The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is awarding 38 year-one grants to fund 21st Century Community Learning Centers in communities across the Commonwealth. Dan River Middle School was recently notified that they are eligible to receive this grant funding to provide tutoring, enrichment and counseling programs for students and families at the school. Congratulations to Ms. Sherri Crumpton, Principal, Ms. Glenda Clark, Assistant Principal, and the students, faculty and staff on attaining this noteworthy accomplishment. Chatham Middle School and Gretna Middle School already have similar programs in place to assist with improving student achievement.

Mt. Airy Elementary School 2nd grade students have been studying butterflies and their life cycles. Recently they hatched several butterflies and invited the kindergarten students to join them as they released the butterflies from captivity. Students read from their notebooks and shared pictures they had drawn of the butterflies. Also, they asked the kindergarten students questions relative to what they had learned from this experience. Student experts sharing their experiences with members of their peer group is another shining example of why Pittsylvania County Schools is A Great Place to Learn and Work! (Photos)
 
Southside Elementary School conducted its first PTO meeting on Monday, September 15, 2008. Parents, students, and staff took great pleasure in an ice-cream sundae social and a visit from Blooper, the Danville Braves mascot. A portion of the entertainment included Ms. Emily Cassidy, 4th grade mathematics instructor, Ms. Elizabeth Turpin, 2nd grade instructor, Ms. Jennifer Houck, technology instructor, Ms. Brandie Chaney, 3rd grade instructor, Ms. Wendy Moore, special education instructor, Ms. Leah Reese, 1st grade instructor, and Ms. Laura Walker, 3rd grade instructor, as they did a special rendition of the chicken dance with Blooper.  Many thanks to the PTO officers, Mr. Bob Kitzmiller, Assistant Manager of the Danville Braves, Blooper, and all the parents, students, and staff who made this event a huge success. (Photos)

Visit http://www.pcs.k12.va.us/media/index.html to (1) request media presence on site to cover an upcoming event or (2) to request media coverage (without media on site) of an upcoming event or (3) to report news from a past event. Thank you for identifying the great things happening in our schools!   

Pittsylvania County Schools have been afforded a unique opportunity to partner with Chatmoss Cable to produce programs that highlight the accomplishments of individual schools and the school division. If you live in the viewing area, please note the following upcoming date and tentative presentations. Mr. Lowell Sollenberger, School Psychologist, will serve as Program Director.

September 22, 2008	Instructional Department Career and Technical School Regional Alternative School	7:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
All Pittsylvania County Schools administrative assistants will attend specialized staff development activities designed to hone and enhance their skills in the areas of office protocol and time management, working together and customer service, and communication skills and professional attire. On Friday, October 3, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:35 p.m., Ms. Martha Walker, Community Viability Specialist with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, will facilitate a session on Time Management and Office Protocol. Concurrently, Ms. Doris Wilson, Retired Administrator from Danville Public Schools, will facilitate a session on Working Together and Customer Service. On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, from 12:00 noon (lunch provided) until 3:15 p.m., Ms. Rebecca Smith, Retired Administrator from Pittsylvania County Schools, will facilitate a session on Communication Skills and Professional Attire. All sessions will be held in the Educational and Cultural Center (ECC) Auditorium and Room 2.  (More)

The Employee of the Week schedule is on-line. You can review the schedule by clicking on this link: http://www.pcs.k12.va.us/staff/employee-of-week/2008-09/employee2008-09-schedule.htm.