October 5, 2011
For coverage information contact Tiffany Woods, Director of Public Relations for Roanoke City Public Schools, at tdwoods@rcps.info or 540.853.2905.

October 5
EVENT: William Fleming Student Earns Coveted Spot in 2011 Honors Choir State Competition
SCHOOL: William Fleming High School
DETAILS: William Fleming High School student DeVonte Saunders, is now part of the distinguished 2011 Honors Choir after auditioning at Longwood University recently with more than 700 students from around the state. Saunders was the fifth-highest scoring tenor 2 and one of only 14 tenor 2s selected out of 41 candidates. He is the first student from William Fleming to receive the honor.
Saunders will go on to attend the Virginia Music Educators Conference in November in Norfolk to work with guest conductors and present a concert performance.

EVENT: Hurt Park Elementary Students Participate in Bicycle Training and Learn about Pursuing an Active Lifestyle as part of International Walk/Bike to School Day
SCHOOL: Hurt Park Elementary
DATE/TIME: October 5, 11 a.m.
DETAILS: In honor of International Walk/Bike to School Day on October 5, Hurt Park Elementary School will put to use its mini-grant from the Virginia Safe Routes to School program. The funds will be used in part to encourage students to walk and ride bikes to school, teach students safe pedestrian and bicycling practices, provide bicycle helmets to students who cannot afford them, and provide a bicycle rack for students to use. Activities for the day include bicycle training classes for 2nd -5th grade students, followed by a presentation and dedication ceremony involving students and staff.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, at Hurt Park Elementary School.

EVENT: Grandin Court Elementary in the Running to Win $150,000
SCHOOL: Grandin Court Elementary
DATE/TIME: Voting Deadline October 6, 2011
DETAILS: Grandin Court Elementary is one of the top contenders to win $150,000 in the US Cellular Calling All Communities Competition- but they need more community support! Grandin parents and staff members are urging people to stop by their local US Cellular Store to pick up a registration number and then vote for Grandin. Once you have a registration number, you can vote for your favorite school every day until October 6th. The school with the most votes will win $150,000 and the next 17 schools with the most votes will receive $50,000 each to spend any way they see fit to benefit their students. More details are available at http://www.uscellular.com/callingallcommunities.

EVENT: Greater Raleigh Court Civic League Announces New Grant for RCPS Teachers
SCHOOL: Virginia Heights, Fishburn Park, Grandin Court and Wasena Elementary Schools
DATE/TIME: Application deadline November 18, 2011
DETAILS: The Greater Raleigh Court Civic League is looking to build community by supporting teachers and community schools. Two different awards will be offered to teachers in the following specified schools:

-Virginia Heights Elementary
-Fishburn Park Elementary
-Grandin Court Elementary
-Wasena Elementary

The first award is a $500 scholarship for a teacher who has gone above and beyond in instilling the values of neighborhood and community in their classroom.

The second award is a $1,000 classroom grant for teachers to use to implement creative and sustainable ideas/programs to benefit students.

Applications are available on the RCPS website.

October 6
EVENT: Forest Park Academy Hosts First Key Club Induction Ceremony In Effort to Teach Students the Importance of Community Service
SCHOOL: Forest Park Academy
DATE/TIME: October 6, 6 p.m.
DETAILS: Forest Park Academy will have its First Key Club Induction Ceremony on Thursday at 6 p.m. Key Club is a community service organization run by the local Kiwanis Club. Students are required to complete at least nine community service projects during the school year.

October 7
EVENT: Forest Park Academy Hosts First Field Day to Build Community Relationships and Support
SCHOOL: Forest Park Academy
DATE/TIME: October 7, 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
DETAILS: Forest Park Academy students and teachers will participate in the school’s first-ever Field Day on Friday, October 7. Community organizations will take part in the event and have the opportunity to learn about the mission of the school and interact with students. Forest Park Academy is a unique program designed for over-aged and under-credited middle and high school students. Activities will include traditional sporting contests, such as basketball free-throw and football distance/accuracy competitions. Students will also participate in more creative games such as corn hole, a bubble-gum blowing contest, and a Quarter Behind the Knees Relay race.