Aaron Cudjoe, a student at Vernon Johns Middle School in Petersburg, was honored at the Petersburg City Public Schools Board Meeting earlier this year. Aaron was one of 36 students, and the only one from the Tri-Cities, to win in the James River Chapter division of the 2008 Virginia Parent Teacher Association (PTA)’s annual Citizenship Essay Contest. This year’s theme was: Education, the Foundation of Freedom. “It’s important for students to get their ideas and their talents out there, for people to see the things that they can do,” said John Hart, president of the Petersburg Citywide PTA.

The Richmond Chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) presented the Middle School Computer Terminology Quiz Bowl on May 24, at the Times Dispatch Building in Mechanicsville. Students from Vernon Johns and Peabody middle schools in Petersburg were excited to represent Petersburg City Public Schools in this event for the first time. Teams had to answer questions about Computer Science and Technology, in a Jeopardy game show-style competition, testing their quick recall of very detailed, technical information.

Read more >

Students from Vernon Johns Middle School (VJMS) in Petersburg recently won first place in Robot Design in the Virginia/DC First LEGO League Regional Qualifying Tournament, which came about through their participation in the Digital Inspiration for Interactive Video Game Design and Programming Project sponsored by Longwood University. Longwood, in collaboration with Virginia State University, sponsored the competition.

Read more >

For increased clarity, the whole message has been updated: The Board of Education of the Petersburg City Public Schools voted on Wednesday, May 7 to have Vernon Johns Middle School become Vernon Johns Junior High School. This fall, the school will have students in eighth and ninth grades, rather than the current setup of sixth through eighth grades.

Read more >

As noted previously, PPS will hold a meeting tonight on the reconfiguration of Petersburg’s secondary schools (the meeting will be at 6pm at Vernon Johns Middle School). Click here to view/download a .ppt presentation (1.53MB) entitled Secondary Schools Restructuring Proposal.

1) School Board approves budget
2) VJMS tackles math to beat cancer

Read more >

The focus of this study circle for parents is to develop strategies to create a pro-academic, pro-mathematics culture for children. The study circle will be held at Vernon Johns Middle School Cafetorium, 3101 Homestead Drive, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Refreshments and lunch will be served.

PPS will hold an SES rally Jan. 16, 4-6pm, at Vernon Johns Middle School, 3101 Homestead Dr., to help parents and students select an SES provider and receive free tutoring services. The rally will be held at the school’s gymnasium.

1) AP Hill Elementary School, affected by fire tragedies, is determined to be proactive
2) Holiday cheer from Vernon Johns Middle School to Walter Reed VA Hospital
3) Parents attend one-on-one report card pick-up event at Peabody Middle School

Read more >