PSRC Top Stories of 2023

Robeson County students joined students across the state with overall gains in the 2022-2023 school year. State test results from the 2022-2023 school year presented to the State Board of Education revealed that PSRC students continue to recover from learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

District leaders attribute student gains in grades 3-8 on the North Carolina End-of-Grade Assessments to the EL Education and Eureka Math ² curricula. English Language Arts results improved by 3.8%. Math results improved by 5.7%.

For high school students in the district, Math 1 results improved 6.4%. Additionally, Math 3 results improved by 10.7% and Biology results by 9.6% from the previous year. English 2 results increased by 1.1%.

Overall, 72% of PSRC schools met or exceeded growth. However, the PSRC school district has maintained a low-performing status due to 22 schools being identified as low-performing in the district.

Read the full story here.

The Public Schools of Robeson County earned system accreditation from Cognia™, a nonprofit organization committed to providing quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

For the past 125 years, Cognia, formerly known as Southern Association for Colleges and Schools (SACS) and then AdvanceEd, has been accrediting schools and districts for improvement on rigorous research-based standards. The average score earned in national Cognia reviews over the past 5 years is 278-283. The Public Schools of Robeson County proudly earned a score of 312.

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In April, everyone in attendance cheered as the ribbon was cut by Southside-Ashpole Elementary Principal Isabel McClain and State Superintendent Catherine Truitt to the SmartLab HQ which will help engage students in learning through STEM activities. The lab, which was paid for through the Innovative Partnership Grant, is equipped with technology and learning resources students can use to build and program robots, create animations and more.

Read the full story here.

In May, Jennifer Freeman, assistant superintendent of Student Services, Intervention and Support, and her team were recognized at the North Carolina Migrant Education Program Summit. During the ceremony, the Public Schools of Robeson County was awarded the Continuous Program Improvement Award and Freeman was presented a plaque in recognition of her outstanding leadership, commitment and dedication to improve the district’s Migrant Education Program.

Read the full story here.

In February, the North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) honored the Public Schools of Robeson County for excellence in communications for the second year in a row. PSRC earned a total of three Blue Ribbon Awards for outstanding and effective communication. NCSPRA presented the awards during a special ceremony held in High Point. This year, the district received a Silver Award for Publication, Bronze Award for Excellence in Writing and a Bronze Award for Photography.

Read the full story here.

In September, The Public Schools of Robeson County school district was awarded the Values Driven Award of Excellence on Thursday during the Cognia IMPACT Conference.

“This award recognizes schools and school systems that: dream big; stand for the learner; are bold and daring; drive potential by creating and initiating change, growth and innovation; tenaciously and relentlessly pursue their mission; and build connections by explaining and nurturing internal and external relationships,” said Debora Williams, director for the Mid-Atlantic Region with Cognia.

Dr. Windy Dorsey-Carr, assistant superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability for PSRC and PSRC Board of Education Member Henry Brewer received the award.

Read the full story here.

National Beta announced the Public Schools of Robeson County as a 2022-2023 National Beta District of Distinction.

This award was given to deserving districts that offer National Beta in all schools in their district, and induct qualifying students in all eligible grades (4‐12). PSRC, which was one of only 42 districts to receive the award nationwide, was the largest district to receive the recognition.

Read the full story here.

During the September 12, 2023 meeting of the Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education, board members were presented the Silver Bell Award for training excellence from the North Carolina School Boards Association.

In January, in the wake of the cardiac arrest suffered recently by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, the PSRC school district mandated that all coaches were to be certified in CPR so they would be properly equipped to respond in emergency situations such as cardiac arrests.

Read the full story here.

The Public Schools of Robeson County has worked to make school buses safer by adding bus radios to all yellow school buses and activity buses in the fleet through a project funded by a $1,048,000 school safety grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools.

Money left over was used to purchase bus camera systems, which were installed on school buses for 12 schools. Most buses are equipped with bus cameras already. However, the identified schools were determined to have the highest need and most dated equipment. The plan is to install cameras on all buses in the future.

Read the full story here.

In March, the school district released renderings of the Robeson County CTEC and Planetarium and Science Center on its website and Facebook page for public viewing. During the October meeting of the PSRC Board of Education, PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson told board members that a notice to proceed letter had been received to start the construction work. The 110,000 sq. ft. facility will house programs from drafting and culinary arts to automotive technology, carpentry, computer networking and more. The project has a completion date of June 1, 2025.

View the renderings here.

In the fall of 2023, juniors, seniors, and advanced seniors at PSRC ECHS were given the opportunity to take part in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, which is offered at all traditional high schools in the district.

Read the full story here.

PSRC middle schoolers now have the ability to compete in their own Track and Field programs and have enjoyed doing so in the 2023-2024 school year. In the coming years, the plan is to include the addition of golf and cross country at the middle school level.

Read the full story here.

In March, PSRC put wheels on Science Education as the district’s Mobile STEAM Unit hit the road to provide fun, hands-on learning experiences for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. The Mobile STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Unit provides lessons for students to engage them and connect them to Career and Technical Education and the possibility of entering STEAM careers. The goal is to eventually expand STEAM Unit lesson offerings to students through grade 12.

Read the full story here.

Local school administrators and safety officials met on Oct. 5 to discuss enhancing school safety and crisis response within the Public Schools of Robeson County.

Individuals in attendance included Central Office officials, principals, and representatives from various agencies including the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Robeson County Emergency Management/Office of the Fire Marshal, Robeson County EMS, Lumberton Police Department, Red Springs Police Department, Robeson County Department of Social Services and the Lumbee Tribe.

District leaders plan to present a district crisis plan for approval by the PSRC Board of Education in early 2024. The plan would enhance crisis response at all schools and plans already in place at all schools. PSRC leaders plan to continue collaborative efforts with safety officials to ensure the well-being of individuals across school campuses.

Read the full story here.

In April, students from every PSRC high school participated in the Public Schools of Robeson County’s inaugural High School Robotics Expo.

Students worked to program their robots ahead of going head to head with other students’ robots. The feeling of excitement was palpable for all in attendance.

A competition will take place in March 2024 for all PSRC robotics teams.

Read the full story here.

On Jan. 21, the ribbon was cut to the Red Springs High School Athletic Complex.

Click here for photos and video clips of the event.

In April, some Union Chapel Elementary School sixth graders participated in virtual reality simulation demonstrations in automotive, welding and customer service.

The demonstrations from the Transfr company were part of a project supported by Robeson County Commissioner Judy Sampson and her recently formed Simulation Knowledge in Learning Task Force, which seeks to give all students an opportunity to explore career paths. Members of the task force include Sherry Watson, Scottie Locklear, Jeanette Chavis and Judy Sampson.

Read the full story here.

A new grant will change how students across the Public Schools of Robeson County learn about art and interact with artificial intelligence to express themselves through the art curriculum. Project FRACTAL: Furthering Rural Adoption of Computers and Technology through Artistic Lessons is a grant funded through the Education Innovation and Research Program of the U.S. Department of Education.

WestEd, Katabasis, Empirical Education Inc. (Empirical), and Bertie, Granville, Jones, and Robeson County Public Schools in North Carolina have partnered to propose the grant project “to enhance, extend, and experimentally test an innovative intervention to improve access to and interest in computer science (CS) among high-needs rural students,” as stated on the grant application.

“This grant is for $4 million over 5 years and will fund the codesign and curriculum research, the evaluation and pilot study, and the teacher stipends of participating teachers. Every teacher who participates will receive a $500 stipend every six months they participate in this grant,” said Bill Causey, president of Katabasis Inc.

Through the project, PSRC will work alongside Katabasis to develop a high-quality Computer Science and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) curriculum for middle school students using the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.

In the first three years of the project, four ‘expeditions’ will be developed to introduce students to digital art and AI-generated art.

Each expedition will last one week and build students' confidence in utilizing technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to express themselves and positively shape their environment. Students will be exposed to careers in the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence.

Read the full story here.

The sounds of chatter and laughter filled the Southeastern NC Agricultural Center during the Fall into S.T.E.A.M. Family Engagement Night held in November by the Public Schools of Robeson County.

More than 1,000 people attended the event which sought to engage parents as they participated in fun educational activities with their children. S.T.E.A.M. is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Students and families enjoyed building catapults and launching their ‘pumpkins’ at targets during the event.

Students and their families worked together to create their catapults from a kit that included everyday items like popsicle sticks, plastic spoons and rubber bands.

“We continue to focus on learning and student and parent-centered engagement. The essential component of the family engagement program is learning together,” said Jennifer Freeman, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Intervention and Support at PSRC.

Read the full story here.

More than 5,000 people attended the Aug. 5 Back to School Celebration. The event, held at the Southeastern Agricultural Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., provided opportunities for parents and PSRC students to meet school staff members and principals. School district staff also distributed free school supplies during the event.

PSRC’s Mobile STEAM Unit was also on site with activities for students to participate in. Those interactive activities were led by PSRC Science Supervisor Susan Miller-Hendrix.

Additionally, Robeson Health Care Corporation partnered with the district to administer back-to-school immunizations and school physicals for students if needed via the RHCC Mobile Unit.

Read the full story here.

In October, PSRC Science Supervisor Susan Miller-Hendrix was named an NC Space Education Ambassador.

Miller-Hendrix is among 15 ambassadors in Crew 4 of the NCSEA.

Read the full story here.

During the 2022-2023 school year, Amanda Graham who was serving in the principal role at St. Pauls Elementary at the time, was selected to participate in the fellowship. The Leverage Leadership Institute Fellowship program provides high-performing principals with opportunities to sharpen their skills and become even more effective instructional leaders.

Graham now serves as the district’s Relay-Leverage Leadership Coach.

Read the full story here.

Rowland-Norment Elementary School Academic Coach Julia Lashley was selected to participate in the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s (NCECF) inaugural Science of Reading Fellowship.

Lashley is among eight pre-kindergarten through third-grade educators in the state selected for the fellowship, according to Dr. Micere Keels, Policy and Practice Leader for NCECF.

Read the full story here.

Lumberton Junior High School Assistant Principal Camille Newman began serving as a member of the North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education’s Regional Coordinators Committee during this school year.

Read the full story here.

Phyllis King, who is a Career and Technical Education teacher at Lumberton Junior High School, has been identified as an outstanding educator and selected as a 2023-2024 Kenan Fellow through the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.

“I am excited about the Kenan Fellows opportunity and the benefits it will provide for me, my students, and the community,” King said.

Read the full story here.

A Lumberton Senior High School agricultural educator was among 24 finalists for the 2023 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award.

Candace Grimsley, who is an agricultural teacher and adviser for the Future Farmers of America chapter at the school, was a finalist for the award.

“To be recognized amongst an amazing group of finalists is such an honor,” Candace Grimsley said. “I’m excited to represent agriculture education and the Public Schools of Robeson County.”

Finalists are known for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to achieve.

Read the full story here.

The St. Pauls FFA Chapter received a gold 2-star rating for the National Chapter Award at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lumberton FFA also received a 3-star rating for the National Chapter Award. The LHS FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Team ranked silver but was recognized for having the Top Media Plan Presentation in the Nation. Lumberton FFA member Cadence Shaw was recognized on stage at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo and received her award as a National Finalist for her Agriscience Fair project in the Food Products and Processing Systems Division 3. Shaw placed tenth in the nation for her project “Cookie Science.”

Read the full story here.

There were many amazing student art submissions to the Gertrude Oxendine Locklear Drug Awareness Poster Contest this year as students used their creativity to promote drug-free living.

The following Public Schools of Robeson County students were selected by a panel of judges as winners of the 2023-2024 contest:

Senior Division (Grades 9-12)

- Ruben Juarez Neri - St. Pauls High School

Junior Division (Grades 6-8)

- Hayden Hunt, Layla Hammonds, Kenzy Hunt, Elisa Rodriguez, and Nahlaiyah Hammonds - Magnolia Elementary School (Group submission)

Elementary II Division (Grades 3-5)

- Cash Szwarc - Union Elementary

Elementary Division I (Grades Pre-k-2)

- Alexander Colt Britt - Union Elementary

Read the full story here.

Zoe Rayne Ogan, a seventh grader at Orrum Middle School, is participating in the NC Flight Crew Program which allows participants to explore careers and to engage in fun learning opportunities involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Read the full story here.

Emma Hinson, an 11th grader at PSRC Early College High School at RCC, planned the school’s first Suicide Prevention assembly for students, staff and visitors to raise awareness and help prevent suicide during Suicide Prevention Month in September.

Her goal was to create a program where everyone gained a greater understanding of the impact of suicide and the importance of asking for help, she said.

Read the full story here.

In July, multiple students took home top awards at the elementary, junior and senior National Beta Club Conventions in Louisville, Kentucky. Baileigh Malcolm won first place in Black and White Photography at the Elementary Convention. Amaya Bullard placed first in Handmade Jewelry at the Senior Convention. Sakyiah Bullard took second place for Fiber Arts at the Elementary Convention. Jamison Smith took second place in the nation in the speech competition at the National Junior Beta Convention.

Read the full story here.

In June, 14-year-old Ivan Lopez, who was a Lumberton Junior High School student at the time, signed to play soccer for a professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer.

Lopez signed to play soccer with the New England Revolution during a ceremonial signing in the auditorium of Lumberton Junior High School.

Read the full story here.

Keely Deal, a Prospect Elementary School student, is committed to helping other students see their value and improve their self-esteem as she serves in her role as North Carolina Junior Beta State President for the 2023-2024 school year.

Read the full story here.

In January, Lumberton Junior High students won Most Creative Mobility for their city in the NC Regional Future City Competition.

Students ranked sixth place overall in the competition for their solution for climate change which was to mitigate flooding and emit zero greenhouse gases by only using renewable energy for their city called “Nue Chrysanthemum.”

Read the full story here.

In January, PSRC students brought home more than 30 awards from recent NC State Beta Convention events in Greensboro.

More than 300 students attended the events and participated in a variety of competitions. Students brought home 35 awards including nine first-place State Champion Awards. In addition, Keely Deal, a seventh grader at Prospect Elementary School, was elected North Carolina Junior State President for the 2023-2024 school year.

Read the full story here.

The Lions Club of Lumberton continues to support learning for local students by providing free vision screenings for Public Schools of Robeson County students.

The vision screenings take place during the school day and consist of instant photographs of the child's eyes, taken at a distance of 3 feet, to determine the presence of eye disorders with a stereoscopic (3D) picture. The Lions Club provides screenings for children in kindergarten and grades 2, 4 and 6.

Read the full story here.

In September, the Spirit Riders biker group presented its largest monetary donation of $15,910 to Union Chapel Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization. A representative of the group said the organization asks for money to be spent exclusively on schoolchildren to address needs.

This is the 10th school year in which the organization has held motorcycle rides to benefit local schools.

Read the full story here.

In May, a local church presented scholarships to a class at Rowland-Norment Elementary School in honor of one of their classmates who passed away in April.

Members from Godwin Heights Baptist Church presented a one-time scholarship to each student in Mrs. Lambert's first-grade class in honor of Draquine Floyd, Jr. which allows them to attend the church’s summer sports camp for free.

Read the full story here.

Beasley Media Group’s “Driven 2 Excel” program, sponsored by Lumberton Honda and Piedmont Natural Gas, is a community enhancement campaign designed to reward high school seniors in Robeson County who achieve levels of academic achievement and exemplary attendance records throughout the school year.

This past academic year, the program awarded scholarships to students and a car to a St. Pauls High school student (who has since graduated) and $1,000 to the teacher of the year whose name was picked from a drawing. In addition, ​​all of our teachers of the year in attendance were given $50 service vouchers to redeem at Lumberton Honda.

Our community partners are amazing!

Read the full story here.