King William County - Our Schools - In The News....September/October News Here!

Teacher of the Year Takes Trip to China

As King William County 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, I was afforded the opportunity to spend ten Professional Development days in China along with a group of educators during the summer break. While in China we visited the cities of Beijing, Xi an and Shanghai. As part of the tour we climbed The Great Wall of China, observed the archeologists unearthing Terra Cotta Warriors and soared to the highest observation deck in the world (100 floors) in 45 seconds in the Shanghai World Financial Center. We were able to experience authentic Chinese food, interact with local merchants and enjoy the history and architectural treasures of a country so very different from our own.

As educators our main focus was to become enlightened on the educational system in China. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit two schools while we were in China. The first school was an English speaking school in Beijing and the second was a boarding school in Xi an at which children ranging in age from 6 to 19 learned Kung Fu in addition to their basic courses. At each school the children sat at wooden desks and learned by reading textbooks and listening to lectures without the use of technology. Although we noted several differences between the schools we visited and ours, it was evident that no matter where you are in the world, children are basically the same. Success for students in China, as here in the U.S., is a direct result of the students' effort and their desire to excel as they work with teachers who demonstrate a commitment to each of their pupils.

Back to School
2011-12

HHMS Introduces Robotics Class

Hamilton-Holmes Middle School added a Robotics Class to their curriculum for the 2011-2012 school year. Students in the seventh grade work in teams to build, program, and test robots. Each team is presented a challenge which requires them to program the robot to complete the task. Teacher Amy Ambrose started the study of robots as an after school club, however, because of the great interest Principal Stanley Waskiewicz and Ms. Ambrose developed the curriculum for the class. State Wide competition will be in the fall.

Caption: Ms. Amy Ambrose guides students through robot challenge.
Photo and Story: Mike Embrey, ITRS

HHMS Receives Donations from Local Organizations
By: Kim Tupponce, HHMS Teacher

Several King William organizations generously donated backpacks and other school supplies to be used by students of Hamilton-Holmes Middle School whose families are unable to afford the cost of supplies. The administration and staff of HHMS would like to express their appreciation to the following groups for their donations of backpacks and school supplies:King William County Farm Bureau Women's Committee, Edge Worship Center in West Point, and Beulah Baptist Church in Aylett.

Photo Caption: HHMS Guidance Counselor Jennifer Perry accepts backpacks from Molly Gregory and Etta Hill of the King William County Farm Bureau Women's Committee.
Photo by Dr. Stanley Waskiewicz, HHMS Principal

Homecoming 2011

HHMS Students Recognized for Academic Excellence

Two students from Hamilton Holmes Middle School, were recently honored as two of the brightest young students in the nation at a statewide awards ceremony for gifted children sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY). The awards ceremony was held at the University of Richmond on Saturday, October 1.

The Center honored the participants in the 2011 CTY Talent Search, for their exceptional performance on the SAT, the same set of tests taken by high school students for college admission. One student was a seventh grader at the time of testing while one was an eighth grader. Both students scored exceptionally well, placing them among the top 95 Talent Search students in the state of Virginia.

Students in grades seven and eight who are part of the HHMS gifted program may elect to participate in the CTY Talent Search. During the Talent Search, advanced young learners take above-grade level tests designed for older students as a means of gaining insight into their abilities. The CTY Talent Search is open to gifted students in grades two through eight. More information may be found at http://www.cty.jhu.edu.

Story: Kim Tupponce, HHMS Gifted Resource Teacher
Photo: Layla Collier

King William DECA wins at State Fair

The King William DECA Chapter participated in the Marketing Day at the state fair on Tuesday, October 4th. Sixty-five students observed marketing in action gathering examples of marketing, economics, and finance. Twenty-two Dual Enrollment Marketing students formed eleven teams to participate in the team decision making events. These competitors had to prepare and present a promotional plan. Two hundred and five teams participated in the competition. Twenty-four teams were recognized, two per section. We are proud to announce two of our teams placed first and second in the competition.

KW DECA Members Participate in
the Making Strides Walk

Seventeen students from King William participated in the Making Strides for a world with more birthdays walk for Breast Cancer on October 2. Marketing students raised money and awareness for Breast Cancer Research with donations for students to wear hats and teachers to wear jeans on September 29th for a PINK OUT DAY. Marketing students tie-dyed t-shirts to wear in the 3 mile walk. DECA chapter members walked in memory and in honor of family members and friends. A total of $235 was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society.

Photo and Story: Suzanne Campbell, Career and Technology

DECA Sponsors Pink-Out Day to Support
Breast Cancer Awareness

The King William High School DECA chapter sponsored its second annual Pink-Out Day on September 29, 2011. KWHS raised over $200 to donate to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research. Students and teachers wore pink to show their support for the cause.

DECA Sponsor Suzanne Campbell and twenty students continued their commitment by participating in the American Cancer Society's 10th Anniversary Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Brown's Island on Saturday, October 2, 2011. The event is an effort to unite those who have courageously fought breast cancer, educate people about ways to reduce their risk, and empower communities to join the cause. Money raised will save lives by helping people stay well, remain healthy, and by finding cures through life-saving research.

Caption: KWHS students dress in pink to show their support for Pink-Out Day.
Photo and Story: Michelle Yates, KWHS

Coke versus Pepsi

Which do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi? The students in Mrs. Ball's and Ms. Gammon's fifth grade science classes at Acquinton Elementary School (AES) formed a hypothesis, planned how to test the hypothesis, researched, and collected and analyzed data to draw the conclusion that more people preferred Coke than Pepsi. Many other hands-on experiments are being conducted to teach students how to manipulate variables, differentiate between quantative and qualatative observations, and make inferences.

Story: Kay Gammon, AES
Photo: Rachel Ball, AES

Making Community Connections
at Cool Spring Primary

On Tuesday, October 4, 2011, Dawn Shank, children's programmer from the Upper King William Library, visited the kindergarten students at Cool Spring Primary School. She and her sidekick, King William (shh...don't tell him he's just a puppet) shared a story, a song, and information about all of the exciting and fun things that happen at the public library and encouraged all of the students to visit the library and get their own library card.

Caption: Kindergarten student Boston Ross helps Miss Dawn and King William sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" by neighing his part as the horse.
Story and Photo: Joy Washington

King William High School Holds
SODA Induction Ceremony

On Thursday, September 29, King William High School held an induction ceremony for its newly selected SODA members. Superintendent Dr. Mark Jones, Principal Andrea Sparks-Brown, SODA Sponsor Jean Ballard and former SODA member Michelle Yates attended this special event and congratulated its new members. Following the tapping ceremony, a reception was held to honor the SODAs and guests.

SODA, the Student Organziation for Developing Attitudes, is a cooperative program between King William High School and Acquinton Elementary School. Once a month, high school students visit with fourth grade students to discuss topics such as peer pressure, cooperation, character, and conflict resolution. The goal of the SODA program and its members is to expose young people to positive role models.


Caption: Newly selected SODA members recite the SODA creed.
Story: Michelle Yates, KWHS
Photo: Kim Hicks, KWHS