Arulappan Named Vance Co.Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Selvaraj Arulappan, an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Vance County High School, was chosen as the Vance County Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence for 2018-2019.

With his award, Arulappan represented our school system in the N.C. Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence Award competition at the state level and attended the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s 68th Conference on Exceptional Children held in Greensboro November 15-16.

Selvaraj Arulappan, an Exceptional Children’s teacher at Vance County High School, was chosen as the Vance County School’s Exceptional Children’s Educator of Excellence for 2018-2019. (Photo Credit: Vance County Schools)

Arulappan has 13 years of experience as an educator and is a leader among his peers at Vance County High School. He received his master’s degree in special education from N.C. Central University.

He has a passion for working with students who are intellectually, physically and behaviorally challenged. He also is very successful in engaging and connecting with students.

He is a leader in the classroom and serves in multiple roles at Vance County High including on the Leadership Team, as a PBIS Committee member and a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He also collaborates with the music therapy and art staff to provide diverse experiences for his students. His colleagues describe him as caring, compassionate, supportive, proactive, dedicated and engaging.

“Mr. Arulappan has done such amazing work serving his students in preparation for transition into life after high school,” one colleague said.

Another colleague noted, “Mr. Arulappan stands out above others with his ability to engage and connect with students. He actively engages the parents in meeting the educational needs of their children.”

Several educators who work with him said that Arulappan goes beyond the call of duty to support his students and colleagues.

VGCC Franklin Campus Launches Vanguard Flex Evening & Weekend College

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus has launched a new initiative called Vanguard Flex to meet the needs of adult learners who need more options for class scheduling.

The evening and weekend college program begins with Spring Semester for which registration is now underway.

“Vanguard Flex offers flexible, hybrid schedules in the evenings and on weekends on our campus located at 8100 N.C. Highway 56 in Louisburg,” said Bobbie Jo May, dean of the campus. “We want to accommodate the busy schedules of our adult learners. We are offering flexible scheduling for placement testing, advising, the library resource center, and the open computer lab on our campus some evenings and one Saturday per month.”

Spring Semester classes start on all four VGCC campuses on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, with a registration deadline of Jan. 3. In addition to the traditional 16-week semester session, VGCC is offering a 12-week term, two 8-week terms and two 4-week terms for the Spring. The first of two 8-week sessions will begin on Jan. 7 and run through March 5. The second 8-week session starts March 5 and concludes May 6, with a registration deadline of Feb. 28. A 12-week mini-term begins Feb. 5 and runs through May 6, the registration deadline coming Jan. 31.

The four-week “Spring Forward” online mini-term begins Dec. 17 with a registration deadline of Dec. 13. A second four-week online mini-term, labeled “March Forward,” is scheduled to begin March 5 with registration ending March 1.

Vanguard Flex is offering five complete curriculum programs of study initially: Early Childhood Education, Certificate; Early Childhood Education, Diploma; Medical Office Administrative Assistant I, Certificate; Business Management, Certificate; and Basic Welding, Certificate. All courses taken in the certificate programs can be applied to diplomas and degrees offered through Vance-Granville, Dean May said.

In addition, a variety of classes is being offered in the following areas through the Vanguard Flex initiative at Franklin Campus:

College Transfer: English, Math, Biology, Introduction to Computers and Psychology courses can be used toward many degree and diploma programs offered through the college. Dean May is recommending that students meet with an academic coach or advisor prior to enrolling in the classes.

Career and Technical: Courses in Welding Technology, Paralegal Technology, Medical Office Administration, Business Management, Bioprocessing Technology and Early Childhood Education lead to certificates and diplomas that can be completed entirely through the evening and weekend format.

Continuing Education: VGCC’s Franklin Campus has a robust selection of courses through the Continuing Education division during the day, evenings and weekends, among them, Nursing Assistant, Medication Technician, Phlebotomist, Notary Public, Bioworks, Human Resource Specialist and Healthcare Administration.

Adult Basic Skills: For those in need of a High School Equivalency or Adult High School Diploma, the Franklin Campus offers flexible hybrid schedules with evening classes in the Adult Basic Skills program. Basic Skills classes for Spring will begin Jan. 8 and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Orientation is held each Friday at 10 a.m. Dean May encourages students to contact the instructor at 252-738-3618 with questions about the classes.

A complete list of the evening and weekend courses is available online at www.vgcc.edu/vanguard-flex.

Students who are interested in Vanguard Flex should contact the Franklin County Campus at (919) 496-1567 or write to Dean Bobbie Jo May at mayb@vgcc.edu.

McGregor Hall

McGregor Hall to Present ‘Irish Christmas Dance Spectacular’ Dec. 20

-Information courtesy the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center website

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will present “Carol of the King: The Irish Christmas Dance Spectacular” on Thursday, December 20, 2018. The show starts at 8 p.m. – doors open at 7 p.m.

Enjoy this Riverdance-style Christmas extravaganza! The 20-member dance troupe performs lightning fast hard-shoe rhythms and graceful soft-shoe jigs.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

 

Public Invited to Attend Christmas Musical at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist

-Information courtesy Angela Crawford, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church 

You are invited to attend Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church’s Christmas Musical on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at 3 p.m. Musical guest will be Blessed Generation, Gospel Disciples, Jordan Chapel Gospel Choir and Souls of Calvary.

The public is cordially invited to attend. The church is located at 2464 Rock Mill Rd. in Henderson.

Oxford’s Public Works Committee to Discuss Member Rates for Water System

-Press Release, City of Oxford

The Public Works, Water, & Infrastructure Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, December 6, 2018, at 11 a.m. The meeting will be held in the First Floor Training Room, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street in Oxford.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss financial planning and member rate analysis for the Kerr Lake Regional Water System.

All those interested are invited to attend.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Public Schools Seeking Sponsors for 2019 Spelling Bee

-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools will hold their second District Spelling Bee in the spring of next year for intermediate elementary students. Students in the third, fourth, and fifth grades are presently trying out for their school spelling bees.

The local school spelling competitions are scheduled to take place in January. One winner from each of the eight elementary schools will then vie for the GCPS Trophy on stage at Tar River Elementary on March 14, 2019.

This year’s words for qualifying were selected by the Scripps National Spelling Bee from fiction and non-fiction literature, both contemporary and classic. The 450 words come from books carefully selected by the Bee’s editorial team for their age-appropriate and engaging content, as well as their rich vocabulary. All words on Scripps word lists are entries in Merriam-Webster Unabridged, the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Since there is no regional bee in this part of North Carolina, the school system hopes to send our winner to the National Spelling Bee in May, says Director of Student and Support Services, Dr. Tonya Thomas, if local sponsors can be found. She and Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean would like to see a student from Granville County have the opportunity to participate in the exciting and life-changing experience and are seeking sponsors.

The winning speller and his/her family would meet families from around the country, sharing their stories as they practice spelling, and enjoying a week of activities planned just for them. Donations from local sponsors will help pay the registration fee, housing, and transportation for the student.  In addition, sponsors may join the School System in planning and hosting the Granville County Bee.

Contact Dr. Tonya Thomas at the Granville County Public School office in Oxford at 919-693-4613 if you or your company would like to make attending this grand event possible for one of our terrific students!

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Henderson-Vance Rec. & Parks Gearing Up for 2019 Adult Basketball

-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department announces the return of adult winter basketball for 2019. This league is designed for adults who enjoy the game of basketball. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights with game times depending on the number of teams that register.

Entry deadline is Thursday, January 31, 2019. $420 entry fee per team.

Each team will be guaranteed at least eight regular season games. A double elimination tournament will follow the end of the regular season.

For more information, please contact Steve Osborne at 252.438.2670 or sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or Victor Hunt at 252.438.3408 or vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us.

 

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