Friday Feature - February 17
February 17, 2023
Congratulations, Bonner!
The O.T. Bonner Middle School Boys Basketball team were named the 2022-2023 Jr. Piedmont District Basketball Champions after an undefeated season.
School Board Wrap Up
During their regular meeting on Thursday evening, the board made the following recognitions:
Mrs. Frenita Griffin, orchestra conductor at GWHS, as the Danville Public Schools Teacher of the Year.
Galileo’s Scholastic Bowl Team for being the 2023 Super Regional 1A and 1B Champions after competing on February 4, 2023 at Colonial Beach High School. The team has qualified for the upcoming VHSL Scholastic Bowl State Championships at Jamestown High School on February 25, 2023.
Bonner Middle School’s Boys Basketball Team as the 2022-2023 Jr. Piedmont District Boys Basketball Champions after a perfect season of 18-0.
The following students as winners for the division’s Second Annual Black History Month Essay Contest: Early Elementary Winner Ah’Miracle Conway, Early Elementary Runner-Up Valeria Torres, Upper Elementary Winner Jenson McKinney, Upper Elementary Runner-Up Jaron Totten, Middle School Winner Trinity Weeks, Middle School Runner-Up Zahyir Stephens.
The board heard the following communications:
Chief Financial Officer Andrea Gillus reviewed recent Accounts Payable Warrants.
English Coordinator Kim Agnor and Reading Specialist Amanda McKinney updated the board on Early Literacy Foundations, including Heggerty and FUNdations.
Chief Academic Officer Takiwi Babalola provided an update on the new Promotion and Retention policy, which was implemented this school year, and parent conferences.
Board Member Dr. Philip Campbell held a first read of updates to Section J policies. Redlines can be found here. Public Comment will be received via the survey here https://forms.gle/TA2c6wPwiVFeWULDA and at the March 2, 2023 School Board Meeting.
The board took the following actions:
Approved personnel recommendations brought forward by Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Natalie Halloran
Approved the January 2023 Finance Report brought forward by Gillus
Approved a resolution for the comprehensive agreement for a new construction Johnson Elementary School. This in accordance with The Public-Private Education Facilities & Infrastructure Act of 2002 (§ 56-575.1 et seq.) and DPS’ Guidelines for Implementation of The Public-Private Education Facilities & Infrastructure Act of 2002.
Important Upcoming Dates
February 18 - All City Chorus featuring select 5th Graders and the GW Chorus at GW at 3 p.m.
February 20 - President's Day Holiday, no school for students
February 21 - Johnson's Annual Black History Month Program at GW at 6 p.m.
February 22 - Attendance Zone Meeting at Woodberry Hills at 6 p.m.
February 23 - Attendance Zone Meeting at Park Avenue at 6 p.m.
February 24 - GWHS Orchestra Assessment Performance at 7 p.m.
View the district calendar here, and remember to keep up with school-based events by regularly checking their websites and social media.
GWHS NJROTC cadets volunteer at Roman Eagle on Valentine's Day
Each year, the NJROTC Cadets from GW normally attend and participate in the annual Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Ball Celebration held at Roman Eagle Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. After a two year hiatus, on February 15, the Eagles returned to visit our friends. This year, 15 cadets were on hand for the festivities along with the Roman Eagle staff and other volunteers. The cadets escorted, served dinner and entertained 82 residents with song and dance.
“The residents had a really good time,” said Brenda Walker, Roman Eagle Activities Coordinator.
Master Chief Green, USN (ret.), lead instructor for the cadets said, “I know the cadets have fun, they look forward to this event each year. It was great to be back.”
This annual festivity is one of the highlighted opportunities for the cadets to foster a positive relationship with elders while serving their community.
Cadet Vannessa Wilson takes a dinner order from residents.
Cadet Jamari Whitaker escorts a resident to dinner
Thank you, GWHS Class of 1972!
On Friday, February 17, representatives from GW's Class of 1972 presented Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston and Coordinator of Business Partnerships Megan Nipper with a donation for a trophy case for the renovated GW school building. Funds for the trophy case were raised by the Class of 1972, the largest graduating class in the school's history. The class just celebrated their 50th Reunion in October. Thank you for your generosity! (Pictured are Hairston, Sallie Abreu, Peggy Koppel, David Denny, and Nipper.)
Touch the Troops
Students from Mrs. Abourjilie's, Ms. Daubert's and Ms. Johnson's Classes made Valentine cards for our Troops who are serving overseas. These students at George Washington High School wanted to show love and support for our servicemen and women by sharing a card with a note of thanks. They were mailed to 93.1 The Wolf radio show who is running the program to spread some love this Valentine's Day!
GW Eagles participate in honor band
On February 3 and 4, members of the George Washington High School band traveled to Cave Spring High School to take part in the District 6 Honor Band. They are Ashley Johnson, Andrew Clark, Nylan Yancey, Zeryan Williamson, Jonathan Price, Tim White, Brady Woodson, Reno Mcneal and Daryl Brimmer. The concerts were amazing, and the kids did a wonderful job representing GW!
Gibson students visit the Danville Science Center
Math 180 students compete for most hours
Westwood Math 180 students are working each week to complete the most hours clocked from Saturday through Thursday. They are receiving gift cards and other incentives donated by Riverstone Inc. Richmond, Virginia. The more time the students spend online the farther they advance in math.
Schoolfield's Black History Month science projects
5th-grade Jaguars presented Black History Month projects highlighting a famous African-American Scientist. Jaguars created posters and tri-folds to present their scientist of choice.
Science Night at Forest Hills
Westwood PE Classes finish up a week of whiffle ball games
Sixth Graders go to the Danville Science Center
DPS Science Department sponsored a field trip for Westwood and Bonner 6th graders to attend the Danville Science Center. Students had the opportunity to engage with the science standards they have been learning in class this year. Students interacted with all forms of water, participated in force, energy, and motion activities, and watched a movie in the Dome theater.
First Grade teachers at Gibson spread the love on Valentine's Day
Schoolfield's Black History Month Spirit Week
Schoolfield Jaguars celebrated Black History Spirit Month with a spirit week. Throughout the week, Jaguars dressed in African attire, showed their LOVE on Valentine’s Day for our Vice President, Kamala Harris, dressed to impress for black excellence and their dream jobs, and wore HBCU gear. Schoolfield also honored Black History Month at their PTA event. 1st graders presented the “ABCs of Black History” during the PTA meeting. Go Jaguars!
Westwood PE classes learn about floor hockey
Family Literacy Night taking place on March 2
The Danville Literacy Lab team, the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research and their Dan River Year AmeriCorps program are collaborating on their Family Literacy Night event! This free event will be on March 2 and will take place from 4 - 7 p.m. at IALR and will be such a great opportunity to get our community excited about reading, as well as a great way for our local students to celebrate Read Across America Day.
Robots and programming at Westwood
Amare Hairston is an 8th student in Mr. Sutherland’s Technology Class at Westwood Middle School. The technology class features a GOTEC-inspired curriculum. Components of the curriculum include robotics and programming. Typically, a student spends a few days constructing their Tower Bot and then programming it. However, Amare was able to build the base robot, pair it to the remote and do some basic programming in just two class periods. Way to go Amare!!!
Mark Your Calendar: Community Juneteeth Celebration
Skatetown Inclusion Event
On Thursday, February 16, "Who Set the Standards, Inc" held an inclusion skate event at Skatetown for individuals with disabilities. The Bonner and Westwood Middle School cheerleaders were on hand to provide assistance and ensure everyone felt welcome. A great time was had by everyone!
Schoolfield's winner for the Passport to a Great Adventure reading challenge
Danyelle Thomas won the February Reading Passport winner and was presented with a gift card today. She is showing her Jaguar pride with the Jaguar SWAG shirt she was presented with for being a super student.
Have you signed up for your YMCA membership yet?
On Wednesday, February 15, DPS held a kickoff event for our new partnership with the YMCA. Through this partnership, DPS employees can get a discount on their YMCA individual and family memberships. If you weren't able to make it to the kickoff event, you can still take advantage of this discount at any time! Just make sure you email Megan Nipper at mnipper@mail.dps.k12.va.us before going to the YMCA to sign up to begin the employee verification process.
If you attended the kickoff event, watch the raffle drawing here to see if you were lucky enough to win some YMCA swag!