Tag Archive for: #vancecountyschools

Vance Co. Board of Education Urging the State to Take Action

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

At its December 9 meeting, the Vance County Board of Education approved a resolution urging the State to take action to remit civil penalties unconstitutionally withheld from North Carolina public schools.

The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that under Article IX, Section 7 of the NC Constitution, public schools are entitled to the clear proceeds of specific civil penalties collected by various state agencies.

The Vance County Board of Education respectfully requests the General Assembly to approve during its January 2020 session a multi-year plan to pay the remaining $729.7 million judgment for civil penalties that should have gone to public school units for school technology but were instead diverted to other purposes in violation of the North Carolina Constitution.

According to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), in 2018-2019 only 38% of North Carolina’s 115 local school districts reported having achieved the State’s 4-year replacement goal for student devices.

More than 30% of school districts in 2018-19 reported having no resources budgeted for replacement devices.

VCS Staff Graduates From Virtual Labs ‘zSpace’ Credentialing Program

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools recently had staff graduate from the Vance Virtual Labs credentialing program. These forward-thinking educators committed to hours of professional development and in-lab coaching to be able to engage their students in the rich VR/AR learning experiences that zSpace has to offer.

(Vance Co. Schools photo)

Vance County Schools was also included in the zSpace Mid-Atlantic Holiday Highlight (excerpt below):

Vance County Schools’ leadership continues to find opportunities to move education forward with experiences and innovative practices in all areas of their educational programs. Recently, an 8th-grade science class at Vance County Middle School spent time in the zSpace lab with instructors from North Carolina State University, working on lesson extensions in their curriculum. This innovative space was designed to facilitate collaborative opportunities with higher education and industry partners.

Vance County Middle School, STEM Early High School, and Vance County High School all emphasize disrupting the normal educational environment by empowering students with experiences that are future-focused and personalized by topic and standards. zSpace provides the level of innovation needed to achieve that mission and foster collaborative relationships with industry partners in the community.

Vance Co. Schools Holds Press Conference on Middle School Incident

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Vance County Schools held a press conference this afternoon to address the December 12 incident involving a school resource officer and a Vance County Middle School student.

In a video widely circulated on social media, a Vance County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a male student can be seen walking down the school’s hallway. The deputy then appears to turn to the student, pick him up, drop him to the ground and then repeat the process before dragging him down the hallway.

The name of the deputy and the student have not been released at this time. In a press release sent earlier today, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office stated that the deputy is no longer employed in its service.

In the press conference, VCS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson addressed the community and the media by calling the incident an “unacceptable and egregious act.”

“As a school system, as an administrator, as a district, we are disappointed; as a community we are embarrassed. Most of all, we want to express our apologies to our community that this has occurred. We are better than this. This child deserved better than this. No child deserves to be treated in this manner.”

Jackson stated that the school system is providing support to the school, the student and his family and is modifying its agreement with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in order to review all protocols and procedures.

“We’re seeking the support of the NC Center for Safer Schools,” said Jackson. “We’re going to make sure that we do what is necessary for every single child that attends a school in Vance County to do so in a safe environment without any fear of anything close to this happening.”

Vance County Sheriff's Office

School Resource Officer Under Investigation for Assault on VCMS Student

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-Information courtesy the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and Vance County Schools

On December 12, 2019, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint by Vance County Schools regarding the Assault on a juvenile by a law enforcement officer. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office reviewed the videotape and referred the matter to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. 

The Deputy involved in the matter was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Vance County Schools released this statement regarding the incident:

We are aware of the incident that occurred at Vance County Middle School involving a school resource officer. We are deeply concerned about the actions that took place.

School and district officials are working closely and in full cooperation with the local authorities to address this matter consistent with school board policy and state laws. The safety of our students has been and continues to be of the utmost importance to our district.

Should you have further questions, please direct those to the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Vance Co. Schools Holds ‘Community to Schools’ Tour

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-Information and photos courtesy Vance County Schools

On Friday, December 13, Vance County Schools held its “Community to Schools” tour. Members from the community had an opportunity to tour Dabney Elementary School, Vance County Middle School and AdVance Academy.

This was a great opportunity for the community to see the teachers in action and the normal operations of our schools. It was a successful event that we continue to hold each year.

Vance Co. Schools to Host District-Wide Family Night Dec. 10

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

On Tuesday, December 10, Vance County Schools will be hosting its next District-Wide Family Night at E.M. Rollins Elementary School. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.

There will be snacks for those who attend and child care for children under 12.

Topics will include “Engagement and Advocacy in Your Child’s Education” & “Today’s Math and Reading are Fundamental.”

“Engagement and Advocacy in Your Child’s Education” will inform parents about ways to advocate and engage with their child’s school at each grade level.

“Today’s Math and Reading are Fundamental” will educate families about current reading and math techniques to better equip parents to understand and assist students with homework.

VCS hopes to have the community attend these informative sessions.

VCS’ Dr. Anthony Jackson Named NC Superintendent of the Year

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony D. Jackson was named the 2020 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at the North Carolina School Board Association Conference.

The event was held at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro and the honor is given by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association and the North Carolina School Boards Association.

Dr. Jackson has served as Superintendent for Vance County since 2015. Since being in Vance County, he has played a significant role in obtaining the Golden Leaf Grant, which helped the district implement the WeInspire Digital Transformation Initiative. Additionally, he has helped develop instructional programs including Youth Empowerment and Advance Academy, while student achievement is improving and graduation rates are increasing.

The NCSBA conference was filled with many other accolades for Vance County Schools as well. The Board of Education earned Master 2 certification, the only board in the state to earn such a distinction. Additionally, Vance County Middle School placed 2nd in the state-wide middle school video contest, while Vance County High School took the first place spot in the high school competition for the second year in a row.

There were several staff members from the district who presented at the conference as well, including Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent, Mrs. Michelle Burton, Director of Human Resources, and Mrs. Kedecia Stewart Faines, Vance County Schools teacher and former District Teacher of the Year.

Our district is, without question, Vance County Proud!

Vance Co. Schools to Host Parent & Family Night

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

On Thursday, November 14, 2019, Vance County Schools will be hosting a Parent and Family Night at Vance County High School from 5:30 – 7 p.m. There will be light snacks and childcare for children under 12.  

Topics for the session include “Be SMART,” “The Pep for Career & College Prep” and “Living Longer and Stronger Together.”

“Be SMART” is a public education campaign to reduce the number of unintentional shootings that occur when children or teens get access to guns that are not stored responsibly.

“The Pep for Career & College Prep” will give parents of high school students valuable tools and info to assist them with navigating college entrance steps and ways that VCS is assisting with career prep.

“Living Longer and Stronger Together” is a great session for all parents to learn about healthier eating and discuss the positive and negative effects of the way we eat. 

We are very excited about our sessions and hope to see you there!

Town Talk 10/16/19: Aarika Sandlin, VCS’ New Public Information Officer, On-Air

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Aarika Sandlin, public information officer (PIO) for Vance County Schools, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss both her new role and the future of the local public school system.

Sandlin, who received her undergraduate degree from Mars Hill University and graduate degree from East Tennessee State University, believes her studies in journalism, corporate communications, public relations and education, along with her 16 years of work experience in education, will serve her well in her new position.

Pictured: Aarika Sandlin, public information officer (PIO) for Vance County Schools.

Of her time in the education field, Sandlin spent 11 years as a classroom teacher and five years as a high school test coordinator.

Taking the reins from long-serving VCS PIO Terri Hedrick, who retired in July with 21-years in the school system, Sandlin said one of her first tasks is to determine what has been working and what may need to be tweaked moving forward.

“We are looking at ways things have been, deciding what went well and then looking at things that we need to take down a different path,” said Sandlin.

One area of focus, according to Sandlin, includes getting more parents on-board with social media channels as a means of conveying information in a fast, effective manner.

In addition to Vance County Schools’ website and social media outlets, Sandlin explained that each school now has its own social media account that is managed by the principal or the principal’s designee.

It is beneficial for parents to follow both their child’s individual school account and Vance County Schools’ accounts to ensure updated information, said Sandlin.

Sandlin’s primary job is to “make sure the community, the parents, the staff and the teachers are aware of what’s going on in Vance County Schools, sharing the positive things and showcasing our students for the great things they are doing.”

To accomplish this, Sandlin must be on-the-go frequently. “I’m in my office very little,” she said with a laugh. “I’m in the schools. I’m meeting with community members and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to share what’s going on and to get them to partner with us.”

To hear the interview with Sandlin in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Vance County Schools to Hold District Parent Night

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools will be planning monthly Parent Sessions to help families learn about how they can help their children in school, find helpful resources in our county and help parents with everyday family responsibilities.

On October 17, we will be having our first Parent and Family Night at LB Yancey Elementary School from 5:30 – 7 p.m. There will be a light snack for those who attend.

There will be two topics discussed. “We are in School, Now What?” will be geared towards Pre-K and Kindergarten parents, with a focus on student experiences, academic growth and expectations.

The second topic is “Developing Good Homework and Study Habits,” geared towards parents with students of all ages, allowing them to learn tips on good study habits and organizational skills to share with their children.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Raven Burns, Family and Parent Liaison for Vance County Schools at 252-492-2127.