Bartow County School System

The Tiger Family welcomes back Sarah Callaway as the new principal of Adairsville Middle School! “I was ecstatic,” said Callaway. “I began my educational career at AMS when I was just 21 years old, and it feels like life has come full circle as I return now as the principal.” Callaway is starting her 17th year in education. All but last year were spent serving AMS in different capacities. “I get emotional when I think about leading such an outstanding school,” added Callaway. “The school and the community are such a gem. AMS has amazing staff, students, and community stakeholders. To think I have been given the opportunity to work alongside teachers and staff that embody what a school family should feel like is humbling.” Throughout the years, Callaway worked alongside her school family as a classroom teacher, instructional lead teacher, and assistant principal. Callaway helped lead AMS to state STEM certification and utilized her expertise to present at multiple STEM forums throughout the state. Additionally, Callaway earned the AMS Teacher of the Year title in 2014-15 and an Instructional Lead Teacher Award in 2019. Callaway also served as a teacher mentor and grant writer, earning several grants herself over the years. “I look forward to collaborating with staff to continue the outstanding work being done at AMS and to build on the strong foundation already in place,” said Callaway. “Together, we will learn and grow, setting high expectations for ourselves and our students to ensure the best educational outcomes. I am also committed to continuing to foster and strengthen our ties with the community, which is invaluable in supporting our school and enhancing the experiences of our students.” Callaway is described as driven, dedicated, and goal oriented. With a background in coaching several sports, including cross country, track, and basketball, Callaway enjoys watching her sons, Jack and Henry, play sports. “School did not come easy to me,” said Callaway. “I struggled to read, and I became a teacher to make an impact on students like myself. When I'm not at school, you can find me watching my boys play sports, in my garden, or playing pickleball.”

SUMMER STEM CAMP: The Bartow County School System Voyager STEM Camp is underway! We went to a full day camp and added new technology and activities this year! Students are enjoying drones, spheros, robotics, VR headsets, investigating electricity with snap circuits, launching payloads, and designing a real video game, just to name a few exciting activities! The student volunteers from our high schools did a great job, as well! Can't wait for day two!

SUMMER LEARNING: We just wrapped up a great week of Summer Intervention! Our students are doing a wonderful job learning the last of their essential standards!

SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM: Another 5,000 free meals were served today by the BEST school nutrition staff in the BEST community in the Nation 🍊🍎🥕🌽🍔🍽

SMILES FOR MILES: Our ESOL Summer Learning Camp is in full swing! Two weeks of memory-making fun for our ESOL students AND Superintendent Clint Terza and Deputy Superintendent Christian Suttle! They like to get in on the summer fun, too! We love having engaging teachers and school leaders!

BCSS SUCCESS: Great first day for our Summer Intervention and Summer Feeding programs! Today, we served more than 5,800 meals in our community!

Adairsville Middle School Principal Tony Stanfill led the charge to transform AMS into the very first state STEM certified school in the county, so it was no surprise that he jumped at the chance to lead Adairsville High School, home of the Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Technology, and Math! “I am deeply honored and excited to become Adairsville High’s next principal,” said Stanfill. “I appreciate Superintendent Terza and the school board for having faith in me to continue the excellent Magnet program and to continue to raise the academic standards for all kids. I absolutely loved everything about AMS, but I am excited to get back to my high school roots.” Stanfill started his educational career as a high school English teacher in Alabama and the west central part of Georgia. After 14 years in that role and others, Stanfill served as an assistant principal in Cusseta, Georgia, before moving to Bartow County. While in the Bartow County School System, Stanfill worked one year as an assistant principal at Cass Middle School and the last seven years as principal of AMS. “AMS and AHS are special because they have a small-town feel,” said Stanfill. “We say we are all family and it's true. Of all the places I have ever worked, Adairsville has been the most special because everyone is friendly and has pride in their community. It is truly an exceptional place. It might sound cliche, but until you live here, send your kids to school here, attend church here, and participate in sports here, you will never know.” Stanfill’s wife, Amber, is also a proud Tiger. She has been a nurse at the high school for the last eight years. Their two daughters, Olivia (12) and Hailey (9), also sport the green and gold and are filled with the “306 pride.” “I can’t wait to open the new school building addition in the coming months,” added Stanfill. “I also look forward to handing my former students’ their diplomas as they walk across the stage on graduation day!”

SWEARING IN: New Bartow County School System Superintendent Clint Terza takes his oath of office tonight before Bartow County Probate Court Judge Barry B. Greene. He was surrounded by his family, fellow board members, community leaders, and constituents!

ALMOST THERE: FREE summer meal services through the Bartow County School System start next Tuesday! Click link for exact locations! https://bartowsummerfeedingsites2024.my.canva.site/...

ADVANCED LEARNING POST-PLANNING: Did you know that Woodland High and Cass High will be getting Vex Robotics teams next academic year? Coaches were being trained on that today, while FIRST LEGO League Robotics coaches, Media Specialists, Gifted and STEM teachers learned about a wide range of other topics, including innovative technology for the classroom or learning hubs!

SYSTEM GUIDING COALITION WORKSHOP: Check out some of your favorite teachers and administrators enjoying a day of collaborative planning to get ready for the 2024-2025 school year! #betterinbartow

A TEAM AWARD: Incoming Superintendent Clint Terza and system leaders present the Bartow County College and Career Academy and its CTAE team, which consist of Alison Burkhalter, Greg Magee, Mike Beavers, Cicily Hardin, and Jonathan Wallin with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award! Alison Burkhalter, Greg Magee, Mike Beavers, Cicily Hardin, and Jonathan Wallin exemplify the three big ideas of our Professional Learning Communities culture as they continually demonstrate a focus on learning, collaboration, and results. Through observations and conversations with each team member, it is evident this team uses the PLC process to work together with collective responsibility for student learning. They ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum for all their students, use common formative assessments to monitor student learning, use common assessment data to improve teaching and learning practices, and support the RTI process by providing systematic interventions and extensions for all students. Alison Burkhalter, Greg Magee, Mike Beavers, Cicily Hardin, and Jonathan Wallin will now present at an upcoming school board meeting, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system. This is our 30th collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award! Congratulations!

A TEAM AWARD: Incoming Superintendent Clint Terza and system leaders present Adairsville Elementary School and its first grade reading and math collaboration teams, which consist of Debbie Coker, Kellie Dailey, Kaitlyn Greene, Amy Joslin, Tina Wilcox, Amanda Carter, Brooke Green, and Britney Ouellette with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award! Debbie Coker, Kellie Dailey, Kaitlyn Greene, Amy Joslin, Tina Wilcox, Amanda Carter, Brooke Green, and Britney Ouellette exemplify the three big ideas of our Professional Learning Communities culture as they continually demonstrate a focus on learning, collaboration, and results. Through observations and conversations with each team member, it is evident this team uses the PLC process to work together with collective responsibility for student learning. They ensure a guaranteed and viable curriculum for all their students, use common formative assessments to monitor student learning, use common assessment data to improve teaching and learning practices, and support the RTI process by providing systematic interventions and extensions for all students. Debbie Coker, Kellie Dailey, Kaitlyn Greene, Amy Joslin, Tina Wilcox, Amanda Carter, Brooke Green, and Britney Ouellette will now present at an upcoming school board meeting, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system. This is our 29th collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award! Congratulations!

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION: Today, we celebrate the retirements of Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page and Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Chiprany. A "dream team" would be an appropriate name for these two outstanding educational leaders as they have greatly contributed to the options, opportunities, success, and dreams of thousands of Bartow County students over the past five years! We are eternally thankful. Read more about Dr. Page and Dr. Chiprany in the links below! https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/1338308 https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/1338303 The Savoy Automobile Museum opened its doors, and it was standing room only this afternoon as some of their closest friends and family honored the educators and recognized their remarkable contributions in the field of education.

CLASS DISMISSED: School's out for the SUMMER! Thank you to our students, staff, families, and community for an INCREDIBLE history-making year! It's an annual tradition for the BCSS leadership team to send off students in style on the last day! This year, they picked Hamilton Crossing Elementary School! The fifth graders took their final lap around the school, and everyone said a fond farewell to their beloved HCES Principal, Lynn Robertson, as she retires.

SMILE LIKE TITUS: The Bartow County School System Family is completely heartbroken over the loss of Titus Mason, Brandon’s brother, and our 6-year-old Knight at Hamilton Crossing Elementary School. Titus fought and fought hard while prayer circles formed all over the community this week. Titus, our taekwondo-loving, full of life and laugher kindergartener in Mrs. Gilstrap’s class, would have graduated this week. His seat sat empty on stage, and now we are left celebrating his life and legacy. His former teachers say he could light up a room with his smile and humor. “He was our class clown,” said HCES Pre-K Paraprofessional Miranda Crowe. “He loved showing off his dance moves and making us laugh. He had a serious side when it came to everyone following the rules, though. He was a born leader.” “He had a big personality and definitely a smile that could light up a room,” added HCES Pre-K Teacher Crystal Hill. “He always looked out for his classmates and tried to cheer anyone up who felt sad. He had a heart of gold.” This year, his teachers took notice of his ability to “read a room” at such a young age and always remarked that he was an “old soul who was wise beyond his years.” To celebrate and honor sweet Titus and that award-winning grin, his teachers would love everyone to #smilelikeTITUS today and every day.

APPRECIATION LUNCHEON: THANK YOU, Read to Grow volunteers and mentors for your important work this year in the Bartow County School System! The Read to Grow initiative began in the 2018-19 school year after a conversation between Mr. David Franklin and Superintendent Page. A partnership began to help ensure students are reading on grade level by third grade. What started in four elementary schools has expanded to serve all first grade students across 12 schools. Mentor Bartow is a friendship-based program that guides children and youth toward personal and academic success. Started by community leaders through Bartow Collaborative, mentors help increase student attendance and achievement and reduce negative behaviors. If you would like to be a Read to Grow volunteer or mentor, please contact Kristy Mitchell at kristy.mitchell@bartow.k12.ga.us.

CENTRAL OFFICE CELEBRATIONS: When you work in a school system and community like this, you have a lot to celebrate! This month, we celebrate and honor Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page. He's our Atlanta Braves-loving fearless leader whom we will all miss dearly when he retires in a few short days! The achievements our school system has seen under his leadership over the past five years are innumerable. From being Internationally recognized as a Model PLC System to the highest graduation rates to date, he certainly makes us all better!

FOND FAREWELL: We are saying goodbye to 52 Bartow County family members! These retirees have a heart for children, and we couldn't be more thankful for their wonderful service over the years! Thank you, Bartow Education Foundation, for hosting today's retirement celebration and Mr. Josh McWhorter, Mr. Bobby Wilder, and Mr. Rufus Cantrell for the incredible retirement gifts you provided. Brenda Gail Ball, 30 years Alison Burkhalter, 30 years Robin Burns, 23 years Sandra Burt, 26 years Wendy Carringer, 36 years Dr. David Chiprany, 32 years Tommy Coker, 11 years Jennifer Colston, 33 years Tim Cox, 28 years Tammy Croft, 27 years Jason Dailey, 30 years Macy Defnall, 31 years Scott Evans, 29 years Karen M. Farr, 16 years Melissa Forsyth, 30 years Brenda Fowler, 26 years R. David Freeman, 30 years Vicki Gaither, 25 years Mia Gilstrap, 31 years Dawn Gray, 22 years Amy Greulich, 32 years Eric Harris, 30 years Jenna Harris, 31 years Jeanette Harris, 21 years Lynn Huskins, 40 years Burt Jackson, 30 years Pam Johns, 19.5 years Juliane Johnson, 30 years Cheri Kienitz, 20 years Rich Lind, 25 years Teri Marley, 40 years Donna L. Mathias RN, 10 years Richard Michienzi, 14 years Joe Millsaps, 15 years Desiree Molinaro, 31 years James Morris, 30.5 years Deborah Nation, 31 years Kristi Nunez, 26 years Michelle Ogles, 29 years Dr. Phillip Page, 35 years Kelli Patrick, 20 years Shirley Propes, 10.5 years Robin Rickles, 32 years Maria Rittenhouse, 23 years Lynn Robertson, 39 years Linda J. Stauring, 10 years Fred Sylvester, 30 years Lisa A. Tackett, 30 years Dr. Kelly Wade, 30 years Theresa Lynn Walker, 27.5 years Debra Warren, 24 years Joe Young, 32 years

SERVICE WITH A SMILE: If you know Bartow County School Police Officer Donnie Scott, you know he leads his community well! He started Men's Leadership groups at Adairsville Middle, Cass Middle, Red Top Middle, Hamilton Crossing Elementary, and Kingston Elementary. Today, at RTMS, Officer Scott helped students display their new leadership skills while making and delivering waffles to the staff! Thank you for investing in our students the way you do! Also, special thanks to those who played an integral part in today's success - Bartow County School Police Chief Billy Henson, Cartersville Police Department Chief Deputy Terry Ellis, RTMS Principal Dr. Dickey, Coach Ken Baker, and Marty Moore! #betterinbartow