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It wasn't just a chance to get out of class, it was an opportunity for 137 Glenvar High School students to participate in their school's third year with the United Way Day of Caring Program on Thursday, October 29. They split up into groups and head out to several locations to serve for an entire morning. This year's recipients of the school's volunteerism included the Greenvale School, TAP, Friendship Manor, the Adult Care Center, Northwest Child Care, and Family Services in Roanoke.

Students helped and interacted with people of all ages in all kinds of fun and different ways, like holding a talent show for the folks at the Adult Care Center, painting pumpkins with residents at Friendship Manor, and playing with the kids at the Greenvale School.

The photos from the first slideshow are of three different volunteer locations and are courtesty of Chuck Lionberger with Roanoke County schools. The second slideshow (photos and video!) is by So Salem and is of the talent show at the Adult Care Center.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Salem and western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com.

OTHER RECENT COVERAGE OF GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL:
* Nov. 2: Photos from Glenvar vs. Eastern Montgomery football
* Oct. 26: Photos from Glenvar vs. Radford football
* Oct. 26: Glenvar presents present for conservation announcement by the governor
* Oct. 24: Video highlights from Glenvar-Radford football
* Oct. 22: Ben Grisso shares photos from Glenvar homecoming
* Oct. 22: Photos from the Glenvar powderpuff game
* Oct. 20: More photos from Glenvar homecoming

The gym was packed with smiles and cheers when Roanoke College's mascot Rooney the Hawk and several of players from Roanoke's men's and women's basketball teams visited Fort Lewis Elementary on Wednesday, October 28, to help the kids raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.

For each basket Rooney netted, the kids counted it towards their pledges. After Rooney had his turn - stomping a little when he didn't score and celebrating with the whole school when he did, the students got their chance to make a few baskets with the help of Roanoke College basketball players Rebecca Bays of Vinton, Rachel Hawkins from Winchester, Jaleesa Osborne from Glouster, Corey Poindexter from Pulaski, and Papa Fall from Senegal.

One of the school's themes for Red Ribbon Week was "Keep your head in the game! Fort Lewis is too smart to do drugs."

The women's basketball program at Roanoke is ranked first in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for the preseason poll, and the men's basketball program is ranked sixth.

From left at the piano, Shawn Stewart, Cierra Chapman, Carleigh Studtmann, Eunjin Lee (seated), Jenny Hellier (standing in back), Sarah Beamer, Ashton Ledbetter, and Harlee King. Photo Miranda Adkins, So Salem

For the second year in a row, Aaron Garber has spent his Election Day with a group of Andrew Lewis Middle schoolers to compose an original piece for the Salem Choral Society's November concert. The workshop is called "I can create music," and eight students nominated by their music teachers spent the morning and part of the afternoon of Tuesday, November 3 creating the tune "Before the Dawn."

By the afternoon, the students and Garber had selected the title, the melody, and the key, and they'd started to create the innuendos and phrases.

The Salem Choral Society will perform the piece at their Sunday, November 15 concert at Andrew Lewis Middle School. The show "Love me tender: Great popular music from the 20th century" will begin at 3 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the door, but to get them before they're sold out, call 761-4727.

March 6, the SCS will perform Garber's own original composition, with Richard Bansemer as the librettist "Jesus Son of our Father (The Gospel According to John)" at Shaftman Performance hall in the Jefferson Center. The oratorio will be performed with a full orchestra and professional soloists.

For more information, visit www.salemchoralsociety.org.

Here's a release from Mike Stevens with the City of Salem about the changing of the guard at the Salem Police Department: 

For the first time in 16 years the City of Salem has a new Police Chief. Jeff Dudley, a 32-year veteran of the department, was appointed to the position on August 12 by City Manager Kevin Boggess. This morning Dudley officially assumed his new post after receiving a handshake and a pat on the back from outgoing Chief James Bryant."I appreciate the confidence the City Manager and City Council have shown in me for this position," says Dudley. "The Salem Police Department has very dedicated and qualified individuals working for it and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead them. I cannot express in words how this opportunity feels."

Bryant, Boggess and a number of family members took part in the official badge pinning ceremony that also featured the swearing in of new Deputy Chief Tim Guthrie, who has been an integral part of the Salem PD for 28 years.

In addition to the appointments of Dudley and Guthrie, the following officers also were promoted today:

Sergeant Michael H. Brightwell to Lieutenant
Mike joined the department on August 21, 1989. Mike was promoted to Senior Police Officer in December 1992 and worked in Patrol and in the Detective Division, both in the Special Investigations Unit and as a General Investigator. Mike also serves on the department Emergency Response Team (ERT). Mike was promoted to Sergeant in June 2006 and assigned to a patrol division supervisor where he has worked until this time.Mike graduated from Salem High School and resides in Roanoke County with his wife, Tina, and son, Michael.

SPO Mike Mills to Sergeant
Mike joined the department on November 9, 1998, after spending approximately 2 years with the Martinsville Police Department. Mike was promoted to Senior Police Officer in April 2002 and held assignments as a General Investigator. He is currently assigned to patrol and serves as a field training officer. Mike graduated from Salem High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Radford University. Mike resides in Salem.

SPO Derek Weeks to Sergeant
Derek joined the department January 8, 2001, after serving 4 years at the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office.

Derek was promoted to Senior Police Officer March 2005 and has spent the last 3and a half years in the Detective Division as a General Investigator. Derek was selected by his peers as Officer of the Year 2007.

Derek graduated from Glenvar High School and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Radford University. Derek resides in Salem with his wife, Brenda, and sons, Conner and Dylan.

A rezoning application has been filed to rezone 0.349 acre from R-1, Low Density Residential District to I-1C, Low Intensity Industrial District with Conditions, for the purpose of expanding an existing cabinet shop, located at 8529 Wood Haven Road, Catawba Magisterial District.

The Ronk Rezoning Community Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Roanoke County School Board Administrative Board Room. Please visit www.roanokecountyva.gov/pzcommtg for more meeting information. For any other questions, contact Susan Carter at 540-772-2068 or at planning@roanokecountyva.gov.

The Junior Honor Association at Salem High School inducted members Thursday morning. Cathy Sargent shares these photos from the ceremony, which you can view in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Salem? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com.

OTHER RECENT SALEM HIGH SCHOOL COVERAGE:
* Nov. 6: Salem High Schoolers help others during Red Ribbon Week
* Nov. 3: Salem High School wrestling coach dresses up for Halloween
* Nov. 2: Photos from Salem - Hidden Valley football
* Oct. 31: Video highlights from Salem - Hidden Valley football
* Oct. 28: Photos from Salem JV volleyball vs. Hidden Valley
* Oct. 27: Photos of a good catch for Salem JV football
* Oct. 26: More photos from Salem's three overtime football win over Christiansburg
* Oct. 26: Photos from Salem cheerleaders in district competition
* Oct. 26: Photos from Salem varsity volleyball vs. Christiansburg
* Oct. 26: Photos from the Salem-Christiansburg JV volleyball game
* Oct. 26: Photos from the Salem-Christiansburg football game -- with 3 overtimes!
* Oct. 21: Two videos -- plus photos -- of Salem volleyball vs. Blacksburg
* Oct. 19: Photos of Salem football vs. Blacksburg

From left, Daniel Dyer, Claire Sexton, Joey Bikkers, Tyler Fagg, and Will Bader. Photo Miranda Adkins, So Salem

During Red Ribbon Week Oct. 26 through Oct. 30, Salem High School collected seven boxes of food for the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank and several boxes of stuffed animals for the RAM House. Salem High School's IB Biology Class helped to load the boxes on the truck from the food bank.

Next year, SHS Red Ribbon coordinator Teresa Dixon hopes to introduce an interesting and fun way to get the students more involved with the food collection without distracting them from their studies. Todd Cross from the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank's favorite idea comes from a Salem elementary school - pit University of Virginia fans against Virginia Tech fans in a competition to see who comes out on top.

Here's a list of events for the Glenvar Library! To go to the Roanoke County Library website for a full selection of classes, events, and to search the card catalog for all of the county locations, click here.

Glenvar Teen Council
6 p.m. Monday, November 10

Teen Creative Writing Club
6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 24

Family Movie "Up"
6 p.m. Tuesday, November 17
-Movie played on a large screen with surround sound. Families Welcome! Free admission! Free freshly popped popcorn too!!

Submitted by Michael Meise, Roanoke County Library

Admission is free to watch Santa Clause 2 at South Salem Elementary School November 20.
Santa pictures will begin at 6 p.m. in the library and are $1 each. Food will be sold starting at 6 p.m. The movie will begin at 7 p.m. Please wear your favorite PJ'S and bring a blanket to sit on.We will also be raffling off a large stocking full of new items and gift cards.

Submitted by Teresa Sizemore

ROANOKE – Meg Swecker, instructional technology resource teacher for Roanoke County Public Schools, has received the 2009 Virginia Technology Leadership Award from the Virginia Department of Education. Swecker also was recognized as the Region Six Educational Technology Leadership Award winner. The awards were presented Oct. 30 during the annual Educational Technology Leadership Conference in Richmond.

The Educational Technology Leadership Awards, presented annually, acknowledge outstanding school division leadership in education technology planning and implementation. Division superintendents in each of VDOE’s eight study regions select individuals for the award. Recipients are chosen for their success in helping school divisions improve teaching and learning through the use of instructional media and technology.

“Meg is completely committed to teaching technology to our students,” said Roanoke County Public Schools Director of Technology, Dr. Jane James. “She strives to help teachers integrate technology into everyday lessons to enhance and expand learning,” James said.