JCPS students lead 20th Annual Veterans Day Event, honoring local heroes
Smithfield, NC - Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held the 20th Annual Veterans Day Celebration at Smithfield-Selma High School (SSS) on Monday, November 11, 2024, with pomp and circumstance to honor all Johnston County veterans who have served the country. The annual celebration is a student-led event that includes the JCPS All-County Band, All-County Chorus, and All-County JROTC. The chorus and band performed traditional patriotic pieces, the song of each armed forces division, and played echo taps
Leadership Johnston Celebrates 2024 Graduates
Johnston County, NC – Leadership Johnston, a collaborative initiative by local chambers and organizations, celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2024 on November 14 at The Clayton Center. The event was sponsored by KS Bank, Novo Nordisk, Narron & Wenzel P.A., Barbetta, LLC, Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, Lumos, and The Insurance Shoppe of North Carolina, Inc. Leadership Johnston is a nine-month program designed for professionals seeking advancement within their organizations. Participants engaged in
JCPS Eighth Grade Students Wowed by the Many Career Choices Displayed During JOCO WORKS WOW
SMITHFIELD, NC - Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) eighth grade students attended the JOCO WORKS World of Works (WOW) 2024 Career Expo at Johnston Community College (JCC) November 7-8. Approximately 3,500 eighth-grade students had the opportunity to connect with more than 40 local industries, including Grifols, Caterpillar, and event sponsor, Novo Nordisk. Through hands-on experiences, JOCO WORKS WOW is a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming the way JCPS eighth graders in
JOCO WORKS 'World of Work' (WOW) Event Inspires Over 3,400 Johnston County Students with Hands-On Career Exploration at Johnston Community College
SMITHFIELD, NC — JOCO WORKS World of Work (WOW), a pioneering initiative aimed at transforming career exploration for Johnston County’s eighth graders, was held this week at Johnston Community College campus. This immersive, hands-on event brought together over 3,400 students from Johnston County Public Schools, Neuse Charter School, and American Leadership Academy. Developed through collaboration with local businesses and civic organizations, WOW provided students with an in-depth look into Johnston
JOCO WORKS World of Works (WOW) Empowers Eighth Graders to Explore Career Paths at JCC
JOCO WORKS World of Works (WOW) Empowers Eighth Graders to Explore Career Paths at Johnston Community College JOCO WORKS World of Works (WOW), a groundbreaking initiative transforming the way eighth graders in Johnston County explore careers, will be held on November 7th and 8th at the Johnston Community College campus in Smithfield. More than 3,400 students from Johnston County Public Schools, Neuse Charter School, and American Leadership Academy will participate in this hands-on learning event produced
2024-2025 JCPS Principal of the Year Melissa Hurst Changes Lives Through Education
Smithfield, NC - Corinth Holders High Principal Ms. Melissa Hurst has been named the 2024-2025 Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Principal of the Year. Hurst has been a professional educator for 25 years, with nine years in an administrative role. During her career, she has been a dedicated servant leader in many capacities, including teacher, instructional coach, coordinator, senior administrator of a middle school Language Arts program, assistant principal, principal, and a host of other educational
JCPS Breaks Ground On Swift Creek Elementary School
SMITHFIELD, NC – On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) broke ground on the school district’s newest project, Swift Creek Elementary, located at 4188 Cleveland Road, Smithfield. The 49th school in the district, Swift Creek Elementary is instrumental in alleviating some of the capacity challenges due to the exponential growth in the central Johnston County area. The state-of-the-art building offers a modern day feel, without sacrificing key aspects. Security and
Johnston County Early College Academy Senior Jara Ashley is Poised for Success
SMITHFIELD, NC – Johnston County Early College Academy (JCECA) senior Ashley Jara was chosen to take part in the North Carolina’s Governor’s Page Program. Jara and around 10 other high school students from around North Carolina earned the opportunity to engage in four days of hands-on participation in state government. Since she was young, Jara has always been fascinated with the government. She remembers seeing Hilary Clinton on television when she was growing up and that inspired her. “There's
Johnston County Public Schools Wants Your Feedback On Its Next Strategic Plan
Johnston County Public Schools wants your feedback on its next Strategic Plan. In the fall we received input from over 12,000 members of the Johnston County Public Schools community on what we need in our district's next strategic plan. Please plan to join us on Monday, March 18th, from 6:00-7:15 pm at Swift Creek Middle School to learn how we have incorporated community feedback and weigh in on our progress thus far. Participants will preview the district’s new vision, mission, values, and
2024 Flame for Learning Semifinalists Announced
Johnston County's Top Educators Vie for Teacher of the Year at the 30th Annual Flame for Learning Award Ceremony Johnston County's Teacher of the Year is poised to be recognized at the prestigious 30th Annual Flame for Learning Award Ceremony, set to take place on April 23, 2024, at the Barn at Broadslab. This event will not only celebrate the pinnacle of educational excellence but also shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of twenty semifinalists vying for this honor. The Flame
Johnston County Public Schools Holds Student Teacher Signing Day
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held its second annual teacher signing day. The event, mirrored after a sports contract signing ceremony, recognized and celebrated student teachers who have committed to staying on with JCPS. This year, six JCPS student teachers signed their one-year contracts in front of friends, family, teachers, and school district administrators. “We are so excited for them to begin their journey as a teacher with our district next school
Johnston County’s Own Crowned Miss America’s Teen
SMITHFIELD, NC - Hanley House, a junior at Cleveland High School (CvHS), was crowned Miss America’s Teen 2024 at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando on January 13, 2024. Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) is proud to recently conduct House’s first official in-person interview as Miss America’s Teen. Just over one year ago, on a whim, House decided to step out of her comfort zone and enter her first-ever pageant, Miss Cleveland High. She always watched Miss America on television, never thinking
State Superintendent Visits Cleveland Elementary
CLAYTON, NC - North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt visited Cleveland Elementary on Wednesday, December 12, 2023, Accompanied by NC Department of Instruction Regional Coordinator Dr. Kendra King and Special Advisor to Superintendent for Principal Engagement Tabari Wallace. Fifth grader Parker Mortenson welcomed Truitt, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy, JCPS cabinet members, and several Johnston County Board of Education members to
Smithfield-Selma High Hosts Topping Out Ceremony
SMITHFIELD - Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) held a Topping Out Ceremony at Smithfield-Selma High on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The Topping Out Ceremony was a celebration of the nearly completed auxiliary gym at Smithfield-Selma High. The gym is the final project of the 2018 Bond Referendum. In addition, the auxiliary gym will include a locker room, weight room, and restrooms for use by students, staff, and the public. Students and staff will have the additional space for educational
JCPS eighth grade students get hands-on experience at JOCO WORKS 2023
SMITHFIELD, NC - Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) eighth grade students attended the JOCO WORKS 2023 Career Expo at Johnston Community College (JCC) November 2-3. Approximately 3,500 eighth-grade students had the opportunity to connect with more than 40 local industries, including Grifols, Caterpillar, and event sponsor, Novo Nordisk. Through hands-on experiences, JOCO WORKS is a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming the way JCPS eighth graders in Johnston County explore
Johnston County Eighth Graders to Attend JOCO WORKS Career Expo at JCC
Thousands of Johnston County eighth graders will attend JOCO WORKS, a collaborative career expo, at Johnston Community College Smithfield, N.C., (October 26, 2023) – JOCO WORKS Career Exposition, presented by Novo Nordisk, is back at Johnston Community College. The event which presents real-world simulations and information about career options will be held November 2-3, 2023. Over three thousand Johnston County eighth graders are expected to attend this industry-led collaborative supported by
Melissa Pearce named JCPS 2023 Teacher of the Year
Cleveland High English teacher Melissa Pearce was named the Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2023 Teacher of the Year. With the naming Pearce made history, as she is the first person to ever receive the award twice. Pearce received the award for the first time 2007 and was named a finalist for the award in 2022. Pearce has been an educator with JCPS for the past 19 years. She has been teaching for 20 years, spending her first year teaching in Pamlico County. “It wasn’t quite home,” she said.
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
