Tag Archive for: #vancecountyschools

Vance County High School

VCHS Viper Graduation Moved Inside, Will Air Live on WIZS

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We have an important message for the Class of 2022 graduates at Vance County High School. The large amount of rain over the last 24-hours has greatly impacted the field conditions of the high school stadium field. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to move the Vance County High School graduation indoors into the VCHS gymnasium. Each graduate received 4 tickets for the rain location. We also want to let you know that the VCHS graduation will be livestreamed on the VCS website tomorrow, May 25, at 9am and aired live on WIZS.
—

Aarika Sandlin

Director of Communication and Marketing
Vance County Schools | www.vcs.k12.nc.us

VCS Virtual Job Fair Apr. 30

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Vance County Schools is hosting a virtual job fair on April 30  from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The school system has opening across the K-12 grades, as well as in the areas of physical education, special education, CTE, counselors, music and art.

Visit www.vcs.k12.nc.us and click on the link for registration under the job fair announcement. According to the job fair announcement, there is a signing bonus for certified teachers in grades Pre-K-12.

 

“Vance County Schools is committed to finding amazing teachers and staff to support the ongoing vision of our district,” according to an information from Dr.  Dr. Jennifer Carraway, chief human resources officer. Contact Carraway at jcarraway@vcs.k12.nc.us.

BOOKS to Develop a Love of Reading and Learning

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— Story courtesy of Aarika Sandlin, Vance County Schools

Students at Dabney Elementary School have hundreds of new books on their library shelves, thanks to the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.

Dabney Elementary was one of 205 schools from 43 states across the country to receive a $5,000 grant in Spring 2021. “There are many students who don’t have books at home, so having access to a library at school is essential,” the former First Lady said in a press statement. “With the grants, school libraries across the nation can restock and update their collections providing opportunities for students for years to come.”

“The timing for the funding for our library was perfect”, said Joy Suther, assistant principal at Dabney Elementary. “Through the grant, our school added books that match the students’ interests, further engaging them in a love for reading.”

Dabney’s principal, Dr. Michael Putney, agreed. “I am so in awe of finally seeing the faces of happy readers again as they come from the media center with a book in their hands. Students have gotten accustomed to using laptops and other devices to read, so it is nice to see them with the new books. They are so quick to share the name of the book they have selected. I am appreciative of the effort that our reading intervention teacher, Sherry Frazier, put forth in securing this grant for our students.”

Frazier continues to work with students on improving their comprehension and reading skills. Improving literacy is the key to ensuring students continue to grow and learn in all subject areas. “The library additions have been instrumental in increasing engagement”, shared Frazier. “The books are a mix of fiction, biographies and other nonfiction, which supports content area knowledge. Reading is one of the fastest ways to build vocabulary, which supports comprehension.”

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries supports school libraries with the greatest needs with the goal of encouraging all students to develop a love of reading and learning. Since its inception in 2002, it has awarded more than $16 million to more than 2,800 schools across the country.

Gargoyle Garden Offers Students An Outdoor Musical Classroom

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Vance County Schools held a ribbon cutting Tuesday for Gargoyle Garden, a musical garden located at the Center for Innovation (CFI), located at 219 Charles St. The garden is filled with musical instruments that provide experiences for students to learn about beats, music, echo, reverberation and more.

The garden is named after the gargoyles positioned across the facade as part of the 1930’s construction of the building.

The ribbon cutting featured Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess, Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington, VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, Director of Fine Arts and Physical Education Andrew Markoch and the Center for Innovation Director, Dr. Destiney Ross-Putney.

The district began the planning of Gargoyle Garden during the summer of 2021. The first students were able to experience the excitement of the instruments in mid-March when the installation was completed, giving student an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom walls.

The Center for Innovation campus is home to more than 50 z-Space computers in three labs, providing virtual and augmented reality experiences. Additionally, a 600-seat auditorium, video lab, MindSphere MakerSpace lab, Simulated Lab for Interactive Career Exploration (SLICE), as well as other learning spaces are available for students to participate in facilitated, inter-district field trips. The campus is also home to three of our innovative schools, Vance Virtual Village Academy (K-12), Advance Academy (6-12) and STEM Early High School (6-8).

Schools Survey Seeks Input From Community As Part Of Strategic Planning

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There’s still one day left to help Vance County Schools as school officials plan for the next few years.

Members of the community are being asked to complete a survey to share opinions and information as they begin creating a strategic roadmap for 2022-2025, according to information from VCS Director of Communication and Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

The information from the surveys will help guide school officials with the planning  process, Sandlin said.

The survey will be open until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 22.

There’s a link to the survey on the Vance County Schools website, https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/ or find the link here:

https://forms.gle/LQuo7s5TW7dzpk4a8

TownTalk: The Importance Of Arts Alive For Children

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It’s still a few weeks away, but Andrew Markoch said this year’s Arts Alive 2022 is on track to provide some wonderful entertainment – all courtesy of more than 200 students of Vance County Schools.

Markoch is director of fine arts and physical education for VCS and he said the 6th annual event is set for Saturday, April 9 at McGregor Hall and the Center for Innovation. Markoch spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk about Arts Alive and the positive effects of arts education in other areas of study.

The last in-person Arts Alive performance was in 2019; the annual show was all set for auditions in 2020 when COVID-19 shut everything down. “We had to do the safe and smart thing at that time,” Markoch recalled.

This year, artists’ creations will be displayed at McGregor Hall, musical and stage performances will take place there as well, beginning at 7 p.m. The gallery opens at 4 p.m. and that’s when tickets also will be available for purchase. Tickets are $5.

Markoch said he encourages anyone who wants to come out and enjoy visual arts or performing arts to join the VCS family on April 9. “You will not be able to not smile and enjoy yourself,” he said. “These are our kids that are doing this,” Markoch said. “They’ve put time into this artwork and the performers have worked hard for this moment on stage.”

Visit www.vcs.k12.nc.us and click on the Arts Alive link to learn more.

Markoch said to expect artwork in various media – from crayons and markers to digital media 3-D formats.

He predicted between 70 and 75 stage performers and another 80-90 different student artists’ work on display in the art gallery.

Markoch said he is happy to be able to use the Center for Innovation to host the various master classes that will be available during Arts Alive – a wide variety of providers are scheduled to be on hand to conduct classes that range from introduction to band and orchestra to dance, among others. Durham-based KidzNotes will be on hand with music sessions for the youngest learners, he said.

“Pretty much name it and we have a provider providing it on that day,” Markoch said.

Whether it’s music, art or theatre, the arts helps children to develop and strengthen in other academic areas.

“The arts affects everything,” he said. Vance County school officials, as well as the school board, continue to make the arts a priority, which he greatly appreciates.

“Even throughout the pandemic, the emphasis on arts education in our county wasn’t going to suffer – because it’s good for our kids,” Markoch said.

Arts educators teach other subjects through their curriculum, and support development of social emotional character as well. “In order to create art, there has to be a discipline that goes with it – a type of focus and energy, and almost single-mindedness,” Markoch said. Those traits transfer to other areas of academic life, he said.

 

 

 

Pre-K, Kindergarten Registration Event Mar. 22 At L.B. Yancey

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Parents with children ready to enter kindergarten or pre-kindergarten in the 2022-23 school year have an opportunity to complete the registration process next week at L.B. Yancey Elementary School.

The registration event will be held on Tuesday, Mar. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Perry Memorial Library Pop-Up Library will be on site as well, providing stories about the lovable Pet the Cat, according to information from Vance County Schools’ Director of Communication and Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

Children will enjoy listening to some of Pete the Cat’s stories, and there will be free hotdogs, chips and juice for all, plus karaoke, parachute games and much more.

The rain date is Tuesday, Mar. 29, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

MAKO Medical Kicks in $10K To Help Fund Vance Ed Foundation Grants For Teachers

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MAKO Medical has donated $10,000 to the Vance County Public School Foundation to support a grant program for funding in 2022-23.  But the North Carolina-based medical lab has taken it one step further and issued a challenge to the community: They will match dollar-for-dollar all future donations from area businesses and individuals up to $10,000.

The grant is called Learning that Extends Actual Performance – or LEAP, for short.

Teachers in Vance County Public Schools can submit project applications beginning Mar. 25. A committee will evaluate the applications and award the grants to recipients at the August teacher Convocation, according to a press statement from VCS Director of Communication and Marketing Aarika Sandlin.

Josh Arant, MAKO Medical’s chief operating officer, said helping classroom teachers is a great way to invest in the community.

“The past two years have been hard on students, teachers and their families,” Arant said in a press statement. “We want to help support our educators and inspire innovation in Vance County. I hope other individuals and companies will join us.”

Five educators received grants in 2021 to support projects aimed at enriching students’ classroom experience, Sandlin stated.

VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett praised MAKO for its generosity. “We are so grateful for the financial support and the confidence that MAKO has in the work we are doing in Vance County Schools,” Bennett said.

“Every dollar donated will support the experiences and engaging opportunities our teachers will design and share with our students. MAKO has again demonstrated their amazing support for this community,” she continued.

The foundation will provide an additional $10,000, bringing the total – so far – to $20,000 to fund the grants for next year.

Donations as part of the MAKO Match challenge – with “MAKO Match” in the memo line – can be sent to the following address:

Vance County Schools Public School Foundation

P.O. Box 2956

Henderson, NC 27536

Area Schools Participate In National Program Focused On Reducing Social Isolation

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School cafeterias usually are abuzz with activity at lunch time – there’s usually a lot of chatter as students take a few minutes to decompress from the rigors of the classroom. But cafeterias also can be a place where students can experience social isolation. Conjure up an image of a student eating alone in a cafeteria and you get the picture.

In an effort to raise awareness about the negative effect social isolation can have on young people’s mental health – and academic performance – WellCare of North Carolina is bringing No One Eats Alone Day to a couple of area schools.

Clarke Elementary in Henderson was scheduled to participate today (Friday, Mar. 4) and G.C. Hawley Middle School in Creedmoor is slated to participate on Mar. 10, according to information from WellCare. Henderson YMCA will be the third site in the area to participate, scheduled for Mar. 24.

Billed as “a positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion and a culture of belonging in middle schools,” No One Eats Alone Day was created by the nonprofit Beyond Differences.

According to a press statement, students “will learn about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on mental health and academic performance, while also being encouraged to create new friendships. Mental health is especially important now as students experience the growing stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its social isolation effects.”

The area schools and the YMCA join thousands of schools across the country that will celebrate No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative will reach more than a million students in all 50 U.S. states. No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.

WellCare of North Carolina provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans across the state. WellCare of North Carolina is one of the state’s Medicaid Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs). Visit www.wellcare.com/nc to learn more.

Masks Optional In Vance County Schools Starting Feb. 28

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The Vance County Board of Education voted on Monday to lift the mask mandate for students and staff beginning Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.

The board held a special called meeting this morning (Feb. 21) to discuss the use of face coverings and the board voted unanimously to begin optional masking next week.

The vote comes on the heels of Gov. Roy Cooper’s update last week, during which he discussed guidance from DHHS and on passage of Senate Bill 173.

“The district will continue to encourage students and staff to become vaccinated as well as participate in weekly COVID-19 testing provided by a partnership with Mako Labs,” according to a written statement from VCS.

“The Board of Education recognizes that COVID-19 is still present in the community and will continue to offer optional layers of protection for students and staff,” the statement continued.

Temperature checks will be optional and the district will maintain nurses in schools. Schools also will continue the increased cleaning protocols. Staff will continue to ask students to respect personal space and to bring reusable water bottles for the touchless water fountains.

At their scheduled work session held on Monday, Feb.21, the Granville County Board of Education voted unanimously to make masks optional, except as required by law, for students and staff effective February 28, 2022.

The Board heard a summary of recent action at the state level, including a recent report made by the Governor which encouraged all school districts to make masks optional by March 7, 2022.  In addition, Senate Bill 173 (the “Free the Smiles Act”) was passed by the General Assembly yesterday and sent to the governor.  If the governor signs the bill or lets it stand without a veto, then it will become law in no less than 10 days.  Finally, specifics of the newly updated NC Strong Schools Toolkit were also shared.

While masks will be optional in school beginning next Monday, there are some settings and instances where they will still be required. Currently, there is still a federal CDC order in place requiring masks for drivers and passengers on school buses.  Masks are also still required on days 6-10 for individuals after they have tested positive or have been identified as a close contact to someone with COVID-19.  These specific instances will be reviewed by our school nurses in consultation with the local health department.

Franklin County Schools has made the decision to make masks optional beginning immediately.