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Vance County Schools Approves 2020-21 Calendars, Applies for K-12 Fully Remote Option

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

2020-2021 Vance County Schools Calendars Approved

Vance County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2020-2021 calendars, reflecting the current requirements, as passed by the general assembly, including five remote learning days.

The early start calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on May 21, 2021.

The year-round calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on June 11, 2021.

Traditional calendars will start for students on August 17, 2020, and end on June 2, 2021.

The total number of days in the calendar is the same length as previous years, just allocated to include the remote learning days. Check out the VCS website (click here) to view the calendars in more detail.

Vance Virtual Village Academy

Vance County Schools wants to ensure that there is a place for every student to learn. As discussion of the 2020-2021 school year begins, the uncertainties for many families remain.

VCS has applied for a new LEA code through the NC Department of Public Instruction for Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3). This school is designed for grades K-12 and will be a fully remote option for those families that feel this is the best option for their child. The school is designed as a place “WHERE WE VALUE connectedness, engagement,
and equity.”

V3 will offer a variety of activities that serve all types of learning styles. The premise is that all teachers will need to consider Universal Design for Learning (UDL) when planning both their synchronous and asynchronous instruction, working to increase access to learning by reducing physical, cognitive, intellectual, and organizational barriers to
learning whenever possible.

At this time, VCS awaits approval from the state to move forward with V3.

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health Eases Visitor Restrictions

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health announced yesterday that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities.

The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. The updated restrictions, which will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day, have been implemented effective immediately.

“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”

As part of the updated visitor restrictions, patients are now limited to one well visitor per day, including one companion for outpatient appointments and one support person for obstetric patients. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and an armband/sticker while in the facility.

Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.

Maria Parham Health continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit mariaparham.com.

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Granville Commissioners to Review Public Comments on Proposed Budget – June 11

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

NOTICE OF REMOTE MEETING

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet remotely by Zoom conference call on Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. or shortly after to continue their recessed meeting from Monday, June 1, 2020.

The Board will review any public comments submitted for the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 budget that was submitted by the deadline of June 2, 2020, at 8 p.m. Click here to view the proposed budget in its entirety.

After the regular meeting is adjourned on June 11, the Board will then hold a budget workshop that was previously scheduled for June 4, 2020.

In order to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by utilizing the link and/or phone number included below.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/95633920786?pwd=UFdLSzR5djVWS2ZJbmZFNzZGb3UvQT09

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 956 3392 0786

Password: 396992

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Town Talk 06/09/20: No Tax, Service Fee Increases in Approved Henderson Budget

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Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Henderson City Council members provided WIZS News with a briefing on the FY 2020-2021 Budget Adoption at the Monday, June 8, 2020, Henderson City Council meeting.

The budget was passed unanimously with six of the eight City Council members in attendance either in person or electronically via Zoom. According to reports, Councilwoman Sara Coffey and Councilwoman Fearldine Simmons were not in attendance. Click here to view the 153-page budget in its entirety.

“Our June City Council Meeting went well,” said Mayor Ellington. “Half of the Council were present in the Council Chambers including myself, the city manager and the city clerk. The others were participating via Zoom. It was a fairly fast-moving meeting with a few housekeeping details, along with adopting our 2020-2021 budget. The budget includes funding for six new firefighter positions. There will also be no service fees nor tax increases to the citizens on a unanimous vote. We are also pleased with our new manager, Mr. Terrell Blackmon’s first budget since taking the role earlier this year.”

Councilman William Burnette said: “The budget was adopted by a unanimous vote, by all in attendance. We are still having to use Zoom. I will be very happy when we can go back to normal meetings and allow public participation in the Council Chambers. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later. I miss the interaction with the citizens.”

Councilman Garry Daeke and Councilwoman Melissa Elliott reported the budget was adopted with no changes and praised the declared proclamation for Dr. Andrea Harris that “was read beautifully by our Mayor,” according to Elliott.

The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris was born in Sumter, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Andrea L. Harris grew up in Henderson, North Carolina where she resided for the majority of her life; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree at Bennett College and received an honorary doctorate from Bennett College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris is best known for the impact she made on the African American community and working with minority business owners; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Dr. Harris co-founded the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting business diversity for minorities, women, and disabled individuals: and

WHEREAS, during her lifetime, Dr. Andrea L. Harris received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Triangle Business Journal, and Governor Roy Cooper stated “Andrea Harris was a trailblazer who never stopped fighting for social and racial equity in our state.”; and

WHEREAS, the City of Henderson lost one of its most influential civil-rights figures with the passing of Dr. Andrea L. Harris on May 20, 2020.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Henderson City Council, on behalf of all our citizens, hereby goes on record as recognizing the contributions made by Dr. Andrea L. Harris and offers her family this sincere expression of condolence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to her family.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the City of Henderson in the State of North Carolina this the 8th day of June 2020.

-Eddie Ellington, Mayor

To hear the Town Talk segment in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk. Discussion on the Henderson City Council and budget begins at the 24:12 mark.

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NC Public Schools’ Reopening Plan to be Announced by July 1

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper

To hear further discussion on this press release, please go to WIZS.com and click on today’s Town Talk.

New health guidelines released Monday represent a first step to help North Carolina K-12 public schools find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year, health and education leaders announced Monday.

The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) lays out a comprehensive set of baseline health practices that public schools should follow to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students, staff, and families. In addition to specific requirements, the Toolkit recommends practices that schools should implement to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while allowing in-person teaching to resume.

Governor Roy Cooper, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis, and NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen shared the guidance Monday.

“Getting children back to school to learn is a high priority, but they must be able to do so in the safest way possible,” said Governor Cooper. “Every child, family and public school educator in North Carolina deserve strong protection to lower the risk of virus spread.”

Schools are asked to plan for reopening under three scenarios – Plan A: Minimal Social Distancing, Plan B: Moderate Social Distancing, or Plan C: Remote Learning Only. NCDHHS, in consultation with the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, will announce by July 1 which of the three plans should be implemented for schools to most safely reopen. The remaining plans may be needed if the state’s COVID-19 metrics change over time.

“Opening schools will be possible if we keep working together to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will each need to do our part and practice the 3 Ws – Wear a cloth face covering. Wait six feet apart. Wash your hands frequently. These easy actions will have an outsized impact in keeping viral spread low in order to help get our children back to school,” said Cohen.

The Public Health Toolkit was developed collaboratively by DHHS and DPI with input from a range of stakeholders across the state, including local superintendents, State Board of Education members, the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Council, and members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Working Group.

“We are working together to balance the need for all of our children to get back to school – especially children who rely on public schools for their education, health, safety and nutrition – while at the same time proceeding cautiously and deliberately to protect their health and safety,” said Chairman Davis. “I know meeting these public health requirements will take a tremendous effort by our schools – but I also know we are doing the right thing and that our schools will rise to the challenge.”

The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit will be a companion to operational guidance under development by DPI that will offer strategies for how to implement the public health guidance and cover other non-health areas for reopening planning, including scheduling, instructional practice, and staff training.

“Today, North Carolinians have the important first step of returning to schools in the fall with this release of the final health guidance for schools from the NC Department of Health and Human Services,” Superintendent Johnson said. “In addition, the North Carolina education agency has already been leading workgroups, comprised of diverse stakeholders from teachers to school staff to superintendents to other support professionals, to create draft operational strategies that will help our school systems prepare for the fall. We will now seek feedback on the draft operational strategies from other stakeholders across the state to ensure that we best capture the needs of all our schools.”

The StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) was developed using the most current CDC guidance for schools and includes requirements and recommendations for eight areas: Social Distancing and Minimizing Exposure; Cloth Face Coverings; Protecting Vulnerable Populations; Cleaning and Hygiene; Monitoring for Symptoms; Handling Suspected, Presumptive or Confirmed Positive Cases of COVID-19; Communication and Combating Misinformation; Water and Ventilation Systems; Transportation; and Coping and Resilience.

For example, it requires students and others to be screened for illness before entering school and requires floor markings to maintain social distance. It also includes sample screening symptom checklists in English and Spanish, a flow chart protocol for handling suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a checklist of infection control supplies schools may need. The Toolkit will be updated as new health guidance is released by the CDC and additional resources are added.

Questions about the StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) should be directed to StrongSchoolsNC@dhhs.nc.gov (in English or in Spanish).

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Coach’s Corner 06/09/20: NCHSAA Green Lights Phased Return of Summer Sports

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Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), appeared on WIZS Coach’s Corner Tuesday.

Tucker discussed the NCHSAA Board of Directors’ recent decision to lift the “dead period” in high school sports effective Monday, June 15, 2020. Resuming of athletic activities will still depend on each district’s superintendent and local Board of Education’s approval.

Guidance from the NCHSAA utilizes a three-phased approach to help school systems navigate a gradual reopening of high school athletic activities.

Phase One, to begin June 15, includes guidelines suggesting sports practices be limited to 25 people max, sessions of no more than 90 minutes, face coverings to be worn, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing to be practiced and the disinfecting of all shared equipment. While these general requirements apply to all sports during Phase One, specific requirements also apply to each sport.

Guidance for Phase Two and Phase Three will be announced in the coming weeks.

Acknowledging that there may be setbacks as summer activities resume due to the uncertainty of the current pandemic, Tucker said, “Risk is inherent in what we do in athletics. Just as physical setbacks occur, there may be those setbacks that occur relative to COVID-19.”

Click here for more details on the NCHSAA’s 2020 Summer Sports and Activities Guidance.

To hear more from Tucker, please listen to the Coach’s Corner audio by clicking the play button above.

Local News Audio

Local WIZS Noon News 06/09/20

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Local News on WIZS – Your Community Voice

1450 AM / 100.1 FM at 8a, 12p and 5p; M-F

At noon on June 9, 2020:

  • Covid-19
  • Vance Aquatics

 

National Beta Club

Vance County Schools Receives National Beta Recognition 

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools has been named a 2020 District of Distinction by the National Beta Club. This honor was granted to only two districts in the state of North Carolina and awarded for offering the academic recognition membership to all students in all eligible schools within the district. 

This national award recognizes commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement throughout every school in our district, in an ongoing mission to prepare our students for their future. The students exemplify these characteristics and qualities and stand true to the Beta motto: “Let Us Lead by Serving Others.” By cultivating service and leadership, we know we are preparing our students for tomorrow. 

Beta Club advisers in our schools play a major role in the success of the program and recognition of eligible students. Those advisers include: 

  • Kim Burton of Aycock Elementary School
  • Teresa Hicks of Carver Elementary School
  • Jessica Williams of Clarke Elementary School
  • Joy Herndon of Dabney Elementary School
  • Marian Faulkner of E.O. Young Elementary School
  • Shaunese Coombs of E.M. Rollins Elementary School
  • Sharita Jones of L.B. Yancey Elementary School
  • Cathy Oswald of New Hope Elementary School
  • Eva Jennings of Pinkston Elementary School
  • C’Monee Wilkins of Zeb Vance Elementary School
  • Gradesa Lockhart of STEM Early High School
  • Vicki Anne Fullwood of Vance County Early College High School
  • Pamela Perry of Vance County Middle School
  • Bobbi Parks of Vance County High School 

In addition to the district recognition, every school in our district has been recognized as a National Beta School of Merit, honoring the club’s dedication and commitment to academic excellence. Each school has members from all eligible grade levels in their individual Beta Clubs. 

Vance County Schools had eight schools awarded National Beta Schools of Distinction, for increasing membership by 10%. Growth is evaluated based on student membership from the previous year. Recognized as Schools of Distinction include New Hope Elementary, Pinkston Street Elementary, Clarke Elementary, E.M. Rollins Elementary, E.O. Young Elementary, Aycock Elementary, STEM Early High and Vance County Early College. 

With more than 500,000 active members and 8,750 chapters nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest non-profit, educational youth organization. National Junior Beta Club includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12, with both recognizing outstanding achievement, promoting character and social responsibility, encouraging service involvement to school and community as well as fostering leadership skills. 

Vance County Schools is proud to be recognized as a Beta Club District of Distinction and for all of our schools being designated as Schools of Merit. We are extremely proud of our Schools of Distinction and excited about Beta Club continuing to make an impact in our schools, within our community and for our students.

Dr. Alisa McLean

Dr. Alisa McLean Completes Year-Long Superintendent Program

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Superintendent Alisa McLean was among 45 superintendents from across the state to graduate from the NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program Cohort VII.

The program is designed to support the growth, expansion and enhancement of superintendents using the North Carolina Superintendent Standards, said Jack Hoke, executive director of the NC School Superintendents’ Association.

The year-long program was comprised of six face-to-face sessions that guided superintendents as they reflected on and improved their effectiveness as district leaders; focused on their personal leadership goals and linked personal goals with district and state goals; and guided and facilitated the professional development of superintendents toward advanced levels of executive leadership as defined by the North Carolina Standards for Superintendents.

Dr. Alisa McLean, GCPS Superintendent, and Dr. Jack Hoke, executive director of the NC School Superintendents’ Association, are shown with Dr. McLean’s certificate of achievement for completing the NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program Cohort VII. (Photo courtesy GCPS)

Hoke said of Dr. McLean, “In addition to participating in high-quality professional development, Dr. McLean developed a strong network of superintendents to consult with, and she contributed to the discussion on emerging issues and innovative practices occurring in the Granville County public schools.”

Superintendent McLean offered her thoughts, saying, “The NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program gave me an opportunity to network with other superintendents from across the state and discuss trending issues and innovative practices in education. The program is designed to assist superintendents in the complex work of leading and guiding a school district. I appreciate the NC School Superintendents’ Association for organizing and delivering the program and for bringing all the superintendents together for the great professional development and growth opportunity.”

Board Chairman David Richardson offered his reaction during the June 1, 2020, Board Meeting. He stated, “In the midst of leading a district through a response to COVID 19, we are proud and excited to announce Dr. Alisa McLean’s graduation from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association Next Generation Superintendent Development Program.  I can say that we have seen the fruit and profit of Dr. McLean’s participation in this innovative group, and I want to thank her and congratulate her for this accomplishment and want her to know that as the Board Chair, a Board member and a resident of Granville County, I want to thank you for your commitment to leading Granville County Public Schools with distinction, innovation and a caring heart.”

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Town Talk 06/08/20: Harrison & Short Discuss Increased COVID-19 Testing, Need for Continued Precautions

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Lisa Harrison, director of Granville-Vance Public Health (GVPH), and Brian Short, director of Henderson-Vance Emergency Operations, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

With 449 known Granville County COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths, and 355 known Vance County cases and 27 deaths reported as of Friday afternoon, Harrison and Short said precautions still need to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.

According to GVPH’s website, there are currently four outbreaks at congregate living facilities in the district, including the Federal Correctional Complex and the Murdoch Development Center in Butner and Pelican Health and Kerr Lake Nursing Home in Henderson.

Of the Granville County community-based cases, 97 have been released from isolation and five are hospitalized. Of the 263 community-based cases in Vance County, 127 have been released from isolation and nine are hospitalized.

Harrison reported that 696 NC residents are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state. “The reason we keep promoting wearing face coverings, washing hands and practicing social distancing – and the point of flattening the curve – is so that we don’t overwhelm our health care system,” said Harrison. “We’ve seen in other countries how horrible it is when there aren’t enough ventilators for people. More than half-a-million tests have now been given in NC; we’re going to see the number of positives increase, and we are going to, unfortunately, see a number of those people need the hospital.”

According to Harrison, the report of increased cases is due, in part, to more testing and quicker turnaround times. “At the beginning of the pandemic response, getting access to test kits, swabs and the medium to be able to send off to a lab was really difficult to do,” stated Harrison. “We are seeing the number of available tests increase across NC because of private labs and our State lab. Mako, in our own backyard here in Vance County, is leading the charge in developing, as quickly as they can, more test kits.”

Explaining the two primary test types, Harrison said testing is currently done in the form of a nasal swab or a blood test with either a 24-48 wait for lab results or a rapid response with an answer in minutes.

An issue with the rapid result method and with the blood test is that results are not yet 100-percent accurate, which can result in false positives, according to Harrison.

For those that suspect they may be suffering from COVID-19, Harrison said the best thing to do is to contact a doctor’s office to discuss symptoms and testing. “COVID-19 is still a diagnostic test that requires a doctor’s order, that’s why we suggest contacting your primary care doctor first,” said Harrison. “We have not been able to do the sort of mass testing that people see on tv in big cities here locally yet. We will get there; I’m certain.”

In fact, Harrison said the health district’s first attempt at mass testing will be held in the parking lot of Shiloh Baptist Church in Henderson on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Details are still being discussed and will be announced at a later date.

Short, who has worked closely with GVPH, Harrison and Granville County Emergency Services Director Jason Reavis through the pandemic, praised the business community for their response to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This is just my observation, but the overwhelming majority of people inside businesses seem to be wearing masks or face coverings,” Short said. “However, I’m not seeing a lot of social distancing, and that is disappointing. I think businesses have gone to great lengths to mark places for people to stand, place signs in the aisles and place revised occupancy notices on doors, but it’s so hard for them to enforce that inside the business. You almost need as many employees working as you have customers to really enforce them properly. I think the businesses are doing the best they can to try to protect the employees and the public, but it’s an almost insurmountable task.”

GVPH updates its website daily with Vance and Granville COVID-19 statistics. Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information.

To hear the interview with Harrison and Short in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.