Friday Feature - March 17
March 17, 2023
School Board Wrap Up
During their regular meeting on March 16, the Danville School Board made the following recognitions:
Youth Art Month for the month of March
Jermarion Morton, a Westwood Middle School sixth grader that was accepted into and recently attended the 2023 American Choral Directors Association’s National Honors Choir
Top six middle school students who competed in the recent DPS Math Fluency competition: Leonel Rodriguez (Sixth Grade Runner Up, Bonner), Dominick Cruz (Sixth Grade Winner, Westwood), Mariah Norman (Seventh Grade Runner Up, Westwood), Trenton Reynolds (Seventh Grade Winner, Bonner), Barrett Eisner (Eighth Grade Runner Up, Bonner), and Samantha Lintag (Eighth Grade Winner, Westwood). The overall Math Fluency Competition Winner was Bonner Middle.
The board heard the following communications:
Chief Financial Officer Andrea Gillus presented recent accounts payable warrants.
Graduation Coach Kenya Jefferson spoke about the Commonwealth Youth ChalleNGe, which is an alternative education program for youths ages 15.5 to 18 years old in need of a highly structured academic setting. DPS has 8 students set to begin the program at the end of March.
Director of CTE Gwyn Stone gave an overview of this year’s AspHIRE, Summer Internship, and Cyber Camp programs. AspHIRE is a program in April that provides seniors and summer intern participants with mock and real interview experiences, as well as work-readiness sessions. The cyber camp in July for middle school students will provide students with opportunities to explore and learn computer coding. Coming back for its third year, the Summer Internship Program allows students ages 14-16+ to intern at local employers, giving them on-the-job training and real-world leadership development experiences in the field. The information session for the Summer Internship Program will be held on March 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Bonner Middle School. The interest application will be open from March 23 - April 4.
Stone also gave an overview of the Elementary Career Days, which took place over the past few weeks. Each elementary school had a career day that provided them with exposure to different career paths and real-world connections to their learning. Over 30 community partners participated in these career days. Students completed career assessments and participated in a “Career Week,” in which they wore clothes based on themes such as “interview ready” and “future career.”
Board member and Policy Committee Chair Dr. Philip Campbell gave a first read for policies reviewed by the Committee during their February and March meetings. Redlined copies of proposed changes are as follows: Policy KN - Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Notification, Policy BBBB - Student Representative to the School Board, Section J - Students, and Section L - Education Agency Relations. Public Comment on these proposed updates will be received at the April 6, 2023 Regular Meeting and via the survey here: https://forms.gle/796LKbknbRRm372X9.
Board Member Dr. Keith Silverman gave an update from the Finance Committee following their February 16 meeting, which included a budget review.
The Board took the following actions:
Approved personnel recommendations brought forward by Human Resources Director Jo Ellen Hylton.
Approved the finance report brought forward by Gillus.
Approved the continuing of the Corrective Action Plan with the Virginia Department of Education, following a review and action item status report by Dr. Hairston.
Approved the following changes to or new policies: KG - Community Use of School Facilities, KH - Public Gifts to the Schools, KKA - Service Animals in Public Schools, KMA - Relations with Parent Organizations, KNB - Reports of Missing Children, KP - Parental Rights and Responsibilities, KQ - Commercial, Promotional, and Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships, KR - Equal Access for Student Groups, KS - Relations with Community & Community Organizations, KT - Political Activities, KU - Public Appearance and Performance by Students, JED - Student Absences/Excuses/Dismissals, JFC - Student Conduct, JFCA - Teacher Removal of Students from Class, JFCE - Gang Activity or Association, JFCF - Drugs in School, JFCL - Notification Regarding Prosecution of Juveniles as Adults, JHCB - Student Immunizations, JHCD - Administering Medicines to Students, JHCE - Recommendation of Medication by School Personnel, and JHCF - Student Wellness.
Westwood Student Jermarion Morton and DPS art teachers were recognized during Thursday's Meeting
Winners of the first DPS Math Fluency competition were recognized at Thursday evening's meeting.
Important Upcoming Dates
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 18 - Japan Day at GW from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
March 18 - DPS Career fair at Bonner Middle School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 18 - GWHS Marching Band Drumline and Front Ensemble Interest Clinic in the GW band room from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 22 - 3rd Quarter Report Cards go home
March 23 - Summer Internship Program Information Session at 5:30 p.m. at Bonner
View the district calendar here, and remember to keep up with school-based events by regularly checking their websites and social media.
HOSA students visit Williamsburg for conference
Mrs. Argyrakis and Mrs. Smith took their students to the HOSA Future Health Professionals 43rd State Leadership Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia, from Thursday, March 9 - Sunday, March 12. While attending the HOSA State Leadership Conference, students had the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for problem solving, decision making and interpersonal communication necessary as future health professionals. These students participated in at least 4 Education Symposiums each day with opportunities to meet other students from across the state with similar professional interests and future goals. Students also had the opportunity to volunteer as Courtesy Corps and Voting Delegates. There was also time for social events such as popcorn and ice cream socials and HOSA Night. Mrs. Argyrakis and Mrs. Smith would like to thank all that supported these efforts, and their hope for next year is to increase student interest and involvement in this wonderful opportunity for growth.
Westwood student chosen as Kiwanis Student of the Month
Makayla Bass, an eighth grader at Westwood, was presented the Student of the Month award by the Danville Kiwanis Club. She was presented with a certificate and a family membership to the Danville Science Center. Congratulations Makayla!
GWHS hosts District 6 Concert Band Assessement
On March 9, 10, and 11, George Washington High School hosted District 6 Concert Band Assessment. Judges from across the Commonwealth, and 43 high school and middle school bands from Blacksburg to Lynchburg travelled to the GWHS Auditorium to be rated. Approximately 1,800 students performed in just 3 days. It was a large undertaking that took a lot of planning and work from more than just the band. GWHS Band Director Cody Kesling would like to publicly thank Mr. Deskins, and the faculty and staff of GWHS for the support and flexibility; Mr. McVay and the maintenance department for the help with moving chairs and stands so we could run the event successfully; Mr. Walker, Mr. McNair, Mrs. Griffin. Mrs. Cash, Mrs. Smoot, and Ms. Noreen for allowing us to use their rooms, chairs, stands or equipment; The band parents and community for help with food and concessions; Mr. Purvis for his help, guidance, support and friendship; lastly, the band students who spend countless hours helping with absolutely everything!
DPS' bands participated in last week's assessment and were rated as follows: GWHS Wind Ensemble earned a Superior rating, Bonner's Honor Band earned an Excellent rating, and Westwood's Honor Band earned an Excellent rating.
GW's next concert is on May 2 at 7 p.m. in the George Washington High School Auditorium!
Benchmark Celebration Day at Westwood
Woodberry PD with Dr. John Almarode
Ruby B. Archie Passport to Reading Challenge
We announced a brand new reading challenge today and we're calling on EVERYONE to participate! We've challenged the Danville community to read one million books by the end of this year through the Ruby B. Archie Passport to Reading Challenge.
Participating is easy: just read a book and log it! Danville Public Schools students are able to access our logging software Beanstack through their Single Sign On portals. The community can log their books at readdanvilleva.beanstack.org.
Student Instructions for using Beanstack
Community Instructions for using Beanstack
After registering, be sure to join the Rubie B. Archie Passport to Reading Challenge and start entering those books. Ready, set, read!