November 16, 2018

DPS United Way Campaign Meets $15,000 Fundraising Goal!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we need to give a big thank you to those who gave to the United Way Campaign for 2018/19. You helped DPS raise the most funds ever at $15,200. In regard to all schools/facilities, congratulations to Galileo who came in first place in regard to average gift per capita at $36.22. Not too far behind was the Adult & Career Education Center at $35.56. The 5 year trend for the DPS Campaign is as follows:

1. 2018/19 - $15,000
2. 2017/2018 - 14,513
3. 2016/17 - $14,512
4. 2015/16 - $8,375
5. 2014/15 - $8,666

Click here or on the video below as Wesson Claiborne-Felder, United Way Campaign Chair for DPS, personally thanks all who participated!

Billy Chaney Talks DPS Safety and Security

Join us for a conversation with William Chaney, Safety and Security Coordinator for Danville Public Schools, as he and Dianne Locker discuss initiatives that create safe school environments that are also conducive to learning. Click here for this Chalk Talk episode.

ACEC Has a Lot to Celebrate!

Pictured is the ESL (English as a second language) class surprising their teacher Nellie Shea with a birthday party. This class is always having fun! They have a class app on "What" and communicate with each other in English daily. The countries represented in the current ESL class are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Indonesia, Togo Africa, Japan, Morocco Africa, Mexico, Ecuador, Vietnam, and China.

If you are interested in joining this group, call Mary Dumont at 434 -799-6471. The class meets Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 to 10:30.

Schoolfield Celebrates Accreditation

On Saturday, November 10, 2018, hundreds of students, teachers, parents, and community members gathered (despite the cold and wind) to take part in Schoolfield's Accreditation Celebration. There was a DJ, bounce houses, food, and lots of hugs and high-fives.

Thank you to all of the staff, support staff, parents, and students who worked tirelessly to achieve accreditation. Jaguars, we are so proud of you!

Pictured below are the smiling faces of our Schoolfield students. Click on the 3rd picture for a cute video showcasing Principal Everette Johnson, the head cheerleader, and the school mascot, as they dance to Celebrate Good Times by Kool & The Gang! #everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Breakfast with a Hero Day at Forest Hills and Woodberry

Hero Day was held on Friday, November 9, 2018, at both Forest Hills and Woodberry Elementary Schools. A flyer went home and students were encouraged to invited their hero or veteran. Many dads, granddads, police, firefighters, the sheriff, and our own Mr. Billy Chaney attended. The Forest Hill art teacher even had students paint American flags and poppy flowers for decoration. Students were able to interact and say thank you to Danville's finest while eating breakfast and lunch. #everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Ever Tried Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving?

I was looking for a new way to present my turkey dinner this year and a friend told me about deep frying. I think I am going to give it a try. Click here for a cool video I found explaining the process. Looks yummy - check out the fried honey pecan turkey below!

Project Imagine Readies Group for the Future

Project Imagine participants today received instruction on life skills and available resources that will assist them upon completion of the program.

Now at its midpoint, the nine-week work readiness program gives gang-affiliated youth a future off the streets by providing them with a paid work experience and mentoring while on the job.

“We don’t want to just drop them off at the end of the program,” Robert David, the City’s gang violence prevention and youth services coordinator, said Friday. “We want to give them direction that will serve well going forward.”

The program, which is for ages 15 to 21, debuted on Oct. 15. Five teenagers ages 17 and 18 are in the first class. They are working at jobs within the Public Works and the Parks and Recreation departments.

“You have work experience now that you can put on your resume when you leave the program,” David told the teens.

To supplement their work experience, David talked today about the importance of setting goals, and he led the group through a training exercise to establish goals.

“Setting goals is not just for now,” said David, who also serves as a life and recovery coach and motivational speaker. “You can use this the rest of your life.”

A representative from Danville Community College shared information about classes and training programs that are available.

ValleyStar Credit Union representatives presented a program on managing money.

Project Imagine participants receive hands on training at a work site up to 40 hours per week through partnerships with city departments, non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses. The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice provides the referrals to the program, which is funded through the Virginia Workforce YES program.

Click here for press release, courtesy of the City of Danville.

Gibson Students Celebrated for Outstanding Effort!

Everyday at Gibson Elementary students are celebrated for outstanding effort. At the end of each month one student is chosen from each homeroom for showing exemplary behavior and academics.

The August students of the month are: Nevaeh Campbell. Traji Tanner, Nevaeh Winstead, Jadelen Vaden, Ka'Miyah Coles, Desmond Coles, Ryleah McCain, K'Lee Clark, Honesty Jones. Grielle Venable, Antonio Terry, Maikaria Paige, Kylen Royal, Skyy Jordan. D'Nerion Witcher, Kimyaha Adkins, Amariana Luck, Ava Barrett, Miy'Asia Luck, Cristian Portillo, MarKayla Mayo, Kalicia Glenn, Aja Hill, Blake Trembley, LaCoreya Hairston, Kaylee Salazar, Sha'Korianya Price, Rontae Moore

The September students of the month are: Christian Goods, Ekhlas Al-Lahabi, Rudaina Sallah, Nevhea Waller, Takenzie Barksdale, Londyn Gunn, Sincere Anderson, Jaron Totten Jr, Leya Mackivitch, Tommy Whittle, Christian Jackson, Kaleb Matherly, A'Niyah Wilson, Shanaya Anderson, Derwin Farmer, Samiyah Witherspoon, Natalie Snead, Kameron Farmer, Rafaela Ortiz, Keziah Walker-Stephens, Kaydon Epperson, Savannah Honeycutt, MarKayla Mayo, Zaliyah Goods, Angel Rodriguez, Jordan Muhammad, Serenity Taylor, Larry Ayala Diaz, Isabelle King

The October students of the month are: Andreas Menefee, Sofia Jan-Iraheta, Daeron Adams Brooms, Takenzie Barksdale, Cayden Powell, A'aron Cobbs, Ayianna Peatross, Isiah Poteat, K'Lee Clark, Cameron Poole, KaRee Harris, Colton Farmer, Agelica Portillo, Conall Vaden, Alyssa Elder, Sincere Graves, Sali Al-Lahabi, Jairus Garcia, Landon Henry, Ciara Rodriguez, Samantha Alvarez-Pacheco, Kiarah Milller, Shacori Davis, Aliyah Williams, Ty'Quell Campbell, Ailyn Calleja-Valle, Kyndall Walker, Shakorianya Price, Isiah Stamps, Warren White

Pictured below (L to R): August winners, September winners, and October winners

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Happy Thanksgiving!