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December 2012
school days
Spotlight On: The GRAD/PLC Center A fresh start to an on-time graduation
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his year, Henrico County Public Schools launched two new program centers, the Generating Recovery of Academic Direction (GRAD) Center and the Performance Learning Center. The GRAD Center offers students a fresh opportunity to work in a small group setting to develop the skills and curriculum knowledge necessary to be successful, while a blended instructional model allows high school students in the Performance Learning Center to accelerate through coursework in a non-traditional setting to earn a high school diploma.
vironment where you may have had some problems…and we don’t focus on that, we focus on who you are and the person that we see when you come in our door. We are here to support you. For many students, because they had some challenges in their previous
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“For us, when students come into our building, everyone is given a fresh start,” said Christie Forrest, the principal at the centers. “You get to leave your home school en-
school environment, coming here gives them a new opportunity to recreate themselves.” According to Forrest, students don’t have to worry as much about peer pressure and are in more of a businesslike environment. Class sizes are a little smaller, and teachers are able to give students the individualized attention they need. Teachers devote more time to each student, and in turn, students are motivated to do better. The hope is that these centers will help empower struggling students and they will stick it out in order to graduate from high school.
“There is no stigma attached to needing support here,” Forrest said. Some students only need a few credits in order to reach the required amount to get a high school diploma. This environment allows them to complete the credits required with few distractions. As of October 2nd, the center had its fi rst graduate and according to Forrest, several more students are expected to earn diplomas before winter break. “We expect that the GRAD Center and Performance Learning Center will help to improve graduation rates for our students in Henrico County,” she said.
GRAD Center principal Christie Forrest and Communities in Schools liaison Jasen Cooper celebrated the center’s very first graduate, Christopher Orpiano.
Nuckols Farm named 2012 National Blue Ribbon School
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tudents looked like a sea of blue as they sat excitedly in the auditorium at Nuckols Farm Elementary during the school’s Blue Ribbon Celebration. The school held a ceremony and was visited by Deb Delisle, assistant secretary for the Offi ce of Elementary and Secondary Education from the U.S. Department of Education as well as many diplomats from around Henrico County. Nuckols Farm was one of seven public schools and two private schools in Virginia to be named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students perform at very high
levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of academic achievement. Since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored America’s most successful public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. “We are just so excited,” said Nuckols Farm Principal Mary Cox. “Nuckols Farm Elementary has a tremendous staff and community that are dedicated to excellence every day and the success of each one of our students. This award is such an honor and we see it as a springboard for continuing to grow and achieve.”
Henrico County School Board Diana D. Winston Chair Three Chopt District
Beverly L. Cocke Vice Chair Brookland District
Lamont Bagby Fairfield District
Lisa A. Marshall Tuckahoe District
John W. Montgomery Jr. Varina District
Dr. Patrick Russo Superintendent
Principal Mary Cox hugged Deb Delisle, assistant secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education from the U.S. Department of Education, during the Nuckols Farm Blue Ribbon Award Ceremony.
Contact Us
P.O. Box 23120 3820 Nine Mile Road Henrico, VA 23223-0420 804.652.3600 www.henrico.k12.va.us
Awards & Credits School Days is an award-winning publication produced quarterly by the Department of Communications & Public Relations of HCPS. If you have questions about this publication, call 804.652.3725 or email nnallen@henrico.k12.va.us.
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