WILLIAMSBURG — On Thursday, Oct. 21, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (WJCC Schools) welcomed Virginia’s First Lady Pamela Northam.
In a special visit to James River Elementary School, 8901 Pocahontas Trail in Williamsburg, Mrs. Northam was able to meet with students and teachers while also learning more as to how WJCC Schools has invested in its students social and emotional learning throughout each school day.
Mrs. Northam was accompanied by Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education Kathy Burcher, Chief Diversity Officer Janice Underwood, Ph.D., and Assistant Secretary of Education Tori Feyrer.
The visit included observing classroom and school wide supports. Mrs. Northam participated in a “welcoming circle time,” counselor check-in/check-out times with individual students, and “zones of regulation” connected to real life experiences.
According to an Oct. 21 release from WJCC Schools, the division has invested in having one school counselor available for every 250 students it serves and has made it so 80 percent of counselors’ time is spent in direct student services.
Mrs. Northam followed the visit to James River Elementary School by participating in the Eastern Virginia Trauma Informed Care Network Roundtable at Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center, 5249 Olde Towne Rd.