November 30, 2018

VBODA Hall of Fame Induction for Mr. Reginald Purvis!

Mr. Reginald Purvis was inducted into the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Hall of Fame Friday, November 16, 2018. The induction ceremony took place during the Virginia Music Educators Association State Conference which was held at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. Mr. Purvis was recognized for his outstanding tenure as the Band Director for Danville Public Schools for 33 years, of which 30 years was completed at George Washington High School (GWHS). During his career the GWHS bands continually received Superior ratings in both the Concert Hall and on the Marching Field. The bands performed both locally and on the national level; showcasing the musical talent of the students from GWHS, and the exemplary ability of Mr. Purvis to lead the bands to continued success. Also noted at the ceremony was Mr. Purvis’ ability to gain the respect of not only his students, but that of his fellow music educator colleagues.

The VBODA Hall of Fame has been in existence since 2013 to “give recognition for exceptional support, inspiration and outstanding contributions to the growth and development of instrumental music education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” More information regarding this award and other recipients can be seen by clicking here.

The first picture below shows Mr. Purvis, standing in the middle, accepting his award, flanked on the left by David Webb, Band Director at Jefferson Forest High School and VBODA President Elect, and on the right by Doug Spruill, Band Director at Poquoson High School and VBODA President.

Congratulations, Mr. Purvis!

What's Going on at Gibson?

On Wednesday, November 14, 2018, the third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Gibson Elementary participated in a Career Day celebration. Members of the Danville community came and shared information with the students about their careers. The students were able to talk with the visitors and learn more about their occupations. Career day was both an educational and enjoyable experience for all!

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Can You Say Happy Holidays!

These young gentlemen gave themselves a pretty amazing gift. They are all students at ACEC and received their GED Diploma on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Shemorrie Stephens is registered at DCC and will be working towards a welding diploma. David Martin will be attending DCC to complete his required 18 credits before he proudly enlists in the service. Joshua Arthur acquired his GED as eligibility for a job promotion. Lastly, Austin McDaniel felt his job search would be more successful with a credential. All four of these students are 18 to 20 years old, and have a brighter future.

If you would like to be an ACEC success story, please come to the center or call Mary Dumont at 434-799-6471. Wouldn’t a GED make a good stocking stuffer?

Picture order (left to right): Austin McDaniel, Shemorrie Stephens, Joshua Arthur. David Martin not pictured.

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

"Fill the Box" Food Drive for the Holidays - Our Kids Need You!

The DPS District-wide Fill the Box Food Drive will begin Monday, December 3, 2018. Boxes will be dropped off at each location to use for storing your donated food. You can bring non-perishable food items to your location and drop off in the designated box or you can deliver to the Central Office. Items are due by Monday, December 17, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Members of our wonderful Maintenance Department will stop by to pick up the boxes from your location after the due date.

The receiving families were selected through our Department of Student Services. This department works one-on-one with our most at-risk families.

Ideas of non-perishable food items include:

• Cheese or peanut butter crackers
• Beef jerky
• Applesauce
• Pudding
• Fruit cups
• Granola bars
• Power bars
• Cereal bars
• Single serving Chef-Boy-R-Dee items
• Ravioli/spaghetti-os
• Single serving soups (with pull tab openings)
• Ramen noodles
• Tomato juice
• Packaged nuts
• Trail mix
• Fruit snacks
• Dried fruits
• Peanut butter
• Any kind of pasta
• Spaghetti sauce
• Canned vegetables and fruit (with pull top openings)
• Macaroni and cheese
• Individually packaged chips/pretzels/Goldfish
• Boxed drinks and juices
• Vienna sausages (with pull top lids)
• Pop tarts
• Individual packets of oatmeal
• Plastic spoons
• Gallon-size ziplock bags
• Canned Tuna
• Bags of rice or beans
• Orange Juice (for diabetic students)

Donations are greatly appreciated so that our kids eat over the holidays!

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

New Private School Opens in Roanoke, Aims to Break Poverty Cycle - Out of the Box Thinking!

The Academy is a private school designed for children and families living in poverty, and it opened in late August with an inaugural kindergarten class of 10. The school has just a few employees, including a teacher, Jessica Hiner, a head of school, Tina Kitchens, and an assistant head of school, Beth Mattox.

The brainchild of the local nonprofit McLeod Family Foundation, the school provides full scholarships, free transportation, and three hot meals per day to its 10 kindergartners. And the foundation’s trustees, John and Kathy McLeod, are planning an ambitious expansion of the school.

For the full article, as reported in the Roanoke Times, please click here.

Kenyatta Thomas and Students Attend Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Conference

Kenyatta Thomas, JAG Specialist & English Teacher at GWHS, took two precision machining (PMT) students (Kaymeon Guy & Sandro Bianchi) and one student from her JAG class (Jomayra Gunter) to Washington, D.C. for their Annual Conference. Students from all over the nation competed in various categories with the career and college readiness skills that they learned in her class. While there, they toured the capital, met US delegates, and ate with CEOs of Foutune 500 companies.

Ms. Thomas won an award for her dedication to the program and continued support of former students once they've graduated.

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who have serious barriers to graduation and/or employment.

JAG Mission

JAG is committed to helping resolve our country's dropout and transition problems by expanding state organizations and local programs that help young people overcome barriers to graduation from high school and become college and career ready!

Pictured below (L to R): Kaymeon Guy (PMT), Chelsea Oliver (English Teacher-GWHS), Jomayra Gunter, Sandro Bianchi.

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

GW Girls Excited About Season!

The GWHS Girl's Varsity Basketball team is excited about their new season. Check them out sporting new shooting shirts on opening night. Coach Harris, expects this year to be one of the best ones for the lady eagles!

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Gibson Participates in Make-it Take-it Activity

E. A. Gibson Elementary students participated in a Make-it Take-it activity on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. The kindergarten and first grade students made turkeys using paper plates and turkey magnets that they could take home. When they were done everyone enjoyed a reading of the book Turkey Trouble.

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Local Group Meets With the Henrico County Ecomonic Development Authority

On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Danny Marshall, Virginia House of Delegates, Dr. Julie Brown, Director of IALR Learning and Research, Corrie Bobe, Assistant Director of Economic Development, Evan Feinman, Executive Director for Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, and Joyce Culley, Coordinator of Career & Technical Education for Danville Public Schools, met with representatives from the Henrico County Economic Development Authority.

Representatives from Henrico provided an overview of the Data Center and Facebook project which is currently under construction. The group also met with representatives from Henrico County’s Career & Technical Education department and toured the Construction Technology department’s Home Building Project. Once completed the market value of the home constructed by students has an estimated value of $240,00.

Think of the possibilities with our own CTE students and the partnerships that could be formed with local businesses in creating revenue for our programs or internships for our students!

In the first picture below (L to R) - Corrie Bobe, Joyce Culley, Evan Feinman, Danny Marshall, and Julie Brown.

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

Woodrow Wilson's Bullying Awareness Week

Woodrow Wilson staff and students supported Bullying Awareness Week held on Nov 12-16, 2018.

Officer Walker with the Danville Police Department spoke with the students about bullying (1st picture). It was also spirit week and the theme was be a good sport about bullying. Students and staff wore their favorite sports jersey. The middle picture below shows Mrs. Dukes, Ms. Porter, and Mrs. Kendra sporting hats for Putting a Cap on Bullying. The Anti Bullying Pledge was posted in the Cafeteria and students lined up to read the pledge and sign it (3rd picture). Good Job Woodrow!

#everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

W.W. Moore Awards the First GED of the New Academic Year!

On November 28, 2018, I was honored to give the Commencement Address at W.W. Moore (a 60-bed facility that detains juvenile offenders until their court date) for a GW student who had completed his GED while in the facility! As the pomp and circumstance began, the graduate wore his cap and gown and a big, toothy grin! His mother and grandmother attended the event as well as W.W. Moore staff and City employees such as Sylvia Brooks, the Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Danville Police Department. Inspiring speeches were given by other students and smiling faces were everywhere, especially on the face of Kim Toothman, the facility's new Post-D teacher. She is new to the District and this was her first student to graduate!

If you remember, W.W. Moore awarded 7 GED's last year which was an all-time high. This year, there are 2-3 additional graduates lined up to graduate by the end of the year. Rick Wieringo, the heat is on! You owe me big time!

For more information on W.W. Moore, click here. #everychildeverydayeveryclassroom

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."

New DPS Swag Being Delivered to All Schools and Facilities!

Be on the lookout! New DPS lanyards and lapel pins are being circulated to your school/facility over the next few weeks. Since the Strategic Plan Launch is coming to an end, we are now excited to deliver new swag to you that aligns with our new tagline - #everychildeverydayeveryclassroom! I hope you like it and wear it with pride!

Employee Spotlight - Jacqueline Gunn

Ever wonder who helps keep the Central Office so clean and tidy? Well, Jacqueline Gunn is the answer. She has worked for DPS for 1 year as a custodian and she has this old building in tip-top shape. Jackie always has a smile on her face and will help out at the drop of a hat, no matter how big or small the project. Thank you Jackie for all that you do and for being a great team player! We appreciate you!

Jacqueline is active in church where she sings in the choir. She is also the secretary for many organizations within the church. Born in Danville, she has been married for 30 years, and has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. She loves spending time with family and shopping and traveling. Jacqueline recently returned from a trip to the Domincan Republic. In regard to working at the Central Office, Jacqueline stated, "I enjoy working with DPS - the atmosphere and the people are wonderful. I am learning alot."

If you would like to highlight an employee, please send me a photo and a brief bio to place in an upcoming Friday Feature.