PSRC Monthly Newsletter
Your source for PSRC happenings
October 1, 2024
Quote of the Month
"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” —Estée Lauder
News Around the District
Robeson County teachers awarded STEM grants to enhance education
The North Carolina Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA NC) recently announced the recipients of the 2024 STEM Grant Program including four local educators in Robeson County.
This prestigious program supports local education initiatives that advance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning.
“We are very grateful for the generous support provided by the AFCEA NC 2024 STEM Grant Program. These grants are instrumental in empowering our educators to enhance their teaching methods and bring innovative educational opportunities to our students,” said Dr. Freddie Williamson, Superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County.
PSRC Board of Education Meeting Highlights - September 10, 2024
Multilingual Learner Family Night is October 10!
🌟 Join Us for ML Family Engagement Night! 🌟
🗓 Date: October 10, 2024
📍 Location: RCC Student Center
📬 Address: 5160 Fayetteville Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
It takes a village to nurture our children’s education! Come be a part of that village at our Family Engagement Night. Join us for an evening filled with fun, learning, and connection.
✨ What to Expect:
Discover the primary resources your children are using in school, including Imagine Learning, EL Education, and Eureka Math 2.
Meet other families and educators.
Engage in activities that support your child's learning journey.
PSRC invites families to Family Health & Wellness Fun Day on October 12
The Public Schools of Robeson County is teaming up with Robeson County Parks and Recreation and other community partners to host Family Health & Wellness Fun Day on October 12.
This free event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Luther Britt Park, located at 671 Branch Street in Lumberton. Family Health & Wellness Fun Day aims to engage families and community members in a day of enriching activities focused on health, physical fitness, and overall wellness.
Participants can look forward to an array of activities suitable for all ages, including an adult walk/run, Zumba classes, group exercise sessions, and more. The event will also feature nutritious food options, interactive activities, and the opportunity to win exciting door prizes.
Please use this link to register: https://forms.gle/98e2jbiJEaejEF8P7
PSRC Sees Academic Gains and Rising Graduation Rates in 2023-24, Despite Challenges
Across the state, NC students continue to see improvement in most grades and subjects, according to the 2023-24 state test results presented by the State Board of Education on September 4. Similarly, PSRC students have demonstrated gains in 3-8 Math, Grade 8 Science, Math 3, Biology, and English 2 and rising graduation rates.
FOCUS Broadband Awards Education Grants to Local Educators at East Robeson Primary and Southside -Ashpole Elementary Schools
FOCUS Broadband recently awarded $4,362 in grant funds to educators supporting programs that expand educational opportunities for students in Robeson County. The funds are part of the cooperative’s grant program, which has awarded $1.085 million in community and education grants to more than 550 programs since its inception in 2006.
Peterson Elementary Educator Receives National Recognition with Prestigious Award
The NEA Foundation has announced that Elaina Bouncer, a dedicated educator at Peterson Elementary, has been selected as one of the 48 recipients of the 2025 Travelers Awards for Teaching Excellence. This esteemed recognition celebrates exceptional public school educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, leadership in the teaching profession, and a commitment to equity and diversity.
Staff Spotlight Stories
School spotlight: Teacher, Coach Freeman on duty
While navigating the bustling halls and campus of Lumberton High School, one can find John Ethan Freeman in his classroom, balancing equations by day and gearing up to coach soccer on the field by night.
However, it is evident that Freeman is more than just a math teacher and soccer coach; he’s a powerhouse of inspiration for his students.
Jones drives digital change: Transforms lives through Tech Education
One Robeson County Career Center educator’s work lies in a powerful mission: transforming lives through technology and education.
At the Robeson County Career Center, John Jones wears two hats—he’s both a Computer Engineering Instructor and the site’s Digital Teaching and Learning Technology Coach. This year, he proudly adds another accolade to his collection: the Robeson County Career Center’s Teacher of the Year.
October is Vision & Audiology Awareness Month
School Health Services, Lions Club to begin vision screenings soon
Throughout the month of October, PSRC School Health Services will be conducting vision and hearing screenings. School nurses will be screening students in 1st, 3rd and 5th grades.
The district also maintains its partnership with the Lions Club, which will provide vision screenings for children in kindergarten and grades 2, 4 and 6. If parents do wish for their child to be screened by Lions Club members, a consent form sent home with the student must be completed and returned to the student’s school prior to services rendered.
The vision screenings from the Lions Club will take place during the school day and consist of instant photographs of the child's eyes, taken at a distance of 3 feet, to determine the presence of eye disorders with a stereoscopic (3D) picture.
These disorders can range from detecting myopia, which is nearsightedness, to hyperopia, which is farsightedness. These images can also pick up on astigmatism in the eye, which is a defect caused by a deviation from the spherical curvature and can result in distorted images. No physical contact is made with the child and eye drops are not necessary.
The information obtained from the vision screenings does not constitute a diagnosis of vision problems.
Help Curb the Spread of Germs
As we enter flu season, it’s especially important for students and staff to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of germs, including COVID-19. If you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher, please stay home to protect the health of our community. We encourage everyone to return to school or work only after being fever-free for 24 hours and showing signs of clinical improvement. Together, we can keep our environment safe and healthy!
RHCC Mobile Unit Continues to Support Student and Staff Health
Robeson Health Care Corporation continues to provide services through its mobile health unit on a rotation to various school campuses this school year.
The mobile unit completes rotations from 9 am to noon on the following schedule:
Mondays - Magnolia Elementary
Tuesdays - Littlefield Middle
Wednesdays - Long Branch Elementary
Thursdays - Orrum Middle
Fridays - Rex-Rennert & Oxendine Elementary schools (alternating Fridays)
Upcoming Events
October 1 - Special Needs Day at the Fair
October 2 - Custodian Day
October 4 - World Smile Day
October 5 - World Teacher's Day
October 5 - Last Day of the Fair
October 6-12 - Fire Prevention Week
October 6 - Instructional Coach Day
October 7 - Child Health Day
October 8 - Very Special Arts Day at UNC Pembroke
October 9 - Walk to School Day
October 12 - National Farmer's Day
October 12 - Family Health and Wellness Fun Day at Luther Britt Park (9 am - 2 pm)
October 12 - UNC Pembroke Educator Appreciation Game
October 13 - US Navy Birthday
October 13 - Breast Cancer Awareness Day
October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 14-18 - Digital Citizenship Week
October 14-18 - School Lunch Week
October 16 - Boss's Day
October 16 - Wear Orange for Unity Day
October 21-27 - College Application Week
October 21-27 - School Bus Safety Week
October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week
October 26 - Make a Difference Day
October 27 - Occupational Therapy Day
October 28 - First Responders Day
October 31 - Halloween
Athletics Schedules
Please click the schools listed below for full listings of sports schedules. Schedules are subject to change.
High School Sports
Fairmont High School Sports Schedule
Purnell Swett High School Sports Schedule
St. Pauls High School Sports Schedule
2024-2025 Testing Calendars
2024-2025 School Calendars
Public Schools of Robeson County
"One Team, One Goal"
We serve more than 21,000 students across 40 instructional sites, including traditional school sites, PSRC Early College at RCC, the Robeson County Career Center and the Learning Acceleration Program/Robeson Alternative School.
To keep up with PSRC district happenings, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and our district website at robeson.k12.nc.us.
Email: webmaster@robeson.k12.nc.us
Website: robeson.k12.nc.us
Location: 100 Hargrave Street, Lumberton, NC, USA
Phone: 910-671-6000
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/public-schools-of-robeson-county
Facebook: facebook.com/PublicSchoolsofRobesonCounty
Instagram: instagram.com/psrcedu/
X: @PSRCEDU