Meet the incredible Central Office team of Lee County Schools — here to serve our schools, support our students, and partner with our families every single day.
From the classroom to the community, everything we do is driven by one goal: helping every child learn, grow, and succeed. Together, we’re committed to making sure this is a year where we all Thrive in Lee.
From the classroom to the community, everything we do is driven by one goal: helping every child learn, grow, and succeed. Together, we’re committed to making sure this is a year where we all Thrive in Lee.
🚀 New Future-Focused Pathway at Bragg Street Academy!
Bragg Street Academy has launched an exciting College & Career Promise (CCP) partnership with the Early Childhood Department at CCCC!
Four BSA students are already enrolled in EDU 119 and are getting a jumpstart on their careers:
📚 2 days/week – Classes on the CCCC campus
🏫 2 days/week – Classes on our campus
🖐 Fridays – Alternating hands-on instruction at Floyd L. Knight and Warren Williams Preschool
By completing this course, students can apply for state certification in Early Childhood Education - a huge step toward being hired in Pre-K settings immediately upon graduation!
This program is another way Lee County Schools is strategically raising the bar and increasing Future-Focused Pathways for students. We're committed to helping every student discover their passion and prepare to thrive on our campuses and beyond.
#LCSthrive #FutureFocusedPathway
Bragg Street Academy has launched an exciting College & Career Promise (CCP) partnership with the Early Childhood Department at CCCC!
Four BSA students are already enrolled in EDU 119 and are getting a jumpstart on their careers:
📚 2 days/week – Classes on the CCCC campus
🏫 2 days/week – Classes on our campus
🖐 Fridays – Alternating hands-on instruction at Floyd L. Knight and Warren Williams Preschool
By completing this course, students can apply for state certification in Early Childhood Education - a huge step toward being hired in Pre-K settings immediately upon graduation!
This program is another way Lee County Schools is strategically raising the bar and increasing Future-Focused Pathways for students. We're committed to helping every student discover their passion and prepare to thrive on our campuses and beyond.
#LCSthrive #FutureFocusedPathway
🎉 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCMENT! 🎉
West Lee Middle School’s Aimee Petrarca has been named the 2025-2026 Lee County Schools Principal of the Year — chosen by her fellow principals across the district
With more than 25 years of service in Lee County Schools as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, Petrarca is known for her "all in" approach, high expectations, and a servant leadership style that puts students first every time.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach shared it best: “She does not believe in lowering the bar to meet students; instead she and her team build the support systems needed to help students reach it – and often, go beyond it.”
READ MORE: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2356368
#LCSthrive
West Lee Middle School’s Aimee Petrarca has been named the 2025-2026 Lee County Schools Principal of the Year — chosen by her fellow principals across the district
With more than 25 years of service in Lee County Schools as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, Petrarca is known for her "all in" approach, high expectations, and a servant leadership style that puts students first every time.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach shared it best: “She does not believe in lowering the bar to meet students; instead she and her team build the support systems needed to help students reach it – and often, go beyond it.”
READ MORE: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2356368
#LCSthrive
First Day Feels 📸💛
From big smiles to first-day jitters, from high-fives at the curb to fresh notebooks in the classroom—today was filled with moments worth remembering.
We’re grateful to our teachers, staff, and families for making the first day of the 2025-2026 school year such a warm welcome for our students. Here’s a look at some of our favorite snapshots from across Lee County Schools!
Drop a comment or a photo to show us your favorite first day memory from this year! 🍎✏️
#LCSthrive #BackToSchool
From big smiles to first-day jitters, from high-fives at the curb to fresh notebooks in the classroom—today was filled with moments worth remembering.
We’re grateful to our teachers, staff, and families for making the first day of the 2025-2026 school year such a warm welcome for our students. Here’s a look at some of our favorite snapshots from across Lee County Schools!
Drop a comment or a photo to show us your favorite first day memory from this year! 🍎✏️
#LCSthrive #BackToSchool
Opening Doors to New Beginnings 🚪✨
This morning, Dr. Dossenbach, district staff, and school teams from every department joined together to greet students—literally—by opening car doors as they arrived for the first day of the 2025-2026 School Year.
While it may seem like a small act, it reflects something much bigger: our belief in opening doors to possibilities, growth, and a future where every student can thrive.
Welcome back, LCS students—let’s make this year one for the books! 📚💛
📸 Stay tuned for more first day moments coming on our Facebook page soon!
#LCSthrive #BackToSchool
This morning, Dr. Dossenbach, district staff, and school teams from every department joined together to greet students—literally—by opening car doors as they arrived for the first day of the 2025-2026 School Year.
While it may seem like a small act, it reflects something much bigger: our belief in opening doors to possibilities, growth, and a future where every student can thrive.
Welcome back, LCS students—let’s make this year one for the books! 📚💛
📸 Stay tuned for more first day moments coming on our Facebook page soon!
#LCSthrive #BackToSchool
🍎 REMINDER! No-Cost Breakfast & Lunch — All Year, All Students in LCS! 🥪
As we head back to the classroom tomorrow, remember, no need to pack that lunch box because every student can enjoy breakfast and lunch at no cost again for the 2025–2026 school year! This is made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision and the support of our Board of Education.
New menu options allow students to start strong each morning with protein-powered breakfast options — your brain will thank you! You’ll still see student favorites on the menu every day, plus new highlights to keep mornings delicious.
Lunchtime is getting an upgrade too — think Philly steak sandwiches, build-a-bowl creations, and more. We’re also going farm-to-table this year, partnering with R&H Produce at the NC State Farmers Market to bring the freshest seasonal produce right to our cafeterias.
Let’s fuel learning and fun all year long — because great days start with great meals! 💛
#EatWithUs #LCSthrive #FarmToTable
As we head back to the classroom tomorrow, remember, no need to pack that lunch box because every student can enjoy breakfast and lunch at no cost again for the 2025–2026 school year! This is made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision and the support of our Board of Education.
New menu options allow students to start strong each morning with protein-powered breakfast options — your brain will thank you! You’ll still see student favorites on the menu every day, plus new highlights to keep mornings delicious.
Lunchtime is getting an upgrade too — think Philly steak sandwiches, build-a-bowl creations, and more. We’re also going farm-to-table this year, partnering with R&H Produce at the NC State Farmers Market to bring the freshest seasonal produce right to our cafeterias.
Let’s fuel learning and fun all year long — because great days start with great meals! 💛
#EatWithUs #LCSthrive #FarmToTable
📅 Mark Your Calendars – Open House is Coming!
Our teachers and staff can’t wait to welcome you on Monday, August 11th for Open House! 🎉
Traditional Calendar Schools – Staggered Schedule
🏫 Elementary (1st–5th Grades): 5:00–6:30 PM
🏫 Middle (6th–8th Grades): 5:30–7:00 PM
🏫 High Schools & Bragg Street: 6:00–7:30 PM
🏫 Floyd L. Knight: 9:00–11:00 AM or 1:00–4:00 PM
📌 Special Dates
🍎 Kindergarten Open Houses: Monday, August 18th • 4:30–6:00 PM
🧸 Warren Williams Pre-K: Monday, August 18th • 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
✨ Come meet your teachers, tour your school, and get ready for an amazing year!
Our teachers and staff can’t wait to welcome you on Monday, August 11th for Open House! 🎉
Traditional Calendar Schools – Staggered Schedule
🏫 Elementary (1st–5th Grades): 5:00–6:30 PM
🏫 Middle (6th–8th Grades): 5:30–7:00 PM
🏫 High Schools & Bragg Street: 6:00–7:30 PM
🏫 Floyd L. Knight: 9:00–11:00 AM or 1:00–4:00 PM
📌 Special Dates
🍎 Kindergarten Open Houses: Monday, August 18th • 4:30–6:00 PM
🧸 Warren Williams Pre-K: Monday, August 18th • 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
✨ Come meet your teachers, tour your school, and get ready for an amazing year!
Today marked the opening staff meeting at most schools and departments across the district. They are a mix of reunion and reminder of purpose. While some principals choose to keep things simple, others dress it up a bit.
No matter the wrapping, they serve as the first big team huddle of the year, a time to look forward, a time to focus, and a time to be challenged to grow. We are committed to making the effort to move the obstacles and to push through the challenges so that we lay the foundation for every student in our community to Thrive in Lee.
#LCSthrive
No matter the wrapping, they serve as the first big team huddle of the year, a time to look forward, a time to focus, and a time to be challenged to grow. We are committed to making the effort to move the obstacles and to push through the challenges so that we lay the foundation for every student in our community to Thrive in Lee.
#LCSthrive
🚨 Big News from Lee County Schools! 🚨
Congratulations to Sammie Jo Godfrey of J. Glenn Edwards Elementary, our 2025-2026 LCS Teacher of the Year! 🎉
An EC teacher with a heart of gold, Sammie is known for her unwavering compassion, creativity, and commitment to every student’s success. She’s not just teaching—she’s transforming lives. 💛✨
We’re so proud to have her represent Lee County at the regional and state levels!
👏 Read more about her incredible story here: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2342583
#TeacherOfTheYear #LCSthrive #ECStrong
Congratulations to Sammie Jo Godfrey of J. Glenn Edwards Elementary, our 2025-2026 LCS Teacher of the Year! 🎉
An EC teacher with a heart of gold, Sammie is known for her unwavering compassion, creativity, and commitment to every student’s success. She’s not just teaching—she’s transforming lives. 💛✨
We’re so proud to have her represent Lee County at the regional and state levels!
👏 Read more about her incredible story here: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/2342583
#TeacherOfTheYear #LCSthrive #ECStrong
It Takes a Village to Start the Year Strong
Gearing up for a new school year truly takes a village—and we’re grateful to every member of ours who has stepped up to support one another.
Last week, several of our veteran teachers joined the New Teacher Academy to share their wisdom on everything from classroom management and school culture to professional growth and healthy work-life balance. Their insights, encouragement, and honesty made a huge impact on our newest educators.
To those who served on our panels: thank you for your time, your heart, and your leadership. Your dedication helps strengthen our LCS Family and build a strong foundation for the year ahead.
Tomorrow marks the first official workday for teachers and staff across the district—and we’re kicking it off the best way we know how: together, at Convocation. Let’s launch this year with energy, purpose, and a shared commitment to comprehensive student growth and achievement!
#LCSthrive
Gearing up for a new school year truly takes a village—and we’re grateful to every member of ours who has stepped up to support one another.
Last week, several of our veteran teachers joined the New Teacher Academy to share their wisdom on everything from classroom management and school culture to professional growth and healthy work-life balance. Their insights, encouragement, and honesty made a huge impact on our newest educators.
To those who served on our panels: thank you for your time, your heart, and your leadership. Your dedication helps strengthen our LCS Family and build a strong foundation for the year ahead.
Tomorrow marks the first official workday for teachers and staff across the district—and we’re kicking it off the best way we know how: together, at Convocation. Let’s launch this year with energy, purpose, and a shared commitment to comprehensive student growth and achievement!
#LCSthrive
¡Estamos haciendo que sea más fácil para los padres de escuela intermedia y secundaria mantenerse conectados!
Lee County Schools ahora utiliza ParentSquare para la comunicación entre la escuela y el hogar en todos los campus de secundaria.
Las familias pueden recibir actualizaciones de los maestros y asesores del club, firmar formularios, programar reuniones y más, desde su teléfono, computadora o a través de la aplicación gratuita.
Esperamos fortalecer las conexiones y mejorar la comunicación en toda nuestra comunidad escolar.
Regístrese: http://parentsquare.com/signin
Descargue la aplicación: https://www.parentsquare.com/select_school/new
#LCSthrive #ParticipaciónFamiliar
Lee County Schools ahora utiliza ParentSquare para la comunicación entre la escuela y el hogar en todos los campus de secundaria.
Las familias pueden recibir actualizaciones de los maestros y asesores del club, firmar formularios, programar reuniones y más, desde su teléfono, computadora o a través de la aplicación gratuita.
Esperamos fortalecer las conexiones y mejorar la comunicación en toda nuestra comunidad escolar.
Regístrese: http://parentsquare.com/signin
Descargue la aplicación: https://www.parentsquare.com/select_school/new
#LCSthrive #ParticipaciónFamiliar
We’re making it easier for middle and high school parents to stay connected!
Lee County Schools is now using ParentSquare for all communication between school and home for all secondary level campuses.
Families can receive updates from classroom teachers and club advisors, sign forms, schedule conferences, and more—on your phone, computer, or through the free app.
We’re looking forward to stronger connections and better communication across our school community.
Sign up: http://parentsquare.com/signin
Download the app: https://www.parentsquare.com/select_school/new
#LCSthrive #FamilyEngagement
Lee County Schools is now using ParentSquare for all communication between school and home for all secondary level campuses.
Families can receive updates from classroom teachers and club advisors, sign forms, schedule conferences, and more—on your phone, computer, or through the free app.
We’re looking forward to stronger connections and better communication across our school community.
Sign up: http://parentsquare.com/signin
Download the app: https://www.parentsquare.com/select_school/new
#LCSthrive #FamilyEngagement
Great opportunity to celebrate Back to School tomorrow thanks to our friends at Central Carolina Community College and the Let's Do It Together Foundation. Saturday from 10-1p at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center!
Enjoy games, food, prizes, and more—plus a backpack giveaway to help your child get ready for the school year.
Children must be present to receive a backpack. Register your child today!
Enjoy games, food, prizes, and more—plus a backpack giveaway to help your child get ready for the school year.
Children must be present to receive a backpack. Register your child today!
Eat with Us!
Lee County Schools will be providing breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost for the 2025-2026 school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision and the Board of Education's support.
Set yourself up for success by starting your day off right with breakfast. Breakfast is brain fuel. Protein-forward breakfast options will be highlighted each day on the menu. Students' favorites will also continue to be offered each day at breakfast to ensure a variety for all students’ tastes.
New lunch entrees will soon be available for students, from Philly steak sandwiches to build-a-bowl features. Our new produce vendor, R&H Produce at the NC State Farmers Market, will help us connect students to the farm as we menu farm-to-table during NC harvest seasons.
Lee County Schools will be providing breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost for the 2025-2026 school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision and the Board of Education's support.
Set yourself up for success by starting your day off right with breakfast. Breakfast is brain fuel. Protein-forward breakfast options will be highlighted each day on the menu. Students' favorites will also continue to be offered each day at breakfast to ensure a variety for all students’ tastes.
New lunch entrees will soon be available for students, from Philly steak sandwiches to build-a-bowl features. Our new produce vendor, R&H Produce at the NC State Farmers Market, will help us connect students to the farm as we menu farm-to-table during NC harvest seasons.
Kindergarten loading . . .
Summer Bridge for our incoming Kindergarten students across the district kicked off today with tons of excitement, smiling faces, and big energy. Kids got their first chance to check out their new school, meet some teachers, and most of all ... make some new friends!
It was just a half day on campus, but it left some very full hearts for parents and school staff as they watched these little students take their first steps towards amazing things. Welcome to the family, Class of 2038! We can't wait to see you grow, learn, and thrive.
#LCSthrive
Summer Bridge for our incoming Kindergarten students across the district kicked off today with tons of excitement, smiling faces, and big energy. Kids got their first chance to check out their new school, meet some teachers, and most of all ... make some new friends!
It was just a half day on campus, but it left some very full hearts for parents and school staff as they watched these little students take their first steps towards amazing things. Welcome to the family, Class of 2038! We can't wait to see you grow, learn, and thrive.
#LCSthrive
Rising sixth graders got their first taste of middle school today as we kicked off Summer Bridge across the district. There was plenty of nervous energy, but as the day went on they warmed up to their new environment and we know they are all ready to come back for another day of fun tomorrow!
#LCSthrive
#LCSthrive
Summer Bridge programs kick off across the district tomorrow! We are thrilled to get our students that are transitioning onto new campuses in the building to get acclimated, meet teachers and staff, and start making new friends to get off the new year on the right foot. Students in Kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade have the opportunity to participate in Summer Bridge and get a few days to "warm up" in a low stress environment before the school year kicks off in full on August 13th.
We can't wait to see some of you tomorrow!
#LCSthrive
We can't wait to see some of you tomorrow!
#LCSthrive
Today we welcomed our new teachers from all of our campuses to Lee County High School for New Teacher Academy. This week will be full of orientation information, connecting them with resources and support staff, and setting them off on a solid foundation for success. Welcome aboard!
We are excited to see what this group of talented teammates will bring to our students and local public schools in the coming years.
#LCSthrive
We are excited to see what this group of talented teammates will bring to our students and local public schools in the coming years.
#LCSthrive
Going the Extra Mile—Even in Summer
We are fortunate to have so many dedicated educators in Lee County Schools. This week, more than 400 teachers gave up part of their summer to come together for three days of professional learning at the Accelerate Learning Conference 2025.
From classroom management and cooperative learning strategies to supporting multilingual learners and using technology to boost engagement—these educators leaned into the opportunity to grow. The time and energy they’ve invested will have a lasting impact on student achievement in the year ahead.
Thank you, LCS teachers and staff, for your passion, commitment, and drive to keep getting better. Here’s to a great year ahead!
#LCSthrive
We are fortunate to have so many dedicated educators in Lee County Schools. This week, more than 400 teachers gave up part of their summer to come together for three days of professional learning at the Accelerate Learning Conference 2025.
From classroom management and cooperative learning strategies to supporting multilingual learners and using technology to boost engagement—these educators leaned into the opportunity to grow. The time and energy they’ve invested will have a lasting impact on student achievement in the year ahead.
Thank you, LCS teachers and staff, for your passion, commitment, and drive to keep getting better. Here’s to a great year ahead!
#LCSthrive
Learning with friends helps us level up.
Whether it’s our students in the classroom or staff in professional development, learning alongside friends makes all the difference. It boosts engagement, deepens understanding, and builds stronger connections to the content—and to each other.
Here in Lee County, professional development happens across the district, but always within a close-knit community. Events like the Accelerate Learning Conference give our staff a chance to grow together—sharing ideas, building lasting relationships, and strengthening our collective ability to provide students with the best education possible.
It may only be Day 2 of ALC 2025, but from the smiles, engaged faces, and spirited conversations, one thing is clear: our teachers are leveling up for the year ahead.
#LCSthrive #LCSalc25
Whether it’s our students in the classroom or staff in professional development, learning alongside friends makes all the difference. It boosts engagement, deepens understanding, and builds stronger connections to the content—and to each other.
Here in Lee County, professional development happens across the district, but always within a close-knit community. Events like the Accelerate Learning Conference give our staff a chance to grow together—sharing ideas, building lasting relationships, and strengthening our collective ability to provide students with the best education possible.
It may only be Day 2 of ALC 2025, but from the smiles, engaged faces, and spirited conversations, one thing is clear: our teachers are leveling up for the year ahead.
#LCSthrive #LCSalc25
