👀👀: Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how many areas of our school system worked together during inclement weather to benefit our students and staff:
Saturday–Sunday – Central Office leadership monitored weather models and collaborated with emergency management officials.
Sunday – A decision was made to delay school on Monday by two hours to allow Transportation officials and bus drivers more time to identify any debris on roadways and to ensure power to schools was not affected.
Monday – Power was out at White Elementary and Cass High due to a Georgia Power storm-related issue.
Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Dave Stephenson and Director of Maintenance and Construction David Van Hook worked quickly and efficiently with Technology and Maintenance crews to move generators and mobile lighting to White Elementary, as Cass High already had an emergency backup generator.
White Elementary Principal Amanda Elrod already had a plan in place to feed and educate students; breakfast was served! Thank you School Nutrition!
Power was restored before school started; only students who arrived early were affected.
LEARNING CONTINUED.
Reason 987,904,098 why it’s #BetterInBartow
Saturday–Sunday – Central Office leadership monitored weather models and collaborated with emergency management officials.
Sunday – A decision was made to delay school on Monday by two hours to allow Transportation officials and bus drivers more time to identify any debris on roadways and to ensure power to schools was not affected.
Monday – Power was out at White Elementary and Cass High due to a Georgia Power storm-related issue.
Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Dave Stephenson and Director of Maintenance and Construction David Van Hook worked quickly and efficiently with Technology and Maintenance crews to move generators and mobile lighting to White Elementary, as Cass High already had an emergency backup generator.
White Elementary Principal Amanda Elrod already had a plan in place to feed and educate students; breakfast was served! Thank you School Nutrition!
Power was restored before school started; only students who arrived early were affected.
LEARNING CONTINUED.
Reason 987,904,098 why it’s #BetterInBartow
INVEST IN THE BEST: Record‑high turnout at our Educator Fair, and it’s no surprise! This is a GREAT place to work! We invest in our teachers, and they invest in our students!
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2019 ----> Competitive teacher salaries introduced to attract and retain top-tier educators
2021 ----> Addition of instructional coaches systemwide
2023 ----> BCSS partners with Berry College to provide masters & specialist degrees for teachers
2024 ----> Investment in high-quality instructional materials to support literacy
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2019 ----> Competitive teacher salaries introduced to attract and retain top-tier educators
2021 ----> Addition of instructional coaches systemwide
2023 ----> BCSS partners with Berry College to provide masters & specialist degrees for teachers
2024 ----> Investment in high-quality instructional materials to support literacy
JUST ANNOUNCED: Lindsay Perry will return to Cass Middle School as its new principal, bringing 17 years of educational experience, including 13 years at Cass Middle, after serving as principal of Hamilton Crossing Elementary School.
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE:
https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/2770662
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE:
https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/2770662
JUST ANNOUNCED: Allatoona Elementary School Principal Jennifer Suárez has been selected to serve as the next principal of Red Top Middle School, succeeding Dr. Wes Dickey upon his retirement.
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE:
https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/2770659
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE:
https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/2770659
The Bartow County School System will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, March 16, 2026, due to the possibility of severe weather in the morning. This delay will help ensure road conditions are safe for travel.
For those who ride a bus, please add two hours to your usual pick-up time in the morning.
Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
WHAT AN HONOR: We are proud to celebrate these three exceptional Bartow County School System social workers who have been recognized by the Advocates for Children Youth Accountability Team as Volunteers of the Year! Congratulations to Dr. LaToia Carter, Melissa Hulsey, and Michelle Jenkins for this well-deserved honor!
This recognition reflects their outstanding commitment to protecting children, empowering youth, and uplifting families. Their generosity of time, talent, and care has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the students and families we serve. We are sincerely grateful for the work they do every day on behalf of our community!
#betterinbartow #proudtobebartow
This recognition reflects their outstanding commitment to protecting children, empowering youth, and uplifting families. Their generosity of time, talent, and care has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the students and families we serve. We are sincerely grateful for the work they do every day on behalf of our community!
#betterinbartow #proudtobebartow
COOKING UP SUCCESS: Cass High School’s “Three Chefitiers” just fired up the kitchen in the Fueling Georgia’s Future Student Chef Competition, and their original recipe landed them in the Top 5 in the state! This week, they brought the heat in a live cook‑off right inside the CHS cafeteria, impressing state chef judges with their creation, The Spicy K‑Pop Bowl.
This dish featured a fried rice base, fresh Georgia‑grown veggies, scrambled eggs, and crispy chicken tossed in their homemade school‑approved K‑Pop sauce.
We are so proud of these talented students and their culinary teacher, James Huston. The winner will go on to represent Georgia at the Southeast Regional Competition, and we’re cheering them on all the way!
This dish featured a fried rice base, fresh Georgia‑grown veggies, scrambled eggs, and crispy chicken tossed in their homemade school‑approved K‑Pop sauce.
We are so proud of these talented students and their culinary teacher, James Huston. The winner will go on to represent Georgia at the Southeast Regional Competition, and we’re cheering them on all the way!
HOMEGROWN LEADERSHIP: Meet the 2025-2026 Aspiring Principals Leadership Academy!
🍎Amanda Chack, AP, Hamilton Crossing Elementary
🍎Blake Fallin, AP, Cass Middle
🍎Mary Payne, AP, Kingston Elementary
🍎Dana Smith, AP, Euharlee Elementary
🍎Ashley Goble, AP, Adairsville Elementary
🍎Jennifer Wilson, AP, Red Top Middle
These assistant principals strengthened their leadership skills, built meaningful connections with other aspiring leaders, and learned alongside principals and district leaders. Under the guidance of Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Dave Stephenson, they not only participated in academy sessions but also completed a leadership project that required them to design and implement a system to monitor the impact of their school’s Tier I campaign. Excellent work by all involved! Congratulations on your successful program completion!
#betterinbartow #proudtobebartow
🍎Amanda Chack, AP, Hamilton Crossing Elementary
🍎Blake Fallin, AP, Cass Middle
🍎Mary Payne, AP, Kingston Elementary
🍎Dana Smith, AP, Euharlee Elementary
🍎Ashley Goble, AP, Adairsville Elementary
🍎Jennifer Wilson, AP, Red Top Middle
These assistant principals strengthened their leadership skills, built meaningful connections with other aspiring leaders, and learned alongside principals and district leaders. Under the guidance of Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Dave Stephenson, they not only participated in academy sessions but also completed a leadership project that required them to design and implement a system to monitor the impact of their school’s Tier I campaign. Excellent work by all involved! Congratulations on your successful program completion!
#betterinbartow #proudtobebartow
GAME DAY GREATNESS: Our Exceptional Education Department never stops imagining what’s possible! For Mario Day 2026, they transformed Esports into a full‑blown Olympic adventure for our high school students and Project Search interns, and the results were nothing short of SPECTACULAR! Today, strategy met creativity, competition met joy, and the smiles told the whole story!
Special thank you to the organizers and buddies who made this day truly unforgettable! We're definitely getting great use out of our new Esports Arena, too!
#betterinbartow #proudtobebartow
Special thank you to the organizers and buddies who made this day truly unforgettable! We're definitely getting great use out of our new Esports Arena, too!
#betterinbartow #proudtobebartow
GA SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION WEEK: We honor our School Board members for their commitment to the students and staff of the Bartow County School System. Their decisions, guidance, and leadership always begin with one priority: our students. Because they represent every student in every district, their work strengthens every classroom, every educator, and every school community. They also serve as thoughtful stewards of our schools and partners to the community, ensuring that the resources entrusted to them support the greatest good.
Thank you, Board members, for championing opportunities, supporting our staff, and ensuring that all students are seen, heard, and valued. Your service shapes the future of Bartow County.
Thank you, Board members, for championing opportunities, supporting our staff, and ensuring that all students are seen, heard, and valued. Your service shapes the future of Bartow County.
STARS & SERVICE: What an unforgettable night at the 14th Annual Cartersville Dances with the Stars! Hamilton Crossing Principal Lindsay Perry and her husband, Taylor, lit up the stage and helped make this year’s event one for the record books. Together, they raised $31,421 in support of two incredible organizations that directly serve our children and families: Backpack Buddies and the Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter.
This dynamic duo is Bartow proud, through and through. Be sure to check out Taylor's Cass hat, and here is a fun fact: their music was mixed by a former BCSS student!
OUTSTANDING JOB, Perrys.
This dynamic duo is Bartow proud, through and through. Be sure to check out Taylor's Cass hat, and here is a fun fact: their music was mixed by a former BCSS student!
OUTSTANDING JOB, Perrys.
APPRECIATION POST: Behind every strong school community is a team of social workers who lead with heart, expertise, and unwavering support, and the Bartow County School System is fortunate to have some of the very BEST!
Celebrating:
🌟 Melissa Hulsey
🌟 Michelle Jenkins
🌟 Dr. LaToia Carter
🌟 Celina McMillian
🌟 Homeless Liaison: Ashley Saddler
🌟 Director of Counselors, College Readiness, Wellness & Fine Arts: Brent Shropshire
Happy National School Social Work Week to this OUTSTANDING team!
Celebrating:
🌟 Melissa Hulsey
🌟 Michelle Jenkins
🌟 Dr. LaToia Carter
🌟 Celina McMillian
🌟 Homeless Liaison: Ashley Saddler
🌟 Director of Counselors, College Readiness, Wellness & Fine Arts: Brent Shropshire
Happy National School Social Work Week to this OUTSTANDING team!
APPRECIATION POST: We proudly recognize the incredible team that keeps Bartow County Schools running smoothly every single day! Our maintenance department is often the first to arrive and the last to leave, showing up early, staying late, and coming in on weekends to ensure our buildings are safe, functional, and welcoming for students and staff.
They fix problems before most of us ever know they existed. They work behind the scenes with skill, dedication, and pride, and our schools simply could not operate without their commitment to excellence!
THANK YOU!!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
They fix problems before most of us ever know they existed. They work behind the scenes with skill, dedication, and pride, and our schools simply could not operate without their commitment to excellence!
THANK YOU!!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXCEPTIONAL ED OFFICE: In accordance with 34 CFR 300.573, the Bartow County Board of Education will be destroying the Special Education records of students born in 2003. All records prior to this year have already been destroyed by Federal guidelines. Anyone interested in obtaining his or her records should notify this office in writing by April 30, 2026. Please include the following information: Student Name, Date of Birth, Phone Number and last Bartow County School attended.
Mail to: Special Education Records, ATT: Kathy Smith, Bartow County Schools, 65 Gilreath Road, P.O. Box 200007, Cartersville, GA 30120-9026.
Mail to: Special Education Records, ATT: Kathy Smith, Bartow County Schools, 65 Gilreath Road, P.O. Box 200007, Cartersville, GA 30120-9026.
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK: Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Dave Stephenson jumped right into the celebrations with Allatoona Elementary’s first graders!
“One book, two book, take a closer look,
Bartow kids are readers everywhere you look!"👀
FUN FACTS:
➡️Bartow County has had Literacy Coaches in all 20 schools since 2020-2021!
➡️BCSS followed that momentum with a new, research‑based curriculum and high‑quality instructional materials. Our work began with a strong foundation in phonics and morphology, and this year you’ll see an increased emphasis on building deep comprehension skills!
“One book, two book, take a closer look,
Bartow kids are readers everywhere you look!"👀
FUN FACTS:
➡️Bartow County has had Literacy Coaches in all 20 schools since 2020-2021!
➡️BCSS followed that momentum with a new, research‑based curriculum and high‑quality instructional materials. Our work began with a strong foundation in phonics and morphology, and this year you’ll see an increased emphasis on building deep comprehension skills!
TERZA TAKEAWAYS: Our monthly newsletter is here! Students and staff will find it in their inboxes, and our community can explore it at the link below. Don’t miss Superintendent Terza’s special message on our districtwide focus: literacy!
https://bartowcountyschools.edurooms.com/engage/bartow-county-school-system/newsletters/terza-takeaways-3-5-26-with-updated-newsletter
https://bartowcountyschools.edurooms.com/engage/bartow-county-school-system/newsletters/terza-takeaways-3-5-26-with-updated-newsletter
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: We’re thrilled to host our first AV Production Showcase, spotlighting bold, creative, and completely student‑driven work from:
🎙️ Adairsville Elementary – Tiger Talk Network
🦁 Allatoona Elementary – Roar Report
🎥 Pine Log Elementary – PLES Productions
Our elementary students stepped into the world of broadcast production using high‑school and college‑level equipment, gaining early exposure to skills and careers many students don’t encounter until much later. Their confidence, collaboration, and creativity were on full display.
A sincere thank‑you to Cooper Fiscus‑van Rossum with the Georgia Film Academy for guiding students through the production process and helping them understand what’s possible in the field. His support made a meaningful difference in preparing them for today’s showcase and beyond!
One student shared that she was “eternally grateful for this experience,” and that sentiment truly captures the impact of this STEM initiative!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
🎙️ Adairsville Elementary – Tiger Talk Network
🦁 Allatoona Elementary – Roar Report
🎥 Pine Log Elementary – PLES Productions
Our elementary students stepped into the world of broadcast production using high‑school and college‑level equipment, gaining early exposure to skills and careers many students don’t encounter until much later. Their confidence, collaboration, and creativity were on full display.
A sincere thank‑you to Cooper Fiscus‑van Rossum with the Georgia Film Academy for guiding students through the production process and helping them understand what’s possible in the field. His support made a meaningful difference in preparing them for today’s showcase and beyond!
One student shared that she was “eternally grateful for this experience,” and that sentiment truly captures the impact of this STEM initiative!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK: There were no bigger smiles than those on the faces of Allatoona Elementary students during a surprise visit today from Superintendent Terza and Deputy Superintendent Suttle! Our district leaders never miss an opportunity to champion literacy and celebrate our young readers!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
JOIN US: This Showcase is open to the public and a great opportunity to see all of our Robotics teams in action!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY: Cass High School’s Black Student Union hosted an outstanding Annual Black History Fair in recognition of Black History Month. This year’s event highlighted the influential contributions of Black musicians and featured several literary works that reflect important voices and experiences.
The fair also welcomed Cass High alumnus and entrepreneur Darnell Jackson, who shared insights from his work and community involvement.
We appreciate the effort, preparation, and leadership shown by the students and staff who helped bring this meaningful learning experience to the Cass High community!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
The fair also welcomed Cass High alumnus and entrepreneur Darnell Jackson, who shared insights from his work and community involvement.
We appreciate the effort, preparation, and leadership shown by the students and staff who helped bring this meaningful learning experience to the Cass High community!
#betterinbartow #only1bartow #proudtobebartow
