Meetings/news from PCPS

1) The Board of the Petersburg City Public Schools will meet in closed session on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 6 p.m., at the School Board Office, 255 South Boulevard E., for the purpose of a personnel discussion. 2) The Board of the Petersburg City Public Schools will have a work session Wednesday, February 18 at […]

February 14, 2009; 9:29 AM • by brenda p

2) The Board of the Petersburg City Public Schools will have a work session Wednesday, February 18 at 6 p.m. in the meeting room of the School Board Office, 255 South Boulevard E. Click here for the agenda.

3) Jordan Damon victorious in PCPS Spelling Bee

Jordan Damon, a fifth grade student from Walnut Hill Elementary School, outlasted five of his word-wisest peers on February 12 to claim victory in the Petersburg City Public Schools District Spelling Bee. The other contestants were Demonte Johnson of Stuart; Jazmyne Thomas of A.P. Hill; Sophia Harris of R.E. Lee; Daija Perry of Peabody Middle School; and Malik Blackwell of Vernon Johns Junior High School.

More than 80 people filled the new, Stuart Elementary multi-purpose center, a turnout so large that extra chairs had to be brought in. The audience included proud parents and siblings, PTA members, School Board Chair Kenneth Pritchett and School Board member Mary Jane Hendricks.

The battle began with “measure,” spelled correctly by Daija. Malik easily handled “barrow.” But a few minutes later, a misplaced vowel in “bonanza” took out one contestant; “bambino” eliminated another. Jazmyne survived the four-syllable challenge of “retrospective,” but another contestant wasn’t so lucky with “nosiest.”

The three remaining contestants then struggled for spelling supremacy for several rounds, tackling “tofu,” managing “manicure” and capturing “character.” Sophia remembered “amnesia” and Jazymne scored on “strategy,” but “metaphor” proved too much, leaving the battle to Jordan and Sophia.

Jordan triumphed over “susceptible,” then tasted victory with “tarragon.” Richmond Times Dispatch reporter Jeremy Slayton officially presented the young winner with a hardcover dictionary and saluted all of the students’ verbal virtuosity.

Jordan will now proceed to the regional competition, sponsored by the Richmond Times Dispatch, in Richmond on March 17.

All these students were awesome spellers and genuine winners, said Norma Wingfield, Director of Elementary Education for the Petersburg City Public Schools.

“Each of you represented us so well,” said Dr. James M. Victory, Petersburg Superintendent of Schools.