GCPS Goes the Extra Mile for Students and their Families During the Holiday Season

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— press release courtesy of Granville County Public Schools by Dr. Stan Winborne

As the holiday season approaches, GCPS continues to support families and children during this challenging time. As the pandemic surges and the district temporarily shifts to Plan C, the Board of Education and Superintendent McLean took the unique steps of providing surplus student desks to needy families. “Making sure our families have quality home learning centers is critical for our children. When our students shift to remote learning, we need to do all we can to help promote a strong learning environment at home – whether it be laptops, MiFs, learning packets, meal services, or even a comfortable desk – we must do all we can, however we can” commented Dr. McLean.

At their December meeting, the Board of Education declared surplus approximately 50 student desks of various sizes. School staff distributed these desks to families in need prior to the holiday break in an effort to help provide a little something ‘extra’ over the holidays. Having a workspace dedicated to school can help students focus and improve their learning.

Things have been busy for many departments across the district as the new year approaches. The GCPS Transportation Department recently designed custom routes during the final exam week for high school students, which helped ensure successful completion of courses requiring a NC State Standardized test. Unlike recent previous school years, the semester ended prior to the winter break, which means students will return in January with a “fresh start” for the second semester. Because the exam schedule occurred during the shift back to Plan C, new special bus routes were created to match each period of exam administrations.

While under Plan C, school buses will also still be deployed to deliver meals at various sites throughout the county, including during the winter break, when 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches will be served to help bridge the gap between the break. On Wednesday, December 30, GCPS will be serving these 14-meal packets free of charge to all children 18 and under at the following sites: Butner-Stem ES; West Oxford ES; CG Credle ES; Stovall-Shaw ES; South Granville HS. Since the pandemic began, the GCPS Child Nutrition program has served more than 900,000 meals. The USDA has approved free meal service to continue for all children 18 and under through the remainder of this school year.

Finally, as an added layer of support during these trying times, school administrators, social workers, counselors and teachers continue to make ‘porch visits’ to the homes of children and their families. While there, staff are able to meet in a safe, socially distanced manner to determine if there are ways school staff can help. Whether it be learning materials, food, or social-emotional support, educators are committed to doing whatever it takes to reach out to our students. “Our philosophy is, if they can’t come to school, then we try to make the resources of school come to them – one way or another.” explained Dr. McLean.

Board Chairman Richardson offered his remarks, “As the pandemic drags on, we know many of our families and community members are struggling mightily. In addition to the many efforts to support our students academically, we also want to do all we can to help in other ways. We wish all of our children and their families the very best during this holiday season.”

—
Dr. Stan Winborne
Assistant Superintendent of Operations & Human Resources
Public Information Officer
Granville County Public Schools

Governor Cooper Gives COVID-19 County Alert Update

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— press release courtesy of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and his office

Gov. Cooper Calls on North Carolinians to Stay Vigilant this Holiday Season

More than 90 percent of North Carolina counties now in the red or orange zone; Vaccines continue to be distributed to communities around the state

Today, Governor Roy Cooper and Secretary of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Dr. Mandy Cohen shared updates on the COVID-19 County Alert System, warning that more than 90 percent of North Carolina counties are now designated as red or orange.

“North Carolina needs to drive down our numbers. To do that, we all need to change our holiday plans if you haven’t already,” Governor Cooper said. “The best and safest option is to connect virtually or by phone. But if you gather in-person, keep it small and do it outside. Get a COVID-19 test before you go. Spread out the tables and chairs. Follow the modified Stay at Home Order and be home by 10 PM. And, always, always wear a mask.”

The County Alert System uses COVID-19 case rates, the percent of tests that are positive and hospital impact within the county to categorize counties into the following tiers:

  • Yellow: Significant Community Spread
  • Orange: Substantial Community Spread
  • Red: Critical Community Spread

There are currently 65 red counties, 27 orange counties and only 8 yellow counties. Read the updated report to see where each county stands and how the alert system was designed.

“The county alert map shows how quickly things can escalate. As you think about the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays please avoid traveling and gathering. If you absolutely must, get tested ahead of time, wear a mask all the time, keep it small and keep it outdoors,” said Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.

Governor Cooper and Dr. Cohen also highlighted updates on North Carolina’s distribution of two COVID-19 vaccines. The state expects to receive approximately 60,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 176,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. The Moderna vaccine does not require ultra-cold storage and is slated to go to 59 hospitals and 97 local health department sites.

Governor Cooper and health officials warned against traveling and large gatherings ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Governor also reminded people that the statewide mask mandate and Modified Stay at Home Order requiring people to be home between 10 PM and 5 AM will still be in effect through the holidays until at least January 8, 2021

Pastor Joseph Casteel from First United Methodist Church in Roanoke Rapids and Reverend James White from Christ Our King Community Church in Raleigh joined today’s briefing to discuss how critical it is for communities of faith to follow the safety measures while celebrating. They stress that the most important thing people can do for their communities this Christmas is taking the steps necessary to protect their communities, even if that means pausing or adapting traditions.

“The opportunity for you and your family to remain safe, an opportunity not to put anyone else at risk and, the freedom for you to choose the time for meaningful worship that works for you. It’s a win-win. There will be a myriad of online opportunities for meaningful worship. It will be okay,” Pastor Joseph Casteel said.

“Pastors, Rabbis and other faith leaders are often expected to have words of hope. Maybe we are all appropriately lost for words. What is most needed are actions and perspectives that will lead to life now and in the future,” Rev. James White said. “Perhaps we all need to figure out how to create celebrations in the midst of limitations. This is not as impossible as it may sound.”

The CDC is encouraging people to avoid traveling for the holidays. If continuing to gather, state officials urge North Carolinians to keep get togethers small and outside with social distancing and masks. People can also get a COVID-19 test ahead of gathering.

Read the full holiday guidance from NCDHHS.

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Local News Audio

Noon News 12-22-20 United Way; VGCC CDL Program; Granville Co. Holiday Schedule

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Stories include:

– United Way presents grant checks to local organizations

– 100% Graduation rate for Vance Granville Community College CDL Program

– Granville Co. Government holiday schedule

For full details and audio click play.

 

Granville County Logo

2020 Holiday hours, Granville County Government

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

— press release courtesy Granville County NC by Public Information Officer Lynn Allred

GRANVILLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT: Offices of Granville County Government will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Dec. 28. Offices will re-open on Tuesday, Dec. 29 during normal operating hours of 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.

All branches of the Granville County Library System will be also be closed from Dec. 24 through Dec. 28, re-opening on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Due to COVID-19, limited hours continue for use by the public. Please contact your local library branch for their operating schedule.

The Granville County Landfill in Oxford, as well as convenience sites in Butner, Wilton, Berea, Grassy Creek, Oak Hill and Bullock, will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

For emergency calls, the 911 Emergency Communications Center remains on duty throughout the holiday season. For non-emergency calls, please dial 919-690-0444.

Vance County Courthouse

Criminal District Court Will Resume Dec. 29, 2020

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The Hon. Henry L. Gupton, clerk of court in Vance County, has informed WIZS News that criminal district court will resume just after Christmas.

Gupton said, “I received a memorandum from our Chief District Court Judge John Davis on December 18th regarding the resumption of our District Courts schedule.

“As of Tuesday, December 29, 2020 our regular scheduled Criminal District Court Sessions will resume and we will continue to have Small Claims Court.

“However, we will not be conducting Civil District Court Sessions.”

Gupton said he would notify the public when all sessions resume.

He said, “This decision has been made after consultation with our County Health Director Lisa M. Harrison.  We will continue to operate under our existing COVID-19 protocols.”

(This news article was posted December 21, 2020 at 12:15 p.m.)

VGCC forms new partnership with UNC Wilmington

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–press release courtesy of VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College continues to show its commitment to building partnerships that provide meaningful pathways for students seeking to transfer to a four-year university. Recently, VGCC solidified a partnership with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). The UNCW & VGCC “Pathways to Excellence” program will provide transfer students from the community college with guaranteed admission to UNCW.

VGCC is one of a host of community colleges from various regions across the state to sign on as a part of the Pathways to Excellence program with UNCW due to the quality of education that transfer students will receive at the institution. VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and UNCW Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Sartarelli inked the partnership agreement, and expressed enthusiasm about how it will benefit students.

“The co-admission agreement between VGCC and UNCW is a fine example of innovation and collaboration,” said Dr. Desmarais, president of the community college. “We look forward to helping our Vanguards achieve their academic and career goals by continuing their education as UNCW Seahawks.”

Pathways to Excellence guarantees admission to UNCW for students completing an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in transferable, college-level coursework from VGCC. As a part of the agreement, VGCC students will have access to a Transfer Student Success Coordinator that will meet with students at Vance-Granville throughout each semester. Students will have the benefit of working with their VGCC advisor and the Transfer Student Success Coordinator from UNCW. VGCC students will have the opportunity to attend an open house event, as well as an application event in the spring on the community college campus, and will receive a university application fee waiver as a transfer student.

“We are elated to partner with UNCW on the Pathways to Excellence program,” said Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s vice president of learning, student engagement and success. “This is another example of our dedicated team seeking opportunities to provide multiple pathways to success for students. The goal is for our transfer students to receive an excellent experience at VGCC and move on to the University of their Choice. It is wonderful that this UNCW program is now an option for students in our communities!”

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this guaranteed admission partnership between VGCC and UNCW, please call VGCC at (252) 738-3234. If you are interested in enrolling at VGCC, please apply at www.vgcc.edu or call (252) 738-3234.

–vgcc–

(VGCC is a paying advertising client of WIZS and WIZS.com.  This is not a paid ad.)

The Granville Education Foundation Awards $50,500 in Grants to Granville County School Teachers

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(Please Note – This is the second version of this story to be posted on WIZS.com. The first version had omissions which were unknown to WIZS at the time.  WIZS apologizes to the parties who were originally left out.  It was strictly unintentional on our part but was our responsibility to know nonetheless.  This version replaces anything you may have seen earlier, in which two schools were omitted.)

— press release courtesy of Granville Education Foundation

The Granville Education Foundation (GEF) recently awarded over $50,500 in grants to Granville County School teachers.  This year, 48 grant applications were received and GEF awarded 26 grants in 11 different schools.  Teachers were eligible to submit grant applications that were reviewed and scored by GEF Grant Committee members.  The grant applicants name and school were made anonymous before the grant committee members read and scored the grant.  On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the GEF “Prize Patrol” visited and celebrated the grant recipients in person and via Zoom.

“My second experience with Prize Patrol was a bit different this year due to COVID-19, but I am thrilled we were still able to host this wonderful event.  This day was filled with surprises, excitement, and tears of joy for many deserving teachers and students.  We secretly notified the school principals we would be awarding the grants, but the teachers were unaware.  Balloons and grant acceptance letters were delivered to the schools in advance to prepare for the virtual celebrations.  It was delightful to witness these very happy Granville County School teachers receive their grants!” said GEF Executive Director, Jennifer Cufalo Carpenter.  “Our grant funding goes directly into the classrooms for these teachers’ innovative projects, which is exciting not only for the teachers receiving the grants, but for their schools, their students, and for our GEF Board of Directors.  We are excited about these projects and look forward to hearing how these grants impact our Granville County Students”, says Susan Hiscocks, President of the Granville Education Foundation Board of Directors.

GEF will remain in contact with the grant recipients throughout the 2020-2021 school year to gather the progress of their grant projects. Please join us in congratulating the following schools and teachers on their success.

2020-2021 Success Through Technology Grants (eligible to apply for an amount up to $5,000):

Pictured: J.F. Webb High School teacher, Carole Griffin, 2020-2021 Success Through Technology Grant recipient for her grant “Fostering Foundations Building Vocabulary for our Educational Futures” in the amount of $3,000.00. Photo credits to Mrs. Amy Rice, Principal of J.F. Webb High School. J.F. Webb High School received 4 grants from the Granville Education Foundation this year, making them the top grant recipient out of 9 Granville County Public Schools.

  • Oxford Preparatory School – Heather Williams
  • West Oxford Elementary School – Karla Gravitt
  • Wilton Elementary School – Tasha Blalock
  • Creedmoor Elementary School – Kathy Clement
  • Granville Central High School – Audra Neunkirchner
  • Oxford Preparatory School – Ashley Barnette
  • Oxford Preparatory School – Cindy Clark
  • F. Webb High School – Carole Griffin
  • Creedmoor Elementary School – Victoria Jones
  • Oxford Preparatory School – Jade Currin
  • Tar River Elementary School – Holly Navo

2020-2021 Experience Grants (eligible to apply for an amount up to $1,000):  

  • Mount Energy Elementary School – Kelly Herman
  • Oxford Preparatory School – Jade Currin
  • Creedmoor Elementary School – Niekietta Grillo

2020-2021 Performing & Visual Arts Grant (eligible to apply for an amount up to $1,500):  

  • Northern Granville Middle School – Sherria Grubbs
  • Granville Central High School – Brent Hammer

Pictured: Oxford Preparatory School teacher, Jade Currin, 2020-2021 Success Through Technology Grant recipient for her grant “Tech Savvy Kinders” in the amount of $1,387.68 and 2020-2021 Experience Grant recipient for her grant “Covid Can’t Stop Science” in the amount of $594.00. Oxford Preparatory School received 7 grants from the Granville Education Foundation this year, making them the top grant recipient overall in Granville County Schools.

 2020-2021 Lela Eaton Creative Teaching Grants (eligible to apply for an amount up to $1,000):  

  • Falls Lake Academy – Sara Allen
  • Mount Energy Elementary School – Kelly Herman
  • Oxford Preparatory School – Mary Newton
  • F. Webb High School – Lori Puryear
  • Stovall-Shaw Elementary School – Tammy Hughes
  • Tar River Elementary School – John Fiedler
  • F. Webb High School – Mary Lundquist
  • Oxford Preparatory School – Mary Ann Crews
  • F. Webb High School – Amanda Baker
  • Mount Energy Elementary School – Farrah Preddy

Contact: Jennifer Cufalo Carpenter, Executive Director Granville Education Foundation, Inc.

Phone: 919.693.7047   

Email: GranvilleEdFoundation@outlook.com

 

The Granville Education Foundation is an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing student performance.  Funds raised through the Granville Education Foundation are used to provide resources and enrichment programs for the students of Granville County Schools.  Please visit the website www.GranvilleEdFoundation.org for more information.

Local News Audio

Noon News 12-17-20 Safe Neighborhood Initiative; David Smith; Covid19; School Re – Entry Plan

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Stories include:

– Safe Neighborhood Initiative

– David Smith awarded Long Leaf Pine

– Covid19

– Re-entry plan for Vance Co. Schools

For full details and audio click play.

 

Granville County Logo

Granville County’s David Smith Receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine

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Granville County’s David Smith was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine earlier this week.  The award is one of the most prestigious in North Carolina and comes from the Governor.

Smith, presently chairman of the Granville County Commissioners, is a former Sheriff of Granville County.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine society’s web page (https://longleafpinesociety.org/) indicates North Carolina Governors have presented the award since 1963 “for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.”

Comm. David Smith, District 2, is pictured with his family as Granville County’s Clerk to the Board, Debra Weary, administers the oath Dec 3, 2018. (Photo Credit: County of Granville)

On the web site granvillecounty.org  (https://www.granvillecounty.org/2020/12/16/smith-awarded-order-of-the-long-leaf-pine/) you can see additional details.  For 48 or more years, Smith has served Granville County.

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson-Vance Benefit as U.S. Attorney Takes Back Eastern NC

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The U.S. Department of Justice has recognized the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina because of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

Relationship building among prosecutors and federal, state and local law enforcement has led to arrests and convictions for drug, drug trafficking and violent crimes and the involved criminal organizations.

Since the initiative started in 2018, more than 1,600 individuals have been prosecuted, representing a 50 percent increase in the number of people charged compared to 2016-2017 in eastern North Carolina.

The aggressive Take Back North Carolina effort has resulted in a 60% reduction in robberies in Henderson and a 21% decrease in aggravated assaults, according to the press release below.

You’ve heard the phrase Project Safe Neighborhoods on WIZS News or read it on WIZS.com 58 times in 2019-2020.  Those times were just for Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina said, “When I took office as the United States Attorney, the President and the Attorney General made it clear that job one in our District was to reduce crime rates and to attack drug trafficking organizations operating here. We have taken that task very seriously and, because of the hard work of so many, we have seen those crime rates decline as we have removed the drivers of those crime rates from our cities and towns. This award honors a sustained effort by many, many dedicated public servants and it is a privilege to accept this award on their behalf.”

The press release also indicates Vance County has enrolled in the Educating Kids about Gun Violence (EKG) program, which assisting in reducing violent crimes in Fayetteville by 10 percent in the last five years for student-aged young people.

– Press Release 

U.S. Department of Justice Recognizes U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina for its Work with Project Safe Neighborhoods

Take Back North Carolina Receives National Award as the Outstanding Overall Partnership/Task Force

RALEIGH – The Department of Justice has recognized the Take Back North Carolina initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina with its Outstanding Overall Partnership/Task Force Award in support of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Initiative.

“We are extremely gratified and humbled by the Attorney General’s recognition of the important work being done by federal, state and local law enforcement, our partners in the District Attorneys’ Offices and by the men and women of my office as we seek to drive down crime rates and deliver safer communities to all the citizens of the Eastern District.” Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina said. “When I took office as the United States Attorney, the President and the Attorney General made it clear that job one in our District was to reduce crime rates and to attack drug trafficking organizations operating here. We have taken that task very seriously and, because of the hard work of so many, we have seen those crime rates decline as we have removed the drivers of those crime rates from our cities and towns. This award honors a sustained effort by many, many dedicated public servants and it is a privilege to accept this award on their behalf.”

In early 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina launched Take Back North Carolina in an effort to drive down spiraling crime rates and to attack drug trafficking organizations – specifically violent crime and drug activities caused by gangs and other national and transnational organizations. Through the initiative, teams of Assistant United States Attorneys and legal support staff were deployed across the 44 counties of the Eastern District focusing on six broad geographic areas. Each team was tasked with building strong relationships with federal, state and local law enforcement operating in those areas and they worked in close coordination with the 15 elected District Attorneys who prosecute state crimes in North Carolina courts in the eastern half of the State. Building on these relationships, our prosecutors worked to identify the individuals who are driving the crime problem in the communities in their assigned area and with charging and prosecuting those individuals in an effort strategically designed to reduce violent crime rates and disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking operations across the District.

Since the Initiative’s inception, more than 1600 individuals have been prosecuted as part of this Initiative, representing a more than 50% increase in the number of defendants charged by this office over those charged in 2016 and 2017. But, more importantly, due to the strategic targeting of the drivers of our violent and drug crime problems, many communities have seen measurable – and in some cases dramatic – reductions in the violent crime rates. For example, based on data analyzed and provided by our research partners at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro, the following cities saw significant reductions in crime rates during 2018 and 2019[1] while participating aggressively in the Take Back North Carolina Initiative:

-Jacksonville – 50% reduction in homicides; 42% decrease in robberies; 83% reduction in aggravated assaults;

-Henderson – 60% reduction in robberies; 21% decrease in aggravated assaults;

-Greenville – homicides down 60%; robberies reduced by 15%.

And, these results have been replicated in communities of all sizes all across the Eastern District. We have also seen the prosecution of the leadership of numerous sects of violent, drug-trafficking gangs across the District. Targeting the leadership of the various Bloods organizations, the Take Back North Carolina Initiative has worked to disrupt and dismantle their operations in this federal district.

Drugs fuel gun violence and the opioid crisis is no exception. Aside from increasing the number of deaths resulting from heroin overdose cases prosecuted, TBNC has also focused on educating the public about the heroin epidemic through the establishment of the USAO Heroin Education Action Team (USA-HEAT). USA-HEAT works to reduce the growing harm to North Carolina families caused by heroin/opiate abuse, partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration, local law enforcement, community health professionals, and family members who have lost a loved one to a drug overdose. In the last six months, the USAO has conducted 17 training events, each lasting 1-3 hours with content tailored to that audience (e.g., first responders and community groups). Other prevention efforts include the Educating Kids about Gun Violence (EKG) program – part of the Fayetteville Police Department’s Operation Ceasefire, created in 2002 under the umbrella of PSN and USAO-EDNC. In the past 5 years, 25,241 students in Fayetteville have been educated through EKG. Overall violent crime for this age group has decreased 10% city wide since EKG began. Other PSN sites – Goldsboro, Pasquotank County, Kinston, and Vance County have adopted the EKG program. Other prevention efforts include re-entry programs, and an outdoor movie series to engage the community and create public awareness about gun violence. In 2019, 1,425 people attended 6 movie nights in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

TBNC PSN sites have worked hard to develop an effective public messaging strategy for each community utilizing press releases, press conferences, and advertising campaigns highlighting the penalties for committing federal crimes. In the last two years, the USAO-EDNC issued over 250 press releases highlighting PSN cases and has held numerous press conferences highlighting TBNC success stories. The USAO has produced hundreds of posters for PSN sites to help spread public awareness and has worked with the Executive Office for United States Attorney’s to develop multiple Public Service Announcements (PSA) focusing on violent crime and opioids. These PSA’s have been widely distributed across EDNC for use by the media and communities.

Revitalized in 2017, PSN is a critical piece of the Department’s crime reduction efforts. PSN has focused on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.

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