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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.
![Have a Great Panther Day, North Carolina!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747434398/orangecountyfirstcom/dfewee23ppmyoweffmrd/JasonJohnson2025NCPOYCeremony-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747434398/orangecountyfirstcom/dfewee23ppmyoweffmrd/JasonJohnson2025NCPOYCeremony-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747434398/orangecountyfirstcom/dfewee23ppmyoweffmrd/JasonJohnson2025NCPOYCeremony-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747434398/orangecountyfirstcom/dfewee23ppmyoweffmrd/JasonJohnson2025NCPOYCeremony-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747434398/orangecountyfirstcom/dfewee23ppmyoweffmrd/JasonJohnson2025NCPOYCeremony-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747434398/orangecountyfirstcom/dfewee23ppmyoweffmrd/JasonJohnson2025NCPOYCeremony-4.jpg","width":2200}])
Mr. Joson Johnson of Orange High School is the 2025 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year!
![Orange Middle School Battle of the Books Team]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747255643/orangecountyfirstcom/qxs4hdaly3wonftyo5x1/Untitleddesign1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747255643/orangecountyfirstcom/qxs4hdaly3wonftyo5x1/Untitleddesign1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747255643/orangecountyfirstcom/qxs4hdaly3wonftyo5x1/Untitleddesign1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747255643/orangecountyfirstcom/qxs4hdaly3wonftyo5x1/Untitleddesign1.png","width":880}])
Going head-to-head with regional winners from across North Carolina, the Orange Middle School Battle of the Books team claimed the top spot in the state-level competition on May 1, 2025, making them State Champions!
The team of 12 OMS Chargers traveled to the Unity Center in Statesville (contest hosted by Iredell-Statesville Schools) and earned a perfect score in four out of eight rounds, finishing the competition with 155 overall points.
![Cybersecurity Update Orange County Schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736809345/orangecountyfirstcom/b2bbrv9siy8yeviqqhas/CYBERSECURITY1.png","width":1080}])
New information was shared with OCS by the NC Department of Public Instruction on May 7, 2025, concerning the data breach at PowerSchool reported in January of 2025.
![Selena Masse, Orange Middle School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746566088/orangecountyfirstcom/lbi7zcs3wmjtupysg6z3/masseheadshot.jpg","width":1080}])
Selena Masse has been named the first-ever Outstanding Holocaust Educator of the Year, by the Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Education of North Carolina
![New Principals Named for Grady A. Brown Elementary - Kimberly Griffis - and A.L. Stanback Middle - Austin Morris]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746539189/orangecountyfirstcom/qrxze3vrtjaasaervjs3/newprincipalsGABALS.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746539189/orangecountyfirstcom/qrxze3vrtjaasaervjs3/newprincipalsGABALS.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746539189/orangecountyfirstcom/qrxze3vrtjaasaervjs3/newprincipalsGABALS.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746539189/orangecountyfirstcom/qrxze3vrtjaasaervjs3/newprincipalsGABALS.png","width":1080}])
Two new principals have been named to lead A.L. Stanback Middle School and Grady A. Brown Elementary School.
![Collage of Middle School students in Battle of the Books]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746124169/orangecountyfirstcom/gyyxlpesdnviafernqxo/Untitleddesign.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746124169/orangecountyfirstcom/gyyxlpesdnviafernqxo/Untitleddesign.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746124169/orangecountyfirstcom/gyyxlpesdnviafernqxo/Untitleddesign.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746124169/orangecountyfirstcom/gyyxlpesdnviafernqxo/Untitleddesign.jpg","width":1080}])
Students from A.L. Stanback, Gravelly Hill and Orange Middle School went head to head in the Battle of the Books Competition!
From Our School Community
![Beginning Teacher at Central Elementary School]([{"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!
![Chris Palmer Central Elementary School]([{"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
![Orange County Schools - North Carolina]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724251333/orangecountyfirstcom/anwejkuu4neabboocthi/ocs-logo-color-rgb.jpg","width":1475}]){kind=logo}
As we approach the beginning of the traditional calendar for the 2024-25 School Year, new Campus Student and Campus Parent portals will help everyone get more insight and information on the go. We also hope you will stay tuned to our new website, your school's new website, and especially our Back To School hub with links to important information.
![A.L. Stanback Cafeteria Staff]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1722870895/orangecountyfirstcom/hqoujqgvfljcyzhqbaaw/Showcase3Template1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1722870895/orangecountyfirstcom/hqoujqgvfljcyzhqbaaw/Showcase3Template1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1722870895/orangecountyfirstcom/hqoujqgvfljcyzhqbaaw/Showcase3Template1.png","width":800}])
New this year! Students who attend an approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) do not need to fill out an application as they are approved for meals at no cost. Learn more and view the application for Free and Reduced Price Meals!
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300 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
all day
Gold Park, Gold Pk, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA