Site search:

• Venable Home Page
• About Us
• Faculty & Staff
• Calendar
• Upcoming Events
• Recent Events
• Library
• Lunch Menus
• CLASS Afterschool Program
• Map & Directions
• Community Partners

Venable Elementary: School Profile

The Venable Experience

Venable Elementary School has an established history of enriching students‘ lives through high academic standards and a strong connection to the surrounding community. Venable emphasizes supporting and challenging each and every student in order to maximize the social, emotional and cognitive growth expected of tomorrow‘s leaders. It integrates instruction into the core academic subjects with opportunities designed to foster initiative, flexibility, social and cross-cultural awareness, productivity, accountability, leadership and individual responsibility for their learning.

Students at Venable are given the opportunity to use their skills in ways that influence the school and the world around them. We nurture 21st century skills of using information gathering and communication technologies to assess data, collaborate, innovate, think critically, solve problems and become more self-aware. Regular activities such as schoolwide celebrations of achievement, community service, and student-run committees build a sense of pride and personal contribution.

We offer an extensive after school clubs program that includes offerings such as:  Lego club, Marvel Comics club, Animal Studies club (that culminates in a dissection), Yoga club, International Cuisine, Yearbook, Library, Newspaper, German, Tennis, Roller Coasters, Urban Explorers, Ambassadors, and more.

About Venable

Be a part of the Venable Experience. Visit the school to learn more about our philosophy and to meet our teachers!

Venable Elementary School opened in the University of Virginia neighborhood in 1925. The school was named for Colonel Charles Scott Venable, who was a Civil War soldier, professor of mathematics at the University of Virginia and author of arithmetic books for children. Later additions on the north end added an auditorium/gym wing. The playground/picnic area was constructed in May 1995 as a community project.

Opportunities for Parent Involvement

The Venable PTO plays a critical role at Venable. Parents are highly involved in supporting school activities. Family nights are very well-attended and parent volunteers are a mainstay of the instructional program. Here are some examples of the many ways parents contribute to Venable:

• Jump Into Reading--an event in the fall where parents and students come to school to read with one another and participate in fitness activities--a mind and body workout.
• Coffee and Conversation--join other parents and Mrs. Kershner in the North Lobby once a quarter for informal conversation.
• Bingo Night--a fun-filled evening of bingo and prizes in the school gym
• Math Night--an opportunity to participate in games centered around important strands of the math curriculum and come away with ideas for how to support students at home in math.
• Spring Carnival--fun-filled activities to promote community within school.
• Read Across America Week/Day--parents are encouraged to come and read their favorite stories with a class of students as we celebrate the joy of reading
• Garden Committee--parents are joining together to help cultivate our raised vegetable beds and maintain our many flowering gardens around campus.
• Clubs--parents are invited to sponsor and lead an after-school club of their choosing/design.
• Walk-A-Thon--annual fall event where the entire school community walks for an hour.  Parents are invited to join us on the field for fun and exercise.
• Pre-school family nights--monthly activities designed for parents, teachers and students to come together to learn and play
• Volunteering--parents are an important part of our program, from helping to shelve books in the library, display student artwork in the hallways, tutor students during the school day, and help oversee centers or other academic activities in the primary grades.

Awards and Recognitions

• Virginia Board of Education‘s VIP Excellence Award winner for five consecutive years

Technology

Technology tools are used throughout the school day so that students are proficient in accessing information and communicating knowledge. Interactive SMART boards are in every room. The KIT project (Kids in Touch) puts iPod Touches into the hands of students to enhance learning in social studies and science while developing important information, media and technology skills.

Technology is integrated into all content areas. Students demonstrate increasing independence in using Inspiration software to produce mind maps and outlines. It is routine to see students of all ages using flip cameras to chronicle daily school adventures that may be incorporated into a writing or group activity.

What Parents Say about Venable School

“Three of my children currently attend Venable and I am so pleased with their teachers. It's a great place for kids to grow!”

“The teachers at Venable are exceptional. Without being asked, my daughter's teachers have made accommodations for her as she struggled with attention issues. They did this to help her be successful as a student and person, not because it was required. Venable is a loving and supportive learning community.”

“Venable is a wonderful school! My children are learning so much. It's a terrific place for them to go.”

Meet the Administrators

Principal Erin Kershner  has an AB in English & American Literature from Brown University, MA in English from UNC-CH and MSA (Master's of School Administration) from UNC-CH.  She began her teaching career in rural northeastern North Carolina as a middle school language arts teacher through Teach For America.  Ms. Kershner has also worked as an administrator for Teach For America and taught writing at UNC-CH while in graduate school.  After serving as an assistant principal for 5 years in North Carolina, she worked in Human Resources for 18 months and then became the principal of Wiley Elementary School in Raleigh, NC.  After 3.5 years at Wiley, her family relocated to Charlottesville when she was named the principal of Venable in July 2011.  Ms. Kershner has been married for 14 years and has two children. She enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, and reading.

Assistant Principal Valeta Paige has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Hampton University and a MEd in Ed Leadership from UVa. She has been a 3rd and 4th grade classroom teacher, Quest teacher and instructional coordinator in Charlottesville City Schools. Ms. Paige has served as the principal at Jackson-Via, a coordinator at central office and the assistant principal at Venable for the past 8 years.  She has three children and one grandchild.