Bartow County School System

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

SUPPLIES 4 SUCCESS: It's that time of year! Registration is now OPEN for the Bless Coalition's Supplies 4 Success event! Use the link below to register for FREE school supplies, backpacks, and other items come July! https://supplies4success.blesscoalition.org/

REMEMBERING BRANDON: "Brandon was the kid that ran from the main building to the field house every day for practice because he loved it," said Cass High School Head Football Coach Steve Gates. "He was the kid that slapped his helmet out of frustration when he’d step with the wrong foot in offensive line drills because he wanted to show Coach he could do it right. He was loved by his teammates just for his eagerness to learn football and do everything right on and off the field. He left us with four A’s in his four classes. He was the perfect Colonel." [picture: front right]

IN MEMORIAM: The Bartow County School System mourns the loss of Cass High School Magnet Student Brandon Crawford. Brandon was only a freshman, but he made his mark as a Colonel, always “loving blue and living gold” before he suddenly passed away in a car accident over the weekend. Brandon played on the offensive line for the Cass High School Football Team and took honors courses as part of the International Studies Magnet Program at CHS. Moreover, students and staff say his “energy, larger-than-life smile, laugh, and infectious personality” made Brandon stand out at Hamilton Crossing Elementary School, Cass Middle School, and CHS. He never missed an opportunity to go back to his alma mater to thank a deserving educator for his continued academic success. “He was an absolute joy to be around,” said CHS Counselor Andrew Griffin. “He was such a benefit and blessing to our school.” We ask that you please join us in remembering 14-year-old Brandon and the entire Mason Family during this devastating time. Extra counselors and support will be provided throughout the week at Bartow County schools.

YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS: 11 Alive's Kaitlyn Ross visited Adairsville High School today to interview Callie Viktora and her mother, Sharon Viktora! Why? Well, listen to this; Callie is a THIRD GENERATION VALEDICTORIAN! That's right! Callie, her mother, AND grandmother were ALL named valedictorians...AT THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL! This exclusive story and all of its UNBELIEVEABLE interviews will air in about two weeks, and we will be sure to let you know all the details then!

SUMMER MEALS: Our award-winning School Nutrition staff is at it again - serving up hot meals at NO COST this summer to children ages 18 and under! We've added about 25 meal pick-up locations! Click the link below to find out where! https://bartowsummerfeedingsites2024.my.canva.site/

A FOND FAREWELL: Join us at Mission Road Elementary School this Sunday from 2-4 p.m. to celebrate its legacy before the building is torn down. We look forward to seeing current and former students, teachers, and staff members!

SAVE THE DATE: Did you know that the Bartow County School System is transforming a portion of the College and Career Academy and turning it into a brand-new Esports Arena and Innovation STEM Lab? Be the first to check it out on June 8 at 11 a.m. It's a sneak peek🎉 Hear from industry professionals, educators, administrators, and community partners about the tremendous impact of Esports and STEM on the K12 learning environment! Tour the facilities and experience the technology! Additional details below!

A RACE TO GRADUATION 2024: This Senior Walk at Hamilton Crossing Elementary was a tearjerker! From parents to teachers to students, it was a wonderful send off for the Class of 2024! HCES students know how to send them off in style, too! They wrote hundreds of cards and literally covered our seniors up in love and well wishes!

LOOKING FORWARD: Our principals met with incoming Superintendent Clint Terza today to start the development of our five-year implementation plan!🎉

PINE LOG POWERHOUSE UPDATE: Yes, Brooklyn Grace rocked her song at the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta, and yes, she is also loving this new BCSS braille Scrabble game! A true testament to the power of accessibility in fun and learning! #blindkidscan

SIGNING DAY: Seven Adairsville High School and Bartow County College and Career Academy students committed to a career in education during Georgia Future Educators Signing Day! They have had the opportunity to complete internships and spend more than 250 hours observing and working with children and teachers in our local schools. Some students even earned college credit through the Teaching as a Profession Pathway. While the agreement the students signed was not a legal, binding agreement, it was a great way to express their commitment to a future career. We are so grateful for the difference they will make in the lives of Georgia's future youth! BCCCA Signing Day: Hannah Bohannon - Georgia Highlands College Skyler Goodson - Georgia Highlands College Caroline Reeves - Berry College Alexis Collum - Georgia Highlands College College representatives in attendance: Mrs. Leslie Johnson, Campus Dean at Georgia Highlands College Dr. Jill Cochran, Director of Teacher Education and Professor of Math Education at Berry College Adairsville Signing Day: Sara Brown - Dalton State Brayden Butler- Kennesaw State Jaden Watson - University of North Georgia College representatives in attendance: Dr. Sharon Hixon, Dalton State Dean of the School of Education Mr. Ethan Pearson, University of North Georgia Regional Recruiter

GROW IN BARTOW: The District Mentor Program would like to spotlight Sha Ristroph, Learning Support Specialist at Mission Road Elementary School, Erin Henson, Academic Support Teacher at Woodland High School, Kim Holland, ILT at Cass Middle School, and Keith Trotter, Exceptional Education Teacher at Adairsville Middle School for exhibiting best practices in mentoring and support in their buildings. Sha, Erin, Kim, and Keith define what it means to be great in Bartow! Thank you for all the support you offer to our teachers, schools, and this district.

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK: Our nurses' care, dedication, and kindness make our schools healthier and happier places! They play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of students, staff, and the entire school community. From comforting a homesick child to handling medical emergencies, school nurses are always there with compassion, expertise, and a smile. Join us in celebrating the BEST OF THE BEST! AES: Carla Hardy ALES: Lauren Shearman AHS: Amber Stanfill AMS: Susan Long CCES: Joanna Norman CHS: Virginia Rensel CLES: Ashley Herndon CMS: Mary Ann Hardy EES: Alison Cronin EHES: Darlene Brown HCES: Terresa Holden KES: Lauren Lyle MRES: Truedisha Knight PLES: Ashton Johnson RTMS: Stacey Roberts TES: Kayla Smith WES: Alyxandria Chastain WHS: Thao Pham WMS: Tori Yarborough System Lead: Cary Eldridge

UMMER BUNDLE: Anything better than seeing a child develop a love for literacy? 📚🥰📚 Thanks to the Bookmobile and our L4 Georgia grant money, every pre-K and kindergarten student will soon get a summer bookbag and books! These pre-K kiddos at the Bartow County College and Career Academy LOVED IT! Pine Log, you are up next! The Bookmobile will visit on Monday!

A TEAM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Red Top Middle School and its sixth grade social studies collaboration team, which consists of Katie Hamilton and Dana Walters with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award! Katie Hamilton and Dana Walters 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. Katie Hamilton and Dana Walters 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 28th collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!