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OBSERVATIONS
September 10, 2020 |
 |
 Wingate Lassiter |
Countywide school enrollment's down;
so why's it up at Smithfield-Selma?
The 2020-21 school year began with 10th Day Enrollment at Smithfield-Selma High School up from 1,337 last year to 1,370 this year, even though total enrollment in Johnston County's public schools is down, apparently because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sun reached out to SSS Principal David Allen for an explanation. Here's what he had to say:
Many things are probably contributing to
this increase. I believe first and foremost as a
school we have invested in our people: students,
staff, and families. Our staff supports an
emphasis on strong pedagogy and academic
programs for all students.
We continue to see an
increase in all of our special programs, most
notably JoCo Teach and Fire Science. We are now
officially authorized as an IB Career Programme
School and believe this will continue to provide
additional areas of focus for students who want to
enter a career or career training right out of high
school.
Our Academy of Hospitality and Tourism is gaining
ground and local business partners in our
communities are investing in our students and
programs. The Sleep Inn and Suites in Smithfield and
the Old North State Food Hall in Selma are leading
the way.
Another notable factor: Perceptions
have changed about our school. The #SSStrong
movement in our schools has been received positively
by the Smithfield, Selma, and Wilson's Mills
communities.
We also do not have nearly the reassignments we once
had. While we have more work to do, our best days
are ahead!
Our school is also growing in how we embrace the
stories of our students. Our staff understands
students and families have unique stories and that
by surrounding students with support in all areas
--- social, emotional, and academic --- the entire
school community is a benefactor.
I believe there is also some growth in the
Smithfield area that may be contributing to our
growth as well.
That's an encouraging report from
embattled Smithfield-Selma High, which has suffered a
tarnishing of its reputation in recent years because
of poor overall performance in both academics and
athletics.
Another factor helping SSS keep more of the district's
students closer to home is an apparent crackdown by the
Board of Education on requested transfers to other
schools --- an easy thing to get done not too long ago.
Extension Director discusses COVID-19's
impact on Johnston County's agriculture
By BRYANT SPIVEY
Johnston County Cooperative
Extension Director
What have been the effects of COVID-19 on local
Johnston County farms?
Those effects have been quite
variable. For those that have lost
production contracts for hogs or sold animals at
a loss, the results have been devastating.
Lower commodity prices affect the bottom line of
all farmers and reduced exports mean less demand
for the products we grow.
Farm workers are an extended family
of a farmer. They work together, eat together, and
spend most of their waking hours with each other.
Their success in life is linked to one another.
Without the farm worker, the farmer cannot grow
the food or product or make a living. Without the
farmer, the farm worker would most likely not even
be in the U.S. or be earning a decent wage.
Without the farmers and the farm workers, you and
I would face extreme food shortages.
Farmers have been greatly concerned about their
workers. They have taken measures to keep them
safe by limiting their contact with the outside
world. Farms have operated like a bubble as
described by some professional sports
associations. Farmers have access to PPE, hand
sanitizer, thermometers for scanning workers, and
safety procedures to keep their workers safe.
Fortunately, I am not aware of any COVID-19
clusters to have developed on farms in Johnston
County at this time.
There have also been some positive outcomes for
agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
interest in locally grown food has increased
dramatically. Those that operate farm stands
selling fresh products have witnessed a surge in
demand greater than they could have ever expected.
If you are interested in finding locally grown
food in our area, please consider visiting the jocogrows.org
website or downloading the NC Farms app. These two
resources will help you find and connect with your
local farmer.
Finally, due to COVID-19 many people have gained
interest in growing their own food in a home
vegetable garden and food preservation through
canning or freezing. The Johnston County Extension
Center is an excellent resource to help you in
this venture.
In spite of all this, farms, farmers, grocery
stores, and the whole food-production system are
essential to our health and well-being.
Personally, I rest well at night knowing that our
farmers, farm workers, and food-production system
is the most efficient and effective in the world.
I continue to trust and believe that we will have
food available.
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