Good morning. Students at Mac Williams Middle School are spending more time outdoors this school year, thanks to a new open-air classroom that is already being incorporated into daily instruction across multiple grade levels.
The outdoor classroom opened in September through a partnership with Chemours Fayetteville Works and was designed to support hands-on learning in subjects focusing on science and agriculture. Read more in today’s lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. This week, we’ve asked our staff to highlight a few of their best stories from the year—required reading for 2026 or reporting they were just really proud of.
I’m Dasia Williams, CityView’s K-12 education reporter. Since joining the team in early October, I’ve covered stories about how school policies, classroom realities, and emerging trends are shaping education in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. It’s been a short but incredibly inspiring few months—and I’m excited to share some of the work I’ve done.
One story that resonated deeply centered on local teachers’ hesitancy to participate in a statewide walkout. Some educators said they feared retaliation or were unclear about leadership support. Talking with teachers about their concerns reminded me how important it is to create space for honest, courageous dialogue in public schools.
Another story focused on school consolidation and facilities planning as the district tackles enrollment shifts and aging buildings. It will be interesting to see how community feedback affects possible redistricting and long-range plans.
And because there’s a lot of national conversation about technology in schools, I also want to highlight my reporting on AI literacy. A local partnership through Fayetteville State University is preparing educators for an AI-driven future—helping teachers feel confident and supported as innovation accelerates.
Thanks for reading,
Dasia Williams
K-12 Education Reporter
‘More Than Just A Space’: Outdoor Classroom Expands Learning At Mac Williams Middle School
Students are spending more time outdoors this school year, thanks to a new open-air classroom.
More from CityView
‘We Were Willing to Take a Stand’: Cumberland County Teachers Explain Why Walkouts Fell Flat
Walkouts occurred in counties like Wake, Durham, and Guilford. But things were mostly quiet in Cumberland County.
‘This Place Built Us’: Cumberland County Schools’ Consolidation Talks Spark Concern
School leaders say they want to address aging buildings, uneven enrollment, and rising operational costs across the district.
‘AI Literacy in K-12 Will Be Pivotal’: FSU Partnership Prepares Educators for an AI-Driven Future
The AI Literacy Bootcamp is a collaboration between Fayetteville State University, AI Learning Central, and Cumberland County Schools.
Events
PADDY’S PUBLIC HOUSE PARTY
- Where: Paddy’s Irish Pub, 2606 Raeford Road, Suite B, Fayetteville
- When: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. today
- What: From wild dance-offs to cozy gatherings, we all cherish memories of unforgettable house parties!
COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTING
- Where: The Wine Thief, 432 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd., Lillington
- When: 5-7 p.m. today
- What: Come expand your palette and try four new wines every Friday!
THE STONE DOLLS LIVE AT PADDY’S
- Where: Paddy’s Irish Public House, 2606 Raeford Road, Fayetteville
- When: 10 p.m., Saturday, January 27
- What: Stone Dolls is a band that plays an upbeat variety of country, rock, and R&B.
Obituaries
Casondra Boone
Casondra Boone passed away on Wednesday, December 17.
Dorothy Williams Strickland
Dorothy Williams Strickland, 95, passed away on Tuesday, December 16.
Xavier JaQuan Griffin
Xavier JaQuan Griffin, passed away on Sunday, December 14.
Until tomorrow!
📚 When I’m not chasing school board meetings or talking to educators, you can usually find me with a good book in hand, exploring a new Fayetteville coffee shop or jotting down notes for my next story while people-watching downtown. There’s always something new to see in our community!
~ Dasia
