Bartow County School System

COMMITTED: Students coming back to teach; it's a common trend in Bartow County! Check this out at Cass High School! * Mrs. Kelly Agan, English Department Lead & Class of 2000 * Mr. Kevin Cunningham, CTAE Teacher, Head Boys Basketball Coach & Class of 1996 * Mrs. Christie Barnett, Social Studies Department Lead, Head Cheerleading Coach & Class of 2005 Thank you so much for your dedication to our school system!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Our Pine Log Powerhouse, Brooklyn Grace, is at it again! At the end of this academic year, she has learned all 189 braille contractions and met her goal to read 35 words per minute on a grade level text! Wow! Celebrate with us, Bartow County Family! 🙌🏾🎉

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: New Cass High School Alumnus Parker Dunn is headed to the United States Military Academy West Point! Back in August, Parker told us about his dream to join a military academy, and we’re pleased to announce that his dream is coming true! Congratulations, Parker! Your commitment to excellence is impressive.

LEADING & LEARNING: School and System leaders excitedly took part in Guiding Coalition collaborative work sessions today at the Clarence Brown Conference Center to analyze data and discuss where we've been and where we're going next academic year. What a great time to be a part of this System! Fifteen out of 19 traditional schools nationally recognized for increasing student achievement, nearly all schools District STEM certified, one State STEM certified, and graduation rates reaching record highs once again! Always #betterinbartow 🥇

OFFICIALLY RETIRED: Congratulations, to our retirees! Our utmost gratitude for their continuous support of the Bartow County School System and Bartow Education Foundation! Connie Abernathy, 9 years, Food Service Assistant, Cloverleaf Elementary School Holli Smith Leach, 30 years, Teacher, Adairsville High School Marilyn Anderson, 35 years, Teacher, Euharlee Elementary Kelly P. Lemon, 31 years, Reading Specialist, Mission Road Elementary School Mavis Allen, 10 years, Custodian, Adairsville High School Robert Lingerfelt, 20 years, Bus Driver, Transportation Department Elizabeth J. Ballenger, 17 years, Teacher, Red Top Middle School Annette Lively, 23years, Lead Nurse, Central Office Jan Barnett, 32 years, Bus Driver, Transportation Department Elizabeth Lorenz, 26 years, Nurse, Woodland Middle School Mary Brown, 20 years, Administrative Assistant, Transitional Academy Sherrion Mays-Lee, 26 years, Teacher, Cass High School Gayle Collum, 18 years, Paraprofessional, Adairsville High School Alicia Mecum, 17 years, Teacher, Emerson Elementary School Dr. Sharon Collum, 32 years, Executive Director of Federal Programs, Central Office Patsy Meyers, 26 years, Teacher, Kingston Elementary School Rebecca Cowan, 31 years, Counselor, Mission Road Elementary School Dorthey Morris, 39 years, Bus Driver, Transportation Department Joan Dean, 28 years, Teacher, Woodland High School Brian Mosher, 41 years, Teacher, Woodland Middle School Hayes Dunnam, 28 years, Teacher, Allatoona Elementary Billie Pippin, 35 years, Nurse, Woodland High School Samuel Edwards, 17 years, Teacher, Cass Middle School James Potter, 10 years, Teacher, Adairsville High School John L. Finck, 30 years, Teacher, Cass High School Lori Pyle, 32 years, Teacher, Mission Road Elementary School Marty Garrett, 22 years, Teacher, Euharlee Elementary School Tammy Ragus, 30 years, Teacher, Cass High School Beverly Gatlin, 21 years, Teacher, Woodland High School Alice Ray, 25 years, Bus Driver, Transportation Department Katherine Goodwin, 17 years, Bus Monitor, Transportation Department Kelly Roberts, 30.5 years, Diagnostician, Central Office Lisa Marie Gore, 30 years, Teacher, Mission Road Elementary Dr. Cindy Schwartz, 34 years, Teacher, Woodland Middle School Elizabeth A. Gudger, 23 years, Administrative Assistant, Euharlee Elementary School Sandra K. Shiflett, 26 years, Teacher, White Elementary School Lance Hall, 36 years, Teacher, Adairsville High School Brandy Posey Sloan, 28.5 years, Bookkeeper, Woodland Middle School Shelley Harger, 34 years, Teacher, Emerson Elementary School Edith Springfield, 10 years, Paraprofessional, Emerson Elementary School Angie Hice, 28 years, Teacher, Adairsville Elementary School Cindy Stewart, 32 years, Teacher, Adairsville High School Brent Higdon, Posthumous, 28 years, Teacher, Euharlee Elementary School Donna Thomas, 30 years, Counselor, Cass High School Brittney S. Holland, 30 years, Teacher, Cass High School Marlo Wade, 30 years, Teacher, Euharlee Elementary School Lorraine Kendrick, 26 years, Administrative Assistant, Cass High School Michelle Williams, 16 years, Bus Driver, Transportation Department Lannette Layton, 22 years, Teacher, White Elementary School Melissa Zarefoss, 34 years, Principal, Adairsville Elementary School During a special retirement celebration today, each retiree received a gift card from Mr. Josh McWhorter and a clock from Woodmen Life (Mr. Bobby Wilder and Mr. Rufus Cantrell).

CLASS DISMISSED: School's...out...for...the...summer! 🌞 These Emerson Eagles soared out of the building, high fiving EES staff, Superintendent Page, Deputy Superintendent David Chiprany, and Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Clint Terza along the way! There were hugs, laughs, tears, selfies, and parking lot victory laps by our awesome school bus drivers! Thank you for a truly wonderful year, BCSS students and staff! Make sure you pick up the phone tonight to hear a special message from our Superintendent!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: New Adairsville High School Alumnus Parker Czyz will soon be attending one of the best military schools around - The United States Military Academy West Point! You're a leader of character, Parker! Congratulations! What an outstanding accomplishment!

SAVE AND SHARE: The Bartow County School System’s award-winning Summer Feeding Program is back! Starting May 30, you will be able to pick up meals at no cost for children 18 years of age and under. Children do not have to be enrolled in the BCSS to receive food. The pick-up locations are as follows: · All Bartow County Elementary, Middle, and High Schools (Excludes Bartow County College & Career Academy) · Cartersville Mobile Home Community (263 Mac Johnson Road) · Boys and Girls Club of Adairsville (104 Main Street North) · Crosspoint Church at Adairsville Middle School (485 Old U.S. 41) · South Bartow Recreation Facility (6505 Glade Road, Acworth) Locations are always subject to change. If site changes are needed, you will be notified. Breakfast will be provided from 7:30 a.m. until 8 a.m. at the above locations, and lunch pick up will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday. Due to the Fourth of July holiday, no meal service will be offered from July 3 to July 7. It will resume July 10 and run until July 21. Unfortunately, meal delivery will not be available this year. We encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity to provide their children with healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months. Please spread the word to other families in the community who may benefit from this program!

LASTING LEGACY: It's official! On May 19, 2023, it's proclaimed that the City of Adairsville and Mayor Kenneth Carson do hereby recognize and declare the day as Adairsville Elementary School Principal Melissa Zarefoss Day!! Congratulations, Ms. Z! What you've done in your 34 years in education is nothing short of AMAZING!

MISSING OUR MINER: The Bartow County School System and Red Top Middle School community mourn the loss of Exceptional Education Teacher JoAnn Jenkins – the “rescuer of everyone and everything.” “She was a strong supporter of struggling students, highly successful students, and any child that fell in the middle,” said RTMS Teacher Holly Spivey. “She was also a support for her church and community. JoAnn drove senior citizens shopping every week just so they get out. She bought wilted plants from Lowe's just because they needed a little love to thrive. JoAnn paid for the yard of her neighbor to be mowed because the lady was unable. She would give the shirt off her back if asked. There are a lot of shoes left empty with her passing. JoAnn will be missed tremendously by multitudes of people from all over.” Students describe Ms. Jenkins as funny, creative, generous, protective, and a great math teacher. “When I think of Ms. Jenkins, the first thing that comes to my mind is her heart,” added RTMS Teacher Allie Ingle. “Her heart for her family, her friends, her students, her school, and her flowers. She was passionate, energetic, courageous, sincere, ambitious, and so much more. Ms. Jenkins has been by my side for almost 10 years, caring for and pushing our kids to the next level. She has been an inspiration to all that have walked through her door.” Through tears this week, students left messages in their favorite teacher’s classroom and penned letters to her family. Soft, yet stern, Ms. Jenkins was undeniably a powerful force in the Miner community. We extend our most heartfelt condolences to the countless lives touched over the eight years she served as OUR Miner.

A-TEAM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Hamilton Crossing Elementary School and its first grade team, which consists of Juliane Johnson, Breanna Roberts, Jennifer Tasker, Debbie Philliber, and Anna May with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award! Juliane Johnson, Breanna Roberts, Jennifer Tasker, Debbie Philliber, and Anna May 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 first grade 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. It is also evident that Principal Lynn Robertson and Hamilton Crossing Elementary School's Guiding Coalition have played a significant role in the development of this A-Team. Its Guiding Coalition was mentioned many times as a source of strength for the PLC process and as the means for the professional development which resulted in the efficacy of this collaborative team. Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement! Juliane Johnson, Breanna Roberts, Jennifer Tasker, Debbie Philliber, and Anna May will now present at a school board meeting this summer, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system. This is our 23rd collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!

A-TEAM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Red Top Middle School and its eighth grade English Language Arts team, which consists of Lake Phillips, Joshua Rensch, Christie Taylor, and Allie Ingle with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award! Lake Phillips, Joshua Rensch, Christie Taylor, and Allie Ingle 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 eighth grade ELA 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. It is also evident that Principal Wes Dickey and Red Top Middle School's Guiding Coalition have played a significant role in the development of this A-Team. Its Guiding Coalition was mentioned many times as a source of strength for the PLC process and as the means for the professional development which resulted in the efficacy of this collaborative team. Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement! Lake Phillips, Joshua Rensch, Christie Taylor, and Allie Ingle will now present at a school board meeting this summer, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system. This is our 22nd collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JOIN US!

SUPPLIES FOR SUCCESS: ✅ Free Backpack ✅ Free School Supplies ✅ Free Haircut & More Registration is now open for this amazing event! Details and registration link below! https://supplies4success.blesscoalition.org/

SWEET SENIOR CELEBRATIONS: Thanks for the memories, Class of 2023!🎉 Check out Mission Road alumni!

SWEET SENIOR CELEBRATIONS: White Elementary School alumni and 2023 high school graduates had the honor of leading the iconic fifth grade walk at WES! "Full of pride is an understatement," said WES staff!

SWEET SENIOR CELEBRATIONS: Lots of smiles, laughter, and tears as these seniors walk down the hallways of their elementary school, Hamilton Crossing, ONE LAST TIME before starting a brand-new chapter in their lives!

NEW: Wide eyes and even wider smiles; that was the reaction from Red Top Middle School students today when they saw their new Learning Hub for the first time. Many called it “futuristic” and gasped when they saw the media center transformed into a modern space with a focus on literacy, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). “The new Learning Hub at RTMS will be far more than just a freshly designed space,” said RTMS Principal Wes Dickey. “Our Learning Hub will foster education geared toward the future, incorporating STEM processes and ideals.” In the RTMS Learning Hub, you will find new drones, 3D printers, computers, robots, a clear touch panel, and green screen in standards-based learning zones. “We now have a Makerspace and specific areas for Robotics, television production, formal research, presentations, collaboration, remediation, and extension group work, just to name a few spaces,” said Principal Dickey. “Our updated Learning Hub will foster critical thinking, problem solving, design, engineering, and other employable skill sets. We are very excited to embrace the future of educational best practices!” This is the second media center transformation this month. Before the start of the new 2023-2024 academic year, the Bartow County School System anticipates new Learning Hubs in all elementary and middle schools. White Elementary is slated to unveil its transformation next. All projects are fully funded through federal coronavirus relief efforts.

PROJECT SEARCH GRADUATION & REUNION: Nine interns completed Project SEARCH this year! Congratulations! Timothy Bell Aaron Black Ashley Brown Chloe Character Craigory Chatman Barry Edwards Skye Hancock Jake Wright Will Wright Project SEARCH is a business-led, high school-to-work transition program for students with disabilities. Our interns work primarily at Piedmont Cartersville. Three of our interns currently have jobs, and four interns have interviews scheduled over the next several days! Over the past 10 years, 62 interns completed Project SEARCH in Bartow County. Last night, a plaque was presented to Piedmont Cartersville for their 10-year partnership with Project SEARCH and to thank them for their support. A special bench, honoring three interns who passed away over the years, Baronica Lopez, Callison Howell, and Frank Clemmons, was also donated last night by Piedmont Cartersville. It will be placed in the Physicians Center in their memory.

THANKFUL: Our faithful Read to Grow volunteers and mentors from our faith-based community, businesses, and schools always do OUTSTANDING work! This year, the students they worked with started at 20% proficiency on their first grade word lists and ended the year 93.7% proficient! Amazing work! We are so thankful for each and every one of you! Read to Grow and Mentor Coordinator Kristy Mitchell held a luncheon today in their honor!