October is National Principals Month, and we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible leaders who guide our schools every single day! Thank you to Lisa Sutton (Swain West Elementary), Mike Treadway (Swain East Elementary), Ryan McMahan (Swain Middle School), Michael Turner (Swain Academy), and Tyler Shuler (Swain County High School) for your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff across Swain County Public Schools! Drop a comment below to give your principal a shoutout and thank them for everything they do!
Remember October is Empathy for Swain County Schools Character Ed. What a cute way for Bright Adventures PreK to introduce their students to Empathy!
A Little Adds Up
Did you know that missing just 10% of the school year is considered chronic absenteeism?
In a typical 180-day school year, that's about 18 days — roughly one month of school.
And it doesn't take long to get there. Missing just two days per month can put a student in that range.
Every day counts!
Did you know that missing just 10% of the school year is considered chronic absenteeism?
In a typical 180-day school year, that's about 18 days — roughly one month of school.
And it doesn't take long to get there. Missing just two days per month can put a student in that range.
Every day counts!
From friend drama and social exclusion to the pressures of group chats, today's social world can feel complicated for kids and exhausting for parents. In this webinar, we'll explore what children and teens need from the adults in their lives to navigate friendship challenges, build resilience, and maintain healthy relationships.
About the Speaker:
Phyllis Fagell, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor, school counselor, author, and nationally recognized expert on child and adolescent development. She is the author of Middle School Matters and a frequent contributor to The Washington Post. Phyllis helps parents and educators support children's social, emotional, and academic wellbeing.
Visit the link below to register.
Mrs. Holt's class recently participated in the WNC Mountain State Fair. The students created a variety of art projects for the competition and brought home an impressive collection of awards. Pictured in the back row are Emmie Jackson (1st and 2nd place), Owen Kribs (two 1st place ribbons and two Judge’s Choice awards), Conner Bowman (two 1st place ribbons and Best in Show), and Jacob Jackson (1st place and Best in Show). In the front row are Eeva Haigler (2nd place) and Kendyl Becker (3rd place). Congratulations, students!
Attendance Matters!
One of the strongest predictors of success in school is also one of the simplest: showing up.
Research consistently links regular attendance with stronger academic performance, staying on track for graduation, and greater connection to school.
Every day at school is an opportunity to learn, connect with teachers and friends, and take another step toward graduation.
Be here. Be engaged. Be successful.
Make a difference in our students' day!
Swain County Schools is looking for Cafeteria Assistants and Cafeteria Subs to join our team. Whether you only have 2 hours a day or 1 day a week to spare, we will work with you to create a flexible schedule!
Earn extra money while making an immediate, positive impact in our schools.
Apply Online: Visit https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Apply In-Person / Get More Info: Call Lavonda Woodring, Human Resources Coordinator, at 828-488-3129 ext. 5128.
Swain County Schools is looking for Cafeteria Assistants and Cafeteria Subs to join our team. Whether you only have 2 hours a day or 1 day a week to spare, we will work with you to create a flexible schedule!
Earn extra money while making an immediate, positive impact in our schools.
Apply Online: Visit https://swain.schoolspring.com/
Apply In-Person / Get More Info: Call Lavonda Woodring, Human Resources Coordinator, at 828-488-3129 ext. 5128.
The lockdown at Swain County High School has been lifted and the perimeter lockdowns at the other locations have also been lifted.
The lockdown occurred at approximately 11:25 am due to a perceived threat by a staff member. Other school locations were placed on a perimeter lockdown as a precaution.
Local law enforcement responded quickly, conducted a search of the area, and determined that there was no threat at 11:59 am. At no time were students in danger.
Thank you to everyone for following the established emergency procedures.
As the district debriefs with law enforcement, additional details will be provided.
Swain County High School has been placed on a lockdown. All other Swain County Schools have been placed on perimeter lockdown as a precautionary measure. School personnel along with emergency personnel are currently evaluating the situation and working to resolve it. Please follow our emergency plan and do not call or go to the school until further information becomes available. As soon as we have more information we will communicate it through all channels. Please tune to our social media, The Smoky Mountain Times (website and social media) as well as The Cherokee One Feather (website and social media) and WBHN 94.1 FM for information updates.
This is a reminder that there is no school for students on Monday, September 21. It will be a mandatory teacher workday for staff. Thank you.
📢 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! 🦅❤️