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Layla Allen named OCS Beginning Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Ms. Layla Allen, CRHS Earth Science Teacher on being named
Orange County Schools 2024-25 Beginning Teacher of the Year!
NC High School Honors Chorus
Congratulations to Cedar Ridge High School senior Caroline
Welty for being selected to perform in the NC High School Honors Chorus in November!
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.
![Student using a virtual reality welding simulation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733774593/orangecountyfirstcom/rakd7ugrzzmftwurjbam/Showcase3TemplateSixStory8.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733774593/orangecountyfirstcom/rakd7ugrzzmftwurjbam/Showcase3TemplateSixStory8.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733774593/orangecountyfirstcom/rakd7ugrzzmftwurjbam/Showcase3TemplateSixStory8.png","width":800}])
See how 8th grade students from all three middle schools got to gain experience of real world careers through virtual reality simulations!
![Person filling in a test scantron with pencil]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733155129/orangecountyfirstcom/ayozt2gaq5vtps4ufl9v/ExamStock.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733155129/orangecountyfirstcom/ayozt2gaq5vtps4ufl9v/ExamStock.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733155129/orangecountyfirstcom/ayozt2gaq5vtps4ufl9v/ExamStock.png","width":800}])
Click here to learn more about the January 2025 exam schedule.
![Caroline Welty, a girl standing in front of a brick wall]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729800710/orangecountyfirstcom/uv80jojswmkcyjhlfvje/Showcase3TemplateSixStory6.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729800710/orangecountyfirstcom/uv80jojswmkcyjhlfvje/Showcase3TemplateSixStory6.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729800710/orangecountyfirstcom/uv80jojswmkcyjhlfvje/Showcase3TemplateSixStory6.png","width":800}])
Caroline Welty has a passion for music and education, here's how she uses her voice for both.
![New Hope Elementary School rocket ship mural, launching in front office of NHE]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1729693791/orangecountyfirstcom/rob7eo7jo8a4xfdndt3d/IMG_0536-EDIT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1729693791/orangecountyfirstcom/rob7eo7jo8a4xfdndt3d/IMG_0536-EDIT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1729693791/orangecountyfirstcom/rob7eo7jo8a4xfdndt3d/IMG_0536-EDIT.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1729693791/orangecountyfirstcom/rob7eo7jo8a4xfdndt3d/IMG_0536-EDIT.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1729693791/orangecountyfirstcom/rob7eo7jo8a4xfdndt3d/IMG_0536-EDIT.jpg","width":1226}])
Thanks to the shared efforts of students, staff, families, and community partners, New Hope Elementary has been recognized for closing achievement gaps and is now in the running for a state award and national recognition among schools that qualify for federal funding.
![Jason Johnson Principal of the Year with Superintendent Dr Danielle Jones]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728509418/orangecountyfirstcom/miy80h0jncy0epjlqfv2/Johnson_POY5.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728509418/orangecountyfirstcom/miy80h0jncy0epjlqfv2/Johnson_POY5.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728509418/orangecountyfirstcom/miy80h0jncy0epjlqfv2/Johnson_POY5.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728509418/orangecountyfirstcom/miy80h0jncy0epjlqfv2/Johnson_POY5.jpg","width":919}])
There must be something special about a school that makes you want to return, after a five-year absence, to a place everyone knows as your “happy place.”
For Jason Johnson, that happy place is Orange High School.
His experience and leadership in that place have led to his being named Orange County Schools Principal of the Year for the second time, to serve during the 2024-2025 school year.
![Two students posing outside side by side in front of a tree]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728417234/orangecountyfirstcom/e4bdrtmuhbvqjkf7vmym/WhiteAdkins.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728417234/orangecountyfirstcom/e4bdrtmuhbvqjkf7vmym/WhiteAdkins.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728417234/orangecountyfirstcom/e4bdrtmuhbvqjkf7vmym/WhiteAdkins.png","width":800}])
Two students from Efland-Cheeks Elementary have been selected to participate in the NC Elementary Honors Chorus in Winston-Salem this November.
From Our School Community
![Avery Pipkin, CRHS Woodworking Teacher Credential Champion]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724977426/orangecountyfirstcom/yfc5xwrvw8dksjes23bg/Pipkin.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724977426/orangecountyfirstcom/yfc5xwrvw8dksjes23bg/Pipkin.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724977426/orangecountyfirstcom/yfc5xwrvw8dksjes23bg/Pipkin.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724977426/orangecountyfirstcom/yfc5xwrvw8dksjes23bg/Pipkin.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724977426/orangecountyfirstcom/yfc5xwrvw8dksjes23bg/Pipkin.jpg","width":1536}])
Congratulations to Cedar Ridge High Woodworking Teacher, Avery Pipkin, for being named as a 23-24 Orange County CTE Credential Champion. 85% of Mr. Pipkin's Woodworking students earned an industry recognized credential in OSHA.
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!