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Cheryl Smith, Central Elementary School Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations to Cheryl Smith, Central Elementary School 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!
Engage, Challenge, Inspire!
Follow our news and events to learn what's happening and how you play a part in the success of every student and member of the Orange County Schools learning community. Reach your maximum potential!
We look forward to adding new stories here to celebrate our students and our school all year long.
![OCS Strategic Plan Community Listening Session: Cedar Ridge High School, November 3, 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762548099/orangecountyfirstcom/blovaersd7yxexy4r4o3/StratPlanConvening1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762548099/orangecountyfirstcom/blovaersd7yxexy4r4o3/StratPlanConvening1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762548099/orangecountyfirstcom/blovaersd7yxexy4r4o3/StratPlanConvening1.png","width":800}])
Thank you to the community members who joined Orange County Schools staff and leadership in engaging conversation about the goals and priorities of the district for the upcoming five year strategic plan.
![Mrs. Kimberly Guinness Named October 2025 Classified Employee of the Month!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761075085/orangecountyfirstcom/bqml5tae5ibeiru5big8/KimberlyGuinness_EOM2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761075085/orangecountyfirstcom/bqml5tae5ibeiru5big8/KimberlyGuinness_EOM2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761075085/orangecountyfirstcom/bqml5tae5ibeiru5big8/KimberlyGuinness_EOM2.png","width":800}])
“Kimberly Guinness exemplifies the OCS value of ‘Excellence and Efficiency’ in everything she does!" Congratulations to Kimberly Guinness, bookkeeper at River Park Elementary School, for being named OCS Classified Employee of the Month (EOM) for October 2025!
![OCS Family Academy November 2025: Youth Substance Use Prevention]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":1747}])
Join OCS Family Academy at A.L. Stanback Middle School on Thursday, November 20 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for a presentation by Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth with the Orange County Health Department and ADAPT Youth.
![Orange County Schools Announces Community Listening Sessions]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":2200}])
Let's build the future of Orange County Schools together! All are welcome. No registration is required.
!["Superheroine with a Caring Heart”: Teacher Rebeckah Goras Named OCS Beginning Teacher of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760124798/orangecountyfirstcom/cattiioq1mcnjxrdguik/RebeckahGoraswJones.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760124798/orangecountyfirstcom/cattiioq1mcnjxrdguik/RebeckahGoraswJones.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760124798/orangecountyfirstcom/cattiioq1mcnjxrdguik/RebeckahGoraswJones.png","width":800}])
Described as a “superheroine,” praised for her compassion and dedication to her students, Rebeckah Goras, Exceptional Children’s (EC) teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School (ALS), was named Orange County Schools 2025-26 Beginning Teacher of the Year (BTOY).
![“Home of the Stars”: Principal Kristin Mattison-Williamson of Pathways Elementary Named OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759343821/orangecountyfirstcom/exiwrxk1ic57ebr1m6e0/KristinMattisonWilliamson-POY.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759343821/orangecountyfirstcom/exiwrxk1ic57ebr1m6e0/KristinMattisonWilliamson-POY.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759343821/orangecountyfirstcom/exiwrxk1ic57ebr1m6e0/KristinMattisonWilliamson-POY.png","width":800}])
At the "Home of the Stars," Pathways Elementary School (PES) students and staff were shining bright on Friday, September 26, when Principal Kristin Mattison-Williamson was announced as the OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year.
From Our School Community
![CES starts the year off right with Beginning Teachers!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724955881/orangecountyfirstcom/jlkgneqmlko1dcehrgnj/CES.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724955881/orangecountyfirstcom/jlkgneqmlko1dcehrgnj/CES.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724955881/orangecountyfirstcom/jlkgneqmlko1dcehrgnj/CES.png","width":800}])
As we start the 2024-25 school year, Central Elementary School welcomes new and familiar faces as beginning teachers! Year one, day one!
![Welcome Mr. Palmer, New AP for Central Elementary!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725003375/orangecountyfirstcom/h4vyswglfmmd5xfbmxmx/palmerceswebaccent.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725003375/orangecountyfirstcom/h4vyswglfmmd5xfbmxmx/palmerceswebaccent.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725003375/orangecountyfirstcom/h4vyswglfmmd5xfbmxmx/palmerceswebaccent.png","width":800}])
On Monday, August 19, 2024, the Board of Education approved Chris Palmer, recommended by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones, as Assistant Principal for Central Elementary School. His appointment is already in effect, and he is helping to prepare CES for the 2024-2025 school year.
News & Events
![2025-2026 Lunch Application and CEP Qualified Schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":953}])
View our latest menus plus 2025-26 applications for Free and Reduced Price Meals! Students at approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools are approved for meals at no cost. Learn more!
![Open House August 21, Back To School!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754425030/orangecountyfirstcom/jxzjentffgzzppchasuo/IMG_1954OpenHouse.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754425030/orangecountyfirstcom/jxzjentffgzzppchasuo/IMG_1954OpenHouse.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754425030/orangecountyfirstcom/jxzjentffgzzppchasuo/IMG_1954OpenHouse.jpg","width":536}])
Traditional calendar schools welcome students and families for Open House on August 21... Check out our 2025-26 Back To School Guide for the complete schedule, and much more!
![Back To School Fair! First Ever, August 9 at Orange High School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":2200}])
Don't miss your chance to be first in line for everything you need to succeed in 2025-26! Start the school year off right with Orange County Schools at the first-ever Back To School Fair August 9 at Orange High School from 12-4pm. Full details here on our website. Just be there!
![Back To School Guide for 2025-26!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754430820/orangecountyfirstcom/epxlsdu30sycawreq62o/BackToSchool2025-2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754430820/orangecountyfirstcom/epxlsdu30sycawreq62o/BackToSchool2025-2026.png","width":500}])
Visit our Back To School Guide filled with everything you need to succeed in 2025-26! Find school supply lists, bus requests, and much more at your fingertips.
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Whitted Building, 300 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA