VIRGINIA BEACH
"I'm going to cross my fingers that this is going to work," said Elizabeth Beagle, a teacher at the Renaissance Academy, as she launched a PowerPoint presentation on her classroom's Smart Board.
Everything but the people was new at the school Monday, as the Renaissance Academy on Cleveland Street opened for high school students. Middle-schoolers will move in next month.
Although student workbooks hadn't yet arrived, Beagle got the interactive whiteboard started for a presentation on the Renaissance. Students fresh off winter break were slouched in their seats, out of practice at being alert before 7:45 a.m.
Jymeka Harris, a 15-year-old sophomore, said the new school feels comfortable. "It's like a regular school," she said. For the first time, the city's alternative high school and middle school programs will be in one place designed for them.
Looking around the small auditorium known as a schola, Jymeka said, "They did a good job. They spent a lot of money, I bet."
The two-story, 289,000-square-foot building cost $66.2 million to build, including $1.5 million in environmentally friendly features. High school and middle school students will be separated, and the academic and behavioral programs will be housed on different floors. The school has multiple entrances, a large security staff and student uniforms.
Sophomore Shayla Haith, 16, said she still worries about trouble. Having multiple programs under one roof could lead to conflict, she said. A brawl at the old school in September resulted in about a dozen arrests, but school officials say order has been restored.
Additional security staff has been hired, new student rules have been put in place and the school has a new director.
Most students are optimistic about their new school. Sherron Evans, an 18-year-old sophomore in the program for academic catch-up, said the building represents a major improvement over the portable classrooms at Open Campus, on the former site.
"We deserve something like this," he said. People who believe otherwise are "just judging us because we're not in Landstown or Salem or something like that."
There are kinks to work out. Students on Evans' schedule still don't have time for lunch in the cafeteria, instead eating in class.
At least students don't have to walk outside between portable classrooms. "It makes a big difference because it's so cold," 19-year-old senior Kala Hughes said.
And Chris Renick, a 15-year-old freshman, seemed excited about the academic possibilities.
"Are we going to do any big experiments?" he asked earth science teacher Hector Falcon. New science labs with storage space and sinks make that possible, said Falcon, who used to teach in a portable.
"I want to dissect a frog," Chris said.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Not a Place for a first timer
My son was expelled from school a few weeks back for possession of Marijuana. His first offense. His grades are good and never had any behavior/ disciplinary problems. I understand the schools policy in regards to this matter. I do not fault them. They would not let him return and want him to go to this place. I went to CDC, which was a school for kids similar to this place. I was expelled back in the 80's for my first offense of smoking cigarettes. I learned new things in life and also picked up new habbits. In short, I was introduced to bad influence not good and I left that school with worse than I was when I entered. No help and a new set of friends that had 10x more issues than me. I would rather home school him then introduce him to kids that have more issues then my son. That is how he got into this mess to begin with. Kids with issues need to feel wanted not rejected. They need to feel they have a place with a future ahead. They need to be with kids that have a good head on thier shoulders. Introduction to Bad Kids 101 does not work.
Uniforms have always been mandatory in reform school
"Submitted by juliep93063 on Wed, 01/06/2010 at 11:26 am.
Uniforms are not new for these students. They were required to wear uniforms at the old school. I for one think uniforms are great. Uniforms do make a difference if it is mandatory"
Of course they are "mandatory" at an "alternative school" Uniforms were always mandatory at reform schools. Which is what this school is, just dressed up in a pretty package.
mandatory uniforms
Uniforms are also mandatory in catholic schools, many private schools, and military schools. And, these are NOT reform programs.
Time
prevents me from reading all the comments here, but the gist of those that I have read all boil down to the belief that kids don't want to work or study, and they are all "gangstas". So, I have a solution for those who feel that trying to educate them is a waste of time.
Here's the plan. Take them out into the Dismal Swamp, turn them loose and declare open season on them. This will satisfy the hunters, the people who want them "out of sight, out of mind", bring in state revenue from licenses, and reduce overcrowding in our prisons. It will also keep them from learning more bad things from hardened adult prisoners, while protecting them from the pedophiles in prison. WHOOPEEE! Everybody wins!
the hunt
I sure hope you're joking. These are real children with real problems. Problems they didn't ask for. They need support. They need encouragement. That is what the alternative program is for.
We can do that?
I presume one would need a state issued license or permit to participate?
Uniforms
Uniforms are not new for these students. They were required to wear uniforms at the old school. I for one think uniforms are great. Uniforms do make a difference if it is mandatory. Teens worry way too much about what they have on their backs (name brand, etc) and if all are in uniform it is less of a distraction. Good Luck to the new school. These are still our children and deserve a chance to get a good education. I will keep you all in my prayers.
school uniforms
School uniforms are a plus and should be required in all hampton roads schools.
Thumbs down to uniforms
School uniforms in public schools do not work. Parents are offered a chance to "opt out". One by one the kids stop wearing their uniforms. I wasted good money paying for uniforms that never caught on at my child's school. Not to mention the uniforms are cheaply made and don't stand up to multiple machine washings. I was paying more to replace uniforms than I would have spent on good sturdy jean skirts and jeans for her to wear to school.
stopped wearing their uniforms
Then that was the school's fault. If the school is going to require uniforms, which I believe they should then your kid would NOT stop wearing them.
Study after study has proven that schools with required uniforms do better than those that do not.