Green Bank 5th through 7th Graders Support Green Bank Observatory through Art

At the January 9^th Pocahontas County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Terrence Beam praised a student Art Show which supports the Green Bank Observatory
(GBO) in its efforts to maintain funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project was conducted by 5^th, 6^th and 7^th grade students
at Green Bank Elementary-Middle School under the direction of Teacher Alison Flegel.

Flegel wrote a letter about the Art Show which she asked Mr. Beam to read to the Board of Education. Here are some excerpts from Alison’s letter, as read by Mr. Beam.

“‘The 5^th grade students drew the GBT (Green Bank Telescope) and finished their work using crayons and colored pencils, focusing on atmospheric perspective’” read Beam. “’The 7^th graders could choose from any new media such as graphite and print making. Their focus was on line and pattern. My sixth grade students could choose any art medium, choosing 3D sculptures using a variety of media… Their focus was on using elements of art and principles of design…. The sixth grade students wrote letters of support to the NSF for the GBO. Their letters were emailed along with a photo of their artwork. This project was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience having a voice through art…’”

In his report to the Board, Mr. Beam also mentioned that he has begun his yearly visits to the schools to meet with staff and hear their concerns. He started with Marlinton Middle School. He said the staff was very respectful and polite. They were concerned about possible upcoming personnel decisions, and Mr. Beam said he answered what he could about that. They also wanted to know if the Board would begin enforcing attendance zones since students now attend any school their parents want them to attend. Mr. Beam said it would be discussed but warned them that doing this would have “ramifications” too.

Kayla Gibson reports that a team of students from Pocahontas High School won best in West Virginia in the third Verizon National Innovative App challenge.

“There were over 1800 submissions” said Kayla. “But there was a group of 5 boys: Logan Woodruff, Elijah Robertson, Mathias Soliday, Jacob Jones, and Noah Barkley, and they won first place in our state. They get a tablet –each of them- and they get backpacks, tee shirts – a bunch of gear. But they won $5000.00 for our school.”

According to Verizon’s website, “The app challenge – a Verizon Innovative Learning program – gives middle and high school students the chance to create mobile apps that help meet a need in their communities or schools. No coding is required, so any student can participate. Best in State team winners are awarded $5,000 for their STEM program.” Verizon states that the Team from Pocahontas County High School won best in West Virginia for an app titled “Flood Protection.”

In other actions, the Board of Education approved various vender payments; a small WV Department of Education grant of $149.00 to reimburse a teacher’s training costs; Payrolls for December 22^nd and January 6^th, Extra duty pay for December and a Schedule of Expenses report through November, 2016.

That report indicates that the Schools’ budget has spent over $125,000 more than last year’s budget through November 2015. It was pointed out that there have been higher then usual costs this year, including a $14,000 increase in flood insurance and sharply higher building maintenance costs. Board Member Joe Walker reported that he learned from Senator Mansion’s office that it is highly unlikely that there will be any National Forest money this year, adding another $377,700 hole in the current budget.

The Board dropped the county mileage reimbursement from 54 cents per mile to 53.5 cents per mile to keep it in line with the Federal rate.

After a closed Executive session, the Board passed the proposed personnel agenda which can be found on our website with this story.

During the matters of the Board, it was reported that the source of the water leaking into the PCHS sewer system remains unknown and under investigation. It was also mentioned that there are complaints that the High School heating system is leaving students cold in some parts of the building.