September 28, 2018

Westwood CARE Club Sponsors CARE Luggage Project

In conjunction with Middle Border Forward (MBF), the Westwood Middle School CARE Club is sponsoring an amazing initiative and they need your support! The CARE Club is a community service club that teaches students to contribute and have pride in their community. The club is collecting supplies to benefit foster children in the community. The vision is to ensure foster children have luggage packed with essentials when sudden moves happen, not the typical trash bags that these foster children currently use. From October 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018, the community can drop off donations at Westwood. Please see the flyer for additional information and the types of supplies being requested: gently used luggage, books, stuffed animals, new toiletry items, etc. The goal is to deliver 80 packed luggage bags to Alliance Human Services, the foster agency, on December 14, 2018. If you have further questions, please contact Hope Abernathy, Lakisha Brandon, or Sarah Rowland at Westwood Middle School.

This project will also be featured in an upcoming Chalk Talk episode. Keep checking here for the full story.

A big shout out to MBF for your financial assistance ($500) and your commitment to the community! MBF is here to help so I encourage all teachers to apply for Middle Border Forward's Community 500 Impact Project. The application is quick, easy, and a great way for teachers to be awarded $500 for school- based projects.

Why are the GWHS Senior Nursing Assistants Dressed in Yellow?

The GWHS Chapter of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Senior Class all wore yellow on Friday, September 21, 2018, to recognize Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. For more information, check out the 10 Childhood Cancer Facts here.

VOTEYOURMAINSTREET.ORG

The River District Association (RDA) is excited to announce that DANVILLE, VA has been selected as one of 20 cities to be featured in the national Partners in Preservation campaign! The RDA's project and theme is Fight 4 North Union Street, and we need YOU to get in the ring and help them fight for $150,000 in preservation funding to assist in the revitalization efforts of two storefronts on North Union street, which is located downtown just 3 blocks from the Central Office. Visit here every day to vote and let's show the nation that Danville has what it takes to win! You can vote up to 5 times a day. For more info, check out the River City TV video, courtesy of Mark Aron .

About North Union Street - From the early 1900s through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, Union Street was first a thriving tobacco warehouse district, and then a mecca for black businesses and entrepreneurship. This project will restore two storefronts to foster continued entrepreneurship and create space for celebrating the area’s civil rights history. Below is a map highlighting all of the cities that Danville is competing against.

Airing Now - New Chalk Talk Episode Featuring Robert David, Coordinator for Youth and Gang Violence Prevention with the City of Danville.

Join Dianne Locker for a conversation about Mr. David's new position and how he plans to implement programs to combat gang violence in our city. To watch the full episode, see our Youtube channel or catch us on River City TV (Comcast Channel 10) daily at 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

United Way Campaign Update - Inching Closer to Our Goal

As of today, DPS has raised over $12,207 of its $15,000 goal with 80% of sites having turned in donations. Congrats to W.W. Moore, Bonner, Gibson, and Westwood for leading the way in regard to increased staff participation and donations compared to last year! If you are interested in donating, please contact Wesson Claiborne-Felder at wcfelder@mail.dps.k12.va.us or 434.799.6434, ext. 258. Click here for more info about United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County and their partner agencies. LET'S DO THIS - WE ARE SO CLOSE!!!!

Crystal Jensen Named Middle Border Forward (MBF) Fellow

Congratulations to Crystal Jensen, Executive Administrative Assistant in the Instruction Department, for being selected as an MBF Fellow. Nearly 60 people applied to join the MBF movement through a very competitive selection process. The 20 people selected as Fellows represent the wide scope of skills and passions that make our region thrive. Whether it is through their businesses, faith-based communities, or personal lives, these emerging leaders all are poised to change our region. Click here for more information on how to become an MBF Fellow.

Taco Tuesday Event Held for DPS Bus Drivers

DPS Bus Drivers recently gathered for TACO TUESDAY. The event was coordinated by two of the drivers, Lynette Lanier and Ruby Dews, to promote fellowship and team building. Thank you to all of our drivers who safely transport hundreds, if not thousands, of our students on a daily basis. You are appreciated!

Parents of the Schools (POTS) Looking for New Board Members

The mission statement for Parents of the Schools (POTS) is to increase parent, family, and community engagement within the local school system. The groups does this by EDUCATING parents on current topics, INSPIRING them to engage in their children’s academic careers, and EMPOWERING them to be an advocate for their children. If you are you a parent, teacher, or community member that has wondered how you can get more involved in the POTS mission, the group will begin actively looking for new board members and Parent Ambassadors soon! Further details will be shared on the POTS facebook page. Click here for more information and to join the group. Current Board member are listed below.