ROLL CALL 2025: These Hamilton Crossing Knights are READY for the BEST YEAR EVER! Can't you tell?! Between photo ops with Superintendent Terza, fist bumps, and mascot encounters, we'd say this was one AMAZING day! Sure, there were some tears, but they never last long with a staff like this! #backtoschool2025 #betterinbartow
"BEE" THE CHANGE: You might notice a BEE popping up around our schools and community soon, and it has everything to do with our Bartow Cares 4 U campaign! You’ll learn more about it soon but know this: the initiative is gaining even more momentum following another powerful community collaboration meeting today. As discussed, we have a meaningful opportunity to shape our community culture through the values of kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and hope. Will you join us? Together, we’re building a culture that supports our students’ well-being and academic success!
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES: From the softball field at the University of Georgia to the classroom at Hamilton Crossing Elementary, we’re excited to welcome Miss Sydney Chambley to the Knight family!
"I am thrilled to be a part of the Bartow County community because of its goal of excellence and care for the individual needs of students, faculty, and staff. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing school district."
#NewTeacherSpotlight #betterinbartow
"I am thrilled to be a part of the Bartow County community because of its goal of excellence and care for the individual needs of students, faculty, and staff. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing school district."
#NewTeacherSpotlight #betterinbartow
WE'RE READY: Our K-8 educators continue diving into the new school year with purpose and energy! Check out this full day of professional learning centered on our new reading curriculum, Arts and Letters. Rooted in the Science of Reading, this rigorous program is designed to build deep background knowledge by weaving science, social studies, and the arts into daily literacy instruction. We’re excited to bring this integrated approach into classrooms and strengthen the foundation for every learner!
BIGGER THAN BALL: What a turnout for Cass High School student-athlete Brodie McWhorter’s School Supply Drive! Long lines of families from across the community gathered to receive free school supplies, thanks to Brodie’s new initiative! His commitment to helping others off the field is a powerful reminder that true leadership starts with service!
Kudos to Brodie and all the standout student-athletes across the county who stepped up to support their community! Your teamwork off the field is just as inspiring as your performance on it!
Kudos to Brodie and all the standout student-athletes across the county who stepped up to support their community! Your teamwork off the field is just as inspiring as your performance on it!
ROLLING INTO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR: White Elementary School hit the road in style to kick off the new school year with the WES Welcome Back Bus Parade, and the excitement was contagious!!🚌
Neighborhoods lit up with colorful signs, cheerful waves, and smiling faces as students and staff were welcomed back!
Even Superintendent Terza and Central Office staff joined the fun, stepping outside to soak in the celebration and share in the joy! 👋
This wasn’t just a parade, it was a joy ride into a year full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Let’s go, WES! 📚 #betterinbartow #StartStrong #weswelcomeback
Neighborhoods lit up with colorful signs, cheerful waves, and smiling faces as students and staff were welcomed back!
Even Superintendent Terza and Central Office staff joined the fun, stepping outside to soak in the celebration and share in the joy! 👋
This wasn’t just a parade, it was a joy ride into a year full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Let’s go, WES! 📚 #betterinbartow #StartStrong #weswelcomeback
RESPONSE READY: What began as a conversation between Bartow County School Police Chief Billy Henson and local emergency responders has evolved into a countywide emergency preparedness drill, a level of coordination and commitment unmatched by any other school system or county in the region.
Today’s exercise at WHS brought together multiple public safety agencies and included life flight helicopters landing on campus, all in the name of strengthening response protocols and protecting our students.
This is more than a drill, it’s a reflection of a community that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child.
***These images feature school leaders and first responders who observed and learned from today’s emergency preparedness drill.
To maintain the integrity and confidentiality of our safety protocols, photography, videography, and the sharing of specific details related to the exercise or our security systems were strictly prohibited by the BCSS***
Today’s exercise at WHS brought together multiple public safety agencies and included life flight helicopters landing on campus, all in the name of strengthening response protocols and protecting our students.
This is more than a drill, it’s a reflection of a community that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child.
***These images feature school leaders and first responders who observed and learned from today’s emergency preparedness drill.
To maintain the integrity and confidentiality of our safety protocols, photography, videography, and the sharing of specific details related to the exercise or our security systems were strictly prohibited by the BCSS***
HISTORY-MAKING MOMENTS: A huge congratulations to these outstanding Bartow County School System student-athletes for representing our community at the Southeast Region Tournament in Warner Robins!
⚾️ Baseball
Hayden Stewart (WMS)
Messiah Carter (CMS)
🥎 Softball
Maci Walker (CMS)
Paislee Rooks (AMS)
Madison Evans (AMS)
Remington Sewell (AMS)
Lily Wilson (AMS)
Zaylee Hudson (AMS)
The Cartersville Little League 12U Boys hit the field tomorrow at 4 p.m. Catch all the action live on ESPN!
Meanwhile, the Bartow County 12U Softball Team made us proud earlier this month with an unforgettable performance and memories that will last a lifetime!
⚾️ Baseball
Hayden Stewart (WMS)
Messiah Carter (CMS)
🥎 Softball
Maci Walker (CMS)
Paislee Rooks (AMS)
Madison Evans (AMS)
Remington Sewell (AMS)
Lily Wilson (AMS)
Zaylee Hudson (AMS)
The Cartersville Little League 12U Boys hit the field tomorrow at 4 p.m. Catch all the action live on ESPN!
Meanwhile, the Bartow County 12U Softball Team made us proud earlier this month with an unforgettable performance and memories that will last a lifetime!
BIGGER THAN BALL: This is what leadership looks like! Cass High School senior Brodie McWhorter is making a real difference in our community!
📅This Friday at 6 PM
📍 Hamilton Crossing Park
He's hosting a School Supply Drive, and you're invited! Swing by for FREE school supplies and a chance to have fun with some local football stars:
✨ Bear McWhorter (committed to Michigan!)
✨ Xai Gilbert (Adairsville)
✨ Solly James (Woodland)
✨ Brady Marchese (Cartersville)
🙌 This kind of student-led effort is a first of its kind -- kids helping kids in the best way possible. Proof that young people can lead big change!
📅This Friday at 6 PM
📍 Hamilton Crossing Park
He's hosting a School Supply Drive, and you're invited! Swing by for FREE school supplies and a chance to have fun with some local football stars:
✨ Bear McWhorter (committed to Michigan!)
✨ Xai Gilbert (Adairsville)
✨ Solly James (Woodland)
✨ Brady Marchese (Cartersville)
🙌 This kind of student-led effort is a first of its kind -- kids helping kids in the best way possible. Proof that young people can lead big change!
HONORING HECTOR: The Bartow County School System and Red Top Middle School deeply mourn the loss of Hector Arostegui Rodriguez.
He was a beloved presence within the Miner Family, consistently putting others before himself.
Each morning, before beginning his Exceptional Education classes, Hector greeted everyone with a fist bump and a pat on the shoulder, then helped students find their way to homeroom.
But his day didn’t stop there. Hector also made time to assist guidance counselors, school resource officers, and other staff members, often before the first bell even rang.
“Supporting others was important to Hector and I believed it to be the highlight of his school day,” said Ms. Vicky Neal, Hector’s Exceptional Education teacher. “He was truly an angel in disguise, and I know that my life was made better the day Hector became my student.”
Ms. Neal wholeheartedly considers Hector one of the greatest success stories in the world of education.
“Watching Hector grow tremendously in every domain of development has been the biggest highlight of my career,” said Ms. Neal. “He worked so hard over the years to exceed the limitations that were placed on him.”
Hector was excited to become a Cass High Colonel next week.
Today and always, we honor his legacy of compassion, empathy, and selflessness.
“Because of Hector, we are reminded that angels walk among us, sit next to us, watch us in the community, and even reside in our homes,” added Ms. Neal.
He was a beloved presence within the Miner Family, consistently putting others before himself.
Each morning, before beginning his Exceptional Education classes, Hector greeted everyone with a fist bump and a pat on the shoulder, then helped students find their way to homeroom.
But his day didn’t stop there. Hector also made time to assist guidance counselors, school resource officers, and other staff members, often before the first bell even rang.
“Supporting others was important to Hector and I believed it to be the highlight of his school day,” said Ms. Vicky Neal, Hector’s Exceptional Education teacher. “He was truly an angel in disguise, and I know that my life was made better the day Hector became my student.”
Ms. Neal wholeheartedly considers Hector one of the greatest success stories in the world of education.
“Watching Hector grow tremendously in every domain of development has been the biggest highlight of my career,” said Ms. Neal. “He worked so hard over the years to exceed the limitations that were placed on him.”
Hector was excited to become a Cass High Colonel next week.
Today and always, we honor his legacy of compassion, empathy, and selflessness.
“Because of Hector, we are reminded that angels walk among us, sit next to us, watch us in the community, and even reside in our homes,” added Ms. Neal.
2025 KICKOFF: Join us in welcoming back all of our AMAZING educators from across the county! Who are you excited to see next week? Drop some names below!⬇️⬇️⬇️
DAILY DOSE OF DOT: Our new teachers met the ONE & ONLY, Ms. Dot Frasier, Bartow Education Foundation Executive Director. She LOVES our kids, and we LOVE her! #NewTeacherOrientation #betterinbartow
PERFORMANCE PREP: School leaders aren't the only ones prepping for this brand-new academic year, check out the award-winning Cass Band🎼 #finearts #betterinbartow
PRINCIPAL PREP: We love our Bartow County School System principals and assistant principals! They're going over operations and getting ready to see their kiddos in 11 DAYS for OPEN HOUSE🎉
TRADITION MEETS TRANSFORMATION: New doors of opportunity open at Adairsville High School with the unveiling of its 18-classroom expansion – the first of its kind in more than two decades!
“This addition is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a powerful statement of our commitment to students, teachers, and the future,” said Bartow County School System Superintendent Clint Terza. “Each classroom is filled with natural light and offers stunning views of the campus, creating an environment where math and science students can thrive, explore, and create.”
With enrollment now reaching 1,150 students, Adairsville High School had outgrown its original footprint. Today, the new expansion boasts enough space to accommodate the entire math department, select life science and engineering classes, and dedicated offices for the school resource officer and assistant principal, positioning AHS for continued growth in the years ahead.
“The engineering lab will give Magnet students the opportunity to work with new tools in a space three times larger than their current room,” said AHS Principal Tony Stanfill. “They blow me away every day with their engineering projects, so I can't wait to see what they'll create in this larger space with more tools.”
Just outside the new expansion stands a plaque honoring AHS alumna and longtime Bartow County School Board Member Anna V. Sullivan. A proud member of the Class of 1978 and District 5 representative from February 2012 to December 2024, Sullivan has been a steadfast advocate for Adairsville, especially its athletics, STEM, and Fine Arts programs.
“As a valued school board member and lifelong supporter of learning, her vision, leadership, and passion have left a lasting mark on our schools, students, and community,” added Principal Stanfill. “Her legacy inspires us all to champion the transformative power of education. Onward, Upward, Ever Forward.”
Poignant words for a space rooted in history and hope for the future.
“This addition is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a powerful statement of our commitment to students, teachers, and the future,” said Bartow County School System Superintendent Clint Terza. “Each classroom is filled with natural light and offers stunning views of the campus, creating an environment where math and science students can thrive, explore, and create.”
With enrollment now reaching 1,150 students, Adairsville High School had outgrown its original footprint. Today, the new expansion boasts enough space to accommodate the entire math department, select life science and engineering classes, and dedicated offices for the school resource officer and assistant principal, positioning AHS for continued growth in the years ahead.
“The engineering lab will give Magnet students the opportunity to work with new tools in a space three times larger than their current room,” said AHS Principal Tony Stanfill. “They blow me away every day with their engineering projects, so I can't wait to see what they'll create in this larger space with more tools.”
Just outside the new expansion stands a plaque honoring AHS alumna and longtime Bartow County School Board Member Anna V. Sullivan. A proud member of the Class of 1978 and District 5 representative from February 2012 to December 2024, Sullivan has been a steadfast advocate for Adairsville, especially its athletics, STEM, and Fine Arts programs.
“As a valued school board member and lifelong supporter of learning, her vision, leadership, and passion have left a lasting mark on our schools, students, and community,” added Principal Stanfill. “Her legacy inspires us all to champion the transformative power of education. Onward, Upward, Ever Forward.”
Poignant words for a space rooted in history and hope for the future.
WELCOME RIDE: New twist on an old tradition! At New Teacher Orientation, our newest educators received a BUS TOUR with their teacher mentors! They hopped on a BCSS bus this morning and visited an elementary, middle, and high school in their feeder pattern! Some were even greeted with pomp and circumstance, bands and cheerleaders, when they arrived at schools! #betterinbartow
IMPORTANT GRADUATION DATES: Mark your calendars and get ready for the Class of 2026 to walk across the stage!
Adairsville High School
May 18, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Make-up date May 20, 2026
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Cass High School
May 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Make-up date May 20, 2026
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Woodland High School
May 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Make-up date May 22, 2026
Adairsville High School
May 18, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Make-up date May 20, 2026
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Cass High School
May 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Make-up date May 20, 2026
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Woodland High School
May 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Make-up date May 22, 2026
PENMANSHIP PRIDE: Adairsville Elementary School is keeping the art of cursive alive and thriving!
This week, they have been awarded the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon from the Georgia Department of Education!
Thanks to the dedication of our amazing AES ELA teachers, over 90% of their third-grade students successfully wrote their first and last names in cursive. A portfolio of their work was then submitted to the state.
The GADOE will soon present AES with an official banner to celebrate this achievement!
Next up: the Award of Distinction! With the rollout of new standards, AES students are preparing to write the Preamble to the Constitution in cursive, raising the bar even higher!
These skills build fine motor strength, enhance literacy, and allow students to engage meaningfully with historical texts in their original form!
This week, they have been awarded the John Hancock Banner and Proficiency Ribbon from the Georgia Department of Education!
Thanks to the dedication of our amazing AES ELA teachers, over 90% of their third-grade students successfully wrote their first and last names in cursive. A portfolio of their work was then submitted to the state.
The GADOE will soon present AES with an official banner to celebrate this achievement!
Next up: the Award of Distinction! With the rollout of new standards, AES students are preparing to write the Preamble to the Constitution in cursive, raising the bar even higher!
These skills build fine motor strength, enhance literacy, and allow students to engage meaningfully with historical texts in their original form!
BIG WINS: Let's take a quick look back before we run into a brand-new school year! These are just a FEW milestones from this year!
🔬 STEM Excellence
* Our first elementary school earned State STEM Certification, joining two already-certified middle schools
* The new Esports Arena and STEM Innovation Center are now open and thriving, welcoming thousands of students for hands-on, future-ready learning
🎓 Academic Achievements
* Graduation rate: 95.1% — more than 10% above the state average!
* Record number of AP Scholars celebrated
* SAT average score: 1044 — highest since 2021, beating both state and national averages
* Unprecedented growth on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System
* 12 schools recognized as Literacy and/or Math Leader Schools by the Georgia Department of Education
👏 These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our educators, students, and families. Let’s keep the momentum going!
🔬 STEM Excellence
* Our first elementary school earned State STEM Certification, joining two already-certified middle schools
* The new Esports Arena and STEM Innovation Center are now open and thriving, welcoming thousands of students for hands-on, future-ready learning
🎓 Academic Achievements
* Graduation rate: 95.1% — more than 10% above the state average!
* Record number of AP Scholars celebrated
* SAT average score: 1044 — highest since 2021, beating both state and national averages
* Unprecedented growth on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System
* 12 schools recognized as Literacy and/or Math Leader Schools by the Georgia Department of Education
👏 These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our educators, students, and families. Let’s keep the momentum going!
SNEAK PEEK: Check out a few of our awesome kiddos on the cover of our new Student Handbook! We can't wait to see our teachers next week and our students August 6th for the first day of school! BIG things are happening in Bartow!
