Vance Co. Schools Named a 2019 District of Distinction

/by

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools has been named a 2019 District of Distinction by the National Beta Club for offering the academic recognition membership to students in all eligible schools in the school district.

In making the award announcement, National Beta officials praised the efforts of Superintendent Anthony Jackson, school chapter sponsors and deserving student members.

This national award recognizes Vance County Schools’ commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement, and illustrates the dedication to preparing students for college and career readiness. The students in the district understand the importance of these qualities and exemplify the Beta motto, Let Us Lead by Serving Others, National Beta officials noted.

Bobby Hart, chief executive officer for National Beta, contacted Jackson in a letter about the district’s recognition.

In the letter, Hart wrote, “Thank you for all you do as an administrator in supporting the success of your schools, staff and students. We appreciate your continued focus on fostering activities that ensure all students can achieve success.”

Beta Club advisors in Vance County Schools play a major role in the success of the program and recognition of eligible students. Those advisors include:

·       Hollie Powell of Aycock Elementary School

·       Teresa Hicks of Carver Elementary School

·       Myron Duncan of Clarke Elementary School

·       Michelle Foster of Dabney Elementary School

·       Marian Faulkner of E.O. Young, Jr. 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 Street Elementary School

·       Ashley Pennington of Zeb Vance Elementary School

·       Ben Mixer of STEM Early High School

·       Vickie Fullwood of Vance County Early College High School

·       Pamela Perry of Vance County Middle School

·       Bobbi Parks of Vance County High School

National Junior Beta includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12.

With more than 500,000 active members and 9,000 chapters nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. National Beta recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community and fosters leadership skills.

The school advisors for the National Beta Club chapters in Vance County Schools are shown in the photo during their recognition at the Vance County Board of Education meeting on April 8. They are shown with Dorothy Gooche, board chairperson, and Superintendent Anthony Jackson, both standing at center. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Granville Tourism to Host Vendor Show/Limo-Style ‘Brides on Wheels” Tour

/by

-Press Release, Granville County Government

 Brides planning a 2019-2020 wedding in Granville County will be taking a scenic tour on the “Bridal Bus” to learn more about wedding locations and resources available to help plan the “perfect” event.

The day includes a stop at four local wedding/reception venues, as well as early access to a Vendor Show at the Clarion Inn and Suites on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Oxford. Florists, photographers, caterers, event planners, disc jockeys, rental companies, etc. will be set up to welcome the new brides – and members of the public – to display a variety of wedding service options. The Vendor Show will be open from noon until 4 p.m., with tickets now available to attend.

Photo courtesy Granville Co. Government

The “Brides on Wheels” (BOW) limo-style bus will depart from the Clarion at 1 p.m. for scheduled stops at the four locations, where prospective brides will find options and ideas to plan their event. Participants who registered for this tour will make stops according to the following schedule:

1:20 p.m.: Tour of Cedar Grove Acres in Creedmoor;

2:30 p.m.: Tour of Vino Oasi in Stem;

3:50 p.m.: Tour of Carlee Farms in Oxford;

5:05 p.m.: Tour of Thorndale Oaks in Oxford.

While the Brides on Wheels tour bus makes its way through Granville County, the vendor show will continue until 4 p.m., with the bus scheduled to arrive back at the Clarion Inn in Oxford by 6:15 p.m.

“From rustic to elegant and from indoor to outdoor, brides are sure to find something that fits their perfect event,” said Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen. “This is an opportunity to showcase all the wonderful things we have right here in our county for brides or anyone else who wants to put together a special event.”

Created as a way to promote Granville County, Allen says that the bridal tour and vendor show will boost the local economy, as well as promote local vendors and make both residents and non-residents aware of what the county has to offer. The vendor show was added this year to provide information about other local resources that are available when planning a wedding or other special events.

This is the second year that the “Brides on Wheels” tour has been presented. Last year’s tour attracted eight brides, one groom and their family members.

“We had a diverse group of brides last year,” Allen said, “some from the local area, some from Raleigh and some from the Greensboro/High Point area.”

This year’s tour has grown to a larger number of participants who will see first-hand what Granville County has to offer. Each bride will receive a free “goodie bag” filled with products, certificates and coupons for helping plan their special event.

Tickets for the vendor show are available through Eventbrite at https://granvillebows19.eventbrite.com/.

For more information about the tour or the vendor show, visit https://www.visitgranvillenc.com or contact Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen by phone at 919-693-6125 or by email at angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Vance-Granville Selected as Inaugural Host of Teaching Seminars

/by

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College announced today that it has been selected to host an inaugural credit-bearing regional seminar that supports faculty use of evidence-based teaching practices. This seminar, which will take place on Friday, November 15, 2019, is part of a major collaboration between the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to advance faculty and student success through quality instruction at community and technical colleges nationwide.

Vance-Granville is one of 10 colleges selected by NISOD and ACUE to host an inaugural seminar as part of this national initiative, following a competitive application and interview process. Faculty from Vance-Granville Community College and other institutions in the region will be invited to refine their instructional skills by engaging in two learning modules on core teaching competencies and implementing these strategies in their classes.

“Teaching and learning are at the heart of what we do every day. Our faculty are passionate about helping students succeed in the classroom. The credit-bearing seminar on active learning speaks volumes about how the college’s faculty and faculty in the region demonstrates the college’s commitment to excellence in teaching and student success,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs.

The members of the Faculty Planning Team noted that “As community college faculty, we are always interested in relevant professional development that provides opportunities to design, implement, and reflect on new instructional strategies for our courses and that enables us to provide positive learning experiences for our students. We strive to improve student learning outcomes, increase program completion rates, and encourage more students to pursue higher education and careers of their choice. Learning how to incorporate active learning strategies in our classroom will be a valuable tool to help achieve these goals.”

“We were impressed by the selected institutions’ commitment to teaching excellence and faculty professional development,” said Dr. Edward Leach, NISOD’s executive director. “The seminars will equip faculty from the host institutions, as well as their colleagues from neighboring colleges, with strategies proven to make a positive difference in student learning.”

Seminar participants will learn about and implement teaching practices aligned to ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework—a statement of the core instructional competencies every college educator should possess—which was independently validated and is endorsed by the American Council on Education. Faculty who satisfy the seminar requirements, which include implementing at least two evidence-based teaching practices and writing reflections about their experience, will earn credit toward a Certificate in Effective College Instruction, a highly sought-after credential co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education.

“We’re excited to offer these high-quality learning events, in collaboration with NISOD, that provide faculty with a glimpse into ACUE’s learning design and competencies from our comprehensive, 25-module courses,” Dr. Penny MacCormack, ACUE’s chief academic officer, said. “New and experienced instructors will have the opportunity to learn with and from one another as they prepare to implement evidence-based teaching strategies in their classes, keeping with our mission to impact student success through exemplary instruction.”

The following colleges have been selected to host inaugural credit-bearing regional seminars:

  • City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington (IL)
  • City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X (IL)
  • Hudson County Community College (NJ)
  • Lenoir Community College (NC)
  • Miami Dade College (FL)
  • Montgomery College (MD)
  • Prince George’s Community College (MD)
  • Vance-Granville Community College (NC)
  • Wake Technical Community College (NC)
  • Wayne County Community College District (MI)

Seminar dates will be announced in the coming weeks. All faculty are invited to register at www.nisod.org/scheduled-workshops.

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch to Meet Tues., April 16

/by

-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

West End Community Watch will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., at West End Baptist Church.

The speaker will be Garry Daeke, City Councilman. Law enforcement will be present to hear concerns and make reports.

All are welcome!

NC Dept of Agriculture

N.C. Forest Service Urges Safety During Spring Wildfire Season

/by

-Press Release, NCDA&CS

The N.C. Forest Service is urging North Carolina residents to think safety and exercise extra caution when burning materials during the spring fire season. The spring fire season typically runs from March through May and is historically the time when wildfires are most likely to occur.

“The leading cause of wildfires is careless debris burning. Protect our natural resources by acting safely,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Don’t burn on dry, windy days; maintain a careful watch over your debris fire; and make sure it is fully extinguished.”

Troxler also warned against using drones over wildfires, an emerging concern across the country. In 2018, there were 26 drone incursions into air space over wildfires across the nation.

When unauthorized aircraft, such as drones, fly into the same airspace as helicopters and airplanes even at low altitudes, the air operations must be stopped due to safety concerns. This means no water drops to slow the spread of a fire and no eyes in the sky to help direct firefighters on the ground, Troxler said.

The N.C. Forest Service encourages anyone considering debris burning to contact his or her local county forest ranger. The forest ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize safety to people, property and the forest. For people who choose to burn debris, the N.C. Forest Service urges them to adhere to the following tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Make sure you have an approved burning permit, which can be obtained at any N.C. Forest Service office, a county-approved burning permit agent, or online at https://ncforestservice.gov.
  • Check with your county fire marshal’s office for local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Check the weather. Don’t burn if conditions are dry or windy.
  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some yard debris such as leaves and grass may be more valuable if composted.
  • Only burn natural vegetation from your property. Burning household trash or any other man-made materials is illegal. Trash should be hauled away to a convenience center.
  • Plan burning for the late afternoon when conditions are typically less windy and more humid.
  • If you must burn, be prepared. Use a shovel or hoe to clear a perimeter down to mineral soil of at least 10-feet, preferably more, around the area around where you plan to burn.
  • Keep fire tools ready. To control the fire, you will need a water hose, bucket, a steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire.
  • Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel fuel to speed debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. Remember, debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in the state.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. When soaked; stir the coals and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agriculture residue and forestland litter: In addition to the rules above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

Studies have shown that taking these and other measures can greatly reduce wildfires and the loss of property associated with them. For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, go to https://ncforestservice.gov, click on “fire” and follow the links.

News 04/09/19

/by

Vance Co. High School Inducts 15 Into National Technical Honor Society

/by

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

A total of 15 students at Vance County High School were inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) during a special ceremony held at the school on April 4.

Each of the students was presented a framed certificate for their academic accomplishments in Career and Technical Education courses at the high school. Presenting the certificates were Principal Rey Horner, Career and Technical Education Director Willa Clark and Career and Technical Education Career Development Coordinator LaShawn Hawley. Amy Langston-Eley, Career and Technical Education instructional specialist, and Pamela Huff, a Career and Technical Education teacher and advisor to the NTHS chapter, assisted.

Pamela Huff, Career and Technical Education teacher at Vance County High School, presents a framed certificate to Zy’Shawn Appling in recognition of his induction into the high school’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Those students inducted as new members include America Alfaro, Tamia Alston, Zy’Shawn Appling, Amari Bennerson, Sha’Mya Bullock, Kristophe Burwell, Tammy Dang, Anasia Jones, Stephanie Salazar-Villa, Noah Terry, Tyere Wiggins, Destiny Weaver, Sydiahiah Williams, Bryton Yarborough and Phajja Yarborough.

Turner Pride, Jr., the director of the Vance County Cooperative Extension Service, was the featured speaker for the evening. He praised the new NTHS inductees for their accomplishments and hard work. He also gave them some advice on how to continue to be successful through the remainder of their high school careers and beyond.

Horner also addressed the students and let them know how proud he is of each one of them. He asked them to continue to be leaders among their fellow classmates and let them know that he is counting on them to help lead success at Vance County High School.

 

 

VGCC to Launch Two New Information Technology Programs Fall Semester

/by

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

This fall, the Information Technology department at Vance-Granville Community College will launch two new programs: Healthcare Informatics and Cyber Security.

Healthcare Informatics is a program designed to provide students with a foundation in computer technology and information sciences as they apply to supporting decisions in the healthcare fields. Students will focus on computer software, networks and security, programming and operating systems, and database management, as well as healthcare topics in medical language, the health insurance industry, and healthcare laws. Classes will be offered online and in a day program on the main campus in Henderson, NC.

The Information Technology department offers a Healthcare Informatics Support Certificate consisting of 5 classes and 15 credit hours and an associate’s degree which requires the completion of 67 credits. The IT-Healthcare Informatics program is designed for computer professionals, nurses, and healthcare administration professionals as they prepare to work for healthcare providers, hospitals, and government entities.

Graduates will be eligible to prepare for industry certifications through CompTIA, Microsoft (Microsoft Technical Associate – Database Administration Fundamentals and Microsoft Office Specialists certifications) and the Health Information and Management Systems Society (CPHIM – Certified Professional in Health Information and Management Systems).

Cyber Security is the first-ever program at VGCC offered through the Information Technology department that provides students with training in securing information and defending data within computer systems, including hardware, software, and electronic data. The program places an emphasis on classes in network vulnerabilities, cyber-crime activity, and security risk management providing students with highly sought-after skills in ensuring confidentiality, maintaining integrity and availability of information, researching emerging security threats, and recognizing vulnerabilities. The curriculum is also aligned with exam material for many industry certifications for IT-security professionals.

The IT-Cyber Security program will be offered at the Franklin Campus in Louisburg, NC. The IT department will offer a 15-credit hour certificate in Cyber Security Support and an associate’s degree consisting of 67 credits. Classes will be offered online through distance education and on campus in a day program. The Cyber Security program is designed for individuals interested in technology, interacting with computers, and problem-solving and analyzing data and information.

Graduates of Cyber Security will be eligible for positions in information technology specializing in security for a variety of industries including healthcare and research, technology firms, banking and finance, and military and government agencies. To compete in this fast-growing industry, students will also be encouraged to obtain industry certifications, such as CompTIA Security+, ITF+, Net+, A+, and the *CySA+ Cyber Security Analyst.

*The CompTIA CySA+ certification is an IT workforce certification for IT professionals looking to gain the following security analyst skills: (https://certification.comptia.org)

  • Data analysis and interpretation of results to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and risks
  • Configure and use threat-detection tools
  • Secure and protect applications and systems within an organization.

For more information about these two new curriculum programs, please contact Faith Harris, program head for Information Technology at 252-738-3235

New students can find admissions information on our website: https://www.vgcc.edu/admissions

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville Chamber Looking for Small Business of the Year Nominees

/by

-Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce is looking for nominees for the annual Small Business of the Year award. This is your opportunity to recognize an outstanding business in the small business community.

Please contact the Chamber for a nomination form. Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Chamber by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2019, at 124 Hillsboro St. in Oxford, NC or 1598 Butner-Creedmoor Rd. in Creedmoor, NC.

 2019 Small Business of the Year Criteria:

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people;
  • Member of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and must be located in Granville County;
  • Must be a viable, on-going business for three or more years, experiencing growth or stability over its business life;
  • Provides critical service or product, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and services;
  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business;
  • Business is supportive of community growth and sustainability;
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Anyone can nominate a business they feel deserves recognition and meets the criteria; companies may nominate themselves.

All nominated companies will be required to submit a written application and return to the Granville County Chamber Of Commerce no later than April 12 to be considered.

All applications are confidential. Representative(s) of every small business completing a written application will be invited to a Small Business Luncheon in May.

For a nomination form or with questions, please contact the Chamber office at (919) 693-6125 or email wanda@granville-chamber.com.

State Highway Patrol Announces 2019 ‘Operation Drive To Live’

/by

-Press Release, NCDPS

In anticipation of spring break and prom season, the State Highway Patrol is once again conducting Operation Drive to Live, an annual campaign to reduce collisions involving teen drivers.  Beginning Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, troopers will step up their enforcement in and around school zones between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

In 2018, a personal injury lawyer long island released a report in which, the Highway Patrol investigated over 55,261 motor vehicle collisions involving drivers and passengers who were between the ages of 15 – 19. Of those collisions, 10,287 injuries were reported and 94 resulted in one or more fatalities.  According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, young drivers are significantly over-represented in fatal crashes, particularly those who are 16 to 19-year-olds. Immaturity and inexperience are primary factors contributing to fatal crashes by young drivers, especially during the first six months of driving.

This year, SHP is focusing on distracted driving, one of the leading causes of teen-related crashes. Cell phones, passengers and other electronic devices are just some of the distractions that can lead to needless collisions involving injury or death.

With this in mind, the Patrol has partnered with the Johnston County (JoCo) Teen Drivers Club, to produce PSAs on the dangers associated with distracted driving. The PSAs will be featured throughout the week on the Patrol’s Facebook page in hopes of combating distracted driving collisions.