School Highlights

ACE Center Completion 2024 preparations

Staff and students are getting ready for The ACE @Highland Springs Completion ceremony, which takes place at the HSHS gym on May 22nd. Reminders were posted for students near the ACE Center office and a backdrop awaits transport to the gym. Extra graduation gowns will also be available.

ARCHIVED HIGHLIGHTS

The first ACE Expo days were held on April 24th and 25th. The ACE Center was open to the public to showcase programs. Students offered services and sold items related to their programs. Also available: Snacks and bidding on silent auction items.

ACE @HS Expo a great success

Color wheels & hair color

Examples of Cosmetology students demonstrating their knowledge of the color wheel and how it applies to mixing colors for hair. Students could use a variety of materials to create their posters, but had to show primary, secondary and tertiary colors, as well as shades resulting from the mixing of these.

CAD students headed to nationals

Second-year Computer-Aided Drafting students, placed first in 3D Visualization and Animation in state SkillsUSA competition. The event was held in Virginia Beach over the weekend of April 20th. Students now move on to national SkillsUSA competition that will be held in June. CAD instructor, Mrs. Kim Evans, is very proud of these students!

CTE Signing Day

ACE Center students ,who are working in their field of study, participated in a CTE "Signing Day" ceremony on April 25, that included their employers, instructors and HCPS Central Office staff. A number of parents and family members were also in attendance at the event, which took place at The Libbie Mill Library.

Mr. Childress is Employee of the Month - Bert Childress, Carpentry teacher was named the March Employee of the Month by his co-workers.

CASA playhouses raise money for children

From the https://henricocasa.org/win-a-playhouse website:

(Court Appointed Special Advocates)

GIVING VULNERABLE CHILDREN A VOICE IN COURT

Now thru April 28, every $5 donation to Henrico CASA is an opportunity to win one of seven luxury playhouses designed and built by local professionals. Why playhouses? Playhouses remind us that childhood should be carefree, without abuse or neglect. That’s why Henrico CASA hosts our annual Home for Good® fundraising and awareness event every April during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The ACE Center at Highland Springs contributed a "magic treehouse," designed by students in the CAD program and built by Carpentry students.

Partial eclipse visible

ACE Center students (and teachers ) made their way outside in the afternoon on April 8th to watch and photograph the eclipse - wearing protective glasses, of course. The sunny day day became briefly overcast.

Reynolds SOAR workshops

Mrs. Young, Reynold Community College Career Coach, and Ms. Harris, ACE Center School Counselor worked to organize two Reynolds SOAR workshops. Students who plan to attend Reynolds in the fall were able to schedule their fall classes with the help of available Reynolds reps. The workshops were held on April 9th and April 11th.

Teacher Scholars

The HCPS Teacher Scholars program is a creative, homegrown way to address teacher shortages in content areas where there aren’t enough qualified applicants.

High school seniors who are accepted for the program agree to complete their undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university in an approved content area and Henrico County Public Schools will provide you with a $5,000 supplement and guaranteed employment. Participants are assigned to schools where their skills are most needed, and they agree to a minimum stint of three years.

(l to r) Ms. Lambert, ECE teacher, Ms. Harris, school counselor, Kiora-Zoriah, Maya Carroll, Mrs. Mason, Educational Specialist (FACS), Mrs. Por, ECE teacher

Time for lunch...

Dover Hall Visit

Computer-Aided Drafting and Masonry classes toured Dover Hall in Goochland County on March 18th. The 38,000- square-foot house was built for a family of three, in the late 1990s, but was sold and is now a wedding venue and meeting space. Much of the exterior building materials and inside artwork and furnishings were imported from Europe and other countries. CAD students were there to study the unusual architecture, and the Masonry class was interested in the brick and stonework.

Ready for paint!

The CAD-designed and Carpentry-built playhouse in the Hudson Trades area is nearing completion. Mr. Childress and his students are building the playhouse as a prize to be raffled off in an event that benefits Henrico CASA - an organization that works with children and families experiencing housing insecurity.

Teaching Excellence!

Congratulations to Ms. Jennie Por for being recognized by the Richmond Valley, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for Outstanding Teaching. Ms. Por will be recognized at their annual awards celebration in June and will be awarded $500.

February staff of the month

Congratulations to Ms. Adrienne Lambert, Early Childhood Education teacher, our February Staff member of the Month!

Celebrate world languages!

A number of different languages are spoken by students and staff at HS ACE. Students were encouraged to read daily school announcements in their family's native language during the first week of March, as well as answer quiz questions about languages around the world.

Read Across America

Mrs. Por prepared Springer Pre-School children for a "guest" reader on March 4th. "Read Across America" begins on Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2nd) and runs through March 6th. However, the whole month of March is dedicated to encouraging reading.

Feb. was Black History and CTE month

A number of Black scientists, engineers and individuals involved in technical areas were featured. Since this was a leap year, the month had an extra day in which students could explore contributions made by Black artists, writers, actors and more via daily quiz questions.

"Cake break" to celebrate CTE month

Students enjoying new work space

Carpentry and Masonry students work on class projects in their newly renovated lab area. The building was formerly the Highland Springs High School's Hudson Gym.

Kindness Week

School Counselors Week

The ACE Center honors Ms. Paula Harris this week for School Counseling Week. We appreciate ALL that she does to support the students, teachers, administration and school community at large!

Middle School Visits

Mrs. Brown recognized for kindness

Mrs. Velma Brown, Instructional Assistant was recently recognized by NBC 12 Acts of Kindness. (She was nominated by Willie Cline, Electricity Instructor.) This spotlight will be aired on Feb. 6th on the evening news and again the next morning. Mrs. Brown was honored with a Mexico gift card and $300 to thank her for the kindness she shows to staff and students every day. In true Ms. Brown fashion, she brought the cash to Mrs. Cherry and donated the $300 to ACE@HS!

Ms. Harris

Mrs. Trent

Ms. Harris, Ms. Trent, employees of the month

Congratulations to Mrs. Paula Harris for being recognized this past week as our November Staff Member of the Month and Congratulations to Mrs. LaToya Trent for being recognized as our December Staff Member of the Month.

Reynolds Community College workshop

Ms. Harris, School Counselor and Mrs. Young, Reynolds Career Coach, hosted a Reynolds CC workshop for interested seniors. A rep from the college explained financial aid, course options and registration information on January 29th.

Students shine at Skills Rodeo

Students demonstrate skills learned in class for business and industry partners at the Career Skills Rodeo at the Richmond Raceway. Student resumes were available upon request for businesses looking to interview/hire.

Latest HCPS house project

Carpentry students under the supervision of instructor, Bert Childress, and house-building coordinator, Chip Coker, brave the January temperature to work on the latest HCPS Vocational Foundation house. House is being built on Aqua Ct. near Staples Mill Road, in the Libbie Mill area.

Hudson Gym re-imagined

Selected ACE Center classes have moved into their new space, formerly the HSHS Hudson gym. These include Drafting, Electricity, Masonry, HVAC and soon, Carpentry. The idea is to have the trades programs involved with the HCPS Foundation house-building project in one large, connected area.

Mrs. Por is

Henrico Teacher of the Year

Jennie Por, ACE Center Early Childhood Education teacher, was named Henrico County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024. “This is the most incredible honor,” Por said at a surprise announcement Monday at the center’s Springer Preschool Academy building.

Por was selected from five finalists — one from each of Henrico's magisterial districts — by a committee of administrators and educators using an interview and review process. Each finalist was also named their school’s teacher of the year. Finalists wrote several essays as part of the selection process. Por’s essay on public education called for policymakers, educators, parents and communities to address the root causes of inequity in public education.

She was also named the division’s 2023-24 Advanced Career Education Center Teacher of the Year and was recognized by Reynolds Community College in 2021 for her dedication to education. She has taught at The ACE Center at Highland Springs since 2018.

Superintendent Amy Cashwell surprised Mrs. Por on Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Ms. Por with family, Springer preschool children and HCPS central office representatives

Ms. Booker and Ms. Evans

"Tacky" sweater day

Ms. Baskerville

Surprise First Snow of the Year

After a night of heavy rain/thunderstorms, it snowed (but not much) on Dec. 11.

Montrose E.S. students visit

Fifth-grade students from Montrose Elementary paid a visit to the ACE Center on Dec. 4th to observe classes that reflected their interests.

Inclusive schools week, Dec 4th - Dec. 8th

ACE Center students participated in a number of activities designed to celebrate differences and stress acceptance of others. These included PA announcements and trading of "free" compliments.

Ms. Por, ACE@HS TOY, advances

Ms. Jenny Por, Early Childhood Education teacher and ACE @HS Teacher of the Year, is moving to the next level of HCPS Teacher of the Year consideration as a FINALIST! She will be in competition for the county award with other HCPS teachers of the year. We wish her luck as she continues to the next round, which includes an interview.

Glen Lea and Baker E.S. students visit

Fifth grade students from Baker and Glen Lea Elementary schools visited classes at the ACE Center on Tuesday, November 28 to explore career path options.

Ms. Buschy nails tie-dye and crocs.

Spirit days before Thanksgiving break

Mr. Totten is a little bit country club.

Mr. Childress is a little bit country.

Ms. Trent goes camo!

Student visits

Students from Henrico Virtual Academy, Deep Run, Godwin and Henrico High schools visited classes at the ACE Center on November 10th to learn about classes they could register for in the coming school year. Ms. Harris, ACE School Counselor, organized it all.

Thanks to our veterans

Ms. LaToya Trent joined the ACE Center on Monday, October 30th, and is already hard at work.

New front office & attendance secretary

Pumpkin decorating contest winners

Congratulations to our class pumpkin contest winners -

1st Place: The Grinch

2nd Place: Pinkalicious

The winning classes enjoyed a pizza party.

SPIRIT WEEK!

Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals Visits

Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals worked with ACE Center and middle school students to learn about roofing and career opportunities.

Class pumpkin decorating competition

ACE students decorated pumpkins to represent their classes. The winning class will recieve a Pizza Party!

October 16 was boss's day

Ms. Baskerville and staff used the marquee at the entrance to the ACE Center to celebrate Dr. Loving, ACE Center principal on boss's day. October is also national principals' month, so she received a number of treats that included family fun and activities.

New staff members joining us soon

Mrs. LaToya Trent has been hired as our new front office/attendance secretary and will begin on October 30th. She joins the ACE team with a wealth of office experience, and she worked for several years in social services. Mrs. Maria Coker, who formerly held the front-office position, has accepted a promotion to work with Crystal Sarvay, CTE Health Occupations Specialist.

Welcome also to Ms. April Robinson as a new part-time instructional assistant. Ms. Robinson has worked with special-needs students for years in a variety of settings and was most recently the head basketball coach for the Huguenot Girls Basketball team.

Ms. Karina Cordova – ACE@HS Christie Award, 23-24

Award-winning staff

Ms. Cynthia Booker - September staff member of the month, 2023

Ms. Jennie Por, ACE @HS Teacher of the Year, 23-24

Fall fun & games

Congratulations Mrs. Cecil – our Pumpkin Challenge champion (l) with a structure of 15.5,” and to Ms. Recher (above) who had 14”! Winners received gift cards. Early Childhood Ed staff had the knack.

Army National Guard Visits

ACE Counselor Paula Harris arranged for representatives from the Army National Guard to visit the Café Springs on Oct. 10th and 11th. Staff Sergeants Redford and Kirkland were available during lunches to talk to interested students. The Guard offers a variety of benefits including payment toward state college tuition. Students can sign up starting at 17.

Mr. Muncy joins HTA program

Mr. David Muncy will be teaching math as part of the High Tech Academy pre-engineering program. He joins the ACE Center after having worked for Gas Equipment Company (GES). He was in equipment sales, and at one point, drove a petroleum truck. Before that he was a teacher in Westmoreland County until schools were closed due to COVID in 2020. Mr. Muncy says he is excited to get back to teaching - he feels it is his calling and he has missed working with students.

We love our custodians! Thanks for all you do

In honor of Ms. Booker, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Cosby and Mr. Emerson, the ACE Center provided cakes in the teacher workroom to celebrate National Custodian day, Monday, Oct. 2nd.

ACE Center students from Auto Technology, Carpentry, Masonry, Computer-Aided Drafting competed in SkillsUSA competition at the State Fair of VA at Meadow Farm Event Park in Doswell, VA., Tuesday, September 26th. The fair runs from September 22nd - October 1st.

Students compete at State Fair of VA

Mr. Bert Childress, Carpentry teacher placed in the Advisory category. Congratulations to him!

Workplace Readiness testing this week

ACE Center at Highland Springs students took the Workplace Readiness certification test on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. (Monday was a student/staff holiday - Yom Kippur.) Testing were first-year students and second-year students who did not pass the test last year. Make-ups were Thursday and Friday. The certification is an important one, especially for CTE students. It gives them a credit that counts toward graduation and can also take the place of a science SOL. A WPR certification is a good addition to a student's resume, as well.

New faces at the ACE Center, 2023-2024

Ms. Joyner

Ms. Finch

Ms. Hargrove

Mr. Totten

The ACE Center welcomed several new team members this school year. Ms. Ashton Aguilera is a full-time substitute and joins the ACE Center after six years as a stay-at-home mom to four boys; Ms. Sharonne Finch, an Instructional Assistant, was formerly a manager for the Springer Cafe and the cafeteria at the new Highland Springs High School. She is currently working toward her master's degree; Nurse Clara Joyner worked at Montrose Elementary School for three years; Mr. Richard Totten, Entrepreneurship teacher, taught Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Hanover High School for eight years; Ms. Kenniecia Hargrove, a permanent sub, joins us from Rolfe Middle School; Mr. David Muncy will teach math in the High Tech Academy program. He has been working in the gas/transportation industry for the past few years but previously taught math in Cumberland County. Mr. Muncy will begin teaching here October 2nd.

(Not pictured): Mr. David Muncy

Ms. Aguilera

OPEN HOUSE

Ms. Kathy Johnson, Intervention Coordinator,
Student Support & Disciplinary Review for HCPS (l), Ms. Paula Harris, Director of School Counseling for the ACE Center @Highland Springs (r) and Mrs. Carolyn Young, Reynolds CC Career Coach (seated) represent student services at the ACE Center's open house.

THANK YOU!!!

Congratulations to Ms. Ashton Aguilera, our August Staff Member of the Month! Ms. Aguilera jointed the ACE Center this school year as an Instructional Assistant.

Searching a suspect

Mr. Rylan Brown demonstrates search techniques to his Criminal Justice students.

Lunch at the Café Springs

Reynolds & Financial Aid

Mrs. Carolyn Young (cyoung@reynolds.edu) is our Reynolds Community College career coach again this school year. She can answer questions about registration for classes and dual enrollment. Ms. Clare Tilton (glenallen@grasp4va.org) is our GRASP representative and she can help with FAFSA and financial aid information for college. They are based in room 402 in the newly renovated ACE Center building, but not every day. Check with the front office to see if they are available.

New space, new year in 2023!

Students started school August 21, in the newly renovated ACE Center @Highland Springs. Changes include the addition of a number of common areas, a new facade, a relocated front office and more classrooms. Still to come: Completion of the re-model of the Hudson gym, (December/January) which will house trade & construction classes.

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