During
the months of October and November, students throughout the division will be honored for academic excellence. Students who finished the
2018-2019 school year with All As for their final grades will be recognized
with an academic medal during special evening ceremonies. Over 700 4th
through 12th graders will receive a medal for their exceptional achievement.
In addition, seniors who maintained a 3.75 Grade Point Average though
their Junior year received an Academic Jacket. The personalized Varsity
Letterman jacket is presented to the student by their parents, or someone special, who
actually get to place the jacket on the student. This is usually
followed by several hugs and lots of pictures.
This was the fifth year of the medal and jacket ceremonies for Isle of Wight County Schools. It was a tradition I started in my previous divisions and I wanted to make sure the students in Isle of Wight County had this same opportunity. With the assistance of a great sponsor, SSC, I am pleased that IWCS was able to present an academic jacket to over 150 extraordinary seniors.
The history of
wearing a varsity jacket originated over 100 years ago. This time honored
tradition is an outward symbol of hard work, determination and perseverance.
Often the letter, pins and stars recognize athleticism and great accomplishments
in a sport. The Superintendent’s Academic Jacket honors our
students who have demonstrated great achievement in the classroom.
Honoring
accomplishments
in academics lets students know that we appreciate the many hours of
studying,
note taking, reading, writing papers, listening to lectures, working in
groups,
and staying up after everyone is asleep to finish a project. The jacket
not only honors the students, but also their parents and loved ones, as
well as the educators,
that have supported them throughout their academic journey.
We have posted pictures from the ceremonies at Windsor High and Smithfield
High on our Facebook page. We still have medal ceremonies coming up for our Hardy Elementary, Westside Elementary, and Smithfield Middle students. It is a special moment for the students and their families and
one that is well deserved.
