Tag Archive for: #granvillecountypublicschools

J.F. Webb Takes $10,000 Prize In Altec’s ‘Innovation Challenge’

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— information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Dr. Courtney Currin

On Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, a team from J.F. Webb High School took home the top prize of $10,000 during Altec’s first-ever Innovation Challenge at the Granville County Expo Center. The competition combines science, technology and engineering through a student-driven, project-based approach. Participating student teams were asked to present their solution addressing real-world problems using an innovative approach to benefit their school or community. Students from the winning team have earned $10,000 for their school to implement their project idea – slated to begin in the spring of 2025.

The team’s winning proposal was to create a state-of-the-art maker space at their school. This creative hub will feature innovative tools and technologies, including programmable robotic arms, 3D printers, laser cutters, virtual reality headsets, a high-powered Lenovo computer, a sewing machine and more. Located near the school’s media center, the maker space will be accessible to all students, fostering innovation and hands-on learning opportunities.

The money awarded from Altec will fund the purchase of these tools, bringing the team’s vision to life and empowering J.F. Webb students for years to come.

All three high schools were invited to enter teams; two teams came from Granville Central and one team from J.F. Webb, with a total of about 15 students participating.

The Altec Innovation Challenge began earlier this fall, with individual students coming together to create teams. Each team had a faculty sponsor from their school and was also paired with engineers from Altec to help mentor and guide them in developing their plans.

The event concluded with final presentations to a panel of judges comprised of local business, education and community leaders.

The prize-winning team includes Claudio Cheluca, Kaylee Hernandez, Jayden Kufahl, Iyy’Anna Lester, Madison Ragland, Isaiah Terry and Rileigh Warner.

3 GCPS Elementary Schools Earn Kudos In US News And World Report Ranking Program

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Three elementary schools in the southern end of Granville County have earned “Best Elementary Schools” badges from U.S. News and World Report, according to Granville County Public Schools Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

Butner-Stem Elementary, Tar River Elementary and Wilton Elementary each placed among the top 40 percent of public elementary schools in North Carolina.

According to the US News and World Report, “the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students.”

GCPS Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne echoed that sentiment in praise of the school staffs, stating they “do everything they can to ensure their students succeed. Because of this and the students’ hard work, the students of those schools thrive. It’s exciting that their hard work and accomplishments are recognized.”

The rankings are based on students who scored at proficient or above proficient levels on math and reading state assessments, “while accounting for student background and achievement in core subjects,” according to information from the national publication.

 

 

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools To Shutter Three More Schools In Consolidation Efforts

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-information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin

The Granville County Board of Education voted earlier this week to close three more schools – Granville Central High School, Hawley Middle School and Butner-Stem Middle School. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, the current Granville Central High School students will move to J.F. Webb or South Granville, making room for the middle school students to attend classes at high school-turned middle school campus in Stem.

The new name of the school is Granville Central Middle School.

The school board also approved new attendance zones for the district’s traditional middle and high schools.

The school board will have a work session on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to discuss topics including:

  • The creation of a student reassignment plan for middle and high school students based on new attendance zones;
  • The creation of a staffing reassignment plan at the affected schools (Butner-Stem Middle, G.C. Hawley Middle, Granville Central High School, J.F. Webb High School, and South Granville High School) that includes a timeline for staff notification;
  • The implementation of new high school and middle school attendance zones; and
  • The development of a facility transition plan with specific tasks for the renovation of facilities and relocation of furniture, equipment, and supplies.
Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools Considers More Consolidation, School Closures

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The Granville County Board of Education has scheduled two public hearings on Monday, Oct 21 to hear from the community about closing two more schools in the Granville County Public Schools district and consolidating high schools and middle schools in the southern part of the county.

The public hearings will be held in the gymnasium of Granville Central High School, located at 2043 Sanders Rd, Stem.

Members of the public may sign up in person beginning at 5 p.m. on the date of the hearings.

The first public hearing begins at 6 p.m. and will be on the proposed closing of Granville Central and reassigning that school’s students to South Granville High and J.F. Webb High, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

As soon as the first public hearing concludes, a second public hearing will take place about closing both Butner-Stem Middle and G.C. Hawley Middle and reassigning the students from both campuses to one middle school on the campus of the current Granville Central High.

Granville Central High opened in the 2007-08 school year to ease overcrowding at the other two high schools. It served 9th and 10th grades that year.

Since 2019, Granville County Public Schools has closed Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School in the northern part of the county, as well as Mary Potter Middle School in Oxford, G.C. Hawley Middle School and Creedmoor Elementary, although the campus of the former Creedmoor Elementary is in its second year as the new home of Hawley Middle School.

Learn more at https://www.gcs.k12.nc.us/

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools Start Date Pushed To Aug. 13 To Allow For Open House

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Granville County Public Schools has pushed back by one day the opening of its 2024-25 school year in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby. The first day of class for students on the traditional calendar is now Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The school district cancelled Open House activities that had been scheduled for Thursday afternoon and evening because of the adverse weather conditions.

Open House activities have been rescheduled for Monday, Aug. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the school year will begin the next day, according to information on the school district’s social media page.

“We know this decision might be disruptive to some of our families,” the post stated, adding that the district leaders “greatly appreciate” parents’ flexibility to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Visit https://www.gcs.k12.nc.us/ or follow Granville County Public Schools on Facebook for the latest updates.

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS, Library System Team Up With $400K Digital Divide Grant Funding

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Granville County Public Schools and the Granville County Library System are teaming up with a project that will benefit students and library patrons, with help from a $400,000 Digital Champion grant.

The grant comes from the N.C. Department of Information Technology, which has awarded more than $30 million to fund 63 projects across the state in an effort to bridge the digital divide.

The two Granville County entities will use the money to refresh student laptops and to expand technology-based paid internships for GCPS high school students, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin, as well as purchase devices for checkout and use through the Granville County Library System and secure mobile Starlink internet access for the rural library branches and other parts of the county with limited internet access.

Library Director Will Robinson called the partnership a “wonderful opportunity,” noting that the Digital Champion grant will allow the library to expand its digital resources and ensure that patrons and students “have access to essential technology and online information regardless of their background or financial situation. By bridging the digital divide, we empower our residents with the tools they need for education, employment and personal growth.”

GCPS Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne said the funding will help prepare students to use technology in the workplace more effectively.

“It also allows us to further impact our community in our partnership with the Granville County Library System. All Granville County citizens deserve reliable access to technology and broadband. We look forward to seeing how this funding will positively impact our schools, students, and Granville County citizens,” Winborne said.

Solar+ Schools Award Provides Solar Educational Program At NGMS

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Northern Granville Middle School is one of nine schools across the state that will install a solar array, thanks to NC GreenPower with backing from the State Employees Credit Union.

The Oxford middle school is a recipient of the Solar+ Schools Award for 2024 – valued between $55,000 and $75,000to create a solar educational package including a fully-funded 20-kilowatt solar array, STEM curriculum, teacher training and more, according to information from Courtney Currin, GCPS public information officer.

The solar array will provide educational opportunities for students through an included weather station and data monitoring equipment. Additionally, the solar arrays will have an energy impact on Granville County Public Schools and, possibly, the community.

Superintendent Dr. Stan WInborne said he is excited about the opportunity for the district and students. “In GCPS, we are doing all we can to increase efficiency and effectively use taxpayer dollars to provide a sound education for our students. The Solar+ Schools Award at NGMS is just another way that we can make this happen.”

STEM Early High School in Vance County also received a 2024 Solar+ Schools Award.

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Gets Digital Learning Grant From NC DPI

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Granville County Public Schools is one of four districts from across the state to receive a one-year grant to help implement effective digital learning practices.

The grant will provide $50,000 to the district to support the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force work and AI Camp for 8th-12th grade students, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

The State Board of Education approved proposals from GCPS, as well as school districts in Guilford, Nash and Perquimans counties, according to a press release from NC DPI. The Emerging Technology grants, up to $50,000, will allow districts to use technology and develop more innovative practices within their schools.

GCPS Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne said, “We’re excited to take yet another step in preparing our students for the changing technology landscape and entering technology-rich work environments. This grant will also help our staff stay updated on AI to enhance cybersecurity.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said the grants are key to helping North Carolina’s students be better prepared to compete for high-wage, high-demand careers while supporting districts in their effort to adopt new technologies and methods for teaching.

“These grants are a fundamental way to ensure that we are providing supports and resources for digital teaching and learning in North Carolina’s schools,” Truitt said. “If we want our state’s students to have ample opportunity for success after graduation, we must properly equip both students and educators with the tools to succeed and teach in our rapidly evolving, technology-forward world. These grants play a critical role in that effort.”

Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, DPI’s chief information officer, echoed Truitt’s sentiments.

“Technology continues to play a significant role in shaping successful outcomes for students, especially as the workforce continues to be increasingly digitally driven,” Wrenn said. “It is important for students to be well versed in the latest technologies, and the agency is continually impressed by these districts’ innovative approaches to digital learning outlined in their proposals that will ultimately lead to student success.”

In addition to the Emerging Technology grants, seven Impact Grants also were recommended by the State Board of Education to allow districts to facilitate the development of innovative practices and new digital teaching initiatives. Funding for the Impact Grant is up to $95,000 per public school unit for a total of three years. The seven recipients of this grant are below:

  • Alamance-Burlington School System
  • Catawba County Schools
  • Chatham County Schools
  • Edenton-Chowan Public Schools
  • Guilford County Schools
  • Wake County Public Schools
  • Lake Norman Charter School

Impact Grant funding will continue for six school districts that were awarded during previous grant cycles:

  • Asheboro City Schools (Year 2/3)
  • Caldwell County Schools (Year 3/3)
  • Davie County Schools (Year 3/3)
  • Iredell-Statesville Schools (Year 2/3)
  • Mount Airy City Schools (Year 3/3)
  • Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (Year 2/3)

The grant initiative was authorized in 2016 by the General Assembly as part of collaboration between the State Board of Education and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at N.C. State University to advance the state’s Digital Learning Plan. The goal of that plan is to develop a long-term strategy that sets directions and priorities, supports innovation and provides resources to enable educators and students to benefit fully from digital-age teaching and learning.

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS Announces New Principals At 2 Middle Schools

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-information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin

 

Two of the three middle schools in Granville County Public Schools will have new principals next year. The Granville County Board of Education At its regularly scheduled meeting on June 3, 2024, the Board of Education named Jessie Shore as the new principal of G. C. Hawley Middle School and Anthony Herndon was named as the new principal of Northern Granville Middle School.

Shore comes to GCPS from Neuse River Middle School where she was an assistant principal and math/science teacher for five years, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Shore attended Western Carolina University for her undergraduate degree and, later, administration licensure. She also holds a master’s degree from Salem College. Shore has a passion for education and ensuring the success of all students. She looks forward to meeting and working with the Hawley community to make the school the best place to learn for all students.

Herndon has been with GCPS for numerous years, serving most recently as the assistant principal at Butner-Stem Middle School. Before becoming an administrator in GCPS, Herndon taught math in grades 6-8, Math I, and Math II; and served as a District Math Specialist. He has also worked in Vance County Schools, Warren County Schools, and at NC DPI in various capacities. Herndon is a graduate of both Winston-Salem State University and Liberty University. He believes all students deserve an opportunity to have a good education that can help prepare them for their future, Currin stated. Herndon also believes it is important to create a secure and well-structured learning environment where all students can learn, discover and grow academically, emotionally and socially.

The board also chose Chasity Rivera to become the assistant principal at Butner-Stem Middle School, Michael Spradlin to be assistant principal at Wilton Elementary and Daniel DuLany to be assistant principal at SparkNC.

Granville County Public Schools

2 J.F. Webb Seniors Awarded More Than $2 Million In Scholarships

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Information courtesy of GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin

Two J.F. Webb High School seniors have been recognized for each receiving scholarships totaling more than $1 million.

Kailie Galdamez, headed off to UNC-Chapel Hill, was awarded 13 scholarships. Fellow senior Bryson Gresham, headed to East Carolina University Honors College, received 21 scholarships.

Galdamez and Gresham join classmates for graduation on Saturday, June 8 at 9 a.m.

GCPS graduation ceremonies for the class of 2024 will be livestreamed. Visit https://www.gcs.k12.nc.us/ and click on the graduation link.

The students expressed their gratitude and acknowledged the support they received during their time at J.F. Webb. “Having counselors to help me through my new experience of college applications was really helpful,” Galdamez said. Gresham stated, “I am grateful for all my administration and teachers who helped me along my journey at J.F. Webb.”

Galdamez received the following scholarships: Wingate Merit Scholarship, FBCA Impact Scholarship, UNC Chapel Hill Merit Award, UNC-Chapel Hill Carolina Covenant, Meredith Merit Scholarship, Hofstra Presidential Scholarship, Appalachian State Merit Scholarship, UNC Pembroke Merit Awards, Johnson & Wales Presidential Scholarship, Johnson & Wales Merit Scholarship, Hollins University Presidential Scholarship, High Point University Merit Scholarship and the J.F. Webb Alumni Scholarship.

Gresham received the following scholarships: Lenoir-Rhyne University Promise Scholarship, Barton College Trustee Scholarship, Wingate University Presidential, Campbell University Scott Ellis Scholarship, Campbell University Housing Award, Western Carolina Merit, Belmont Abbey Trustees Merit Scholarship, Catawba College Presidential Scholarship, Queens University of Charlotte Presidential, High Point University Presidential Fellowship, High Point University Centennial Award, High Point Merit Award, East Carolina Honors College Merit Scholarship, East Carolina Mathematics Scholarship, Furman University Bell Tower Scholarship, Appalachian State Excellence Scholarship, Sewanee Ecee Quam Bonum Award, Wofford College Merit Scholarship, UNC Wilmington Merit Scholarship, John Little Memorial Scholarship and the J.F. Webb Alumni Scholarship.