As the new school year is in full swing, we have been busy scheduling school programs for the duration of the 2021-2022 school term. We are excited and looking forward to a calendar-filled year of programs and activities. We will have an increased presence in our elementary, middle, and high schools as result. Currently, we have programs scheduled for nearly all of our county’s schools.
Programs that you may see or hear about in our elementary schools include; monthly or quarterly programs in 4th and 5th grade classrooms that emphasize the principles of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), as well as public speaking projects such as dramatic reading and how-to presentations. I am very ecstatic for this school year because we will be working with students in all of our elementary schools, which has been a goal of mine since I came back to Botetourt County. These programs are being designed to correspond with lessons and content that our teachers are providing based on their pacing guides and other standards.
In addition, we have partnered with Central Academy Middle School to offer an in-school archery program that students from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are participating in as a part of their club days. This activity is possible in large part due to the hard work of 4-H volunteers and staff at CAMS. In the coming months, we will be offering a “Reality Store” (real-world simulation) program to 8th grade students at both Central Academy Middle School and Read Mountain Middle School.
We are also offering programs to high school students that are designed to prepare students for their lives after high school. This includes writing resumes, formulating a list of references, and practicing interview skills through mock-interview simulations. Our presence in the schools would not be possible without the support of our School board, school administrators, and teachers, and for that, I am extremely grateful.
Botetourt 4-H is looking forward to our new 4-H year that kicked off in October. We will soon begin registering youth for club activities for the remainder of 2021 and 2022. We are in the process of resuming most of our normal club activities, which have been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information on Botetourt County 4-H programs and events, call 473-8260.
