February 1, 2019

Alumni Spotlight - Danielle Jeffers - GWHS Class of 2015

Danielle Jeffers is a graduating senior at Virginia Tech who has completed the requirements for her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Entrepreneurship. As a native of Danville, VA and an alumna of the Boys & Girls Club of the Danville Area, she has made strategic decisions that will allow her to continue her journey as an entrepreneur.

In May 2015, Danielle graduated from George Washington High School with a 4.2 GPA and more than $100,000 in scholarships. Her scholarship earnings were promoted by her parents’ inability to cover the cost of her education and insistence that she further her education after high school. Lessons from her former E.A. Gibson Middle School gym teacher and basketball coach, the late Janie Russell, inspired her during the ups and downs of her scholarship journey. The inspirational words of Coach Russell during their three-season losing streak reminded her that “even when you lose you will win if you pay attention to the lessons.”

Today, Danielle is the founder of Dough 4 Degrees, LLC, a scholarship coaching company that teaches students how to graduate debt-free. Her work as a student entrepreneur has provided her countless opportunities to share scholarship success tips with families all over the world. In addition to her work that supports higher education, Danielle encourages students through her second company, Danielle Jeffers Enterprises, LLC. Danielle Jeffers Enterprises is her personal brand where she creates content, writes books, and speaks. Danielle is also a co-founder of a joint venture with her mentor, Thomas Harrelson, and their partner company, Design Logic Consulting, LLC. Together they founded, Elite Entrepreneurs Inc., the complete training resource for entrepreneurs who want to improve their skill sets and build empires.

Families who need financial resources to ensure that their students will graduate debt-free should visit www.dough4degrees.com for scholarship success information.

DPS is very proud of Danielle and all of her accomplishments!

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Meet Cameron Stephens - Student Spotlight!

Cameron Stevens is a 5th grade student who attends Gibson Elementary. Cameron is a fantastic soccer player and has traveled to several areas to showcase his talent including. He is a current member of the Danville Blast which is a traveling team. Cameron literally eats, sleeps, and breathes SOCCER. Cameron trains in between seasons through indoor soccer sessions and also with the Virginia Development Olympic Program. Even with all of the traveling and training, Cameron maintains honor roll status at Gibson.

This past summer Cameron attended the West Ham United Soccer Camp that was held in Martinsville, VA. He was the only child selected to attend the national camp in Marietta, GA. Based on the talent and skills displayed during the camp, Cameron was selected to attend the 2019 West Ham United Academy Elite Trip in LONDON!

This trip will allow him to train with the West Ham academy coaches at the academy facilities as well as tour London. Such a great opportunity for Cameron! A GoFundMe page has been set up by Cameron's family to help cover the cost of the trip (hotel, flight, food, etc.). The cost is approximately $4,000 per person. This is a 9 day international trip which can be quite costly.

If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring Cameron, please click the GoFundMe page here.

Pictured below (L): Cameron Stevens and on the (R): Mrs. Thornton (Cameron's teacher), Mrs. Logan (Assistant Principal at Gibson), and Ty'Quan Graves (School Board Member).

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Splash Into Spring Break

Spring Break Swim Lessons are a fun and educational way for your children to spend their time out of school! Summer is right around the corner so it's a great time to learn the lifelong skill of swimming. See the flyer below for more information regarding this opportunity.

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2019 All-City Honor Chorus to Perform at Bonner - Save the Dates!

180 students from schools across DPS will participate in this event. Guest conductors will be coming from out of town to work with these students and put on concerts free and open to the public.

7th & 8th Grade Choir and GWHS Concert Choir perform Saturday, February 16th

5th & 6th Grade Choir performs Saturday, February 23rd

Both Concerts will be at 3:00 PM @ O.T. Bonner Middle School. This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students and they work hard to create some beautiful, exciting music for the community to enjoy. Please help encourage people to come out and support these students and guests!

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Woodberry Hosts "Daddy Day Super Bowl" with Former GWHS Star Athletes

On January 25th, Woodberry Elementary held a Title I Literacy Workshop themed "Daddy Day Super Bowl". Fathers and/or adults who serve as a "fatherly mentor" in a Woodberry student's life were invited. The focus was on increasing parental involvement at home through reading and communicating with a child.

Woodberry shared the book Austin Plays Fair, by Tony and Lauren Dungy, to model comprehension strategies. The highlight of the morning was an inspirational speech delivered by two successful, renowned athletes from the Danville area (GWHS graduates) who exemplify a fatherly figure in many ways: Ferrell Edmunds (former NFL player, father to three current NFL players) and Johnny Newman (former NBA player).

Both men spoke about the importance of spending time with children, listening to them, reading with them and getting to know them. They spoke of using positive encouragement and offering support by "being there for your kids". More than seventy-five fathers attended the event.

(L to R): Ferrell Edmunds and Johnny Newman

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom #alumnipride #partnershipsmatter

Ruby B. Archie Library to Host Music, Dance and Prose

Celebrate Black History Month with traditional African dance and music from Kuumba African Dance Company and storytelling! Please see flyer below for more information regarding this free event.

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Galileo Announces A-B Honor Roll

Congratulations to all of the Galileo students on the A-B Honor Roll for the 1st Semester! Those names with an * indicate straight A's!

Caleb Dawson Adams*, Ainsley Reece Allen, Angela Lechelle Allen*, Martina Arrien-Allerding, Cooper Bebeau*, Markese Jayshaun Beck, Cestihny Gre'Jhir Bennett, Tamira Eileene Bennett, Sandro Andreas Bianchi*, Alexandra Katherine Booth*, Zahiyah Shadasia Bowens, Zamiyah Shaasia Bowens, Meghan Michelle Branch, Nicholas Warren Breen, Talasia Sharde Buchanan, Hugo Adrian Calleja-Valle*, Garrett Allen Campbell, Victor Cano Barranco, Catherine Anne Carter*, Kellsey Louise Carter, Alexia Marisol Chacon Salas, Brionna Belinda Chappell, Nomair Nadeem Chaudhary*, Jada Amirakhal Coleman, Jeanna Marie Cook, Iyania Lashae Corbett, Lucy Evelyn Cross*, Dylan Chase Crowder*, Zachary Crumpler*, Jala Loren Cunningham, Jennings Kevin Deane*, Marya Ruth Dunning*, Emily Paula Ebalo*, Zoie Janai Eliacin, Quindarra Re'Gine Emerson*, Anijiah Delany Ferrell*, Kwannya Louise Foster, Ivory Leigh Freeman*, Luke Florence Garcia, Denasia Sherpree Garland, Mahogany Atlease Gattis, Devin James Gauldin, Brianna Danielle Gill*, Amari Najae Graves*, Simone Ryala Henderson*, Paul Francis Herron, Kinkade Livingston Huggins*, Jacob Taylor Hutchinson, Dillon Scott Jones*, Jaleyah Lamaria Jones, Oscar Dalaun Kemp*, Bruce Landon Kendrick*, Evelyn Grey Kepley*, K'Niya Marie King, Dylan Thomas Kirk*, Karen Ashley Kong*, Nicholas Anthony Landon, Blailyn Marie Langford*, Alexander Fraser Larking, Emily Grace Larking, Madison Grace Laughorn*, Angel Lin, Devyn Nicole McIver, Mary Carrington McLaughlin*, Vishaal Mehta, David Avery Meyer, Richard Andrew Arthur Jacob Montes - Bradley, Amanda Jane Neely, Sarah Caroline O'Daniel, Monica Natasha NNedinma Onumah, Ethan Randall Parker, Zachary V. Parker*, Layla Abigail Parrish, Trevor Percario*, Dylan Jacob Phelps, I'Shia Tamara Poteat, Davis Slade Potts, Alyssa Joy Preston*, Jada Micaiah Pridgen, Jordan Rashod Pridgen, Angel Richardson, Nicholas Justin Russell, Tiasia Carlisa M Saunders, Atticus Savering, Emma Grace Savering, Rebecca Nicole Shadrick, Dylan Jefferson Shelton, Kamryn Denise Smith, Taisiana Decatur Smith, Zakhyia Sharnasia Stamps, Sydney Lynette Stone, Maegan Elizabeth Tate, Courtland Elizabeth Thackston*, Jenita Alvina Theodore, Antony Josue Useche*, Isaac Samuel Vanderveer*, Leah Warner*, Blake Tyler Warren, Madison Leah Webb, Kacie Pierce Whitley*, Kelsey Lynn Whitlock, Jackson Thomas Wiles, Isis Najwa Womack, Heath Dusten Wood, Jr., Owen Paul Wood, Caroline Stinson Woods*, and Christa Zakhary*.

Way To Go Falcons!

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CSI Underway at Bonner

This week, Danville Police Department Officers Willard and English conducted a “crime scene investigation” with Mrs. Clifton’s 8th graders in the Gifted and Accelerated programs at Bonner. They discussed blood, DNA, force, motion, and different chemical properties. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions and to experiment with force and motion using fake blood and tiles. Finally, students had the opportunity to tour the DPD crime scene vehicle. This investigation was part of a larger cross-disciplinary project that will culminate in a “trial” conducted by the 7th and 8th graders in the program.

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Averett and Forest Win Spelling Bee!

Congratulations to Kaylin Averett and Shamaurie Forest for winning the 3rd grade G.L.H. Johnson Elementary School Spelling Bee on 1/30/19. On March 16th, 2019, they will compete in the local Spelling Bee at Averett University. Good luck Kaylin and Shamaurie!

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Thank A School Counselor!

National School Counseling Week 2019 (#NSCW19) is Feb. 4–8, 2019. The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s). Follow #NSCW19 on social media.

To learn more about National School Counseling Week, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/nscw.

Soldiers Visit Grove Park!

On December 19th, 2018, Grove Park had the opportunity to have soldiers from the United States Army come to Room 2 to visit and talk with the students. Kristle Jackson is the teacher and Mary Dalton is the para. Topics included: what it is like to be in the army, their jobs, being away from family during holidays, what equipment they use, and living in different areas.

The soldiers got to interact with the students talking to them about what both wanted for Christmas, students recited the Pledge of Allegiance for them, sung Christmas songs for them and did some dancing from the Go Noodle website. The students really enjoyed talking with them and getting to see what a soldier looks like and what their uniforms look like. They also met several other teachers and their students as well as Principal Ronda Wright, Lisa Fowlkes, the school nurse, and Doris Burton who is the school librarian/p.e. teacher.

Below is the information about the soldiers who visited the class, including pics:

Private First Class Christopher Vincent (standing beside Mrs. Jackson on the right)

age:19

13 Bravo

82nd Airborne Division

Fort Brag, NC

Specialist Devon Vincent (standing beside Miss Dalton on the left)

age:20

13B Cannon Crew member

1st Infantry Division a.k.a "The Big Red One"

Fort Riley, KS

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February is School Board Appreciation Month

The month of February marks the annual observance of School Board Appreciation Month—a time to salute the work of school board members and celebrate public education.

The theme of this year’s celebration, “Advancing Opportunities for All,” reflects the top priority of local school board members across Virginia as they advocate for public education with local, state, and federal leaders on behalf of all students. Local school boards keep the public in charge of public schools, since they represent their community’s beliefs and values.

The month of February marks the annual observance of School Board Appreciation Month—a time to salute the work of school board members and celebrate public education.

Thank you to our School Board members who work tirelessly to develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues impacting the entire community. They bear responsibility for an annual operating budget of over $65 million, over 5,800 students, approximately 1,000 employees, and 15 buildings.

The men and women serving on the DPS school board are: Terri Hall (Chair), Renee Hughes (Vice Chair), Jeffrey Hubbard, Crystal Cobbs, Ty’Quan Graves, Brandon Atkins, and Elizabeth Leggett.

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