School notebook

Contributed
Published: August 14, 2008

Reminder
Immunizations: The Code of Virginia specifies that “no student shall be admitted to school unless at the time of admission the student or parent(s) submit proof of immunization.” These immunizations include the required doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), polio, hepatitis B, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella. The DTaP injection is mandatory for all sixth graders entering school on Aug. 20, 2008.

Head Start
Aug. 22 - Open House for Early Head Start program
Aug. 25 - First day of class for Early Head Start
Aug. 29 - Open House for Head Start program
Sept. 2 - First day of class for Head Start

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
As part of Orange County Public Schools strategic priorities to provide a safe and caring environment that enables students to concentrate on their education, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is being implemented in the schools. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a highly research-based and effective bullying prevention program being used throughout the United States. The purpose of the program is to (1) reduce bullying behavior, (2) prevent new incidences of bullying behavior from happening, and (3) improve overall school climate: making schools more safe. The program uses two fundamental strategies: (1) On the Spot Intervention that’s designed to stop the bullying behavior, support the student victimized, encourage bystanders to get involved to further prevent other incidences of bullying behavior, and to help the student who is doing the bullying to stop and make behavioral changes. (2) Classroom meetings: They are designed to help raise the awareness of the students as to what bullying behavior is and to establish and reinforce schoolwide and classroom rules in order to prevent bullying behavior. During these meetings, topics discussed are: how to help peers who are bullied by another, cyber bullying, and/or what to do when bullying behavior occurs outside of home.
In January, the first article on the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program was printed in the Orange Review.  At that time, Lightfoot Elementary School was featured as one of the first schools in Orange County to begin this program. Under the leadership of the principal, Ms. Judy Anderson, Lightfoot had their steering committee trained. That committee, under the leadership of Nora Coleman, trained the teachers and a student questionnaire was administered. The kickoff event was held on March 20, 2008, with loud chants, skits, raps, and songs proclaiming that Lightfoot Elementary School is bullying free. Lightfoot will continue the program this year.
Last fall, Gordon-Barbour Elementary, under the leadership of the principal, Mr. Bill Berry, began implementing the Olweus Bully Prevention Program. A steering committee was established, headed by Mrs. Karen McKean, along with teachers, staff and parents. A student questionnaire was administered that gave invaluable data to the committee and teachers. This data was used as one of the parts of the training for the remainder of the teachers. The program has helped already with raising awareness of students and staff to recognize bullying behavior, ways to intervene to stop it, support the student harmed by bullying behavior, encourage the bystanders, and help the student who is doing the bullying behavior to stop this behavior. Gordon-Barbour’s kickoff event is going to be Thursday, October 16, with both a day event for the students and an evening event for parents.
In March 2008, Prospect Heights Middle School, under the leadership of Mr. Frank Leech and Mr. Clint Estes, decided to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Prospect’s team is headed by Mr. Jasen Van Dyke and Mr. Davie Kothstall. The student questionnaire was administered in April. The steering committee held the first training for teachers on April 21, with another training in May. Prospect is in the process of scheduling their kickoff event. Of particular interest at the middle school level is cyber bullying, the phenomena of bullying using either the internet or cell phones by texting.
Boys and Girls Club of Orange has also begun to implement the program.
In July 2008, Locust Grove Middle School and Orange Elementary School had their steering committees trained.
Orange County Public Schools continue to help provide a safe environment for its students so they may flourish and learn.

Summer Programs
Summer Scholars - The Summer Scholars program is designed to provide an academic challenge for high interest/high ability students. One hundred seventy elementary-age children and 30 high school interns participated in the Elementary Summer Scholars’ program this year. During the week of July 7, the students studied subjects all related to the “Rock the Boat” theme - including everything from an exploration of outer space to water habitats on earth. All classes focused on small group, hands-on learning experiences and ended with a day-long field trip designed to bring learning into the real world.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Leadership Trip - Fourteen middle school students from both Prospect Heights Middle School and Locust Grove Middle School were selected to study the Chesapeake Bay watershed area as well as the bay’s fragile ecosystem with CBF educators. The students canoed inland rivers, met research scientists and conducted experiments throughout the watershed area on Port Isobel in the Chesapeake Bay as part of this week-long experience.