The Pulse!
Because YOU Are The Heart of Our Community! Dec. 2021 Ed.
Granville County Public Schools Is Committed To Serving Our ESL Families & Communities! Check Out Our ESL Newsletter Below!
Please Join Us For Our December Parent University Events!
Today's Math: I Didn't Learn Math Like That!
Granville County Public Schools' Families, are YOU ready?
If you missed last month's Parent University sessions, you definitely do not want to miss what December has in store! December will be BIGGER & BETTER, so, don't miss out!
You are cordially invited to attend our Parent University session entitled, "Today's Math: I Didn't Learn Math Like That! "
The event is scheduled for Thursday, December 02, 2021 at 6:00 pm.
Join us as we chat about understanding GCPS' new Math curriculum and strategies.
This virtual event is FREE, but registration is required. Please click here to register. A Zoom link will be sent to your email upon registration.
If you have questions, please contact our district's Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, Ms. Terilyn Hester, at 919-693-4613.
We look forward to virtually "seeing" you soon!
Thursday, Dec 2, 2021, 06:00 PM
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NCTAP Apprenticeships- An Informational Session for Parents (Virtual Lunch & Learn Event)
Please join us for our Parent University, "Lunch & Learn" session entitled, "NCTAP Apprenticeships- An Informative Session for Parents event." You are in for a treat!
This event is scheduled for Thursday, December 02, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Join us as we chat about NCTAP's apprenticeship program opportunities. This virtual event is FREE, but registration is required.
Please click here to register. A Zoom link will be sent to your email upon registration.
If you have questions, please contact our district's Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, Ms. Terilyn Hester, via email, at hestert@gcs.k12.nc.us.
We look forward to virtually "seeing" you soon!
Wednesday, Dec 8, 2021, 01:00 PM
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Learn How to Motivate Your Child to Strive in School
Granville County Schools is thrilled to announce its Learn How to Motivate Your Child to Strive in School Parent University session. This event is scheduled for Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Join us as we chat about various strategies to motivate your child to strive in school.
This virtual event is FREE, but registration is required. Please click here to register. A Zoom link will be sent to your email upon registration.
If you have questions, please contact our district's Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, Ms. Terilyn Hester, via email, at hestert@gcs.k12.nc.us.
We look forward to virtually "seeing" you soon!
Thursday, Dec 16, 2021, 06:00 PM
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Important GCPS' December 2021 Dates!
DEC 07- Superintendent Principal Advisory Council (SPAC)
DEC 09- Superintendent Student Advisory Council (STAC)
DEC 09- Superintendent Parent Advisory Council (SPAC)
DEC 20- Early Release High School
DEC 20- Early Release ALL
DEC 23- JAN 2- Holiday Break
Our R.E.A.C.H & Boys & Girls Club's FAMOUS Author Reading!
For the month of November, they kicked off their virtual Reading Family Night events featuring a local librarian, Ms. Amy Kemp from our Southern Library Branch! Ms. Kemp took kids on an exciting library tour that was simply amazing! (Ms. Kemp is pictured below in green top.)
Our event also featured Mr. Donyell "DJ" Jones , CEO of Boys & Girls Club of NC. (Middle, still picture with tie.)
In addition, the virtual Family Reading Event also featured, current North Carolina Central University, renowned, published Author, Mr. Tyler Fisher. Mr. Fisher read his famous, book entitled, "Fried Chicken & Yams" which provided a platform for students to discuss things in which they were grateful for, just in time for the holidays!
Mr. Fisher was also featured on WTVD 11 News! His book may be purchased on lulu.com!
Check out the pics below!
Mr. Donyell "DJ" Jones- CEO of Boys & Girls Club
Mr. Tyler Fisher (Author of "Fried Chicken & Yams")
Alex (Character in book, "Fried Chicken & Yams")
We Welcome You to Sign-Up for Granville Gets Ready for Kindergarten!
Welcome, Families!
Granville Gets Ready for Kindergarten!is a group of families, child care providers, and other community members across Granville County who all have the same interest - getting Granville County's children Ready for Kindergarten. By joining this group, you will be invited to workshops throughout the year and notified of community events and resources as they come up.
Please click here to join this group. Please feel free to forward this on to other families or community members who might be interested.
NC WORKS!
Learn how NCWorks can help you discover your strengths, find job opportunities, create a resume and much more in these short 10 minute sessions!
These activities change each month and/or some may be repeated.
Check out the flyer below for more details!
NCTAP: North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program. Earn $$$ while you Learn.
Recruitment is going on now during November and December.
PARENTS: Be on the lookout for a Virtual Lunch & Learn on December 8th from 1p-2p.
- Pre apprenticeships are offered to rising seniors and high school graduates. If a pre apprentice does well in the summer pre apprentice period they may be accepted as an apprentice.
- An apprenticeship can begin at ages 16 – 18
- Apprenticeships last 4 years
- Paid for work at the assigned company with company benefits
- Earn a two-year degree from a community college
- Associate Degree in one of the following: Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology OR Automotive Systems Technology
- Work based learning & academic instruction
- Academic skills find a practical purpose
NCTAP Hosts Facility Tours and Congresswoman Deborah Ross - Interviews Two NCTAP Apprentices!
NCTAP will host students and parents at Facility Tours of our companies on December 11th, January 15th and January 29th.
Students can register for tours on our website at http://nctap.org/events/, use the Facility Tour Registration button to register.
Also, Congresswoman Deborah Ross interviewed two of the NCTAP apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
The two apprentices are working for Siemens. They are Madelyn Clark and Ethan Hatch. They both did an excellent job in the interview.
Check out the interview here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=593446531988463
Here’s a link to an article Siemens wrote about the interview:
Catherine Barone, MLIS, GCDF
NCTAP Program Manager
336-392-8049 cell
Workdays: Tuesday-Thursday each week
Tamara Rodebaugh, RN, HSE, CDC
Career Development Coordinator
Granville County Public Schools
rodebaughtw@gcs.k12.nc.us
919-475-3101 cell
919-693-4613 Ext. 340112 office
340112 IP Phone
SPOTLIGHTING OUR GRANVILLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS! SEE WHO TAKES THE STAGE!
Butner Stem Elementary School's Title I Night Is "SPOOK-TACULAR!"
What an exciting way to incorporate reading and festive fun for the entire family!
Make "GLOW" Mistake About It! Butner Stem Elementary Sheds Light On Learning!
As you can see, they had lots of fun while showing their teachers all that they have learned!
Butner Stem Elementary School's Native American Performance Leaves Us All "POW-WOW'D!"
Butner-Stem Elementary 5th-grade student, Jacoah Richardson and his mother Le Richardson-Peace performed Native American Dances for the staff and students on November 22, 2021. They are from the HaliwaSaponi Tribe in Hollister, NC. Le is a Northern Traditional Dancer and Jacoah is a Fancy Dancer. Jacoah has been dancing since before he could walk.
Le provided students and staff with a rich history of the HaliwaSaponi Tribe. She discussed their regalia that are worn by females and males, the symbolism of their dances. Students asked questions in regards to how the Native Americans hunted for food, what is a Pow Wow, how often does Jacoah and his mom dance, and the different rituals of the Native American Culture.
Please check out the pictures and video below! They are breathtaking!
Kicking It With Our Credle Cubs!
The Tar River Terrapins Are Howling With Halloween Spirit!
West Oxford is WOW'n Us With A Cool New Playground!
Check out the fun below!
Granville Early College High School Is Giving Back!
THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
December is the 12th month (and last month) in our modern-day Gregorian calendar (as it was in the preceding Julian calendar).
However, it was originally the 10th month of the Roman calendar (until 153 BC). Hence, “December” comes from the Latin word decem, meaning “ten.”
Back in Roman times, the calendar only had ten months and began with March! The winter period was not even assigned months because it was not an active time for military, agriculture, or civil life.
The month of December originally consisted of 30 days. When January and February were added to the calendar (around 700 BCE), December was shortened to 29 days. Then, in the subsequent Julian calendar, two days were added to December, making it 31 days long.
DECEMBER CALENDAR
Did You Know..
- December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day. St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, inspires traditions around the world from hunts for presents to stockings or shoes filled with sweets
- December 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
- December 13 is St. Lucia’s Day, which has long been associated with festivals of light. Before the Gregorian calendar reform in 1752, her feast day occurred on the shortest day of the year (hence the saying “Lucy light, Lucy light, shortest day and longest night”).
- December 15 is Bill of Rights Day.
- December 17 is Wright Brothers Day.
- December 21 is the Winter Solstice—the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and first day of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
- December 25 is Christmas Day, a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Learn more about American Christmas traditions.
- December 26 is Boxing Day (Canada, UK) and the first day of Kwanzaa.
- On the last evening of the year, December 31, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing! Discover New Years traditions from around the world.
“Just for Fun” Holidays
Did you know that December is National Pear Month? Celebrate these fun holidays this month:
- Dec. 11: International Mountain Day
- Dec. 13: National Violin Day
- Dec. 13: National Day of the Horse
- Dec. 20: Underdog Day
- Dec. 26: National Candy Cane Day
IN SEARCH OF CHRISTMAS YUMMIES? PLASE CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES FOR THE SEASON!
Christmas always falls in December. To help you prepare for this holiday season, check out our excellent recipe collections below.
- See Christmas Dinner Recipe page for all kinds of delicious Christmas recipes—from drinks to dessert.
- Speaking of dessert, check out this Christmas Dessert Recipes page to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Going to a party? You may enjoy these Christmas Appetizer Recipes and Christmas Party Recipes.
- Baking cookies for friends and family? Visit this 12 Days of Cookies page to see favorite cookie recipes—and wash them down with George Washington’s Christmas Eggnog!
- Baking with kids? Check out this list of Christmas Cookie Recipes for Kids.
DECEMBER GARDENING
If you haven’t done so already, be sure to prepare your garden for winter.
Planning on getting a Christmas tree? Check out this advice for choosing and caring for a Christmas tree!
If you enjoy holiday plants, here are tips on plant care for poinsettia, Christmas cactus, and amaryllis.
As houseplants are growing more slowly in December light, cut down on watering by half until active growth resumes in the spring. Hold off on fertilizing as well. See tips for growing houseplants and check out the following Growing Guides for Aloe vera, spider plants, jade plants, and more houseplants.
EVERYDAY ADVICE
To help you with this holiday season, check out these helpful tips and fun crafts:
DECEMBER BIRTHSTONE
December’s traditional birthstone is turquoise. It is considered a symbol of good fortune and success. Zircon and tanzanite are also considered to be December birthstones. See the December Birthstone page to learn more.
GRAVILLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPPORTS THE 3 WS!
DECEMBER'S BIRTH FLOWER & ZODIAC
December’s birth flowers are the holly (Ilex aquifolium) and the paperwhite Narcissus (Euphorbia pulcherrima)—a relative of the daffodil with lovely white blooms.
Learn more about the December Birth Flowers and what they symbolize.
THE ZODIAC
December’s Zodiac signs are:
- Sagittarius: November 23–December 21
- Capricorn: December 22–January 19
FOLKLORE FOR THE SEASON
Know the weather before you head off to that Christmas event or travel to grandmother’s house. Check out the long range weather for December and January.
- December changeable and mild, the whole winter will remain a child.
- Thunder in December presages fine weather.
- Frost on the shortest day is said to indicate a severe winter.
- December cold, with snow, brings rye everywhere.
ODD MOMENTS THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
December 14, 1807: Space Invader
At 6:30 a.m. on this day in 1807, residents from Vermont to Connecticut looked up at the sky and saw a red fireball. About two-thirds the size of a full Moon, it raced across the heavens, broke apart, and fell to earth in at least six areas of Weston (now Easton), Trumbull, and Fairfield, Connecticut. Whizzing sounds were heard close to the impact sites, and three sonic booms were heard as far as 40 miles away. The entire event took about 30 seconds.
Upon hearing the news a few days later, Yale professor Benjamin Silliman, accompanied by his colleague, professor James Kingsley, traveled to the impact area to talk to witnesses, examine impact sites, and collect specimens (including some that enterprising townsfolk were selling as souvenirs). Silliman confirmed that it had been a meteorite—the first officially recorded in the New World.
Meteorites, rocks that fell from space, were a concept slowly gaining acceptance in Europe, but their study was still a relatively new science. In an article in the Connecticut Herald published on December 29, Silliman and Kingsley described the Weston event. The news rapidly spread to other newspapers, and accounts were published in literary and philosophical journals. Later, Silliman performed a chemical analysis of the rocks and published a revised report. The findings were discussed by notable scientific organizations in Philadelphia, London, and Paris. Still, there were skeptics about the idea of meteorites, including U.S. president Thomas Jefferson, who was said to have remarked, “It is easier to believe that two Yankee professors could lie than to admit that stones could fall from heaven.”
Fun Fact: Silliman’s and Kingsley’s Weston meteorite fragments were the first cataloged items in the Yale meteorite collection, which is the oldest in the United States.
ABOUT US
Granville County Public Schools
Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
Website: https://www.gcs.k12.nc.us/
Location: 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, NC, USA
Phone: 919-693-4613
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcpschools/
Twitter: @GCPSchools