
ABSS was a proud participant in the annual Week of the Young Child® event, organized by the The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) at the Burlington Carousel Park. This celebration highlighted the vital importance of early childhood education through a fun-filled evening of play and community resources. Our ABSS Teacher Cadets Teacher Scholars did a fantastic job with games and face painting, and it was wonderful to see some of our students representing Valores as they helped out around the park. We also spotted Pre-K staff from Haw River, Smith, E.M. Yoder, and Andrews Elementary who came out to support our youngest learners!
In addition to the games and resources available to families, there was a ceremony recognizing the incredible educators who have shaped our community. Kara Ballard was honored for her extensive service in the Exceptional Children’s Department, along with a heartfelt tribute in memory of Anita Slaughter, recognizing her years of devoted service to Pre-K and Ray Street Academy.
1 day ago, James Shuler

Last night, the doors of Southern Alamance High School auditorium were open for the Girls & Women in Sports Celebration to honor the achievements and growth of female athletics across our district. Hosted by Director of Athletics Todd Davis with a panel moderated by Chief Communications Officer Emily-Lynn Adkins, the evening was a meaningful tribute to the dedicated administrators, athletic directors, coaches, and support staff who empower our programs. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the student-athletes who perform at high levels both on and off the field, particularly as the district celebrates a 17.78% increase in female student-athlete participation since the 2023-2024 school year, with engagement growing from 1,923 athletes to a record 2,265 for the 2025-2026 season. This progress is driven by expanding opportunities, such as the successful launch of Women's Flag Football in Fall 2025. Thank you to panel participants Stephanie Smith, Tameka Harvey, Amy Sarratt, Gwyneth Smith, Shaylen Burnett, and Carol Oberhelman, who shared their unique perspectives on the impact of sports, role models, empowerment, and their favorite stadium foods! We are incredibly proud of our athletes and staff who are there for them every practice, game, and beyond!
3 days ago, James Shuler
Every day is a new discovery in our kindergarten classes! 🌟 All ABSS elementary schools are hosting their Kindergarten Open House this Thursday, April 23rd, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM! You can learn more about the Kindergarten program, including how and when to enroll, right here: https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/o/abss/page/kindergarten-program
3 days ago, James Shuler
Big goals start with small sparks of inspiration! High Schoolers from the Career & Technical Education Center visited Haw River Elementary to give students a hands-on look at the skills they are learning in culinary arts, nursing, computer engineering, animation, automotive, and carpentry! #ABSSCTE #ThisisABSS
4 days ago, James Shuler
"Doughnut" doubt Turrentine Middle! They were recently recognized as a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School for the 2nd year in a row and celebrated with a doughnut party. This recognition reflects the intentional work their staff puts into building strong relationships, fostering a positive school culture, and supporting both students and their families. We are proud of the consistency, commitment, and heart our team brings each day to make Turrentine a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported! #ThisisABSS #CapturingKidsHearts #NationalShowcaseSchool
4 days ago, ABSS Webmaster
The coming months mark the final stages of the rezoning process. Tonight, the Board of Education will vote on the proposed solutions presented by SchoolCAMP. Following that, our Transportation department will finalize the zones and update the Find My Zone online tool so you can search by home address and see your zoned schools. Families impacted by the rezoning will receive direct communication by mail, phone call, email, and text message. Links to all the SchoolCAMP presentations, including recorded videos from the prior Solution Sessions at Southeast and Williams, can be found on our website:
https://www.abss.k12.nc.us/page/student-assignments. The Board meeting can be watched online here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/KU8fhvvTJLcabout 1 month ago, ABSS Webmaster
Learning was happening all across ABSS today — and these are just some examples of the amazing professional development taking place district-wide! 🌟 Our staff showed up ready to grow, collaborate, and plan — because the best teachers never stop learning.
✅ CTE teachers and business partners connected at the ABSS CTE Center — covering all 6 career clusters and shaping programs that prepare students for real careers.
✅ Elementary and secondary teachers gathered at Hawfields for sessions covering math, reading and writing, science, the arts, and supporting every kind of learner.
✅ Pre-K teachers completed CPR and First Aid recertification — because keeping our youngest learners safe is always the top priority.
Every session. Every room. Every conversation. All for our students.
about 1 month ago, James Shuler
#ABSSAlert | Due to the threat of severe weather and strong winds, ABSS will be closed for students tomorrow, March 16. It will be an optional teacher workday for staff. There will be no athletics or after-school activities.
Debido a la amenaza de condiciones meteorológicas severas y vientos fuertes, ABSS permanecerá cerrada para los estudiantes mañana, 16 de marzo. Será un día laboral opcional para el personal docente. No habrá actividades deportivas ni actividades extraescolares.
about 1 month ago, ABSS Webmaster
We are proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 ABSS Teacher of the Year! These educators embody the dedication and depth of knowledge that empower our students to reach their full potential every day. We look forward to celebrating our finalists, and all 38 of our Teachers of the Year, at the Alamance Chamber Excellence in Education Awards Program on May 5th, where our district-wide Teacher of the Year will be revealed. We can't wait! For now, join us in congratulating Tanya, Meredith, Rachel, Ashley, Ashley, and Jason!
about 1 month ago, ABSS Webmaster
Here's your ticket to some incredible shows! We're spreading the word on these upcoming All-County concerts featuring some VERY talented students! All of these concerts are completely free to attend and I know they'd love to see all the seats filled and hear your applause.
February 28 — All-County Chorus (Elementary) | Graham High School | 3:00 PM
March 6 — All-County Orchestra (now with Elementary!) | Cummings High School | 7:00 PM
March 14 — All-County Band (Middle and High) | Southeast Alamance High School | 2:00 PM
March 28 — All-County Chorus (Middle and High) | Williams High School | 4:00 PM
about 2 months ago, James Shuler

We are thrilled to celebrate our incredibly talented ABSS student artists who earned recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards — the nation's longest-running scholarship and recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Founded in 1923 and open to middle and high school students, entries are evaluated on originality, technical skill, and the strength of a student's personal voice — first at the regional level, with Gold Key winners advancing to national judging. We couldn't be more proud of the following ABSS award recipients:
🏆 Portfolio Winners
Ava Garner – Southeast Alamance
Caroline West – ABEC
🥇 Gold Key Awards
Kendal Dixson – Southern Alamance | Printmaking
Brandon Kennedy – ABEC | Photography
Caroline West – ABEC | Mixed Media
🥈 Silver Key Awards
Aubrey Dial – Eastern | Ceramics & Glass
Eva Skinner – Eastern | Chromatophore
Misheel Tamir – Southeast Alamance | Painting
⭐ Honorable Mentions
Elliana Ames – Southern | Sculpture
Savannah Crisp – Eastern | Ceramics & Glass
Kaia Forbes – Southern | Painting
Ava Garner – Southeast | Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage
Riley Justice – Eastern | Sculpture
Brandon Kennedy – ABEC | Photography
Misheel Tamir – Southeast Alamance | Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage
Misheel Tamir – Southeast Alamance | Painting
Genesis Velasquez-Arraega – Eastern | Ceramics & Glass
Four of our students — Kendal Dixson, Brandon Kennedy, Caroline West, and Misheel Tamir — had their artwork selected for display at an art exhibition at East Carolina University. You can see some of their work pictured here! Additionally, our Gold Key recipients will advance to the next level of competition, with the opportunity to have their work featured in the National Show at Carnegie Hall in New York City!
We are so proud of these young artists and their outstanding achievements.
about 2 months ago, ABSS Webmaster

Today, Hillcrest Elementary School didn't just celebrate 100 days of school — it celebrated the people who are so important to the students and who showed up big today — their community support. Beginning around 10:30 AM, the cafeteria was completely full and it was hard to see the students among the crowds of families and community members who showed up to eat with them during the 100 Days, 100 Dads lunch event! We spotted them smiling and proudly chatting about their while enjoying their lunch. This will be one day they will never forget. And to all those in the #ABSSCommunity who showed up — parents, step-parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, local first responders, Board of Education, local government, anyone who sat down and ate with a student today — thank you. Shout out to Ashley West and all the Hillcrest staff involved in making this a fun and well-organized celebration! Look for a FOX8 story highlight soon! Here's a link to the photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/XMQWLYBr1TuQoj1P7
2 months ago, James Shuler
We are honored to recognize our 2026 Classified Employees of the Year! They support our staff and students in so many ways and we deeply value the expertise, passion, and hard work they bring to our schools every day. Thank you and congratulations!
2 months ago, James Shuler
We are proud to announce our 2026 Teachers of the Year representing every school across the district. These educators go above and beyond every single day for our students and our community. They are more than just teachers; they are mentors, innovators, and the heart of our schools.
2 months ago, James Shuler

It all began in 1997. Furbies were flying off shelves, AOL was sending everyone free CDs in the mail, and Dave L'Heureux was just getting started on what would quietly become a legacy in ABSS.
In those early days, Dave was answering calls on a pager and a beeper, becoming the district's very first webmaster at a time when having a website was still considered cutting edge. Back then, we were on dial-up connections, floppy disks, and schools had computer labs that felt like spaceships. He watched those bulky desktop computers evolve into laptops, then tablets, then Chromebooks. He lived through the Windows 95 era, survived Internet Explorer, helped roll out interactive whiteboards, navigated the shift to cloud computing, and kept everything running as classrooms went from chalkboards to smartboards to full-on digital learning environments. Through every upgrade, every rollout, and every "I don't know what happened, it just stopped working" moment spanning nearly three decades, Dave showed up calm, patient, and smiling. Have you ever called the Web Help Desk for technology support? That friendly, unhurried voice on the other end was Dave.
At his retirement celebration today, surrounded by loved ones and co-workers who he proudly calls family, Dave left everyone with one final piece of hard-earned wisdom: "If something goes wrong, make sure it's plugged in, try restarting it, or check if it has paper." Now a new adventure begins. Roads to travel, a guitar that has been waiting patiently in the corner, and meaningful work ahead with Habitat for Humanity, because Dave has never been the type to stop building things or supporting people. Thank you for 27 years of steady hands and a good heart, Dave. Enjoy every second of what comes next!
2 months ago, James Shuler

We are excited to launch our All Hands on Deck campaign! We know that when students are in class, they are building the habits, relationships, and confidence they need to thrive. As we sail towards the end of the school year, we’ve set our sights on improved attendance district-wide! Every school has created incentives and celebrations for hitting this target! 🎯
Facts on Attendance:
📉 Missing just 2 days per month can cause a student to fall behind academically.
🎓 Strong attendance is the #1 predictor of reading at grade level and graduating on time.
🤝 Being in school every day builds the routines and social connections that help students succeed.
How Families Can Help:
✅ Set consistent bedtime and morning routines.
✅ Prepare backpacks and clothes the night before for a smooth start.
✅ Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
We are "All Hands on Deck" to support our students, and we thank you for being partners in education! We know it takes a community to help a child thrive. This includes educators providing engaging lessons, parents ensuring a structured routine, and students putting in the effort. We need everyone working together to finish the year strong. If the waters are rough and you're facing barriers to getting your child to school on time, please reach out! We are to help. Our crew is stronger when we are all together! 🌊✨
2 months ago, James Shuler
You have $40, now what do you do with it? Our third graders in Ms. Kellis' class at Elon Elementary had money on the mind with a great lesson from Junior Achievement of the Triad! From saving strategies to understanding taxes, students explored real-world scenarios about earning and managing money. The highlight was Elon University President Connie Book who led the lesson and joined groups of students for an interactive game called "That's Life!" where students made decisions about how to earn, save, spend, or give $40 in their community. Junior Achievement was also filming the lesson and will be featuring Dr. Fleming and some of our students! Thanks to JA and Dr. Book for visiting our schools and providing this valuable learning opportunity!
2 months ago, James Shuler
🔬 Region 5 Science Fair Winners
We are so proud of these ABSS students for their incredible work in this year's Science Fair. Four students are moving on to the State Fair! Here are the winners:
🏆 Riley Justice, Levi Prince & Natalya Cooper (Eastern Alamance High) – 1st Place: Physics (State Fair Qualifier)
🏆 Dawson Allen (B. Everett Jordan Elementary) – Exemplary Award (State Fair Qualifier)
⭐ Braxton Ballard, Lillian Massey & Morgan Beckham (Eastern Alamance High) – 3rd Place: Physics
⭐ Ethan Lambert, Ulises Flores & Jamal Davis (Eastern Alamance High) – 3rd Place: Earth/Environmental
⭐ Margaret Parker (Southeast Alamance High) – 3rd Place: Biology A
⭐ Jett Hutchings (Western Alamance Middle) – Honorable Mention
⭐ Natalie Mathis (Altamahaw-Ossipee Elementary) – Honorable Mention
💧 Joseph Carmack & Vincent Cervantes (Eastern Alamance High) – Special "NC ONE Water" Award that included a monetary prize!
2 months ago, James Shuler

It was a true 'team effort' at Cummings High School as students, staff, and local partners joined forces to prepare 174 juniors for the upcoming statewide ACT. This high-energy event was made possible by the incredible coordination of Principals Dr. Fliehman and Eric Yarborough, and we are especially grateful to Principal Clifton Thomas for opening the doors of Cummings High School to host this district-wide effort. Our students showed incredible grit and determination as they spent the day sharpening their skills and building momentum for the upcoming statewide ACT on February 25th.
Guiding our students was a powerhouse team of twelve expert educators who volunteered their time to lead intensive instructional sessions. We want to highlight the leadership of our lead teachers Jesica Fitzgerald, April McDonald, Medora BurkeScoll, and Angee Reed, alongside our dedicated facilitators: Tammy Knight, Drew Cheap, Aeron Sizemore, Dawn Adams, Rachel Johnston, Angie Stuart, Kristen Davenport, and Roy Ballard. Their expertise provided our juniors with the tools and confidence necessary to excel on test day.
The day was further fueled by the generosity of our community partners. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Food Lion, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and the Kelly Wirt Realty Group for their donations, and a special note of gratitude to Grace Church of Alamance County for providing a delicious lunch and assisting with service and cleanup. It is truly inspiring to see our staff, local businesses, and community members unite to champion the academic success of our students!
3 months ago, James Shuler
ABSS will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Friday, February 6. Temperatures are expected to be below 30-degrees and there are many wet roads that can freeze. The delay will allow for more daylight as everyone begins traveling in the morning. Staff and families are urged to use caution and give themselves extra time to get to school and work in the morning. As a reminder, these decisions are made with the safety of our staff and students in mind. We hope to be on a normal schedule next week!
3 months ago, ABSS Webmaster