"We don't know them all, but we do owe them all." As we celebrate Veterans Day, we remember the sacrifices of all servicemen and women across the country. Thank you doesn't seem like quite enough, but we are grateful for you and what you mean to our community.
Parents and families, please take a look at this update about how attendance is tracked in the new student information system. To be considered present, students must attend at least 51% of the instructional day. If you have questions about the impact of the new student information system on absences or tardies, please contact your child's school.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are developing a strategic plan for Lee County Schools and we highly value your input. We initiated this effort by assembling a team of diverse community leaders to form the foundation of our strategic planning committee. We invite LCS staff and community members to join this team and contribute their perspectives. To complete the team, we will be adding parent representatives, community members, certified and classified LCS employees. If you are interested in joining this committee, please complete this form (bit.ly/LCSplan24) by November 15th.
J. Glenn Edwards hosted the school's first Veterans Day Parade to honor those who are serving, have served, and the families in the school connected to our armed forces members. Find out more about their efforts to honor Veterans here and enjoy some photos here:
https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/1864626
This week is National School Psychology Week. Did you know that LCS has two school psychologists and an educational diagnostician that serve the needs of all 17 LCS campuses.
School psychologists work is designed to help students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally by applying their knowledge of mental health, learning, and behavior. They work with students, families, and teachers to create a supportive learning environment and address issues that impact a student's performance.
Join us in saying thank you to our School Psychologists, Randy Staats and Angela Piekielniak, as well as our Educational Diagnostician, Stephanie Hayden for their dedication to ensuring all students are able to thrive in Lee County Schools. #LCSthrive
LISTENING & LEARNING. Student Advisory Groups, particularly at our high schools, help give district leadership feedback and stay up to date on the latest needs and feelings of students in the district. They're also playing a role in informing the district's Strategic Planning process.
Last week, Dr. Dossenbach and several Central Office staff met with student advisory groups at each high school, including this one from Bragg Street Academy. We're thankful for students that are willing to make their voices heard and help find solutions to the most challenging tasks facing our schools and we're thrilled that they are prepared to use their voice to help others grow. #LCSthrive
Southern Lee's Angela Colvin was surprised at a staff meeting today with the news that her peers selected her as the 2024-25 Lee County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year! Read more about Mrs. Colvin's outstanding work here (https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/1858942) and join us in congratulating her!
LOCKDOWN ENDED: Agencies are continuing efforts to locate the state prison escapee but do not feel it directly impacts our schools and we have been advised to resume normal activities.
At the request of law enforcement, due to an escaped prisoner from the correctional facility off of Bragg St., Lee County High School, Lee Early College and Bragg Street Academy have gone on lockdown. We will let you know when law enforcement clears the area.
Tramway Elementary's "Art for the Sky" project helps drive home the contribution of each individual to making a community whole. Read more about this school-wide art collaboration and see the video of the project coming together here: https://www.lee.k12.nc.us/article/1852768
The Lee Co. Association of Educational Office Professionals recognized Dr. Dossenbach with their Administrator of the Year Award while also honoring Marti Walton, a Data Specialist in the Accountability Department, with the Office Professional of the Year Award. Congratulations!
(2 of 2) As we close National Principals Month, we pause to celebrate and appreciate the leaders that drive our district forward. Our principals are not just managers of things, they are leaders of people. Their vision and dedication help set the course for our staff to lead students towards success.
Lee County is so lucky to have these 17 individuals who serve as principal on each of our campuses. We're also thankful for the many other administrators who serve as assistant principals across the district. Our students and communities are better places thanks to the focused leadership and commitment to students you display each day.
Please join us in thanking the principals across Lee County Schools, and show your love for the ways they care for, lead, and serve our students and faculty!
As we close National Principals Month, we pause to celebrate and appreciate the leaders that drive our district forward. Our principals are not just managers of things, they are leaders of people. Their vision and dedication help set the course for our staff to lead students towards success.
Lee County is so lucky to have these 17 individuals who serve as principal on each of our campuses. We're also thankful for the many other administrators who serve as assistant principals across the district. Our students and communities are better places thanks to the focused leadership and commitment to students you display each day.
Please join us in thanking the principals across Lee County Schools, and show your love for the ways they care for, lead, and serve our students and faculty!
It is a tradition in LCS for Beginning Teachers to make their rounds at Central Office as first year beginning teachers, meeting the staff and learning what each person or department is responsible for. Central Office always tries to make it a memorable experience with some great Halloween costumes!
This year, Beginning Teachers were greeted by all of Taylor Swift's various "Eras", the "Spice Girls", and the four seasons among other festive costumes. It is a unique way for our BTs to get to know our district staff and always make for some great photos! #LCSfamily
Yesterday afternoon, every student and grade level at Tramway Elementary participated in "Art for the Sky." Here is a sneak peek at a few pictures from yesterday's big event to get you prepared for the big reveal that comes later today. #SuccessInAllSeasons #LCSthrive
Tonight through Halloween! Southern Lee Theatre presents the eerie documentary performance "Trap! A Documentary" by Stephen Gregg about a play a high school play in California where every person in the audience except one fell unconscious.
Tickets are available online at soleetheatre.ludus.com and at the door. Performances are Tuesday Oct. 29th, Wednesday Oct. 30th, and Thursday Oct. 31st. The performance starts at 6:30 and doors will open at 6 pm. (This chilling event features elements that may be too terrifying and horrifying for young children. Please be mindful of that fact when purchasing tickets.)
Red Ribbon Week is the nation's largest and oldest awareness campaign to help educate students on being healthy and making the choice to not abuse drugs and alcohol. Schools across our district join the national campaign each October by participating in a variety of Red Ribbon Week activities. Lee County Schools would like to thank the City of Sanford's ABC Board for providing funds annually to support these efforts in our school district.
Last night we held the first Community Feedback Meeting of our Strategic Planning process at Southern Lee. We were so encouraged by the turnout and the candid feedback so many provided about where we are as a district and how we can improve the services we provide to students and families.
Thank you to each community member that made the time to get there last night and provide their input, we are grateful for your support and voice!
Schools are so often the backbone of a community. That is especially evident in Western North Carolina as they do the hard work of trying to rebuild from a catastrophic event, Hurricane Helene. It is also why when any district is hurting, we all have to pitch in.
Here in Lee County Schools, we are blessed to have tremendous community support. When we heard about some immediate needs for mountain districts who still trying to put the pieces of their broken communities back together, we were able to respond quickly thanks to support we receive from you.
Buncombe County Schools returned staff to campus today & students tomorrow. The district requested extra counselors & social workers to be in their schools to be ready to support those returning to learning after a traumatic event. Three social workers from LCS, Dennis Duke, Consepsion Martinez & Sara Allen made the trip up to Buncombe County and are still there assisting students and staff with processing all they have been through.
We also responded to immediate needs in McDowell County Schools, as Central Office Staff collected coats, hats, gloves, socks, underwear and hygiene items on short notice to get to students from Old Fort Elementary who were displaced by flooding. Over two feet of mud covered the floors in their school building and many students lost homes and belongings including the warm clothing they need in the near days and weeks as chilly mountain air settles in for the late fall.
Thanks to generous central office staff and incredible response from St. Luke UMC, Jonesboro Heights Baptist, and Cool Springs Baptist, we were able to drop off a 14-foot trailer full of needed supplies for students and families in McDowell County in less than a week from receiving their list of critical needs.
We are thankful to serve and live in a community that supports our schools and is always ready to lend a hand to those who need it. We know when we call, whether it is for students in the mountains or a family in need in our community, you will help us find a way to make it happen. Thanks for showing us Lee County is a place invested in seeing students & families thrive.
#LCSthrive #SchoolsHelpingSchools
REMINDER! Tomorrow night is our Community Feedback Meeting on our Strategic Planning Process. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Southern Lee High School in the Cafeteria.
Please RSVP using this quick online form: https://bit.ly/LCSplan
We invite all parents and community members to this important event as part of Lee County Schools' strategic planning process. Your feedback on our district's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is crucial in shaping the future of our schools. Come share your thoughts and help us build a stronger future for our students and schools.
