Author Archives: pgretz

Superintendent Meets with the Operations Department

I’m thankful for Dr. Lane taking time this afternoon to meet personally with members of the operations team to fully explain recent budget decisions and changes to the health care premiums. Despite a 12% increase to our health care rates, … Continue reading

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New Licensure Requirement for Teachers

The General Assembly has passed a new regulation requiring specific first aid training for all teachers. As of July 1, 2013, anyone seeking initial licensure or renewing a teaching license will need to be certified in emergency first aide and … Continue reading

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Showing our Appreciation for our Cafeteria Managers

It’s School Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week in Virginia. Our sincere gratitude goes out to all of our dedicated cafeteria employees and to Lisa Landrum, Supervisor of School Nutrition. Lisa has been recognized statewide for her innovative approach to school nutrition, … Continue reading

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Hard Fun

One of the topics that finds its way into so many of our strategic planning and mission/vision conversations this year is the idea of what Seymore Papert calls, “Hard Fun.” A few nights ago, during a school board work session … Continue reading

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School Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week Coming Soon…

School Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week is May 6-10, 2013.  Please join us in recognizing the important contributions that school nutrition employees provide to the success of Virginia’s students.  Celebrate the professional commitments made every school day by school nutrition employees … Continue reading

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Play On, GHS Guitar Club…

Check out the GHS Guitar Club! The Guitar Club met again this week for another unbelievable session. Guitarists took turns sharing tunes they had worked on, teaching techniques and discussing different instruments. All styles and ability levels were up front … Continue reading

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Celebrating Inspiration Mentors at BES

Volunteer mentors gathered for a celebration of their work with students today over lunch at Byrd Elementary School. Mrs. Albert coordinates the program which pairs mentors with both male and female students. One gentlemen, now retired, offered that “this is … Continue reading

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Learning with the Community on Arbor Day

Third graders gathered at GES today to celebrate Arbor Day. Representatives from Dominion Power, Fire & Rescue, and other community members volunteered with small groups of students, teaching them about fire safety, proper cultivation of trees, and much more. Third … Continue reading

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Operations Department Climbing the Functional Ladder

We spent considerable time talking this morning in our Operational Department Leadership meeting about the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Many of you are aware, Lencioni’s theory is that teams function (or don’t) according to a hierarchical pyramid of behaviors, … Continue reading

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Guitar Club Going Strong

The GHS Guitar Club met again last week. Three new guitarists joined us, one of whom was Mr. Getter. The club continues to deepen in the experience and styles represented. Mr. Getter shared a couple of original ideas that dated … Continue reading

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