JOCO WORKS NOW Seeks Local Business Partners for 2026 Summer Internship Program
JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC — JOCO WORKS is calling on local businesses to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workforce by serving as internship hosts for the JOCO WORKS NOW summer initiative. JOCO WORKS NOW is a structured summer work-based learning (WBL) program that connects Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 11th- and 12th-grade students with local employers for immersive, hands-on professional experiences. A collaborative partnership between area chambers of commerce, local employers,
JCPS Shines a Spotlight on Excellence with Inaugural Employee of the Year Ceremony
SMITHFIELD, NC - Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) honored 26 employees in various roles throughout the school district at the inaugural Spotlight on Excellence Employee of the Year Ceremony on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Honorees and their guests gathered at the Johnston County Agriculture Center in Smithfield for an evening filled with elegance, smiles, and gratitude in celebration of the extraordinary JCPS staff and their outstanding accomplishments that keep the school district moving
Johnston County 2026 Flame for Learning Semifinalists Announced
Johnston County, NC – The Johnston County Coalition of Chambers and Johnston County Public Schools is proud to recognize twenty outstanding educators as semifinalists for the 32nd Annual Flame for Learning Award. These exceptional teachers were nominated by their peers within the Johnston County Public School system for demonstrating remarkable creativity, innovation, and dedication in their classrooms. The Flame for Learning Award, presented by Chick-fil-A of Smithfield, celebrates those who consistently
JCPS’s Leading with the Heart Recipients Honored with an Evening of Gratitude
SMITHFIELD, NC – Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held its 18th annual Leading with the Heart Celebration, recognizing 54 staff members for exceeding expectations, inside and outside of the classroom. Held at the Johnston County Agricultural Center in Smithfield, recipients, their guests, and their principals enjoyed an evening of appreciation for these exceptional JCPS staff members. Inspired by the book “Leading with the Heart,” written by Mike Krzyzewski, the event recognizes one staff member
Harlem Wizards Dunk Their Way Into Johnston County with Amazing Show
SMITHFIELD, NC - The Harlem Wizards wowed the sold-out crowd at Smithfield-Selma High with their interactive family show, featuring incredible ball-handling, jaw-dropping trick shots, and high-flying dunks. The JoCo All-Stars, made up of Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) principals, teachers, coaches, and support staff,stepped onto the court for some friendly competition, school spirit, and lots of laughs. Audience members were also called up to participate in the show’s shenanigans. The Wizards kept
Bradley Betterton Named First Athletic Director for Wilson's Mills High
SMITHFIELD, NC - Wilson’s Mills High is proud to announce that Bradley Betterton has been selected as the first athletic director for the Green Waves. Betterton has served as the athletic director and coach at Archer Lodge Middle for more than 15 years. In 2024, Betterton was named a recipient of the inaugural Middle School Athletic Director of Excellence Award by the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association (NCADA) for his significant contributions to the middle school athletic administration in
Johnston County Board of Education Breaks Ground on New Clayton High School
SMITHFIELD, NC - Construction on the new Clayton High School has officially begun as the first foundations have been poured. The Johnston County Board of Education hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the school’s rebuild. The seats were filled with excited current students, school administration, alumni, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Cabinet, members of the Johnston County Board of Education, Johnston County Board of Commissioners members, and local
JOCO WORKS PRO Welcomed Over 150 Students for Workforce Success on February 18th
Smithfield, NC - On February 18, 150 10th-grade students gathered at Johnston Community College for JOCO WORKS PRO, a half-day intensive focused on work-based learning readiness through four core workshops in self empowerment, digital media, interviewing, and workplace best practices. “JOCO WORKS PRO is an essential experience that ignites critical thinking, prompts self-evaluation, and boosts confidence. Access and preparation are key to navigating the education and job marketplaces. Through the
Teacher Assistant of the Year rewarded for good works
Johnston County Public Schools Teacher Assistant Chellie Cherry from West Smithfield Elementary was named the 2022 Teacher Assistant of the Year. The reason is crystal clear. A dedicated employee of Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) for nearly 30 years, she has spent twenty-two of those years as a teacher assistant, an amazing feat in and of itself. The cherry on top is that she is a teacher assistant of exceptional students. A native of Johnston County and a graduate of
2022 Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame Recipients Named at Annual Banquet
Johnston County Public Schools inducted six new members to the Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame on May 7, during the annual Hall of Fame Banquet held at Princeton High. In the fall of 2005, the high school athletic directors and principals met with JCPS administrators and presented the need to preserve the accomplishments and memories of the men and women who established athletic history in Johnston County. A Hall of Fame committee consisting of JCPS personnel was encouraged to
Junior Women’s League of Smithfield Provisional Members Exceed Goal in Peanut Butter Collection for Children and Add Blessing Boxes
Smithfield, N.C. – The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield’s Spring Provisional class set a goal to collect 3,300 jars of peanut butter for Johnston County Public Schools’ students in the local BackPack Buddies program. This program provides children from low-income households with nutritious, kid-friendly groceries for the weekend when free school lunches and breakfasts are not provided. An astounding 4,932 jars of peanut butter of every size were collected through 14 Official Peanut Butter Buddies
2022 Johnston County Teacher of the Year is Homegrown Success
Four Oaks Elementary third grade teacher Jennifer Beninate was named the 2022 Johnston County Teacher of the Year at the annual Flame for Learning Award banquet on April 26. Beninate is the epitome of a teacher, which by definition is someone who imparts knowledge and enlightens. It’s immediately obvious that teaching is her calling. She draws inspiration from her idol Mary Poppins and speaks to her students lovingly and calmly. “Teaching is just a way I get to be Mary Poppins every day,” she
JCPS TA of the Year is Chellie Cherry, West Smithfield Elementary
Johnston County Public Schools teacher assistant Chellie Cherry from West Smithfield Elementary was named the 2022 Teacher Assistant of the Year at their organization's annual banquet. Teacher Assistants work alongside teachers to give students additional attention and instruction. Darrick McNeill is the Principal of West Smithfield Elementary. Cherry’s coworkers said that she is beyond deserving of the Teacher Assistant of the Year award, and is an integral part of the West Smithfield Elementary
SelmaWorks! Resource Fair Brings Workforce and Community Services to Selma Residents
SelmaWorks! Resource Fair Brings Workforce and Community Services to Selma ResidentsFree event targets residents most in need. April 4, 2022 – The SelmaWorks! Resource Fair will take place at the Richard B. Harrison Gymnasium from 10am-2pm on Friday, April 22. The event is a partnership between Capital Area Workforce Development (CAWD), NCWorks, Johnston Community College and Johnston County Public Schools. The resource fair will feature several organizations that provide services to help individuals in
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 donates 500 book bags to JCPS
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 donates 500 book bags to JCPS Written By: Robin Koppen, JCPS Communication Specialist SMITHFIELD, NC - The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 (FOP 88) bought and donated 500 backpacks to help children in Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS). Members of the FOP 88 worked alongside JCPS school social workers, school counselors, student advocates, school nurses, assistant principals, and some central office staff to fill the bags on Thursday, Mar. 17, at the
LEADERSHIP JOHNSTON LAUNCHES CLASS OF 2022
SMITHFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA, January 15, 2022— A fully engaged Leadership Johnston program returns to Johnston County this year! The eleven-month program is designed for those who want to learn more about the county while developing and refining leadership skills. Through a variety of personal growth opportunities, individuals will gain a more in-depth understanding of the many facets of Johnston County, build crisis leadership and change management skills, and learn the skills necessary for effectively
