CLAYTON - Nancy Nettles, principal of Powhatan Elementary, says a secret of her school's success is getting parents involved in their children's education.

This year, each grade level is highlighting a program within the school and inviting parents for a presentation. Recently, school leaders brought in a psychologist to talk to parents about keeping their kids safe on the Internet. And if a student gets in trouble, the parents hear about it right away.

"They want to be actively engaged in the learning process with their child," Nettles said.

Her efforts at Powhatan recently earned her Johnston County's Principal of the Year award.

Nettles, 53, a native of Ashe County and a graduate of Appalachian State University, began her teaching career in Johnston County in 1979. She started as a special education teacher at Smithfield Elementary and along the way earned a master's degree and a certificate in administration.

After serving as an assistant principal at Cleveland Elementary for a while, Nettles was the first principal at Polenta Elementary when that school opened in 2001. Then she stepped in at Powhatan when it opened its doors a couple of years ago.

Powhatan has excelled. The school made Adequate Yearly Progress last year under the federal No Child Left Behind standards. It also met the state's "expected growth" benchmark last school year and was named an Honor School of Excellence.

Along with getting parents involved, Nettles said, Powhatan stresses going beyond the regular curriculum. School starts shortly before 9 a.m., but by 8:15, several students have arrived for special Spanish-language lessons.

Having strong Spanish skills will help students succeed in a global society, Nettles said.

When it comes to extracurricular activities, Powhatan students can take their pick. Members of an environmental club planted a garden and set out bird feeders. Older students patrol the hallways in the mornings. And the school is starting a drama club this year.

"It keeps students excited about school," Nettles said.

Powhatan stresses the importance of giving back, the principal said. Last year's annual survey of Johnston County students showed that youngsters wanted people to say more nice things to each other, Nettles said.

So at Powhatan, students write kind words and place them in their peers' special buckets.

Overall, Nettles said, her students are passionate about what they do. "It just makes all the difference in the world," she said.