Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Granville School Board Hears Pitch About A Dual Language Program At West Oxford Elementary

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The Granville County Board of Education heard a presentation on Monday from a group of educators who proposed that West Oxford Elementary become the site of a dual language program.

As the old saying goes, “All it takes is time and money.” In this case, it’s time, money and bilingual native Spanish-speaking teachers.

West Oxford Assistant Principal Jacquel Green, along with staff members Regina Harris, Sonia Hernández and Rita Jackson, spoke to the board about the positive impact a dual language program could have at their school and they provided details for implementation. Principal Bethany Bonnemere appeared via video to explain the importance of creating bilingual and biliterate students.

Board members asked questions and provided positive feedback to the West Oxford team. Board Chair David Richardson ultimately made a motion, which was seconded and approved, for the idea to be considered at the Feb. 25 meeting of the Finance Committee. The committee will meet virtually at 11 a.m.

West Oxford has a Global Leadership theme, which the dual language program would complement nicely, but the big question is: How would it be funded?

Green shared with the board that no area charter schools currently offer a dual language program; Person and Warren counties each have one school that offers dual language and Durham County has three schools with dual language programs.

More than 25 families with students currently in pre-school completed a survey from the school expressing interest.

Harris, a 3rd grade lead teacher, explained that the initial kindergarten cohort would have two native Spanish-speaking teachers who would co-teach 24 students. The majority of instruction would be in Spanish, with 30 minutes of daily instruction in English.

Each year, a new native Spanish-speaking teacher would be added and a new cohort of kindergarten students would join the program. In some cases, teachers would “loop up” and move grade levels with the class.

As students approach the 3rd grade, they would receive more instruction in English in preparation for end-of-grade tests, but most math instruction would be given in Spanish.

The team asked the board for a 10-year commitment to the program – an investment of time and money. Allowing the kindergarten cohort to get to high school, Hernández said, would show the kinds of gains they can make in becoming bilingual and biliterate.

The vendor that partners with the school now to implement its global leadership theme also provides support for dual language programs, Green said, and can help identify qualified teachers.

A program coordinator is needed, and this person would have a number of responsibilities, including being a substitute when teachers are absent to ensuring the program is implemented appropriately.

Board member Leonard Peace said it sounded like a wonderful program to have. “I certainly hope we can afford to do it,” Peace said. “I would like to make sure we can afford to do it before we make the decision.”

Dr. Gregory McKnight agreed, and said the program would be “an investment that would pay good dividends for our students and our system.”

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TownTalk: Henderson City Council Planning Retreat

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The Henderson City Council and government leaders are planning for their annual retreat, and council members agree that housing and homelessness are among the issues they expect will be up for discussion as they prioritize goals and the actions needed to achieve them.

City Manager Terrell Blackmon told WIZS News that a goal of the retreat is to craft “a blueprint for the direction of the city for the foreseeable future.” Chris Aycock of Aycock and Associates will facilitate the retreat, which will take place at Henderson Country Club beginning tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 24) and continuing on Friday, Feb. 25.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe this annual strategic planning session.

Council member Melissa Elliott said a discussion about affordable housing and homelessness are important one to her. “I think they go hand in hand – that would be one of my main” issues to discuss, she told WIZS News. Other topics she hopes to discuss during the planning retreat are inclusion and diversity.

The Rev. Ola Thorpe-Cooper said she is excited about what’s ahead for Henderson and looks forward to discussing with others on the council how to tackle the issue of affordable housing and revitalizing blighted neighborhoods.

Thorpe-Cooper, William Burnette and Garry Daeke all mentioned the Elmwood URA project and plans for similar work in the Flint Hill neighborhood as positive moves forward for the city.

“We’re trying to do what we can for the city…as a whole – it’s not done overnight,” Thorpe-Cooper told WIZS News in a phone conversation.

Jason Spriggs told WIZS News Thursday that he’s concerned about housing in general, not just affordable housing. Spriggs sees a definite link between homelessness and available housing, and said people who are renting may be seeing those rents rise. He said he wants to make it easier for people to construct houses.

“It’s a tough situation for people who live here who want to stay here,” he said.

 

In addition to neighborhood redevelopment efforts, Burnette said he would like to see continued focus on downtown redevelopment and emphasis on the regional water system.

These topics and more are sure to be discussed during the retreat, which Blackmon said would begin with brief presentations by department heads during the first half-day. The session will run from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The second day will be attended by Council only, Blackmon said, adding that all council members would be present for the session, which will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“What I hope to get out of this retreat is a five-year plan with goals that have tangible actions attached,” Blackmon said. His topics of interest line up with those of Burnette, Elliott and Thorpe Cooper and include infrastructure, affordable housing and economic development.

Daeke said prospective developers most likely are interested in amenities like sidewalks and available parks, as well as appropriate lighting and landscaping as they decide where to put new housing or retail space. He said he hopes the city can secure some funding that would support providing those improvements.

“We’ve got to have some skin in the game,” he said.

Daeke said the council would probably get an update on the regional water system, which he said is very close to starting on the construction phase – perhaps as early as fall 2022.

Siting and construction of a third fire station could be a discussion, as well as finding a location for a train station as plans continue to develop around the S-Line project, which would see increased commuter and passenger service along the existing rail lines from Sanford through Henderson and on into Virginia.

Next steps include getting input about station design and layout – as well as where to locate it for best access by the community.

“It’s just incredible…having a commuter and passenger and freight rail coming through this town again is just going to open doors that we haven’t had open to us in years,” Daeke said.

 

 

Home And Garden Show 02-23-22

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Check your garden equipment. Ex wheelbarrows, Tillers, lawnmowers
  • Mark the frost free date on your calendar.
  • Growing seedlings indoors make sure they are getting enough light.
  • Apply crabgrass preventer.
  • On warm days 70F or warmer provide ventilation in greenhouses and cold frames if growing plants in them.
  • if you plan to install a warm season lawn, start work now.
  • We have excellent gardening publications at Cooperative Extension
  • Plant pansies
  • Always check moisture level of garden soil before tilling that soil

 

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Filing Period Set To Reopen Thursday For May 17 Primary

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Candidates who wish to file for local offices will be able to do so beginning  day after tomorrow – Feb. 24 – at 8 a.m., according to Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan.

The filing period resumes Thursday after a months-long delay following a State Supreme Court ruling on newly drawn district maps.

Any candidate who has already filed does not need to re-file, Vaughan said.

Candidates may file for the office of sheriff, the register of deeds, clerk of court and county commissioners’ seats in Districts 3,4 and 7. Candidates running for N.C. Senate and N.C. House of Representatives will file at their county boards of elections as well, Vaughan said.

Board of Education seats in districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be voted on in the next election, as will City Council Wards 3 and 4, at-large seats in Wards 1 and 2, and seats in the NC House and NC Senate.

The primary is scheduled for May 17, 2022.

Following is the list of filing fees:

  • Sheriff – $720.60
  • Register of Deeds – $529.56
  • Clerk of Court – $998
  • County Commissioners – $98.72
  • Board of Education – $42
  • City of Henderson – $10
  • NC House and NC Senate – $140

Make checks payable to Vance County Board of Elections.

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 02-22-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for February 22, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email christa@hendersonvance.org to be included.3

Name of the Company: Benchmark Community Bank

Jobs Available:  Customer Service Representative I – This position is in Youngsville – must have 3-5 years of banking experience, basic math and computer skills also experience working with the public and handling money

Method of Contact:  apply online at https://link.zixcentral.com

 

Name of the Company:  Henderson- Vance County Chamber of Commerce

Jobs Available: Administrative Asst. / Bookkeeper – Must have a HS Diploma, Business Degree Preferred, 2 to 3 years of experience in a business office setting

Method of Contact: If interested please contact Express Employment Professionals Robin Reed at 919-693-1730

 

Name of the Company:  State Farm Insurance – Margier White

Jobs Available:  State Farm Agent Team Member – Office Representative

Method of Contact:  Appy at https://margierwhite.SFAgentJobs.com/j/06sj5y

 

Name of the Company:  Biscuitville

Jobs Available:  Multiple positions, Very competitive pay, Close daily at 2pm

Method of Contact:  Please apply in person at 1537 Dabney Drive, Henderson

 

Name of the Company: Walmart Distribution Center

Jobs Available: Freight Handler / Order Filler – page range in $17.55 – $23.55 an hour

Method of Contact: For more information go to indeed.com

 

 

Name of the Company:  Kerr-Tar Council of Government

Jobs Available:  Family Caregiver Resource Specialist

Method of Contact:  :  For more information contact your local NC Works Career Center or apply online at ncworks.gov

 

Name of the Company:  Turning Point CDC

Jobs Available: Group Leader of Creating Success After School – Involved in the planning, Implementation, evaluating and delivery of program for youth ages 5-12. All applicants must be available to work on-site Monday – Friday 2:00 – 5:30 pm and must have a valid driver’s license.

Method of Contact:  Applicants can apply by visiting www.turningpointcdc.org/getinvolved or call 252-621-5190 with questions

 

Name of the Company:  City of Henderson

Jobs Available:   Camp Counselor

Method of Contact:  For more information contact your local NC Works Career Center or Apply online at ncworks.gov

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

 

Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

 

SportsTalk: Lance Stallings And Vance Charter Prepare For Busy Spring

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Between National Letter of Intent signings, basketball playoffs and preparing for spring sports Lance Stallings, Athletic Director at Vance Charter, is a busy man.  Stallings says that in the last week both Logan Privett and Charlie Cooper, two stars of Vance Charter’s softball team, have had letter of intent signings and once the dust settles, about half a dozen softball players will have signed their letters of intent.

Stallings is excited that those young women will be continuing on to play college level softball but he is also excited about the school’s basketball program.  Both men’s and women’s teams are in the state playoffs.  The men’s team has never been in the state playoffs before but after a third place conference finish they qualified. “I could not be more excited,” Stallings said of Vance Charter’s mens team. They will have to take on crosstown conference rival Henderson Collegiate tonight in the first round. The women’s team will take on Eno River. Even the middle school teams are playing for conference championships

While basketball is certainly foremost on Stallings’ mind at the moment, there is more happening at the school. Baseball gets underway on Monday with Ty Breedlove in his first year as head coach. Softball and Lacrosse will get underway later next week not to mention that the golf and tennis teams will be starting their seasons very soon.

Stallings is happy but doesn’t take all the credit. “It’s a family atmosphere. Everybody pitches in and is willing to help,” he says.

 

TownTalk: Gang Free’s Black History Month Chief of the Year

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If you find yourself in Townsville and ask where to find Daren Small, you may get some puzzled looks or a shoulder shrug. But if you ask where “Squirrel” is, chances are you’ll be directed right to the fire station.

Daren “Squirrel” Small has been a fixture at the little fire department for more than 20 years. And although he has stepped down as chief, he said he’ll stay on – at least for a few more years.

As he put it on Tuesday’s Town Talk, it’s time to sit back and watch the scenery instead of being behind the wheel.

Small is the recipient of the “fire chief of the year” award given by Gang Free, Inc. as part of its celebration of Black History Month. Gang Free’s founder, Melissa Elliott, and community health worker Dasha Stutson spoke with John C. Rose about how and why Small and 3rd grade teacher Ebony Watkins were selected to receive the awards.

“I think that people need to have their flowers while they’re living,” Elliott said, instead of being remembered for their accomplishments after they’ve passed on. The recognition allows them to see how much their community appreciates them – and they get to participate in the celebration, too, she added.

Small said he and his wife were supposed to eat lunch at Ribeye’s in Henderson on Monday, but little did he know what awaited him.

“I’m humbled and blessed and really, really touched,” Small told Rose on Tuesday. Growing up in tiny Townsville, Small said he was always taught to give back. And that’s what he’s done through his career as a firefighter. He said he joined the county fire department in 1987, but his heart has always been with those who are volunteer firefighters.

Those volunteers have the heart to help – “it takes a special individual to do this job,” he said.

Stutson said she is especially appreciative of Small and what he means to his community.

“He’s been like a father figure to me,” she said. “He’s the sweetest man you’ll ever come across. There’s never a ‘no’ from him – it’s always an ‘I’ll try.’”

Stutson and Elliott expressed thanks for the numerous community partners and businesses that contributed gift cards that were presented to Small and to Watkins, especially Food Lion, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, NAPA and Tractor Supply.

Watkins teaches 3rd grade at E.M. Rollins Elementary School and Elliott said she creates TikTok messages each morning to help motivate and encourage her students.

Elliott said she was captivated by the fourth-year teacher’s energy and enthusiasm. So captivated, that she applied for a grant to supply the class with tablets.

“She’s doing a marvelous and phenomenal job,” Elliott said of Watkins. “We told her we were coming to bring her students tablets,” she added, and when they arrived, they also awarded her with the Gang Free “teacher of the year” award.

Her father works with the sheriff’s office and her mother is the bookkeeper at the middle school, and they both were present as the award was given. An added celebratory note is that the award was given on Watkins’s birthday, and Elliott said the young educator was overwhelmed with gratitude.

Elliott said she hopes the award serves as a thank-you to individuals for the work they’re doing in the community, but also “to let them know they are celebrated, appreciated and that the community loves them.”