Former DeKalb West School Principal Danny Parkerson is being honored by having the flagpole at the school dedicated to him.
The Board of Education Thursday night granted the request made by Jen Sherwood, on behalf of her son James who has been doing work at the school as part of his Eagle Scout Project.
“On behalf of my son James Sherwood, his Eagle Scout project, which he has been working on at DeKalb West School included planting a tree, donated by Mack Harney of Harney’s Nursery, and adding four welcoming benches at the entrance of the new building. He also created a paving walkway from the concrete to the flagpole,” said Sherwood.
The tree was planted in memory of three individuals to replace other trees which had been removed with the expansion of the West School building last year. “The tree was set in memory of three individuals who had trees donated and planted in their memory. But those trees had to be removed in order for the building to be placed where it is. The new tree is to continue to recognize those individuals in memory,” Sherwood continued.
“What Jim would like to do in addition to that (tree planting) is to dedicate the flagpole in honor of retired principal Danny Parkerson. This is the school where our (Sherwood) boys went to but for years Danny Parkerson has been influential in many children’s and families lives in our community. Boy Scouts are to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight and Jim could think of no better person to honor that flagpole than Mr. Danny Parkerson,” said Sherwood.
The plaque reads “In Honor of Principal Danny Parkerson. “Life is Simple. Do the Right Thing”. James Sherwood. Eagle Scout Project 2015. “Many children and staff members heard these words many times (from Mr. Parkerson). “Life is simple. Do the right thing”. After every one of his morning announcements, that is what he would say. These are great words to live by and I’m sure that many children and parents will remember that also. Jim remembers that and would like to place this (plaque) by the flagpole with your permission to commemorate that,” said Sherwood.
Parkerson, who retired as Principal at DeKalb West School last year and is now a member of the Board of Education, said he is grateful for the honor but gave credit to his teachers and staff.
“To me that’s a way teachers get paid that they don’t get paid monetarily, when their kids (former students) recognize them for something that they have done. There have been a lot of good principals at the West School. There’s a lot of good teachers and staff that made my job and leadership easy. I accept and recognize (this honor) for all of them because they are part of the family at the West School in what we do for kids. I know it’s continuing. There are other people just as deserving but I really appreciate it,” said Parkerson.
In other business, the Board set the date for the DCHS graduation next year for May 20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Director of Schools Patrick Cripps updated the board on personnel moves since last month.
Employment:
Elise Driver, Coordinated School Health Coordinator
Kaci Miller, Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School
Leave of Absence:
Suzette Barnes, leave as requested
Transfer:
Linda Moser, from substitute to full time cook at DeKalb West School
Nancy Mulloy, from assistant manager to cafeteria manager at DeKalb West School
The board voted in support of a Girl Scout effort to collect pajamas for the Foster Care program. Darrah Ramsey, a member of Girl Scout Troop 750 addressed the board. ” Our Girl Scout Troop is working on the Bronze Award in collecting pajamas to give to the Foster Care program. We would like permission from the board to challenge the fifth grade students at Northside Elementary to donate pajamas. The class that donates the most will get a pizza party from the Girl Scout Troop,” she said.
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