2011 James River High School SYATP photos of students, staff, and supporters.

Submitted by Debbie McAllister

Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez made a big splash at Virginia Tech

Son and father duo, Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen previewed their new movie “The Way” last night Sept. 28 at Virginia Tech. LBHS  graduate Brian Benson sent us this picture from his cell phone. 3,200 students had tickets to the event.

Roanoke Times reporter Mike Allen had a story today.

A storage yard would keep these pieces of equipment out of sight on Lee Highway N, but an SEP must be issued.

A request for a special exceptions permit for a storage yard at 7682 Lee Highway N has been tabled for 60 days. Susan E Foutz had applied for the permit to operate a storage yard on property where heavy equipment is currently stored. A public hearing on the matter was held on Sept. 27 in the evening session of the Botetourt Board of Supervisors.

Tabling the matter allows the owners to spend more time  formulating a professional  plan to comply with the county code’s 25. 486 for landscape screening and for 25.601 requirements for a storage yard. Some concern by local residents for water quality have been noted. Another land owner in near Buchanan referred to the Storage yard as a junk yard. The planning commission turned down the SEP on Sept. 12.

Tim Ward  director of planning and zoning said the matter has both opponents and proponents but most of the 40 that showed up for the public hearing were supporters of the SEP being granted.

The Church of the Transfiguration in Fincastle had a successful health fair on Sept. 17. Jean Devlin of the Health Fair Committee at the church commented, “A great time was had by all including the vendors and the participants at the Health Fair. With 20 vendors there was something for everyone and the focus was on wellness.”

submitted by Jean Devlin

Botetourt County Sheriff’s Department released a correction on the description of the missing Marine:

The Sheriff’s Department has been advised that Stephen Wolchok’s height is closer to 5’7’’ and weight is 150lbs. Also he has a fairly obvious “strawberry birthmark” on the left side of his face between his nose and mouth.

Botetourt County School Division is fully accredited based on State Standards

The VDOE released the 2010-11 standings for public education accreditation. Botetourt County is one of the 96% of state school divisions that are fully accredited.

From the Virginia Department of Education Release:

96 Percent of Virginia Schools Meet SOL Standards

New Graduation & Completion Index Impacts High School Accreditation

Ninety-six percent of Virginia’s 1,838 public schools are fully accredited and meeting all state standards for achievement in English, mathematics, history and science — and graduation, in the case of high schools — the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced today.

Ninety-eight percent of Virginia’s elementary schools and 97 percent of middle schools are fully accredited for the 2011-2012 school year, based on the performance of students on Standards of Learning (SOL) and other state assessments during 2010-2011.

The percentage of fully accredited high schools dropped to 86 percent, compared with 99 percent last year, as the Board of Education introduced a “graduation and completion index” as a new accountability factor for high schools, in addition to student achievement on state tests.

“Whenever standards are raised, there are schools that require time to meet the new expectations,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said. “The fact that 86 percent of high schools already meet or exceed the standard for graduation and completion speaks to the efforts of educators and administrators to raise graduation rates,”

“In 97 of the commonwealth’s 132 school divisions, all schools are fully accredited, compared with 119 last year. Divisions with all schools fully accredited (other than new schools that automatically receive conditional accreditation) are: (et al and ….) Botetourt County.”

The students of Eagle Rock Elementary participated in Constitution Week from Sept. 19 through Sept. 23.  The Daughters of the American Revolution partnered with the school to facilitate the event.  The DAR provided posters, bookmarks, and patriotic stickers.  Member, Mrs. Patricia Honts, was a guest reader.  She instructed students in grades third through fifth on the elements of the Constitution.  The book used in her presentation was We the People by Lynne Cheney.  Pictured is Mrs. Honts reading to the fifth grade.

Submitted by Tamara Teaff, Librarian, Eagle Rock Elementary

Botetourt Family Violence Task Force will be hosting an informational booth at the Magic in the Mountain Festival held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 in Buchanan Township from 8am – 5:30 pm.

Botetourt Family Violence Task Force The Botetourt Family Violence Task Force is a subcommittee of Total Action Against Poverty Domestic Violence Services Advisory Council, formerly TAP-Women’s Resource Center.  Total Action Against Poverty (TAP) provides an array of services to the Roanoke Valley, including the residents of Botetourt County. The Botetourt Family Violence Task Force was organized to address the issues of domestic violence, family violence and dating violence in Botetourt County.  Also, the Botetourt Family Violence Task Force was organized to develop and implement services for victims/children locally, to promote awareness and education regarding violence, and to develop a coordinated community response team to address domestic, family and dating violence within Botetourt County.  The Botetourt Family Violence Task Force members are advocates, citizens, and volunteers who are dedicated and willing to address the ongoing social issue of domestic violence in Botetourt.
Please feel free to join us at Magic in the Mountain Festival.

To learn how you can assist or be part of the Botetourt Family Violence Task Force, please contact Debbie Anderson, Counselor, Domestic Violence Services or Ellen Brown, Director of TAP’s Families in Transition Program at (540) 345-6781 ext. 4336 or stop by the Botetourt Family Violence Task Force’s Booth.

Submitted by Lillie Bryant, Chairperson, Botetourt Domestic Violence Taskforce

JRHS Book Club

The JRHS Book Club  prepared the school’s lobby showcase for Banned Book Week. The Book Club’s message was “Books are falling from our grasp. Read them now.”

The main focus of the book club is to promote reading throughout the student body, faculty, and community.

Student in the picture are:   Front row: Left to right: Madison Rhodes, Carey Jones, Shannon Lorton, Megan Wentworth. Standing left: Nathan Wright, Trent Smith.  Sitting on bench Left to right: Kelly Albert, Amber Tiller, Katie Smith, Hannah Austin. Standing right: Harley Hodges, Danny Moore. Not pictured: Olivia Garman, Tiffany Brandt, Emma Clements, Whitney Bolton

–submitted by Carols Spellman, Club Sponsor

Breckinridge Welcomed the Strength Team on September 15th. Students were motivated by the speakers who discussed the importance of working hard, making good choices, and taking responsibility for one’s actions to achieve your dreams. As well, the speakers warned students to avoid dreamkillers – drugs/alcohol, smoking, and bullying. Shown here Brandon Blackwell holds fast to his dream so it doesn’t get snatched away by others. Thank you, Mrs. Camp, for giving us the opportunity to hear this message!

Submitted by Malia Huffman, Professional School Counselor, Breckinridge Elementary