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During their regularly scheduled meeting Thursday evening, the Danville School Board made the following recognitions:
Mrs. Sharon Leigg as the 2022 DPS Teacher of the Year. Leigg, a Japanese teacher at George Washington High School, was chosen by DPS Chief Officers among the school-based teachers of the year to serve as the district’s Teacher of the Year and nomination for the Virginia Department of Education’s Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year.
The GW Middle School Boys Soccer Team for being the Junior Piedmont District Champions for the first time in program history.
Galileo Magnet High School and teachers Megan Nipper and Kylie Vater for the school being named a W!SE Platinum School for the 2021-2022 school year. Galileo is one of only 20 schools to receive this honor. To achieve Platinum School status, the majority of a grade level or 10% of the entire school population must take the certification exam and at least 90% must pass with an 85% or higher.
The board heard the following communications:
Assistant Director of Finance Dawn Wright-Lawson presented the most recent accounts payable warrants.
Board member Dr. Philip Campbell provided an update on the policy review from the May 5 policy committee meeting. He did a first read of Section I (instruction policies). Redlines of the changes can be viewed here. Public comment on these changes will be received at the June 2 board meeting and via the survey here.
The board took the following actions:
Approved personnel recommendations brought forward by Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Natalie Halloran, as well as the non-renewal election of staff.
Approved Director of Construction Walter Lucas’ recommendation of Dewberry for the provision of A & E Services for Improvements at Langston (RFP-2022-487).
Approved the April 2022 Finance report brought forward by Wright-Lawson.
Approved the 2022-2023 Student Code of Conduct. Adjustments made for next school year’s code of conduct include the change of the cell phone policy at the high school level to match the middle school level, addition of restorative practice, interventions and responses aligned with the Code of Virginia, a change in the dress code to prohibit certain clothing such as pajamas and flip flops, addition of a process for chronic infractions, and added support and alignment for persistently dangerous behaviors.
Approved Director of Student Support Services Dr. Marva Tutt’s request for H&W Enterprises to offer in-school mental health services.
Approved the PreK-12 Grade Comprehensive Literacy Playbook, presented by Chief Academic Officer Takiwi Milton-Babalola and ELA Curriculum Coordinator Laura Webb. This plan will serve as a guide to excellent literacy instruction everyday so all students will be highly literate. Major components of this plan include instruction and intervention programs, specific staffing requirements, professional development and training, teacher licensure, and educator preparation.
Approved the extension of the Superintendent Authorization, which allows Dr. Hairston to elect Dr. Halloran, Dr. Lyle, and Mrs. Babalola to act as designees in her absence, for the 2022-2023 school year.
Right: Westwood AD David Potts and Bonner AD David Thomas accepted the recognition for the Middle School Soccer Team's Junior Championship district win.
Above: Sharon Leigg was named DPS Teacher of the Year.
STEAM Night 2022
Thank you to everyone who participated in Monday's STEAM Night! We had more than 700 people in attendance and more than 80 vendors present. We appreciate all vendors, parents and students, volunteers, and event organizer Cori Sowers!
Passport to a Great Adventure
Watch this video for our grand prize drawing for the Passport to a Great Adventure reading initiative! Over the past four months, our students have been logging those reading minutes to compete for prizes, and now we're wrapping up our initiative with bikes, kindles, and an ice cream party for the top school (Spoiler alert: it's Forest Hills with a whopping 180,326 minutes read!). We hope our students enjoyed this initiative and read some amazing books in the process!
Drawing 5.mp4I.W. Taylor Virtual Academy SOL Field Day
Important Upcoming Dates & Events:
May 30 - Memorial Day Holiday
June 8 - Last day of school, early release day for students, report cards go home
June 9 - Teacher work day
June 10 - Galileo & GW Graduations
Learning Money at Woodberry
As a reward for passing their test on money, Mrs. Jasko's Kindergarten class was able to go to the class store. They made their one selection and then had to count out the exact amount needed from their money of a quarter, dime, nickel and 4 pennies.
Woodberry kindergarteners learn how to research
Students in Ms. Taylor's class decided what animal they wanted to research by narrowing the choices down to 3. They then broke into 3 groups and started by what they already knew and questions they had about their animals. The students were excited and did a FABULOUS job researching using books assigned to them on EPIC and razzkids. We read articles from various websites and found books they could read on their own to answer their questions and find some interesting facts. The groups then shared their research with the class.
2022 Graduate of Distinction Ceremony
On Tuesday evening, DPS celebrated the 2022 Graduates of Distinction from Galileo Magnet High School and George Washington High School at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. Each of the 46 students recognized as a Graduate of Distinction accumulated points based on the following five pillars: academic achievement, attendance, citizenship, community service, and extra-curricular/cocurricular activities. Students honored heard from 2016 GWHS Graduate of Distinction and current Bonner Band Director Mr. Kameron Walker as they keynote speaker. In addition, students with the top 8 GPAs and Legacy Graduates who have attended Danville Public Schools since Kindergarten were recognized.
Tamahria Bracey and William Daniel received STEM scholarships from the Institute. Cole Harbodin and O'Majeo Grizzle were chosen in a drawing for scholarships from American National Bank. We thank our hardworking students and staff, dedicated parents, and generous sponsors for continuing to make this program a tradition at Danville Public Schools.
National Police Week & SOL Kickoff at Gibson
Gibson Elementary School partnered with the Danville Police Department to thank our local law enforcement officers for their daily service in honor of National Police Week. The Danville Police Department spoke to fifth grade students about testing-taking strategies, working hard, and encouraged our students to do their best on all of their SOL tests. The students and staff presented the officers with posters of appreciation in honor of their daily service. Thank you Danville Police Department for all that you do!
Jaguar families donate to school fundraiser
On behalf of the teachers and staff of Schoolfield Elementary, Principal LaTonya Simmons would like to thank all of the Jaguar parents and families for donating over $2,000 in gift cards to teachers for Schoolfield Elementary’s spring fundraiser. The gift cards can be used to purchase additional instructional materials and fund engaging special projects to support teaching and learning. We are beyond grateful!
Schoolfield students learn about Honduran Culture
Schoolfield’s awesome English Language Learners Teacher, Mr. Luis Rubi, shared information, pictures, clothing, and food items that represent his culture in Honduras. Mr. Rubi enjoyed presenting information to his students and sharing it with staff throughout the day. Students and the administration at Schoolfield were given traditional Honduran snacks and coffee to sample. Thank you, Mr. Rubi!
Students complete Start on Success program
Start on Success is a collaboration between Danville Public Schools and the Department of Rehabilitative Services. Students complete a course first semester then participate in a paid internship at Leggett Town & Country during second semester. On Friday, May 20th, graduating seniors, Nasheta Harper and Tatiana Holland were celebrated for successfully completing the program.
Pictured L to R: Rhonda Beavers-Chandler (DARS), Tatiana Holland, Chrystal Smith (teacher), Nasheta Harper.
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