Cleveland County Schools District

The Cleveland County Health Department has identified multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Burns High School. Therefore, in collaboration with our local health officials, we have made the decision to transition entirely to remote learning with the school building temporarily closed for students and employees. Students shall not be on campus until the school reopens for in-person instruction on Tuesday, December 8.

Cleveland County Schools to remain in the Plan B learning model for the duration of the first semester. Cohort A students will continue on Mondays and Tuesdays, Cohort B students on Thursdays and Fridays, while remote learners will continue their learning experience online. Please continue to wear masks and practice social distancing. Our students and staff have done a fantastic job with COVID preparedness. Let’s continue doing our part as we enter the holiday season.

Jeanne West of Burns Middle has been named the Teacher Assistant of the Year for Cleveland County Schools. She was recognized during a surprise visit by a small entourage that includes school administrators, district leaders, and school board members.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Shelby Post # 4066 has made it their goal to benefit students with autism. In continuing their support for the SAIL (Social and Academic Training for Life) initiative with Cleveland County Schools, the VFW donated $25,000 this year with a total giving amount exceeding $225,000 over the years.

During a surprise visit among a small group administrators, school board members, and select family members, Julie Rikard of Kings Mountain High was named the Principal of the Year for Cleveland County.

The 2020 Wells Fargo Teacher of the Year for Cleveland County is Emily Parker of Union Elementary. Initially nominated by her peers, Parker is known for being innovative, creative, and for bringing learning to life.

As promised, we have compiled a list of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) to help answer the burning questions about the upcoming school year.

This infographic is provided to help cohorts better understand our hybrid return-to-learning model.

Andrew Washburn, band director at Kings Mountain High School was recently accepted into the American School Band Directors’ Association (ASBDA), a prestigious honors organization for band directors with an emphasis on concert band.

The 2020 graduation season is upon us. You can view the graduation ceremonies using the following links.

A shelf-stable breakfast is included with every lunch and the free meals are available to anyone 18 years of age and younger. Children do not have to be present to receive a meal.

By providing Cleveland County Schools with the funds to acquire hundreds of Chromebooks to be used by students, Facebook has committed to the learning process and betterment of the overall education experience. ​

Due to current restrictions, we will not be able to offer Kids Around Summer Care this year. However, we will keep you updated regarding future opportunities as they become available.

Since schools have been closed, Casar PE Teacher Leigh Ann Earwood has continued to teach. Each school day, Earwood shares a video on Casar School's Facebook Page. Recently, Ms. Earwood highlighted some of her horses, which she often discusses in her PE classes at school. Our students loved learning about Ms. Earwood's horses. These videos were featured in an article in The Shelby Star.

Jason Lineberger, Digital Learning Coordinator for Cleveland County Schools, was recently named a PBS Digital Innovator All-Star for his ability to integrate media and digital technology into his learning environment, and for his ability to inspire students to use media and emerging technologies. Among 19 others from across the nation, Lineberger is the only nominee from North Carolina to be inducted this year.

The Cleveland County Board of Education approved Wendy Fitch as executive director for the Exceptional Children's Department at the May 11 business meeting

Dr. Nellie Aspel currently serves as director of the Exceptional Children’s Department with Cleveland County Schools. Although she is soon to retire, she is finishing strong by making sure students with disabilities are fully supported during COVID-19.

North Elementary created a "Happy" compilation of a few moments captured during their robotics season.

The State Board of Education has released grading guidelines that differ for elementary, middle, and high schools. However, additional information is forthcoming, especially for ninth through eleventh grades who will be presented grading options. If you have any questions about grading, please contact your student’s school.

Dear Parents and Guardians, I appreciate your support and encouragement during the challenging times surrounding COVID-19. The rapid response and makeover that has been implemented since the middle of March has been unbelievable. This transformation doesn’t just occur by chance; it takes a tremendous amount of work and dedication put forth by everyone to accomplish the great things happening in our school district.

Since schools began the Remote Learning Plan due to the COVID facilities shutdown mandate, Evonne Jenkins has been offering interactive sessions for students

Miss Travis and Miss Taylor both received a $1000 grant from Donors Choose (as a part of a selected small group of teachers through a pilot program) that would allow them to purchase items their students need to be successful during this virtual learning time.

Beverly Owens, an eighth-grade science teacher at Kings Mountain Middle School, has been 3D printing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for local healthcare workers, facilities, and the hospital. Mrs. Owens has printed and distributed over 400 pieces of PPE gear to individuals in Shelby, Kings Mountain, and Gastonia.

Seniors from Crest High School have recorded shout-outs to the school faculty member who impacted them most during their educational tenure at Crest High.

Cindy Estridge, a chemistry teacher at Kings Mountain, shared a lesson online about calculating molar mass. North Carolina Public Radio 91.5 (WUNC) interviewed Estridge about the lesson and the many other lessons she has shared online.

A recently published EducationNC (EdNC) article, “Everyone will be learning differently for a while — but what about students with learning differences?” article features comments from Dr. Nellie Aspel, the Director of Exceptional Children for Cleveland County Schools.

When we were told that our students could not attend school for two weeks, the North custodians, Roxanne Baucom and Elizabeth Champion, immediately began to clean and disinfect our school. Their hope, along with all of ours, was that we would return to school on March 30th and proceed with our year. However, when the Governor extended the students' return to school until at least the middle of May, Mrs. Baucom and Mrs. Champion didn't waste any time. They immediately started on some projects that they had not had time to get to last summer.

All of my students have not only connected to Google Classroom within three days after I opened it, but they also all submitted assignments. I have spoken to each student on the phone this week and they are all physically ready to return to school.

As a school Social Worker at Township Three, I am so fortunate to have awesome community support on a daily basis, but especially during difficult times like we are experiencing now. Our school has had numerous individuals, organizations, churches, etc. contact us wanting to help. They have called wanting to volunteer to help deliver meals to our families, continue feeding our families through the weekend backpack ministry, donate school supplies, and money/gift cards to give families in need.

There’s no place like home,” a yearning Dorothy Gale once chimed in the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz. Who knew eighty years later, a pandemic would pressurize world leaders to direct folks to do just that- go home and stay home!

At Shelby Intermediate, one of the sayings we have is "Make your own weather." As the CoronApocalypse has forced us out of our comfort zones, I am taking comfort from the positive changes that have come out of this so far.

While at the doctor's office last week, a nurse overheard my conversation about teaching and communicating with my students online the past 2 weeks. She had so many questions about how things would work for her son and students in general, and was in a state of total confusion and worry about her child's education, how to move forward, would he be promoted, and so on. I then discovered that her son attended a middle school that is not within Cleveland County Schools.

In the event students remain out of school for multiple weeks, we would like to know who has access to high speed internet at home. This information is vital in helping us manage our remote learning strategy. Parents or students, please click here to take the survey.

Teams of avid readers converged at CCS Central Services to put their knowledge to the test at the Cleveland County Book Challenge.

Meet Springmore Elementary Agape teacher, Jill Nolen.

In our schools, we encourage teamwork and goal-driven collaboration. This means we must be extra cautious in preventing further spread of cold, flu, and other sicknesses. School attendance is certainly the most important piece in the learning process, however, it is difficult for any student to excel during times of sickness.

Aaliyah Thompson, a fourth-grader at Marion Elementary, is the winner of the 2020 Star Spelling Bee. She will be heading to Washington D.C. to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee as Cleveland County's top speller. After several rounds of competition, Thompson out spelled 22 county competitors at Cleveland Community College to capture this year’s local title.

CCS February Bus Driver of the Month

Transfer applications for the 2020-2021 school year are now available online and at individual schools. A new e-form process is also now an available option for transfer applicants.

The young scholars at Graham Elementary are getting a close look at a variety of services through off- and on-campus experiences as well as virtual expeditions.

Briana Cox, a seventh-grader at Crest Middle, was recognized among her peers as this year's winner of the Victor E. Bell, Jr. Scholarship. Managed through the College Foundation of North Carolina, the scholarship – valued at $20,000 – is awarded to students for their achievement and potential for future success in college.

Preschool screenings for the upcoming school year will be held March 23 through March 27 at the Office of School Readiness. Screenings will be held by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling (704) 476-8064.

When Shelby High Junior Class President Katie Allen recently heard of a church providing coats for children in their community through a non-profit organization called Operation Warm, she thought it sounded like a good idea. Apparently, members of the Shelby community agreed with her.

Enjoy this December 2019 edition of the CCS FocUS magazine.

After a rigorous selection process among 12 other district winners, Chad Beam of Burns High School has been named the Southwest Region’s Teacher of the Year. The surprise announcement was made to Beam in front of the entire Burns High student body in the gymnasium.

The annual Math Field Day was recently held at CCS Central Services where mathematicians from around the county converged to test their skills. This year’s theme, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Math Day,” provided several unique, holiday-themed challenges.

At the December 16 school board meeting, the Cleveland County Board of Education approved Paula Stevens as the next principal of North Shelby School and Stephanie Hinson as assistant principa

Revered as one of the greatest transportation directors in the state of North Carolina, the Cleveland County Schools Bus Garage was recently dedicated to the late Dave Hinson

Springmore Students decorate Central Services Christmas Tree

Enjoy this November 2019 edition of the CCS FocUS magazine.

Lesley Bumgardner of Burns High, Karen Gold of Casar Elementary, and Brian Blow of Marion Elementary were recognized as 2019 Hoyt Q. Bailey Agape Award winners.

For exhibiting qualities of courage and strength of character, student Heroes were honored at Central Services at the annual Carl DeBrew Heroes program sponsored by the Cleveland County Schools Educational Foundation and Laughlin Furniture Outlet.

CCS November 2019 Bus Driver of the Month

Enjoy this latest edition of the CCS FocUS magazine.

At the October 14 school board meeting, the Cleveland County Board of Education approved the superintendent’s plan to create a local supplement for classified employees. Approving the supplement at one percent, this is the first of its kind for Cleveland County Schools.

Shelby VFW Post 4066 Donates $50,000.00 to CCS

Congratulations to Janet Harrill, CCS 2019 EC Teacher of the Year!

Cleveland County Schools Child Nutrition Serving up Lots of Pizza!

The Wells Fargo Teacher of the Year for Cleveland County is Chad Beam of Burns High.

Take a look at this video featuring “Suit Up and Show Up” at Jefferson Elementary School.

Wanda Montgomery of Springmore Elementary was named the 2019 Bus Driver of the Year. With over 16 years of driving experience, she earned top honors as the county’s top driver.

Enjoy this 2019 summer edition of the CCS FocUS magazine, a monthly magazine highlighting the many great things happening in Cleveland County Schools. Go Team CCS!

We received lots of feedback on the 2020-2021 school calendar. One recommendation had tremendous support. This recommendation was to move the planning day/Kindergarten Orientation Day from April 1 to a day in March. We had two popular suggestions for what day in March should become the planning day.

The Cleveland County Board of Education approved the following administrative changes at the May 29 school board meeting.

The Cleveland County Schools Calendar Committee has developed a calendar for the 2020-2021 school year for traditional schools for consideration. Please take a moment to tell us your thoughts about the proposed calendar. Before doing so, please review the following parameters from North Carolina's calendar law.

The 15th Annual Senior Scholars Banquet was held recently at The LeGrand Center to celebrate and reward the academic successes of the county’s top scholars. Nearly 200 seniors were honored as A. Mickey Church Scholarship recipients as they achieved at least a 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) and placed in the top twenty percent of their cohort at their respective schools.