From the Desk of the Principal

1760 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153

is has been an exciting year for students at Burton… students have learned and achieved at high levels and teachers have worked to aﬀord students great learning opportunities that incorporate the ideals behind the Burton/RCPS Strategic Plans. Burton had the opportunity to recognize 69 Honor Graduates and 102 Certiﬁed Graduates at the awards assemblies in May - details included in this issue! Please see below for exciting learning opportunities (and rewards for their labor) that were provided to students who attended Burton this school year:

- A multi-program eﬀort to educate students, faculty and others about the importance of Digital Citizenship led to a week-long emphasis on the subject. e three major events of the week were of a panel discussion whose members consisted of community/business leaders, a Digital Citi-

Jason Suhr - Principal

zenship “fair”, and a moderated debate that was streamed live to the student body. Each of the Digital Citizenship events involved student and inter-program collaboration, activities of which the faculty/staﬀ at Burton are working on to oﬀer more opportunities;

From the Desk of the Principal

Technology Classes

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- Burton had its first ever national winners in CTE classes: First, Mr. Baxter’s Masonry student, Sam McSherry, won the National SkillsUSA Masonry Skill Contest in Kansas City in late June of 2014. In December, Mr. Overfelt’s Motorsports Engine-Building Team comprised of Jimmy Davis, Zach Duncan, Tomas Henderlite, Jacob Hurley, Austin Martin and Jacob Pierce won the National Hot-Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge in Indianapolis, Indiana. Each of the Motorsports students won large scholarships opportunities to different trade schools as well as other prizes and a trophy that is on display in the Burton front office!;

Automotive Technology

e Automotive Technology 2014/15 year went by fast with students studying for careers in the Automotive Service Industry and working in our shop developing their mechanical skills. First year students began with a comprehensive safety training program. Aﬅer learning to be safe in the shop, students learned how to use the tools and shop equipment. Next they learned how to use vehicle service information and perform routine maintenance. First year students went on to learn basic engine repair, electrical and electronic systems, basic heating and air conditioning, engine performance, brakes, steering and suspension. Towards the end of the year students began working on their own vehicles and some of the donated vehicles at the school.
- Under the tutelage of Burton’s excellent Visual Arts teachers, Center for Visual Arts students Taylor Agee, Katharine Bauer and Megan Phillips, were nominated for the prestigious American Vision award. e three Burton students combined to earn four of the five regional nominations and Taylor Agee earned one of the highest honors in the art field: the National Scholastic American Vision Medal award. Winning the Vision Medal offers Taylor the opportunity to travel to Carnegie Hall in New York City to receive her award and to have her artwork displayed in NYC!;

- 20 students representing three student organizations (FBLA, FCCLA, SkillsUSA) placed either first, second or third in their respective skill contest and/or leadership contest at the state level. e contests these students compete in require the use at least one of the 4-C’s (collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking). Eight of the 20 students plan to compete at the national level this summer. Representing Burton at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois this summer will be the team of Zion Stores, EvaMarie Pascoe and Chris Karnes in the Digital Design and Promotion event. Students representing Burton at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference are: Josh Roberts in the Customer Service contest and the 4-member team of Daulton Palmer, Taylor Shirley, Daniel Skiles and Charles Solomon in the TeamWorks competition. e five SkillsUSA students will travel to Louisville, KY in late June.
Second year students started the year with a review of safety and shop basics. Students then began a more in depth study of engine repair, electrical systems, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, brakes, steering and suspension, alignment principles. Students competed in the district SkillsUSA competitions, placing 3rd in Automotive Technology, !st and 2nd place in Automotive Maintenance, 1st in Motorcycle Repair, and 1st in Power Equipment. Our engine building team competed in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Competition in Carlisle, PA and brought home 4th place, and will compete in the national competition.
We offer a fond farewell to the following staff members: Cindy Wilson – teacher of Floral Design and Landscape Design courses. Mrs. Wilson is retiring and is our longest tenured teacher. She always helped her students achieve success whether it was designing floral arrangements or catering to a soon-to-be bride. Pat Carr – teacher of CVA IV and AP Studio Art. Pat worked tirelessly throughout the past few years with our art students and the students love her to no end. Ashley Bowyer – vocal teacher in the Center for Performing Arts. Mrs. Bowyer combined forces with our other CPA staff and will have the opportunity to focus on her choral programs at HVMS next year. Barbara Shutt – our illustrious Special Education Coordinator and director of several work-experience programs. Mrs. Shutt has done her part to make things move as smoothly as possible at Burton and we wish her well as she ‘retires’ again and enjoys married life! Officer Lewis – Our brave Student Resource Officer is heading out to other ventures. Pat Hyler – our loyal building manager is retiring. We wish her well as she pursues spending time with her ‘grand-kiddies’. Missy Steele - our soﬅ-spoken yet determined guidance counselor who is moving to WBMS to teach English. Her quiet counsel will be missed. Jodylee Edsall - our industrious assistant principal is moving to
ird year students began the year with an overview of automatic transmissions and transaxles. Students then began studying the use of automotive scan tools and advanced engine performance diagnosis, ABS brake systems, engine blueprinting and assembly, and wheel alignment diagnosis and service. Several students competed in SkillsUSA at the state level. All of the third year students who were eligible to take the Virginia State Inspection Test passed and will be leaving Burton with their State Inspection License. Congratulations on completing the Automotive Technology Program!

Building Trades

Centeral to be the new Database Adminis-
It has been a great year in the Building Trades program. e year started with students earning their OSHA safety card

which is recognized in industry. While working on their state competency list, students participated in two community-based projects including building an overhang for a deck and remodeling a bathroom suited for handicap accessibility. e deck project was very extensive and the students learned how to install fans and electrical sockets. e bathroom remodel replaced a standard tub with a Jacuzzi tub. In addition, the students learned how to replace tile walls and ﬂoor within the bathroom area. ere were also three major school-related projects that the students completed. e projects included building picnic benches for a swim club, a Lazy Susan for a banquet and stage construction for the play, “Cinderella” for Burton Center’s Performing Arts Department. Our students enjoy learning when they have a hand in building something that they are proud of and that helps someone else. trator. She will do a marvelous job at Central much as she did here at Burton Center and we look forward to working with her in her new capacity!

It is an exciting time to attend, work and learn at Burton! With 19 programs operating on the Burton campus and students lining up to enroll in classes we are nearing capacity. We hope that our graduates find success in their future endeavors and we look forward to hearing about their achievements in future
It was another exciting year competing in SkillsUSA as the TeamWorks team placed first at District VII and State competitions. e current win marks two consecutive years that the Burton TeamWorks team placed first at the State level. e four members of the TeamWorks crew will go on to compete for the National title this summer in Louisville, Kentucky. e year has proved to be very successful and the students should be extremely proud of all they have learned and years.

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accomplished. Everyone learned a lot and which makes this past year a success!

Technology Classes

Computer Information Technology - CIT

Cosmetology

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As a community service project, Cosmetology students and several other classes hosted a Christmas Cards for Veterans event to write cards for our neighbors at the VA Hospital. is is an annual event started about 10 years ago. Students completed over 2000 cards that were distributed to the veterans in the hospital and nursing home facility. We also participated in the Head Start Angel Tree service project in December.

Burton’s Computer Information Technology program has had a very successful year. At the time of this writing, over a dozen CIT students are studying to pass the CompTIA A+ certification exam. CompTIA, a vendor-neutral industry certification agency, is nationally recognized as a testing leader, and the A+ exam is oﬅen required by many businesses prior to employment. A+ Certified students who are college-bound have been exempt from taking particular courses in college and have gained part-time employment by working in the college’s IT department. A+ Certified students have found employment in the Roanoke Valley at Carilion, Roanoke County IT department, City of Salem IT department, and Best Buy. In addition, several third year students who are already A+ Certified are studying to pass their Network+ Certification, opening up even more career opportunities.

A total of thirteen second year Cosmetology students took the Workplace Readiness certiﬁcation test in February. Eleven passed the test and will receive a certiﬁcate for their portfolio.

Students from all three classes participated in SkillsUSA contests this year. Eleven students placed in various Leadership and Skill contests at the district level in February. Shaelynn English placed 1st in the Fantasy Manikin, Dalton Nalley and Haley Christy placed 1st in the Nail Tech contest and the team of Bianca Roman and Madelyn Stone placed 1st in Occupational Scrapbook.

CIT graduates are very well represented in colleges throughout Virginia including Mary Washington College, Radford University, Christopher Newport University, Washington and Lee University, and Virginia Western, as well as several out-of-state colleges like the University of Illinois and New York College.

Cosmetology II students participated in an aﬅer school program with East Salem Elementary students on November 3, 2014 and March 30, 2015. e “Inspire” program provides students at the elementary level an opportunity to experience a variety of activities that may not be accessible to them otherwise. Students were able to receive manicures and hair styles from the Cosmetology students and create their own styles on manikins.

An exciting addition to the CIT program in 2015 is the partnership with Virginia STAR; Student Training and Refurbishment Program. Unwanted computers come into the CIT lab and are cleaned, checked out, upgraded, and prepared for donation. Students then transport the PCs to a charitable organization then set up the computers and instruct the recipients on how to use them. is year, Straight Street of Roanoke will receive 25 complete computer systems to help them in their mission to provide direction to at-risk youth in the Roanoke Valley.

Criminal Justice

Students in the Criminal Justice program are given hands-on experiences to enhance their skills in police, law, and lab work. Students participated in activities such as a range day, mock court hearings, domestic violence, DUI scenario work, and investigations. Students also went on several ﬁeld trips in order to personalize and reinforce activities completed in class.

Everybody wins with the VA STAR program! Students gain experience working with computer hardware and troubleshooting, and a worthwhile organization beneﬁts from the use of much-needed computers.

Students acted as officials in a mock trial conducted by the Federal Courts. e mock trial gave students insight into the judiciary system and trial process. Students in their second or third year of the Criminal Justice program were trained in proper handling, safety, firing and cleaning of police issued firearms while at the Firearms Range. Students were tested by e Roanoke County Public Safety Center in the same way that actual applicants are tested. e Western Virginia Regional Jail escorted the students around the facility to give them a better understanding of the work in a secure correctional environment.

Cosmetology

BCAT Cosmetology currently has forty-one students enrolled in the program. e third year class will have eight students take the State Board exam in May. Upon passing both a written and lab test they will be licensed to work in a salon or spa. Students from all three classes participated in Cave Spring’s Carnival for A Cure on November 21. Students gave manicures and did braiding to help raise money for three students who have cancer. Cosmetology I students painted the faces of the Head Start children before the Trick or Treat event around the BCAT campus on October 31.
Many Criminal Justice students competed and won medals at the SkillsUSA local, district and state levels. Students also received Workplace Readiness Skills certiﬁcation, which enables them to receive awards and credits through the BCAT graduation requirements.

“It has been an overall successful year and the class continues to attract more and more students,” said Mr. Miles, the Criminal Justice instructor.

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Technology Classes

Digital and Web Design & Game Design
Culinary Arts

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e core and focus are six simultaneous tracks of talks and panels covering a wide range of game development topics appealing to programmers, artists, designers, producers, students, academics and business executives. e six tracks are: Design, Programming, Art, Narrative, Serious Games, and Audio. Students had a great time and learned how many possible careers there are in the game industry.

is has been a busy year for the Burton Culinary Arts program. In most months of the school year students either catered a meal function or provided food to groups who requested. e year kicked oﬀ with students fabricating a faculty breakfast at Burton Center. In September we started out at a fast pace preparing food for the Citizen Academy for the Roanoke County Police Department and Woodlawn Methodist Church with the church event continuing throughout the school year. In October we had the pleasure of entertaining 8th-graders from all over the county. e 8th-graders visited the kitchen to observe just exactly what culinary students do. November provided the opportunity for students to work with leading chefs around Roanoke at the March of Dimes Chef Auction at the Sheraton Hotel. December began with the culinary students creating a scrumptious holiday dinner for the Burton faculty and staﬀ. Later in December students took a trip to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to observe the new Roanoke store and bakery setup. February brought more food functions like a faculty turkey soup lunch. e culinary trip to New York City in April provided opportunities for students to visit the Cake Boss bakery and attend a Cake Boss class (yes we ate everything we made in the class). e class also visited the Empire State Building and was able to take in a Broadway show. rough the many activities, time in class and in the Burton kitchen, the students developed many culinary skills this year, including: catering, knife skills, garnishing, and fabricating chicken.

Are you MOS certiﬁed?

Students in Mrs. Cromer’s Digital and Web Design class have been training and working towards Microsoﬅ certification in PowerPoint. Students will have the opportunity to add this prestigious certification to their resume’ and to gain skills in this industry-standard program. Congratulations to the following students on passing the certification: Chris Albert, Victor Dreyer, Jason Jennings, Dylan Frost, Tyler Garner, Alberto Aragon, Chris Karnes, EvaMarie Pascoe, Victor Dreyer, Chris Albert and Zion Stores.

Former student success

We would like to congratulate former student Ben Culkin – completer of Digital and Web Design and Game Design programs. He is currently at West Virginia University Institute of Technology where he made the Dean’s List and is actively involved in various clubs. Ben was recognized as the 2015 Outstanding Computer Science freshman for both academics and his involvement in campus life. We are very proud of you Benkeep up the good work!

Digital and Web Design & Game Design

FBLA Nationals “Step up to the Challenge”

ree students will be attending the National FBLA Conference held in Chicago, IL this summer to compete for Burton and Virginia FBLA. e team of EvaMarie Pascoe, Chris Karnes and Zion Stores placed 2nd in the state for Digital Design and Promotion by creating an original logo design for Cycle Fitness. Students will be presenting their design to judges to sell their logo idea. We wish them the best of luck in their endeavor!

Game Design students attend ECGC

Students in the advanced Game Design course attended the East Coast

Early Childhood Education & Teaching Internship

Game Conference which is the largest gathering of video game professionals on the East Coast. e conference was held in Raleigh, NC on Wednesday, April 8th. Keynote speaker was Mike Laidlaw, Bioware Creative Director of Dragon Age. In addition to hearing industry professionals speak they also checked out the many vendors which included many but some favorites were Microsoﬅ, Insomniac Games and Epic Games where students got to test out the new virtual reality hardware for gaming - Oculus Riﬅ. e East Coast Game Conference provides video game professionals, academics and industry with an engaging program and opportunities for networking and collaboration. It is presented by the Triangle Game Initiative, a non-profit trade association of video game companies in North Carolina and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), a non-profit trade association of video game developers around the world.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) I and II students spent the year learning about the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of children, learning environments, diversity, curriculum development and careers available in ECE. In addition to “in-class” instruction all ECE students participate in “out of class” internships once or twice a week. ECE 1 students spent time with the Burton TAP Head Start Preschool and East Salem Elementary School. Second year students worked with children at Oak Grove Elementary, Salem Montessori School, Childcare Network, Discovery Center, Salem Honey Tree, Country Bear Day School, and Kingdom Kids Daycare. In addition to taking the Work Place Readiness test, ECE students have the opportunity to pursue a CDA certificate, which is required to teach in many area daycares. Many of the second year ECE students have been offered full or part time jobs at their internship locations.

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Technology Classes

Early Childhood Education & Teaching Internship

Floral Design & Landscaping

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using river rock and natural ferns and other perennials. e spring project dealt with an erosion problem aﬅer renovation on a residence. e students terraced a steep slope with two retaining walls that they designed and constructed.
e Teaching Internship students spent every “B” day at internships in Burlington Elementary, Cave Spring Elementary, Cundiﬀ Elementary, Glenvar Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Mount Pleasant Elementary, and Oak Grove Elementary. e Teaching Interns returned to Burton on “B” day Fridays for instruction in lesson planning, educational strategies and philosophies and professional ethics and policies. Teaching Internship students accumulated 300 plus hours of classroom experience, which they can apply to practicum requirements for 4-year Teacher preparation programs.
Senior landscaping student, Graham Guth received a $500 scholarship from the Sugar Loaf Garden Club and will continue his education while operating his landscaping business.
A variety of guest speakers from the community enhanced classroom learning by providing insight into the curriculum,

including TAP Head Start, New Beginnings, Children’s Trust, VWCC, and many more. Field trips to the South County Library, Country Bear Day School, and Virginia Tech Early Childhood Development Center helped students understand various types of learning environments and opportunities available outside of the classroom.
Good luck to our graduates as they head to VA Tech, Bridgewater College, Radford, Dabney Lancaster and Virginia Western and out into the workforce.
ECE classes organized several community services activities this year including collecting can tabs for the Roanoke Ron-

ald McDonald House, Pennies for Patients, and Soup for Seniors. Students took the Burton Head Start Preschool trick or treating around the campus for Halloween and sponsored an Angel tree project at Christmas inviting the entire Burton community to provide giﬅs for the preschool children. Second year students provided childcare for the Head Start Parent workshop.
Retiring teacher Mrs. Wilson wishes God’s blessings and a rich, full life for all of her undergrads and graduates.