Tag Archive

The Year in Review in Salem

SALEM – Top newsworthy stories in 2011 that captured readers’ attention range from court procedures in the case of abducted 12-year-old Brittany Smith and her murdered mother, to searing heat and the happy announcement for Chick-fil-A lovers that the restaurant was breaking ground in Salem Here is the month-by-month recap of what happened in 2011,... »

Young forensic sleuths learn CSI-like methods

SALEM – They prepared “evidence” for forensic testing, learned how to suture using fake skin and even performed laparoscopic surgery – on a watermelon. Middle school students from Andrew Lewis and Glenvar Middle took part in Camp Healthcare this week at LewisGale Medical Center. Along with them were students from Cave Spring Middle School and Hidden... »

Cooner cleans her last school

SALEM – Shirley Cooner emptied her last school trash can last week. The building manager at West Salem Elementary School is retiring after 23 years of cleaning up Salem schools. “I started in July 1977 at Salem High School, before the school actually opened,” recalled Cooner, who has worked with five principals: They were Bayse Wilson... »

Transplant survivor gets a laptop

SALEM – Her friends. That’s what Madison Rose has missed the most while recuperating from an emergency liver transplant earlier this year. Now she has a way to visit with them, even when she has to rest. Last week, the 13-year-old received an unexpected gift: a laptop, complete with video and skype hookup. Her brother, 20-year-old... »

ALMS principal named top in state

SALEM – On the last school day of his final year as principal, Andrew Lewis Middle School’s Jerry Campbell was outed as Virginia’s Middle School Principal of the Year. Campbell’s announcement was made public today. He will officially accept the award on June 27 at the annual Virginia Middle and High School Principals Conference and... »

Students ‘tie one on’ for tornado victims

SALEM – When math teacher Jeanny Gilpin’s students noticed how sad she was after her hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was devastated by a tornado on April 27, they wanted to know what they could do to help. What they did was tie one on. Ribbons, that is. Andrew Lewis Middle School students came up with a... »

Forest Jones will take over July 1 as Andrew Lewis principal

SALEM – Jerry Campbell is retiring after 21 years as Andrew Lewis Middle School’s principal, and Forest Jones is stepping up. It’s not official until tomorrow night, March 8, when Salem School Superintendent Dr. Alan Seibert’s endorsement is expected to be approved by the Salem School Board at its regular meeting. Jones has been on track... »

Gen. Andrew Lewis’ bust installed in Virginia Capitol

RICHMOND – More than 230 years after he served in the House of Burgesses, Andrew Lewis is back in Richmond. This time, he gets to stay. On March 22, a bronze bust of the Revolutionary War patriot, friend of George Washington and father of Salem was unveiled and officially presented to Gov. Bob McDonnell with... »

Schools shuffle administrators for budget savings

SALEM – Faced with a projected shortfall of at least $2 million in state money for the next school year, the Salem School Board has shuffled its principals to fill leadership vacancies and double up on responsibilities in the school system next year, and promoted from within to fill leadership positions at the elementary... »

Salem Schools shuffle principals to save money

SALEM – Salem principals and others are being shuffled to fill leadership positions and double up on responsibilities, as the Salem School Board comes up with ways to counter a possible $2 million shortfall. The board also promoted from within to fill leadership positions at the elementary schools and Andrew Lewis Middle School. Tuesday night in... »