Bartow County School System

MEET THE ELITE: Seventeen Bartow County School System students advance in the highly competitive and prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program – the highest number ever recorded in BCSS history. The semifinalists include Adairsville High School juniors Lilith Affolder (Agriculture), Gabriel Greenway (Engineering: Mechanical & Electrical), Skyla Rowland (Visual Arts), and Braden Mathis (World Languages: Spanish), and sophomores Allison Potter (Dance), and Vivian Reyes-Martinez (World Languages: Spanish); Cass High School juniors Jayce Bradford (Computer Science), Caydi Hyde (World Languages: Chinese), Brandy Jordan (Theatre Performance), and Damaya Norwood (Music: French Horn), and sophomores Charlotte Langhans (Music: Flute), Emma Brown (Music: Oboe), Josue Granados (Music: Flute), and Savannah Plumley (Visual Arts); Woodland High School junior Talal Tariq (Mathematics), and sophomores Makai Messier (Music: Euphonium) and Hylan Westberry-Davis (Music: Saxophone). “This year, approximately 4,200 students across the state were nominated to the state-level competition, and nearly 1,500 of them have been selected as semifinalists for the state interviews and auditions,” said BCSS GHP Coordinator Paula Camp. “From music nominations to mathematics, this is a very talented group of Bartow County sophomores and juniors. This is also a record-breaking group. Never before have we seen 17 BCSS students selected as semifinalists in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. That’s a testament to our academically rigorous schools and a sharp focus on results.” The 2024 GHP semifinalists will now have the opportunity to interview or audition at Georgia Southern University on February 24. Finalists and alternates will be announced March 22. Upon acceptance, finalists will participate in the four-week, summer residential program at Georgia Southern University starting June 16. The Governor’s Honors Program remains fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly.

SUPPORTING OUR YOUNGEST STORYTELLERS: Congratulations to the WINNERS of the Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition! Each first-place winner will move on to the regional level! YGA is a platform to inspire and cultivate students' passion for storytelling. It provides an opportunity to showcase their skills, celebrate their achievements, and recognize excellence in the fields of arts and academics! KINDERGARTEN 1st - Levi Wilson, CCES 2nd - Bosch Brique, CLES 3rd - Katie Willoughby, ALES FIRST GRADE 1st - Abbey West, EHES 2nd (tie) - Khloe Hardin, ALES, Collin Harris, MRES SECOND GRADE 1st - Maximo Magana, ALES 2nd - Daxtin Woody, AES 3rd (tie) - Kylie Clance, EHES, Ferrin Hovarth, CCES THIRD GRADE 1st - Pola Anthony, WES 2nd - Annalee Pond - EHES 3rd - Jackie Mercado Pineda, ALES FOURTH GRADE 1st - Victoria Vasquez, ALES 2nd - Noah McDurmon, EES 3rd - Aubrey Schuster, CCES FIFTH GRADE 1st - Gabi Fortier, PLES 2nd - Azaan Muhammad, CLES 3rd - Amery Jones, WES SIXTH GRADE 1st - Isabel McCaffery, WMS 2nd - Cash Gendron, RTMS 3rd - Wade Szweda, AMS SEVENTH GRADE 1st - Kimberlin Smith, WMS 2nd (tie) - Katie Fears, CMS, Brielle Ross, WMS EIGHTH GRADE 1st - Juliann Elderstone, AMS 2nd - Jessica Wigley, WMS 3rd - Allison Snead, WMS NINTH GRADE 1st - Jaylin Simpson, AHS TENTH GRADE 1st - Sidney Lucas, BCCCA ELEVENTH GRADE 1st - Victoria Collins, AHS 2nd - James Barnette, BCCCA 3rd - Alexus Long, AHS TWELFTH GRADE 1st - James Ray Smith, BCCCA

BOARD RECOGNITIONS: DISTRICT SPELLING BEE RUNNER-UP – Madalie Furey, fifth grade student from Clear Creek Elementary School WINNER: Azaan Muhammad, fifth grade student from Cloverleaf Elementary School Azaan will now compete at the GAE Region Spelling Bee on February 24th! Congratulations, Madalie & Azaan! You two represent us well!

BOARD RECOGNITIONS: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Rebecca Dundon, White Elementary School Paraprofessional “Mrs. Dundon takes on every challenge with kindness and a never-quit attitude. Mrs. Dundon began her connection with WES as a parent and transitioned into a paraprofessional position in 2018. Since then, she has served as a kindergarten paraprofessional and currently our Title1 paraprofessional at WES. Staff and students know it is going to be a good day when they see her rolling her orange toolbox down the hall onto her next mission. She understands the value of relationships with staff and students and invests in time with both. You will often find her sitting in the hall helping students strengthen their math skills, facilitating reading interventions during WINN time, or pushing into a class to offer support. She works hard to find strategies that will help each of the students. Her ability to strengthen their confidence in their abilities is remarkable and students have shown tremendous growth. Her dedication to our school, students, and staff is one of the many things that make her such a strong asset to our school. Mrs. Dundon has recently filled the role of Director of the WES Afterschool Program and has done a marvelous job with that as well. Her fair and calm presence puts everyone at ease. Mrs. Dundon is always striving to be better, and she inspires everyone around her to raise the bar and be better as well.” – WES Staff

NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK: Special THANK YOU to our dedicated school counselors! They work tirelessly to support students on their educational journey. Their wisdom, empathy, and guidance are truly invaluable!

A NIGHT TO SHINE: Bartow County students, like Molly, are ready for the red carpet Friday night! A Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted locally at Tabernacle Baptist Church, will provide an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. In addition to the "Honored Guest" signs, attendees will enjoy a hair, makeup, and nail session, shined shoes, a catered meal, limousine ride, and more! We hope everyone feels loved, seen, and spoiled! Special thanks to our local volunteers who are selflessly dedicating their day to honor the KINGS and QUEENS of our community!

HURRY: Registration for our spring college tour closes on Friday! This trip includes UGA, GA College, Valdosta State, Jacksonville University (FL), College of Coastal GA, and GA Southern! Additional details below!

PARENT WORKSHOP: Check out this great opportunity for our parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members! #betterinbartow

STATE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) will honor Adairsville High School Junior Braden Mathis with the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation 2023 Lynn Cobb Student of the Year Award this spring! The nonprofit will present the distinction at its annual affiliate conference on Jekyll Island on May 7. Each year, KGBF celebrates individuals, groups, and organizations that exemplify efforts to protect the state’s environment through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification. Braden was chosen for the KGBF 2023 Lynn Cobb Student of the Year Award following a local nomination process and the recommendations of a team of representatives from multiple environmental agencies. In total, nine individuals or organizations were selected in unique categories. “We’re immensely proud to honor all of our recipients this year,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of KGBF. “Their dedication to improving our environment is truly inspiring, and we’re amazed by their collective accomplishments.” Congratulations, Braden! You are an exceptional Environmental Magnet student!

BARTOW BELIEFS: Our district mentor program is unique to this area and highly beneficial to our new teachers!

BARTOW BELIEFS: Energy, passion, and support; these are all things you'll find in the Bartow County School System!

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT: The new Mission Road Elementary School is looking great! Crews are now working on the stage in the Cafetorium, interior painting, and ceiling tiles, just to name a few tasks! We can't wait for this building to really come alive next academic year when our students join us for Open House!

SWEET SOUND OF SUCCESS: Congratulations to our high school students selected to participate in the prestigious 2024 Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Chorus! Terrianna Flowers, Cass High School Hannah Willoughby, Woodland High School Shyla Pruitt, Woodland High School Annabelle Card, Woodland High School John Sprayberry and Solomon Gardner, Adairsville High School

NOW OPEN: Our school choice application window is open! Details below!

BARTOW BELIEFS: Excelling within the Bartow County School System could mean an opportunity to attend one of the most elite colleges in the Nation!

BARTOW BELIEFS: From academics to athletics, it's always #betterinbartow

BARTOW BELIEFS: Come to Bartow! You won't be disappointed!

GROW IN BARTOW: The District Mentor Program would like to spotlight Dr. JoAnna Bartlett, the Academic Support Teacher at Adairsville High School, and Stephanie Foy, the Learning Support Specialist at the Bartow County College and Career Academy, for exhibiting best practices in mentoring and support in their buildings. JoAnna and Stephanie define what it means to be great in Bartow! Thank you for all the support you offer to our teachers, schools, and this district.

BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Our Winter College Tour is also taking students to the University of Georgia and Mercer University!

STAR STATUS: Meet Adairsville High School's 2023-2024 STAR Student, Callie Viktora, and AHS STAR Teacher, Ms. Christine Alderman! Callie has been named a STAR Student through the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) after earning the highest SAT score in her class. Callie also recognizes her Science Teacher, Ms. Alderman, as her STAR Teacher, or the educator who has had the most impact on her academic development! Congratulations!