August 28, 2020

Thank You Melba Tanksley for Your 65 Years of Service!

The Danville Police Department was honored to celebrate the life of Melba Tanksley with her family recently. Melba Tanksley served the city of Danville as a school crossing guard for 65 years. She helped three generations of students arrive at school safely. She served as a shining example of dedication and professionalism in the community.

Tanksley believed it was her duty to be at her assignment for as long as she was physically able in order to protect those children because she felt like they were her own. She will be remembered for her kindness and her family said that she never knew a stranger.

Melba Gosney Tanksley passed away August 11. She was 98 years young.

IT Tutorials Available - Great Resource for Parents and Students!

Here is a quick how-to video demonstrating how easy it is to get started with your DPS issued hotspot.

Using your Chromebook to access Canvas has never been easier. Watch this quick tutorial to get started with our Single Sign-On portal.

Super Cleaning, COVID Style!

Time to go home as my office is ready for deep cleaning using our new Hygienica cleaning system. Hygienica Electro-Hygiene Systems were purchased for each school and facility. Hygienic systems are the choice technology for technical remediation specialists and is the highest production sprayer in the market. The system kills 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and pathogens when used in conjunction with EPA-registered disinfectants within 2-10 minutes. Drying time: 2 hours. Every school will be deep cleaned at the end of every day using this new technology!

DPS Expands Meal Distribution Program!

DPS remains steadfast in its commitment to provide free nutritious meals to all students despite limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since schools closed in March, the Division has served over 400,000 meals, which included breakfast and lunch at twenty-three (23) meal distribution sites strategically located throughout the city.

On August 24th, DPS added an additional meal component and six distribution sites to the program. Dinner will now be served and the number of meal distribution sites will increase from twenty-three (23) to twenty-nine (29).

Until further notice, the following locations will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday - Friday:

• Cardinal Village Apartments • Pleasant View Apartments • Purdum Woods Apartments • Woodside Village Apartments • Cedar Terrace Apartments

• Woodberry Hills Elementary School • Park Avenue Elementary School • Highland Heights Apartments • Gibson Elementary School

• Former W. Townes Lea Elementary School • Southwyck Plaza Shopping Center • Clear Pond Apartments • Galileo Magnet High School

• New Hope Way/Seeland Road • Corner of Springfield Road and Seminole Trail • Schoolfield Elementary School • George Washington High School

• G.L.H Johnson Elementary School • O.T. Bonner Middle School • Westwood Middle School • Doyle Thomas Park • Sterling Trace Apartments

• Woodrow Wilson Intermediate School • Corner of North Hills Court and Lockett Drive • Nordan Shopping Center • Ballou Park Shopping Center

• Cane Creek Shopping Center • New Ingram Heights / Barrett Street • 23 Parker Road

While serving these meals, staff will continue to maintain proper safety measures per the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

1st Day Back Social Media Quotes

“First day of virtual learning! I was SO impressed with Forest Hills and Bonner today. They were so prepared and fantastic. Thank you to all of the teachers who worked so hard for our students, it definitely shows!!! Way to go DPS.”

"Very good job from everyone who works in Danville Public Schools, we appreciate every detail that you have done for our children. Thank you!!! GW & Schoolfield were very well prepared."

"GWHS - my sons 10th grade teachers did a great job today. He had a great day. He’s looking forward to tomorrow. Of course this is a learning curve for some but it will all work out. Thank you for what all you teachers are doing. This is a first for everyone."

"A couple of hiccups today, but between emails back and forth between teacher and student and one nice phone call with the principal, all looks pretty alright. I mean, it's the first day. I had to remember to breath early on and give it time. It'll all be alright."

"Ms. Denise Smith and Ms. Clark both were very thorough, and just simply phenomenal! Explained everything making it very easy to understand. EA Gibson 3rd grade. We will get through this. Thanking DPS for making an excellent choice to put the safety of our children first. It may be a challenge for some. But, as for me & my house...we’re going to make the best of this situation. My daughter had a PHENOMENAL day! GWHS “Class of 2021” Stay ENCOURAGED & continue to SOAR!"

"This is What Virtual Learning Looks Like" Videos!

This is what virtual learning looks like. Teachers are resilient, creative, and excited and students are actively engaged. Ms. Judith Brown, a 1st grade teacher at Woodberry Hills, interacts with her class and awards Dojo points to students who use virtual etiquette. #DPSSTRONG

This is what virtual learning looks like. Ms. Adams, a kindergarten teacher at Gibson Elementary, engages with her students during a lesson this week. #DPSSTRONG

Let's Talk Questions

Q - DPS is hearing from many parents/guardians who have questions and comments regarding lunch breaks and how it may/may not affect students being tardy for a class.

A - Please know that Danville Public Schools understands that there may be situations that arise during the daily feeding and lunch pick up times that may cause students to miss part of a class due to uncontrollable circumstances. Your child will not receive a whole day absence during this time, but will receive an Excused tardy if they log into class late. The Excused tardy will not cause any legal ramifications for truancy. Please communicate with your child's teacher regarding any barriers. We are committed to working together to give every student the opportunity to be successful.

Meal Distribution - A Partnership Between Child Nutrition and Transportation!

(L) Mrs. Margorie McKenzie handing out meals at Schoolfield....or is she doing the Electric Slide?

(R) Hanging with Jennifer Foster and Larry Corbett at the new Cane Creek meal distribution site. Come see Bus 63!

DPS Prepares for a Safe Return for Our Preschoolers!

Danville Public Schools is committed to providing a clean, safe environment to work and learn. This week, Grove Park and Northside began a staggered return to face to face instruction. In this video, we spoke with Rhonda Wright and others in our district for a comprehensive look at how DPS is keeping our preschoolers safe.

#PartnershipsMatter

Huge shoutout to the Virginia ATV Ryders and Mudder Ruckers for collecting schools supplies for our DPS students. #PartnershipsMatter

Childcare Initiative - A Partnership Between DPS and the City of Danville!

By now, I hope you have heard about the partnership between Danville Public Schools and the City of Danville regarding childcare opportunities. Both DPS and the City recognize that DPS parents and staff are concerned about the availability of childcare and the financial burden it would place on families when children are in a virtual learning environment. Over the last two weeks, DPS has been working diligently to help identify area childcare providers AND financial resources to help you offset some of the costs for childcare for you and your family!

DPS approached the City and asked for their financial assistance in this effort. The City felt so strongly about helping that they earmarked up to $300,000 in the City CARES Act funds to provide financial assistance to those families in need.

Here is what this partnership looks like for you:

1. DPS is providing you with a list of area childcare providers and programs, including their availability, and contact information. Please click on this link for the information: http://bit.ly/DanvilleChildcare . Please know that the number of spaces available at a particular daycare provider changes daily.

Please reach out to the provider directly in order to get your child(ren) registered. When reaching out, you must let the provider know that you are either a parent of a DPS student or you are a DPS staff member who would like to register your child(ren) for childcare and potential CARES Act funding. CARES Act funding uses a sliding scale and is based on your household income.

2. DPS will assist childcare providers with operational needs such as chairs, desks, and T-Mobile hotspots if needed.

3. DPS is prepared to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner to all children at the childcare sites.

Don't forget that Grove Park and Northside Preschools have spaces available as well. There is no cost to attend. Your child(ren) must be 4 years old by Sept. 30, 2020, in order to attend. Please call the schools directly to register. The number for Grove Park is 434.799.6437. The number for Northside is 434.773.8301.

It is important to note, that neither Danville Public Schools nor the City of Danville is responsible for placing your child in a childcare program, nor are they liable for any incidents that arise out of your child's participation in the childcare program. You must call the provider directly to determine which program best suits your needs. We encourage parents/guardians to utilize the following resources when selecting childcare:

https://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc2.cgi

https://www.childcareaware.org/state/virginia/

https://www.virginiaquality.com/

Thank You for All of Your Hard Work - You Are Appreciated!