
Join Dr. Brandon Sutton for an important community discussion on how we can collaborate to tackle chronic absenteeism and better support Swain County students. Every day in school counts, and your ideas and partnership matter!
Date: September 8, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
Let’s work together to help our students succeed! Stay tuned to our website and social media for event updates.

📣 We Need Your Feedback!
GEAR UP does incredible things for Swain! Each year, they survey our students, families, and staff to learn more about our goals, college and career knowledge, support systems, needs, and opportunities for growth.
Your feedback helps our GEAR UP Coordinators continue creating meaningful, tailored opportunities that directly support our students, families, and school community.
Please take just a few minutes to complete the survey and help us continue making great things happen at Swain!
Your voice matters, and your feedback makes a difference!

Current Openings: We have an immediate opening for a Cafeteria Manager at the middle school, as well as Cafeteria Assistant positions available at multiple school locations.
Benefits & Schedule: Enjoy full-time positions with benefits and a great schedule that lets you give back to our local community.
How to Apply: Apply today by visiting https://swain.schoolspring.com/

Attention Swain County Middle School families: It’s time to order your student's 2026–2027 yearbook! Don't miss out on preserving this incredible year of growth, friendships, and school spirit.
🎒 Why You'll Love It:
Custom Pages: Every purchase includes 2 FREE custom pages to fill with your own photos from your computer, Google Drive, Facebook, and more!
Personalized Memories: Answer fun memory questions directly in the app to help remember the highlights of the year.
Affordable Pricing: Grab your hardcover yearbook for just $24.21 (plus applicable sales tax). Need extra pages? Add them for just $1.99 per 2-page spread.
📅 Important Details to Remember:
Deadline: April 12
School Passcode: 1017416187982763
🛒 How to Order:
Scan the QR code on the flyer or head over to treering.com/validate
Enter the school passcode listed above.
Customize, purchase, and cherish forever!
Note: You must be a parent or a student aged 13 or older to purchase.
Standing Maroon Strong!

Drama can spread fast—but so can kindness. This week, make it your goal to bring peace instead of problems.
Before you repeat a rumor, jump into an argument, or post something negative, ask yourself: "Am I making this better or making it bigger?”
Choose to walk away from gossip. Don’t spread rumors. Help calm situations down instead of stirring them up. Speak kindly—even when others don’t.
Less drama. More kindness. More peace. ✌️
Be the person who makes someone's day better!




SMS Weekly Act of Kindness Challenge: Be Your Best Self 🌟
People may have opinions about you. They may remember a mistake you made, something you said, or a version of you that you are trying to leave behind. But someone else’s opinion does not have to determine who you choose to be today.
Every day is a new opportunity to show people—and yourself—the kind of person you want to be.
Your challenge this week: Do one thing each day that represents the best version of YOU. Encourage someone. Include someone who feels left out. Apologize when you are wrong. Help without being asked. Choose kindness when it would be easier not to.
You cannot always control what people think about you, but you can control what you give them to see today.
New day. New choice. Better you. ✨
Be the person you want to be known for!

There will be a District AIG Parent Meeting on Tuesday, August 25 at 5:30pm in the Central Office.
If your child is in this program, plan to attend this information session.

Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together
Every family, business, and neighborhood in our county is impacted by chronic school absenteeism. We invite all community members to join us for a crucial public meeting to tackle this challenge together and support the future of our students and workforce.
Event: Showing Up for Swain: Building Our Future Together
Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Swain Middle School Media Center
What to Expect:
A presentation on recent Swain County Schools attendance data.
An overview of how daily attendance shapes academic success and long-term workforce readiness.
The official launch of the county-wide Swain Attendance Task Force.
Solving this challenge takes an entire community. Whether you want to join a task force committee, display a support window cling at your local business, sponsor student incentives, or simply share your insights, every voice matters at this table.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Thank you for your dedication to Swain County, our schools, and our youth!


SMS Weekly Act of Kindness!
As we kick off the 2026–2027 school year, we're starting with one simple goal: help everyone feel like they belong.
This Week's Challenge:
Make a classmate feel welcome. Introduce yourself to someone new, invite someone to join you, or simply share a smile and a friendly hello.
Small acts of kindness make a big difference and help create the positive school culture we all want to be a part of.
Let's start the year by showing what it means to be Maroon Strong—because at Swain Middle School, kindness is where it all begins.
Stand Together. Lift Others. Be Kind.

We are thrilled to announce that both the Swain Middle and Swain High School Band Programs have been officially recognized by the North Carolina Bandmasters Association as Programs of Distinction for the 2025–2026 school year!
Throughout the year, our students have represented Swain County with exceptional pride through regional marching competitions, WNC All-District and NC All-State Honor Bands, Jazz Band, and Solo & Ensemble events. Coupled with consistent Superior Ratings at the Western Region Music Performance Assessments, this honor reflects the remarkable dedication, hard work, and musical growth of our students and directors. Please join us in celebrating this outstanding achievement!

Swain County Schools will host Open House today, Thursday, August 13. Check out the schedule below to find the specific times for your school:
🏫 Swain East: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🏫 Swain West: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🏫 Swain Middle School: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain Academy: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏫 Swain High School: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
We can't wait to see all of our students and families there!

Upcoming Webinar: When School Feels Hard: Understanding Anxiety and Avoidance in Kids
Wednesday, August 19 | 7–8pm ET
Chinwé Williams, Ph.D.
The start of a new school year brings excitement for some kids and teens and dread for others. In this webinar, we’ll explore what’s driving school anxiety and avoidance in kids, when it may signal a need for additional support, and practical strategies to help children feel more confident, connected, and ready to learn.
As always, the webinar is free, and you'll have a chance to ask questions live.


🏫 Swain Middle School Open House
📅 Thursday, August 13
🕛 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
A new school year is just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome our Swain Middle School families back!
Come explore our classrooms, meet your teachers, ask questions, and get everything you need to start the year with confidence. Whether you're a returning student or joining the SMS family for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to connect before the first day of school.
✅ Meet your teachers
✅ Tour classrooms
✅ Learn about bus routes, class schedules, and school supplies
✅ Purchase your yearbook
✅ Get answers to your questions
We're excited to see everyone and kick off another incredible year of learning and growth.
📍 Swain Middle School
📞 828-488-3480
🌐 https://middle.swain.k12.nc.us/o/scms
See you there!

🎒 Attention Upcoming 6th Grade Families! 🎒
The transition to middle school is an exciting milestone, and we want to make sure our rising 6th graders are set up for absolute success. Mark your calendars for the Swain County Middle School 6th Grade Orientation!
📅 Date: August 6th, 2026
⏰ Student Hours: 9:00 A.M. – 1:15 P.M.
🚗 Parent Pick-Up: Begins at 1:15 P.M.
🍔 Bonus: Lunch will be provided for students!
Why Should Your Student Attend?
It’s the perfect opportunity for rising 6th graders to shake off those middle school jitters. At orientation, students will:
Get familiar with the school layout. Meet their teachers ahead of time. Walk through their schedules and daily procedures. Experience fun, leadership-based activities.
Meet new friends before the very first day of school!
Let’s start a great year together!
📞 Questions? Give us a call at 828-488-3480
