VGCC to hold event aimed at homeschoolers

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— courtesy VGCC

VGCC to hold event aimed at homeschoolers

Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with The College at Southeastern, will soon hold an information session specifically designed for high school-aged homeschoolers and homeschooling parents. The event, called “Generation Connect,” is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2018, from 1-3:30 p.m., in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Attendees will learn about the educational opportunities available at both institutions, and the unique partnership that VGCC and The College at Southeastern have recently formed. The colleges will be helping students (at any age) who want to enroll at both institutions at the same time, in order to maximize their career options.

Vance-Granville offers more than 40 degree, diploma, and certificate programs to prepare students for further education or to enter a career directly after graduation. Students will find opportunities through programs in business, computer science, construction, education, engineering, health sciences, human services, industrial technologies, law and public safety, public services and transportation technologies. The college operates four campuses, one each in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, while also providing unique online opportunities, with six degrees available totally online.

The College at Southeastern began in 1994 as an undergraduate school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Wake Forest. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at Southeastern consist of a core curriculum which includes vital training in biblical studies, Christian worldview, world history, theology and English. In addition to their selected Bachelor of Arts major, all students complete a minor in Christian studies with the option of adding a second minor in their area of interest. For students on a Bachelor of Science track, all students have the option of transferring in credits from an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree, dual-enrolling in a vocational program at another institution like VGCC, or completing the business minor.

For more information and to RSVP for the information session, contact VGCC TechHire Project Manager Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or 252-738-3259.

–VGCC–

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Dr. Alisa R. McLean Completes N.C. Next Generation Superintendent Development Program

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— provided by Granville County Public Schools

— courtesy of North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development and the North Carolina Schools Superintendents’ Association

Dr. Alisa R. McLean Completes N.C. Next Generation Superintendent Development Program

Alisa R. McLean, Superintendent of the Granville County Public Schools, was among 40 superintendents from across the state to graduate from the North Carolina Next Generation Superintendent Development Program Cohort V. The program is designed to support the growth, expansion and enhancement of superintendents using the North Carolina Superintendents Standards, through a formative process that advances the stated purposes of the North Carolina Superintendent Evaluation process, said Jack Hoke, program coordinator and the executive director of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association.

The year-long program was comprised of eight face-to-face sessions that guided superintendents as they reflect on and improve their effectiveness as district leaders; focused on their personal leadership goals and linked 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.

Hoke said of our Superintendent, “Dr. McLean developed a strong network of superintendents to consult with as part of the program and he/she contributed to the discussion on emerging issues and innovative practices occurring in the Granville County Public Schools.

Dr. McLean said, “The Next Generation Superintendent Development Program provided me with the opportunity to network and learn from superintendents from around the state. I am grateful for the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association and Mr. Hoke for bringing us together to focus on current issues. Collaboration and communication with other superintendents are essential keys to success for all district leaders”

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Granville County Board of Education – Public Hearing 4-9-18

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— Granville County Public Schools Notice to the Public

The Granville County Board of Education — Notice of Public Hearing  — Transfer of School Property for School Improvements Financing

The Granville County Board of Education will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 9, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard). The purpose of the hearing is to take public comment concerning the proposed transfer of Butner-Stem Elementary School, including the buildings and the related real estate, to Granville County to facilitate the County’s financing of improvements to Butner-Stem Elementary and other school improvements.

The hearing will be held in the Board’s usual meeting room in its administration building, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford.

The financing plan selected by the County for its school improvements project calls for the financing to be secured by a lien on the Butner-Stem Elementary school property. For the County to provide that lien to the lender, the County must own the school. This arrangement is similar to arrangements used for the financing of other Granville County school projects. The financing documents will provide for the school property to be returned to the School Board when the financing is retired, and will provide for the School Board’s continued use of the property during the financing term. State law requires that there be a public hearing before the School Board transfers school property to the County for this purpose.

The street address for Butner-Stem Elementary School is 201 East D Street, Butner, NC 27509.

All interested persons will be heard. The Board’s plans are subject to change based on the comments received at the public hearing and the Board’s subsequent discussion and consideration. The County’s Board of Commissioners has approved the financing plan, but County’s entering into the financing is subject to obtaining approval from the North Carolina Local Government Commission.

Persons wishing to make written comments in advance of the hearing or wishing more information concerning the subject of the hearing may contact Beth Day, Assistant Superintendent of Finance for Granville County Public Schools, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford. NC 27565 (telephone 919/693-4613, email dayb@gcs.k12.nc.us).

Oxford Prep Receives USDA Funding for School Facility Acquisition

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Executive Director Andrew Swanner, of Oxford Prepartory School, issued the following press release:

Oxford Prep Receives USDA Funding for School Facility Acquisition

Oxford Preparatory School (OPS), a free public charter school expanding to serve 6th-12th grades in Oxford, recently completed a real estate closing with a low cost loan from the USDA. After moving into the permanent school facility, located at 6041 Landis Rd. in Oxford, the OPS Board pursued a direct loan from the USDA’s Community Facilities Program. The long-term and low interest financing from the USDA, allowed the school to purchase the 11 acres and 38,000 square foot facility on campus.

“We are grateful for the assistance the USDA has provided,” OPS Executive Director, Andrew Swanner remarked. “This low cost loan will allow us to make additional investments in the classroom to further our mission of preparing all students for success in college.”

VGCC scholarship endowed by Ardagh

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— courtesy VGCC

Ardagh Group, a global leader in packaging solutions with a facility in Henderson, has established a new scholarship at Vance-Granville Community College. Once fully endowed, the Ardagh Academic Achievement Scholarship will be awarded to a VGCC student each year.

Ardagh Group manufactures packaging for some of the world’s biggest brands. The company operates 109 glass and metal manufacturing facilities in 22 countries, employing approximately 23,500 people. Ardagh has won over 100 international awards related to innovation and has been granted over 50 worldwide patents. The company, which was once known locally as Saint-Gobain Containers, has collaborated with VGCC for many years, utilizing the college’s industry services, including customized training. Ardagh also partners with the college on Work-Based Learning opportunities and programs related to advanced manufacturing.

Pictured, from left, at the Ardagh plant in Henderson are VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams, Ardagh Operations Manager Todd Concienne, Plant Manager Stephane Jean, Human Resources Manager Todd Glawe, VGCC Endowment Specialist Kay Currin and VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson. (VGCC photo)

The manufacturer has supported the VGCC Endowment Fund Golf Tournament for several years and was one of the premier sponsors for the record-breaking 33rd annual Golf Tournament in 2017.

“We send our employees to various VGCC programs, and it’s been a seamless process for us,” said Todd Glawe, human resources manager for the facility in Henderson. “The manufacturing world is changing, with much more sophisticated equipment, so we need the training provided by technical programs at the college in order to help us be efficient and successful.”

Ardagh’s Henderson plant manufactures glass bottles and jars, and counts North Carolina’s own Mt. Olive Pickle Company among its longstanding customers. That company holds a special place in the history of Vance-Granville Community College, as college Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson noted, because the largest single gift in VGCC history came from the estate of Robert B. “Bob” Butler of Warrenton, a retired executive with Mt. Olive.

“We have been pleased to be able to assist Ardagh for many years by meeting their needs for training, and we are delighted by their generous support in the form of a scholarship that will help local students achieve career success while also enhancing workforce development,” said Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC.

Ferguson added, “Ardagh is not only a leading manufacturer on the international level, but is also one of our great local employers and partners, so we are honored by their investment in the future of our college and our community.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,100 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–

Granville County Board of Education Closed Session 3-15-18

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NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet in a Closed Session for Personnel/Attorney Client Privilege in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 5:15 p.m. at the Board of Education Administrative Offices, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina. The next scheduled Board work session for the Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Dywanda Pettaway
Clerk to the Board of Education

Career and College Promise Information Session

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— submitted information from Granville County Public Schools

Career and College Promise Information Session:

Parents and Community Members – Plan to come out March 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the Oxford Housing Authority to learn about FREE college courses for students in our high schools. The address of the OHA facility is 101 Hillside Dr, Oxford, NC 27565.

This session will provide program and enrollment information on Career and College Promise, a tuition free high school program offered at Vance-Granville Community College for students who want a head start toward a college education. Reba Bullock, Granville Early College Liaison and CCP Point of Contact, will provide detailed information about the steps to enroll, college programs available to high school students, and will be available to answer specific questions about CCP.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Board of Education Meeting 3-5-18

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— submitted by Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet in Regular Session on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Board of Education Administrative Offices, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina, North Carolina. The Board will meet in Closed Session for Personnel/Attorney Client Privilege in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on March 5, 2018 and March 15, 2018. The next scheduled Board work session for the Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 26, 2018.

Dywanda Pettaway
Clerk to Board of Education

Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start Expands Children’s Free Book Program

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor For Hire

Franklin-Granville-Vance (FGV) Smart Start recently received funding from NC state lawmakers to expand their free reading program – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – to children ages birth to five years old.

Children in this age range who are residents of Franklin, Granville or Vance County can receive one book a month in the mail free of charge. “If we can sign a child up at birth, that child can receive 60 books free of charge prior to the program ending,” said Garry Daeke, development coordinator for FGV Smart Start.

The first book participants receive is “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper, which, according to Daeke, plays into Parton’s theme of the fire engine. The last book in the series is “Kindergarten Here I Come” by D.J. Steinberg and teaches children ideas and concepts that will prepare them for elementary school.

According to Daeke, the goal of the program is to make books available to all children, regardless of income, and to increase their exposure to language and concepts at an early age. “Brain science says children’s brains are 85% developed by the age of five. Dolly’s program is teaching children to read and helping them understand higher concepts,” said Daeke.

The books are developmentally appropriate for children at the age of sign up and change each month as the child grows. “This program gets kids excited to run to the mailbox each month to receive a book with their own name on it,” said Daeke.

Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation in 1995, the Imagination Library has been a part of Vance County on a smaller scale since 2005.

“The NC legislature made more funding available to Smart Starts around the state in order to grow the program. This will allow us to enroll an additional 400-500 children in Vance County this year alone,” said Daeke.

Applications can be found at various locations around town including pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Vance County Public Health Department, the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and the FGV Smart Start office located at 125 Charles D. Rollins Road near Maria Parham Health in Henderson.

FGV Smart Start will also have a booth set up at the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library in Henderson on Thursday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children present at the sign up will be able to take a book home with them that day.

According to Daeke, the application process only takes a minute and the child should receive their first book in the mail one to two months after the application has been completed.

Those interested in the program may also contact the FGV Smart Start office at (252) 433-9110 or visit the NC Smart Start website at www.ncsmartstart.org to enroll online.

VGCC students awarded Golden LEAF scholarships

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— courtesy of VGCC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2018

 

VGCC students awarded Golden LEAF scholarships

A group of students from Vance-Granville Community College recently received scholarships through the Golden LEAF Scholarship program for the North Carolina Community College System. The scholarship program, designed to help North Carolinians attend the state’s community colleges, is funded through a $750,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The scholarship can be used to assist with tuition, books, fees, supplies, transportation and childcare expenses related to attending classes during the 2017-18 academic year, and industry-recognized credential testing expenses that address skill gaps upon course completion. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and reside in rural counties that are tobacco-dependent and/or economically distressed. Scholarships for both occupational (continuing education) and curriculum students are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

The VGCC students who were awarded Golden LEAF Scholarships for the fall 2017 semester (with their respective programs of study) included:

Angela Bullock of Warrenton (Associate in General Education – General Science);
Whitney Cox of Oxford (Radiography);
Brittney Darnell of Henderson (Business Administration);
Catherine Demming of Oxford (Criminal Justice);
Ethel Fogg of Warrenton (Culinary Arts);
Coleen Green of Creedmoor (Associate in General Education – General Science);
Holly Heston of Louisburg (Medical Office Administration);
Latosha Hunt of Oxford (Business Administration);
Jan Maniace of Henderson (Radiography);
Tracy Matthews of Oxford (Medical Office Administration);
Tyvoria Richardson of Warrenton (Associate Degree Nursing);
Crystal Satterfield of Oxford (Associate Degree Nursing);
Ashley Sawyer of Franklinton (Associate Degree Nursing); and
Shalinda White of Louisburg (Medical Office Administration).

“The Golden LEAF Foundation is proud to have awarded over 11,800 Golden LEAF Scholarships to help North Carolinians attend our state’s community colleges,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF president. “Our hope is that these scholarships will help build the talent, knowledge and skills of our current and future workforce, which are in demand by industry, especially in the rural areas of our state.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina’s economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina’s funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,558 grants totaling more than $802 million since its inception. For more information about the foundation, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

Students interested in applying for a Golden LEAF Scholarship should contact the VGCC Financial Aid Office at (252) 738-3280.

–VGCC–