We are pleased to announce that Dr. Christopher Barnes, of White Oak High School, has been named the 2020-2021 Wells Fargo Onslow County Schools Principal of the Year. 

On the morning of Wednesday, October 14, Dr. Barnes was greeted at the entrance of his school and surprised with the news by OCS district leaders and Baord of Education members, as well as some of his teachers and staff. He was treated to kind words and lighthearted jokes from OCS Chief of Human Resources and Student Services Dr. CJ Korenek and Superintendent Dr. Barry Collins. 

Dr. Barnes has been an educator with OCS for more than 20 years, with 17 of those years spent as an administrator. He started with the district by helping around the county office in the summer of 1993. Following that, he was hired to teach at Richlands High School in 1997 and has since worked at several OCS sites. He has spent the last four years at WOHS, to which his staff says he brings a culture of family, teamwork and pride. 

A committee comprised of community members, district staff members, and last year's principal of the year interviewed six finalists before selecting an OCS principal of the year. 

Next, Dr. Barnes will go on to compete at the regional level. 

Congratulations to Dr. Chris Barnes!

We are very excited to recognize Mrs. Donna Chadwick, assistant principal of Jacksonville Commons Elementary School, as the 2020-2021 OCS Assistant Principal of the Year! 

Dr. Collins, Dr. Folger and a group of district administrators joined Mrs. Chadwick's family in surprising her with the news on Tuesday, September 22. 

Mrs. Chadwick has been an assistant principal for three years -- all at Jacksonville Commons Elementary. Prior to becoming an administrator, she was an elementary school teacher and a Title I Reading Specialist. 

In her nomination letter, JCE Principal Deborah Hoffman said that Chadwick is a strong advocate for teachers and students, having spent countless hours finding ways to improve instruction in her school. 

Hoffman also said, however, that Chadwick is not just about academics. 

"She is also the master of staff morale," said Hoffman. "She brings 'the happy.' Donna's happy-go-lucky personality is consistent, and it is authentic. People -- staff, students, parents, strangers -- are drawn to her."

Congratulations to Mrs. Donna Chadwick!

Each year, the OCS Teacher of the Year Comittee selects the district's teacher of the year. This committee includes the previous year's OCS Teacher of the Year, Principal and Assistant Principal of the year, a community member and other district staff. The committee reviews portfolios of the educators selected as school-level teachrs of the year, selects 10 semi-finalists for interviews, narrows that to five finalists for classroom observations, and from this group, names the OCS Teacher of the Year. 

On Tuesday, September 1, Queens Creek Elementary School Musica Teacher, Dr. Zadda Bazzy, was named the 2020-2021 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Onslow County SChools Teacher of the Year!

Dr. Bazzy spent 19 years in education in Manatee County, Florida, before joining the staff at Queens Creek Elementary in 2017. 

When it comes to teaching, Dr. Bazzy said she has found a student-centered approach is the best way to ensure students feel empowered to take charge of their own learning. In her teacher of the year portfolio, she said, "when teachers choose to relinquish their position as the 'sage on the stage' and transition to a 'guide on the side,' student engagement and higher order thinking increase dramatically."

One of the biggest challenges in her career, Dr. Bazzy observed, was the transition to virtual instruction in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, she says she chooses to see obstacles as opportunities. 

"One can find unexpected blessings in these unprecedented times," she said. "My students have developed digital literacy and digital citizenship skills, and I personally have grown as an educator more in the last few months than I have in the last several years."

Next, Dr. Bazzy will go on to compete at the regional level. Winners at the regional level will compete for North Carolina Teacher of the Year. 

Congratulations to Dr. Zadda Bazzy!

We are proud to announce that Onslow County Schools has recently received two distinguished recognitions for financial management for fiscal year 2019. 

The first award is the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting presented by the Association of School Business Officials. It is the highest recognition for school district financial operations. This program reviews district accounting practices as represented in the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and commends school districts that adhere to sound principles and reporting procedures. A district earning the Certificate of Excellence has demonstrated its credibility in financial management for the school system. 

The second award is the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting presented by the Government Finance Officers Association. This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. It represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. 

This is the 17th consecutive year that the Onslow County Board of Education has earned these two prestigious awards. 

We would like to commend Chief Financial Officer Jeff Hollamon and his dedicated staff for their continued outstanding management of our financial resources. 

Each year, the OCS Teacher of the Year Committee selects the district's teacher of the year. This committee includes the previous year's OCS Teacher of the Year, Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year, a community member and other district staff. The committee reviews portfolios of the educators selected as school-level teachers of the year, selects 10 semi-finalists for interviews, narrows that to five finalists for classroom observations, and from this group, names the OCS Teacher of the Year. 

In September 2019, Mr. Daniel Scott, the Swansboro High School band director, was selected as the 2019-2020 OCS Teacher of the Year. In his initial portfolio, Mr. Scott spoke of the important lessons he hops to pass on to his students both inside and outside of the classroom. He reflected on the impact Hurricane Florence had on the Swansboro area, and how his students came together to help others and demonstrated what it means to be a great member of the community. 

We would like to recognize and celebrate Mr. Scott's selection as the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Southeast Region Teacher of the Year. He was one of nine teachers from across North Carolina who were selected as the state's regional Teachers of the Year for their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve. 

On July 10, Mr. Scott and the eight other regional teachers of the year were honored at a ceremony held in Raleigh at the Umstead Hotel. 

Congratulations to Mr. Daniel Scott on being the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Southeast Teacher of the Year! 

We are also very excited to recognize Deborah Hoffman, principal of Jacksonville Commons Elementary School. 

On October 9, Ms. Hoffman found out she was the 2019-2020 OCS Principal of the Year. She was called to the JCE multi-purpose room and greeted by cheering staff, students and district administrators, and then led a parade around the school where she received congratulations from all the students and staff. 

Ms. Hoffman has been an administrator in OCS for nine years and has spent the last four as a principal of JCE, where her staff say she has created an all new culture for the school. 

As part of her initial nomination, Donna Chadwick, JCS assistant principal, said that Ms. Hoffman encourages her staff to grow as educators and pushes students to achieve success through the AVID program. This includes building relationships with families and providing resources for the large percentage of JCE students who experience poverty. 

In January, Ms. Hoffman was named as the 2020 Wells Fargo North Carolina Southeast Region Principal of the Year. She joined eight other regional winners to be considered for North Carolina Principal of the Year. 

On August 28, Ms. Hoffman and the eight other regional principals of the year were honored at a ceremony held in Raleigh. 

Congratulations to Ms. Debora Hoffman on being the 2020 Wells Fargo North Carolina Southeast Region Principal of the Year!

There is a long tradition in OCS of having portraits of our past superintendents on display in our front lobby. We are excited to announce another will soon be added. 

Former OCS Superintendent Rick Stout’s retirement in January 2019 marked the end of a 32-year educational career serving students across the state of North Carolina. He spent nearly 12 years as a superintendent, including his last five years successfully leading the Onslow County School District. 

In his time as an educator, Rick Stout worked as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, assistant superintendent of finance and human resources, and assistant superintendent of instruction and auxiliary services.  In 2008, he became superintendent of the Scotland County School System in Laurinburg, NC, where he worked until being named OCS superintendent in January 2014. 

During his tenure as OCS superintendent, Mr. Stout was an advocate for 21st century learning, presenting locally and nationally regarding technology innovation and the importance of early college partnerships. He was selected by the White House to be recognized as one of a hundred school superintendents leading the way for technology. He was nominated by his peers as president of his regional superintendent association, as well as being a recipient of the prestigious NC Lighthouse Award and the Golden Apple Award for technology. 

In May 2017, Mr. Stout was selected as the Regional Superintendent of the Year by the Southeast Region Superintendents’ Council. 

Rick Stout served as a leader for local, regional, state education issues, and on several national level boards and organizations focused on educational leadership and student opportunities. This includes the: 

• League of Innovative Schools,  
• Global Schools Network,  
• DigiLEARN,  
• North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Board,  
• North Carolina Association of School Administrators,  
• North Carolina Interstate Compact Board,  
• Military Affairs Committee,  
• Economic Development Board,  
• The Innovative Project of North Carolina,  
• Eastern North Carolina Workforce Development Board, and 
• Served as the State Chair for Military Impacted Schools Association.  

He has previously served as President of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators and as a member of the State Superintendent’s Advisory Committee.

As OCS superintendent, he was responsible for, or oversaw, several initiatives focused on  addressing the continuous growth of the county, and providing opportunities for our students, including: 

• Opening of the Onslow Virtual Academy in the spring of 2017, 
• Overseeing the massive redistricting process approved by the BOE in January 2015 - after just coming on Board with OCS in winter of the previous school year, 
• Opening of new facilities at Dixon Middle School and Richlands Elementary School, and transitioning K-3 Richlands Primary to K-5 Heritage Elementary,  
• Working with our partners at Coastal Carolina Community College to open the Onslow Early College High School in August 2017, and 
• Developing partnerships with state and local legislative leaders, neighboring school districts and business leaders on this amazing facility – the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center, which opened for students this school year. 

Most notably, Mr. Stout led OCS during recovery from the most unprecedented event to ever impact this county - Hurricane Florence. 

Mr. Stout, we thank you for your service to OCS and our school community and look forward to having your portrait being displayed in our front lobby. 

The philosophy behind Advancement Via Individual Determination, better known as AVID, seeks to provide first-time college-going students the tools, skills and support they need to develop into motivated, confident and productive students.

As a result of their diligent and focused work, we are excited to announce that Southwest Middle School has been revalidated as a National Demonstration Site through the 2022-2023 school year.

Following a December site visit, the school has been revalidated because it exemplifies a school-wide approach to AVID. The AVID visiting team noted they “observed thoughtful instruction and engaged students everywhere in the building.”

The school was commended for its integration of one-to-one computing devices and AVID best practices –especially note-taking and interacting with notes; collaboration of school administration and AVID team showing leadership from within; and, ensuring schoolwide usage of AVID methods.

Congratulations to Principal Joycelyn Cassidy, AVID Coordinator Emily Fanning, AVID Coordinator Heather Wells and the Southwest Middle School site team for this recognition.

We are excited to announce that Teddye Park, a Heritage Elementary School kindergarten teacher, has been selected as the Fall 2019 recipient of the UNCW Watson College of Education Roy E. Harkin Teacher Recognition Award.

This award was established in 2008 in memory of Dr. Roy E. Harkin who served as the chair of the Education Department at UNCW from 1976 to 1979, and then as Dean of the School of Education until 1991. Sponsored by the family and friends of Dr. Harkin, the award is designed to recognize a public school teacher and/or site coordinator who has contributed to the preparation of future teachers by demonstrating excellence as a Professional Development System partner.

Ms. Park holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations from East Carolina University, and completed a K-6 add on certificate in Elementary Education from UNCW in 2003. Ms. Parke began her career with OCS in 1997 as an EC teacher assistant, and for the past 14 years, has worked as a kindergarten teacher.

Congratulations to Ms. Park for her commitment to her students and her dedication to her school, her colleagues and to the Watson College of Education students placed in Onslow County schools.

Throughout the United States, the last full week of October has been designated as Red Ribbon Week. The Red Ribbon Campaign has become a symbol of support forour law enforcement agencies’ efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. By wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October, Americans demonstrate their ardent opposition to drugs and drug usage. They pay homage to all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation's struggle against drug trafficking and abuse.

In the Onslow County School System, Red Ribbon Week is recognized in severaldifferent ways. One of the most popular is a contest sponsored by Community Prevention Services, featuring student-created banners. The banners focus on creativity, with students developing the concept and doing allthe work. There are four different categorieswewill be recognizing tonight: Best Overall, Most Creative, Most Original and Most Red Ribbon School Spirited.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Best Overall

• "Don't Let Drugs Blow Your Future," Stateside Elementary, Frank Marzullo and Kenia Posadas
• "Cap and Gown," Richlands Elementary, Christina Savage and James Orr
• "Drugs Can Carve You," New Bridge Middle, Ange Bender and Michelle Mueller
• "Send the Message," Swansboro High, Nicole Loya and Hali Moritz

Most Creative

• "Drugs Don't Fit into Our Puzzle," Swansboro Elementary, Carrie Jackson and Tori Christmas
• "Don't Let Drugs Haunt You," Heritage Elementary, Angela Thomas
• "Send a Message - Be Druge Free," Northwoods Park Middle, Robert Holt

Most Original

• "Iron Man," Richlands Elementary

Most Red Ribbon School Spirited

• Heritage Elementary

We would like to thank Mrs. Kelli Knapp and Community Prevention Services for sponsoring this worthy contest!

Last month, the College Board announced their 2019 AP District Honor Roll list. We are very excited to share that OCS was recognized as one of only two districts in the state of North Carolina, and one of 250 districts in all the U.S. and Canada to be on the list.

In just one year, OCS has increased AP participation by 16 percent, from 762 students participating in AP courses in 2018 to 884 in 2019. We have also increased the percentage of under-represented populations taking AP exams by 53 percent and increased the percentage of those same students scoring a level 3 or higher on the AP exam by 106 percent. We attribute this largely to our budding relationship with the National Math and Science Initiative, or NMSI, which is now in place in four of our high schools.

We are extremely proud of our educators who opened access to challenging courses and provided supports to help our students succeed. This recognition demonstrates their focus and dedication to college and career readiness.

We would like to recognize a few of those educators who made this achievement possible. First, we would like to thank Richlands High School Principal Brad Staley and Northside High School Principal Lynn Jackson for their dedication to growing their schools’ AP programs and for fully embracing NMSI, which has made all the difference for their students.

We would also like to recognize Mr. Michael Elder, OCS director of college and career readiness, and Mr. Will Laine, OCS executive director of secondary education, for their work with principals, teachers, district staff and NMSI representatives to facilitate the introduction of the NMSI program and support AP growth district wide.

Thank you to all who have played a role in helping OCS reach these goals and to those who continue to make growth possible every day.