📢 IMPORTANT: Impact Aid Surveys Coming Home Monday!
Parents and guardians, please be on the lookout for an Impact Aid Survey coming home with your child on Monday.
Completing and returning this survey is very important to our school district. The information collected helps determine federal Impact Aid funding available to support our schools and students.
✅ Check your child’s backpack Monday
✅ Complete the survey
✅ Sign it
✅ Return it to school as soon as possible
Every survey matters! A few minutes of your time can help ensure our schools receive the federal funding for which they are eligible.
Thank you for helping support our students and schools!
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Swain County Schools is hosting activities the week of September 14th to raise awareness and help break the stigma around mental health.
East Elementary ("Every Heart Matters Week")
Monday ("Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin"): Pajama or comfy clothes
Tuesday ("Brighten the World"): Tie-dye or neon clothing
Wednesday ("Wellness Wednesday"): Athletic or workout gear
Thursday ("We're in This Together"): Twin day or matching with a trusted friend
Friday ("Show Your Support"): Wear Maroon Gear
West Elementary
Distributing positive affirmation statement bracelets for all students and staff.
Morning announcements featuring "You belong" here at West.
Daily reminders of the services available to students.
Swain Middle
Positive quotes on morning announcements.
Focus in the Maroon Meetings.
Friday - Hat Day for $1 (Proceeds to go towards a memorial tree on campus for Aiden Johnson).
Teal and Purple Day.
Swain High & Swain Academy
Daily messages during morning announcements.
Blue & Teal Pinwheels and ribbons distributed at JV Football Game.
Support Resources
Help is available at school through counselors and other trusted adults. You can also call or text 988 at any time to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
There is help. There is hope. And EVERY life matters.
Bus Ridership Week: Supporting Transportation for Swain County Schools
Each year, the state of North Carolina determines school transportation funding based on how many students ride the bus during one designated week. This year, that critical ridership count takes place the week of September 14-18.
Bus Ridership Week gives our district an accurate snapshot of how many students rely on bus transportation, helping us secure the funding necessary to keep our buses running smoothly all year long.
State funding for transportation is determined by three main factors:
• The total number of buses operating daily
• Total transportation expenditures
• The total number of students riding the bus during count week
We encourage all families to have their students ride the bus as many days as possible during the week of September 14-18. Even if your child only rides occasionally, riding during count week ensures Swain County Schools receives the resources needed to accommodate your family whenever needs change throughout the school year.
School buses remain the safest mode of student transportation while significantly reducing traffic congestion around our school campuses.
Thank you for helping us protect our transportation funding and support our students!
Join Cartwheel, our virtual mental health partner, for a free webinar with educational psychologist Linda Price, M.Ed., CAGS, and youth mental health advocate Mallory G. who will share her own story of navigating emotional distress as a young person and finding the support that helped her thrive.
🌱 Growing Together: Supporting Your Child's Mental Health This School Year
🗓 Tuesday, September 16 | 7–8pm ET
👉 Register here: https://www.cartwheel.org/webinarseries
Shining a Spotlight on Swain County Middle School!
Swain County Middle School is proud to be featured in the brand-new Rooted in Growth Special Edition: Promising Practices Repository Launch from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction!
The state is highlighting how Swain Middle is using "proficiency scales"—clear learning targets that help students and teachers understand exact goals—to cut through the educational jargon and make learning goals crystal clear. Thanks to this innovative approach, strong teamwork, and focused student support, the school is seeing fantastic improvements in math scores and inspiring students to take charge of their own learning.
We love seeing our local schools lead the way across North Carolina! Read the full feature and check out the repository here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NCSBE/bulletins/427e6b9
Swain County Middle School is proud to be featured in the brand-new Rooted in Growth Special Edition: Promising Practices Repository Launch from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction!
The state is highlighting how Swain Middle is using "proficiency scales"—clear learning targets that help students and teachers understand exact goals—to cut through the educational jargon and make learning goals crystal clear. Thanks to this innovative approach, strong teamwork, and focused student support, the school is seeing fantastic improvements in math scores and inspiring students to take charge of their own learning.
We love seeing our local schools lead the way across North Carolina! Read the full feature and check out the repository here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NCSBE/bulletins/427e6b9
Senior Formal Picture Day
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Meeting reminder: Showing up for Swain: Building Our Future Together.
Join Dr. Brandon Sutton for an important community discussion on how we can collaborate to tackle chronic absenteeism and better support Swain County students. Every day in school counts, and your ideas and partnership matter!
Date: September 8, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
Let’s work together to help our students succeed! Stay tuned to our website and social media for event updates.
Join Dr. Brandon Sutton for an important community discussion on how we can collaborate to tackle chronic absenteeism and better support Swain County students. Every day in school counts, and your ideas and partnership matter!
Date: September 8, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
Let’s work together to help our students succeed! Stay tuned to our website and social media for event updates.
At Swain West Elementary, our kindergarten, first and second grade students of the month for KINDNESS! Lillian Herman, Jacee Queen, Axel Curtice, Jacob Raxter, Michael Mazur, Caydance Wilcat, Cooper Sutton and Amelia Hornbuckle.
❤️ Congratulations to our Maroon Strong Character Award Winners! ❤️
Our August character trait was KINDNESS, and these students were selected for consistently showing kindness throughout our school. From helping others and including their classmates to spreading positivity and showing compassion, these students are wonderful examples of what it means to be Maroon Strong! 🌟
We are so proud of each of you! Keep shining and showing kindness wherever you go! 🦅❤️
Our August character trait was KINDNESS, and these students were selected for consistently showing kindness throughout our school. From helping others and including their classmates to spreading positivity and showing compassion, these students are wonderful examples of what it means to be Maroon Strong! 🌟
We are so proud of each of you! Keep shining and showing kindness wherever you go! 🦅❤️
❤️ Congratulations to our East Elementary Maroon Strong Character Award Winners! ❤️
Our August character trait was KINDNESS, and these students were selected for consistently showing kindness throughout our school. From helping others and including their classmates to spreading positivity and showing compassion, these students are wonderful examples of what it means to be Maroon Strong! 🌟
We are so proud of each of you! Keep shining and showing kindness wherever you go! 🦅❤️
We're Hiring! Swain County Public Schools is looking for dedicated individuals to join our School Nutrition Department.
Current Openings: We have an immediate opening for a Cafeteria Manager at the middle school, as well as Cafeteria Assistant positions available at multiple school locations.
Benefits & Schedule: Enjoy full-time positions with benefits and a great schedule that lets you give back to our local community.
How to Apply: Apply today by visiting https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Current Openings: We have an immediate opening for a Cafeteria Manager at the middle school, as well as Cafeteria Assistant positions available at multiple school locations.
Benefits & Schedule: Enjoy full-time positions with benefits and a great schedule that lets you give back to our local community.
How to Apply: Apply today by visiting https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Swain County Schools is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of one of our high school students. Your students may have questions or need guidance concerning this incident. School counselors are available to provide grief support and counseling services to any student or staff member in need.
Please be advised that the Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together Community Meeting scheduled for this afternoon, August 24, has been postponed to Tuesday, September 8, 5:30 in the Media Center.
There will be a District AIG Parent Meeting on Tuesday, August 25 at 5:30pm in the Central Office.
If your child is in this program, plan to attend this information session.
Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together
Every family, business, and neighborhood in our county is impacted by chronic school absenteeism. We invite all community members to join us for a crucial public meeting to tackle this challenge together and support the future of our students and workforce.
Event: Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together
Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
What to Expect:
A presentation on recent Swain County Schools attendance data.
An overview of how daily attendance shapes academic success and long-term workforce readiness.
The official launch of the county-wide Swain Attendance Task Force.
Solving this challenge takes an entire community. Whether you want to join a task force committee, display a support window cling at your local business, sponsor student incentives, or simply share your insights, every voice matters at this table.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Thank you for your dedication to Swain County, our schools, and our youth!
We are thrilled to announce that both the Swain Middle and Swain High School Band Programs have been officially recognized by the North Carolina Bandmasters Association as Programs of Distinction for the 2025–2026 school year!
Throughout the year, our students have represented Swain County with exceptional pride through regional marching competitions, WNC All-District and NC All-State Honor Bands, Jazz Band, and Solo & Ensemble events. Coupled with consistent Superior Ratings at the Western Region Music Performance Assessments, this honor reflects the remarkable dedication, hard work, and musical growth of our students and directors. Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!
Swain County Schools would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Swain County Board of Commissioners for approving a 2% local salary supplement for our employees. This investment reflects a commitment to the dedicated teachers, support staff, administrators, and employees who serve the students of Swain County every day. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue working together to provide the very best education for our students and community!
Today is the Day! Come meet your teachers!
Swain County Schools will host Open House today, Thursday, August 13. Check out the schedule below to find the specific times for your school:
🏫 Swain East: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🏫 Swain West: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🏫 Swain Middle School: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain Academy: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain High School: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
We can't wait to see all of our students and families there!
Swain County Schools will host Open House today, Thursday, August 13. Check out the schedule below to find the specific times for your school:
🏫 Swain East: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🏫 Swain West: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🏫 Swain Middle School: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain Academy: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain High School: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
We can't wait to see all of our students and families there!
Attendance Matters! 🎒 Everyday in the classroom is a building block for your student's future. Missed school adds up quickly.
We know life happens. To help your family plan, we've created this handy guide of all our major school breaks and long weekends for the year. We hope this helps when scheduling vacations and non-emergency appointments to keep our students in school!
We know life happens. To help your family plan, we've created this handy guide of all our major school breaks and long weekends for the year. We hope this helps when scheduling vacations and non-emergency appointments to keep our students in school!
Upcoming Webinar: When School Feels Hard: Understanding Anxiety and Avoidance in Kids
Wednesday, August 19 | 7–8pm ET
Chinwé Williams, Ph.D.
The start of a new school year brings excitement for some kids and teens and dread for others. In this webinar, we’ll explore what’s driving school anxiety and avoidance in kids, when it may signal a need for additional support, and practical strategies to help children feel more confident, connected, and ready to learn.
As always, the webinar is free, and you'll have a chance to ask questions live.
