Carlos Armstrong, Karen Clough and Robin Dunbar were sworn in for four-year terms on the Tyrrell County Board of Education on August 6.

Mindy Sykes, daughter of the late Kim Davenport, received a certificate from the North Carolina Association of School Business Officers. This award was presented in recognition for Davenport’s  completion of the NCASBO Business Managers Program.  Association vice president Ken Chilcoat presented the award to Sykes.

Davenport died just five days before she was scheduled to receive the award at the association’s annual conference in Raleigh.

The board also received updates regarding the progress in AdvancED accreditation, the Sandy Hook Promise program, maintenance and finance.

Tyrrell County Schools held their “Opening of School Breakfast” on August 10 in the Columbia High School cafeteria. The Administrative staff introduced new employees and welcomed all staff to the 2018-19 school year. The event included school and community supporters. Also in attendance were Tyrrell County Board of Education members, Tyrrell County commissioners and county manager, Town of Columbia aldermen, mayor and manager along with several representatives from the Tyrrell County Ministerial Association.

Karen Clough, vice chairman of the Tyrrell County Board of Education, welcomed the staff, and school board member Janie Spencer offered the invocation.

After breakfast the staff received information presented by a representative of the Sandy Hook Promise program in order to prepare them to implement the SOS (Signs of Suicide) program during this school year.

The Sandy Hook Promise program was started by parents of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. This program focuses on school safety and methods to identify students who are at risk for violence and/or suicide.

“The Tyrrell County Schools system is excited about this initiative that will further enhance our efforts to provide a safe environment for our staff and students,” said interim superintendent Dr. Travis Twiford.

The meeting concluded with a brief overview of the AdvancED accreditation process and the staff completed a Climate and Culture survey to gather input from the school staff.

The teachers at Columbia High School/Early College were to return on August 13. The first day for students will be Wednesday, August 15. The early start schedule was created so that the student’s courses will more closely align with the Beaufort Community College schedule of classes. This service will benefit almost 50% of the students at Columbia High/Early College as they work to achieve a higher level education.

Open House Schedules: Tyrrell Elementary School — Wednesday, August 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Columbia Middle School — Thursday, August 23, 4 to 7 p.m.