Finishing the year strong

It’s so hard to believe that we are nearing the end of another great school year. This year has been a year full of innovation, collaboration, problem solving, and success. Our entire DCS family has been working so hard this year and are committed to finishing the school year stronger than we ever have before. Even though we feel spring is in the air, we can not let up in our pursuit of success for all students. Now is the time to dig into our respective roles as students, parents, and staff to ensure that nothing will get in our way of seeing our students achieve to the heights we know they can.

Students, now is the time to communicate with your teachers and support staff to make sure that you check on any missing assignments and get them completed. Talk with your counselors to finalize college applications and scholarship information. For those students entering the workforce after graduation, reach out to those appropriate staff members to make sure that you are on track and ready to go. Be present, prepared, and attentive in your classes and lend a helping hand to your peers when you can. With the season of testing quickly approaching, review your notes daily and create study plans now. Be sure to ask questions, stay on top of your progress, and know, DCS students, you’ve got this!

Parents, your efforts this year have not gone unnoticed, and we are thankful for all that you do to support your child’s learning. As we move forward in this final push, let’s strive to be more resilient with our students. They are under a tremendous amount of pressure, so anything that we can do to alleviate that pressure for them, let’s do it. If we want our students to achieve their highest potential, then we have to put the supports in place to help them. In addition, our teachers and support staff have worked so hard this year to prepare our students and they will not let up in their efforts to ensure that our students finish strong. So let’s get behind them even more and show that we support them in these efforts. Teachers, support staff, and administrators stand ready to help you in every way they can, so continue to reach out to them and keep the lines of communication open.

In order to provide additional support to our families, please find some strategies below that will help our students in this upcoming testing season.

• Know the testing calendar
• Set aside time each night to review instructional topics
• Make sure students get to school on time on the day of testing
• Ensure students eat a nutritional breakfast (breakfast will be served daily at school)
• Make sure students get plenty of rest the night before
• Remind your student how proud you are of their accomplishments
• Always talk to your children in an inspiring tone

With the steadfast support of our Board of Education and each of us working together, there is nothing that our students can’t achieve. Every child is unique and special in Duplin County Schools and every child can find success. As “One Family” we remain committed to do whatever it takes to make sure our amazing students are successful!

Dr. Austin Obasohan is the Duplin County Schools Superintendent.