Good afternoon!  We've reached the end of the first quarter.  For those counting, there's only 133 more student days remaining before summer break.

As a reminder, on Monday, Oct. 12 & Tuesday, Oct. 13, there will be no school for students at both traditional schools and Early Colleges due to teacher workdays. The full academic calendar may be viewed here: https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/districtcalendars

Also on Tuesday, Oct. 13th, CCS will host the 2026 Futures Fair at Cabarrus Arena for program choice, career, military, and employment opportunities and a sneak-peek at play-based kindergarten for incoming kindergarten parents.

Here's this week’s Friday Five.🖐️

Dear CCS Families and Staff,

As we wrap up the first quarter, thank you for helping our students get off to a strong start. These first nine weeks have brought new routines, new friendships and opportunities to learn and grow.

To our families, thank you for your support at home and your partnership with our schools. To our staff, thank you for the care and effort you bring to your work each day. Every role in our district contributes to our students’ success, and I appreciate all you do.

The end of a quarter is a good time to reflect on progress and look ahead. I encourage families to talk with their children about what has gone well, what has been challenging and what they hope to accomplish next. Celebrate their successes, and reach out to their teachers if they need additional support.

Our students now have a four-day weekend to rest and recharge. We look forward to welcoming students back Wednesday, Oct. 14.

I encourage our families and staff to consider applying for CCS 101, an opportunity to learn more about our district, ask questions, and build stronger connections with our schools.

Thank you for a strong first quarter. I hope our students enjoy the long weekend, and I’m grateful to our families and staff for keeping their futures at the center of our work.

Stay well,

Dr. John Kopicki

Superintendent

With the first quarter ending today, first-quarter report cards will be issued Oct. 21. 

Please save the remaining progress report and report card dates below to help keep track of your child’s progress throughout the school year.

High school and middle school report cards will be available in Infinite Campus.  Elementary school report card distribution varies by school through either ParentSquare or paper copies.

View the full schedule on the CCS website.

🎉 A Thursday surprise brought well-deserved recognition for two CCS leaders!

Peter Kim of Hickory Ridge High School and Amanda Price of Wolf Meadow Elementary School have been named CCS Secondary and Elementary Assistant Principals of the Year.

Join us in congratulating both honorees!

🔗 Read more about their work and this special recognition.

✅SENIORS: COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK IS COMING! October 19–25, 2026:

Get ready to take the next step toward your future—and SAVE MONEY! During North Carolina's College Application Week, many colleges and universities across the state will WAIVE their application fees! This is a great opportunity to apply to several colleges without paying the usual application fees. Here's how to participate:

Important: Start through CFNC.org to make sure you receive the available fee waivers. Don't miss this opportunity to explore your options and take another step toward your future! Questions? Reach out to your school counselor for assistance.

✅THE POSITIVITY PROJECT: Next week’s Positivity Project (P2) character strength is integrity. Visit the P2 for Families webpage for helpful resources and conversation starters to support this week’s strength. You can also view the Character Strength Calendar linked below to stay up to date with what your child is learning through our P2 curriculum.

Ready to find a program that’s right for you? 

The Program Choice Application open enrollment period is October 1–November 30, 2026. Students can apply for up to three programs in Cabarrus County Schools, with opportunities designed to support academic excellence, real-world skills and future success.

Have questions or ready to apply? Visit www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/programchoice for more information.  

Touch-a-Truck is back on Halloween! 

Join the Cabarrus County Active Living & Parks Department on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center for a FREE, family-friendly event, presented by H & H Towing Inc, featuring vehicles and equipment of all shapes and sizes, candy, an obstacle course, giveaways and plenty of Halloween fun!

 

Dear DECA Friends,

Last year, you stepped up to judge our NC DECA District 7 Regional Event, and we would LOVE to have you back!

Our students get one chance to walk into that room, shake off the nerves, and put their skills to the test in front of real professionals, and volunteers like you are what make that experience possible.

This year’s competition is Tuesday, November 10th at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center from 8:30 AM–12:00 PM, and we are officially recruiting our 2026 judging team!

No DECA experience? No problem. We provide training on site, along with everything you need to be a great judge. You just bring your professional experience, a little encouragement, and a willingness to invest a few hours in some pretty amazing students.

👉 Ready to come back and judge with us?

We truly appreciated your support last year and hope you’ll join us again. Great student experiences don’t just happen; they happen because people like you show up and you also bring friends! So, clear a few hours in your schedule, grab a co-worker, a neighbor, or a family member, and join us on November 10th! To make it easier to help us recruit, I have also included a social media ready post for you to use as well as our "official" judge's letter.

Thank you for continuing to invest in our future leaders!

Join us Tuesday, October 13, at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center for two fairs in one evening:

🎓 Program Choice Fair | 5–7 p.m. Explore CCS Program Choice options for the 2027–28 school year. Applications are open October 1 through November 30. New this year, students can rank up to three programs on one application rather than filling out multiple applications.

🏫 College, Career & Military Fair | 6–8 p.m. Meet college representatives, military recruiters, local employers and community partners. Whether your student plans to enroll, enlist or enter the workforce, they can ask questions and explore their next steps. Students visiting college representatives should register for a barcode before the fair.

Cabarrus County Schools is excited to launch Future Makers, a new districtwide recognition program celebrating the people who make a difference every day across CCS.

Inspired by Destination 27 and this year's district theme, “Your Future. Our Focus.”, Future Makers will shine a spotlight on employees whose service, dedication and commitment help shape the futures of our students. From classrooms and school offices to buses, cafeterias, technology, maintenance and beyond, great work happens everywhere in CCS.

And we want to hear from you. Parents, students, employees and community members are invited to nominate a CCS employee who deserves to be recognized as a Future Maker.

Know someone making a difference? 

Nominate a Future Maker today: https://forms.gle/GYPHSXpGiBCPZsXZ6

Program Choice Open Houses are a great opportunity for families to learn more about the unique programs available across Cabarrus County Schools. Meet staff, explore schools, ask questions and discover which option may be the right fit for your student. Check out the upcoming Program Choice Open House dates below and start planning your visit!

 

The district also has a dedicated Program Choice Open House Calendar page with this schedule.

Cabarrus County Schools will host one additional community forum this fall to provide information and answer questions about the 2026 school bond referendum.

The forum will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Community members are invited to attend any of the three forums to learn more about the proposed school bond, the projects included, and the bond process.

We hope you’ll join us and learn more before Election Day on Nov. 3.

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 October. Our next winner will be recognized at the Board of Education's Oct. 12th meeting.

This year's winners: