Adairsville Elementary School Tigers roared with excitement as the Bartow County School System unveiled a new Learning Hub in their school – the first of 16 countywide!
From media centers to Learning Hubs, they are an extension of the classroom with a focus on literacy and collaboration in all things Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM),” said Paula Camp, director of Advanced Learning, STEM, and Gifted programs.
The transformation at AES included 3D Robo printers, Marty robots, drones, desktop computers, tablets, color printer, charging cart, clear touch panel, collaborative and makerspace tables, reading couch, book theater, recording area, and an updated morning announcement desk.
“Our book theater, as our second graders have named it, is a tiered reading area where we teach reading lessons with a class of students,” said AES Principal Melissa Zarefoss. “It is exciting to have the updated and added technology so that all students can be exposed to technologies that are vital for success in today’s marketplace. It is our goal that all students will have a general working knowledge and firm technological foundation before they leave for middle school.”
Last year, while in the fourth year of STEM implementation, the BCSS saw a need to extend standards-based STEM instruction into media centers. A subcommittee was formed, post-secondary visits were made, and the design stage began.
“We anticipate new Learning Hubs in all elementary and middle schools by next academic year,” said Camp. “Each space is individualized and a direct reflection of the schools STEM implementation plan. These spaces will facilitate a new level of learning that is not just inviting and updated but allows students, community members, parents, and teachers access to digital spaces, content creation, and STEM integration in a collaborative and social environment.”
The next transformation will be unveiled May 16 at Red Top Middle School.
All projects are fully funded through federal coronavirus relief efforts.
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: White Elementary School 5th Grader Joshua Fuentes worked hard for several months to fulfill a self-goal and earn a visit from his HERO, Sacovie White! Joshua did it and Sacovie graciously stepped up and made it happen!
Sacovie is a junior at Cass High School and will play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs after graduation!
These smiles literally SAY IT ALL!
SCHOOL NUTRITION HERO DAY: Take a look at these superheroes; the ones who make sure our students are fed, loved, and ready to learn! Who needs a cape when you have an apron?!!
[Several superheroes present, but not all👩🍳]
SERVING UP SUCCESS: Look who served up dozens of waffles today! In appreciation of our teachers at Hamilton Crossing Elementary, the HCES Leadership students, Bartow County School Police, Bartow County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol, and Cass coaches dished up deliciousness to many deserving educators! Special thanks to BCSS Officer Donnie Scott for showing our young men how to be leaders in our wonderful community!
THE MOST MEMORABLE MEET UPS: A story as sweet as these sugar snap peas! White Elementary School kindergarten students grew delicious strawberries and peas for the Tiger Lily Estates Assisted Living and Memory Lane Family! ESOL Teacher Jennifer Martin connected the two communities, and now, guess what? The TLE family is planning a "field trip" to meet our amazing students and garden!
CENTRAL OFFICE CELEBRATIONS: When you work in a school system and community like this, you have a lot to celebrate! And, if you know Superintendent Page, then you know he likes to celebrate the RIGHT WORK. In the Bartow County School System, the right work supports learning, collaboration, and results. That's what we value.
This month, we celebrate and honor Clint Terza, our Chief Leadership and Learning Officer! Clint brings decades of experience and knowledge in education, but moreover, he ALWAYS brightens the workplace with his positivity and friendly demeanor! He makes us all better! Congratulations, Clint!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: Bartow County College and Career Academy students! The Academy is such a rare find! Open its doors and you might just see welding, CPR training, pig dissections, cosmetologists, and so much more! It's such a unique experience!
A SUMMER OF STEM: Didn't get into our Summer STEM Camp? Don't worry! Check out these AMAZING STEM camps offered by Georgia Highlands College!
BACKPACK BUDDIES 5K: Dust off those running shoes and gear up for our 7th Annual 2023 Downtown Cartersville 5K and Fun Run August 26 in support of the Backpack Buddies initiative.
The Backpack Buddies program feeds more than 1,000 students a week in both county and city schools. They receive a bag every Friday containing nutritious, self-serve foods that will sustain them when school meals are not available.
Sign up today and support this worthy cause!
https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cartersville/TheDowntownCartersville5K
EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION INFORMATION SESSION: What is Exceptional Education? What is an IEP? How do I prepare for a meeting? If you’ve had these questions or some of your own, please join us tomorrow, May 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the Central Registration cafeteria (2220 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy, Building B). Mrs. Tania Amerson, Director of Exceptional Education, will share important information – in Spanish and English – and there will be time for a question-and-answer session. Families from all schools are invited!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: Kingston Elementary School students! Perfect day for enjoying their one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom, listening to the sweet sounds of their new ukuleles, and so much more!
MAKING HISTORY: Do you know any middle school student who's amazing at graphic design and understands history so well that he's able to create real, meaningful flags for cities? No? Well, meet Redman. He is all that and more. 11 Alive reporters were so intrigued, they did a story on him. Check it out!
https://www.11alive.com/video/news/local/city-in-indiana-adopts-flag-created-by-atlanta-middle-schooler/85-156ba904-564d-449b-b6ce-9b7bea8cfa3b
APPLE OF OUR EYE: Take a good look at these two students, Paige Forman and Ally Schmanski! You might just see them back in a Bartow classroom one day as a teacher!
This week, we celebrated these students on Future Georgia Educators Day! They attend the Bartow County College and Career Academy, and their commitment to a career in education is impressive! Good luck, Paige and Ally! We are very proud of you!
SUMMER REGISTRATION: If you have summer registration needs, please note the new hours below!
SOARING...AS ONLY THESE EAGLES CAN DO: Oh, just a day in the life of Emerson Elementary School students! From regions to chickens, these students are finishing up their essential standards and having fun!
GREEN THUMBS: The Taylorsville Garden Club, also known as the Sprouts, know the old adage "you reap what you sow." They planted an assortment of salad greens from seed in February and were able to harvest them twice! Their first harvest consisted of a salad party during Garden Club, and the second harvest was this week! The Sprouts gave the greens to TES Cafe Manager Cassandra Simmons, and she prepared them to serve schoolwide! We loved hearing kids come through the lunch line, saying, "I made that!"
TES Sprouts consists of students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It runs year-round and is led by Georgia Holt, with help from multiple members of the TES community (Desiree Molinaro, Kim Kuykendall, Jessica Gardner, and Diane Myers)!
CONNECTION CHANGES EVERYTHING: These Adairsville Middle School students, along with other Bartow County School System middle and high school students, participate in a powerful culture-shifting movement called Whisper. Students wanting to be a part of the solution to end social isolation and loneliness, lead through simple conversations.
For more information, read the summer press release posted below.
Amazing work, BCSS middle and high schools! Way to be difference makers in your school community!
---
If you listen closely, you can hear a whisper in Adairsville Middle School. It is not a murmur, mutter, or mumble, though, it is a movement that is raising student leaders, fighting back against loneliness and isolation, and changing the lives of students one conversation at a time.
“The community needs to understand that we are living in an epidemic of loneliness,” said Whisper Founder Bryan Davidson. “Seventy-three percent of Generation Z say they feel alone, and students are showing more signs of anxiety and depression than before COVID-19.”
In an effort to reverse nationwide trends, Whisper, a local, nonprofit organization, landed at AMS during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Whisper is a grassroots movement that empowers students to change the culture of their school through the power of simple conversations.
“We are all created as relational beings,” added Davidson. “We’re made for each other. But when we’re alone, isolated, and lonely, we fail to thrive. We become islands. Conversation is a bridge that brings us together.”
Every Whisper movement begins with fire starters – the few who take ownership of the movement and spread it to others.
Meet David Coon, a recent eighth-grade graduate and fire starter.
“Whisper helps kids break out of what I call a ‘shell’ that they lock themselves into,” said Coon. "They won't talk to anyone or tell anyone what is going on, but Whisper has stopped that.”
Whisper identifies and equips leaders like David with the tools needed to facilitate meaningful interactions with friends and peers and host weekly gatherings.
Whisper worked. From a handful of AMS students to more than 300; they came together to teach and experience relational needs, such as respect, encouragement, support, compassion, and appreciation.
“It really helped so many kids and made the school a better place,” said Coon. "We made it to where almost none of those kids were locked in a ‘shell.’ Kids that didn’t talk to anyone would stop in the hallways to talk. That was the goal and the impact of Whisper.”
“Whisper is one of, if not the most, empowering student movements I've ever seen,” added AMS Principal Tony Stanfill. “The student leaders did an amazing job of first learning how to effectively communicate, then lead their peers in conversation, confidence, self-worth/awareness, and kindness towards their follow classmates. The culture changed. Students would say hello and ask, ‘How is your day going, Mr. Stanfill?’ They really wanted to know how others were doing.”
Whisper, founded in 2018, had only been in high schools until now. Since its recent success at AMS, you can anticipate this culture shift in additional schools come fall.
Whisper is the name of the movement, but the results are shout worthy.
NOW'S THE TIME, NURSES: Join our award-winning System!
*Must hold minimum of LPN licensure* Additional details below!
GRAB THOSE TISSUES: Kymoni's story is one we can ALL learn from.
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/adairsville-high-school-senior-thrives-despite-losing-parents
THE ROAD TO GRADUATION AND BEYOND: KYMONI'S STORY
When FOX5 learned about Adairsville High School Senior Kymoni Pullum's story, they just had to meet him! So, today, they traveled from downtown Atlanta to small town Adairsville to share his amazing story of perseverance. After losing both parents, Kymoni made the decision to overcome all obstacles and achieve the unimaginable. We are so proud of him. Watch FOX5 at 4, 5, and 6 tonight for the full story.
FULL BCSS ARTICLE: https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/1084951
