Tag Archive for: #vancecountyschools
Wayne Adcock Auditorium Dedication Monday On Center For Innovation Campus
/by WIZS StaffThe auditorium at the Vance County Schools’ Center for Innovation will officially be named for longtime educator and former superintendent at a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
The public is invited to attend the event, during which the Wayne Adcock Auditorium will be officially dedicated, according to information from the school district. The ribbon-cutting is at 10 a.m., with the dedication immediately following.
Adcock, who was superintendent from July 1996 until January 2003, died Nov. 1, 2020 at the age of 73.
The Center for Innovation is a state-of-the-art facility where students, faculty and the community can engage in various programs and activities. It is located on the campus of the former Henderson High School, 219 Charles St.
Two Hour Delay For Vance County Schools on Tuesday
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay on Tuesday, January 18th. All schools operating on the traditional and year-round calendar will have a required teacher workday. The workday will begin at 10:00 for all staff.
For VCHS and Early College, students and staff will operate on a two-hour delay.
Should the weather or power outages require a change in this plan, a call/message will be sent out at 6AM on Tuesday, January 18th.
Vance County Middle Students Shift To Remote Instruction To Start School Week
/by WIZS StaffVance County Middle School is the latest area school to fall victim to the raging omicron variant and school officials announced that middle school students will shift to remote instruction for the first part of next week.
According to information posted Friday afternoon on the school system’s social media page, which stated, in part: “In an effort to mitigate the rapid increase of staff and student COVID-19 cases” reported at VCMS, students will not have in-person instruction on Monday, Jan. 10 and Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Families with students at VCMS will be contacted over the weekend with details, according to information posted about 3 p.m. Friday.
At this time, all other VCS schools will continue on a normal schedule with in-person instruction.
VCMS students are instructed to login with their teacher at their designated class time.
January 4 An Asynchronous Remote Learning Day for Vance County Schools
/by John C. RoseThe Vance County public school system has announced an asynchronous remote learning day for January 4.
Aarika Sandlin, director of communication and marketing, said in an information release the asynchronous remote learning day will be “for all students and school-based instructional staff. All other staff will operate with an optional workday with buildings opening at 10 a.m.”
Otherwise, all Vance County Schools closed early, January 3 “due to inclement weather and safety as the temperature is falling rapidly,” Sandlin said.
Elementary schools dismissed at 1 p.m. and all other schools let out at 1:15 p.m.
TownTalk: Supt. Bennett Proud To Serve Vance County Schools
/by Laura GabelDr. Cindy Bennett has been superintendent of Vance County Schools since July 1. In these past few months, she and her team have continued to navigate the rough waters of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent tragedies affecting VCS students and families have offered challenges as well, and Bennett said her team is pitching in to provide support for students and staff.
“I firmly believe in servant leadership,” Bennett said on Tuesday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose. “It’s all hands on deck and that’s the way we operate,” she added. It’s the way she and her administrative team – her Cabinet, as she calls the central services staff – deals with issues and problems, as well as in times of great success.
Last week’s tragic car accident that took the lives of two teenage siblings on their way to Vance County High School also injured two students and their mother who were on their way to Aycock Elementary.
Upon hearing the news of the accident, Bennett said a team of guidance counselors and social workers were dispatched immediately to the high school. The leadership team went as well, to offer support to their colleagues at the high school, as well as to students.
The students were well-loved, she noted. “It’s been a tremendous loss.”
She added that she hopes and prays for a speedy recovery for the two Aycock students.
Feeling part of a team is an important component of Bennett’s attitude of leadership. She said she and former superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson had a very good working relationship before they found themselves working in the same school district. Jackson arrived about six months before Bennett, who has now in her 7th year with VCS.
In fact, she said, they both applied for the VCS superintendent job that Jackson ultimately won. “I had a desire to be a superintendent,” Bennett said, whether in this district or elsewhere.
Vance County has been “home” now for the past 13 years, and Bennett said she is very grateful to have a chance to give back to her community.
In her first six years or so with VCS, she said she has observed a real focus on innovative practices. “I think there is a very strong mindset of innovation and a desire to provide the best possible opportunities and experiences for our students,” Bennett said. “That is something I want to continue.”
Opportunities sometimes arise from challenges, and she said the COVID-19 pandemic certainly has proven to be a challenge for everyone. And educators are no exception. She said she hopes to be able to continue to offer school staffs and families social emotional support as the district and the community face a “new normal or our next normal, whatever that might be.”
The district will continue to focus on what is best and what is right for students, she said. “I think one of my areas of focus will be providing authentic experiences for students” so that whether they decide to further their education after high school or stay at home to join the work force, they will have had great opportunities and experiences with VCS.
Focusing on this aspect surely will have a positive effect on graduation rates and staff retention, she noted.
“Ultimately, our one responsibility is to the students in this community to recognize where the gaps in learning might be, to recognize where there are places and experiences that we can provide for them,” Bennett said.
Understanding the needs of the community while tapping the expertise of educators is key to providing a quality education.
The Center for Innovation is one such facility that Bennett looks to for creative ways to teach students. “I don’t want this to be a facility that is planned from the top down,” she said. “We want to be good neighbors and good partners, she added.
“We want to be seen as an organization providing experiences to our community but also providing support to our community,”
Bennett said.
“it’s all about relationships – those that trickle down and those that bubble up in the organization. We want to be seen as an organization that values its community…sees the value, power and worth of every single student that comes through our doors. (We want to) take them from where they are and grow them as much as we possibly can…That’s what we are here for.”
A couple of things that nag at the superintendent are staff shortages and bus driver shortages.
She said she’s trying to get a pay increase for bus drivers and there’s a $2,500 signing bonus to entice prospective drivers. “They are essential to everything we do,” she emphasized.
Making sure that parents feel reassured about safety protocols in schools is uppermost in her mind as well. The district follows a layered protection approach to achieve the COVID-19 safety protocols – masks, daily temperature checks and school nurses diligently monitoring the health of everyone inside school buildings – all serve to keep the school environment safe.
She commended parents, staff and students for working together in this effort and encourages anyone in the community to ask if something is unclear. “We do not mind answering their questions,” she said. “We understand how important it is to know that our children are safe.”
For Bennett and her leadership style, it’s all about focusing on relationships and on transparency.
“It’s all about servant leadership – that’s what we’re practicing,” she said.
VCS Middle Schoolers May Attend Sports Events Without Adult
/by Laura GabelVance County Schools recommends, but will not require, a parent or guardian attend sports events with their middle school-age students.
According to information from VCS public information officer Aarika Sandlin, the district will place additional middle school staff to be on hand at high school sports events to make sure the VCS code of conduct is upheld.
“Our athletic events have been and will continue to be a family-oriented atmosphere where we encourage our community to come together to support our student athletes and our schools,” according to the press statement.
Sandlin reminds all parents, guardians and students that the code of conduct and school rules are in effect during all school-sponsored events, including athletics.
Vance County Schools Announces Partnership with Boys and Girls Club
/by WIZS Staff— press release courtesy of Vance County Schools
Vance County Schools is excited to announce a partnership with the North Central North Carolina Boys and Girls Club through a 21st Century Grant. This partnership will provide an afterschool program for students in grades 3-5 at Carver Elementary and New Hope Elementary.
Dr. Bennett, VCS Superintendent, shared, “The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina are so supportive of our students. Many of our students attend the local Boys and Girls Club here in Henderson, but to have two school-based afterschool programs is an added
blessing.”
The programming will include academic support as well as enhanced experiences for our participating students. Additionally, dinner will be provided each day of programming at their respective school. As part of the grant, these students will also be afforded the opportunity to
participate in a summer program at their elementary school for several weeks.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for New Hope Elementary’s Boys and Girls Club program will take place at the school on Friday, October 1 at 4pm. Principal Letitia Fields shared, “An onsite program gives our scholars the opportunity to receive additional academic support, as well as
participate in real world enrichment activities that promote social emotional well being and career readiness. We are elated to have this opportunity for our students at New Hope Elementary.”
Carver Elementary’s ribbon cutting will take place on Wednesday, October 6 at 4pm at the school. Stephanie Alston, Principal at Carver, shared, “I am overjoyed to have this opportunity at our school knowing that it is satisfying so many needs for our students, our parents, and
helping us to provide an additional way to close gaps created during the pandemic. Families that have returned back to work now have support to assist students with homework while they may work after school-hour jobs. We are truly grateful and ecstatic to have this opportunity now within our Eagles’ Nest!”
Bennett shared, “Students and families at New Hope and Carver Elementary are so excited to have this opportunity in their community. I look forward to a continued partnership with the Boys and Girls club as we seek to enhance the experiences available to our students. This is truly another win for our community!”
VCS Literacy Specialist Part of Statewide ‘Rethink Education’ Team To Promote Blended Instruction
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools has announced that Amber Hines, district K-5 literacy specialist, is a member of the first cohort of Rethink Education, a statewide initiative created to help teachers tailor blended instruction targeted at rural and under-resourced communities.
Made possible by $17.6 million from the U.S. Department of Education, Rethink Education provides training by facilitators like Hines to help educators design their instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners during short-term or long-term disruptions.
Hines, representing VCS, joins other educators from 50 other school districts, 28 charter schools and one lab school from across the state that make up the initial cohort of facilitators.
Their job will be to strengthen remote and in-person instruction with a blended model of delivery, and “reinvent school and community preparedness for new models of blended learning for grades K-8,” according to a press release from NC DPI.
As facilitators, they will serve to prepare teacher from across the state “to deliver high-quality instruction in a variety of settings and situations.”
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said the state must continue to build capacity and provide resources to meet the needs of students using blended instruction. “This dedicated group of educators will lead the way to ensure that no matter where learning takes place, our students are fully prepared for a globally competitive job market,” she stated.
Vance County Schools Announces Changes in Leadership
/by WIZS Staff— courtesy of Vance County Schools; by Public Information Officer Aarika Sandlin; Online at vcs.k12.nc.us in original format with pictures as Sept 2021 Board Briefs
Vance County Schools is excited to announce John Suther as the new Chief Finance Officer. Suther earned his degree from North Carolina State University and has served as the Assistant Finance Officer for Vance County Schools the last 8 years. Suther comes to the position with 17 years of accounting experience and was certified by the North Carolina Association of School Business Management Academy in 2016 as a Certified School Business Director. Suther resides in Henderson with his wife Joy and their two children.
Cathy Kidd, the current Payroll Supervisor for VCS, will move into the Assistant Finance Officer position, having worked over 25 years in finance, with 19 years being in public education. She is a graduate of Wesleyan College and earned her Masters from the University of Phoenix. She resides in Weldon with her daughter, who is currently a student at UNC-Chapel Hill.
The current Chief Finance Officer, Jennifer Bennett, is taking a position with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Suther and Kidd will begin their new positions effective October 15, 2021.
Dr. Jennifer Carraway, the current Director of Student Services, will now serve as the Executive Director of Human Resources. Carraway has been with the district for 4 years, with a total of 27 years in education. She is a graduate of Barton College and earned her Masters and Doctorate from North Carolina State University. She resides in Henderson with her husband and two children and is a proud alumna of Vance County Schools. Carraway will begin her new position effective immediately.
Detrius Jones is our new Assistant Director of Human Resources. She has 13 year of experience in licensure and human resources. She is a graduate of KendPersall University in Chicago and earned her Masters from Concordia University in Oregon. She resides in Raleigh, NC with her two children and began her position in August.
Vance County Schools is excited to announce Mr. Cyrus Waters as the new principal for Advance Academy. Mr. Waters has been in the field of education since 2003, having served as a CTE Teacher, Special Populations Coordinator, Assistant Principal and most recently Principal at Gaston Middle School in North Hampton County. He is a graduate of Shaw University and earned two graduate degrees with one being from Gardner Webb University and the other from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Waters will begin following the upcoming retirement of Interim Principal, Mark Lawhorne.