CTE Leader Recognized
CTE Curriculum Leader, Jesse White, has received the Curriculum and Instructional Leadership Award from the Virginia Children's Engineering Council.  He received the award for providing “exemplary vision and support for the implementation of Children's Engineering as a method of instruction to foster critical thinking and problem solving.”

Title I Staffer Wins Family Engagement Award
Diane Campbell of Bassette Elementary School, won 2nd Place for the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Family Engagement Award. In February 2013, Diane received the announcement that her school's project, Partnership with VA Peninsula Foodbank's Backpack Program, was one of 4 finalists. Bassette was recognized (along with the other finalists) during the Awards' Luncheon during the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Family Engagement Summit held on March 15.

“Artists Who Teach” Winners Announced
The following Kecoughtan High School teachers won awards at the "Artists Who Teach" show at Charles H. Taylor.  The show runs through April 7.
Emily Marshall - 2nd place - "This Side of Blue" Acrylic
Scott Stanard - Award of Merit - "Lincoln Memorial" Drypoint
Tom Cutshaw - Award of Merit - "Sign Post" Wood and Acrylic
Jeff Burns - Honorable Mention - "The Morning We Returned" Acrylic
Emily Marshall - Honorable Mention (KHS) "Patchwork" Watercolor and Ink

HCS Earns “Transparency in Government” Top Grade
Sunshine Review - a leading Government transparency advocate - gave the HCS website an A+ rating…for the second year in a row!

HHS Science Teachers Win National Award!
Hampton High School science teachers, Elizabeth Ciancio and Joyce Corriere, have been named National Finalists in the Shell Science Lab Challenge! They are one of only four finalists in the nation to be awarded this prestigious honor by Shell Oil Company and the National Science Teachers Association. The competition encouraged teachers (grades 6-12) in the United States and Canada, to share their approaches to innovative ways in which to deliver quality lab experiences, with limited school and laboratory resources. 

Grobel Named Media Educator of the Year
On November 9, the Virginia Association of School Libraries honored Cheryl Grobel as the association’s 2012 Media Educator of the Year. Cheryl, who was nominated by Nancy Terrell (Davis MS), was cited for her professional activities as well as her responsibility in training teachers throughout the district on ways to integrate technology into their curricula.  

Science teacher, Nicholaus Swan, believes education should be both exciting and eye-opening.  His 6th grade science students at Andrews PreK-8 School couldn’t agree more with Mr. Swan (a first-year teacher) and his unique style of teaching. His classes are described as being “very interesting, cool and fun!”  Using interactive lab experiments, Mr. Swan’s students have made phases of the moon out of Oreo cookies, flown paper airplanes, witnessed how rain clouds are formed, held jet propulsion contests using plastic bottles, construction paper and plumbing tubes....and have even created a roller coaster. 

Jennifer Breault, Jennifer Dranoff, Meghan Ellis & Sara Palmosina of Phenix PreK-8 School
All students love music videos! Therefore these four 5th grade teachers from Phenix Pre-K School seized the moment by creating highly entertaining instructional videos to teach science! The first video, entitled States of Matter, was such a hit on YouTube that the group decided to produce more.  The school also incorporated family and friends as directors and camera personnel. The teachers’ latest music video - Sound & Light Waves - was touted at the March 13th School Board meeting where all four creative educators were presented with the school division’s Creative Instruction Award. To view the creative teachers’ latest video, just visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNE6zeLqEyU

Meishi Haslip of Langley Elementary School has been described as having a “contagious enthusiasm” for teaching and student learning. The first-year Pre-Kindergarten teacher from Langley Elementary School creatively uses art, music, manipulatives and movement in order to make learning relevant for her students. Her most recent project involved her students taking a “trip around the world” complete with “passports and suitcases” for each country they visited. At each “visit” students made art objects relevant to that specific country, such as Menorahs in Israel, Kwanzaa mats in Africa and poinsettias in Mexico.  This type of creative instruction not only engages the school division’s little ones, but also gets them very excited about learning!

Kim Pearson of Bryan Elementary School has developed an excellent way in which to engage her students and help them excel in music.  She has individual and class rewards attached to instructional goals she sets for her students. These goals assist students with understanding and teaching their peers fundamental music history and theory, while producing excellent vocal performances. Her approach to teaching by constantly using “call and response”, kinesthic activities and visual input are highly appreciated.  Her students are always engaged in the lessons and are constantly saying they wish they could go back to music. Now…that’s music to our ears!

Lakieshia Ward of Machen Elementary School is described as a truly gifted teacher. Realizing that student success is tied directly to parental involvement, Mrs. Ward creates her own personal newsletters for parents.  These newsletters keep parents aware of what is going on in her class, and are distributed to them on a weekly basis! Mrs. Ward captures activities in journals and sends home individual photos of students working, so that parents can share in the activities in which their children are participating. And somehow she still finds time to offer after-school math tutoring classes – free of charge - to any 3rd grade student in her school. 

DOVE Customer Service Award winners, Willie Fleetwood and LaVerne Bowers, are shining examples of excellent customer service!  The two were nominated by HCS parent, Chris Farrow, who wrote that Mr. Fleetwood (her son's bus driver) and Ms. Bowers (the bus attendant) had made a world of difference in the life of her autistic son. Joining the two on stage as they were honored by the Hampton School Board, Ms. Farrow explained how grateful she is that "Mr. Fleetwood makes sure everyone on the bus is safe, working with his aide in a wonderful partnership to help our son adapt to and meet the challenges of this new situation."  Ms. Farrow noted that Fleetwood and Bowers have responded to emergencies and difficult situations professionally and compassionately, and "work with us and the school in a most heartfelt and amazing way."  Both Mr. Fleetwood and Ms. Bowers had friends and family members in the audience, with over a dozen family members of Mr. Fleetwood traveling from North Carolina to witness him receive his award.   

Meghan Ellis and Jennifer Dranoff, 5th grade teachers at Phenix PreK-8 School, received the DOVE Customer Service Award at the March 13 Hampton School Board meeting. Nominated by parent, Greta Harrison, the teachers created a YouTube music video about the States of Matter that turned out to be a big hit.  In addition, Ms. Harrison explained that these teachers ran a 3K race with "my daughter, and were instrumental in my daughter passing her first Benchmark ever!" She went on to say that the teachers had "moved mountains in a very short time"... giving her daughter the confidence and freedom which will lead her to the goal of independence and success. This proud and grateful parent added, "It gave me hope to see such young and great teachers with all natural ability and instincts."

Terry Shepherd of School Operations & Maintenance, is the winner of the February 2013 DOVE Customer Service Award! Mr. Shepherd was presented the award at the February 6 School Board meeting, with his family and friends all in attendance. Nominated by HCS administrator Shelly Spain and teacher Sandra Banks,  Mr. Shepherd was acknowledged for the caring and sensitive manner in which he approaches...and solves...problems within the heating and air conditioning area. As one of the nominator's explained, "Mr. Shepherd [told me] his job is to make sure that the students, staff and parents are comfortable in their environment." Mr. Shepherd's sincere dedication to meeting the needs of HCS is indeed a demonstration of quality customer service! 

Laura Howlett, a teacher at Andrews PreK-8 School, received the DOVE Customer Service Award after being nominated by parent, Kathy Preaster.  Ms. Howlett created a tool to send home to parents that describes the child’s complete day academically, physically and emotionally.  This is especially helpful for children who have an inability to communicate information.  Ms. Preaster notes that her child’s “attitude and overall health during this school year have been great in comparison to previous years.  Mrs. Howlett keeps the lines of communication open with parents and the school, and appears genuinely interested in celebrating my child’s accomplishments as if it were her own child.”

Elizabeth Jones, an Art teacher at Spratley Gifted Center, was described by a parent as being extremely helpful, sensitive and accommodating to a student who had been diagnosed with a crippling and painful disease. Not only did Ms. Jones place phone calls to the student and parent to ensure she stayed "caught up", but Ms. Jones also sent "care" packages and special projects that the student could master even though she had lost the use of her hands due to her illness. The parent went on to write, "Although HCS has many awesome teachers, faculty and staff, Ms. Jones stands out as being remarkable.  She gives anyone who works with her or has a child taught by her, an excellent perception of Hampton City Schools."

Phenix PreK-8 School Instructional Assistant Lashande Jules AND teacher Darlene North received the school division's DOVE Customer Service Award during the October 3rd Hampton School Board meeting.  The two educators were nominated by Phenix parent, Cantrese Pierce, for the caring manner in which they both helped Ms. Pierce's daughter transition into public school.  Ms. Pierce, who also wrote about the very special lunch "play date" the educators held for their students over the summer, joined the two on stage and presented them with flowers! 

Once Again, HCS Named A "Best Community For Music Education"
For the second rear in a row, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has named Hampton City Schools a "Best Community" for Music Education in the United States! The NAMM Foundation recognized Hampton City Schools for its outstanding commitment to music education.

2012-2013

• Bethel Varsity Cheerleaders - Peninsula District Champions!