May 10, 2019

Superheros Recognized!

Today, we thank our wonderful Child Nutrition Staff at the Danville Alternative Program: Langston Campus for all they do everyday for our students and staff. You are our SUPERHEROS!

My-Oh-My What a Wonderful Day!

The Adult Career and Education Center proudly introduces today's GED Graduates. Yes, four graduates whose lives are changed for the better. These students will now have the opportunity to continue their education at a higher institution, or have job opportunities that require a diploma.

The first two pictures are Deontae Price and Dylan Lyles. These students are from our teen program, and they have worked diligently in completing all the program requirements, plus earning their credentials. They both plan on continuing their education at DCC.

The next two graduates are Joyce Taylor and Erica Cosner. Both students are from our Adult Program. Joyce has been working on her GED since 2017. Our ACEC staff could not be prouder for her. She is excited about the job opportunities that her credential will open up. Erica Cosner moved through our program swiftly, but she did everything correctly. She came to school for instruction, and worked hard on her studies at home. She plans on joining the Scale Up Program at DCC.

You can see all of these students live by joining us for our annual Adult Education Graduation on June 1, 11:00 am in the GW Auditorium. No tickets are required for the ceremony. If you know someone who needs a GED, VA Placement Test Prep, or Career Training, call Mary Dumont at 434.799.6471.

GWHS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM CELEBRATION DETAILS!

The Class 4 State Championship Boys Basketball Team Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the George Washington High School gymnasium. Doors will be open at 1:00 p.m. This is a ticketed event – each player has been given 30 tickets each to distribute to family and friends only. There will be no tickets sold at the door. Danville Public Schools would like to thank our gracious sponsors who made this event possible:

· BSN Sports

· Chick-fil-A

· Constance Fitzgerald

· Darren Sweeney

· Downtown Athletic

· DPS Education Foundation

· Firehouse Subs

· Fisher & Watkins Funeral Home, Inc.

· Gerry Spencer and Lona Bishop – Allstate

· Hugh W. Cunningham

· James and Jeanne Seamster

· Jerry Harris

· John and Donna Parris

· Jostens

· Karen’s Hallmark

· Motley Florist

· OneDigital Health and Benefits

· Party Palooza

· Piedmont Printing & Graphics

· Ramsey Yeatts & Associates

· Robert Spencer

· Robert Woodall Chevrolet

· Dr. Sandra Andrews

· Security Alliance

· Spectrum Medical

· St. James Baptist Church

· Dr. Stanley Jones

· Target

· Terri and Philip Hall

· Terry Blakely State Farm

· Time Technologies

· Todd and Anne Sparks

· URW Community Federal Credit Union

· W & W Luxury Limousine Service

GWHS Concert Choir Spring Concert!

You are invited to attend the GW Concert Choir Spring Concert on May 14th at 7:00 pm in the GW Auditorium. The concert will feature senior solos and a Tribute to Queen as well as other favorites. The concert is free and open to the public. Please come out and support the GW Concert Choir!

Annual Mentor Mentee Dinner at Schoolfield!

On Monday, May 6, 2019, the Schoolfield Mentors hosted a spaghetti dinner for their amazing Mentees. Schoolfield feels that it's important that their newest educators are reminded how much their hard work is appreciated. The Mentor Mentee program is an important part of our school culture. As Mr. Johnson says, "We are a family!"

DPS Rocks It at Annual Chamber Awards Dinner!

At the Annual Chamber Awards Dinner held on May 6th, both Debra Wilson (Danville Alternative Program) and Elizabeth Bennett (Park Avenue) won the Educator of the Year Award and Porchia Russell won the Young Professionals PACE Award for community engagement.

Congratulations to all of our DPS Educator of the Year nominees (photo on left): Robin Adams (Gibson), Rachel Vasquez (Johnson), Nancy Rook (Galileo), Re’Shawn Woodson (GW), Lindsay Allen (Grove Park), Jamesha Pretty (Northside), Maribeth Motley (Bonner), Kevin Bowman (Schoolfield), Hope Abernathy (Westwood), Kimberly Toothman (W.W. Moore), and Sherril Badget (Woodberry)!

The photo on the right highlights all of our winners, along with DPS staff:

1st row: Elizabeth Bennett (Educator of the Year), Debra Wilson (Educator of the Year), Mona Whittle (HR), Porchia Russell (Young Professionals PACE Award Winner), Dr. Juliet Jennings (Chief of HR), and Michelle Ramsey (Principal, Galileo).

2nd row: Brandon Atkins (School Board member), Renee Hughes (School Board Vice Chair), Dr. Stanley Jones (Superintendent), and Terri Hall (School Board Chair).

Teacher Appreciation Week!

Check out another Patrick Stowe video here that highlights our appreciation for all teachers. We are truly honored to work with the best and brightest educators in the nation. Because of you, young lives in our city are being transformed every day! Thank you for everything you do!

Kudos to our Nurses!

National Nurses Week is May 6-10, 2019. Thank you to all of our nurses who take care of our kids everyday: Janet Fesperman (GWHS), Jill Wood (GW), Renee' Tucker (Westwood), Penny Dawson (Woodberry), Renita Townes (Schoolfield), Jennifer Satterfield (Forest Hills), Karen Pickeral (Park Ave.), Joan Day (Bonner), Sherri Wright (Galileo, Langston), Margaret Hill (Woodrow), Jennifer Horne (Gibson), Elena Strickland (Faithful Substitute), Kymika Jiggetts (Faithful Substitute), Jennifer Reynolds (Special Assignment), Pam Felici (Special Assignment), and Lisa Fowlkes (Grove Park).

Fortney Wins Jane Friend Award!

Congratulations to Kim Fortney, recipient of the Jane Friend Award, for her outstanding commitment to special education. She was presented with the award during the local special education advisory committee meeting on May 7, 2019.

First Ever AspHIRE Event a HUGE Success!

Project Kindness at Park Avenue!

We want to give a special shout out to the students, staff, and parents of Park Avenue Elementary School. The students participated in "Project Kindness" and collected over 100 stuffed animals to be given out to children involved in emergency events. They presented them to City of Danville Police Department representatives and Engine 6 - C Shift Guys!

Summer Science and Health Camp Info!

GW Varsity Girls Soccer Team - All 12 Seniors College Bound!

Coach Dudley Alsbaugh of the GW Varsity Girls Soccer Team is extremely proud to announce that all 12 Seniors are college bound: 10 of 12 are graduating with honors and two have signed to play soccer in college! Seniors are Talisha Aldridge, Juliana Batchelor, Emma Byrnes, Georgia Daniel, Meredith Harris, Grace Holland, Karina Howard, Quntasia Miller, Kelsei Niblett, Megan Padgett, Dakota Towler, and Brooke Trembley.

Womack Foundation Awards Drum Corp with a $4,000 Grant!

Exciting day for Bonner! Shannon Hair, Womack Foundation Board member, presents a $4,000 check to the Bonner Drum Corp for the purchase of new instruments. Pictured below are Shannon Hair, Anthony Wheeler (Drum Corp Leader and math teacher/tutor), and Drum Corp members Omarion Hairston, Travon Roger, Micah Deshazor, Tayvon Calloway, and Omar Farag.

Thank you to the Womack Foundation for your gracious award and for being our partner in education!

#partnershipsmatter

DPS Will Change "No Tobacco" Policy to Include E-Cigarettes!

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - Danville Public Schools is updating their No Tobacco Policy, to begin July 1.

Currently, there is a No Tobacco Policy in place for students, staff and visitors, but it does not include electronic cigarettes, like JUUL's. The new comprehensive police was passed by the school board at their meeting on May 2.

The change will coincide with a Virginia law also going into effect July 1 that changes the age to buy tobacco products and e-cigarettes from 18 to 21.

"It sends the right message to our community, students, and employees that we care about them, we care about the culture and climate in our schools. We want them to be safe and we want them to be healthy," said Superintendent, Dr. Stanley Jones.

DPS is the 45th school district in the Commonwealth to make this change.

Click here for the WDBJ7 video.

Gibson Hosts Science Fair!

The 4th and 5th grade classes participated in a Science Fair this year. The funds ($1,000) were donated by the Danville Kiwanis Club which purchased our trifold boards, glue, cardstock paper, ribbons for prizes, and a cash prize for the homeroom of the first place winners. Our guest judges were Dr. Stanley Jones, Mr. Clark from the Kiwanis Club, Mrs. McConaughey, one of our Master Gardeners from our greenhouse, and several of our own teachers volunteered to help judge the projects. We held an open house on April 18th and invited parents and friends to come and observe the wonderful efforts of our students. The Science Fair was organized by the 5th grade Science teachers, Mrs. Doris Thornton and Mrs. Amanda Messano. All of the students enjoyed creating their presentations!

From left to right, the winners are:

Steven Linder, Jade Paige, Dylan Lynskey, Ke'Sani Harris, Kyle White, TyAsia Robertson, Trevontay Watkins, Blake Trembley. 5th Grade Science Teachers are Mrs. Doris Thornton and Mrs. Amanda Messano.

GW Students Recognized!

On Friday, May 10th, GW students were recognized for their outstanding vocational performance in the community. The luncheon was hosted by the culinary students from Ms. Kittrell’s class. A special thank you to our community partners for hosting our students: Habitat for Humanity, God’s Store House, Studio 105 Hair Salon, YMCA, Belk, Goodwill, Walgreens, and Holiday Express.