Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Vance Co. Schools Named a 2019 District of Distinction

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools has been named a 2019 District of Distinction by the National Beta Club for offering the academic recognition membership to students in all eligible schools in the school district.

In making the award announcement, National Beta officials praised the efforts of Superintendent Anthony Jackson, school chapter sponsors and deserving student members.

This national award recognizes Vance County Schools’ commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement, and illustrates the dedication to preparing students for college and career readiness. The students in the district understand the importance of these qualities and exemplify the Beta motto, Let Us Lead by Serving Others, National Beta officials noted.

Bobby Hart, chief executive officer for National Beta, contacted Jackson in a letter about the district’s recognition.

In the letter, Hart wrote, “Thank you for all you do as an administrator in supporting the success of your schools, staff and students. We appreciate your continued focus on fostering activities that ensure all students can achieve success.”

Beta Club advisors in Vance County Schools play a major role in the success of the program and recognition of eligible students. Those advisors include:

·       Hollie Powell of Aycock Elementary School

·       Teresa Hicks of Carver Elementary School

·       Myron Duncan of Clarke Elementary School

·       Michelle Foster of Dabney Elementary School

·       Marian Faulkner of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School

·       Shaunese Coombs of E.M. Rollins Elementary School

·       Sharita Jones of L.B. Yancey Elementary School

·       Cathy Oswald of New Hope Elementary School

·       Eva Jennings of Pinkston Street Elementary School

·       Ashley Pennington of Zeb Vance Elementary School

·       Ben Mixer of STEM Early High School

·       Vickie Fullwood of Vance County Early College High School

·       Pamela Perry of Vance County Middle School

·       Bobbi Parks of Vance County High School

National Junior Beta includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12.

With more than 500,000 active members and 9,000 chapters nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. National Beta recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community and fosters leadership skills.

The school advisors for the National Beta Club chapters in Vance County Schools are shown in the photo during their recognition at the Vance County Board of Education meeting on April 8. They are shown with Dorothy Gooche, board chairperson, and Superintendent Anthony Jackson, both standing at center. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Vance-Granville Selected as Inaugural Host of Teaching Seminars

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College announced today that it has been selected to host an inaugural credit-bearing regional seminar that supports faculty use of evidence-based teaching practices. This seminar, which will take place on Friday, November 15, 2019, is part of a major collaboration between the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to advance faculty and student success through quality instruction at community and technical colleges nationwide.

Vance-Granville is one of 10 colleges selected by NISOD and ACUE to host an inaugural seminar as part of this national initiative, following a competitive application and interview process. Faculty from Vance-Granville Community College and other institutions in the region will be invited to refine their instructional skills by engaging in two learning modules on core teaching competencies and implementing these strategies in their classes.

“Teaching and learning are at the heart of what we do every day. Our faculty are passionate about helping students succeed in the classroom. The credit-bearing seminar on active learning speaks volumes about how the college’s faculty and faculty in the region demonstrates the college’s commitment to excellence in teaching and student success,” said Levy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs.

The members of the Faculty Planning Team noted that “As community college faculty, we are always interested in relevant professional development that provides opportunities to design, implement, and reflect on new instructional strategies for our courses and that enables us to provide positive learning experiences for our students. We strive to improve student learning outcomes, increase program completion rates, and encourage more students to pursue higher education and careers of their choice. Learning how to incorporate active learning strategies in our classroom will be a valuable tool to help achieve these goals.”

“We were impressed by the selected institutions’ commitment to teaching excellence and faculty professional development,” said Dr. Edward Leach, NISOD’s executive director. “The seminars will equip faculty from the host institutions, as well as their colleagues from neighboring colleges, with strategies proven to make a positive difference in student learning.”

Seminar participants will learn about and implement teaching practices aligned to ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework—a statement of the core instructional competencies every college educator should possess—which was independently validated and is endorsed by the American Council on Education. Faculty who satisfy the seminar requirements, which include implementing at least two evidence-based teaching practices and writing reflections about their experience, will earn credit toward a Certificate in Effective College Instruction, a highly sought-after credential co-endorsed by ACUE and the American Council on Education.

“We’re excited to offer these high-quality learning events, in collaboration with NISOD, that provide faculty with a glimpse into ACUE’s learning design and competencies from our comprehensive, 25-module courses,” Dr. Penny MacCormack, ACUE’s chief academic officer, said. “New and experienced instructors will have the opportunity to learn with and from one another as they prepare to implement evidence-based teaching strategies in their classes, keeping with our mission to impact student success through exemplary instruction.”

The following colleges have been selected to host inaugural credit-bearing regional seminars:

  • City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington (IL)
  • City Colleges of Chicago Malcolm X (IL)
  • Hudson County Community College (NJ)
  • Lenoir Community College (NC)
  • Miami Dade College (FL)
  • Montgomery College (MD)
  • Prince George’s Community College (MD)
  • Vance-Granville Community College (NC)
  • Wake Technical Community College (NC)
  • Wayne County Community College District (MI)

Seminar dates will be announced in the coming weeks. All faculty are invited to register at www.nisod.org/scheduled-workshops.

West End Baptist

West End Community Watch to Meet Tues., April 16

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-Information courtesy Claire Catherwood, West End Community Watch

West End Community Watch will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., at West End Baptist Church.

The speaker will be Garry Daeke, City Councilman. Law enforcement will be present to hear concerns and make reports.

All are welcome!

NC Dept of Agriculture

N.C. Forest Service Urges Safety During Spring Wildfire Season

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-Press Release, NCDA&CS

The N.C. Forest Service is urging North Carolina residents to think safety and exercise extra caution when burning materials during the spring fire season. The spring fire season typically runs from March through May and is historically the time when wildfires are most likely to occur.

“The leading cause of wildfires is careless debris burning. Protect our natural resources by acting safely,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Don’t burn on dry, windy days; maintain a careful watch over your debris fire; and make sure it is fully extinguished.”

Troxler also warned against using drones over wildfires, an emerging concern across the country. In 2018, there were 26 drone incursions into air space over wildfires across the nation.

When unauthorized aircraft, such as drones, fly into the same airspace as helicopters and airplanes even at low altitudes, the air operations must be stopped due to safety concerns. This means no water drops to slow the spread of a fire and no eyes in the sky to help direct firefighters on the ground, Troxler said.

The N.C. Forest Service encourages anyone considering debris burning to contact his or her local county forest ranger. The forest ranger can offer technical advice and explain the best options to help maximize safety to people, property and the forest. For people who choose to burn debris, the N.C. Forest Service urges them to adhere to the following tips to protect property and prevent wildfires:

  • Make sure you have an approved burning permit, which can be obtained at any N.C. Forest Service office, a county-approved burning permit agent, or online at https://ncforestservice.gov.
  • Check with your county fire marshal’s office for local laws on burning debris. Some communities allow burning only during specified hours; others forbid it entirely.
  • Check the weather. Don’t burn if conditions are dry or windy.
  • Consider alternatives to burning. Some yard debris such as leaves and grass may be more valuable if composted.
  • Only burn natural vegetation from your property. Burning household trash or any other man-made materials is illegal. Trash should be hauled away to a convenience center.
  • Plan burning for the late afternoon when conditions are typically less windy and more humid.
  • If you must burn, be prepared. Use a shovel or hoe to clear a perimeter down to mineral soil of at least 10-feet, preferably more, around the area around where you plan to burn.
  • Keep fire tools ready. To control the fire, you will need a water hose, bucket, a steel rake and a shovel for tossing dirt on the fire.
  • Never use flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline or diesel fuel to speed debris burning.
  • Stay with your fire until it is completely out. Remember, debris burning is the No. 1 cause of wildfires in the state.
  • These same tips hold true for campfires and barbeques as well. Douse burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water. When soaked; stir the coals and soak them again. Be sure they are out cold and carefully feel to be sure they are extinguished. Never dump hot ashes or coals into a wooded area.
  • Burning agriculture residue and forestland litter: In addition to the rules above, a fire line should be plowed around the area to be burned. Large fields should be separated into small plots for burning one at a time. Before doing any burning in a wooded area, contact your county ranger who will weigh all factors, explain them and offer technical advice.

Studies have shown that taking these and other measures can greatly reduce wildfires and the loss of property associated with them. For more information on ways you can prevent wildfires and loss of property, go to https://ncforestservice.gov, click on “fire” and follow the links.

News 04/09/19

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Vance Co. High School Inducts 15 Into National Technical Honor Society

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

A total of 15 students at Vance County High School were inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) during a special ceremony held at the school on April 4.

Each of the students was presented a framed certificate for their academic accomplishments in Career and Technical Education courses at the high school. Presenting the certificates were Principal Rey Horner, Career and Technical Education Director Willa Clark and Career and Technical Education Career Development Coordinator LaShawn Hawley. Amy Langston-Eley, Career and Technical Education instructional specialist, and Pamela Huff, a Career and Technical Education teacher and advisor to the NTHS chapter, assisted.

Pamela Huff, Career and Technical Education teacher at Vance County High School, presents a framed certificate to Zy’Shawn Appling in recognition of his induction into the high school’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Those students inducted as new members include America Alfaro, Tamia Alston, Zy’Shawn Appling, Amari Bennerson, Sha’Mya Bullock, Kristophe Burwell, Tammy Dang, Anasia Jones, Stephanie Salazar-Villa, Noah Terry, Tyere Wiggins, Destiny Weaver, Sydiahiah Williams, Bryton Yarborough and Phajja Yarborough.

Turner Pride, Jr., the director of the Vance County Cooperative Extension Service, was the featured speaker for the evening. He praised the new NTHS inductees for their accomplishments and hard work. He also gave them some advice on how to continue to be successful through the remainder of their high school careers and beyond.

Horner also addressed the students and let them know how proud he is of each one of them. He asked them to continue to be leaders among their fellow classmates and let them know that he is counting on them to help lead success at Vance County High School.

 

 

State Highway Patrol Announces 2019 ‘Operation Drive To Live’

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-Press Release, NCDPS

In anticipation of spring break and prom season, the State Highway Patrol is once again conducting Operation Drive to Live, an annual campaign to reduce collisions involving teen drivers.  Beginning Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, troopers will step up their enforcement in and around school zones between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

In 2018, a personal injury lawyer long island released a report in which, the Highway Patrol investigated over 55,261 motor vehicle collisions involving drivers and passengers who were between the ages of 15 – 19. Of those collisions, 10,287 injuries were reported and 94 resulted in one or more fatalities.  According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, young drivers are significantly over-represented in fatal crashes, particularly those who are 16 to 19-year-olds. Immaturity and inexperience are primary factors contributing to fatal crashes by young drivers, especially during the first six months of driving.

This year, SHP is focusing on distracted driving, one of the leading causes of teen-related crashes. Cell phones, passengers and other electronic devices are just some of the distractions that can lead to needless collisions involving injury or death.

With this in mind, the Patrol has partnered with the Johnston County (JoCo) Teen Drivers Club, to produce PSAs on the dangers associated with distracted driving. The PSAs will be featured throughout the week on the Patrol’s Facebook page in hopes of combating distracted driving collisions.

Fishing University to Re-Air Vance Co. Episode April 8-14!

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-Information courtesy Vance County Tourism Authority

It’s time for the Fishing University episode featuring Vance County to air again, April 8 – 14, 2019!

Fishing University, an internationally televised, Emmy award-winning television show, filmed an episode in Vance County this past fall featuring Kerr Lake as well as local restaurants, activities and attractions.

Featuring hosts/fishing legends Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier, the show has a viewership of more than 63 million households, airing in all 50 states as well as in 51 additional countries.

The Vance County Tourism Development Authority served as point-of-contact for the project, viewing it as a strategic marketing opportunity to reach a target audience of potential guests seeking an outdoor travel destination.

Network codes: ODC= Outdoor Channel; SPM= Sportsman Channel; WFN=World Fishing Network

Monday, April 8

9 a.m. – ODC
10:30 a.m. – SPM

Wednesday, April 10

3 a.m. – WFN
6 a.m. – ODC
9 p.m. – WFN

Friday, April 12

4 p.m. – WFN

Saturday, April 13

8 a.m. – ODC
11 a.m. – SPM

Sunday, April 14

4:30 a.m. – SPM
10 a.m. – WFN

Aycock Rec. Center to Offer Free Classes in Honor of ‘Week of the Young Child’

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

In observance of “Week of the Young Child,” Aycock Recreation Center will be offering Water Aerobics, Slide N Glide, Beginning Yoga, Hip Hop Water Aerobics and Open Swim free of charge during the week of Monday, April 8 – Friday, April 12, 2019.

If you have any questions, please contact Tara Goolsby at (252) 438-3948 or email tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us.

News 04/08/19

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