PCS Graduate of Merit Scholarship Update

At our February PEA meeting, we voted to sponsor the Pinnacle Award for the top graduating senior from Pittsylvania County Public Schools. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Graduate of Merit ceremony has been cancelled.
Ms. Teresa Petty, Pittsylvania County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Instruction sent each sponsor a letter updating everyone of the status of the Graduate of Merit scholarship. In Ms. Petty’s communication, she said:
“Pittsylvania County Schools would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being one of the 2020 Grad-uate of Merit scholarship
sponsors. Your willingness to help recognize and acknowledge the accomplishments of these graduates who exemplify attributes of achievement, proficiency, character and social development demonstrates your commitment to excellence in education.
As you are well aware, the COVID-19 virus has impacted our world, country, state, community, school division, our students and the Graduate of Merit recognition program. In the past a culminating recognition event was held to honor these young individuals. It is unfortunate that the event will not be held for 2020 for the safety and well-being of all.
Pittsylvania County Schools feels that it is still important
to recognize the accomplishments of these outstanding you men and women. Your contribution of scholarship funds will be assigned to a deserving Graduate of Merit recipient that will help them in continuing their educational endeavors.
In place of the recognition event at Averett North Campus, students will receive their certificate, medallion, PowerPoint CD and a scholarship check. Sponsors will receive a copy of the PowerPoint CD.
Previously, sponsors were presented a sponsorship plaque at the event. The plaque will not be gathered this year to be engraved. This will help avoid direct contact on multiple levels to hopefully elude the potential spreading of the virus.”

The Road, Untraveled

While in the grocery store, I

participated in a

conversation with one of the

cashiers. She was remarking

about how awful she felt that

her senior year had

vanished. What about

graduation, what about

prom, what about college?

While talking with her, other

customers starting speaking

up. “My daughter is going to

wear her prom dress around

the house until we get our

money out of it,” “My son

already has his virtual

campus check-in date,” “My

daughter is graduating

virtually. It’s not the same,

but at least we get to spend it

together as a family.”

The changes that are

occurring in education not

only are shaping how we do

business today, but what our

future and ultimately our

history looks like.

In a communication from

Pittsylvania County Public

Schools Division

Superintendent to senior

students and parents, Dr.

Mark Jones said:

"Dear Seniors and Parents,

I know this must be an

especially difficult time for

you seniors and your parents

as we navigate through the

impact of COVID-19. Without

question, one’s senior year

should be memorable, and I

am heartbroken for you. The

high school principals, central

office personnel, and the

School Board want to assure

you that we are doing

everything possible to ensure

your senior year is special and

that you receive the

recognition that seniors have

earned and deserve.

In an effort to mitigate some of

the results of this epidemic,

the School Board approved

rescheduling high school

graduations at its April

meeting. High school

graduations have been

rescheduled on July 17 and

18, 2020, at Averett

University's North

Campus. This should allow

time after Governor

Northam’s order is lifted on

June 10, 2020, and is the first

date that Averett’s facility is

available. However, if

restrictions remain in place

longer than anticipated and in

-person ceremonies are not

possible, the school division is

actively exploring all

possibilities to honor and

recognize our graduates. If

this is required, we will share

further details as we know

more.

The Superintendent of Public

Instruction for Virginia has

met with division

superintendents to share his

commitment that students

on-track for graduation prior

to the closing of schools will

graduate. I would like to

provide information relating

to flexibility that is being

provided as it relates to

graduation. I hope this eases

many of your concerns. If you

continue to have questions in

this regard, I encourage you

to call your high school

principal, school counselor,

the director of secondary

education, or me.

Please review the

requirements below. Also,

please be reminded that all

students, including seniors,

are expected to complete the

continuity of learning

online/take-home packets

for the remainder of the

school year.

The following graduation

requirements can be waived:

 Students currently enrolled

in a course for which they

need a standard or verified

credit in order to graduate;

 Students who have

successfully completed a

course required for

graduation, but have not

earned the associated verified

credit;

 Students who have not

completed the student selected

test; and

 Students who are currently

enrolled in or have previously

completed a course leading to

a Career and Technical

Education (CTE) credential

necessary for a Standard

Diploma but have not yet

earned the credential.

The Code of Virginia outlines

several credit-based

graduation requirements. We

are working diligently with

the Virginia Department of

Education to ensure we

adhere to the processes

necessary to request a waiver

to the following requirements:

Students who have not

completed a United States and

Virginia history course;

Students who have not

completed a fine or performing

arts or career and

technical education course;

Students in the second of

sequential courses; and

Students who have not

completed an economics and

personal finance course.

The following graduation

requirements will require

action by the General

Assembly in order to be

waived:

Students who have not

completed training in

emergency first aid,

cardiopulmonary

resuscitation, and the use of

automated external

defibrillators, including hands

-on practice of the skills

necessary to perform

cardiopulmonary

resuscitation; and

Students who have not

completed a virtual course.

I regret that the Governor’s

order to close schools does

not allow for the Graduate of

Merit Banquet scheduled on

May 16, 2020, to be held this

year. These seniors have

worked very hard to earn this

honor, and it is truly

disheartening that school

closures through June 10,

2020, will not permit time to

hold this event. Central Office

administrators and principals

are discussing ways to present

these awards and scholarships

to seniors in a meaningful and

memorable way.

It is my hope that these

updates will help to address

the many questions and

concerns you may have

regarding graduation. More

information will be provided

throughout the spring. If you

have questions that were not

addressed, please contact

your school counselor, school

administrator, director of

secondary education, or me.

I greatly appreciate your

continued patience, support,

and understanding through

these challenging times.

With deepest gratitude,

Mark R. Jones

Division Superintendent

2020 Graduation and Practice

Schedule (Averett, North

Campus) Practice

 July 16 5:00 p.m. CHS

 July 17 9:00 a.m. DRHS

 July 17 11:30 a.m. THS

 July 17 2:00 p.m. GHS"

Graduation

 July 17 7:00 p.m. CHS

 July 18 9:00 a.m. DRHS

 July 18 1:00 p.m. THS

 July 18 6:00 p.m. GHS”

It is clear we are the road,

untraveled and the actions of

today mold the path of

tomorrow for who knows

what our history shall be.

These are hard times on us

all, particularly those who

are the graduating Class of

2020. I salute each senior and

bid you good luck on the

days and roads that lie

ahead.

Executive Orders and Their Purpose

Governors, all of whom are popularly elected, serve as the chief executive officers of the fifty states and five commonwealths and territories.
As state managers, governors are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch. As state leaders, governors advance and pursue new and revised policies and programs using a variety of tools, among them executive orders, executive budgets, and legislative proposals and vetoes.
Governors carry out their management and leadership responsibilities and objectives with the support and assistance of department and agency heads, many of whom they are empowered to appoint. A majority of governors have the authority to appoint state court judges as well, in most cases from a list of names submitted by a nominations committee.
Although governors have
many roles and responsibilities in common, the scope of gubernatorial power varies from state to state in accordance with state constitutions, legislation, and tradition, and governors often are ranked by political historians and other observers of state politics according to the number and extent of their powers. Ranking factors may include the following:
 Qualifications and tenure
 Legislative—including budget and veto—authority
Appointment sovereignty
Although not necessarily a ranking factor, the power to issue executive orders and take emergency actions is a significant gubernatorial responsibility that varies from state to state.
According to the National Governor’s Association:
The authority for governors to issue executive orders is found in state constitutions and statutes as well as case law, or is implied by the
powers assigned to state chief executives. Governors use executive orders —certain of which are subject to legislative review in some states — for a variety of purposes, among them to:
trigger emergency powers during natural disasters, energy crises, and other situations requiring immediate attention;
create advisory, coordinating, study, or investigative committees or commissions; and
address management and administrative issues such as regulatory reform, environmental impact, hiring freezes, discrimination, and intergovernmental coordination.
Attached in this email are the seven (7) executive orders Governor Ralph Northam as enacted since March 12, 2020.

The Beach is Still Open

As we have heard and seen repeatedly on television, social media and even the radio, life has changed. I know that is pure truth! No two days have been the same and for those of you who know me well, I am quick to say I am living the dream because everyday is a new adventure. Well, I think those words hold their weight in gold now more than ever. And I know too, the same applies to you. We are all in this together. So, I am in favor, since the weather is getting a tad warmer to hang out at the beach. You all are welcome to come by and stay a while because the beach is still open.