Hello, OCS Family! Thank you for a great week as we wrap up the 2022-2023 school year. Friday, June 9 is the last day of school, and we wish you all the best as you finish end-of-year testing. Let’s close out the year strong! 

See below for the latest district news and updates.  

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SCHEDULE 

 

Soon, we will say goodbye to the Class of 2023 as they walk the stage and receive their high school diplomas.  

If you are unable to attend any of the ceremonies in person, but would like to watch from afar, the district will be livestreaming all graduations on YouTube.  

Please see the OCS website for graduation times and livestream links: 2023 Graduation Schedule.  

BOE MEETING JUNE 6 

The regular monthly meeting of the Onslow County Board of Education will be held Tuesday, June 6 at 6 p.m. in the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items include a Military Purple Star District Recognition, the 2023-2024 Title I Plan, 4000 and 5000 series policy adoptions, multi-series policy adoptions, a closed session, and a personnel report.  

In accordance with Board Policy 2335 – Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials, Board materials will be available online as soon as possible at http://www.boarddocs.com/nc/onslow/Board.nsf  

A livestream of the regular meeting can be found on the OCS Multimedia YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/OCSMultimedia      

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! See below for all the latest news and updates from the district.  

HOLIDAY REMINDER 

 

In observance of the Memorial Day holiday, OCS will be closed on Monday, May 29.  

Have a safe holiday weekend! 

OCS HOSTS EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION 

 

On Thursday, May 25, Onslow County Schools hosted “Excellence in Education,” an event designed to recognize the incredible work of our OCS educators.  

The event, which featured speakers, student performances, and a red-carpet entrance, recognized the work of more than 65 teachers, administrators, and support staff.  

At Excellence in Education, the district named Kevin Barry of Jacksonville Commons Elementary, the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year, and Lauren Simpson of Summersill Elementary the 2023-2024 Assistant Principal of the Year.  

Congratulations to all of this year’s Excellence in Education honorees! We are proud to have thousands of educators in Onslow County with a passion for student success. 

Read more about Teacher of the Year Kevin Barry and Assistant Principal of the Year Lauren Simpson on the OCS website.  

 

PARENT ACADEMY 

The final Parent Academy of the year will be held Thursday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m. and will focus on a very important topic facing our families: vaping.  

At this session, parents can learn from Onslow County health officials about the risks and trends associated with vaping and how we can work together to curb kids’ use of vaping products.  

Please join us in person at the OCS Central Office, or virtually at https://bit.ly/June1PAVaping.  

 

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Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
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Hello, OCS Family! Check out all the latest district news and updates below.  

STANDARDIZED BELL TIMES 

Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, OCS will operate on standardized daily starting and ending times across the different grade levels. The district’s elementary schools will begin at 8:30 a.m. with bus dismissal at 3:30 p.m. OCS middle schools will begin at 7:30 a.m. with bus dismissal at 2:40 p.m., while the district’s high schools will begin at 7:00 a.m. with bus dismissal at 2:10 p.m.  

The Onslow Early College High School operates on a separate transportation schedule and will maintain their 9:30 a.m. start time with dismissal at 4:30 p.m. The Onslow County Learning Center (OCLC) will operate from 8:50 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. and the Eastern NC Regional Skills Center will hold classes from 7:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.  

Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet School will begin at 7:45 a.m. and dismiss at 2:45 p.m., while Northwoods Elementary Magnet School will start at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:00 p.m.  

With nearly 70 bus driver vacancies, district transportation staff were faced with the need to adjust daily bus schedules. Standardizing daily start and end times will allow the district to maximize the efficiency of bus routes and available drivers, resulting in less wait time for students. 

Please read more about this upcoming change and its benefits on the OCS website: OCS Standardizes Bell Schedule. 

NCDPI DIGITAL DEVICE SURVEY 

Parents, please take a moment to complete NCDPI’s Digital Device Survey. 

The purpose of this survey is to fulfill session law § 115C-102.9 calling for the collection and reporting of data regarding all students’ access to digital devices and internet access at home. This information will be used to help target areas of need and ensure that all NC students have adequate access to devices and the internet to access learning. Note that the information gathered will be kept private and confidential. Please click on the following link for directions on how to complete the survey: Digital Device Survey. 

Thank you all for taking an active role in your child’s education and helping us better serve all students! 

ART IN THE AIRPORT 

 

A new exhibit of student artwork has come to the walls of Albert J. Ellis Airport!   

Students and their teachers and families gathered at OAJ on Monday, May 15 to mark the opening of “Art in the Airport: Traveling Around the World.” For more than a decade, Onslow County Schools has partnered with OAJ to showcase the talents of our visual art students for all to see. The newest installment features the work of 18 of our middle school student artists.   

“Traveling Around the World” will be on display at OAJ throughout the summer, so be sure to stop by and check it out as you prepare for travels of your own!   

Read more about the exhibit on the OCS website: Art in the Airport: Traveling Around the World.  

PARENT ACADEMY 

The next Parent Academy session will be held Thursday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. This session, “I’ve Been Accepted! Now What?” will focus on high school seniors, but all are welcome to attend. At this session, learn the answers to many of the questions you may have following your acceptance to college.  

Register for this virtual event at https://bit.ly/May25PA.  

 

BECOME A TEACHER 

Are you ready to start your new career? Learn more about how to turn your BA degree into a teaching career at the May 23 information session with OCS Human Resources. Join the virtual session at 4 p.m. at https://bit.ly/OCSTeachMay23.  

 

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
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Hello, OCS Family! Thank you for another great week in Onslow County Schools and thank you for helping us celebrate the employees who make it all happen! Check out the update below for all the latest from the district.  

GRADUATION SCHEDULE 

 

Tonight, OCS will host its first high school graduation for the Class of 2023! 

At 7 p.m., Onslow Early College seniors will walk the stage and receive their diplomas. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, but would like to watch from afar, check out the livestream on the district’s YouTube channel.  

Please see the OCS website for graduation times and livestream links: 2023 Graduation Schedule. 

OCS COLLEGE FAIR 

 

All OCS families are invited to attend the OCS College Fair at Southwest High School on Thursday, May 18! From 5:30-7:30 p.m. students can meet with representatives from several colleges and learn more about college preparation. 

STATE OF THE COMMUNITY 

 

On Tuesday, the State of the Community Luncheon took place at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. At this event, leaders from local governments, military bases, and community organizations gathered to discuss the successes, challenges, and opportunities our community is experiencing.  

OCS Superintendent Dr. Barry Collins spoke on the panel and shared some of the exciting things happening in Onslow County Schools, as well as some of the challenges we will face in the months and years ahead.  

HERITAGE ELEMENTARY ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 

 

On Thursday, May 11, Heritage Elementary School solidified its partnership with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162.    

The Adopt-a-School Program promotes mutually beneficial relationships between the military and schools by allowing military units to “adopt” a school. Units support schools through volunteering at school events, test monitoring, providing mentorship, and more. Schools can show their support for their unit during the holidays and during times of deployment.   

Our relationships with our military community are an invaluable asset to our students and staff, and we are proud to continue welcoming service members into our schools for years to come.    

Congratulations, Heroes! 

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL CELEBRATION 

 

Congratulations to our 2022 Governor's School participants, and our 2023 students from Onslow County Schools selected to attend Governor's School this summer!  

Our 2022 Governor's School participants were draped with cords by Dr. Barry Collins, Dr. Chris Barnes, and Board of Education members Ken Reddic and Angie Todd at the Governor’s School Celebration on Tuesday, May 9. Last year’s Governor's School participants also shared stories, answered questions, and offered tips on how to make the most of the Governor's School experience. 

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS 

 

You have one last opportunity to catch a high school musical this season! This weekend, check out “Once Upon a Mattress” at Southwest High School.  

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary of the joint meeting between the Onslow County Board of Education and Onslow County Board of Commissioners held May 8 can be found here: News from the Board. 

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
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Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! It has been a wonderful week here at Onslow County Schools. Check out the update below for all the latest district news.  

OCS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION 

 

Thank you all for a great first week of OCS Employee Appreciation! Join us next week in continuing to show gratitude for all the employees who make excellence in education possible for Onslow County!  

CTE SUMMER ACCELERATOR PROGRAMS 

Onslow County Schools Career & Technical Education Services will be providing summer opportunities for rising 8th graders and high school students! 

Eighth grade students can get hands-on career exploration experience in areas such as food, hospitality, tourism, construction, and health sciences. The program will be held at each of our high school campuses June 19-30. Registration ends May 15! 

The Summer Engineering Accelerator program will be held June 19-30 at White Oak High School and is open to any Onslow County freshman, sophomore or junior. This program will explore robotics, coding and AI technology. Registration ends May 30! 

CTE will also offer rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn high school credit through work-based summer learning. Internship opportunities are available in banking, business, technology, construction, and more.  

Learn more about these programs and register on the OCS website: CTE Summer Programs. 

GRADUATION SCHEDULE 

High school graduation season is almost here! Next week, on Friday, May 12, Onslow Early College High School seniors will walk the stage and receive their diplomas. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, but would like to watch from afar, check out the livestream on the district’s YouTube channel.  

Please see the OCS website for graduation times and livestream links: 2023 Graduation Schedule. 

STUDENTS RECEIVE S.A.T. SCHOLARSHIPS 

 

Thirty-two members of the Class of 2023 were honored on Thursday, May 4 as they accepted scholarships from Sponsors for Academic Talent.  

Students from high schools across the county gathered at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center for an evening of celebration. Altogether, the students were awarded $45,750 to pursue their postsecondary education.  

Having volunteered their time to organizations across our community who serve those in need, the scholarships were well-earned. This year’s scholars, over the last four years, have provided more than 4,200 hours of service.  

Congratulations to this year’s SAT scholars!  

GLOBAL INNOVATIVE SHOWCASE 

Last week, students, staff and families from schools all over Onslow County came together at the Global Innovative Showcase to see what global education in Onslow County is all about!  

Check out a video of the event below: 

 

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS 

 

You have two opportunities to catch a high school musical this weekend! Jacksonville High will be performing “The Addams Family” and Dixon High will take the stage with “High School Musical”! 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting on May 2 can be found here: News from the Board.  

JOINT BOE/BOC MEETING MAY 8 

The Onslow County Board of Education and the Onslow County Board of Commissioners have scheduled a joint special meeting to take place on Monday, May 8.  

This meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Chambers of the Onslow County Government Center, located at 234 NW Corridor Blvd. in Jacksonville.  

The purpose of the meeting is for the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners to discuss student health, emergency shelters, redistricting, budget, and collaborative staff efforts. No action will be taken.  

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
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Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! Thank you for a great week of learning. Check out the update below for all the latest from the district!

WORKDAY REMINDER 

 

We would like to remind our families that Monday, May 1 is a teacher workday for schools on the traditional calendar. We will see students back on Tuesday!  

OCS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION 

OCS Employee Appreciation starts Monday, May 1, and this year, we will be celebrating our wonderful staff for TWO full weeks! Join us May 1-12 in thanking the teachers, leaders, and staff that make excellence in education a possibility for children in Onslow County! 

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD 

 

April is Month of the Military Child, and we were proud to close out the month with a military adoption in one of our elementary schools!  

On Tuesday, April 25, Summersill Elementary made official their partnership with the School of Infantry-East through the Adopt-a-School program. Adopt-a-School promotes mutually beneficial relationships between the military and schools and provides service members with an avenue to provide support and mentorship to youth in their communities.  

Through solidifying this partnership, Summersill has become the 24th school in Onslow County to be adopted by a local military unit.  

Congratulations, Eagles!  

Did you know? OCS has the 2nd highest military population in all NC public schools.  

Check out a video of some of our schools’ MOMC celebrations here: 2023 Month of the Military Child. 

ELEMENTARY MATHCOUNTS COMPETITION 

 

On Thursday, April 27, 21 teams from elementary schools across the county gathered at Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet School to put their math skills to the test and compete for the gold in the 2023 Elementary MATHCOUNTS competition.   

Thank you to all who participated, and congratulations to the winners! 

See more about the event and a full winners list on the OCS website: 2023 Elementary MATHCOUNTS.  

OCS CHESS TOURNAMENT 

 

On April 21 and 24, elementary and middle school students came together to put their logic and skills to the test in the 2023 Onslow County Schools Chess Tournament.   

The OCS Chess Tournament is a tradition of more-than-20 years, and it presents a perfect opportunity for students to gather and bond over a shared love: chess.   

Congratulations to all who competed on a job well done!  

Read more about the tournament and see the winners list on the OCS website: 2023 OCS Chess Tournament. 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting on April 25 can be found here: News from the Board.  

BOE MEETING AND BUDGET HEARING MAY 2 

The regular monthly meeting of the Onslow County Board of Education will be held Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. in the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items include budget discussions, the district’s CTE plan, the CCCC Board of Trustees appointment, two land easements, construction and renovation updates, a property transfer request, redistricting discussion, and discussion of Policy 2310: Public Participation at Board meetings.  

Immediately prior to the regular meeting on May 2, there will be a public hearing on the proposed FY2023-2024 Local Current Expense and Capital Outlay budgets at 5:30 p.m. 

A sign-up sheet will be available for those wishing to address the Board during the public hearing or public comment period of the regular meeting.  

In accordance with Board Policy 2335 – Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials, Board materials will be available online as soon as possible at http://www.boarddocs.com/nc/onslow/Board.nsf      

A livestream of the hearing and the regular meeting can be found on the OCS Multimedia YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/OCSMultimedia   

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! Thank you for a great week of learning in Onslow County! Read below for the latest news and updates from the district.  

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD 

 

April is Month of the Military Child, and celebrations have been happening in schools across the county! From spirit weeks and Purple Up! Day to Marine Corps Band performances and Chalk the Walk events, it has been a week full of excitement.  

Thank you to all who showed their love and support for military children today by wearing purple! We are proud to have a community that fosters a welcoming and accommodating culture for those who serve our nation. 

Did you know? There are 22 Military Family Life Counselors available to our students to help them through the unique challenges military families face.  

GLOBAL INNOVATIVE SHOWCASE 

 

On Thursday, April 27, at 5 p.m., Onslow County Schools will host the 7th Annual Global Innovative Showcase at Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet School.  

All OCS families are invited to attend to enjoy artwork, food, performances, and more, all while learning about the ways our district prepares students for a globally competitive workforce. 

PARENT ACADEMY 

The next Parent Academy session will be held Thursday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m. We encourage 8th grade students and their families to join us to learn all about the transition from middle school to high school.  

Join us in person at the OCS Central Services office or virtually at https://bit.ly/April27PA 

 

EARTH DAY AT STURGEON CITY 

Sturgeon City will host a special Earth Day event on Saturday, April 22 for the community to enjoy! Celebrate Earth Day with us with games, educational activities, food trucks, and more!  

 

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS 

 

Musical season continues next week! Starting April 28, you can catch “Shrek the Musical” at Northside High and “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at Richlands High.  

BOE MEETING APRIL 25 

A special meeting of the Onslow County Board of Education will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25 in the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items include 2023-2024 budget proposals, a school construction project update, and a New River YMCA presentation.  

In accordance with Board Policy 2335 – Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials, Board materials will be available online as soon as possible at http://www.boarddocs.com/nc/onslow/Board.nsf     

A livestream of this meeting can be found on the OCS Multimedia YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/OCSMultimedia     

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! Thank you for a great week. Check out the update below for all the latest district news.  

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD 

 

April is Month of the Military Child, and all month long, we are celebrating our military families and thanking them for their sacrifices!  

Join us in celebrating on Friday, April 21 for Purple Up! Day by wearing purple in support of military children! 

Did you know? There are 23 schools in our district that have built formal partnerships with units from local military bases through the Adopt-a-School program. 

EC PARENT WORKSHOP 

Join us on Tuesday, April 18 for “IEP Road Trip,” a free parent workshop! This information session will help parents navigate their children’s journeys through special education, with an emphasis on individualized educational plans. Register at http://bit.ly/3nDSKyc 

 

EARTH DAY AT STURGEON CITY 

Sturgeon City will host a special Earth Day event on Saturday, April 22 for the community to enjoy! Celebrate Earth Day with us with games, educational activities, food trucks, and more! 

 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting held April 11 can be found here: News from the Board. 

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! We hope you are enjoying your spring break. See below for the latest district updates! 

WORKDAY REMINDER 

 

We would like to remind our families that Monday, April 10 is a teacher workday and the last day of spring break. We will welcome back our students on Tuesday, April 11! 

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD 

 

April is Month of the Military Child, and all month long, we will be celebrating our military families and the sacrifices they make for our nation! 

Did you know? More than 34 percent of students in Onslow County Schools are affiliated with the military. That’s more than 9,000 students!  

Join us this month as we “purple up” and show our support for the families of those who serve! 

EC PARENT WORKSHOP 

Join us on Tuesday, April 18 for “IEP Road Trip,” a free parent workshop! This information session will help parents navigate their children’s journeys through special education, with an emphasis on individualized educational plans.  

 

BOE MEETING APRIL 11 

The regular monthly meeting of the Onslow County Board of Education will be held Tuesday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items include an instructional highlight, the redistricting of Dixon and Southwest high schools, and an award of engineering services. 

Prior to the regular meeting on April 11, the Board will meet in closed session at 4:30 p.m. for a legal update and to discuss a personnel matter.  

In accordance with Board Policy 2335 – Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials, Board materials will be available online as soon as possible at http://www.boarddocs.com/nc/onslow/Board.nsf     

A livestream of the regular meeting can be found on the OCS Multimedia YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/OCSMultimedia     

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools

Hello, OCS Family! See below for all the latest from the district.  

SPRING BREAK REMINDER 

 

We would like to remind our families that spring break starts Monday, April 3. There will be no school for students next week, and Monday, April 10 is a teacher workday.  

Have a fun and safe break with your family! We will see students back on Tuesday, April 11.  

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 

 

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is open now!  

You can learn more about eligibility and how to register at www.onslow.k12.nc.us/kinder.  

INTERNET SAFETY MESSAGE 

District administration has been made aware of potentially dangerous websites students have been accessing on school devices.  

Our district takes an active approach to internet safety and maintains a list of blocked content that is inappropriate or potentially harmful for children. Our list is continually becoming more thorough, with additional sites being blocked on our servers as we become aware of them.  

We would like to thank our families for taking an active role in their students' online presence and alerting the district to concerning internet behavior. If you have concerns about the OCS network or the online safety of anyone in our district, please speak with your school administration or submit an anonymous report on the Say Something App.   

MULTIPLICATION BEE 

 

Tuesday was an exciting night for our 3rd Grade Multiplication Bee participants!  

Twenty-two students, the largest number of participants in the bee's history, competed in six rounds and a tiebreaker to name the champion. After the first two rounds, the field narrowed to 11 participants.  

Mason Murphy of Meadow View Elementary and Brandon Barajas of Blue Creek Elementary went head-to-head for two of the elimination rounds and the tiebreaker, with Barajas coming out on top for 1st Place. 

Congratulations to all of our students who made the district level bee from their individual schools. Job well done! 

MEADOW VIEW ELEMENTARY ADOPT-A-SCHOOL 

 

On Wednesday, March 29, Meadow View Elementary School made official its partnership with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.   

The Adopt-a-School Program promotes mutually beneficial relationships between the military and schools by allowing military units to “adopt” a school. Units support schools through volunteering at school events, test monitoring, providing mentorship, and more. Schools can show their support for their unit during the holidays and during times of deployment.

We greatly value our relationships with our military community, and we are proud to continue welcoming Marines and sailors into our schools for many years to come.   

Congratulations, Mustangs! 

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

Keep up with even more OCS happenings on the following platforms:    
Facebook - @OCSNC    
Twitter - @OnslowSchools    
Instagram - onslowcountyschools