The mission of North Cove Elementary is to educate all students to become responsible, lifelong learners who have the skills, knowledge and self-confidence to be successful in our competitive, global society.





We believe:

• Every person can learn.
• Individuals learn at different rates and in different ways.
• Every person deserves a loving, accepting environment that nurtures individual interests and talents.
• Education and learning are the collaborative responsibility of students, family, school, and community.
• Global education and understanding are essential components of education.
• Family education and involvement are vital components in the education process.

We will continue to combine the best resources of the children, school personnel, parents, and community in order to provide an environment suitable for intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and moral growth of each child.

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Introductory Letter from the School Board

On behalf of the McDowell County Board of Education I am pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Gerri P.Martin (pronounced mar-TEEN). Dr. Martin will officially begin work July 1 , 2012. Please see the attached biography. Dr. Martin is also fluent in Spanish and her 9 year old daughter will attend our schools. Truly the superintendent search advisory committee's recommendations were paramount to the board in her selection. Thanks to all for their hard work. I remain, Biography of Dr. Gerri P. Martin

Dr. Gerri P. Martin (pronounced mar-TEEN because it is Spanish) was born and raised in Mount Ulla, a small town in Rowan County, NC, where she lived until graduating high school. She attended Wake Forest University where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Spanish. She received her Master's Degree from Appalachian State University in Educational Administration and her Doctor of Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with specialist certifications from both.

Upon completing her undergraduate work at WFU, she moved to Spain, married her sweetheart, and began her teaching career. After approximately 4 years living abroad, she and the family, now including their son, moved to the states and settled in Surry County, NC where they have remained for 23 years.

For the past 4 years, Dr. Martin has served as the assistant superintendent for Granville County Schools in North Carolina. She has been an educator for 25 years both in North Carolina and Spain. Dr. Martin has served as a teacher, a college instructor, an assistant principal, a principal, a director of elementary instruction, and an assistant superintendent. She also recently completed a term as a Town Commissioner in Dobson. She is the proud mother to a son, Adam age 23 and graduate of Wake Forest University, and 2 daughters, Victoria age 19 attending UNCG, and Natalia age 9 currently in the fourth grade. She is the wife of 25 years to Rafael Martin of Salamanca, Spain.

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Congratulations to our Battle of the Books Team.  They took home the trophy for 1st place in the county-wide competition held Thursday, April 26th.    The team was led by Mrs. Penny Jackson with help from Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Torry, and Mrs.Rumfelt.  Way to go!!! We are so proud of our BOB team!

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Our students participated in an "Egg your Teacher" Contest to raise money for Relay for Life.  Students and staff put all their spare change in the bucket that had the teacher/staff members face on it that they wanted to see egged.  Miss Younts was the lucky teacher that won (or you might say lost) the contest!   Our school raised over $300 to benefit Relay with this event!  Thank you Miss Younts for being such a good sport!

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North Cove Elementary held it's Annual Healthy Hearts Fair.  Various community agencies joined us to encourage exercise, nutrition, and good health!  Students and their families visited various booths and stations and spent the evening gathering information and even enjoying a bit of exercise.  Activities included the Basketball shoot out, hula hooping, jump roping, and the Wii Dance Party.  Families could also get their blood pressure and glucose checked by members of our county Rescue Squad.  McDowell EMS was also on hand to speak to parents about car seat safety.  Representatives from the Mission "Tooth Bus", YMCA, Tobacco Prevention, and Health Department were also there.  Pepsi helped us to encourage healthy practices by providing bottled water.  We would like to thank each community agency that was represented and helped make this night possible.


Special Thanks to Hank for photographing our event.

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Check it out!!!   We have added a new feature to our website.  Go to the Parents tab on the left of your screen.  Click on Parent Resources.  This link contains some excellent resources.  It's a work in progress so keep checking back for added resources!

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North Cove welcomes the Trout in the Classroom project to our school this year.  Click here for our "Diary of a Trout"; featuring our Trout in the Classroom project! We  update it regularly with new information about their progress and what we are learning.
NEW VIDEO ADDED  3/23/12

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Practice Responsibility!
Respect myself, others, and property!
I   am . . . I can. . . I will. . .
Decide to make good choices!
Excellence ALL the time!

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