A Guide for Heading Back to School in Caswell County
Get connected with a curated collection of back to school events, important updates, supply lists, and year-round opportunity and support for Caswell's students, families, and educators.
Educators, volunteers, and community partners across Caswell County are hard at work planning how to welcome students back to school and provide the additional support needed throughout the year for students to be successful.
What follows is a curated collection of back-to-school events, updates, and year-round opportunities and support for Caswell's students, families, and educators. Regardless of whether you have children enrolled in school or simply want to support local youth, families, and educators, read on to discover available resources and opportunities and consider how you might want to get involved.
*Editor's Note: Most of the text and images that follow have been created and publicly shared by the schools and community partners providing the programming or hosting the events. It is curated here for the convenience of Caswell County families.
Caswell County Students Return August 17
Caswell County Schools have new start times to accommodate tiered bus routes and Oakwood Elementary School in Yanceyville will be undergoing renovations so that school's K-5 students will be housed at South Elementary School. The Board of Education intends for the two schools to operate as separate schools within the shared facility during the temporary relocation of Oakwood students. The telephone numbers for both Oakwood and South remain the same. Read more about that transition plan HERE. Oakwood's EC (Exceptional Children) classes will be housed at North Elementary for the 2026-2027 school year.
Freshman Orientation
Freshman Orientation for the Class of 2030 will be held at Bartlett Yancey High School on Wednesday, August 5, 6pm-8pm
Open House
Open House Events at Caswell County Schools will be held over two days.
August 12 - South Elementary School, N.L. Dillard Middle School, and Bartlett Yancey Senior High School
August 13 - Stoney Creek, Oakwood (located at South Elementary), and North Elementary Schools
Cell Phone Restrictions at the High School
Beginning this year, students at Bartlett Yancey High School will no longer be able to use their cell phones during the instructional day, including during class changes and at lunch. Read more about the discussion behind that decision HERE.
Early Education
Caswell County Partnership for Children
The Caswell County Partnership for Children (CCPFC) is a nonprofit organization developed to serve children, youth and families in Caswell County.
CCPFC is home to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library that mails free books to children from birth to age five in all Caswell County zip codes and a Resource Lending Library that offers a collection of games, tools, and materials to support children's learning and development.
CCPFC also provides training, technical assistance, and support for early education and administers the state Smart Start program and NC Pre-K program.
Smart Start
CCPFC describes Smart Start as an early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. The program brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development.
NC Pre-K
NC Pre-K prepares four-year-old children for success in school. This program is built on the National Education Goals Panel’s premise that to be successful academically in school, children need to be prepared in the developmental domains critical to children’s overall well-being and success in reading and math as they enter school.
CCPFC also administers other grant funded programs for children birth through age eighteen and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for children and families.
Special Education Resources
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center
The Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center helps parents navigate the special education system, know their rights, and use their voice. They provide information, support, training and resources to assist families caring for children with special needs from birth to age 26. They also support young adults with disabilities in becoming self-advocates and leaders and the educators and professionals who serve them.
Navigating your students IEP document can feel overwhelming, but families do not have to do it alone. Join the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) for an informative FREE webinar on August 4 at 6pm highlighting our IEP Road Map, a resource designed specifically for North Carolina families whose child has been found eligible for special education services.
During this webinar, participants will learn about the IEP development process, gain a better understanding of North Carolina’s IEP forms, and discover strategies for meaningfully participating as a valued member of their child’s IEP team. Whether you are new to the IEP process or looking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this session will provide practical information and tools to help you navigate your child’s educational journey with confidence.
Caswell Parents for Inclusion
Caswell Parents for Inclusion, a newly launched community-based effort, is teaming up with Vaya Health, local Community Councils, and the Autism Society of North Carolina to host Community Connections, right after the Back-to-School Blast. The Community Connections event offers local officials, staff, caregivers, and providers the opportunity to explore community needs and connect with local resources for Autism, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and medically complex individuals. The event is FREE but please CLICK HERE TO RSVP to help organizers plan for food.
Additional Resources for I/DD
- Caswell County Schools, Exceptional Children (link includes extensive list of additional resources)
- The North Carolina Early Intervention Section (NCEI) is a part of NCDHHS' Division of Child and Family Well-Being. It is the lead agency for the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (NC ITP). The NC ITP provides support and services for families and their children, birth to three who have special needs. Research shows that this time period is critical. It offers a window of opportunity to make a positive difference in how a child develops and learns. Sixteen Children's Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) across North Carolina work with local service providers to help families help their children succeed. Find your local Children’s Developmental Services Agency.
- Vaya Health offers services to help people with a I/DD remain in their communities and live as independently as possible. Services include help with learning skills toward independence, finding and maintaining employment, and living in a home of your choice. The specific services available depend on your health plan and your personal needs. Your Member Handbook or Recipient Handbook lists I/DD services that may be available to you. You can also call Vaya's Member and Recipient Service Line at 1-800-962-9003.
- Disability Advocacy Center of Greensboro offers Information and Referrals, Systems and Individual Advocacy, Independent Living Skills Training, Institutional and Youth Transitions Support, and Peer Counseling.
Community Support & Collaborative Efforts
Piedmont Community College
Piedmont Community College (PCC) offers a variety of FREE opportunities for high school students to expand their knowledge and earn college credit. PCC also offers the Career and College Promise program to students in Caswell County. Students choose between a College Transfer Pathway or a Career Technical Education Pathway. PCC also offers an Accelerated Degree Program allowing students to earn their high school diploma and an Associates in Arts or the Associates in Science from PCC at the same time. Contact the Bartlett Yancey High School counselor at 336-694-4212 and/or PCC’s Career Coach at 336-694-5707 for details.
Shannon Moretz
Caswell County Homeschoolers
The mission of the Caswell County Homeschoolers (CCH) is to create a supportive community for homeschool families, and those interested in homeschooling, in Caswell County and surrounding areas. CCH embraces collective learning, community engagement, and service to all, frequently working closely with community partners, including the public school system to develop, implement, and support strategies to improve the quality of education for all Caswell County students.
Caswell County Youth Outreach/Enrichment
The mission of the Caswell County Youth Outreach/Enrichment Program is to hold youth accountable for their actions and provide services to help build strong character, which helps youth realize their full potential as responsible citizens and leaders.
Roots & Wings
Established in 2003, Roots & Wings is a child and family advocacy program for families who are multi-agency involved and at risk for out-of-home or school placement. Their primary goal and basic philosophy is to “help families be families.” Roots & Wings provides Parenting Classes and Interpersonal Skills at their Caswell County location and is headquartered in Person County.
Vaya Health's System of Care - Caswell Collaborative
Vaya Health describes the System of Care as a best practice model for working with and for children and youth with complex needs in close partnership with their families and communities. Vaya's System of Care Coordinator, Laura Sharpe, convenes the Caswell Collaborative, bringing together child welfare, health care (physical and behavioral), schools, and juvenile justice, in a shared effort to help children succeed at home, in school, and in their community.
North Carolina Families United offers a helpful handbook on System of Care for children, youth, and families an Vaya’s Child and Youth Services Resource Guide explains the various services available.
The Education Collaborative
The Education Collaborative brings together neighbors with different backgrounds and experiences interested in creating an environment where:
- Caswell children and youth learn and grow into their full potential,
- Caswell families are supported, and
- Caswell educators and school staff are valued.
Contact Caitlyn Lassiter at classiter@drfonline.org and/or Sandra Hudspeth at ccp4child@esinc.net to connect.
Dan River Region Out-of-School Time (OST) Network
The Dan River Region Out-of-School Time (OST) Network is an initiative designed to elevate, support, and connect OST providers across our region. In close partnership with the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF), this initiative seeks to create a strong, unified voice for out-of-school time programming—ensuring children and youth in our community thrive during the critical hours beyond the school day. The Dan River Region Out-of-School Time (OST) Network is a program of the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County and welcomes participants from Caswell County.
Community Councils
The Danville Regional Foundation convenes five Community Councils across the county. Each council is made up of community members coming together to share a meal while they talk about what's most important in their community and what needs to be done to make it better. Each Council has access to a small pot of money they can award directly to groups that share their vision. They can also recommend larger grants for consideration to DRF. Visit them ONLINE HERE to learn more about your Community Council and how to connect.
Sports & Other Extracurricular Opportunities
Coaches, volunteers, educators, and others at N. L. Dillard Middle School, Bartlett Yancey High School, Caswell County Parks and Recreation, and the Caswell Recreation Development Foundation work to create opportunities local youth to participate in in organized team sports and skill development programs. Most maintain active Facebook profiles where they routinely post updates and announcements.
It is the policy of the Caswell County Board of Education to allow the county's homeschool students to participate in various extracurricular activities, including athletics. Homeschool students interested in participating in athletics at the middle or high school should speak with the school principal and review applicable school district's policies.
Shannon Moretz
Caswell County Schools offer a variety of clubs and specialized programs for students. Check with your child’s school for current offerings.
Caswell Council for the Arts
The Caswell Council for the Arts is a nonprofit working to sponsor and encourage cultural education and activities in Caswell County and the surrounding areas by increasing art awareness, educating our citizenry, providing positive opportunities for exposure to the arts, and nurturing local creative expression.
Caswell County 4-H
The goal of 4-H is to assist youth in becoming competent, coping, caring and contributing members of a global society, developing essential life skills through planned "learn by doing" experiences. Learn more about 4-H Youth Development HERE.
Cool Beans Youth Leadership
Cool Beans Youth Leadership Program is a youth workforce development program focusing on leadership development and entrepreneurship to underserved and minority youth.
EPIC Caswell
EPIC Caswell - Empowering Personal Initiative and Creativity. Their aim is to improve the lives of Caswell County youth through educational and economic opportunities, and by offering them the chance to take advantage of new life experiences. Learn more at epiccaswell.com
Gunn Memorial Library
Gunn Memorial Library offers programming for children, teens, and adults. Follow them on Facebook or stop by the library at 161 Main St E, in Yanceyville to meet the program coordinators and see all they have to offer.
Many Churches Have Scheduled Vacation Bible Schools and Other Youth Fellowship Events
Caswell County Schools
The Caswell County School System's website is filled with information and links for various services and departments, district policies, the Board of Education, and a staff directory.
Link to each school's contact information and website from HERE. Learn more about volunteering HERE and speak to the school Principal if would like to volunteer your time supporting school activities.
The district and each school are also active on Facebook, to various degrees.
Back to School Community Events
The Country Boyz Mustang Club is hosting a Cruise In on August 1, 11am - 4pm in the parking lot at Bartlett Yancey High School to raise donations and school supplies for area youth.
Come Donate to a kid, mingle with friends, Fill your tummy, drink some lemonade, satisfy your sweet tooth, bring your kids or grandkids and get some school supplies.
Vendor roster:
- Hooker Handyman Services
- SipShack
- The EggRoll Plug
- Fulton & Walton Funeral Home ( school supplies giveaway)
- OBs Country Cooking
- EBs Eatz n Treatz
- Youve Been Squeezed Lemonade
- All in the Family Grill
- The Food Dr
- Mommae's Girl Cakes Catering and more
- Holy Smokes BBQ and Brisket
- Fee Fee Treats
- Kim's Quick Stop Shop
- Der it is
- The Sauce Hoss Signature Blends
- Pony XXpress
- Unlimited Worldwide
- Yanfa Made Customs
- SG Brand
- Charlotte's Boy llc
- A&J Concessions
- Lea & CO
- Blackwell Funeral Home (bookbag /supplies giveaway)
- Resources Unlimited
Caswell County Pay It Forward ONLY, NO $$, is currently working on School Supply Donations for our Teachers and Students of Caswell County 2026-2027 School Year.
We are partnering with Johnsons & Swansons Mini Mart, Pass Gen Farms LLC, and other vendors, to have a distribution day Sunday, August 9, 2026, 1pm-4pm, for the Children of Caswell County. This event will be held at Johnson & Swansons Mini Mart located at 4275 NC Hwy 62N, Blanch, NC. During this event, food, clothing, school supplies, petting zoo and a bounce house will be available for all to enjoy.
*IMPORTANT: CHILDREN MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- Backpacks, Rulers, Markers, 3 Ring Binders, Index Cards,
- Post It Notes, Notebook Paper (Wide & College ruled),
- Blunt Point Scissors, Highlighters, Folders, Protractor,
- Colored Pencils, Blue, Black, & Red Ink pens, Glue Sticks, Pencil Sharpener, Lunchbox, Clear Water Bottles, Pencil Pouch, Dividers, Graph Paper, Headphones, Composition Books,
- No.2 Pencils, & Pink Erasers
**We can accept gently used backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles if they are clean, no tears or broken zippers/buckles.
DONATION BOX LOCATIONS:
- Tracy Williams, 10459 NC HWY 62N, Milton, NC (Daily, 9 AM to 8 PM, porch drop off ONLY)
- Johnsons & Swansons Mini Mart, 4275 NC Hwy 62N, Blanch, NC
- Aunt Millie’s, 249 Broad Street, Milton, NC
- North Village Pharmacy, 1493 Main Street, Yanceyville, NC
- KB Hamlett Insurance, 1159 NC Highway 86 N, Yanceyville, NC
- Yoder’s Country Market, 90 County Home Road, Yanceyville, NC
County Outreach Ministry and cosponsors are hosting the Annual Countywide Back to School Blast at Caswell Parks and Recreation on Saturday, August 15, 11am - 2pm and invite local churches, agencies, businesses, and other organizations to participate in the day by giving away school supplies and materials to promote awareness of available community resources.
If you would like to set up at the event, reserve your spot by contacting Tonya Terrell at 336-514-6146 or tterrell@caswellcountync.gov by August 10.
PARENTS AND YOUTH PLANNING TO ATTEND DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER
📝 School Supply Lists from Local Schools📝
Schools in Caswell County have shared the following school supply lists.
Bartlett Yancey High School
Oakwood
Oakwood Elementary School also provides THIS LINK to supply lists
N.L Dillard Middle School
North
South
Supply list not readily available at time of publication.
Stoney Creek
