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Vol. 7 No. 14 | Richmond Suburban News | December 1, 2021
Labor of love comes in sweet doses Washington Henry Elementary student provides lollipops at vaccine clinics
By Jim Ridolphi For Ashland-Hanover Local
By Jim Ridolphi For Ashland-Hanover Local
T
he latest CDC approvals has removed many doubts regarding vaccinations for children aged five and up. Unfortunately the fear of getting a shot for young children persists, but one insightful Hanover fourth grader has come up with a solution that makes that process easier for younger patients. With full belief in the old adage that a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, Washington Henry student Ava Rogers came up with a plan to make the vaccinations go easier for younger students seeking the shots. Ava’s grandmother, Jocelyn Crooker is a registered nurse and works for the Medical Reserve Corps doing vaccinations, and provided the inspiration for Ava’s mission. She was working at a vaccination clinic when Ava and her parents arrived her to get her a shot at Oak Knoll Middle School. Realizing the trauma getting a see SWEET, pg. 2
Teachers’ concerns aired as budget process approaches
Contributed Photo
Nine-year old Ava Rogers, a fourth-grader at Washington Henry Elementary School, bought and delivered lollipops to area vaccination clinics for distribution to kids after they received their shots.
In recent months, Hanover School Board meetings have been dominated by a set of issues that focused on mandatory mask policies and the treatment of transgender students and how they are treated in county schools. In reality, school officials are tasked with a variety of pressing issues, one of those involving the upcoming fiscal year (FY) 2022-2023 budget and how to address a growing list of items, including employee compensation and scheduling. Last month, a county teacher addressed the board regarding the lack of time provided for teachers to perform regular duties like planning future lesson plans and evaluating progress of students.
That teacher described Hanover teachers as overworked and overwhelmed, and asked board members to consider options to alleviate workload problems. Those concerns were echoed by Virginia Professional Educators Assistant Director John Szewczyk as he addressed the board at an earlier meeting. “Over the past month both Hanover Professional Educators and Hanover Education Association have been approached by our members with one overreaching concern. The number of nonteaching duties in Hanover County Public Schools has become overwhelming, not sustainable, and a deterrent to quality education,” Szewczyk said. see CONCERNS pg. 5
Hanover Fire-EMS stations once again bringing Santa Claus to your neighborhood HANOVER – Hanover Fire-EMS companies are once again planning to visit the communities they serve by bringing Santa Claus to visit during the much anticipated Santa Runs. The schedules are as follows:
ASHLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY Tuesday, Dec. 7 – Oakhill Estates Subdivision, Fox Mill Run, Melton Road, Ashland Heights Road, Ashglade Court, Cheroy Road, Cheroy Woods Subdivision, Mount Herman Farms, North Woods Subdivision, Country
Club Hills and River Run Subdivisions, Stanley Park Drive, Ashland Park Drive and Carters Hill Subdivision. Wednesday, Dec. 8 – Jamestown Road, Woodside Lane, Providence Subdivision, Woodside Estates Subdivision, Wintercrest Subdivision, Omni Park Place, Omni Apartments, Slash Cottage Subdivision and Lance and Bridle Subdivision. Thursday, Dec. 9 – South Center Street southeast side, Virginia Street, East Francis Street, 1000 block of Maple Street, Kilby Station Road, 100 and 200 block of New Street, MacMurdo Street, Arlington Street and Mist Pines Apartments, Maiden Lane,
Lee Street, 100 and 200 block of Robinson Street, Sedgefield Subdivision, Palm Leaf Subdivision, 500 block of Pleasant Street, Myrtle Street, Short Street, Randolph Street, Henry Clay Apartments, 300 block of Robinson Street, South Taylor Street, 300 block of New Street and Arlington Square Apartments. Sunday, Dec. 12 – College Avenue, Caroline Street, North Taylor Street, Calhoun Street, Louisiana Street, Macon Circle, Henry Place, North Cottage Green Drive, Trotter Mill Close Apartments, Hanover Apartments, Laurel Woods Apartments, Vaughan Road, see SANTA RUNS, pg. 2