Hello, OCS Family! Thank you for your patience and understanding as the district worked to make decisions regarding school closures this week. We hope you are staying safe and warm today.  

See below for the latest district news and updates.  

KIWANIS CLUB FUNDS OCS GRANTS 

On Wednesday, the Kiwanis Club of the Topsail Island Area visited three schools in the Dixon area to present teachers with funding for classroom projects.  

Grants, totaling over $13,000, were given to staff at Coastal Elementary, Dixon Elementary and Dixon Middle schools. The Kiwanis Club worked closely with Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation to identify Bright Ideas grant applications in the Dixon area that were not funded and chose to cover them in full.  

The money provided will go toward classroom or schoolwide projects that enrich the learning experience but fall outside the scope of school funding. Projects will include “chill zones” to allow students to have a space to calm themselves and refocus, a “discovery courtyard” at DMS to provide a space for outdoor learning, a “Kinder ‘Garden’” at Coastal Elementary, and more!  

Thank you to the Kiwanis Club of the Topsail Island Area for supporting education in Onslow County! 

OCS HIRING BUS DRIVERS 

OCS is hiring bus drivers! Starting pay for drivers is $15 an hour, and those who sign on now will receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus.  

Training will be provided, and the district will help new hires obtain a CDL driver’s license. The next driver class will be held February 8-10. Apply for this class by Friday, January 28 at www.onslow.k12.nc.us/busdriver.  

See the OCS website for a full list of upcoming classes.  

CONTACT INFORMATION  

In order to stay up to date on the latest news and updates from the district, we encourage our families to ensure that their most recent contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, is on file at their schools. Having current and accurate information is essential in our effort to provide the OCS family with important notices and updates.     

If you or someone you know has not been, or has stopped, receiving district notices, please contact your school's data manager to confirm that your contact information is entered correctly.

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! You can catch up on the latest district news and updates below.  

HOLIDAY/WORKDAY REMINDERS 

We would like to remind our families that, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, OCS will be closed for students and staff Monday, January 17.  

Tuesday, January 18 and Wednesday, January 19 will be teacher workdays, with no school for students.  

Have a safe and restful long weekend!  

BRIGHT IDEAS GRANTS AWARDED 

We would like to congratulate Onslow County Schools’ 53 Bright Ideas grant recipients for this year!   

Each year, Jones-Onslow provides grant applications to teachers and principals, grades K-12, in Jones and Onslow counties, as well as the Topsail area of Pender County. This year, educators in Onslow County were awarded a total of $48,835.36!  

Bright Ideas grants help students learn through innovative scholastic projects that are not covered by regular school funds. Educators submit proposals for what they would like to do with a Bright Ideas grant, such as projects, activities, etc., and may apply for individual grants up to $500 or in teams for grants up to $2,000.   

You can find a list of this year’s Onslow County Bright Ideas grant recipients here: Bright Ideas Grant Winners 2021.  

Congratulations to all winners and thank you to JOEMC! 

OCS HIRING BUS DRIVERS 

OCS is hiring bus drivers! Starting pay for drivers is $15 an hour, and those who sign on now will receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus.  

Training will be provided, and the district will help new hires obtain a CDL driver’s license. The next driver class will be held January 25-27. Apply by Friday, January 14 at www.onslow.k12.nc.us/busdriver.  

Another class will be held February 8-10. Apply for this class by Friday, January 28. See the OCS website for a full list of upcoming classes. 

CONTACT INFORMATION  

In order to stay up to date on the latest news and updates from the district, we encourage our families to ensure that their most recent contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, is on file at their schools. Having current and accurate information is essential in our effort to provide the OCS family with important notices and updates.     

If you or someone you know has not been, or has stopped, receiving district notices, please contact your school's data manager to confirm that your contact information is entered correctly.

FOLLOW OCS ON SOCIAL MEDIA  

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

Happy New Year, OCS Family! Thank you for a great first week back from winter break. See below for the latest district news and updates.  

MVES STUDENTS PAINT HEARTS OF HOPE 

Students at Meadow View Elementary are showing their kindness and offering their encouragement to those in need.  

In December, fourth and fifth graders at MVES started the Hearts of Hope project, which will allow them to send hand painted heart ornaments to those struggling with grief or going through a difficult time. Sandra Whaley, a teaching assistant at the school, had the idea for the project after finding the Hearts of Hope program following the loss of her daughter in June 2021.  

The 305 hearts, which students could paint any way they chose, will be sent to those in our community and beyond who could use an encouraging lift.  

Thank you to Ms. Whaley and the students of MVES for taking the time to spread positivity to those who need it! 

NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION RECOGNITIONS 

Congratulations to Meagan Smith, of New Bridge Middle, Shelly Kleist, of Coastal Elementary, Allison Jones, of Swansboro Elementary, Jennifer Hardy, of Southwest Middle, Jennifer Griffin, Swansboro High, and Jessica Burch, of Swansboro High, for recently being awarded their National Board certifications!  

The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards’ mission is to advance the quality of teaching and learning through a voluntary advanced certification. That vision is inspired by the model from other professions, such as medicine, where board certification symbolizes accomplished practice, both within the profession and in the larger community.  

Achieving National Board certification is a great accomplishment in the teaching field, so congratulations to you all, and thank you for your dedication! 

OCS VI TEAM GET DPI SHOUTOUT 

We would like to say thank you to our OCS Visual Impairment team in the EC department!  

The VI team, specifically Risé Hatton and Camilla Gholson, recently received a shoutout in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Professionals in Visual Impairment group for the great work they are doing with students in Onslow County. The shoutout said, “they are doing outstanding things for the students and families in Onslow County Schools. As part of our Accessible Media Producers program, Risé not only makes materials accessible for students, but also for a parent with a visual impairment. In addition to the Braille Club they host, they recently shared information on the AMPs at the district EC Expo.” 

Thank you to the OCS VI team for all you do! 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting held January 4 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! Thank you for a great week. See below for the latest district news and updates.  

WINTER BREAK REMINDERS 

OCS wishes you all the happiest of holidays! We hope you find joy, rest and peace during the winter break and enjoy time with those you love.  

Remember, there will be no school for students Monday, December 20 through Monday, January 3. Students will return on Tuesday, January 4.

The OCS Central Services office will be closed for the holidays Wednesday, December 22 through Friday, December 31. The office will reopen on Monday, January 3.  

Weekly Updates will resume after the holidays, on Friday, January 7.  

Have a safe and enjoyable break! 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting held December 15 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! Thank you for another great week. See below for the latest district news and updates.  

ART IN THE AIRPORT 

On Monday, December 6, students, staff and families gathered at Albert J. Ellis Airport to celebrate the opening of the newest installment of Art in the Airport exhibit.    

OCS has partnered with OAJ to showcase the talents of our visual arts students for more than 5 years. This exhibit, called “Create,” features the work of 15 high school students, representing schools from all over the county.   

A variety of styles and mediums, including wire, paint, photography, digital art, and more, were used to create this collection of work. Artwork varied in subject matter as well, ranging from depictions of nature and self-portraits to cultural works and fantasy pieces.   

If you find yourself travelling through OAJ this holiday season, be sure to check out “Create” and see the great things our art students are accomplishing! 

Check out the OCS website for a full list of student artists featured in the exhibit: Art in the Airport. 

COLLEGE ESSAY INFORMATION SESSION 

It is a busy time of year, but for those who are able to attend and for those who may be writing some applications over the break, we welcome you to join admissions professionals from UNC Wilmington, UNC Greensboro, and East Carolina University as they share important information about writing strong essays and answer your questions about the application process. This will be held online on Thursday, December 16 starting at 5:30 p.m. 

All grades are welcome to attend, but we expect this session to be particularly beneficial for high school juniors and seniors. Register at https://bit.ly/3ljptov. 

BECOME A TEACHER 

Are you interested in learning more about how to become a teacher? This weekend is your last chance to register for a Monday, December 13 information session! Register at bit.ly/becomeateacher21. 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting held December 7 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! Thank you for a great week of learning in Onslow County. Read below for the latest district news and updates.  

EC EXPO & SHOWCASE 

On Tuesday, the OCS Exceptional Children Division held its Fall Expo and School-Based Enterprise Showcase. This event was an opportunity for parents and our greater school community to come together and learn about all the OCS EC program has to offer.  

Staff and students were on hand to meet and greet parents and to show them the hard work done in their classrooms. Some students in the EC program participate in what are called “school-based enterprises,” which are student-run small businesses. Students learn valuable life skills through product development, marketing, and sales management. On Tuesday, school-based enterprise programs from across the county gathered to showcase their work and to sell their handmade products just in time for the holidays.  

Thank you to all of the staff and families that make the EC program at OCS a positive experience for so many students! 

ART IN THE AIRPORT 

Will you be travelling for the holidays this year? If so, keep an eye out for the newest installment of Art in the Airport at Albert J. Ellis Airport this month!  

“Create,” the latest exhibit of student artwork to be displayed at OAJ, will feature the art of some of our outstanding and talented high school students. Stay tuned for the full list of featured works and artists to come! 

BECOME A TEACHER 

Are you interested in learning more about how to become a teacher? OCS will host a virtual information session on how to turn your AA or BA degree into a teaching career on Monday, December 13 at 4 p.m. Register for this session by 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 12 at bit.ly/becomeateacher21.  

OCS HIRING BUS DRIVERS 

OCS is hiring bus drivers! Starting pay for drivers is $15 an hour, and those who sign on now will receive a $2,500 sign-on bonus.  

Training will be provided, and the district will help new hires obtain a CDL driver’s license. The next driver class will be held December 13-17. Apply by Friday, December 3 at www.onslow.k12.nc.us/busdriver.  

More driver class opportunities for 2022 will be announced soon.  

BOE MEETING DECEMBER 7 

The regular monthly meeting of the Onslow County Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, December 7 at 6 p.m. at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items include an overview of College and Career Readiness Initiatives.   

In accordance with Board Policy: 2335 – Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials, Board materials will be available on line 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! See below for important reminders and a special Thanksgiving message.  

HOLIDAY REMINDERS 

We would like to remind our families that Wednesday, November 24 is a teacher workday. OCS offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday. In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, OCS will be closed for staff and students on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26.  

We will see you all on Monday, November 29! 

SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE 

Dear OCS Family, 

On Thursday, people across our nation will pause to consider the many, many things we have to be thankful for this holiday season.

Personally, I am thankful for my faith and my family which help keep me centered. I look forward to being with them over the next few days and enjoying the many blessings they bring to my life. 

I am also thankful for our school family. One of the best parts about this holiday season is that we can honor one of the most important parts of our school system – the hard-working OCS staff who give their all to their jobs every day. 

Over the past months we have had to make many difficult choices. I am thankful for the support and leadership of our Board of Education and the time they have taken to listen and the focus they have given to support the best interests of our students and staff. 

Finally, I am grateful for the support of our entire community who came together and supported our schools to tackle our continuing challenges. Throughout it all, the work has been aimed at doing whatever it has taken to keep our schools moving forward for the sake of our children. 

This holiday season, I hope each of you takes the time to reflect on what you are thankful for. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends, family, and loved ones! 

Sincerely, 

Barry D. Collins, Ed.D. 
Superintendent, Onslow County Schools 

VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES  

The Onslow County Health Department would like families to be aware of upcoming COVID-19 vaccination opportunities. OCHD will host clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. November 23 and 30, and December 1 and 2 at 612 College St. in Jacksonville.  

Vaccines will be available for those, ages 5 and older, who wish to receive their first dose or booster shot. Appointments are strongly recommended. To make an appointment, please call the health department at 910-989-5027.  

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. Read below for all the latest district news and updates.  

HOLIDAY REMINDER 

We would like to remind our families ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday that Wednesday, November 24 is a teacher workday and that OCS will be closed for staff and students Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26.  

VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES 

The Onslow County Health Department would like families to be aware of upcoming COVID-19 vaccination opportunities. OCHD will host clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on November 22, 23 and 30, and December 1 and 2 at 612 College St. in Jacksonville.  

Vaccines will be available for those, ages 5 and older, who wish to receive their first dose or booster shot. Appointments are strongly recommended. To make an appointment, please call the health department at 910-989-5027.  

PHONE CHANGES AT CENTRAL OFFICE 

The OCS Central Office has recently installed a new phone system, which has resulted in changed phone extensions for everyone at the central services office. The main number for the central office is still 910-455-2211. If you do not know an employee’s new extension, options will be available on the call menu, including searching the directory or speaking to the front desk, which can help forward your call to the correct person.  

EC EXPO & SHOWCASE 

OCS Exceptional Children Services will be hosting a floating fall expo and school-based enterprise showcase on Tuesday, November 30. We invite the public to join us to learn more about the EC program and take advantage of the opportunity to order products from student-run, school-based enterprise programs from across the county. SBE programs that will be in attendance include DHS’ Alright Candles and Maroon Dog Creations, RHS’ Wild Cat Soap Company and Wild Cat Jars, JHS’ Cardinal Café, NWPMS’ Park Pottery, SBHS’ Coasters, SWHS’ Woodn’t It Be Nice, and more.  

SCIENCE TEACHER RECOGNIZED 

Earlier this month, Danielle Yocum, a teacher at Coastal Elementary School, was awarded the 2021 NC Science Teachers Association District 2 Outstanding Elementary School Science Teacher Award.  

This award is given to a person who exhibits leadership in science education, contributes to improving science education, and excels in the aspects of science education.  

Congratulations, Ms. Yocum, and thank you for all you do for our students! 

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 all had a great Veterans Day holiday. We are grateful for the sacrifices of our service members and thank all those in our school community who have served our nation.  

Catch up on the latest district news and updates below.  

COVID-19 UPDATE 

Earlier this week, the OCS Board of Education unanimously approved making face coverings optional for all students, staff, and visitors effective Monday, November 15.  

Due to federal regulations, face coverings will continue to be required on all OCS transportation until further notice. 

As of now, all other COVID-19 protocols will remain in place.  

CALENDAR CHANGE 

Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, the Board of Education unanimously voted to adjust the 2021-2022 school calendar, making Monday, March 21, 2022 a teacher workday.  

EXPECTED PHONE INTERRUPTIONS  

The OCS Central Office is expecting interruptions to phone service on Wednesday, November 17. On this day, IT staff will be performing needed phone maintenance, which will result in all county office extensions changing. Once all changes are made, we will update phone lists and directory information as promptly as possible. The main phone number for our office will still be 910-455-2211.  

NC SPACE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 

We are excited to share that Coastal Elementary School’s Lisa Godwin has been selected to represent OCS in the North Carolina Space Education Ambassador Program! 

The NC Space Education Ambassadors (NCSEA) program helps meet two equal, nationwide needs – to prepare pre-college students for STEM careers and equip teacher leaders to inspire students. The goal of the program is to build a statewide network of master teachers who deliver NASA educational content to their local students, schools and communities. 

Each year, up to 10 in-service classroom educators with a minimum of three years of service are selected from eight education districts across the state. NCSEA ambassadors commit to a one-year period of professional development, which, for Mrs. Godwin, commenced this and will continue throughout the school’s academic year, ending in the spring of 2022. 

Upon completion of the professional development, NC Space Education Ambassadors will join a cohort of trained educators across the state to deliver NASA education to their communities for years to come! 

Congratulations, Mrs. Godwin, and thank you for all you do! 

NEWS FROM THE BOARD 

A summary and video of the Onslow County Board of Education meeting held November 9 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 would like to let our families know that, starting Monday, November 8, the OCS Central Office will be open to the public 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This change in hours will more closely align the central office with school hours, allowing for better service for schools and families.  

Catch up on all other district news and updates below.  

EARLY RELEASE/HOLIDAY REMINDER 

Remember, Wednesday, November 10 is an early release day for students and a professional development day for staff. OCS will be closed on the following day, Thursday, November 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.  

VACCINATION OPPORTUNITIES 

The Onslow County Health Department would like families to be aware of upcoming COVID-19 vaccination opportunities. OCHD will host after-hours clinics next week for those who find it difficult to make an appointment before 5 p.m. Vaccinations will be available until 6:30 p.m. at the health department, located at 612 College St. in Jacksonville, Monday, November 8; Tuesday, November 9; Wednesday, November 10; and, Friday, November 12.   

Vaccines are available for those, ages 5 and older, who wish to receive their first dose or booster shot. Appointments are strongly recommended. To make an appointment, please call the health department at 910-347-7941.   

BASES RECOGNITIONS 

The success of the school system is greatly supported by the strong relationships we have with our community. For nearly 30 years, BASES – Businesses Assisting Schools in Educating Students – has worked to encourage stronger relationships with parents, volunteers, businesses, and the entire community. OCS believes it is important to recognize our community businesses and volunteers for their support.  

During the 2020-2021 school year, businesses and organizations came together to contribute more than $294,000 and nearly 7,000 volunteer hours. Due to COVID-19, the BASES reception was cancelled for the second year in a row. Community Affairs staff have been delivering plaques in person, in hopes of showing the same warm appreciation for all our community does for us.  

Thank you to all who have supported our schools throughout the past year. OCS is proud to carry on the strong tradition of recognizing our partners through the BASES program.  

For more information on BASES and a full list of 2021 award recipients, visit the OCS website: BASES 2021. 

CHRISTMAS CHEER 

Christmas Cheer, a program through Onslow Community Outreach, helps provide Christmas meals and gifts for local families who struggle financially.  

Applications for assistance through the Christmas Cheer program are now open. Individuals or families in need of gifts and/or food for the holiday season are eligible to apply. If your family is need of assistance for the holidays this year, please contact your school counselor or school social worker for information on how to apply.  

If you would like to lend a helping hand this season, Christmas Cheer is accepting donations of toys, food and money, and is also looking for volunteers to help with distribution. Learn more about how to donate or volunteer your time at http://onslowco.org/cc.  

BOE MEETING NOVEMBER 9 

The regular monthly meeting of the Onslow County Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, November 9 at 6 p.m. at the Eastern North Carolina Regional Skills Center. Agenda items include COVID-19 protocols and practices, the annual independent audit report, discussion of a retention bonus, 2021-2022 calendar adjustments, and an exceptional children operations overview.  

In accordance with Board Policy: 2335 – Advance Delivery of Meeting Materials, Board materials will be available on line 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