October 10, 2011

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

EVENT: Rachel’s Challenge Program Expands to Roanoke City High Schools as part of RCPS Anti-bullying Campaign
SCHOOL: Patrick Henry, William Fleming, Addison, Breckinridge, Jackson, Madison, Woodrow Wilson, Forest Park Academy
DATE/TIME: October 10 – October 21
DETAILS: All Roanoke City middle schools and high schools will participate this year in Rachel’s Challenge, a program that encourages students to embrace a positive change in the way they treat others. The program is named after Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. In each hour-long assembly, students will view powerful video/audio footage of Rachel’s life and the Columbine tragedy. Keith Farmer of Straight Street pursued and received funding to add both Roanoke high schools to the assembly roster after last year’s campaign.
Upcoming dates for Rachel’s Challenge assemblies:

October 10, 2011 William Fleming High School
9 AM – 10 AM

October 10, 2011 Stonewall Jackson Middle School
9 AM – 10 AM; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

October 11, 2011 James Madison Middle School
9 AM – 10 AM; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

October 12, 2011 Forest Park Academy
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

October 13, 2011 James Breckinridge Middle School
8:50 AM – 9:50 AM; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

October 19, 2011 Patrick Henry High School
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM; 10 AM – 11 AM; 1 PM – 2 PM

October 21, 2011 Woodrow Wilson Middle School
9:00 AM – 10 AM; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

October 21, 2011 Lucy Addison Middle School
9:05 AM – 10:20 AM; 11 AM – 12 PM; 2:10 PM – 3:25 PM

EVENT: Patrick Henry High School’s Literary-Art Magazine Earns Statewide Honor
SCHOOL: Patrick Henry High School
DETAILS: Patrick Henry High School’s literary-art magazine, The Quill, received first-place honors from the Virginia High School League (VHSL). Patrick Henry was one of three schools in the Southwest Virginia region to receive the distinction by the VHSL, which evaluates school magazines based on five criteria: general appearance, functional aspects, layout/design, literary selections, and art selections. The Quill showcases writing, art, and photography of students and generally has a staff of about five students. The magazine is currently looking for community sponsors for the 2011-2012 edition. Contact Emily Mountcastle at emountcastle@rcps.info for more information.

EVENT: ROTEC’s Reality Store Project Gives Students First-Hand Experience on Making Financial Decisions in Life
SCHOOL: Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC)
DATE/TIME: October 19, November 15, December 14
DETAILS: ROTEC will be conducting a career exploration project called The Reality Store with every eighth-grader in the division this school year. The Reality Store is a program that helps to prepare students for career development, interpersonal development, and financial literacy. Each student imagines themselves at the age of 30 and must make monthly essential purchases/payments with the goal of having some money left over. There will be nearly 40 volunteers from the Advisory Council, Foundation, and area businesses to implement the project.

Upcoming dates:

October 19 James Madison Middle School 8:00am – 3:30pm
November 15 Jackson Middle School 8:00am – 3:30pm
December 14 Breckinridge Middle School/NCTLA 8:00am – 3:30pm

E-mail Kathleen Duncan at kduncan@rcps.info with any volunteers from area businesses, or call 853-2803 for questions.


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.

October 14
EVENT: Patrick Henry Students who Performed Well on AP Exams Receive Financial Incentives During Pep Rally as Part of VASS Grant
SCHOOL: Patrick Henry High School
DATE/TIME: October 14, 10 AM
DETAILS: Patrick Henry High School will host a pep rally on Friday, October 14, to honor its Advanced Placement students whose 2011 exam scores qualified them to receive incentive checks. Students receive $100 for each qualifying score of 3, 4, or 5 on math, science, and English exams. Teachers also receive $100 for each of their AP students with a qualifying exam scores. The program is made possible thanks to Virginia Advanced Study Strategies, Inc. (VASS), a nonprofit state organization whose mission is to encourage high school students to prepare for exciting careers in math and science.