October 22, 2021

Principals Judy Cox (Westwood) and Kevin Bowman (Johnson) gave presentations about their community partnerships, which include Parks and Recreation with sports, outdoor, and wellness options, Girls with Pearls with The Links, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha, and various other local businesses and organizations.

Board member Dr. Phillip Campbell led a first read of policies reviewed by the Policy Committee on Oct. 7. This review included the presentation of changes Sections A (Foundations and Basic Commitments) and B (School Board Governance and Operations). Redlined copies can be found here: A Policies, B Policies, Draft Administrative Regulations AE-R, Draft Administrative Regulation B.

Public comments will be received at the survey here and at the November 11, 2021 school board meeting. The online survey closes on November 22, 2021 at 5 p.m., and the school board will take action on these proposed policy updates on December 2, 2021.

Chair Crystal Cobbs reminded the board of their next regular meeting on November 11, 2021 at 5:30 p.m., as well as the policy committee meeting prior at 4 p.m.

The board took the following actions during Thursday’s meeting:

• Approved personnel recommendations brought forward by Mrs. Monalisa Whittle.

• Approved the finance report for September 2021 brought forward by Sharon Barksdale.

• Approved the accounts payable warrants brought forward by Barksdale.

• Approved the administrative appointment of Mary Ann Jennings as Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

Adult and Career Education Center to extend reach in Danville

For years, Danville’s Adult and Career Education Center (ACEC) has been providing services to the city’s adult population, including GED testing, GED prep classes, workforce preparation services, English as a Second Language courses, and more, all from its location on Goode Street. In 2022, the ACEC will expand its outreach into different locations in the city.

In an effort to meet the needs of Danville citizens who desire a high school diploma or its equivalent, starting in January, the ACEC will offer classes and services at seven locations, in addition to its current Goode Street building. The new locations will include the following:

• Woodrow Wilson at 1005 North Main Street

• Bibleway World Wide Church at 215 Grant Street

• Glenwood Community Center at 1550 Halifax Road

• Boys and Girls Club of the Danville Area at 123 Foster Street

• Cardinal Village Community Center

• Danville Adult Detention Center

• Danville City Jail (men and women)

The ACEC will also provide night classes for DPS high school students in need of credit recovery to graduate. In addition, the ACEC offers career training, such as CDL, customer service, and ServSafe courses.

With more than 6,000 people in Danville lacking a high school education, Danville Public Schools’ Coordinator of Adult Education and Credit Recovery Dr. Antonio Hairston said expansion is important in making sure that the city’s adults have access to education opportunities.

"Due to the pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances, many individuals cannot get to our current location, so the expansion will allow the community to go to the closest location where they reside,” Hairston said. “The Adult and Career Education Center is all about removing barriers in order to help students reach their full potential.”

Virtual Learning Practice Day

In preparation for unexpected virtual learning instances and to ensure all students are prepared for them, DPS is instituting a district-wide virtual learning practice day on October 25, 2021. Face-to-face students will still report to their school sites, but they will be practicing on their Chromebooks during a specific time during the school day. Be sure students with DPS distributed Chromebooks come prepared with their fully charged computers. During this practice day, teachers will review virtual learning expectations, Canvas, Google Meet, submitting assignments, and more. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Curriculum and Instruction Department via the Let's Talk link on our DPS website.