Tag Archive for: #granvillecountypublicschools

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet for Work Session – Thurs., Sept. 27

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a BOE Work Session on Thursday, September 27, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Granville County Public Central Office, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The purpose of the meeting will be to receive information and discuss long-term planning options to address school facility needs and capacity in light of declining enrollment. The board will also meet in a Closed Session for Personnel/Attorney-Client Privilege in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.

The next scheduled board meeting will be held Monday, October 1, 2018, at 6 p.m.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Public Schools Continues to Make Progress in Improving Student Achievement

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, the NC State Board of Education released standardized test data for all public schools across the state for the 2017-2018 school year. The results for Granville County Public Schools (GCPS) show that overall, the district continues to make progress in improving students’ academic success. Generally speaking, 15 schools met or exceeded growth: 7 of 19 schools “exceeded growth”, and 8 of 19 “met growth” as measured by the state.

Additionally, students’ proficiencies increased in 9 out of 17 EOG and EOC tested grade level and content areas. Furthermore, 9 schools achieved double-digit increases in proficiency in at least one tested area, and 4 schools experienced 20+ point gains in proficiency in at least one tested area.  Finally, our 12th-grade students across the district also outperformed other students from across the state by six percentage points on the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, which is designed to measure workplace readiness. GCPS students performed at 74.2% on the assessment while the state average was 68.2%.

Letter grades assigned by the state fluctuated slightly compared to previous years.  The following graph shows letter grade distribution for all schools since the state began assigning letter grades:

 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
A  –  0 A  –  1 A  –  1 A  –  1  A  –  1
B  –  2 B  –  1 B  –  3 B  –  4 B  –  4
C  –  9 C  –  8 C – 10 C  –  9 C  –  7
D  –  6 D  –  6 D –  6 D  –  4 D  –  6
F – 2 F – 3 F – 0 F – 0 F – 0

As reported by the NC Department of Public Instruction, “school grades continue to correlate closely with the poverty levels of schools. Among schools where more than 81 percent of students come from low-income families, 69 percent of the schools received a D or F.”  This correlation also held true for all of the schools in Granville County that received a letter grade of “D”.

Superintendent McLean provided her perspective on the results, “While I am certainly pleased to see many positive areas in this data, there is still much room for improvement. Our goal is for every student to experience significant growth in every area. We believe that ALL students are capable of reaching their full potential, and we will not rest until this goal is achieved.”

With changes in school leadership and modified instructional supports in place, academic improvements are expected in the coming school year. For additional information, please visit the NCDPI Accountability website, which provides detailed data.

https://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/reporting/

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. School Superintendent Addresses the Community; Announces Important Dates

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean’s Message to the Community:

Dear Community,

The beginning of a new school year always creates a sense of excitement, hope, and great anticipation for students, families and educators. This year has been no different and we are all energized as the result of it. We are even more elated by the wonderful students who have reported to our schools! Granville County Public School System is excited to launch into the 2018-19 school year with our amazing educators and students! While we have now completed the first week of school for traditional students, several of our schools began earlier this summer and are well underway. This is the first year Granville County Public Schools offered a year-round calendar option to parents/guardians and pupils have been in session since mid-July. As usual, our GCPS Early College began classes early August, as it operates on the VGCC calendar. This is also the first year for our Granville Academy whereby students receive instruction through a blended model of learning. The GCPS Board of Education and I are thrilled such options for students and their families are alive and well in our school district!

This year, we could not be more excited about the opportunity to work with every child who reports to our schools. In fact, our motto, which is “Committed to Excellence and Achievement for All,” is not just food for thought; it is our Call to Action and one we take seriously. Through standards-based teaching, layered with character building and the use of the Multi-Tiered System of Support, we aspire to individualize our approach to ensuring all students reach his/her full potential.

In our effort to strengthen home, school and community relationships this year, we have the following district-wide Impact Dates. Individual schools will be forwarding more information, as we get closer to each date. We welcome our families and our community to join us.

GCPS 2018-19 Impact Dates:

Grandparents Day September 14, 2018

All School Day

 All Schools
Strategic Plan Community Day September 18, 2018

6:30 – 8 p.m.

 Masonic Home for Children
Safety Summit October 13, 2018

9:30 – 11 a.m.

 Northern Granville Middle School
Day of Service/Caring November 2, 2018

All School Day

 All Schools
Night of Kindness April 23, 2019

6:30 p.m.

 South Granville High School
Evening of Excellence May 3, 2019

TBA

 South Granville High School
Granville Early College Graduation May 17, 2019

7 p.m.

 VGCC Civic Center
South Granville High School Graduation June 15, 2019

9 a.m.

 SGHS
Granville Central High School Graduation June 15, 2019

1 p.m.

 GCHS
Granville Academy Graduation June 15, 2019

4 p.m.

 Board of Education
JF Webb High School Campus & JF Webb HLS Graduation June 15, 2019

7:30 p.m.

 JFWHS

After reuniting with all GCPS educators at Convocation 2018 and with families at Open House, the energy was so positively elevated that I know the 2018–19 school year is going to be extraordinary! Our teachers and staff are ready, willing and well able, regardless of the school. In fact, if last year’s honors, accolades and student outcomes are any indication, our educators in Granville County Public Schools are definitely “On the Move” and we will keep forging ahead in our work with students, regardless of their needs. Our school leaders and educators are second to none. In fact, we all stand ready to move the academic needle and the real-life experience barometer to the next level for every pupil in our care. Further, our schools are without a doubt “Keeping the main thing; the main thing” by making certain our students’ safety and needs are our top priorities. We want everyone safe, every day.  As such, we are pleased to share that ALL of our schools now have buzzer systems for entrance, safety hotline numbers posted and routine air quality checks, just to name a few of the safety measures.

Last year, we proudly prepared students for acceptances at colleges, universities, community colleges, the Naval Academy, various branches of the military, the workplace of choice and for programs that required certain certifications. Our athletic coaches prepared youngsters so well that we won conference, regional and state championships. Our Arts teachers have pupils showcasing all over and one group even had the opportunity to perform at the state capitol and another, for the Department of Public Instruction! The internship and apprenticeship opportunities in GCPS are so awesome that our students graduate with real job skills and credentials deeming them ready for specialized jobs in the workplace. This year, our district-wide emphases on literacy and student engagement are areas of focus that are designed to take us even higher.

So, to all of our students, parents, families & community….let’s continue striving to have an extraordinary school year! Please join us in moving ahead in every way possible! While we are far from perfect, we certainly commit to doing our best. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our numerous community partners, neighbors, businesses and friends for any role you may have contributed in helping us successfully open school. From the incredible beautification efforts on our campuses, to the individuals who helped with bulletin boards and other school tasks, your support is priceless!  Our district is grateful to have you, your talents, skills and time. Let’s stay “On the Move” as a school system and community. All will be needed on this journey. Please feel free to join us when you can.

Sincerely,

Dr. Alisa R. McLean, Superintendent

Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Board of Education to Meet in Called Session, Tues., Aug. 14

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Board of Education will meet in a called meeting on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 5:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Administrative Offices, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, North Carolina.

The board will also meet in a closed session for Personnel/Attorney-Client Privilege in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321. The next scheduled Board Work Session for the Board of Education will be held on Monday, August 20, 2018.

Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to Board of Education

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Schools Parting With Chamber’s Teachers’ Breakfast; Will Hold Their Own

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools has a long, proud history of partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and the community at large to celebrate and support our newly appointed teachers at the beginning of each school year. Together, we have enjoyed many decades at the Annual New Teacher Breakfast, sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, to welcome educators from far and wide to join our public school system and our communities. We have always enjoyed this exciting time of year together and are grateful for the generosity and outpouring of support for our staff and students.

This year, however, Granville County Public Schools staff recently learned that for the first time ever in the history of the Chamber-sponsored event, teachers and administrators from outside of our public school district would be attending and participating in the program for that morning, which was to be held in one of our elementary schools. This event would no longer be held to just support the educators of Granville County Public Schools but was to include a presentation to GCPS teachers from the leadership of a competing charter school that drains much-needed resources from our school district.

Charter schools are not part of the Granville County Public School system and are exempt from many of the requirements placed on public schools, including the requirements to provide meals and transportation, to employ only licensed teachers, and to accept and instruct any student who lives in the district.

This change in the nature of the event gave the Granville County Board of Education serious concerns about the message the event would send to our new GCPS teachers, in a time when recruiting and retaining qualified teachers is increasingly challenging for our public school system. After careful consideration and discussion, board members voted unanimously to not participate in the breakfast this year. This decision was a strong indication of support for our community’s public education system and sends a message that we fully declare our schools to be the first and best choice in education for all of the children of our county. The school system will instead sponsor a new teacher breakfast to welcome Granville County Public Schools teachers.

We hope that members of the community, local businesses, industry groups, and citizens will understand this need for our school board to take this position, and know that it does not reflect in any way on our tremendous gratitude toward their support of our schools and the prior support we have received from the Chamber. We are hopeful that over the next year we may be able to work with the Chamber to find a resolution to our concerns. Together, we can achieve excellence and achievement for all!

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Granville Co. New Teachers’ Breakfast Canceled After 25+ Years Welcoming Educators

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

The following is a message from the Granville County Chamber of Commerce to Chamber members and media representatives:

Notice of Cancellation of the Annual New Teachers’ Breakfast

It is with deep regret that the 2018 Annual New Teachers’ Breakfast, which has been hosted by the Granville Chamber of Commerce for more than 25 years, has been canceled. The event was scheduled to be held on August 17, 2018, at Mount Energy Elementary School. The event was to be sponsored and catered by Granville Health Systems and gift bags were prepared for the new teachers by the Chamber membership.

The Chamber of Commerce received a statement from the Board of Education, who met Monday evening August 6, and unanimously decided Granville County Public Schools will not participate in the Chamber’s new teacher breakfast this year.

This breakfast has always been a long-standing event that is entirely coordinated by the Chamber and its members. The Chamber has always viewed this event as an avenue to welcome all new educators to our community and promote camaraderie with fellow associates along with community leaders. The Granville Chamber of Commerce wishes the very best of success to our new teachers this year and hopes that this annual tradition is reconsidered in the future.

Please call the Chamber office at 919-693-6125 or email wanda@granville-chamber.com with questions.

Sincerely,

Granville Chamber of Commerce

www.granville-chamber.com

919-693-6125

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Granville County Public Schools

Annual Granville Co. ‘New Teacher Breakfast’ to be Held Fri., Aug. 17

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

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Granville Health System are sponsoring the annual New Teacher Breakfast on Friday, August 17 at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria at Mount Energy Elementary School, 2652 Hwy 56, Creedmoor. This event welcomes and recognizes new employees to the Granville County Public School system and allows them an opportunity to meet local elected officials, as well as business and agency leaders in Granville County.

Presiding will be Hal Muetzel, President of the Chamber, with remarks from Granville Health System – event sponsor.

Granville County Chamber banking, investment, real estate, property management and insurance members are being invited to set up business displays to provide information for the newcomers.

Teacher gift bag items are requested. Chamber of Commerce member businesses contribute items for gift bags for the 100 new teacher employees. Businesses interested in donating gift bag items should contact either of the Chamber’s offices – Toni Anne Wheeler, (919) 528-4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett, (919) 693-6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

Granville County Public Schools

Four Granville Co. Public Schools to Begin Year-Round Schedule

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools and the Granville County Public Schools website

Dr. Alisa McLean, superintendent of Granville County Public Schools (GCPS), will welcome students on Monday, July 16, 2018, for the first day of school for students on the new year-round calendar.

McLean will welcome students at Butner-Stem Middle School on Monday, July 16 at 8:15 a.m., and will be touring classrooms at West Oxford Elementary School starting at 12:45 p.m. that same day.

According to the GCPS website, Dr. McLean conducted a series of conversations last fall with the community, and an overwhelming interest was expressed for a choice of a year-round school schedule.

The Granville County Board of Education moved forward with the recommendation and four Granville County public schools will offer a year-round schedule for the 2018-19 school year: Butner-Stem Elementary School, Butner-Stem Middle School, West Oxford Elementary School and Northern Granville Middle School.

Each of these schools will operate with two separate calendars – one group of students on a traditional calendar, and one on a year-round schedule.

Dr. Vanessa Wrenn Named Principal of Granville Academy

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Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, Ed.D. has been named principal of Granville Academy, a blended learning experience for grades K-12 that allows for on-site and off-site independent studies.

Wrenn began her career in education teaching at Riverside High School in Durham and has served as a Career Technical Education teacher and the Director of Technology and Online Learning for Granville County Public Schools.

Among her accomplishments, Wrenn initiated the Granville Online program in 2010 for students in grades 7-12 and also implemented a one laptop device per student directive to allow for 24/7 anytime, anywhere learning.

“As a mother of three, my lens is always ‘what is best for children,’” said Wrenn. “My goal is to ensure that all children are engaged in their learning so they may be successful students.”

With a background in digital learning initiatives, Wrenn brings her extensive knowledge to this new approach to K-12 education. “My work has transitioned learning in Granville County Public Schools to a digital age teaching environment,” said Wrenn. “Students and teachers now have consistent access to technology devices, resources and online courses.”

As part of the Granville County Public School System, Granville Academy will begin its first school year on Monday, August 27, 2018, and will follow the traditional calendar for Granville County Schools.

Taught by state-certified teachers, and accredited as part of the school district system, Granville Academy staff “will use innovation and flexibility to best meet each learners needs.”

According to their website, Granville Academy will enroll students in K-5 and 6-8 to attend a physical school building two days a week for five hours each day. High school students in grades 9-12 will have flexibility in their workspace based on progress. All students will work virtually during the school week.

Academy classes will be located inside existing Granville County school structures. Tar River and CG Credle Elementary and Butner-Stem and Northern Granville Middle will serve as the Granville Academy elementary and middle school sites, respectively. High school students will attend a physical school building on an as-needed basis.

Granville Academy is available to both in-county and out-of-county residents. While free for residents of Granville County, students living out-of-district will pay a tuition as determined by the Granville County Public School’s Board of Education.

According to Wrenn, community feedback regarding the hybrid learning experience has been very positive. “The schedule of some days on campus and other days away from campus meets families and learners’ specific needs. We have families who travel for work and pleasure, students who are pursuing sports, arts, or have health reasons which require flexible schedules. Additionally, some students prefer a blended model due to their learning style.”

Over the past few months, Granville Academy staff have conducted numerous community talks to educate the community on the school design and to answer individual questions.

Although well-received, Wrenn said the biggest challenge has been helping both parents and the community understand how a blended school works. “The school utilizes a personalized course of study that follows local and state curriculum standards. Teachers provide the primary instruction and assign grades. Parents are highly involved, facilitating learning on the days students are at home.”

Students are assessed using the same state end-of-grade and end-of-course exams as traditional Granville County Public School students and are eligible for athletics and other activities as offered at their base school.

With 168 students currently enrolled in grades K-12, Wrenn is ready to get started. “I understand that each child needs an advocate and options. I am excited and eager to bring my skills as an educational leader in online learning and technology to Granville Academy and work to ensure every child’s success in a personalized learning environment.”

*For more information on Granville Academy, please visit their website at https://ga.gcs.k12.nc.us/ or contact Dr. Wrenn at wrennv@gcs.k12.nc.us.

Check Out Granville County Public Schools 4-10-18

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In an email to WIZS News, Dr. Stan Winborne with Granville County Public Schools said, “I am reaching out to let you know that we having a very exciting event for our families on Tuesday, April 10 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Granville Expo Center.”

It is the first ever District Choice Fair for GCPS.  Winborne said, “ALL of our schools will be represented at a festive occasion at which parents and community members can come out and learn about our schools. Staff will be on site to answer questions, provide information and enroll students in all grades at all schools.”

He asked that the following flier be forwarded:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Stan Winborne is the executive director of operations, human resources, communications, and safety and is the public information officer for Granville Count Public Schools.