Spring is officially here, and that means our teachers and students, especially our high school seniors, have their noses to the grindstone. Graduation ceremonies are less than two months away for a few thousand VCS students who are, no doubt, looking forward to new experiences, like going to college or a trade school, starting a new job, or, maybe, even joining the military. Whatever their plans, we are cheering all of our students on, and we can’t wait to see more success from VCS.
One of the things I love most about VCS is the relationships we have built with people who want to see and help our students succeed. Our Career and Technical Education Programs and Academies play a major role here. Because of the community support, our students have incredible opportunities unique to being a part of VCS. This month, VCS held its 3rd annual District Pitch Competition that saw students present business plans to local leaders in partnership with the nonprofit Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Getting to learn from and connect with working professionals in the fields covered by our CTE Programs and Academies is a gift we are so fortunate to have. These connections allow our students to learn here and go on to earn a living in the community where they received their education.
This quarter also brought an impressive display of knowledge and curiosity from our fifth graders during the 50th annual Elementary Science Expo. They tackled questions like “Do ants prefer different types of sugar?” “What paper helps a paper airplane fly the farthest?” “What shape of ice will last the longest when put in water?” Getting to see our younger students’ zest for learning and testing their hypotheses is an excellent reminder of how special our students are and how dedicated our teachers are to them.
Safety remains our top priority, which is why, at the beginning of the month, we launched a pilot of the Evolv Technology Weapon Detection System at Atlantic High School. The system uses AI-driven sensors to detect weapons while allowing for a smooth entry process. We are proud to be the first district in the state with a pilot program using this technology, which we plan to implement at all our high schools in the coming school year. A safer educational environment means our students can focus on what matters most.
I am honored to be a part of this community that is so dedicated to our students. Let’s finish the year strong and continue demonstrating the power of a VCS education.
Dr. Carmen J. Balgobin
Superintendent of Schools
