Back to School for Our Local Littles!

The air turns crisp and cool, we dust off the last bits of beach sand from our legs, and although we don’t want summer to end, there’s nothing like a fresh start: the first day of school. Department store shelves are filled to the brim with three-ringed binders in all colors, and ballpoint and felt-tipped pens in blacks, blues, and reds. Brightly colored lunch boxes and bins of crayons and markers litter the hallways of our favorite grocery stores, and cardboard boxes filled with brand new backpacks rest on porches waiting to be opened. Back-to-school signs hang from the ceilings and stores have lists from the local schools of what is needed for a prosperous year of learning and thriving. As we count down to the first day of school for our loved local littles, preparation is underway. Do you know what you need for your blooming learner?

The counties in Eastern North Carolina take pride in their schools, and Onslow County in particular has every reason to. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction named the Onslow County School System a Purple Star district for “demonstrating a district-wide commitment to supporting military families.” Their efforts to ensure a stress-free experience for our local military children did not go unnoticed. The county’s response is that they are “proud to support those who serve and their families by providing services that meet the unique needs and challenges of the military lifestyle.” Through special events, designated staff, an exclusive website, and more, military students will have the support they need to grow. Whether they are new inbound students who move to the county from different duty stations, or ones who are ready to move on to careers or college, being part of a Purple Star school will present the student with the support they need.

Speaking of college, it’s never too early for you and your student to start planning for beyond high school. With Career & College Promise (CCP), North Carolina’s dual enrollment program for high schoolers, students will have the benefit of a head start towards their college career. Eligible high school students in the state have the opportunity to enroll in college classes at local NC community colleges and universities alongside their high school studies. CCP offers three pathways: College Transfer which offers tuition-free course credits in certain programs; Career and Technical Education where students may take tuition-free courses which will help them enter the workforce with credentials; and the Cooperative Innovative High Schools program which lends opportunities to students who attend innovative high schools. This will ensure they are truly ready before they leave the county school, and even if they are young ones in elementary schools, the program is worth a peek. All public schools in North Carolina offer CCP, including both Carteret and Onslow Counties!

Local counties' school websites are loaded with information! Visit the Onslow County Schools Website to learn all you need to know so your child will flourish this school year. There, the district presents their 2023-2024 theme of “Raising the Bar” on their homepage which includes “empowering students, exceeding expectations, and achieving exceptional outcomes.” You will also be able to locate the superintendent’s vision for the school year as well as important dates, bell schedules, and so much more. Fill your calendar in with the days off, the first day of school, the open house, and more. You will also locate the school supply lists for each elementary, middle, and high school in the district so you can pack up their bookbags with the correct pencils, notebooks, and even sanitizer wipes. Carteret County Schools shares important information on their website, too, to help make the students' first day and school year stress-free and even fun! Some of their schools’ supply lists are shared on their websites, too. If you can’t find your school, no worries; local department stores have a collection of the local school lists with items for you to check off, as well as their social media accounts. They also share information about child nutrition, their parent and student handbook, and so much more.

The time between your little’s first day of kindergarten and their senior year filled with homecomings and Friday Night Lights make up precious memories for your child and you as well. Local school districts work hard to ensure students will find success in elementary, middle, high school, and even college. First day jitters are common, but so is the excitement that accompanies it. New friends, extra-curricular activities, and learning with the guidance of Eastern North Carolina’s best educators will ensure the young learners in the area have future success in all their endeavors. Happy first day of school, Eastern NC! You'll do great!

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