At the end of the day on May 13, a Swain West Elementary School teacher responded to a report of a possible gun in a student's bookbag. The teacher immediately confiscated the bookbag, notified school officials, and determined that the item was a toy gun. We want to reassure our community that at no point were students or staff in any danger.
School officials followed all established safety protocols to ensure our learning environment remained secure and orderly. This incident marks the second time in the past week that a potential threat was identified and resolved quickly, preventing the need for a campus-wide lockdown.
We need your partnership to keep our campuses safe. Please take a moment this evening to speak with your children about appropriate behavior and school rules.
Important Reminder: No weapons of any kind—including toys, look-alikes, or replica items—are permitted on school grounds at any time. Bringing these items to school creates unnecessary alarm and disrupts the educational environment. We remain fully committed to maintaining a safe, focused environment for every student and staff member. Thank you for your continued support and vigilance.
🎓 You’re Invited! 🎓
Join us as we celebrate our amazing students at the
8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony!
📅 **Tuesday, June 2, 2026**
⏰ **5:30 PM**
📍 **Swain County High School Gymnasium**
1415 Fontana Rd.
Let’s honor our 8th graders as they close one chapter and begin an exciting new one. We are so proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to celebrate this milestone together!
🌱 Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge
Finish Strong!
You’ve owned your choices. Now it’s time to finish strong—only **7 days until EOGs**.
For the next 5 days, ask yourself:
💭 Did I give my best effort?
💭 Did I stay focused?
💭 Did I encourage someone?
💭 Did I push through—even when it was hard?
📚 This isn’t just about tests—it’s about how you show up.
🚫 No excuses.
👉 Your effort today shapes your results tomorrow.
🌙 End of the day: Did I give my best?
✨ Finish strong.
💪 No regrets.
🌱 Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge - Own Your Choices
This week isn’t about one moment—it’s about how you show up every day.
Be intentional. Be respectful. Be someone you can be proud of!
For the next 5 days, ask yourself:
💭 Was I kind?💭 Did I show respect?💭 Did I do the right thing—even when it wasn’t easy?
💭 Did I act with integrity?
🚫 No one else controls this. Not your situation. Not your mood. Not other people.👉 Your choices are yours.🌙 At the end of each day: Am I proud of how I showed up? If not—fix it tomorrow.
📅 At the end of the week: Did I grow, or just go through the motions?
✨ This isn’t about perfection.
💪 It’s about ownership.
🎓 You’re Invited! 🎓
Join us as we celebrate our amazing students at the
8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony!
📅 **Tuesday, June 2, 2026**
⏰ **5:30 PM**
📍 **Swain County High School Gymnasium**
1415 Fontana Rd.
Let’s honor our 8th graders as they close one chapter and begin an exciting new one. We are so proud of all they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to celebrate this milestone together!
The 8th-Grade Formal will be on May 9th, from 7 pm - 9 pm in SCC's gym at the Bryson City location. The address is 60 Almond School Road in Bryson City, NC. Admission for the dance is $25 per child, as this includes food and snacks. The Theme is Masquerade, but masks are not required and will be available for each student as they enter!
We look forward to seeing everyone on the 9th.
✨ Weekly Kindness Challenge: Kindness Is A Choice ✨
As we wrap up this school year 🎓, one message stands above the rest: kindness is a choice.
It’s not always easy. It’s not always popular. And it’s not something everyone chooses every day.
But here’s what matters…it only takes one 🌟
One student reaching out 🤝
One kind word 🗣️
One moment of compassion
You may never see the full impact, but that one act of kindness could change someone’s life forever 🌍
So as we finish the year, don’t leave kindness behind—carry it with you 🎒 Every day, you have the choice to make a difference.
Choose kindness. Always!
🌱 The Countdown Is On! 🌱
The SMS Farmer’s Market is getting ready to open, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🎉 Vendors are busy setting up with so many unique finds you won’t want to miss.
Come out, support local, and enjoy the vibrant community atmosphere. We can’t wait to see you there!
Get ready to celebrate spring with our Swain County community! We are thrilled to announce the 1st Annual Swain Middle School Farmer’s Market on April 25th.
This event is more than just a market; it’s an opportunity to invest in our local students while enjoying the very best our community has to offer. Whether you're looking for fresh local produce, a unique handmade gift, or just a fun morning out with the family, there’s something for everyone!
📅 Event Details:
When: April 25th | Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Swain Middle School (135 Arlington Ave, Bryson City, NC)
What to Expect: Live music, local vendors, games, and plenty of Swain pride!
🌽 Calling All Local Vendors!
Are you a baker, maker, farmer, or hobbyist? We want YOU to be part of our success! We are currently looking for:
-Fresh produce & farm vendors
-Cottage food creators & bakers
-Handmade craft & artisan vendors
-Small businesses and makers
By participating, you aren't just selling your goods—you’re helping fund vital school programs and bringing our community closer together!
Interested in a booth? Apply today by reaching out to Angela Barnes at abarnes@swainmail.org or calling 828-488-3480. Setup begins at 9:00 AM on the day of the event.
Let’s grow together, Swain County! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and we’ll see you at the market! 🎒🎶🍎
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students for the positive impact they have on our schools and community every day.
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding students for the positive impact they have on our schools and community every day.
Get ready to celebrate spring with our Swain County community! We are thrilled to announce the 1st Annual Swain Middle School Farmer’s Market on April 25th.
This event is more than just a market; it’s an opportunity to invest in our local students while enjoying the very best our community has to offer. Whether you're looking for fresh local produce, a unique handmade gift, or just a fun morning out with the family, there’s something for everyone!
📅 Event Details:
When: April 25th | Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Swain Middle School (135 Arlington Ave, Bryson City, NC)
What to Expect: Live music, local vendors, games, and plenty of Swain pride!
🌽 Calling All Local Vendors!
Are you a baker, maker, farmer, or hobbyist? We want YOU to be part of our success! We are currently looking for:
-Fresh produce & farm vendors
-Cottage food creators & bakers
-Handmade craft & artisan vendors
-Small businesses and makers
By participating, you aren't just selling your goods—you’re helping fund vital school programs and bringing our community closer together!
Interested in a booth? Apply today by reaching out to Angela Barnes at abarnes@swainmail.org or calling 828-488-3480. Setup begins at 9:00 AM on the day of the event.
Let’s grow together, Swain County! Mark your calendars, spread the word, and we’ll see you at the market! 🎒🎶🍎
✨ Weekly Kindness Challenge: Give Your Best… and Then Some! ✨
This week, we’re putting our motto into action: Our Best, and Then Some!
Not just what’s required. Not just what’s easy. But that extra step—the follow-up, the encouragement, the effort no one asked for.
As you go through your week, pause and ask yourself:
“What does ‘then some’ look like right now?”
Because your best sets the standard… but “then some” is what makes the difference!
Let’s show it—in how we serve, support, and show up for each other!
🚨 Registration is NOW OPEN! 🚨
🎓 **GEAR UP NC Appalachian Partnership – Summer 2026**
📣 Open to **ALL current 6th–8th grade students**
✨ Don’t miss this FREE opportunity to learn, grow, and get ahead this summer!
📲 Scan the QR code to register today
❓ Questions?
📧 [tdodge@swainmail.org](mailto:tdodge@swainmail.org)
🌟 Finish Strong: 35 Days to Bring Our A Game 🌟
Spring break is over—now it’s time to reset, refocus, and rise! We’ve got 35 school days left, and every day counts.
Bringing your A game isn’t just about grades—it’s about effort, attitude, and how we treat others. Let’s challenge ourselves to lead with kindness, stay focused, and lift each other up all the way to the finish line.
💡 This week’s focus:✔️ Start each day positive ✔️ Encourage someone ✔️ Offer help ✔️ Show appreciation ✔️ Take pride in your work
When we choose kindness, we all succeed. Let’s make these last 35 days our BEST yet! 💪🔥
Ready to shape the future? Swain County Schools is officially hiring for the 2026-2027 school year! We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our team.
Discover a career where your expertise directly influences the next generation. There is no greater reward than guiding young people toward their full potential and seeing their success firsthand. We have several open positions available:
Special Education Teachers
School Nurses
Occupational Therapist & COTA
High School Teachers
Elementary Education Teachers
Bus Drivers
Whether you’re in the classroom, the clinic, the field, or behind the wheel, you play a vital role in our students' lives. Come grow your career in a place where your passion for mentoring and leadership truly makes a difference.
Apply today at: swain.schoolspring.com
Additionally, Swain County Schools will be closed all of next week, from Monday, April 6th through Friday, April 10th, for Spring Break.
Classes will resume on Monday, April 13th. We wish all of our students, families, and staff a safe and restful break!
