Several organizations have teamed up with the Public Schools of Robeson County to support student learning and success.
“January is National Thank You Month and we want to take this opportunity to express that we are grateful for our community partners and all they do to support student learning,” said PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson.
“Education involves collaboration with our stakeholders like parents and community members. We want to sincerely thank all of our community partners for their continued support as we work to provide all students with a sound education,” he added.
Various Rotarian groups partner with the school district in projects to encourage student success.
Each year, the Lumberton Rotary Club donates dictionaries to third-graders. In addition, they also show their support in several other ways.
In 2023, the Lumberton Rotary Club honored PSRC student Aleigha Faulk for winning the club’s Four-Way Test Essay Contest.
“We feel it’s very important to support the kids in our local school system,” said Bo Biggs, who serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Lumberton Rotary Club.
The Kiwanis of Robeson-Lumberton Club provides books for second graders across the county as part of its Read Across Robeson Initiative.
“Our mission is to serve all of the children in our community. We hope that with our support we will make a positive impact in their lives,” said Owen Thomas, who serves as the 2023-2024 Lieutenant Governor of the Kiwanis of Robeson-Lumberton Club.
“We want to install community and service back into the children for the future generations. We want them to feel like they can come back and be part of the community and give back in a positive way. This is how we survive as a society,” Thomas said.
The club also supports the Key Clubs at Lumberton High School and PSRC Early College High School, he said. It also provides opportunities for children to attend a UNCP basketball game.
The Robeson County Church and Community Center also supports students through donations and services. The center recently donated tissues to PSRC elementary and middle schools with the assistance of SpartanNash.
“It means the world to us to provide this support for PSRC students,” said Brianna Goodwin, executive director of RCCCC.
Goodwin started her career in the English as a Second Language Department. The experiences of students she worked with during her time in that role have left an impact on her as she works to serve those in need in Robeson County through the center, she said.
“We will also continue to support students through school social worker referrals to our resources in crisis situations,” Goodwin added.
In addition, the Lions Club of Lumberton provides vision screenings for PSRC students in kindergarten and grades 2, 4 and 6 following parental permission.
The annual Driven 2 Excel campaign that offers high school seniors a chance to win a car is made possible by Lumberton Honda and Beasley Media Group. Piedmont Natural Gas is also a sponsor of the event. The campaign encourages students to have good attendance and good grades.
The district continues its work with various organizations to support student learning. PSRC shares strong educational partnerships with Robeson Community College and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. PSRC would also like to extend gratitude to the Robeson County Board of Commissioners and all town, local and state government officials for their support of PSRC students.
Other organizations also assist in providing opportunities, donating supplies and services or meeting other student needs. Some organizations include the Lumbee Tribe, Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce, Lumber River United Way, Robeson County Department of Social Services, Suds of Love, Lumbee River EMC, Emerging Technology Institute, local churches, and more.
“We are very thankful for every agency that works alongside us to support our mission of student success. It would be impossible to list every organization and individual that has made an impact on our students and our schools. But, we would like to extend to each one a sincere thank you,” said PSRC Chief Communications Officer Jessica Sealey.
Union Chapel Elementary School Assistant Principal Beth Pittman stands recently with representatives from the Robeson Church and Community Center during a drop off of tissue donations to the school. (Courtesy of RCCCC)
L. Gilbert Carroll Middle School Principal Christopher Burton stands recently with representatives from the Robeson Church and Community Center during a drop off of tissue donations to the school. (Courtesy of RCCCC)
PSRC student Aleigha Faulk, fourth from left, stands in 2023 as the Lumberton Rotary’s 4-Way Essay Contest winner.
Jennifer Stephenson, left, chair of the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce, presents a gift bag to 2023-2024 PSRC Teacher of the Year Kimberly Hunt during a May 2023 PSRC Board of Education meeting.