Education Foundation Inc. of Caldwell County

05/06/2026

04/28/2026

On Friday, April 17, sixth-grade students at Gamewell Middle School participated in a special assembly where each student was presented with a copy of Everything You Need to Ace Math in One Big Fat Notebook. This valuable resource was made possible through a Community Education Grant awarded to sixth-grade teacher Mrs. Betty Jo Pritchard. The grant is funded by the Education Foundation of Caldwell County.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Jan Pritchard of the Education Foundation for joining us, sharing a few words with our students, and assisting with the book presentation.

03/03/2026

Huge congratulations to the 10 exceptional Caldwell County Schools educators who were awarded Community Education Grants this morning!

We’re so proud to support these teachers as they bring innovative projects - from "Rad Scientists" to learning practical life skills - directly to CCS students.

Join us in celebrating this year’s Spring recipients:
• Kimberly Morgan (Gamewell Elementary) – Raising the Game: Basketball Skills
• Betty Jo Pritchard (Gamewell Middle) – Middle School Math Support
• Caitlyn Council & Laura Carter (Granite Falls Elementary) – Local History & Hickory Author
• Wendy Libera (Lower Creek Elementary) – Literacy Skills for Struggling Readers
• Rebecca Harris (South Caldwell High) – Life Skills Through Business
• Kami Sanderlin (Valmead Elementary) – Rad Scientists: Building Problem Solvers
• Emma Frizsell & Jennifer Dodd (Whitnel Elementary) – AAC for Speech & Communication
• Redeana Smith (CCS Curriculum) – Summer Learning Adventures

02/12/2026

This morning, 3rd graders from across the District took a deep dive into historical fiction during our annual "Little Read.”

Students joined virtually from classrooms and media centers while Lauren Tarshis, the nationally recognized author of the “I Survived...” series, joined from her home office in Connecticut. Lauren’s “I Survived...” series is famous for helping kids understand complex historical events by exploring them through the eyes of a character their own age.

Lauren spoke with our students about her book, “I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916,” and shared her personal journey of learning to read while navigating a learning disability. She explained how that journey led to a love of literature and inspired her to be an author and tell stories. At the students’ request, Lauren shared a sneak peek of her next novel.

📚What is the Little Read?
Little Read is a massive literacy initiative sponsored by the Education Foundation of Caldwell County. It’s kind of like a county-wide book club for Caldwell County Schools elementary students. Here is how it works:
* A Book for Every Learner: Every single 3rd-grade student receives a copy of “I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916” to read at school. Support from Scholastic made this possible.
* Reading Together: Students read the book with their class and their teachers, building a shared experience through an engaging story.
* Learning Together: The program culminates in a live "Meet the Author" event where students can ask questions and learn about the professional writing process.

We are so proud of our 3rd graders for their thoughtful questions and their passion for reading and history!

01/16/2026

We are proud to celebrate Vicky Cornett, Media Center Coordinator at Dudley Shoals Elementary, as the latest recipient of the “What Are You Reading” Grant.

This grant, powered by The Education Foundation of Caldwell County and Blue Ridge Energy, focuses on increasing book availability and fostering a lifelong love of reading. Mrs. Cornett’s creative use of a book vending machine reward system is a fantastic example of how The Education Foundation of Caldwell County supports engaging students in literacy in fun, meaningful ways. 🎓📘

11/24/2025

Congratulations Thomas, we look forward to working with you for the betterment of CCS!

11/13/2025

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing educators who received Community Education Grants from the Education Foundation of Caldwell County! 👏 🥳

These grants will support innovative and creative projects that have a significant impact on student learning in our schools and community. We can't wait to see these projects come to life!

The grantees:
Carla Ingram (South Caldwell High School)
Rebecca Tester (Gamewell Elementary School)
Brittany Greene (William Lenoir Middle School)
Steve Robison (Gamewell Middle School)
Hannah Cochran (Gamewell Elementary School)
Janice Harris (Davenport A+ Elementary) - Accepted by Julia Youngsmith
Brent Tomberlin (South Caldwell High School) - Accepted by Jeremy Brooks
Tracy McLean (Hibriten High School)

11/12/2025

The Education Foundation Board Members delivered apple/treat baskets to all CCS staff today to THANK them for their dedication to our students and in celebration of American Education Week which is next week November 17-21! Thank YOU to everyone!

10/06/2025

We appreciate all Dr. Phipps has accomplished for Caldwell County Schools, and we will miss him and wish him well when he departs!

Today, Superintendent Phipps announced he will become the next Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Dr. Phipps, after leading Caldwell County Schools through an era of notable accomplishments, has been asked to lead Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools through the significant financial and operational challenges they are currently facing.

This selection is an immense honor and a testament to the strength, stability, and academic success Dr. Phipps and our dedicated staff have built here in Caldwell County. His experience and skills will help solve significant financial and operational challenges elsewhere -- a reflection of the extraordinary health of our own district.

We want to offer our reassurance to all CCS families, students, and staff: Our focus remains 100% on providing the excellent education and community of learning CCS is known for. Thank you for your continued trust. The strength of CCS lies in our dedicated teachers and community.enc

09/11/2025

Tuesday, the Education Foundation proudly awarded five Kenneth Roberts Scholarships to Caldwell County Schools Seniors who have demonstrated strong leadership, noteworthy scholarship, and exemplary citizenship.

Danica Benge - West Caldwell High School
Genesis Estrada-Guzman - West Caldwell High School
Gabriel Ibarra - West Caldwell High School
Darby Richards - Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy
Bailey Smith - South Caldwell High

The Foundation also proudly awarded four Perpetual Education Grants to support projects that will enhance the quality of Caldwell County's public education, increase public confidence in our schools, and/or strengthen the educational experiences of the children in Caldwell County Schools.

Ethan Ostwalt, teacher at Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy will offer his students a STEM experience known as iFLY.

Emily Aldaco, teacher at Hudson Elementary School, will continue adding to a sculpture walk at the Hudson Elementary School campus.

Cathy Barlow, principal of Gamewell Elementary School, will use grant funds to provide students at her school with a STEM experience known as The Hovercraft Project.

Jennifer Crain, teacher at Hudson Middle School, will use an innovative anatomy curriculum known as Body Detectives in her science classroom.

Congratulations to these grant recipients and scholarship award winners. The Education Foundation of Caldwell County is proud to encourage and support quality, innovative educational opportunities throughout Caldwell County Schools.