Kayden’s ABSS journey began at E.M. Yoder Elementary and continued through Woodlawn Middle. Now, she’s taking the Enrollment path to pursue a degree in Business while continuing her athletic career at the collegiate level. For Kayden, this next step is about more than just academics and sports; she is most looking forward to growing in her faith and taking on new challenges at Campbell.
Kayden leaves EA with a heart full of gratitude: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Eastern Alamance... I was fortunate enough to have great relationships with both administrators and staff and while I’ll miss my friends, I know that those who impacted me the most will be who I truly remember when I think back on my high school days!”
We are so excited to see you succeed at the next level, Kayden. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle! #EAYouKnow 🦅
Graduate Gallery submission form: https://forms.gle/irrpMZU4tiWhMe1M8
At this evening’s Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to make Friday, May 1, an optional teacher workday. Thousands of educators from across the state have planned to go to Raleigh to request a change from state legislators on education issues.
ABSS has a significant number of staff who plan to attend, and we are facing a shortage of substitute teachers and bus drivers for that day. We have worked to expand our substitute pool and planned to utilize central office staff to support coverage in the schools. However, as of today, there are nearly 500 staff absences and over 250 unfilled substitute positions. We have determined that we will not be able to provide adequate supervision or reliable transportation with the staffing levels available. Moving to a teacher workday allows our district to prioritize student safety.
Because of the number of instructional hours included in the district calendar, students will not have to make up this day.
We recognize that a schedule change can present challenges for families. Thank you for your flexibility as we balance supporting our staff and student safety.
In addition to the games and resources available to families, there was a ceremony recognizing the incredible educators who have shaped our community. Kara Ballard was honored for her extensive service in the Exceptional Children’s Department, along with a heartfelt tribute in memory of Anita Slaughter, recognizing her years of devoted service to Pre-K and Ray Street Academy.
Every day is a new discovery in our kindergarten classes! 🌟 All ABSS elementary schools are hosting their Kindergarten Open House this Thursday, April 23rd, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM! You can learn more about the Kindergarten program, including how and when to enroll, right here: https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/o/abss/page/kindergarten-program
✅ CTE teachers and business partners connected at the ABSS CTE Center — covering all 6 career clusters and shaping programs that prepare students for real careers.
✅ Elementary and secondary teachers gathered at Hawfields for sessions covering math, reading and writing, science, the arts, and supporting every kind of learner.
✅ Pre-K teachers completed CPR and First Aid recertification — because keeping our youngest learners safe is always the top priority.
Every session. Every room. Every conversation. All for our students.
#ABSSAlert | Due to the threat of severe weather and strong winds, ABSS will be closed for students tomorrow, March 16. It will be an optional teacher workday for staff. There will be no athletics or after-school activities.
Debido a la amenaza de condiciones meteorológicas severas y vientos fuertes, ABSS permanecerá cerrada para los estudiantes mañana, 16 de marzo. Será un día laboral opcional para el personal docente. No habrá actividades deportivas ni actividades extraescolares.
February 28 — All-County Chorus (Elementary) | Graham High School | 3:00 PM
March 6 — All-County Orchestra (now with Elementary!) | Cummings High School | 7:00 PM
March 14 — All-County Band (Middle and High) | Southeast Alamance High School | 2:00 PM
March 28 — All-County Chorus (Middle and High) | Williams High School | 4:00 PM
🏆 Portfolio Winners
Ava Garner – Southeast Alamance
Caroline West – ABEC
🥇 Gold Key Awards
Kendal Dixson – Southern Alamance | Printmaking
Brandon Kennedy – ABEC | Photography
Caroline West – ABEC | Mixed Media
🥈 Silver Key Awards
Aubrey Dial – Eastern | Ceramics & Glass
Eva Skinner – Eastern | Chromatophore
Misheel Tamir – Southeast Alamance | Painting
⭐ Honorable Mentions
Elliana Ames – Southern | Sculpture
Savannah Crisp – Eastern | Ceramics & Glass
Kaia Forbes – Southern | Painting
Ava Garner – Southeast | Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage
Riley Justice – Eastern | Sculpture
Brandon Kennedy – ABEC | Photography
Misheel Tamir – Southeast Alamance | Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage
Misheel Tamir – Southeast Alamance | Painting
Genesis Velasquez-Arraega – Eastern | Ceramics & Glass
Four of our students — Kendal Dixson, Brandon Kennedy, Caroline West, and Misheel Tamir — had their artwork selected for display at an art exhibition at East Carolina University. You can see some of their work pictured here! Additionally, our Gold Key recipients will advance to the next level of competition, with the opportunity to have their work featured in the National Show at Carnegie Hall in New York City!
We are so proud of these young artists and their outstanding achievements.
Today, Hillcrest Elementary School didn't just celebrate 100 days of school — it celebrated the people who are so important to the students and who showed up big today — their community support. Beginning around 10:30 AM, the cafeteria was completely full and it was hard to see the students among the crowds of families and community members who showed up to eat with them during the 100 Days, 100 Dads lunch event! We spotted them smiling and proudly chatting about their while enjoying their lunch. This will be one day they will never forget. And to all those in the #ABSSCommunity who showed up — parents, step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, local first responders, Board of Education, local government, anyone who sat down and ate with a student today — thank you. Shout out to Ashley West and all the Hillcrest staff involved in making this a fun and well-organized celebration! Look for a FOX8 story highlight soon! Here's a link to the photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XMQWLYBr1TuQoj1P7
In those early days, Dave was answering calls on a pager and a beeper, becoming the district's very first webmaster at a time when having a website was still considered cutting edge. Back then, we were on dial-up connections, floppy disks, and schools had computer labs that felt like spaceships. He watched those bulky desktop computers evolve into laptops, then tablets, then Chromebooks. He lived through the Windows 95 era, survived Internet Explorer, helped roll out interactive whiteboards, navigated the shift to cloud computing, and kept everything running as classrooms went from chalkboards to smartboards to full-on digital learning environments. Through every upgrade, every rollout, and every "I don't know what happened, it just stopped working" moment spanning nearly three decades, Dave showed up calm, patient, and smiling. Have you ever called the Web Help Desk for technology support? That friendly, unhurried voice on the other end was Dave.
At his retirement celebration today, surrounded by loved ones and co-workers who he proudly calls family, Dave left everyone with one final piece of hard-earned wisdom: "If something goes wrong, make sure it's plugged in, try restarting it, or check if it has paper." Now a new adventure begins. Roads to travel, a guitar that has been waiting patiently in the corner, and meaningful work ahead with Habitat for Humanity, because Dave has never been the type to stop building things or supporting people. Thank you for 27 years of steady hands and a good heart, Dave. Enjoy every second of what comes next!
We are excited to launch our All Hands on Deck campaign! We know that when students are in class, they are building the habits, relationships, and confidence they need to thrive. As we sail towards the end of the school year, we’ve set our sights on improved attendance district-wide! Every school has created incentives and celebrations for hitting this target! 🎯
Facts on Attendance:
📉 Missing just 2 days per month can cause a student to fall behind academically.
🎓 Strong attendance is the #1 predictor of reading at grade level and graduating on time.
🤝 Being in school every day builds the routines and social connections that help students succeed.
How Families Can Help:
✅ Set consistent bedtime and morning routines.
✅ Prepare backpacks and clothes the night before for a smooth start.
✅ Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
We are "All Hands on Deck" to support our students, and we thank you for being partners in education! We know it takes a community to help a child thrive. This includes educators providing engaging lessons, parents ensuring a structured routine, and students putting in the effort. We need everyone working together to finish the year strong. If the waters are rough and you're facing barriers to getting your child to school on time, please reach out! We are to help. Our crew is stronger when we are all together! 🌊✨
