The team was officially recognized at the recent Board of Education meeting for their outstanding achievements this season, including being named the Catawba Valley Athletic Conference Champions! 🏆
A massive shout-out to Nola, who has made history as the first female Champion Wrestler in school history!
Last night, North Newton Principal, Leah Hayes, recognized some truly special members of their school family at the Board of Education meeting. It was a night filled with bittersweet farewells and heartfelt thanks!
She took a moment to recognize:
Departing DI Teachers: To our Dual Immersion educators transitioning at the end of this year—thank you for the gift of language and culture you’ve shared with our students. You have left a lasting mark on our hearts! 🌍📚
Student Mentors: We are so proud of our students who have stepped up to lead and support their peers. Your leadership is the backbone of our school spirit! 🌟
Refuge Church: A huge thank you to Refuge Church for your unwavering support of our staff and students. Community partnerships like yours make all the difference. 🙌
Today, Arts Culture Catawba held its inaugural Arts Education Summit. This event celebrated the achievements of those in our community dedicated to teaching young people the value of the arts.
At the event, Andy Escamilla was one of three K-12 educators who were awarded a $500 grant for their excellence in arts education. Congratulations, Mr. Escamilla! We are proud of you!
SUN Bucks, a partnership between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, provides grocery benefits to eligible families with school-aged children during the summer months.
Some children automatically qualify, while others may need to apply. Please see the image below for eligibility information. Visit this site to learn more: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks
📢 REMINDER: NO SCHOOL 📢
Please remember there will be no school for Newton-Conover City Schools students on the following days:
👉Friday, March 13
👉Monday, March 16
Enjoy the extra-long weekend! We’ll see everyone back in school on Tuesday. 🎒✨
🎓 Red Devil Advanced C.O.R.E. – Now Accepting Applications! 🔴⚫
Are you the parent of a rising 9th grader looking for an advanced academic opportunity? The Red Devil Advanced C.O.R.E. program at Newton-Conover High School offers a unique high school experience focused on leadership, college readiness, and rigorous academic opportunities. Students will also have the opportunity to learn in our brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities designed to support innovation and collaboration.
✔ Cohort model where students travel together
✔ Advanced Placement & Career Promise college courses
✔ Opportunity to earn 28–40 college credit hours in high school
✔ Leadership and service learning opportunities
✔ Support with the college admissions process and SAT/ACT preparation
📍 Who Can Apply?
Students do NOT have to live in Newton-Conover. Any student living anywhere in Catawba County is eligible to apply.
🗓 Application Deadline: March 20
Application Link: bit.ly/RDCORE26
This program is designed for motivated students ready to challenge themselves and prepare for college and future careers.
📩 For questions, contact Mrs.Revae Bostwick
Assistant Principal, Red Devil Advanced CORE
revae.bostwick@n-ccs.org | (828) 465-0920
#RedDevilAdvancedCORE #FutureReady
Shuford Elementary competed in its first-ever archery competition this past Saturday. The 2026 Trojan Country Shootout was held at Balls Creek Elementary School. Shuford was represented by 20 archers. Archers shot three rounds at 10 meters and three rounds at 15 meters. Shuford finished 6th out of 8 elementary teams, with some fantastic individual performances by Lawrence and Emerson. Lawrence finished 15th out of 77 male archers in the elementary division and Emerson finished 4th out of 66 female archers in the elementary division and shot a team best of 248 total points. We are super proud of our archery team as we continue to grow the program at Shuford Elementary.
Newton-Conover City Schools Child Nutrition is thinking about making a change to our Summer Food Service Program.
Right now, students must eat their meals on campus during the summer. We are looking at changing this so families can pick up five days of meals at a designated location and take them home.
We would love to hear from you! NCCS Parents and families, please take a moment to fill out the survey below and let us know if this change would help your family.
Your feedback is very important to us. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts so we can better serve our students and families. Please use this link to complete the survey: https://bit.ly/nccssummermeals
NC Pre-K applications for the 2026–2027 school year are now available. Families may apply online at Catawbakids.com/nc-pre-k/ or in person at 738 4th St SW, Hickory. Applications are available in both English and Spanish.
Please note that children must be 4 years old by August 31, 2026, to be eligible for the program. Applications are accepted year-round; however, priority placement will be given to applications received by Friday, May 22.
2025-2026 Exceptional Children Parent Survey - Tell us What you Think, Take the Survey
Your participation in your child’s education is very important to us. As a parent, family member, or guardian of a student with a disability, you know firsthand what is working and what is not. Therefore, each year, the Office of Exceptional Children (OEC) gathers feedback from families through a survey to improve services.
Please complete the 2025-2026 Exceptional Children Parent Survey to share your views on how your school involves you in your child’s education. The survey is available through all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) and open to all parents in the state. The survey will accept responses until June 30, 2026. If you have more than one child with a disability receiving services, you may complete the survey for each child. The survey is open to parents with children from preschool through high school.
Completing the survey is voluntary and anonymous. The survey consists of six questions and takes fewer than two minutes to complete. The information is confidential. The information from all families will be compiled to create a report about your school system, the state, the efforts to involve families in their children’s education, and the impact of that involvement on educational results for students with disabilities. The report is shared with LEAs so they can make improvements. We hope you will participate.
Protect Your Family Online! 🛡️💻
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity starts at home. We are excited to share two FREE resources from KnowBe4 to help keep your family safe and savvy online:
🏠 KnowBe4 Homecourse
Learn practical steps to secure your home network and reduce risks from online threats. Perfect for parents and anyone working from home!
🔗 Access here: home.knowbe4.com/home
🔑 Password: homecourse
🎨 Children's Interactive Cybersecurity Activity Kit
Get your kids involved with fun puzzles, games, a poster, and a video featuring Captain Awareness! It’s designed specifically to teach younger users about staying safe online in an engaging way.
🔗 Access the kit: knowbe4.com/cybersecurity-activity-kit
Knowledge is the best defense. Feel free to share this post with other families!
#CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #FamilySafety #KnowBe4 #SafeSurfing #NCCS
Superintendent Dr. Emily Shaw recently visited Susie Ramsey’s CTE classroom at Newton-Conover Middle School, where she observed students engaging in hands-on learning as they mastered the mechanics of building locks.
#smallsystembigimpact #NCMS #CTE #HandsOnLearning #FutureEngineers
High Expectations, Two Languages, One Family! 🍎📚
North Newton Elementary is proving that dual immersion is about more than just being bilingual—it’s about building a culture of "our kids." By implementing a 50-50 English/Spanish model and a schoolwide commitment to the Science of Reading, they’ve successfully moved from a "D" to a "B" school designation! 📈
From international teachers sharing their cultures to students mastering literacy in two languages, the growth at North Newton is a beautiful example of what happens when we set the bar high for every child.
Read more about their journey and the power of dual immersion on EdNC by accessing the article with this link: https://bit.ly/northnewton
They are the heart of our classrooms, the engines of our offices, and the friendly faces in our hallways. Today, we are incredibly proud to announce our 2026 "Of the Year" Honorees! 🌟
These individuals haven't just done their jobs—they’ve gone above and beyond to inspire our students, support our families, and keep our schools running at their very best.
Help us congratulate this year’s winners:
🍎 Teachers of the Year
Conover School: Christine Bambara
Discovery High School: Rachel Isaac
Newton-Conover High School: Paiton Hall
Newton-Conover Middle School: Shannon Rogers
North Newton Elementary: Ashley Cline
Shuford Elementary: Sharon Warren
South Newton Elementary: Amber Travis
🛠️ Support Staff of the Year
Conover School: Riza Sargent
Discovery High School: Elizabeth Arditti
Newton-Conover High School: Jennifer Gambill
Newton-Conover Middle School: Kerri Collins
North Newton Elementary: Monica Moser
Shuford Elementary: Maggie Bartlett
South Newton Elementary: Amanda Coffey
📁 Classified Staff of the Year
Conover School: Leah Setzer
Discovery High School: Libby Perrigan
Newton-Conover High School: Alicia Keene
Newton-Conover Middle School: Jenn Kiser
North Newton Elementary: Edith Rangel
Shuford Elementary: Ronnie Iglesias
South Newton Elementary: Tamika Howell
Way to go, Layton! 🐝✨
We are bursting with pride today! Join us in celebrating Layton, an 8th grader from Newton-Conover Middle School, who represented our district with incredible poise and talent at the State Spelling Bee this weekend!
Competing on the big stage at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is no small feat. While he may not have taken home the first-place trophy, Layton walked away a true winner. His hard work, dedication, and the way he represented the spirit of Newton-Conover City Schools made us all proud.
At Newton-Conover City Schools, we believe that music is more than just notes on a page—it’s a universal language that inspires creativity, builds confidence, and brings our student body together. 🎶
This month, we are hitting a high note to celebrate our incredible Music Teachers! 🌟 From the first recorder lesson to the final curtain call at the spring concert, these dedicated educators work tirelessly to help our students find their rhythm and their voice.
To our NCCS Music Faculty: Thank you for your passion, your patience, and for keeping the melody alive in our hallways every single day. You don’t just teach music; you teach heart, discipline, and harmony. 🎼❤️
This March, Newton-Conover City Schools joins the nation in celebrating the incredible contributions of women throughout history. From the scientists and artists who changed the world to the educators and leaders shaping our classrooms today, we honor the women who inspire our students to dream big.
Learn more about the history of this month here: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month
#WomensHistoryMonth #EducationInspires #BuildingTheFuture
