#vancecountynews - WIZS

GSK Science in the Summer™ Returns Virtually for 2020

July 16, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, GSK Science in the Summer™

GSK Science in the Summer™, a free summer STEM program that aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, returns this summer as an entirely virtual offering with a new theme: Chemistry is Everywhere!

Traditionally held at local libraries and community-based organizations, this new online format for 2020 in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic ensures that GSK Science in the Summer™ can continue to offer high-quality, interactive STEM learning for its 34th year. With experiments available online, this year even more students entering second through sixth grade can participate at a critical time in their education journey and following the disruption of the 2019-20 academic year.

To ensure students without access to high-speed internet or devices at home can participate, GSK and the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center have created packets replicating the online instruction that they will disperse at libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs while maintaining social distance and all other COVID-19 precautions.

The all-new curriculum invites children to play the role of chemists by practicing real scientific techniques and exploring basic principles of chemistry—including the chemistry of polymers, glow sticks, and bombardier beetles. The program provides opportunities for students to embody science careers, think scientifically, use real science tools and techniques and have fun.

Families in Central NC who registered to participate in the week-long camps that typically took place at libraries and Boys and Girls Clubs a week at a time will participate during that same week this summer but at home.

Through accompanying online videos, educators from the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center guide students through several activities and share more about the hands-on chemistry research projects they’ll be exploring at home.

After conducting their experiments at home, students with access will join a live virtual research meeting with a Morehead Planetarium and Science Center educator to share results from their experiment, ask questions about the chemistry topic highlighted in the activity, and reflect on how they each were like scientists.

All virtual content will be made available beginning in late July or early August at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center’s website for students throughout the state who didn’t enroll in the program to use and enjoy.

Provided by GSK in partnership with the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and administered at science centers across the nation, this fun, 100% free STEM enrichment program helps prevent the summer slide and keeps all students, including students from underserved and underrepresented populations, engaged in STEM learning through hands-on experiments. The program reaches more than 3,000 students at 50 locations across Central NC each year.

“We hope that GSK Science in the Summer™ programs continues to inspire more children to put on their goggles and explore the wonders of science. Our goal is to encourage students, particularly those from populations underrepresented in the scientific community, to pursue STEM career paths later in life,” said Becki Lynch, Director, US Community Partnerships at GSK.

“Through the GSK Science in the Summer™ curriculum and online resources, we are proud to continue to serve our participants as they explore chemistry at home with their families,” says Glenda Hairston, Science Programs Outreach Manager, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. “Through our curriculum and online resources, we hope that children will be inspired to see themselves as scientists who can improve the world using their critical thinking skills, natural curiosity, and creativity.”

For more information, visit the GSK Science in the Summer™ website (click here) or the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center website (click here).

GVPH: Local COVID-19 Update as of 7/15/20

July 16, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health

The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of July 15, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.

The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.

Granville County

983 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 983, 509 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 509, 371 have been released from isolation, and seven are hospitalized.

Of those 983 cases, 465 are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County, and 95 of those 465 have been released from isolation.

Six of those 983 are associated with an outbreak at the Murdoch Development Center, five of whom have been released from isolation.

Two of those 983 are associated with an outbreak at Central Regional Hospital.

One resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center. Three staff members have also tested positive.

There have been a total of 25 deaths in Granville County, three in the community, one at Central Regional Hospital, and 21 of whom were associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.

Vance County

586 positive test results for COVID-19.

Of those 586, 463 are community-spread cases located across Vance county, and 365 of those 463 have been released from isolation.

Of those 586, 123 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities, including 48 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home and 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home.

The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active. Of the 123 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.

Two individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.

There have been a total of 40 deaths in Vance County, 14 of whom were associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 11 of whom were associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, and two of whom were associated with Senior Citizens Home.

Additional Information

The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.

North Carolina has a prevention and detection-focused approach to testing for COVID-19 in long term care facilities. Because people are living in close proximity, these are settings that many states monitor for the spread of COVID-19. NC DHHS considers long term care facilities to be experiencing an “outbreak” if at least two individuals who are staff and/or residents have tested positive. An outbreak is considered over after 28 consecutive days with no new positive test results.

All long term care facilities in the district are testing staff and residents regularly and participate in a weekly call with Dr. Shauna Guthrie at Granville Vance Public Health. For schools, businesses, and other settings that are not congregate living facilities, the state considers multiple cases to be a “cluster.” A cluster is defined as both a minimum of five cases in the same facility within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiological linkage between cases.

Some additional cases being reported currently out of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) are related to a building on the Durham County side, and those cases will be reported to the Durham County Health Department for data entry into the NCEDSS system. The Bureau of Prisons is doing its own testing on-site. For more about the response from the Bureau of Prisons, please visit the Prison’s website.

Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.

Vance County Public Safety, Properties Committee to Meet Next Week

July 16, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy County of Vance

Please be informed of the following scheduled Vance County committee meetings. Both meetings will be held in the Commissioners’ Conference Room of the Vance County Administration Building located at 122 Young Street in Henderson.

Public Safety Committee (Wilder, Brummitt, Taylor)

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 – 3 p.m.

Fire Reorganization

Properties Committee (Brummitt, Taylor, Wilder)

Wednesday, July 22, 2020 – 4 p.m.

Warrenton Road Convenience Site

Harbor Freight Tools to Open New Henderson Store August 1

July 15, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Harbor Freight Tools

Harbor Freight Tools, America’s go-to store for quality tools at the lowest prices, will open its new store in Henderson on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at 8 a.m.

The Henderson store, located at 1249 Dabney Drive, is the 38th Harbor Freight Tools store in North Carolina. The new store brings approximately 35 new jobs to the community.

As a designated essential service, the store will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It will resume its regular hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday after the COVID-19 crisis has passed.

“We’re ready to serve and deliver value to customers in Henderson and all of Vance County,” said Marc Simpson, store manager. “At Harbor Freight, we recognize that now, more than ever, our customers depend on Harbor Freight for the tools they need to get the job done at an affordable price. We are the place for quality tools at the lowest prices for mechanics, contractors, homeowners and hobbyists—any tool user who cares about value.”

The store will stock a full selection of tools and accessories in categories including automotive, air and power tools, storage, outdoor power equipment, generators, welding supplies, shop equipment, hand tools (which come with a lifetime warranty) and much more. At 17,400 square feet, the stores are easy to shop.

During the COVID-19 crisis, all Harbor Freight stores have implemented more frequent cleaning and are following the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control, including social distancing to protect the health and safety of customers and associates. Any individual who has any COVID-19 symptoms is asked to shop on our website, www.harborfreight.com rather than in our stores.

Company Background

Harbor Freight Tools was founded in Southern California in 1977 when 17-year-old Eric Smidt began transforming his father’s small sales business into a successful mail-order company. That first year, Eric cut out the middlemen and sourced tools directly from the factories, realizing that if he could buy tools directly for less, he could pass the savings on to the customer.

Today, Harbor Freight has over 1,000 stores across the country with over 20,000 employees. The company is still family-owned and remains true to its humble beginnings while serving more than 40 million customers who depend on Harbor Freight’s quality and value to earn a living, repair their homes and cars, and pursue their hobbies.

With core values of excellence, continuous improvement and doing the right thing, Harbor Freight Tools is working to constantly improve the quality of its products and is introducing hundreds of new tools and accessories each year with the features, performance and durability of the best brands on the market—but at a fraction of the price.

Harbor Freight Tools offers customers even deeper discounts with special coupon pricing. Customers can sign up to receive a monthly coupon book by mail with dozens of product coupons and additional discounts. Customers can also receive additional discounts by email. To sign up, visit HarborFreightSignUp.com.

Giving Back

Another of the company’s core values is giving back to the communities it serves.

In order to help protect healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients, Harbor Freight recently donated its entire stock of nitrile gloves, N-95 masks and face shields to hospitals in every community served by a Harbor Freight Tools store.

Harbor Freight Tools is also a major supporter of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, an initiative of The Smidt Foundation, established by the company’s founder Eric Smidt, to advance excellent skilled trades education in public high schools America. The program’s flagship initiative is the annual Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, which honors 18 public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs with $1 million in cash awards. This year’s winners will be announced in October 2020. For more information, visit harborfreighttoolsforschools.org.

Harbor Freight Tools also supports non-profit organizations that serve K-12 public education, first responders and veterans. For more information on the gift card donations program, visit harborfreightgivingback.com.

For more information about Harbor Freight Tools, visit harborfreight.com. Follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

H-V Chamber Extends Deadline for New Teacher Bag Items, Thanks Donors

July 15, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is preparing to welcome new teachers to the Vance County area. The schools include Vance County Public Schools, Henderson Collegiate, Crossroads Christian School, Kerr-Vance Academy and Vance Charter School.

Approximately 140 new teachers will be welcomed to the area this year. The H-V Chamber is looking for donations from local business owners to pack into bags for these teachers. Suggested items include pens, pencils, pads, hand sanitizer, coupons/discount cards, key chains, etc.

The deadline to donate items has been extended to Friday, July 17.

If your business would be able to donate an item for each teacher, or with any questions, please contact the Chamber at (252) 438-8414.

The Chamber thanks the following businesses who have already made donations:

WIZS
State Farm/Margier White
Henderson Wellness Center
Walmart Distribution
3HC
Quick Print
Benchmark
Maria Parham Health
Henderson Fire Department
Henderson-Vance Parks and Recreation
Clearview Church
Vance-Granville Community College
Variety Wholesale
Southern Laundry
Prim Residential
Outside the Box
Fred’s Towing
Chick-fil-A

Vance Co. Schools Board of Education to Decide Between ‘Plan B’ or ‘Plan C’ Re-Entry

July 15, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

On July 14, Governor Roy Cooper announced that all public schools in North Carolina have the option to open under Plan B this fall, which is a combination of in-person and online-learning for every student. Plan B also includes many safeguards to ensure our buildings are safe places to learn.

Flexibility for each district in choosing more restrictive measures, as necessary, is also permissible at the direction of the Board of Education.

We have been planning for all options for many weeks now and have eagerly awaited the Governor’s announcement. We will now begin the process of finalizing our plans to re-open Vance County Schools safely for our students and staff. Our efforts have included gaining insight from surveys completed by our families, both staff and students, as well as focus groups, allowing us to hear their voices on the upcoming school year.

The Board of Education will meet to discuss re-entry plans and determine whether the district begins with Plan B, or takes a more restrictive approach with Plan C.

Remote-Learning Option for Plan B: VCS families have the opportunity to choose remote learning as an option for their child(ren), even during Plan B. This will occur through a student’s assigned school. This option would be available for the duration of time that our district is operating under Plan B. Additional information on the process will be shared on each school’s website within five business days of an official announcement by the Vance County Board of Education.

Vance Virtual Village Academy: Another option for families is our newest Innovative School, Vance Virtual Village Academy. This K-12, online school is designed for those seeking to remain part of a virtual program for a minimum of one school year. Each student has a personalized learning plan, providing pathways towards demonstrating mastery in unique and exciting ways. The application period is open through July 31 and available on the Vance County Schools website.

As always, our top priority will be the safety of everyone in our school system. The re-entry plan was shared with our Board of Education at the July 6, 2020, meeting. They will now reconvene July 17 to make a final decision on how to begin the 2020-2021 school year. The meeting will be live-streamed on our website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

Thank you for your support of Vance County Schools.

Governor Announces Public Schools to Open Under Plan B; Phase 2 Extended

July 14, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, Office of Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen were joined today by education and health leaders to announce health and safety plans for K-12 public schools for the new school year. Schools will open for in-person instruction under an updated Plan B that requires face coverings for all K-12 students, fewer children in the classroom, measures to ensure social distancing for everyone in the building, and other safety protocols.

“The most important opening is that of our classroom doors. Our schools provide more than academics; they are vital to our children’s’ health, safety and emotional development,” said Governor Cooper. “This is a difficult time for families with hard choices on every side. I am committed to working together to ensure our students and educators are as safe as possible and that children have opportunities to learn in the way that is best for them and their families.”

The Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit outlines the updated requirements for Plan B. Districts may choose to operate under Plan C, which calls for remote learning only, and health leaders recommend schools allow families to opt in to all-remote learning. Modifications have been made to Plan B since it was released in June to make it more protective of public health.

“After looking at the current scientific evidence and weighing the risks and benefits, we have decided to move forward with today’s balanced, flexible approach which allows for in-person instruction as long as key safety requirements are in place in addition to remote learning options,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, MD. “We will continue to follow the science and data and update recommendations as needed. We ask every North Carolinian to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and follow the three W’s: Wear a face covering when in public, Wait 6 feet apart, Wash your hands.”

Governor Cooper also announced that the state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher and school staff member in public schools. In June, the state provided packs of personal protective equipment to schools that included a two-month supply of thermometers, surgical masks, face shields and gowns for school nurses and delegated staff who provide health care to students.

“Educators and stakeholders across our state have worked tirelessly to reopen our school buildings safely for our students, teachers and staff. Today, we take another critical step towards that goal. We also know families need to choose the option that is best for their children, so all school districts will provide remote learning options,” said Eric Davis, Chairman of the State Board of Education.

“In-person education is important for children, and it happens in the context of a community. This plan strikes the right balance between health and safety and the benefits of having children learn in the classroom. We must all continue with proven measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission like wearing a face covering, keeping distance between people, and frequent hand and surface cleanings so we can move closer to safely re-opening public schools,” said Dr. Theresa Flynn, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, a practicing pediatrician who serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Pediatric Society and joined today’s announcement.

Under Plan B, schools are required to follow key safety measures that include:

Require face coverings for all teachers and students K-12
Limit the total number of students, staff and visitors within a school building to the extent necessary to ensure 6 feet distance can be maintained when students/staff will be stationary
Conduct symptom screening, including temperature checks
Establish a process and dedicated space for people who are ill to isolate and have transportation plans for ill students
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in the school and transportation vehicles regularly
Require frequent hand washing throughout the school day and provide hand sanitizer at entrances and in every classroom
Discontinue activities that bring together large groups
Limit nonessential visitors and activities involving external groups
Discontinue use of self-service food or beverage distribution

In addition, schools are strongly recommended to follow additional safety measures that include:

Designate hallways and entrance/exit doors as one-way
Keep students and teachers in small groups that stay together as much as possible
Have meals delivered to the classroom or have students bring food back to the classroom if social distancing is not possible in the cafeteria
Discontinue activities that bring together large groups
Place physical barriers such as plexiglass at reception desks and similar areas

More details can be found in the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit. Read the Screening Reference Guide for schools and the Infection Control and PPE Guidance.

In addition to the announcement about school plans, Governor Cooper shared that North Carolina will remain paused in Safer At Home Phase 2 after the current Executive Order expires on Friday, July 17.

“As we continue to see rising case numbers and hospitalizations, we will stay in Safer At Home Phase 2 for three more weeks,” said Governor Cooper. “Our re-opening priority is the school building doors, and in order for that to happen we have to work to stabilize our virus trends.”

School Groups on Today’s Public School Announcement:

“While all school re-entry plans have their challenges during this pandemic, our superintendents, principals, and other school leaders will continue to prioritize student and staff safety in reopening schools under the cautious parameters outlined today by the Governor,” said North Carolina Association of School Administrators Executive Director Katherine Joyce. “We look forward to continuing work with the Governor, the General Assembly, and other state leaders to ensure our schools have the support needed to get student learning back on track in the safest manner possible in each local district.”

“I recognize Governor Cooper faced a very difficult decision. The good news is that local school boards can now begin to officially put their school reopening plans in motion,” said Brenda Stephens, President of the North Carolina School Board Association. “While the current situation may not be ideal for all, I’m confident North Carolina’s educators will continue to provide students with the best education possible.

East Wake Football League Postpones Fall Season, Looks to Spring

July 13, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Press Release, East Wake Football League

The East Wake Football League (EWFL) is committed to ensuring a positive youth football experience and sharing a long history of competitive youth football in the seven (7) county area. Due to the growing concerns about COVID-19, the Board of Directors of the EWFL has decided to postpone the 2020 Tackle Football and Cheer season.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented health and safety concerns that, in our opinion, make it difficult to have a season and keep players, coaches and families safe.

As an alternative, the Board will begin to design a Spring football season for our teams that would begin in early 2021. We will share more information as plans develop.

“The safety of our athletes is our first priority, and we will follow the guidance of the CDC and the State of North Carolina as we think about the next steps of our League,’ said Jeff Clark, League Commissioner.

About the East Wake Football League: The EWFL is a North Carolina 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to youth football in North Carolina. The EWFL is an independent league that currently consists of 18 affiliated organizations with three (3) teams each from 6 to 14 years in age. The EWFL has served the youth football community for over 50 years. More information may be found at www.ewfl-football.com.

Vance Commissioners to Discuss County Debt, Shared Parking Agreement

July 13, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy the County of Vance

Vance County Board of Commissioners Chairman Gordon Wilder has called a special meeting for Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at 4 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street in Henderson.

The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Hold a public hearing for the refinancing of County debt.

2. Approval of Shared Parking Agreement – Henderson Institute.

3. Other items as necessary.

Please click here to view the full agenda.

Vance Co. Schools Announces K-8 Online Summer Learning, Bus Hot Spots

July 10, 2020/by WIZS Staff

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools’ Facebook page

Vance County Schools is excited to provide the opportunity for continued learning experiences throughout the summer months for all students in grades K-8.

Visit the VCS’ website, www.vcs.k12.nc.us, and click on the K-8 Summer Learning tab at the top. From there, follow the instructions to sign-in. You will then have access to a variety of reading, writing, word work, and math learning experiences, along with links to projects related to various careers to explore.

VCS is also committed to ensuring connectivity is available for students. Click here to see information on the VCS School Bus Hot Spots. The map is updated as the buses change locations.

Stay up-to-date with the latest locations and directions on connecting at www.vcs.k12.nc.us.

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