Community members celebrated the first annual Soul City Homecoming with a parade around the Green Duke village, followed by live music and food at the “Entertainment Tent” on Sept. 21.

Share

The post PHOTOS: Soul City Homecoming 2024 appeared first on Warrenist | Warren County NC Arts Culture Lifestyle Events Calendar Warrenton Norlina Littleton News.

The NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) presented state test results for the 2023-24 school year to the State Board of Education on Sept. 4. While NCDPI continues to classify Warren County Schools as a Low Performing District, there are some areas of improvement to celebrate.

How scores are calculated and categorized
As a reminder, 80 percent of the NCDPI school performance grade comes from the percentage of students performing at or above grade level. Only 20 percent of the grade reflects how much students’ test scores improved from the previous year, also known as their growth rate. Schools can show growth, while still not meeting proficiency targets.

Warren County Schools 2023-24 school performance results at a glance:

DISTRICT RESULTS

* For the third consecutive year, the district’s overall student performance score has increased to 29.5 percent in 2023-24.
* Our overall English II proficiency score improved to 54 percent in 2023-24 from 50 percent the year before.
* The district’s overall proficiency score in 5th-grade science jumped to 41.4 percent in 2023-24 from 25.8 percent in 2022-23.
* Our district’s overall math proficiency score improved from 22.7 to 25.8 percent.

The most significant jump was in high school Math III scores, increasing from 23.5 in 2022-23 to 40 percent in 2023-24.

Other math proficiency score improvements

SCHOOL RESULTS

Warren Early College High School (WECHS) earned an A grade and exceeded its expected growth in academic performance for the second straight year in the school’s history.
Warren County High School (WCHS) met its growth targets, improved its overall student performance score, and maintained a D grade.

Seventy-eight percent of WCHS students graduated within four years, and when given five years, the graduation rate jumps to 82 percent.

Vaughan Elementary (VES) maintained a D grade even though NCDPI reports the school did not meet its growth targets. However, VES 5th graders nearly doubled their science proficiency scores from 38.4 percent in 2022-23 to 73.7 percent in 2023-24. That significant improvement is not calculated in the overall student performance scores because the school’s 5th-grade class was smaller than 30 students.

AREAS OF FOCUS NEEDING IMPROVEMENT

* Only 29.5 percent of our students are performing at or above grade level.

* NCDPI identifies five of our six schools as low-performing (all but WECHS).

* Mariam Boyd Elementary (MBES), Northside Elementary (NES), and Warren County Middle (WCMS) schools have an F school performance grade.

* MBES, NES, VES, and WCMS did not meet student improvement (growth) expectations.

* Most reading-level proficiency scores across the district declined.

INITIATIVES IMPROVING OUR PROFICIENCY RATES

* Elementary schools rearranged class schedules in 2023-24 to teach core subjects in the morning when students are typically more alert and engaged. This strategy helped improve elementary science scores.

* We’re providing tutoring throughout the school year and enhanced summer learning opportunities to help students performing below grade level.

* We’ve hired Instructional Coaches and Master Teachers to show classroom teachers proven strategies to help students learn difficult concepts and subjects.

* We’re using data-driven instruction to identify students’ individual strengths and areas where we need to improve that student’s understanding.

* The district is working to foster partnerships with community organizations and volunteers to provide students with additional learning opportunities, experiences, and individualized support (or attention).

* We’re strengthening relationships between school staff and students’ families so we can all work together to meet our children’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.

“For Warren County Schools to truly reflect our students’ capabilities, we need parents, teachers, staff, and the community to work together to ignite children’s passion for learning so each one can meet their true potential,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Carol Montague-Davis.

Warren County Schools acknowledges our need to significantly improve the levels of teaching and learning in our schools. We also believe the state’s grading and classification system does not accurately reflect our district’s academic performance. Two of our six schools are too small for students’ scores to be included in the state’s formula to calculate student proficiency and academic growth. VES and WECHS have several classes with less than 30 students, so their scores aren’t included in their proficiency or growth scores. Both scores would be higher if VES and WECHS student achievement results were included.

NCDPI notes that the information in the School Report Card, while important, cannot tell you the entire story about a school. Other important factors — the extra hours put in by teachers preparing for class and grading assignments, the school spirit felt by families, the involvement in sports, arts, or other extracurriculars – are crucial aspects of a school community, but are not reflected in these test results and classifications.

*****
Ed. Note: Warren County Schools students, teachers, and staff are to be commended for their efforts and their success in making noticeable strides in reaching their objectives. We know it is not easy. As a community, we are proud of you all, and we look forward to seeing how the new initiatives impact proficiencies.

Share

The post Warren County Schools State Test Results Show Improvement… But Much More is Needed appeared first on Warrenist | Warren County NC Arts Culture Lifestyle Events Calendar Warrenton Norlina Littleton News.

The Front Porch Grocery Co-op, in partnership with Turner Brothers Media LLC and Pink with a Passion, hosted “Catering to the Community,” a street food festival and voter registration drive on Saturday, September 7th in the parking lot of the forthcoming Mag’s Marketplace in Warrenton, NC.

Attendees gathered at the festival to enjoy a variety of vendors selling everything from made-to-order fry bread, Indian tacos, and fried fish dinners to assorted desserts and also candles. Children kept busy with cornhole, a bouncy house (Sisterly Dreams Co.), and face painting.

In addition to the delicious food, attendees were also provided with voter information from various political parties, encouraged to register to vote, and offered voter identification cards if they did not have a proper ID, courtesy of the Warren County Board of Elections who were on-site.

It’s important to note that voters will be required to show valid identification to vote in this year’s election.

For more information about The Front Porch Grocery Co-op and how to get involved, visit them on Facebook @TheFrontPorchCoop.

Share

The post Food, Fun, and Voting: ‘Catering to the Community’ Serves Delicious Eats (with a Side of Civic Engagement) to Warrenton appeared first on Warrenist | Warren County NC Arts Culture Lifestyle Events Calendar Warrenton Norlina Littleton News.

The NC Rural Center has opened the application period for its Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), the organization’s flagship leadership development program. Current and emerging leaders across the state are invited to apply.

Since its founding in 1990, the three-month intensive training program has helped nearly 1,200 people develop skills and increase their knowledge of economic and community development strategies, equipping them with the tools they need to tackle challenges in their rural communities.

“Rural communities need strong leadership to thrive,” said Olaunda Green, director of leadership training at the Rural Center. “We’re proud to provide training opportunities that not only equip established leaders but also emerging leaders who will greatly impact the future of rural North Carolina.”

Each year REDI welcomes local, state, and federal government staff, nonprofit and faith-based leaders, business owners, elected officials, economic development professionals, and other community-minded people for nine days of intensive rural community economic development training. Graduates of REDI join an extensive alumni network that spans all of North Carolina’s 100 counties and includes graduates from the Rural Center’s other leadership training program, Homegrown Leaders. Many of the Center’s leadership alumni are active in state and local government, and in philanthropic, nonprofit, and small-business sectors, as well as in faith and community-based organizations.

Applications will be available on the REDI webpage and accepted through September 15.

Share

The post Applications Open for NC Rural Center’s Rural Economic Development Institute appeared first on Warrenist | Warren County NC Arts Culture Lifestyle Events Calendar Warrenton Norlina Littleton News.

The Hecks Grove Community Center was awarded a $10,000 contribution through Blue Cross Blue Shield NC’s Agent Community Impact Grant on Wednesday, July 31.

Tilda Hendricks, president of the Hecks Grove Community Center and owner of Hendricks Insurance, shared that the grant will be allocated to Phase III of the center’s ongoing restoration project, which includes repair and renovation for the southern end of the school and the kitchen.

For the last five years, the committee has worked diligently to bring the building back to life in order to make it a holistic community center for all ages to come and benefit from it. Their goal is to utilize the building as a community center along with it being a meeting place for seniors during the day to receive meals, and also a after-school program for students that need help with reading and math.

Former Hecks Grove students and local community members are being asked to support the project by contributing to the matching funds campaign.

If you are interested in donating, your contribution can be mailed to:
PO Box 463
Warrenton, NC 27589

HECKS GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
[See image gallery at warrenist.com]

Share

The post Hecks Grove Community Center Receives Grant appeared first on Warrenist | Warren County NC Arts Culture Lifestyle Events Calendar Warrenton Norlina Littleton News.