city schools
Hugh Mercer Elementary
Congratulations to the following students, whose artwork is on display at the School Board office, 817 Princess Anne St., this month: Caitlin Acors, Andrea Aguilar, Stephanie Catlett, Medinah Chavis, Claudia Gonzalez, Jennifer Gonzalez, Madison Hatton, Dontae Johnson, Amira Jones, Megan Lam, Zane Landeck, John Leahy, Shaya Mondillo, Lordina Nyarko, Madeline Rakes, Secoia Scroggins, Lauren Shelton, Anne Taylor, Candra Walker, Pearson White, Robyana Williams and Temple Wyatt.After-school karate classes continue every Tuesday and Thursday through May 18.
May 3 was a busy day at Hugh Mercer. Kindergartners hosted a tour of the school for Head Start students to prepare for their transition from preschool to kindergarten; first- and second-graders enjoyed the Virginia Opera's performance of "Little Red Riding Hood" and parent-teacher conferences were held.
We celebrated Cinco de Mayo May 5 and held our annual Gardenfest event. Families enjoyed a fun-filled evening of face painting, games, a cake walk and a spring concert by kindergartners.
Teacher Appreciation Week is this week. The PTA will treat faculty members to bagels for breakfast and lunch by Smokey Bones. Superintendent of Schools Dale Sander will provide a Domino's Pizza luncheon May 11, which is greatly appreciated.
Second-graders took Friends of the Rappahannock field trips yesterday and today.
Kindergarten registration day is May 10, 9-11 a.m., or 6:30-8 p.m. You may attend either session. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 30 are eligible to register for kindergarten. For a complete list of registration requirements, visit cityschools.com or call the school office at 540/372-1115.
Interim reports will go home with students May 11. The School Committee will meet at 7 p.m.
Students will help fight heart disease and stroke by participating in the annual "Jump Rope for Heart" event. They will jump rope during P.E. class and collect donations from sponsors to make a contribution to the American Heart Association. All collected money is due May 12.
Students will be dismissed early, at 12:45 p.m., May 12.
The Spring Book Fair will be held May 16-19 in the playroom, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Contact Julie Harris, reading specialist, at
Email: jharris@cityschools.com or 540/372-1115 to volunteer to work at the Spring Book Fair.
--Cindy Hurley
Lafayette Upper Elementary
Happy Nurse's Day to Diane Olivares tomorrow.
SOL testing will be ongoing until May 19.
There will be early dismissal May 12. Students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
There will be a PTA meeting May 16 at 7 p.m.
Students who took all the SOL tests in third grade will have a reward picnic May 17.
--Valerie Morgan
Walker-Grant Middle
The FBLA will collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids for the Lions Club to recycle during the month of May.
The Fredericksburg City Schools dentist is at Walker-Grant on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact school nurse Agnes Boutchyard if you have questions or need assistance.
Tryouts for the fall cheerleading squad will take place May 23. Practice sessions will be held May 16 and May 18, after school. Students may ride the activity bus home. Eligibility is open to sixth-and seventh-grade girls in good academic standing. A current sports physical must be on file before tryouts. Permission slips are available in the main office.
The SOL test schedule for next week is as follows:
Monday--Grade 8 Math
Tuesday--Grade 6 History
Wednesday--Grade 8 World Geography
Thursday--Grade 7 History
Friday--Grade 8 Science.
Please make sure your student is rested, fed and ready for these important tests.
Parent conferences will be held today from 4 to 6 p.m. Please contact Courtney McWhirt in our guidance department to schedule an appointment.
Interims go home May 11.
School will dismiss at 12:20 p.m. on May 12.
--Renee Embrey
James Monroe High
The band and orchestra went to New York City April 27-30 where they toured and then performed in competition. Both ensembles received a Superior rating and placed first in their categories. Calvin Roberts, cello; Blair Barr, piccolo; and Erin Tucker, oboe, received Outstanding Individual Solo awards and the percussion section received an Outstanding Section Award. In the Overall Ensemble Category, which includes all groups, the James Monroe band edged out the James Monroe orchestra by one point. The band placed first in the Overall Ensemble Category and the orchestra placed second.
At the regional competition in the seventh annual Black History Bowl, the James Monroe team won the championship and had a perfect score of 300. James Monroe defeated teams from Spotsylvania, Riverbend, Stafford and Courtland. The competition was held at Germanna Community College and sponsored by the Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. The JM team consisted of two sophomores, Omari Bailey and Jasmine Hines, and junior Larry Shields.
The 2005 Homecoming Queen, Chantel Baker, entered the American Homecoming Queen Pageant in Lynchburg. She was voted Miss Congeniality and won third runner-up for the title.
Prom will be May 27 at the Expo Center and the theme is Red Carpet Affair.
The last in the series of four Parent-School Connection meetings will be held May 31, 6-8 p.m. at Walker-Grant Middle School. The event will feature child care, dinner and a discussion panel as well as a keynote speaker. Contact Bill Carter at James Monroe High School for more information.
Stanley W. Cannedy has been selected as the Fredericksburg Optimist Club's Student of the Month for May.
Senior Honors Evening will be held June 6 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. The underclassman awards assembly will be on June 9 at 8 a.m., in the auditorium.
Students new to Fredericksburg City Public Schools can register between 3:30 and 6 p.m. on the following dates: May 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25. Contact Beth Ripley for details at 540/372-1100.
--Heidi Miller
county schools
Battlefield Elementary
The fifth annual Showcase of Excellence, "Above and Beyond," will be held May 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Courtland High School. The event, which will feature products created by students in Spotsylvania County's elementary, middle and high school gifted programs and the Commonwealth Governor's School, is free and open to the public.
The following SCOPE students will have work at the Showcase:
Fifth grade--Dhevyn Anderson, JoOnna Bleach, Madison Beatty, Tori Boles, George Decatur, Zachary Johnson, Robert Kreiling, Adam Nienke, Jason Sancen and Michael Selbe.
Fourth grade--Brittany Bolick, Nolan Bonner, Tommy Herrera, Brooke Hilbert, Morgan Jett, Katie Jones, Staci Reilly, Brielle Rivard, Matthew Swartz and Allison Weiland.
Third grade--Brittany Beach, Chance Jett, Noah Karkenny, Kelsie LaPore and Natalie Wilson.
--Patricia Spofford
Berkeley Elementary
Berkeley Elementary recently celebrated National DEAR Day, (Drop Everything and Read Day). The staff and students stopped all activity and conducted DEAR time from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Everyone's participation demonstrated the importance and joy of reading.
March's Good Citizens were responsible, respectful, cooperative, friendly, accepting, compassionate, honest and self-disciplined. They contributed to the classroom and school in many ways. March's Good Citizens were as follows:
Preschool--Makaila Perkins
Kindergarten--Elizabeth Brown, Sarah Hannah and Sloan Sheehan
First--Lillian Angold, Jacob House and Travis Shook
Second--Matthew McCarty, Jennifer Avila and Taylor Owens
Third--Erica Snyder, Austin Morris and T.J. Honaker
Fourth--Kayla Carpenter, Tiffany Stampfer and Danielle Chavarria
Fifth--Ashley Anglin, Charlie Barton and Rachel Ezzell.
The Spring 2006 Buy-One-Get-One-Free Scholastic Fair is here. Students can purchase books through May 11.
--Tammy Jones
Brock Road Elementary
The PTA will host bingo on the evening of May 19. Look for more information to come home with your child shortly.
Area home party consultants are encouraged to contact any PTA officer to arrange for a donation of items for the prize baskets. Any consultant who makes a significant donation of merchandise, for a prize basket, will be able set up a table at Bingo Night with their items displayed for sale.
Brock Road recognized its volunteers May 4 at a reception.
This month the school also recognized our two fabulous secretaries, Mary Jane Cranston and Jean Wright.
Congratulations to the following classes for earning the Golden Paintbrush:
Denise Boyd's fifth-grade class
Diana Wilhelm's fourth-grade class
Kate Terney's third-grade class
Sarah Eckenrode's second-grade class
Candice Berry's first-grade class
Neena Durham's kindergarten class.
--Elizabeth Berry
Chancellor Elementary
Mike Cornell led a teaching Chess Tournament April 29 at Chancellor Elementary School. In the first- through third-grade group, Colin Minor placed first, Keshav Patel placed second and Peter Nikitakis placed third. In the fourth- and fifth-grade group, Christina White placed first, David Pody placed second and Eric Savaria placed third. The Chancellor Elementary Chess Club fondly remembers their coach Caleb Santa Maria, who died recently. Caleb was a senior at Riverbend High School and volunteered many hours coaching and mentoring Chancellor chess students.
Sandy Azzarelli's third-grade class was the box-top winner for April. They collected 317 box tops. The last box-top collection day for the school year will be May 19.
The Book Swap will be held on May 16. Book drop off times will be from 8:20 to 8:50 a.m. May 11-12 and May 15-16. Students will have the opportunity to swap as many books as they brought in. Children's books only, please.
The Spanish word of the week was "cinco," meaning "five."
--Amy Clodius
Courtland Elementary
The following classes were named Spanish Stars for the week of April 24: Renee Maghee's and Elizabeth Weber's class, Val Williams' class, Jeanne Koch's class, Tonia Bond's class, Becky Murray's class and Billie Rae Drake's class.
April's "Jog For Fun" winners included Jan Millard's class, Val Williams' class, Jenny Glasgow's class, Sue Brooks' class, Vickie Neely's class and Mary Murphy's class.
The Cougar Cub Responsibility Banner for April was awarded to Jenny Tate's class, Marcy Mabry's class, Jeanne Koch's class, David Morgan's class, Becky Murray's class and Billie Rae Drake's class.
Courtland Elementary's faculty and staff received an ice cream social presented by Superintendant Jerry Hill and staff for making the largest donation by a single school to United Way this year. This is the third consecutive year that Courtland Elementary's staff has received this award.
Third, fourth and fifth grades participated in SOL review day May 3, 4 ,and 5.
Representatives from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation visited Courtland's fourth grade May 3 sharing a variety of information and artifacts depicting life in the early Virginia settlement. Sen. Edd Houck paid a special visit to the presentation.
Interim reports will be sent home Thursday with third-, fourth- and fifth-graders.
--Becky Murray
Lee Hill Elementary
The Good Citizens for "Respect" are:
Kindergarten--Ryan Renedo, Danielle Gray, Ricky Pereze Macia, Madison Cave, Bayley Furuie, Diane Garcia-Calderon, Colleen Caribardi, Yasmeen Khodary, Skye Curry, Cierra Allen and Gary Meyers.
First grade--Chris Greenup, Lauren Jones, Jared Johnson, Jordyn Keaton, Shyprecious Jordan, Darius Hatcher, Alyssa Wenzel, Juwan Harper, T.J. Finn, Aaron Stone, Nichole Childress and Brandon Buchanan.
Second grade--Milan Patel, Matthew Davis, Dae'von George, Alyssa Tallent, Tavian Williams, Esteban Rodriguez, Troy Nalley, Katie Whittaker, Leigh-Anne Narehood, Jared McFarlane, Victoria Griffis and Keara Williams.
Third grade--Itzel Gonzalez, Justin Lingenfeiter, Madison Curtis, Drew Alexander, Morgan Rodgers, Kamla DeCasseres, Travis Vogt, Rebecca Brown, Gus Little, Danielle Martinez, Devon Bartlett and Xavier Campbell.
Fourth grade--Megan Schoeman, Kimber Cheek, Cassidy McFarlane, Sequan Smith, Michael O'Donoghue, Alexia Smith, David Thalman, Cecil Tiblin, Erica Cunningham, Anthony Campbell, Dustin Schooler, Michelle Alty, Colleen Beaver and Shane Moore.
Fifth grade--Elaina Farmer, Austin Reis, Nigel Smith, Clarissa Sturdivant, Tre'von Williams, Karla Schooler, Nick Santiso, Sterling Schadewald, Kayleigh Murphy, Damien Beam, Adam Bousquet and Kailyn Sonnenberg.
At the volunteer breakfast April 14, John Cramsey was named Lee Hill Volunteer of the Year, 2005-2006. For his dedicated service to the school and students, Mr. Cramsey was presented with a certificate as well as a Lee Hill Lion blanket.
Pride Paw winners for April 28 are: Kenia Castilla, kindergarten; Jacie Ocasio, first grade; Hayley Hackett, second grade; Jon Charlton, third grade; Amber Neer, fourth grade, Joshua Hillmann, fifth grade and Katrina Schultz, staff member.
May 11 and June 1 are Spirit Days and Nights at the 5 & Diner in Central Park. In addition to treating your family to a great meal, a portion of the proceeds from the entire day will come back to the school.
--Lisa Ehmer
Livingston Elementary
The fifth annual Showcase of Excellence, "Above and Beyond," will be held May 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Courtland High School.
The event, which will feature products created by students in Spotsylvania County's elementary-, middle- and high-school gifted programs and the Commonwealth Governor's School, is free and open to the public.
The following SCOPE students from Livingston Elementary will have work at the Showcase:
Fifth grade--Ted Bailey, Chantz Ballard and Zachary Miller
Fourth grade--Dylan Jett, Sean Redmond, Victoria Reynolds, Mikaela Richardson, Brianna Stanard and Morgan Welter
Third grade--Ryan Brooks, Zane Bruce, Megan Hook, Nicole Ibinson, Brooklynn Thompson, Ryan Wagner and Shannon Wratchford.
--Teresa Baxter
Parkside Elementary
Fourth-grade students are invited to an SOL Game Night this evening.
Congratulations to the following students who scored straight A's during the past nine weeks: Lee Martin, Meredith Pugh, Flavia Coello, Andy Hanson, Brianna Smith, Chris Yang, Evelyn Huggins, Kevin Smith, Emily Kilpatrick, Caroline Mastin, Nicole Ochsenknecht, Hanna Gardner, Robby Morrison, Kenzie Raines, Heather Hughes, Maiven McKnight, Jason Lin and Drew Kelly.
The first-grade classes will be going on a field trip to Graves Mountain May 11.
May 10 is School Nurse Day. Many thanks to our school nurse, Lori Dykes.
All moms are invited to "Muffins and Mom" on May 12 from 8 to 8:50 a.m. in the school cafeteria. This special event is sponsored by the Parkside PTA.
Students will attend a special SOL Pep Assembly, May 12 at 2 p.m., to encourage and show support to all students taking the Standards of Learning tests next week.
There will be a PTA meeting May 16 at 5:45 p.m. in the library.
Students in grades three through five continue to prepare for the Standards of Learning Tests which will begin May 15. Please review the information provided by your child's teacher prior to the testing dates. Please remember to eat a good breakfast each morning of testing.
There will be no school May 29 in honor of Memorial Day.
--Susan Sinton
Riverview Elementary
In the "911 for Kids" second-grade program, Jacob Santos in Marsha Horner's class placed second. Jacob will receive a Red E. Fox puppet, "911 for Kids" T-shirt and a $20 gift certificate to FunLand.
Riverview Elementary recognizes the following local businesses and community members for their contributions to our school this year. We truly appreciate all you have done for Riverview. You make our schools better because you care: Paisanos, Designline Hair Studio, Virginia Heartland Bank, Papa John's Pizza, Red Hot & Blue, Tan-D-Monium, Cracker Barrel, Cafe Da Vanzo, Hampton Inn, CiCi's Pizza, A&W/Long John Silvers, Lee Hill's Golf Course, Outback Steakhouse, Domino's Pizza, Wytestone Suites, Union Bank & Trust, Richmond Braves, Camille's, Delightful Scents, Jennie Cavendish-Longaberger Consultant, Waite Furniture, Liberty Lanes, Set-n-Trendz, Saturn of Fredericksburg, Massaponax Carwash, Four-Mile Fork Sport & Health, Total Eclipse Paintball, Forest Greens Golf Club, Food Lion-Thornburg, WFLS, Hecht's-Doreen Gibbs, Chick-fil-A, Joy Market, Thornburg Shell, Pepsi Bottling Group, Mid Atlantic Coca-Cola, YMCA, Rose Auto Clinic, Ryan's Grill, Dairy Queen, State Employment Services, Paramount's Kings Dominion, Bev's Therapeutic Massage, Sara Hayes-Avon, Lew's Auto, Mark Irving, TarHeel Pig Pickers, Nikki Green, The Recreation Center, J&J Music to Go, Dave's Produce, Minnieland Daycare, Donald Holmes, Golden Coral, Wal-Mart Supercenter-Central Park, Wal-Mart-Massaponax, Starbucks, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Durango's, Fuddruckers, Joe's Crab Shack, Bath & Body Works, Carrabba's, Caribou Coffee, Marshall's Pool Water, Rob & Susan Weiderhold, Capitol Sheds, Dairy Queen, First Savings Financial, Unistaff-Bruce Rollins, Marquee Cinemas, Arby's, Luck Stone, Dave and Wanda McAllister, Culligan Water, Stat Temps, Eugene's Tire & Auto, Phoenix Masonry, Chopper's Towing, E&M Engines, Dickie Bettis, Thornburg Fire Department, Liberty Lanes, Stuffy Bear Factory and Lawn Medics.
--Kim Kirtner
Salem Elementary
Art students of the month for May are Sydney Linton, Ixora Guerrero, Rufus Robinson, Chelsie Gurley, Brianna Decatur and Destiny Morris. Their work was chosen by art teacher Susan Hill and is displayed in the front lobby of the school throughout the month.
Thomas Ziegenmeyer, a second-grade student in Beth Hagie's class, recently won honorable mention in the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center's Design-a-Saurus contest. He designed and colored the imaginary Virginia-saurus with a body shaped like the state of Virginia. Thomas won a ribbon and a family pass to the museum. The contest was judged by local artist Johnny Johnson and Thomas' entry was encouraged by SCOPE teacher Elaine Lavelle.
Second-grader Destiny Flemons won the Salem Parent of the Year Essay contest. She wrote a paragraph and drew a picture nominating her mother, Tonya Flemons, to be Parent of the Year. Destiny won a certificate and gift from Salem Elementary and her entry was presented at the district award ceremony sponsored by the Rappahannock Area Council for Children and Parents as part of the Blue Ribbon campaign to prevent child abuse. Destiny is a student in Beth Hagie's class.
--Lois Murdaugh
Spotswood Elementary
The following students earned Sparklers for doing their personal best during the month of April: Desirea Bumbrey, Dylan Emch, Andrew Morgan, Zhane Robinson, Nathaniel Moser, Sean Jones, Courtney Acors, Travis Sherman, Sara Carlson, Katja Collins, Zachary Kashawlic, Lance Brunson, Linda Kadem, Caroline Crossman, Greer Kane, Bengisu Isat, John Blankenship, Christopher Tong, Maddie Dameron, Kendall Courtney, Cansu Izat, Alison Mairena, Mason Kennedy, Stephen Shultz, Madelynn Allen, Corinne Simms, Gabby Marzullo-Dove, D.J. Edwards, Amethyst Greene, Whitney Cropper, Alex Barton, Zach Pokphanh, Cole Luttrell, Zhane Robinson, Ellie McCabe, Zach Harvey, Jasmyn Carr,Ashlynn Kile, Hannah Carse, Nicole Vogt, Rick Carey, Amy Lewis, Anika Metts, Jared Wunderlich, Tiara Johnson, Shelby Fooseness, Savannah Ratcliff, Hamya Kelly, Keith Heflin, Kennedy Culbreath, Shelby Emch, Shannon Wholey, Keonna Lee and Kylie Westerbeck.
--Devra Pickett
Wilderness Elementary
Wilderness had 83 entries in the Design-a-dinosaur contest.
Each student received a participatory ribbon. Four of our students received additional ribbons:
Fourth grade--Michelle Putze, second place; Collin Painter, third place.
First grade--Caroline Loving, second place.
Kindergarten--Zachary Short, third place.
Wilderness art teacher Cat Isham also participated in a contest. She received a letter stating that she is a finalist for the teacher division in the Jamestown 400th anniversary postal cachet contest. Her award will be one of 18 presented May 28 in Washington. There were 4,176 entries and 18 finalists were chosen.
--Susan Strawn
Chancellor Middle
Many kudos are being sent to Kim Armistead and Leslie Copeland. Armistead has been nominated by administration as the Mentor of the Year representing Chancellor Middle School, and Copeland will represent us as New Teacher of the Year. These two ladies have been like two peas in a pod for the 2006 session and have thrown out a safety net for their students by engaging them in being responsible for learning and behavior.
There were 11 teams entered into the 2006 Spotsylvania County Employee Softball Tournament. Freedom Middle School went undefeated throughout the tournament to capture the championship title. Chancellor High was runner-up with Parkside finishing third and Chancellor Middle finishing in fourth place.
Thank you to all our teachers for all you do. This is Teacher Appreciation Week. Please let your children's teachers know that they are greatly appreciated.
May 11 is School Nurse Day. Thank you to Ruth Kear for what she does for our students and staff members at Chancellor Middle.
Interims for B day will go home May 10 and Interims for A day will go home May 11.
Each month the teachers select several students that have conducted themselves in a way as to set the examples for others to follow. They speak and act civilly, avoiding insults, cruel remarks and rude language. They are courteous and considerate of others. They treat others fairly and display tolerance for others. They are overall wonderful individuals. Citizens of the Month of April are:
Sixth grade--Taylor Feducia, Muhammed Mehdi, Courtney Allen and Micheal Gilley
Seventh grade--Amber Lowman, Sam Marshall, Chris Chan, Mary Pearson, Kris Calhoun, Jane McGill, Sarah Cooper, Micah Pody and Rodolfo Falck
Eighth grade--Nika Walker, Danny Hearn, Christopher Cork and Aisha Austin.
--Sue Leiss
Ni River Middle
School plays will be presented May 23. A5 class performance is 6 p.m. with a 5:15 curtain call for actors. B5 class performance is 7:30 p.m. with a 6:45 p.m. curtain call for actors. All are invited.
Congratulations to the ladies of this year's track team: Mallory Barker, Jacqueline Benefield, Ashley Berry, Erin Brown, Erin Edmond, Ashley Edmond, Danielle Ennis, Sally Epling, Lindsey Goddard, Amanda Haislip, Ashley Herndon, Emily Huesgen, Chelsea Hurdle, Ashley Kauffman, Molly Keenhold, Katherine Lasica, Lenay Morgan, Megan Nargi, Assia Richardson, Casey Ridings, Emily Rudy, Olivia Schulte, Lillian Sidle, Nichole Taylor, Hailey Vinchiarello, Kaitlin Vose, Kaila Wilcox, Maggie Wilder, Beth Wilson and Michelle Woods.
Thank you to teacher Gary Banfield, who recently participated in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program scoring event held by the division.
Remember that May is SOL testing month. Online testing and paper/pencil testing has begun. Parents and students have been given calendars of testing schedules. Please make sure students are getting enough sleep, come to school on time and eat breakfast.
--Angie Branham
Spotsylvania Middle
Eighth-grader Mariah Harrison received second place for her poem in the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Teen Poetry Contest.
Interims will be issued for B Day classes on Wednesday and for A Day classes on Thursday.
In honor of School Nurse Day Wednesday, we thank our nurse Zoraida Rios for all of her hard work.
The Sixth Grade Fiddlefest will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Chancellor Middle School.
The following band members received excellent and superior ratings at the District XV Solo and Ensemble Festival held at Massaponax High School April 25. Receiving excellent ratings were: Rebekah Burke, Richie Cedres, Rachel Davis, Mitchell Harrison, Danielle Ingalls, Jacob King, Shelby Kuhl, McKaila McWhirt, Zachary Miles, Tony Nguyen, Alexis Ruthenberg, Sarah Sanford, Jessica Whiteaker, Kimberly Anthes, Lindsay Bates, Rachel Brown, Morgan Dickens, Caitlyn Freeman, Casey Guditus, Jennifer Heric, Jennifer Kau, Tavelle Scott, Brooke Turner, Mie'Leesha Washington, Chelsea White, Ben Burke, Danny Holland, K.K. Lilly, Elizabeth Limerick, Derek Oesterheld, Morgan Smith and Kevin Tolson.
There are still many overdue library books. All books are due June 2 and the last day for check out is May 26. Students should make every effort to return books on time so they do not end up on the county debt list.
The following homerooms received certificates for outstanding attendance for the month of April: David Highlander's sixth grade, 97 percent; Iris Shorts' seventh grade, 96.4 percent; and Vicky Bowen's eighth grade, 97.6 percent. Each student in these homerooms will receive a free candy bar courtesy of the SCA.
The following seventh grade students were tapped for membership in National Junior Honor Society. The induction ceremony will take place May 11 at 7 p.m., in the auditorium. Catherine Angelo, Kim Anthes, Monica Ashby, William Ashby, Carolyn Balkovetz, Lindsey Bates, Aaron Blackwell, Stephanie Bray, Benjamin Broman, Rachel Brown, Gabriela Burgos, Ashly Caceres, Megan Charles, Danielle Cooper, Morgan Dickens, Sydnie Duty, Nathan Ennis, Caitlyn Freeman, Casey Guditus, Eric Haynes, Jennifer Heric, Tori Hlusko, Emily Hoge, Casey Hollibaugh, Tori Huber, Chelsea Jenkins, Joel Johnson, Jennifer Kau, Blair Kline, Katherine Lara, Kirsten Lee, Krystal Lee, Kelsey Link, Jennifer Louie, Sarah McCoy, Michael McDougal, Lauren Newman, Stephen Oliver, Ashley Peregory, Robert W. Payne III, Courtney Rampey, David Richardson, Eddie Rossell, Katherine Santschi, Tavelle Scott, Justin Sisk, Kristen Smith, Morgan Teeple, Christopher Weber, Chelsea White, Anja Willging, Brittany Wilson and Sarah Young.
--Lisa Simmermon
Thornburg Middle
The seventh-grade Lions team won a $2,500 donation from the 2005 Redskin All Stars Community Service initiative. The team worked hard to improve our school by developing an outdoor flower bed. This project allowed the students to make connections to their Life Science and Civics classes, participate in a community service project, and take pride in their school.
Kaitlynn McLaughlin, Danika Diplama, Audrey Drent and Charlton Lam received the JAC award April 8 from the Falls of the Rappahannock Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American revolution.
Bobbie Alsop and her students Michael Ducic, Kayleigh Flynn and David Hall painted an American eagle Sept. 11 mural in the hallway at Thornburg Middle School.
The cast of "Schoolhouse Rocks!" give a special thank-you to Jill Cayer, Stacey Gardner and Tamara Perry. They were a huge help in making the play a huge success.
The Thornburg FBLA chapter has three state-level winners in this year's middle-level competition: Tyler Williams, first place for Career Exploration; and Quinn Hill and Shane Ponikvar, second place for Desktop Publishing.
--Amanda Minter
John J. Wright Middle
The following students attended the Greater Richmond 24 challenge Math Championship at Virginia Commonwealth University yesterday: Sixth-graders Garrett McNabb and Jessica Harker, seventh-graders Caitlyn Cappozi and Dillon Blount, and eighth-graders Luke Forbes and Chris Jones.
Creative Communications Spring 2006 Edition accepted poems for publication from several students. Chosen are: seventh-graders Cody Bliss and Keri Barton; and eighth-graders Chris Briggs, Rhen Brooks, Brooke Comfort, Sophia Daniels, Teresa Harpine, Angie Hays, Haylea Liggett, Amber Tellier, Celsie Hahn, Amber Harkins, Tara Holladay, Ashley M. Jenkins, Lynn Wolcott, Victoria Jones, David Justis, Robert Rey Barroso Layson, Hayley Perkinson, Zack Seekford, Tess Simms, Kayla Smith, Kate Sullivan and Elizabeth Woods.
"Final Dress Rehearsal," written by Jack Frakes and directed by Mark Jennings, was presented by the drama class and included the following actors: Samantha Corker, Timmy Mahanes, Skylar Griffith, Clarissa Sanders, Ashley Jenkins, Chelsea Carter, Elizabeth Woods, Tara Stone, Ashley Awlasewicz, Amber Althouse, Tykea Washington, Brianna Milam, Aaron Kinard, Kayla Smith, William Crawford and Amber Burcham. Chorus instructor Leon Lewis assisted with the sound set-up.
Interim reports will be issued Thursday. On Friday, the PTO will sponsor a social/movie for all students who are SWIPE free from 3 to 5 p.m. There is a $2 admission.
--Helen S. Cielakie
Riverbend High
Congratulations to the following Riverbend High School band students for receiving a Superior rating at the District Solo and Ensemble Festival recently: Jenny Bayless, Josh Beck, Kim D'Anza, Nathan Jones, Ariel Smith, Lyla Rumler, Daniel Flood, Kyle Pfeiffer, Whitney Highlander, Tori Soler, Rickey Blankenbaker, Ellen Gorski and Kristen Spruill.
The Riverbend High School Symphonic Band received its first Superior rating at the District Concert Band Festival in March.
The Riverbend High School Band and Chorus have been selected to perform at Disney's Magic Music Days in Walt Disney World. The chorus and a combined concert band will give a stage performance in Disney's Epcot Center and Magic Kingdom, and the Emerald Sound Marching Band will perform in the SpectroMagic parade in the Magic Kingdom. All of the students will participate in a workshop with Disney musicians. The students will travel to Orlando for their performances during Memorial Day weekend.
There will be a financial aid loan information night May 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Riverbend for all county students and their parents. Representatives from various banks, college financial-aid offices, collegiate funding services and other lending institutions will be on hand to advise attendees on the different types of loans, grants and tuition assistance program options.
--Mark Keith
Spotsylvania High
Five Spotsylvania High School students received honors at the SkillsUSA State Competition in Richmond April 29-30:
Kasey Campbell--first place, HVAC.
Aaron Faulconer--sixth place, auto maintenance.
Sharmain Lewis--fifth place, computer applications.
Michael Austin Perry--first place, electronics applications.
Eric Southern--fifth place, firefighter.
--Deborah Todd
private schools
Fredericksburg Academy
The fifth grade will travel to Washington today to complete a student-guided walking tour of the monuments and memorials. The field trip is part of their unit on war, remembrance and symbolism.
Parents of seventh-grade students are reminded that a mandatory meeting about the upcoming overnight trip to Port Isobel, an educational facility run by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, will be held at 7 p.m. tonight in the Theater.
The ninth-grade English classes have been studying the legendary story of King Arthur. Tying their knowledge of the hero King Arthur to their lives today, the students have selected modern heroes to research. They are pre-senting their heroes on myhero
This week, Latin students will visit the third-grade classes to help students learn correct pronunciations of the scientific names for animals they will study in the endangered species unit.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, the fourth-grade will present selections from two musical medleys. The students will perform a dress rehearsal for Lower School students at 11 a.m. Thursday.
On Friday, parents are invited to a presentation of second-grade students' classroom writing. Their work will be displayed on presentation boards, and students will read some of their poetry. They will also present Mother's Day gifts to their mothers.
Also on Friday, students in grades six through eight will enjoy a dance sponsored by the Middle School Council. The dance will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Sports Center.
--Beth Hunley
Fredericksburg Christian Schools
Fredericksburg Christian Preschool at Ferry Farm will have chapel on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. There will be an early dismissal at noon with no extended care on May 17.
At the preschool in Stafford today, some of the classes will visit the Bug Box. Others will visit tomorrow. Chapel will be held in room 10 at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday. May 17 will be an early dismissal at noon with no extended care.
Second-graders at the FCS lower elementary campus in Fredericksburg will visit the National Zoo in Washington on Thursday. On Friday, 2006 prekindergarten and kindergarten classes will sing in chapel.
At the Stafford campus on Thursday, Maria Lippart's kindergarten class will go to the Bug Box. Civil War Day will be held on Friday at the upper elementary campus in Fredericksburg.
The Middle School Spring Concert will be on May 16 at 7 p.m. at the high school. On Thursday, there will be the Senior Awards Chapel and the Prayer Partner Breakfast.
--Julie Shaeffer
Holy Cross Academy
HCA recently paid spiritual tribute to a sentimental favorite of the school community, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, at a weekly Mass prepared by Ellen Sandkuhler's fifth-grade class and celebrated by Father Edwin Perez.
Under Mary's inspiration, St. Montfort founded the congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom. During this ministry he began his apostolate of preaching the Rosary and authentic Marian devotion. He was one of the greatest apostles of the Rosary and by way of his inspirational book, "The Secret of the Rosary," he remains so today. St. Montfort's greatest contribution to the world is total consecration to the Blessed Mother.
There are many children from Holy Cross who once attended Montfort Academy, run with great devotion by the Daughters of Wisdom. Montfort closed its doors in June 1998, 50 years after it first began. It was the first school named for St. Louis de Montfort and this year's eighth-graders will be the last class to have attended Montfort Academy. They were mere kindergartners in the final spring of the school's existence.
Brownie Troop 3060 provided 38 Easter baskets filled with Easter cards, fruits and candies to the grateful and appreciative residents of Greenfield Nursing Home. Troop leaders Katherine Williams and Sandy Nini along with their caring and kind entourage of Brownies were able to visit and share with the residents their most precious gift themselves! Eula Chaves, Emily Dalton, Ana Doyle, Emily Firewicz, Catherine Johnson, Sierra Kelly, Exie Land, Summer Mayfield, Emily Pickerel, Caroline Strickland, Keely Trail and Mary Elizabeth Williams participated.
--Betsy Moran
St. William of York
The final general PTO meeting of the year takes place tonight at 7 p.m. A variety of topics will be discussed including elections of the new PTO board.
The seventh-graders will have their final bake sale of the year tomorrow during lunch to raise money for the eighth-grade trip.
The Scholastic Book fair takes place next week. It is buy-one/get-one-free so families can stock up for summer reading. Volunteers are needed to help run this event. Interested parties should contact Julia Simmonds at 540/286-1138.
The talent show will be on May 19. Rehearsal will be after school on May 16.
The PTO is sponsoring a school calendar for next year which will feature artwork by St. William students. Students interesting in entering their original artwork should submit color pictures on standard 8-by-11-inch paper. The back should include the student's name, grade they will be in next year, and for which month (or cover) their picture is to be considered. All submissions must be received by the office by May 24. In order to offset the printing costs there will be one page of ads. A business-card-size ad costs $20. Interested parties should submit a business card or 2- by 3-inch camera-ready ad along with a check made to St. William of York PTO. Space will be limited so ads will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A representative from the uniform company, Flynn & O'Hara, will be at school on May 22 for measurements and to take orders for next school year.
--Kathy Walker
St. Patrick
The students of Saint Patrick recently participated in the special Rainforest Adopt-an-Acre conservation project sponsored by the Earth Foundation. By selling T-shirts with various environmental images, the students raised enough funds to protect countless species in the rainforest, plus plants and animals in the Atlantic Forest. In the two years the school has been participating in this worthwhile project, the students have protected nearly 88 acres, including 34.7 acres last year, and 53.2 acres this year, far surpassing their goal of 50 acres.
Saint Patrick middle school students had a good showing at the Diocesan Science Fair April 29, at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington. Two students received special recognition for their inventions in the chemistry category: second place to Michael Edgerton and honorable mention to John Goonan.
Flynn & O'Hara will be at the school May 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. to measure students for next year's uniforms.
The final PTO meeting of the year will be held May 17 at 7 p.m. Voting for next year's Executive Board will be held during this meeting, which also will feature a pot luck wine and cheese party.
--Marcus and Theresa Vivona
Tree of Life Christian Prep School
The school year is quickly drawing to a close and students are preparing for final tests before summer break.
Students in grades five through eight are looking forward to a field trip to the Holocaust Museum later this month. Grades one through four will participate in a field trip to Maymont, at the same time.
--Janet Frank