By Cyndi KightCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACH Forget running around the track and doing jumping jacks. That's so "yesterday" to physical education classes at Three Oaks Elementary.Since October, students have been strapping on pads, helmets and in-line skates during lessons with teacher Tom Warren. Going for the "Fitness Gold," they're learning the stride, crossover and swizzles of the activity in honor of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China."Every year, I come up with a theme. It helps with organization. We had a Field . . .

By Hattie Brown Garrow The Virginian-Pilot
SUFFOLK Parents will have a chance next week to sound off about the city's schools through an online survey.The school division wants parents' opinions on classroom instruction, discipline, homework, facilities and technology, among other topics. The 27-question survey will be available online from Dec. 3-16 at www.spsk12.net/survey. Individual schools also will have paper copies. Parents will be mailed a letter this week explaining the process. All answers will remain confidential, and the responses . . .

By Barbara J. WoernerCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACH Some Cape Henry Collegiate students are taking the lead to help other students understand and respect diversity within the school. Members of Students United to Embrace Diversity, or SUED, kicked off their "Stop Saying Stupid Stuff" campaign earlier this month during assembly with a skit titled "Thanksgiving at the S-4 Cafe." The presentation, containing stereotyping comments, depicted a group of students attempting to have Thanksgiving together. Comments included negative or sarcastic . . .

By Irene BowersCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACHThe pressure was on at Baylake Pines School as eighth-graders prepared their rockets for launching. Should they increase water amounts or air pressure, and had they correctly fashioned their parachutes, "I am pretty much guessing now, and after the first launch, I'll have a better idea of what to do," said Zach Morrison, 13. His goal, he admitted, was to best the altitude gained by his sister's rocket in last year's launch. Sibling rivalry and educated guesses mixed with the fuel, . . .

By Nora FirestoneCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACH -Anthony Vaughan loves homework - when his teacher assigns it to his parents.The seventh-grader smirked when he described study time at his house. "I want to see how they act," he said. "I make sure they have all their commas, periods and capitalization."His father may complain that he's already finished school, or that his sports shows are on. But, Anthony's fair. He designates the assignment an hour prior to TV clamor. The goal, said Diana Cotter, Anthony's reading teacher at Landstown . . .

By Irene BowersCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACH Business is booming at Bayside High with the opening of two student-operated shops. Bayside Sunrise Café offers coffee, tea and baked goods for faculty and staff, while Marlin Market carries school supplies and gear for the student population."It is just an outstanding opportunity for school-based work experience," said Karen Goins, who teaches Life Skills and Vocational Skills. Two Life Skills classes are operating the cafe. Bayside's faculty turned over its teachers' lounge for . . .

By Jane Bloodworth RoweCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACHVirginia history and geography can seem overwhelming to elementary school students growing up in Virginia Beach. It's a long way from the Atlantic Ocean to the Cumberland Gap, with many rivers, mountains and historical sites in between. That's why artist Pam Mageland believes a colorful mural depicting the map of Virginia "will make it all click" for Green Run Elementary School students.Mageland, a Red Mill resident, and her daughter, Chelsea, 17, recently spent several days painting . . .

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By Sandra J. PenneckeCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACHDan and Sue Edwards chose to honor their daughter's memory with the one thing that meant the most to her. A new track was recently installed at Tallwood High School to remember Pamela Edwards. The 24-year-old died in September 2005.The Edwardses have fond memories of their daughter attending Tallwood. "This is the perfect venue because her life's passion was running," said Dan Edwards, Virginia Beach School Board chairman.A 1999 graduate and co-valedictorian, Pamel a attended Wake . . .

By Sandra J. PenneckeCorrespondent
VIRGINIA BEACH Brandon Middle School students sat through a presentation by an FBI agent on Internet safety. But it wasn't until she showed them a photo of a girl, who was abducted and murdered by an Internet predator, that the adult's talk truly sank in. Special agent Catherine Rafferty with the agency's Norfolk division recently told the story of Kacie Woody, a 13-year-old Arkansas girl who befriended a man on the Internet thinking he was a 17-year-old boy. The honor roll student and daughter . . .