West Columbus

Attendance Policy Update

School attendance and class participation are an integral part of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of North Carolina requires that every child in the State between the ages of seven (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years of age attend school.

No more than five school days per semester will be excused based on parent notes. Future absences due to personal illness, injury, or medical/dental appointments, will require a healthcare practitioner's statement to be excused.
Students may lose athletic eligibility for not following the attendance policy.

Grades K-8
Students who are chronically absent (excused, unexcused or suspended for more than 10% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Grade retention will be considered due to a lack of mastery as a result of chronic absenteeism.

Grades 9-12
High school students who are chronically absent (excused unexcused or suspended for more than l0% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Students who miss more than ten days (unexcused) per course will be subject to an attendance-based failure (FF).

Cell Phone Policy Update

All classes in grades K-12 in the district will be a phone-free space to help optimize teaching and learning. Phones will not be allowed at any time during the school day, including lunch periods. This update reflects requirements as signed into law by HB 959.

High School students must store their devices and device accessories in Yondr Pouches as directed by the district. Students in grades K-8 must power off and keep devices and accessories in their bookbags during the instructional day. Provisions will be made for students that use cellphones for medical purposes.
Columbus County Schools may forbid student possession of devices and device accessories on school property.

Please note that Columbus County Schools will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged devices.

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

At a recent Board meeting, the Board recognized Matthew Brown of South Columbus High School and Patience Daniels of West Columbus High School as recipients of the Future Teacher Scholarship. These outstanding students were honored for their commitment to entering the field of education.

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, students selected to attend the North Carolina Governor’s School were honored for their exceptional academic and artistic achievement. These students were chosen through a highly competitive process and will participate in an intensive summer program focused on advanced studies in their chosen disciplines. Jovi Castrejon    CCCA Neil Rabutan       ECJSHS Ivy Hernandez      SCHS Abbigail Clemmons  WCHS Lillie Greene      WCHS Marc Johnson      WCHS

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!

Can't make it to graduation? Watch the ceremony live! All graduations will be streamed live on CCS Youtube, CCS and school Facebook pages, CCS Twitch, and the CCS mobile app.

Here are some reminders for this week. On Monday, we will be on our regular class schedule as our students prepare for the Math I, English II, Biology End-of-Course Exams. On Monday, our CTE Exams will also be administered. On Tuesday, the Math I, English II, and Biology End-of-Course Exams will be administered. Students will report to their respective testing rooms at the beginning of the day on Tuesday to take these exams. On Wednesday, we will be on our regular schedule for Math I students to receive their EOC scores and for remediation in Math I, and first semester English II and Math III students. On Thursday, we will retest students in Math I, and first semester English II and Math III. On Friday, make-up EOC exams will be administered. On Friday, the West Columbus High School Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony will take place in the WCHS Auditorium, beginning promptly at 6:00 pm. This week, students will not bring book bags to school. Students will report to school with their Chromebooks and chargers. All Chromebooks and chargers are to be turned in after students have completed all of their testing sessions for the semester. Please visit our school webpage and Facebook page for the latest activities and events at West Columbus High School. Thank you for your continued support!

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 our newest class of high school poet laureates!

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!

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.

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.

Members of the West Columbus Vikings Track & Field team will compete in the State 1A Championships this Friday in Greensboro. Our Girls 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay teams, and our Boys 4 x 200 relay team qualified at the regional meet last Saturday and will compete in the State Championship meet. Congratulations to these Vikings!!