Vance Superintendent Received Medal for Technology Implementation

/by

— courtesy Vance County Schools

Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools, received the prestigious Friday Medal during a ceremony at the Friday Institute on the Centennial Campus of N.C. State University in Raleigh on November 15.

Jackson, who has been the superintendent of local schools since the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, was presented the award by Friday Institute officials in recognition of his outstanding leadership in implementing effective use of technology into teaching and learning each day in the classrooms of our 17 public schools.

The Friday Medal honors significant, distinguished and enduring contributions to education and beyond through advocating innovation, advancing education and imparting inspiration. In recognition of the commitment of Bill and Ida Friday to educational excellence, the College of Education’s William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation created The Friday Medal. This award is given annually to those who embody the mission and spirit of the Friday Institute.

In collaboration with the N.C. School Superintendents Association, the 2017 Friday Medal was presented to Jackson and six other superintendents. They each received a medal for their own accomplishments and as representatives of the many other dedicated and innovative rural superintendents who serve the students of North Carolina. All of the superintendents honored included:

Darrin Hartness – Davie County
Anthony Jackson – Vance County
Jeff McDaris – Transylvania County
Janet Mason – Rutherford County
Lynn Moody – Rowan Salisbury
Patrick Miller – Greene County
Robert Taylor – Bladen County

VGCC Advisory Committees hold annual meetings

/by

— courtesy VGCC

Citizens from Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties came together at the Main Campus of Vance-Granville Community College on Oct. 24 as the college’s advisory committees held their annual meetings.

VGCC’s 36 advisory committees are made up of people from the communities served by the college who have worked in the fields for which the college offers training or who can provide certain insights or expertise. Committees advise not only curriculum and continuing education programs, but also VGCC’s South, Franklin and Warren campuses, the Small Business Center and other departments. Many committee members are VGCC alumni. Each fall, these committees meet on campus with the heads of the programs they advise.

At the Oct. 24 meetings, VGCC faculty and staff communicated with advisory committee members about new developments in academic programs, about how to tailor classes and training to meet employment needs, and about changes in the workplace. Committee members made suggestions on what the college should be doing to enhance or adapt instruction.

VGCC advisory committee meetings included this gathering of the Human Services Technology Program Advisory Committee on Oct. 24 in a classroom on the college’s Main Campus. Those present included, seated clockwise from left, Yvonne Faison of Franklin County Schools, VGCC academic and career coach/counselor Veta Pierce-Cappetta, Human Services program head Tracy Wallace, Kathryn Thompson of the Vance County Department of Social Services, Human Services instructor Sharon O’Geary and student representative Larecia Bullock of Oxford. (VGCC photo)

Students in VGCC’s Culinary Arts program prepared a reception in the Civic Center, preceding the meetings. The menu had an “international” theme and included heavy hors d’oeuvres like Beef Bourgogne, Tandoori Chicken, antipasti and orzo Greek pasta salad, along with assorted desserts representing Italian, Greek, Indian and Latin American traditions.

In remarks during the reception, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, expressed the college’s gratitude to the advisory committee members for their service and their support. “Your input is crucial to ensuring that our college’s programs and services remain relevant to our community and to our workforce, and that we have prepared our students well to enter into their professions and to continue their higher education,” President Williams told the attendees.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)

Public Health Serving You 11/15/17

/by

Vance County Schools Update 11/13/17

/by

Backpacks Donated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Chi Omega chapter

/by

— courtesy Vance County Schools

Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Chi Omega chapter presented 150 new backpacks filled with school supplies to Superintendent Anthony Jackson for distribution to needy children in Vance County Schools.

The presentation was made on November 6, in the school system’s Administrative Services Center.

The “Backpack Initiative” is one of the initiatives established by the current international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Dr. Dorothy Buchanan Wilson. The sorority pledged to donate one million backpacks to schools in the United States and other countries from 2014-2018. It is set to reach that goal and surpass it.

Presenting the backpacks to Dr. Jackson in the accompanying photo are sorority members, from left, Patricia Williams, Vivian Bullock, Sarah Baskerville, Nakeshia Rolle and Carol Simmons.

American Education Week

/by

— courtesy Vance County Schools

During November 13-17, the nation will observe American Education Week, a time to celebrate public education and the educators who make a difference every day in the lives of children.

We invite parents, community and business leaders, and elected officials to our 17 Vance County Public Schools, so that they can see the exciting learning that is taking place in our classrooms.
All visitors to our schools are to report to the office. They ideally can contact the principal and set up an appointment, but any school administrator will be glad to talk with them and take them around the school as time permits.

Kerr Tar Council of Government Update 11/08/17

/by

@VanceCoSchools Youth Empowerment Academy

/by

— courtesy Vance County Schools — VCS Photo

Randall Q. Bullock, a Vance County native now living in New Jersey and mentoring young men, spoke to male students in the school system’s Youth Empowerment Academy on November 3.

Bullock talked with the six students, who are in the academy on long-term suspension from their middle schools, about their focus on the important things in life and about making good decisions.

He explained to the students that he moved to Vance County at an early age and attended school at New Hope Elementary, Eaton-Johnson Middle and the former Vance Senior High School, now Northern Vance. Bullock stressed to the students that he wanted to tell them his story to help them for their futures. He said he always loved playing football in school and continued playing football when he completed high school at Ravenscroft, a private school in Raleigh. After graduating from high school in 1984, he attended the University of Virginia where he played on the varsity football team.

“I enjoyed my time playing football,” he explained. “I was a wide receiver in college and I played, but I think back even now on what I could have done more at that time to improve and be better. Would it have made a difference in my future? Could I have actually played in the NFL?”

Bullock admitted he didn’t work as hard as he should have in college. After completing his time at Virginia, Bullock moved to New Jersey where his father lived.

He said he eventually realized he needed a plan for his life and that he needed to “look at the big picture.”

“That’s what I want you to do,” he told the students. “Look at the macro, your big picture for your life and where you want to go. You can also look at the micro, which is what you want to do for right now.”

He emphasized to the students that they need to make good decisions now and work to get back on track with their school work and their behavior.

“You are hurting your life resume,” he said. “You must get an education to be successful and you must stay out of trouble.”

Bullock talked with the students about Booker T. Washington, who transformed himself from a former slave to a successful businessman and is known today as one of the most influential African-Americans in our history. He also told the students the story of Ben Carson, a national leader among brain surgeons who ran for U.S. President in the 2016 election. Carson was raised in poverty by his mother, but with her always pushing him and his brother to do well in school and get a good education he overcame many obstacles and is a very success African-American today, Bullock added.

Bullock was brought to the academy by Dr. Ralphel Holloman, coordinator of the academy, to mentor the young male students. He plans to visit the students each month and continue to work with them as a positive, adult role model. Bullock said he is in Henderson about every three weeks visiting and assisting his mother who still lives here. He also plans to bring additional speakers with him when he visits with the students.

 

Home and Garden Show 11/07/17

/by

Home and Garden Show 10/31/17

/by