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.

4 months 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)
4 months 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.
Big moves and bright futures! 🎓 Dr. Fleming hosted the final Student Advisory Council meeting of the year at Western Alamance High where students discussed into the state of classroom technology and shared their visions for improving the district. Seniors also celebrated their next chapters whether they are heading off to college, enlisting in the military, or jumping straight into the workforce. We are so proud of the diverse paths these leaders are taking! 🚀✨ #ABSSClassof2026 #ThisisABSS
4 months ago, James Shuler
Superintendent Dr. FlemingDr. Fleming smiles while shaking hands with a female student in a gray sweatshirt inside the high school media center.
A close-up shot of Dr. Fleming's hands as he uses a silver pen to sign a personalized note inside a graduation-themed children's book for a student.
Dr. Fleming, wearing a blue suit and red patterned tie, stands in a library and speaks with a female student wearing a pink hoodie and glasses.
Dr. Fleming stands at the front of a school media center addressing a group of high school students seated at round tables. A whiteboard in the background reads "Welcome Student Advisory" with "Go Warriors" written on the side.
Dr. Fleming leans over a table to write a message in a colorful Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" as a smiling student in a blue sweatshirt watches.
For the past six months, a group of Williams students from Ms. Lydia Hall's class have been working with Elon University professors and student mentors to conduct statistical research projects. This was through a long-running partnership with Elon called WE RISE (Williams-Elon Research In Statistics Experience). This morning, students presented their impressive projects at Elon's Spring Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF)! #ThisisABSS
4 months ago, James Shuler
Williams High School students at Elon University to present their statistics projects
A group of six Williams High students standing beside their research project
Onlookers walk by and discuss the research projects students are presenting in an Elon gynasium
A group of six Williams High students standing beside their research project
A group of six Williams High students standing beside their research project
A group of six Williams High students standing beside their research project
A group of five Williams High students standing beside their research project
🎓ABSS Graduate Gallery: Next up in our Graduate Gallery is Kayden Leigh Manning, who is preparing to trade her Eastern Alamance green for Campbell University orange! 🧡🐫

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
4 months ago, James Shuler
Photo of a young girl wearing a skirt, shirt, and tie with black glasses
Kayden wearing an Eastern softball jersey and holding a Campbell university flag behind her
Senior portrait of Kayden wearing a black shirt, white pearl necklace, with a blue background

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.

4 months ago, ABSS Webmaster
Calendar Update graphic indicating May 1, 2026 is now a Teacher Workday.
ABSS was a proud participant in the annual Week of the Young Child® event, organized by the The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) at the Burlington Carousel Park. This celebration highlighted the vital importance of early childhood education through a fun-filled evening of play and community resources. Our ABSS Teacher Cadets Teacher Scholars did a fantastic job with games and face painting, and it was wonderful to see some of our students representing Valores as they helped out around the park. We also spotted Pre-K staff from Haw River, Smith, E.M. Yoder, and Andrews Elementary who came out to support our youngest learners!

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.
4 months ago, James Shuler
A group of eight ABSS Teacher Scholars smile behind a table. Several are wearing white T-shirts with the Teacher Scholars logo, and some have festive face paint.
Two women pose behind a "The Basics Alamance County" photo frame at a community resource table filled with sunglasses and educational brochures.
A group of six women, including staff from various ABSS elementary schools, pose together on a paved walkway at Burlington Carousel Park.
A young girl with a mermaid design painted on her cheek smiles joyfully while holding a star-shaped bubble wand.
A Burlington Police officer in uniform stands proudly in front of a white and blue patrol vehicle at the park, representing the first responders participating in the event.
Two smiling ABSS Teacher Scholars enjoy a ride on the historic Burlington Carousel, one holding up a peace sign.
An ABSS Teacher Scholar in a white logo T-shirt carefully applies a temporary tattoo to the arm of a young boy at a sunny outdoor activity station.
Close-up of two young children smiling at the event; a young boy rests his chin on his hand thoughtfully while a girl with braided hair smiles broadly next to him.
Three female ABSS students representing the Valores organization smile for a photo at Burlington Carousel Park. They are wearing matching bright blue T-shirts with "VALORES" printed in orange.
A professional group photo of three women smiling outdoors at the park during the Week of the Young Child celebration.
Last night, the doors of Southern Alamance High School auditorium were open for the Girls & Women in Sports Celebration to honor the achievements and growth of female athletics across our district. Hosted by Director of Athletics Todd Davis with a panel moderated by Chief Communications Officer Emily-Lynn Adkins, the evening was a meaningful tribute to the dedicated administrators, athletic directors, coaches, and support staff who empower our programs. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the student-athletes who perform at high levels both on and off the field, particularly as the district celebrates a 17.78% increase in female student-athlete participation since the 2023-2024 school year, with engagement growing from 1,923 athletes to a record 2,265 for the 2025-2026 season. This progress is driven by expanding opportunities, such as the successful launch of Women's Flag Football in Fall 2025. Thank you to panel participants Stephanie Smith, Tameka Harvey, Amy Sarratt, Gwyneth Smith, Shaylen Burnett, and Carol Oberhelman, who shared their unique perspectives on the impact of sports, role models, empowerment, and their favorite stadium foods! We are incredibly proud of our athletes and staff who are there for them every practice, game, and beyond!
4 months ago, James Shuler
A full-stage view of the diverse group of female student-athletes and school leaders lined up horizontally on the stage, showcasing the significant growth in participation within the district.
Three young female student-athletes in matching navy "Huskies" t-shirts and jeans strike a playful, coordinated pose on a stage, while a hand in the foreground holds up a smartphone to capture the moment.
A wide group shot of numerous female student-athletes and staff standing together on the Southern Alamance High School auditorium stage under bright spotlights during the 2026 celebration.
A close-up, angled shot from behind the moderator showing five members of the discussion panel—including Stephanie Smith and Tameka Harvey—as they engage in conversation during the event.

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

4 months ago, James Shuler
A young boy in a colorful tie-dye shirt holds a purple balloon and points toward a whiteboard. Overlaid text in a sunset-gradient font reads, "KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE IS APRIL 24." The bottom right corner features the "ABSS" logo for Alamance-Burlington School System with the tagline "Student Centered, Future Focused!"
Two young girls sit at a classroom table, smiling and playfully pointing to their heads as they participate in a reading activity. In the foreground, flashcards with letters and drawings are visible. Bold, stylized text overlaid on the image reads, "I CAN READ IT, I CAN SAY IT, I CAN KNOW IT!"
Big goals start with small sparks of inspiration! High Schoolers from the Career & Technical Education Center visited Haw River Elementary to give students a hands-on look at the skills they are learning in culinary arts, nursing, computer engineering, animation, automotive, and carpentry! #ABSSCTE #ThisisABSS
4 months ago, James Shuler
A group portrait of seven high school students from the Career & Technical Education Center standing outdoors at Haw River Elementary. The students represent various career paths, including two in culinary uniforms (red chef coats and white aprons/toques), one in a nursing fundamentals shirt, and others in casual attire representing automotive, carpentry, and animation programs.
A group of elementary school children sit on a wooden floor, happily tasting samples provided by the culinary arts program. A girl in the center wearing a pink Grinch shirt enjoys a small spoonful of food.
An elementary school girl carefully installs a stick of RAM into a computer motherboard on a table. Other students and high school mentors watch her progress during a technology and animation career workshop.
A young boy at Haw River Elementary smiles as he uses a yellow measuring tape to check the height of a classmate during a health and nursing career demonstration in the school gymnasium.
A high school nursing student smiles as she helps an elementary school girl use a stethoscope. The younger student, sitting on a gym floor, holds the earpieces to her ears with a look of curious wonder as she listens to a heartbeat.
A group of elementary students lean in with excitement, pointing and cheering as a high school culinary student in a red chef’s coat and white apron whisks a bowl of frosting or batter.
A high school student sits at a table displaying a mix of Automotive and Carpentry tools, including a circular saw and an engine piston. He explains the different mechanical career paths to elementary students wearing yellow safety vests.
Close-up of an elementary student focused intently on using a power drill to drive a screw into a wooden frame during a Carpentry demonstration, while a high school mentor provides guidance.
A high school Computer Engineering student shows a small electronic component to an elementary student. The table is spread with hardware including a motherboard, a power supply unit, and a Snap Circuits kit for hands-on learning.
"Doughnut" doubt Turrentine Middle! They were recently recognized as a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School for the 2nd year in a row and celebrated with a doughnut party. This recognition reflects the intentional work their staff puts into building strong relationships, fostering a positive school culture, and supporting both students and their families. We are proud of the consistency, commitment, and heart our team brings each day to make Turrentine a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported! #ThisisABSS #CapturingKidsHearts #NationalShowcaseSchool
4 months ago, ABSS Webmaster
A group of Turrentine Middle School staff posed in front of a Donut Doubt TMS backdrop with blue streamers
A Capturing Kids Hearts graphic showing a blue CKH heart at the bottom, yellow and blue lines in the background, and central text "We are Celebrating Being a National Showcase School Capturing Kids' Hearts"
A group of Turrentine Middle School staff posed in front of a Donut Doubt TMS backdrop with blue streamers
A table display celebrating TMS being a National Showcase School. On the table are various juices and boxes of dougnuts.
A group of Turrentine Middle School staff posed in front of a Donut Doubt TMS backdrop with blue streamers
A group of Turrentine Middle School staff posed in front of a Donut Doubt TMS backdrop with blue streamers
A group of Turrentine Middle School staff posed in front of a Donut Doubt TMS backdrop with blue streamers
The coming months mark the final stages of the rezoning process. Tonight, the Board of Education will vote on the proposed solutions presented by SchoolCAMP. Following that, our Transportation department will finalize the zones and update the Find My Zone online tool so you can search by home address and see your zoned schools. Families impacted by the rezoning will receive direct communication by mail, phone call, email, and text message. Links to all the SchoolCAMP presentations, including recorded videos from the prior Solution Sessions at Southeast and Williams, can be found on our website: https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/page/student-assignments. The Board meeting can be watched online here: https://www.youtube.com/live/KU8fhvvTJLc
5 months ago, ABSS Webmaster
An infographic for the Alamance-Burlington School System (ABSS) titled "Your Voice Your Schools" outlining a timeline for school rezoning in 2026. The graphic contains two main informational boxes connected by a vertical line: Box 1 (March 23, 2026): Accompanied by a hand-drawn style checkmark icon. It states that the ABSS Board of Education will vote on rezoning solutions presented by SchoolCAMP. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM. Box 2 (April-May, 2026): Accompanied by a hand-drawn style megaphone icon. It states that impacted families will be directly notified of the 2026-27 school assignments for their students. At the bottom, there is a web address (ABSS.K12.NC.US) and the ABSS logo, which features a star and the tagline "Alamance-Burlington School System: Student Centered, Future Focused!
Learning was happening all across ABSS today — and these are just some examples of the amazing professional development taking place district-wide! 🌟 Our staff showed up ready to grow, collaborate, and plan — because the best teachers never stop learning.

✅ 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.
5 months ago, James Shuler
Three women wearing matching maroon ABSS CTE polo shirts smile together for a photo inside a school building. Student achievement display boards and posters are visible on easels in the background.
Two women wearing maroon ABSS CTE polo shirts stand together smiling behind a reception desk at the ABSS Career and Technical Education Center. The desk holds printed materials including a CTE Career Clusters and Pathways brochure, certificates, and registration paperwork. Award plaques and trophies are displayed on shelving in the background.
A group of CTE teachers and business advisory members sit around a large table engaged in discussion. A man in a black jacket gestures as he speaks while others around the table listen. Name tags and printed materials are visible on the table. The setting appears to be a workshop or lab classroom with storage shelving in the background.
Two female teachers sit side by side at a table in close conversation during a professional development session. One teacher gestures with her hand as she speaks while the other listens attentively. Both have name tags and laptops open in front of them.
A large group of teachers sit in a circle arrangement at individual desks in a classroom, each with a laptop open. A world map is visible on the wall in the background. Several teachers in the background smile and give a thumbs up toward the camera.
A female presenter stands at the front of a CTE classroom holding a laptop and addressing a small group of seated teachers. A whiteboard behind her displays an "I CAN" learning objective. Teachers in the foreground have laptops and notebooks open on their desks.
A Pre-K teacher in a pink shirt practices the Heimlich maneuver on a CPR training mannequin during a First Aid recertification session. An older woman in a white cardigan stands to the left offering guidance. A woman in a gray hoodie is seated at the table in the background, and a man in a green shirt stands to the right holding another training mannequin.
A close-up of a teacher's hands writing notes in a spiral notebook with a blue pen. An open laptop displaying an educational planning website is positioned to the left. A sticker on the laptop reads "Book Nerd."
A group of teachers sits around a long dark table during a professional development session. Laptops, notebooks, and water bottles are on the table. Two teachers face each other in active discussion while others listen and take notes.
A male presenter stands at the front of a classroom pointing to a projected slideshow with a slide titled "Leadership." Several teachers are seated at desks in the foreground with papers and water bottles, facing the presenter attentively.

#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.

5 months ago, ABSS Webmaster
ABSS Weather Alert graphic with a stormy background scene and white WEATHER ALERT text
We are proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 ABSS Teacher of the Year! These educators embody the dedication and depth of knowledge that empower our students to reach their full potential every day. We look forward to celebrating our finalists, and all 38 of our Teachers of the Year, at the Alamance Chamber Excellence in Education Awards Program on May 5th, where our district-wide Teacher of the Year will be revealed. We can't wait! For now, join us in congratulating Tanya, Meredith, Rachel, Ashley, Ashley, and Jason!
6 months ago, ABSS Webmaster
Teacher of the Year 2026 Finalists portraits
Here's your ticket to some incredible shows! We're spreading the word on these upcoming All-County concerts featuring some VERY talented students! All of these concerts are completely free to attend and I know they'd love to see all the seats filled and hear your applause.

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
6 months ago, James Shuler
Upcoming concert flyer with the information found in the post
We are thrilled to celebrate our incredibly talented ABSS student artists who earned recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — the nation's longest-running scholarship and recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Founded in 1923 and open to middle and high school students, entries are evaluated on originality, technical skill, and the strength of a student's personal voice — first at the regional level, with Gold Key winners advancing to national judging. We couldn't be more proud of the following ABSS award recipients:

🏆 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.
6 months ago, ABSS Webmaster
Kendal Dixson, Brandon Kennedy, Caroline West at East Central University art exhibit
Kendall Dixon standing in front of her exhibited art
Close up of Kendall's art - Mourning Monster
Brandon Kennedy standing with his photograph on display
Splash photography by Brandon Kennedy
Carolina West standing beside one of her exhibited art pieces
Caroline's mixed media sculpture on display
Caroline's art Like My Father Before Me
One of Caroline's paintings
Mixed media art by Misheel Tamir

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

6 months ago, James Shuler
A family eating with a Hillcrest student in the cafeteria
A parent posing with their child in the cafeteria
Board member Seneca Rogers posing with his nephew in the cafeteria at lunch
A parent eats with their child in the cafeteria at Hillcrest
A parent poses with their child at lunch
A parent with their children, one baby and one student, at lunch
The Hillcrest staff and students pose with the hornet mascot
A student hugs the Hillcrest hornet
A parent and his student gives a thumbs up
Parents with their student in the cafeteria
We are honored to recognize our 2026 Classified Employees of the Year! They support our staff and students in so many ways and we deeply value the expertise, passion, and hard work they bring to our schools every day. Thank you and congratulations!
6 months ago, James Shuler
List of all 2026 Classified Employees of the Year
We are proud to announce our 2026 Teachers of the Year representing every school across the district. These educators go above and beyond every single day for our students and our community. They are more than just teachers; they are mentors, innovators, and the heart of our schools.
6 months ago, James Shuler
Ten of the teachers of the year for 2026
Ten of the teachers of the year for 2026
Ten of the teachers of the year for 2026
Ten of the teachers of the year for 2026
List of all teachers of the year for each school