Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Public Schools to Hold Modified High School Graduations

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Few events mark a rite of passage for young people and their families like a high school graduation ceremony. Walking across the stage in front of one’s peers, family members and the entire community not only celebrates their significant academic accomplishments, but it also symbolizes a major transition in their lives. It represents a true commencement of new opportunities, new adventures and, of course, new responsibilities.

Granville County Public Schools has a proud history of celebrating its students on graduation day, but unfortunately, like countless other academic institutions across the country and around the world, the COVID-19 global pandemic has forced some unwanted, yet necessary changes.

By its very design and nature, traditional graduation ceremonies are a concentrated physical gathering of members of the community. With the coronavirus now in our midst, we must make adjustments to ensure the safety and welfare of the public.

Currently, the Governor’s orders restrict and limit interactions and gatherings in a way that makes such an event all but impossible. As such, GCPS has been working with stakeholders to develop alternative plans to abide by safety policies and still honor our graduates in a meaningful way. Committees have been at work to develop these plans. The members included graduating seniors, parents, teachers, administrators and Board members. Local health care professionals and law enforcement have been consulted, as well.

After much deliberation and discussion, several options were considered. With the safety and welfare of our students, their families, staff members and the community as the primary consideration, one final recommendation has been adopted.

This year, the graduating class of 2020 will be recognized during a modified ceremony to be held at or near the same dates as originally planned. While a compromise from the traditional format, this modified graduation ceremony will still have a personalized component that will celebrate and spotlight each student in honoring their accomplishments. Each graduate will be given a designated time to take that once in a lifetime “graduation walk” across the stage, before receiving his/her diploma.

All students will participate in this modified graduation ceremony on their high school campus. Instead of gathering in large groups, each graduate and their guests will travel in their vehicle to participate in a “drive-thru” type ceremony, whereby their guests will enjoy a front-row view of the stage from the protection of their vehicle. One vehicle per graduate will be permitted.  Only the graduate will be permitted to exit the vehicle in an effort to honor the Governor’s Orders and all DHHS regulations at that time.

The Superintendent and some Board of Education members will be on hand with each school principal to celebrate the momentous occasion and will be honoring “social distancing” measures. A professional photographer will be on-site to take photographs for purchase.

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for the following days and times:

Thursday, June 11, 2020 ~ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Granville Early College High School

Thursday, June 11, 2020 ~ 1 – 2 p.m. Granville Academy

Friday, June 12, 2020 ~ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. South Granville High School

Saturday, June 13, 2020 ~ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. J.F. Webb High School/ Webb Health and Life Sciences

Saturday, June 13, 2020 ~ 3 – 7 p.m. Granville Central High School

Each ceremony will be live-streamed online for the public to view in real-time. In addition, a video recording of the entire event, including recordings of valedictorian and salutatorian speeches and other highlights, will be provided so all graduates and their families may have the entire event fully captured to celebrate and remember for years to come.

Finally, opportunities will be provided for those who wish to participate in the annual winter graduation ceremony.

Superintendent Alisa McLean commented, “I cannot think of too many events in a young person’s life that are more important to celebrate than their graduation from high school. This is a time of joy and happiness that deserves as much recognition as we can allow given the circumstances of the pandemic. While not ideal, this modified format will allow families and their students ways to actually be present and participate in the event. It is far more preferable to having a virtual ceremony, which unfortunately is something many communities are forced to contemplate. I look forward with excitement when I can personally congratulate each graduate on stage this year.”

Board Chairman David Richardson offered his thoughts, stating, “While certainly not our first choice in how to commemorate graduation this year, this modified format will be done with the same care, preparation and dignity of any other. We are determined to not let the current pandemic dampen our spirits during this time of hope and joy for our students.”

Additional details on the process and safety guidelines for these modified ceremonies will be shared with graduates and their families in the coming days. The primary goal of GCPS is to ensure that all risks to the health, safety and well-being of our students, their families, staff members, and the community at large are minimized as it relates to the current pandemic.

Staff will continue to consult with health care officials and law enforcement to ensure best practices are followed and that all plans are in compliance with statewide executive Orders related to the pandemic. We wish our graduates nothing but the best and look forward to celebrating this important milestone in their lives.

Granville County Logo

Granville Board of Commissioners to Meet Remotely Mon., May 18

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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 Monday, May 18, 2020, at 7 p.m. for the regularly scheduled meeting.

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

Public comments will be accepted in written format and must be received by Monday, May 18 at 12 p.m. by mail to P.O. Box 906, Oxford, NC 27565 or email to grancomrs@granvillecounty.org

Join Zoom Meeting

https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/96676016140?pwd=bHc0OUNobFhISitaU2tLd0pKMkIxdz09

Meeting ID: 966 7601 6140

Password: 858871

Dial by your location

877 853 5247 US Toll-free

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

To view Granville Co. Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

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North Carolina’s Key COVID-19 Indicators Remain Stable

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today shared an update on North Carolina’s key COVID-19 indicators. The data and trends show that North Carolina remains stable nearly one week into Phase 1.

“Our COVID-19 decisions are guided by the data and the science,” said Cooper. “We will use the time in this phase to keep a careful eye on the data and the indicators before we are ready to announce the start of Phase 2. North Carolinians should continue to stay home if they can and take precautions to keep themselves safe.”

“Continued stability in these trends is a real positive for our state. While we remain on a good path for the 14-day trends we need to see to move to Phase 2, our progress as a state is still dependent on our individual actions,” said Dr. Cohen. “We need to continue to protect our loved ones and our neighbors. If you leave home, practice three Ws – wear, wait and wash.”

Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen also announced that DHHS now has a list of testing locations on the DHHS website.

The list includes more than 200 sample collection sites in 54 counties, with more being added as they are verified. The list is comprised of health care providers, pharmacies and retail locations, local health departments and others that are providing testing for COVID-19. Some of the sites that are federally funded do not cost anything for the individual being tested. Doctors and clinicians may also provide testing at their offices.

Based on the metrics laid out last month by Governor Cooper and Secretary Cohen, officials need to continue watching the trends before announcing a shift into Phase 2.

Secretary Cohen reported North Carolina remains stable on the following key metrics:

Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is decreasing.

Trajectory of Lab-Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases is slightly increasing.

Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive has been decreasing and is starting to level.

Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days

  • North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is level.

In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:

Laboratory Testing

  • North Carolina has doubled the daily testing rate from approximately 2,500-3,000 to more than 6,000

Tracing Capability

  • The Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative has already hired close to 100 new contact tracers adding to the 250 already working at our local health departments.

Personal Protective Equipment

  • Supply chains continue to improve with the exception of gowns.

The Phase 1 executive Order remains in effect until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22.

However, the end of this Order does not necessarily mean the state will move to Phase 2. Phase 2 will only start if data and indicators remain stable.

Read a copy of today’s graphs and slides.

VGCC Truck Driver Training Program Gears Back Up

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is excited to announce that its CDL Truck Driver Training Program is back up and running.

The program, offered in collaboration with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, has been on hold since early March when the COVID-19 pandemic forced all face-to-face classes to cease. The N.C. Community College System has made an exception to allow colleges to resume educating students in transportation courses like Truck Driver Training, in-person.

On May 11, students returned to class and to a “new normal.” Portions of the new daily routine for students include temperature checks, face masks, social distancing in trucks and on the truck practice range.   

“Qualified and licensed truck drivers are essential employees, especially during these uncertain times,” said Dawn Michelle Tucker, Dean of Continuing Education and College and Career Readiness for VGCC. “We are excited to get the students back in training, so they can become licensed and employed with companies who need drivers to move goods and services across our service area and across the country.” 

During the next five weeks, students will continue honing their driver training skills such as backing skills, completing pre-trip inspections and backing up to a loading dock. Students will also continue to get their miles and time on the road. All of these skills and requirements are essential in preparing them for the DOT exam in order to get their official CDL-A license and be fully employable as a truck driver. 

For more information on the Truck Driver Training Program at Vance-Granville Community College, please visit www.vgcc.edu/cdl/ or contact Kyle Burwell, Director of Occupational Extension, at 252-738-3276 or burwellk@vgcc.edu.

Census 2020

Census Response Deadline Extended to October 31

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that, due to COVID-19 and the temporary suspension of field operations, the 2020 Census response deadline has been extended to Oct. 31. A previously-extended deadline date had been announced for Aug 14, which has now been rescheduled. This most recent extension will help ensure that all households have an opportunity to be counted.

Most households received their initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in March. By the middle of that month, the Census Bureau had started the process of hand-delivering paper questionnaires in rural areas; however, the temporary suspension of field operations, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a delay.

As of May 13, Area Census Offices and 2020 Census field operations have been re-opened in nine states, including North Carolina. This means that more households – especially those who are known to have poor internet service in their area –  should expect to find paper questionnaires left outside their front doors in the coming weeks. All Census workers are expected to be trained in preventing the spread of the virus, with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

There are three options to respond to the 2020 Census – by phone, by mail or online. Households can respond safely from home by using the online form on the U.S. Census website at www.census.gov; by phone at 844-330-2020; or by mailing back the paper questionnaire being sent/delivered to their homes. 

Approximately 86 million households have already responded to the U.S. Census, with the national self-response rate at just over 58 percent, as compared with North Carolina’s rate of 55.1 percent. Granville County’s response total was reported at 58.1 percent as of May 12, with the Town of Butner falling in at 55.1 percent; the City of Creedmoor at 58.6 percent; the City of Oxford at 53.6 percent; the Town of Stem at 64.9 percent and the Town of Stovall at 14.9 percent.

In August, in-person visits to non-responsive households are scheduled to begin. A quick response to the Census by one of the three available methods will reduce the need for door-to-door visitation.

The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the country’s entire population be conducted every ten years. Results of this survey are used to determine how many congressional seats and Electoral  College votes each state gets through 2030, as well as guiding the distribution of an estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal funding for hospitals, health clinics, fire departments, schools, roads and other public services in local communities.

The 2020 Census marks the 24th time that the United States has counted its population since 1790.

To learn more about the 2020 Census, visit www.census.gov.

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Oxford Commissioners’ Meeting Recessed to Allow Public Comment on Annexation

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The Tuesday, May 12, 2020 meeting of the Oxford Board of Commissioners was recessed until Thursday, May 14 at 9:15 a.m. to allow the public 24 hours to comment on the requested annexation of the property at the corner of the on-ramp of I-85 and Hwy 158.

Please email any comments to the City Clerk’s office at cbowen@oxfordnc.org.

Please note that the recessed meeting will be an electronic meeting and you are able to join this meeting with the following information:

Join Zoom Meeting – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82301578683?pwd=d3RGUXh4ZHF0c29MMlc1WXJ2MlRuUT09

Meeting ID: 823 0157 8683
Password: 414128

Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US
Password: 414128

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keDpRbM7aB

All those interested are invited to join electronically.

Families Living Violence Free ‘Still Here’ to Assist Victims of Abuse

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-Information courtesy Families Living Violence Free

Families Living Violence Free is “still here” during the coronavirus crisis and is available to help those who feel unsafe at home and may be the victim of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Families Living Violence Free will remain open during normal business hours to respond to client needs. After hours, the crisis line will remain open. Clients are strongly encouraged to conduct business via phone or email when appropriate.

If further services are needed, you can contact advocates on the hotline at (919) 693-5700 (English) or (919) 690-0888 (Spanish).

The hotline will be fully operational 24/7 for advocacy, connection to resources, supportive counseling and safety planning. Services will be provided by advocates.

If you are in immediate physical danger, please call 911.

VGCC Vice President Earns Doctoral Degree

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Jerry E. Edmonds, III, the Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College, is now “Doctor Edmonds.” He recently received his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership from Wisconsin-based Edgewood College.

His doctoral dissertation was entitled, “How North Carolina Economic Development Leaders Perceive the N.C. Community College System and Rural Economic Development.”

Jerry E. Edmonds, III, the Vice President of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at Vance-Granville Community College, recently received his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership from Wisconsin-based Edgewood College. (VGCC photo)

“We congratulate Dr. Edmonds on his academic accomplishments, and we look forward to his continuing leadership in efforts to help our students and our local employers through job training and continuing education,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “He is a role model for our students, many of whom are also training and learning to grow as professionals while working full-time.”

A resident of Henderson, Edmonds joined VGCC in 2019. He oversees training programs that respond to community needs and prepare students for workforce success, including apprenticeship programs, and economic development support for the region.

In addition, Edmonds leads the development of partnerships with businesses and government agencies and coordinates outreach and marketing for the entire college.

Edmonds previously served as Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at Halifax Community College. Prior to his role as Dean, he served as the Small Business Center Director at Halifax Community College, from 2014 until 2017.

Edmonds worked for International Business Machines (IBM) and Johnson and Johnson in the private sector before entering the higher education field, earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree, with an emphasis on Marketing, from Marshall University in 1985 and his Master of Science degree in Human Services Management from Springfield College in 2001.

Thornton Library Welcomes New Adult Services Librarian

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 -Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville County Library System welcomes Melanie Baldwin to the Richard H. Thornton branch in Oxford.

As Adult Services Librarian, Baldwin will be responsible for developing, promoting, presenting and evaluating programs and displays for adult patrons, as well as assisting in the development of the materials for the collection of books/resources and other duties.

Baldwin began work in her new role on April 1.

The Granville County Library System welcomes Melanie Baldwin to the Richard H. Thornton branch in Oxford. Baldwin began work in her new role on April 1, 2020. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

A native of Vance County, Baldwin lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan for seven years before returning to the area. She is a graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Math and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and North Carolina State University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. While working at the college library at UNC Wilmington, she decided to pursue a career as a librarian, later earning her Masters degree in Library Science from North Carolina Central University.

“I wish I had been able to meet our patrons in person,” Baldwin said, “but, unfortunately, we are all doing our best to slow the spread of COVID-19. I hope everyone is taking care at this time, and I hope to be able to bring some library services to you over the internet.”

A fan of young adult fiction and fantasy books, Baldwin is married and resides in Henderson. She can be reached online through “Ask a Librarian” on the Granville County Library System website (https://granville.lib.nc.us) and at melanie.baldwin@granvillecounty.org. A new “chat” option is also available at https://granville.lib.nc.us/chat/.

While the four branches of the Granville County Library System continue to be closed to the public, Baldwin offers a reminder that curbside pickup service has again been made available from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library in Oxford and at the South Branch library in Creedmoor.

Those wishing to reserve materials can simply call in or message either library branch with a list of requested materials, park at a curbside library space and give the library a call. Your materials will be placed on an outside table to be conveniently retrieved. (Limit five books, five DVDs and five audiobooks.) Contact the Thornton Library at 919-693-1121 and the South Branch at 919-528-1752 to make your materials requests.

NCDHHS

Food & Nutrition Services Participants Now Authorized for Online Grocery Purchases

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-Press Release, NCDHHS

As of May 6, 2020, North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) participants will be able to purchase groceries online using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards at authorized online EBT retailers. North Carolina is the 10th state to implement this flexibility, which will remain permanently in place beyond the COVID-19 emergency.

The new flexibility will allow participants to buy food while also promoting social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and helping families with transportation and mobility barriers.

“People need to feed their families while also practicing social distancing,” said NC Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “This will allow families to order groceries at home and lower their risk of getting sick.”

Currently, Amazon and Walmart are the only authorized retailers approved for online FNS purchases nationally. The U.S. Department of Agriculture must approve other retailers who wish to participate in the FNS online purchasing program. NCDHHS encourages other EBT retailers to pursue USDA approval to become authorized online retailers.

All EBT retailers in North Carolina have received information from USDA about how to become approved for online FNS purchases and other retailers are encouraged to seek approval for online purchasing. More information for retailers is available on the USDA website.

More information about North Carolina Food and Nutrition Services can be found at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/food-nutrition-services-food-stamps.

North Carolina individuals and families can apply for FNS at https://epass.nc.gov/CitizenPortal/application.do