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Randolph County Schools meeting

RCS to change focus surrounding Virtual Academy

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ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, June 5, with presentations on the Virtual Academy and various grants as the main items on the agenda.

Following up on a recommendation to consider closing the Virtual Academy made at last month’s board meeting by Superintendent Stephen Gainey, the superintendent instead recommended that RCS change its focus in relation to the school after an uptick in enrollments.

“Looking at some of the things we talked about last month and where the school is, there’s been a pretty strong jump in the last couple of weeks,” Gainey said. “So, I would recommend a couple of things. One is that we shift our focus as leadership of the school system from the longevity of the school, to promoting the school and see what happens as we go into 23-24 with some more promotion of the school.

“Another recommendation is that we look for additional in-person activities to try and increase the culture and development of the school. It’s a different school, a virtual school, and it’s not like in-person school, but I think you can see that there’s plenty of enthusiasm with staff.”

According to Gainey, between the May and June meetings, the Virtual Academy saw its enrollment increase to 86 students.

“As of May 30, there were also 10 additional potential candidates whose paperwork had not been completed,” Gainey said. “So, we’ve got 10 more that are at least out there that gives us possibly 96. It’s not a sure thing, but that’s a pretty strong improvement from May 10, where we had 59.”

“Not everybody is set up to go into a public setting,” said Board Chair Gary Cook. “I think if we looked at any other approach, we would be letting down, what is right now, 86 students, and I don’t want to be a part of anything like that.”

The board was then presented with seven different grants that Randolph County Schools had applied for and received. They were the following:

** RCS received two North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council Go Outside Grants, one to Coleridge Elementary in the amount of $1,755 and the other to Franklinville Elementary in the amount of $1,650, both of which provide funding for students to attend Camp Caraway for outdoor science activities.

** The Farm Bureau Going Local Teacher Grant to John Lawrence Elementary for $500 was presented to RCS with the goal of providing funding for a raised garden bed for students to learn about plants and soil.

** An NCAE Mini Grant to Coleridge Elementary in the amount of $500 to provide funding for A-Z graphic dividers that will assist students in locating books in the media center

** Two Donors Choose Grants, both to Randleman Middle School in the amounts of $605.75 to provide books and items to create learning stations and $569.22 to provide two classroom sets of headphones

** A Randolph County Association of Educators Grant to Southeastern Randolph Middle School in the amount of $250 to provide funding to purchase writing journals and pens.

The board also approved the renaming of the Eastern Randolph High School Wrestling Room to the Greg Hardin Wrestling Room after the former coach.

“The Randolph County School System has been approached about naming the Eastern Randolph High School Wrestling Room after Greg Hardin,” said Executive Director of Operations Dale Brinkley. “During his tenure, Greg Hardin served as a track coach, teacher, state champion football coach, and state champion wrestling coach. Under his leadership, his wrestling teams and individual wrestlers acquired numerous state titles, conference titles, and multiple recognitions, which are noted on the attached memorandum. The request is to name the wrestling room: Greg Hardin Wrestling Room.”

The Randolph County Schools Board of Education will next meet June 29.

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Randolph County local makes NC All-State Honors Band

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TRINITY – Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve in Randolph County has a vision to immerse students in 21st-century skills in order to guide them to make decisions related to their future goals. One particular student, Zane York, has taken up this vision and created an opportunity for himself through the All-State Honors Band. 

The school’s band director, Angel Freeland, has now accomplished her lifelong goal through York’s hard work. She has been the band director for Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve for 13 years. 

“It’s really unique here being a six-twelve school; I really get to enjoy some of my students staying from sixth grade to twelfth grade,” Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve Band Director Angel Freeland said. “Our band may be a little bit smaller than some, but that allows us to do a lot of unique opportunities that they may not get elsewhere.”

York is in the eighth grade at Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve. He began his musical journey when he came to school just two years prior. 

“She’s taught me everything I know. I love having Ms. Freeland as my band teacher,” York said. “She’s really supportive in all that I do; I just love her.” 

“I try to relate stuff to the real world. Sometimes we’ll play songs they might hear on the radio,” Freeland said. “I give them opportunities at concerts to learn solos and duets. Most of my students really like this because they get to go home and practice music that we may not practice in class.”

Through the school’s band program, the students get to perform four concerts a year, and they also offer different honor bands, whose members have the opportunity to play at events and parades around the county.

“It’s a great way to make friends and express yourself. A lot of people love music, and for some of my students, that is just their thing,” said Freeland. “They look forward to coming to band so much, and it’s really like a family. We just have a lot of fun.”

Principle Brian Hill with Uwharrie Ridge Six-Twelve Band Director Angel Freeland and student Zane York. (Emmie Brooks/North State Journal)

To audition for All-State Honors Band, one begins with an All-District audition, which, if placed high enough, musicians turn to auditions for All-State. For the All-State auditions, the top two musicians from each instrument group from the seven districts of the state are invited to try out. 

“He put in so much hard work to get there. He would come practice during PE. His teachers would let him come practice with me any time he could,” Freeland said. “I’m just really proud of him; he helped me achieve a goal I have always wanted to do.”

York’s original plan for auditioning for North Carolina’s All-State Honors Band was to only audition with the bass clarinet; he was later convinced by his band director to also audition with the bassoon. York then placed in first chair in the All-District round with bassoon. 

“It has always been my goal as a teacher to have a student audition for All-State, and I’ve had several students come really close in the past,” Freeland said. “It’s just really special to me because not only did he make All-State, but he made it on bassoon, which is the instrument I played in college.”

There were fourteen bassoon players present for this year’s All-State Honors Band audition, and York placed as second chair, missing first chair by only five points. 

“I was just so excited to be the first person to fulfill Ms. Freeland’s dream, and I was just so proud of myself,” said York.

UCA building photo

UCA receives 10-year renewal

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ASHEBORO — Uwharrie Charter Academy has further confirmation that its long-term future appears bright.

Randolph County’s only charter school was notified that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has voted to recommend a 10-year renewal for the school, which has grades K-12.

“This is our first renewal, and the max you can get is 10 years,” said Sharon Castelli, the school’s superintendent. “Which means we’re going to be around a little longer.”

The final stamp of approval should come from the Charter Schools Advisory Board in the spring, something that’s considered just a formality at this point.

UCA is growing significantly, now at more than 1,800 students. The breakdown is 536 in elementary school (grades K-4), 647 in middle school (grades 5-8), and 661 in high school.

UCA opened in 2013 with 181 students in ninth and 10th. Once the high school was established, lower grades were added.

A new high school building and an adjacent career academy are on target to open in the summer, Castelli said. At that point, the elementary school will move into the current high school, putting all the students on the same campus. Eventually, a separate K-2 wing could be built at the elementary school, Castelli said.

The elementary school is located on Lewallen Road in a former Klaussner Home Furnishings building. That’s about 5 miles from the main campus.

Castelli, who has been in her position since October 2020, said the school had met many of its goals. 

“We’ve been on a good track,” she said. “We’ve been celebrating (the NC Department of Instruction’s decision) all week.”

The renewal process began in September. It involved interviews with parents, staff, and board members, along with an evaluation of the school’s financial status and other data.

UCA has had success in athletics, winning state championships in baseball and wrestling (as recently as this month) on the Class 1-A level. It’s the only high school in the county without a football program.

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RCSS receives electric bus as part of pilot program

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The Randolph County School System is the first public school system in the state to receive an electric school bus as part of a pilot program funded by the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement program.

Various school officials and representatives of other groups gathered last week to document the development.

In photo, left to right: Phillip Lanier, Randolph County Board of Education member; Michael Trent, Director of Innovative Energy Solutions, Randolph Electric Membership Corp.; Roy Parks, Western Regional Sales Manager, Carolina Thomas; Dr. Stephen Gainey, Superintendent, Randolph County School System; Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality; Shannon Whitaker, Randolph County Board of Education member; Kevin Harrison, Section Chief, Office of District Operations, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

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Randolph Early College senior recognized before board of education for United States Presidential Scholar selection

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ASHEBORO – The Randolph County Board of Education met Monday, Jan. 9 with recognitions and quarterly updates the only items on the agenda.

The board recognized the 2023 United States Presidential Scholar Nominee, Toby Cuna Zamora.

“Toby Cuna Zamora, a senior at Randolph Early College High School, has been selected by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) as one of North Carolina’s nominees to apply for the United States Presidential Scholars Program in the General Education category,”  said Public Information Officer Tim Moody. “Nineteen nominees were selected from a pool of submissions through an extensive committee review process. As a result of his selection, Toby has been invited by the NCDPI Presidential Scholars Nomination Committee to move forward in the next round of the scholars program.”

United States Presidential Scholars candidates will go through the application process at the national level and the Commission on Presidential Scholars will notify the semifinalists in April 2023. Scholar finalists will then be announced in May 2023. 

Those selected will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion at a ceremony in their honor in Washington, D.C. and scholars selected from North Carolina will be honored by the State Board of Education in early June 2023. 

The board also recognized the county’s 2022-23 Lighthouse School nominee.

“The North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development has a prestigious Lighthouse School award that is presented annually to one or more North Carolina schools that are leading the way in innovative programs and practices,” Moody said. “For the 2022-23 school year, the leadership team of Randolph County School System has nominated Archdale Elementary School for the Lighthouse School award.”

Schools selected for the award will be announced at the NCSCD 2023 annual conference in February in Pinehurst.

In its quarterly budget update, the district reported cash balances of $3,511,363 in current expenses, $1,843,158 in capital outlay, $1,849,711 in AT Tax and $4,362,246 in child nutrition funds.

In its quarterly student assignment update, Randolph County Schools saw a net loss in overall enrollments of 82 students. It is also seeing three schools – Archdale Elementary, Hopewell Elementary, and Randleman High – approaching capacity, all currently having enrollment that is over 90% of total capacity for those schools.

The Randolph County Board of Education will next meet Feb. 20.

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Toyota tags funds for education to aid workforce

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LIBERTY – Toyota wants to help mold the workforce for the new plant at the Guilford-Randolph megasite.

In what company officials describe as an effort to boost workforce readiness and exposure, donations totaling $1 million will be used to expand education opportunities.

The effort comes to boost what’s called STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics).

Communities in Schools of Randolph County and North Carolina A&T University will each receive $500,000 to help strengthen STEAM education programs that support career readiness.

This could be a big deal in Randolph County.

Grant funds will be used to support students, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Through a variety of programs, including the launch of Jobs for America’s Graduates, students will receive a range of services, including but not limited to weekend meals, academic tutoring, financial literacy, and mentoring.

“It is difficult to adequately put into words the magnitude of this gift to Communities in Schools of Randolph County,” said Paula Owens, CiSRC executive director. “This gift will enable us to serve more youth in our community with wrap-around services in partnership with our local school systems and equip us to launch a new program, Jobs For North Carolina Graduates, providing specialized instruction and experiences to support increased graduation rates and employability for our students.”

From the Toyota standpoint, the mission is to have potential employees ready.

“We have 2,100 jobs to fill in North Carolina, so better preparing our next generation workforce is critical,” said Sean Suggs, Toyota Battery Manufacturing-North Carolina president. “Toyota is committed to providing resources, time, and knowledge to help build stronger communities in which we operate. We’re grateful for our education partners that share the same passion.”

For N.C. A&T, the start-up grant will establish the Toyota STEAM Lab in the College of Education on the campus in Greensboro. According to a release, the lab will be designed for K-12 learners and provide NC A&T Elementary and Secondary Education majors space to practice teaching with devices and technologies designed for K-12 student use.

It will also provide collaborative mentorship opportunities and projects between NC A&T students from all majors, Aggie Academy elementary-aged students, and the high school students located on campus.

“We are grateful that our friends at Toyota understand that the key to meeting the challenges of the STEAM workforce of the future is to invest in rich STEAM educational opportunities for students today,” said N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr. said. “… It is also a further illustration of what a great corporate citizen Toyota has become in the state of North Carolina. We deeply appreciate their leadership.”

Based on information from Toyota, the company recently announced an additional investment of $2.5 billion in its newest North American facility, resulting in the creation of 350 new jobs. This brings the Liberty facility’s total investment to $3.8 billion, creating 2,100 direct jobs.

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Elementary teacher takes pride in RCSS honor

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Sophie Herring was selected as the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System. (Courtesy photo)

ASHEBORO – Once Sophie Herring discovered the joys of teaching, she became hooked.

The elementary school teacher has been rewarded for her efforts in classrooms and among her peers by being named the Teacher of the Year for the Randolph County School System.

“I know I’m young in the career,” she said. “It’s a huge honor. I’ve been overwhelmed with the love I’ve gotten from this.”

She spent the past six school years teaching third grade at Trindale Elementary School.

Her selection as Teacher of the Year was revealed at last week’s banquet at Pinewood Country Club. Other finalists were Sharon Hughes of Trinity Middle School, Joni Moody of Hopewell Elementary School, Angela Mroczkowski of Randolph Early College, and Bryant Voncannon of Seagrove and Southmont elementary schools.

Within RCSS, Herring began her time as an intern from UNC Greensboro.

“And never left,” she said. “The people who were there with me, they saw me grow into a functioning teacher.”

After graduating from Williams High School in Burlington in 2012, she enrolled at UNCG considering becoming a history major. She took a role in college tutoring youngsters in intercity Greensboro. One day she encountered a boy who was so thrilled to be in the learning environment.

“He just lit up he was so excited about it,” Herring said. “I thought, ‘I could do this every single day for my job.’ ”

Other than in the classroom, she took other roles at Trindale. She said there were difficult transitions for students and staff after the height of the COVID-19 impact, but she wanted to help.

Herring became chair of a committee to boost student and teacher morale.

“I was finally able to be a leader at the school,” she said.

This school year, Herring began a new role as a teacher for Academically/Intelligently Gifted students for grades K-12, spending time at both Trindale Elementary School and Archdale Elementary School.

“They get an opportunity to push themselves,” she said. “It has been such a fun thing for me.”

Herring, who stands 5-foot-1, said some of the fifth-graders are taller than her. She said that makes for an interesting dynamic.

Now, she said she hopes her latest recognition brings positive attention to the teaching profession.

“I’m young in this gig,” Herring said. “I still got a lot more left. We all love what we do.”

Back to School Inflation

Things to know as school year about to begin in Randolph County

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ASHEBORO – The first day of classes is set for Monday at public schools around Randolph County.

Here are a few things to know:

Administrators in place

The Randolph County School System made several new appointments for the school year during its August board of education meeting.

They were: Judi Cagle, principal at Farmer Elementary; Shawn Garrett, assistant principal at Eastern Randolph high school; Jessica Green, assistant principal at Randleman High School; Stephanie Hatcher, assistant principal at Southwestern Randolph Middle School.

Food for thought

Kelly Green, director of school nutrition for RCSS, said there are 30 total positions vacant within her department.

Green described the challenges for workers in the district’s cafeteria. 

“It wouldn’t be as hard if we were fully staffed,” Green said.

RCSS upgraded pay for many positions, though other factors have prevented the positions from being filled.

“We’ll continue to focus on it,” superintendent Stephen Gainey said.

Also, the board of education reviewed several policies at its August meeting. Considerable time was spent on topics that included cell phone use during the school day and concerns about students vaping.

Gainey reviewed district policies in place regarding both topics. He said principals would be reminded about those in advance of classes beginning.

Gainey said he’ll also discuss with principals about concerns regarding food arriving from delivery services during the school days.

Still happening

The construction is ongoing for the major renovation project at Asheboro High School. There will continue to be modifications to the daily routines for students and staff. 

In advance of the school year, an open house for high school students and parents to meet teachers and staff is slated for 2-6 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 25) on Walker Commons. At the same time, other school locations within Asheboro City Schools also will hold open houses.

Asheboro City Schools also has several new administrators in place. 

That list includes: Ryan Moody, principal at the high school; Graham Groseclose, principal at North Asheboro Middle School; Brittany Roberts, assistant principal at the high school; Michelle Harger, assistant principal at Teachey Elementary School; Kelly Patton, assistant principal at McCrary Elementary School; Amber Andrews, assistant principal at Balfour Elementary School.

Administrators transferring within the system include Jonathan Dillon going from assistant principal at North Asheboro Middle School to the high school, and Keisha Dawalt going from Balfour Elementary School to North Asheboro Middle School as assistant principal.

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Back-to-School prayer event set for Sunday in Randolph County

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ASHEBORO — Chuck Powers, founder of the Randolph Christian Men, would like to see a record turnout for Sunday’s Back-to-School Prayer Night.

At 5:30 p.m., gatherings are scheduled to begin at about 40 locations that are part of the Randolph County School System and Asheboro City Schools.

“We’ll have someone who will lead prayer at each of those facilities,” Powers said. “We’re asking the Lord to bless everyone involved in education.”

Turnout for last year’s Back-to-School Prayer Night was more than 500 based on reports Powers, an Asheboro man, received from his group’s members at the school locations.

“I think that’s a good number,” he said. “I really wish we could have more than that.”

Randolph Christian Men took over as organizers and sponsors of the non-denominational event in 2014. The annual prayer session coincides with the beginning of the school year in Randolph County. Classes start Monday at public schools in the county.

“We ask people to go to a local school of their choosing,” Powers said. “It’s a simple, one-night event.”

Attendance for the prayer night varies from school to school. Powers said more than 25 people might descend on some locations, while others might attract three or four.

Powers said the 5:30 p.m. time works better than in some past years when it began at 7 p.m. This way, Back-To-School Prayer Night shouldn’t conflict with Sunday evening church services.

Powers said attendees would generally spend about 20 minutes for the prayer events at the schools.

Even during the COVID pandemic, the Back-to-School Prayer Night was held in Randolph County, Powers said. He said the activity continued because it was outdoors and in small gatherings.

Randolph Christian Men has about 1,000 members in its database. The group meets monthly at a different church. Powers, who formed the organization in 2008, said the pre-COVID turnout was usually about 85 to 100 per month, though that’s down to about 55 in recent months.

Lighthouse Award photo

Lighthouse Award adds to Eastern Randolph’s pride

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School leaders gathered last winter when Eastern Randolph High School received the Lighthouse Award. Pictured, left to right, are Cecil Mock, former assistant principal; Cathy Waddell, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with the Randolph County School System; principal Susan Chappell; RCSS superintendent Stephen Gainey; math teacher Ashley Inman; and retired JROTC advisor Lt. Col. Mike Williams. (Courtesy photo)

School’s deep staff of alums helps define culture

RAMSEUR – As principal Susan Chappell of Eastern Randolph High School reflected on the school receiving a major award on a statewide level during the past school year, one thing stood out.

That’s because many people responsible for the school’s success have roots within the district.

Eastern Randolph was one of two schools statewide to receive the 2021-22 Lighthouse School Award, which was presented by the North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Almost half of the school’s 78 staff members are Eastern Randolph alums.

In the nomination from the Randolph County School System, the memo pointed out that the school motto of “We are … ER” is so appropriate.

Among those with ties to the school is Chappell, a 1991 graduate.

“This is my home,” she said. “I grew up here.”

Chappell said that often data is used to promote accomplishments for a school, but she chose a different tactic.

“What I chose to focus on was our school culture and how we were able to navigate the pandemic,” Chappell said. “We wanted to show what makes our school special.”

The Lighthouse Award is presented to schools that have furthered student achievement in innovative and creative ways and nurtured a positive and supportive school and community climate.

Eastern Randolph has about 600 students in the high school, making it the smallest RCSS high school.

“I was pleased that people recognized there are various ways to demonstrate success,” Chappell said.

Chappell became an assistant principal at the school in 2015. For the past 2 ½ years, she has been the principal. A few months after moving to the new role, the pandemic hit.

That’s when she said Eastern Randolph was able to stand tall.

“We problem-solved and we got through it and we’re better for it,” Chappell said.

That involved taking care of staff and students.

Staff members delivered food and study materials to students. They helped establish internet hot spots in the community, particularly because of the many rural areas within the district.

But the impact extended beyond those types of services.

“Making sure we were meeting their social and emotional needs,” Chappell said. “That need is still out there. It opened our eyes to some of the things our students are dealing with.”

Through receiving the Lighthouse Award, Chappell said she hopes that school pride has flourished and that what was achieved the past couple of years can be expanded.

“ ‘We are … ER’ may be a simple motto, but its meaning has roots that run deep,” the RCSS nomination read. “Those roots will ensure the success and fulfillment of generations of Wildcats to come.”

The other Lighthouse Award recipient for the past school year was Cedar Ridge Elementary School of the Surry County Schools.

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