James W. Smith Elementary

05/29/2026

5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony—on the last day of school! 🎉

We celebrated our 5th graders as they take their next steps toward middle school. We know you’re going to do great things and be successful! 📚✨

05/29/2026

Last week at this time, we were saying goodbye to our students as they headed into summer vacation! We celebrated our 5th graders with a clap 👏🏼 out and moving up ceremony as they take their next steps toward middle school. We know they’re going to do great things! 🎉📚

05/20/2026

Yay 🎉 Mr. O!!!!

Please help us congratulate the winner of the “Vote for your favorite Teacher” prize, Mr. O., from James W Smith elementary school 🥳 🏫 📕

05/20/2026

💜 JWS is recognized as a Purple Star School!

May Board of Education Recognition Meeting

Purple Star Award
It is with great pride that we announce Craven County Schools has been recognized as a Military Purple Star District for the fifth year in a row. This prestigious award, given by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, acknowledges school districts that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
With over 3,000 military-connected students in our schools, we understand the unique challenges they face with frequent relocations, deployments, and transitions that can impact their educational experience. The Purple Star Award recognizes the work we do to provide stability, resources, and a welcoming community for these students.
To earn this designation, our district has implemented initiatives such as:
Dedicated military point of contacts at each school to assist families with transitions.
Staff training to better understand the social-emotional and academic needs of military children.
Student-led transition groups like the Student to Student programs, which fosters peer connections.
A strong partnership with MCAS Cherry Point, to ensure seamless communication.
Resources and events designed to support and celebrate our military families year-round.
These initiatives, spearheaded by the Craven County Military Liaison Counselor, allow for our schools to provide an unwavering commitment to our military families. We will continue to strengthen our efforts to ensure that every military child in Craven County Schools receives the support, stability, resources, and quality education they deserve.
Thank you to our educators, administrators, and community partners who make this possible. Together, we are proud to be a Purple Star District! At this time, we would like all of our principals to join us on stage and ask Mrs. Jodi Scoggins, the Military Liaison Counselor, to come forward.

05/20/2026

💛Thank you Mr. Ward & Mrs. Fillingame💙

May Board of Education Recognition Meeting

Bate Foundation Individual School Grant Recipients
The Board of Education also extends its sincere appreciation to the Harold H. Bate Foundation, a valued partner of PIE, for its continued commitment to supporting our schools. This year, the Foundation generously awarded a total of $35,000 in grant funding to individual schools eligible to apply for up to $5,000 each to support targeted initiatives that meet their unique needs. In addition, the Foundation contributes $30,000 annually to sustain the Beginning Teacher Store, ensuring that new educators have access to essential classroom resources. We are pleased to recognize the principals and educators who successfully secured these competitive grants for their schools.
✨Melisa Thompson, Cherita Lassiter, & Heather Santos, Arthur W. Edwards Elementary
✨Ashley Faulkenberry, Creekside Elementary
✨Kaitlyn Watson, Grover C. Fields Middle
✨Claudia E. Casey, Tameka Wiggins, & Anna Spear; Havelock High
✨Mike Swain, Jason Philipps, & Lydia LoScalzo, H.J. MacDonald Middle
✨Derrell Ward & Ashley Fillingame, James W. Smith Elementary,
✨Roneca Wallace, J.T. Barber Elementary
✨Darryl Thomas & Luke Hancock, New Bern High School
✨Stephen Currie, Tucker Creek Middle

Thank you to the Bate Foundation and Partners In Education for your continued support of our schools throughout the district.

05/17/2026

JWS Parents!

This survey is your opportunity to tell us what is working, what needs to change, and how we can better partner with you in your child's education. Your feedback will directly influence our planning for the upcoming school year.

Survey Link:

As we strive for excellence across every grade-level, your perspective is our most valuable resource. We are committed to closing academic gaps and ensuring every student has a consistent, high-quality experience from year to year. This survey is your opportunity to tell us what is working, what nee...

05/11/2026

☀️ Breakfast with a Grown-Up! ☀️

Our students had a blast last month when they got to enjoy breakfast with a grown-up—and it was all thanks to a yummy and nutritious breakfast provided by the Bluejay Café, James W. Smith’s School Nutrition Team! 💙🥐

Breakfast + good company = the perfect start to the day. 😄

Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a great experience!