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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.
![David Hughes Named December 2025 Classified Employee of the Month!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764695464/orangecountyfirstcom/b3hubmcjrk6ejixpxbvl/DavidHughesEOM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764695464/orangecountyfirstcom/b3hubmcjrk6ejixpxbvl/DavidHughesEOM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764695464/orangecountyfirstcom/b3hubmcjrk6ejixpxbvl/DavidHughesEOM.png","width":800}])
Congratulations to David Hughes, OCS Transportation Technician, for being named OCS Classified Employee of the Month for December 2025!
![Alli Couch Named NCDPI Exceptional Children's Educator of Excellence for Orange County Schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763670264/orangecountyfirstcom/ajceubigciws9alxcibg/Untitleddesign38.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763670264/orangecountyfirstcom/ajceubigciws9alxcibg/Untitleddesign38.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763670264/orangecountyfirstcom/ajceubigciws9alxcibg/Untitleddesign38.png","width":800}])
Alli Couch, Exceptional Children’s (EC) Teacher at River Park Elementary School, has been named the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) EC Educator of Excellence for Orange County Schools!
![Christi Hemingway Named November 2025 Classified Employee of the Month!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763566186/orangecountyfirstcom/jmrcqrbvsj5zerem7b39/ChristiHemingway_ALS.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763566186/orangecountyfirstcom/jmrcqrbvsj5zerem7b39/ChristiHemingway_ALS.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763566186/orangecountyfirstcom/jmrcqrbvsj5zerem7b39/ChristiHemingway_ALS.png","width":800}])
“Christi has fostered a positive and welcoming cafeteria environment where students and staff alike enjoy coming together for meals. Her ability to sustain high levels of performance and morale, even in challenging circumstances, exemplifies her commitment to excellence and service.”
![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
!["Superheroine with a Caring Heart”: Teacher Rebeckah Goras Named OCS Beginning Teacher of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760124798/orangecountyfirstcom/cattiioq1mcnjxrdguik/RebeckahGoraswJones.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760124798/orangecountyfirstcom/cattiioq1mcnjxrdguik/RebeckahGoraswJones.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760124798/orangecountyfirstcom/cattiioq1mcnjxrdguik/RebeckahGoraswJones.png","width":800}])
Described as a “superheroine,” praised for her compassion and dedication to her students, Rebeckah Goras, Exceptional Children’s (EC) teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School (ALS), was named Orange County Schools 2025-26 Beginning Teacher of the Year (BTOY).
![“Home of the Stars”: Principal Kristin Mattison-Williamson of Pathways Elementary Named OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1759343821/orangecountyfirstcom/exiwrxk1ic57ebr1m6e0/KristinMattisonWilliamson-POY.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1759343821/orangecountyfirstcom/exiwrxk1ic57ebr1m6e0/KristinMattisonWilliamson-POY.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1759343821/orangecountyfirstcom/exiwrxk1ic57ebr1m6e0/KristinMattisonWilliamson-POY.png","width":800}])
At the "Home of the Stars," Pathways Elementary School (PES) students and staff were shining bright on Friday, September 26, when Principal Kristin Mattison-Williamson was announced as the OCS 2025-2026 Principal of the Year.
From Our School Community
![Student Athletes of the Week 10.6]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761068153/orangecountyfirstcom/qzwmjqs9mhjntehsu825/ALSAOTW8252367.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761068153/orangecountyfirstcom/qzwmjqs9mhjntehsu825/ALSAOTW8252367.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761068153/orangecountyfirstcom/qzwmjqs9mhjntehsu825/ALSAOTW8252367.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1761068153/orangecountyfirstcom/qzwmjqs9mhjntehsu825/ALSAOTW8252367.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1761068153/orangecountyfirstcom/qzwmjqs9mhjntehsu825/ALSAOTW8252367.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1761068153/orangecountyfirstcom/qzwmjqs9mhjntehsu825/ALSAOTW8252367.png","width":2200}])
Congratulations to Jayla J. and Shon J. for winning the "Sub Above" Student Athlete of the Week award!
News & Events
Single Featured Item
![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!
![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.
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Orange High School, 500 Orange High School Rd, Hillsborough
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Orange High School, 500 Orange High School Rd, Hillsborough
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200 E King St, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA