BRVGS Applications Now Available

The application for entry into Blue Ridge Virtual Governor's School for the 2013-14 school year is now available to students and parents at their local middle school Guidance Offices and online.  

In order to download the application, click on the "admissions" tab on the bar at the top of this page, then on "application" in the dropdown menu.  Although online applications will be available for electronic download, printed copies will still need to be submitted to local guidance officials.  

BRVGS staff will present information regarding the BRVGS program at the following local schools at the time and on the date listed below.  Informational meetings have already taken place in Goochland and Greene counties.

Locust Grove Middle School (Orange): Oct. 16th, 7:00 PM

Louisa County MS: Oct. 17th, 6:30 PM

William Wetsel MS (Madison): Oct. 18th, 6:30 PM

Nelson Co. MS: Oct. 23rd, 6:30 PM

Fluvanna Co. High School: Oct. 31st, 7:00 PM

Please contact BRVGS Director Marc Carraway at mcarraway@brvgs.k12.va.us or by phone at 434-989-3972 for questions regarding the application process.

Madison Biology Students Investigate Nanotechnology

The BRVGS AP Biology students of Madison County High School got some firsthand experience with nanotechnology on September 4th, when Dr. Cassandra Fraser, Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, brought information and examples of nanotechnology to their classroom.  The nanoparticles that Dr. Fraser and her team are working with have light-emitting properties that make for possible detection of certain cancers.  In addition, the unusual "force-responsive" and "self-erasing" properties of the luminescent dyes used with the bio-compatible nanoparticles make them a unique new "renewable" medium for art.  Dr. Fraser provided information on the chemical and physical properties of the particles, and then moved students into the lab for some hands-on demonstration.  You can see more photos of Dr. Fraser's demonstration by clicking on "Nanotechnology in Madison."

BRVGS to hold "Back To School Night" on September 5th

Blue Ridge Virtual School will hold an open house "Back To School Night" for parents and students at 6:30 PM., on Wednesday, September 5th, at the Best Western Zion Crossroads.  BRVGS officials will present information on BRVGS policies and expectations as well as specific information about upcoming events for BRVGS classes for the 2012-13 school year, and parents will have the opporuntiy to meet and ask questions of BRVGS staff.  The meeting is expected to last 45 minutes to an hour.  Light refreshments will be provided.

On another note, BRVGS students will be bringing home copies of the BRVGS Student/Parent Handbook for parents to read and sign in the next couple weeks.  The handbook is also available online at BRVGS Student/Parent Handbook.

Parents and student with questions about the BRVGS "Back to School" meeting or about the handbook should contact BRVGS director Marc Carraway at mcarraway@brvgs.k12.va.us or by phone at 434-989-3972.

Busy summer for BRVGS students and staff!

School may be out for summer, but many of our BRVGS students and staff members have been keeping busy with educational and other activities.  Several of our students have attended summer governor's school programs and other challenging educational opportunities (see "A successful year for BRVGS Students and Staff" for more info).  Many of the BRVGS senior students have also gotten a head start on their senior-year internship, research and community service projects as well.

BRVGS staff members have also been busy this summer.  BRVGS teachers Rachel Carlton (Orange) and Aaron Grubbs (Fluvanna) are taking gifted certification courses, and new BRVGS Biology teacher Kathy Richardson is attending AP Biology training in Williamsburg.  BRVGS Director Marc Carraway spent 10 days in China for an educational tour sponsored by the University of Virginia's School University Partnership and EF Tours.  To see a brief slideshow of that trip, go to Mr. Carraway's China Slideshow.

In addition to educational activities, two of our BRVGS staff members from William Monroe HS were busy with other important pursuits.  Kirstin Dexter (BRVGS AP Biology) and Isaac Hutchison (BRVGS World History) both had weddings in June, so it was a big summer for them.  Big congratulations and best wishes to both of them from BRVGS!

Summer Work for Freshmen that missed Orientation

Summer work packets were mailed out June 26 to all freshmen that missed the Orientation. If you were unable to attend, and have not received your packet yet, please email Terry Levinson, administrative assistant via tlevinson@brvgs.k12.va.us.  If you have received your packet, but have questions regarding the summer reading assignment, please contact your BRVGS World History teacher as per the BRVGS Staff page.