District Information
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School News from October 14, 2010
Forest Hills Elementary
The students at Forest Hills are walking their way to good health! Staff and students celebrated on October 6 by walking around the building three times before entering the school that morning. Local physical education specialist, Dr. Lynn Dillon was on hand to walk with the students and encourage them to keep a steady pace. She also presented each student with an apple upon completion of their laps. Forest Hills plans to continue this activity every Wednesday throughout the school year, weather permitting.
Forest Hills is getting ready for their annual Fall Carnival. This year’s carnival will be held on Saturday, October 16 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The carnival features fun games, face painting, delicious food and a silent auction to benefit the school PTO. Each classroom decorated a pumpkin which will also be auctioned during the festivities.
The event is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.
W.W. Moore Education Program
Recently, the horticulture program at W. W. Moore was highlighted at the Virginia Urban Forest Council workshop entitled “TREES-The Best Shady Deal Around.” This was a workshop of over 150 landscapers, arborists and horticulturists from around the state. The September 9th workshop allowed the Green Thumb Nursery to share their “Growing Trees-Changing Kids” presentation, distribute flyers and sell trees. Two utility friendly trees from the nursery were donated for use as door prizes. Also, during the month of September the students of the Green Thumb Nursery assisted in land-scaping the latest Habitat for Humanity House in Danville. The students developed the plan in the school’s computer lab with the assistance of Mr. Brian Patty, technology teacher. Two students, a teacher and one staff member installed the chosen plants and shrubs. They also planted a large crepe myrtle from the school’s tree nursery in the front yard. Both students expressed much pride in accomplishing such a worthwhile project.
On September 17, 2010, students and staff celebrated Constitution Day. Each teacher planned special activities for their area of discipline. The students were involved in activities such as learning and reciting the Preamble, discussing the misconceptions about the Constitution, walking for “Freedom,” and writing their own constitution. In the horticulture class, the students learned about native trees that were promoted by Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin who were both horticulturists. The teachers also wore red, white and blue as part of the celebration.
Dr. Lynn Dillon, President of the Virginia Association for Driver Education and Traffic Safety (VADETS) coordinated all presentations and vendors for the VADETS conference that was held October 1-2 at the Holiday Inn Select in Lynchburg, VA.
Westwood Middle School
Ms. Harrelson's 6th grade hearing impaired students recently completed a variety of projects associated with Eastern Woodland Indians. The students built a representation of a longhouse after carefully selecting similar coverings that would be used by forest dwelling Native Americans. After viewing media pertaining to this group on Ersola, both girls were interested in tools that the women used. A typical head-worn basket as well as a bowl was constructed. The hummingbird was discussed as a symbol often found in art of that period. Preparing visual projects help the students better understand life as it was long ago in America.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School hosted the annual division PAC (Parent Advisory Council) meeting last Thursday, September 30, 2010. Magician Steve Somers presented an exciting and fast-paced program emphasizing reading as a way to achieve. He incorporated magic into his stories and encouraged students to read. Mr. Somers is also a gifted children’s author and he gave away several of his novels to audience participants. Mr. Somers is a retired teacher from High Point, North Carolina. There were over 220 people in attendance. Thank you to Mr. Larry Coleman for organizing this event.
Taylor Elementary School
Taylor Toucans learn about Fire Prevention
The Fire Truck: The kindergarten and first graders enjoyed their adventure with the fire truck. They learned many interesting facts about the truck. The students were amazed by the fact that a fire truck stores 50 gallons of water! The firefighters gave the students many important fire safety tips. They also taught students about the local emergency numbers, smoke alarms, and what to do if their clothes catch fire. However, the students’ favorite part was getting a chance to sit on the fire truck!
Also, During Fire Prevention Week, Taylor's 2nd and 3rd graders got a chance to go through the smoke house. Chief Irving talked to the students about smoke detectors and how to get some put into their homes, if needed. The students watched a video that showed how to escape a fire and how to dial 911 for assistance. Brianna Chappell had the opportunity to make a 911 call to report a fire. The students participated in a fire simulation with smoke! They had to get down and crawl through the smoke; practicing the tips they had been taught. The children received bags from the firemen at the end of the presentation.
At Taylor, we have had our fall book fair. It was a great success! Many of the students were able to purchase books to enjoy at home. All of the students had fun browsing the variety of books available for purchase. There were many books about heroes, fashion, sports, animals, and many novels to choose from. Mrs. Sule, our librarian read several book samples to the Kindergarten and first grade classes. Some of the teachers got in on the fun! Gift certificates were awarded to several teachers, to be used at the book fair. We love to read at Taylor!
Upcoming Events at Taylor Elementary
-Health Fair- Tuesday, November 9th 5:00-7:00 p.m.
-Career Fair- Wednesday, November 17th starting at 12:00 p.m.
Bonner Middle School
Mrs. Laura Sadler, librarian at O. T. Bonner Middle School, recently attended the National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. More than seventy authors, illustrators, and poets made presentations throughout the day in the Children, Teens & Children, Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Contemporary Life and Poetry & Prose pavilions. This is an annual event held each September by the Library of Congress to celebrate the joy of books and reading.
Mrs. Sadler spent a day in the pavilions for Children’s Authors and Illustrators and Teens & Children Authors. A few of the authors who presented, and whose books are available in the Bonner library, were: Brad Meltzer, who wrote the book Heroes for my Son; Rebecca Stead, a 2010 Newbery Medal winner, writer of both When You Reach Me and First Light; Claudette Colvin and Phillip Hoose, who collaboratively wrote Claudette Colvin: Twice toward Justice; Jeff Smith, the writer and artist of Bone; and Katherine Paterson, a two-time winner of the Newbery Medal, whose book is titled The Day of the Pelican. Later, Mrs. Sadler watched Jerry Pinkney, an illustrator whose works also appear in the Bonner library; draw in the Children’s pavilion.
This trip was both fun and educational for Mrs. Sadler. She brought back a wealth of knowledge to share with students and teachers at Bonner Middle School. The Bonner library is a wonderful place for children to visit because of Mrs. Sadler’s hard work and dedication.
Grove Park Preschool
The beginning of school can be lots of fun, but we also have rules to follow. We learned bus safety rules. We learned what can happen if we do not follow the rules.
We learned that we have to sit back in our seats and do not run. We learned it is dangerous to stick our hands out of the window and we should not fight!
Several teachers did a skit to demonstrate what can happen if we do not follow the rules. They showed us how we can fall if we are walking around on the bus.
We also found out that too much noise and activity can make the driver take his eyes off the road to look at us and he could have an accident. We will follow the rules so we can be safe!
Park Avenue Elementary School
On October 8th, Ms. Kington’s class presented their project on a Famous American. The students were assigned to choose from the following: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Thurgood Marshall, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks or César Chavez. Their assignment included researching the American, putting the information together on their cereal box and presenting their report to the class. They did a wonderful job!
W. Townes Lea Elementary School
Instead of celebrating the International Walk to School Day, Ms. Crystal Boyd, P.E. teacher, changed the theme to Walk at School Day to allow for more student and teachers to participate. The goal was to have 100% participation by students and faculty. A walking activity was planned so each child would have the opportunity to walk for fifteen minutes around the gym. After walking, each child received a certificate and a bottle of water donated by “Get Fit Dan River” and the Danville Regional Foundation.
W. Townes Lea also celebrated the annual Read for the Record Day. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats was the official campaign book for Jumpstart's 2010 Read for the Record campaign. This campaign encourages teens and adults to read with young children. By encouraging a single, common day of reading engagement where participants read the same book, the group Jumpstart attempts to set a new world record a each year and raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education. Our principal, Mrs. Catiia Greene, will read this book to our Kindergarten students. Our third grade students enjoyed viewing this reading during their Library Time.