Bartow County School System

WOW: Our School Nutrition team is on track to serve a QUARTER OF A MILLION MEALS in just SIX WEEKS with our Summer Feeding Program! OUTSTANDING WORK, BCSS!

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE: We’re proud to celebrate our very own Deputy Superintendent, Christian Suttle, for completing the prestigious two-year Superintendent Professional Development Program, an initiative led by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia School Superintendents Association! This achievement reflects his dedication to educational leadership and excellence. We are fortunate to have such outstanding talent leading the way! #betterinbartow

BARTOW CARES: What started as a school-based initiative is now growing into a community-wide movement and even catching the attention of Harvard University! 👏 This year, Bartow Cares is expanding beyond our classrooms to include local businesses and faith-based organizations, all coming together around shared values like kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and hope. Last Thursday, we hosted an incredible community collaboration meeting with leaders from across Bartow County, including Cartersville First Baptist Pastor Kyle Walker, David Franklin, Sheriff Clark Millsap, Commissioner Steve Taylor, Chamber President Cindy Williams, and many more. 🤝 Together, we’re building a culture that supports our students’ well-being and academic success, and we’re just getting started. ✨ Stay tuned for more exciting updates on how Bartow Cares is growing and how you can be part of it! ✨

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: We’re proud to announce that 10 Bartow County schools have earned the “Beating the Odds” designation from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) for their exceptional performance during the 2023–2024 school year! So, what does “Beating the Odds” really mean? According to GOSA, it’s “a statistical analysis that compares a school’s actual performance on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) with the performance of schools with similar characteristics across the state. Schools that perform higher than similar schools are considered ‘Beating the Odds.’” In other words, these schools didn’t just meet expectations—they surpassed them, outperforming schools with similar profiles and past performance indicators. Congratulations to these outstanding schools: 🏆 Euharlee Elementary School 🏆 Mission Road Elementary School 🏆 Allatoona Elementary School 🏆 Clear Creek Elementary School 🏆 Cloverleaf Elementary 🏆 White Elementary School 🏆 Red Top Middle School 🏆 Kingston Elementary School 🏆 Hamilton Crossing Elementary School 🏆 Woodland High School

SUMMER STEM: We wrapped up this week's STEM Camp with a Special Operations drone demonstration and presentation from the Bartow County Sheriff's Office! Another highlight of the day?! Fourth graders running the end of camp awards ceremony! How neat to have elementary age children work the lights and audio in a state-of-the-art facility! You won't find these opportunities anywhere else! #betterinbartow

WOW: Our Seamless Summer Meal Program is off to an incredible start! In just the first three days of operation last week, our team served an amazing 26,692 meals—nearly double the number from this time last year! Awesome work, BCSS Nutrition Department!

FUTURE INNOVATORS: Our free Summer STEM Camp is in FULL SWING, and it's bigger and better than ever! Students are diving into hands-on learning at our new STEM Innovation Center, Esports Arena, and other facilities inside the Bartow County College and Career Academy! From snap circuits and aerial drones to robotics, animation, lighting, and sound, they're exploring it all! These exciting activities are helping students build problem-solving skills, think critically, spark creativity, and prepare for success in a rapidly evolving digital world. #betterinbartow

CODE & CONQUER: Our Emerson Elementary School Robotics Team, the Emerson Encoders, had the experience of a lifetime competing on the global stage at the Western Edge Invitational in California! From hype music and creative pit designs to pin trading, coding, and fierce competition, the Encoders fully emersed themselves in the experience. They returned home energized and equipped with new skills and insights to share with their teammates for the 2025–26 season. Special thanks to our incredible coaches, parents, and generous sponsors. Your support truly turned this dream into reality!

TECH TALK: The Bartow County School System continues to lead in STEM education, and that leadership was on full display at this year’s NWGA RESA STEM Forum, hosted at the Bartow County College and Career Academy. More than a dozen of our educators presented innovative strategies and solutions, while many others attended to gather fresh ideas and bring them back to their classrooms—fueling creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge learning across the school system! #betterinbartow

HAPPY HORIZONS: We’re proud to celebrate 51 remarkable educators who are stepping into retirement this year! Together, they’ve dedicated over 1,380 years to shaping minds, building futures, and strengthening our schools. Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom, into the lives of students, families, and the heart of our community. Thank you for your years of service, your passion, and the legacy you leave behind! #betterinbartow --- Shelly Abernathy, 30 years Dave Adams, 35 years Christine Alderman, 25 years Tracey Alford, 30 years Linda S. Allen, 35 years Jason Arnold, 31 ½ years Tim Ayers, 20 years Molly Bearden, 19 years Cheryl Crawford, 33 years Jacki Culberson, 24 years Scott Cullifer, 30 years Sherry Fleming, 27 years Carla Fowler, 11 years Jessica Gardner, 30 years Regina Gilbert, 10 years Kristi Greger, 30 years Michele Gulledge, 17 years Donna Guyton, 30 years Maura Hammond, 25 years Bruce Harger, 30 years JR Hauger, 23 years Susan H. Hendrix, 24 years Sharon Hibberts, 38 years Dawn Holmes, 25 years Bobby Hughes, 29 years Sherrie Hughes, 35 years Sydney Hughes, 38 years Teresa Kraft, 30 years Jayme Laney, 31 years Kristy Laney, 32 years Susan Long, 20 years Melena Manley, 33 years Kaye Matthews, 34 years Katie McKenzie, 30 years Dr. Tracy Medlock, 35 years Nicky Moore, 30 years Summer Perry, 33 years William Pickel, 21 years Angie Pinkard, 30 years Dedra Rasbury, 23 years David J Rawlins, 29 years Henry Perry Rentz, 29 years John Shepherd, 30 years Lynn Sherman, 38 years Cara Shores, 37 years Terri Justus Smith, 26 ½ years Talina Starr, 18 years Kellie Thompson, 20 years Vicky M. Wade, 27 years Hollie West, 20 years Sherry Young, 27 years [Not all pictured]

THE RESULTS ARE IN: Bartow County showed up and showed out at this year’s Red Apple Run, hosted by the Bartow Education Foundation! 🎉 Top Participating Schools: Adairsville Elementary School Cass Middle School Woodland High School Each of these schools earned a $500 prize, thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors! 💰👏 Ms. Dot Frasier, Executive Director of the Foundation, proudly presented the checks during this week’s System Leadership meeting. With over 250 runners and walkers, the Red Apple Run raised more than $15,000 for the Foundation’s Teacher Grant Program — helping educators bring innovative ideas to life in Bartow classrooms! 🍎📚

LEADING & LEARNING: Do you spot a familiar face? Over 350 Bartow County School System leaders gathered today at the Clarence Brown Conference Center to dive into powerful conversations about Tier 1 instruction — that’s the everyday, high-quality teaching every student receives in the classroom!💡📚 Teachers and administrators are already planning for next year, using real data and teacher feedback to make sure our classrooms keep getting stronger! #betterinbartow #TeamBartow #learning #leading #levelingup

CLASS DISMISSED: The final bell rang, marking a day full of bittersweet goodbyes systemwide! There were tears, cheers, and high-fives as buses rolled away for the last time this school year. System administrators beamed with pride, waving to students, and teachers couldn’t hold back their emotions as students leaned out of bus windows, flashing the “🫶” symbol—a simple gesture that said it all. This isn’t goodbye—it’s “See you later!” To all BCSS students: have an amazing summer filled with fun, rest, and adventure! And don’t forget—Superintendent Terza has a special message just for YOU at 4 p.m. today. Be sure to pick up the phone!

SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM: It's back! Starting June 3, we will be offering meals at no cost to all children 18 years of age and under! The locations are below, but please remember, they are subject to change

SHINING BRIGHT IN BARTOW: Exemplary English Learner 2024-2025: Kevin Mancilla, CHS "Kevin sets high goals and works hard to meet them. Kevin wants to learn, and his education means something to him. After exiting ESOL, Kevin continues to be a leader in school and on the soccer field. He is currently a 10th grader in the Magnet Program at Cass High School, where he has earned his place on the Honor Roll." - Ms. McSwain Congratulations, Kevin, for setting a wonderful example for other multilingual learners.

SHINING BRIGHT IN BARTOW: We are proud to recognize Mrs. Nicole Bezerra as the 2024–2025 Exemplary ESOL Teacher for the Bartow County School System. Nominated by her peers, Mrs. Bezerra is a passionate advocate for her students, ensuring they receive the support and opportunities needed to reach their full potential. She is known for building strong, positive relationships with staff, teachers, administrators, and the families she serves. In just a few short years, Mrs. Bezerra has made a meaningful impact at Woodland High School, Mission Road Elementary, and the Bartow County College and Career Academy. Beyond the classroom, she serves as a mentor to her colleagues—always ready with encouragement and support. Her dedication, leadership, and compassion make her an invaluable member of our ESOL team. We are truly grateful to have Mrs. Bezerra representing excellence in education across our district.

AERO APPRENTICES: Stacy Smith’s 8th grade STEM students spent the year building model airplanes in partnership with the Bartow County Aviation Club—and last week, they took to the skies✈️ Thanks to a $1,000 grant from the club, students built two fully functional model planes, which they successfully flew at Kingston Downs. Club members Mike Viscosi, Richard LeClaire, and Duane Knight worked side-by-side with students throughout the year, bringing real-world aviation experience into the classroom. This project is a powerful example of what’s possible when education and community expertise come together! Thank you, Bartow County Aviation Club!

CENTRAL OFFICE CELEBRATIONS: When you work in a school system and community like this, you have a lot to celebrate! This month, we’re proud to spotlight Jamie McClain, our Courier and Records Officer. From her early days in Registration to her current role in Records, Jamie brings precision, efficiency, and a vibrant spirit to everything she does. She seamlessly juggles multiple responsibilities and consistently goes above and beyond. We’re grateful to have her as a vital part of our team.

BIG BCSS NEWS: White Elementary School has earned the 2024 Gold Award for Greatest Gains from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement—PLACING IN THE TOP 3% OF ALL GEORGIA SCHOOLS FOR ACADEMIC GROWTH OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS! Only 19 schools statewide received the Gold Award this year, and White Elementary is one of just 146 schools recognized for Greatest Gains overall. This achievement reflects the sustained academic progress of our students, made possible by the collaborative efforts of our teachers, staff, and families! Congratulations, Warriors! What a milestone worth celebrating!

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: The countdown to summer break is on, but Cass Middle students are making every moment count! From tug-of-war to dodgeball, the past few days have been filled with laughter, teamwork, and just the right amount of friendly competition. Field Day brought out the best in our students — high fives, big smiles, and memories that will last long after the final bell rings!