Prince William County school notes

Proposed social studies textbooks available to view

The Prince William County school system will make proposed history and social science textbooks available for public viewing and comment through Oct. 21.

Carts with the books under consideration will be available at the Chinn Park and Bull Run regional libraries and in the professional library at the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center. They will also be available at the following school libraries: Battlefield, Forest Park, Gar-Field and Potomac high schools; Bull Run, Fred M. Lynn, Gainesville, Graham Park, Lake Ridge, Rippon and Saunders middle schools; Ashland, Occoquan, Signal Hill, Swans Creek, Victory and Yorkshire elementary schools; and Pennington Traditional School.

Comments will be collected and considered by the textbook adoption committee as it prepares recommendations for the School Board this fall. The final report is planned for presentation to the School Board in December, with a vote on approval in January. For information or comments, call Ken Bassett, history and social science supervisor, at 703-791-8175.

5 science teachers win county awards

The Prince William County schools' Office of Science and Family Life Education has announced the recipients of the Award for Excellence in Science Teaching for the 2009-10 school year.

The winners are: Tim Cerwinske, Tyler Elementary School; Rod McCurdy, Rosa Parks Elementary School; Laura Van Gelder, Triangle Elementary School; Jayne Reck, Porter Traditional School; and Richard Smith, Stonewall Jackson High School.

Information on HPV vaccine heading home

Prince William County elementary schools sent a letter from the Virginia Department of Health home with fifth-grade girls providing information on human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. State law requires that the information be provided to parents of rising sixth-grade girls. The letter is in English and Spanish and includes answers to frequently asked questions on the back.

The HPV vaccine, administered in three evenly spaced doses, is optional. The state requests that the first dose be given before the girl enters sixth grade, but after reviewing materials provided by the Virginia Board of Health, parents or guardians may opt out.

Shots may be obtained from a doctor, military clinics or the Prince William County Health Department's clinics at 9301 Lee Ave. in Manassas (703-792-6301) and 13792 Smoketown Rd. in Woodbridge (703-792-7300).

Parents may also contact Sandra Sommer, Division of Immunization, Virginia Department of Health, at 804-864-8055 or sandra.sommer@vdh.virginia.gov; or Tia Campbell, Office of Student Services, Virginia Department of Education, at 804-786-8671 or at tia.campbell@doe.virginia.gov.

County education foundation awards grants for innovation

Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids, the education foundation for Prince William County public schools, has announced five grants to fund creative education programs.

Benton Middle School will receive $4,844 for "wE-read," to introduce the iPod Touch to students as a learning tool. The iPod Touch will be incorporated into almost every lesson throughout the school year and, with the school's Web site, will offer instruction whenever the student needs it, even at home. The proposal was submitted by teacher Jane Carr.

Ellis Elementary School will receive $4,235 for an interactive Smart Board for severely disabled students, who often have difficulties with fine motor control. Many of them cannot use a mouse, trackball or touch screen. The Smart Board will let them use larger arm movements to manipulate what they see on the screen and change the way instruction is delivered in the classroom. The proposal was submitted by special education teacher Laura Goldzung.

Pennington Traditional School will receive $3,450 for a physical education program that provides a highly active curriculum, on-site staff development, follow-up support and equipment. The proposal was submitted by PE teacher Kyle Toweson.

The school system's Office of Science and Family Life Education will receive $5,000 to supplement funding received from the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation to upgrade the planetarium at C.D. Hylton Senior High School. The planetarium supports instruction for K-12 students and serves the public with evening and weekend shows. The proposal was submitted by Jason Calhoun, supervisor in the office.

Yorkshire Elementary School will receive $5,000 for First-Graders Love Independent Practice, or FLIP Books, a program that helps students develop independent reading practices by reading to family members. Funding for the grant is from the Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation. The proposal was submitted by librarian Tanya Parrott.

-- Compiled by Mari-Jane Williams