Monthly Archives: January 2021

WV Golden Horseshoe Info 2021

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Upcoming Dates

November 18 – Golden Horseshoe TEAMS Meeting for County Contacts 3:30 PMMicrosoft Teams meeting
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+1 304-553-7794,,451001380#   United States, Charleston
Phone Conference ID: 451 001 380#
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December 1 – Non-Public and Home-School student registration for Golden Horseshoe testing begins. Private schools may submit the registration form directly to Dustin Lambert. Home school students must register with the local public school.
 January 2021 1 – Deadline to request Braille Test.Online Practice Test available for students.  (Practice tests are posted once a week on Fridays.) An email will be sent notifying counties of the uploaded practice tests.All students must have logged into the webtop platform to test their usernames and passwords.
 February 5 – All Practice Tests are turned off.8-12 – Golden Horseshoe Written Essay Test for ALL counties.19 – Essay tests must be received by the WVDE Office of Secondary Services.15-26 – Golden Horseshoe Online Multiple-Choice Testing (details are listed below)
 MarchGolden Horseshoe winners names will be sent to counties and Winner and Honorary Packets will be mailed.19 – Deadline to nominate an Honorary Golden Horseshoe recipient.
 April 9 – Deadline for name corrections for the program, certificate and name badges.
 May7 -Tentative Golden Horseshoe Ceremony, Capitol Complex.Mid-Month – Golden Horseshoe Online Multiple Choice Test scores are e-mailed to the county superintendent.

Golden Horseshoe Information

About the WV Golden Horseshoe Award

One of the highlights of the eighth-grade year is the opportunity for a student to become a Knight or Lady of the Golden Horseshoe. This prestigious program takes its name from the golden horseshoes given to the early explorers of West Virginia. In 1716 the Governor of the Virginia colony, Alexander Spotswood, saw the need for exploration of the land west of the Allegheny Mountains, most of which is now West Virginia. The governor organized a party of about 50 men, all of whom adopted the pledge, “Sic jurat transcendere monte,” which means “Thus he swears to cross the mountains.” Governor Spotswood presented each member of his party with a small golden horseshoe to commemorate the bravery of those who crossed the mountains into Western Virginia, beginning the Golden Horseshoe tradition.

This historical tradition was revitalized in the late 1920’s. To promote the study of state history, the idea of forming West Virginia Clubs was proposed by Phil M. Conley, an editor of The West Virginia Review. In late 1929, Mr. Conley took his idea to State Superintendent of Free Schools William C. Cook. Superintendent Cook believed that the State Department of Education should take the lead in promoting a comprehensive study of the state. He proposed expanding Conley’s idea by honoring the highest-achieving students with a state award. In 1930 some 2,736 clubs were organized with more than 48,000 students as members. In the first Golden Horseshoe ceremony, held in 1931, 87 students from 46 counties were honored as Knights and Ladies of the Golden Horseshoe. The Golden Horseshoe became known as a symbol of scholastic achievement to honor students who excel in the study of West Virginia. Since that time approximately 15,000 eighth-grade students have received a golden pin in the shape of a horseshoe, much like those given by Governor Spotswood some three hundred years ago. This pin symbolizes the student’s knowledge and understanding of their state’s proud heritage.

The program of studies in combination with state awards is unique in its statewide recognition of scholastic achievement. Each year approximately 22,000 eighth grade students spend the school year studying a comprehensive West Virginia curriculum. The curriculum engages the students in the intense study of the history, geography, economy and government of the Mountain State. The primary goal of the program is to promote pride in our state, develop intellectual and participatory skills as well as foster attitudes that are necessary for students to participate as effective, involved, and responsible citizens. The State Department of Education, in effect, uses the Golden Horseshoe award to honor “all-state” West Virginia Studies students.

Each year 221 eighth-grade students are honored for their knowledge of the state in a one-day ceremony held in Charleston. The Golden Horseshoe winners have outscored their classmates in school and county wide testing competitions and made top scores on a West Virginia Department of Education test which measures their grasp of West Virginia Studies. Students also write an essay focusing on some aspect of West Virginia current events. A minimum of two students from each county and one student from the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind at Romney are selected for the award. The other 110 honorees are selected from the 55 counties based on each county’s eighth-grade population.

While in Charleston to celebrate the Golden Horseshoe Day, the honorees are treated to a tour of the Capitol and Cultural Center and a luncheon held in their honor. The high point of the Golden Horseshoe Ceremony is the induction of the students into the Golden Horseshoe Society. The State Superintendent of Schools presides over the induction ceremony. Each student kneels and, with a tap of a sword on the shoulder, is dubbed either a Knight or Lady of the Golden Horseshoe Society. Each student is presented a Golden Horseshoe pin and the 70-year honor and tradition continues.

Facts About the WV Golden Horseshoe Award

The Golden Horseshoe originated in the early 1700s in colonial Virginia when then-Governor Alexander Spotswood saw the need for exploration of the land west of the Allegheny Mountains, most of which is now West Virginia. The governor organized a party of about 50 men to explore the frontier. At the end of the exploration, he presented each member of the party with a golden horseshoe. Translated from Latin, the inscription on each horseshoe read, “Thus it was decided to cross the mountains.” On the other side was written,”Order of the Golden Horseshoe.” Because of this, the recipients became known as “The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe.”

The Golden Horseshoe is probably the most coveted award bestowed upon West Virginia students each year. During the induction ceremony, students kneel and the State Superintendent, using an antique sword, dubs students as “ladies” or “knights” of the Golden Horseshoe.

The Golden Horseshoe Test has been administered in West Virginia since 1931 and is the longest-running program of its kind in any state.

Two hundred twenty-one West Virginia eighth graders receive the award each year. The two top-scoring students from each county are given the award (total of 110), as are another 110 students selected throughout the state based on population. In addition, the top-scoring student from the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind is presented the award.

Recipients during the past seven decades include citizens from all walks of life, state Supreme Court justices, legislators, attorneys, business leaders and educators.

In conversations with Department of Education officials, West Virginia native Homer Hickam indicated that his one regret was not winning the Golden Horseshoe award as a student. The author of “October Sky” was presented an honorary Golden Horseshoe award in 1999 because of all the positive reinforcement he has given the state.

Have you Lost Your Golden Horseshoe Pin?

Students who are inducted in to the prestigious society receive what some call one of the most treasured pieces of memorabilia of their school days, the Golden Horseshoe pin. These pins are awarded to eighth grade students who achieve the highest scores on the Golden Horseshoe test in their county.

Realizing that some recipients have lost their pins over the years, the WVDE can help replace them. Anyone who has lost his/her pin can download a form that can be sent in to order a replacement pin.

Request a New Pin Form (Word Format)

Please verify your information and Year as we have it in our database. You can find the database of winners here:
WV Culture Golden Horseshoe Winners

Preparing for the Golden Horseshoe Essay and Multiple Choice Online Test

Golden Horseshoe Preparation Page: http://www.wvculture.org/history/goldenhorseshoeprep.html

Providing Access to the Golden Horseshoe Online Practice and Actual Tests for your county’s students

Any 8th-grade student may take the Golden Horseshoe Test one time.  This test is a competition. It is not a summative exam and it is not required.  We will be using Webtop to administer the Golden Horseshoe Online Multiple Choice Test.  Students who are not familiar with this platform become familiar with it by taking the weekly practice test.  We request that all students test their usernames and passwords by January 31, 2021.

Both home and private school students are eligible to take the test.  All students must be registered using the Golden Horseshoe Registration form by January 31, 2021.  The form must be filled out completely and correctly.  If the form is not completely correct, the form will be returned and the student(s) will not be registered.

Public School Students

Public school students do not need to be registered.  To access the tests students will need a username and password for the WebTop. If students do not have the login information, it may be obtained through your building principal and/or county technology specialist. Your county technology specialist can provide you with a new or simplified login if you need one.

Once correctly completed private/homeschool registrations have been received by the WVDE Office of Secondary Learning, credentials are generated and sent to the schools. It takes about a week to a week-and-a-half to get the students enrolled.

Home-School Students

Home-school students will need to be registered to take the test.  The registration form can only be completed by a teacher, counselor, or school/county administrator where the student would normally have attended public school. Once the student has been enrolled, we will e-mail the person who submitted the registration with the student’s information and instructions. The process should take no more than one week. If it does, please send an email to Dustin Lambert, dllambert@k12.wv.us. NOTE:  Home-school students are required to go the school that they would normally have attended to take the Essay Test and the Online Golden Horseshoe Test

Private School Students

Private schools may participate as long as they have a school code and complete the registration form.  The school code and county code can be obtained from the Master School Code website at http://jo.my/countyschoolcode, by selecting the county the school is located in and then scrolling through the list of schools.  NOTE:  Private schools must take the essay test and online Golden Horseshoe test on the same day as the rest of the county.  Private schools should notify the county Golden Horseshoe County Contact that they are participating so that information can be distributed to the school.

If a private school does not have a school code, one can be obtained by contacting the Office of Information Systems at 304-558-8869.

Golden Horseshoe Registration Form

Essay Test – February 8-12, 2021

The essay test is not required and if a student chooses not to complete the essay it does NOT disqualify them from taking the online Golden Horseshoe Test. The essay test is used to break a tie between scores for the online test.

The essay test is scheduled for February 8-12, 2021.  Two weeks prior to the test, we will e-mail the essay question to the Golden Horseshoe County Contact.  We ask that the Golden Horseshoe County Contact distribute the essay test to their schools, pick the essay tests back-up, and send all county essay tests back to the WVDE in one envelope. In case your county is spread out, the individual schools can return the essay tests directly back to the WVDE Office of Secondary Learning. We recommend that you send the tests back with some form of tracking number in case the package is misplaced by the post office.

  • The essay test CAN be administered by the regular WV studies teacher in a regular 40-45 minute class period.
  • The teacher/test administrator will be asked to complete a confidentiality agreement and an absentee roster. The absentee roster should include students who are absent on the day of the essay test and any student who chooses NOT to take the essay test.

Each county has the liberty to decide how to best administer the essay to students in both virtual and in-person settings.

Online Test – February 15-26

The 2021 Golden Horseshoe exam will be administered over a two-week period in February. The West Virginia Department of Education will not be selecting certain dates for certain counties. This will allow the flexibility needed to test students during the pandemic. Every student taking the exam must be present in the school building and the exam must be administered by a professional having signed the confidentiality agreement. February 15-26 has been determined as the testing window for the online exam.

Public school students access the testing platform via their WebTop.  Home and private-school students will have an external link to access the practice and online tests.

Essay Test Forms: AbsenteeRoster.pdf, Essay Test Confidentiality Agreement

Online Golden Horseshoe Test

The online test is a 50 multiple choice question test that can be completed in 40-45 minutes.

Test proctor/Moderator

  • The test proctor/moderator/administrator MUST NOT be the regular classroom teacher for the online Golden Horseshoe Test.
  • The test will be turned on at 7 AM each morning and off at 3:45 PM each afternoon.
  • The test is timed by the proctors/moderators and students should be allowed 40-45 minutes to take the test. The test will NOT shut the test down after 40-45 minutes.
  • If a student has an IEP that requires classroom accommodations, please provide those accommodations. For example, if a student requires extra time, please give that student extra time. If a student requires someone to read to them, please arrange for someone to read the test to the student

The regular WV Studies teacher may NOT administer the Online Golden Horseshoe Test to the students.  The WVDE requires an online confidentiality agreement stating that the test administrator is NOT the regular WV Studies teacher and will keep all information regarding the Golden Horseshoe test confidential.  This confidentiality agreement must be signed 3 days prior to the county’s scheduled test day.

Internet Usage Tips on Test Day

  • We suggest that you ask all other computer users to refrain from downloading or tying up the broadband.
  • If there is an internet slow down, please allow the students enough time to make the test fair.
  • If a student is kicked off the Internet, just have them log back in.  As long as the student has not submitted the test, he/she can reenter the test

After the testing is complete, all absentee rosters will need to be e-mailed/faxed to the WVDE Office of Middle/Secondary Learning.  We will check to make sure that the county’s winners are not on the absentee list before declaring them actual winners.

Online Test Forms

Three Days prior to the test

FAX to 304-558-1834 E-mail a scanned copy to Jennifer Gill

Mail to WVDE, ATTN:  Jennifer Gill, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Building 6 Rm 620, Charleston, WV  25305

Winners

The number of winners is determined by population, but every county is given a minimum of two winners.  The larger the population, the larger the number of winners. The Golden Horseshoe test is a competition within a county NOT within the state.  We do not have average scores for the state or counties.

As we begin getting the winners, we will send the list of winners to the superintendent and the county contact.  Please stress to your teachers we will not be sending the scores to the counties until the middle of May.

We will send information directly to the students and their families about the Ceremony.  If a teacher/test administrator would like to attend, we have extra seating in the lobby area where a closed circuit TV is set up or they can participate behind the scenes by being an escort.

Nominating Honorees

Each year, it is customary to honor selected educators or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to West Virginia, West Virginia Studies and/or Golden Horseshoe program by naming them as Honorary Knights or Ladies of the Golden Horseshoe.  An individual is nominated by the county superintendent only.  Each county superintendent may nominate only one person per year.  Only 10 persons a year may receive the award.  In the event more than 10 nominations are received, a committee will review all nominations and select the ten most deserving nominees.  To nominate an individual, please complete the online form at Golden Horseshoe Online Honorary Nomination Form

Forms

Archives

Contact Information

Dustin Lambert, Coordinator (dllambert@k12.wv.us)
Office of Middle/Secondary Learning
Phone:  304-558-5325
FAX:  304-558-1834
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Building 6 Room 221, Charleston, WV  25305

WVSB Law Day Contest

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wvsb-wip-law-day-contest-packet-2021-1Download

WV STATE BAR WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION COMMITTEE LAW DAY 2021 WELCOME LETTER

Dear West Virginia Educators and Students:

Welcome to the first of what we hope to be an annual contest for Law Day, which falls on May 1, 2021, each year. The purpose of Law Day is to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. You can find out more about Law Day, and its history, by visiting https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/law-day/history-of-law-day/

The West Virginia State Bar’s Women in the Profession Committee was formed in 2020, and the Committee’s members are excited to make this student Law Day Contest one of our first significant projects. The contest is open for students in grades K-12 who are attending school (including any public, private, or homeschool program) in West Virginia. We are hopeful that educators will make this available to students in their classrooms, and we encourage educators to provide extra credit, or to make participation in this Contest a graded assignment. However, it does not have to be. The students just need to have a teacher sponsor their Contest submission.

This year, the educators have the option to select from one of two themes, which are described in the packet. Educators can select the medium created by the students, or those educators can give students the option of what medium they will create. The possibilities include essay-writing, poetry, songwriting and performance, poster creation, and social media marketing.

The submission deadline is April 15, 2021, and the submission requirements are contained in this Contest Packet. Each submission must contain a Submission Form and be signed by the student, teacher, and parent for each student participating. The only exception is in the case of a classroom-wide submission of a poster, which is an available option for educators teaching Grades K-5. In that event, we need a submission form and a list of the students in the classroom who participated.

Winners will be selected and announced by May 1, 2021. Prizes will be given for winners in each of the three school-levels (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) for each medium (poster, essay, poem, song, social media post) and, in addition, overall prizes will be awarded for “Best in Show” for each of the three school levels. We are also planning a Virtual Tour of the WVU College of Law and a roundtable with current law students for our high school-level winners.

Good luck to each of the students who participate! We are excited to see their creativity and understanding of the themes reflected in their submissions!

Happy Learning!!

The West Virginia State Bar
Women in the Profession Committee

WV STATE BAR WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION COMMITTEE LAW DAY 2021 THEMES

Each year, the American Bar Association selects a Law Day theme. This year, we are giving educators and students the option of using either the 2020 theme, which was “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100,” or the 2021 theme, which is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.” The themes are briefly described below.

Option 1
“Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100”

The women’s right to vote movement forever changed America, expanding representative democracy and inspiring other popular movements for constitutional change and reform.

Learn more at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/law- day/law-day-2020.

Option 2
“Advancing the Rule of Law Now”

The rule of law is a set of principles, or ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society. The rule of law is the bedrock of American rights and liberties—in times of calm and unrest alike. The 2021 Law Day theme—”Advancing the Rule of Law, Now”—reminds all of us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice.

Learn more at https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/law- day/

WV STATE BAR WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION COMMITTEE LAW DAY 2021 SONGWRITING CONTEST RULES

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation and a written evaluation of their submission.

Age Categories – Elementary, (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12)

Submission Guidelines, Rules and Regulations

  • ●  Students are encouraged to submit an original song from any popular music genre.
  • ●  Submissions must meet or address one of two themes: (1) “Your Vote, Your Voice, OurDemocracy: The 19th Amendment at 100” or (2) “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.”
  • ●  Complete submissions shall include an audio or video recording and a lyric sheet.
  • ●  Submit your Lyric Sheet as a PDF with your name, school, teacher and county in the email.
  • ●  Video or audio file and lyric sheet should be emailed to WVLawDay@wvbar.org. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed submission form (form attached).
  • ●  The song recording should be no longer than 3 minutes in duration.
  • ●  Recordings may be of a portion of the song.
  • ●  Recording must be made as an audio clip or video (MP3 or MP4 format) and may be made on a cell phone.
  • ●  Each entrant must be sponsored by an educator.
  • ●  Each applicant may submit a maximum of two songs.
  • ●  Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal.
  • ●  Songs may be submitted as an individual or as groups of no more than three students. A separate submission sheet must be submitted by each participating student.Criteria for the Evaluation of CompositionsEntries will be judged based on their originality, aesthetic quality, how well the song addresses the chosen theme, and the power of the music and lyrics.Ownership

Ownership of the songs submitted for the contest will remain with the songwriter. However, the WV State Bar reserves the right to reproduce and publish any and all artwork submitted for this contest, and publish the artist’s name, age and school for promotional and marketing use.

WV STATE BAR WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION COMMITTEE LAW DAY 2021 POSTER CONTEST RULES

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation and a written evaluation of their submission

Age Categories – Elementary, (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12)

Submission Guidelines, Rules and Regulations

  • ●  Students are encouraged to submit an original poster.
  • ●  Submissions must meet or address one of two themes: (1) “Your Vote, Your Voice, OurDemocracy: The 19th Amendment at 100” or (2) “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.”
  • ●  Poster size shall be 12” x 18” (vertical).
  • ●  Submit a photograph of your poster in either JPG (300 dpi) or PDF format with your name, school, teacher and county in the email.
  • ●  Email your submission to WVLawDay@wvbar.org. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed submission form (form attached).
  • ●  Each entrant must be sponsored by an educator.
  • ●  Each applicant may submit a maximum of one poster.
  • ●  Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal.
  • ●  For grade K-5, posters may be submitted as a class; otherwise, each poster may be submitted as an individual or as groups of no more than three students. A separate submission sheet must be submitted by each participating student.
  • ●  If your poster contains any photographs, please confirm that either you took the photograph or that you have obtained legal rights to use the photograph.Criteria for the Evaluation of PostersEntries will be judged based on their originality, aesthetic quality, and how well the poster addresses the chosen theme.Ownership

Ownership of the poster submitted for the contest will remain with the creator. However, the WV State Bar reserves the right to reproduce and publish any and all artwork submitted for thispage5image33576960

contest, and publish the artist’s name, age and school for promotional and marketing use.

WV STATE BAR WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION COMMITTEE LAW DAY 2021 SOCIAL MEDIA POST CONTEST RULES

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation and a written evaluation of their submission

Age Categories – Elementary, (K-5), Middle School (6-8) and High School (9-12) Submission Guidelines, Rules and Regulations

  • ●  Students are encouraged to submit an original social media post designed to market the selected theme on social media.
  • ●  Submissions must meet or address one of two themes: (1) “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100” or (2) “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.”
  • ●  Do not use commercially available sources for post content or art – all aspects of the post should be original.
  • ●  Submissions should incorporate the hashtag “#WVLawDay2021.”
  • ●  The post should be static. In other words, posts with video are not permitted. ●
  • ●  The word limit for an Instagram post is 2,200 characters. The word limit for a Facebook post is 63,206 characters. The word limits for a Twitter post is 280 characters. Remember, just because the word limits exist does not mean that your post must take up all of the available characters.
  • ●  Submit a photograph of your social media post in either JPG (300 dpi) or PDF format with your name, school, teacher and county in the email. Please include the written (non-image) portion of the post in the text of the email as well. Please also designate the social media for which your post is designed (i.e., Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
  • ●  Email your submission to WVLawDay@wvbar.org. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed submission form (form attached).
  • ●  Each entrant must be sponsored by an educator.
  • ●  Each applicant may submit a maximum of one social media post.
  • ●  Plagiarism of copyrighted material is illegal.
  • ●  For grade K-5, social media posts may be submitted as a class; otherwise, each social media post should be created by an individual student.

● If your social media content contains any photographs, please confirm that either you took the photograph or that you have obtained legal rights to use the photograph or video.

Criteria for the Evaluation of Social Media Posts

Entries will be judged based on their originality, aesthetic quality, how well the social media post addresses the chosen theme, and the marketing quality of the post.

Ownership

Ownership of the social media posts submitted for the contest will remain with the student. However, the WV State Bar reserves the right to reproduce and publish any and all social media

content submitted for this contest, and publish the artist’s name, age and school for

promotional and marketing use.

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