Yesterday, 12 Monroe County FFA students in the Animal Production classes, and members of the FFA Stockman's teams had the pleasure attending a small ruminant workshop at the Willowbend Ag Innovation Center. While there they were able to see and take part in a sheep shearing demonstration, sheep handling, and also gathered fecal samples that they in turn were able to analyze using microscopes to determine parasite load. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to handle sheep and learn how to better care for their animals. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay all day but look forward to being part of future workshops at the farm!
24 students were inducted into The National Technical Honor Society today at James Monroe High School. James Monroe and Monroe County Technical Center recognizes the accomplishments of this group of outstanding Career and Technical Education students who have put forth tremendous effort and shown great aptitude in their chosen trade area. Induction into the National Technical Honor Society is one the highest accomplishments that can be bestowed upon a Career and Technical Education student. The purposes of the National Technical Honor Society are: To reward excellence in workforce education. To develop self-esteem, pride, and encourage students to reach for higher levels of achievement. Congratulations to our students and their families.
This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone 16 years or older if you have an interest in IT.
PES has been focused on the science of reading and building the foundations of reading for students. Mrs Altice challenged her students to break apart and read some 10th grade level vocabulary words today using strategies they have learned from Really Great Reading. They rocked it!
Each classroom at Peterstown Elementary was given a Pirate Potato Head at the beginning of the 2nd nine weeks. Everyday the class has perfect attendance they get to add a piece to their Pirate Potato Head. Once their Potato Head is complete they get a reward! Mrs. Morris’ class completed their’s today! Way to go!
Fifth grade January students of the month are Natalie Thompson and Coy Jackson.
James Monroe High School students will once again be offered the opportunity to take college courses while in high school. These courses are paid for by the county and are an excellent way for parents to save thousands of dollars on the cost of tuition. As students begin planning their schedules for the 2024-2025 school year, we encourage you and your parents to speak to the guidance counselors about registering. Courses are currently offered through Bluefield State University, Concord University, Glenville State, New River Community College, New River Community and Technical College, Marshall University, and West Virginia University.
Seven James Monroe High School (JMHS) Youth Leadership Alliance (YLA) students traveled to Boston, Massachusetts on 24-29 January 2024 for the Harvard University Model United Nations (HMUN) Conference. In the face of travel-related challenges, the Mavericks performed admirably in the 71st anniversary version of the conference, which attracted approximately 4,000 students from around the world. Those completing the requirements to compete were Shane Arthur, Gavin French, Rileigh Jackson, Hannah Jewell, Thomas Sibold, Katherine Viars, and Bryceson Whitt.
In Model UN debate student delegates represent a country assigned to them and work with other delegates to develop solutions to problems as diverse as public health disparities, cybercrime and cyberwarfare, globalization, impact of economic sanctions, genetic modification, weaponization of space, artificial intelligence, child labor, and persecution of ethnic minorities. Assigned the challenging country of Syria, the Mavericks researched its culture and politics and expressed the country’s position on the problem assigned to their committees. Next, they sought like-minded allies and began the process of developing and debating solutions to the problem via a draft UN Resolution.
The trip was not all-conference, and the students had the opportunity to experience some of Boston’s rich history, including a portion of the Freedom Trail with the U.S.S. Constitution, the site of the Boston Massacre, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and Boston Harbor. The group also visited Harvard University and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
The trip was not without challenges, however, as the Mavericks experienced the usual issues of urban travel such as closed “T” stations, delayed flights, and inclement weather. As in the case of previous conferences, however, the team adapted to the situation with great grace and poise, and successfully overcame the obstacles.
This was the fourth time JMHS has been selected for this prestigious event, having also participated in 2020, 2022, and 2023. JMHS is the only high school from West Virginia that has been selected to participate in this conference in recent history, and possibly ever for the annual event that began in 1953. The students joined over 4,000 other high school students from across the United States and overseas, including elite private schools and those that offer Model UN as a course of study rather than a club. Acceptance into this highly competitive debate competition is an acknowledgment of the excellence of our students in the YLA Model United Nations program.
Although Model United Nations is not a class at JMHS as it is in some other high schools, the students gain valuable academic experience in research, critical thinking, logic, written and verbal communication, and empathy by participating in it. The debate competition is not funded by Harvard and would not have been possible without the generosity of the Monroe County Board of Education, which approved funds from the school levy to assist with the trip, and that of the parents who allowed their children to travel and paid for a portion of the trip. Future plans for the Maverick Model UN program include hosting a local conference, participating in a revived YLA Model UN program in Charleston, and a return to Model UN Conferences in Atlanta and Boston next year. If you wish to contribute time, expertise, or funds to this endeavor please contact the Maverick Debate Coach, Dr. Scott Womack, at 304-753-5182, on Facebook Messenger, or via email at swomack@k12.wv.us.
#fundedbylevy
The Peterstown Middle School Drama Club was unable to perform their Christmas play in December, so they made this video.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nT2If5NHV37fjYgRpzukXz5A4g381nWJ/view?usp=drivesdk
Mrs. Morris’ class at PES loves doing stem activities!
Mr. Gardinier and his personal finance classes at MCTC had a guest speaker today, local certified public accountant Missy Boggs. She spoke to the class regarding the accountant profession, the benefits of being a small business owner in Monroe County, and what it takes to be successful. The students were able to ask many questions and network with Missy. We thank our community members who take time out of their busy schedule to come speak to our young students.
A big shot out and prizes were given to some of our top fundraisers in the county for the Kid's Heart Challenge!
PES students attended the second nine weeks attendance pep rally and it was a blast. The highlight was a very competitve game of musical chairs with our attendance potato heads. Students who had perfect attendance during the 2nd nine weeks were entered into a drawing for big prizes. PES earned the most approved attendance award for the county and every student was given ice cream on Friday to celebrate. #AttendanceMatters #Communityinschools
Students at PES who have missed 3 days or less this year got to “shop” The Attendance Book Fair on Friday. They were given some amazing books. #AttendanceMatters
Saturday January 27 eleven students from Peterstown Middle School participated in a VEX IQ Robotics Event at Princeton High School.
Congrats to PES January Leaders of the Month.
Congrats to PES January Leaders of the Month.
Students at Peterstown Middle School used investigative skills to identify mystery solutions and decided the best way to clean a penny this week in 8th Grade Science Class.
Healthy Students Newsletter
Second graders experimented with the effects of gravity after reading the story I Fall Down. Students worked with a partner and dropped different types of balls to see which one would hit first and hardest due to gravity. Students then had to figure out why they hit first. Students examined characteristics such as size, weight, and texture as determining factors. These kids are so smart!
