Lights, Camera, Take Action Campaign

This morning we held a press conference at Manchester High School to kick off the 3rd year of the Lights, Camera, Take Action campaign. I would like to share with you some of my remarks:

“Good morning! Welcome to Chesterfield County and to Manchester High School – proud home of the Mass Communications Specialty Center and of the 2008-09 Lights, Camera, Take Action video winner Jamet Jackson! We are always happy to showcase our talented students. This particular opportunity provides our students with hands-on learning; but even more importantly, it gives our students a chance to make a difference in our society. I’m extremely proud of our students’ efforts to eliminate underage drinking. Their efforts are strong indicators that our School Board-adopted core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and accountability resonate with many of today’s youth. It’s a personal honor to celebrate their successes here today, in light of CCPS celebration of the 10th anniversary of these core values. CCPS is a strong supporter of this region-wide effort to provide a safe community for our students. What makes this effort and the message even more powerful is it is designed and delivered by students. Parents in the room remember the challenges of trying to get our children to listen to our sage advice. When my three children were growing up, they often seemed to receive messages much more positively when they came from their peers than from my wife and I. This campaign is a gift that takes advantage of positive peer pressure. I challenge not only our students, but schools across the Richmond metro area to participate in this campaign. One of our annual goals is to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment. I can’t think of a better way to support and nurture our students: they need to understand the great decision-making responsibility that has been placed in their hands. Again, welcome to Chesterfield County. Thank you for your efforts to make our county and region a safe place to live and work!”

Congratulations!

Good afternoon!

Thank you for everything you have done to ensure an exciting start to the 2009-10 school year. I had the opportunity to visit 10 schools this week, and everywhere I visited I saw clean facilities, well-organized classrooms and routines, on-task teamwork by employees, and happy, highly motivated and engaged students. Our community is blessed to have outstanding teachers, administrators and support staff helping to create a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment for our students. It is rare for educators to receive “positive” public feedback. So, I wanted to take time to share some of the many recent comments left on the school division’s Facebook page (no grammatical edits made to original postings):


We love all the teachers and office staff at Grange Hall! Mrs Sefrin is the BEST principal around :)

We have a 3rd grader at Gordon ES. We always feel like part of a family there and that everyone supports everyone's efforts. For example, we ran into a teacher that neither of my sons ever had at an event to raise money for charity. That teacher went out of her way to find my son the next week and commend him for giving his time to help others. That meant a lot to him. My younger son is very artistic and, thanks to his teachers, almost the entire faculty and staff knows about it. So many of them have commented on his art and encouraged him. When he is the next Maurice Sendak, he will remember these times!

The teachers and staff at OB Gates are the greatest! We are also fortunate to a have great principals and Mrs Mick, Mrs Evans and Mrs Linville help to keep everything running smoothly!!

My children and I are looking forward to another great year with the staff at Alberta Smith!

I taught Kindergarten at C.C. Wells years ago and just loved it! I miss seeing my fellow teachers and the wonderful kids. My kids go to Robious Elem. and Middle and we are so lucky to be a part of such a fantastic learning environment. Looking forward to another great year!

My grandson Tyler attends Providence Elementary . He is ADHD and at times has trouble with attending and acting out. The teachers and staff take the time to understand and help him daily.The prinicipal is loved and respected . I have noticed he calls every student by name and takes the time to talk or at least say good morning when he sees them.I want to thank everyone at Providence for taking the extra step to teach my grandson.Thanks with love from Tylers grandmother

My daughter will be going entering 5th grade at Enon Elementary, we absolutely love this school, from the office staff to the teachers they are all so friendly and professional!

I just graduated from probably the best high school in the county. whoo hoo! Go Dale!

Curtis is an exceptional school because of the courteous and professional staff as well as the very active P.T.A. Once your child enrolls you are welcomed and made to feel like you can make such a difference in your child's education if you take the time. My children are actually excited to go back and I think that is the best testament to Curtis!! ♥

All of my children have attended A.M. Davis. The teachers and staff have always been very helpful and accomadating to me, a parent with a disability!!!!

Let's hear it for the two new schools in Chester..E. Scott Elementary and E. Davis Middle. Way to go!

Beulah Elementary in is a wonderful school i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

At Swift Creek Elementary last year, I love that Dr.Bechtel listened to my Kindergartner's story and wrote me a personal note home to tell me what a great reader he was.

I love the people I work with at Curtis Elementary! Also, I LOVE the kids!!! My husband and I, as well as all five of our children and our oldest granddaughter attended Curtis. I am one of the lucky people in this world that LIKES their job!

The best thing about Matoaca High School is that the Special Ed department is awesome. They never get credit for all the love,attention,patience and time they put into their jobs. You never see Special Ed teachers get teacher of the year. Their jobs are 10 times harder than regular teachers. My son loves his teachers there and is looking forward to starting back.Thanks for all the wonderful Special Ed teachers at Matoaca High School. You are the best!!!

Teachers with big hearts!

MATOACA ELEMENTARY LOVES MY SON! He is a special needs child ...his teachers truly love him and see so much potential in him. What more could a parent ask?

I have 2 kids at Curtis and I love it! I don't have to worry about what teacher they will get because they are all so good. Awesome office staff too - Brenda, Diane and Karen do an amazing job.

Awesome students at Meadowbrook. Can't wait for the new school year!

We love Crestwood Elementary! Great teachers and staff! Looking forward to another great year in the first and third grades.


Again, congratulations on a great start to the new school year. To quote our president in his back to school message to America’s students: “I expect great things from each of you…. I know you can do it.” Best wishes for even better things to come.

Marcus Newsome

THANK YOU!

Partnerships between our students, parents, staff and the community are essential for academic success. One unique partnership we have formed is the From Crayons to Computers Store. The store is stocked with donations from small businesses, large businesses, community groups and individuals. This is a free store for our teachers who may take whatever they can use. Donations are tax deductible; only food and clothing are not accepted.

This year local businesses and the Chesterfield community have surpassed all expectations. We have received a record number of donations. On behalf of the school division, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to the store. Our teachers are very appreciative of the many different ways our community continues to rally in support of our team.

Thank you again and please don’t forget that the store is open all year. If anyone is interested in making a donation all you need to do is call 276-7407. Arrangements can be made for donations to be received at the store. If it is easier, arrangements can also be made for donations to be picked up.