1. education
2. school

“Academic
Excellence—
Investing in the
Future.”
APPOMATTOX
COUNTY HIGH
SCHOOL
198 EVERGREEN
AVE.
APPOMATTOX
VIRGINIA
24522
434-352-7146
Newsletter
designed by:
Hilary
Hollandsworth
Raider Digest
D R .
M A R T H A
P R I N C I P A L
Q U A R T E R L Y
J .
E A G L E
N E W S L E T T E R
M A R C H
2 0 1 5
Spring is finally here!
We made it through the coldest February in history, the 1st nine weeks/quarter of our 2nd semester, and
the new extended schedule. With only a few more weeks until Spring Break and our normal daily
schedule, there is excitement in the air. Spring is a beautiful time of year. The spring sports season is
underway. We have some awesome athletic teams and we hope you will come out and support the
Raiders! With only nine weeks left until the end of the school year, seniors are finalizing their plans for
college and careers; underclassman are finalizing grades, projects, and their studies as they prepare for
the spring SOL tests; and staff are wrapping up their goals for the year while making plans for the coming August.
Parents/guardians, please continue to encourage your students to be the best they can be EVERY DAY!
Please continue to encourage on-time attendance to school, arriving prior to 8:10 so they are in class on
time. Encourage them to apply themselves EVERY DAY to their academics and activities and strive
for more. Encourage them to advocate for themselves when they do not understand and to stay for tutoring or remediation as needed. Our staff will be diligent with the facilitation of engaging lessons and
preparing our students for AP testing, SOL testing, exams, and the transition to summer. We all need
to work as a TEAM to provide the best learning experience for each student.
INSIDE
LOOK
Project
Learning
2
March Events
3
Families, teachers, administrators, and students working together to achieve great goals is what we
should all be proud of! I wish the Senior Class of 2015 the best of luck and remind them –
Attitude is Everything – Possibilities are Endless – Go and Believe!!!
Students
volunteer
4
Swim Team
5
Juniors
Spolight
5
FFA News
6
Pictures of
Raiders
7
Seniors Info & 8
Calendar
Educationally yours, Martha J. Eagle, Ed.D.
SOL Schedule:
May 7
1st block SOL 8:15 – 11:35
May 8
2nd block SOL 8:15 – 11:35
May 13
3rd block SOL 8:15 – 11:35
May 14/15
4th block SOL 8:15 – 11:35
It is very important that all students are present for their assigned SOL and assigned
exams. Students cannot leave the classroom or area during testing unless an
emergency.
Exam Schedule for May 20 and 21 ONLY:
8:10-8:15
Students Leave Cafeteria
8:15-10:30 First Block (May 20) & Second Block (May 21st)
10:35 – 1:15 Third Block (May 20) & Fourth Block (May 21st)
1:15
Dismissal of walkers, drivers, and students leaving on 1st and 2nd bus loads
1:25
Dismissal of students leaving on 3rd and 4th bus loads
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2
Classroom Spotlights & Students’ Hard Work
As a post SOL activity, Mrs. Voorhees’ World History I classes took on a Project Based
Learning (PBL) assignment. The students created fictional villages using real-life details
from any places and times in history. The PBL entailed the students expanding on learned
content by researching, gathering and organizing information, and choosing how to express
what they learned. Projects were then shown on an exhibition day with family,
students, teachers, and school administrators invited.
The activity required much documentation, and specific criteria was set with the goal of
expressing political, social, and economic features for each village. The “To Make A Village” PBL activity proved rewarding on many levels. Projects involved a variety of materials- everything from wood to electronic programs. The students’ imaginations and
creativity were unbounded, and visitors to the exhibition were impressed.
-Peggy Voorhees
Learning by Design
Early Childhood Students have been working hard to apply their understanding of the elements and principles of managing a safe, ergonomically
and developmentally appropriate space, room arrangements, and equipment needed in early childhood to create their own unique room designs.
Throughout the project, students learned about appropriate colors, fixtures, placement of centers, the needs of the students, safety, and developmental needs for an effective pre-school classroom or day care.
Students also created an advertisement for their program and introductory
letter for new parents which had to include items such as curriculum
goals, tuition costs, and teacher ratios.
Students in Early Childhood II had to show materials that would be used
throughout the building such as carpet samples, window treatments, and
materials to purchase. These students had to complete a blue print of the
entire building and act as the Director of the Center.
You can see the students’ project based learning models in the
ACHS Library.
- Ronda Matthews
RAIDER
DIGEST
What’s happening in March?
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3
March is National Athletic Training Month. Here at ACHS we are fortunate to have Mr. Mike Shetley
assisting our student athletes as well as teaching an Intro to Athlete Training Class.
From the NATA:
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and
medical conditions. Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention,
first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition.
Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. More
than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.
Mr. Shetley and his class will be raising awareness by conducting blood pressure
checks during lunches in March. They will also prepare a bulletin board promoting awareness.
–Alison Paulette
March is Youth Art Month!
Be on the lookout for special art displays around
the school. Visit the art department every Friday
during lunch for “Interact with Art!” You will get
a chance to make your own art and participate in a
community art project.
Mrs. Donghia shares her Travel Experiences
with Students
My trip to Chile, South America, was amazing, especially since it was summer there. The trip was long, about 15 hours, but it was
worthwhile. I had the chance to visit my immediate family and visit some beautiful places like important government buildings, etc.
And the trip to southern part of Chile called “La region de los Lagos”—AMAZING!!!! (A bit colder)
I have been sharing my experience with some of the classes at the high school and the middle school by doing presentations. Students are enjoying it. They are asking questions and have shown a lot of interest in the idea of traveling and visit other countries.
-Margaret Donghia
APPOMATTOX COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
VOLUNTEER FOR THE SESQUICENTENNIAL
Training has continued for the eight students from ACHS who
will be volunteering as National Park Service Guides for the
Sesquicentennial at Appomattox. The students, Kayla Callaham, Anna Conrad, Adam Fleshman, Kaleigh Goin, Kaitlyn
McCleese, Nicholas Servis, Mary Thomas, and Anna Paige
Wingfield have been training for the program since December.
In the preparation to become official Park Service Guides the
students have already gone through eight hours of class room
training, twenty-four hours of job shadowing with park rangers,
plus over forty hours of additional training with historians at
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Petersburg
National Battlefield Park, Sailor’s Creek State Battlefield Park,
the Museum of the Confederacy, and other historical sites along
Lee’s Retreat. In April, the students will be battlefield guides
and historical interpreters at the McLean, the new Appomattox
Battlefield Park in town, and other sites around Appomattox
Court House National Historical Park and at other events sponsored by the Park Service and Appomattox 1865 Foundation
taking place in and around the town of Appomattox.
After the events in Appomattox, the Appomattox
County High School students will get to travel to
Washington to participate in
the Sesquicentennial events
at Ford’s Theater, as well as
getting a behind the scenes
tour of several Park Service
sites, the Smithsonian, and
the Capitol Building.
Sue Cochrane of the Appomattox 1865 Foundation has
been instrumental in getting the program launched, along with
Additionally, the volunteers have partnered with Cardozo Education Campus, a public magnet school for gifted students in
Washington D.C., to “cross train” as Park Guides for Ford’s
Theater, the site of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
the help of Park Rangers Ernie Price, Alyssa Holland, Chris
Bingham, and other park service, state park, and Museum of
the Confederacy historians and personnel. Ranger Chris
Bingham, who will be one of the featured speakers during the
Sesquicentennial celebration in April, has been acting as the
group’s battlefield guide, along with Ranger Alyssa Holland,
who has been handling most of the student training within the
park. During the Sesquicentennial in April the student volunteers will get to interact with and teach thousands of visitors
from all over the country and the world and have an opportunity to teach them about the rich history and the significance of the events that occurred in Appomattox in April of
1865. Teachers Jackie Johnson, Joseph Servis, and Peggy
Voorhees, as well as students Harry Caldwell and Katelin
Savage have also volunteered to help out during the Sesquicentennial through the Appomattox 1865 Foundation.
-Joe Servis
Photos by: Kaitlyn McCleese
ACHS Main Office—352-7146
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4
Students LEADING the way
The swimmers had a fantastic state meet. The girls team placed 10th and
had some great time drops. All of the girls either dropped time in an individual event or were part of a relay that dropped time. The teamed
peaked when it was needed. The morning and the afternoon sessions
were both lengthy and made for a long day. It would have been very easy
for the team to falter a little in finals, but the swimmers did an excellent
job cheering and keeping each other motivated.
200 Medley Relay (Thomas, Lawson, Drinkard, Austin) – 9th Place
400 Free Relay (Karleigh Moore, Austin, Thomas, Drinkard) - 8th Place
Lauren Lawson
17th 100 Breaststroke
Caroline Thomas
17th in 100 Butterfly
14th 100 Backstroke
Gillian Fanney
15th 100 Breaststroke
-Brian Hofman
Junior Class Spotlight
The local chapter of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary generously sponsors two female students from ACHS to represent our area at Girls State. This year’s delegates are Whitley Drinkard and
Bethany Walker. They will attend a week full of events at Longwood University this summer, including hosting a
mock government with elected officials, meeting local and state government representatives, and learning more about
citizenship, leadership, and government.
The local chapter of the American Legion interviewed and selected the following males from ACHS to represent our
area at Boys State, Peyton Tolley and alternate Adam Fleshman. Boys State is a week-long program held at Radford
University during the summer. It is designed to develop the leadership experience for these young men and provide a
working knowledge of government. Delegates gain a better understanding of the political process and run a mock government with elected officials.
The local chapter of the American Legion selected Mary Thomas to represent ACHS at the Junior Law Cadet program
to be held this summer in Richmond, VA.
-Karen Richardson
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6
FFA News
Two students from the Appomattox County High School FFA chapter recently competed in
the HUB Federation FFA Tractor Troubleshooting Career Development Event. CJ Paulette
and Cody Sams represented ACHS FFA at the federation-wide contest. The team competed
against teams from across Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell Counties. Liberty
High School FFA in Bedford County hosted the event. Paulette and Sams completed a written exam about tractor operation, safety, and repair. During the practical part of the contest,
they found problems with different tractors and later repaired a tractor. Paulette and Sams
were able to successfully troubleshoot a Massey Ferguson tractor; finding and fixing engine
and electrical problems. The students placed 1 st in the contest and will advance to the
Southside Area contest this spring. FFA Advisor, Ed McCann, coached the Tractor Troubleshooting team.
A number of FFA members participated in the 2015 FFA chapter Small Engine troubleshooting Career Development Event. Students were required to troubleshoot a small gasoline engine, identify over 100
engine parts and tools, complete a written exam, measure items with a micrometer, and look up engine part
numbers and prices. Heath Watson placed 1 st, Jimmy Brightwell placed 2nd and Angel Warren placed 3rd.
Watson advanced to the HUB Federation contest. The event was held at Liberty High School in Bedford County. All chapters in Appomattox, Amherst, Campbell and Bedford Counties were eligible to participate. Watson placed third place in the Federation contest. He was coached by his FFA Advisor, Elizabeth
Duncan.
Several students from the Appomattox County High School FFA chapter and
Appomattox Middle School FFA chapter competed in the HUB Federation
Crops Judging Contest hosted by Liberty FFA in Bedford County. Team
members were Adam Fleshman, Dylan Geesaman and Stella Mason. During
the contest, they were required to identify over 100 crop and weed plants and
seeds. In addition, they were required to evaluate 4 different samples of crop
seeds for quality. Each of the teams performed well in the event. Fleshman
was the 2nd high individual in the senior division. The crops judging team
placed 2nd overall.
Lastly, Jordan Moore represented the high school chapter in the HUB Federation Senior Prepared Public Speaking Career Development Event that was
hosted at Monelison Middle School. Jordan’s speech was on the overregulation of the tobacco
industry in the Southeastern United States. She worked with area tobacco producers to research
the different requirements. Jordan placed 2 nd in the contest.
-Elizabeth Duncan
Mrs. Duncan’s Agricultural Power Students have
been hard at work the beginning of March, creating
hydraulic arms. The students first had to create a
design for their arm that will lift and grab a cup.
FFA members are encouraged to sign up for spring events on the bulletin board
outside of the agriculture classes. The following days are important:
March 25 – Southside Area Rally
March 31 – HUB Federation Dairy Judging
April 3 – State & American Degrees, Proficiency Awards Due
April 22 – Little Farmers Day at APS
April 22 – Chapter Officer Interviews
May 1 – State Convention teams due
May 2 – Central Virginia Livestock Show
May 4 – FFA Banquet at ACHS Cafeteria
May 15 – State Convention money due
June 22-25 – State FFA Convention
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Raiders
Medford Basketball
SMILING FACES IN THE CROWD
7
PAGE
8
App Provides Mobile School
Information
The Appomattox County Public Schools’ app is available in
iTunes and Android stores. Parents and students can access
grades, attendance, sports events, menus and many other informational items.
In order to access personal student information through the Parent Portal, the parent or student
would need to see Mrs. Watson in the guidance office to get student
access. The general public can use the App for news, sports, and general school and division announcements. Download the app today!
-Susie Fisher
Baccalaureate Committee Meeting
Do you want to be involved in helping the Senior Officers plan
this annual event for Sunday, May 17? Does your church pastor
want to be involved? Please contact Mrs. LaToya Graves at 3527146 to give your name and number and we will let you know the
upcoming meetings.
THANK YOU!!!!
Important Dates to Remember:
April 2 – Spring Music Concert
April 6 – 10 – Spring Break
April 13 – After School Remediation Begins
April 20 – Regular Daily School Schedule Resumes – dismissal at 3:15
April 25 – Prom
April 30 – Senior Trip
May 2 – SAT Testing @ ACHS
May 4 – AP Testing begins
May 7 – SOL testing begins
May 11-13 – Senior Exams – No altered schedule
May 14 – Senior Graduation Practice and Senior Class Day
May 15 – Senior Picnic – Trip to Richmond
May 17 – Baccalaureate Ceremony
May 18 – Graduation – LU Vine Center – 7:00
May 20 – Underclass Exams – 1:15 Dismissal
May 21 – Underclass Exams – 1:15 Dismissal
May 21 – Last Day of School
June 13 - ACT Testing @ ACHS