CHS Gets Grant Money
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, October 5, 2010
CUMBERLAND – The Cumberland County School Board announced during its September meeting that the High School had received notification that it was the recipient of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant.
The 21st Century grant provides after-school and summer school enrichment opportunities for students as well as tutoring assistance.
Cumberland High School was awarded $180,000, said Chairman Dr. Christine Ross.
Superintendent Dr. Amy Griffin later petitioned the Board of Supervisors for the additional appropriation for the amount in Federal Funds during its Board meeting the next evening (Tuesday) and the appropriation was unanimously approved.
“We are very excited that we have been awarded this grant that will allow us to continue after-school and summer school enrichment and remedial opportunities for our high school students,” said Dr. Griffin at the Supervisors meeting.
The grant is a three-year grant with annual continuation awards.
The school division's Community Use Policy of Facilities (KG/KG-R) was also approved during the meeting.
According to School Board member George Lee Dowdy III, the Board and school administration have been working to update this policy throughout the summer.
“A lot of hard work has gone into this and I just want to thank Chip Jones (director of operations and finance),” he said.
The policy reads that, “the School Board may permit use of school property under its control when such use will not impair the efficiency of the school.”
“The Superintendent shall develop guidelines and applications for use of school property. Requests for the use of any school facilities shall be made to the Director of Finance and Operations. The division superintendent shall report to the School Board his/her actions under this policy.”
The policy also permits the use of the facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and the Girls Scouts of the USA to the same extent and same manner as all other persons or groups.
The Board did approve a Governor's School field trip to Staunton. The Governor's School English Instructor requested that Cumberland's students be able to participate in the overnight trip on October 1 through October 3.
The students will explore American history at the Frontier Culture Museum and expand their cultural awareness by attending three performances at the Blackfriar's Theatre and visiting other local museums and art galleries in Historic Downtown Staunton.
The cost to students is $140.
The Governor's School board approved the annual trip this summer, according to the request.
During the meeting, the performance pay recipients for the 2009-2010 school year were introduced to the Board.
Pay performance is the “most aggressive system in the nation for rewarding teachers,” said Elizabeth Jamerson while presenting the teachers. The program is focused on student achievement and teacher development.
Five teachers from Cumberland County Public Schools achieved performance pay status. Their outstanding performance demonstrates their commitment to the success of all children, she continued.
Those receiving performance pay were Suzanne Towler, Cumberland Elementary; Sue Shuart, Cumberland Middle School; Stephanie Lennon, Martha Olmos, and Jacqueline Rather-Terry, Cumberland High School.
Continuing with commitment of recognizing student achievement and accomplishments, the School Board recognized the “Student of the Month” selections from each of the schools.
The students recognized were Bobby Umberger, grade five; Vanessa Jones, grade eight; and Jacob Landis, grade nine.
“Meet the Staff” honors went to Addie Trent, Cumberland Elementary cafeteria manager; Amy Allen, middle school paraprofessional; and Daniel Goodman, high school teacher.
Ms. Trent has worked in the division for over 20 years and enjoys her job and seeing the students each day.
Ms. Allen is in her fourth year working at the division and previously worked as a reading assistant at the Elementary School.
Goodman is in his first year of teaching at Cumberland High School and teaches both English 10 and English 12.
Jason Saunders, manager of Cumberland's Subway, was this month's “Meet the Community” recognition. He is also a former student of Cumberland County Public Schools.
School Board member Doris Seal thanked the Junior ROTC for their involvement in the School Board meetings. The Board has also been inviting religious leaders from within the Cumberland community to open the meetings with prayer and a moment of silence since the new school year started.
“We've been looking to try to find different community leaders and business people to come into the schools,” she offered.
George Reid Jr. congratulated the performance pay recipients for their hard work.
“It's very difficult to get it…,” he said. “Congratulations to those.”
Dr. Ross reminded everyone of the successful golf tournament that the Cumberland County Public Schools Foundation recently sponsored.
She also spoke regarding the 21st Century activities that are listed for this semester at the High School, which are only offered because of the grant funding.
Ballet, jewelry making, 4-H archery, violin, stepping, and cheering are only a few of the enrichment opportunities that students can participate in after school. Tutoring is also available for those students who are in need, she added.
“That's an impressive list that rivals those other schools…,” she noted.
The Board decided to reschedule its next meeting to October 18 due to the second Monday of the month falling on Columbus Day. The school division will be closed on Columbus Day.