Mitchell County School Staff, Students, Parents and Fellow Mitchell Countians:
One year ago we faced one of the most– if not the most–devastating events in our county’s history. We witnessed the resilience of our citizens, neighbors helping neighbors, and the true grit of Mountaineers!
Our week began with the fear and a “bad gut feeling” that this storm was going to be severe. None of us could have imagined the devastation to come.
Mitchell County Schools tried to have our homecoming game Wednesday night before the storm. We did this so our students could still have some type of homecoming celebration. We did not get to play the game, but homecoming court proceeded in the gym. As we were closing up that Wednesday night, staff members spotted flooding into our gym. Staff jumped into action and unclogged the culvert that was causing the flooding.
We cancelled school that Thursday and Friday with the anticipation of the storm. Some staff worked diligently on Thursday to prepare schools for the storm. We also assisted the Red Cross in setting up a shelter at MHS. The night before the brunt of the storm was a sleepless night–and then came Helene!
Mitchell County School staff immediately jumped into action after the storm. School staff checked on neighbors, students, and fellow staff members. Mitchell County School Staff were using chainsaws, clearing roads, checking on family, and trying to find out if everyone was safe. The hardest part was the lack of communication and not knowing if all our students and staff were safe. Several students and faculty lost homes, and many others suffered damage, but we are grateful that no lives were lost.
Mitchell County School staff and students ran distribution centers, coordinated help and supplies, participated in search and rescue, and helped anyone who needed help. Mitchell County School staff and students became servants to the citizens, and then went home and dealt with their own damage and issues from the storm. Every school–along with retired school buildings–was used to recover and provide supplies from this storm.
We sincerely thank all those that helped us recover from all across the United States. You know who you are and we THANK YOU!
We wanted to share with our staff and students along with the public the following remembrance video that highlights our staff/students and their hard work and dedication to our county. I am proud of all our staff and students for all they do daily, but especially for what they did during Helene. I am proud to serve Mitchell County Schools as Superintendent!
Chad T. Calhoun, Superintendent
One Mountaineer
Mountaineer Strong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwyf4-qcgiQ
One year ago we faced one of the most– if not the most–devastating events in our county’s history. We witnessed the resilience of our citizens, neighbors helping neighbors, and the true grit of Mountaineers!
Our week began with the fear and a “bad gut feeling” that this storm was going to be severe. None of us could have imagined the devastation to come.
Mitchell County Schools tried to have our homecoming game Wednesday night before the storm. We did this so our students could still have some type of homecoming celebration. We did not get to play the game, but homecoming court proceeded in the gym. As we were closing up that Wednesday night, staff members spotted flooding into our gym. Staff jumped into action and unclogged the culvert that was causing the flooding.
We cancelled school that Thursday and Friday with the anticipation of the storm. Some staff worked diligently on Thursday to prepare schools for the storm. We also assisted the Red Cross in setting up a shelter at MHS. The night before the brunt of the storm was a sleepless night–and then came Helene!
Mitchell County School staff immediately jumped into action after the storm. School staff checked on neighbors, students, and fellow staff members. Mitchell County School Staff were using chainsaws, clearing roads, checking on family, and trying to find out if everyone was safe. The hardest part was the lack of communication and not knowing if all our students and staff were safe. Several students and faculty lost homes, and many others suffered damage, but we are grateful that no lives were lost.
Mitchell County School staff and students ran distribution centers, coordinated help and supplies, participated in search and rescue, and helped anyone who needed help. Mitchell County School staff and students became servants to the citizens, and then went home and dealt with their own damage and issues from the storm. Every school–along with retired school buildings–was used to recover and provide supplies from this storm.
We sincerely thank all those that helped us recover from all across the United States. You know who you are and we THANK YOU!
We wanted to share with our staff and students along with the public the following remembrance video that highlights our staff/students and their hard work and dedication to our county. I am proud of all our staff and students for all they do daily, but especially for what they did during Helene. I am proud to serve Mitchell County Schools as Superintendent!
Chad T. Calhoun, Superintendent
One Mountaineer
Mountaineer Strong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwyf4-qcgiQ
Congratulations to Anthony for winning first place in his class in Showmanship at the Special Olympics NC State Equestrian Games this past weekend! We are very proud of you!
Thank you to Special Olympics of Mitchell County and the Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center for the opportunities and training you are providing to our students.
Thank you to Special Olympics of Mitchell County and the Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center for the opportunities and training you are providing to our students.
Arts in Education week was September 15-19, 2025. Look at the incredible things happening in our arts classrooms across the district last week!
Next week, September 22-26, is School Bus Ridership Week across school districts in North Carolina. The funding that Mitchell County Schools gets for transportation is dependent on the number of students who ride a school bus during this week. Even if your child rides the bus occasionally, we ask that they please ride as many days as possible next week.
Happy IT Professionals Day to Douglas, Derek, Eddie, and Skip! Behind the scenes, they keep every device running, our network secure, and our classrooms connected. We are so thankful for their hard work and the countless hours they put in to keep us up and running.
Spring Musical Sneak Peak!
Who? ALL Kindergarten -12th graders are invited
When? Wacky Wednesdays! September 10 and September 17, 2025
What? After school sneak peak! This time is set aside for students who want to know more about the show, learn songs, get to know the teachers in charge, and HAVE FUN!
Time? until 4:00. Ask your principal about riding a bus over to the high school. Pick up your child at 4:00 on the MHS circle. Plan to sign a “pick-up sheet” until we get to know parents’ faces.
Information for later: Auditions - Mark your calendars
Monday, November 17 - Students grades K-4
Tuesday, November 18,Students grades 5 - 8
Wednesday November 19 - Students grades 9-12
Where: Mitchell High School, Kathy Miller Auditorium
Mitchell County Schools was made aware by Spruce Pine Police Department that a youth coach has been charged with indecent liberties with a child. He is not and has not been an employee or coach of our school system. He has coached some of our students in recreation league and travel ball. We immediately banned him from all school property pending law enforcement investigation and charges. We will have counselors available for students on Monday and next week as needed.
During the month of September, we want to recognize those in our community who help keep us safe!
Just a reminder that our schools will be closed on Monday!
Last Thursday, Mitchell County Schools announced our 2025 Teacher of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year. These outstanding educators will go on to represent us at the state level.
Principal of the Year: Kristie Autrey
Teacher of the Year: Jamesia Brown
Beginning Teacher of the Year: Carley Roark
We also recognized the Teacher of the Year from each school. These teachers were chosen by their colleagues and are leaders in their school.
Gouge Elementary School: Mimi Rezzonico
Greenlee Primary: Jamesia Brown
Mitchell Elementary School: Janelle Hollifield
Mitchell Middle School: Jessica Sparks
Mitchell High School: Katy Grindstaff
We are fortunate to have such outstanding educators in our schools and appreciate what they do for our students each day.
Principal of the Year: Kristie Autrey
Teacher of the Year: Jamesia Brown
Beginning Teacher of the Year: Carley Roark
We also recognized the Teacher of the Year from each school. These teachers were chosen by their colleagues and are leaders in their school.
Gouge Elementary School: Mimi Rezzonico
Greenlee Primary: Jamesia Brown
Mitchell Elementary School: Janelle Hollifield
Mitchell Middle School: Jessica Sparks
Mitchell High School: Katy Grindstaff
We are fortunate to have such outstanding educators in our schools and appreciate what they do for our students each day.
School Traffic Tip: When waiting in the drop off and pick up line, please do not leave large spaces between your car and the car in front of you. We want to get as many cars as possible into the designated lines so as not to impede the flow of traffic on roads and streets leading into our schools.
We have seen lots of smiles on our first day of the 2025-26 school year!
Mitchell County Schools Weekly Newsletter
Open House is coming up next week at our schools!
Come join our team!
We are currently looking to fill the following positions:
*8th Grade Science Teacher
*Exceptional Children's Assistant
Applications can be found at https://www.mcsnc.org/page/human-resources.
We are currently looking to fill the following positions:
*8th Grade Science Teacher
*Exceptional Children's Assistant
Applications can be found at https://www.mcsnc.org/page/human-resources.
It is hard to believe that students will be returning to school in just over two weeks. We want to begin sharing important information with you for the 2025-26 school year. We are excited that all students will once again receive a free breakfast and lunch!
Our BBQ with Mitchell County Schools retired staff was so much fun last year, we are doing it again! If you retired from Mitchell County Schools from any role, please join us on Wednesday, August 13 at 5:00pm for a BBQ!
We don't have current contact information for all retired staff and don't want to leave anyone out, so we are just depending on social media and word-of-mouth to share the invitation.
We don't have current contact information for all retired staff and don't want to leave anyone out, so we are just depending on social media and word-of-mouth to share the invitation.
📣 New Remote Learning Plan Approved! Here’s What Families Need to Know 📣
Mitchell County Schools has adopted a new Emergency Remote Learning Plan for the 25-26 school year! 🎉 With this new plan, all K–13 students will now take their devices home in the event of school closures due to weather, emergencies, or other events. The full Remote Learning Plan can be found on the Mitchell County Schools' website under Departments > Technology.
💻 To support this initiative, a non-refundable $20 User Fee will now apply to ALL students in grades K–13 beginning this school year.
✔️ This fee covers one accidental incident per year
✔️ K-8 devices will NOT be sent home daily but only in preparation for remote learning instruction
✔️ 9-13 devices will continue to go home on a daily basis as usual
✔️ Families needing support can contact their school for assistance
✔️ A limited number of hotspots are available for those needing assistance with connectivity
Your child’s access to learning—no matter where they are—is our priority. Stay tuned for more info coming home soon, and thank you for partnering with us!
📲 Don’t forget to:
✅ Download the Mitchell County Schools App
✅ Follow us here on Facebook and on Instagram
✅ Make sure your phone number and email always stay up to date in the school's student information system
Mitchell County Schools has adopted a new Emergency Remote Learning Plan for the 25-26 school year! 🎉 With this new plan, all K–13 students will now take their devices home in the event of school closures due to weather, emergencies, or other events. The full Remote Learning Plan can be found on the Mitchell County Schools' website under Departments > Technology.
💻 To support this initiative, a non-refundable $20 User Fee will now apply to ALL students in grades K–13 beginning this school year.
✔️ This fee covers one accidental incident per year
✔️ K-8 devices will NOT be sent home daily but only in preparation for remote learning instruction
✔️ 9-13 devices will continue to go home on a daily basis as usual
✔️ Families needing support can contact their school for assistance
✔️ A limited number of hotspots are available for those needing assistance with connectivity
Your child’s access to learning—no matter where they are—is our priority. Stay tuned for more info coming home soon, and thank you for partnering with us!
📲 Don’t forget to:
✅ Download the Mitchell County Schools App
✅ Follow us here on Facebook and on Instagram
✅ Make sure your phone number and email always stay up to date in the school's student information system
Notice: The Mitchell County Pre-K Committee is opening the site selection process for new Pre-K classrooms in Mitchell County. The application deadline is July 9, 2025 at 5:00pm. For more information and an application, please contact Anthea Biddix at 828-766-3439. Please note: This application is to open a new Pre K site, not for student enrollment.
Are you interested in becoming a substitute teacher for Mitchell County Schools? See our fall training information below!
