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During their regularly scheduled meeting, the Danville School Board made the following recognitions:
Youth Art Month, March 2022
Music in our Schools month, March 2022
Social Work Month, March 2022
The board heard several communications from Danville Public Schools leaders:
Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairson and Executive Director of Accountability and Assessment Dr. Melissa Newton gave an update on teacher retention and school climate.
Health and Wellness Coordinator Renita Townes gave a COVID-19 update for the district, which stated that transmission rates are still high with a 9.9% PCR test positivity rate. To date, around 500 of 5,700 students have opted out of mask wearing after Virginia’s new masking law went into effect on March 1, 2022. As of now, the
Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) and Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) requires masks for adults in Virginia state agencies based on the HIGH positivity rate. Next week, Teacher/Employee Advisory Groups will meet on March 8 to discuss DPS Employee’s perspectives on wearing masks in DPS locations.
Chief Academic Officer Takiwi Babalola introduced the Program of Studies document, which outlines the academic and elective course content offered to students in grades 6-12. It also outlines the sequence of courses and graduation requirements for the 2022-2023 school year. Highlights include expanded course offerings, new programs, and expanded diploma seals. The full document can be viewed here.
Director of Finance Sharon Barksdale updated the board on the most recent accounts payable warrants.
The board took the following action items:
Personnel recommendations brought forward by Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Natalie Halloran.
Approved the 2020-2021 Financial Audit
Approved Beth Smith as the new Director of Career and Technical Education
Approved changes to the following policies: GBG, GBL, GCBA, GCBC, GCBE, GCPA, GCQA, GCQAB, GDN, GAB IIBEA, GB, GBA/JFHA, GBB, GCDA, GCL, GCN, GCPF, GEA/JOH, GAA, GBAA, and GCAB.
To view last night’s meeting in full, click here.
College visit
College visit
GW AVID Cohort I students visited NC A&T for their first college visit on February 22. They had a great time.
Passport to a Great Adventure
We are halfway through our Passport to a New Adventure journey. We will be filming our February drawing next week on a Chalk Talk episode, so please tune in to see the monthly winners. In addition, we will formally announce school standings for the site-based goals. We are including the Reading Initiative Current School Standings as of today. Please continue to update the Google sheets so that we may track totals accurately. Continue to update school posters as well. Also, please take time to encourage student participation through parent communication, promotion of the DPS 2021-2022 Read Alouds Calendar, and highlighting student readers in morning announcements.
GW Band students audition for state-level bands
Last Friday and Saturday George Washington HS had five students audition for the All Virginia Band and Orchestra:
HaLeigh Giles - Piccolo
Ashley Johnson - Oboe
Andrew Clark - Bassoon
O'majeo Grizzle - Contrabass Clarinet
Ryan Priddy - Trumpet
All five students did a wonderful job and represented GW VERY WELL!
AND, for the first time since 2016, GW will have a representative at the Virginia All State Band!
Senior O'Majeo Grizzle (pictured) won a seat to play Contrabass Clarinet in the ALL VIRGINIA BAND! He will travel to Christopher Newport University to play in the All Virginia Concert Band on April 21 - 23, 2022.
This is no small feat! Congratulations!
2022 Black History Month Door Decorating Contest Winners
In honor of the legacy and contributions of African Americans past and present, over 40 Danville Public Schools teachers embraced the challenge of a door contest. Doors were judged on originality, visual impact, craftsmanship, and evidence of collaboration with students. We are proud to announce the following winners.
Elementary
1st place
Nicole Neil & Catina Borges, Grade 1
Gibson
2nd place
Tiffany Bray, Grade 2 Gibson
3rd place
Anna Jasko, Grade K Woodberry
Middle
1st Place
Lashawn Elam, Westwood
High
1st place
Tammie Saunders, Galileo
2nd place
Lee Carter, Galileo
3rd place
Kylie Vater, Galileo
DPD visits Woodberry
On Wednesday morning, the Danville Police Department visited Woodberry Hills to greet students as they entered the building.
Teacher Spotlight - Jennifer Underwood
Check out Grove Park Preschool Teacher Ms. Underwood explain how she uses Heggerty Phonemic Awareness!
Important Upcoming Dates:
March 4 - GWHS Orchestra Festival Concert at 7 p.m. in the GWHS Auditorium
March 12 - Vaccination Clinic at Woodrow Wilson from 9 to 11 a.m.
March 19 - Japan Day at GW from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 22 - C3 Resource Fair at Bonner from 4 - 7 p.m.
March 23 - DPS Career Fair at the Institute from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 28 - April 1 - Spring Break
Flexible seating at Woodberry
Woodberry students are enjoying their flexible seating options as they read their books during bus dismissal.
LOOK WHO'S BEEN SPOTTED!
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT TEACHERS IN DPS ARE BEING HIGHLIGHTED FOR THE SPECTACULAR INSTRUCTION THAT THEY PROVIDE THEIR STUDENTS DAILY.
Check out the newly launched website and congratulate your peers!
Life Size Coordinate Grid
At Westwood, Mrs. Duncan’s 6th grade math students experienced a life size coordinate grid, identifying polygons they created, reflecting coordinates, and measuring distance between points. Students had opportunities to provide explicit directions that assisted their peers in navigating to the appropriate locations.
GW students visit VSU
GWHS students visited Virginia State University for an official college tour on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. We are so proud of our Eagles.
Oh, the Places You'll Go...
Oh, the Places You'll Go...
When I grow up, I want to be Doctor Akers! Check out Gibson student Scott Akers Jr in his spirit week outfit!
Forest Hills holds Art Showcase
Forest Hills Elementary had an art showcase at Danville Public Library Thursday night. We had over 300 pieces of student art on display and over 200 people come out to the event! We had both two and three dimensional artwork on display along with a glow gallery lit by black lights to showcase the students neon artwork. We would like to thank both Danville Public Library and Danville Parks and Recreation for the partnership. It was a fantastic night celebrating the students art and our Forest Hills community. Below is link to River City TV interview before the show: https://fb.watch/bxRAuLoDUL/
Galileo Quiz Bowl team runners up in state championship
Galileo Scholastic Quiz Bowl went to the VHSL State Championship on Saturday, February 26. Galileo Quiz Bowl ended the season with a record of 19 wins, 1 loss. They won the Region 1B tournament and the Region 1A/1B Super Regional tournament, and they were the Runner Up at the VHSL Class 1 State Championship! Galileo junior Aaron Hendricks made the all state team which is a huge accomplishment. Coach Jared Smith would like to recognize the seniors of the Galileo Quiz Bowl team: Cooper Bebeau, Thomas Nichols, and Antony Useche. What a great season Falcons!
Read Across America Week at Gibson!
This week at GIBSON, all of our Bulldogs participated in the Read Across America Spirit Week. They had guest readers join us on March 2nd and our students were so excited. A few friends of Dr. Suess stopped by to say hello including a few Cat in the Hats, Thing 1 and 2, and Cindy Lou Who. This week, students participated in the following days: Monday (Fox in Socks), Tuesday (Green Eggs and Ham), Wednesday (Wacky Wednesday), Thursday (Oh, the Places You'll Go!), and Friday (Cat in the Hat Day).
At Gibson, 4 classrooms were recongized for their artistic talents in the Black History Month Door Decorating Contest! Our students and staff were thrilled to be recognized!
Public Comment Period: Proposed 2022 Physical Education Standards of Learning
From the Curriculum and Instruction Department:
Public Comment Period: Proposed 2022 Physical Education Standards of Learning
On January 27, 2022, the Virginia Board of Education received the proposed revisions to the 2015 Physical Education Standards of Learning (SOL). The proposed 2022 Physical Education SOL for Virginia Public Schools have been refined through feedback from parents, teachers, administrators, and representatives from higher education. The proposed standards reflect a comprehensive review of the standards, expertise of diverse constituents, include edits to enhance clarity, specificity, rigor, alignment of skills and content, and reflect current academic research and practice. The updated standards support a planned sequential K-12 standards-based program of study designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors of healthy active living, physical fitness, sportsmanship, and selfefficacy to achieve the goals of becoming knowledgeable and skillful movers who value and adopt a physically active, healthy lifestyle and understand the science behind physical movement. Public comments regarding the proposed 2022 Physical Education Standards of Learning will be received at vdoe.stem@doe.virginia.gov from Feb. 11, 2022-March 11, 2022. If you have any additional questions, please contact Olivia McCraw, Science and PE Coordinator (omccraw@mail.dps.k12.va.us).
Schoolfield celebrates Dr. Suess!
Schoolfield celebrates Dr.Seuss' Birthday with a day to dress up as your favorite character! Students enjoyed read alouds from special "mystery" guests including some of our fourth and fifth grade students, custodians, teachers, and district directors! Some of our Jaguars also participated in a green eggs and ham activity! We can't wait to see where all the places they'll go!
Woodberry celebrates Read Across America Week
To help Celebrate Read Across America, Woodberry Hills incorporated spirt week. Today, was Dreamers Day! "Readers never stop dreaming. Wear your school appropriate PJ’s today."
Women in STEM and zSpace at Schoolfield
Schoolfield students kicked off Women's History Month with the launch of a new program, zSpace, that integrates into the STEM program at Schoolfield Elementary. zSpace offers students the opportunity to participate in real-life simulations through a virtual environment. Our creative and innovative thinkers at Schoolfield soared with the launch of this program as they dissected frogs, built electrical circuits, analyzed the human heart, and explored a house blueprint as well as how it is followed. Each student activity station highlighted a woman's historic contribution to a STEM area. Students wrapped up the event by listening to a motivational message from Virginia's Teacher of the Year, Anthony Swann, and writing a thoughtful reflection. Schoolfield strives to build lifelong learners and zSpace provides a goal-oriented vision for students and the futures they have ahead of them. Jaguars are #1!
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.doc
Listen and share! Danville Public Schools' podcast Passing Notes has NEW episodes every Friday. This week's episode is a conversation about choices, influences, and finding motivation with Brandon McCall, a motivational speaker from Roanoke, Virginia. 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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