CCS Families In the Know
Love The Bus Week- February 14-18, 2022
 The Statewide NC Love the Bus Week for 2022 is February 14-18.
Dr. Thomasine Hassell is quoted as saying “Bus drivers are often the first and last district employees to see our students every day!”
Covid has undoubtedly changed the look of safely transporting our most precious cargo. As we aim to have face-to-face instruction for our staff and students, bus drivers have been given more responsibility for keeping our students and staff in school. Although our buses continue to roll, our drivers have been subject to quarantine protocol and exposed to the Covid virus. Schools have had to be creative to keep the buses moving by:
  1. Doing double runs (other drivers taking on additional routes).
  2. Teacher’s assistants leave their school to drive for another school in the system. 
  3. And teachers who hold a CDL are asked to drive a bus to get students to school.
To top it off, drivers who work in the classroom are being tasked with additional responsibilities such as: 
  1.  cleaning and sanitizing the bus and the classroom,
  2.  substitute teaching, 
  3.  covering teachers’ classrooms when teachers are planning instruction. 
Through the enormous professional and personal family responsibilities, it is amazing the drivers listed below have maintained perfect attendance from August 23, 2021, through December 21, 2021.

East Area Drivers
Mindy Berkery, Heather Gardner, Mary Wallen  -W. J. Gurganus Elementary                            
Lonzenia Kinsey-Brinson Elementary
David Deitz, Carol Hill, Tabitha Tyndal-Havelock High School 
Sandra Perry, Birgitta Snyder-Creekside Elementary
         
New Bern Area Drivers                                     
Evelyn Carmon, Erin Moody -A.H Bangert Elementary                                                     
Clarissa Quinn, Rebecca Wright-Oaks Road Academy
 Anthony Keys-  Aspire                                     
Anita Hardy, Crystal Jackson, Glorius Moore, Tyrone Parker, Tammy Potterfield-New Bern High School 

West Area Drivers
Angela Coward Brunson-Bridgeton Elementary                                                          
Quanda Dobson=JW Smith Elementary
Felicia Anderson, Marquetta Coward -Vanceboro Farm Life Elementary 
Debra Coward, Natasha Hardy, Jeffery Perkins-West Craven Middle School                                               
Carol Bobbitt, Donna Holfelder, Carolyn Whitfield-West Craven High School
“We truly appreciate and recognize what all of our bus drivers do on a daily basis to safely transport students to and from school,” said Dr. Thomasine Hassell, Director of Transportation. If you haven’t already recognized your child's bus driver, please do so. It is not too late. Let’s show them all how much we appreciate them for going the extra mile!
Press Release Issued on February 16, 2022- New Vice-Chairman is Selected for Board of Education

During the Board Work Session on February 15, 2022, the Board of Education nominated and approved Mrs. Naomi Clark to serve as the Vice-Chairperson for the Board of Education. Mrs. Clark fills a position that was vacated when Mrs. Kimberly R. Smith resigned her position as Vice-Chairperson effective February 15, 2022, due to personal reasons.
Mrs. Naomi Clark represents the Craven County Board of Education, District 7. It is her position that she is an advocate for all students in Craven County. Mrs. Clark is the widow of a Marine who served approximately thirty years in the U. S. Marine Corps and is the proud mother of three children. These same children graduated from Havelock High School. Two of them graduated from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill. Her favorite middle daughter is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
She has a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law and has been a member of the South Carolina Bar since 1977. Thereafter, she practiced law in South Carolina, Maryland, and North Carolina. The common thread throughout her professional career has been education and law. Accordingly, it would seem judicious for her to become a member of the Craven County Board of Education.
Mrs. Clark taught in the Craven County School System for approximately seventeen years and entered as a lateral-entry teacher. This means that she used her previous professional history to bolster her journey as an educator. She retired from the Craven County School System and decided to pursue a different journey in 2016. Her professional history included stints as an attorney representing both abused/neglected and delinquent children. Additionally, she taught at the University of South Carolina Law School, Fresno City College, Park University, and Craven Community College. She has also practiced in various U.S. District Courts as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. With her various roles as a parent, educator, volunteer, Mrs. Clark believes that all will be invaluable in her being an effective board member.
One of her proudest accomplishments has been the innumerable amount of volunteer hours she has devoted to public school systems wherever she has lived. She is most proud of pursuing and introducing students to the judicial system by using the pedagogical tool of mock trials. This has allowed students to learn about the judicial system while preparing a criminal/civil trial and competing against other middle schools in mock trial competitions sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association. This passion for affording students the opportunity to learn about the judicial system as well as promoting character education is something she will continue to pursue.
She will help to be the voice to make sure that Craven County School System is, in her words:
  • Accountable to the Students and Parents
  • Accountable to the Teachers, Administrators and All Staff
  • Communicating with Parents
  • Transparent About Decision-Making
  • Ensuring the Safety of All Stakeholders
Mrs. Clark’s favorite slogan as well as her mission in being a member of the Craven County Board of Education is, “Just For The Kids!”. Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Clark and welcoming her as the Vice-Chairperson for the Craven County Schools Board of Education.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Students at Craven Early College collaborated to create a list of African American Trailblazers that they wanted to spotlight each morning during their school announcements during the month of February. The list generated and voted on by the students includes many influential African Americans who have made many great contributions to equality, justice, and civil rights. The student involvement in this project has created memorable learning opportunities during Black History Month
STUDENT CREATES FIRST BRAILLE MENU FOR
LOCAL RESTAURANT
Have you met Acacia Bragg?
She’s a high school student with a heart you will never forget!
Those that know Acacia, already know how amazing she is.
For those that haven’t had an opportunity to interact with this remarkable student that is currently a senior at Havelock High School, you’re missing out!
On Wednesday, Acacia presented Captain Ratty’s Seafood & Steakhouse with a special gift she created based on a need she encountered. Not only did she address the need but she also wanted to be able to help others.
Acacia is visually impaired and after visiting several downtown establishments last summer she quickly learned that most restaurants do not offer menus in braille.
Acacia asked for a copy of Captain Ratty’s menu and decided to take it upon herself to create this much-needed menu so when other visually impaired patrons visited the restaurant they would be able to read what was available.
Chef Smoke, along with co-owner Carol Stubbs, were very grateful for Acacia’s gift and we’re excited that she had chosen their place to offer the first braille menu in downtown New Bern.
Mrs. Stubbs shared, “we are truly honored that Acacia chose Captain Ratty’s and we invite her to come back to assist Chef Smoke in the kitchen.”
Acacia’s parents shared how wonderful the Craven County Schools staff has been in accommodating Acacia and have provided her with many great learning opportunities. A special thank you to Mrs. Joffee for her dedication and heart and Mrs. Barber for her passion, you both are amazing educators!
Acacia, we are extremely proud of you and all of your accomplishments and look forward to hearing more of your many achievements.
IN-PERSON LEARNING WILL CONTINUE FOR STUDENTS UNDER MASKS OPTIONAL POLICY

Please note, since the Board of Education recently voted to move to masks optional for our district beginning February 21, 2022, this does not allow students to transition to virtual learning. Our district is still following in-person learning for the remainder of the school year unless students are currently enrolled in Craven Virtual Academy (CVA). If your family is interested in learning more about CVA for the 22-23 school year, information will be shared soon on the opportunities to apply for the new school year.
Masks optional does provide any individuals wishing to continue to wear masks to do so. Thank you for your understanding.
2022-2023 School Reassignments

The window for parents to request school reassignments for the 2022/2023 school year is from March 1st to March 31st. The forms will be available on the Craven County Schools website under Student Support Services. Families whose student(s) are currently on reassignment this school year will have to submit another form to re-apply for next school year if they want their student(s) to continue to attend a school outside of their attendance zone. 

MOLD-EN OUR YOUTH FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE (MOYFABF) is hosting a "Black History Essay Contest'' for students in grades 9th-12th. Prizes for the contest range from $300.00 to $150.00. This is a great opportunity for students to learn about African American history and earn money to apply towards their post-secondary education.

For more information visit: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fmoldenouryouth.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2FRules-Black-History-Essay-Contest-MOYFABF.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK

If additional information is required, please contact Yolanda Molden-Verner via email at: yolandamoldenverner@moldenouryouth.org
Visit: https://ncsciencefestival.org/events/april-fools-science-rules for this and for other events in the local area.
State Employees Credit Union People Helping People Scholarship

Students must have the completed application submitted by March 18th by 3 pm.
Sanborn Scholarship Program

Sanborn Orthodontics is proud to offer the Sanborn Smiles Scholarship Program. Our goal is to change the lives of school-aged children through orthodontics and have a positive impact on our communities. A smile can inspire hope, increase self-confidence, and change a community. https://www.sanbornorthodontics.com/sanborn-smiles-scholarship

Students must have the completed application submitted by March 24, 2022
Lace-up those sneakers rising sixth and seventh graders! if you love basketball and want to gain experience training alongside real college basketball players and coaches, we provide scholarships each year for the Carolina Basketball School at UNC-Chapel Hill and the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp at NC State University.

All expenses for the overnight camps will be paid by the cooperative. Campers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the camp. The Carolina Basketball School at UNC will take place June 18-22 and the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Camp will occur June 19-22.
While the physical benefits of playing sports are quite obvious, we’re confident campers will gain new skills that will develop their character and help them excel on and off the court, such as collaborating with teammates, setting goals, and establishing new friendships.
Contestants are judged on academic records, extra-curricular activities, and the content of two short essays. Applications must be submitted by March 31. Scholarship winners will be announced in May.
Listing of Scholarships for CCS Students
Did you know there is a great online resource created to assist students and parents in the scholarship search?
1.Select Students
2.Select College Advising/Scholarships
3. On the left, select scholarships
4. Select Craven County Local Scholarships
FREE ACT TEST PREP

Free ACT test prep resources that juniors can use to help prepare for the ACT state exam. With a little more than five weeks before testing, students might benefit from a sample study plan to help get them started. They may be interested in committing to a practice challenge/study plan. 

Tuesday, February 22, attend a Free ACT Prep Class. 7:30 - 8:30 PM – Online
Saturday, March 12, attend a Free ACT Online Prep Class. 1:00-2:00 PM, Online
Thursday, March 24 , attend a Free ACT Online Prep Class. 6:00-7:00 PM, Online
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