New HCPS administrator
The Henry County School Board has approved the superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Roy “Richie” Weaver director of finance at its monthly meeting on Thursday.
Weaver succeeds Benjamin Boone, who was promoted to assistant superintendent for operations and administrative services in the fall of 2023 and who has continued to perform responsibilities for both positions since that time.
Weaver has served students as a secondary math teacher, an assistant principal and a principal. He joined Henry County Schools as an assistant principal at Bassett High School in 2019 after serving more than two decades as an administrator in the North Carolina public school system.
“I am very excited and grateful to begin this new opportunity as the Director of Finance for Henry County Schools. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the students, staff and parents of Bassett High School and seeing their many successes,” Weaver said. “I am looking forward to working with the HCPS finance department and all stakeholders to ensure we manage the financial resources effectively and efficiently to support the goals and priorities of our students and staff.”
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“Our director of finance plays a critical role in ensuring we’re able to fund the programs and staffing required for students to achieve at the highest levels,” HCPS Superintendent Dr. Amy Blake-Lewis said. “As a veteran educator and administrator, Mr. Weaver brings a keen understanding of student and staff needs, and I look forward to his contributions in this new role.”
Weaver holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education, as well as a master’s degree in school administration, both from North Carolina State University. He will transition into his position as Director of Finance effective July 1.
SVRTC Awards
Henry County Public Schools received multiple recognitions from the Southside Virgnia Regional Consortium (SVRTC).
SVRTC was established in 1995 through a partnership between Dinwiddie County Public Schools and Longwood University.
Its mission is to assist members with coordinating the acquisition and effective integration of viable up-to-date and emerging technologies, valuable training for K-12 students, staff and other citizens in our communities to enhance learning at all levels and encourage economic development in Southside Virginia.
The SVRTC partnership is comprised of 25 rural school divisions in Southside Virginia, along with the ITTIP at Longwood University. SVRTC is partially funded through the General Assembly, with the bulk of its financial support provided by Longwood University.
“SVRTC provides a mechanism for its partnering school divisions to leverage technology resources,” HCPS Director of Technology and Innovation Elizabeth Fulcher said. “Additionally, it provides members a venue for monthly professional development related to technology issues. ITTIP also places a priority with SVRTC members in providing professional development opportunities to K-12 in SVRTC divisions.”
The consortium annually highlights and celebrates the work done in educational technology. This year, four HCPS earned awards and the division itself earned a division leadership award as well.
PCS program accredited
Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) announced that Healthy Families West Piedmont, a program of Piedmont Community Services and affiliate of Healthy Families America, has received accreditation as a provider of high quality home visiting services to pregnant families and families with infants and young children.
Expectant and new parents often face new stressors and have questions about their child’s development, a release states. Healthy Families America connects with families through community partners like hospitals and pediatricians to support parents, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home. Healthy Families America is an accessible, voluntary and well-received service.
“HFA sites utilize evidence-based best practices to provide individualized support to families when needed most, and linkages to community services,” said Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of PCA America. “We congratulate Healthy Families West Piedmont and we commend the staff for their leadership and commitment that has contributed to this most notable and highly regarded achievement.”
The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements grounded in more than 30 years of research. The process involves an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as, the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors.
“We commend Healthy Families West Piedmont for opening itself up to such an intensive review process,” said Kathleen Strader, National Director of HFA. “We believe that all families and all communities deserve access to quality home visiting services.”
The HFA site in Martinsville is located at 3 Dudley St.
“It makes me proud to be working in a program that is accredited,” stated Rhonda Fulp, Family Support Specialist for Healthy Families West Piedmont. “This shows that our team takes seriously the role in making sure families thrive. I see families progressing as they meet goals, using resources in the community.”
One of the mothers served by Healthy Families West Piedmont said, “I am so thankful for the home visiting program. It has helped me to feel more confident in being a mom. I want to be the best mom to my kids and Healthy Families has been a good thing for my family. We love Ms. Ginger.”
One of the primary goals of HFA home visiting is to promote nurturing, responsive parent-child relationships. Home visitors in each community receive extensive training on a wide range of topics important to just about every new parent.
These topics can include caring for a new baby, ensuring the baby is receiving the nutrition needed, promoting healthy child development, and coping with a myriad of other potential stresses that may become heightened with an addition to the family.
PCA America implemented the Healthy Families America (HFA) initiative in 1992. HFA serves families of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, meeting the needs of close to 600 communities including Martinsville and the Counties of Henry, Patrick and Franklin.
Healthy Families America is an effective and proven evidence-based home visiting program according the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Piedmont Community Services is proud of the accreditation received by Healthy Families West Piedmont and proud to be part of a national movement dedicated to improving the lives of families and children.