☀️🏖️ SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! 🏖️☀️

Another incredible school year is in the books, CCPS! 🎉📚✏️

As our students head into summer break, we want to wish all of our families a safe, fun, and memorable summer filled with sunshine, adventures, and time with family and friends! 🌊🐚😎🍉

📖 Keep your students reading this summer! Reading just a few minutes each day can help maintain the skills they've worked so hard to build this year.

🚐📚 Be on the lookout for the Title Wave Mobile Library coming to a neighborhood near you this summer! They can't wait to bring books, learning, and fun directly to our communities.

📝 Incoming Kindergarten Families: Please remember to turn in all enrollment documents as soon as possible so we can get your little learners ready for an amazing start to school this fall! 🍎🎒

🎒🚌 Mark your calendars for two FREE Stuff the Bus events coming in early August in Morehead City and Down East! More details will be shared soon.

🎓 Congratulations and best wishes to all of our graduating seniors! We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 at each high school's graduation ceremony on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. 🎉🎓💙

📢 Senior families: Please be sure to follow your school's guidance regarding arrival times, parking, seating, and attendance procedures to help make graduation a smooth and memorable experience for everyone.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community partners for another outstanding year of learning, growth, and achievement! ❤️

🌞 Have a fantastic summer, CCPS! We'll see you in August! 🌴🌊😎

#CCPS #SchoolsOutForSummer #CCPSProud #ClassOf2026 #FutureReady #HaveAGreatSummer

💙 "Unless we think of others and do something for them, we miss one of the greatest sources of happiness."
— Lisa Carole Lewis (Kittrell), East Carteret High School Class of 1985

During his Superintendent's Comments at the Carteret County Board of Education meeting last night, Superintendent Richard Paylor honored the life and legacy of former CCPS leader Lisa Kittrell, sharing the following remarks:

"I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of former Carteret County Public Schools director, Lisa Kittrell. Last week, our school community learned of Lisa’s passing, and while many of us are still processing this loss, it is important that we pause to remember and honor the extraordinary impact she had on our students, staff, and community.

Lisa Kittrell was a remarkable educator, leader, and friend whose influence on Carteret County Public Schools cannot be measured. She dedicated her life to serving children and supporting educators, always leading with kindness, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives. Lisa had a gift for making people feel valued, cared for, and supported, and her positive impact will be felt for generations through the students, teachers, and families she touched.

While we mourn the loss of an extraordinary person, we are grateful for the legacy of love, service, and commitment she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The best way we can honor Lisa’s life is to carry forward the values she exemplified every day—to invest in others, build meaningful relationships, serve with compassion, support one another, and never lose sight of the profound difference we can make in the life of a child. Lisa believed deeply in the power of education, the importance of community, and the responsibility to care for those around us.

As we reflect on her life and legacy, we ask that you keep the Kittrell and Lewis families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

🍎 Lisa grew up in Beaufort and graduated from East Carteret High School in 1985, where her classmates voted her both *Friendliest* and *Class Favorite* during her senior year. Those who knew Lisa throughout her life would agree those honors reflected the kindness, compassion, and genuine care for others that were authentically a part of of her character and career.

🍎 Lisa's career in education spanned decades. She taught in both Craven County Schools and Carteret County Public Schools before becoming an Assistant Principal at Bogue Sound Elementary School and Newport Elementary School. During her years in district leadership, she served as Director of Elementary Education, Director of English/Language Arts and Early Childhood Education, and Director of Professional Development and Federal Programs. Through each role, she remained dedicated to supporting students, educators, and families.

💙 Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the generations of students and educators she inspired.

🕊️ Friends and family will gather this weekend to celebrate Lisa's life and legacy. Service information and her full obituary can be found here:
https://www.mundenfuneralhome.com/obituaries/lisa-kittrell

👏🇺🇸Thank you to two outstanding seniors for helping open tonight’s Carteret County Board of Education meeting!

🙏 Everett Schulte, a senior at West Carteret High School, delivered the invocation.

⭐ Rocco Cavallo, a senior at Croatan High School, proudly led the Pledge of Allegiance.

We appreciate these student leaders for representing their schools and Carteret County Public Schools with professionalism, character, and pride. Thank you, Everett and Rocco, for your service and leadership! 💙💛

#CCPS #CarteretCountySchools #StudentLeadership

Congratulations to the inaugural Carteret County Public Schools recipients of the North Carolina Seal of Biliteracy 🎓🌎

This distinguished honor recognizes graduating seniors who have demonstrated proficiency in two or more languages, reflecting academic excellence, cultural awareness, and global readiness.

We are proud to celebrate these students for their dedication and achievement:

Croatan High School
• Rocco Giuseppe Cavallo
• Adeline Svea Magee
• Josette Marie Vachon

West Carteret High School
• Marjorie Guzman-Monroy
• Maria Jimenez De La Cruz
• Marlena Marson
• Samuel Park
• Everett Schulte

Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment. Your ability to communicate across languages and cultures will open doors and create opportunities for years to come.

🎉 Welcome to the Board, Matt Johnson! 🎉

At tonight’s Carteret County Board of Education meeting, Board Chair Katie Statler invited Debbie Clapp to administer the Oath of Office to newly appointed board member Matt Johnson.

Mr. Johnson will fill the unexpired term left vacant following Nathan Chambers' resignation on April 29, 2026. His term will continue through November 2028.

We congratulate Mr. Johnson on his appointment and thank him for his willingness to serve the students, staff, and families of Carteret County Public Schools. We look forward to his contributions as a member of the CCPS Board of Education.

#CCPS #CarteretCountySchools #BoardOfEducation #ServingOurStudents #PublicEducation

Albert Taylor, from East Carteret High, has been named Community Adviser of the Year for 2025-26 by Participate Learning.

This award recognizes community PL advisers who provide outstanding support to new Ambassador Teachers as they settle into their schools, districts, and communities. From helping teachers prepare before arrival to supporting them throughout their first year, community advisers play an important role in creating a welcoming and successful transition experience.

The selection process is informed by feedback from PL's new Ambassador Teachers, who reflected on the support they received throughout their transition and first year in the community. Participate Learning says Albert was selected because of the meaningful difference he made in that experience.

Alright, Seadogs and Mariners… it’s time for the BIG REVEAL! 🎓✨

Did you guess correctly? Here are the familiar faces behind those ECHS senior photos who now help shape the next generation at Beaufort Elementary School ❤️

✨ Cynthia Lou Hobgood and Kahla Lovings
✨ Kahla Lovings
✨ Kara Salter
✨ Ryan Morris
✨ Talley Long
✨ Susan Earp

And now for the special story behind one of our photos 💙

Ms. Cynthia Lou Hobgood, pictured here in her senior photo, is the grandmother of Kahla Lovings ❤️ They are also featured together in a treasured photo from Kahla’s childhood when Ms. Hobgood was a teacher at Beaufort Elementary School 📸✨

Ms. Hobgood was part of the early wave of kindergarten teachers in NC the 1970s, helping shape one of the first generations of kindergarten students in Carteret County. Alongside fellow educator Jean Laughton, and another ECHS alumni, Jeanne Huntley, she helped build a strong foundation for early childhood education at Beaufort Elementary and dedicated more than 31 years to teaching and mentoring students 🌱📚

What an incredible example of Start Here. Stay Here. Grow Here. 💙 From student… to teacher… to continuing a family legacy of service at Beaufort Elementary, these educators are proof that school communities help shape generations ⚓

Congratulations to all of our graduating seniors next week 🎓 We hope one day some of you may find your way back home to inspire the next generation too ❤️

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BeaufortElementary #SeadogPride #ECHS #SeniorThrowback #GrowingOurOwn #CCPSSeniors

🐻 Start Here. Stay Here. Have FUN Here at BSES. 🐻

At Bogue Sound Elementary School, learning is serious business—but that doesn’t mean school can’t be fun ❤️📚

One of the things that makes BSES so special is its amazing staff, a team of educators committed to helping students succeed while creating a school environment where children genuinely want to be each day 🌟 From fun dress-up days 🎃 and holiday celebrations 🎅 to pep rallies, special events, and joyful classroom experiences, the BSES staff knows that students learn best when they feel connected, excited, and supported.

But behind the fun is a strong commitment to student achievement 💙

Teachers at BSES work together through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to review student progress, collaborate on strategies, and make sure every child gets the support and challenge they need to succeed 📖➕ These intentional conversations help staff identify strengths, address learning needs, and keep students moving forward academically.

BSES teachers also participate in vertical planning, working across grade levels and subject areas to ensure learning transitions smoothly from one year to the next 🔄✨ This means students experience a connected learning journey, building strong foundations in reading, math, science, and beyond while preparing for future success.

Bogue Sound has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, which allows teachers to provide more individualized support and build strong relationships with students.✨

At Bogue Sound Elementary, staff members are not only educators—they are encouragers, cheerleaders, mentors, and role models who pour into students every single day ❤️

We love our BSES staff for the way they make school meaningful, welcoming, fun, and focused on helping every child thrive 🌱🐻

🔗 Enroll today: bit.ly/enrollccps

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BogueSoundElementary #BSESFamily #TeacherStrong #AcademicExcellence #SchoolFamily

🌱🐻 Start Here. Stay Here. Grow Here. 🐻🌱

At Bogue Sound Elementary School, success starts with relationships ❤️

One of the things families love most about BSES is the school’s small-town, family feel 🤝 It’s a welcoming, relationship-focused school where staff truly know students and families, every child is supported academically, socially, and emotionally, and our community comes together to help us achieve our goals. 💙

At Bogue Sound, parents are partners in the learning journey 🌟 Through school events, celebrations, classroom communication, and opportunities to be involved, families and staff work together to help students feel connected, confident, and successful. Because when schools and families are on the same team, great things happen 📚✨

Bogue Sound also works closely with neighboring schools like Broad Creek Middle School and Croatan High School to help ensure smooth transitions as students continue their educational journey through Carteret County Public Schools 🎓🤝

Students have access to a variety of opportunities, including gifted education, fine arts and music 🎶, media and technology 💻, intervention and support services, leadership opportunities, and schoolwide celebrations that help every child find their strengths and passions 🌱

BSES is also proud to support its many military-connected families 🇺🇸, helping ensure students feel welcomed, supported, and connected.

At Bogue Sound Elementary, we’re more than a school—we’re a family, and we’re in this together 💙🐻

🔗 Enroll today: bit.ly/enrollccps

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BogueSoundElementary #BSESFamily #SchoolCommunity #GrowingTogether #MilitaryConnected

🐻 Start Here. Stay Here. Reach GOALS Here. 🐻

At Bogue Sound Elementary School, strong learning foundations help students build confidence, curiosity, and success for the future 📚✨

Serving students in Pre-K through 5th grade at BSES, students are challenged and supported through strong reading, math, science, and classroom instruction designed to help every child grow academically 🌟 Through science-based reading instruction, students strengthen foundational literacy skills like phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension so they can become capable, confident readers 📖💙

In math, students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems, and build a deep understanding of concepts through engaging instruction and hands-on learning ➕🧠 Science learning sparks curiosity and exploration 🔬🌎, helping students ask questions, investigate ideas, and better understand the world around them. Across all subjects, teachers work to make lessons meaningful, engaging, and accessible for every learner.

This commitment to excellence shows in student achievement 🏆 Bogue Sound consistently performs above state averages in academics and has been recognized among the top public elementary schools in Carteret County and within the top 20% of elementary schools in North Carolina by some rankings 🌟

At BSES, learning is about more than academics. It’s about growth ❤️ Students are encouraged to do their personal best, take risks, ask questions, and celebrate progress along the way. High achievement is recognized and celebrated, helping students see the value of hard work, perseverance, and reaching goals.

Most importantly, students and families are never alone in the journey 🤝 At Bogue Sound Elementary, staff believe in partnering with families and supporting students every step of the way because success happens best when we work together 💙

Whether a student needs encouragement, extra support, or a greater challenge, the message at BSES is clear: We believe in you, and we’re in this together 🌱🐻

🔗 Enroll today: bit.ly/enrollccps

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BogueSoundElementary #AcademicGrowth #GrowingReaders #MathMatters #ScienceLearning #BSESFamily

🌱🐻 Start Here. Stay Here. Grow Here. 🐻🌱

Today, we’re kicking off our FINAL ELEMENTARY School Social Media Takeover at Bogue Sound Elementary School 💙

At Bogue Sound Elementary, students are challenged, supported, and inspired every day through high achievement, strong academics, and a caring school family committed to success 📚✨

Learning comes first at BSES. Students build strong foundations through science-based reading instruction, excellent math and science programs, and engaging lessons designed to challenge learners at every level 📖➕🔬 Teachers work hard to make learning meaningful, hands-on, and fun so students develop the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.

But what truly makes Bogue Sound special is the people ❤️

This is a school where staff bring joy to learning, whether it’s dressing up for Halloween 🎃, welcoming visits from Santa at Christmas 🎅, cheering students on at an EOG Pep Rally 📣, celebrating Kindergarten Registration, or making everyday moments memorable. Even the cafeteria staff help create a warm, welcoming environment where students feel known and cared for 🍎

Bogue Sound families and community members are deeply invested in student success 🤝 Parents jump in to help with school beautification, Teacher Appreciation events, and school activities, while community partners enrich learning through experiences like Sanborn Orthodontics presentations 🦷, Military Breakfasts 🇺🇸, and partnerships with organizations like NC Park Specialists 🌿.

And learning extends beyond the classroom too 🎉 Students enjoy opportunities like dances, Field Day, extracurricular activities, and special events that help build friendships, confidence, and school pride.

At Bogue Sound Elementary, everything points toward one goal: helping students learn, grow, and thrive in a school community where belonging and success go hand in hand 💙

🔗 Enroll today: bit.ly/enrollccps

📣 Interested in Substituting in Carteret County Public Schools? 🍎✏️

Wanting to substitute teach in Carteret County Public Schools? Effective Teacher Training (ETT) is a required course for substitute teachers, and there are upcoming opportunities through Carteret Community College to get started!

🗓️ In-Person ETT Course
July 27–29, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍 Carteret Community College
Attendance is required all three days.

💻 Virtual ETT Course
August 31 – September 28, 2026
✅ Fully online & asynchronous
📍 Includes one required in-person orientation on August 31

Interested in joining the CCPS team and making a difference for students? Learn more about substitute requirements, qualifications, and how to get started here: CCPS Substitute Information

#CCPSProud #CarteretCountySchools #SubstituteTeacher #NowHiring #MakingADifference 🍎

🍽️🎨✨ Students at East Carteret High School recently showcased their talents and career-ready skills during an open house highlighting the school’s culinary and visual arts facilities. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared and served by Culinary Arts students under the direction of instructor Karin Millis. The menu featured locally harvested shrimp and grits 🍤, a fresh side salad 🥗, homemade orange cranberry cookies 🍪, and lemonade 🍋. Students managed every aspect of the experience—from setting tables 🍽️ and preparing the meal 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳 to serving guests, bussing tables, and cleaning up afterward. Among those attending were: ⭐ Carteret County Manager Sharon Griffin ⭐ Assistant County Manager Matt Reynal ⭐ Carteret County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Chadwick ⭐ Board Clerk/Public Information Officer Nick Wilson ⭐ CCPS Superintendent Richie Paylor ⭐ Board of Education Chair Katie Statler ⭐ Board Member Brittany Wheatly ⭐ School and district administrators The state-of-the-art commercial kitchen 🔪🍳 and spacious visual arts facilities 🎨🖌️, completed last year, give students hands-on opportunities to build real-world skills in culinary arts, hospitality, customer service, creativity, communication, and teamwork. From preparing a gourmet meal to delivering exceptional service, these students demonstrated the kind of professionalism and dedication that will serve them well in college, careers, and beyond. 🎓👏💙 Thank you to our county and school leaders for supporting opportunities that help students learn by doing every day at East Carteret High School 🐟🍽️🎨 :::

🌱⚓ Start Here. Stay Here. CELEBRATE Here. ⚓🌱

⛵ At Beaufort Elementary School, we believe school should feel like family ❤️

A strong school family celebrates together, supports one another, and creates a place where every child feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged to succeed 🌟

At BES, celebrations are about more than recognition. They help build community, belonging, and pride 💙 From Classroom of the Month 🏆, Honor Roll celebrations 📚, and 100th Day of School fun 💯 to recognizing Spelling Bee winners 🐝, enjoying Field Day fun 🎉, celebrating grant awards that bring new opportunities to students ✨, and honoring local traditions like Young Waterfowlers Day by wearing camouflage 🦆🌾, students are encouraged to work hard, grow, and celebrate together. Meaningful moments like Veterans Day programs, Black History Month presentations ✨, and exciting reading celebrations 📖 help students connect learning, culture, and community.

BES also believes in celebrating the adults who make a difference every day ❤️ Staff recognitions 🍎 help honor the educators and team members who go above and beyond for students and families.

Families and community members are part of the journey too 🤝 Beaufort Elementary regularly opens its doors for special events, performances, and celebrations that bring students, staff, parents, veterans, local leaders, and community supporters together around one shared goal: helping every child thrive.

When students know they are surrounded by people who believe in them, something powerful happens 🌱 Confidence grows. Connections deepen. Success becomes possible.

At Beaufort Elementary, there is a true sense of belonging, joy, and purpose in the air—a welcoming, safe place where students are supported, celebrated, and encouraged to become their best selves ⚓💙

🔗 Enroll today: bit.ly/enrollccps

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BeaufortElementary #SeadogPride #SchoolFamily #Belonging #SailingTowardSuccess

✨You're invited to a Special SEADOGS Legacy Event!✨

At Beaufort Elementary School, being a Seadog means being part of something truly special 💙

The Seadog name carries generations of pride in Beaufort. Originally the mascot of the former Beaufort High School, the Seadog legacy became part of local history before the school later transitioned into what is now East Carteret High School, home of the Mariners ⚓🌊 While the high school mascot retired, Beaufort Elementary proudly carries on the Seadog tradition today, connecting students to a powerful story of school pride, perseverance, and community ❤️

And what a legacy it is 🏀✨

Inside the historic former Beaufort High School gym, now beautifully restored as the Mainsail Event Center, history still echoes through the walls. The Beaufort Seadogs boys basketball team won three consecutive North Carolina state championships from 1959–1961, a feat that still stands today as the only public high school in North Carolina history to win three straight Class A state championships 🏆🏆🏆

Even more remarkable, the Seadogs also set a state record that still stands today with 91 consecutive wins between 1958 and 1962, the longest boys basketball winning streak in North Carolina high school history 🔥🏀

This summer, the Seadog story will be celebrated as part of the 65th Annual Old Homes Tour & More in Historic Beaufort 🏡⚓ The restored Beaufort High School campus, now home to the Mulberry Site Condominium Homes and Mainsail Event Center, will be featured on the tour June 26–27. Visitors can see renovated classrooms turned into homes and the historic gym transformed into a beautiful event venue.

🎥 A special Seadogs Legacy Celebration hosted by the Beaufort Historical Association will also take place at Mainsail on Saturday, June 27, from 5:00–7:00 PM, featuring memorabilia, a community reunion, and a documentary honoring the legendary basketball team. The reception is FREE and no ticket is required! 💙

For Beaufort Elementary students, who got to film a quick cameo appearance for the documentary, being a Seadog means carrying forward a legacy of excellence, resilience, and pride that has shaped this community for generations 🌱⚓

🎟️ Learn more about the 65th Annual Old Homes Tour & More here: www.beauforthistoricsite.org

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BeaufortElementary #SeadogPride #BeaufortHistory #OldHomesTour #MainsailEventCenter #HistoricBeaufort

🌱⚓ Start Here. Stay Here. Grow Here. ⚓🌱

⛵ Sailing Toward Success is the theme this year at Beaufort Elementary School—and it shows in every classroom, every lesson, and every student experience 📚✨

At Beaufort Elementary, strong academics are at the center of everything we do 📖💙

Students are building powerful foundations through science of reading instruction, using research-based strategies that strengthen phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension so every child can grow into a confident reader 📚✨

In math, students are engaged in hands-on, problem-solving instruction that helps them understand concepts deeply, apply strategies, and build confidence with numbers ➕🧠

Across all grade levels, reading is a schoolwide focus, with intentional learning experiences designed to grow literacy skills, expand thinking, and develop a lifelong love of reading 🌟

Science and social studies instruction also connect learning to the world around them, helping students ask questions, explore ideas, and think critically 🌎🔬

At Beaufort Elementary, the goal is simple but powerful:
to grow students academically, build strong foundations, and prepare them for long-term success in school and beyond 🌱

Because when students start strong, they stay strong and grow strong 💙

🔗 Enroll today: bit.ly/enrollccps

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BeaufortElementary #SailingTowardSuccess #ScienceOfReading #MathInstruction #AcademicGrowth #SeadogPride

🌱⚓ Start Here. Stay Here. Be POSITIVE Here. ⚓🌱

At Beaufort Elementary School, whole child education is a daily priority—and one of the most impactful programs supporting that work is The Positivity Project (P2) ❤️

Through P2, students are empowered to build strong, positive relationships by recognizing and valuing character strengths in themselves and others 🤝✨ The program is rooted in positive psychology and focuses on 24 character strengths, including kindness, perseverance, curiosity, gratitude, and purpose 🌟

Each week, students engage in short, intentional lessons that help them put these strengths into practice in real life—whether in the classroom, on the playground, or with peers. These daily experiences help build a culture of empathy, respect, and responsibility across the school community 💙

P2 also extends beyond the classroom. Families are encouraged to talk about character strengths at home, helping reinforce values like appreciation of others, teamwork, and positive decision-making 🌱

The Positivity Project is now a global program, reaching students across 3 countries, 28 U.S. states, 800+ partner schools, and more than 400,000 students 🌍✨

At Beaufort Elementary, this shared focus helps create a school culture where students are not only learning academics, but also learning how to be thoughtful, caring, and connected members of their community 🌊

Learn more about The Positivity Project here:
🔗 https://posproject.org/about/

#CCPS #StartStayGrow #BeaufortElementary #PositivityProject #CharacterEducation #SeadogPride #SchoolCulture