Valdosta City Schools

The Valdosta High School Track & Field Program will be hosting its first SPEED CAMP! All PreK through rising sophomores are welcome. The camp is being held July 12 - 15, from 9 am until noon at the VHS Track Complex located at 4590 Inner Perimeter Road. Registration will begin Monday, July 12, beginning at 8:15 am. The fee is $75 per athlete or $50 per athlete for multiple children in the same family. Snacks will be provided daily and Speed Camp shirts will be given to all participants on the final day of camp. Please wear tennis shoes that you are comfortable running in to participate, no high tops, no Crocs and no sandals. So excited that you want to register early? Contact Coach Mobley at [email protected] or call (678) 632-4120.

The June work session of the Valdosta Board of Education will be held at Valdosta Middle School on Tuesday, June 22, at 7:00 pm. Click here to view the agenda (https://bit.ly/3qeq3W0). The Valdosta Board of Education meets at 7:00 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and is open to the public. During a normal year, the regular meeting is held in the Superintendent's Office Board Room located at 1204 Williams Street, Valdosta and the work sessions rotate through schools in the district. As we work our way through the ongoing Pandemic, our locations may vary, pay close attention to the schedule.

We'll be back following executive session.

What: "A Day of Hoops" Shootout - VHS Boys Basketball When: 6/24/2021, 1:00 PM 8:00 PM Where: VHS Gymnasium... Valdosta Boys Basketball is hosting "A Day of Hoops" Shootout this Thursday, June 24, at Valdosta High School. Admission is $5 or $2 with a donation of a case of water or a gallon of laundry detergent. Concession stand will be available. Participating teams: Valdosta Wildcats, Lanier Co. Bulldogs, TCC Yellow Jackets, Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes, Cook Co. Hornets, Tift Co. Blue Devils and Brooks Co. Trojans.

During our December regular Valdosta Board of Education meeting, we recognized the 2019-2020 Continuous Acts of Kindness through Teamwork and Service (CATS) Award Winners. We celebrated each school and department level winner and named the 2019 - 2020 top three finalists and our 2020 CATS Employee of the Year. Let us tell you a little about each winner: Ms. LaShawna Colbert was nominated by the VCS Technology Department. When asked about her nomination, she said, This honor demonstrates to me that Valdosta City Schools cares about those who work hard in the district that we serve. This validates the work everyone has done and continues to do. Her nominator, Mr. Smith, said, Mrs. Colbert leads by example, gets along well with others, and has an excellent rapport with the VCS faculty, staff and students.

Follow the agenda here. http://bit.ly/3sefUcB

We'll resume the Live at the conclusion of executive session.

January 12, 2021 To view the meeting agenda, click here. (http://bit.ly/3sefUcB)

VHS soccer tryouts for boys AND girls will be January 13th and January 14th from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Although tryouts begin at 4, students should try to arrive early to perform temperature checks and check in procedures. The tryouts will be at the VHS football practice fields (the two practice fields next to the student parking lot at VHS). Any 9th-12th grade student with a current physical on file may tryout. If a student does not have a physical on file and/or does not pr...esent one the first day of tryouts, he/she will not be allowed to participate. Water will be provided, but students should bring a personal bottle. IMPORTANT: If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or are aware of any exposure to the virus, please do not participate in the tryouts. Email Coach Carrillo ([email protected]) to inform him of the situation, and a later opportunity to tryout for the team will he provided. Temperatures will be checked at tryouts.

Congratulations to our school level 2020-2021 Spelling Bee winners! The top three finalists from J.L. Lomax Elementary School (Brandon Meriweather, Michael Harp and Peyton Collins), Pinevale Elementary School (DeJala Simmons, Evelyn Cruz-Roblero and Yarnice Johnson), Sallas Mahone Elementary School (Cameron Merriweather, Caylee Miller and Richard Weston), S.L. Mason Elementary School (Kendall Harden, Ma'Kiya Wilson and Naomi Harp), W.G. Nunn Elementary School (Jadeyn Perry, ...Kennedi Johnson and Tristan Peeler), J.L. Newbern Middle School (Epiphany Loveday, Jamari Hubbard and Bobby Manning), Valdosta Middle School (Christopher Litster, Markie "Tripp" Perry and Neosha McKeller) and Valdosta Early College Academy (Caden Sapp, Ke'Marion Gayden and Luis Mallqui-Aragon) will compete in the 2020-2021 VCS Virtual District Spelling Bee on Friday, January 22. Parents of the above listed students are asked to register their participant for the VCS Virtual District Spelling Bee as soon as possible. Letters with instructions have been sent to these students, however we still have a few that have not completed the registration. Please see the chart for school and district level spelling bee coordinators.

Please see the information regarding the canceled Thomas County Central football game carefully! Call the Valdosta Wildcats Ticket Office at (229) 671-6049 if you have additional questions.

What: VBOE January Regular Meeting When: 01/12/2021, 7:00 PM Where: Valdosta Middle School Cafeteria and streamed on Valdosta City Schools Facebook Live... Due to the public health emergency declared by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly, the Valdosta City Board of Education will require that everyone in attendance correctly wear a face covering and practice social distancing guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health (https://bit.ly/3gXE6tP). The VBOE will continue to share meetings via Facebook Live. Anyone wishing to observe the meeting may do so by using the following web address: https://www.facebook.com/valdostacityschools/. To view the meeting agenda, click here. (http://bit.ly/3sefUcB) Facebook can be downloaded on a Chromebook by visiting the Chrome Web Store; on any Android device by visiting Google Play; on any Apple device by visiting the iPhone App Store (Apple ID required to install).

Valdosta City Schools will post regular updates with COVID-19 data. The graphic below reflects all COVID-19 data that has been reported to us as of Friday, January 8. On Monday, January 18, we will post data that reflects Saturday, January 9, through Friday, January 15.

Valdosta City Schools will post regular, weekly updates each Monday by noon. The graphic below reflects our COVID-19 data as of Friday, October 23. On Monday, November 2, we will post data that reflects Saturday, October 24, through Friday, October 30.

Mrs. Jennifer Alvarez, Director of Professional Learning, is creating a one-of-a-kind professional learning community for K-12 academic coaches this year! Through a shared facilitation model, Mrs. Alvarez is partnering with Steve Barkley, a world-renowned educational consultant, to ensure that we are providing high-quality support to teachers via our academic coaching model! Our goal is to facilitate change and remove barriers to increase the likelihood that students are fully prepared to pursue infinite possibilities! Go, Cats, Go!

The VHS 9th Grade team travels tomorrow, Thursday, October 29, to play the JV Columbia High Tigers in Lake City. Kick off is set for 6:00 pm. No tickets will be sold at the game, all must be purchased online (https://bit.ly/2TxOHl2). Columbia High School asks that all fans wash hands before arriving, maintain proper social distancing and wear a mask. #GoCatsGo

NOW HIRING - VCS School Nutrition Department!! Click here to view all available positions (https://bit.ly/3ozkBeW).

Valdosta High School’s NJROTC is continuing its tradition of building leaders today for tomorrow’s future. Last school year, the NJROTC was recognized as the Most Improved Unit for Area 12 and successfully graduated seven cadets from the Area-12 NJROTC Leadership Academy held at Cairo High School during the month of July. The NJROTC Leadership Academy historically brings together the top 200 cadets from Area 12’s sixty high school programs serving Northern Florida and Georgi...a. However, this year, to ensure the proper health and safety of the trainees, smaller Leadership Academy clusters were organized across the area. The NJROTC Leadership Academy held in Cairo, Georgia, included 25 cadets from Lee County, Cairo, Coffee and Valdosta high schools. Navy and Marine Corp JROTC Naval Science Instructors from the four schools including Senior Chief Willis, Valdosta High School Senior Naval Science Instructor, directed the training, which covered leadership, drill, academics and fitness. Students selected for the leadership academy demonstrated a passionate commitment, positive attitude, and academic excellence. During the week long training, students exhibited the outstanding qualities that are necessary to excel as student leaders at Valdosta High School. Senior Chief Willis stated, It is an honor to see my students learn and achieve. Their success is proof of their hard work, dedication and sacrifices. The VHS cadets are a source of pride for their family members, school administrators, teachers, and staff at Valdosta High School. This year’s attendees included senior LaMelvin Davis and juniors Jemmia Blockett, Tanijah Stephens, Tamia Beamon, Devin Lancaster, La’Niya Canada and Deonte Williams. Jah-Cobi Edmonds, a 4-year cadet, Commanding Officer of Valdosta NJROTC, served as cadre during the week, assisting in the mentoring and training of the cadets. Edmonds has enlisted in the United States Navy and will report to active duty after graduation.

Congratulations to our 7th grade football team on their championship win over Lowndes last week. This win at the 2020 Big 5 Athletic Conference makes our Cats the middle school regional champions! Way to go Cats!

VBOE October Work Session at Valdosta Early College Academy - To view the meeting agenda, click here. (https://bit.ly/3dPFVrQ)

What: VBOE October Work Session When: 10/27/2020, 7:00 PM Where: VECA (Teaching and Learning Training Center) streamed on Valdosta City Schools Facebook Live... Due to the public health emergency declared by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly, the Valdosta City Board of Education will require that everyone in attendance correctly wear a face covering and practice social distancing guidelines as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health (https://bit.ly/3gXE6tP). The VBOE will continue to share meetings via Facebook Live. Anyone wishing to observe the meeting may do so by using the following web address: https://www.facebook.com/valdostacityschools/. To view the meeting agenda, click here. (https://bit.ly/3dPFVrQ) Facebook can be downloaded on a Chromebook by visiting the Chrome Web Store; on any Android device by visiting Google Play; on any Apple device by visiting the iPhone App Store (Apple ID required to install).

The Valdosta City Schools' Program for Exceptional Children (PEC) Department dropped in to surprise the PEC drivers and monitors, showering them with a little appreciation during their special week. We left them looking safe and ready to take on the day in their gifted Wildcat masks. Thank you Dr. Thomas, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Annetta Thomas, and the entire PEC transportation team for all your hard work. We hope that this Driver Appreciation Day was the best one yet for each of you.

J. L. Lomax Elementary School (JLL) and Pinevale Elementary School (PES) students are learning Spanish via teacher implementation of our Fuel Education curriculum for K-5! We create unique learning opportunities for students in VCS! Pictured: Ms. Patricia Tooley, a PES teacher, taught an engaging Spanish lesson on colors to first grade students. Mr. Shawn Henderson, a JLL virtual teacher, provided the very same learning opportunity for K-5 digital learners. We celebrate that both traditional and virtual students are engaged and learning the language of Spanish!

VCS continues to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) experiences for students! Today, Dr. Alex Alvarez, K-12 Science Education Curriculum Director, celebrates the interdisciplinary planning and instruction of high-quality teachers at Valdosta Middle School (VMS). Pictured: In a highly engaging lesson, Mrs. Dadzie made connections to multiple disciplines, the Engineering Design Process with STEM Journals, writing prompts, and Science and Engineering Practices. Keep up the great work!

The instructional leadership team at Sallas Mahone Elementary (SME) is committed to ongoing professional learning to improve teacher practice. Today, Dr. Jessica Graves, English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Director, partnered with Mrs. Billie Page, SME Academic Coach, to model implementation of writing across the curriculum to support mastery of standards! Keep up the great work, SME!

VCS teachers are embracing systematic, explicit phonics instruction! Through structured literacy, we are teaching students the rationale behind WHY words are decoded in certain ways! Hattie (2018) confirmed that this approach results in significant student gains! Pictured: Hats off to Ms. Satterwhite for facilitating best practices tied to student learning!

Valdosta Middle School (VMS) teachers are engaged in ongoing professional learning tied to writing across the curriculum! Through collaborative planning, English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are strategically selecting complex texts tied to content area standards while content area teachers are integrating aspects of sophisticated writing. Keep up the great work, VMS! You are maximizing instructional time!