Opportunity Ready

December 2023

One of the activities to which I look most forward every year is visiting the classrooms of our 27 schools. While the time spent in each class is brief, I am always encouraged about what is happening each day in our schools when I get to see for myself the lessons and instruction our teachers and assistants are providing, and the learning in which students are engaged. I enjoy asking individual students what they are learning and having them explain to me the concept. Some of the students also get a kick out of asking me fun questions such as what my job is, what my favorite food is, or whether I know their older brother in high school.

I am consistently amazed at the ability of students from kindergarten to high school to articulately discuss the topic they are studying and, often, their face will light up when I express interest in what they are doing. I am also thrilled when I see for myself the capacity of our students to collaborate in groups, be creative, and problem solve. These are the skills students need to develop along the path to becoming "opportunity ready"! Although doing these things comes naturally to some students, for the majority, skill development takes clear and consistent direction and reinforcement from the teacher.

I know students do not suddenly become good listeners and hard workers, stay on task, or show responsible and respectful behaviors just for my benefit as a visitor to the class. They are able to display these characteristics because that is what they practice each day. They are able to immediately recite the basic expectations of good citizenship such as being safe, responsible and respectful, because that is what they hear and are taught each day.

Thank you to our teachers, staff, and principals for being consistent and persistent in modeling and teaching our students learning content and skills, but also character traits and actions that set them up for success! We see and appreciate what you are doing.

Thank you, parents and families, for your support of our schools and staff and your partnership in helping your children be successful. You send us your best, and our schools take that responsibility seriously.

We wish everyone a holiday break full of joy and peace and look forward to seeing our students back in January!

Dr. Ken Nicely

Superintendent

• new CTE center and renovations to two elementary schools moving forward
• school news
• new Learning Management System coming soon
• School Board appreciation

Thanks to community volunteers from Ridge View Bank, business and marketing students at Cave Spring High School recently got a taste of the real world when it comes to household budgeting and making their paycheck stretch. The Financial Reality Fair was organized by both local staff from the bank as well as executives from their offices in Pennsylvania who drove down for the event. The purpose of the activity is to have experts in the community confirm for students the lessons learned in their classes. Students first chose a career field and researched what the average salary is to build a monthly budget. They then rotated through various stations where they made choices about what kind of car they could afford, how much health insurance costs, what the cost of utilities is, how to budget for food, and several other life choices. At one station, they had to spin a "whammy wheel" to simulate what kinds of unexpected costs may arise such as an unplanned medical bill. Though this was the first Financial Reality Fair in Roanoke County, it will not be the last. Bank officials are already planning how they can partner with the other high schools in Roanoke County to bring the experience to more students. Click here for a "live" look at the Financial Reality Fair.

DID YOU KNOW? All Roanoke County students take a Personal Finance course as a graduate requirement and earn a WISE Financial Literacy Certification to demonstrate skills in this important area. For more information about this and other CTE programs, please visit the RCPS CTE website or the standards of learning for personal finance on the Virginia Department of Education website. Being financially literate is also an important part of the RCPS Opportunity Ready Profile of Graduate.

The Roanoke County School Board has selected a proposal submitted by Branch Companies, RRMM Architects and Balzer & Associates to construct a new career and technical education center, and renovate and expand Glen Cove and W.E. Cundiff elementary schools. An initial review committee evaluated proposals and recommended two to advance to a more detailed presentation phase. A second review committee evaluated the two detailed proposals and recommended the board approve the Branch group proposal.

The entire project will cost $130 million dollars with $80 million dedicated to build the new CTE center and $50 million to renovate and expand the two elementary schools. In February, 2023, the Roanoke County School Board purchased 28 acres of land located adjacent to Peters Creek Road for $4.13 million dollars to serve as the site for the new CTE center. The new CTE center will replace the current Burton Center for Arts & Technology located in Salem. BCAT is home to a Governor’s STEM Academy and award-winning programs including the Center for Engineering, motorsports and welding, Center for Mass Communication, culinary arts, building trades, mechatronics/robotics, health sciences, cybersecurity, and other centers. Students from all five Roanoke County high schools learn marketable skills for post-graduation employment and further education in multiple fields. New programs coming to the new CTE center include dental/orthodontic assistant, diesel technician, collision repair and HVAC.

Renovations and expansions at Glen Cove and W.E. Cundiff elementary schools will include removal of outdated open concept classrooms, which will allow for more effective instruction and greater opportunities for interactive, hands-on instruction.

These projects are planned to begin this coming summer and we are grateful for the support of the School Board, Board of Supervisors and Citizens Advisory Committee.

Glenvar Middle School held its first monthly club day in October. Students had over 20 different clubs from which to choose their individual club for the first semester. Clubs included Nature Club, Cornhole Club, Harry Potter Club, Art Club, Crafts Club, Lego Club, and several more. The students had a great time, and it was a beautiful day for the clubs that participate outdoors.

GMS held its Spirit Week in conjunction with the Glenvar High School Homecoming Week! Students decorated grade level halls and participated in dress up days. The week culminated with a pep rally at the high school stadium during which the band performed, the cheer team led the grade levels in showing their school spirit, Fall sports teams were introduced, and students selected from a participant list for each grade level competed in a relay race that consisted of various activities. The 8th graders were the winners of this year’s GMS spirit cup based on all of the different activities of the week.

RCPS students and staff are intentional about building a climate of respect and belonging. The example positive messages featured above are from Glen Cove Elementary.

On November 29th, Dr. Nicely came to visit Mount Pleasant Elementary. While he was here, we had him officially open our new playground. This one is for all students and is ADA accessible. Dr. Nicely helped us celebrate our new playground with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The kindergarten and first grade students counted down with him and he cut the ribbon. There were cheers all around and the students went running to play on the new playground. They were so excited. We are all very thankful to the Roanoke County School Board for providing us with the new equipment.

Students at HLH have been busy learning valuable STEM skills – and having fun while they do! Fifth graders participated in OSMOS coding in the STEM lab. They took their character, Awbee, on hikes and entered code to direct him back to his campsite. They will be continuing their adventures this week!

HLH’s Bees LEGO Robotics Team recently traveled to Blacksburg High School to compete in First LEGO League’s Challenge Tournament. Team members have spent the last few months building and learning to code their robot, BeeBot, to participate in a variety of challenges. In addition to the robot missions, the team members developed and presented their innovation project and displayed the FLL’s Core Values “Gracious Professionalism” and “Coopertition”. It was a long, exciting day that saw the team’s scores in the robot games go up in each trial. The team is now preparing for a scrimmage in the spring.

The Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation is led by a group of volunteer Roanoke County business and community leaders who work to raise funds to give back to students and teachers through classroom grants, student scholarships, and the Teacher of the Year Golden Apple Awards.

Your support through donations and event sponsorships is welcome and encouraged!

Students at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology continue to get high quality instructional experiences. Recently, Mack Trucks have hosted students from the Automotive Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering, and Welding programs for a tour of their manufacturing facility in western Roanoke County. These tours included some hands-on experiences relevant to their production methods.

BCAT also sent two groups of students to compete nationally in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Team Challenge. Mr. Hoback took a group of students to demonstrate their skills at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas in early November, while Mr. Overfelt took a team to Indianapolis to the PRI Show in Indianapolis in early December. Both teams worked hard and were able to get a tremendous experience while also learning about various career pathways in the racing industry.

Clearbrook Elementary School enjoyed celebrating our Veterans on November 10th. Our 5th graders sang and introduced the participants. After the program, our guests of honor enjoyed a potluck luncheon with their families. Clearbrook students and staff also earned a day of games, dancing, and STEM activities. Students dressed as their favorite book characters and enjoyed the Fall Festivities! Our school community filled the school-wide marble jar 2 times by October!

Our fourth-grade students were surprised with hospital props (gloves, hats, shoe covers, goggles) for a multiplication review for their test. Mrs. Driver made a life-size Operation game and each part correlated to a review question. As students played, they got individual Skittles for correct responses, while their team earned money. Our third-fifth grade students enjoyed their first club day on Friday. Students earned club time through demonstrating SOAR behavior and getting all of their work done for their teachers. Students enjoyed clubs such as: Minecraft, Tinkercad, Book Club, Stock Market/Finance, Puzzles, Sports Club, and Fitness/Yoga to name a few. We plan to offer this monthly during the school year to our upper grades. This is yet another way we are trying to reward good choices and hard work. This is also a great way for our students to make more meaningful connections to staff and have a non-academic outlet at school. Thanks to our staff for trying something new like this for our students! Meanwhile in fourth grade, students have been studying about colonial and revolutionary America. Students worked together to recreate important timeline events from the Revolutionary War using Legos. Then, they took pictures in the Camera app and imported it into a Canva presentation to share with their peers. A presenter from Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation brought artifacts for students to have a hands on review of their Jamestown Unit.

Back Creek Elementary held a school-wide STEM project in October. Our lower grades paired with an upper grade to complete the project. Students had to create a table that would hold an apple. Prior to the project, they researched the life cycle of an apple, and completed an activity with their partner(s). All the students enjoyed this STEM Project.

On October 25th, Northside High School invited Robert Jackson to our community to share his experiences with teaching cultural diversity, socio-emotional learning, and working with students who have experienced trauma. His mission is to motivate students, teachers, and school leaders to educate all students equitably and to empower educators to Educate, Activate, and Motivate all students to be successful.

Mr. Jackson spoke to NHS and NMS athletes for one session after school, and he shared with them his ten tips to be more respectful and responsible students. He expressed the importance of focusing on being a student and how respect is the foundation of a good athlete. NHS and NMS staff also met with Mr. Jackson for a session that discussed the ways in which we empower students to reach their fullest potential and the power of our words and actions in influencing the trajectory of our students' lives. Mr. Jackson encouraged the students and staff to be honest and to strive each day to be better versions of ourselves for one another and our community.

On October 27, Brennan Metz, a senior at Hidden Valley High School, presented the keynote address at the National PBIS Leadership Forum in Chicago. Brennan was able to share his perspective on the impact of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in our schools. (See article in previous edition of Opportunity Ready.) He has been involved in various PBIS efforts in Roanoke County Public Schools since he was in middle school. Brennan has consistently demonstrated leadership and commitment to helping make our school division even better. Brennan is this year's chair of the RCPS Student Advisory Council.

W.E. Cundiff Elementary Title One teacher, Tami Oliver, received the Education Impact Award for the month of September from Blue Eagle Credit Union on Friday, October 13, 2023. Tami received $500 total for this award with $250 going to her and the other half going to WEC for school materials/supplies to support students K-5. Team Cundiff is so proud of Mrs. Oliver and her efforts to create engaging lessons for students that promote a love of reading! Congratulations, Mrs. Oliver! #teamcundiff

As Roanoke County Public Schools moves full steam ahead through this school year, our dedicated bookkeepers have a seat in the locomotive of finances. Here, they attended training on the software used to receive money from parents via cash, check, or credit card. These employees are the face of our operations at the schools. They ensure school activity funds are fully received, recorded, and spent in the best manner possible for our students, all while following policies and procedures to prevent mishandling and misuse of funds. They are one of the reasons why the school division receives kudos from the audit each year. They maintain meticulous records and demonstrate transparency and good stewardship of public funds. There is no better group of folks for their job!

School Board members are elected to serve terms of four years. In November, School Board Chairman Brent Hudson was re-elected for the Catawba District for a new four-year term. In the Cave Spring District, Shelley Clemons was elected to replace the retiring Mike Wray, who served on the School Board for eight years, and was recently celebrated at Penn Forest Elementary for his service to the community. Mr. Wray was named "grand marshall" of the school's Balloons over Broadway Parade. Mrs. Clemons was officially sworn in on December 11 and takes office on January 1. Mr. Wray was honored at the December 13 meeting with expressions of appreciation from the principals in the Cave Spring area as well as a resolution from the School Board.

Thank you to all of our School Board members for your service to our schools and community:

Catawba District: Brent Hudson

Cave Spring District: Mike Wray, Shelley Clemons (beginning January 1)

Hollins District: David Linden

Vinton District: Tim Greenway

Windsor Hills District: Cheryl Facciani

On October 20th, Randy Queen, our lead school psychologist, was awarded the state’s highest school psychologist honor. The Virginia Academy of School Psychologist named him the Commonwealth’s School Psychologist of the Year. Not only does Randy complete the many duties of a Roanoke County school psychologist, but he also participates in collaborative workgroups with the VDOE and DMAS. He is a lead presenter for the annual VDOE Medical and Schools Conference for Mental and Behavioral Health Services and he has written and received several grants. Randy advocates for and supports prevention, crisis intervention, and mental health by being an EMDR Trained Therapist, completing Essential of CBT training with Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, being a Mental Health Frist Aid Instructor, a safeTALK instructor, a Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Instructor, a Roanoke Valley Trauma-Informed Community Network Trainer, and a MANDT instructor. In the last two years alone, Randy has trained over 200 participants in mental health awareness and/or suicide prevention which has had a direct impact on countless students. Randy leads our amazing team of school psychologists who we recognized during National School Psychologist Week held November 6th-10th. This week highlighted the critical work school psychologists do to help students thrive. Special thanks to all of our school psychologists who help prepare every student in RCPS to be opportunity ready.

In support of the division’s C-Change Framework, the technology department is working with the department of instruction to improve the Learning Management System (LMS) in Roanoke County Public Schools for all teachers, students, and parents. The district LMS meets many of the core components of the C-Change Framework including Balance, Learning Culture, Professional Growth and Support Services. We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Blackboard over the past 21 years for our LMS needs. In recent years, we expanded Blackboard to include all grade levels PK-12. However, as the landscape of instructional technology changes, we continue to investigate systems that increase productivity, improve functionality, and foster “Opportunity Ready” skills for our students.

As a result of these changes, Canvas will be replacing Blackboard as the Learning Management System for all teachers and students in Roanoke County Public Schools for the 24-25 school year. We are piloting Canvas LMS for our district during this school year. Canvas LMS was launched for volunteering teachers on October 10th as part of a small-scale 1st semester pilot. So far, the successful pilot has confirmed that Canvas is more user friendly, offers a robust integration with our student database (Synergy), and provides additional opportunities for parent access. The pilot will grow to more teachers and students for 2nd semester classes. Our teachers are currently in training with Instructional Technology Resource Teachers to be ready for phase 2 of our Canvas pilot. Our technology and instruction departments are working to integrate Canvas with all necessary instructional tools required for our students.

The timeline for the Canvas deployment in Roanoke County Public Schools is as follows:

· October 2023 – first phase pilot for Canvas LMS

· January 3rd 2024 – second phase pilot for Canvas LMS

· January 17th 2024– RCPSOnline pilot for Canvas LMS

· April 2024 – All teachers will be trained and prepared in Canvas for the 24-25 school year

· May 2024 – RCPSOnline summer school using Canvas LMS

· June 2024 – Blackboard is officially out of service for RCPS

· August 2024 – Canvas LMS is in full production for everyone in RCPS

· 2024-2025 – Canvas training continues throughout the school year

We are excited to introduce Canvas to Roanoke County Public Schools. Our users should experience a more modern interface, improved features like gradebook pass back with Synergy, seamless integration with our Microsoft products, and invaluable LMS experiences that will transfer to most colleges and universities in Virginia.

To read previous editions of the superintendent's Opportunity Ready newsletter, highlighting news from Roanoke County Public Schools, visit the Superintendent's page on the RCPS website.