BY MILES LAYTON
First up – important alert – the Town Hall’s email address has changed to townoffice@tangiervirginia.org
Folks, if you have any questions or concerns, send an email to townoffice@tangiervirginia.org
On that note, if you have news or photos about life in Tangier, send them mileslayton1969@gmail.com or reach out to me via Facebook.
Speaking of Town Hall, when the minutes to Tuesday’s Town Council meeting are ready, those will be posted to the website.
Next, Tangier Combined School deserves a GOLD STAR.
“We are super proud of our students,” said Loni Charnock, a special ed teacher.
Students scored a perfect 100 percent in state testing.
Let’s break it down:
• 100% Math
• 100% Earth Science
• 100% Biology
• 100% Reading
• 100% Writing
• 100% WISE – that’s financial literacy
TCS has a student-teacher ratio of about 5-1, with 40-50 students of various grade levels receiving an excellent education from the island’s dedicated and experienced teachers. Gut feeling — TCS is probably the only public school in the state that can boast a 100 percent state testing average. Congratulations!
In other TCS news, Trenna Moore is in her 26th year teaching at the school, per the TCS newsletter created by Charnock. Moore teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Math and Algebra 1, Algebra II, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Moore loves working with teenagers because they have so much hope for the future. She has an SOL pass rate that is second to none.
Moore has been married to Tracy for 43 years and together they have 2 children, Kyle and Megan, who live in Northern Virginia. Moore is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend, but she says most of all, she is a child of God.
In other news, let’s shine a spotlight on Trudy Pruit, who began her career as a teacher at TCS in the fall of 2006.
“My daughter had just graduated and I thought it would be fun to find a job,” Pruitt said in the newsletter. “Over the years, my duties have been support monitor, substitute teacher, instructional assistant, and even a cafeteria worker. These were all amazing positions, but I have to say the most challenging and rewarding position began this past fall when TCS and Pungoteague started a new adventure together.”
Pruitt continued, “We have a virtual classroom every day. My 4th grade class has learned to navigate Zoom very well. I must add that the teachers at Pungoteague are amazing.”
Pruitt is active in the island’s community.
“As important as my job at TCS is, I do have an amazing life outside of the classroom. I teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School,” she said. “I enjoy going to Bible Study, walking, reading, and shopping. My favorite thing is spending time with my three grandsons, Tucker, Clayt, and Calvin. If I had to say one thing about myself, it would be that I hope I have helped my students feel better about themselves.”
A few miscellaneous items:
- Allen Parks is making good progress on restoring a boat that will not only serve Tangier but folks wanting to come to the island. More on that in a future story.
- Ava Taylor Marshall recently celebrated a birthday – happy birthday!
- Thanks goes to Nina Pruitt sent this kind note: Just wanted to reach out and thank you for helping the Town with the website – I am enjoying it so much! I especially like the good news that you are sharing because it is often overshadowed by the bad news! I so much enjoy reading about my former students and their successes!
Upcoming TCS Events/Reminders:
• Thursday, February 13th- HI-Y Bake Sale
• Friday, February 14th- Middle and High School Valentine Dance 7:30-10:00 PM.
• Monday, February 17th-Gertrude Hawk Sold
• PTA Cookbooks can be purchased at school for $15.
Historical Note – in February of 1936, the US Army Air Corps used thirteen 49th Bomb Squadron B-10Bs to drop supplies to the residents of Tangier when ships were unable to reach the island due to heavy ice in the Chesapeake Bay, according to the Northern Neck Historical Society.
Tangier Island, Virginia 