BY JAN MAKELA

BY JAN MAKELA

Volunteer Coordinator

Public School System

• It is always exciting to return to school after a holiday, and last week was no exception. Students and teachers have many experiences to share and all of us (some more than others) are anxious to get back to work. We hope that everyone had an enjoyable spring break.

• Many thanks to the RCES students in Mrs. Shelley Shankle’s third grade class and Mrs. Lois Markee’s fifth grade class whose writing was featured in the Panther Pause column for the past two weeks. It is always a pleasure to read poetry and stories written by children and we appreciate their effort.

• Have you heard of Reading Rainbow? It is a favorite show of many children which highlights exceptional children’s literature on Public Television. Recently they sponsored a contest for students and Rappahannock students did quite well. Out of thirteen winners, five were from RCES!

In kindergarten Joseph Switzer won first prize for “Joseph’s Smet”. At the second grade level Taylor Light won first prize for “The Fight of the Century” and Rachel Switzer won second prize for “The Talking Turtle”. In third grade Emily Carter came in first for “Water No More” and Caroline Massie won honorable mention. Congratulations to all of these talented students.

• Please remember that Teacher Appreciation Week is next week, May 8-12. If you care about our teachers and are grateful for the jobs they i

do everyday, please take a | moment to say thank you with a note, phone call or, if the spirit moves you, a small token. We are fortunate to have the superb teaching staff that we do, and hope that every family will take time to say thank you in some way.

• Many RCPS students ran in the Fodderstack Run on Saturday, April 15 and they are to be commended for pushing themselves to participate