Greetings!

In this final edition of the 2022 SCS newsletter, we're sharing a few heartwarming stories from our learning community just in time for the holidays. We hope you enjoy them, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year! Our schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Savannah Whitesell loves SpongeBob SquarePants, her 13 cats, and her pet duck. Her face beams with happiness at the mention of them. 

Savannah's also smiling these days because she finished high school a semester early, an accomplishment that felt impossible two years ago.

Seventeen-year-old Savannah has been living with bipolar disorder and ADHD for a while now. The last few years have been filled with more lows than highs, and she describes her high school experience as rough. The pandemic years, especially.

"When we first had to go online, that's when it got really bad," she said. "I wasn't doing school at all. I, like, completely missed 10th grade. I had to go to court and then come back. I don't even know …" her voice trailed off as she thought about that time. "I learn better pencil to paper. Computers don't really do anything for me."

We were pleased to announce each school's 2022-2023 teachers of the year and support staff of the year during the December school board meeting. Each year, staff at every school nominate and vote for one of their peers to be a school-level teacher of the year. The same process occurs for support staff.

Last week, we also announced the division-wide winners for Teacher of the Year, Brandy Johnson, and Support Staff of the Year, Sasha Allen, both at Shelburne Middle School. They will be honored at an upcoming school board meeting. Congratulations to all!

For the 10th consecutive year, every preschooler at Dixon Educational Center has received brand-new winter clothing from the Staunton Elks Lodge 351. 

It’s part of the Elks’ service to the community and a passion project for Eva Garber, co-chair of the club’s community activities committee. She serves alongside co-chair Charlotte Fitzgerald. 

“Elks Care, Elks Share” is their motto, and they purchase winter clothing through about $6,500 in grant funds received from the national Elks organization. Those funds are supplemented by resources from club trustees if needed. 

The students get coats, hats, gloves, and, new this year, pajamas.