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During their regular meeting on Thursday evening, the Danville School Board made the following recognitions:
February as Career and Technical Education Month
February as Virginia School Board Appreciation Month
February 14-18 as School Board Clerk Appreciation Week
The board also held a public hearing on proposed policy updates in which no one spoke.
The board heard the following communications:
Director of Finance Sharon Barksdale shared the two most recent Accounts Payable Warrants.
Kim Agnor and representatives from Danville Community College (DCC) presented the new Early College program, which would allow qualified juniors to complete their last two years of high school at DCC. Students will graduate high school with an Advanced Studies high school diploma and a two-year Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree in Liberal Studies from DCC. This program reduces the expense of college tuition for families, as it is funded from DPS’ average daily membership. Bus transportation will be provided for
DPS students, and they will attend fourth block at their base school, as well as maintain eligibility for all extracurricular activities.
Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston gave an update on DPS’ Corrective Action Plan work, which includes aligned Continuous School Improvement Plans (CSIPs), policy updates, and more.
Board Member Dr. Philip Campbell provided an update on the policy review by the Policy Committee and gave a first read of policy change recommendations for Section G relating to human resources. The recommendation can be reviewed here, and public comment will be received via this survey.
Chair Crystal Cobbs reviewed the March 2022 Public Notice, as well as other important dates to remember.
The school board approved the following:
Personnel recommendations brought forward by Mrs. Mona Whittle
Daniel & Company as the contractor for the GWHS Track renovations (RFP-2022-489)
The finance report brought forward by Barksdale
The academic calendar for 2022-23 and 2023-24, which extends winter break by two days and adds Veteran’s Day as a holiday
The appointment of Tim Scearce as Director of Transportation
The appointment of Jeffrey W. McLaughlin as Director of Safety and Security
Approved the amending of the school attendance boundaries for O.T. Bonner and Westwood Middle Schools
Retirement of Policy 5120 - School Improvement Process
Teacher Support Grants - LAST EXTENSION!
Noblis, a supercomputing company in Danville, has awarded the DPS Education Foundation $5,000 in support of teachers. Please see the attached grant application. The deadline has been extended to March 7, 2022. Up to 20 additional applications can be supported with funds that are still available. Please see the form to the right for more information. It only takes five minutes to apply!
Application Noblis Teacher Support Grant.docCheck out our FIRST teacher spotlight on Michele Cassidy, a second grade teacher at Schoolfield! Her number sense routines aid students in understanding relationships between numbers.
DPS Teachers in action in Richmond
Teachers from several different schools represented the district at an 8 hour conference this past Saturday in Richmond to learn and grow as educators! We are thankful to have such wonderful educators representing Danville City Public Schools. The responses, engagement, and participation from Danville representatives showcased just how STRONG we are together. We appreciate our TIA (Teacher in Action) representatives for showing up and showing out!!
I.W. Taylor Virtual Academy's small ensemble Valentine's Day Concert
Performing "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story
Westwood spelling bee
On February 8, 2022, Westwood held its 2021-22 Spelling Bee competition. There were 9 contestants that competed for the chance to be the Westwood Spelling Bee Champion. In the sixth grade, we had Koiynne Hairston, Jaida Luck, Blake Miafo, and Izeiah Williams. In the seventh grade, we had Jhysaun Harper, Deandra Lockley, and Essic Hairston. In the eighth grade, we had Trey Duncan and Freya Jackson. Due to restrictions of the number of people who could attend, we invited two people from each of the participants to join us. We provided the school with a live feed of the event through Google Meet. Following the event, the participants and their guests were treated to refreshments.
Congratulations to our two students that will represent Westwood in the Division Spelling Bee. Our runner up was Koiynne Hairston, 6th grade, and our Champion was Essic (EJ) Hairston, 7th grade.
Principal Torres shows love on V-Day
On Valentine's Day, Principal Torres went around and delivered gift boxes and a rose to all the teachers. This represented a small token of her appreciation for all the dedicated work Woodberry Teachers do every single day!
Important Upcoming Dates:
February 21 - Presidents' Day Holiday
February 22-25 - Student Holidays
February 22 - GW Parent and Community Feedback session on construction projects at 6 p.m. in the media center
February 23 - Galileo Parent and Community Feedback session on construction projects at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria
February 24 - GED Graduation at 6 p.m. in GW's Auditorium
March 1 - zSpace launch at Schoolfield from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Candy Heart Math at Woodberry
The Kindergarten classes at Woodberry Hills did Candy Heart Math on Valentine's Day. They sorted, made object graphs, compared sets and made patterns using candy hearts. Then they tested their sense of taste by eating one of each color and guessing the flavor. Followed by voting for their favorite flavor and gathering the data using tally marks. Of course, they enjoyed eating them when they were finished.
GWHS band members participate in Honor Band
On February 4th and 5th, nine George Washington High School students traveled to Cave Spring High School to take part in the District 6 Honor Band. The Students participating were: Andrew Clark - Bassoon, HaLiegh Giles - Piccolo, O'Majeo Grizzle - Contra Clarinet, Nylan Yancey - Bass Clarinet, Ashley Johnson - Oboe, Ryan Priddy - Trumpet, Daryl Brimmer - Trombone, Zeryan Williamson - Clarinet, and Tim White - Bass Clarinet.
Schoolfield celebrates Black History Month
On Tuesday, February 15th, students, staff, and community members celebrated Black History Month during the regularly scheduled monthly PTA meeting. Staff members Ms. Robin Beck and Mrs. Cymone Goode contributed to the program by singing. Several 5th grade students recited poetry. Justin Greene read the poem “His Dream Lives On” about Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. Amilian McClanahan read “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” by Maya Angelou. Lamar Pritchett read “Dreams” by Langston Hughes.
Jamille Semedo and Lilith Dee, also 5th graders, shared beautiful pictures they created to commemorate Black History Month.
The highlight of the night was a video message from Mr. Anthony Swann, former student and teacher at Schoolfield, who currently teaches in Franklin County Public Schools. Mr. Swann was the 2021 Teacher of the Year in Virginia. Mr. Swann attributed his success to his former teacher, Mrs. Jeretta Wilson. When Mr. Swann experienced his greatest challenges in life, he would receive a call from Mrs. Wilson telling him that, “Everything will be alright.” Mrs. Wilson attended both his high school graduation from George Washington High School and his graduation from Averett University.
The program concluded with a song by a former student, Mr. Jamari Whittle. Mrs. Penn, Fine Arts teacher, provided music for the program. Thank you so much to all who contributed and attended our night honoring Black History Month.
Johnson student create V-Day, Black History Month crafts
Just wanted to share some crafts my class did this week. They made some valentines for family member that allowed them to practice their fine motor skills. Then today they made rainbows to celebrate diversity after learning this week about people like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriett Tubman, and Ruby Bridges.
STEAM Pop-Up event
Parks and Recreation held an after school "STEAM Pop-Up event" for Park Avenue second and third graders to "dream, discover, and imagine."
Woodberry hosts special guest for Black History Month
Woodberry Hills hosted a special guest from Africa on Friday to celebrate Black History Month. Mr. Obrine Munchini from Zambia, Africa, shared information about his home country with students. He also sang songs and dances. Woodberry students learned about culture in Africa and even learned how to greet people in the Zambian language. Mrs. Torres joined in the fun!
IMG_168345462.MOV
IMG_238996136.MOVRecycling and Reusing our Natural Resources at Schoolfield
Students in 1st grade classrooms at Schoolfield Elementary School concluded a science unit on reducing the use of natural resources by recycling and reusing. Students were asked to create something new and reusable from an empty water bottle.
GW Indoor Percussion wins first competition
On Saturday February 12, 2022 the George Washington High School indoor percussion ensemble traveled to Jefferson Forest High School to compete in the Atlantic Indoor Association Indoor Competition. The group won first place in the Scholastic Concert Percussion A and had the highest score of any high school group of the day! The group travels next to Apex Friendship High School to compete on March 5th.
Woodberry Kindergarteners showing Principal Torres that they can orally count to 100!
IMG-2738.MOV4th Street Bakery at Schoolfield
Students in Mrs. Andrea Dowdle’s fourth grade math classes worked in the “Schoolfield Bakery” applying their knowledge of fractions. The students received a hat, apron and a personalized name tag. Students collaborated with a partner to answer word problem task cards that involved baking a variety of treats one would see in a bakery. The students were very engaged and loved participating in this activity!
FF YCC_Member Flyer 2022.pdfVirginia parks announce the 2022 Youth Conservation Corps
Virginia State Parks is glad to announce that the 2022 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program will be accepting applications for the crewmember position until March 14, 2022.
YCC crews are comprised of 10 youth, ages 14-17, from diverse backgrounds, and 3 adult crew leaders. This team of young people will live in Virginia’s state parks, for a three-week session, in a structured program of work and learning, closely supervised by professional park staff and committed volunteers.
By day, the crews carry out priority park conservation, development, and maintenance projects, and after hours, they take part in planned environmental education, team-building, and recreational activities. Weekends consist of outdoor adventures such as, caving, canoeing, bouldering, and nature hikes, or visits to cultural attractions depending on the park’s location.
We provide meals, housing, and a program completion stipend of $500 for the participants. The youth must realize that, although no prior experience is necessary, the program is outdoors, service-based, and it will be physically demanding. It is not summer camp!
Visit the link below for program information:
Rescheduled feedback sessions for construction projects
The last two Construction Feedback Sessions for George Washington High School and Galileo Magnet High School had to be cancelled due to snow. They have now been rescheduled! GW's will take place on February 22 at 6 p.m. in the media center, and Galileo's has been rescheduled for February 23 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria. Register here.
Show the Love!
This month, Danville Public Schools is inviting its employees, students, and parents to show the love via Let's Talk. Make someone's day by leaving them a compliment here!
Listen and share! Danville Public Schools' podcast Passing Notes has NEW episodes every Friday. This week's episode is the second part of our conversation with Amanda Oakes and Dr. Marva Tutt about wraparound services for our students here at DPS. Click here to listen on Spotify.
Got content for the Friday Feature? Email it to ldavis2@mail.dps.k12.va.us
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