The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has announced the 2015-2016 graduation rates and the 2015-2016 dropout rates for public school districts across the state.
Vance County Schools saw significant improvement over previous years in both areas.
With a four-year cohort graduation rate of 81.9 percent for the class of 2016, this is a record high for Vance County over the past five years. The class of 2015 had a four-year cohort graduation rate of 77.6 percent in Vance County.
Vance County Schools’ dropout rate for the 2015-2016 school year continues to improve as it has for the past six years. The dropout rate for the school system is 2.07 percent for the 2015-2016 school year, which is a 13-percent decrease from the 2014-2015 school year rate of 2.28 percent. This is a record low for Vance County over the past six years.
Improving the graduation rate and reducing dropouts are top priorities for Vance County Schools. It is an ongoing and focused effort for the school system as we work to ensure that every student graduates prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing local, regional and global economy.
Additionally, Vance County Schools currently provides students new and exciting opportunities for credit recovery through online and other non-traditional programs designed to help as many students as possible realize the goal of completion of high school with their peers.
The state data also reported that during the 2015-2016 school year our schools were among the safest in our region, with reportable incidents and student suspensions down or about the same as the previous year. We are pleased with these data and hope to see continued improvement.
As a school system, we will not be satisfied until all students, parents, staff members and community members feel safe coming into our schools; where all students are learning, expectations are high and students are graduating on time prepared to contribute positively to our community and be 21st Century global citizens.
We are excited to share this news with you and look forward to celebrating with our students and their parents in the future as we continue delivering on the promise that we will provide each student a high quality educational experience as we create a school system in which our community can be PROUD. I am Vance County Proud … Are You?
Dr. Anthony D. Jackson, Superintendent
Vance County Public Schools
Town Talk 02/03/17
/by CharleneThree Graduate Mid-Year from AdVance Academy
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools: For Immediate Release
Congratulations to the mid-year graduates from the AdVance Academy at Western Vance High School.
Chris Alston, Krystyna Stallings and Jose Hernandez, shown from left in the accompanying photo, have successfully completed their high school education.
They were honored at the academy’s mid-year commencement ceremony on January 26.
Alston and Hernandez are going into the local workforce. Stallings will continue her education at Vance-Granville Community College.
Ken Lavigne to appear at McGregor Hall Tomorrow Night
/by WIZS StaffJoined by a four-piece ensemble, Ken Lavigne takes his audience on a riveting and enchanting journey, retelling his personal campaign to sing at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops.
His performances are told with spectacular songs as well as entertaining and hilarious stories that showcase how Lavigne embodies the spirit of the underdog—audacity, tenacity and ultimately…triumph. Audience favorites include Loch Lomond, Danny Boy, Hallelujah, Bring Him Home and more.
Recognized early for the outstanding timbre of his lyric tenor voice as well as the ease and agility with which he sings, Ken’s career has taken many directions that include his current touring show, The Road to Carnegie Hall.
Since his Carnegie Hall Debut, Ken has regularly performed with multi-Grammy winner David Foster and has had the honor of performing for his Majesty Prince Charles last fall. All the while he continues to earn accolades with symphonies and orchestras internationally.
Show Date/Time: February 4th at 8:00 p.m.
–McGregor Hall
Rusty Pace honored for leadership at VGCC
/by WIZS StaffRusty Pace, program head for Welding Technology at Vance-Granville Community College, was recently honored with the President’s Leadership Award from Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of the college.
Pace’s honor is one of three Glen Raven Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards presented to VGCC employees during each academic year. The others, the Faculty Member of the Year and Staff Member of the Year awards, are presented in the fall semester. Glen Raven, Inc., the manufacturer with a site in Norlina, is a longtime VGCC partner. The company’s support includes sponsoring the annual stipends to recognize outstanding VGCC instructors and staff members, and endowing many scholarships for students.
Dr. Williams praised Pace as an innovative faculty leader. “Under Rusty’s leadership, the Welding program, which was already well-known for excellence, has increased its retention rate while also expanding from a one-year diploma to an associate degree program,” the president said. “He has worked hand-in-hand with our Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant department staff to grow his program, meeting the needs of both our students and our local employers.”
Williams also noted that Pace has demonstrated a commitment to professional development, by traveling as far away as Ohio for welding technology training, by attending a conference related to the TAACCCT grant in Florida and by taking courses at the college in online education and computer skills.
A Louisburg resident and native of Franklinton, Pace enrolled at VGCC fresh out of Franklinton High School. He graduated from VGCC with a diploma in Welding in 1978 and quickly became certified through the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory. Pace worked as a welder for many years in Wake Forest and Franklin County, eventually opening his own business. He later completed an associate degree in Welding at Nash Community College.
Pace returned to teach Welding at VGCC on a part-time basis in 1998 and became a full-time instructor in 2004. Pace was promoted to the role of program head in 2007. At the college, he has served on the Professional Advisory Committee, the Judicial Committee and the Student Success Committee, and completed the VGCC Leadership Institute in 2006.
–VGCC–
News 02/03/17
/by LarryCorbitt Preservation Association to hold quarterly meeting this Sunday
/by WIZS StaffThis is a reminder of the 1st quarter meeting of The Corbitt Preservation Association. It will be this Sunday Feb 5th at 2:00 pm at the Bennett H. Perry Museum (180 Church Street, Henderson) the home of the Corbitt Preservation Association. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you there.
We are going to have a great year hope you can join us in the fun.
Thanks again,
Ken Stegall
Treasurer and Archivist
The Corbitt Preservation Association
Vance County Schools Significantly Improves Dropout Rate
/by WIZS StaffThe N.C. Department of Public Instruction has announced the 2015-2016 graduation rates and the 2015-2016 dropout rates for public school districts across the state.
Vance County Schools saw significant improvement over previous years in both areas.
With a four-year cohort graduation rate of 81.9 percent for the class of 2016, this is a record high for Vance County over the past five years. The class of 2015 had a four-year cohort graduation rate of 77.6 percent in Vance County.
Vance County Schools’ dropout rate for the 2015-2016 school year continues to improve as it has for the past six years. The dropout rate for the school system is 2.07 percent for the 2015-2016 school year, which is a 13-percent decrease from the 2014-2015 school year rate of 2.28 percent. This is a record low for Vance County over the past six years.
Improving the graduation rate and reducing dropouts are top priorities for Vance County Schools. It is an ongoing and focused effort for the school system as we work to ensure that every student graduates prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing local, regional and global economy.
Additionally, Vance County Schools currently provides students new and exciting opportunities for credit recovery through online and other non-traditional programs designed to help as many students as possible realize the goal of completion of high school with their peers.
The state data also reported that during the 2015-2016 school year our schools were among the safest in our region, with reportable incidents and student suspensions down or about the same as the previous year. We are pleased with these data and hope to see continued improvement.
As a school system, we will not be satisfied until all students, parents, staff members and community members feel safe coming into our schools; where all students are learning, expectations are high and students are graduating on time prepared to contribute positively to our community and be 21st Century global citizens.
We are excited to share this news with you and look forward to celebrating with our students and their parents in the future as we continue delivering on the promise that we will provide each student a high quality educational experience as we create a school system in which our community can be PROUD. I am Vance County Proud … Are You?
Dr. Anthony D. Jackson, Superintendent
Vance County Public Schools
Granville County Animal Management Survey
/by WIZS StaffGranville County Animal Management and Granville County Senior Services are collecting information about pet ownership in Granville County. We will use this data to better understand pet owners in Granville County and where services are needed.
This survey is anonymous.
Please only take it once.
Single Owner Request: If you co-own a pet, please only complete one survey per household.
The link to complete the survey online: https://tinyurl.com/hqzrkpz.
Charla Duncan
Grants Coordinator
141 Williamsboro St.
P.O. Box 1286
Oxford, NC 27565
Crossroads Christian School Names January Athlete of the Month
/by WIZS StaffCongratulations to Noah Brantley, our January Athlete of the Month! The son of Patrick and Christy Brantley of Henderson, he is an 8th grader who excels both on and off the court. Noah is one of the nicest young men you will ever meet. He exemplifies what it means to be a stellar student athlete.
Noah is having a phenomenal year on the MS basketball team and is averaging double figures with respect to both points and rebounds. More impressive than this, however, is Noah’s character. He treats people with dignity, respect and kindness. He sets a great example for all those around him.
Our January Athlete of the Month goes to a great athlete (basketball and soccer) and a great young man: Mr. Noah Brantley!
— Athletic Director, Jamie Parker
Kerr Tar Council Of Governments Update 02/01/17
/by Larry