We are thrilled to celebrate Joy Toms from Southeast Alamance High as the ABSS School Counselor of the Year! 🌟

If you’ve ever walked into her office or seen her out and about around the school, you already know why Ms. Toms is being recognized. Whether she’s helping a student navigate a tough day, working alongside families, or supporting staff, Joy’s dedication and genuine warmth make Southeast a brighter, more welcoming place for everyone.

Assistant Principal Darylanne Towery put it perfectly: "Joy has consistently gone above and beyond to support the academic, social, and emotional well-being of our students... they know they have an advocate in Joy, and that trust has made a significant impact on our school culture."

Thank you, Ms. Toms, and congratulations! 💙🧡

#ThisisABSS #ABSSExcellence #SchoolCounselor #StudentSupport #ABSSCommunnity
1 day ago, James Shuler
Joy Toms holding a large flower arrangement beside Principal Yarborough who is holding her recognition plaque
Joy Toms holding flower arrangement next to central office Student & Family Services staff
🎓 ABSS Graduate Gallery: A lifelong dream is officially becoming a reality for Chloe Torain! A senior at Alamance Burlington Early College at ACC, Chloe is heading down the Enrollment path to Catawba College, where she’ll major in Nursing with her sights set on becoming a Pediatric Nurse!

Chloe’s high school years were highlighted by major triumphs. Her absolute favorite memory is winning a State Championship alongside her favorite group of teammates and coaches. Now, she is preparing to bring that same dedication, teamwork, and passion to her future patients.

"I am excited to become a prominent member of the community and healthcare system," Chloe shared. "I can’t wait to become what I have always dreamed of and be someone others can look up to."

Congratulations, Chloe! We are so proud of you, Chloe, and we know you are going to be a phenomenal champion for children's health! 🩺❤️

Graduate Gallery Submission Form: https://forms.gle/7DCijUbVfVGFJdSp8

#ABSSClassof2026 #ThisisABSS
2 days ago, James Shuler
School portrait of Chloe wearing a formal black shirt, white necklace, with a blue backdrop
A young Chloe wearing a striped dress with white collar
Chloe in formal blue dress and holding a floral arrangement

"Yoooooo is that free ice cream?!" could be heard frequently today in the Western Middle School cafeteria. They have the highest attendance among middle schools for the last three months! As a reward, all students received ice cream at lunch today. Way to go! Let's keep that attendance up into the final weeks of the school year! #ThisisABSS #AllHandsonDeck #EveryDayMatters

2 days ago, James Shuler
Four middle school students standing next to a Middle School Attendance Award Winner banner in the school cafeteria
Three students act surprised and amazed at the free ice cream they just received
Three middle school girls hold their free ice cream up with big smiles on their faces

The Alamance-Burlington School System is proud to celebrate Donna Apple of Andrews Elementary as our School Nurse of the Year!

Nurse Apple has a gift for balancing top-notch medical care with genuine compassion, making sure every student who walks into her office feels safe and valued. From facilitating the Telehealth program to actively collaborating in Child and Family Team meetings, her commitment to the school community shines through in everything she does. She is always supporting her fellow staff members with a "team-first" attitude and building strong, trusting bonds with local families. She truly looks out for our students as whole individuals, embodying everything a great school nurse should be!

Principal Benson mentioned, "Donna truly embodies the heart of a school nurse—someone who cares not only for the health of students, but for them as whole individuals. Andrews Elementary is incredibly blessed to have her, and she is more than deserving of this recognition."

2 days ago, James Shuler
Nurse Donna Apple holding flowers and a plaque in front of a Let the Adventure Begin school display
Nurse Donna Apple with flowers and plaque standing next to previous Nurse of the Year Nurse Babb
Nurse Babb stands with Principal Leslie Benson
Nurse Babb stands with family during her recognition as Nurse of the Year
Nurse Babb stands next to district Student & Family Services personnel
It’s been all hands on deck for school attendance over the last three months! We are thrilled to recognize Highland Elementary School today for having the Most Improved Attendance in the district. Along with an award banner for their main hallway, students were celebrated with a surprise ice cream treat! 👏 #ThisisABSS #EveryDayCounts #ABSSCommunity
5 days ago, James Shuler
A group of smiling elementary students and two staff members stand proudly on either side of a large white banner that reads "ABSS Elementary Attendance Award Winner." Everyone is giving a thumbs-up or peace sign in a bright school hallway.
A young girl with braided hair looks up and smiles contentedly while holding a small cup of ice cream and a school lunch tray featuring pizza and milk.
A smiling young girl with long red hair holds up a small cup of strawberry swirl ice cream, celebrating the school's attendance achievement.
A close-up side profile of a young student with her hair in a bun reaching out to receive a surprise ice cream treat from a staff member’s hand over an ice cream freezer.
A young boy looks directly at the camera with wide, excited eyes while balancing a lunch tray that holds a slice of pizza, a bag of apple slices, chocolate milk, and a cup of celebratory ice cream.
A diverse group of ten elementary students and one teacher pose together in a school hallway. Behind them, a wall mural features an inspirational quote about kindness and character.
A joyful group of six young students huddle together for a close-up photo, smiling broadly and making peace signs for the camera in the school cafeteria.
When all the works are this good, it's hard to pick a favorite! The Walter M. Williams High School gym has been filled with incredible Visual Arts, Pottery & Videography works for the Williams High School Art Show today! 🎨 Please stop by from 5:00-7:00 PM tonight and prepare to be amazed. Art teachers Elizabeth Wooten and Emily Brinskelle have done an amazing job organizing the event and the student art will certainly impress. In between the exhibitions, you can have your hands painted, get a caricature by Erike Huffine Illustration, see students make their next masterpieces live, or take home your own art on a stick. Dr. Fleming stopped by this afternoon and placed an award on his favorite pottery piece titled Stone Garden by Raquel Rodriguez Alonso. He was so inspired by everything he saw, he picked up a brush! 🏺👨‍🎨 #ThisisABSS #ABSSArts
6 days ago, James Shuler
A student in a brown t-shirt paints a colorful landscape on an easel, while another student is seen in soft focus in the foreground.
Two women stand together smiling in a gymnasium. One wears a denim jacket and colorful earrings; the other wears a black "Williams High School Staff" shirt.
An artist named Erik sits at a drawing stand in a gym, preparing to draw a caricature for a student. A sign next to him advertises "$10 Caricatures."
A young artist with blonde hair and an orange blouse focuses on a large, vibrant yellow canvas, applying purple paint with a brush.
A student carefully applies a henna tattoo to the forearm of another student seated closeby
Two students stand at a long table covered in black cloth, admiring a diverse collection of colorful ceramic masks and pottery on display.
A man in a blue patterned suit and tie gestures with his hands while looking at the back of a large painting canvas on an easel.
A unique, circular perspective through a prop showing a student artist holding a paintbrush toward the camera.
Three students sit at pottery wheels in a gymnasium, focused on shaping clay. The student in the foreground uses both hands to mold a bowl.
A smiling student in a blue "Regionals 2026 Track and Field" hoodie holds a decorated ceramic pitcher next to a man in a blue suit jacket.
Snapshots from E.M. Yoder Elementary School : From the playground to the classroom, our students are thriving! It’s wonderful to see our Pre-K students enjoying the sunshine as they prepare for the transition to Kindergarten. They've learned so much this year! ☀️ Speaking of Kindergarten, here's Mrs. Karboski leading a small group lesson on suffixes while students work independently on CVCe word identification. Every day brings new and exciting learning opportunities! #ThisisABSS
6 days ago, James Shuler
A teacher sits at a semi-circular wooden desk in a colorful classroom, pointing at educational picture cards spread out on the table. Two young girls stand at the desk holding colorful fly swatters used as pointers, while a young boy watches from the side.
A close-up of a young girl with a braid, smiling and looking off-camera while holding a pink, hand-shaped fly swatter. A blue fly swatter rests on the table in the foreground.
A young girl with long blonde hair and a pink patterned fleece jacket focuses intently on writing on a clipboard. In the background, a green bulletin board displays literacy lessons with images of locks and apples.
A young boy in a black hoodie stands in a classroom, looking down and concentrated as he holds a wooden clipboard. Behind him are bookshelves and various student projects pinned to the wall.
A joyful portrait of two children sitting together on a playground structure. The girl on the left wears a pink "Hogwarts" sweater, and the boy on the right wears a light blue t-shirt with a construction vehicle graphic.
A close-up, high-angle portrait of a young boy with a bright smile, wearing a colorful striped t-shirt. He is standing outside on a woodchip-covered playground.
A cheerful young boy in a red shirt leans against a green metal playground pole, smiling broadly at the camera with his arms wrapped around the post.
A young girl with curly blonde hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera while sitting on a playground slide. She is wearing a pink dress patterned with watermelons and has her arms raised out to the sides.
A warm portrait of two women smiling together on a playground. The woman on the left has grey hair and a floral blue blouse, and the woman on the right has dark braided hair and a green and brown patterned shirt.
A group photo on a sunny playground featuring five adults and nine young children. Everyone is smiling and posed closely together in front of a colorful climbing structure and a brick school building.
🎓 ABSS Graduate Gallery: From the court and the stage to the halls of Duke University, Jaden Danieley is ready for a high-powered future! ⚡ A senior at Western Alamance High School, Jaden is heading to Duke this fall to study Electrical Engineering. His journey through ABSS began at Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary, then to Western Alamance Middle and High, and he has a strong foundation for what's ahead.

Jaden has been a true Renaissance man during his time as a Warrior, balancing everything from sports to playing in the Western jazz band. However, his most impactful memory was a moment of community: leading worship for a Tri-County Fellowship of Christian Athletes gathering. "Seeing over 500 students gather together from every high school in our county... to unify for one purpose was amazing!"

While he values the roots that raised him, Jaden is ready for the challenge of the unknown. "I’m excited to step out of the place that shaped me and into something completely new," he shared. "Leaving home is bittersweet, but I’m ready to challenge myself, meet new people, and grow in ways I can’t yet imagine."

Congratulations, Jaden! We are so proud of your hard work and can't wait to see you shine at Duke! 🔌✨
8 days ago, James Shuler
A high school senior wearing a Duke blue polo shirt leans against a stone archway in a brick outdoor hallway
Three high school basektball athletes, two wearing red Patriots jerseys and one wearing a white Western jersey, jostle for a rebound
A high school jazz band plays on stage under blue lights. They are all wearing black formal attire. The front three are playing saxophones and a few others in the back have trumpets.
A young boy wearing an orange RV t-shirt smiles and waves while seated in a diner restaurant
🎓 ABSS Graduate Gallery: Let’s hear it for Anthony (AJ) Withers! A senior at Cummings High School, AJ is ready to shift into high gear as he follows the Enrollment path to pursue his dreams in Welding and Trucking. His journey through ABSS has taken him from South Mebane Elementary to Broadview Middle, and now he's preparing to build a successful future in the skilled trades.

AJ is driven by a desire to succeed and serve as an inspiration to those around him. "I’m excited about chasing my dreams and showing others there's always a way out," he shared. Whether he’s under a welding hood or behind the wheel, AJ is focused on working hard and paving his own way.

While he’s looking forward to his career, he’s leaving Cummings with a major milestone: being crowned Prom King! 👑

Congratulations, AJ! We can’t wait to see you conquer the road ahead. 🛠️🚛
8 days ago, James Shuler
A high school senior wearing safety glasses and a black headband gives double peace signs in an industrial work space
A young boy smiles inside a home setting wearing a black t-shirt and a blue backpack
Yesterday afternoon, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) returned Canvas services to normal operations. Both ABSS students and staff will now be able to access and use Canvas as needed. NCDPI worked with a third-party group to determine that the software was safe and no longer compromised. ABSS is working closely with NCDPI and Instructure to determine what information was potentially breached. When the district is informed, we will continue to share updates.
8 days ago, ABSS Webmaster
Burgundy solid color background white white ABSS logo and white text that reads "CANVAS ACCESS RESTORED"

Happy School Communicators Day to Emily and James, the duo behind everything ABSS Communications! Whether they are crafting district messaging, capturing school highlights through photography and video, or keeping our digital presence polished, they work hard to keep the #ABSSCommunity connected. Also, one of them wrote this post. Can you guess who? #ThisisABSS #SchoolCommunicatorsDay #SchoolPR #NSPRA

12 days ago, James Shuler
Emily and James sitting on a bench with green bush behind them. James is holding a camera.
ABSS is currently monitoring the nationwide security breach related to Canvas, a learning management system used by our 6-12 grade students. At this time, Canvas is not available and should not be accessed by students, staff, or parents/guardians. We are urging everyone not to respond to notifications or emails from Canvas. Please await more information from ABSS before attempting to access the system again. We will continue to update you all as soon as we receive more information.
12 days ago, ABSS Webmaster
CANVAS SECURITY BREACH UPDATE text on maroon background with ABSS logo
Happy School Nurse Day! Join us in celebrating this group of talented, caring professionals! From First Aid to 'heart' aid, our nurses are always there to catch our students when they fall. We’re so grateful for everything our nurses do to keep our schools healthy and happy! 🩺💙 #SchoolNurseDay #SchoolNurseWeek #HealthHeroes #ThankYouNurses #ThisisABSS
14 days ago, James Shuler
Group photo of school nurses gathered together during a thank you celebration at the Dream Center

Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek from the Board of Education! 🍎 #ThankATeacher #ThisisABSS

14 days ago, ABSS Webmaster
Group photo of the Board of Education with heart shaped glasses with text We Love Our Teachers & Staff!
BREAKING NEWS: Ashley Reynolds-Bowers from Walter M. Williams High School has been named the 2026 ABSS Teacher of the Year during the Alamance Chamber Excellence in Education awards! We'll have more to share about the event tomorrow, but join us in congratulating Ms. Reynolds-Bowers! 👏👏👏 #ABSSExcellence #ThisisABSS
15 days ago, James Shuler
Ashley hearing the news she is the 2026 Teacher of the Year surrounded by colleagues and community members
Ashley standing with Principal Curry Bryan
🎓 ABSS Graduate Gallery: Making history in her family, Alivia Hall is blaring a trail from Southern Alamance High School straight to North Carolina State University! As a first-generation college student, Alivia is heading to Raleigh to major in Crop and Soil Science. Her goal is to become an agronomist, where she can combine her passion for the land with scientific innovation.

Alivia’s high school years were defined by her leadership and involvement in FFA. Whether it was traveling to the National Convention or meeting agriculture icons like Dale Brisby and Nick Luechino, the FFA provided the backdrop for her favorite memories. Now, she’s ready to take that passion to the next level.

"I’m so excited to be the first in my family to go to a university and can’t wait to make all kinds of memories," Alivia says. "I hope to show my love for agriculture and be a light in the eyes of the next generations!"

Congratulations on this incredible milestone, Alivia! We know you’ll do great things for the future of farming. 🐺🌱🚜

Graduate Gallery submission form: https://forms.gle/irrpMZU4tiWhMe1M8
15 days ago, James Shuler
Alivia holding a corn trophy and wearing blue FFA attire
Alivia wearing red Southern Alamance graduation robes and holding a NC State banner
Alivia standing with donkeys in front of a Three Amigos restaurant
Alivia giving the wolfpack hand signs in front of the NC State bell tower

There were opportunities aplenty at the ABSS CTE Senior Job Fair! Over 120 ABSS Seniors came by the Mebane Arts Center to speak to representatives from over 30 local businesses and organizations. Many brought resumes and applied for positions on the spot! Students were also able to speak with military recruiters, learn more about ACC's programs, and hear from community organizations such as United Way, NCWorks, and Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. Thanks to all local participants who were a part of this event and to our #ABSSCTE staff for your organization and leadership. #ThisisABSS #ABSSCommunity

16 days ago, James Shuler
Four female students holding job fair materials in the lobby of the Mebane Arts Center
Three students, two girls and one boy, holding job fair materials in the Mebane Arts Center
Three high school show off their job fair materials
Four teenages holding NC Works packets during the Job Fair
Two girls look closely at a packet of materials at the Job Fair
Four students look towards a job application table at the Senior Job Fair
Three students talk with a Burlington Fire Department representative at the Job Fair
Three females students pose for a photo among other high school students at the Senior Job Fair
A high school student shakes the hand of a police office
A high school student talks to men at the Alamance Caswell Builders Association table
Truly wonderful, the mind of a teacher is. Knowledge is the ultimate power, and our teachers are the ones who pass it on. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to recognize the incredible educators in our schools who empower our students to reach for the stars. The impact you have on our community is truly legendary! #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThisisABSS #Maythe4th #Maythe4thbewithyou
16 days ago, James Shuler
A collage of classroom teachers with bold, yellow text on top that says TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. At the bottom is a black, space-themed bar with white ABSS logo, white text that says May 4-8, 2026, and an apple with a green laser, a ruler, and coffee cup. The overall theme is a movie poster.

On National School Principals' Day, we celebrate the leaders who go above and beyond to support our students, empower our staff, and strengthen our community every single day.

19 days ago, James Shuler
A collage of all 38 school principals with text at the bottom that reads "NATIONAL SCHOOL PRINCPALS' DAY, May 1, 2026" and the ABSS logo
During Monday's Board of Education Meeting, we highlighted some exceptional students who were accepted into the North Carolina Governor’s School program! As the nation’s oldest statewide summer residential program for gifted high school students, Governor’s School provides these scholars with a life-changing opportunity to dive deep into academic and artistic disciplines without the pressure of grades. It is a massive achievement, and we are so proud to have these bright minds representing our district!

ABEC: Hannah Dalton (English) and Emma Gryniewski (Natural Science)
CHS: Mackenzii Walker (Social Science)
GHS: Jaziyah Johnson (English)
SAHS: Brody Clark, Alexander Parsons, and Matthew Furmage (Natural Science)
SEAHS: Rhiane Bumanlag (Social Science); Elizabeth Ricks (Natural Science); Misheel Tamir (Visual Art); and Joel Varughese (Mathematics)
WAHS: Grace Barrier (English)
WWHS: Caroline Conner (Social Science) and Grace Emehel (Visual Art)
20 days ago, James Shuler
A medium close-up shot of a diverse group of students and supportive adults during a recognition ceremony. Several students in the foreground are smiling and holding certificates for the North Carolina Governor’s School. The atmosphere is celebratory, with a "Recognitions" slide visible on a screen in the background.
A large group photo in a Board of Education meeting room featuring students, parents, and school officials. The students stand in the front row proudly holding their Governor’s School certificates. In the background, a digital screen displays the word "Recognitions" under the school district's branding.
A school board official speaks at a podium to a row of ten high school students standing in a meeting room. The students are holding award certificates and facing the official. A large screen in the background displays a slide titled "2026 NC Governors Schools" with a list of student names and their academic areas of study.