Congratulations to Catherine Grossman, in Mrs. Tackett's 5th grade home room, for being the sixth student at Meadowview Elementary to reach the million-word reading goal! Catherine has always really enjoyed reading, and this year, she has particularly enjoyed reading several book series. The series that have captured her interest lately are The Daughters of the Sea by Kathryn Lasky, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. Catherine has also begun the Dragonsdale Series by Salamanda Drake and the Emily Windsnap books by Liz Kessler. This is the second year in a row that Catherine has met this amazing reading goal!

The Wallace Middle School Symphonic Band members are holding up “1” as they celebrate receiving an overall Superior Rating at the 2013Virginia Band and Orchestra Association State Concert Assessment held on March 13 at Virginia High School. The Wallace band performed three works from the approved state list while being adjudicated by a panel of three judges for their stage performance and an additional judge in the separate music sight-reading room. The students performed “The Big Circus March,” “Big Sky Roundup,” and “African Journey.” The Wallace Middle Symphonic Band is directed by Mr. Will Shell and Mr. Mark Collins.

Washington County Schools are reviewing textbooks for adoption. The school system will be adopting textbooks for Science (grades K-12).

The public is invited to review the materials at the Washington County Schools Central Office from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Deadline for reviewing materials is May 15, 2013.

For more information, contact Janet Lester at 276-739-3021.

The Wallace Middle School Science Bowl Team competed in the Virginia Regional Science Bowl Competition at the Jefferson Lab in Newport News on March 2, 2013. The team showcased their science and math knowledge and represented Washington County very well! The Wallace Middle School team placed second in their division and also made it to the double elimination rounds where it placed in the top eight teams overall. Students also got the opportunity to explore the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and enjoy an IMAX movie about the ocean. The students who competed against middle school teams from all over the Commonwealth of Virgina were: Sydney Eades, Megan Easterly, Brennon Kimbler, Kaitlyn Mullins, and Branson Street. The team was coached by Jessica France and Valerie Leonard.

High Point Elementary Kindergarteners have enjoyed incorporating technology into their math lessons this year! The students have explored a multitude of Internet games and activities to diversify their learning experience, and enjoy websites such as SmartExchange, Envision Math, Lakeshore, IXL.com, and teacher-made power points and games. These websites offer extended learning opportunities, and our students are excited about the different ways in which spiraling review and/or introductory lessons are presented. High Point Kindergarteners utilize these opportunities to maximize their learning in a 21st Century classroom, and the teachers believe that using technology lends itself to full classroom engagement.