The Chalkboard: A new gym floor, a new post-high program, and a UVA star coming to Wilson
STAUNTON —There's a new and improved gym floor at Staunton High School. Following renovations to Paul Hatcher Gym in 2020, school officials saw issues with the floor.
"Almost immediately after the new floor got installed we started noticing problems with it," Staunton Schools Superintendent Garett Smith said about the floor that was installed during school renovations.
The floor wasn't level and there were gaps between the boards. Smith said you could feel it moving. A basketball placed in one corner of the gym would roll toward the other corner. Athlete safety became a real concern but there was no choice but for the volleyball and basketball teams to play on the floor. Sports officials often questioned school administration about the safety issues.
The contractor returned to the school and inspected the floor, including putting cameras beneath it. They discovered some installation problems, especially with the subfloor. Smith told the contractor that it just wasn't acceptable.
"Ultimately they agreed to redo the floor," Smith said. "And when they tore it up it was clearly an installation issue."
Smith praised the contractor for agreeing to put down new flooring, which was completed in June. The last part of the project is installing metal thresholds to connect the gym floor to the hallway. That should be complete soon, which is good since volleyball season is about to start.
"It's beautiful now," Smith said. "It looks great. That's a pretty famous gym so I'm happy we have a super high quality floor now for the community."
New post-high program announced
FISHERSVILLE — A new post-high program will be offered starting this year for students with disabilities from local school districts. Known as LAUNCH, the program is a collaborative effort between the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program, Augusta County, Staunton City, and Waynesboro City schools.
Jen Matheny, the director of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Program and special education supervisor for Augusta County Public Schools, said the program will provide a more thorough continuum of services for students who have completed the four years of traditional high school yet still need support to prepare for adulthood.
The program leased space from the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) and worked closely with the Center to ensure a smooth opening. LAUNCH will be located on the WWRC campus in Fishersville.
"They have been generous with the use of their space beyond just the four walls of the program building," Matheny said of WWRC.
Leola Burks, the director of special education for Waynesboro Public Schools, is excited about the program that is geared toward students from 18-21 years of age.
"Our goal was to be able to offer all students a continuum of service options to meet their individual needs as an alternative to extended time at their respective high schools," she said.
Part of that continuum will also be the STEP Learning Lab that has been open in Waynesboro and Project Search.
The program will work with students on many key competency areas:
Personal Care Skills
Hygiene
Exercise and fitness
Routines
Healthy habits
Understanding personal information
Improving personal safety
Self-advocacy
Interpersonal Skills
Finding meaningful social opportunities
Navigating relationship roles
Improving emotional regulation
Enhancing social communication
Identifying interests/hobbies
Building skill for potential employment or volunteering
Environmental Skills
Meal planning
Budgeting and shopping
Meal prep and cleanup
First aid
General housekeeping and maintenance
Community Connections
Using public transportation
Participating in meaningful service projects
Participating in local recreation programs
Visiting community, business and tourism sites
Generalizing skills across multiple settings
Identifying personal resources
An open house is scheduled for families on Thursday, Aug. 3 at 1 p.m. at 40 Andrew Lane, Fishersville. Parking is in Lot G near the Wilson Memorial High School baseball field and tennis courts.
For more information contact Jen Matheny at (540) 245-5268 or matheny.jd@augusta.k12.va.us.
UVA basketball star to talk with Wilson campers
FISHERSVILLE — The University of Virginia's Sam Brunelle will be visiting Wilson Memorial High School Tuesday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. to talk with girls basketball players and demonstrate some of her favorite drills. All girls are welcome to the free event presented by the Lil' Hornets Girls Basketball Camp and sponsored by Sammy's Station in Crimora.
Participants are asked to come dressed to participate. Also, girls are welcome to bring something to get Brunelle's autograph.
Brunelle, a 6-2 forward for the Cavaliers, averaged 11 points and four rebounds per game last season before a foot injury cut her season short. She started 21 games for Virginia. Coming out of high school at William Monroe in Ruckersville, Brunelle was was one of he highest recruited players in the nation with her pick of schools.
She chose Notre Dame, but a coaching change and injuries slowed her progress with the Fighting Irish. Brunelle graduated in three years and transferred to UVA for graduate school. The school is a half hour from where she played high school ball.
Contact Wilson Memorial basketball coach Jackie Bryan at jbryan@augusta.k12.va.us for more information.
More: Augusta County School's new weapons detection system has limitations, including large binders
More: After 28 animals found dead, Augusta County man ordered to forfeit dogs, cats
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: The Chalkboard: A new gym floor, a new post-high program, and a UVA star coming to Wilson
