Kindergarten Open House Welcomes Future Class of 2039

Craven County Schools recently welcomed many excited families during our Kindergarten Open House and Registration event held on Tuesday, March 10th. Thank you to all the families who joined us! It was a joy meeting our newest students and connecting with the families who will soon become part of the Craven County Schools community.

Events like this give families an opportunity to explore their schools, meet educators and staff, and learn more about the supportive and engaging learning environment awaiting their children. From classroom tours to helpful information about the registration process, the afternoon was filled with excitement as families prepared for the beginning of their child’s educational journey.

Online registration remains open, and families can begin the process here:

https://www.cravenk12.org/families/student-registration

We are excited to welcome the Class of 2039 and look forward to an incredible year ahead as these young learners begin their journey with Craven County Schools.

New Bern Breakfast Rotary “Kicks for Kids” Program Provides Shoes for Over 300 Students

Craven County Schools is grateful for the continued generosity of the New Bern Breakfast Rotary through its annual Kicks for Kids program. On Wednesday, March 11, more than 300 pairs of shoes were distributed to students across the district, helping ensure they have comfortable and reliable footwear for school and everyday activities.

The Kicks for Kids program is a longstanding community partnership focused on supporting local students and families. By providing new shoes, the initiative helps remove barriers for students and ensures they can come to school confident, prepared, and ready to learn.

This year’s program was made possible through the generous support of community partners. A special thank you to Coastal Sole for donating the shoes, making it possible for hundreds of students to benefit from the program. We also extend our appreciation to Brightspeed, whose role as a major sponsor helped with this year’s distribution.

Craven County Schools is proud to partner with organizations like the New Bern Breakfast Rotary that are dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of students. Their commitment to supporting children in our community continues to have a lasting impact.

We sincerely thank the Rotary members, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make this event a success and for their ongoing dedication to supporting students across Craven County.

New Bern High School Celebrates Women Leaders

During Annual Women’s Day Meet & Greet

Students at New Bern High School had the inspiring opportunity to connect with women leaders from across the community during the school’s annual Women’s Day Meet & Greet, held in the media center. The event allowed students to explore a variety of career paths, ask questions, and hear firsthand from women making a meaningful impact in our community.

This year’s program aligns with National Women’s History Month 2026 and its theme, “Give to Gain,” which emphasizes how providing women with opportunities, resources, and mentorship fosters a cycle of success that benefits everyone.

Craven County Schools extends sincere thanks to the many organizations and leaders who engaged with students, including representatives from the New Bern Police Department, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, New Bern Fire Department, Craven Community College, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Craven County Health Department, and the New Bern Women’s Club.

Special recognition goes to community and school leaders who participated, including Jennifer Dacey (Board of Education), Marlena Shine (CCS), and Lexanne Huffman (Craven County Clerk of Courts). Their involvement helped make the event meaningful and motivational for students.

New Bern High School is grateful to all who contributed to this program, helping to inspire the next generation of leaders and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in our community.

H.J. MacDonald Middle School Wins District

Battle of the Books Competition

Middle school students from across Craven County Schools showcased their love of reading and literary knowledge during the Middle School Battle of the Books Competition held on March 12. Teams from Grover C. Fields Middle School, Havelock Middle School, H.J. MacDonald Middle School, and Tucker Creek Middle School participated in this exciting and competitive event.

After months of preparation, the competition came down to an intense final round, featuring a tiebreaker between Tucker Creek Middle and H.J. MacDonald Middle. In the end, H.J. MacDonald Middle School emerged as the champions!

Battle of the Books encourages students to read a variety of selected titles, think critically, and work collaboratively as a team. This year’s participants demonstrated outstanding teamwork, reading comprehension, and enthusiasm for literature, making the event both fun and educational.

Craven County Schools congratulates all teams for their dedication and impressive knowledge. Your passion for reading truly shined, and every student contributed to a memorable competition. We also extend our thanks to media coordinators, teachers, and staff who helped organize and support the event.

Congratulations again to H.J. MacDonald Middle School and all participating students for making this year’s Battle of the Books a huge success!

Havelock High School’s SkillsUSA chapter is excited to announce its first annual Ramstravaganza, which will be held on Saturday, March 21. This event will feature a community vendor and yard sale designed to bring the school community together while raising funds to support student travel to state and, hopefully, national competitions.

Community members are invited to participate by reserving a space to sell their own items or products. The goal is to make the Ramstravaganza a fun, annual event that the entire school and community can enjoy while supporting student success.

Additionally, if you have items you would like to donate, the SkillsUSA team would be happy to accept them to include in the sale. Donations can help support students as they work toward competing at the next level.

For more information, to reserve a vendor space, or to donate items, please contact Jennifer Merideth at jennifer.merideth@cravenk12.org or Mr. Daly at shannon.daly@cravenk12.org.

We look forward to a great turnout and appreciate the community’s support of our SkillsUSA students!

Office of Exceptional Children 2025-2026 Parent Survey - Special Education

NCDPI's Office of Exceptional Children, invites families of students receiving special education services to complete the 2025–26 Indicator 8 Parent Survey. This quick, two-minute anonymous survey — available in multiple languages — helps guide improvements for students and families.

Take the survey here. Responses will be accepted through June 30