We hope you had a great week!  

🍬For all of our students and families who may be trick-or-treating over the weekend, please have fun, but be safe, and read through these American Red Cross safety tips for trick-or-treaters before you head out to enjoy the festivities.

🍫Just in time for Halloween, we posted a fun forms question on your PS feed today. The CCS This or That? Halloween Edition wants to know which candy you're craving for your trick-or-treat basket, chocolate or sugar?  If you missed our post, click on the button below for quick access.

🕰️And, don't forget, daylight savings time ends Sunday morning at 2AM. Make sure to move those clocks back one hour so you don't show up an hour early for school on Monday morning. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

Now, here's this week’s Friday Five.🖐️

🗳️Tuesday, Nov. 3, is a teacher workday, and students at our traditional schools will not attend school. Early College students will be on a normal schedule. 

Many of our school facilities will serve as voting precincts on election day across the county. Voter information, including all precinct locations, is available on the Cabarrus County Board of Elections website.

If you’re heading to the polls that day, the proposed $340 million school bond will also be on the ballot. You can review the projects and estimated tax impact at www.engagewithccs.com/bond26.

🪖Also in November, there will be no school for all students and staff on Wednesday, Nov. 11th, for Veterans Day.

🦃All schools will again be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 25th through Friday, November 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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!

 

Calling all CCS student artists!  

The 2026 Superintendent’s Holiday eCard Contest is officially open! This year’s theme is “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays!” 

Six winners will have their artwork featured in the Superintendent’s official holiday communications, receive a prize pack from sponsors Uwharrie Bank and Edward Jones, and be recognized at a Board of Education Business Meeting.

Traditional Art Contest: Open to all CCS elementary, middle, and high school students. Bring this year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” to life! Create original artwork on 8.5 × 11-inch white, non-glossy paper or cardstock.

Coloring Contest: Open to students in CCS Pre-K through second grade using the official CCS coloring pages.  Pre-K through second grade may also enter the traditional art contest.

Winners notified: December 3, 2026

Find full contest details, submission instructions, official coloring pages, and the entry form at www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/holidayecard

✅PROGRAM CHOICE APPLICATIONS OPEN THROUGH NOV. 30: 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.  

✅LOCATION CHANGE: 8th-12th GRADE EVENT NOV. 9th: BEYOND THE GAME: A STUDENT ATHLETE'S GUIDE TO PLAYING SPORTS IN COLLEGE: Are you a student-athlete in grades 8–12 interested in playing sports in college? Join us Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at HICKORY RIDGE High School to learn about eligibility, academics, recruiting, scholarships and how to connect with college coaches. Experienced athletics, recruiting and academic representatives will share insights and answer questions to help students and families plan for the next level.

✅SENIORS FAFSA FINISH LINE: INDIVIDUAL FAFSA COMPLETION SUPPORT 11/17 AT MPHS: This event will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant High School. Completing the FAFSA is an important step toward unlocking financial aid for college, community college, and technical programs, and families don’t have to do it alone. Seniors and their families can receive free, individualized help from financial aid professionals, banking representatives, CFNC staff, and school counselors. Whether you’re ready to submit your FAFSA or need more time, experts will be available to help with creating or accessing FSA IDs, completing the student and parent portions, understanding financial aid requirements and terminology, resolving common questions, reviewing next steps after submission, and getting personalized guidance. Bring your questions, chromebook, documents, and goals, and leave with greater confidence in your financial aid journey.

✅THE POSITIVITY PROJECT: Next week’s Positivity Project (P2) character strength is a spiral review of the character traits learned thus far in the 2026-27 school year. 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.

🌲29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, November 20, 6–9 p.m. in Downtown Concord.

Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus in Santa Land - sponsored by Propst Brothers Commercial Fuel and Kinetic - and a fireworks finale. Don’t miss the illuminated City vehicle display competition, where you get to vote for the most festive creation!

There will again be two stages at the tree lighting - one dedicated to the children’s performances and the second with the band for all ages.

The Polar Express will be shown on a screen near the library so kids and families can enjoy watching the movie outside as part of the festivities before the tree lighting and fireworks as well. 

Join over 20,000 residents and visitors for North Carolina’s longest-running historic downtown parade. Experience marching bands, festive floats, and the arrival of Santa himself along the traditional parade route on Church and Union streets.

For more information about the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Concord Christmas Parade, including the event maps, click the button below or visit the City of Concord website concordnc.gov/Christmas.

As the holiday season approaches, our Family and Student Support staff are sharing information about community programs that may be able to help families.

Visit www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/21521_3 for available resources, program details and application links. Please check the page regularly for updates.

The Friends of the Midland Library is hosting its annual Veteran's Day Book Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, to benefit the Midland library! The book sale will be held again at the Black-Phillips American Legion Post 433, 12975 Cabarrus Station Road in Midland. In addition to finding great books before the holidays, you can check out some of the amazing items the American Legion has. The Friends of the Midland Library will also be collecting new toys for local children for Toys for Tots. 

The Friends of the Afton Ridge Library (FARL) are hosting a book sale! Find gently used books, puzzles, DVDs and more, with prices starting at $1. Proceeds support the Friends of the Afton Ridge Library.

FARL members get VIP early access on Nov. 20. The sale is open to everyone Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. FARL members can fill a bag for $10 from 10 a.m. to noon; from noon to 2 p.m., $10 bags are available to everyone.

Stop by Afton Ridge Library at 6095 Glen Afton Blvd, Concord, NC 28027. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

At their October 12 Business Meeting, the Board of Education approved the school calendars for the 2027-28 school year.  A printable version is available on our district website. Please see below for a snapshot look at important August dates for the 2027-28 traditional school academic year. The Early College calendar is available on our calendar website.

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.

Please visit our link and nominate a Teacher of the Month. Our next winner will be recognized at the Board of Education's Nov. 9th meeting.

This year's winners: