DCE posted a 99 percent success rating during a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) formal inspection at John H. Smyth High School at Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center on Friday, March 14. This is the highest inspection posted this year among the more than 90 high schools within the United States Army Fourth Brigade JROTC. The Fourth Brigade includes East Coast schools from South Carolina to Delaware. The Smyth JROTC program was rated "Honor Unit With Distinction," the highest possible rating. This is the fourth consecutive time in the tri-annual inspection process that Smyth JROTC has received this rating. Inspectors examined a variety of program components including cadet participation, record keeping, drill and ceremony, and color guard.

“This is the highest rating of over 90 JROTC programs inspected by 4th Brigade this year,” said the Smyth JROTC’s Senior Army Instructor, Major Wendell K. Quash. “We are very proud of the Smyth JROTC accomplishments and very appreciative of the outstanding leadership we have received from DCE Superintendent Walter A. McFarlane and others. Smyth has scored 99 percent on every one of the four tri-annual inspections held since its inception. There were some concerns early, but we received outstanding support on short notice, and that certainly helped us maintain our outstanding reviews,” Major Quash added.

“The Smyth JROTC deserves our praise for the excellent inspection review,” said Superintendent Walter A. McFarlane. “The recent 99.3 percent inspection rating is proof that DCE youth students can do extremely well if given proper guidance and a good opportunity. This is also another reflection on Major Quash’s excellence as a leader and the overall outstanding nature of his staff.”

As they raised 14 children in the farming community of Emporia, Virginia, Priscilla Hicks’ parents drilled two things – the value of education and the importance of work. In the Southside farming community known for tobacco, peanuts and cotton, these were not lessons to be learned so much as they were a way to live.

“They taught us values, and they taught us work,” said Ms. Hicks, now the librarian at Joseph T. Mastin High School Annex. Another inspiration came from the high school librarian, who used books and magazines to show her new things. Eventually, the librarian encouraged the young lady to think beyond Emporia and aim for a different life than what she had seen growing up in the small, rural town. “I became the first of my siblings to go to college,” she said. Ms. Hicks graduated from Norfolk State University and then set her sites on a Master’s Degree in library science, which she eventually earned from Atlanta University, known today as Clarke-Atlanta University.

While in Atlanta, she became an admirer of the President of Morehouse College, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, who said: “Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive, and if he or she doesn’t do it, it will not be done.”

Inspired by the thought, Ms. Hicks found her motivation in life. “I wanted to touch lives if I could,” she said. After Atlanta, she moved to Richmond City, staying near her family and seeking her unique purpose. She took a job as a librarian in Henrico County and was promoted, but something, she said, just did not feel right.

Then one day she saw an advertisement and shortly thereafter joined DCE. Recently, she celebrated her tenth anniversary with the agency. “I don’t know exactly what it is, but when I look into the eyes of the kids, they need so much, and I know I can really give them something.”

And she does. Her projects are widely popular, and widely known on the Mastin Annex campus. Students research current or timely topics and ponder the truths behind the facts. The Iraq War. The Michael Vick case. The Black History Quilt project. Puzzles. Chess boards. Smart boards. Origami and poetry. “The trick is to keep them engaged,” she said.

And Ms. Hicks plays on her students’ whims. Library checkouts skyrocketed in July when the new graphic novels. A similar surge occurred when she introduced the first wireless computers. “Whatever they want, I try to provide for them,” she said. “You have to be so interested they become interested.” And she plans on saying with DCE as long as she feels she is doing something, as the Morehouse College President suggested, that is “unique and distinctive.”

Students at the DCE School at St. Brides Correctional Center are restoring a World War II-vintage U.S. Marine Corps Liberty Bus. The bus arrived at the school in mid-January. The year-long project will offer live-work opportunities for all of the vocational classes at the school, especially auto-body repair, sheet metal, wood working, welding, electricity, and auto mechanics. Even students in the upholstery classes at nearby Indian Creek will have an opportunity to contribute. The bus, a 1936 General Motors model, will be completely refurbished and placed on display at the Marine Corps Military Museum at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

Liberty buses transported Marines to and from Camp LeJeune to neighboring cities including Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. Marines went to these places seeking entertainment while on leave or “liberty” from their duties at Camp LeJeune, hence the name Liberty Bus.

“It is an honor to be asked to do this,” said DCE Auto Body Instructor Dan Williams, himself a former Marine. “This is going to be a centerpiece in the museum, and when it is there it will show what DCE students have done.

The Auto Body class at St. Brides Correctional Center has achieved certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in the areas of auto body repair. The DCE school program was evaluated according to strict standards set by the automotive industry. The program was evaluated by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) in all areas.

“Our Auto Body program has a skilled instructor and the latest tools and equipment. Now, more than ever, our graduates will be prepared to enter productive entry-level positions,” said Principal Betty Jo Buck. “We are proud of this coveted recognition and our ability to produce competent technicians and employable students so desperately needed by the automotive industry.”

The U.S. Department of Labor recently asked DCE to showcase its apprenticeship programs for Youthful Offender Apprenticeship Program grantees from across America. In January, DCE's Apprenticeship Director Norris Williams traveled to Washington DC. The grantees will be working in partnership with their local and state correctional entities to facilitate the transition of apprentices from correctional settings to community work opportunities. The two-hour DCE presentation focused on community re-integration, best practices and challenges involved in such efforts.

DCE has established of a one-of-a-kind adult education endorsement opportunity that can propel participants toward a certificate in Adult Education from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and an endorsement in Adult Education from Virginia’s Department of Education. Courses may be accepted in the Master's Degree program in Correctional/Alternative Education from California State University in San Bernardino (CSUSB) or the Master’s Degree program in Adult Learning from VCU. All previous adult education endorsements were funded via grants. This initiative will be an established offering and is likely to become a mainstay nationally among correctional educators seeking a Master's Degree in correctional/alternative education. VCU will offer the first course in May of 2008.

DCE students posted a 91.6 percent passing rate on the Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) test in the second quarter. A total of 421 DCE students received certificates. This year to date, 901 students have received CRCs. The CRC offers a uniform measure of key workplace skills. It addresses employers’ unique workplace needs. Specifically, the certificate ensures that its owner possesses core skills in applied math, reading for information, and locating information - three skills required by at least 85 percent of all jobs in the United States.

Earlier this Spring, Governor Tim Kaine signed legislation that codified the CRC program earlier. This official recognition established what has been one of DCE’s most successful programs and increased the value of the CRC credential for DCE students. Now that it is a codified program CRC will be more attractive to students and thus an ever-increasing number of individuals will be seeking this credential.

In a related development, DCE will work with the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) on their implementation of a DRS CRC program. DCE has offered to collaborate with DRS to assist them in the process. DCE has had this program in place for two years and has tested over 3,000 individuals.

DCE is tapping data in new ways to determine how to plan instruction in the youth schools. A comprehensive look at test scores and achievement, especially in the Standards of Learning (SOL), is giving principals, assistant principals, and ultimately teachers a new handle on what is working and what isn’t. Known as the “Golden Package”, this comprehensive analysis examines SOL results and other achievements from 2001 to 2007.

The data has been examined on the division, school and the individual level. “This comprehension analysis which is managed by Jacqueline Nelson, Assistant Superintendent for Accountability, examines the data and the data analysis enables the central office staff to determine what course of action is in the best interest of our students,” said DCE’s Deputy Superintendent of Academic Programs, Harold Lawson. “It shows us where there are areas of progress and no progress,” he added. A sweeping look at the data helps on the division level as central office administrators determine big moves such as the need for curriculum alignment, addition of new courses, and/or modifying existing courses. Ms. Nelson reviewed the Golden Package results with each school principal and assistant principal giving them pertinent information that will be useful in planning instruction with their teachers. The principal is then able to provide closer scrutiny at the school level and help teachers to use the data to adjust their instruction, and evaluate individual student performance by question on the SOLS. This close scrutiny provides greater opportunity for our students to be successful in their pursuit of education.

“This makes for a continuous learning experience for everybody especially our teachers, and ultimately it builds a strong team. Ms. Nelson has been very fastidious in making sure that the Golden package Project is on track and is working for the youth in our schools”, stated Mr. Lawson.

Ask former NFL star Mike Nelms what made him successful in football and then in business, and he will answer quickly, “The people who did not help me.”

Those individuals who told him he was not big enough, was not smart enough, was not fast enough to make it did him a big favor. They inspired him. From that inspiration Mr. Nelms became a three-time Pro-Bowl player with the Washington Redskins and later a successful owner of a Virginia car dealership.

Mr. Nelms delivered his message to students at the John H. Smyth High School encouraging them to always pursue opportunities and especially opportunities in education. “You have to play the cards life deals you, and that degree is like an extra card,” he said.

He pursued his opportunities where they were and exploited them to the fullest of his abilities. He told his story in a relaxed fashion, noting at every down turn he said his prayers and did his best to make the most of his situation.

In the midst of his story he stopped for a candid admission. He really didn’t like school that much – but that was not important. What is important, he said is finding your way in life and education can definitely help. “You have got to find a job that you love. Find a job you love and you never work a day in your life,” he said.

Asked what has been his most important lesson from his business experience, Nelms, the former athlete who once energized himself to go it alone and prove the naysayers wrong brought forth another admission. “You can’t do it all by yourself.” Communication is the key to success, he said.

Today his life has taken a new tack – he finds himself utilizing his communications skills in speaking engagements where he encourages young people to attain educational success.

DCE’s Division of Career and Technical Education (CTE) held its annual student organization poster contest. Each CTE class produces a poster that follows a theme for the contest. The schools select the best poster for the school and send those to a committee of judges who select the winning poster for the agency. The top three winning posters for this year were: first place, W. Hamilton Crockford High School; second place, Cedar Mountain High School; and third place, J. T. Mastin High School Annex.

On February 4th, DCE’s annual art show and sale opened in the lobby of the General Assembly Building. This event, done in collaboration with the Department of Juvenile Justice, involved 76 youth students who produced 262 arts and crafts pieces. Patrons purchased 157 of those pieces bringing in $1,888.25. The show involved seven art instructors, one vocational instructor and DJJ's Youth Industries operations. DJJ's students sold 59 boards for $890. DCE students sold 94 arts and crafts pieces for $998.25, for an average of $10.62 per sale. Congratulations to J.T. Mastin High School Annex at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center Annex. JTM Annex entered the most art pieces, 72; sold the most pieces, 46; had the highest percentage of art sold, 64 percent; and collected more revenue than any other school, $509.25. The show closed on February 8th.

DCE collected approximately $3,800 as several brave souls entered the frigid Atlantic in early February for the betterment of Special Olympics. Among the DCE ranks were: Dr. Christopher Colville, Assistant Superintendent for Adult Operations, Tina Tyree, Academic Instructor at Green Rock Correctional Center who was joined by her husband, a Green Rock Correctional Center Hearings Officer, Harry Trent, Mark Markivich, librarian of Southampton Correctional Center, Matt Smith, Policy Analyst, Central Office and Miriam Smith, Academic Division, Central Office. Also, among the participants was former DCE employee and long-time Polar Plunge veteran Arlene Green.

Dr. Murray Ellison, DCE’s Director of Community Corrections, helped present a workshop entitled Community Corrections in Virginia: A Model of Inter-Agency and Community Collaboration at the Correctional Education Association Region II Conference held in Annapolis, Maryland March 9-11. Forrest Powell, former DCE Board member, and present DOC Regional Director for Community Corrections co-presented with Dr. Ellison.

Dr. Ellison won a second two-year term on the CEA Executive Board as the President's Council Chair. This position coordinates the CEA Special Interest Groups, the CEA website Discussion groups and the State CEA affiliations and applications.

DCE’s Morris Dews also serves on the CEA Executive Board as the Treasurer. Superintendent Walter A. McFarlane also attended the conference.

DCE’s presentations described the cost saving and reduced recidivism found in Community Corrections Programs. They also described how many of the Community Corrections programs are based on Evidence Based Principles. DCE also provided presentations of the myriad of agencies helping to make a school of the entire community at about 18 DCE Community Corrections programs all around the state.

Four students from John H. Smyth School at Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center have been honored for outstanding essays entered in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition. The students wrote and recorded a presentation on "How I Honor Veterans." For their efforts each won a $300 scholarship which will be sent to the college where they enroll. Within the context of their presentation students were not allowed to use their, name identify their school or their state. The presentation had to be at least three minutes and no more than five. The four competed at the district level as well, but none advanced. Last year, the national winner of the competition received a $20,000 Scholarship and got to give her presentation at the VFW National Convention last July in Kansas City.

In an effort to keep students connected with their communities, the Paul S. Blandford High School Annex has instituted a speakers bureau. This effort, know as Speak To Me, will provide a regular dose of the reality and potential that exists beyond the confines of a juvenile correctional center, explained Blandford Annex’s Assistant Principal Velma Briggs. Organizers hope to have speakers at least once a month, she added.

“Our incarcerated youth need a means of connecting back to the outside world,” Ms. Briggs said. “We believe Speak To Me is a program that will begin to inform our youth of the numerous societal changes and expectations they will be faced with upon leaving the penal system. Our desire is to deliver a message of awareness and hope to incarcerated youth who desire to move back into their communities and become productive, contributing citizens,” she added.

The goal is to shift student thinking from a mindset of no hope to one of renewed hope. Each speaker will entertain groups for one to two hours. After the group sessions, speakers will meet with students individually upon request.

One of the first speakers was DCE’s Gerald Stovall, a man who bills himself as “retired career-criminal.” Since leaving prison in 2001, Mr. Stovall told students he has made peace with himself and his past, changed, and now works to help others find a better life. His informative and uplifting message was well received.

“Mr. Stovall made me think,” said one student. He “persuaded me to think that I could get out and do something with my life. Also, I think I can still become a successful person.”

Submitted by Dr. Margaret Douglass, Acting Principal Mastin High School Annex

In an effort to foster continued academic scholarship, Joseph T. Mastin High School Annex established its "500 Club." The 500 Club was established for the purpose of formally recognizing those students who score at the advanced level (500 and above) on an SOL Assessment and to recognize GED recipients who earn a composite average of at least 640 score on the GED Test. Since its inception in July, a total of 21 students have been inducted into Mastin Annex's 500 Club.

The goals of the 500 Club are as follows:

a. to encourage continued academic scholarship. b. to formally recognize students who excel on an SOL Assessment or the GED Test. c. to encourage positive behavior that supports a wholesome learning environment. d. to identify students who have the potential to become peer tutors to struggling students. e. to identify students who may be selected to represent Mastin Annex on special occasions.

Although academic achievement and exceptional performance were major criteria in selecting candidates for induction, selection for induction was not based solely on assessment scores. Core content area and GED teachers evaluated the overall behavior and attitude of the candidates for induction and made recommendations to the 500 Club Selection Committee. The names of the 500 Club inductees are prominently displayed on a banner in the hallway of Joseph T. Mastin Annex.

Dr. Margaret Douglass, Acting Principal at Mastin Annex said, "Our students' outstanding performance is a great testament to their commitment to their own education. In addition, it is also a great testament to the quality of the teaching staff at Mastin Annex and their Herculean efforts in preparing our students to excel."

Rita Bibbins has joined DCE as our new Library Coordinator. She spent the last 15 years as Library Media Specialist for Petersburg High School. Prior to her tenure there, she was Children's Coordinator for the Petersburg Public Library system. She holds a Master of Education degree in School Library and Information Technologies also an endorsement in English. Her goal is to make the libraries an integral part of DCE's Education's learning community. She is very eager and excited about her new role.

DCE’s optical technology efforts at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women got lots of good air play on Channel 19 WCAV-TV of Charlottesville as the station offered a highly favorable segment. Click here to view this segment. Once at the website, go to the “Video on Demand”, scroll down to the article Optical Class.

On March 6, 2008, the Powhatan Correctional Center Cognitive Community Pre- Release Pilot celebrated one year of operation. Between March 6, 2007 and December 2008 the program will have over 200 offenders to successfully complete this Pilot and return to the community.

Our celebration occurred on March 31, 2008. We had a graduation ceremony with Reverend Dr. John W. Kinney as our guest speaker. Then a tour of D4 and a Recognition Ceremony were conducted. We would like to thank our the Department of Corrections Central Office and & DCE special guests: Scott Richeson, Gary Bass, Dr. Louis Cei, Mary Reinman, Sarah Thomas, Donna Harrison, Charlene Motley, Jean Mottley, Shay Mann and Dr. Christopher Colville.

The support, hard work and dedication of many people have made this Pilot successful. "Although we have an enormous amount of work before us and many things to learn we have made it possible for offenders to believe that 'When Change is Possible, Nothing is Beyond your Reach!,'" said N. E. Richardson, Program Supervisor.