Leadership Announcement: Della Walley Named Assistant Principal at J.T. Barber Elementary School

Craven County Schools is pleased to announce that Della Walley will serve as Assistant Principal at J.T. Barber Elementary School.

Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, Ms. Walley proudly considers New Bern, North Carolina her second home. She brings eight years of experience in education with Craven County Schools, where she has taught middle grades Social Studies and English Language Arts.

In addition to her classroom experience, Ms. Walley has served as an AVID Site Coordinator and elective teacher at H.J. MacDonald Middle School. In this role, she supported students in developing college readiness skills, leadership, and academic confidence—demonstrating her strong commitment to student growth and achievement.

Ms. Walley’s educational background reflects her dedication to leadership and continuous improvement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, along with multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Arts in Public Administration, a Master of Science in Human Behavioral Studies, and a Master of Arts in School Administration.

In her new role as Assistant Principal, Ms. Walley is passionate about empowering teachers, supporting families, and strengthening student achievement. She is especially excited to collaborate with students, staff, families, and the broader community to foster a positive, engaging, and high-achieving school environment.



Ms. Walley is committed to helping cultivate a school culture where excellence is sustained, relationships are strong, and every student is empowered to succeed academically, socially, and creatively

Special Olympics Spring Games Bring Community Together

Craven County Schools proudly hosted the annual Special Olympics Spring Games on April 16 at Havelock High School, welcoming student-athletes from across the district for a morning filled with competition, celebration, and community spirit.

The event began with the Parade of Athletes and Opening Ceremonies, creating an exciting and inspiring start to the day. Student-athletes from elementary, middle, and high schools participated in a variety of track and field events, demonstrating determination, athleticism, and teamwork.

The Special Olympics Spring Games continue to highlight the importance of inclusion, providing students with special needs the opportunity to compete, connect, and shine in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Craven County Schools extends its sincere appreciation to Craven County Parks and Recreation for their invaluable assistance in coordinating and supporting this special event. The district is also grateful for the many volunteers whose time, energy, and dedication make this day possible each year.

The event concluded around noon, leaving behind lasting memories for students, families, and staff, and reinforcing the strong sense of community that defines Craven County Schools.

Grover C. Fields Middle School Hosts Legislative Visit

Focused on Student Success

Craven County Schools recently welcomed state and local leaders to Grover C. Fields Middle School for a meaningful legislative visit centered on student success and the district’s key educational priorities.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Senator Brinson, Representative Cairns, Commissioner Mason, Commissioner Mitchell, and Alderman Ferguson for taking the time to engage with our students, staff, and district leadership. Their support and presence made a lasting impact and provided an important opportunity to connect education with community leadership.

Throughout the visit, students at Grover C. Fields Middle School truly shined. From student-led classroom tours to engaging discussions, they proudly showcased their learning, growth, and achievements. A special thank-you is extended to Craven County Schools Teacher of the Year, Ms. Margaret Jackson, for representing the district with excellence during a question-and-answer session with visiting leaders.

The district also recognizes Principal Ms. Watson for her outstanding leadership and the tremendous planning that made this visit a success.

During their time on campus, legislators participated in a variety of activities, including classroom tours led by students, lunch with district leaders and stakeholders, and opportunities to engage directly with the Superintendent and members of the Board of Education.

The visit highlighted the Board of Education’s Legislative Priorities, focusing on Exceptional Children Services, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and the School Nutrition program. These areas play a critical role in supporting student achievement and ensuring all learners have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

“This visit provides a valuable opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening in our schools while also highlighting the needs of our students and staff,” said Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent. “We appreciate the time and commitment of our legislators to engage directly with our schools and community.”

Craven County Schools remains committed to advocating for the resources and support needed to enhance educational experiences and outcomes for all students.

Vanceboro Farm Life Elementary Hosts Leadership Day

Vanceboro Farm Life Elementary School proudly hosted its annual Leadership Day on Friday, April 17, 2026, welcoming special guests and community members for a meaningful celebration of student growth and achievement.

As a Leader in Me school, Leadership Day is a signature event that highlights the school’s commitment to developing leadership skills in every student. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to showcase their talents, confidence, and leadership abilities through a variety of presentations and activities.

Guests experienced firsthand how students take ownership of their learning, demonstrate responsibility, and apply leadership principles both inside and outside the classroom. From student-led tours to interactive demonstrations, the event reflected the strong culture of leadership that defines Vanceboro Farm Life School.

Leadership Day not only celebrates student success but also strengthens connections between the school and the community. By inviting families, partners, and local leaders, the school continues to build meaningful relationships that support student achievement and growth.

Vanceboro Farm Life School remains committed to empowering students to become leaders of their own learning and positive contributors to their community.

Let’s kick off Farm to School Week the right way~full of energy, spirit, and healthy fun!

Our Annual Cheer Competition set the tone for an exciting week ahead! A big shoutout to the Creekside Crocs first-grade cheer team for bringing the spirit early—they were ready to go and did an amazing job incorporating their school mascot into their routine.

Next up, the H.J. MacDonald Cheer Squad brought the hype! From encouraging students to eat their fruits and vegetables to an epic dance-off with students from CES, they had everyone energized and ready for a delicious, healthy week.

The judges had a tough decision, but in the end, the $200 prize was split between CES and HJM!Congratulations to both teams for their outstanding performances!

Thank you to everyone who participated and brought the energy. Let’s keep it going all week long… Let’s EAT!

 Join the Craven County Schools team for the NB Autism Community 5K Run & Walk as we come together to support autism awareness and acceptance. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps shine a light on inclusion and community support. We hope to see you there!

Here is the team link

https://runsignup.com/cravencountyschools

Click "Join" to join the team page. Follow the prompts to register. This link is shareable to the public for anyone to register under the CCS team.

When you get to this page you can bypass the donation and complete registration by clicking continue at the bottom OR if you'd like to donate to the team's page, select Team Fundraiser on the right and search "craven county schools" then continue at the bottom to complete registration.