This past week, the final graduating class of JF Webb School of Health and Life Sciences walked across the stage. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the school will merge into a single high school on the campus.
While this marks the closing of one school, it signals the dramatic transformation of the entire school campus. JF Webb High School will begin the next academic year with the school’s focus and organization redesigned, to what will be known moving forward as, “The Warrior Way.”
The Warrior Way school redesign will keep all course offerings and special programs associated with the School of Health and Life Sciences and offer an additional NEW focus on providing students the opportunity to earn college credits through VGCC.
Much like an Early College program, students at JF Webb will be provided a streamlined track for dual enrollment at the college’s main campus just seven miles away. The school will offer special guidance and counseling to provide students the opportunity to earn enough credits to graduate with both a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree.
Students will also have the opportunity to earn other specialty degrees and certificates related to a variety of careers. All of this will be provided at no cost to families – textbooks and tuition will all be included. The school is also in the process of planning regular shuttle service to and from JF Webb and the VGCC main campus on a daily basis.
JF Webb Principal Amy Rice offered her comments, saying “Warrior pride runs deep in our community. I am super excited about the changes going on at our school. The Warrior Way provides clear pathways forward for every student, no matter their interest. However, one thing all pathways have in common is a focus on post-secondary education. Every graduate from our school will have a clear advantage in moving on to the next step in their life’s plan. Whether it be a career in the world of biomedical sciences as a scientist or medical professional, a leadership position in business or industry, a well-paid job in one of the countless skilled trades, or service in the military, JF Webb is the place to launch those plans. The school has an amazing history and an even brighter future. If you haven’t checked us out lately, it’s time to give us another look.”
In addition to the restructuring of the school’s organization, the community will also notice significant upgrades and improvements to the physical campus as well.
To learn more about how you or your child can become part of the Warrior Way, reach out to Principal Rice ricea@gcs.k12.nc.us today.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/J.F.-Webb-Merger.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-06-17 10:10:242020-06-17 10:10:24JF Webb, School of Health & Life Sciences to Merge Into Single High School
JF Webb High School recently announced the hiring of its new high school football coach, Mr. Lamont Robinson. A Washington D.C. native, Lamont Robinson played high school football at H.D. Woodson High School, before he transferred his junior year to Duval High School in Lanham, MD.
JF Webb High School recently announced the hiring of its new high school football coach, Mr. Lamont Robinson. (Photo courtesy GCPS)
After his high school graduation, Coach Robinson served two years in the United States Navy. He was stationed on the USS Eisenhower based out of Norfolk, VA, and he served in the Aviation Fuels Division. After completing his military obligation, Coach Robinson enrolled in Prince George’s Community College and then transferred to Salisbury University where he majored in English and Education. At SU, Coach Robinson was a four-year letterman on the Seagulls football team.
After his college graduation, he became a teacher and head junior varsity football coach at Amelia County High School in Amelia, VA. Since then, Coach Robinson has served in a variety of coaching roles in North Carolina, including Saint Augustine’s College, S.E. Raleigh High School, Riverside High School and Warren County.
In 2008, Coach Robinson also became the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Phoenix, a member of the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL). Lamont Robinson will be entering his twentieth year as a football coach this season.
Coach Robinson is excited about the opportunity to become the head football coach at J.F. Webb High School. Coach Robinson is also a father of a 12-year-old son, Mason Robinson.
JF Webb High School Principal Amy Rice offered her remarks, stating, “We are so excited to welcome Coach Robinson to the Warrior family. We look forward to the leadership he will provide our students on and off the field. We anticipate many successful seasons with him in this role.”
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/JF-Webb-Logo-2019.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-06-16 10:19:032020-06-16 10:23:29JF Webb High School Hires Lamont Robinson as Head Football Coach
Each year, GCPS celebrates excellence in teaching through our Teacher of the Year recognitions. Staff at each school selects a Teacher of the Year who then competes to become the District Teacher of the Year, who then goes on to possibly compete at the regional, state and national levels.
Unfortunately, the pandemic altered the traditional special ceremony and announcements held this spring. This year, instead of being recognized in person, the teachers of the year were celebrated virtually at the June 1, 2020, Board of Education meeting.
Mrs. Jenna Holloway, first-grade teacher at Mt. Energy Elementary School, was selected as Granville County Public Schools’ 2020 Teacher of the Year. (Photo courtesy GCPS)
Senior staff and Board members recognized each of the eighteen school’s respective teachers of the year, showing photos and reading short biographies of each outstanding educator. Superintendent McLean then announced the second and first runners up, before Chairman David Richardson announced the 2020 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jenna Holloway, First Grade Teacher at Mt. Energy Elementary School.
Mrs. Holloway was presented with her trophy, flowers, yard sign and balloons in person the day after the announcement. She will also receive a check for $1,000 on behalf of the Granville Ed Foundation. Each of the runners up were honored with a trophy and $500 on behalf of the Granville Ed Foundation.
Superintendent McLean offered her thoughts on the announcement, stating, “We are sure that Mrs. Holloway will be a shining star among the others recognized across the country for this top honor. We are proud of her and all she represents.”
Board Chairman Richardson also shared his praise, stating, “I am so proud of all of these teachers and the dedication and love they have for their students. I know that Mrs. Holloway will represent our district well in this coming year as a true ambassador for our county and the profession itself.”
2020 Granville County Teachers of the Year:
Elementary Schools
Butner Stem Elementary School ~ Amy Brown
C.G. Credle Elementary School ~ Shiloh Novak
Creedmoor Elementary School ~ Stephanie Layton
Mt. Energy Elementary School ~ Jenna Holloway (WINNER)
Stovall Shaw Elementary School ~ Christopher Leas
Tar River Elementary School ~ Shelby Ford
West Oxford Elementary School ~ Karla Gravitt
Wilton Elementary School ~ Sherri Wilkins
Middle Schools
Butner Stem Middle School ~ Kimberly York (SECOND RUNNER UP)
G.C. Hawley Middle School ~ Margaret Hernandez
Granville Academy ~ Michael Spradlin
Northern Granville Middle School ~ MaShaunda Goods
High Schools
Granville Central High School ~ Stacey Mangum
Granville Early College High School ~ Emily Nemitz (FIRST RUNNER UP)
J.F. Webb High School ~ Rebecca Wilkinson
J.F. Webb School HLS ~ Jennifer Howard
Phoenix Academy ~ Amanda Grady
South Granville High School ~ Dane Fields
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Jenna-Holloway.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-06-03 13:12:082020-06-03 13:12:08Jenna Holloway Named GCPS 2020 Teacher of the Year
Granville County Schools held and sponsored the annual District Spelling Bee for Granville County on the evening of March 14, 2020, at Tar River Elementary School.
Ten elementary schools from around the county, both public and charter, had School Spelling Bees during the first semester of the 2019-20 school year. Each school had talented and dedicated staff that worked diligently to organize their Bee and award a top speller for their school. The District Bee allows those top spellers the chance to compete to win the trophy as best speller of the year for Granville County.
District Spelling Bee winner, Joel Jose, and GCPS Superintendent Alisa McLean (GCPS photo)
The ten winners, just by chance evenly divided between fourth and fifth grades, and their parents met at Tar River for a rehearsal the day before the contest. Amy Lue, Moderator, reviewed the rules and procedures with these sharp students and their families; then Dana King, Word Master, lead them through some practice words at the microphone.
“Holding a practice helps the children understand how the Spelling Bee works and gives them the confidence to perform on stage. This allows their nerves to be for spelling and not on how they need to comport themselves during the event,” commented Mrs. Lue, who was the organizer of the event.
Each contestant received a special t-shirt, provided by Granville County Schools, to wear the next night and keep as a memento of their experience. To prepare, the students studied the official Scripps National Spelling Bee word list of more than 4,000 words for several weeks ahead of the District Bee.
The students buzzed with excitement as they gathered on stage with Mrs. Lue the next night, while their families and teachers found seats in the multi-purpose room. Before the curtain rose, the judges were seated in front of the stage: Mrs. Cathy Frizzle, community volunteer, and Dr. Michael Myrick, and Dr. Stan Winborne, both from Granville County Schools, and Dana King, retired Media Coordinator, as the Word Master. Then Dr. Tonya Thomas welcomed the audience and introduced the spellers.
Contestants were:
Cayden Middleton – fifth-grader from Butner-Stem Elementary
Joel Jiljo Jose – fourth-grader from C. G. Credle School
Belen Elizarraras – fifth-grader from Creedmoor Elementary
Payton Gary – fifth-grader from Falls Lake Academy Charter School
Jordan Hershberger – fourth-grader from Granville Academy
Aubrey Canada – fourth-grader from Mt. Energy Elementary
Jasper Luffman – fourth-grader from Stovall-Shaw Elementary
Morgan Congleton – fifth-grader from Tar River Elementary
Dacari Burrell- fourth-grader from West Oxford Elementary
Bree Blackley – fifth-grader from Wilton Elementary
District Spelling Bee participants pose for a picture with Granville County Schools leaders and staff. (GCPS photo)
Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean greeted everyone for this annual event, praising them for already being school winners. Mrs. Lue reviewed the rules and explained that contestants would stay on stage for a practice round of spelling before the first round of the Bee began.
Each contestant approached the microphone center stage, the words were pronounced first, and the Word Master gave a definition, the part of speech, and a sentence before the student had a chance to spell. After the practice round, all ten contestants sat up straight and listened carefully as the official first round of the Bee began.
In Round One, two students missed their words, leaving the stage at the end of the round to sit with their families in the audience. No one missed a word in the second round, so all eight contestants were still in the competition. Two more students missed their words in Round Three, as the words became a little more difficult. One student missed in Round 4, and another missed in Round 5.
One student missed a word in each of the next two rounds, leaving Jasper Luffman, from Stovall-Shaw, and Joel Jose, from C. G. Credle, last on stage. Jasper missed his word, and Joel got his correct in Round 8. Then Joel was up for a word in Round 9 and correctly spelled, “culinary,” to win the District Bee. This was his second win, as he was also Granville County Schools’ District Bee Winner in 2019 when he was in the third grade.
All contestants returned to the stage to receive certificates and medals awarded by Dr. McLean and Dr. Thomas. Joel was called back up to receive the trophy, then participants and officials posed for photographs. The evening ended with a reception in the Professional Development Room, with cupcakes and juice provided by Superintendent McLean.
Our winner, Joel, is the son of Jiljo Jose and Sema Jose. He is a current fourth-grader at C.G. Credle Elementary School. He had a large group of family and school supporters in the audience that cheered loudly for him when he won.
Sherrie Burns, principal, and the staff at C.G. Credle were very excited and proud to have the winner for the second year in a row.
Unfortunately, with the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Spelling Bee, which was to be held the last week of May in Maryland was first postponed, then the decision was made to cancel for the first time since World War II.
GCPS winner, Joel, had registered for this event to proudly represent our county for the second time. He will be recognized by the Scripps Spelling Bee organization for his accomplishment in reaching the next level. He will also receive the prizes that would have been awarded to him at the event.
GCPS is proud of Joel and of all the students that competed in our District Bee. We want to thank Granville County Schools for being the sponsor for the Granville County District Bee and providing this opportunity to all Granville County elementary students.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/GCPS-2020-Spelling-Bee.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-06-02 10:14:462020-06-02 10:14:46‘Veteran’ Granville Speller Wins District Bee Again
Monday, March 16, 2020 marked the first day Governor Cooper ordered all public schools to be closed in our state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the nearly 70 days since that time, Granville County Public Schools has delivered innovative and flexible services to meet the needs of our community.
We are proud to announce that this past week, the district surpassed the quarter-million meal count, and has now served 292,814 total meals to the children in Granville County during the pandemic. These high-quality, nutritional meals include many of the same items served in our regular school-based menus, including things like fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese sticks, breakfast bars, sandwiches, pizza, nachos, and of course, our beloved tater tots! Plenty of fruit juice and fresh milk help round out each meal served, with the occasional cookie as a treat for our children.
Patricia Crute, Child Nutrition Director, Granville County Public Schools (Photo courtesy GCPS)
The district’s meal service has shifted to meet demand and to minimize the risk to staff and volunteers, and in recent weeks has ramped up production to provide more than 40,000 meals a week.
Currently, the district provides drive-up service at 26 sites, and door-to-door delivery to the homes of disabled and medically fragile children. It is important to note that service is provided to ALL children aged 2-18 who request meals, regardless of which school they might attend. Students enrolled in charters, private schools or who are homeschooled are welcomed with open arms to any meal service site. Our goal is for no child in our community to be hungry while school is not physically in session.
Leading this effort across the county is Child Nutrition Director, Patricia Crute. A native of Granville County and veteran GCPS employee of 29 years, Ms. Crute offered her thoughts on the program thus far, stating, “Child nutrition has always been my passion. Being able to provide meals to our children during this time is what I feel I am supposed to do. I love knowing that my staff and I, with the help of all of the volunteers and the staff from our Transportation and Maintenance departments, are making a difference in the lives of our children.”
Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean offered her perspective on the effort, sharing, “I could not be prouder of our team. While we couldn’t control the challenges brought on by this pandemic, we can control how we respond and continue to meet our children’s needs. I am truly grateful to the hard-working and dedicated staff in our Child Nutrition, Transportation, and Maintenance Departments, as well as our Teacher Assistants, Custodians and all of the other employees who have helped make this meal service possible. I also want to send a special ‘Thank You’ out to the countless volunteers who have also been on the front lines with us in helping make sure our children do not go hungry. We truly are blessed in this community for how we all join together in taking care of our children and making their welfare the top priority.”
The current meal service will continue through the end of the regular school year. The last day for drive-thru and delivery will be provided on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
A modified summer feeding program is currently being planned to help meet the nutritional needs of children while school is not in session. Details about that program will be provided to families soon.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Patricia-Crute-GCPS.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-22 12:13:092020-05-22 12:13:09GCPS Surpasses Quarter Million Meals Served to Children During Pandemic
-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools
Granville County Public Schools is excited to announce the expansion of free WiFi coverage in its communities.
In addition to all public school campuses providing free WiFi in the parking lot, six school buses with FREE mobile WiFi hot spots have also been positioned throughout the county. These locations include the Berea Fire Department, the Oxford Housing Authority, the Granville Expo Center, the Brassfield Fire Department, Creedmoor City Hall and the Breda Lane neighborhood in Butner.
Information on how to log-on is posted near each school bus. The internet service is available within approximately 100 feet of each bus.
GCPS is proud to partner with AT&T and Duke Energy to provide this service through the end of the school year. For additional information, please be sure to check the GCPS district website.
Few events mark a rite of passage for young people and their families like a high school graduation ceremony. Walking across the stage in front of one’s peers, family members and the entire community not only celebrates their significant academic accomplishments, but it also symbolizes a major transition in their lives. It represents a true commencement of new opportunities, new adventures and, of course, new responsibilities.
Granville County Public Schools has a proud history of celebrating its students on graduation day, but unfortunately, like countless other academic institutions across the country and around the world, the COVID-19 global pandemic has forced some unwanted, yet necessary changes.
By its very design and nature, traditional graduation ceremonies are a concentrated physical gathering of members of the community. With the coronavirus now in our midst, we must make adjustments to ensure the safety and welfare of the public.
Currently, the Governor’s orders restrict and limit interactions and gatherings in a way that makes such an event all but impossible. As such, GCPS has been working with stakeholders to develop alternative plans to abide by safety policies and still honor our graduates in a meaningful way. Committees have been at work to develop these plans. The members included graduating seniors, parents, teachers, administrators and Board members. Local health care professionals and law enforcement have been consulted, as well.
After much deliberation and discussion, several options were considered. With the safety and welfare of our students, their families, staff members and the community as the primary consideration, one final recommendation has been adopted.
This year, the graduating class of 2020 will be recognized during a modified ceremony to be held at or near the same dates as originally planned. While a compromise from the traditional format, this modified graduation ceremony will still have a personalized component that will celebrate and spotlight each student in honoring their accomplishments. Each graduate will be given a designated time to take that once in a lifetime “graduation walk” across the stage, before receiving his/her diploma.
All students will participate in this modified graduation ceremony on their high school campus. Instead of gathering in large groups, each graduate and their guests will travel in their vehicle to participate in a “drive-thru” type ceremony, whereby their guests will enjoy a front-row view of the stage from the protection of their vehicle. One vehicle per graduate will be permitted. Only the graduate will be permitted to exit the vehicle in an effort to honor the Governor’s Orders and all DHHS regulations at that time.
The Superintendent and some Board of Education members will be on hand with each school principal to celebrate the momentous occasion and will be honoring “social distancing” measures. A professional photographer will be on-site to take photographs for purchase.
Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for the following days and times:
Thursday, June 11, 2020 ~ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Granville Early College High School
Thursday, June 11, 2020 ~ 1 – 2 p.m. Granville Academy
Friday, June 12, 2020 ~ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. South Granville High School
Saturday, June 13, 2020 ~ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. J.F. Webb High School/ Webb Health and Life Sciences
Saturday, June 13, 2020 ~ 3 – 7 p.m. Granville Central High School
Each ceremony will be live-streamed online for the public to view in real-time. In addition, a video recording of the entire event, including recordings of valedictorian and salutatorian speeches and other highlights, will be provided so all graduates and their families may have the entire event fully captured to celebrate and remember for years to come.
Finally, opportunities will be provided for those who wish to participate in the annual winter graduation ceremony.
Superintendent Alisa McLean commented, “I cannot think of too many events in a young person’s life that are more important to celebrate than their graduation from high school. This is a time of joy and happiness that deserves as much recognition as we can allow given the circumstances of the pandemic. While not ideal, this modified format will allow families and their students ways to actually be present and participate in the event. It is far more preferable to having a virtual ceremony, which unfortunately is something many communities are forced to contemplate. I look forward with excitement when I can personally congratulate each graduate on stage this year.”
Board Chairman David Richardson offered his thoughts, stating, “While certainly not our first choice in how to commemorate graduation this year, this modified format will be done with the same care, preparation and dignity of any other. We are determined to not let the current pandemic dampen our spirits during this time of hope and joy for our students.”
Additional details on the process and safety guidelines for these modified ceremonies will be shared with graduates and their families in the coming days. The primary goal of GCPS is to ensure that all risks to the health, safety and well-being of our students, their families, staff members, and the community at large are minimized as it relates to the current pandemic.
Staff will continue to consult with health care officials and law enforcement to ensure best practices are followed and that all plans are in compliance with statewide executive Orders related to the pandemic. We wish our graduates nothing but the best and look forward to celebrating this important milestone in their lives.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Granville-County-Public-Schools.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-05-15 11:03:442020-05-15 11:03:44Granville Co. Public Schools to Hold Modified High School Graduations
-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools
Granville County Public Schools is reaching out to provide updates about our drive-thru meal service program for children.
First, we’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone in the community who stepped up to help feed our children during the spring break. Volunteers from across the county stepped up and made an enormous difference with their generosity and love. Be sure to check out the video HERE celebrating their actions.
Since Spring Break ended, our meal service program has shifted to three days a week, with service occurring at the same sites across the county on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On these days, two breakfasts and two lunches will be provided for each child.
Beginning on Tuesday, May 5, we will then shift our services to ONE day a week. This will occur each Tuesday at all of the same sites through the end of the school year.
On each Tuesday, starting May 5, meal packs with menu directions will be provided for seven breakfasts and seven lunches – a full weeks’ worth of food! This shift will reduce the risk to our staff during this pandemic, and it will also increase the number of meals provided to students each week.
So, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 5, the start of our ONE DAY a week meal service. We will send out additional reminders, but you can also find this information on the GCPS’s district website.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/GCPS-Meal-Sites.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-04-24 16:53:522020-04-24 17:18:30GCPS to Shift to Once a Week Meal Distribution Beginning May 5
-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools
The Granville County Board of Education will meet (electronically) for a Financial Work Session on Monday, April 27, 2020, at 6 p.m.
The purpose of this meeting is for the Board to receive a presentation and updates from staff on the School Systems finances and general budget-related topics.
The Board will also meet in Closed Session 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 for Personnel, and Attorney/Client Privilege.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Granville-County-Public-Schools.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-04-24 16:53:012020-04-24 16:53:01Granville Board of Education to Hold Financial Work Session April 27
-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools
NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS
The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, April 6, 2020, at 6 p.m. However, in observance of the Governor’s “Stay-at-Home” Order, this meeting will be conducted electronically, with members of the public invited to view via live stream. To join the live stream meeting, please use the following link:
Public comments for this meeting will be accepted in writing by using the link below. Comments entered into this form between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. on April 6, 2020, will be distributed to the Board of Education members prior to the meeting and the first two minutes of each comment will be read aloud during the meeting.
A maximum of 30 minutes in total will be allotted for public comment.
To view the agenda for this meeting, please click here.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Granville-County-Public-Schools.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2020-04-03 10:23:452020-04-03 10:23:45Granville Board of Education’s April 6 Meeting to be Conducted Electronically
