THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper
To hear further discussion on this press release, please go to WIZS.com and click on today’s Town Talk.
New health guidelines released Monday represent a first step to help North Carolina K-12 public schools find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year, health and education leaders announced Monday.
The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) lays out a comprehensive set of baseline health practices that public schools should follow to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students, staff, and families. In addition to specific requirements, the Toolkit recommends practices that schools should implement to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while allowing in-person teaching to resume.
Governor Roy Cooper, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis, and NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen shared the guidance Monday.
“Getting children back to school to learn is a high priority, but they must be able to do so in the safest way possible,” said Governor Cooper. “Every child, family and public school educator in North Carolina deserve strong protection to lower the risk of virus spread.”
Schools are asked to plan for reopening under three scenarios – Plan A: Minimal Social Distancing, Plan B: Moderate Social Distancing, or Plan C: Remote Learning Only. NCDHHS, in consultation with the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, will announce by July 1 which of the three plans should be implemented for schools to most safely reopen. The remaining plans may be needed if the state’s COVID-19 metrics change over time.
“Opening schools will be possible if we keep working together to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will each need to do our part and practice the 3 Ws – Wear a cloth face covering. Wait six feet apart. Wash your hands frequently. These easy actions will have an outsized impact in keeping viral spread low in order to help get our children back to school,” said Cohen.
The Public Health Toolkit was developed collaboratively by DHHS and DPI with input from a range of stakeholders across the state, including local superintendents, State Board of Education members, the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Council, and members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Working Group.
“We are working together to balance the need for all of our children to get back to school – especially children who rely on public schools for their education, health, safety and nutrition – while at the same time proceeding cautiously and deliberately to protect their health and safety,” said Chairman Davis. “I know meeting these public health requirements will take a tremendous effort by our schools – but I also know we are doing the right thing and that our schools will rise to the challenge.”
The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit will be a companion to operational guidance under development by DPI that will offer strategies for how to implement the public health guidance and cover other non-health areas for reopening planning, including scheduling, instructional practice, and staff training.
“Today, North Carolinians have the important first step of returning to schools in the fall with this release of the final health guidance for schools from the NC Department of Health and Human Services,” Superintendent Johnson said. “In addition, the North Carolina education agency has already been leading workgroups, comprised of diverse stakeholders from teachers to school staff to superintendents to other support professionals, to create draft operational strategies that will help our school systems prepare for the fall. We will now seek feedback on the draft operational strategies from other stakeholders across the state to ensure that we best capture the needs of all our schools.”
The StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) was developed using the most current CDC guidance for schools and includes requirements and recommendations for eight areas: Social Distancing and Minimizing Exposure; Cloth Face Coverings; Protecting Vulnerable Populations; Cleaning and Hygiene; Monitoring for Symptoms; Handling Suspected, Presumptive or Confirmed Positive Cases of COVID-19; Communication and Combating Misinformation; Water and Ventilation Systems; Transportation; and Coping and Resilience.
For example, it requires students and others to be screened for illness before entering school and requires floor markings to maintain social distance. It also includes sample screening symptom checklists in English and Spanish, a flow chart protocol for handling suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a checklist of infection control supplies schools may need. The Toolkit will be updated as new health guidance is released by the CDC and additional resources are added.
Questions about the StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) should be directed to StrongSchoolsNC@dhhs.nc.gov (in English or in Spanish).
Home and Garden 06-09-20
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com on Tuesday at 4:30 PM.
Town Talk 06/10/20: Jarvis Talks Move to WV, Future of Economic Dev. in Vance Co.
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Dennis Jarvis II, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
It was announced via press release last week that Jarvis, with H-V Economic Development since November 2017, was recently named the executive director for the Jefferson County Development Authority in his home state of West Virginia. Jarvis begins his new role on July 6, 2020.
Jarvis brings 20 years of economic development experience to his new role and will use his expertise to develop a new strategic plan for the future direction and economic development of Jefferson County.
Jarvis – Econ Dev)
Discussing his time in Henderson and Vance County, Jarvis said he believes economic development is heading in the right direction. “Almost three years later, we have a stable and professional economic development office, a marketing program that I feel is one of the top in NC, expansion of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park that will have infrastructure in place by the end of the year and heavy project activity.”
Looking to the future, Jarvis said workforce development and education are the keys to a successful, thriving community.
“In order to have a robust economy, I’d encourage Henderson and Vance County to continue to focus on developing and enhancing workforce skills and education,” said Jarvis. “We have too many organizations in this region that say they are doing workforce development and it’s like putting a bandage over a pothole; you can only traverse it so many times before it gives way.”
Jarvis praised Vance-Granville Community College President Dr. Rachel Desmarais and Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson for their work in promoting workforce development and education.
“I credit Rachel Desmarais and Anthony Jackson for moving the needle and changing the way that workforce development is talked about and the way skills enhancement is viewed,” said Jarvis. “The community college is now back to its basic core functionality, which is skills assessment and workforce preparedness. I also think you are going to see the school system continue to progress and move forward. When you’ve had 20 years of stagnation and getting away from core missions in both institutions, you don’t change things overnight.”
To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, including additional discussion on the local economy and organizations making strides to improve workforce development, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Coach’s Corner: Independent Schools Following NCISAA’s Summer Sports Guidelines
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Homar Ramirez, executive director of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA), appeared on WIZS Coach’s Corner Wednesday.
Stating that the NCISAA does not govern the months of June and July comparable to other associations, Ramirez explained there was more flexibility in determining summer sport and activity guidelines for independent schools.
Guidance from the NCISAA utilizes a three-phased approach to help school systems navigate a gradual reopening of athletic activities.
Stage One of the guidelines began for some local schools, such as Crossroads Christian, last week and are recommended for the first 14 days. Guidelines include limiting sports practices to 25 people outside or 10 inside, face coverings to be worn, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing to be practiced and the disinfecting of all shared equipment.
While these general suggestions were offered for all sports during Stage One, specific guidelines were also provided for each sport.
Stage Two guidelines are suggested for the 14 days following the end of the first stage, with Stage Three taking student-athletes from the end of the second stage right up to the beginning of fall sports.
“These guidelines were designed to help our schools advance through resocialization and to reacclimate students to the flow of sports and being with other kids again,” Ramirez said. “While guidelines have been provided, schools may advance through the different stages as they are ready. We are planning in case of delays but are hopeful that we won’t see any more.”
Visit the NCISAA’s website at www.ncisaa.org for more details on the summer guidelines.
To hear more from Ramirez, please listen to the Coach’s Corner audio by clicking the play button above.
WIZS Local News at Noon 6/10/20
/by John C. RoseWIZS – Your Community Voice
Local News at 8am, 12pm, 5pm; M-F
1450 AM / 100.1 FM / wizs.com
Local News for June 10, 2020 at noon
Vance County Schools Approves 2020-21 Calendars, Applies for K-12 Fully Remote Option
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
2020-2021 Vance County Schools Calendars Approved
Vance County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the 2020-2021 calendars, reflecting the current requirements, as passed by the general assembly, including five remote learning days.
The early start calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on May 21, 2021.
The year-round calendar will begin for students on July 31, 2020, and end on June 11, 2021.
Traditional calendars will start for students on August 17, 2020, and end on June 2, 2021.
The total number of days in the calendar is the same length as previous years, just allocated to include the remote learning days. Check out the VCS website (click here) to view the calendars in more detail.
Vance Virtual Village Academy
Vance County Schools wants to ensure that there is a place for every student to learn. As discussion of the 2020-2021 school year begins, the uncertainties for many families remain.
VCS has applied for a new LEA code through the NC Department of Public Instruction for Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3). This school is designed for grades K-12 and will be a fully remote option for those families that feel this is the best option for their child. The school is designed as a place “WHERE WE VALUE connectedness, engagement,
and equity.”
V3 will offer a variety of activities that serve all types of learning styles. The premise is that all teachers will need to consider Universal Design for Learning (UDL) when planning both their synchronous and asynchronous instruction, working to increase access to learning by reducing physical, cognitive, intellectual, and organizational barriers to
learning whenever possible.
At this time, VCS awaits approval from the state to move forward with V3.
Maria Parham Health Eases Visitor Restrictions
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health announced yesterday that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities.
The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in the region and after careful review of state and federal guidance. The updated restrictions, which will now allow most patients to have one visitor or support person per day, have been implemented effective immediately.
“Our hospital’s top priority is safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients, providers, employees and community,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “We continue to monitor closely the prevalence of the virus in our community as we adapt our operations to safely care for and support our patients, and we feel confident that it is safe to begin allowing limited visitors again at this time.”
As part of the updated visitor restrictions, patients are now limited to one well visitor per day, including one companion for outpatient appointments and one support person for obstetric patients. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older, will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask and an armband/sticker while in the facility.
Visitors who do not pass the screening at entry will be asked to reschedule their visit until they are symptom-free. Visitors are not allowed for high-risk, isolation, immunocompromised or patients who are under observation or test positive for COVID-19.
Maria Parham Health continues to screen everyone who enters the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19, per CDC guidelines. For additional updates on how the hospital is working to maintain a safe and supportive environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit mariaparham.com.
Granville Commissioners to Review Public Comments on Proposed Budget – June 11
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-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 Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. or shortly after to continue their recessed meeting from Monday, June 1, 2020.
The Board will review any public comments submitted for the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2020-2021 budget that was submitted by the deadline of June 2, 2020, at 8 p.m. Click here to view the proposed budget in its entirety.
After the regular meeting is adjourned on June 11, the Board will then hold a budget workshop that was previously scheduled for June 4, 2020.
In order to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting may be accessed by utilizing the link and/or phone number included below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://granvillecounty.zoom.us/j/95633920786?pwd=UFdLSzR5djVWS2ZJbmZFNzZGb3UvQT09
Dial by your location
877 853 5247 US Toll-free
888 788 0099 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 956 3392 0786
Password: 396992
Town Talk 06/09/20: No Tax, Service Fee Increases in Approved Henderson Budget
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Henderson City Council members provided WIZS News with a briefing on the FY 2020-2021 Budget Adoption at the Monday, June 8, 2020, Henderson City Council meeting.
The budget was passed unanimously with six of the eight City Council members in attendance either in person or electronically via Zoom. According to reports, Councilwoman Sara Coffey and Councilwoman Fearldine Simmons were not in attendance. Click here to view the 153-page budget in its entirety.
“Our June City Council Meeting went well,” said Mayor Ellington. “Half of the Council were present in the Council Chambers including myself, the city manager and the city clerk. The others were participating via Zoom. It was a fairly fast-moving meeting with a few housekeeping details, along with adopting our 2020-2021 budget. The budget includes funding for six new firefighter positions. There will also be no service fees nor tax increases to the citizens on a unanimous vote. We are also pleased with our new manager, Mr. Terrell Blackmon’s first budget since taking the role earlier this year.”
Councilman William Burnette said: “The budget was adopted by a unanimous vote, by all in attendance. We are still having to use Zoom. I will be very happy when we can go back to normal meetings and allow public participation in the Council Chambers. Hopefully, this will happen sooner rather than later. I miss the interaction with the citizens.”
Councilman Garry Daeke and Councilwoman Melissa Elliott reported the budget was adopted with no changes and praised the declared proclamation for Dr. Andrea Harris that “was read beautifully by our Mayor,” according to Elliott.
The proclamation reads:
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris was born in Sumter, South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Andrea L. Harris grew up in Henderson, North Carolina where she resided for the majority of her life; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree at Bennett College and received an honorary doctorate from Bennett College; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrea L. Harris is best known for the impact she made on the African American community and working with minority business owners; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, Dr. Harris co-founded the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting business diversity for minorities, women, and disabled individuals: and
WHEREAS, during her lifetime, Dr. Andrea L. Harris received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Triangle Business Journal, and Governor Roy Cooper stated “Andrea Harris was a trailblazer who never stopped fighting for social and racial equity in our state.”; and
WHEREAS, the City of Henderson lost one of its most influential civil-rights figures with the passing of Dr. Andrea L. Harris on May 20, 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Henderson City Council, on behalf of all our citizens, hereby goes on record as recognizing the contributions made by Dr. Andrea L. Harris and offers her family this sincere expression of condolence.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to her family.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the City of Henderson in the State of North Carolina this the 8th day of June 2020.
-Eddie Ellington, Mayor
To hear the Town Talk segment in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk. Discussion on the Henderson City Council and budget begins at the 24:12 mark.
NC Public Schools’ Reopening Plan to be Announced by July 1
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Office of NC Governor Roy Cooper
To hear further discussion on this press release, please go to WIZS.com and click on today’s Town Talk.
New health guidelines released Monday represent a first step to help North Carolina K-12 public schools find a safe way to open to in-person instruction for the 2020-21 academic year, health and education leaders announced Monday.
The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) lays out a comprehensive set of baseline health practices that public schools should follow to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students, staff, and families. In addition to specific requirements, the Toolkit recommends practices that schools should implement to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while allowing in-person teaching to resume.
Governor Roy Cooper, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson, State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis, and NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen shared the guidance Monday.
“Getting children back to school to learn is a high priority, but they must be able to do so in the safest way possible,” said Governor Cooper. “Every child, family and public school educator in North Carolina deserve strong protection to lower the risk of virus spread.”
Schools are asked to plan for reopening under three scenarios – Plan A: Minimal Social Distancing, Plan B: Moderate Social Distancing, or Plan C: Remote Learning Only. NCDHHS, in consultation with the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, will announce by July 1 which of the three plans should be implemented for schools to most safely reopen. The remaining plans may be needed if the state’s COVID-19 metrics change over time.
“Opening schools will be possible if we keep working together to slow the spread of COVID-19. We will each need to do our part and practice the 3 Ws – Wear a cloth face covering. Wait six feet apart. Wash your hands frequently. These easy actions will have an outsized impact in keeping viral spread low in order to help get our children back to school,” said Cohen.
The Public Health Toolkit was developed collaboratively by DHHS and DPI with input from a range of stakeholders across the state, including local superintendents, State Board of Education members, the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Council, and members of the Governor’s COVID-19 Education and Nutrition Working Group.
“We are working together to balance the need for all of our children to get back to school – especially children who rely on public schools for their education, health, safety and nutrition – while at the same time proceeding cautiously and deliberately to protect their health and safety,” said Chairman Davis. “I know meeting these public health requirements will take a tremendous effort by our schools – but I also know we are doing the right thing and that our schools will rise to the challenge.”
The StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit will be a companion to operational guidance under development by DPI that will offer strategies for how to implement the public health guidance and cover other non-health areas for reopening planning, including scheduling, instructional practice, and staff training.
“Today, North Carolinians have the important first step of returning to schools in the fall with this release of the final health guidance for schools from the NC Department of Health and Human Services,” Superintendent Johnson said. “In addition, the North Carolina education agency has already been leading workgroups, comprised of diverse stakeholders from teachers to school staff to superintendents to other support professionals, to create draft operational strategies that will help our school systems prepare for the fall. We will now seek feedback on the draft operational strategies from other stakeholders across the state to ensure that we best capture the needs of all our schools.”
The StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) was developed using the most current CDC guidance for schools and includes requirements and recommendations for eight areas: Social Distancing and Minimizing Exposure; Cloth Face Coverings; Protecting Vulnerable Populations; Cleaning and Hygiene; Monitoring for Symptoms; Handling Suspected, Presumptive or Confirmed Positive Cases of COVID-19; Communication and Combating Misinformation; Water and Ventilation Systems; Transportation; and Coping and Resilience.
For example, it requires students and others to be screened for illness before entering school and requires floor markings to maintain social distance. It also includes sample screening symptom checklists in English and Spanish, a flow chart protocol for handling suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, and a checklist of infection control supplies schools may need. The Toolkit will be updated as new health guidance is released by the CDC and additional resources are added.
Questions about the StrongSchoolsNC Public Heath Toolkit (K-12) should be directed to StrongSchoolsNC@dhhs.nc.gov (in English or in Spanish).
Coach’s Corner 06/09/20: NCHSAA Green Lights Phased Return of Summer Sports
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), appeared on WIZS Coach’s Corner Tuesday.
Tucker discussed the NCHSAA Board of Directors’ recent decision to lift the “dead period” in high school sports effective Monday, June 15, 2020. Resuming of athletic activities will still depend on each district’s superintendent and local Board of Education’s approval.
Guidance from the NCHSAA utilizes a three-phased approach to help school systems navigate a gradual reopening of high school athletic activities.
Phase One, to begin June 15, includes guidelines suggesting sports practices be limited to 25 people max, sessions of no more than 90 minutes, face coverings to be worn, social distancing and hand washing/sanitizing to be practiced and the disinfecting of all shared equipment. While these general requirements apply to all sports during Phase One, specific requirements also apply to each sport.
Guidance for Phase Two and Phase Three will be announced in the coming weeks.
Acknowledging that there may be setbacks as summer activities resume due to the uncertainty of the current pandemic, Tucker said, “Risk is inherent in what we do in athletics. Just as physical setbacks occur, there may be those setbacks that occur relative to COVID-19.”
Click here for more details on the NCHSAA’s 2020 Summer Sports and Activities Guidance.
To hear more from Tucker, please listen to the Coach’s Corner audio by clicking the play button above.