News Home

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th, and North Davidson Middle School Principal Amy Hyatt look over seventh-grader Brady Gum's shoulder during his computer skills class Monday. Mat Batts/The Dispatch

Two Davidson County schools played host to U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th, on Monday, showcasing many of the tools and projects taking place in their classrooms each day.

During their newly created “Armor Hour,” members of North Davidson High School's student council spoke with Foxx and Davidson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lory Morrow over lunch. Students received the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice from the congresswoman, who handed out pocket-size copies of the U.S. Constitution and spoke on the importance of maintaining power and freedom in individual communities. 

“Our government is a government of the people. It isn’t a government of the government. It’s a government established by the people,” Foxx said. “I think it’s really important that you understand that, because as student council people, and as class presidents and vice presidents, that’s who you are, too. You’re elected by the people you represent.”

Foxx also heard from students on the school’s implementation of Armor Hour, a new block of time during the middle of the school day where students face many options for when and where to eat lunch and can also receive individual or small-group instruction. Foxx commended the school’s “positive attitude” and credited it to the school district’s ability to make individual decisions in its structure. 

“Some people like Common Core, some people hate Common Core. It’s again one of those decisions that should never have been made by the president and by the secretary of education,” Foxx said. “That’s a decision that should be made right here. How you run your curriculum in Davidson County should be decided by your school board with the help of the administrators and the principals here.”

After lunch, Foxx took of tour of North Davidson Middle School’s career and technical education classrooms and learned from students about the many projects and capabilities of the program. Seventh-graders in a technology, innovation and design class shared woodworking projects and experiments with electricity while computer skills classes shared electronic programs and virtual travel projects.

“I think it is very important, and I think it’s great for her, and it’s great for them,” said Amy Hyatt, North Davidson Middle School principal. “They of course haven’t had the opportunity to meet a congresswoman before, and so just knowing (she's) a real person and someone they can talk to and relate to is important.”

Hyatt called the school’s CTE program an opportunity for students to explore a number of careers without committing too much time or effort with specific a skill set.

“They could have several of these classes throughout their experience, and that way it gives them an outlook or a choice on what they could do. They can see the different options,” she said.

After showing Foxx around two of the county’s schools, Morrow said she was happy the district had an opportunity to highlight two of its newest advancements with Armor Hour and the CTE classes.

“We are very honored that she took the time to come visit our schools and speak with the students and interact with the students,” Morrow said. “I reached out to her office because I know she is a proponent of education, and she is very supportive of education and has helped enact and move legislation that supports education. I wanted her to come to Davidson County Schools to see all of the great things that we’re doing and really be able to showcase what’s happening in our classrooms.”

Monday’s visit could be one of Foxx’s last to Davidson County if the state’s newly drawn congressional district map receives approval from a federal judicial panel. As the maps are drawn, Davidson County is set to be represented in the 13th District. Foxx’s 5th District would end in Forsyth County.

“I love the counties I have now, I will love the counties I have when I get them,” Foxx said. “I think the worst part is the uncertainty. The people deserve to know what the districts are. And I frankly think it’s wrong that a judge is going to decide this.”

http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20160307/NEWS/160309836/-1/mobile?Title=Congresswoman-visits-two-schools-in-county