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The Friday Five

Posted Date: 08/14/26 (05:00 PM)


The Cabarrus County Schools logo features a globe with a leaf, a diagonal line, and the text 'Engaging minds. Shaping futures.'

The Friday Five

August 14, 2026
Three smiling women wave from behind a desk with office equipment and a "The FRIDAY FIVE" graphic.

Happy Friday, Cabarrus County Schools families!

Good afternoon and welcome back! We hope you've had a great week.

It has been wonderful to see our schools filled with students, staff, energy, and excitement for the year ahead. We hope your child has a great opening to the school year.

Here's this week's edition of The Friday Five ๐Ÿ–๏ธ
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#1 Weekend Weigh-In: Share your feedback in two minutes

Our Weekend Weigh-In is a quick way for CCS families to share feedback and help us better understand your experience.

Click the button below to visit the ParentSquare post and complete this weekโ€™s short, two-minute Weekend Weigh-In. Your voice helps us learn whatโ€™s working and where we can continue to improve.

Going forward, the Weekend Weigh-In (last year, this was the Wednesday Weigh-In) will appear in your ParentSquare feed each Friday morning and will be posted without a notification. Be sure to check your feed each week for the latest opportunity to provide your feedback. These two-minute weekend surveys will close each Sunday night at 11:59PM.
Weekend Weigh-In for Aug. 14
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#2 School operations updates and reminders

โœ…TRANSPORTATION: We know that some families may have questions or concerns about transportation as we begin the school year. Our transportation and school staff are actively working to address those concerns which have been shared with us and make adjustments as needed. If you have a concern about your studentโ€™s bus stop, please complete the Bus Stop Investigation Form linked below and return it to the assistant principal at your school who manages transportation. These forms have also been added to your ParentSquare links dashboard available on the desktop and app versions. Thank you for your patience as our transportation team works to support students and families.

โœ…SCHOOL NUTRITION: Need to apply for Free & Reduced-Price Meals or add money to your childโ€™s meal account? Families can use LINQ Connect to complete a meal application, add funds, and search for their school's menu. Taking care of it now can help make breakfast and lunch a little easier as we begin the new school year. The link to apply for Free & Reduced meals has also been added to your links dashboard in ParentSquare.

โœ…SCHOOL TRAFFIC: As we settle into the new school year, please follow your schoolโ€™s established traffic patterns and staff directions during arrival and dismissal. Using designated entrances, exits, lanes, and drop-off areas helps keep traffic moving safely and efficiently for students, families, buses, and staff. A little patience and cooperation from everyone can make a big difference!
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#3 Nominate a Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month

Even though we're only three days into the start of school, many of you have already been impacted by our amazing teachers. Please visit our link and nominate a Teacher of the Month for September. Our first winner will be recognized at the Board of Education's Sept. 14th meeting.

Last year's winners:
  • September 2025: Cara Mazor, Kindergarten Teacher, A.T. Allen Elementary
  • October 2025: Abigail Hannigan, Social Studies Teacher, Central Cabarrus High
  • November 2025: Mia Greene, 4th Grade Teacher, Pitts School Road Elementary
  • December 2025: 1st Sgt. Micki Kistler, JROTC Instructor, Jay M. Robinson High
  • January 2026: Jennifer Dalesandro, 4th Grade Teacher, Bethel Elementary
  • February 2026: Tim Hogan, Social Studies Teacher, Mount Pleasant Middle
  • March 2026: Hannah Riley, 2nd Grade Teacher, Wolf Meadow Elementary
  • April 2026: Kara Landers, EC Teacher, Northwest Cabarrus High
  • May 2026: Destiny Hunter, Music Teacher, Winecoff Elementary
Nominate a Teacher of the Month
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A group of smiling people in blue shirts stand behind a school cafeteria serving line with food.
Nine young women stand in a line outdoors, showcasing decorated jeans with 'Senior 2027' and other designs.
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#4 The Parent Cheat Sheet

โœ…PARENT ACTION REQUIRED: The 2026-27 Parent Information and Student Code of Conduct Handbook is now available online. If you have not already done so, please take time to review the handbook, then complete the required electronic acknowledgment form at this post: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/83286221

โœ…TECHNOLOGY REMINDERS: Technology fees for the 2026-27 school year may be payed through the K-12 Payment Center or by cash or check delivered to school. Please complete school-issued technology Acceptable Use Policy agreements that were delivered either through ParentSquare or Google Forms (varies by school.)ย 

SAVE THE DATE CCS FUTURES FAIR: Mark your calendar for the 2026 CCS Futures Fair on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center!
  • ๐ŸŽ“ Program Choice Fair: 5โ€“7 p.m.
  • ๐Ÿซ College, Career & Military Fair: 6โ€“8 p.m.
Families can explore CCS Program Choice opportunities and connect with colleges, universities, career and military recruiters all in one evening. Program Choice applications for the 2027-28 school year will open October 1 and close November 30, 2026. More details coming soon. For now, save the date and start planning for your future!

โœ…K-12 VOLUNTARY STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE: Are you worried about paying for your child's medical care if an accident requiring medical care happens? K&K's student accident insurance can help. K-12 Accident Plans available through your school include:
  • At-School Accident Only
  • 24-Hour Accident Only
  • Extended Dental
  • Football
For more information and to enroll online, please visit the CCS Voluntary Student Accident Insurance webpage.ย 

โœ…ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS: Your journey to college, scholarships, and career planning starts with one important stepโ€”creating your CFNC (College Foundation of North Carolina) account. A CFNC account gives you access to valuable tools that can help you:
  • Explore colleges, careers, and majors
  • Discover scholarships and financial aid opportunities
  • Build your College Plan
  • Track your progress toward graduation
  • See if you're eligible for NC College Connect, which may provide direct admission to participating North Carolina colleges and universities.
Students who are on track to graduate from a North Carolina public high school, have a 2.8 GPA or higher, and are enrolled in a fourth-level math course may qualify for direct admission through NC College Connect. Even if you don't meet the GPA requirement, students who are on track to graduate may still receive direct admission to their local community college.
Creating your CFNC account is quick:
  1. Visit CFNC.org
  2. Click "Sign In" and select "Create Account"
  3. Choose "I'm a Student"
  4. Enter your information using your school email address
  5. Create a username and password, then verify your email
Need assistance? Your school counselor is available to help you get started.
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#5 Important Upcoming Dates

August 2026
  • Thu 8/20, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm โ€ข Board of Education Finance Committee Meeting
September 2026
  • Mon 9/7 โ€ข Labor Day Holiday
  • Tue 9/08, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm โ€ข Board of Education Work Session
  • Mon 9/14, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm โ€ข Board of Education Business Meeting
  • Thu 9/24, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm โ€ข Board of Education Finance Committee Meeting
  • Mon 9/28, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm โ€ข Board of Education Fall Planning Session


Complete 2026-2027 School Year Calendars:
Example calendar with dates pinned
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Community Engagement

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๐Ÿˆ CCS Football Jamboree tonight! Note time changes due to heat

High School football season is almost here!

Join us as our eight traditional high schools kick off the season at the 2026 Cabarrus County Football Jamboree.

๐Ÿ“ Event Details
Host: Jay M. Robinson High School
Date: Friday, August 14

๐Ÿ•” Game Schedule
  • 6:30 p.m. โ€“ Northwest Cabarrus vs. Cox Mill
  • 7:30 p.m. โ€“ Mount Pleasant vs. West Cabarrus
  • 8:30 p.m. โ€“ Concord vs. Central Cabarrus
  • 9:30 p.m. โ€“ Jay M. Robinson vs. Hickory Ridge

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Tickets
  • Admission is $10 per person. All tickets must be purchased through GoFan. No cash will be accepted at the gate.

๐ŸŽ’ Safety Reminder
  • Cabarrus County Schools' No Bags safety protocol will be in effect for this event. Please plan accordingly before arriving.

๐ŸŽซ Passes & Streaming
  • CCS Gold Cards and CCS Teacher ID Badges will be honored for admission. The jamboree will not be streamed on the NFHS Network.
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๐Ÿ“š THIS WEEKEND: Friends of the Mt. Pleasant Library Used Book Sale

Looking for your next great read? Mark your calendar for the Friends of the Mt. Pleasant Library Used Book Sale! Browse a great selection of gently used books while supporting your local library.

Dates & Times
๐Ÿ“– Thursday, August 20 | 4:00โ€“8:00 p.m. โ€“ Friends of the Library Members Only (Join today for first pick!)
๐Ÿ“– Friday, August 21 | 3:00โ€“6:00 p.m. โ€“ Open to the Public
๐Ÿ“– Saturday, August 22 | 10:00 a.m.โ€“2:00 p.m. โ€“ Open to the Public

๐Ÿ“ Mt. Pleasant Library
1111 N. Washington St.
Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124

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School Bond 2026

Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026

๐Ÿซ School Bond 2026 Q&A: What can bond funds be used for?

Can bond funds be used for teacher salaries or school supplies?

No. Under North Carolina law, bond funds are used for long-term school facility needs, not the everyday costs of operating schools.

Bond funds can be used for:
  • Building new schools
  • Replacing or expanding existing schools
  • Renovating and repairing school buildings
  • Replacing roofs, heating and cooling systems, and other major building systems
  • Improving plumbing, electrical, and utility systems
  • Paving and other school site improvements
  • Safety and security improvements that are part of facility projects
  • Purchasing land for school facilities
  • Furniture and equipment connected to capital projects
  • Planning, design, engineering, and other costs related to these projects

Bond funds cannot be used for:
  • Teacher or staff salaries
  • Employee raises or bonuses
  • Employee benefits
  • Routine classroom supplies
  • Textbooks and other regular instructional materials
  • Utility bills
  • Fuel
  • Professional development
  • Regular custodial and maintenance supplies
  • Other everyday costs of operating schools

Bond funds pay for long-term investments in school buildings and facilities. Operating funds pay for the everyday costs of educating students.

North Carolina law explains how bond funds may be used in N.C.G.S. ยง 159-48. School district operating and capital expenses are also separated under N.C.G.S. ยง 115C-426.

The proposed Cabarrus County Schools GO Bond will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

For more information, please visit the following resources:
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