Message From Our Superintendent Mr. W. Richard Bull, Jr.

"Achieving Today, Succeeding Tomorrow" is more than just a slogan in Accomack County Public Schools. Everything we do as an organization works to meet the goal of helping all students achieve to ensure their success in their future endeavors -- in college, the armed forces, or the workforce. We continuously evaluate the effectiveness of our programs through our School Improvement Plans, while working to meet the needs of our students across a realm of academic and other opportunities, including Career and Technical Education, sports, and arts programs.

We are honored to live in a community that stands in support of education. Our School Board members take great pride in celebrating our successes and providing support in areas of need. Our Board of Supervisors continues to offer its support of education through its budget process. Our long-range fiscal planning has ensured that our students are educated in modern, comfortable schools, conducive to academic achievement. The support of our School Board and Board of Supervisors cannot be overstated. This positive working relationship helps us achieve great things in our school system.

Eight years ago, seven of our schools were accredited with warning. Last year, all of our schools were fully accredited. This year, all of our schools are slated to be fully accredited again. We continually work to make Adequate Yearly Progress in each of our subgroups as defined by the No Child Left Behind legislation, and we have achieved a great deal of success in this area.

We use a range of research-based strategies to meet the needs of individual students. We provide on-going, sustainable, and fiscally-responsible staff development in our schools to keep our teachers abreast of the latest issues and trends in education, providing them with the tools to do their jobs as effectively and efficiently as possible. In addition, we provide resources for our Hispanic students through our English as a Second Language program.

Grants and initiatives are tremendous resources for us in the area of technology. Our journey to the forefront of educational technology has enabled teachers to use a range of instructional techniques, connecting students on a global level to the world around them. All of our schools have computer labs, and students in our district have the opportunity to participate in online programs to help them increase their academic achievement. Our middle and high schools administer online Standards of Learning tests.

The division works collaboratively with NOAA and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to provide authentic learning opportunities for students in the areas of math, science, engineering, and technology. One of our middle schools is a NASA Explorers School, offering a state-of-the-art aeronautical laboratory. Two of our middle schools provide students units of study in Robotics, and we are working to expand these offerings during this coming school year. We are pleased to report that 100% of our teachers have passed the state's technology proficiency requirements. Our collaboration with WHRO provides tremendous opportunities in the area of technology, giving teachers high-quality lessons in math, science, social studies, and literature.

The safety of our students remains the number one priority for our schools. All schools have video surveillance equipment, and visitors must follow a protocol for entering and exiting each building. In addition, middle and high schools use hand-held and walk-through metal detectors, and our buses use a video surveillance system and two-way radios for communication with our School Board Office.

"Achieving Today, Succeeding Tomorrow" is an expectation we set for each of our students. Our school system is committed to providing all students with an outstanding education. Although the challenges facing today's students are formidable, the outstanding support from our community lends itself toward our students' success. We look forward to a most productive year.

Sincerely,

W. Richard Bull, Jr.
Division Superintendent

Mailing Address:
23296 Courthouse Avenue
Accomac, VA 23301

Telephone:
757 - 787 - 5754

Fax:
757 - 787 - 2951