Tag Archive for: #granvillecountypublicschools

Meeting Student/Parent Needs in the 21st Century

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The following is a letter to the editor provided by Granville County Public Schools.

Letter to the Editor:

Submitted by Dr. Alisa McLean, Superintendent, Granville County Public Schools  and Dr. Tom Houlihan, Chairman, Granville County Public Schools Board of Education

Meeting Student/Parent Needs in the 21st Century

We are excited about the future of Granville County Public Schools.  However, a critical moment in time is at hand as aging buildings, declined student enrollment, and few instructional options confront us.   While student achievement is slowly improving, it still is not at the rate we would like to see.

As such, we know that now is the time for change – BIG change!  With new leadership and vision in place, we believe we can make significant improvements for students and families, but it  will require support from the entire community.  In order to gain this support, we believe it is important that our citizens understand our plan for the future.  Here it is in a nutshell:

First, we need to revitalize our school buildings.  In partnership with the County Commissioners, we plan to make every one of our schools safe and inviting places to work and learn.  Already, $15 million has been promised to assist with this, focusing on critical areas of roofing and HVAC, initially.  We hope much more aid will follow to assist with additional needed improvements in security, athletics, and renovations to classrooms and other learning spaces.  However, keep in mind this is only one part of the puzzle and this type of funding can only be used for physical buildings.   These dollars cannot be used for salaries, classroom supplies or educational programs, which brings us to our next priority – CHOICE!

Our second step in the plan is to expand choices for ALL parents, students and teachers this upcoming school year, in ways that should only minimally impact our budget.  For example, offering more “Choice” is always exciting!  “Choice” can look like a different school calendar, where students have options to attend either, a traditional schedule, or a ‘balanced’ or year-round schedule. In fact, initial survey and Kitchen Table Conversation information revealed that several parents are interested in a year-round calendar option because of their work schedules and interest in creative solutions for blending academic, enrichment and remediation efforts.  Another “choice” could consist of a blend of online and custom face-to-face instruction.   As such, the new Granville Academy has sparked some traction, which seems to be a popular consideration for students who learn best that way. We even heard interest from students in schools across Granville County who want to attend the J.F. Webb School of Health and Life Sciences.  Thus, this school has been added to the “choice” lineup of offerings for any student in our school system.

We understand that parents have high expectations for their children and so do we.  We want GCPS positioned to respond to the needs and desires effectively and efficiently.  Therefore, we are working now to make all of these ideas and suggestions a reality in a manner that should only minimally impact our budget.  For example, we will ensure teaching positions travel where student enrollment demands.  We will also only offer choice options with proper student enrollment.  We believe options are good for all and offer opportunities for families to select what works best for their children but affordable “quality” in choice is just as important as quantity.

It is our sincere desire that Granville County Public Schools will, once again, be the FIRST choice in education for all families in our community.  By improving the quality of our school environments, expanding choices and increasing academic achievement, we plan to reverse the trend of downward enrollment.  This, in turn, will increase state and federal funding to the district.  Every student that returns to us from a charter, private school or home school generates about $5500 in lost funds.  This increase in funding can then be invested right back into the schools and programs, where it helps our students the most.  The more we grow, the more funding we will generate to improve and bring more opportunities, experiences and  “choice” into our schools.

Of course, there are many details and complicated issues to manage.  We hope you find this summary helpful in describing our strategy for how funding will impact our plans.  Further, we hope you will choose to join us in this effort.  Please support our local schools.   Join our Parent Teacher Organizations, Booster Clubs and School Improvement Teams, just to name a few.  Please volunteer today!

If interested in helping us with our new strategic plan, feel free to join us on February 22nd at 6:00 pm at the Masonic Home for Children.  Come visit and see us in action!  Also, our doors are open all month for school tours by appointment.  We look forward to serving everyone.

Thanks to all who continue to support our schools and we pledge to bring “choice” to raise student performance in the most cost-efficient way we can.  Our district leadership and Board of Education will expect no less.  Our hope is that you will join us in embracing our new motto, “Committed to Excellence and Achievement for All!”

Granville Academy: A NEW CHOICE in Learning

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For Immediate Release:

Granville Academy: Granville County Public Schools’ Flexible Learning Opportunity

The Granville County Public School (GCPS) system is exploring interest in a NEW choice for families: Granville Academy. Granville Academy is a program that would serve students in grades K-12 with flexible schedules and blended learning models. Blended learning utilizes online, blended, and face-to face instruction. Students would attend some days on campus and work some days at home. Learning options include: Blended Learning Elementary School (Grades K-5), Blended Learning Middle School (Grades 6-8) and a Flexible High School (Grades 9-12).

The purpose of Granville Academy is to offer students a world-class education in a flexible format and environment. Whether targeting a four-year university, a local community college, or an immediate career, students attending Granville Academy will be prepared to succeed.

Granville Academy is designed to provide students with choices and opportunities they may not have previously had through the traditional educational experience. Granville Academy will consist of high-quality courses presented in a different way using an environment with access to quality academics that leverage technology tools.

Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, Director of Instructional Technology explains, “Granville Academy students will still be learning the exact same state standards as any other student in a traditional school, but in a more personalized and flexible way. We’d be offering a new choice and new way to provide an education that meets the needs of the family and student. In addition, special supports would be in place to make sure students stay on track and meet targets along the way. We are redefining learning in a public school setting.”

The flexibility of this new choice in instruction would allow students more opportunities to pursue personal hobbies and interests. Also, students would still be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities and athletics while enrolled.

Granville Academy is looking forward to serving the various communities and helping students be successful in academics. GCPS is proud to investigate new choices and options to meet the needs of students and their families. Parents may indicate their interest by completing this short survey at https://bit.ly/interest_survey or contact Dr. Vanessa Wrenn at wrennv@gcs.k12.nc.us or 919-693-4613.

Granville Academy Website

https://bit.ly/granvilleacademy

https://granvilleacademy.net

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(This is a press release provided by Granville County Public Schools.  It is not a paid advertisement.)

GCPS Looks to Punish Those Involved in Intolerable Acts at Jan 26 Game

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According to a press release issued by Granville County Public Schools and Dr. Stan Winborn, Public Information Officer, the school system is working closely with law enforcement to investigate an incident this past Friday, January 26, 2018, at a Varsity Girls Basketball game.

The press release provided to WIZS News is listed below in its entirety.

GCPS Athletic Event

We expect safe and respectful decorum from our students, staff, parents and guests to our schools at all times. There are consequences when individuals choose not to live up to this standard.

We also expect all student athletes to conduct themselves with dignity, sportsmanship and respect for others. Their behavior is a reflection of their school and our district, and as such, they should consider themselves role models for other students, and will be held to a higher standard.

The senior administration and school administrators of Granville County Public Schools are working closely with law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate an incident that occurred at the Varsity Girls Basketball game this past Friday evening between JF Webb High School and Granville Central High School. Video footage, still photos and eyewitness accounts are all being reviewed as part of this process.

The behavior of the students and spectators who participated in these acts of disruption and violence is absolutely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Individuals will receive consequences according to the discipline policies of Granville County Board of Education, The North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and NC criminal law. All players who left the bench will be suspended for at least the next four games, and will receive additional in-school disciplinary consequences. Both teams will forfeit the January 26 game; the NCHSAA will likely impose additional consequences on the school, including playoff suspensions and possibly a fine. The school system also reserves the right to bar individual spectators from future sporting events and other school activities based on disruptive or unsafe behavior, after a review of the incident footage.

The safety and security of our students, staff and community in our schools is our absolute priority. This extends beyond the school day and across all school-related events, including athletics. Additional security and law enforcement presence will be considered for subsequent events.

Appropriate student conduct is the foundation of a positive, nurturing learning environment. We also expect our community to support us in this effort. We will continue to work closely with our partners in law enforcement to take all available measures to ensure these expectations are upheld in the future.

GCPS Spring Showcase 2018

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— WIZS has been asked to announce the following information which was supplied by GCPS

The GCPS Spring Showcase 2018 allows you to experience a customized guided tour, by appointment only, of all Granville County Public Schools.

Who?

  • All residents of Granville County are invited to attend daytime custom tours of each of our school facilities.  Come visit our schools while they are in session!
  • Experience teaching, learning and all the fun and excitement our schools have to offer FIRST HAND!
  • Principals, Teachers and school staff will be on hand to answer any and all questions!

When?

  • ALL High Schools – February 6
  • ALL Middle Schools – February 20
  • ALL Elementary Schools – February 27

How & Where?

  • BY APPOINTMENT ONLY…Please call any school to schedule a special daytime tour of the facilities and see the school day IN ACTION!

Feb 1 and Feb 6, 2018 Full Days

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This is an important message about calendar changes due to inclement weather. The Board of Education will finalize official changes to make up lost instructional time at their regular meeting on February 5. However, we can plan for three changes to our schedule as of today. Last Monday January 22 was changed from a teacher workday to a full day for all students. Thursday, February 1 was scheduled as an early release day for all schools, but will now be a full day for all students. And Tuesday, February 6 was scheduled for an early release day for elementary schools, but will now be a full day for all students. These three changes will help make up some of the lost instructional time, but additional changes will be proposed and announced following the February 5 Board of Education meeting. Thank you.

—
Dr. Stan Winborne
Executive Director of Operations, Human Resources,
Communications, and Safety
Public Information Officer
Granville County Public Schools

Granville Co. Public Schools Info Jan 20, 2018

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— courtesy Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools were cancelled for all students and staff on Friday, January 19.

Please remember that Saturday is still scheduled to be a school day with an early release bell schedule. If we do have school on Saturday, all high schools students on traditional calendar will take final exams for 2nd period. Be on the lookout for communications from your school’s principal with more information.

We will also be communicating soon how these instructional days will be made up on future dates.

Please be safe, stay warm, and stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you!

—
Dr. Stan Winborne
Executive Director of Operations, Human Resources,
Communications, and Safety
Public Information Officer
Granville County Public Schools

Granville Schools Optional Workday for Staff Fri, Jan 5, 2018

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Many secondary road conditions are still affected by the recent weather, and as a result, all Granville County Public Schools will be closed for students on Friday, January 5, 2018. There will be an optional work day for staff. We will provide updates about how missed instructional time will be made up once decisions are made.

Granville County Schools Early Release Jan 3, 2018

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From Dr. Stan Winborne
Executive Director of Operations, Human Resources,
Communications, and Safety
Public Information Officer
Granville County Public Schools

Due to the winter weather forecast, all schools will dismiss ONE HOUR EARLY today, Wednesday, January 3.

This early dismissal will allow time for our buses to complete their routes before dark and give all students, staff and parents an opportunity to prepare before the storm is forecasted to arrive.

Rapidly changing and conflicting weather reports are being made, so we are erring on the side of caution with this decision.

After school day care programs will remain open until 4:00 pm, and all other evening activities are cancelled.

Any additional changes to our schedule will be provided as those decisions are made. Please be safe and stay warm.

Thank you.

2 Hour Delay Granville Schools Jan 2, 2018

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Due to the forecast of extremely cold temps Tuesday, January 2, 2018, all Granville County Public Schools will operate on a 2 hour delay for students and staff.

GCPS Continues Significant Proficiency Gains and Academic Growth

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At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 11, the Granville County Board of Education received a special report on the student achievement results from the 2016-2017 school year.  During this presentation, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Myrick presented a series of graphs and charts providing comprehensive data on how the students performed on state tests.  The presentation focused on GCPS test score averages over the past three years compared to state and surrounding district averages.  Dr. Myrick also shared information about academic growth measures for each school, and school letter grades as assigned by the state.

Data from his presentation revealed an increase in proficiency in 14 of 18 tested areas, with 18 of 19 schools having met or exceeded academic growth.  These significant gains in growth and proficiency across grade levels and content areas contribute to a multi-year positive trend for student achievement.

The scores for our district were generally higher than those of Vance, Warren and Person counties, and slightly lower or comparable to those for Franklin County.  All five districts in our region were at or below the overall state average in all areas.

In the second set of data, Dr. Myrick displayed the following chart showing how GCPS schools letter grades compared to those of local charter schools:

Letter grades for schools in our district improved compared to the previous year, with no schools reporting an F, fewer schools reporting as a D, and more schools reporting as a B.

School Board Chairman Dr. Thomas Houlihan commented on this set of data, saying, “Three year trends sho tremendous growth over time.  It’s very exciting to see this type of progress.  We do want to celebrate, but we don’t want to forget the work that remains.  We also don’t want to forget the hard work and dedication of all of our talented teachers.”

School letter grades are determined by a state-mandated formula that uses proficiency and growth on a variety of test scores to assign a letter grade.  More information about how school letter grades are calculated can be found here:

https://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/accountability/reporting/spgbckgrndpack15.pdf

Vice Chairman Leonard Peace, Sr. offered his remarks, saying “We are definitely headed in the right direction.  The teachers certainly deserve all of the credit for their hard work.”

Superintendent Dr. McLean thanked Dr. Myrick for his work in this area, and summarized the presentation with these remarks, “While I can take no credit for these remarkable gains, I am excited that there is established, consistent momentum for our district.  If we are to achieve our goals of double digit improvements and 90 percent across the board, then we must use these fine results to help launch us forward. ”