WEEKLY UPDATE
FROM THE VHSL

View previous releases of Weekly Update

Page Last Updated: 05/05/2008

   

Special Notes

VHSL Weekly Update, May 5, 2008

“A life has no value except in the impact it has on others.”

- Jackie Robinson

ATTENTION: Principals, athletic/activities directors, superintendents, school guidance counselors, volleyball coaches, debate coaches, spring sports coaches, forensics coaches, newspaper advisers, yearbook advisers, magazine advisers, creative writing advisers

Weekly Update, distributed at the beginning of each week, contains current League news and information on website updates (www.vhsl.org), with links that will provide you with immediate access.  Please forward this message to each of the coaches or activity advisers to whom this information pertains.

To find a previous Weekly Update posting, go to http://www.vhsl.org/thisweek.htm and select the link at the top of the page, “View previous releases of Weekly Update.”

Executive Committee Agenda update

All administrators are reminded that the final VHSL Executive Committee meeting of the year is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, and an agenda for this meeting is available for your review: http://www.vhsl.org/minutes.htm.  Following the initial posting of the agenda, Redistricting and Reclassification (R&R) appeals and second-vote legislation are among the items that have been added.  If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact the VHSL office or your Executive Committee representatives.

Administrators asked to complete activities survey

One of our high school administrators has requested a survey of VHSL activities stipends paid by schools/school divisions.  Please assist by completing the attached interactive survey and returning it to Lisa Giles via e-mail (lgiles@vhsl.org) by Friday, May 9.  Results will be available to share on Monday, May 12.

VIAAA selects Executive Director

Bruce Bowen, CMAA of Hermitage High School has been named the first Executive Director of the VIAAA.  A past president of the VIAAA, he brings 36 years of experience to this new position. 

Certificates of Insurance

If you are hosting any spring district or region events that require a Certificate of Insurance, please email Lora Bickley (lbickley@vhsl.org) requesting these certificates.  We need facility name, address of facility, dates of the event, name of event (ex. Shenandoah District Baseball) and the VHSL school contact person.

Technology community forum established for administrators

Administrator s are invited to join the online community forum established by Clearwired for future users of the MVP Sports Management tool at http://mvpapp.com/.  This is a great way to stay up-to-date on the site development and share ideas with the user experience team.

Regional Award of Merit, Torch of Honor and Lifetime Achievement Awards past due

The Regional Award of Merit, Torch of Honor and Lifetime Achievement Awards nominations were due April 15.  Please submit deserving individuals for the Regional Award of Merit, Lifetime Achievement Award and/or the Torch of Honor.  Nomination forms can be found on the VHSL website (http://www.vhsl.org/Prinwkbk.htm).  For more information, please contact Sharon Condoulis (scondoulis@vhsl.org) or Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org).

Record Book updates needed

The VHSL Book of Records, 13th Edition is being updated to include winter champions and independent submissions.  To access the record book, go to http://www.vhsl.org/recordbk.htm.  The record book is updated twice a year, at the conclusion of the fall season in December and at the conclusion of the spring season in June.  Schools may submit applications for recognition with corresponding documentation at any time.  This application may be found on the last two pages of the record book.  Any questions may be directed to Mike McCall at 434-977-8475 or mmccall@vhsl.org.     

VIAAA professional development

The Virginia Interscholastic Athletic Administrator s Association (VIAAA) is sponsoring a professional development summer leadership institute.  A total of 16 classes will be offered over a two day period, July 16 and July 17 in Charlottesville .  The course topics address many current issues facing high school and middle school administrators.   The courses offered are also part of the requirements for athletic administrators to become certified at the RAA, CAA, or CMAA levels.  Don't miss this meaningful staff development opportunity. 

For complete details and course descriptions, follow this link:  http://www.viaaa.org/index.cfm?action=pages&id=196

Book your travel through www.vhsltravel.org

As you make your summer plans, always check www.vhsltravel.org for rates on flights, hotels and car rentals.  Prices are extremely competitive and they are frequently the lowest in the industry.  Each purchase through the League’s travel website raises money for VHSL programs.  You are encouraged to use it for both business and personal travel and to share the link with your school community.

Updates to the VHSL Directory

Lee HS – new email addresses – Ron Early, Principal, ronald.early@leecountryschools.net, Richard Stapleton, Athletic Director, grant.stapleton@leecountryschools.net

Park View HS (South Hill) – new athletic director – John Wright

   

Athletic Activities

Spring sports rosters and team pictures needed

All schools whose spring sports teams are in playoff contention need to send their team photo and rosters to Mike McCall (mmccall@vhsl.org or 434-977-5943 fax) as soon as possible and no later than Friday, May 9 to ensure that they are included in the VHSL Spring Jubilee game programs which will be available during the championships at Westfield High School and Radford University.  

Volleyball Preseason Reminder

Section 86-1-1 states that fourteen days is the minimum number of practice days required prior to the first contest. 

Those schools intending to use August 18th for their first contest will need to practice on both Saturdays prior to the 18th in order to meet this requirement.  For more information, please contact Tom Dolan (tdolan@vhsl.org) or Faustina Lee (flee@vhsl.org).

Clarification of football preseason practice schedules and benefit games

For the 2008-09 school year, fall practice may begin on August 1st.   Provided are two schedules which clearly define when scrimmages/benefit games will be allowed based on VHSL interpretation, http://www.vhsl.org/football.htm

Team and individual photos from VHSL fall/winter championship teams requested

All schools with a fall /winter sports team champion and individual champion please send your team photo and your individual champion photo to Mike McCall at mmccall@vhsl.org for inclusion in the 2007-08 edition of “The Leaguer” by May 1. 

   

Academic Activities

League seeks Clerk of Student Congress (debate tournament director)

The Virginia High School League is seeking letters of interest for an administrative position as Clerk of Student Congress (debate tournament director).  Details on this position have been posted on our website at http://www.vhsl.org/debother.htm.  Deadline for receiving applications is July 1, and questions regarding this position should be directed to Lisa Giles (lgiles@vhsl.org) or Sharon Condoulis (scondoulis@vhsl.org).  

Frito-Lay / VHSL Debate Grant applications due May 15

In an effort to build interest in one of the most valuable activities a school can offer, Frito-Lay has also earmarked $1,000 a year to help high schools build strong debate programs.  Based on the applications received, VHSL and Frito-Lay will this spring select two schools to receive $500 one-year program grants to start a debate program where none exists or to build a struggling program.  The award IS NOT intended to support well-established programs.

The application guidelines are not rigid.  Please complete the interactive application at http://www.vhsl.org/Prinwkbk/FritoLay.dot and explain specifically how the money will be used to build a debate program.  It might be for coach’s training, to help students attend summer workshops, to provide supplies or facilities or for any other expense directly related to building a debate program in Lincoln-Douglas, either contemporary or classic policy competition and/or Student Congress.

Applications are due May 15 and may be e-mailed to Lisa Giles at lgiles@vhsl.org.  If sending additional information, please send via U.S. mail.  

2008 Championship Journalism Workshop

Save the date!  The 2008 Championship Journalism Workshop is shaping up to be an exciting event!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 and plan to join your peers across the commonwealth for the state’s premiere scholastic journalism training event!  Many new speakers have committed to appearing and presenting exciting new session at the 2008 CJW.  You too are invited to submit an Instructor’s Proposal Form and help students and advisers across the state with advertising, building a curriculum, caption writing, using fonts and color, illustrating, photography or some other aspect of publications in which you excel.  Innovative, interactive sessions with fun, catchy titles will ensure maximum attendance to your session.  Proposals will be accepted through the late summer; however, those received by May 1 will be given priority consideration.  Speaker proposal forms are accessible at:  http://www.vhsl.org/Workshop/2008CJWSpeakerProposalForm.pdf.   

Team and individual photos from VHSL fall/winter championship teams requested

All schools with a fall /winter sports team champion and individual champion please send your team photo and your individual champion photo to Mike McCall at mmccall@vhsl.org for inclusion in the 2007-08 edition of “The Leaguer” by May 1.

   


For More Information

Contact the VHSL office via telephone:  434-977-8475 or mail:  1642 State Farm Blvd., Charlottesville, VA   22911.

      
   

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