Free Pediatric Adaptive Equipment Fair

The Duke Children's Pediatric Rehabilitation Team and the Duke Center for Assistive Technology are hosting a Free Pediatric Adaptive Equipment Fair on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event takes place in the parking lot of the Lenox Baker Children's Hospital, located at 3000 Erwin Road in Durham. This fair features a large collection of donated adaptive and special needs pediatric equipment available to families in need on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is highly recommended. Therapists will be available to assist with positioning and sizing of equipment. For more details, updates, or to view the official event flyer, you can check the Duke Children's Pediatric Rehabilitation Facebook page.

H.J. MacDonald Middle School Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

During Annual Assembly

On Friday, October 30th, H.J. MacDonald Middle School celebrated the richness of Hispanic heritage and culture during its 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly, bringing students and staff together for a special event highlighting cultural diversity, traditions, and artistic expression.

The schoolwide celebration featured student performances and a special presentation by the New Bern Civic Theatre. Through the performing arts, attendees had an opportunity to experience and appreciate aspects of Hispanic culture while recognizing the importance of diversity within their school community.

The assembly also gave students a chance to showcase their talents, celebrate cultural traditions, and learn more about the heritage and contributions of Hispanic communities.

The school's Cultural Celebrations Committee (CCC) organized the event, and its efforts helped create an engaging and meaningful experience for students and staff.

By incorporating music, dance, theater, and student participation, the annual celebration emphasized cultural awareness, inclusivity, and appreciation for the diverse backgrounds represented at H.J. MacDonald Middle School.

The 2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly reflects the school's continued efforts to foster a welcoming environment where students can learn from one another, embrace cultural differences, and celebrate the traditions that make their community unique.

Through events like this, H.J. MacDonald Middle School continues to demonstrate how education, creativity, and cultural celebration can bring students together and strengthen connections throughout the school community.

Craven County Schools Celebrates Native American Heritage Through Community Partnership

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month in November, Craven County Schools is celebrating a meaningful community partnership that continues to enrich student learning and promote cultural awareness throughout the district.

The Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in New Bern has continued its annual tradition of donating Native American literature and educational resources to libraries across Craven County Schools.

These generous contributions provide students with valuable opportunities to explore the rich history, diverse cultures, traditions, and lasting contributions of Native Americans. By expanding access to culturally relevant literature and educational materials, the donations help encourage reading, broaden students' perspectives, and foster a deeper appreciation for Native American heritage.

The annual donation also highlights the important role community organizations play in supporting public education. Through its continued generosity, the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter demonstrates a commitment to literacy, cultural education, and student success.

As schools prepare to recognize Native American Heritage Month, these resources will serve as valuable additions to school library collections, offering students opportunities to discover new perspectives and deepen their understanding of Native American history and culture.

Craven County Schools extends its sincere appreciation to the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for its ongoing dedication to enriching educational opportunities for students.

This valued partnership serves as a reminder of the positive impact community involvement can have on education and the importance of working together to inspire a lifelong love of reading, learning, and cultural appreciation.

LEARNING, LEADING & REPRESENTING

CRAVEN COUNTY SCHOOLS!

Our Craven County Schools team was excited to attend the NC EVAAS Summit today at the SAS Institute!

This professional learning opportunity brought educational leaders together to explore data-driven strategies, celebrate student growth, and strengthen instructional practices.

Way to represent CCS!

• Dr. Courtney Merkel – Principal, W.J. Gurganus Elementary School
• Ms. Amy Warren – District Testing Coordinator
• Dr. Marlow Artis – Principal, Craven Early College
• Ms. Andrea Lilley – Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
• Mr. Derrell Ward – Principal, James W. Smith Elementary School

Thank you for investing in your professional learning and bringing valuable insights back to our district! We appreciate your leadership and commitment to continuous improvement.

BREAKFAST BASH CELEBRATION — HONORING OUR BEHIND-THE-SCENES HEROES!

This morning, we rolled out the red carpet (and the breakfast spread!) for an incredible group of employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep Craven County Schools running smoothly!

Our Systems & Operations Team is made up of five essential departments:

• Facilities
• Print Shop
• School Nutrition
• Technology
• Transportation

From keeping our buildings safe and welcoming to ensuring students are transported, fed, and equipped for learning, these dedicated team members make a difference EVERY SINGLE DAY! Their hard work also keeps our district offices operating efficiently and supports the needs of our entire CCS Family.

Whether responding to unexpected challenges, working early mornings or late nights, or simply going above and beyond to get the job done, this team makes learning possible!

A special thank you to our Board of Education members who joined us and to our Superintendent for sharing heartfelt words of appreciation and gratitude for this outstanding group.

Today was all about good food, great fellowship, and celebrating the people who do so much without always being in the spotlight.

To our Systems & Operations Team — WE SEE YOU, WE VALUE YOU, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU! Thank you for everything you do to keep Craven County Schools moving forward!

Football Playoff Update

All three of our high schools have earned a first-round bye and will advance to the second round of the playoffs on Friday, November 13. All three teams will host their games, with preliminary kickoff times set for 7:00 p.m.

• West Craven High School: Will host the winner of Ledford vs. Jordan-Matthews.
• Havelock High School: Will host the winner of Rocky Mount vs. C.B. Aycock.
• New Bern High School: Will host the winner of Ashley vs. Pine Forest.

Congratulations to Our All-Star Selections!

We are also proud to recognize the following student-athletes and coach who have been selected to participate in upcoming all-star football games:

• Karvin Magwood — New Bern High School: North Carolina–South Carolina Shrine Bowl.
• Xavier Cuthbertson — West Craven High School: North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star Game.
• Donnell Windley — Havelock High School: Team 252 vs. 919 Showcase Bowl.
• Michael Gatling — Havelock High School: Team 252 vs. 919 Showcase Bowl.
• Tre'Quan Dixon — West Craven High School: Team 252 vs. 919 Showcase Bowl.
• Ben Dennison — West Craven High School: Team 252 vs. 919 Showcase Bowl.
• Head Coach Brent Wooten — Havelock High School: Team 252 vs. 919 Showcase Bowl.

Congratulations to all of our student-athletes and Coach Wooten on these outstanding accomplishments!

We are proud of the success of our football programs and the way our schools continue to represent Craven County Schools. Having all three high schools advance to the second round with home games, along with these all-star selections, is exciting for our community.

Duke Women’s Basketball is hosting Hero Day on Sunday, November 15th, at 3 p.m. as we celebrate and honor our educators, first responders, and military members!

As a special thank you for the incredible work you do, we're offering exclusive discounted tickets for this special game day celebration.

Date: Sunday, November 15th at 3:00pm

Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium

Opponent: Marshall

We would love to recognize as many educators as possible, so please share this link with faculty and staff to join us for an afternoon in Cameron Indoor as well as our pre-game touch-a-truck event!

Duke Women's Basketball Hero Day Discounted Tickets!

Thank you again for your support, and we hope to see you in Cameron Indoor Stadium!

Thank you and GO DUKE!