'Need to Know' Updates
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'Need to Know' Updates: April 18, 2021
The district recently released its academic calendars for the 2021-2022 School Year. Separate calendars have been developed for Traditional Schools, Year-Round Schools, Early College High Schools, and Cumberland Polytechnic High School. Each calendar can be found on the Cumberland County Schools' (CCS) Website, but can also be accessed by clicking on CCS' 2021-2022 Calendars.The next Cumberland Family Academy (CFA) session titled "Building & Maintaining Healthy Financial Habits" takes place on Thursday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. This session will equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage money effectively. There will also be a Q & A session. Click here to register and to view the CFA Spring Schedule. An encore presentation of each session is posted on the district’s Facebook page and YouTube channel the following Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.CCS students 16 years and older can be recognized as a hometown hero when they donate blood by July 2021. The effort will help save lives as our community and nation reel from blood shortages. Cape Fear Valley Health System is entering high school students who donate blood into a drawing to win a new car. To increase a students' chances to win, family and friends can also donate and enter the student's name in the drawing. This opportunity to donate blood will take place at blood drives at area CCS high schools in the coming weeks. For more information, visit our website.During the April 13 Cumberland County Board of Education Meeting, members of the Board voted to accept Superintendent Dr. Connelly’s financial plan for student success, which reaffirms actions outlined in The Cumberland Commitment: Strategic Plan 2024. While district leaders built budget business cases to maximize the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and to address many of the pressing needs that exist throughout the school system, there is a need for increased funding at the local level. Therefore, the Board agreed to request $88.1 million in local funding from the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. This represents an increase of 9.2 percent or $7.4 million over this year’s appropriation to fund local budget priorities. The budget request includes allocating significant resources to support students’ academic acceleration and address the social and emotional impact of the pandemic on students’ lives. As a one-to-one learning district where all students have access to a Chromebook, in order to ensure the long-term success of this initiative, the recommended budget includes increasing the number of Technology Services personnel. Moreover, CCS plans to invest in all premier professionals by increasing the local supplement for teachers, assistant principals, principals and classified staff. It has been six years since the last supplement increase, and according to Dr. Connelly, the pandemic magnified the urgent need to recruit and retain top-notch staff.The local funding request also includes:- Hiring additional personnel to support school leaders and enable schools and students to thrive in the aftermath of COVID-19;
- Increasing the number of project managers to address pressing facility needs in the district’s aging buildings; and
- Addressing anticipated salary and benefit increases as a result of projected state salary increases.
The district also plans to allocate a significant amount of federal and state funds to support Performance, Accountability, Support, Empowerment (PASE) schools, which are schools designated by the state as low performing. The Board is required to submit its request to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners by May 15 for consideration. To learn more about CCS’ proposed budget, visit www.budget.ccs.k12.nc.us.Finally, don't forget The 3Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet from others, and Wash your hands. -
'Need to Know' Updates: April 11, 2021
Beginners' Day is a special day when incoming Kindergarten students can be introduced to their new school environment. Originally, this event was scheduled for the beginning of April, but because of our transition back to blending learning, the district has made the decision to have the first-ever Virtual Beginners' Day on Friday, April 30. Please contact your child's school for details about this upcoming virtual experience.Our next Cumberland Family Academy session titled "Hands-On, Minds-On Learning @Home for Science Success" takes place on Thursday, April 15 at 6 p.m. This session will provide you with tips, strategies, and resources that can help your child continue or develop their love for science. This also includes a Q & A session. Click here to register and to view the spring schedule.As a reminder, students will transition to Plan A tomorrow. Please check the CCS Website for more information. Also, there have been some adjustments to the meal services Child Nutrition Services offers students who are learning virtually. To see those updates, visitFinally, don't forget The 3Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet from others, and Wash your hands. -
'Need to Know' Updates: March 28, 2021
Thursday, April 1 has been revised to be an asynchronous/independent remote learning day for students; it will be a required onsite workday for staff to finalize Plan A preparations prior to leaving for Spring Break. Students in FSU or FTCC classes that require face-to-face instruction will attend those classes on Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1. This calendar adjustment does not impact our Year-Round schools and Cumberland (Virtual) Academies. Prime Time we will be available on April 1 from 6:30 am until 6:00 pm. Child Nutrition Services will be furnishing breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack for children registered in the program.Friday, April 2 is a Student/Teacher holiday throughout the district. Schools that follow the Traditional Calendar and Cumberland Polytechnic High will be observing Spring Break from Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 9.There are two Cumberland Family Academy sessions this week:-- "AIG ... All Day, Every Day: Parents Understanding Their Gifted Child" ~ Because of inclement weather, this session was rescheduled to Tuesday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. It will help parents gain tips and tools that are needed to help their gifted child succeed socially, emotionally, and academically.-- "Support 4 Military Families: Getting to Know CCS" ~ Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 p.m. During this session, military families that are new or who are recently returning to the area can get helpful information about services that are available to their child while he/she is enrolled in CCS. Both sessions include Q & A. Click here to register and to view the spring schedule.Just a reminder that the registration deadline for CCS' Pre-Kindergarten Registration for the 2021/2022 School Year is Wednesday, March 31. Children must be 4 years old on or before August 31, 2021, and who reside in Cumberland County (not on FT. Bragg) are eligible to apply. Visit the Pre-Kindergarten Center Website for details.
Finally, don't forget The 3Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet from others, and Wash your hands. -
'Need to Know' Updates: March 21, 2021
Families are invited to complete the CCS Learning Options Commitment Form allowing them to confirm their child’s learning option through the rest of this school year. Students who are currently taking part in Plan B (Blended Learning - Cohort A or B) will automatically be enrolled in Plan A (In-Person Learning). However, families are able to switch to full-time virtual learning if desired.If families of students who are currently participating in full-time virtual learning do not complete the form prior to the deadline, they will remain virtual through May 2021. Students enrolled in the virtual academies are not eligible to transfer to another school in the district at this time and will remain at the virtual academies through May 2021. Commitment Forms are due on Monday, March 22 at 5 p.m. Learning selections will remain in place through May 2021.
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To complete the CCS Learning Options Commitment Form in English, visit http://bit.ly/
planasurvey -
To complete the CCS Learning Options Commitment Form in Spanish, visit http://bit.ly/
planaespanol.
For more information, visit the CCS School Re-Entry Portal: www.ccs.k12.nc.us/
reentry. Our next Cumberland Family Academy session titled "Parental Support + Math Tips & Resources = Math Success 4 Your Child" takes place on Thursday, March 25 at 6 p.m. This session will help arm parents with tips and resources that will help whether they are working with their child during virtual learning or homework time. This also includes a Q & A session. Click here to register and to view the spring schedule.Finally, don't forget The 3Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet from others, and Wash your hands. -
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'Need to Know' Updates: March 14, 2021
As you know, Plan B Re-Entry begins tomorrow (March 15). For any last-minute questions, families may have about their child's return, please refer to our Pathway to a Safe Return document as well as a special message from the Superintendent.Cumberland County Schools has the Child Find procedure in place to help locate all children with disabilities in the county, including those with disabilities who attend private schools regardless of the severity of their disability, and those who are in need of special education and related services. Children with disabilities in private or homeschool settings may be eligible for services. A virtual Child Find meeting will take place on Monday, March 15 at 5 p.m. Join the WEBEX Meeting at https://ccs-k12.webex.com/Meeting number (access code): 120 893 4561ccs-k12
Meeting password: JSsPtnMM425
For more information contact CCS Exceptional Children’s Office via email:
ec@ccs.k12.nc.us or call 910 678-2440.Current high school sophomores and juniors are invited to attend our FTCC High School Connections Virtual Program Preview Nights! The next preview nights are Tuesday, March 16 at 6:00 pm for Engineering and Applied Technology and Public Service programs and Tuesday, March 23 at 6:00 pm for College Transfer and Health Sciences Programs. Visit the website for the meeting links. https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/high-school- connections/ Our next Cumberland Family Academy session titled "AIG ... All Day, Every Day: Parents Understanding Their Gifted Child" takes place on Thursday, March 18 at 6 p.m. This session will help parents understand what it means to be gifted and provide the necessary tools their gifted child needs to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically. This also includes a Q & A session. Click here to register and to view the spring schedule.Just a reminder that ... CCS' Pre-Kindergarten Registration for the 2021/2022 School Year has begun! Children who will become 4 years old on or before August 31, 2021, and who reside in Cumberland County (not on FT. Bragg) are eligible to apply. The deadline to register is March 31. Visit the CCS Website for details.Finally, don't forget The 3Ws: Wear a mask, Wait 6 feet from others, and Wash your hands. -
'Need to Know' Updates: March 7, 2021
As students prepare to return to school under Plan B beginning March 15, 2021, we highly encourage you to visit the Cumberland County Schools website in order to get the latest information about school schedules, safety protocols, school operations and procedures as well as access to the school re-entry portal. The district has compiled a Pathway to a Safe Return document for families that addresses answers to some of those frequently asked questions you may have.
