The storm has hit Buchanan. Cathy Benson reports the town has lost power, with trees falling as the line of storms hit. Stay safe and we will update as possible.

UPDATE: Ambulances reported going down Lowe St.

For a change of pace, Meagan Stump, Hilltop Studios, and Botetourt Parks & Recreation are offering an opportunity for the aspiring young artist! Summer Art Camp at Hilltop Studios is geared toward 6 to 12 year olds interested in developing their art skills. A variety of art media will be explored including sculpting, drawing and painting. The camp will be held July 16th through July 20, 2012, from 9am to Noon. Tuition for this activity is $155.00, with a $50.00 deposit due at registration. To register, contact Meagan Stump at 529-3632 or email her at meagan@hilltopstudios.org. Children will need to bring an art smock and a healthy snack.

* Summer Archery Camp will be held on July 5, 6 and 7 at Central Academy Middle School for ages 8 to 13. The charge is $25.00 deposit and $20.00 due on first day of camp. This camp is designed to provide children with a new experience in a fun and safe environment which includes archery history, safety, technique equipment, focus and self-improvement. All instructors are certified by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and have undergone a certification program referred to as BAI (Basic Archery Instructor). This program is a wonderful opportunity to open the world of archery to children. Please note that this program will focus on the skills of archery and follow all of the national archery in the schools guidelines.

* July 9 to July 13, 2012, Junior Golf Camp 2, from 9AM to 12:00 Noon for ages 6 to 17. Fee $135.00, $25.00 deposit, with $110 payable first day at camp. Call to register.
* July 9 to July 13, 2012, Day Camp at Camp Eagle #2, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM for ages 5 to 12 years. Fee of $45.00 deposit, with $135.00 due first day of camp.

Call Botetourt Parks & Recreation for assistance at (540) 473-8326.

Submitted by Botetourt County Parks and Recreation

Photos from the Solstice Sistas Celebration at Blue Ridge Vineyard last weekend. Sheila Guarnagia of Holistic Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine was the motivational speaker. We had food from Pomegranate, wine, massages, acupuncture demos, skincare and beauty tips, self-defense tips, yoga demos, and Zumba. Proceeds went to the Botetourt Resource Center.

– Submitted by Gini Babcock

The Greenfield Braves. Photo courtesy of Suzanne D'Angelico

The Greenfield Braves are 2012 Botetourt Baseball Junior League Champs!

Pictured (from left):

Back Row – A. Ponce; B. Blumenthal; K. Haley; D. Gonzalez; J. Hunsicker; J. Henderson; Coach L. Bingaman

Front Row – C. Beger; T. Pauley; C. Breese; T. Niday; T. Pierce; B. Bingaman; W. Farris

Not Pictured – A. Bellamy; B. Snodgrass; and Coach J. Henderson

– Submitted by Suzanne D’Angelico

Virginia Scrappers 18U Blue team. Photo courtesy of the team

The 18U Scrappers Blue went to Oklahoma and finished fifth to earn an ASA Birth in the USA/ASA National Championship Tournament in August.

The team went 3-2 with wins over teams from Maryland, Minnesota and Georgia. They were eliminated Monday by the Wisconsin Lightning. The girls had a great time and got to play in The Hall of Fame Stadium and also see Team USA play Canada in an exhibition gme celebrating the 40th anniversary of Title IX. The team is made up from girls all around the area, including Casie Hill and Jenna Sprinkle from James River High School and Meaghan Catron and Carly DiVirgilio from Lord Botetourt High School.

Pictured from left to right are:

Front Row: Casie Hill – James River High School, Hailey Porth – Blacksburg High School, Jenna Sprinkle of James River High School, Cortney Cooper of Cave Spring High School, Autumn Hill of Carroll County High School.

Back Row: Coach Ron Buckley, Coach Ron Reynolds, Ashley Dudding - Craig County High School, Ashley Searing – Franklin County High School, Amanda Dalton – Salem High School, Taylor Asimakopoulos – Cave Spring High School, Meaghan Catron – Lord Botetourt High School, Ruthie Williams – Northside High School, Jordan Chrisley – Pulaski County High School, Coach Steve Austin.

Not pictured: Carly DiVirgilio – Lord Botetourt High School

– Submitted by Virginia Scrappers

Kathleen Guzi, Carr Boyd, Jason Ferguson and Spencer Suter at the ceremony.

On Tuesday, June 26, Jason Ferguson of Botetourt Emergency Services was recognized at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Here is a better view of what Jason has accomplished, “The “WVEMS EMS Administrator of the Year Award.” He also won the  award in 2009!

Award Criteria: An individual who has demonstrated ability to organize, conduct, manage, problem solve and evaluate within his or her organization and, by exemplary leadership and administrative skills, improve the effectiveness, response and delivery of EMS.

Congratulations to Ferguson for his accomplishments for Botetourt County and its citizens!

–Botetourt County EMS

SMall group Stakeholders listen and discuss proposed project off Read Mountain Road.

A new proposed high density retirement home project,” The Cottages of Steeplechase,”  off Read Mountain Road has caused  some pause among area Read Mountain neighborhoods. Ardith “Riley” Overbay has presented the retirement community to the Botetourt County Planning and Zoning Department to be located on property he has owned for 22 years. The property is  near Arrington Road and Downing Street and entering on Read Mountain Road.

On Thursday night June 28, a small group of stakeholders met with Christopher McMurray of McMurray Surveyors who is helping Overbay with the project. The meeting was to provide information, create dialogue to both the developer and the neighborhoods and the Read Mountain Swim Club as a community focal point.  The meeting was thoughtful and the stakeholders and McMurry looked at viable issues, solutions and expressed concerns logically and with little emotional outburst.

Those present included Valley Supervisor Mac Scothorn who organized the meeting with McMurry, Valley Planning Commission representative Bill Hughes, Susan Bleeker, RMM Swim Team, Tim Tate, Kevin Assenat, Tim Davidick, Mike Heck, Jennifer Lastra and Alice King all property owners from Steeplechase and Mountain Crest Subdivisions.

The project came before the Planning Commission in May and was tabled for 90 days. The current project design is featured in the photo.  “This is a proactive way for some stake holders to look at this project and be able to help  deliver information to others in the area, ” said Scothorn. He met last week  with Overbay and several others to discuss the new development that has some traffic concerns, property value concerns and concerns for the future of the Read Mountain Swim Club.

With a stoplight intersecting at Read Mountain and Cloverdale Roads already exhibiting stress in morning especially during the school year and  after 5 p.m. traffic, there is concern for adding 60 or more units  so close to the intersection with Cloverdale Road. The property is beside the swim club and up the mountain. Line of site and congestion along with the needed VDOT standard for entry ways were hot topics. A second entry way is proposed through Mountain Crest in a current cul de sac that was very much a topic with Assenat who lives right where the road would open up the Teresa Lane cul de sac. It would open to  possible through traffic and or construction traffic.

“The Swim Club team, The Read Mountain Marlins is now the largest in the  Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association,” noted Susan Bleecker. Overbay owns the swim club property and is willing to sell it, said Scothorn to the group. McMurry said it was the first time he had met in a small group instead of in front of  “We don’t like  your project” citizens  lining up to speak at a public meeting. He liked the idea of establishing dialogue and correct information to be spread into the community.

Here is a set of concerns  put together  for Overbay, VDOT, Aqua Virginia, RM swim Club,  Mini World Childcare Center and the Subdivision neighborhoods by the  group last evening:

-Can there be one entry way in and out of the proposed development at Read Mountain Road.

-Keep the Pool and Swim Team  open

-Phase I enters  Read Mountain Road

-Price range in the cottages be increased to $250-300 thousand dollars per unit

-Teresa Lane  is never a main exit

-Avoid creating a Downing Street entry

-Mini World ownership be approached for a different traffic pattern

-Aqua Virginia be approached due to  current water pressure  problems before adding more homes

-Berms and drainage issues need to be investigated.

-Discussion with VDOT about the  entry on Read Mountain Road as well as current traffic flow and adding more homes to it.

-Leave the project with only 56 homes instead of adding more as the first two drafts by the developer had as many as 67 patio homes.

-Keep Construction traffic out of the Teresa Lane entrance.

- Set a date for a future public forum for all to attend after a VDOT meeting in July.

McMurry said he would take the comments back to Overbay. He said that it seemed to him after hearing the concerns of the stakeholders they had made a step in the right direction.  Hughes reminded McMurry that 90 days is up on August 14 at the Planning Commission so there was discussion of another postponement. McMurry said in best case scenario a year would be required to get the project underway if it gains approval by the County in the future and then it would likely be completed in phases.

At the end of the meeting the parties seemed satisfied with the proactive stance.  ” We want to work with him,” said Mike Heck. “It is better if we see this as a partnership of communities rather than being against it,” said Scothorn in conclusion.

The proposed development "Cottages of Steeplechase."

Eagle Rock Library balloon launch. Photo courtesy of: Julia Adkins

At Eagle Rock Library on June 22, 2012 kids gathered with Librarian Michael Hibben to do a balloon launch. The wind was blowing in the North/West direction. They have cards attached with the child’s name. If you find one call the library! The kids are excited to find out where they landed!

Submitted by: Julia Adkins

2012-2013 FFA Virginia State Officer Team. Photo courtesy of: Dreama Pinkard

Dreama Pinkard has provided the list of the 2012-2013 FFA Virginia State Officer Team. Pictured from left to right are:

• Josh Pinkard, Lord Botetourt, Sentinel
• Paryce Cleopatra Bradlly, Riverbend, Reporter
• Emily Hill, Sherando, Treasurer
• Michael Arthur, Clarke County, Vice President
• Rebekah Slaback, Halifax County, Vice President
• Addie Guthrie, Strasburg, Secretary
• Dustin Richardson, Carroll County, President

Submitted by: Dreama Pinkard

The road to realistic goals is one stop closer for standardized measures in Virginia education!

For the past several years one or two Botetourt County Schools including Read Mountain and Central Academy have passed with very positive  SOL scores  only to be caught in the net of Sub Group typing in the AYP also known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB.) “The Botetourt County  School division is reviewing the news and may have additional comments,” said Dr. Brian Austin. The VDOE announced moments ago:

NCLB Waiver Approved by US Department of Education

Flexibility Plan Does Away with Complex & Unrealistic “AYP” Objectives

Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright announced today that Virginia schools and school divisions will no longer have to meet arbitrary and unrealistic No Child Left Behind (NCLB) benchmarks in reading and mathematics or the federal law’s mandate that all students — regardless of circumstance — achieve grade-level proficiency by 2014. The flexibility is the result of United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s decision today to approve the state Board of Education’s application for a waiver from certain provisions of NCLB.

“Virginia schools and school divisions can now focus their energy and resources on implementing the state Board of Education’s rigorous new content standards and assessments without contending with outdated and often counter-productive federal requirements and rules,” Wright said. “The commonwealth will continue to hold schools accountable for closing achievement gaps but schools won’t be subject to a system of increasingly unrealistic annual objectives.”

The waiver allows the state Board of Education to establish challenging but attainable goals for increasing overall student achievement and the achievement of students in demographic subgroups. Annual benchmarks will be set with the goal of reducing the failure rate in reading and mathematics by 50 percent — overall and of each student subgroup — within six years. In contrast, NCLB, as passed by Congress in 2001, requires all students — regardless of circumstance, disability or current achievement level — to demonstrate grade-level proficiency in reading and mathematics by 2014.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) will continue to report — as it has since 1999 under the Standards of Learning (SOL) program — annual school accreditation ratings in September based on overall achievement in English, mathematics, science and history and high school graduation and completion.

Virginia schools and school divisions, however, will no longer receive annual “Adequate Yearly Progress” or AYP ratings. Under the approved waiver, information on schools meeting and not meeting the new, annual federal benchmarks for narrowing proficiency gaps will be reported separately in August. VDOE also will report on low-performing schools identified as “priority” and “focus” schools and recognize high-performing Title I schools as “reward” schools.

“This new federal accountability model is more complicated than the Board of Education believes is necessary, but it is definitely a step in the right direction,” Board President David M. Foster said. “Looking ahead, it is my hope that Congress will at last revise NCLB and allow Virginia to attack achievement gaps within the context of the SOL program, free from unwarranted and intrusive federal rules.”

Priority schools will be identified based on overall student achievement, including graduation rates in the case of high schools. The number of priority schools will be equivalent to five percent of the commonwealth’s Title I schools.

Focus schools will be identified based on the academic achievement of students in three “proficiency gap groups” comprising students who historically have had difficulty meeting the commonwealth’s achievement standards:

· Proficiency Gap Group 1 — Students with disabilities, English language learners and economically disadvantaged students, regardless of race and ethnicity

· Proficiency Gap Group 2 — African-American students, not of Hispanic origin, including those also counted in Proficiency Gap Group 1

· Proficiency Gap Group 3 — Hispanic students, of one or more races, including those also counted in Proficiency Gap Group 1

The number of focus schools will be equivalent to ten percent of the commonwealth’s Title I schools.

Both priority and focus schools will be subject to state-approved and monitored school-improvement interventions. Priority schools will have to engage a state-approved turnaround partner to help implement a school-improvement model meeting state and federal requirements. Focus schools will have to employ a state-approved coach to help the division develop, implement and monitor intervention strategies to improve the performance of students at risk of not meeting achievement standards or dropping out of school.

Many of the commonwealth’s underperforming schools are already subject to these and similar interventions as a consequence of state accountability provisions and state-established requirements for schools receiving federal School Improvement Grant funds. Priority and Focus schools, however, would not be subject to previous NCLB “improvement” sanctions, such as having to provide public school choice or private tutoring.

“The waiver allows school divisions to focus their Title I funds on measures and strategies that have been shown over time to be effective in raising student achievement,” Wright said.

All public schools — including schools that do not receive Title I funds under the law — will have to implement improvement plans to raise the achievement of student subgroups not meeting the annual benchmarks.

Title I schools earning Virginia Index of Performance, Title I Distinguished School and federal Blue Ribbon School awards will be recognized as reward schools.

Also under the waiver, school divisions must implement the performance and evaluation standards for teachers and principals approved last year by the Board of Education. The standards require that 40 percent of a teacher’s or principal’s evaluation be based on student academic progress.

School divisions unprepared to implement the new performance standards by the start of the 2012-2013 school year must prepare a corrective action plan describing how the standards will be implemented by the beginning of 2013-2014.

–Charles Pyle, VDOE