The O.W.L. - Our Weekly Letter

This week in Campfire, topics include Group Career Exploration Project, Craven Community College Pathways Part 2, The Stress We Create With Procrastination, ACT Prep: Math Practice Test, and reflecting on the week. It is important that students arrive on time each and every day to fully engage in our Campfire activities.

Our house system is one way for us to deepen our connections with one another as each house (Aistra, Ohana, Nguvu, & Sapere) are comprised of individuals with similar interests and perspectives. It is also a way for us to participate in some healthy competition. House points are earned from competitions, positive attendance/tardy trends, academic performance, Student of the Month recognitions, and other special events, Below are the current house standings.

SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online. Please click here to register or click on the photo below.

Below are the current SchoolCash Online fees that are being accepted by Craven Early College High School:

• "Hoo" Matter Mental Health Club Fee/T-Shirt - September 29th
• Student Union Dues - September 30th
• Cool Springs Field Trip Fee - October 10th
• Senior/Super Senior Trip to Universal Studios/Kennedy Space Center - Deposit Due by October 10th
• NC State College Visit Fee - October 31st
• Required Computer Insurance Fee - Pay by November 30th
• Graduation Fee - Pay by January 31st

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. McPherson in the Front Office.

The Federal Impact Aid Survey Cards were distributed on Wednesday, September 24th. We need 100% of our cards returned. We ask all of our families to return the form by October 10th. Please complete the form in blue or black ink. If you need another form or if you have any questions, please contact our front office.

Federal Impact Aid is designed to assist local school districts that have lost tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property, or experienced increased expenditures due to the enrollment of federally connected children. Active duty military, contractors and civilian employees who work on federal property and those who live in federal housing are eligible to participate. Money received from Federal Impact Aid is used to offset costs on campuses with federally connected students. Eligibility for funding is determined each school year through the Federal Impact Aid Survey Form.

To date, only 30% of students have returned their federal impact cards, and we encourage all remaining families to submit them by October 10th. Congratulations to Mrs. Hobbs' Campfire for returning 100% of Federal Impact Aid Cards!

Please dine at Panera Bread (or order takeout) in New Bern for dinner on Tuesday, October 7th between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. 25% of proceeds will benefit Craven Early College High School. Please tell the team that you are with our school.

We are very excited our upcoming House Competition on Friday, October 10th from 9:20 AM until 12:00 PM.

Our next School Improvement Team (SIT) meeting is Friday, October 10th at 1:00 PM in Room 122. We will discuss school improvement efforts as it relates to our 4 priority goals (Successful Students, Premier Professionals, Superior Systems, & Committed Community). The meeting is open to the public.

Our next Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Meeting will be on Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 PM in Room 122. Mrs. Lucas (School Counselor) will be our presenter.

Our Super Seniors will take their formal cap & gown portraits on October 24th. They will also be able to take an outdoor casual portrait. Ordering information will be shared after we receive the proofs.

The CECHS Parliament Players cordially invited you all to join us for two spectacular performances of Edgar Allen Poe Shuddersome - Tales of Poe on Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th!

Brief Description of Edgar Allen Poe: Shuddersome - Tales of Poe

The thumping of a heartbeat. The creak of a door. The howl of a bitter wind. The gong of a clock tower. The clang of alarm bells. The sound of beating wings getting closer and closer…

Specters, ghosts and ghouls come alive in this vivid theatrical adaptation of some of Edgar Allan Poe’s best-known works. Included are The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and The Masque of the Red Death.

Poe’s words rise from the page like corpses from the grave. Be careful. Do you hear that tap, tap, tapping?

Please click on this link or the image below to purchase tickets.

We are so excited about our Fall Spirit Week. Please review the photo below for the specific theme for each day. Students should still adhere to the basic tenets of our dress code.

All sophomores will take the Pre-ACT on Friday, October 31st in the Brock Administration Building. All students should report to their testing sites by 8:45 AM.

Our CECHS Military Appreciation Program will be Friday, November 7th at 11:15 AM in Orringer Auditorium. All of our families are invited. Our military-connected families are also invited to join us for a luncheon in the Naumann Community Room. Military-connected families are asked to RSVP for the luncheon by clicking here or clicking on the photo below. Please RSVP by October 24th.

Our team is committed to making sure that all of our students have what they need to be successful in their high school classes. CECHS Early Review is a great opportunity to work with teachers 1-on-1 or in a small group, organize notebooks and planners, or have some quiet work time. ER is Monday-Thursday from 8:15 AM-8:45 AM. Please review the flyer below for the daily ER schedule.

Our day begins at 8:55 AM, and our students are dismissed at 4:15 PM. Our students are released at 12:00 PM every Friday. Please be on time and present every single day.

Please review the 2025-2026 Early College Academic Calendar and make note of our important dates including holidays, fall break, progress report dates, report cards dates, and our exam schedules. Please click on the calendar to access a larger version.

Here are some important policy reminders related to attendance, dress code, electronics, and other operational practices. Please click on the photo for specific details.

We want all of our students to perform well in their courses and earn credits. It is vital that students have limited unexcused absences so they can learn course material, show mastery of content, and earn course credit. Students who have high numbers of unexcused absences are at risk of failing courses and will NOT be eligible to take classes at Craven Community College.

In an effort to maximize every single instructional minute, please refrain from checking students out of school after 3:45 PM unless it is an emergency.

We are looking forward to our Career Fair, which will be held on Friday, December 12th. We are searching for businesses and professionals to join us for this event. Please reach out to Mrs. Lucas (School Counselor) at 252-637-5706 or hilary.lucas@cravenk12.org if you would like to participate or if you have any leads.

Craven Early College High School is searching for a SPECTACULAR Spanish Teacher to join the Owl's Nest! There are many benefits to working at our school including our fantastic students/families, smaller class sizes, supportive colleagues, adequate resources, and our innovative environment! Interested candidates can apply here or contact Dr. Artis at marlow.artis@cravenk12.org for more informaton. Please share widely! #CravenEarlyCollegeWINS

The Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter.Over $33 million has been donated by Harris Teeter to Together In Education schools since 1998!

Any VIC member can link their card to a school.

Customers can link up to five (5) schools to their account. More linked VIC cards mean higher earning potential. Click on the photo below to link your VIC card.

This year's theme is Soaring Higher with O.W.L. Pride! In order for our school to continue achieving at high levels, we encourage every student, parent, team member, and community member to take ownership of their role, embrace wisdom through learning and growth, and demonstrate leadership in both words and actions. It is going to be a phenomenal school year! #CravenEarlyCollegeWINS

We are so proud of our students and teachers for making strong gains in our Advanced Placement (AP) Program! AP Human Geography (advanced learning opportunity for freshmen) is up 18.4% from year one. AP Seminar (advanced learning opportunity for sophomores/blended with English II Honors) is up 14.2% from year one. The 2024-2025 Academic School Year was the first year that we have offered AP Environmental Science (advanced learning opportunity for juniors), and our pass rate was 92.9%. Our students navigate AP courses alongside their community college courses, and our teachers have elevated instruction in our school by adding AP classes to our master schedule. We would like to thank Mr. Saulter, Ms. Strommer, Dr. Midgette, and Mrs. Edwards for all their hard work and leadership with our AP Program! We are so excited about adding AP Spanish Language and Culture this year! We are Soaring Higher with O.W.L. Pride! #CravenEarlyCollegeWINS #APScores #AdvancedPlacement

We are so grateful for the dedicated team of professionals who passionately serve Craven Early College High School each and every day! Please click on the image below to meet our team. Please do not hesitate to reach out if we can ever be of assistance.