Alamance-Burlington School System

✨ 38 Days, 38 Schools - Highland Elementary 💚 At Highland Elementary, academic excellence and cultural diversity go hand in hand. The dedicated staff work provides a rich learning experience for all students, while actively involving families in the educational journey. Highland prides itself on celebrating the various cultures represented within the student body! Through initiatives like the monthly cultural celebrations organized by the Diversity Committee, and events such as the Holiday Lights Around the World night and the Parade of Diverse Cultures, Highland fosters an environment of understanding, appreciation, and inclusivity. These events not only showcase the cultural richness but also provide opportunities for families to engage with their children's learning. The Hawk's Nest is a great place to learn and grow!

Career Exploration at the 2024 Construction Field Day! 🔨⚒🏗 Our high school students had an incredible opportunity to explore various trade careers at the Construction Field Day hosted by Bobbitt. Held at the Sock Puppets Stadium, this event allowed students to visit interactive stations led by industry professionals. From masonry and concrete to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, and more, our students gained hands-on experience and insights into what these exciting careers entail. A big thank you to all the trade partners who hosted stations: Carolina Masonry Unlimited, Bobbitt, Brady Services, R.D. Graham Electric, Jimmy's Plumbing, Bland Landscaping Co., Alamance Community College, Morgan Corp., and Gregory Poole. The Burlington Sock Puppets served a delicious ballpark lunch, making this an unforgettable day. Our Career and Technical Education department works hard to highlight these diverse career pathway options for our students! Thanks to our #ABSSCTE staff for paving the way!

A Night of Curiosity and Discovery at Grove Park Elementary's Science Night! 🔥 ⚛️ Last night, the school was buzzing with excitement as families explored hands-on science stations thanks to a generous grant from Duke Energy and Morehead Planetarium & Science Center. Students and parents rotated through interactive activities like: 💻 Determining their fingerprint types 🚀 Constructing paper rockets ⛵ Trying to float as many pebbles as possible in aluminum foil boats 🌺 Making colorful coffee filter flowers, and more! Williams High School Dream Team and IB led many of the stations and were a fantastic addition to the evening! 👏 In addition to the science stations, Media Specialist Devlin Popham hosted a science-themed read-aloud. Moorehead Planetary representatives, including their robotic pal 🤖 Kelvin, were on hand to greet everyone and answer questions. Alamance Community College also joined in, highlighting different science career pathways awaiting these budding innovators. Dream Team and IB led many of the stations and were a fantastic addition to the evening! 👏 In addition to the science stations, Media Specialist Devlin Popham hosted a science-themed read-aloud. Moorehead Planetary representatives, including their robotic pal 🤖 Kelvin, were on hand to greet everyone and answer questions. Alamance Community College also joined in, highlighting different science career pathways awaiting these budding innovators. It was an electrifying evening sparking curiosity and passion for science! Thanks to Fourth Grade teacher Rachael Harder for all your work in organizing this illuminating evening! 💡

These high schoolers spent their weekend engaged in STEM! 🔬 Nearly 40 bright young minds from ABSS high schools converged for the inaugural Elon University STEM Saturday. This immersive experience allowed students to explore fascinating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines through hands-on activities and engaging sessions. From delving into chemistry concoctions to engineering high-speed race cars, the day was a whirlwind of discovery. 🧪 Under the expert guidance of Elon's exceptional students and faculty, participants had the invaluable opportunity to ignite their passions, expand their knowledge, and catch a glimpse of the endless possibilities that STEM fields have to offer.

38 Days, 38 Schools: Southeast Alamance High School 💙🧡 Southeast Alamance High School's Stallions have thundered onto the scene with an impressive debut since opening in August 2023. In just its first year, the school of over 850 students and 70 staff members has established a thriving culture of achievement and involvement. Academically, Southeast has set high expectations within a supportive environment, allowing students to focus on learning and growth. Beyond academics, the Stallions have provided diverse extracurricular opportunities that have yielded remarkable successes. The marching band claimed Southeast's first trophy, multiple athletic teams reached state playoffs, and students excelled at state competitions like FCCLA. The school even inducted inaugural members into National Honor Societies across disciplines like academics, art, dance, and music. With consistent communication celebrating these milestones and the daily classroom successes, Southeast's leadership and community partnerships have fostered an exceptional atmosphere in the Stallions' inaugural year. The positive culture, commitment to activities complementing academics, and early achievements have Southeast Alamance's Stallions poised for continued growth.

🌟Teacher of the Year Finalist Feature: Cassie Dodson from Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary Cassie Dodson is a true champion for her students. With an incredible heart and unwavering dedication, she goes above and beyond to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive. Mrs. Dodson's creative and differentiated approach meets students where they are, tailoring her teaching methods to their unique needs. Her collaborative spirit extends beyond the classroom walls, as she actively partners with teachers, staff, and community members to provide a well-rounded educational experience. Dodson's recent initiative of bringing in a guest speaker from the Chapel Hill Fire Department to discuss overcoming obstacles and perseverance exemplifies her commitment to inspiring and empowering her students. Moreover, Dodson's efforts to secure donated equipment through the Play It Again Sports program demonstrate her innovative thinking and resourcefulness in providing the best possible resources for her students. Her passion for education and her students' success is truly remarkable, making her a deserving finalist for Teacher of the Year!

✨ 38 Days, 38 Schools - E.M. Holt Elementary School 🐯 For over 96 years, E.M. Holt Elementary has been a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together to support its school. Family involvement is through the roof, and academic standards are sky-high! This place is all about sharing the love of learning and getting kids excited to come to class every day. At E.M. Holt, the goal is to grow successful, respectful, active learners – and the proud Wildcats are living up to that mission. You can feel the school spirit as soon as you walk through the doors. Shaping young minds and empowering future leaders - Let's go, Wildcats!

On School Bus Drivers' Day, ABSS extends our heartfelt thanks and appreciation 🙏 to the dedicated individuals who ensure our students' safe transportation to and from school each day. 🚌 Our bus drivers wake up early and navigate through traffic across the county, all while being entrusted with one of our most precious responsibilities - getting our children to their destination safely. Let's come together and say THANK YOU to our amazing bus drivers! 💛

We love seeing members of the #ABSSCommunity volunteering their time to connect with our students and share their profession! Smith Elementary's Career Fair was a huge hit. Students got an up-close look at over a dozen cool careers - firefighters, realtors, doctors, and more. They were totally engaged while picking the professionals' brains about the day-to-day hustle and what makes each job so rewarding. A popular spot was the hands-on cotton candy station, while others tried on pint-sized firefighter helmets. You could feel the curiosity and excitement in the air as students explored all the awesome possibilities that await them! Major shout-out to counselor Ashley Price for putting together such an amazing experience! 👏

🌍 Happy Earth Day 2024! 🌳 Students at Elon Elementary participated in a variety of engaging Earth Day activities to learn about sustainability and environmental protection, connected with their Global Goal standards. Hands-on science activities included owl pellet dissections, creating art from recyclable materials, and a fun model of the digestion system using bananas, Sunny-D, and lots of squeezing! Students also explored mapping sustainable cities and used robots to simulate cleaning up ocean waste and contaminants. They interacted with live farm animals like ducks, goats, chickens, and turkeys from Fancy Chicks Farm and learned about sustainable land practices. Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation's Brad Moore and team led an educational runoff demonstration. Our youngest Kindergarten learners even planted seeds in the community garden! 🌱 #EarthDay2024

✨ 38 Days, 38 Schools: Hawfields Middle School 🐺 Hawfields Middle School is a shining star of educational excellence! For the 2022-2023 school year, it earned the impressive honor of having the highest student growth among all public schools in North Carolina. This amazing achievement shows the school's deep commitment to helping every student grow and succeed. Go Huskies! Focused on Learning! Hawfields Middle School is a close-knit school community where students, teachers, and families work together in a safe, supportive environment. In addition to the high-quality curriculum taught by our talented teachers, students have access to excellent arts and sports programs. The school is dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to reach their full potential. It fosters a respectful, collaborative community where everyone works together!

We're so grateful to the Alamance County Edward Jones branches for their generous donation to our school nurses through their "Needs for our Nurses" Community Impact Project 💚 The branches collected essential medical supplies like bandages, splinter removal kits, non-adhesive wraps, ice packs, and more. They also provided a variety of snacks including juice boxes, crackers, cereal bars, applesauce, and fruit snacks. These are often needed for a variety of medical needs. Thank you, Edward Jones, for supporting the health and well-being of our #ABSSCommunity. 💖

North Graham Elementary took their annual Arts Night to new heights with an out-of-this-world space theme! 🚀 The gymnasium was mission control for the 3rd-grade performances, directed by Drama Teacher Corrie Su, where each class wrote and performed their own charming (and informative) screenplays about the solar system. 🌞🪐 The cosmic creativity didn't stop there! Kathryn Combs, Visual Arts teacher, hosted a floating art show exhibiting unique alien clay creations made by students from all grades. Visitors had close encounters with these beings from another world. Check out those cosmic details! 👽 To top off the activities, the Media Center transformed into an interstellar book fair hosted by Tracy Taylor, Media Coordinator, dressed as Fly Guy. 📚 We appreciate all the families for coming out to show your support for our talented students. A big shout-out to Ms. Su, Ms. Combs, and Ms. Taylor for their hard work in organizing this great event. 💫

The Field Day vibes were strong at Haw River Elementary School on this picture-perfect Friday! There's nothing quite like the thrill of running under a giant parachute! 🪂 Under sunny skies and comfortable temps, students rotated through active stations organized by PE teacher John Gillis. From running and jumping to tug-of-war and the always-popular parachute, there was something for everyone! Board Member Dan Ingle helped students practice their dribbling and shooting skills on the basketball court! 🏀 A huge thanks to the high school volunteers from Eastern, Williams, Southeast, and Cummings who led the stations and helped make this a fun day for all our participants. Time to rest up those legs - it has been an active day! 💪

38 Days, 38 Schools - Pleasant Grove Elementary 🦉 Serving the Pleasant Grove community for nearly a century, Pleasant Grove Elementary is rich in history. Despite its small size, PGE offers a comprehensive range of curricular and co-curricular programs designed to provide a quality education for all students. As they say - "We are Small but MIGHTY!" 💪 The school's mission is to empower every student and staff member to achieve their full potential. With a dedicated team of educators and a supportive community, Pleasant Grove Elementary fosters an environment that encourages growth, excellence, and a love for learning. "We are the Wise Owls and We Soar to Greatness"

Public Safety students participated in a mock Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) situation, partnering with the Alamance County Sheriff's Office. During this scenario, students practiced treating patients at a crash site, used a drone to find individuals in a wooded area, and utilized search and rescue techniques. The mock "crash" site was on Graham High School campus and at Bill Cook Park. All ABSS high school students can take courses in the Public Safety Academy at Graham High School through Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses and in partnership with Alamance Community College. Public Safety courses explore careers in corrections, emergency and fire management, security and protection, law enforcement, and legal services. Students in the program have the chance to earn credentials for free, including FEMA, CERT, and the National Basic 911 Dispatch Certification. Students can take EMT courses at ACC each spring in a special cohort for high school students, and will also have the opportunity to take Firefighter courses at Graham next year. #ABSSCTE

🌟 38 Days, 38 Schools - Hugh M. Cummings High School With a rich history spanning decades, Cummings High School and its mighty Cavaliers have established themselves as beacons of academic and athletic excellence. As you walk the halls, you'll witness a family-oriented environment where teachers, students, and staff are dedicated to the pursuit of learning. What sets Cummings apart is its unwavering commitment to inclusivity. The school embraces its diverse student body, capitalizing on this diversity to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging. From getting to know each student and their family to engaging with the local community, Cummings High School goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels valued and included. With its motto, "Second to None," Cummings High School and its Cavaliers strive to uphold their ideals every day, embodying a spirit of excellence that permeates every aspect of the school's culture. Whether in the classroom or on the field, this institution is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together in the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.

38 Days, 38 Schools: Alexander Wilson Elementary 🦅 Alexander Wilson Elementary School is a vibrant and engaging learning environment where students are at the center of everything. 🌟 This year's theme, "Together, We can Change the World!" has been brought to life through the school's designation as a Participate Learning Global Showcase School. All students have been actively involved in Action Projects tied to the Sustainable Development Goals, helping them recognize their importance as contributing members of society. 🌍 One of the highlights of the 2023-2024 school year has been the introduction of themed "color houses" that all students and staff were sorted into. 🏘️ This initiative has fostered a sense of community, friendly competition, and mutual support as members encourage one another to reach their full potential. From the sorting celebration in the fall to the quarterly house meetings and the collection of house points, the color houses have added an exciting layer of motivation and school spirit. 🏆 With a mission statement of "Empowering every Eagle, every day, to SOAR!!!," Alexander Wilson Elementary is committed to providing a rich and empowering learning experience for all students. 🦅 The collective efficacy of the staff and students in embracing each day's potential has made this an amazing school year so far, and the entire community is excited to finish strong! 💪

Ms. Kobos's English 2 students from Alamance Burlington Early College at ACC participated in Mock Interviews today, building their interview skills which will serve them well down the road. They showcased their poise and professionalism in front of volunteer interviewers from our amazing #ABSSCommunity. 👏 A huge thank you to all the ABSS staff, Board Members, ACC staff, and parents who dedicated their time as professional interviewers. Your invaluable feedback and guidance empower our students and set them up for future success! 🌟

Some of our high school juniors and seniors were given an exciting behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement during a visit to the Burlington Police Department's training center in Haw River! The students rotated through stations exposing them to different components of law enforcement. 🚓 Highlights included working with a police K-9 unit, taking a ride in a police car on the training track, checking out the Special Response Team's gear and technology, and inspecting a mock crime scene. We want to thank Burlington Police Department-NC for hosting this enriching event. 🙏 Experiences like this help build connections between students and those who serve and protect our #ABSSCommunity each day.