Author: Mark King

May Message from the Director

Hello CBGS Community,

As is the case annually, I find myself unable to believe that we are in mid-May already. The school year flies by, full of teaching and learning, events, field experiences, competitions, and more.

On May 23rd we will bid farewell to our seniors. Well, they’ll stay with us until June 2nd, but we will gather at Essex County High School (at 7:00 p.m., in the auditorium) to honor their achievements at CBGS. Join us for Senior Night, if you can.

For our returning and new students: stay tuned!! Orientations, summer assignments, yearbooks, and the end-of-year picnic are all still to come. Oh yes, and exams, too. Don’t check out yet!

Please watch the website for continued information. If you are just looking to learn more about us, and are not in our program now, please email us with questions you may have.

Have a wonderful remainder of the school year!

Dr. Perkins

February Letter from the Director

Dear CBGS Families,

Second semester is upon us! As the year flies by, I highlight a few items for your information.

Parent Advisory Groups ~ All are welcome!

CBGS wants to hear from parents and include your involvement in the life of our school.

We have tried a single Parent Advisory Committee in past years, with meetings held in Tappahannock. While that’s a central location for our large, 14 school district area, it is still quite a drive for most parents.

This year we’re trying site-based parent meetings. Even if you did not sign up to be officially on the Parent Advisory Committee, I welcome your attendance at one of these gatherings:

  • Monday, February 27th at RCC-Warsaw (Room 110) at 6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, February 28th at RCC-Glenns (Room 118) at 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 1st at CBGS Bowling Green campus (Room 5) at 4:30 p.m.

On our agenda will be updates from the Director on our program, questions for parents around some of our challenges (and how you might see us solving them), and time for parent input.

Please join us!!

Calendar Planning for 2017-18

Ever wonder how a regional program can coordinate school calendars with 14 different school districts? The answer: Very carefully (but not perfectly.)

The good news is that there is great coordination and cooperation on all parts – district partners and CBGS. CBGS receives drafts of district calendars in the winter/spring, and our partners commit to providing transportation even when they are off on particular dates for teacher workdays or holidays. The bad news is that there is truly no way to match up every day off or on with each and every school district CBGS serves. The best we can do is hit as many major breaks as possible and keep stakeholders informed of our schedule.

We are currently collecting all 14 of the district’s drafts and attempting to match up as many as we can, while maintaining the required number of school days. An approved calendar should be ready by late March and we will post it on our website. Knowing we won’t hit all of the days off your child has in his/her home school, we invite you to provide any thoughts or ideas you may have for our calendar. Please email me at tperkins@cbgs.k12.va.us.

 

Other News

We hope you’ll join us at the Senior Science Symposium on March 11th. Remember to be prompt if you’re aiming to see a particular presentation … once our students start their talks, the doors are strictly closed, as these are adjudicated events. Senior research projects showcase amazing work, so join us at VCU if you can.

Senior Night has been set for Tuesday, May 23rd at Essex High School (auditorium) at 7:00 p.m.

This is a lovely celebration of the accomplishments of our graduating students; we hope to see you there.

Important Second Semester Dates

Saturday, 3/11/17:  Science Symposium at VCU (VCU Student Commons and Activities Building ~ 907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond 23284)

Friday, 3/17/17:  End of Quarter 3

April 10 – 17th:  CBGS Spring Break (School is back open on Tuesday, 4/18)

Spring Sophomore Trips:

  • April 22-24 GLENNS
  • April 29-May 1 BOWLING GREEN
  • May 6-8 WARSAW

Tuesday, 5/23/17:  Senior Night

Thank you for all you do and please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

All the Best,

Terri

November Letter from the Director

Greetings!

It’s hard to believe that it is November already. Each school year I am surprised at how quickly the quarters pass. Here at CBGS, we are in our 2nd Nine-Weeks now.

If you are reading this as a current student or parent, I hope you are having a good experience with us; and that you’ll let us know your concerns and kudos (for what works for you.)

But maybe you’re visiting our website to learn more about CBGS. This governor’s school is a robust place of learning for high achieving students from 14 counties. We are proud of what we do and hope you’ll find some information to tell you more.

Some website visitors may be parents or students who might be considering applying – this year or in the future. If that is you, here are some fast facts about our awesome school:

  • CBGS serves 246 students from 14 high schools at 3 sites, in our science & mathematics focused program.
  • Our students attend CBGS in the mornings and ride the bus back to home high schools, for humanities classes in the afternoon. So they can always play sports, be in drama productions, etc., just like their non-governor’s school peers.
  • Being a state governor’s school student (there are 19 around the state of Virginia) shows colleges and employers that the student is motivated and capable. It’s a transcript and resume booster!
  • CBGS provides hands-on learning through a program of field studies. Students travel to various places and spend weekends learning about the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
  • Through an agreement with RCC, our students may earn more than 60 dual enrollment credits while in high school. Many transfer to colleges and allow for tuition savings and other benefits in college years.

Those are really just a sampling of benefits our students enjoy. We hope if you are a potential applicant, you will attend an information session (click here for a list of district sessions about us) or let us know if you’d like to know more.

Enjoy your fall and winter seasons.

All the Best,

Dr. Terri L. Perkins
Director
tperkins@cbgs.k12.va.us

Welcome Letter to Students and Parents

Welcome to the 2016-17 school year at CBGS!! I hope it has been a good summer for all, and that our students are ready for a great year of learning and fun. The faculty and staff at CBGS have taken a break, too; but we feel eager to start up again.

A new school year always provides the opportunity for a fresh start. When we reflect on past years that were successful, teachers or students may be tempted to approach the upcoming year expecting a repeat performance. That’s okay, except when the next year brings an unexpected challenge and a repeat of that great year doesn’t look so promising. Alternatively, when things didn’t go so well the prior year, we may be feeling some dread about what’s to come. Yet facing the new year with hope and enthusiasm could be the key to better results. How might we be sure we really use that fresh start?

Undoubtedly many of you have heard about Stanford researcher Carol Dweck’s work on mindset. In her words (from mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/index.html):

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. They’re wrong. In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.

It is so important – at CBGS and elsewhere – that we have a community of teachers and learners who embrace a growth mindset. The coursework is difficult, but we know are students are up for the challenge. The love of learning and resilience that Dweck refers to are what we most want our students to develop.

We’ll spend this year working on that love of learning, through the vehicles of amazing science topics and stimulating mathematics. Students and parents: let us know how we’re doing. We want to have a growth mindset, too; and get better and better all the time at being an exemplary place for students in these critical high school years.

July Letter from the Director

Dear Students and Parents:

I hope that you are having an exciting summer!  Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School is gearing up to start a great school year.

The purpose of this letter is to share information about the opening of school.

 

Reminders

  • Summer assignments are posted on the website.
  • All Students – If you have not already done so, please complete and return the three registration forms.  Please include a copy of your health insurance card.
    Juniors and Seniors – (Sophomores have already received this form) – Please complete and return the enclosed AUP form.
    You may send the forms to our office by fax (804-443-4039); email to bsisson@cbgs.k12.va.us; or mail to P.O. Box 1410, Tappahannock, Virginia 22560.
  • Students who are working on Community Service hours may use the form on the website and find additional information there.

 

Orientation Week for NEW Students – Monday August 22 through Thursday, August 25

Orientation for new students will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 22 through Thursday, August 25.  Students that are new to CBGS should report to their respective campus. Orientation will consist of the following:  (1) an overview of the courses; (2) an introduction of your teachers; (3) details about the overnight field studies program and day trips; (4) information on community service hours; (4) help on study skills; (5) an introduction to mathematics requisite skills; and (6) information on policies and guidelines for students.

Transportation:  Please check with your local school division regarding transportation for the Orientation Week.   There will be no school on Friday, August 26.

 

First Week of School – Monday, August 29 through Thursday, September 1

School opens for ALL students on Monday, August 29. Students will report to their respective campus at 8:00 a.m. and will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m. Attendance during the first week of school is very important. Please bring your journal.

There will be a special All-Site event at Belle Isle State Park on Wednesday, August 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  More information about the All-Site day will be given to students on the first day of school.

Transportation:  Please check with your local school division regarding transportation for the first week of school.   There will be no school on Friday, September 2.

 

Open House for Families

Each CBGS campus will schedule an Open House evening in the Fall for parents and students.  After the dates have been determined, parents will be notified and information posted on the CBGS website.

 

Field Studies

            Enclosed is an overview of the Fall 2016/Spring 2017 field studies events.  Information is also posted on the CBGS website. These activities are an essential part of the CBGS curriculum and students are required to participate.

Please note the dates and fees for each grade. If you would like to pay for your student’s trip prior to the opening of school, please mail the check to:  Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School, P.O. Box 1410, Tappahannock, VA  22560.  (Sophomores – $80; Juniors – $80; Seniors – $135.)  Any student in need of financial assistance should contact me at (804) 443-0267 or email tperkins@cbgs.k12.va.us.

Please feel free to contact me throughout the year with questions or needs.

All the Best,

Terri L. Perkins
Director
tperkins@cbgs.k12.va.us

June Letter from the Director

Dear CBGS Students and Parents,

This letter is to share information with you regarding summer assignments, field studies, and other topics of importance.

 

WEBSITE

Please visit our website (cbgs.k12.va.us) to access the information listed below. The website will be updated periodically throughout the summer.

Click on Student tab to find:

  • School Calendar – Please note that Saturday, March 11, 2017, the CBGS Annual Science Symposium, is a required school day. Students are asked to not schedule SAT’s or ACT’s on this date.
  • Course Catalog with course descriptions
  • Community Service information
  • Reading Lists: Required summer reading lists and questions. (Assignments will be graded.)

Student Schedules will be posted at a later date.

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED

  • Composition book for journal
  • TI 83 Plus or Higher Graphing Calculator (CBGS has a few available that students may use.)
  • Flash Drive
  • Waterproof Field Notebook ($7.50 and available first day of school)

 

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM SOPHOMORES

Email Address:  The administrative assistant at each campus compiles the parents’ email address as another means of communication.  Parents or guardians, please email the administrative assistant at your child’s campus as indicated below.  Be sure to include your child’s name and high school in the email message.

Bowling Green – Kathy Britt, kbritt@cbgs.k12.va.us

Glenns – Teresa Drumheller, tdrumheller@cbgs.k12.va.us

Warsaw – Rose Jones, rjones@cbgs.k12.va.us

 

FIELD STUDIES

The CBGS program consists of two-thirds classroom time and one-third in field studies. Students are required to participate in the field studies component of the curriculum.  Two dual enrollment credit hours of Physical Education will be awarded in the senior year for participation in all field studies trips.

Each campus has been assigned a date for the field studies trips.   For your planning purposes, a schedule of the overnight field studies trips follows.   If there is a conflict with the dates assigned to your campus, an alternate date may be provided.  You may wish to save old tennis shoes (closed toe and lace ups); they will be needed during mud work on some of the trips.

There is a small fee for field studies, but any student in need of financial assistance should contact the director at (804) 443-0267 or email after June 30, 2016 to tperkins@cbgs.k12.va.us.  Please do not hesitate to let us know if we can assist.

 

2016-17 CBGS Field Experience Trips

Dates Grade Level Site
September 10-11 Juniors (Kiptopeke) Bowling Green
September 11-12 Juniors (Kiptopeke) Glenns
September 17-18 Juniors (Kiptopeke) Warsaw*
September 18-19 Juniors (Kiptopeke) Warsaw*
September 24-26 Seniors (OBX) Glenns
October 1-3 Seniors (OBX) Warsaw
October 8-10 Seniors (OBX) Bowling Green
April 22-24 Sophomores (Shenandoah) Glenns
April 29-May 1 Sophomores (Shenandoah) Bowling Green
May 6-8 Sophomores (Shenandoah) Warsaw

 

*Warsaw students will be split by M&E Teachers.

 

OTHER

  • CBGS T-shirt orders will be taken when students return to school in August.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office.   Another letter will be sent to students and parents later this summer with more details regarding New Student Orientation, Schoology (our learning management system), the first week of school for all students, and other matters.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Sincerely,

Terri L. Perkins
Director
tperkins@cbgs.k12.va.us