We hope you had a great week! Good luck to the Cox Mill Chargers flag football team as they will play Holly Springs HS in tomorrow's inaugural state championship flag football game at 5pm at Lenoir-Rhyne University.  This is the first year at girls flag football has been a state-sanctioned sport.

The holiday season is coming quickly! As you make travel plans and childcare arrangements, keep these dates handy for students following the CCS traditional calendar:

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

As you prepare for next week’s cold weather, please make sure your child leaves home dressed to stay warm at the bus stop and during outdoor activities at school.

A few simple reminders:

Thank you for helping our students arrive warm, comfortable, and ready to learn!

Families of students taking a high school End-of-Course (EOC) test will receive a retest permission form through ParentSquare on November 19. Please complete the form by December 4.

Students who score “Not Proficient” on their EOC test may take the test a second time to show what they know. Permission from a parent or legal guardian is required for a student to retest.

The form will be sent to all families with a student taking an EOC test, so permission can be collected before test results are available. Reminders will continue through December 4. Once you complete the form, you will no longer receive reminders.

North Carolina requires EOC tests for students taking NC Math 1, NC Math 3, biology, and English II. These tests count for 25% of the student’s final course grade. All eligible students must participate in the required initial testing; the permission form applies only to retesting.

Nominations for Cabarrus County School's School Counselor of the Year opened today and will remain open until December 1st. We welcome and invite families and students to nominate a School Counselor that has made a positive impact for this honor! 

In order to be nominated, the school counselor must be employed as a full-time counselor, must have at least 3 years (2023-present) of professional experience as a school counselor, and must have at least one full year as a school counselor in CCS. 

Nominations can be made using the link below! 

✅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.  

✅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 gratitude. 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.

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.

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

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.

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: