Superintendent’s Blog
Fluvanna Holds Annual 24 Math Competition!
On March 14, 2023, the Fluvanna Middle School gymnasium was alive with a different type of competition! There were no basketballs, running, or whistles. The sounds were instead those of students solving math problems and reaching the solution of “24”. Forty-two students in Grades 3 through 7 worked with their teachers to become eligible to compete in the FCPS Annual 24 Math Competition.
Participants play the 24@ Game, which involves a deck of cards, each showing four whole numbers between 1 and 9. When presented with a card, the players strive to be the first to combine the four numbers to make 24 using only addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. In addition to supporting pattern recognition, mental-math, and problem-solving abilities, this game has proven to elicit a high level of interest and excitement in Math from students!
“The competition amongst the students was exciting and intense to watch as students went through rounds to determine first through fourth place. Our school division is blessed to have support from teachers and volunteers that helped to make this tournament a success,” stated Kenny Yowell, FCPS Math Specialist, who worked to organize the tournament.
| Place | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 |
| 1st | David Gifford | Kinsley Christiansen | Reagan Yowell | Olivia Varga | Annika Potter |
| 2nd | Avery Goodwin | Joshua Esch | Madelaine Gretz | Emmy Watkins | Caitlin Pieron |
| 3rd | William Long | Andrew Jasper | Zoe Wilson | Tramari Minor | Emma Monafalcone |
| 4th | Matthew Puccinelli | Isabella Koerper | Emma Boisseau | Norah Ferrell | Turner Gretz |
Our judges were great and lots of fun:
- Central office staff/administration: Ms. Pleasants and Ms. Dugolinsky
- Teachers: Ms. Thayer, Ms. Settle, Mr. Tucker, and Mr. Reese
- Current and former students: Kelly Reese, Reese Yowell, and Riley Yowell
The top four competitors in each grade level have been invited to participate in Regional 24 Tournament in Orange County on April 13th at 5:30 PM.
For more information about the 24@ Game or interested in volunteering for next year’s tournament, contact Kenny Yowell at kyowell@apps.fluco.org or Hillary Pleasants at hpleasants@apps.fluco.org.
FLUCOS Excel in Regional KidWind Competition!
FMS FLUCOS racked up major recognitions in knowledge, circuitry and sportsmanship! Some will head off to the state competition and all have done an exceptional job!
Check out this video where the students explain their projects and see the results below!
Here are the results!
- KidWind Sportsmanship Award – Wind Flowers
- KidWind Judge’s Award – Team Hattiki
- KidWind People’s Choice Award – Team Aqua
- KidWind Circuit Master Award – Team Aqua
- KidWind Wind Power Knowledge Award – Wind Flowers
- KidWind Solar Power Knowledge Award – Team Hattiki
The following awards include invitations to compete in the state KidWind Challenge:
- KidWind Middle School Wind Challenge 3rd Place Award – Wind Flowers
- KidWind Middle School Solar Challenge 3rd Place Award – Team Aqua
- KidWind Middle School Solar Challenge 2nd Place Award – Team Hattiki
FLUCO Visits Her “STAR” Roots at Central Elementary
Senior FLUCO Arianna Y. Grier came back to her roots at Central Elementary to give back! She collaborated with some of our youngest FLUCOS to create a beautiful mural as part of the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School capstone project.
Great work, Arianna!
KidWind Teams Ready for Competition!
Check out Team Hattiki’s solar-powered, trash collecting boat, 100% designed by FLUCOS and 100% powered by solar energy!
The KidWind regional competition is Monday, March 13 in Petersburg!
FLUCO Band Continues to Earn High Honors!
The combined Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble performed this past Saturday at their VBODA District XIII Assessment. They received a rating of Superior (the highest possible overall rating) from every judge, and received straight A’s (the highest possible rating for a sub-caption) from 2 of the 4 judges, including in sight-reading!
This is only the 3rd time the FLUCO Band has achieved this within the last ten years!
Our Spring Concert will be on Thursday May 11th if anybody from the community would like to come out and hear the results of the hard work that the students continue to put in!
Special thanks to Director, Sam Campbell for his continued leadership and commitment!
FLUCO Solar and Wind Designers Advance to Regional Competition
The Kidwind Challenge winners from FCHS not only showcased their impressive skills in designing and harnessing wind and solar energy but also highlighted the growing importance of renewable energy in our everyday lives. Initiatives like this foster a hands-on learning approach that not only educates students but also empowers them to become future leaders in the field of clean energy. By implementing solar panels on your home, you can actively contribute to a more sustainable future while reaping the benefits of renewable energy. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding achievements and for inspiring others to explore the possibilities of clean, renewable power.
Solar panel installations represent a significant step toward a more sustainable future, offering both environmental benefits and energy savings. Companies like Lone Star Solar Services exemplify this transformative journey, guiding homeowners through more than just the installation process. Their expertise ensures that each step, from initial consultation to final setup, is approached with a commitment to hope, empowerment, and sustainable living. By partnering with such dedicated professionals, you’re not only investing in clean energy but also embracing a future where renewable power is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives.
We recently included information about the Kidwind Challenge, a hands-on learning initiative that directly links student design to the solar panels currently powering all FCHS facilities. I wanted to congratulate the following challenge winners who will go on to represent teh FLUCOS at the Regional Competition in Petersberg next week:
Team All-Seeing Flower:
Wind
- Sara Woody
- Elise Summers
Team Flying Flucos:
Wind
- Sydney Gentry
- Ella Gray
- Olivia Varga
- Ian Jeanguenat
Team Redwind:
Wind
- Trenton Judy
- Guiliana McDaniels
Team Bean:
Solar
- Lilyann Kingston
- Chloe Ireland
- Grace Wagner
Team Aqua:
Solar
- Emma Boisseau
- Emma Dunn
- Aidan Caylor
Central Elementary FLUCO STARS Shining – and Singing – Brightly!
The Central Elementary FLUCO STARS have been hard at work preparing and performing some spectacular musical events under the direction of music teacher, Mr. Baughan, and librarian and music teacher, Mrs. Gifford. Most recently first graders in Pod One performed a patriotic “Love in any Language” inspired concert, featuring sign language, a rap of the presidents, and some stellar singing!
Other events included the first post-pandemic concert performed by the second graders in Pod one to a packed Spraggs-Key auditorium, and a second grade Pod two concert involving rhythm sticks, dancing, singing, and even a bilingual song called “Mi Cuerpo”. Mrs. Gifford’s students had speaking parts and went to the mic to introduce the songs and discuss the different genres.
FLUCOS Raise Money for Charity by Reading 4,687 Pages in a Day!
The first FCHS Library Read-a-thon was a success! We had 25 readers throughout the day who read a total of 4687 pages and raised just shy of $200 for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! We want to thank all of the teachers who allowed students to come to the library and read in celebration of National Read Across America Day. A special thank you to the teachers who took the time to read with them, purchased snacks, and helped promote this event!
Exceptional Female Leaders and Role Models!
We honored to have four of our outstanding leaders participate in the most recent WELV (Women in Educational Leadership in Virginia) event, where they were able to collaborate with other female educational pioneers from around the commonwealth. We are grateful for their commitment and contributions to the FLUCO school community!
(Left to right) Hannah Collins, FMS Assistant Principal, Stacey Holland, FCHS Assistant Principal, Erika Liddle, Carysbrook Assistant Principal, and Rebecca Smith, Central Assistant Principal:
FLUCO Choir Brightens the Community with Music!
The FLUCO Choir visited the Community Center where they sang for and visited with some of Fluvanna’s wonderful seniors.
