Jackson-Via Elementary School
Jackson-Via Elementary School is a fully accredited child-centered school serving approximately 250 students in preschool through grade four. The school was named for two Charlottesville educators, Nannie Cox Jackson, who taught for 46 years, and Betty Davis Via, who was a teacher and principal for 40 years.
The school serves portions of Fry's Spring, Ridge Street, South First Street, and Prospect Avenue, as well as Belmont-Carlton, Willoughby, and Willoughby Townes.[1] The community is comprised largely of single-family homes and apartments. Most students ride a bus to school. The mascot is the jackrabbit. [2]
Administration
- Principal: Justin Malone
- Assistant Principal: Dina Fricke
School Population (June 2011)
- Enrollment: 244
- Asian/Pacific Islander: 2.9%
- Black: 54.9%
- Hispanic: 15.6%
- White: 26.2%
- Unspecified: 0.4%
- ESL students: 30.4%
- Gifted students: 12.3%
- Special Education students: 18.9%
- Pupil/teacher ratio: 17:1
Excellence. Every Day.
Jackson-Via is known for its welcoming atmosphere and nurturing culture. Meeting the needs of each individual student and providing quality learning experiences are top priorities for the staff. We focus on the development and engagement of students, staff, parents, and our community. Relationships among adults and children support a loving atmosphere where students are challenged to learn and grow as individuals.
The instructional program addresses children’s early childhood development and learning while focusing on and supporting academic achievement in the upper grades. Specialists in Reading, Mathematics, Gifted Education, and English as a Second Language enhance both the overall instructional program and individual student learning.
Jackson-Via’s special education department is home to the city’s elementary programs for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The professionals and support staff specialize in the use of assistive technology, sensory processing challenges, total communication, as well as augmentative and alternative communication, and believe that every child can learn, no matter what challenges they face.
Jackson-Via strives daily to live by our school motto: "Excellence. Every Day."
Technology
Students regularly use SMART boards, computers, and more to create and present information and research. The school utilizes WordPress websites and blogs to help students learn about and use the Read/Write Web. Students have explored coding and blogging through an afterschool computer club and class projects.[3]
Some staff and volunteers at Jackson-Via maintain their own blogs and web sites.[4]
History
Jackson-Via Elementary School takes its name from two eminent Charlottesville educators: Nannie Cox Jackson and Betty Davis Via. The school opened in 1969, as the city’s first elementary school that was planned and built as a desegregated elementary school. In 2008, the students, staff, and the community created a mosaic symbolically representing the arms of the school reaching out to the community.[5]
The idea for Jackson-Via was conceived in October, 1966. The Superintendent of Charlottesville Public Schools, Dr. Edward Rushton, charged a group of teachers and administrators with the responsibility of developing specifications for a school specifically adapted to Charlottesville students. Jackson-Via was originally scheduled to open September of 1969, but because of construction delays, it did not open to receive students until September 8, 1970. Jackson-Via existed as a school with its own staff and students during 1969-70, but they were housed in the Clark and Johnson Schools.[6]
Principals of Jackson-Via School
- Scott Hamrick, 1969-76
- Toby Frescolm, 1976 (Acting)
- Dr. William Chapman, 1976-78
- Bonnie Wescott, 1978-79
- Ida Hathaway, 1979-80 (Acting)
- Freddie Murray, 1980-87
- James Henderson, 1987-88 (Acting)
- Mozell Booker, 1988-90
- Valeta Paige, 1990-2003
- ElizaBeth McCay, 2003-2011
- Tracie Daniels, 2011-2017
- Justin Malone, 2017- [7]
Digital Scrapbook: Remembering Jackson-Via School[8]
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 Memories
Jackson-Via Luncheon Honoring Mrs. Valeta C. Paige upon her Retirement, at Mrs. Ann Brightman's home, June 27, 2019
Valeta Paige, Caroline Payne, Lisa Utz
Valeta Paige, Valerie Gregory
Lisa Utz, Mary Wynne, Paula Johnson
Mary Wynne, Paula Johnson, Nancy Lambert
Pat Pitts, Nancy Lambert
Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 Memories
Friends of Jackson-Via School enjoyed another lunch at Shadwells Restaurant on Thursday, July 19, 2018.
Our best wishes to Mrs. Harriet (Holly) Phelps who retired in 2018. Her children attended Jackson-Via School where she began volunteering in 1988. She joined the staff in 1992. That is a lot of fond memories for Mrs. Phelps and her longtime friends and colleagues. Pictured here are Mrs. Karyl Reynolds, Mrs. Holly Phelps and Mrs. Amanda Sherriff.
Congratulations to Nyomi, 2018 recipient of the Nancy Brooks Lambert Award and Fatima, recipient of special recognition by Mrs. Lambert.
Fall 2016 - Spring 2017 Memories
Farewell to 2017 retiree Eileen Akers. Eileen taught the primary grades at Jackson-Via School from 1979 until she retired in 2017. We will miss you!
Congratulations to Margaret (Maggie), 2017 recipient of the Nancy Brooks Lambert Award.
Retired and current educators met on April 6, 2017, at the Timberwood Taphouse at Fifth Street Station.
Summer 2016 Memories
Retired and current educators met on June 10, 2016, at Shadwell's Restaurant to enjoy lunch, exchange updates, and reminisce.Those attending were Nancy Lambert, Holly Phelps, Karyl Reynolds, Molly Dunsmore, Paula Dunsmore, Harri Wasch, Ruth Kastenmayer, Lisa Utz, Lelia Brown, Loretta Kidd, Gail Coleman, Laura Barnett, and Jackie Weaver.
Fall 2015 - Spring 2016 Memories
Farewell to 2016 retirees Alonzo Williams and Sharon McCurdy. We will miss you!
Congratulations to Jamonnie, 2016 recipient of the Nancy Brooks Lambert Award.
At Jackson-Via birds of ALL feathers flock together.
Students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and friends enjoyed an Hour of Code for the closing meeting of the Fall 2015 JV Computer Club on November 30, 2015.
The Jackson-Via Computer Club was featured in the December 2015 issue of Charlottesville Family.[9]
Summer 2015 Memories
Retired and current educators met on June 12, 2015, at Shadwell's Restaurant to enjoy lunch, exchange updates, and reminisce.Those attending were Paula Johnson, Holly Phelps, Jackie Weaver, Nancy Lambert, Brenda Trevillian, Mary Wynne, Michelle Rosser, Ruth Kastenmayer, Paula Garrett, Betty Harding, Ann Brightman, Gail Coleman, Lisa Utz, Loretta Kidd, Cindy Bryant, Karyl Reynolds, Paula Dunsmore, and Harri Wasch.
Many current and former Jackson-Via educators attended the funeral service for Frauline Brackett Johnson on Friday, June 5, 2015.
Fall 2014 - Spring 2015 Memories
Congratulations to Maria, 2015 recipient of the Nancy Brooks Lambert Award.
The JV Computer Club met for eight sessions in Fall 2014 and explored programming with Scratch. A highlight was participation in the 2014 Hour of Code.
Bonnie Yoder, Sponsor.
Nancy Lambert, helper.
Ruth Kastenmayer. helper.
Summer 2014 Memories
Retired and current educators met on July 10, 2014, at Sam's Kitchen to have lunch, exchange updates, and assemble more materials for this "Remembering Jackson-Via School" digital scrapbook.
Knitting Together volunteers sorting hats.
Fall 2013 - Spring 2014 Memories
Dr. Seuss – Read Across America – March 2014
Read Across America week has proven to be very exciting for our ESL students. We created our colorful door based on the story of Big Al. We included the motto,
"We may all be different fish, but in this school we swim together."
How appropriate for students representing many countries!
From there we read books (both fiction and nonfiction) about fish, had guided reading lessons based on fish, sang songs, learned new vocabulary, looked at many pictures, held a porcupine fish, and even created reports from graphic organizers about our favorite fish. Some words the children used to describe the activities throughout the week were enjoyable, awesome, and creative!!!!
- Lisa Utz, Jackson-Via Elementary School ESL Teacher
View slideshow of other classroom doors decorated for Read Across America.
Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Memories
Young students use laptop computers to learn letters and sounds in the library at Jackson-Via Elementary School. Photo by Nancy Lambert, October 23, 2012.
This bench on Jackson-Via Elementary School's front lawn was placed in 2010 in memory of Patricia Wilthew, an instructional assistant with 10 years of dedicated service to teachers and students. Photo by Nancy Lambert, October 23, 2012.
Bulletin Board in Kindergarten area. Photo by Nancy Lambert, October 23, 2012.
Fall 2011 - Spring 2012 Memories
Volunteer Reception. Photo by Amanda Sherriff, May 23, 2012.
Lamb visits Jackson-Via. Photo by Nancy Lambert, February 2012.
ESL students from Iraq and Nepal. Photo by Lisa Utz, October 2011.
Fall 2008 - Spring 2011 Memories
Winner of the Nancy Lambert Award - May, 2011
Winner of Patricia Wilthew Award - May, 2010.
Fall 2005 - Spring 2008 Memories
Lunch at Wild Greens, summer 2007. Nancy Gercke, Primary Quest Teacher; Sharon Walker, Quest Teacher; Nancy Lambert; Valeta Paige.
2001-2003 Memories
Jackson-Via staff outing on West Main.
April 19, 2003: Elaine Tucker, Nancy Lambert, Brenda Trevillian, Victoria Carpenter, Valeta Paige.
1996-2000 Memories - Year-Round Education Program
Mitch Van Yahres, Field Trip to State Capitol.
1990-1996 Memories - Jackson-Via Book Factory
Collaboration: Jackson-Via/UVa School of Education
Professional Development School. UVa staff collaborates with Jackson-Via staff. Dr. Estes, Dr. Gerry Moore, Dr. Connie Juel, Mrs. Nancy Lambert, Mrs. Valeta Paige.
1988-1990 Memories
Change, Challenge, Opportunity
1980-1987 Memories
Odessie Williams, Grade 2. Mr.Freddie Murray, Principal.
Miss Deacon, Grade 4. Mr.Freddie Murray, Principal.
Stephanie Baird, Grade 5. Mr.Freddie Murray, Principal.
Lisa Utz, Kindergarten.
James Henderson, Fifth Grade.
Note from Karyl Reynolds, librarian at Jackson-Via Elementary School, to Joyce Murray.
1970-1976 Memories
1957 Aerial View of Site
Original Home on Site
External Links
Notes
- ↑ Web. Map of Charlottesville City School Attendance Zones, Charlottesville City Schools, retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ↑ Web. About Jackson-Via Elementary, retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ↑ Web. Local School Profile 2011:Jackson-Via Elementary School, Charlottesville City Schools, retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ↑ Web. Classroom Web Portals, Charlottesville City Schools, retrieved 9 JAN 2012.
- ↑ Web. Local School Profile 2011:Jackson-Via Elementary School, Charlottesville City Schools, retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ↑ Web. About Jackson-Via Elementary, Charlottesville City Schools, retrieved 20 Aug 2009.
- ↑ Web. About Jackson-Via Elementary, Charlottesville City Schools, retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ↑ Memorabilia assembled and curated by Nancy Lambert, former Instructional Coordinator, Jackson-Via Elementary School, with the help of Jerry White, Joyce Murray, Valeta Paige, Eileen Butler, Jeanne Fournier, Steve Trumbull, and Ruth Kastenmayer.
- ↑ [http://issuu.com/ivypublications/docs/charlottesvillefamily_december_2015/56 Charlottesville Family, retrieved January 18, 2016.