RADFORD – All four schools in the Radford City Public Schools system have been recognized by the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) for innovative programs during the pandemic.
Each year, the VSBA Showcases for Success program recognizes innovative programs at school throughout Virginia.
The focus of the 2021 VSBA Showcases for Success was “Unprecedented Times, Innovation Climbs.” The VSBA released information about each program in its announcement.
Harvest Days at John Dalton Intermediate School was recognized for the hands-on approach and interactive lessons the event provided even during the social distancing requirements. The event, the association’s statement said, was “aimed at broadening background knowledge while engaging students in interactive activities. Students participated in activities such as pumpkin catapulting, campfire cooking, apple butter making, caramel apple dipping, animal husbandry and community service initiatives.
“By introducing activities that many have never had the opportunity for, students gained valuable background knowledge to help them in all subjects while giving them insight into their place in a changing and often uncertain world. The activities provided also allowed students to regain a sense of community within the school environment after having dealt with the many changes of the past year due to covid-19. We feel Harvest Days is an innovative example of what social, emotional, and curricular education looks like in unprecedented times.”
The Virtual Music Program at Radford High School was also recognized.
A statement from the high school said, “We implemented a hybrid schedule in the fall of 2020 at Radford High School and, as a result, our choral music and band students were not able to play, practice, or perform together as groups. Our instructors, Mr. Darren Goad (Choral Music) and Mr. Daniel Frankenberger (Band), used computer software to produce musical selections for each group. Students were singing or playing individually and the software combined all the individual parts into one performance. This way, our students could perform “together” without actually being together.”
Finally, the Two Schools, One Family program, implemented when Belle Heth and McHarg elementary schools merged into one campus due to the construction at the McHarg campus, was recognized.
The VSBA’s statement about the schools said, “The 2020-2021 school year saw many changes for McHarg and Belle Heth Elementary Schools. McHarg Elementary serves students in grades K-2, and Belle Heth Elementary serves students in grades 3-6. McHarg Elementary is under renovations and construction, necessitating their move.
“During the summer of 2020, McHarg Elementary moved into the Belle Heth Elementary building to join the schools together. This was all accomplished while ensuring mitigation standards were in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Belle Heth and McHarg joined two schools into one family. McHarg and Belle Heth Elementary Schools joined together to make things work and have flourished. Together, the schools have expanded Belle Heth’s house system to include McHarg students and staff. The schools have also combined to form clubs funded by Project Grow, write letters to soldiers serving in the military, and implement high engagement learning for activities like Rock Your School.”
— Heather Bell
