October 11, 2019

WE NEED YOU! HAVE YOU TAKEN THE HAVOVER SURVEY?

If you are a student, parent, staff member, or community member, DPS would like you to share your thoughts on the district's overall climate and elements of the strategic plan.

DPS has partnered with Hanover Research, an independent research firm in Washington, D.C. to administer and analyze this survey. The study is for research purposes only: all information you provide will be maintained on a confidential basis by Hanover Research and will only be reported in an aggregate form, so please be candid with your responses.

This survey should take no more that 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation. Survey closes on Oct. 25th.

Click here to begin the survey: https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/…/form/SV_6VjXnHKsQ5

United Way Update!

As of today, the Division has raised a total of $15,904 with 3 locations still needing to turn in $$$. THANKS TO YOUR GENEROSITY WE HAVE OFFICIALLY SURPASSED OUR 2018 TOTAL. But there is still work to be done to meet our $17,000 goal for 2019 - we need to raise an additional $1,096 and I know we can do it.

IT IS NOT TO LATE TO GIVE. SEE YOUR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL FOR A FORM OR EMAIL ANNE MOORE-SPARKS AND I WILL SEND YOU ONE VIA THE PONY.

Schoolfield Hosts Family Literacy Night!

Schoolfield Elementary held their first Family Literacy Night of the new school year on October 3rd. Parents and students worked together to complete activity stations, including riddlegrams, word hunts, puzzling words and reading the riddle wall. After pizza, every student was sent home with three brand new joke books for their personal library!

Magical Storyteller, Mark Daniel, presents Mission READasaurus Space!

On Thursday October 3rd, Woodberry Hills Elementary hosted a very special event that focused on the importance of family reading. Parents were invited to attend a "Make-N-Take" workshop where they learned exciting ways to help improve their child's oral reading fluency followed by an exciting presentation by the Magical Storyteller, Mark Daniel. Mr. Daniel’s presentation captivated the attention of our students with exciting stories of outer space adventures and whimsical surprises that sparked the imagination of all who attended.

Guest Speaker Write Up!

On October 4th, seventh-grade students in Bonner’s Gifted and Accelerated Civics classes had the opportunity to learn about the amendment process in Virginia by speaking virtually with a guest speaker. Using Chromebook technology, they were able to directly question Brian Cannon, Executive Director of the non-partisan organization OneVirginia2021, about his amendment related to gerrymandering in the state of Virginia and it’s broader implications for democracy.

Students Participate in The CROP Hunger Walk!

This past Sunday, the GW football players worked along the route helping walkers cross intersections and to direct them on the route. They also motivated walkers beforehand by doing a little dancing.

The Dental & Nursing students also participated! The students from Dental who walked were: Delilah Briscoe, Aliyana Calvey, Imani Jackson, Liyah Rodgers, Alexis Beasley, Haleigh Berisford, Mariela Delgado, Kaniya Fitzgerald, My'Kerrah McCray, MacKenzie Miller, & Ny'Asia Stephens .

#EaglePride

Biscuitville Supports STEAM Night!

To help support our 2nd Annual DPS STEAM Night, on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, you can get breakfast for dinner or Tuesday, October 15, 2019, from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Riverside Biscuitville. Just let them know your purchase is for STEAM Night! #partnershipsmatter

Galileo Students Visit Biomes!

Mrs. Elizabeth Pressley’s Environmental Science students at Galileo got to visit different biomes and traveled thousands of miles while doing so; virtually of course! The students got a chance to try out Google Expeditions virtual goggles. They learned characteristics that make these biomes have specific plant and animal life while “visiting” their biome. Now students will make a brochure to entice people to visit their chosen biome.

Shark Teeth Found at Gibson!

So Mrs. Carlsen and her students at Gibson Elementary were pretending to be archaeologists on the playground and they found about 20 shark teeth! Very cool!

#PartnershipsMatter!

On September 27th, Something Special Restaurant & Lounge and the McCargo Foundation hosted an Old School Cruise In. At the event, they requested participants donate new or gently used coats to our DPS kids. Today, we got to pick up a truck load of coats with the help of the wonderful DPS Maintenance Crew.

1st Photo (L to R) - William Hudson (owner of Something Special), Donald Coleman (DPS Maintenance), Michael Coleman (DPS Maintenance), and Micah Galloway (Director, McCargo Foundation). Thank you for your generous support of Danville's most important assets, our kids!

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Also, Floor Care Specialists, Inc. (FCS) of Danville recently donated a mobile breakfast cart to Bonner Middle School to help local students start their school day with a healthy meal. Check out our Facebook page for the news release. Click here for story on WFXR. #partnershipsmatter

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AND Mr. J.C. and Mrs. England of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church delivering backpack lunches to our students. Johnson Elementary, our parents and students truly appreciate you all!

#partnershipsmatter

Congrats Marching Eagles!

The GWHS Marching Eagles traveled to Southeast Guildford High School on Saturday, October 5th to compete in the Falcon Invitational. The Eagles did very well, winning 1st place in all captions for 4A (1st place Drum Major, 1st place Color Guard, 1st place Percussion, 1st place Music and 1st place General Effect) as well as being the 4A Champions. The band scored a very close 2nd overall, the color guard and percussion sections were the high score of the day.

In addition to our success on the field, many parents from other bands, as well as directors spoke to the level of discipline, professionalism and respect our students demonstrated throughout the day. #EaglePride

Six DPS Employees Chosen as MBF Fellows!

Middle Border Forward​ just announced their Fellows for the Class of 2020. Congratulations to the following DPS participants: Hope Abernathy, Bryron Gunn, Angel Thurston McCann, Kenyatta Thomas, Marcellous Reeves, III, and Sharon Towler!

ACEC Celebrates Another GED Graduate!

We are excited about our most recent GED Graduate, Tyrese Hamlett. Tyrese came to us two years ago and completed three of the four subjects that make up the GED Exam. He left us and just recently returned to complete the GED Math. Tyrese needed his GED Diploma to start his new job at Radial Inc. in Martinsville. Let's wish him good luck on his first day next Monday.

If you want to be our next success story, come by ACEC at 141 Goode Street, or call Mary Dumont at 434.799.6471.

New Pay Rates for Substitutes!

Kids Day at Averett! Kids Under 17 Free Admission!

Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu shot clinics have been coordinated with Walgreens this year! Please refer to your email dated 10.9.19 from Mrs. Coretta Lipscomb for a copy the Vaccination Record and Informed Consent Form, which MUST be completed prior to your receiving a flu shot. You must also make a copy of the front and back of your health insurance card and bring it with you the day of your selected clinic.

Please click on the Google Form link below to sign up for a clinic by noon on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, so that we can give Walgreens an estimate of the amount of flu vaccine they will need to bring to each clinic. Please see your school nurse or contact Marcellous Reeves, or Coretta if you have any questions about signing up for a clinic.

Click HERE to sign up for a flu shot clinic.

Flu shots can be administered to full- and part-time employees who have DPS's TLC/Anthem health insurance plan, another health insurance plan, or no insurance at all. If you are covered by a non-DPS health plan, it is your responsibility to find out if your health plan has an in-network partnership with Walgreens to receive the flu shot at no cost to you. Those who are not covered by a health plan can pay $35.00 by cash, check, or money order. Supervisors who have employees who may not have quick access to a computer at your site, please share this information with them. Thanks and be well!

JVG Students Welcome Community Speakers!

Students from GWHS' Jobs for Virginia Graduates (JVG) program have been elated to welcome various community speakers to their class including Mr. Bryant Hood, General Manager, Lynn Street Market; Ms. Angela Williams, President, Focus Point Mental Health, LLC; Ms. Latoya Williams, owner, OMNI CHIC Accessories & More, and Mr. Kendall Jordan, the school's College Adviser. Pictured with the students are Mr. Christian Banks, Regional Admissions Representative with Lincoln College of Technology and Mr. Henry Motley, Commander Sergeant Major (Retired) with the Virginia National Guard. Ms. Tonya Fullerwinder is the JVG Specialist.

Happy Birthday Dr. Steele!

60 looks good on you! You are not really 60 but I am just checking to see if you read the Friday Feature. haha

What's Going on at Schoolfield?

Schoolfield had their monthly PTA meeting on October 8th, 2019. Under the direction of music teacher, Charlotte Paris, the fifth grade student performance was a tribute to the Power of Music. Student speakers spoke on musical motifs and themes and how music written over one hundred years ago is still relevant in our world of hip hop! Thank you fifth grade for a great performance!

At the meeting, fifth grade students were also inducted into the Schoolfield Safety Patrol. Fifth grade teacher Ms. Claudia Woods presented the students and read their list of responsibilities. Dr. Cyndi Williams, the Chief Academic Officer for Elementary schools, administered the oath of office. We are very proud of the students that qualified for this honor and know they will be doing a great job!

Stop, Drop and Roll!

The Danville Fire Department at Johnson Elementary School teaching our students about fire safety and Stop, Drop and Roll. #partnershipsmatter

Ghost Poop at Bonner!

Click here for the recipe. From what I hear, the kids absolutely loved this Halloween treat. Child Nutrition, you are the best!

Cary Wright and Lizzo at the Galileo Talent Show!

Click here for the video. Galileo's very own Cary Wright performs to Lizzo, with some unexpected twists in the lyrics. You don't want to miss this!