Tag Archive for: #vancecountyschools

Vance Co. Schools’ Student Spotlight Winners Tour Washington, D.C.

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

-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Twelve of the 16 Student Spotlight award winners from Vance County schools this school year participated in a  trip to Washington, D.C., on June 20.

The trip was part of their award recognition. The award recipients were each honored with surprise visits to the classrooms in their respective schools during the year. In those surprise visits, they were presented with several gifts. Later, all of the Student Spotlight winners were recognized during Vance County Board of Education meetings and were presented with framed certificates commemorating their awards.

During the trip to our nation’s capital, they visited with U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield in his offices and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in the U.S. Capitol. Both Butterfield and Tillis are from North Carolina and represent Vance County in the U.S. Congress. The students, who were accompanied on the trip by their parents and some younger siblings, also visited several of the Smithsonian Institution Museums located along the National Mall. Everyone also had special guided tours of the U.S. Capitol building.

The students’ trip was made possible by sponsors of the award program including the Vance County Public School Foundation. Other major sponsors of the Student Spotlight program are The Daily Dispatch, Prim Residential Properties and Rentals, Mako Medical Laboratories, Maria Parham Health and Vance County Schools.

Student Spotlight award winners from Vance County Schools are shown with U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield outside his office in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. (VCS photo)

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis stands in front of the Student Spotlight award winners in the U.S. Capitol as he visited with them during their trip to Washington, D.C. (VCS photo)

VCS Students Benefit From Read to Achieve Summer Camps

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

Press Release, Vance County Schools

Selected students in grades 1-3 in Vance County Schools began working with teachers in the school system’s Read to Achieve Summer Reading Camps at Aycock and L.B. Yancey elementary schools on June 18.

The camps are operating Mondays through Thursdays until July 18, the final day for third graders at the two sites. First and second graders will end their camp participation on July 17. The two camps are open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. each day and provide students with free breakfasts and lunches. School bus transportation also is provided for participating students.

Teachers are working with the students in small classroom settings to improve their reading skills to help them be more successful in the new school year. Third-grade students will be tested again on their reading skills with a focus on having them fulfill requirements for promotion to the fourth grade.

Students are shown working with teachers in small groups at the Read to Achieve Summer Reading Camp at L.B. Yancey Elementary School. (VCS photo)

Students work on their word association skills during activities at the Read to Achieve Summer Reading Camp at Aycock Elementary School. (VCS photo)

Vance Co. Schools Provides Free Summer Meals for Local Children

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

-Information courtesy Terri Hedrick, Public Information Officer, Vance County Schools

The Vance County Schools Nutrition Program is once again providing free meals over the summer to students.

Breakfast and lunch are provided to approximately 500 children at the two VCS Read to Achieve Summer Camps held at Aycock Elementary and L.B. Yancey Elementary from now through July 18.

VCS also feeds approximately 100 children breakfast and lunch through the Mi Centro program at Aycock Elementary for eight weeks in the summer. Mi Centro is a pre-school program for children who do not speak English as their primary language. This program helps with English language development, social skills and academics to prepare children for kindergarten. Meals to all of these camps/programs are free.

Through a federal grant program, VCS provides free lunches to churches, daycares, pre-schools, or other organizations in Vance County who serve children during the summer. According to VCS Public Information Officer Terri Hedrick, all the administrators of the programs have to do is contact the VCS School Nutrition staff to provide basic information.

The administrators in the programs must come to Aycock Elementary (where meals are prepared) to pick up the lunches and take them back to their sites. Hedrick said there are currently 20 summer programs in the county for which VCS provides lunches.

“We have done all of this for several years over the summer because we know many children have inadequate food supplies at home,” stated Hedrick.

Jackson Recipient of Superintendent of the Year Award

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson has been selected as the recipient of the 2019-2020 Central Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance (CCRESA) Superintendent of the Year Award.

He was presented the award on June 17 by Dr. Neil Pederson, executive director of CCRESA, during the Vance County School System’s administrative meeting.

Jackson received the award for his outstanding leadership in the school system. For the 2018-2019 school year, he led the successful consolidation of two middle schools and two high schools. In addition, he has led local schools to an improved graduation rate of over 82 percent and improved student performances at all grade levels. He also has been instrumental in leading efforts to continually improve community involvement in our public schools.

Jackson has just completed his fourth school year as the leader of Vance County Schools. He joined the school system in August of 2015.

Dr. Anthony Jackson, right, accepts the CCRESA Superintendent of the Year Award from Dr. Neil Pederson, executive director of CCRESA. (VCS photo)

Three Vance Co. Educators Named to Opportunity Culture Fellows Cohort

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-Press Release, Public Impact

Public Impact announces with pleasure our fifth cohort of Opportunity Culture Fellows. This year’s 15 fellows are Opportunity Culture multi-classroom leaders and principals who have achieved strong results and been leaders in their schools and districts.

Fellows provide support to their cohort, take one another’s ideas back to their schools, write columns about their experiences, and speak locally and nationally about their Opportunity Culture roles. Their feedback and leadership are invaluable in helping to improve the Opportunity Culture initiative, and all materials related to it.

This year’s fellows come from Arizona, Illinois, and four North Carolina school districts. We welcome and congratulate:

Multi-Classroom Leaders:

James Cerasani, Randolph Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, Illinois
Casandra Cherry, Phillips Middle, Edgecombe County Public Schools, North Carolina
Cherie Dixon, LB Yancey Elementary, Vance County Schools, North Carolina
Frederick Hoffman, Ferndale Middle, Guilford County Schools, North Carolina
Casey Jackson, Aycock Elementary, Vance County Schools, North Carolina
Steven Kennedy, Wilson Middle School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, North Carolina
Amy Pearce, North Edgecombe High, Edgecombe County Public Schools, North Carolina
Angela Porter, Hairston Middle, Guilford County Schools, North Carolina
Christina Ross, Desert Oasis Elementary, Nadaburg Unified School District No. 81, Arizona
Keisha Wheat, Randolph Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, Illinois

Principals:

Kristen Boyd, Aycock Elementary, Vance County Schools, North Carolina
Elizabeth Meyers, Randolph Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, Illinois
Jenny O’Meara, Phillips Middle, Edgecombe County Public Schools, North Carolina
Merrie Conaway, Foust Elementary, Guilford County Schools, North Carolina
Eric Ward, Harding University High School, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, North Carolina

As this cohort begins the fellowship over the summer, the 2018–19 cohort will be wrapping up their year, culminating in a convening for all past and current fellows in September. We thank all fellows for their participation, Opportunity Culture advocacy, and feedback to improve the initiative.

“Every year, fellows lead in their classrooms and schools; the fellowship gives them an opportunity to lead and advocate for a stronger profession at a national level,” said Sharon Kebschull Barrett, vice president for editorial services and communications at Public Impact, who oversees the fellowship and works closely with fellows to learn from their experiences through interviews and column writing. “They lead us as well, pointing the way for Public Impact to continually improve Opportunity Culture for other educators.”

The national Opportunity Culture initiative, founded by Public Impact and now in 28 sites in nine states, extends the reach of excellent teachers and their teams to more students, for more pay, within schools’ recurring budgets.

Research indicates that Multi-Classroom Leadership, the foundation of an Opportunity Culture, helps teams of teachers produce substantially higher student learning growth than in typical schools. Multi-classroom leaders (MCLs) lead a small teaching team, providing instructional guidance and frequent, on-the-job development while continuing to teach part of the time.

Each school’s design and implementation team, which includes teachers, determines how to use Multi-Classroom Leadership and other roles to reach more of their students with high-standards, personalized instruction—one hallmark of great teachers.

The school’s redesign schedule provides additional school-day time for teacher planning, coaching, and collaboration. MCLs typically lead the introduction of more effective curricula, instructional methods, classroom management, and schoolwide culture-building.

Learn more about multi-classroom leaders and principals in Opportunity Culture schools at OpportunityCulture.org.

Town Talk: Vance County Schools’ Year-End Events

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Terri Hedrick, public information officer with Vance County Schools, was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to announce the school system’s end-of-year events and activities.

This Friday, June 7 will be the last day of VCS’ 2018-19 school year.

Hedrick discussed the Vance County Early College High School’s recent graduation ceremony on May 23 and announced upcoming commencement dates and times for AdVance Academy and Vance County High School.

For additional events and details from Hedrick’s segment, 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.

 

Commencement Set for AdVance Academy, First Graduating Class of Vance Co. High

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-Information courtesy Vance County Schools

Commencement ceremonies for AdVance Academy’s Class of 2019 will be held on Thursday, June 6 at 6 p.m. at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson. Vance County High School commencement will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 9 a.m. in the gymnasium at Vance County Middle School on Warrenton Road.

Seniors will receive tickets to give to family and friends. Only those with tickets can attend the ceremonies. Everyone can view the events live online via the school system’s website homepage.

Those with tickets who attend the events are urged to arrive early. Once the graduation ceremonies begin, attendees cannot enter the auditorium or gymnasium.

Overflow seating will be available, but those attending must have tickets for these seating areas, also. All tickets will be distributed to seniors at the graduation practice sessions.

We are looking forward to memorable commencement ceremonies for all of our Class of 2019 members. Please join us in making these events very special ceremonies for all of our graduates!

130 Vance Co. Educators Expected to Attend State Rally; Schools Closed May 1

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Educators and school staff from across North Carolina will gather at a planned protest in downtown Raleigh on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

The N.C. Association of Educators’ Rally for Public Education participants will ask legislators for increased funding for the hiring of additional support staff, the reinstatement of retirement health benefits and advanced degree compensation and an increase in the minimum wage for hourly employees.

A high number of leave requests for the day led some local school systems, including Vance and Franklin County, to declare May 1 a holiday for students and an optional workday for teachers.

Terri Hedrick, public information officer for Vance County Schools, told WIZS that of the school system’s 900 employees, 130 requested leave to attend the rally. While rally participants account for only 14% of overall staff, Hedrick said, “Those asking off are in classrooms and are vital to student instruction.”

In a recent press release, Vance County Schools stated that Superintendent Anthony Jackson recommended the school day change and the Vance County Board of Education approved the holiday in an effort to support public school educators.

The missed instruction day for students will not be made up.

The VCS press release explained, “While it is always important for students to be in school and learning, school system officials believe that our extended school day times at all grade levels this school year will be sufficient for student instruction even with the missed day on May 1. The school day was extended for the 2018-2019 school year by about 15 minutes at the elementary, middle and high school levels.”

Hedrick stated that the majority of employees at the system office will be at work tomorrow – including Dr. Jackson – and do not currently have plans to attend the “Day of Action” rally.

In a message sent to NC public schools earlier this month, State Superintendent Mark Johnson encouraged educators to find alternative ways of voicing their concerns.

His message read, in part:

“I encourage discussions about different ideas and opinions. Your voice is crucial. I want you to know why I cannot agree with one group’s proposal to encourage schools to close on May 1.

Weather hit us hard this year, and I do not want to encourage any more students missing any more school days. It’s not good for students’ academic and nutritional needs, or for our bus drivers and some other non-certified staff, who may miss scheduled work hours and, as a result, pay.”

As an alternative, Johnson suggested that educators take action on a day when schools were not in session, such as the week of spring break. Spring break for many NC schools concluded last week.

Vance County Board of Education member Ruth Hartness expressed her support for local educators participating in the rally.

“They have an issue and they have to voice it in some way,” said Hartness. “I agree with them. I see no harm in it and it may do some good. Hopefully, the legislature will listen to these folks and something will come through that will be to their liking.”

In the meantime, Hartness said she believes the school system does a good job of educating the community with its current resources.

“The answer to many of the issues is more money from the legislature for schools. We are doing the best we can with the money that we have been given.”

Vance Co. Schools Honors Over 275 Volunteers/Business Partners

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools honored the over 275 school volunteers and business partners who are involved in supporting our 15 public schools for the 2018-2019 school year at the annual Volunteer/Business Partner Recognition Reception held on April 24. The event was held at the Henderson Country Club. 

During the event, Jack Richardson, a long-time volunteer at both Dabney and Pinkston Street elementary schools, was named the school system’s Volunteer of the Year for 2018-2019. Richardson was presented with the district volunteer award by Dr. Michael Putney, principal of Dabney, and Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal of Pinkston Street.

Jack Richardson, center, holds the plaque he received as the Vance County Schools Volunteer of the Year after it was presented to him by Dr. Michael Putney, principal of Dabney Elementary School, left, and Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson, principal of Pinkston Street Elementary School, right. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Richardson has volunteered at both of the elementary schools for almost 15 years. He goes into the schools two to three days each week to tutor children in reading and mathematics. Both principals praise Richardson for his dedication to the children and his determination to have children adopt a love for reading and confidence in their math skills. 

In addition to Richardson, 10 more school Volunteers of the Year were honored during the event. They were each presented with plaques by Dorothy Gooche, chairperson of the Vance County Board of Education and Superintendent Anthony Jackson.

School Volunteers of the Year include: Betty Jo Pernell of Aycock Elementary School; Johanna Ragland of Carver Elementary School; JoAnne Allen of Clarke Elementary School; Eboni Terry of New Hope Elementary School; Susan Freeman of E.M. Rollins Elementary School; Rev. Ronald Regular of L.B. Yancey Elementary School; Richard Brand of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School; Cedric Hinton of Zeb Vance Elementary School; Leslie Walthall of STEM Early High School; and Norma Moore of Vance County Middle School. 

There were 43 more outstanding volunteers and business partners recognized with awards by our schools during the reception.

The most outstanding business partners include those nominated for the school system’s Shining Moment in Education Award. Those partners honored were First United Methodist Church, which earned the prestigious Shining Moment Award as the top business partner for the school system. Other Shining Moment partners include Clearview Baptist Church, Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Flat Rock United Methodist Church, Henderson Family YMCA, Henderson Toyota, I Believe God Outreach Church, Optimist Club of Henderson, South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church and St. Paul United Church of Christ.

Reminder: Arts Alive! to Showcase Student Talent at McGregor Hall This Weekend

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The third annual Vance County Schools’ Arts Alive! event will be held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson this Saturday, April 27, 2019. The showcase will feature student talent in a variety of art forms including painting, drawing, dancing, singing and performance. All grade levels will be represented.

Parents, students, family, educators and community members are invited to view over 200 pieces of student artwork that will be displayed in the McGregor Hall Gallery beginning at 3 p.m. Gallery viewing is free of charge.

In addition to the art gallery, approximately 20 performing acts ranging from large to small groups of vocalists, musicians, dancers and more will entertain on McGregor Hall’s stage beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Arts Alive! show are available for purchase at McGregor Hall’s box office beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for adults and children are $5 each; all seating is general admission.

New this year will be a series of “master classes” offered in singing, dancing and musical instruments the morning of the event. Classes will be offered by Hill’s Music Shoppe, Ballet Arts All Stars and Wolf Trap Education.

Master classes are free of charge and will either be offered at McGregor Hall or across the street at First Baptist Church in Henderson.

For more information on each class, locations or to register, please visit the Vance County Schools website by clicking here.