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At their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, May 5, the Danville School Board made the following recognitions:
Teacher Appreciation Week on May 2 - 8, 2022, which was presented to Mrs. Karen Chilton.
School Lunch Hero Day on May 6, 2022, which was presented to Interim Child Nutrition Director Gayle Soyars.
School Nurse Day on May 11, 2022, which was presented to several DPS school nurses.
Seven DPS High School students that have been invited to attend Summer Residential Governor’s Schools, which provide juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts, humanities, mathematics, science, and technology, as well as mentorships in marine science, medicine and health sciences, and engineering. The following students were recognized: Neil Shroff (Medicine and Health Sciences at VCU), Nevea Russell (Humanities at Radford University), Andrew Clark (Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University), Ashley Johnson (Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University), Aryan Kulkarni (Math, Science, and Technology at University of Lynchburg), Michelle Khan (Math, Science, and Technology at University of Lynchburg), and Sara Al Azzam (Math, Science, and Technology at the University of Lynchburg).
Three staff members that received Southside VA Regional Technology Consortium Awards. SVRTC annually celebrates the outstanding technology leadership in the 25 school divisions that the consortium comprises. This year’s award recipients are: Cori Sowers (instructional Support Award), Spenser Bailey (Technology Support Award), and Trey Wilson (Technology Teacher Award).
The board heard the following communication items:
Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Natalie Halloran gave a retirement update. So far, 18 teachers have been approved for retirement this year. The retirement luncheon will take place on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.
Assistant Director of Finance Dawn Wright-Lawson presented the most recent accounts payable warrants.
ABOVE: Trey Wilson, Cori Sowers, and Spenser Bailey received Southside VA Regional Technology Awards for their outstanding technology leadership.
RIGHT: As one of the DPS Teachers of the Year, Mrs. Karen Chilton accepted the Teacher Appreciation Week resolution at last night's board meeting.
Director of Leader Quality Dr. Misti Williams shared information about the recently conducted district classroom walkthroughs, which are a part of the teacher evaluation process, as well as listed as an initiative in the Strategic Plan. From September through April, the division partnered with the VDOE for seven monthly walkthroughs. In addition, professional learning community walks and comprehensive walks at Bonner, Westwood, and GW were completed. Monthly, administrators shared “glows,” “grows,” and next steps following walkthroughs to inform practice, professional learning, and support. As a result, the division increased alignment, performed deep lesson plan reviews at Bonner and GW, realized the need for PLC training at secondary sites, and provided feedback to both schools and central office. Alignment improved from November to April by 24 percent. The walkthrough process will continue going forward to provide feedback and inform support.
District Hearing Officer Dr. Ako Barnes presented the proposed student Code of Conduct for School Year 2022-2023, which includes the following proposed changes:
The deletion of levels of interventions and responses
The change of the cell phone policy for high school to match middle school
Interventions and responses aligned with the Code of Virginia
Addition of restorative practice
Change of dress code to prohibit certain clothing such as pajamas, bedroom shoes, and flip flops
Addition of a process for chronic infractions
Added support and alignment for persistently dangerous behaviors
The board will vote on next year's code of conduct at a later meeting.
Director of Professional Learning Dr. Tonya Steele presented the 2022 Summer Professional Learning Programs to the board. These programs include:
the Summer Leadership Conference for School and District Leaders (June 20-23)
Summer Learning Conference for PreK-12 Educators, including Deep Dive into Special Services (July 7 &), Classroom Culture and Social Emotional Learning (July 11-14), and Curriculum and Instruction (July 18-22)
New Employee Orientation (July 25-29)
Board Member Dr. Philip Campbell held a first read for proposed policy updates to Section I of Instruction policies. Redline copies of these policies can be found here. Public Comments on these policies will be received via the survey here.
The board took the following actions:
Approved personnel recommendations brought forward by Dr. Halloran.
Approved the adoption of new Health/PE and World Language textbooks.
Approved Jo Ellen Hylton to fill the position of Human Resources Director II. Dr. Hairston also introduced Gwyndolyn Stone as the work-based learning coordinator.
Contract update from Human Resources
We are excited to announce that next week, we will be distributing contracts and notification of employment documents as well as Salary Installment Forms electronically via the TalentEd Employee Records system. Teachers and Educational Support Personnel contracted to work for 10 or 11 months and are paid monthly may need to complete a Salary Installment Form to inform us of how you want your check divided if you want to be paid for fewer than 12 months. All documents will require your electronic signature.
You will receive an email from the sender "Danville City School District" for the contracts and notification of employment documents.
We will use the TalentEd Employee Records online system going forward for a number of transactions; therefore, you are encouraged to refresh your memory regarding accessing your account, to include remembering your password. If you have any questions regarding this system, you may contact Norma Allen (ext. 246) or Coretta Lipscomb (ext. 231) in the Department of Human Resources at (434) 799-6400.
**NOTE: TalentEd Employee Records is the same system we used to complete Intent Forms for the 2022-2023 school year. The emails sent will provide links you need to view and sign the documents.**
Important Upcoming Dates & Events:
May 6 - GW Spring Orchestra Concert at GW at 6 p.m.
May 10 - GW Girls Varsity Soccer at 5:30 p.m., GW Boys Varsity Soccer 7 p.m. both at Angler's Park
May 13-15 - Festival in the Park at Ballou Park
May 16 - 4th Annual STEAM Night at O.T. Bonner Middle School from 5 to 8 p.m.
May 18 - Galileo Soccer at Dan Daniel at 5:30 p.m.
May 30 - Memorial Day Holiday
Teacher Appreciation Week
This week, all of our schools celebrated their teachers in different ways! We hope that each of them felt loved in appreciated. Thank you for all you do! See below for some of this week's celebrations.
Gibson
Gibson received a donation of donuts for their teachers from Bellevue Baptist Church and Pastor Braxton Braswell. They also gave personalized thank you notes for teachers and staff members. Thank you Bellevue Baptist!
In addition, El Vallarta provided their faculty and staff with lunch on Cinco De Mayo!
I.W. Taylor Virtual Academy
Taylor had a full week of themed celebrations for their teachers! Scroll through the photos from the week!
Park Avenue
This week at Park Avenue, fifth grade students washed teachers' windshields to show their appreciation!
Schoolfield
This week, Schoolfield teachers received several special treats! Teachers and staff enjoyed a nacho bar and walking tacos sponsored by Oak Grove Baptist Church of Keeling, VA, and Schoolfield Administration. Schoolfield Teacher Jags are “Nacho” average teachers! On Tuesday morning, teachers and staff were welcomed to school with a hot, delicious breakfast of fried chicken wings, and sausage, provided by Schoolfield PTA and prepared by the Vice President, Mrs. Beasley. Teachers and staff members were provided a luncheon from Checkered Pig on behalf of American National Bank. Schoolfield PTA provided teachers and staff with a “pick me up” of goodies including chips, drinks, and chocolates. Food Lion also stopped in to provide teachers and staff with a chicken wing tray and sweet treats. Teacher Jags and staff were gifted a personalized tote bag from the Schoolfield PTA. Teachers also enjoyed a prepared lunch of appreciation from our Kindergarten Jaguar, Kay’den Fitzgerald. The food was prepared by Mrs. Beasley, Kay'den's grandmother.
This week, our parents and students participated in showing appreciation for all of their teachers. Monday, students gave teachers flowers for helping them grow. On Tuesday, students wore their teacher's favorite color. Wednesday, students brought their teachers tools for their classroom. Thursday, students gave teachers a signed book to help grow our classroom libraries. Friday, teachers were given a note or picture from their students. Thank you teachers for helping our students GROW daily.
George Washington
On Friday, AVID students prepared and served potatoes in a Teacher Appreciation Potato Bar luncheon, provided by GW administration.
Woodberry Hills
Woodberry Hills partnered with Hopper's Poppers to give all their teachers a free ice cream cone for teacher appreciation week. The Administration team included cookies with the free ice cream to let the staff know, " You are the cream of the crop!"
To end teacher appreciation week, all staff members were given a snack to let them know, "They are a valuable part of our Wolf Pack."
O.T. Bonner
Galileo ranks #18 in W!SE High Schools
This week, it was announced that Galileo was ranked #18 in the Top 100 Best W!SE High Schools nationwide. This is a huge accomplishment, and we thank teachers Megan Nipper and Kylie Vater for preparing students for their certification tests.
Galileo film chosen for showing at film festival
An animated film, called "The Interview," created by Galileo students was selected to be shown at the VHSL's annual High School Film Festival. Out of 103 entries, only 48 were selected, and Galileo was the only school from Class 1 to be selected. Congratulations to students Chad Abueznaid, Heidi Cross, Finn Holbrook, Sophia Markowitz, and Anna Timm, as well as staff sponsor Mr. Weyler!
Chalk Talk - OEC Field Day
Northside visits Johnson
On Monday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 26, Northside preschool students walked over to GLH Johnson, and were welcomed by Principal Kevin Bowman and Librarian Mrs. Jeffries to attend the book fair, the school's library, and tour many areas of the school. The Northside Penguins became honorary members of the Gator Family. They thank faculty, staff, and students for making their visit "Gatorific!" They will now be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn in Kindergarten!
Congratulations to Gibson's Perfect Attendance bike winners for April!
Planet Fitness Free Summer Membership.pdfSpread the word: Teens get free summer memberships at Planet Fitness!
Planet Fitness will open its doors for 14- to 19-year-olds to work out for free from May 16 through August 31, as part of their High School Summer Pass initiative (previously known as Teen Summer Challenge in 2019). We have partnered with the local Planet Fitness clubs to help teens get active and, as a result, improve their mental health.
And to help motivate teens even further, Planet Fitness will be awarding one $500 scholarship in each state/province, and one grand prize $5,000 scholarship at the end of the summer!
All students can pre-register and enroll beginning May 16 at PlanetFitness.com/SummerPass or in-club at our local Planet Fitness.
The Book Lady visits Woodberry Hills
Mrs. Jennifer Williams, The Book Lady, visited Woodberry Hills Elementary. We set up books in the cafeteria and allowed every single student to pick a book.
Also, her goal is to give away 1 MILLION books. The TODAY SHOW helped her reach her step stone goal of 100,000 books last Thursday! We are so happy that we were able to give our students more books to read and help Mrs. Williams make progress towards her goal.
Bonner students celebrate el Cinco de Mayo
6th grade Spanish students at Bonner Middle School commemorate the Mexican cultural and historical day of el 5 de Mayo by making tissue paper flower decorations.
Schoolfield will ROCK The SOL Test
“Who rocks the house?” “The Jaguars ROCK the house!” Schoolfield teachers, staff members, and students participated in an SOL pep rally this week. Kindergarten-2nd grade students cheered on their fellow 3rd-5th grade Jaguars to do their best on their upcoming SOL tests. Teacher Jags danced, sang, and pumped up students with excitement and good luck for their upcoming SOL assessments. We also had a special visit from the Danville Otterbots to tell our students about their Summer Reading Program, Read Around the Bases.
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