West Columbus School

📚✨ West Columbus School’s Open House is coming up Thursday, August 21, from 2:00–7:00 PM! Meet your teacher, explore your new classrooms, and pick up backpacks and school supplies. 🍎

🚚 While you’re here, enjoy Sunset Slush and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck with delicious treats available for purchase. 💙

⚽️ Warrior Boys & Girls Soccer ⚽️
Get ready, Warriors — it’s almost soccer season!

Workouts: Monday, August 25 | 3:15–5:00 PM
Tryouts: Tuesday, August 26 | 3:15–5:00 PM

Reminder: All athletes must have a current physical to try out.

🏀 Summer's Not Over Yet! ☀️
We’re excited to announce one more Basketball Camp before summer ends! 🏆
Open to kids ages 6–15, this is your last chance to hit the court, build your skills, and have some fun before the school year starts!
📅 Date: August 13th
📍 Location: West Columbus School (7685 Andrew Jackson Hwy SW, Cerro Gordo, NC 28430)
🕘 Time: 9:30am -12:30pm
🏀Coaches: Rebekah Harvey & Jordan Locklear
Whether you're just starting or looking to sharpen your game — this camp is for you!
📲 No need to pre-register, we will be doing registration the morning of the camp!

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.

🎉 We are so proud of our Junior Betas who represented The Warrior Way at the National Beta Convention! 💙⚔️They showcased their talent and leadership by competing in Lead Outside the Box, Solo, Duo, and Trio - Dance, and even had Premier Performers take the stage during the Opening Ceremonies! 🌟 Way to go, Warriors! You continue to lead with pride, purpose, and passion! #WarriorWay #JuniorBeta #NationalBetaConvention #ProudWarriors

Food Bank Pop Up Market Monday, July 7, 9 - 11 am at Cerro Gordo Baptist Church

WCS BETA takes Universal Studios by storm!

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 the recipients of the Future Teacher Scholarship. Matthew Brown of South Columbus High School and Patience Daniels of West Columbus High School were honored for their commitment to pursuing careers in education. Their selection reflects both their academic achievement and passion for teaching, and the Board commended them for taking the first steps toward becoming future educators in our community.

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

🎉 This past week, Ms. Kim Watson was recognized at the Board Meeting as the West Columbus School Teacher of the Year! 🌟 Her dedication, passion, and excellence in the classroom truly make a difference every day. We’re excited to cheer her on this fall as she moves forward in the running for District Teacher of the Year! 🏆 Let’s wish her the best as she continues to shine! 💙 #WarriorPride #TeacherOfTheYear #WCSExcellence

We are so thankful for the heart of our administration, who made today extra special with a beautiful lunch full of love and celebration. We honored the incredible Ms. Capps on her well-deserved retirement, showered Mrs. Shelley with love as she prepares to welcome her new baby, and finally had the joy of officially presenting Ms. Watson with her Teacher of the Year “Warrior” !

📢 We’re Hiring at West Columbus School!🌟 Apply now through the SchoolSpring portal: 👉 https://columbus.schoolspring.com/

Columbus County Schools Exceptional Children’s Office is hereby notifying the public of the intent to destroy confidential special education records. The public is duly notified that the former student or legal guardian of said student may need these records in the future for social security purposes, legal defense, or other reasons. Former students (or their legal guardians) born in 1998 or before who received special education services while enrolled in Columbus County Schools may request a copy of the confidential special education file. A copy of the file may be requested by the former student or legal guardian by notifying the Exceptional Children’s Office. Picture identification is required before records will be released to anyone. The person receiving the records will be asked to sign a form documenting receipt of the records. To request records, contact the Exceptional Children’s Office at 2586 James B. White Highway, Whiteville, NC 28472. (910) 642-5168 All confidential special education records of persons born in 1998 and before will be destroyed on or immediately after July 30, 2025

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