As a reminder, schools in Halifax County will have early dismissal Tuesday, October 21, 2025. South Boston Elementary School and South Boston Early Learning Center will dismiss at 12:30 PM. All other schools will dismiss at 1:00 PM.
Parent/teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM.
Parent/teacher conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 1:30 PM- 6:00 PM.
🐾💙 Happy Boss’s Day to our very own Mr. Duffer! 💙🐾
Today, our CMES Cougars celebrated Boss’s Day in a very special way—by dressing up as the man himself, Mr. Duffer! From head to toe, our students brought a little extra Mr. Duffer spirit to the halls of Clays Mill Elementary!
We are so thankful for a principal who leads with heart, puts students first, and reminds every Cougar of their worth, potential, and purpose. His impact goes far beyond the classroom, and his daily words of encouragement are something we hope our students will carry with them for a lifetime.
And, of course, we couldn't celebrate Mr. Duffer without sharing the words our Cougars know so well:
"I AM SOMEBODY!I was somebody when I came, and I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I AM powerful and I am strong! I DESERVE the education that I get here. I got things to do. People to impress, and places to go. And everybody said YEAHHHH- say it with your chest-with passion, and it'll become a part of who you are!"
Thank you, Mr. Duffer, for being more than a principal. Thank you for being a leader, an encourager, and one of our Cougars’ biggest champions. You remind our students every single day that THEY ARE SOMEBODY!
Happy Boss’s Day from your CMES Cougar family! 🐾💙
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18-wC1SbKLHN0T5xLzBjMBQKxx7QBZ3E8
Today, our CMES Cougars celebrated Boss’s Day in a very special way—by dressing up as the man himself, Mr. Duffer! From head to toe, our students brought a little extra Mr. Duffer spirit to the halls of Clays Mill Elementary!
We are so thankful for a principal who leads with heart, puts students first, and reminds every Cougar of their worth, potential, and purpose. His impact goes far beyond the classroom, and his daily words of encouragement are something we hope our students will carry with them for a lifetime.
And, of course, we couldn't celebrate Mr. Duffer without sharing the words our Cougars know so well:
"I AM SOMEBODY!I was somebody when I came, and I'll be a better somebody when I leave. I AM powerful and I am strong! I DESERVE the education that I get here. I got things to do. People to impress, and places to go. And everybody said YEAHHHH- say it with your chest-with passion, and it'll become a part of who you are!"
Thank you, Mr. Duffer, for being more than a principal. Thank you for being a leader, an encourager, and one of our Cougars’ biggest champions. You remind our students every single day that THEY ARE SOMEBODY!
Happy Boss’s Day from your CMES Cougar family! 🐾💙
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18-wC1SbKLHN0T5xLzBjMBQKxx7QBZ3E8
Halifax County Public Schools Statement Regarding Future Educational Development
Halifax County Public Schools is grateful to the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for the opportunity to consider the use of 12 acres within the proposed Green's Folly housing development for future educational purposes. As Halifax County continues to grow and evolve, this opportunity opens the door to important conversations about how we can best meet the educational needs of our children and community for generations to come.
Currently, Halifax County Public Schools is conducting a comprehensive facilities and assets study to provide the School Board with a clear understanding of the condition and capacity of every school in our division. This study will examine building conditions, mechanical systems, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, outdoor spaces, and classroom capacity. The findings will provide the information necessary for the Board to develop a fiscally responsible, long-range facilities plan that addresses both current challenges and future needs.
The School Board recognizes that some of our schools have significant facility needs. In particular, Sinai Elementary and Meadville Elementary continue to operate with multiple mobile classrooms and without gymnasiums. These are concerns that deserve thoughtful consideration and long-term solutions. The facilities study will help guide the Board as it explores a range of possibilities, including renovations to existing schools, new construction, or other options that may emerge through the planning process.
It is important for our community to understand that no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the 12 acres or any potential school construction projects. The written agreement between the IDA and the Halifax County School Board is in the earliest stages of development. Both parties will have the opportunity to contribute to the terms of the agreement before it is presented for formal consideration and a vote.
The Green's Folly development presents an exciting opportunity to think creatively about the future of education in Halifax County. However, the availability of land does not determine what will be built, where future schools will be located, or which facilities may be renovated or replaced. Those decisions must be guided by careful study, responsible stewardship of public resources, and the long-term interests of our students and community.
The School Board and Superintendent are committed to working closely with families, staff, community members, and local leaders throughout this process. We recognize that decisions about our schools affect not only the students we serve today, but also the generations of children who will follow.
We are especially grateful for the support of Halifax County and the resources made available through the 1% sales tax fund. This investment in our schools makes it possible to have meaningful conversations about improving our facilities and preparing for future growth. It represents our community's commitment to providing quality educational opportunities for every child.
We are excited about what the future holds for Halifax County. While there is no immediate development plan, we have an opportunity to plan thoughtfully, explore possibilities, and make decisions that will serve our community well for years to come.
Our commitment remains unchanged, to provide the very best educational opportunities for our children and prepare them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Amy D. Huskin
Superintendent, Halifax County Public Schools
Halifax County Public Schools is grateful to the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for the opportunity to consider the use of 12 acres within the proposed Green's Folly housing development for future educational purposes. As Halifax County continues to grow and evolve, this opportunity opens the door to important conversations about how we can best meet the educational needs of our children and community for generations to come.
Currently, Halifax County Public Schools is conducting a comprehensive facilities and assets study to provide the School Board with a clear understanding of the condition and capacity of every school in our division. This study will examine building conditions, mechanical systems, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, outdoor spaces, and classroom capacity. The findings will provide the information necessary for the Board to develop a fiscally responsible, long-range facilities plan that addresses both current challenges and future needs.
The School Board recognizes that some of our schools have significant facility needs. In particular, Sinai Elementary and Meadville Elementary continue to operate with multiple mobile classrooms and without gymnasiums. These are concerns that deserve thoughtful consideration and long-term solutions. The facilities study will help guide the Board as it explores a range of possibilities, including renovations to existing schools, new construction, or other options that may emerge through the planning process.
It is important for our community to understand that no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the 12 acres or any potential school construction projects. The written agreement between the IDA and the Halifax County School Board is in the earliest stages of development. Both parties will have the opportunity to contribute to the terms of the agreement before it is presented for formal consideration and a vote.
The Green's Folly development presents an exciting opportunity to think creatively about the future of education in Halifax County. However, the availability of land does not determine what will be built, where future schools will be located, or which facilities may be renovated or replaced. Those decisions must be guided by careful study, responsible stewardship of public resources, and the long-term interests of our students and community.
The School Board and Superintendent are committed to working closely with families, staff, community members, and local leaders throughout this process. We recognize that decisions about our schools affect not only the students we serve today, but also the generations of children who will follow.
We are especially grateful for the support of Halifax County and the resources made available through the 1% sales tax fund. This investment in our schools makes it possible to have meaningful conversations about improving our facilities and preparing for future growth. It represents our community's commitment to providing quality educational opportunities for every child.
We are excited about what the future holds for Halifax County. While there is no immediate development plan, we have an opportunity to plan thoughtfully, explore possibilities, and make decisions that will serve our community well for years to come.
Our commitment remains unchanged, to provide the very best educational opportunities for our children and prepare them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Amy D. Huskin
Superintendent, Halifax County Public Schools
As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed Monday, October 12, 2026 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
What an incredible Night of Innovation!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support not only Clays Mill Elementary, but all of Halifax County Public Schools! We hope our guests enjoyed an evening filled with creativity, technology, learning, and FUN!
There was so much to explore—from coding cars and bumblebees, soccer robots, LEGO® BRIQ fairgrounds, VR goggles, and dancing robots to The Pink Bus and the amazing LEGO Robotics and GO TEC exhibits from Halifax County Middle and High School! Guests also had the opportunity to attend sessions on Cyberbullying and AI Literacy and enjoy delicious food from Seasoned with Grace and TC’s BBQ.
Most of all, I want to give a very special shoutout to our Clays Mill Elementary Tech Ambassadors: Finleigh, Isiah, Ava, and Skyler!
You represented Clays Mill proudly and demonstrated wonderful leadership, creativity, confidence, and innovative thinking throughout the evening. We are so proud of you!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Night of Innovation a success. It was a wonderful evening of showcasing what happens when learning, creativity, and technology come together!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support not only Clays Mill Elementary, but all of Halifax County Public Schools! We hope our guests enjoyed an evening filled with creativity, technology, learning, and FUN!
There was so much to explore—from coding cars and bumblebees, soccer robots, LEGO® BRIQ fairgrounds, VR goggles, and dancing robots to The Pink Bus and the amazing LEGO Robotics and GO TEC exhibits from Halifax County Middle and High School! Guests also had the opportunity to attend sessions on Cyberbullying and AI Literacy and enjoy delicious food from Seasoned with Grace and TC’s BBQ.
Most of all, I want to give a very special shoutout to our Clays Mill Elementary Tech Ambassadors: Finleigh, Isiah, Ava, and Skyler!
You represented Clays Mill proudly and demonstrated wonderful leadership, creativity, confidence, and innovative thinking throughout the evening. We are so proud of you!
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Night of Innovation a success. It was a wonderful evening of showcasing what happens when learning, creativity, and technology come together!
🎃 October Tech-Tip 🎃
Don’t Get Tricked by Digital Strangers!
The Tip:
🎃On Halloween, we enjoy spooky ghosts 👻—but online “ghost” friends can be a trick! If you don’t know someone in real life (at school, on your team, or in your neighborhood), don’t add or chat with them online. Even if they seem nice in a game 🎮, they are still a stranger.
Why it matters :
🎃Children often believe online interactions are safe, especially in games or kid-friendly platforms. However, people can pretend to be someone they’re not 🎭. Teaching kids early to recognize and avoid digital strangers builds lifelong online safety habits.
Pro Tip (Teach Your Child):
Share these simple “ghost-busting rules” 🛑👻:
Don’t share personal info (name, school, phone number) 🚫
Don’t move chats to other apps 📵
Don’t keep secrets from trusted adults 🤐➡️👨👩👧
If a “ghost” friend asks for any of these—tell an adult right away!
Parent Connection 🤝:
🎃Keep conversations open and judgment-free ❤️. Instead of asking “Are you talking to strangers?” try:
“Who did you play with today?” 🎮
“Do you know them from real life?” 🤔
🎃Many school ITRTs have read Chicken Clicking 🐔💻 with students. Ask your child what happened in the story and what the character learned about online strangers—it’s a great way to reinforce this lesson in a familiar, non-threatening way.
👉 Watch it together at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSasSWwi5Tk
Try This at Home 🏠:
Do a quick “Ghost Check” together 👻:
Look at friends/followers lists 📲
Remove anyone not known in real life 🚫
Check game chat settings 🎮
Practice what to do: Ignore ➡️ Block ➡️ Tell ✋
💬Conversation Starter:
“If someone you didn’t know came up to you while trick-or-treating and asked personal questions, what would you do? The same rule applies online.” 🎃
Don’t Get Tricked by Digital Strangers!
The Tip:
🎃On Halloween, we enjoy spooky ghosts 👻—but online “ghost” friends can be a trick! If you don’t know someone in real life (at school, on your team, or in your neighborhood), don’t add or chat with them online. Even if they seem nice in a game 🎮, they are still a stranger.
Why it matters :
🎃Children often believe online interactions are safe, especially in games or kid-friendly platforms. However, people can pretend to be someone they’re not 🎭. Teaching kids early to recognize and avoid digital strangers builds lifelong online safety habits.
Pro Tip (Teach Your Child):
Share these simple “ghost-busting rules” 🛑👻:
Don’t share personal info (name, school, phone number) 🚫
Don’t move chats to other apps 📵
Don’t keep secrets from trusted adults 🤐➡️👨👩👧
If a “ghost” friend asks for any of these—tell an adult right away!
Parent Connection 🤝:
🎃Keep conversations open and judgment-free ❤️. Instead of asking “Are you talking to strangers?” try:
“Who did you play with today?” 🎮
“Do you know them from real life?” 🤔
🎃Many school ITRTs have read Chicken Clicking 🐔💻 with students. Ask your child what happened in the story and what the character learned about online strangers—it’s a great way to reinforce this lesson in a familiar, non-threatening way.
👉 Watch it together at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSasSWwi5Tk
Try This at Home 🏠:
Do a quick “Ghost Check” together 👻:
Look at friends/followers lists 📲
Remove anyone not known in real life 🚫
Check game chat settings 🎮
Practice what to do: Ignore ➡️ Block ➡️ Tell ✋
💬Conversation Starter:
“If someone you didn’t know came up to you while trick-or-treating and asked personal questions, what would you do? The same rule applies online.” 🎃
As a reminder, Halifax County Public Schools will host a Night of Innovation tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at HCHS. Attendees will experience technology through interactive experiences, informational displays, and hands-on exploration. A general session on being kind online will be presented by the Halifax County Public Schools Instructional Technology Specialists. Attendees can also experience the Pink Bus, a mobile cybersecurity classroom with interactive, game-based activities.
The school with the greatest percentage of students in attendance will win a prize for the school.
Food trucks will be onsite for attendees to purchase food and drinks.
The doors and food trucks will open at 5:30 PM, and the general session will begin at 6:00 PM. All attendees should enter through the front door.
🎶 Workin’ 9-2-5… what a way to celebrate Dolly! 💕✨📚
Today, 9-2-5, our Clays Mill Cougars celebrated the incredible legacy of Dolly Parton—someone who has shown us that big dreams, a kind heart, and a love of reading can make a lasting difference in the lives of children.
There was pink, sparkle, kindness, and lots of ambition galore as we celebrated Dolly’s commitment to literacy and inspiring children to dream BIG! After all, around here, we believe you can never have too many books… or too much sparkle! ✨📖💗
We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful community members who joined us and shared some of their favorite children’s books through special read-alouds:
📚 Author Sommer Oakes
📚 Jeremy Holt — Oak River Realty
📚 Megan Powell — Anderson Lawn Care
📚 Parent Representative Bo Hutchison
📚 Jeff Francisco— Francisco Forestry
📚 Wanda Crews— Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Robin Anderson— Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Amy Huskin— Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Karen Bucklew — Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Hannah Parker — South Boston Library
And a Dolly-sized thank you to our amazing CME PTO members for treating our teachers and staff to sweet, savory, and refreshing goodies throughout the day. You kept our spirits lifted, our bellies full, and our ambitions high! ✨
As Dolly reminds us, dream more, learn more, care more, and be more. Today our Cougars did just that—one story, one act of kindness, and one big dream at a time.
For More Pictures please click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lxmctblq4V3nA4aNMIKTl3CcoRoj4hDq
Today, 9-2-5, our Clays Mill Cougars celebrated the incredible legacy of Dolly Parton—someone who has shown us that big dreams, a kind heart, and a love of reading can make a lasting difference in the lives of children.
There was pink, sparkle, kindness, and lots of ambition galore as we celebrated Dolly’s commitment to literacy and inspiring children to dream BIG! After all, around here, we believe you can never have too many books… or too much sparkle! ✨📖💗
We are incredibly grateful to the wonderful community members who joined us and shared some of their favorite children’s books through special read-alouds:
📚 Author Sommer Oakes
📚 Jeremy Holt — Oak River Realty
📚 Megan Powell — Anderson Lawn Care
📚 Parent Representative Bo Hutchison
📚 Jeff Francisco— Francisco Forestry
📚 Wanda Crews— Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Robin Anderson— Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Amy Huskin— Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Karen Bucklew — Halifax County Public Schools
📚 Hannah Parker — South Boston Library
And a Dolly-sized thank you to our amazing CME PTO members for treating our teachers and staff to sweet, savory, and refreshing goodies throughout the day. You kept our spirits lifted, our bellies full, and our ambitions high! ✨
As Dolly reminds us, dream more, learn more, care more, and be more. Today our Cougars did just that—one story, one act of kindness, and one big dream at a time.
For More Pictures please click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lxmctblq4V3nA4aNMIKTl3CcoRoj4hDq
Thank you to Melissa Waller from the Halifax Soil and Water Preservation Society for stopping by Clays Mill and teaching a lesson about soil, why it is important, and how we can help preserve it by planting more plants to our first grade students. Students enjoyed making a soil buddy using topsoil and grass seed. We are looking forward to watching our buddies grow their hair this fall and helping to preserve water and soil in our community.
Students in Mrs. Grant's first grade class are learning about The United States and Virginia state symbols. Thanks to a kind donation by Annin Flagmakers, the class all received their own American and Virginia flags today! It was great addition to the lesson, and allowed them to discuss the flags, learn what each part represents, and why were honor them each day.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11qBzc-GXhIeX0g8KwWfyitefOlARS7O4
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11qBzc-GXhIeX0g8KwWfyitefOlARS7O4
Interim reports for the first nine weeks are available for viewing on the Campus Portal. If you need assistance with the portal or need a paper copy of the report, please contact your child's school.
Don't forget to wear pink on Friday, September 25, 2026 for Dolly Day!
Yesterday, our Clays Mill Cougars celebrated International Dot Day!
Inspired by the message to “make your mark and see where it takes you,” our students celebrated creativity, confidence, and the courage to try something new. From colorful dots to creative activities, our Cougars showed that even the smallest mark can be the beginning of something amazing.
At CMES, every student has something special to contribute—and we can’t wait to see the marks they make on the world!
For More Pictures, please click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1blqsL44KmGJN6DPsumw4xP7vxQIjDSYS
Inspired by the message to “make your mark and see where it takes you,” our students celebrated creativity, confidence, and the courage to try something new. From colorful dots to creative activities, our Cougars showed that even the smallest mark can be the beginning of something amazing.
At CMES, every student has something special to contribute—and we can’t wait to see the marks they make on the world!
For More Pictures, please click the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1blqsL44KmGJN6DPsumw4xP7vxQIjDSYS
Today, Clays Mill Cougars proudly wore red, white, and blue as we paused to remember the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Twenty-five years later, we honor the lives lost, remember the heroes, and reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and unity shown by our nation. We will never forget.
September is Attendance Awareness Month.
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026 in observance of Labor Day.
The halls of Clays Mill Elementary were filled with future possibilities during Career Day! From future teachers, doctors, veterinarians, and firefighters to singers, professional athletes, homemakers, construction workers, land surveyors, race car drivers, and so much more, our students came dressed and ready to dream big.
September is Attendance Awareness Month.
Save the Date!
The Night of Innovation will be held October 6, 2026 at HCHS. More details to come.
The Night of Innovation will be held October 6, 2026 at HCHS. More details to come.
🍂September Tech- Tip🍂
Don’t Fall for AI Tricks
Tip:
🍂 Talk with your child about how some images, videos, and answers online are created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and may not always be real or accurate. Encourage them to slow down and think about what they are seeing and hearing.
Why it matters:
🍂Elementary students often believe what they see and hear online. AI can create very realistic pictures, videos, and even voices, making it harder to tell what is real. Without guidance, this can lead to confusion, misinformation, and poor decision-making.
Pro Tip:
Teach your child to be a “digital detective” and ask:
👉 “Who made this?”
👉 “Is this real or computer-made?”
👉 “Does the voice sound natural or a little off?”
Let them know it’s okay to question what they see and hear.
Try This at Home:
Watch a short video together and practice noticing clues:
👉 Does the voice sound smooth or robotic?
👉 Do the mouth movements match the words?
👉 Does anything look or feel “off”?
👨👩👧 Parent Connection
Be mindful of what your child posts or shares online.
🍂AI tools can be used to edit photos, mimic voices, or alter videos in ways that may be misleading or harmful.
Helpful Reminder for Families:
👉 Avoid sharing personal photos publicly
👉 Use privacy settings when possible
👉 Talk with your child about asking permission before posting
Don’t Fall for AI Tricks
Tip:
🍂 Talk with your child about how some images, videos, and answers online are created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and may not always be real or accurate. Encourage them to slow down and think about what they are seeing and hearing.
Why it matters:
🍂Elementary students often believe what they see and hear online. AI can create very realistic pictures, videos, and even voices, making it harder to tell what is real. Without guidance, this can lead to confusion, misinformation, and poor decision-making.
Pro Tip:
Teach your child to be a “digital detective” and ask:
👉 “Who made this?”
👉 “Is this real or computer-made?”
👉 “Does the voice sound natural or a little off?”
Let them know it’s okay to question what they see and hear.
Try This at Home:
Watch a short video together and practice noticing clues:
👉 Does the voice sound smooth or robotic?
👉 Do the mouth movements match the words?
👉 Does anything look or feel “off”?
👨👩👧 Parent Connection
Be mindful of what your child posts or shares online.
🍂AI tools can be used to edit photos, mimic voices, or alter videos in ways that may be misleading or harmful.
Helpful Reminder for Families:
👉 Avoid sharing personal photos publicly
👉 Use privacy settings when possible
👉 Talk with your child about asking permission before posting
