Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

I would like to welcome you to B. O. Barnes Elementary, home of the Bobcats, for the 2020-20221 school year. Barnes is a wonderful place to learn and to grow. I look forward to working with all of you.

I started my career at Winstead Elementary as a teacher in 1996 after graduating from East Carolina University. As a teacher at Winstead, I taught first, third, fourth, and fifth grades. I then served as the Assistant Principal at Margaret Hearne Elemetnary and Wells Elementary from 2006 - 2012 and then as Principal of Elm City Elementary (now Frederick Douglass Elementary) until June 2018 and Winstead Elemetnary from 2018-2020. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the B. O . Barnes Community in a different capacity as principal.

Do not hesitate to contact me or any B. O. Barnes staff if you have any questions or need assistance with your child. I work closely with all of our teachers to ensure that they are getting everything they need to be successful this school year and in the future. My staff is committed to academic excellence and serving the students and parents of our community.

We must all do our part if we hope to share our students’ successes together. I wish each Barnes family the very best this school year. Students remember to work hard each day, focus on learning, follow the rules, and be the best that you can be!

With Bobcat Pride,

Claudia Spencer