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Community Conversations
In an effort to provide a safe, positive and rigorous learning environment for every student, on Thursday, April 20, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., CCS will host Community Conversations: "School Safety: Let's Talk About It!" at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. Everyone is invited to join Dr. Connelly and other district leaders to discuss school safety. While CCS has some great safety protocols in place, the district would still like helpful input about ways we can intensify our safety protocols. For more information and the link to register, visit the front page of the district’s website.
April Observances
April has many observances that our district highly values such as National Autism Awareness Month, School Library Month and National Volunteer Week. Earlier this month, we celebrated National Assistant Principals Week. We are grateful for our premier professionals, who continue to lead and model excellence in education. This month is also Month of the Military Child. More than a quarter of our students are military-connected, and we are dedicated to ensuring their success with specialized support systems and military-friendly practices. Everyone is invited to join CCS on Friday, April 21 for Purple Up! Day as we wear purple to show our support to the children of those who serve our country! This month is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. We support prevention and interventions to keep all children safe.
Superintendent’s Focus Monthly Video
Dr. Connelly concluded his update with a short video that highlights student leaders at Terry Sanford High School, who recently partnered with our Communications Department to produce a video about the importance of Student Leadership.
Administrative Recommendation
Mental Health Professional Clinical Coordinator (Grant Funded) - Student Services
Pamela Stevenson
Proclamations Get Board's Full Support
Members of the Board approved the proclamations for 2023 School Library Month (April 1 - 30) and the Month of the Military Child (April 1 - 30).
Revised Student Code of Conduct Receives Approval
Through the Student Support Services Committee's recommendation, the Board voted to approve the proposed revisions to the 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct.
Contract Awards Receive 'Green Light' at Three Elementary Schools
Based on the recommendations of the Auxiliary Services Committee, the Board approved the following contract awards:
- Carolina Construction of Fayetteville the 2023 HVAC & Window Replacement Contract at Rockfish Elementary School;
- Smith Refrigeration, Inc., the 2023 HVAC & Window Replacement Contract at Gray's Creek Elementary School; and
- Carolina Construction of Fayetteville the 2023 HVAC & Window Replacement Contract at Eastover-Central Elementary School.
Board Votes to Provide Matching Funds for Renew America's Schools Project
The Cumberland County Board of Education committed to providing matching funds for
North Carolina Advanced Energy Corporation’s (AE) Renew America’s Schools –
Topic Area 2 project. The Project will provide public K-12 schools with energy improvements, renewable energy systems, and alternative fuel vehicles that will improve their efficiency, provide healthier and safer learning environments, and reduce emissions for their communities. The Board committed to providing the 5% cost share of the grant amount awarded to CCS from our capital outlay fund in support of the project.
Virtual Interactive Tool for Dissection Gets 'Thumbs Up'
In an effort to "graduate every student confident, competitive, and ready for a career, college, and life" according to the district's Strategic Plan, the Board accepted the Curriculum Committee's recommendation to purchase Anatomage. The technology provides interactive virtual dissection for high student engagement using elements of virtual reality (VR). This purchase will ensure students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) get
exposure to accurate three-dimensional dissection. The technology provides the following: (1) a virtual dissection table using the imaging of actual human cadavers; (2) patented hardware and software Interactive tool to help achieve science proficiency; and (3) simulated training programs. Anatomage, which costs $105,040.00, is being paid for with federal funds.
Board Gave Superintendent's Recommended Budget 'A Nod'
Members of the Board approved Dr. Connelly's Recommended Budget 2023
-2024. Click here to find out the highlights of the proposed budget for the district.
Recognitions
Recognition of Ex-Officio Members
Student government representatives Keren Asare from Cumberland International Early College High School and Briyana Tillman from E.E. Smith High School served as the ex-officio members of the Cumberland County Board of Education during the April 18 meeting. Ex-officio members are given the opportunity to make comments, ask questions, and give input on any topic brought before the Board.
Recognition of Exceptional Children's Representative
This month's Exceptional Children's Representative, Alijah Simmons from Mac Williams Middle School, addressed the Board. He shared with them that he has learned the importance of being a student first and an athlete second as he focuses on his academic dream of attending NC Agricultural & Technical University and majoring in physical therapy in pursuit of ultimately playing in the NFL.
Dr. Lindsay Whitley, the associate superintendent of Communications and Community Engagement, introduced the following honorees to the Board to be recognized:
CCS' State Extracurricular Accomplishments
The following students were applauded for their efforts in excelling outside the classroom in extracurricular activities:
State Dual Team 3A Tennis Champions from Cape Fear High School
Shea Bieniek, Andi Brinker, Brianna Keen, Ansley Thomas, Olivia Arnette, Alexandria Jones, Sophia Lahr, Danielle Fick, Hailey Ross, Sophia Bullard, Anna Piland and Brooke Bienick with Coaches Chris Lucas and Lee Osbourne
State Doubles Runners-Up 3A State Tennis Championship from Cape Fear High School
Anna Piland & Brooke Bienick
NC Association for Scholastic Activities (NCASA) Middle School Forensics Tournament Champions from Max Abbott Middle School
- Duo Interpretation: Abigail Nguyen & Noah Conners
- Public Forum Debate: Autry Canady & Campbell Shepard
Additionally, in the NCASA Challenge Cup category, Cumberland County Schools came in second in the Large School District Cup Standings with 308 points.
Career Development State Conference Awardees from South View High School
Outstanding Chapter of the Year - South View High School JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Chapter Members Javayah McLaughlin, Jiovani Lopez, Lana "Mix" Rodriguez, Tiana McCoy, Mercedes Pastore, Tyshaun Bowers, Jabralyn Wilkins and Coach Dr. Margaret Brown
1st Place Creative Decision Making
Jiovani Lopez, Lana Rodriguez, Mercedes Pastore, and Tiana McCoy
1st Place Employability Skills
Tyshaun Bowers
1st Place NCA Chapter of the Year
Tiana McCoy
2nd Place Prepared Public Speaking
Javayah McLaughlin
1st Place Career Preparations
Jabralyn Wilkins
CCS' Premier Professionals' Accomplishments
The following premier professionals were recognized for making great strides in education:
- Ashley McCullen from Gray's Creek High School was recognized as Cumberland County Schools' Career & Technical Education Teacher of the Year
- Sarena Myers from District 7 Elementary was recognized as North Carolina's 2023 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted
- Pamela Stevenson from Terry Sanford High School was recognized as the 2022-2023 Faye Huckabee School Social Worker of the Year
Extra Mile Award Recipient for March
Shirley Braxton-McLaurin, the assistant principal at Mary McArthur Elementary School (MMES), was recognized as March's Extra Mile Award recipient. Colleagues praise Braxton-McLaurin as “very supportive and respectful to the entire school family.” Deverlyn Wilkins, a first-grade teacher at MMES, shared how she supports every function at the school, “I salute this hero who works tirelessly without complaining or looking for anything in return.” Wilkins said that you can expect to see McLaurin taking out trash in the evenings whenever custodians are short-staffed, pushing carts and bringing supplies to the classrooms at 5 p.m., or sending a teacher home and then staying with the students who aren’t picked up on-time.” In addition to being a leader who practices true collaboration, Braxton-McLaurin is passionate about providing an exceptional environment for students and staff. MMES Principal Lisa Gillespie noted that Braxton-McLaurin spearheaded the school’s ‘Black History Museum’ while simultaneously facilitating Read Across America Week. “She serves as a counselor to staff for feedback or just a laugh,” said Gillespie. “She set up a buddy system for new teachers and always stresses the importance of all staff.”
Committed Community Support Award Recipient for March
Cape Fear High School (CFHS) Athletic Booster Club President Tim Bullard recently received March's Committed Community Support Award. Bullard has been the president of the booster club for more than 20 years and has served on the committee since 1995. CFHS staff and community members can always expect to see him volunteering in the school's concession stand during sporting events. He works football season and basketball season, and people are usually asking for him and inquiring about concessions before the games even start. “Mr. Bullard loads and unloads boxes of supplies each week, without complaint, usually alone or with his wife, after having worked a full day at his own job as a district manager for Dodson's Pest Control,” says Jennifer Ivey, a CFHS teacher. “I have spoken with him regarding his dedication to volunteering his time, and his response is that he does it for the children. He takes great pride in helping the athletic department with purchasing new uniforms and equipment through the funds that are raised by our school's athletic Booster Club.”
Nominations for Extra Mile Award and Committed Community Support Award recipients have closed for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year and will resume in the fall of 2023.
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