Latest News |
School Superintendent Search Updates
June 24: SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCEMENT
June 16: From: Dr. Christine Ross, School Board Chairman
Thanks to all of the individuals who completed the Superintendent search survey, as well as to those who took the time to speak at the public hearing. This information will be used as we move forward in our search for our next superintendent.
A total of 251 survey responses were collected, with almost half being parents and/or community members. We will share the overall results as soon as possible on the school's website.
We will continue to keep you updated through each stage of the process.
May 10, 2010: The Cumberland County School Board appoints Dr. Amy Griffin as Acting Superintendent effective July 1, 2010 as they complete the Superintendent Search. |
School Board Recognition
The School Board recognized "new" teachers at the meeting on July 12, 2010. Pictured here are Mrs. Nicole Driggs, the new Speech-Language Pathologist, and Mr. Charles Motter, Cumberland Middle School math teacher and Assistant to the Principal. While new to the middle school, Mr. Motter has taught math for the last nine years at the elementary school. Not pictured was Mr. Justin Wilkes, new Cumberland High School guidance counselor. Previously he was the AVID teacher at the high school.
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State Park Partnership
Cumberland County Public Schools recognized the partnership with Cumberland State Park. A certificate of recognition was presented to Mr. Eric Hougland, the Park Manager at High Bridge Trail State Park. In this partnership, a telescope which was donated to Cumberland County Public Schools some years ago will be on loan to the Virginia State Parks, to be placed at High Bridge State Park where it will be utilized by students, community members, and visitors to the park. The staff at High Bridge Trail State Park will offer training and assistance in using the telescope as well as generally maintaining the site and the telescope. Pictured are Mr. Bob Wilcox (Friend of the State Park) and Mr. Eric Hougland.
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Cumberland High School Students Attend Leadership Camp
at Fort Pickett, Virginia
While many high school students enjoyed the break from the school year, eleven students from Cumberland High School participated in one the nation’s premier leadership training camps. The camp, called JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) Eagle, is located on the Army National Guard Maneuver Training Area, Fort Pickett, near the town of Blackstone, Virginia. The mission of the camp is: “To motivate young people to be better citizens,” and the staff of the camp does all that it can to challenge these future leaders. The Cumberland students who graduated this year’s camp are: Wesley Anderson, Alex Bapties, Rebekka Bowen, Cory Deane, Ashley Frayser, Sylvia Fusari, Keyvon Jones, Jacob Hawk, Jonathan Hawk, Rodney Richardson and Cody White.
The seven-day camp focuses on hands-on leadership training as the students participate in a series of activities ranging from orienteering to rappelling to obstacles courses to survival skills. In all, every day presents challenges to the students as they rotate through leadership roles where plan and organize each day’s activities.
The week of activities culminated in a field day where each student group competed for camp honors in athletic and organizational events that test both physical and mental and collaborative skills.
The camp is sponsored by the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and conducted by staff drawn from 50 high schools in the South & Central Virginia Area and North Carolina. This year Cumberland High School sent Major Peter Amico and Sergeant First Class Steven Carrier, who participated as Platoon Evaluators.
Of particular note, Cadet Ashley Frayser was this year named one of the top five percent of the over 500 cadets attending JCLC Eagle. Cadet Frayser competed for this honor by appearing before boards at both the company and camp levels. This was especially noteworthy as this was Ashley’s first time at JCLC Eagle, and she competed against cadets who were on their second and third time attending.

Left to Right: Cory Deane, Jonathan Hawk, Jacob Hawk, Alex Bapties, Ashley Frayser, Sylvia Fusari, Cody White, Keyvon Jones, Wesley Anderson, Rodney Richardson, Rebekka Bowen

Cadet Ashley Frayser receives her award for being named one of the top five percent of the over 500 cadets at JCLC Eagle
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"Vision to Practice" Conference
Several school administrators attended the "Vision to Practice" Conference held July 14-15, 2010, in Richmond. The conference was sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and all school divisions in Virginia were invited to attend and to bring a team to learn about/discuss/plan efforts to improve their graduation rates. The keynote speaker was Erin Gruwell, the founder of the "Freedom Writers Foundation." The story of her class was depicted in the feature film "Freedom Writers." During the conference, Ms. Gruwell signed copies of her class's book, The Freedom Writers Diary.
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Lee Receives Degree
Mrs. Katherine Lee, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, in June 2010 received her Master's of Education Degree from Strayer University. This program provides educators and managers with the knowledge and skills to to deal with educational issues and problems. Mrs. Lee noted, "This degree required a lot of hard work, but has helped me grow professionally."

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Summer School Program
Students attending the CUCPS Summer School Program for 2010 presented a Summer School Showcase to mark the end of the program. This culminating activity showed the talents and knowledge of the students who attended. Under the direction of teacher Heather Storrie, four students gave a violin recital. According to an article written by Dr. Carmille M. Smith, published in the Fall 1997 issue of American String Teachers Association Journal, only about 16% of America's school districts offer string education and students in schools with lower socioeconomic levels have little access to string education. Under the direction of Mrs. Carlie Duncan and Mrs. Kate Chavez, students gave a dramatic performance. In addition,students in the Renewable Technologies class, under the direction of Ms. Angela Whitaker, made a presentation on green technologies.

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Recent Grad Signs Letter of Intent
Jule Rich, a 2010 graduate of CHS, recently signed a National Letter of Intent to attend North Carolina State University. The National Letter of Intent is an agreement between a prospective student athlete and a university. Jule will be on the track team. NCSU is a nationally and internationally ranked university, known for both its academic programs and its research opportunities.
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Weight Room, Aerobic Room and
Parent Resource Center
Summer Hours of Operation:
(June 1 - August 5)
Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
and
Monday - Thursday from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Senior Citizens: $1.00 per day or $20.00 per month
County Employees:
$1.00 per day or $20.00 per month
Membership: $5.00 per day or $20.00 per month for single member or $35.00 per month for a family of 5.
View Parent Resource Center Poster
View Informational Poster
CUCPS Membership Application
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Superintendent's Message |
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View Cumberland County
Schools' Acting Superintendent,
Dr. Amy Griffin's Message.
Acting Superintendent's Blog
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Students and Staff Making News |
Students who received a perfect score of 600 on at least one 2009-2010 SOL test. |
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Our Vision |
The Cumberland County School System will be a model school system that serves as the educational and resource center for the community. |
Our Mission |
Our mission is to inspire and prepare all students with the confidence, courage and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning. |
Important Dates |
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| Staff Develpopment Calendar |
| Staff Development calendar and welcome back letter for the Opening of School 2010-2011. |
More News |

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
August Sales Tax Holiday: Shopping for school supplies can be expensive however, August 6-8 Virginia offers a Tax Free Holiday on school supplies and clothes! During this three-day period, purchases of qualifying school supplies and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear will be exempt from sales tax. See the Virginia Department of Taxation for more information. |
Lend a Hand
Become a Mentor

More Information
Application
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Special Education Parent Involvement
SURVEY
The survey will be available from April 5, 2010 to September 30, 2010. For more information click on the information link. To take the survey on-line click on the survey link.
(More Information - English)
(More Information - Spanish)
(Take the survey - English)
(Take the survey - Spanish) |
Cumberland County Schools Make AYP
Cumberland County Public Schools has been included in an elite group of 21 Virginia school divisions. Each of the schools and the school division made AYP, or adequate yearly progress.
For a school or school division to have made AYP, at least 81 percent of students overall and students in all AYP subgroups — white, black, Hispanic, limited English proficient (LEP), students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged — must have demonstrated proficiency on Standards of Learning (SOL) and other assessments in reading, and 79 percent must have passed state tests in mathematics. |
Recycling Initiative
Cumberland County Public Schools has partnered with Cumberland County to start a recycling initiative. Each school (elementary, middle, high) recycles aluminum, metal, plastic, and paper on a weekly basis.
Recycled during June:
Aluminum: 22 lbs.
Plastic: 41 lbs. |
Cumberland's Virtual Library |
Visit our Virtual Library page and explore the many links.
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