Behind every great athlete, team, and success story, there’s a coach who believed first.
Today, on National Coaches Day, we want to send a huge THANK YOU to all of our incredible coaches at Newton-Conover City Schools! You do so much more than teach plays and run drills. You build confidence, instill discipline, and model leadership every single day.
Thank you for your endless dedication, late nights, early mornings, and the heart you pour into our students. We appreciate you! 🙌
This October, we are continuing to highlight the dedicated leaders across our district who bring positivity, passion, and purpose to our schools! Today, we are excited to spotlight Jonathan Tharpe, Principal at Shuford Elementary! 📚✨
This month, the "Good Vibes" at Shuford Elementary are coming directly from their schoolwide Reading Buddies program! This wonderful initiative brings together upper-grade and lower-grade students to build reading and math fluency through engaging, meaningful learning activities. Beyond strengthening key academic skills, students build confidence, leadership skills, and lasting friendships across grade levels.
Principal Tharpe’s daily inspiration for his school family?
"Every day is a day to be happy!" 😊❤️
Thank you, Principal Tharpe, for fostering a positive, connected, and joyful learning environment for the students and staff at Shuford Elementary!
Dear N-CCS Staff, Families, and Community,
Today marks an important step in the process surrounding the proposed merger of Newton-Conover City Schools. Today was the deadline for briefs to be submitted to the North Carolina State Board of Education, and Newton-Conover City Schools submitted our brief.
We are proud of the work that went into our submission and remain confident in the position we have presented. Our message continues to be clear: Newton-Conover City Schools should remain an independent school district.
We know the strength of our schools. We know the dedication of our staff. We know the opportunities and experiences we provide our students. And we know the importance of our schools to the Newton-Conover community. We will continue to stand firmly in support of our district and advocate for what we believe is in the best interest of our students, staff, families, and community.
The next step will be for the Catawba County Board of Commissioners to submit a reply to the briefs that have been filed. The proposed merger plan is currently scheduled to be discussed at the November meeting of the North Carolina State Board of Education.
As this process continues, we will remain engaged, prepared, and committed to advocating for Newton-Conover City Schools.
We will continue to keep you informed every step of the way. More importantly, we will continue to do the work, tell our story, and stand firm in our commitment to Newton-Conover City Schools remaining an independent school district.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us and, most importantly, for continuing to stand up for our students and our community.
Together, we will continue to advocate for what is best for N-CCS.
Please use the link below to access the brief that was submitted to the State Board of Education.
N-CCS Brief Submission - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nxY3ZbrIClTaXV2PLpWZwxYf8Zg_VoJg
With appreciation,
Emily Shaw
Superintendent
Newton-Conover City Schools
Today marks an important step in the process surrounding the proposed merger of Newton-Conover City Schools. Today was the deadline for briefs to be submitted to the North Carolina State Board of Education, and Newton-Conover City Schools submitted our brief.
We are proud of the work that went into our submission and remain confident in the position we have presented. Our message continues to be clear: Newton-Conover City Schools should remain an independent school district.
We know the strength of our schools. We know the dedication of our staff. We know the opportunities and experiences we provide our students. And we know the importance of our schools to the Newton-Conover community. We will continue to stand firmly in support of our district and advocate for what we believe is in the best interest of our students, staff, families, and community.
The next step will be for the Catawba County Board of Commissioners to submit a reply to the briefs that have been filed. The proposed merger plan is currently scheduled to be discussed at the November meeting of the North Carolina State Board of Education.
As this process continues, we will remain engaged, prepared, and committed to advocating for Newton-Conover City Schools.
We will continue to keep you informed every step of the way. More importantly, we will continue to do the work, tell our story, and stand firm in our commitment to Newton-Conover City Schools remaining an independent school district.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us and, most importantly, for continuing to stand up for our students and our community.
Together, we will continue to advocate for what is best for N-CCS.
Please use the link below to access the brief that was submitted to the State Board of Education.
N-CCS Brief Submission - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nxY3ZbrIClTaXV2PLpWZwxYf8Zg_VoJg
With appreciation,
Emily Shaw
Superintendent
Newton-Conover City Schools
We are committed to fostering a culture of kindness & respect across all of our schools. Together, students, staff, and families can build a community where everyone feels safe, valued, and heard.
Talk to your child today about what it means to be a supportive friend. Remind them to speak with a trusted teacher or counselor if they see or experience bullying.
Talk to your child today about what it means to be a supportive friend. Remind them to speak with a trusted teacher or counselor if they see or experience bullying.
🎪 Step Right Up! National School Lunch Week is Coming! 🥦🍎
Next week (October 12–16), we are celebrating National School Lunch Week 2026 with this year's fun theme: “Cafeteria Circus: Where Nutrition Takes Center Stage!” 🎪✨
A healthy lunch gives our students the fuel they need to excel in the classroom, on the playground, and beyond. Throughout the week, our incredible nutrition team will be serving up balanced, delicious meals to keep our kids energized and focused! 🥗🍕🥪
🎟️ Admission (Lunch) is FREE!
🗓️ When: October 12–16
📍 Where: School Cafeteria
A huge thank you to our hardworking cafeteria staff, the real ringmasters of our school day, for everything they do to nourish our students every single day!
On National School Custodian Appreciation Day, we send a HUGE thank you to the hard-working men and women who keep our halls spotless and safe. Starting early every morning with a smile, you keep our schools running smoothly. We appreciate you today and every day!
October is National Book Month! 📚✨ Our elementary students and Superintendent Dr. Emily Shaw are diving into some great books!
Newton-Conover City Schools is hiring a School Treasurer! 💼✨
Help support our schools, students, and staff by bringing your financial expertise to our team. Learn more and apply today!
👉 Apply here: newtonconover.schoolspring.com
Help support our schools, students, and staff by bringing your financial expertise to our team. Learn more and apply today!
👉 Apply here: newtonconover.schoolspring.com
In recognition of National Principals' Month, we are celebrating the incredible leaders who guide, inspire, and elevate our school communities every single day! To kick things off, we want to spotlight Leah Hayes, Principal at North Newton Elementary School! We look forward to celebrating all of our principals throughout the month.
In celebration of World Milk Day, our School Nutrition Director, Nancy Price, visited Shuford this morning to welcome students to school. Students and parents enjoyed the morning, and students were reminded that the importance of milk and eating a good breakfast go hand in hand.
We thank everyone who eats with us daily and supports our program. Let us continue to support your family by providing meals at no cost to our students!
We thank everyone who eats with us daily and supports our program. Let us continue to support your family by providing meals at no cost to our students!
Milk brings protein, calcium, and essential nutrients to the cafeteria tray, supporting the growth and focus students need to succeed in the classroom. Behind that nutrition is a team of school nutrition professionals working hard to plan menus, manage logistics, and prepare tasty options for students daily! Happy World Milk Day!
Thank you to everyone who joined our Staff & Family Tailgate. We were also thrilled to recognize our Red Blazer Award winners and Of the Year honorees at the football game! 🏆
Thank you for your dedication to our students and school community!
Thank you for your dedication to our students and school community!
🎉 Happy Human Resources Professionals Day! 🎉
Newton-Conover City Schools wants to take a moment to shine a massive spotlight on our incredible HR team, Tammy Brown and Angela Sigmon!
They may be a small team, but they are mighty in impact. Behind every teacher, support staff member, smooth school operation, and more is this dedicated duo keeping everything running seamlessly behind the scenes. From hiring top talent to supporting our entire staff family every single day, their hard work and heart make our district a better place.
Newton-Conover City Schools wants to take a moment to shine a massive spotlight on our incredible HR team, Tammy Brown and Angela Sigmon!
They may be a small team, but they are mighty in impact. Behind every teacher, support staff member, smooth school operation, and more is this dedicated duo keeping everything running seamlessly behind the scenes. From hiring top talent to supporting our entire staff family every single day, their hard work and heart make our district a better place.
Our Teacher’s Assistants bring dedication, patience, and warmth to our schools every single day. From providing one-on-one student support to keeping classrooms running smoothly, their hard work makes a real difference across our district.
THANK YOU to all of our incredible TAs!
Below is the Superintendent’s Message from the Monday, September 21, 2026 Board of Education meeting, presented by Dr. Emily Shaw.
We enter this school year with incredible momentum and a clear message: our district is healthy, strong, and thriving. At the end of the 2025–2026 school year, we added a healthy amount to our fund balance proving to everyone that despite narratives framing our district as broke and in need of rescue, we are standing on firm, resilient financial ground. Moving into this year, we are staying strictly within our means, and the budget up for a vote tonight keeps us moving in the right direction. Let me be clear: while our schools are adjusting to staffing changes and navigating growing pains as we adapt, we are fully equipped to meet this moment.
Now that accountability data is no longer embargoed, the results speak for themselves: our students outperformed the state average in every single elementary EOG subject, a remarkable feat given that North Carolina’s statewide proficiency sits around 59.2%. Our schools are making positive gains in numerous areas, our dropout rate remains better than the state average, and our students are genuinely thriving. Beyond the classroom, our extracurricular programs from sports to band to clubs are firing on all cylinders as our young people find their place and purpose. Furthermore, our enrollment remains stable within a handful of where we were at this time last year, well above the projections from the McKissick study.
Inside our classrooms, our dedicated staff members are actively implementing high-leverage instructional practices to target individual student needs, ensuring every child receives tailored support. We have just wrapped up initial BOG and mCLASS assessments in our elementary grades to establish a solid baseline for growth, while our upper elementary students are stepping up as school leaders and embracing higher expectations. Middle schoolers are settling smoothly into their routines, while high schoolers are leaning into advanced coursework, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and college preparation. Having spent time in our buildings recently, it brings me immense joy to see first-hand the vibrant learning happening across every grade level. The good vibes in our halls are undeniable!
As long as there is breath in my lungs, I will continue to fight for us to remain an independent district because we are just fine. We are proof that a small system can deliver a massive impact.
Dr, Emily Shaw
Superintendent
We enter this school year with incredible momentum and a clear message: our district is healthy, strong, and thriving. At the end of the 2025–2026 school year, we added a healthy amount to our fund balance proving to everyone that despite narratives framing our district as broke and in need of rescue, we are standing on firm, resilient financial ground. Moving into this year, we are staying strictly within our means, and the budget up for a vote tonight keeps us moving in the right direction. Let me be clear: while our schools are adjusting to staffing changes and navigating growing pains as we adapt, we are fully equipped to meet this moment.
Now that accountability data is no longer embargoed, the results speak for themselves: our students outperformed the state average in every single elementary EOG subject, a remarkable feat given that North Carolina’s statewide proficiency sits around 59.2%. Our schools are making positive gains in numerous areas, our dropout rate remains better than the state average, and our students are genuinely thriving. Beyond the classroom, our extracurricular programs from sports to band to clubs are firing on all cylinders as our young people find their place and purpose. Furthermore, our enrollment remains stable within a handful of where we were at this time last year, well above the projections from the McKissick study.
Inside our classrooms, our dedicated staff members are actively implementing high-leverage instructional practices to target individual student needs, ensuring every child receives tailored support. We have just wrapped up initial BOG and mCLASS assessments in our elementary grades to establish a solid baseline for growth, while our upper elementary students are stepping up as school leaders and embracing higher expectations. Middle schoolers are settling smoothly into their routines, while high schoolers are leaning into advanced coursework, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, and college preparation. Having spent time in our buildings recently, it brings me immense joy to see first-hand the vibrant learning happening across every grade level. The good vibes in our halls are undeniable!
As long as there is breath in my lungs, I will continue to fight for us to remain an independent district because we are just fine. We are proof that a small system can deliver a massive impact.
Dr, Emily Shaw
Superintendent
We are excited to share that Newton-Conover High School has been recognized by the NCHSAA as 1 of only 7 high schools in our region to achieve an Ejection-Free Year for the 2025-2026 school year!
This achievement is a huge testament to the character, respect, and sportsmanship displayed by our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and amazing Red Devil fans every single day.
This achievement is a huge testament to the character, respect, and sportsmanship displayed by our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and amazing Red Devil fans every single day.
Board of Education Meeting Schedule Update
The Newton-Conover City Schools Board of Education updated its meeting schedule during the work session meeting held on September 14, 2026.
January 11, 2027 has been designated as the Board’s Winter Work Session.
The Newton-Conover City Schools Board of Education updated its meeting schedule during the work session meeting held on September 14, 2026.
January 11, 2027 has been designated as the Board’s Winter Work Session.
Yesterday at our Board of Education meeting, NCHS Principal Mr. Penley took time to recognize several outstanding members of our Red Devil community!
A special shout-out to our NCHS JROTC Color Guard for an incredible presentation of the colors!
Mr. Penley also gave well-deserved recognition to our wonderful NCHS students and dedicated teachers for their continued hard work and excellence.
Lastly, a big thank you to Whataburger for being such a fantastic community partner and supporting Newton-Conover High School! We are grateful for our amazing staff, talented students, and supportive community partners.
A special shout-out to our NCHS JROTC Color Guard for an incredible presentation of the colors!
Mr. Penley also gave well-deserved recognition to our wonderful NCHS students and dedicated teachers for their continued hard work and excellence.
Lastly, a big thank you to Whataburger for being such a fantastic community partner and supporting Newton-Conover High School! We are grateful for our amazing staff, talented students, and supportive community partners.
Newton-Conover City Schools is looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and make a difference in our community. We have a wide range of open positions. Learn more and apply today! 👉 Apply here: newtonconover.schoolspring.com
🚌 It’s School Bus Ridership Week at Newton-Conover City Schools! (Sept 21–25)
Did you know that every student who rides the bus this week helps secure state funding for our school district?
If your child is registered for bus transportation, make sure they hop on board this week! Thank you for helping us keep our buses running smoothly and efficiently!
