
FREE Summer Meals for Kids Ages 1–18!
No registration required – just show up and eat! Students do not need to attend the school to be eligible. Meals must be eaten in the cafeteria.
Chadbourn Elementary
June 17 – July 30 (Monday–Thursday)
Closed: July 2–3
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Tabor City School
June 17 – July 30 (Monday–Thursday)
Closed: June 30 – July 7
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Acme Delco Elementary
June 17 – July 23 (Monday–Thursday)
Closed: June 30 – July 7
Breakfast: 7:45–8:30 AM
Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:15 PM
Open to all children and teens ages 1–18.
#SummerMeals #HealthyKids #ColumbusCountySchools


During a recent Board meeting, the Teachers of the Year and Principals of the Year were honored for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact on student success. The Board recognized these exceptional educators for their commitment to excellence and their vital role in shaping the future of Columbus County Schools.
TOY Nominees
Susan Carr
Adrienne Carroll
Connie Faulk
Karen Haley
Heather Tilly
Tonya Nobles
Michele Bolton
Darryl Spivey
Khadijah Tart
Lisa Hamilton
Kim Watson
Janet Hewett
POY Nominees
Kelly Beck
Shelly Cullipher
Leslie Faulk

At a recent board meeting, AR Ammons Poetry Winners were honored:
Division I First Place Isabella Holmes Old Dock Elementary School
Division I Honorable Mention Ainsley Ward Old Dock Elementary School
Division I Honorable Mention Kera Starnes Old Dock Elementary School
Division I Honorable Mention Coleman Smart West Columbus School
Division I Honorable Mention Lane Tompkins Tabor City School
Division I Honorable Mention Adelina Beck Old Dock Elementary
Division I Honorable Mention Lisbeth Lemus Old Dock Elementary
Division I Honorable Mention Mia Strickland Old Dock Elementary
Division I Honorable Mention Kinleigh Butler Old Dock Elementary
Division I Honorable Mention Ellorie Ward Old Dock Elementary
Division I Second Place Camille Canady Old Dock Elementary School
Division I Third Place Colton McKeithan Old Dock Elementary School
Division II First Place Anna Marie Bell Hallsboro / Artesia Elementary
Division II Honorable Mention Julie Ward Nakina Middle School
Division II Honorable Mention Henlee Ward Tabor City School
Division II Honorable Mention Brystal Ward Old Dock Elementary
Division II Honorable Mention Liam Dyson West Columbus School
Division III Honorable Mention Morgan Smith Nakina Middle School
Division III Honorable Mention Deacon Whaley Nakina Middle School
Division III Honorable Mention Annabelle Wright Nakina Middle School
Division III Honorable Mention Elizabeth Valdez Nakina Middle School
Division III Honorable Mention Laney McPherson Nakina Middle School
Division III Honorable Mention Khadijah Currie East Columbus JR/SR High
Division III Third Place Isabella Rivero Nakina Middle School
Division IV First Place Landyn Norris South Columbus High
Division IV Honorable Mention LilyAnne Long Columbus Career and College Academy
Division IV Honorable Mention Tanijia Gerald Columbus Career and College Academy
Division IV Honorable Mention Mckenna Ware-Rudnik East Columbus JR/SR High
Division IV Honorable Mention Hailey Long South Columbus High
Division IV Honorable Mention Melody Gilbert Columbus Career and College Academy
Division IV Honorable Mention Cynthia Ward West Columbus High
Division IV Honorable Mention Stephen Tatman, Jr. South Columbus High
Division IV Honorable Mention Landon Hoopes Columbus Career and College Academy
Division IV Honorable Mention Mika Williams South Columbus High
Division IV Honorable Mention Morgan Cartrette South Columbus High
Division IV Honorable Mention Mckenna Ware-Rudnik East Columbus JR/SR High
Division IV Honorable Mention Jennifer Perez South Columbus High
Division IV Second Place Aisha Skye Reyes South Columbus High
Division IV Third Place Landyn Norris South Columbus High

At a recent Board meeting, the Celebrate the Arts Gold Key winners were recognized for having the best artwork in the show. These students demonstrated remarkable creativity and artistic excellence, rising to the top among hundreds of entries. The Board commended them for their talent, hard work, and outstanding representation of the arts in Columbus County Schools.
ECJSHS Mckenna Ware-Rudnik
ECJSHS Brittany Mitchell
ECJSHS Milana Graham
ECJSHS Sophia Robertson
SCHS Greidys Avelino
SCHS Madison McMillian
SCHS India Sammons
SCHS Samuel Cunningham
SCHS Alan Rodriguez
SCHS Drake Cribb
SCHS Lily Greene
SCHS Lena Taylor
WCHS Samantha Strickland
WCHS Zayda Eddie
WCHS Brianna Thomas
WCHS Lia Specht
WCHS Karmen McDuffie
WCHS Ricky Johnson
WCHS Lindsey Hayes
WCHS Ivan Osorio-Abonza
ADES Dulce Gonzalez Gonzalez
ADES Dulce Gonzalez Gonzalez
ADES Vanessa Jauregui-Del Angel
ADES Morgan Pridgen
ECJSHS Sophia Alvarado Rivera
ECJSHS Yamileth Gonzalez-Baza
ECJSHS Luziana Cruz Perez
HAES Cara Britt
HAES Anthony Gurganious
HAES Dondria Sadler
HAES Mya Jacobs
HAES Cole Lynch
NMS Javier Diaz
NMS Sara Rivenbark
NMS Ellie Wright
NMS Sandy Nunez
NMS Bridgette Perdomo
TCS Devora Redondo
TCS Andrea Powell
TCS Kimberly Manning
TCS Loren Hinson
TCS Mileigh Stevenson
WCS Arabella Tchorz
WCS Ella Fletcher
WCS Kaylee Bethea-Davis
WCS Kenzie Martin
WCS Chantal Judd
WTS Kalie Blanton
WTS Julia Bailey
WTS Joanna Cox
WTS Aria Bowen
WTS Johnny Dominguez
WTS Johnny Domingues
WTS Legend McCray

Schools will release students at approximately 1 PM on Friday, June 6th.
Have a great summer!


Hello Panther families!
This is your final week of school update!
✅ Monday and Tuesday – We will have remediation sessions and our Cultural Fair! Students are welcome to dress in attire that reflects their culture.
✅ Wednesday – ELA retakes for grades 4–6 and the 3rd grade RTA test.
✅ Thursday – Math testing for grades 3–6 and Pre-K Awards in the afternoon at 5:30 PM.
✅ Friday – Awards Day!
• K–2 Awards at 8:30 AM
• 3–6 Awards at 10:30 AM
🎉 Friday is also the last day of school and an early release day.
Thank you, families, for a great year! Let’s finish strong, Panthers!

Today, a system error temporarily disrupted the NCTest platform statewide, affecting all students in North Carolina who were scheduled to test this morning. The outage lasted approximately 40 minutes. Prompt corrective action restored the system, allowing students to resume testing shortly thereafter. All tests were completed successfully.
We sincerely thank our teachers and students for their patience, focus, and resilience during the disruption. At this time, we anticipate no further issues.

Reminder: All schools will be closed on Monday, May 26th, in honor of Memorial Day.


Congratulations to HAES Artists!
We’re proud to celebrate the talented students from Hallsboro-Artesia Elementary School who were honored in the Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest, sponsored by the North Carolina Garden Club:
Award Winners:
• Angel Ramon-Islas – 1st Place (1st Grade) 🥇
• Lyam Johnson – 1st Place (2nd Grade) 🥇
• Angelique Ramon-Islas – 2nd Place (3rd Grade) 🥈
• Aaleiyah Clark-Chong – Honorable Mention (5th Grade) 🎖️
Honored Participants:
• Wyatt Layton (1st Grade)
• Sebastian Rodriquez (1st Grade)
• Amado Lopez-Cardenas (1st Grade)
• Cherish Gowans (2nd Grade)
• Chloe Pedro (3rd Grade)
• Zayda Bellamy (3rd Grade)
• Lucy White (5th Grade)
• Nevyonna Haskins (5th Grade)
A huge thank you to our amazing art teacher, Ms. Amy Baker, for inspiring our students to create such meaningful artwork, and to Mrs. Myrtle Corbitt from the Columbus County Garden Club for supporting and recognizing our young artists.
We’re so proud of all our Panthers for using their creativity to promote environmental awareness! Way to go, HAES! 🌲✏️✨










HAES showed up and showed out for the Guardian Gala! So much joy, pride, and Panther spirit in one unforgettable evening. Stay tuned for even more photos!











We’re Racing to the Top at HAES this week! 🏁
Here are a few pit stop reminders for our Panther families:
📝 Early testing continues—make sure your students are well-rested, on time, and ready to shine!
🔬 5th Grade Science EOG is coming up this Friday—encourage your Panther to stay focused and give it their best lap!
🎉 PK–2 Field Day is TOMORROW! Don’t forget sneakers, comfy clothes, and a water bottle to keep your little racer hydrated!
📵 Cell phones must be stored outside of the testing classroom. If a phone rings during the test, the session is invalid and must be retaken. Help us keep testing smooth and secure!
Let’s keep those engines running and finish the week strong!
#PantherPride #RacingToTheTop #HAESStrong


Happening Today! 10am-1pm.


A message from the Columbus County Health Department:
School is almost out and our summer schedule is filling up quickly!!!
Our dental team is excited to assist you with scheduling your child's
summer break dental exams and cleanings. Please contact our office at (910) 640- 6615, ext. 7041 to schedule your child's appointment.
We wish all students a happy and healthy summer break.
Hope to see your smile soon!


📢 Important Announcements for Parents
Dear Hallsboro-Artesia Families,
We have two important updates to share regarding Field Day and End-of-Grade (EOG) Testing:
1. 🌧️ Field Day Changes
Due to the saturated conditions of the fields around our campus, we’ve made some adjustments to our Field Day plans:
Friday (Tomorrow): Field Day for Grades 3–6 will be held indoors in the gym. We will have a variety of fun, active stations for the students to enjoy.
Monday: Field Day for PreK–2nd Grade will also take place indoors.
➡️ Please make sure your child wears closed-toe shoes on their scheduled Field Day. This is essential for safety during activities.
2. 📝 EOG Testing Reminder
Testing begins Tuesday of next week. To ensure a smooth and secure testing environment, we are asking for your cooperation with the following:
Please leave bookbags and cell phones at home beginning Tuesday.
Cell phones and smartwatches (e.g., Apple Watches) are strictly prohibited in testing sessions.
If a student is found with a device during testing, it may result in the entire testing session being invalidated, requiring all students in that group to retake the test.
➡️ If your child must bring a phone, it must be turned in at the start of each day.
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to leave these devices at home during testing days.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure a successful end to the school year!


CCS Education Job Fair - Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: CCS Central Services, 2586 James B. White Hwy N, Whiteville
Join us for the CCS Education Job Fair, a dedicated hiring event focused on filling a variety of roles within Columbus County Schools. Call 910-642-5168 for info.

School’s almost out — don’t forget those summer dental appointments!
The Columbus County Health Department’s Dental Team is here to help your child start summer with a healthy smile!
Appointments for summer dental exams and cleanings are filling up fast. Call (910) 640-7040, ext. 7041 to schedule your child’s visit today.
Congrats to all students and parents for finishing the school year strong!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy summer break.
We can’t wait to see your smile soon!
#ColumbusCountyHealth #HealthySmiles #SummerCheckup #SchoolBreakReady


🏁✨ Race to the Top: EOG Edition! ✨🏁
Our hallways are revved up and ready as we head into EOG season! 🚦 Students are racing toward success with encouragement, cheers, and some extra-special decorations to get them pumped!
📸 Check out the photos from our “Race to the Top” setup – complete with checkered flags, racing cars, and motivational messages!
🏆 Students, remember: this is YOUR race. Run it your way. Do your best. Make it count. 💪
You’ve got the tools. You’ve got the training. Now go for the finish line! 🏁🔥
#RaceToTheTop #EOGReady #HAESStrong #PantherPride #DoYourBest


CCS Education Job Fair
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: CCS Central Services, 2586 James B. White Hwy N, Whiteville, NC (beside Northwood Church)
Join us for the CCS Education Job Fair, a dedicated hiring event focused on filling a variety of roles within Columbus County Schools. This is your chance to meet face-to-face with school and district leaders who are actively seeking passionate educators and support staff for the 2025–2026 school year.


Good Evening,
This is Dr. Hill with your weekly updates.
1. This week we have field day on Friday. Please make sure that your child comes to school with a towel, sunscreen, water bottle.
2. We are strongly encouraging all parents to refrain from checking students out early. We are in the final countdown to EOG's and it is extremely important for each child to remain in class for the entire duration of the day.
3. As we begin the countdown to EOG's, I am sending home a blank paper and envelope with each child taking and EOG and each test they are taking. We are encouraging parents to write notes or words of affirmation to be passed out each time your child takes the EOG for the morning of the test. Please try and turn this in by next May 21st. We want every single child have a chance to get a positive note for each day of the test.
4. Our EOG review is going to be "racing to the top". As students enter the hallways this week they are going to be surprised by our racing flags and positive posters that we are going to post. This is our time to show what we know and RACE TO THE TOP!
Looking ahead:
May 23: Science EOG and Reading EOG for 3rd Grade Only
May 28: Reading EOG for 4th-6th Grade
May 29: Math EOG for 3-6th Grade
May 30: Makeup EOGS
Thank you and have a wonderful evening!


It’s Teacher Appreciation Week at HAES!
We are so grateful for the amazing educators who pour their hearts into our students every single day.
Let’s show them some love!
Drop a shout-out in the comments for your favorite HAES teacher and tell us why they’re incredible! Whether it’s their caring heart ❤️, creative lessons ✏️, or the way they go the extra mile ⭐—we want to hear it!
Let’s flood this post with positivity and appreciation for our HAES heroes!
#ThankATeacher #HAESPantherPride #TeacherAppreciationWeek
Teachers make the world brighter!
Comment below!
We’ll be highlighting some of your shout-outs all week long!
Thank you, teachers!
You make a difference every day!
