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footage by Jay Turner of Uneek Tree Inc.
News & Announcements
![Bethany Duncan center posing with an award between 2 representatives of NCSPRA]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744733041/burkek12ncus/z9ttvvxyor1mcqux256j/NCSPRAawards2024BestoftheBestBCPS.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744733041/burkek12ncus/z9ttvvxyor1mcqux256j/NCSPRAawards2024BestoftheBestBCPS.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744733041/burkek12ncus/z9ttvvxyor1mcqux256j/NCSPRAawards2024BestoftheBestBCPS.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744733041/burkek12ncus/z9ttvvxyor1mcqux256j/NCSPRAawards2024BestoftheBestBCPS.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744733041/burkek12ncus/z9ttvvxyor1mcqux256j/NCSPRAawards2024BestoftheBestBCPS.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744733041/burkek12ncus/z9ttvvxyor1mcqux256j/NCSPRAawards2024BestoftheBestBCPS.png","width":2100}])
The North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) has honored Burke County Public Schools for excellence in communications. The district’s public relations and communications team made up of Public Relations Officer Cheryl Shuffler and Child Nutrition Marketing and Communications Specialist Bethany Duncan, earned 10 Blue Ribbon Awards
![Burke County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Karne Auton, Salem Elementary School Principal Amber Halliburton, grant recipient Jamie Dale, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Program Officer for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan hold a "$175,000" check to represent Dale's selection for the CAST Award in her classroom on March 25 when she was surprised with the announcement.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744115675/burkek12ncus/r0cbseqnsb2rf1trw3tp/DaleandGroup.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744115675/burkek12ncus/r0cbseqnsb2rf1trw3tp/DaleandGroup.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744115675/burkek12ncus/r0cbseqnsb2rf1trw3tp/DaleandGroup.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744115675/burkek12ncus/r0cbseqnsb2rf1trw3tp/DaleandGroup.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744115675/burkek12ncus/r0cbseqnsb2rf1trw3tp/DaleandGroup.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744115675/burkek12ncus/r0cbseqnsb2rf1trw3tp/DaleandGroup.jpg","width":2200}])
Salem Elementary School kindergarten teacher Jamie Lynn Dale has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Career Award for STEM Teachers (CAST), an honor recognizing outstanding educators in North Carolina who demonstrate a profound commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
![Teacher of the year Melissa McClure with her students and administrators in front of a new car.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743599469/burkek12ncus/dypitg3yekeo5vuayqpp/TOY2025McClure10.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743599469/burkek12ncus/dypitg3yekeo5vuayqpp/TOY2025McClure10.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743599469/burkek12ncus/dypitg3yekeo5vuayqpp/TOY2025McClure10.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1743599469/burkek12ncus/dypitg3yekeo5vuayqpp/TOY2025McClure10.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1743599469/burkek12ncus/dypitg3yekeo5vuayqpp/TOY2025McClure10.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743599469/burkek12ncus/dypitg3yekeo5vuayqpp/TOY2025McClure10.jpg","width":1800}])
Drexel Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Melissa McClure has been named Burke County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year. District leaders surprised McClure and her students with the announcement during music class on Monday.
Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “Congratulations to Mrs. McClure on this well-deserved honor.
![decorative]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675954753/burkek12ncus/va2sduns1paizvildcmb/multiculturalgroup-of-kids.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675954753/burkek12ncus/va2sduns1paizvildcmb/multiculturalgroup-of-kids.jpg","width":472}])
A message to parents of rising Kindergarteners for the 2025-26 school year:
Burke County Public Schools is pleased to announce that a new dual language immersion program will be launched for the 2025-26 upcoming school year!
![a teacher sitting on the floor with her students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739292536/burkek12ncus/lfxvjtdu0xolfiahmsuf/IMG_0804.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739292536/burkek12ncus/lfxvjtdu0xolfiahmsuf/IMG_0804.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739292536/burkek12ncus/lfxvjtdu0xolfiahmsuf/IMG_0804.jpg","width":800}])
The parent meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday evening, February 25, 2025 at 5:30pm in the media center at Mountain View Elementary School. The purpose of this meeting is for families interested in the Global Immersion Academy for their rising Kindergartener for the 2025-26 school year.
![School district's logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715603829/burkek12ncus/dbceypuaerollsnup4ob/bcpslogoemboss.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1715603829/burkek12ncus/dbceypuaerollsnup4ob/bcpslogoemboss.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715603829/burkek12ncus/dbceypuaerollsnup4ob/bcpslogoemboss.png","width":710}])
Recent federal policy changes have removed previous guidance that discouraged immigration enforcement actions in schools. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now has the authority to conduct enforcement actions—including arrests, interviews, and document requests—on school property.
![employment opportunities]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1730303999/burkek12ncus/f1ijekccqpbbhhuzmn0e/BCC02727.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1730303999/burkek12ncus/f1ijekccqpbbhhuzmn0e/BCC02727.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1730303999/burkek12ncus/f1ijekccqpbbhhuzmn0e/BCC02727.jpg","width":800}])
Click "Learn More" to view job listings.
![Social media background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1730305234/burkek12ncus/qvgl3fdkqzxnhl53prj7/parent_engagement.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1730305234/burkek12ncus/qvgl3fdkqzxnhl53prj7/parent_engagement.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1730305234/burkek12ncus/qvgl3fdkqzxnhl53prj7/parent_engagement.jpg","width":800}])
Connect with your Child's Educational Journey
![Global Immersion Academy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1677517200/burkek12ncus/ocjjbqv9cfx5yukyzcx2/duallanguage.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1677517200/burkek12ncus/ocjjbqv9cfx5yukyzcx2/duallanguage.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1677517200/burkek12ncus/ocjjbqv9cfx5yukyzcx2/duallanguage.png","width":800}])
This is known as a Dual Language 50/50 program; students learn from the Spanish teacher for half of the day and then switch classes and go to the English teacher for the other half of the day.
Mission & Vision
All-in Promise
Our Mission: Burke County Public Schools will educate all learners, nurture their potential and empower them to be contributing members of our community.
Our Vision: Burke County Public Schools will be a model of exemplary education by inspiring all students to be life-long learners who will contribute to our community.