These news briefs and photos from Tangier Combined School were compiled by Loni Renee Charnock. Thanks!
For folks living outside the Island, TCS is a great place for students to receive an education – 41 students – with a student-teacher ratio of 5-1. Students scored a perfect 100 percent in state testing this year.
‘Watching them grow as learners’
Christine Parks has taught in Accomack County for the past thirty years. She taught at South Accomack Elementary School for the first four years of her career before coming home to teach. She has taught Pre-K through 6th grade.
Christine Parks is one of TCS’ students favorite teachers.
Parks said her favorite part of teaching is giving her students a solid foundation and watching them grow into confident learners and readers. Parks is always the first staff member to volunteer for any school event or fundraiser. When entering her classroom, you will never see her sitting at her desk, but engaging with students. At recess or during gym time, she is as active as any of the students.
Parks has one son, Bradley, who lives in Delmar with her two grandsons, Brady and Bryce. Her favorite pastimes are gardening and taking walks with friends. During the summer, she can be found crabbing on the bridges with her grandsons.
Let’s Rock
Melissa Parks and four students from 4th and 5th grades joined all the elementary schools in Accomack County for the County Chorus. The students practiced with their peers on the mainland for two days and then had a performance at Nandua High for all their family and community members to attend. The theme this year was Music Through the Decades. The students sang favorites from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Pictured below are: Miss Parks with Mya, Rahab, Jason, and Nate.
What Does Identity Mean to You?
Miss Corinne’s art class explored this topic in their latest art project. The class learned about what goes into a person’s identity and how each person has a unique experience. Students looked at different paintings by famous artists, such as Kehinde Wiley and Frida Kahlo, that explored the topic of personal identity. Once they were ready, each student began by sketching out ideas of what they thought represented them best.
Some students drew pictures to represent their favorite hobbies and interests, others drew symbols of a favorite time of year or memory. After the students had planned out their final paintings, they got to work painting and adding smaller details.
Once the paintings were completed, each student wrote an artist’s statement to explain how their painting represented who they were.
Pictured is the finished product of Lacee Evans (9th Grade).
New Paraprofessional Adds Pizazz!!!
Melissa Parks joined Team Tangier this year and what an asset she has been! Her creativity can be seen throughout the halls of TCS. Parks spends part of her day working closely with teachers, assisting in any way she can. During the evening hours, she teaches Art and Music to elementary students. Parks can create something out of nothing— old boxes, scrap paper, toilet paper rolls, and even communion cups turn into brilliant masterpieces. Her friendly smile and giving spirit are welcomed by students and staff alike. Parks is the mother of two adult children, Scott and Sydney. Scott works as a tankerman for Vane Brothers and Sydney is a LPN at Shore Memorial Hospital. Her hobbies are crafting, baking, and visiting antique stores. We are fortunate to have her working alongside our students.
Melissa Parks’ creativity inspires students to create their own masterpieces.
Getting Behind the Wheel with Confidence
Duane Crockett teaches English and Social Studies at TCS and is also certified to teach Driver’s Education. This year he has two students, Lola Parks and John Charnock(10th grade). It won’t be long before these teens will be behind the wheel.
Sophomores Take a Trip Across the Waters
Lola Parks and Nevaeh Cooper joined sophomores from Chincoteague High for a college tour of Virginia Wesleyan. Kara Jeffries, a Biology teacher from Chincoteague High, took two busloads of students as part of the “GEAR UP” program, which provides activities and services to help students and their families plan for education and training after graduation. Tracy Pruitt (TCS Nurse Assistant) chaperoned the event.
Liam Thomas (3rd Grade) dressed up for Wacky Wednesday in mismatched clothes.
Mark Your Calendars
Spring Break- March 17-21
5th Grade Science Fair at Pungoteague-March 27
TCS Pancake Breakfast-March 29 (8-10 am)
TCS Spring Fest/ Bazaar-April 5 (6 pm)
MGA-April 6-8
Book Fair- April 7-11
Dinner with Lukas and the Juniors- April 10
Elementary Bake Sale- April 11
Middle/High School Trip to Washington, DC- April 17
TCS Island Cleanup- April 22 (3-4 PM)
High School Car Wash-April 24
Elementary Trip to VA Beach Aquarium- April 25
Tangier Island, Virginia 