We continue to be excited that Goochland County Public Schools (GCPS) is piloting an online, virtual school program for the 2014-2015 school year.  We know  a few of our homeschool parents have expressed an interest in online courses provided by GCPS recently due to rising costs from some of the current providers of online homeschool curriculum.  GCPS is utilizing an online education program, Edgenuity, to provide an appropriate education for 6th through 12th grade virtual school students.  Students can complete all core academics, foreign language, health & physical education, as well as elective courses online while at school or at home. Upon completion of diploma requirements including verified SOL credits, students can even be awarded a GCPS high school diploma.

Even as we begin the month of October, students may still be accepted into our new pilot program.  We are accepting students on a first-come, first-served basis this year only. We are starting with ten full-time and five part-time students. Those accepted into our virtual school are required to maintain grades of A’s or B’s each quarter and to report to the middle school or high school only for SOL testing as part of these courses. Students must enroll at least part-time through GMS or GHS and pass all SOL exams with a score of 500 or above to remain in the virtual school program.

GCPS staff will regularly monitor each student’s progress in Edgenuity and inform parents and appropriate staff if standards are not met each quarter.  If standards are not maintained, the child must return to a home school or public school setting.

If you and your child(ren) have an interest in the program, please contact Mr. Tom DeWeerd at 804-556-5627 for more information.

Teachers — When we return from Spring Break, we need to start with a celebration!  Yes, celebrate the learning we have accomplished this year… make the return to school fun!  There will be only 7 weeks of school remaining and look what we have all we have done this year!

This is the idea generator!

VSBA Bullying Prevention Month- January 2014

Watch this video and let’s work together to prevent bullying in GCPS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz42EuWNfo4&feature=youtu.be

Courageous risk-taking can spur creativity… support our GHS students in this Project Based Learning experience!

Big Bold Bulldog Grand Opening Flier

A team of Goochland educators attended a talk this morning, “Emerging Educational Technology” by Richard Culatta, Director of the Office of Educational Technology for the US Department of Education.

He made sense and challenged us.  Earlier this year he gave a similar talk “Reimagining Learning: Richard Culatta at TEDxBeaconStrett.”   Please listen to him.

Our technology team here in Goochland accepts the gauntlet he has thrown down about personalized learning.  While we acknowledge the challenges facing us, we get excited imagining the future.

One never knows how much we can change the life of our students.

After fleeing violence in Liberia, Shadrack Boakye arrived in the US at the age of nine. He started school with limited English skills, and quickly fell behind his peers. By age 14, he was placed in special education with little hope for graduation.

Entering Mrs. Murphy’s READ 180 class changed everything. Shadrack’s skills improved, as did his confidence once he discovered an “addiction” to success. He started writing about his experiences and hasn’t stopped since. He’s now a college student, public speaker, and playwright

Although Mrs. Murphy is not at Goochland Middle School (GMS), we  have a read 180 program at GMS.  And although Shadrack was not a Goochland student, the real meaning of this story from the Read 180 Community is what can happen when teachers are optimistic about students and don’t give up on them.  

Optimism — A value in Goochland Schools.

Listen to one young man recount  how optimism changed his life.

Dear GCPS Staff,

Today is National Teacher Day, when teachers all over America are recognized and celebrated. Please join me in expressing sincere gratitude and admiration for the inspirational work our teachers do each day to bring education to life in the hearts and minds of our students. The instructional staff of Goochland County is without question the finest with whom I have ever worked. I am honored to live and work in Goochland among such exemplary teachers. Our community is fortunate to have a team of selfless and dedicated professionals moving forward each day to advance the educational experience of every single student.

On behalf of the GCPS leadership and school board, I wish you a very happy National Teacher Day.

Thank you for all you do for this great county.