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.

https://cartwheelcare.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YCsayhvVS6GeX5yS0Lrf6A?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_20145244#/registration

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.

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.

📢 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

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!

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.

Register Here!

Swain County Schools Afterschool Program Registration Opening Soon

Registration for our FREE K–8 Afterschool Program opens this Friday, August 7th, at 9:00 AM.

Key Details:
Registration Opens: Friday, Aug 7 @ 9:00 AM
First Day: Tuesday, Sept 8
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, until 5:30 PM
Grades: K–8
Cost: FREE for participating students

Important Note: We anticipate a waitlist. Applications will be reviewed based on prior behavior, attendance, and submission time. Families will be notified of acceptance the week of August 17th.

(Note: Pre-K Afterschool applications are managed directly through Bright Adventures.)

Register here (link opens Aug 7 at 9 AM):
https://forms.gle/RQkYRhiNkfgw395d7

Now Open! Student Registration for the 2026–2027 School Year

Whether you're enrolling a student for the first time or completing your returning student's annual update, registration is now open!

✅ New students: Complete the online registration form and follow the enrollment instructions.
✅ Returning students: Log in to the Parent Portal to complete your annual update.
Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2026.

We look forward to welcoming our students for another great school year!

Good news for families: Mental health support through Cartwheel doesn’t stop when school does.
This summer, students and families in Swain County Schools can still access:
🧠 Licensed therapists and psychiatric providers with no waitlists
💻 Virtual appointments with afternoon, evening, and weekend availability
👨‍👩‍👧 Parent guidance sessions with practical support for parents and caregivers for everyday challenges
🗣️ Care available in English, Spanish, and other languages
✅ Free for families with Medicaid; in-network with most insurance

Summer is a great time to get connected to care and help students be ready for fall. Learn more and get started: cartwheelcare.org/families