec is among eight teachers from across Virginia who will now be considered for statewide honors. The 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be announced September 14 during a celebration in Richmond.

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All WJCC Schools and offices will be closed Friday, September 14. Although hurricane conditions are not in our forecast, the saturated ground and afternoon wind gusts which are projected to reach 30 miles an hour could lead to downed trees. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, schools and offices will be closed tomorrow. We appreciate your flexibility as we deal with this unprecedented weather event.

Relatedly, we would like to take a moment to thank our families and staff. Today, approximately 92% of our students and 95% of our staff were at school and engaged in teaching and learning. Decisions to open or close schools are never easy, but they will always be made with student safety in mind. Thank you.

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Laurel Lane Elementary students choose incentive prizes after walking and biking to school.

Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School parent, Tyler Thomson, contacted the Safe Routes to School office seeking a solution. He did not want his children to have to continue to take a 20-minute bus ride to school because they were unable to safely make the five-minute walk across the street alone.     Dr. Darlene Dockery, the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, arranged a meeting with James City County Planning officials. This led to a successful collaboration between James City County and WJCC Schools on the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program grant application.

Recently, James City County was notified that they received a grant to fund pedestrian improvements serving the Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School. Staff from the County and the Williamsburg-James City County School division applied for the grant in 2017, after working with parents, school officials and other stakeholders to identify the needs of pedestrians at the school and surrounding neighborhoods. Funded improvements include safe crossings on Ironbound Road and the Five Forks intersection; sidewalk improvements along Ironbound Road; and pedestrian improvements at the school. Staff is working with a consultant to begin the preparation of engineered plans for the project. For more information regarding the grant application, funding and applications and allocations for Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/business/prenhancegrants.asp.”

WJCC Safe Routes to School target schools will also benefit from funds awarded to Sentara’s Safe Kids program for International Walk to School Day support and spring bike and pedestrian safety efforts.

Upcoming Safe Routes to School Activities include:

Fall Travel Tallies September/October 2018
It is that time of year again when Student Travel Tallies data are collected in Virginia per your school’s choice of 2 consecutive days (T, W or W, Th) during the months of September and October up to October 9th.

Zone In Not Out – School Zone Safety Campaign
Zone In, Not Out is a package of resources that can help make school zones safer for all travelers, especially children.

Norge Elementary School Walk to School Day – September 18
This Park and Walk event will begin Safe Routes to School program activities at Norge for 2018- 2019. Participants are asked to meet at Our Saviour Lutheran Church on Richmond Road between 8:45 am  – 9:00 am.

International Walk to School Day – October 10
This will be the kickoff of the Walk and Roll Incentive Programs at Safe Routes to School target sites: Matthew Whaley Elementary, James River Elementary, Laurel Lane Elementary, Norge Elementary, Clara Byrd Baker Elementary, Berkley Middle School, and our newest site, Stonehouse Elementary.

Bike Safety Club
Norge Elementary’s Bike Safety Club facilitated by BikeWalk Williamsburg will begin October 10, 2018

We need Safe Routes to School Champions!

If you are interested in being a Safe Routes to School Champion at your school, please email Darlene.dockery@wjccschools.org by 9/30/18.

Opportunities include:

• Leading Walking School Buses & Hosting Walk and Roll to School Day Monthly Events
• Serving as Staff Sponsor for SHIP Bike Safety Clubs
• Serving as Staff Sponsor for a Before School Bike to School Bike Building SHIP Club (Grades 4–8 only. Participating students must bike to and from school.)

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Williamsburg-James City County Schools will extend two previously announced early release days (Oct. 19 and Dec. 19) to make up class time lost because of Hurricane Florence. These days will now become full instructional days for students and staff. The division will use a portion of its banked time to recoup the other instructional day lost during the storm.

By extending the early release days, the school division is able to stay on pace with first-semester teaching and learning without interfering with family travel plans for Thanksgiving Break. If, however, weather or other unforeseen circumstances force an additional school closure this Fall, the day before Thanksgiving may be used as a makeup day.

Historically, WJCC Schools is forced to close schools at least once during the winter months due to snow and ice. The makeup plan announced today maintains banked time that may be needed this winter while also addressing immediate needs.

An updated copy of the 2018-2019 school calendar is available now on the school division website, www.wjccschools.org.

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Williamsburg-James City County Schools is proud to announce that all three high schools have been named Blue Star Schools for students’ performance on the 2016-2017 Working in Support of Education (w!se) Financial Literacy Test.

“In addition to supporting students’ academic success, our teachers prepare students with knowledge and skills to be productive and successful throughout life,” WJCC Schools Superintendent Olwen Herron, Ed.D said. “Financial literacy benefits all students, no matter where their paths take them. I am proud of all our high school students who took this year’s test and contributed to our division’s success as well as their personal growth.”

Students take the w!se Financial Literacy Test after a course or unit on personal finance. Students who pass the test are designated Certified Financially Literate^TM,  demonstrating that they are financially capable.

To earn the Blue Star School distinction, a school must have achieved an 80% passing rate on w!se’s Financial Literacy Certification Test and have either a majority of students on a given grade level take the test or have the students who took it achieve an average score of 85% or higher. All three WJCC High Schools achieved this distinction.

The test is administered as part of w!se’s award-winning Financial Literacy Certification program. Schools enrolled in the program teach a course or unit on personal finance and receive instructional resources from w!se aligned to national and state standards and then administer the test. Since its introduction, the program has become integral to personal finance instruction in thousands of classrooms across 28 states.

Jamestown High, Lafayette High and Warhill High will be honored, along with other Blue Star schools, at w!se’s 15^th National MoneyPOWER Financial Literacy Conference on November 6 in New York City.

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All Williamsburg-James City County Schools have earned accreditation as a result of student performance on Standards of Learning tests. As a new school, James Blair Middle School was accredited with conditions, which is the standard across the state.

The Virginia Department of Education reported school ratings on September 27, noting that this is the first year schools could be accredited under new state accreditation standards to promote continuous achievement in all schools, close achievement gaps and expand accountability beyond overall performance on Standards of Learning tests.

“For the 11th consecutive year, WJCC Schools have maintained full accreditation across the division,” Superintendent Olwen Herron, Ed.D. stated. “We are extremely proud of this achievement and it positions us to Elevate student success Beyond Excellence through the work associated with the five-year strategic plan the division adopted this fall.”

WJCC Schools’ strategic plan, Elevate: Beyond Excellence, is comprised of six goal areas including academic success and educational equity. More information about Elevate is available at wjccschools.org/strategicplan.

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Richmond, Va. — The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is offering training to parents of students with disabilities on critical decision points that can affect a child’s ability to earn a diploma and be ready for higher education or a career.

The free, four-hour sessions — offered in eight locations, beginning this month through February — are available to parents of children with disabilities who are currently eligible or being considered for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973.

“There are decisions that parents of students with disabilities make as early as elementary school that can impact the ability of a student to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma,” Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services John Eisenberg said. “Parents need to know about these critical decision points and their potential consequences.”

The training dates and locations are as follows:

• October 17 in Bristol
• October 18 in Roanoke
• November 8 in Manassas
• November 15 in Staunton
• December 10 in Richmond
• January 16 in Suffolk
• January 16 in Fredericksburg
• February 5 in Appomattox

The training sessions are being offered in partnership with the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities.

The registration deadline is October 10 for the sessions in Bristol and Roanoke. Additional information and links to register for any of the Critical Decision Points for Families of Children with Disabilities training are available on the VDOE website.

A limited number of hotel rooms are available for parents and caregivers who want to attend and who live more than 60 miles from the training locations.

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Congratulations to members of the WJCC School Board who have been recognized by the Virginia Schools Boards Association for their continued dedication and service to the students, teachers and staff of Williamsburg-James City County Schools. The community appreciates their commitment to creating innovative learning opportunities for children and their critical thinking when considering policy and strategic planning. WJCC Schools are fortunate to have such outstanding leaders working on behalf of our children and employees.

The post WJCC School Board honored for service by Virginia School Boards Association appeared first on Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.

Calling All High School Students

Annual College & Career Fair

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Warhill High School
4615 Opportunity Way
Williamsburg, VA 23188

Meet and speak directly with representatives of more than 100 colleges and universities, professional programs, businesses, and branches of the military!

5:30-6:00 p.m.
Financial Aid Workshop by the Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education

5:30-8:00 p.m.
College & Career Fair

Brought to you by WJCC’s School Counseling Programs and the James City County Office of Economic Development

The post 2018 Annual College & Career Fair • Thursday, October 25, 2018 appeared first on Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.

WJCC students participate in monthly Safe Routes to School Walk and Roll incentive program.

Norge Elementary families will join Safe Routes to School programs throughout the nation for International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 10th. Participants will meet at Our Saviour Lutheran Church at 8:45 a.m. for a Park and Walk event to kick off Walk to School Month 2018. Special guests will be joining Norge families, including Karen Stokes, Pediatric Educator at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and Safe Kids Coordinator for the Historic Triangle.

Other Walk and Roll to School Day events will take place throughout the month. Laurel Lane’s Walk to School Day will take place on October 24th. Postings of other activities will be on individual target schools’ websites. WJCC Safe Routes to School target schools are:

• Matthew Whaley Elementary School
• Norge Elementary School
• Stonehouse Elementary School
• James River Elementary School
• Laurel Lane Elementary School
• Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School
• Berkeley Middle School

The post Norge Elementary School Families To Launch WJCC Walk to School Month Activities appeared first on Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.

Based on weather forecasts which call for heavy rain and gusting winds this evening, all after-school activities will be canceled today. If additional changes to the school operating schedule become necessary, families will be notified through a WJCC Schools email and phone call. Information will also be posted on the school division website and social media.

The post All after-school activities will be cancelled Thursday, October 11, 2018 appeared first on Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.

WJCC celebrated Virginia’s Farm to School Week with fresh, locally-grown vegetables. Child Nutrition Services, SHIP, Master Food Volunteers, PTA volunteers, and student volunteers from William & Mary offered tastings at many elementary schools. Check your school lunch menu for our next locally-grown Farm to School Day!

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Based on forecasts calling for severe weather throughout the night and early morning hours, WJCC Schools and offices will open 2 hours late Friday, October 12. All Bright Beginnings (Pre-School) and High School GED morning classes are canceled.

On two-hour delay days, transportation will not be provided for the following student programs:

• Vocational/Technical Education (Hampton and Newport News)
• Governor’s School (Hampton)
• School of the Arts (Bruton) morning classes only

Friday’s two-hour delay will give staff time and daylight to assess potential storm damage and navigate roadways which may have downed trees. If additional changes to the operating schedule are needed, families will be notified through a WJCC Schools phone call and email.

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