Johnston County Public Schools

Our amazing Elementary Math Team recently presented at the NCCTM Eastern Regional Math Conference at East Carolina University. This group of educators engaged a room full of teachers in the use of effective problem solving strategies to support the comprehension of word problems in grades K-5. Their focus on purposeful problem-solving not only benefits Johnston County Public Schools but has also now benefitted teachers from the eastern part of our state. Our educators are making a difference everywhere they go! #JCPSproud

Happy Easter! 🐰💐 Wishing you a day filled with joy and blessed moments with the ones you love. May your heart be as full as your Easter basket! 💛

🚨 Free 5 Day Meal Packs for children and teens age 18 and under this summer! 🚨 Pre-order today at: bit.ly/summermealpacks Visit www.johnston.k12.nc.us/schoolnutrition for more information!

Rounding out the April Character Education recipients is Yandell Herrera-Roman!🎆🎆 He is a leader in the 8th grade at Riverwood Middle, encouraging his peers to do their very best by being a positive role model. He was one of the students selected to serve on the Assistant Principal Interview Panel to represent the students’ voices and perspectives. Herrera-Roman always shows respect towards his teachers, coaches, and other staff members. He has learned to self-advocate, and prides himself on his academic achievements and positive decision-making. Keep being a leader, Yandell!🌟 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Let's hear it for Ms. Frances Velez, our April Classified Employee of the Month!🥳🥳🥳 Ms. Velez is an identifier and recruiter for the Migrant Education Program. She is dedicated to providing the necessary support services to help students and families inside and outside of the classroom. By educating and advocating with her heart, Ms. Velez truly supports the mission of Johnston County Public Schools. Learn more about Ms. Velez's passion for serving: https://bit.ly/3RlZcWt #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Meet Ally Veilleux, a very engaging and caring educator who is making an outstanding impact at Riverwood Elementary! 🍎 The recent East Carolina University grad is one of six student-teachers who signed early with JCPS in the Spring of 2024, after participating in the JCPS Student-Teacher Program. The JCPS Early Contract Signing initiative provides those within the Student-Teacher Program an opportunity to sign their contracts sooner than they would traditionally. We immediately knew Ally would be great, and we were right! Her excitement and enthusiasm for education have grown during her first year, and it shows in the way her students, colleagues, and administrators commend her.❤ Watch Ally share a little bit more on why JCPS is the perfect fit for her and other educators seeking a supportive professional environment where excellence is the standard!👏👏👏 🔗 https://bit.ly/4cxNtO2 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Victoria Luna, a 5th-grader at 🐬🐬South Smithfield Elementary🐬🐬, is our next April Character Ed Student! Luna consistently demonstrates a steadfast commitment to personal growth and academic excellence. She is always striving to reach her full potential, seeking ways to improve, and embracing challenges with determination. As an avid reader, Luna chooses books that expand her knowledge and enrich her vocabulary. Luna's independence and self-assurance allow her to stay focused on her schoolwork, undeterred by distractions. Additionally, her caring nature and calm demeanor inspire those around her to stay motivated and be their best selves. Congratulations Victoria! 🌞 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Congratulations to Mr. Brian Jones, Band Director at Smithfield-Selma High!🎶 He is our Certified Employee of the Month for April!👏 Mr. Jones has been an educator for 28 years, and has been making music and memories at SSS for the last 22 years. Read why Mr. Jones is passionate about making a life-long impact on his students, not only musically, but personally: https://bit.ly/3GdBU2H #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Preschool is an essential part of beginning an excellent educational journey! 🏫🎒 Johnston County Public Schools is currently accepting 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 https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/preschool. We hope to see your precious child(ren) begin their journey soon! REGISTER TODAY!!!

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.

Andrea Clark is the April Character Ed Student for Smithfield Middle!🌟 Her countless acts of service are strongly admired and greatly appreciated by her peers and teachers. She invests in her own personal growth as well as the academic achievement of her peers. She is a model student who graciously shares her enthusiasm and positive mindset, which has shaped her overall approach to learning, as she conveys her vibrant energy with others around her. 🎉Congratulations Andrea, for being recognized as the April Character Ed Student for Smithfield Middle!🎉 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

William Dearhamer, III has earned an April Character Education Award for RESPECT!👏👏👏 A fifth-grade student at Princeton Elementary, he consistently goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and kind environment. His kindness extends beyond words, and he takes pride in working with students with unique needs, often assisting them by pushing their wheelchairs to class, offering high-fives in the hallway, and even sharing a comforting hug when needed. Dearhamer ensures students feel safe and supported by walking them to class, and always checking in on teachers and staff with thoughtful words and well wishes! Congratulations William, for being recognized as the April Character Ed Student for Princeton Elementary!🥳 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

JCPS is proud to announce that Larkeysha M. Sheppard, principal of McGee's Crossroads Middle, received the 2025 Administrator to Watch Award by the North Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education (NCMLE) at its annual conference on March 24, 2025. The Administrator to Watch award, given by the North Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education (NCMLE), recognizes a school-based administrator who demonstrates outstanding dedication to middle school concepts and positively impacts students and the school community. The award aims to highlight and celebrate the work of school-based administrators who are passionate about middle school education and actively involved in improving students' learning experiences. Sheppard and her staff have led McGee's Crossroads Middle to great success in recent years, garnering the recognition the students and staff of the school so richly deserve. Congratulations Mrs. Sheppard on this prestigious recognition! Read the full press release here: https://bit.ly/43TOv4N

The 2nd Annual Early Contract Signing Celebration was a huge success, with nearly 60 guests present to witness 19 early contracts signed! 📝 During the event, the signees received words of wisdom and inspiration from award-winning educators prior to participating in individual contract signing sessions with JCPS Superintendent Dr. Eric C. Bracy, making their future certain and bright! The event is one of many JCPS initiatives to ensure that top-notch and passionate professionals are entering the teaching profession here in Johnston County Public Schools. Join us in celebrating the many new educators who will be making an immediate impact in the lives of students each and every day! Welcome to the team!🥳👏 Read the press release: https://bit.ly/4ighRxN #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

The Wilson's Mills High Topping Out Ceremony and Beam Signing event was a historic moment as citizens, community members, government officials, and JCPS staff gathered for the occasion.🏫 The event was hosted by Barnhill Contracting Company, and consisted of a tour of the building and an official ceremony before the beam was lifted into place. Attendees included alumni of the original Wilson’s Mills High, community members, Town of Wilson’s Mills employees, Johnston County Board of Education members, JCPS leadership, and Johnston County Commissioners and government officials, who were all excited about the project and what it represents for the county. We are excited about Wilson's Mills High and cannot wait for our students to flood the hallways! Until then, enjoy this update video!🎥: https://bit.ly/42saD3O Learn more about the event: https://bit.ly/3RdxdrP #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

👏 Mr. Johnnie Stott is our final Hall of Fame class of 2025 inductee !👏 Coach Stott excelled in youth athletics before playing college baseball at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and professionally for the Minnesota Twins. Stott then spent many years coaching and officiating in various Johnston County leagues and associations.⚾🧢 Read Mr. Stott's full bio: https://bit.ly/3E5x1YS Watch his highlight video: https://bit.ly/43PQMxV #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Mr. Samuel Richard “Rooster” Narron is our next 2025 Hall of Fame inductee highlight!⚾🧢 Known by family and friends as "Rooster", he is a part of the rich baseball traditions of Eastern North Carolina. A native of Johnston County, he grew up in the Corinth Holders area in Emit, NC. Mr. Narron played baseball at Corinth Holders High in his freshman and sophomore years. His high school accolades include two-time All-State honors during his junior & senior years. Congratulations to Mr. "Rooster" Narron for being named to the JCPS 2025 Hall of Fame's 16th class of inductees!👏👏 Read his full bio here: https://bit.ly/4liCT1H Watch his highlight video here: https://bit.ly/4igffA7

JCPS is proud to celebrate Purple Up Day, recognizing and supporting military children and their families. The observance is part of the Month of the Military Child, which honors the sacrifices and challenges military children face. The color purple symbolizes all military branches, combining Army green, Marine red, Air Force blue, Coast Guard, and Navy blue. Join us on Friday, April 11 by wearing Purple, as we honor our military families!

Spring Break is Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 18 for students on the traditional calendar. We wish all of our students a safe and fun-filled week!😎🏖🌞

🍎🌟Meet Krystal Glover, a very passionate principal intern at Cooper Academy: A College Prep Elementary School! Krystal is destined for greatness and is making an immediate impact in the Clayton community. Krystal is one of the shining stars in the JCPS Principal Intern Program, which provides those who aspire to be school-based administrators an opportunity to receive principalship experience, equipping them to one day become the school leaders JCPS is proud to have. Watch Krystal share why she loves education, the Principal Intern Program, and everything about Johnston County Public Schools! https://bit.ly/3Rcuv5U #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS