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Tracy Thomas, Hillsborough Elementary Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations to Tracy Thomas, Hillsborough Elementary School 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!
Engage, Challenge, Inspire!
Follow our news and events to learn what's happening and how you play a part in the success of every student and member of the Orange County Schools learning community. Reach your maximum potential!
We look forward to adding new stories here to celebrate our students and our school all year long.
![Three OCS Educators Receive Couch Oil Cares "Fueling Education" Teacher Grant]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763066246/orangecountyfirstcom/vpywsplmk5ubjr8gcvur/CouchOilgrantwinners.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763066246/orangecountyfirstcom/vpywsplmk5ubjr8gcvur/CouchOilgrantwinners.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763066246/orangecountyfirstcom/vpywsplmk5ubjr8gcvur/CouchOilgrantwinners.png","width":800}])
What would you do with an extra $1,000 for your classroom? Starting this year, teachers were invited by the “Couch Oil Cares” program to share their vision for such an award, and three Orange County Schools educators are among the first-ever winners of a “Fueling Education” Teacher Grant worth $1,000
![OCS Strategic Plan Community Listening Session: Cedar Ridge High School, November 3, 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762548099/orangecountyfirstcom/blovaersd7yxexy4r4o3/StratPlanConvening1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762548099/orangecountyfirstcom/blovaersd7yxexy4r4o3/StratPlanConvening1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762548099/orangecountyfirstcom/blovaersd7yxexy4r4o3/StratPlanConvening1.png","width":800}])
Thank you to the community members who joined Orange County Schools staff and leadership in engaging conversation about the goals and priorities of the district for the upcoming five year strategic plan.
![Board Notes - Regular Meeting for October 20, 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725002967/orangecountyfirstcom/f02vmivpapi06cn0ouqu/board-meeting-gavel.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725002967/orangecountyfirstcom/f02vmivpapi06cn0ouqu/board-meeting-gavel.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725002967/orangecountyfirstcom/f02vmivpapi06cn0ouqu/board-meeting-gavel.png","width":800}])
The Orange County Board of Education held a regular business meeting on October 20, 2025.
![Mrs. Kimberly Guinness Named October 2025 Classified Employee of the Month!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761075085/orangecountyfirstcom/bqml5tae5ibeiru5big8/KimberlyGuinness_EOM2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761075085/orangecountyfirstcom/bqml5tae5ibeiru5big8/KimberlyGuinness_EOM2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761075085/orangecountyfirstcom/bqml5tae5ibeiru5big8/KimberlyGuinness_EOM2.png","width":800}])
“Kimberly Guinness exemplifies the OCS value of ‘Excellence and Efficiency’ in everything she does!" Congratulations to Kimberly Guinness, bookkeeper at River Park Elementary School, for being named OCS Classified Employee of the Month (EOM) for October 2025!
![OCS Family Academy November 2025: Youth Substance Use Prevention]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760630320/orangecountyfirstcom/nubdxtapcwbsbdlqqfbm/OrangePartnershipFamilyAcademyResources-4.webp","width":1747}])
Join OCS Family Academy at A.L. Stanback Middle School on Thursday, November 20 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for a presentation by Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug-Free Youth with the Orange County Health Department and ADAPT Youth.
![Orange County Schools Announces Community Listening Sessions]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760465951/orangecountyfirstcom/epqecblz4pajq9pjy2dp/OCS2026-2031STRATEGICPLAN-LETSBUILDTHEFUTUREOFOCSTOGETHERsquare.png","width":2200}])
Let's build the future of Orange County Schools together! All are welcome. No registration is required.
From Our School Community
![Every Friday is Spirit Day at HES!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760716466/orangecountyfirstcom/i2icb24hmwj0n5hlr9sb/SchoolSpirit.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760716466/orangecountyfirstcom/i2icb24hmwj0n5hlr9sb/SchoolSpirit.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760716466/orangecountyfirstcom/i2icb24hmwj0n5hlr9sb/SchoolSpirit.png","width":800}])
See students enjoying Spirit Day at HES and more on our Instagram!
News & Events
![2025-2026 Lunch Application and CEP Qualified Schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754424404/orangecountyfirstcom/qr7jlj5yb7fxxivppvta/IMG_9831EAT.jpg","width":953}])
View our latest menus plus 2025-26 applications for Free and Reduced Price Meals! Students at approved Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools are approved for meals at no cost. Learn more!
See students enjoying Spirit Day at HES and more on our Instagram!
![Open House August 21, Back To School!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754425030/orangecountyfirstcom/jxzjentffgzzppchasuo/IMG_1954OpenHouse.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754425030/orangecountyfirstcom/jxzjentffgzzppchasuo/IMG_1954OpenHouse.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754425030/orangecountyfirstcom/jxzjentffgzzppchasuo/IMG_1954OpenHouse.jpg","width":536}])
Traditional calendar schools welcome students and families for Open House on August 21... Check out our 2025-26 Back To School Guide for the complete schedule, and much more!
![Back To School Fair! First Ever, August 9 at Orange High School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1754425356/orangecountyfirstcom/d8fsre6kdyqtfvylgmne/TeamoBTS2025.jpg","width":2200}])
Don't miss your chance to be first in line for everything you need to succeed in 2025-26! Start the school year off right with Orange County Schools at the first-ever Back To School Fair August 9 at Orange High School from 12-4pm. Full details here on our website. Just be there!
![Back To School Guide for 2025-26!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1754430820/orangecountyfirstcom/epxlsdu30sycawreq62o/BackToSchool2025-2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1754430820/orangecountyfirstcom/epxlsdu30sycawreq62o/BackToSchool2025-2026.png","width":500}])
Visit our Back To School Guide filled with everything you need to succeed in 2025-26! Find school supply lists, bus requests, and much more at your fingertips.
![Welcome Back, Hillsborough Elementary!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1752685349/orangecountyfirstcom/yzhjvudawkpzpzhchsim/Untitleddesign7.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1752685349/orangecountyfirstcom/yzhjvudawkpzpzhchsim/Untitleddesign7.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1752685349/orangecountyfirstcom/yzhjvudawkpzpzhchsim/Untitleddesign7.png","width":800}])
Hillsborough Elementary School students and staff made a splash for the first day of the 2025-26 school year!
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Whitted Building, 300 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
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A. L. Stanback Middle School, 3700 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA