Meet Austin Denning, who is a JCPS Alumnus and NC State University graduate!
Denning is completing his first year as an educator in Southern Johnston County at South Johnston High. He has made a tremendous impact in his first year. His hard work and phenomenal teaching style have gained him district-wide recognition as one of JCPS's Outstanding First Year Teachers.
According to Denning, it was a no-brainer as to where he would begin his professional career. He loved everything about the community feel of the district and its collaborative approach to education. Like many others, he believes that JCPS is the best place to be!
We are fortunate to have Denning provide instruction to math students of JCPS! https://bit.ly/HR_Denning
Federico Bautista Velasco has been proudly named a Character Education Award recipient for May! 😎
Federico is an 8th-grade student at Innovation Academy- Johnston County Public Schools where he demonstrates self-discipline, doing you best in all situations, in every aspect of his school life.
He has a strong internal drive to succeed, going above and beyond to produce high-quality work and ensuring that each assignment is completed thoughtfully and thoroughly.
His commitment to doing his best is evident, even when tasks are challenging or time-consuming. Federico manages his responsibilities with focus and care, never needing reminders to stay on task or meet deadlines.
Congratulations Federico Bautista Velasco for being recognized as the May Character Education Award student for Innovation Academy!👏
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
May is here and we get to celebrate our extraordinary Character Education Award recipients!🌟
Alivia Wilson, a third-grader at JCPS Virtual Academy, she is recognized for her compassion.
She is a kind student who does very well collaborating with her peers. Alivia gives positive, encouraging feedback to her peers when they participate in class. Additionally, she perseveres in learning new, challenging third-grade material.
Congratulations Alivia for being recognized as the May Character Ed student for Johnston County Public Schools Virtual Academy!👏
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
With summer right around the corner, we are looking for Summer Reading Buddies!😎
Make a difference this summer by helping our students start their mornings with a good book.📖📚
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
🎺Let's hear it for Luna Colón, our next Character Education Award for May!🎺
Colón was recognized for self-discipline, doing your best in all situations.
As a junior at Smithfield-Selma High, she brings a unique and vibrant energy wherever she goes, whether it's through the bustling hallways of the school, the focused atmosphere of her classroom, or the competitive environment of the softball field.
Luna has a natural ability to light up every space she enters, and her energy and positivity are contagious to everyone around her. She doesn’t just passively occupy space—she actively engages with her surroundings and makes them better.
Congratulations, Luna Colón, for being recognized as the April Character Ed Student for Smithfield-Selma High!✨
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING UPDATE:
Due to audio equipment failure, the May 13, 2025, Board of Education meeting will not be livestreamed.
Minutes will be made available online once approved by the Board of Education.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Recently, NC State University's Kenan Fellows Program announced its newest Kenan Fellows. We were proud to see that Grant Shoaf, a teacher at Johnston County Early College Academy, has been selected as one of 30 Kenan Fellows statewide for the 2025-26 cohort.
As part of Grant's fellowship, he will be immersed with Dr. Alexander Nevzorov at the NC State Department of Chemistry, where he will learn Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy. He will contribute to three distinct projects: developing magnetically aligned lipid nanodiscs for membrane protein structure determination, creating automated computational algorithms for NMR pulse sequence development, and advancing microwave instrumentation for pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Dynamic Nuclear Polarization.
Congratulations Grant!
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
Miss Parker's EC classroom at Polenta Elementary was filled with love, laughter, and the sweet smell of brunch!💕
The students celebrated Mother’s Day a little early by hosting a heartwarming Mommy & Me Brunch, where they proudly presented handmade gifts created just for their amazing moms. 🥰
It was a moment filled with smiles, hugs, and unforgettable memories. Thank you to all the wonderful mothers and grandmothers of these amazing children. You are truly cherished! 💐💖
Thank you to Ms. Kenyatta Echard and Ms. Erica Manley for the beautiful decorations and delicious food.
If you were in the Smithfield area on Monday and maybe experienced traffic detours, please do not worry! All is well...the community just showed up in big numbers to walk to school!
Whether by foot, bike, or scooter, getting to South Smithfield Elementary was fun as the school celebrated its annual Walk to School Day earlier this week!
Students, parents, community members, and school officials flooded the streets to observe the event, reiterating the importance of school attendance while emphasizing strong community relationships.
Great job South Smithfield Elementary!!!
Dr. Ryan Ewell is one of Johnston County Public Schools' most enthusiastic principals and is doing an outstanding job at Cleveland Elementary.
Dr. Ewell joined the JCPS family because he was inspired by many aspects, particularly the community-oriented environment that JCPS provides.
According to him, JCPS is a great place for educational professionals who are seeking growth, families seeking educational excellence, and students looking to soar academically!
Take a listen to Dr. Ewell as he shares why JCPS is the perfect place for you!!! https://bit.ly/DrEwell
Today is National School Nurse Day and JCPS is excited to celebrate those who are committed to the well-being of our students each day!
Please help us celebrate and champion these dedicated healthcare leaders today and every day of the year!
#SND2025 #SchoolNurses
🍎🎉 Happy National Teacher’s Day! 🍎🎉
Today, we celebrate the mentors, guides, and everyday heroes who shape our world.
Whether in the classroom, online, or behind the scenes, your dedication and passion for education light the path for generations to come. You don’t just teach lessons, you inspire dreams. 🌟
To every JCPS teacher who’s making a difference, we thank you!❤
#ThankATeacher
📚✨ Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! ✨🍎 To all the incredible teachers out there — thank you for your passion, patience, and the countless hours you pour into shaping hearts and minds. ❤ You don’t just teach subjects, you inspire dreams, build confidence, and change lives. Whether in a classroom, online, or anywhere in between, your impact reaches far beyond the lesson plan. Let’s show our gratitude this week—and always! 👏 #TeacherAppreciationWeek
JCPS is joining the nation in observing Mental Health Awareness Month!
Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a driving force in addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. This month, we are doing our part in supporting the many individuals who face mental health challenges and those who support them.
Please join JCPS by wearing green on Friday, May 2, 2025.💚
#MHAM2025
Summer is nearly here and May holds a lot of important events! 🎓📚
Make sure you don't miss a thing!📅
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
The school year is nearly done, and May has a lot of goings on! 📚🎓
Mark you calendar so you don't miss a thing!📅
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
With summer right around the corner, we are looking for Summer Reading Buddies!😎
Make a difference this summer by helping our students start their mornings with a good book.📖📚
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Ms. Susan Perdue has been selected as the JCPS 2025 Career & Technical Education Teacher of the Year!🎉🌟
Ms. Perdue has been teaching at Clayton High School for eight years and is a CTE Business and Marketing teacher.
She teaches entrepreneurship and business management career pathways, and is also the school’s Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) Adviser.
Read more about this finance professional turned educator: https://bit.ly/CTETY2025
Congratulations Ms. Perdue!👏
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS
📣TODAY is the final day to register your child for preschool!!📣
Preschool is an essential part of beginning an excellent educational journey! 🏫🎒
This is the last day that Johnston County Public Schools will accept preschool enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year for the Title I and Fee for Service programs.
For more information about these programs, program overview, age requirements, and other pertinent information, please visit the JCPS Preschool webpage at www.johnston.k12.nc.us/preschool.
We hope to see your precious child(ren) begin their journey soon! REGISTER TODAY!!!
"This is the perfect place to achieve your dreams as an educator, and if you want to feel supported. If you feel that you need to work in a place with a true focus on student learning and life-changing opportunities, this (JCPS) is the place to be." Maritza Rosado
Selma is a small rural town that is bustling with great things! Among those things is Selma Elementary, which is fortunate enough to be led by Mrs. Maritza Rosado!
Mrs. Rosado joined the JCPS team many years ago after being inspired by the family-oriented work environment and the community of passionate educators who were driven just as she was.
As a leader, Rosado truly believes in pushing her students to achieve while maintaining a healthy balance of fun and instruction.
Mrs. Rosado's impact on the Selma community is profound. It is astounding to know that it all began with a spark of interest years ago, which quickly kindled into a flame for education.
She made a decision to pursue a career in education with JCPS, and the rest is history!
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ETsokN
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