🍎 Big Moves are Coming: 5th Grade Family Night! 🍕
Attention future Swain Middle School families! Transitioning to middle school is a huge milestone, and we want to make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running. Join us for an evening of info, community, and pizza!
📅 The Details:
-When: Thursday, March 12th
-Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
-Where: Swain Middle School Cafeteria
✨ What’s on the Agenda?
-Meet the Teachers: Get to know the faces you'll see in the halls next year.
-Hear the Opportunities: Learn about all the exciting clubs, sports, and electives waiting for you.
-Learn the Expectations: Get guidance on how to succeed at SMS.
Pizza Dinner: Enjoy a slice while you soak in the info!
Don't miss out on the start of your Swain Middle School journey. We can't wait to see our future 6th graders there!

🔥 Weekly Act of Kindness: Keep Pushing 🔥
This week, let’s be the reason someone doesn’t give up. Dreams don’t happen overnight. Progress isn’t always loud or easy. Some days, just showing up is a victory — but it still matters. Speak positiveley to others. Encourage effort.
Remind people that setbacks don’t define them and slow days don’t mean failure. If the path feels hard, keep pushing. If doubt creeps in, keep going. If the goal feels far away, remember why you started.
Your dreams are worth the work! Your future is worth the fight! And you are capable of more than you think!
Keep going! Keep pushing! Don’t stop now!💪🔥

This week, we are proud to celebrate Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Our transportation team navigates more than just roads; they navigate the responsibility of student safety and well-being with incredible grace.
Please join us in thanking these essential members of our educational workforce for their commitment and hard work. 🏫🚛

Huge congratulations to our Swain Middle School historians! 🏆
Yesterday, the library was buzzing with incredible projects for History Day. From every single 8th grader to our ambitious 6th and 7th graders, the hard work and dedication on display were truly impressive. Many of our students are even aiming for the National competition!
🎊 Moving on to Regionals:
Individual Exhibits ✅ Jozie Smith ✅ Zooey Roughton ✅ Madison Weston ✅ Elsie-Mae Clayton ✅ Ophelia Lambert ✅ Cadence Williamson ✅ Marissa Hammons
Group Exhibits ✅ Zaida Roughton & Kathy Jenkins ✅ Mellayna Schenck & Rae Bradley ✅ Axel Wilmot, Tata McGaha, & Frank Carrasco-Fernandez ✅ Charlie Clapsaddle, Preston Bennett, & Nico Houston ✅ Jess Powers & Hannah Millsaps ✅ Aubree Barker, Emma Nations, & Emma Pegg
Individual Documentary ✅ Owen Outlaw
Group Documentary ✅ Xander Litzau & Riley Gallups
We are so proud of everyone who participated. These students will begin to get ready represent Swain Middle at the Regional Competition in Hendersonville on March 14th! 🎒📖


Swain County Schools is looking for substitute teachers! Whether you're a retiree, a stay-at-home parent, or looking for a career change, subbing offers:
Ultimate Flexibility: Set your own schedule; work as much or as little as you want.
Career Exploration: Test different grade levels and subjects to find your fit.
Skill-Building: Sharpen skills in leadership, public speaking, and adaptability.
No "Home Work": Your day ends when the bell rings—no grading or lesson planning.
Community Impact: Be the reason our students keep learning.
Join us!
Kelly Education Hiring Event
February 26th
10:00 to 2:00 PM
Front Lobby
Board of Education

This Valentine’s Week, let’s lead with compassion. You never truly know what someone else is carrying, and a small act of empathy—a smile in the hallway, an encouraging note, standing up for someone, or simply being patient—can change someone’s entire day… or even their life.
Challenge yourself to pause, notice, and respond with care. Show grace. Offer understanding. Choose kindness, even when it’s hard.
💞 Compassion is caring in action—and our school is better when we show we care.
Let’s be the reason someone feels seen, supported, and valued this week.

WE’RE BACK!
Snow may slow us down, but it doesn’t stop us at SMS! Today, our building was filled with smiles, energy, and a readiness to learn! It was incredible to see our students and staff back together, showing up focused and strong.
We are on a mission to be our best. Every day, in every classroom, for every student. This is who we are. This is commitment. WE are going to keep pushing forward together!

Here is the updated calendar for Swain County Schools.

Pictured (L-R): Lindsay Altizer (Swain East Elementary), Anna Roland (Swain High School), Neil Holden (Swain West Elementary), Katie Aldridge (Swain Middle), Ian Roper (Swain High School), and Ciera Wiggins (Swain Middle).



This week, we proudly celebrate National School Counseling Week and want to give a huge shout-out to our two incredible guidance counselors—Mrs. Aldridge and Mrs. Wiggins!
They work tirelessly each and every day to support our students AND our staff, always leading with compassion, care, and dedication. Their impact reaches far beyond their offices and into every part of our building.
Mrs. Aldridge & Mrs. Wiggins—thank you for all that you do to make Swain Middle School a place where students feel supported, understood, and encouraged. We are so grateful for you and hope you both have an amazing week!

As a very early Teacher Appreciation Week surprise, we are celebrating ALL of our Swain Middle School employees by turning them into what they truly are—SUPERHEROES! 💥 Every staff member was featured as an actual superhero and gifted a poster of themselves, because it takes everyone to make SMS the special place it is.
From classrooms to hallways, offices to cafeterias, buses to support services—our staff go above and beyond for our students and for each other every single day. Their dedication, care, and teamwork make a real difference in the lives of our kids.
We are incredibly proud of our entire SMS family and grateful for all they do to make Swain Middle School strong, supportive, and successful. Thank you for being our everyday heroes!

The safety of our students, families, and staff is our top priority. We apologize for the late notice and any inconvenience this change may cause. Please stay safe and off the roads if possible.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but every moment gives us a choice. This week, challenge yourself to look for the good, even when situations feel tough or frustrating.
Finding the positive doesn’t mean ignoring challenges—it means choosing hope, gratitude, and resilience. A kind word, an encouraging smile, or a helping hand can completely change someone’s day.
This week, let’s lift each other up by choosing optimism, showing grace, and remembering that good can be found—even in the smallest moments!


February Webinar: Helping Kids Build Healthy Relationships with Food
Conversations about food and body image can come up in many ways at school and at home. From student stress to peer dynamics, these topics can feel hard to navigate without the right tools.
Join Cartwheel and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant, Dana Sedlak, LCSW, CEDS-C, for a free, live webinar on helping kids build healthy relationships with food and their bodies on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 12–1 pm ET.
Parents and caregivers will leave with tools they can use right away at home and as kids head back to school.


