BCS Families—

Due to the threat of severe weather in our area and out of an abundance of caution, Bladen County Schools will transition to an asynchronous remote learning day for students and an optional workday for staff tomorrow, Monday, March 16.

Asynchronous learning means that students will work independently on assignments that teachers have either posted in Canvas or Google Classroom.

Staff will receive information about the optional workday from their supervisors later this evening.

All after-school events and activities are cancelled for Monday, March 16. Additionally, the special-called Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday has been postponed until Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 PM.

Thank you and please stay safe.
2 months ago, Bladen County Schools
Graphic reading “Weather Update” with Bladen County Schools logo on a light background framed by blue lines and orange banner.
🌎🐾 More Multicultural Learning at ETMS!

Our sixth and seventh grade students also did an amazing job during Elizabethtown Middle School’s Multicultural Week! Students researched countries from around the world and created colorful presentation boards to share facts about culture, traditions, food, geography, and famous landmarks.

These projects allowed students to explore different parts of the world while practicing research, creativity, and presentation skills. We are proud of the effort and curiosity our students showed as they shared their learning with classmates and our Cougar community.

Great job, Cougars! 🧡

#CougarFamily #LearnersToLeaders #ETMSPride #MulticulturalWeek #CougarSuccess 🐾
2 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Tri-fold presentation board about Jamaica featuring the Jamaican flag, facts about the country, a map, and images of Usain Bolt and Bob Marley.
Student display board about Canada showing the Canadian flag, information about holidays, a maple tree, and colorful charts explaining Canadian culture.
Tri-fold project board about Japan decorated with drawings of cultural symbols and facts about Japanese traditions, food, and famous landmarks.
Student project board about Nigeria displaying the Nigerian flag and written responses explaining why someone might want to visit Nigeria.
Presentation board about France showing the French flag along with interesting facts and drawings related to French culture and landmarks.
Another France culture project board featuring drawings of French bread, a croissant, and facts about French traditions and history.
Student display board about France and the Paris flag, including facts about the flag and information about French history and culture.
Tri-fold presentation board about African American culture featuring cultural symbols, traditional foods, and notable figures.
Student project board about Jamaica displaying the Jamaican flag, a map of the island, and facts about the country’s culture and geography.
Tri-fold presentation board about England showing the English flag and drawings of landmarks such as the London Bridge.
🧡🐾 Creativity and Collaboration in Mrs. Edwards’ Class! 🐾🧡

Students and staff in Mrs. Edwards’ class at Elizabethtown Middle School recently worked together on a special hands-on project --inspired by traditional African Kente cloth -- carefully making colorful strips of “cloth” and then weaving them together by hand. Kente cloth, which originates from West Africa, is known for its vibrant colors and meaningful patterns that represent culture, history, and storytelling. The project was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to work as a team, learn about an important cultural tradition, and express their creativity for our Multicultural Celebration at ETMS.

Most importantly, everyone had a great time designing, weaving, and watching their collective work come together into a beautiful finished piece!

#CougarFamily #LearnersToLeaders #ETMSPride #MulticulturalLearning #CougarCreativity 🐾
2 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
A large display titled “Our African Kente Cloth” hangs on the wall at Elizabethtown Middle School. The colorful piece is made up of many small woven squares arranged in rows, representing strips of Kente cloth created by students and staff. Each square features different patterns and colors, showing the collaborative work of Mrs. Edwards’ class during a multicultural learning project. A small informational poster explaining Kente cloth traditions is displayed beside the artwork.
🌎🎉 Fifth Grade Students Shine at the ETMS Multicultural Celebration! 🎉🌎

Our fifth grade Cougars did an outstanding job sharing their projects during the Elizabethtown Middle School Multicultural Celebration! Students researched and created presentations highlighting different cultures, traditions, foods, landmarks, and customs from around the world.

We are so proud of the hard work, creativity, and curiosity our students displayed. Thank you to the families and community members who joined us and helped make our first day of celebration such a special event for our Cougar Family. 🐾🧡

#CougarFamily #LearnersToLeaders #ETMSPride #MulticulturalCelebration #CougarSuccess
2 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Three Elizabethtown Middle School students stand beside a tri-fold presentation board about Japanese culture, featuring information about food, lifestyle, language, traditions, hygiene, music, and art, displayed in the Cougar Café.
Five ETMS students pose next to their Ukraine culture project board titled “We Are Ukraine,” highlighting Ukrainian daily life, food, holidays, and the country’s flag.
Six students stand beside a tri-fold display about Puerto Rico, featuring the Puerto Rican flag and information about culture, food, and important landmarks during the ETMS Multicultural Celebration.
Four students present a colorful Brazilian Culture project board that includes the Brazilian flag, facts about the country, music, food, and cultural traditions.
Five students stand with a Filipino culture presentation board featuring the Philippines flag, traditional foods, holidays, and cultural customs.
Five students present a tri-fold board about Italy, displaying the Italian flag along with facts about the country’s culture, landmarks, and traditions.
Five students pose with a Colombia culture project board showing the Colombian flag, landmarks, food, and cultural facts.
Six students and a teacher stand beside a colorful Jamaica culture display board highlighting Jamaican food, geography, and traditions during the school’s Multicultural Celebration.
Five students stand with a tri-fold display about Korean culture, featuring the South Korean flag, traditional clothing, food, language, and cultural customs.
Two students stand behind a large African American culture project board, featuring information about traditions, soul food, cultural symbols, and notable figures
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Elizabethtown Rotary Club for their generous donation of a refrigerator to Elizabethtown Middle School. This thoughtful contribution will allow us to expand the capabilities of our Family Resource Center Food Pantry, helping us better serve students and families in our Cougar community.

Because of this donation, we are now able to safely store and provide more fresh and perishable food items to students who may be facing food insecurity. Your support helps ensure that our students have access to the nourishment they need to stay focused, healthy, and ready to learn.

Partnerships like this truly make a difference, and we are grateful for the Rotary Club’s continued commitment to supporting education and strengthening our community.

Thank you for helping our Cougar Family take care of one another and continue growing from Learners to Leaders. 🐾🧡

#CougarFamily #LearnersToLeaders #CommunitySupport #RotaryClub #ETMSPride
2 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
group of Elizabethtown Middle School students and adults stand together in the school’s Family Resource Center next to a newly donated refrigerator. The group poses and smiles for the photo, celebrating the Elizabethtown Rotary Club’s donation that will help expand the school’s food pantry to better serve students and families.
🧡🐾 A Heartfelt Thank You to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina! 🐾🧡

Elizabethtown Middle School is incredibly grateful to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina for their generous donation of food and the absolutely gorgeous flowers! 💐

Because of their support, we were able to fully stock our Family Resource Center Food Pantry, helping ensure that students facing food insecurity have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

The beautiful flowers were an extra special surprise! Each of our teachers received a bouquet as a thoughtful gesture of appreciation, and it truly brightened our entire campus.

Thank you for nourishing both our students and our staff. Your generosity and continued partnership mean so much to our Cougar Family and our school community.

#ETMSCougars
#CougarFamily
#CommunityPartners
#ThankYou
#LearnersToLeaders 🐾
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Colorful illustrated sign that reads “A Great Big Thank You” in bold decorative lettering with bright red, orange, teal, and yellow colors on a dark background.
💙 Happy Social Worker Appreciation Week! 💙

Elizabethtown Middle School would like to give a special shoutout to Ms. Elizabeth Santiago, our incredible school social worker!

Ms. Santiago works tirelessly behind the scenes to support our students, families, and staff. Her compassion, dedication, and willingness to help others truly make a difference in our Cougar community each and every day. Whether she is helping students overcome challenges, connecting families with resources, or offering a listening ear, Ms. Santiago embodies the caring spirit that helps our students grow from Learners to Leaders.

We are grateful for the kindness, support, and positive impact she brings to Elizabethtown Middle School. Thank you, Ms. Santiago, for everything you do for our Cougar Family! 🐾🧡🖤

#ETMSCougars
#CougarFamily
#LearnersToLeaders
#SocialWorkerAppreciationWeek
#ThankYouMsSantiago
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Two women stand smiling in front of a decorative wall display that reads “Be Kind to Yourself.” One woman is presenting the other with a wrapped gift, recognizing her during Social Worker Appreciation Week at Elizabethtown Middle School.
Don't Miss It!!!
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Colorful flyer for the ETMS Book Fair 2026 featuring cartoon students reading and floating among books and a rocket. The event will be held at the Elizabethtown Middle School Media Center from Tuesday, March 10 through Friday, March 13, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. daily. Families are invited to attend after the Multicultural Celebration and explore a wide variety of books for readers of all ages.
Thank You for Supporting Student-Led Conferences at Elizabethtown Middle School!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our students and their families who participated in our recent Student-Led Conferences at Elizabethtown Middle School. These conferences gave our students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning by sharing their academic progress, goals, and achievements with their families.

It was inspiring to see our Cougars confidently communicate about their grades, growth, and plans for continued success. Moments like these truly reflect our mission of developing Learners to Leaders.

We appreciate the strong partnership between our school and families. Your support helps empower our students to grow in responsibility, confidence, and leadership every day.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Cougar Family! 🐾🧡🖤

#ETMS #CougarFamily #LearnersToLeaders #StudentLedConferences #CougarPride
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Students stand at the front of a classroom speaking with a teacher while classmates watch, practicing communication and leadership skills.
Two teachers sit at desks listening and preparing as students present during a classroom activity.
Students stand and present ideas to a teacher while classmates observe in a collaborative classroom discussion.
A student presents academic progress data on a screen while speaking to classmates from a standing desk.
A student presents a slide about school discipline and responsibility while speaking to the class using a laptop and display screen.
🏀🧡🐾 ETMS Eighth Grade Senior Night Celebration! 🐾🧡🏀

What a special evening celebrating our Elizabethtown Middle School 8th Grade Basketball and Cheerleading Seniors!

Our gym was filled with Cougar Pride as we recognized these outstanding student-athletes and cheerleaders for their dedication, leadership, and heart throughout their middle school careers. From exciting game moments to spirited sidelines, they have represented ETMS with excellence both on and off the court.

Surrounded by their families, teammates, coaches, and supporters, each senior was honored for the commitment, perseverance, and school spirit they have shown as proud members of the Cougar Family.

We are incredibly proud of the growth these students have demonstrated — not just as athletes and cheerleaders, but as leaders. They truly embody our Learners to Leaders mission and show what it means to work hard, support one another, and finish strong.

Congratulations to our 8th grade seniors! Your Cougar family is cheering you on as you take your next steps toward high school and beyond. Once a Cougar, always a Cougar! 🐾🧡

#CougarPride
#CougarFamily
#LearnersToLeaders
#SeniorNight2026
#CougarStrong
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
High school band performing in the gym bleachers. Students in blue band shirts play brass and woodwind instruments while a director conducts in front. Spectators sit in the background.
Basketball player stands on the court with family members during a senior night recognition. Family members hold flowers and gift baskets while spectators watch from the bleachers.
wo ETMS Lady Cougars basketball players stand with family members on the court holding flowers and basketball-themed gifts. Balloons and senior night posters are visible in the background.
ETMS girls basketball player stands with family members holding orange and black pom-poms, balloons, and a senior night gift basket during recognition on the gym floor
Cougars basketball player wearing jersey number 4 stands with family members on the court. A basketball-shaped balloon floats above them during senior night celebration.
ETMS basketball player stands with family members holding gold number balloons and gifts during senior night recognition. Cheerleaders and spectators sit in the bleachers behind them.
Student athlete stands with family members holding a decorated senior poster board that reads “8th Grade Level Complete.” They pose together on the gym floor during recognition.
Cougars basketball player wearing jersey number 2 stands with family members on the court. A basketball balloon floats overhead as they pose for senior night.
ETMS basketball player wearing jersey number 1 stands with family members holding a framed photo collage and gift basket. Basketball balloons float above them in the gym.
Cougars basketball player wearing jersey number 3 stands with family members during senior night recognition. One family member holds a baby while another holds a large gold balloon and gift basket.

Elizabethtown Middle School Multicultural Celebration!!!!
Parents are invited to come to the ETMS Cafeteria during your child’s lunch period to enjoy our Multicultural Celebrations. See the image below for our schedule of events. If you would like to purchase lunch to join your child, please rsvp at the link below by noon on Tuesday March 3, 2026.
Click Here to RSVP

3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Flyer for Elizabethtown Middle School Multicultural Celebration 2026. The background shows a globe with famous landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Big Ben, and Asian pagodas, along with small cultural dancers and clouds. The event dates are March 9–13, 2026. Each day lists a grade level and time during lunch: Monday (Ms. Edward’s class, 10:30–11:00 a.m.), Tuesday (5th grade, 12:18–12:43 p.m.), Wednesday (6th grade, 10:56–11:20 a.m.), Thursday (7th grade, 11:23–11:48 a.m.), and Friday (8th grade, 11:52 a.m.–12:17 p.m.). Text at the bottom invites parents to attend in the ETMS cafeteria during their child’s lunch period and RSVP by noon on March 3, 2026, if they plan to purchase lunch.
👑🏀 Homecoming Royalty at Elizabethtown Middle School! 🏀👑

Please join us in congratulating our 2026 ETMS Homecoming Queen, Ny’Ashia Lyles, and Homecoming King, Jayden Smith!

These outstanding students represent the very best of our Cougar Family. Their leadership, character, and school spirit shine both on and off the court. We are so proud of the way they embody our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Communication, and Helpfulness each and every day.

Congratulations, Ny’Ashia and Jayden! 👑🧡🖤 You wear your crowns well, and we are proud to call you Cougars!

#ETMSCougars #CougarPride #Homecoming2026 #LearnersToLeaders 🧡🐾
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Four individuals stand together at center court in a school gymnasium during a basketball event. Two students wear crowns and sashes, suggesting a homecoming or court recognition. The female student is dressed in a black and white cheer uniform and holds a bouquet of flowers. The male student wears a white “Cougars” basketball uniform with a black sash and crown. They are flanked by two adults—one woman in an orange blouse and black pants, and one man in a gray suit and tie. Bleachers with spectators are visible in the background, along with orange and black school decorations.
Support ETMS Beta's First Annual Book Drive!!
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
A bright orange, black, and white poster for Elizabethtown Middle School Junior Beta Club’s “1st Annual Book Drive.” The design features a tall stack of colorful books on the left with bold lettering on the right that reads “BOOK DRIVE.” The event is held in honor of Read Across America Week 2026, and donated books will be distributed to local children and families to promote literacy in the community. The drive takes place March 2–6, 2026, at 1496 Highway 701 South, Elizabethtown, NC 28337. Suggested donations include illustration storybooks, children’s chapter books, dictionaries, teen novels, literature books, philosophy books, hobbyist books, and art and culture books. A note at the bottom states that all books should be in new condition, and the ETMS Junior Beta Club thanks participants for their support.

🚌💛 Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Week! 💛🚌

Our Cougar Family proudly celebrates the incredible bus drivers who safely transport our students to and from Elizabethtown Middle School each day!

A very special THANK YOU to:
🚌 Katrina Wright
🚌 Brittany Barnette
🚌 Ricky Peoples
🚌 Ms. Jessup
🚌 Mrs. Hayes
🚌 Terry Floyd (Not Pictured)

Rain or shine, early mornings and long afternoons — you are the first smile many of our students see each day and the last caring adult they see before heading home. Your dedication, patience, and commitment to safety do not go unnoticed.

Because of you, our students arrive ready to learn and return home safely. You truly help us live out our Learners to Leaders mission by ensuring every Cougar starts and ends their day with care and consistency.

We are so thankful for each of you and the important role you play in our school community! 🧡🐾

Thank you Barefoot Brew for helping us celebrate our bus drivers with your generous donation of gift cards for each of our drivers!

#CougarFamily
#LearnersToLeaders
#ThankABusDriver
#SchoolBusDriverAppreciationWeek

3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
A smiling female bus driver wearing a “School Bus Driver” shirt stands in a school parking lot beside a man in a red jacket. They are holding a small appreciation gift bag. Parked cars and trees are visible in the background during early morning light.
A bus driver wearing black and orange Cougar gear and sunglasses stands next to a man in a red jacket in the school parking lot. A yellow school bus is visible in the background. They are smiling and holding a small appreciation gift bag.
Two bus drivers stand on either side of a man in a red jacket in the school parking lot. Both drivers are holding appreciation gift bags. Trees and parked vehicles are visible in the background in warm morning sunlight.
A bus driver wearing an orange Elizabethtown Middle School shirt stands indoors beside a man in a red jacket. They are smiling and holding a gift bag in front of a wall display featuring the school’s mission statement and a large Cougar paw print.
BCS Families—

📅 Calendar Update: Thursday, February 26th will now be a NO SCHOOL day for students (currently scheduled as a half day). Staff will use this day for professional collaboration.

Please mark your calendars with this change!.
3 months ago, Bladen County Schools
Graphic of a yellow sticky note pinned to a blue school-themed background with icons. Text reads “Calendar Update” above the Bladen County Schools logo.
We've got School Spirit, how about you?
#Cougarpride
3 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Orange and black ETMS Spirit Week flyer with cougar paw prints. Spirit Week is February 16–20. Monday: Celebrity Day (school appropriate). Tuesday: Wear Red Day for stroke awareness in honor of Mr. Johnston. Wednesday: Career Day. Thursday: Spirit Day (5th–gray, 6th–white, 7th–black, 8th–orange). Friday: Anything But a Backpack Day. Pep rally on Thursday, February 19. Spirit links sold in homeroom for 25¢ each; winning homeroom earns a pizza or ice cream party.
🐾🧡 Congratulations, Shinta Harris! 🧡🐾
4 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Graphic congratulating Shinta Harris for winning the North Carolina Association for Middle Level Education’s Student Voice Competition. The design features celebratory text praising Shinta’s winning poetry entry, “What Middle School Means to Me,” and highlighting his leadership, creativity, and Cougar pride. On the right, Shinta is shown smiling in front of library bookshelves, wearing an orange Elizabethtown Middle School Cougar hoodie. The graphic uses orange, gray, and blue accents and congratulatory design elements.
Congratulations to our newly elected Student Government Association!
4 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Graphic announcing Elizabethtown Middle School Student Government for the 2026–2027 school year. The design features student portraits displayed around a central Cougar-themed frame. President: Sincere Washington and Vice President: Kylie Tucker are shown at the top. Secretary: Kingston Harris and Treasurer: Jayden Garcia are shown at the bottom. All students are smiling and standing in front of library bookshelves. The center of the graphic reads “Elizabethtown Middle School Student Government 2026–2027” with Cougar and civic-themed icons.
This week, we are proud to celebrate Dr. Barretta Smith, our incredible school counselor, during National School Counselors Week!
4 months ago, Elizabethtown Middle School
Graphic celebrating National School Counselors Week featuring Dr. Barretta Smith of Elizabethtown Middle School. One photo shows Dr. Smith standing beside a colleague while holding a small gift in a Cougar-themed space. A second smaller photo shows Dr. Smith smiling and wearing festive reindeer antlers. The orange Cougar-branded graphic includes text praising Dr. Smith for going above and beyond to support students academically, socially, and emotionally, and thanking her for her compassion, professionalism, and leadership.
BCS Families—

Bladen County Schools will operate on a 2 hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, February 5. While, road conditions have significantly improved, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for our area due to the possibility of freezing rain overnight. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution all Bladen County Schools and departments will operate on a 2 hour delay tomorrow.

If overnight or early morning conditions require a change to the delay, a decision will be made by 7 am.

We appreciate your cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff. We encourage everyone to closely monitor all communication channels for additional updates and look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.
4 months ago, Bladen County Schools
dark blue graphic with white text that says WEATHER UPDATE