They are the heart of our classrooms, the engines of our offices, and the friendly faces in our hallways. Today, we are incredibly proud to announce our 2026 "Of the Year" Honorees! ๐
These individuals haven't just done their jobsโtheyโve gone above and beyond to inspire our students, support our families, and keep our schools running at their very best.
Help us congratulate this yearโs winners:
๐ Teachers of the Year
Conover School: Christine Bambara
Discovery High School: Rachel Isaac
Newton-Conover High School: Paiton Hall
Newton-Conover Middle School: Shannon Rogers
North Newton Elementary: Ashley Cline
Shuford Elementary: Sharon Warren
South Newton Elementary: Amber Travis
๐ ๏ธ Support Staff of the Year
Conover School: Riza Sargent
Discovery High School: Elizabeth Arditti
Newton-Conover High School: Jennifer Gambill
Newton-Conover Middle School: Kerri Collins
North Newton Elementary: Monica Moser
Shuford Elementary: Maggie Bartlett
South Newton Elementary: Amanda Coffey
๐ Classified Staff of the Year
Conover School: Leah Setzer
Discovery High School: Libby Perrigan
Newton-Conover High School: Alicia Keene
Newton-Conover Middle School: Jenn Kiser
North Newton Elementary: Edith Rangel
Shuford Elementary: Ronnie Iglesias
South Newton Elementary: Tamika Howell

Way to go, Layton! ๐โจ
We are bursting with pride today! Join us in celebrating Layton, an 8th grader from Newton-Conover Middle School, who represented our district with incredible poise and talent at the State Spelling Bee this weekend!
Competing on the big stage at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is no small feat. While he may not have taken home the first-place trophy, Layton walked away a true winner. His hard work, dedication, and the way he represented the spirit of Newton-Conover City Schools made us all proud.


At Newton-Conover City Schools, we believe that music is more than just notes on a pageโitโs a universal language that inspires creativity, builds confidence, and brings our student body together. ๐ถ
This month, we are hitting a high note to celebrate our incredible Music Teachers! ๐ From the first recorder lesson to the final curtain call at the spring concert, these dedicated educators work tirelessly to help our students find their rhythm and their voice.
To our NCCS Music Faculty: Thank you for your passion, your patience, and for keeping the melody alive in our hallways every single day. You donโt just teach music; you teach heart, discipline, and harmony. ๐ผโค๏ธ

This March, Newton-Conover City Schools joins the nation in celebrating the incredible contributions of women throughout history. From the scientists and artists who changed the world to the educators and leaders shaping our classrooms today, we honor the women who inspire our students to dream big.
Learn more about the history of this month here: https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-month
#WomensHistoryMonth #EducationInspires #BuildingTheFuture

We currently have open Pre-K slots for this year. If you or someone you know needs child care. Fill out the online application below.
๐๐ผ (English) https://form.jotform.com/klyke/2526NCPKApplication
๐๐ผ (Spanish) https://form.jotform.com/klyke/2526NCPKApplication-Spanish
**NC Pre-K is a free pre-kindergarten program for eligible 4-year-old children.
Applications are accepted year-round; children are age-eligible for 1 year prior to kindergarten. Transportation is not provided. Priority is given to children who aren't currently enrolled in a high-quality child care program.
You must submit income verification documents and a copy of the child's birth certificate with your application. Please do not submit applications to any of our classroom locations.

๐Kindergarten Enrollment is OPEN!๐
Is your little learner ready to start their big adventure? Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is now officially open for all upcoming kindergarten students!
We can't wait to welcome your child to the family. To ensure your child is ready for the first day of school, please complete the enrollment process as soon as possible.
How to Enroll:
๐ Visit our website to start the online application or use this link: https://bit.ly/enrollnewkinders
๐ Gather required documents (Birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency).
๐ Reach out to your home school if you have any questions!
๐ Live anywhere in Catawba County? Attend NCCS tuition-free.
Help us spread the wordโtag a friend or neighbor with a rising kindergartener! ๐โจ
NOTE: Returning Student Registration has not opened yet for the 2026-2027 School year. If you complete a new student enrollment for a returning student, there will be significant delays in Chromebook assignments and communication regarding schedules. Please be patient for the Returning Student Registration window to open.
We are thrilled to announce that Kristin Wright, CTE teacher at Newton-Conover Middle School, has been named the Outstanding First Year Teacher for Newton-Conover City Schools! ๐
Starting a career in education is a major milestone, and Ms. Wright has stepped into the classroom with a level of passion and dedication that inspires us all. We are so proud to have her as part of our NCCS family! โค๏ธ๐ค

National School Breakfast Week is coming to Newton-Conover City Schools from March 2โ6, 2026, and we are ready for โThe Quest For School Breakfast!โ Why join the quest? Because a healthy, energizing start in the cafeteria leads to big victories in the classroom. Research shows that students who fuel up with school breakfast are more likely to:
๐ Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math.
๐ Score higher on standardized tests.
๐ง Improve concentration and memory.
โก Stay alert throughout the school day.
๐ Maintain a healthy weight.
Make sure your students don't miss out on the most important meal of the day. Let's make this year's quest the most successful one yet!
#NSBW26 #QuestForSchoolBreakfast #NewtonConover #FuelingSuccess #SchoolMeals

Join us for our upcoming Substitute Training session:
๐๏ธ WHEN: March 26th | 1:00 PM โ 3:00 PM
๐ WHERE: N-CCS Board of Education Room
๐ APPLY HERE: https://newtonconover.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5256684

Ms. Kieferโs class at Conover School celebrated Yellow Day this past Friday! Their bright outfits definitely spread some serious cheer!!

We are committed to supporting the "whole child" at N-CCS. By leveraging CarePortal, our Student Services department bridges the gap between families in crisis and a vast network of community providers.
Our specialized teamโcomprised of school counselors, a school psychologist, and a behavior interventionistโutilizes the CarePortal platform to ensure that essential needs are met quickly and efficiently. We are proud of the collaboration between our school staff and community partners to create a safety net for every student. If you would like to learn more, please contact Paula Sigmon at paula.sigmon@n-ccs.org.
#smallsystembigimpact

The goal? A simple "get-to-know-you" session to strengthen the ties between our schools and the organizations that support our students and families every day. When we work together, our entire community thrives!
A huge thank you to our community partners for making this event possible!
We are so grateful for these partnerships and look forward to everything we can accomplish together for our students.

โ๏ธโ๏ธTODAY IS YELLOW DAY!! BRIGHTEN SOMEONE'S DAY!!โ๏ธโ๏ธ
๐TODAY'S KINDNESS CHALLENGE: Light up our town with kindness by wearing yellow this Friday in support of Random Acts of Kindness Week! Post your photos on Facebook and help us spread a little sunshine. Send your photos to nccs.communications@n-ccs.org.

๐Today's Kindness Challenge: We want to spread some positivity across the Newton-Conover community today! Share this post to your profile and tag someone who made you smile to let them know they're appreciated. ๐ท๏ธDonโt forget to tag us too!๐โค๏ธ

Shuford Elementary is shining bright! ๐๐
Last night at the Board of Education meeting, Principal Jonathan Tharpe took the opportunity to highlight the incredible team members who help keep the heart of Shuford beating strong. Itโs all about the people who go above and beyond for our students! ๐พ๐
Please join us in celebrating:
District Spelling Bee Representatives! ๐๐ We are so proud of these talented wordsmiths for their hard work, focus, and for representing Shuford with such excellence!
The EC Staff ๐ก๏ธโจ โ For your tireless dedication, patience, and the specialized care you provide to ensure every student succeeds!
The Cafeteria Staff ๐ณ๐ฅ โ For fueling our scholars with healthy meals and warm smiles every single day. You are the backbone of our school!
Food Lion Community Partner ๐ฆ๐ โ We are so grateful for your generous support and commitment to our Shuford family. Community partners like you make all the difference!




Please join us in congratulating:
โจ Kelly McCaslin โ For the incredible achievement of earning her National Board Certification! ๐ฅ
โจ Tabetha Reynolds โ For her dedication to professional growth by renewing her National Board Certification! ๐โญ
National Board Certification is one of the highest honors in the teaching profession, requiring years of reflection, hard work, and proven impact on student learning. We are so lucky to have this level of expertise and passion serving our students! ๐ก๏ธ๐

Big things are happening at South Newton Elementary! ๐๐
Last night was a special evening at the Board of Education meeting as we celebrated some of the incredible people who make South Newton's community so bright. Please join us in congratulating the following honorees:
โจ Staff Excellence
A huge round of applause for these staff members. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our students and your hard work every single day.
๐ Student Leaders & Achievers
We are so proud of our young leaders who represent the best of SNES, such as our amazing Spelling Bee Representatives and our Safety Patrol โ Way to go! ๐โ ๏ธ
๐ค Community Partners
Success is a team effort, and we are beyond grateful for our community supporters: Christ Alive Church โช and Good News Club Volunteers ๐
Thank you all for your commitment to our students and for making South Newton a wonderful place to learn and grow.



We are so incredibly proud of Layton and wish him the best of luck as he goes on to compete at the state spelling bee on March 1st at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte!

๐TODAY'S KINDNESS CHALLENGE: Who is the teacher or staff member youโll never forget? Share a story about someone from NCCS who impacted your life years ago! ๐ท๏ธBe sure to tag Newton-Conover City Schools! ๐โฅ๏ธ

