April 30, 2021

Leggett Town & Country Donates 2,400 Bottles of Hand Sanitizer!

Leggett Town & Country donated 2,400 bottles of hand sanitizer (1,200 of the 3.4 oz bottles and 1,200 of the 16.9 oz bottles) to the Danville Public Schools Education Foundation. The items will be distributed throughout the district very soon. Next time you visit the store, make sure you thank them for their generous donation which will be used to ensure the health and safety of our 5,500 students and 1,100 employees. #PartnershipsMatter

Teacher Jag DoorDash at Schoolfield Elementary!

Schoolfield's virtual fifth grade students who met and/or surpassed their academic progress goals earned a "special delivery" from their teachers. When students were asked what they would like as their earned reward, their response was, "Food!" Specifically, they requested McDonalds, of course! We are so proud of our Schoolfield Jaguars for their perseverance and dedication to finish this school year strong! #DPSStrong

Sabrina Wood - Community Service Leader Spotlight!

Sabrina Wood, RN, was the Community Service Leader at the vaccination site at Bibleway on Saturday, April 24, 2021. When it was slow, she called and brought in at least six people to get vaccinated. She also went above and beyond the call of duty to vaccinate someone in his vehicle who was unable to get out of the car to come inside. We salute you, Sabrina for your efforts!

STEAM Night is Right Around the Corner!

It is hard to believe that STEAM Night 2021 is just two weeks away! Just a few updated details on the two evenings:

1. If you are still interested in volunteering, please complete this form. Here is the current Volunteer Sheet. (First and second choices aren't promised due to the needs for each area)

2. If you are out and about, please thank and support our Sponsors and Station Participants that are helping to make this evening possible for the students and their families.

3. General information:

• Elementary night is Monday, May 10, 2021, (Raindate: Monday, May 17, 2021) from 4 pm - 7 pm in the bus loop between Bonner and Westwood Middle School.

• Secondary night is Tuesday, May 11, 2021, (Raindate: Monday, May 18, 2021) from 4 pm - 7 pm in the bus loop between Bonner and Westwood Middle School.

• If families have multiple grade levels in their household, they are welcome to attend the night of their choice or come both evenings since some stations are different for each night!

• Masks are required.

• Students are to be accompanied by an adult.

• This event is open to all students from any school or district!

Galileo Earns High Ranking!

Galileo Magnet High earned high National and metro-area rankings in 2021 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released this morning. Here is their updated U.S. News profile page, with details about its rankings.

By earning a national ranking in the top 40%, Galileo achieved status as a U.S. News Best High School.

About 2021 Best High Schools

The 2021 edition of Best High Schools includes a numerical ranking of nearly all public high schools nationwide – almost 18,000 of them. There are rankings within each state and within each census-designated metropolitan area that has three or more high schools, as well as the Best STEM Schools ranking and comprehensive Best Charter Schools and Best Magnet Schools rankings. Also published are rankings of high schools within each school district that has three or more high schools.

With today’s launch, U.S. News has published detailed school-specific information on enrollment, graduation rates, student body demographics, location, school type and results of state assessments as well as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests.

The Best High Schools rankings, available online only, are produced in conjunction with RTI International, a global research firm. U.S. News doesn’t collect data directly from high schools – all data comes directly from official third-party sources. U.S. News receives AP and IB data directly from the College Board and International Baccalaureate, respectively, for use in the rankings. The state assessment data and graduation rates are from each state, and other data comes from the U.S. Department of Education Common Core of Data.

#DPSStrong

Candy Shack - Gator Goodie Partnership @ GLHJ

Johnson Elementary is pleased to introduce their new partnership with Candy Shack here in Danville. Students who receive a Gator Goodie will receive a coupon to redeem at the store for 1/4 pound of "goodies" for being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. As a donation from Candy Shack, teachers and staff will receive a 1/2 pound of candy for their birthday. Below is what the coupon looks like! #PartnershipsMatter

SOL Practice Session at Johnson!

Thirty parents and students joined 3rd grade teachers at GLHJ to participate in an interactive SOL practice session Wednesday, April 21. Students and parents used teamwork to go through a TestNav session in both reading and math. After the TestNav session, all participated in Book Bingo and a raffle for a scooter and "Gator Green" bicycle.

Thank you to our third grade teachers Mrs. Vazquez, Ms. Hines, Mrs. Keller, Ms. Lutz, and our parent liaison Mrs. Day for providing this special event!

Gator Staff Hosts Virtual Game Night!

On Friday, April 23, over forty families joined the Gator staff as teachers hosted a virtual game night. This event featured trivia (Betcha Didn't Know), Gator Bingo, and a Gator workout! Before the end of the night, DJ EdUc8NU and all families danced together. A big THANK YOU to all of our parents and families who participated - GLHJ may do another one soon!

A huge shout out to all the teachers that joined and participated, plus a BIG "Gator Clap ' to Mrs. Edmunds, Ms. Bethel, Mr. Scales, and Mrs. Jones for facilitating all the activities.

100 Students Recognized at Johnson!
GLH Johnson recognized 100 students for the daily Gator Goodie program. Virtual students received a video shoutout and a virtual sticker, and face-2-face students received a morning announcement shout-out and Gator Goodie certificates.

Keep being #greater Gators!

Come Join Our Team! #DPSStrong

PATHS Holds Community Vaccine Clinic!

Galileo Ranks Top 100 for W!SE Financial Literacy!

Congratulations to our Galileo students, Mrs. Vater and Ms. Nipper! Galileo placed in the top 100 schools in the nation for W!SE financial literacy! They also were 6th in the nation for small school status! Way to go Falcons!

Full press release: https://www.wise-ny.org/.../9th-annual-100-best-wse-high.../

Danville Life Saving Crew Visits Woodberry!

Bryan Fox, the Director of Danville's Life Saving Crew, hosted a wonderful and informative session at Woodberry Hills. He demonstrated emergency medical procedures to stop bleeding long enough to reach the hospital for treatment. We want to ensure that all staff members are prepared with this skill set to protect anyone who might accidentally get hurt while at school.

Woodberry "Expecting" New Student in 2026!

This week Woodberry Hills hosted a baby shower for two staff members: Mama-To-Be, Ms. Lipscomb and Papa-To-Be, Mr. Donigan! Woodberry is welcoming Baby Olivia!

Special Events Snapshot!

In an effort to keep you informed about special events that you may want to attend, a google doc has been created and may be found here: http://bit.ly/DanvilleSpecialEvents. You may access the link at any time for up-to-date information.

Other valuable event information may also be found on the following sites:

• Chamber (https://www.facebook.com/dpchamber)

• River City TV (https://www.facebook.com/RiverCityTV)

• Southside News & Views (https://www.facebook.com/groups/southsidenewsandviews)

• Evince Magazine (https://www.facebook.com/Evince-Magazine-108174594243)

DPD Partners with DPS to Collect Items for the Transition Stop! #PartnershipsMatter

The Danville Police Department is partnering with Danville Public Schools to organize a Community Drive for the Transition Stop, currently located at the Langston Campus. See below for more information on the Transition Stop.

OVERVIEW

In the summer of 2019, Danville Public Schools (DPS) saw the need to expand services to students who are absent from school because they lack basic life essentials. Removing barriers to learning, such as: clothing, underwear, shoes, coats, mattresses and bed linen, non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, feminine care products, washers and dryers, showers, school supplies, etc. would give ALL students equal access to education.

Simultaneously, the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County (UWDPC) had begun collecting donations of unwanted teacher supplies for their Teacher Supply Swap and was searching for a place to house the initiative. The idea is to reduce the financial burden for teachers by providing access to educational materials that other teachers may no longer want.

Conversations between the two groups resulted in the development of The Transition Stop, where wrap-around services and supplies could be provided for DPS students, families, and teachers.

The Transition Stop is currently located at the Langston Campus. Two previous classrooms and two additional spaces have been converted for the project. Through a generous donation of $5,000 from Tiffany Harrison, a 1993 George Washing High School alum and a CFO for Boeing, a commercial washer and dryer were purchased and installed. It is important to note that Boeing matched Mrs. Harrison’s donation of $5,000 for a total of $10,000!

OPPORTUNITY

The Transition Stop will provide the following opportunities to students and families:

· Create a one-stop “shop” for services and supplies that are conveniently located in one location

· Boost students’ self-confidence by “shopping” in a quality retail space for items that may not be easily accessible

· Reduce chronic absenteeism

· Decrease bullying episodes

· Increase youth personal hygiene

· Increase access for teachers to classroom supplies resulting in less personal spending

IMPACT/OUTCOMES

The main outcome for the Transition Stop is to reduce chronic absenteeism for the students so that they may succeed in school. Additionally, a decrease in chronic absenteeism will impact a school’s accreditation rating, making it critical to student achievement.

If you would like to donate items to the Transition Stop, please help us collect the following items:

● Hygiene Items - deodorant, toothbrushes, feminine items, underwear, etc.

● Toiletry

● Washing Powder/Dryer Sheets

● Socks and Shoes

● School Supplies - pencils, pens, notebook paper, backpacks, highlighters, glue, markers, etc.

● Summer/ Fall Clothing

Drop-Off Locations:

1. Langston Focus Center

228 Cleveland Street

Danville, Virginia
Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 3:30PM

2. Danville Police Department

427 Patton Street

Danville, Virginia

3. NAACP Chapter House

407 Holbrook Street

Danville, Virginia

VDOE Seeks Public Comment for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Standards

The 2020 Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 753 directing the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to develop guidance standards for social emotional learning (SEL) for all public students in grades Kindergarten through 12 in the Commonwealth. The Virginia Social Emotional Learning Standards were developed in collaboration with an SEL Advisory Committee, composed of educators, community leaders, agency personnel, and parents. The Virginia SEL Standards are aligned with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate and centered in equity. This intentional focus allows the Standards to explicitly teach the skills needed to be “life ready” and to create more equitable learning environments.

Click here to view the proposed document and to make comments. Public comments end on May 26, 2021.

GW NJROTC Receives Distinguished Unit Award!

The NJROTC at GWHS received the Distinguished Unit Award from the NJROTC Area Manager, Captain Jim Daniels. This award is given for being ranked the top 30% of the NJROTC units across the nation. The award recognizes excellence in unit administration, leadership and participation in team activities such as marching drill, CyberPatriot, rifle, etc. The unit will receive a streamer to attach to their unit guidon flag and each cadet will be authorized to wear the Distinguished Unit Ribbon award on their uniform. Master Chief Daryl Green, the Naval Science Instructor said, “The cadets worked hard and were extremely active despite the restrictions put on us because of COVID. I am very proud of them!”

The attached photo represents the GW NJROTC Staff cadets.

(L to R): Takhayla Carter, Irieasia Dickerson, MyKerrah McCray, Logan Rigney (seated), Tamyia Harris, Jamelia Canada, J’Niah Barton

#DPSStrong

Class of 2021 - Goodyear is Hiring!

Danville Public Schools Proudly Presents the 2020-2021 Graduates of Distinction!

Please take the time to check out these amazing videos!

Galileo High School: http://bit.ly/GalileoGradsofDistinction2021

George Washington High School: http://bit.ly/GWGradsofDistinction2021

Change Your Life With 1 Simple Cup Of Coffee!

Check out this inspirational video that will have us all thinking about what exceptional customer service really means and how it can change a life!