November 9, 2009

The Center for Survey Research, a unit of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, recently posed this question to 1,026 individuals from the Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County geographic areas: When a child from the Danville region is ready to leave home, do you think it would be better for them to stay in the Danville region or move to some other area to live? The responses from the group were enlightening. Nearly seventy (70%) percent said it was better to leave. Just under twenty (20%) percent indicated that it was better to stay along with nine (9%) percent saying that it depends. The final two (2) percent indicated that it did not matter. I am of the opinion that this is a reflection of the economic downturn coupled with a perception that there is a lack of availability of good-paying jobs in this area. There are some good employment opportunities available for young people in this geographic region if they have the skill sets that employers are seeking. Also, we must partner with local businesses and industries to heighten awareness regarding employability expectations and the availability of good paying jobs. Finally, the survey included this question: Have the schools in the region gotten better, worse or remained about the same? Nearly thirty-two (32%) percent say the schools have gotten better with just over twenty-two (22%) percent indicating that schools have gotten worse. Nearly half (46%) indicated that schools have remained about the same. “Sameness,” writes Petrarch, “is the mother of disgust, variety the cure.”  Indeed, if these figures are accurate, we must assess our standing in the school community and make plans for improvement. However, almost every objective measurable tool used to assess school and school division success indicates that Pittsylvania County Schools has shown phenomenal growth over the past ten (10) years. This division’s assessment data is consistently above State and national norms. It is a tribute to the vision and direction-setting of our School Board, the leadership of our administrative team, the expert instruction provided by our teachers, the support services supplied by our classified staff and the dedication of our students. Clearly, it is the quality of our professional staff that makes Pittsylvania County Schools A Great Place to Learn and Work!

Students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009. The remainder of the day is designated as a Teacher Workday. Teachers will use this time to plan, consult, grade papers, prepare bulletin boards, etc. Please be reminded that all teacher aides and full-time nurses work a full day.

November 9-13, 2009, is School Psychology Awareness Week. This year’s theme, "See the possibilities in you. We do!" focuses on shining a light on the positive work school psychologists do to promote the endless possibilities for academic and personal success in the lives of the students they serve. The program involves a series of resources and activities that school psychologists can use to reach out to school staff, students and parents to help students feel connected, supported, and ready to achieve their individual goals. Pittsylvania County Schools and the Virginia Department of Education is pleased to join the National Association of School Psychologists in celebrating the contributions that school psychologists make to our collaborative work as professional educators.
 

Pittsylvania County Schools, the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have designated this week as Virginia Farm-to-School Week. All schools in Virginia, kindergarten through college, are encouraged to purchase, serve, and promote locally grown foods in their cafeterias. Providing locally grown foods is an effort to distribute healthier, fresh produce to schools while supporting Virginia agriculture. Pittsylvania County Schools Nutrition Program has asked our local produce supplier to source local produce to serve during this week. Elementary schools will be offering Virginia grown apples and sweet potatoes, and middle and high schools will be offering Virginia grown apples and cabbage.