Tropical Storm Zeta related power outages cause CCS to close
Clay County Schools, News October 29, 2020
BRMEMC power outage map
School waterline breaks, students move to virtual classes
Clay County Schools, News October 20, 2020
HAYESVILLE, NC – A waterline that serves Clay County Schools broke sometime between the end of the school day on Monday and 7 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20.
The county discovered the location of the problem at 7:30 a.m. The broken waterline also services several other areas in town.
The schools has moved to virtual instruction for Tuesday. Parents should await further instruction for classes on Wednesday. Details are expected this afternoon.
Buses began transporting students back home at 9 a.m. and parents could pick up their children beginning at 9 a.m. as well.
Clay County Students will attend classes two days a week
Clay County Schools, Community, News August 4, 2020
HAYESVILLE, N.C. – Clay County Schools have opted for a two cohort model once students return to class for the 2020-2021 year.
All schools except for the pre-k will follow an A/B schedule. Students will be broken into two groups. The A group will go to school on Monday and Tuesday while the B group attends class on Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will be a virtual learning day for students and a deep cleaning day at the school.
Parents and guardians can also select to place their children in entirely online learning.
At Hayesville Primary, elementary, and middle schools the teachers will change classes, not the students. Hayesville High School (HHS) students will be switching classes because the majority, 43.9 percent of parents voted for that option.
Homes with multiple school-age children will have those children placed in the same cohort so they can attend school on the same days. Cohorts will consist of 150 to 200 students.
School survey responses from parents and teachers.
With the two day model, students can receive two days of attending all their 90-minute learning blocks in a controlled environment. They also have access to all school amenities including teachers, high-speed internet, counseling, and tech support.
This model isn’t the safest option due to the potential exposure of 150 to 200 students twice a week. It also places the heaviest load on teachers who must create lessons for in-person and remote children.
Schools will release information about which Clay County students will be in Cohort A and Cohort B on Wednesday, August 5 at 4:00. Students in Cohort A will attend each week on Monday and Tuesday beginning August 17. Students in Cohort B will attend each week on Thursday and Friday beginning August 20.
33 percent of parents selected fully remote learning in the return to school survey.
As for faculty, 45 percent of HHS staff were in favor of fully remote, and 30 percent chose the two cohort model.
If the school or county reaches a five percent COVID-19 infection rate, a decision will be made about closing the school buildings again. Currently, Clay County is at a less than one percent infection rate.
All students attending in-person classes will always be required to wear a mask with scheduled outdoor breaks. Faculty and students will be given five masks from the state. They must wash masks at home and can decorate the masks.
During break times, students will separate and safely remove their masks. They won’t be allowed to congregate in groups at any time during the school day. Students will always be sat six feet apart.
Remote learning children will be locked into the program for five weeks at a time. Parents must contact the school by September 11 if they wish to transition their child back into in-person instruction. Students can switch from in-person to remote at any time. In both instances, the principal must be notified ahead of time.
The Pre-K school will be fully open five days a week.
Clay County Schools Superintendent Dale Cole reviewed this model with stakeholders and the Clay County Health Department and all felt comfortable moving forward with this model.
Hayesville High School graduation scheduled for July 24
Clay County Schools, Community, News June 30, 2020
HAYESVILLE, N.C. – In the June 25 Clay County Schools Board of Education meeting, Hayesville High School (HHS) Principal Jim Saltz discussed graduation plans for July 24 at 6 p.m.
Each HHS graduate can bring four guests to the ceremony at Frank R. Long Football stadium. Seniors will sit socially distanced on the football field, and guests will receive assigned seating in the stands. All students and guests must wear masks. The students’ masks will feature the HHS logo.
The school opted for a balloon release instead of throwing caps, and a parade around the square will take place after the ceremony.
Students who cannot attend will have a personalized ceremony that will live-streamed. The hybrid baccalaureate, awards, and scholarship service were all previously broadcast.
Saltz gave graduation and end of year update over a live stream meeting.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office provided Senior yard signs and the large signage on the square. HHS Journalism class created the senior spotlight features.
71 percent of the 2020 seniors earned at least one job certification through the Career Technical Education Program. 34 percent received more than one nationally recognized job certification.
80 percent of the class earned a Silver level or better on the ACT WorkKeys exam. The exam focused on career-readiness of students and trainability.
“Really great job of our seniors showing that they are career-ready,” said Superintendent Dale Cole.
College-ready seniors accepted over 95 scholarships. 29 percent graduated with honors, 25 percent were N.C. scholars, and 17 percent were Presidential scholars.
The 2020 graduating class earned the largest number of college degrees ever at HHS. Five students graduated with a two-year degree and a high school diploma. Also, 41 percent graduated with at least one college credit.
“We’re going to see that number continue to grow each year. I also think we’re going to see the number of nationally recognized job certifications grow each year because really, they need both. It’s college and career ready, not college or career ready,” stated Cole.
Cole presented the 2020 senior statistics.
The rain dates for the graduation ceremony are July 25 and July 26. Prom’s currently on hold, but the school plans to hold it at a later date.
HHS 9-11 Students
As for the 9-11 students, the Tiger Team contacted most of the individuals to discuss options for 2019-2020 grades.
“A student was allowed to choose a COVID-19 grade that would not affect their GPA or a traditional grade, which would affect their GPA,” explained HHS Principal Jim Saltz.
Also, 90 percent of the 2020-2021 students have registered for classes. TCC advisement and intern placements are also underway.
All six CNA students passed their CNA certification examination on June 25, 2020.
Two FBLA students Tia Proctor and Virginia Sumpter came in 14th place in the national competition.
Jones recognized as Clay County District Teacher of the Year
Clay County Schools, News June 30, 2020
HAYESVILLE, N.C – Hayesville High School Teacher Bobbie Jones received the Clay County District Teacher of the Year honor in the June 2020 board meeting.
A third-party group selected Jones as District Teacher of the Year after a thorough interview process. She will go on to represent CCS in the regional competition.
“Thank you…it was exciting sharing my journey with that group, and I hope Hayesville can win. I want to be the State Teacher of the Year,” expressed an enthused Jones.
She also spoke about her passion for CCS, calling it an “amazing and educational experience.” Before joining the CCS faculty, Jones was unfamiliar with the area and now desires to put Hayesville on the map.
Jones receiving her award.
If chosen as one of the nine regional teachers, Jones would go on to the state competition.
For State Teacher of the Year, competitors will undergo several screening activities from a committee consisting of professional educators as well as business and community leaders. The chosen teacher will have the opportunity to travel and speak on education and teaching methods.
“On behalf of the school system, congratulations, and we know that you’re going to do great!” stated Superintendent Dale Cole.
Each member of the board expressed their thanks for all Jones’s hard work as well.
Jessica Hughes received Hayesville Elementary Teacher of the Year. Hayesville Middle School Teacher of the Year went to Amanda Gaddis. Jones earned the Hayesville High School Teacher of the Year.
Since starting the program in 1970, three North Carolina State Teachers of the Year became National Teachers of the Year, four became finalists, and one was inducted into the National Teachers’ Hall of Fame.
Vandalism suspect in custody
Business June 23, 2020
HAYESVILLE, NC – (23 June 2020) At approximately 06:56 a.m., the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a call of vandalism at the new primary school on Yellow Jacket Drive. When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered approximately 26 windows had been broken. After investigating the damage, deputies searched the area for a suspect and more vandalism when they discovered another broken window at the Rec Gym on Ball Park Drive. They were then dispatched to the old “Tommy’s Market” on Tusquittee Road for a report of 2 more broken windows and then “Cactus Game Design” where two more windows were broken out.
As deputies were investigating the damage, they developed a suspect and made an arrest at 09:21 am.
Adam Truett Martin, 35 of Hayesville was charged with:
6 counts of misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property and 1 count of Felony Injury Building/Fence/Wall. He was given a $25,000 secured bond and a court date of August 3, 2020.
Feature image courtesy of Clay County Sheriff’s Office Facebook.
Cole completes Next Generation Superintendent Development Program
Clay County Schools, Press Release May 4, 2020
PRESS RELEASE – Congratulations to Clay County Schools Superintendent, Dale Cole, who successfully completed the Next Generation Superintendent Development Program provided by the NC School Superintendents’ Association.
Next Generation Superintendent Development Program aims to build transformational education leaders.
Building on the success of three previous cohorts, and with a focus on building statewide capacity for transforming education systems, Cohort IV of the Next Generation Superintendent Development Program provided ongoing support for superintendents across the state. The program supported the professional growth and transformative capacity of superintendents using the North Carolina Standards for Superintendents through a formative process that advances the stated purposes of the North Carolina Evaluation Process. The program is designed to guide superintendents as they reflect on and improve their effectiveness as district leaders; focus the personal leadership goals of the superintendents and link personal goals with district and state goals; and guide and facilitate the professional development of superintendents toward advanced levels of executive leadership as defined by the North Carolina Standards for Superintendents. NCASLD and NCSSA works with aligned partners to provide a year-long continuum of support. As a result of participation in this cohort, participating superintendents:
Understand how to apply the content of the North Carolina Superintendent Standards and the Superintendent Support Continuum to transform learning within the school district.
Acquire and develop the Next Generation Executive Leadership capacity to transform the school district and the schools within the district through a process of Innovation and Adaptation.
Establish a superintendent network of support, collaboration, and influence.
Feature image courtesy of Clay County Schools.
Teachers unite with Hayesville Brewing to provide student meals
News March 28, 2020
HAYESVILLE, NC – Classes are canceled at Clay County Schools, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but teachers continue their quest to ensure the well-being of their students during a difficult time. Many children rely on school meals for daily nutrition, and hunger won’t pause for the health crisis to pass. One such teacher is petitioning Clay County residents to kindly assist in the effort to keep local children fed.
Hayesville Brewing Company
“If anyone wants to help with our FREE BREAKFAST/LUNCH program during our closure of our schools, please go by today or call the HAYESVILLE BREWING COMPANY (across) from Jacky Jones Ford on Highway 64, and donate $12.00,” Tammy Jones Dills, the athletic director of Hayesville Middle School said. “The owners of the Brewery have graciously stepped up to help with this need. Your $12 donation will purchase a case of Styrofoam containers for the program, most cases have 150-250 containers in them, so that means you are helping feed that many children. Also, while you’re there pick up your lunch/dinner. The delivery company has graciously dropped their normal price of $19.50 a case to $12 a case after they found out it is for helping feed our students. If you live out of town and you still have those Hayesville roots running deep in your blood, you can send directly to the school, we are not set up to accept donations via credit or debit, but donations can be made by mailing a check or money order made payable to Clay County Schools.”
“Again thank you to all those that have donated and continue to donate towards this cause,” Dills said.
Clay County Schools hold emergency COVID-19 meeting
Business March 16, 2020HAYESVILLE, NC= Clay County Board of Education held an emergency-called, live-streamed meeting, March 16, to discuss the details of its mandatory school closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Off-site instruction for Clay County Schools begins on Monday, March 23, for all students.
Clay County Schools operating on regular schedule for now
Clay County Schools, Community March 13, 2020CLAY COUNTY, N.C. – Clay County Schools Superintendent Dale Cole took a moment to address the public about their efforts to combat COVID-19 and why the school is still open.
Superintendent Dale Cole in the middle. Photo courtesy of Clay County Schools Facebook.
Read his entire statement below:
This is Dale Cole, Superintendent of Clay County Schools with an important message. CCS has continually monitored updates and directives from state government and the Clay County Health Department over the last week specific to the Corona Virus. At this time we are still on a regular school schedule. There have been no reported cases of Covid-19 in Clay or any surrounding counties.
Following the recommendation of Governor Cooper, all field trips have been cancelled for the remainder of the school year. Student and employee safety is the primary concern for Clay County Schools. CCS staff will try to recoup as much money as possible from the events and tour companies or work out alternative arrangements for possible travel next year.This will take time, but we assure parents and students that we will seek all opportunities to refund monies to the best of our ability.
The NCHSAA has cancelled all sports and practices for high schools and middle schools indefinitely. CCS has also cancelled all out of district travel for staff. We are currently reviewing all after school events that would involve gatherings of more than 100 people to try to reschedule as needed.
Clay County Schools continues to follow the guidance of local, state, and federal health officials regarding all communicable diseases. Medical experts have indicated that the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are the same recommendations for preventing the spread of the flu.
All hard surfaces will be appropriately cleaned with EPA-registered disinfectants. Additional refresher training was provided to our custodial team. The district is encouraging students and staff to follow basic prevention guidelines. Here are some helpful tips that with everyone’s help will aid in prevention:
1. Avoid close contact with others if you or they are sick.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
3. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
4. Clean your hands often with soap and water.
5. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill.We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust protocols and processes as warranted. Thank you, and have a great weekend.