By Matt de Simone
There’s a new town in Botetourt County. It has its own residents, its own jobs and, as of Thursday night, its own charter.
The town of “Browntown” was the featured presentation at Thursday’s Botetourt County School Board meeting as part of the division’s new “Better Together: Stories from Our School Community” series.
Superintendent Dr. Janet Womack introduced the monthly feature, which will highlight activities and programs taking place throughout Botetourt County Public Schools (BCPS). For its first installment, the board got a look inside the classroom of Troutville Elementary School second grade teacher Vicki Brown.
Brown has created a miniature community inside her classroom in which students take on jobs and responsibilities– giving them an opportunity to learn some of the skills and expectations that come with having a job and being part of a community.
Students learn practical skills such as handshakes, eye contact and greetings. They also go through an application process for classroom jobs and learn that having a job comes with responsibilities which include consequences when those responsibilities aren’t met.
Brown was joined at the meeting by Troutville Elementary Principal Steven Anderson, who also shared thoughts about the classroom initiative.
The project represents a return of sorts for BCPS. Womack noted that a similar concept was in place before the COVID-19 pandemic, but had not been part of the school division for several years.
And now, Browntown has its charter.
Board Chair Anna Weddle read the document aloud, officially giving the students a framework for their little community and providing a fitting conclusion to the presentation.
While Browntown may not appear on a Virginia map, the lessons being taught there are very real: responsibility, cooperation, communication, accountability and the understanding that every member of a community has a role to play.
For Brown’s students, those lessons begin with something as simple as applying for a job and learning how to do it well.
For the School Board, Browntown offered a lighthearted and very fitting first entry into BCPS’ new effort to showcase the people and programs helping the division “get better together.”
Later in the meeting, two BCPS employees were recognized as its August Employees of the Month.
Dr. Ken Nicely, BCPS Director of Human Resources, presented this month’s recognitions. He noted that more than 35 nominations were submitted for the monthly recognition, which is part of the division’s strategic direction focusing on “Every Student, Every Employee, and Every Learning Environment.”
Nikki Bryant, an administrative assistant at Troutville Elementary School, was named the August Classified Employee of the Month. Bryant is in her third year with BCPS.
Photos courtesy of BCPS
Her nomination praised her for consistently going above and beyond for staff and students, answering questions, helping wherever needed and keeping the school running smoothly while making people feel welcome and cared for.
Sarah Catron, a sixth and seventh grade English teacher at Read Mountain Middle School, was named the August Certified Employee of the Month. Catron is in her first year with BCPS.
Her nomination highlighted her engaging and well-designed lessons, including the use of visuals, word banks and graphic organizers to support students with different learning needs. She was also recognized for building strong relationships with students while maintaining high expectations.
The board also recognized Lord Botetourt High School senior Ethan Steryous for his accomplishments on the tennis court last school year.
Steryous was the VHSL Class 3 boys singles runner-up, earning recognition from the board for the accomplishment.
