News & Information

In December in our final “hard copy” issue of Spotlight, I announced that Spotlight would go on-line in January 2004.  Well, we are two months late, but Spotlight is now on-line.  Please review this current issue and send us your suggestions about how we might improve on it.  This new electronic Spotlight will be updated monthly and “breaking” news will be reported in real time.  I hope you enjoy this new medium of communication. 

Budget Process Status

On Thursday, February 26, the Superintendent presented the Portsmouth Public Schools 2004-05 proposed operating budget at a public hearing held at 7:00 PM in City Council Chambers.  The proposed budget is very much a “work in progress” because the General Assembly, which is still meeting in Richmond, is responsible for the majority of funding received by the school division.  Major new expenditures in the proposed 2004-05 operating budget include refunding the VRS $2.6million, salaries $3.5 million, technology $1.8 million, instructional supplies $1.1 million, and health insurance $1.0 million.

Capital Projects

Construction continues on our new Brighton Elementary School.  The project is somewhat behind schedule, but with better weather in the near future, we are optimistic that the pace will quicken.  Renovations for Hodges Manor Elementary are being bid a second time.  Due to the market effects of Hurricane Isabel, the bids received last fall were too high.  With the construction market returning to normal, we are hoping that the current bidding process will be more competitive.  The School Board will receive its first view of the architects’ drawings for the classroom additions at Lakeview, John Tyler and Churchland Elementary schools in March.

Portsmouth Schools Foundation

Fun – Food – Fantastic Auction Items. The Portsmouth Schools Foundation will host their Annual Auction on Saturday, March 20, 2004 at John Tyler Elementary School beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00. For information or tickets, please call Maureen Mizelle at 393-5356. Auction items are still needed. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Q & A

In this Question and Answer (Q&A) section of Spotlight, the Superintendent will answer questions submitted by our employees from across the school division.  If you have a question for Dr. Stuckwisch, send it to us at spotlight@pps.k12.va.us.

Examples

1.      Question: Will Spotlight really be updated monthly or will the same “moldy” news be posted on the screen for a year or more. Answer: We will update Spotlight monthly.  If we fail to do so, please bring it to our attention.

2.      Question: Can I print out Spotlight and distribute it to my “less than technical” friends?  Answer: Yes, please do.

Mark your calendar

March - Music in our Schools and Youth Art Month

·         09 – Early Release for Students/Parent Conference Day

April

·         2-5 – Spring Mid-term exams

·         06 – Early Release/Teacher Workday

·         12-16 – Spring Break

May

·         4 – Make Up Day/Schools Open (originally Election Day)

·         31 – Memorial Day/Schools Closed

Staff Recognition

Dr. Marie Bittner, Social Studies Supervisor, and Kelly Bowen, Social Studies Instructional Specialist, in conjunction with Tidewater Community College, were recently awarded a one million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education entitled Teaching American History.

The Portsmouth Schools Foundation Wellness Day Scholarship 2003-2004 recipients are:  Christina M. Castle, Westhaven Elementary School; Michael Craig Hill, I. C. Norcom High School; Kennie Jeffcoate, John Tyler Elementary School; Marcy McLeod, Brighton Elementary School; A. Ruth Okoye, Brighton Elementary School; Patrick Mark O’Neal, Brighton Elementary School; and Terry Thomas-Kuhlman, Cradock Middle School.

Congratulations to Hunt-Mapp Middle School on their 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant award from the Virginia Department of Education. Hunt-Mapp’s proposal – “Project STARS” (Students Together Achieving Real Success) – will receive $125,000 during the 2004-2005 school year to implement an after-school program focusing on academic enrichment, arts and music education, mentoring, and recreation.

Student Recognition

Nikos M. Cox, a sophomore at I. C. Norcom High School, and Jessica N. Jones, a senior at Churchland High School, were named Portsmouth’s first Outstanding Young Citizens of the Year. Both were honored recently by the city’s Youth Advisory Commission.

As their community project, the Churchland High School DECA is working with Hoffler’s Creek Wildlife. DECA students raised money within their school for Hoffler’s Creek’s Rain Barrel. Lowe’s of Portsmouth provided materials. On January 10, 2004, students, parents, and teachers began building the rain barrel system and completed this part of their project on January 17, 2004. Churchland DECA advisors are Marrita Gotz, Annette Mays, and Diane Snellinger.

Wilson High School senior, Khadijah Whittington, was one of two local students selected to receive the Ace Parker Athletic Award of Excellence. The awards are given to the area’s best all-around athletes by the Portsmouth Sports Club and will be presented at the upcoming 58^th annual Jamboree. Whittington has accepted an athletic scholarship to North Carolina State in basketball.

Bits-n-Pieces

Snow wasn’t the only thing that arrived during the months of January and February. Central Office personnel heralded the arrival of three grandchildren.  A grandson, Jack, was born to Dr. David Stuckwisch’s daughter Jill, on January 17, 2004, weighing 7 lb. 2 oz. and 19-1/2 inches long. A granddaughter, Rachel, was born to Ginny Derr’s daughter Beth, on January 15, 2004, weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 19-1/2 inches long. A grandson, Ethan, was born to Suzanne and Skipper Duck’s daughter Elaine, on February 3, 2004, weighing 9 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long. Congratulations Grandparents!

The Spotlight is published by the Portsmouth Public Schools Office of Communications. Publication of information in this newsletter constitutes official notification. The Portsmouth Public School Division does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, creed, marital status, age or disibility in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA regulations. The Director of Human Resources (757/393-8239) is responsible for coordinating the division’s efforts to meet its obligations under Section 504, Title IX, the ADA, and their implementing regulations.

Visit us on the Web at

http://pps.k12.va.us