Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

at H.J. MacDonald Middle School

H.J. MacDonald Middle School proudly celebrated Black History Month with a powerful assembly themed “Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future.”

The program featured high-energy performances by the HJM cheerleaders, band, and chorus, showcasing our students incredible talent and school pride. A moving, student-led “Living Biography” tribute brought history to life as students honored influential leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.

The program also included an original poem written and performed by one of our talented students, adding a heartfelt and personal reflection to the celebration.

HJM was honored to welcome guest speaker Mr. Mark Best, who delivered an inspiring message encouraging students to reflect on the past while recognizing their role in shaping the future.

A special presentation on the history and legacy of the Divine Nine Greek-letter organizations, including a performance by members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,

provided meaningful insight into the impact of these historic organizations.

We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for creating a thoughtful and inspiring program that celebrated history, culture, and community.

Roger Bell New Tech Academy Hosted

Apple Distinguished School Visit

On Wednesday, February 25th, Roger Bell New Tech Academy proudly welcomed guests for its Apple Distinguished School Visit, showcasing the innovation and impact happening daily inside its classrooms.

Visitors heard from Principal Caroline Godwin and School Leaders, who shared the school’s journey to becoming an Apple Distinguished School, highlighting its 1:1 Apple integration and commitment to student-centered, technology-rich learning.

Guests had the opportunity to visit classrooms, observe engaging instruction in action, and participate in a thoughtful panel discussion featuring members of the school community. The morning concluded with reflections on how purposeful technology integration continues to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.

We are incredibly proud of the students, staff, and leadership at Roger Bell New Tech Academy for representing Craven County Schools with excellence and innovation!

A.H Bangert Elementary Hosts Lunch-N-Learn

On Friday, February 27th, AH Bangert Elementary took learning beyond the school walls by hosting a special Lunch-N-Learn at the Board of Education!

Due to the incredible response and the number of participants who signed up, the session was moved to accommodate everyone. A true testament to our families commitment to staying informed and engaged.

Thank you to Ms. Ferguson, AHB Media Coordinator, and Ms. Sarah Emmerich, Director of Digital & Blended Learning, for leading an informative and timely session focused on internet safety.

We appreciate everyone who joined us for this important conversation about keeping our students safe online!

Craven County Schools is proud to congratulate our exceptional students who have been selected as the district’s nominees for the CTE U.S. Presidential Scholar Program!

Congratulations to Tyler Powell and Angelina Sanchez Yu-Lee, both from Havelock High School!

This prestigious recognition honors students who have demonstrated excellence in Career and Technical Education through academic achievement, technical skill, leadership, and commitment to their chosen career pathway. Being nominated is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the dedication, talent, and hard work of these students.

BIG NEWS for Havelock High School!

Now in its 18th year, Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year® Award honors the incredible impact military-connected students make on their families, schools, and communities.

We are beyond proud to share that Claire Burks, of Havelock High School, has advanced from Semifinalist to one of just FIVE FINALISTS nationwide for the 2026 Military Child of the Year® Award (Marine Corps)!

This prestigious recognition highlights Clarie's leadership, resilience, academic excellence, and dedication to serving others, qualities that truly reflect the strength of our military families.

Please join us in congratulating Claire on this outstanding accomplishment!

WINTER ATHLETIC UPDATE-WRESTLING

Congratulations to this year's champions:

Winter

Women’s Wrestling - New Bern (Conference Champions)

Men’s Wrestling - New Bern (Conference Champions)

Men’s Wrestling - New Bern (Dual Team State Runner-up)

Regional Champions

Women’s Wrestling - Abby Garcia (Havelock)

Women’s Wrestling - Laila Tellex (Havelock)

Men’s Wrestling - Coy Deel (West Craven)

Men’s Wrestling - Aiden Campbell (Havelock)

Men’s Wrestling - New Bern (Dual Team)

State Champions

Women’s Wrestling - Laila Tellez (Havelock)

Women’s Wrestling - Claire Ballard (New Bern)

Men’s Wrestling - Aiden Campbell (Havelock)

Men’s Wrestling - Xavier Bernthal (New Bern)

State Wrestling Placers

WCHS - Coy Deel - State Runner-up

HHS - Abby Garcia - 3rd place

HHS - Zy'Aire Pridgen - 4th place

NBHS - John Bane - 3rd place

NBHS - Jacob Perry - 4th place

Special Recognition

Wrestling - Coach Chase Holleman (Havelock) 350 Dual Team Wins

Leading the Conversation on Prevention & Recovery

We are proud to share that our Director of Health Services, Luanne Forsyth, recently served as a panel member at the Recovery Alliance Initiative’s Eastern Regional SUD Collaborative Meeting. During the discussion, she highlighted the prevention efforts and recovery connections in place throughout Craven County Schools.

Supporting students starts with education, awareness, and trusted relationships. In Craven County Schools, we are committed to proactive prevention through programs and partnerships that make a difference, including:

D.A.R.E. instruction for 5th graders

A new comprehensive health curriculum

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting App

Handle With Care

Strong, supportive relationships with our SROs, school nurses, social workers, counselors, teachers, and administrators

We are thankful for the many community partners and resources that help us support students in need. Together, we are building a network of care that prioritizes student well-being, prevention, and recovery.

Thank you, Mrs. Forsyth, for representing Craven County Schools and for your continued leadership in keeping our students healthy, safe, and supported.

This CCS Team of Leaders had an incredible day of learning and collaboration at the NC Principal of the Year Network Leading NC Together Conference held at YMCA Camp Seafarer on Friday, February 27th!

They were grateful for the opportunity to connect with educational leaders from across the state, share best practices, and strengthen their commitment to excellence for our students and schools.

Together, we’re leading NC Public Schools forward!

Pre-K Programs Receive Grant Support from Knights of Columbus

Pre-K staff at Havelock Elementary, Graham A. Barden Elementary, and Ben D. Quinn Elementary recently collaborated to write a grant — and we are excited to share that they were awarded funding from the Knights of Columbus to support our youngest learners.

Thanks to this generous donation, these classrooms will be able to purchase adaptive learning toys, additional classroom supplies, and sensory materials designed to better meet the individual needs of our students. The resources will support fine motor development, communication skills, social-emotional growth, and hands-on learning experiences that are essential during the early childhood years.

We are incredibly grateful for community partners like the Knights of Columbus, who believe in our children and invest in their success. Our Pre-K Teachers look forward to putting these new materials to use and continuing to create engaging, supportive learning environments for our tiny humans.

This Week is National School Breakfast Week

March 2-6 is National School Breakfast Week!

Join us in celebrating the incredible school nutrition professionals who help North Carolina students start their day fueled and ready to learn. School breakfast supports academic success, attendance and overall well-being — and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated teams of school nutrition professionals who prepare and serve meals with care each morning.

Every student who eats breakfast with us next week, their name will be going into a drawing (at each school) for a $25 Amazon gift card. They have to eat breakfast on all 4 days next week. The schools with the highest breakfast participation will receive multiple $25 Amazon gift cards to distribute. 

General Mills is donating the gift cards. 

Teachers of Tomorrow – Info session: How to Become a Teacher

Description:

We are excited to invite our teachers to participate in "How to Become a Teacher," a live webinar led by Teachers of Tomorrow, the nation's largest Educator Preparation Program. This session is offered monthly and designed to help educators seeking certification gain clarity, confidence, and a strategy for successfully entering the classroom as a Licensed Full-Time Teacher.

Each session includes:

• Expert guidance on how ToT works and what to expect
• Program Cost
• Program Timeline and resources available
• Live Q&A with a certification-prep specialist

Whether you are preparing for your first attempt or working toward a retake, this session will help you approach your exam with a clear plan and confidence.

Registration Link:

Teachers of Tomorrow- Info Session: How to Become a Teacher