Learning, collaborating, and getting ready to welcome our students back on the 25th.
#OneChatham #ForwardTogether
Chatham County Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Brad Walston as Interim Chief Security, Safety, and Operations Officer, effective September 1, 2026.
Dr. Walston has served as the district’s director of safety and security since July 2024. Before transitioning to district leadership, he served as principal of Northwood High School from 2018 to 2024.
With years of experience serving CCS students, employees and families, Dr. Walston brings strong relationships, extensive leadership experience, and a deep commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and well-supported learning environments across the district.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Walston on his new role!
🔗 Read the full announcement: https://aptg.co/_Kbd3z
#OneChatham #ForwardTogether
Chatham County Schools has several apps that give families valuable tools to stay informed and support student success.
✅GoGuardian helps families monitor technology use and filter internet access at home.
✅ Infinite Campus allows you to access all of your student's information at your fingertips. To create your Infinite Campus Parent Account, click the link for a step-by- step walkthrough: https://docs.google.com/.../1JLWyY31t2ei3Mt70wYwc.../edit...
✅ TalkingPoints makes school-home communication simple and consistent with two-way messaging between you and school staff.
Our goal? Moving #ForwardTogether with clearer communication, stronger support, and greater success for our students.
#OneChatham
A new school year doesn’t just happen — it takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes! 🚌🔧🏫
As we prepare to welcome students and staff back to our schools, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to our incredible Maintenance team, for preparing our buildings and grounds, making sure the start of the school year a success.
On Friday, these dedicated employees came together for an appreciation luncheon hosted in recognition of their hard work and the BIG impact they make across Chatham County Schools every day.
We appreciate your hard work, commitment and everything you do to keep ONE Chatham moving Forward Together!
#OneChatham #ForwardTogether
A little local love goes a long way. 💙
Last week, nearly 100 new educators joined us for Chatham County Schools’ New Employee Orientation, and thanks to the generosity of our local businesses and community partners, they left with a little extra Chatham County welcome in their bags!
We are incredibly grateful to the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and the local businesses that donated goodies, giveaways, and plenty of CCS spirit for our newest employees. These thoughtful contributions were more than just great swag, they were a reminder to our new educators that they are joining a community that supports its schools and the people who serve our students.
To our local business community: thank you for investing in our educators and helping us give the newest members of the CCS family such a warm Chatham County welcome!
#ONEChatham #ForwardTogether
We’ve officially welcomed the newest members of the CCS family! 🎉
On Wednesday, nearly 100 new educators participated in our day-long New Employee Orientation at Central Services. Armed with their laptops, new district credentials, plenty of information (and a lot of excitement), this year’s cohort is gearing up to meet their students in less than TWO weeks!
During the afternoon, our newest employees also had the opportunity to connect with community partners and organizations during a vendor fair. We are grateful to the following partners for joining us and helping our new employees learn more about the resources, services, and support available to them:
• Central Electric Membership Corporation
• Chatham County Association of Educators
• Chatham Education Foundation
• Empower
• Equitable Advisors
• Horace Mann
• Pierce Group
• Professional Educators of NC
• United Way
• Value Teachers
Our Beginning Teachers (BTs) returned for Day 2, where they received a special message from members of the Chatham County Retired Educators Association. These veteran educators shared words of wisdom, encouragement, and lessons learned from years in the classroom with our newest teachers as they prepare to begin their careers in education.
We are so grateful to our community partners and retired educators for helping us welcome and support the newest members of our team, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what our newest CCS educators will accomplish this year.
Welcome to Chatham County Schools! 💙 Here’s to a great start to the school year! #ONEChatham #ForwardTogether
We’re so grateful to the Chatham Education Foundation, UNC Health Chatham Hospital, and their amazing employees for showing up for our students in a BIG way!
Thank you for helping us equip our students for success and for being such an incredible part of One Chatham! #OneChatham #ForwardTogether
We extend our deepest condolences to Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and all who are grieving this heartbreaking loss. We ask our school community to keep Kaylee’s loved ones in your thoughts and to extend compassion and support to one another.
During this time, school counselors will be available for students and staff members who may need assistance navigating this tragic loss.
Chatham Early College students and staff are diving into a new school year with excitement, determination, and plenty of school spirit. We can't wait to see all they'll accomplish this year.
Have an amazing first day, Octapi! #OneChatham
Superintendent Dr. Kelly Batten stopped by Chatham Early College to welcome staff back as they prepare for students to return later this week. We are grateful for the educators and staff who help every student thrive and can't wait to see what this year brings.
Go Octopi! 💜 #OneChatham #ForwardTogether
Join us tonight for the Board of Education Regular Session at 5:30pm at Central Services (468 Renaissance Drive; Pittsboro, NC 27312).
Can't make it in person? Watch live on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ChathamCountySchools.
Chatham County Schools is proud to announce that the district's Public Relations Department has been recognized nationally by the National School Public Relations Association's (NSPRA) 2026 Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards!
This prestigious national recognition honors excellence in education communications, and entries are evaluated by experienced, award-winning communication professionals.
Chatham County Schools earned an honor for their video package, Teaching Truth: A Rural School’s Study of the Camps America Built. The video features Ms. Amy King’s class at Chatham Central and their partnership with National Geographic Explorer, Ms. Haruka Sakaguchi, studying her project "The Camps America Built", showing the effects of generational trauma from Japanese internment camps during WWII.
To view the video, click the link here: https://youtu.be/N7jqpkVPIH4?si=w1PjaLOsjmdnfle4
To view more about the 2026 NSPRA Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards, click the link here: https://www.nspra.org/Awards/Award-Winners/Publications-and-Digital-Media-Excellence-Winners-2026
#OneChatham
A big thank you to UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School for giving our students the opportunity to strengthen their critical thinking and leadership skills and a chance to present strategy ideas to the Chatham Park YMCA. This Academy also allowed our students to explore goal-setting strategies, helping them prepare for the college application process and future success.
We’re proud of these students for investing in their futures!
#OneChatham
At the same time, staff proudly welcomed their new principal, Dr. Mallory Heffelfinger, with open arms and excited hearts.
Thank you, Dr. Neal, and welcome to the Panther family, Dr. Heffelfinger! #OneChatham
🖍️ Pre-K enrollment is still OPEN to families for Chatham County Schools! ✏️
Families can apply online for the 2026–2027 school year and secure a spot for your student in our 5-star Pre-K programs. Pre-K classes follow the school calendar, with financial assistance options available for qualifying families.
Pre-K is available at the following school sites:
Bennett (also available for 3-year olds)
Chatham Grove
North Chatham
Perry Harrison
Pittsboro
Siler City
Virginia Cross
Our Pre-K classrooms require a minimum enrollment of 16 children to remain open. Enrollment is considered complete once all application materials have been submitted.
If a classroom does not reach the required enrollment and must close, we are committed to supporting families through this transition. When possible, we will offer placement at another school site with available space. For families enrolled in NC Pre-K, we will also work closely with the Partnership for Children to help identify placement at another licensed child care center. Families are encouraged to complete the enrollment process as early as possible.
Learn more and apply today: chatham.k12.nc.us/page/pre-kindergarten
#OneChatham #PreKEnrollment #ElevateChatham
🎉 Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mallory Heffelfinger as the new principal of Bennett School!
Dr. Heffelfinger has served Chatham County Schools since 2023 at North Chatham Elementary School and will officially begin her new role at Bennett on Monday, July 27.
We’re excited to welcome her to the Bennett School community! Details about an upcoming opportunity for students and families to meet Dr. Heffelfinger will be shared soon. Stay tuned!
🔗 Read the press release : https://aptg.co/VPKCLx
#ONEChatham
✨ The Power of Connection, Communication, and Community ✨
Our June 2026 district highlights video is here! Take a few minutes to celebrate the moments, milestones, and stories that brought our schools together across the district.
🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/3fZttQGrkS4
#ONEChatham
Join us tonight for the Board of Education Regular Session at 5:30pm at Central Services (468 Renaissance Drive; Pittsboro, NC 27312).
Can't make it in person? Watch live on our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ChathamCountySchools.
#ONEChatham
