THE RESULTS ARE IN: Bartow County showed up and showed out at this year’s Red Apple Run, hosted by the Bartow Education Foundation!
🎉 Top Participating Schools:
Adairsville Elementary School
Cass Middle School
Woodland High School
Each of these schools earned a $500 prize, thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors! 💰👏
Ms. Dot Frasier, Executive Director of the Foundation, proudly presented the checks during this week’s System Leadership meeting.
With over 250 runners and walkers, the Red Apple Run raised more than $15,000 for the Foundation’s Teacher Grant Program — helping educators bring innovative ideas to life in Bartow classrooms! 🍎📚
LEADING & LEARNING: Do you spot a familiar face? Over 350 Bartow County School System leaders gathered today at the Clarence Brown Conference Center to dive into powerful conversations about Tier 1 instruction — that’s the everyday, high-quality teaching every student receives in the classroom!💡📚
Teachers and administrators are already planning for next year, using real data and teacher feedback to make sure our classrooms keep getting stronger! #betterinbartow #TeamBartow #learning #leading #levelingup
CLASS DISMISSED: The final bell rang, marking a day full of bittersweet goodbyes systemwide! There were tears, cheers, and high-fives as buses rolled away for the last time this school year.
System administrators beamed with pride, waving to students, and teachers couldn’t hold back their emotions as students leaned out of bus windows, flashing the “🫶” symbol—a simple gesture that said it all.
This isn’t goodbye—it’s “See you later!”
To all BCSS students: have an amazing summer filled with fun, rest, and adventure! And don’t forget—Superintendent Terza has a special message just for YOU at 4 p.m. today. Be sure to pick up the phone!
SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM: It's back! Starting June 3, we will be offering meals at no cost to all children 18 years of age and under! The locations are below, but please remember, they are subject to change
SHINING BRIGHT IN BARTOW: Exemplary English Learner 2024-2025: Kevin Mancilla, CHS
"Kevin sets high goals and works hard to meet them. Kevin wants to learn, and his education means something to him. After exiting ESOL, Kevin continues to be a leader in school and on the soccer field. He is currently a 10th grader in the Magnet Program at Cass High School, where he has earned his place on the Honor Roll." - Ms. McSwain
Congratulations, Kevin, for setting a wonderful example for other multilingual learners.
SHINING BRIGHT IN BARTOW: We are proud to recognize Mrs. Nicole Bezerra as the 2024–2025 Exemplary ESOL Teacher for the Bartow County School System. Nominated by her peers, Mrs. Bezerra is a passionate advocate for her students, ensuring they receive the support and opportunities needed to reach their full potential.
She is known for building strong, positive relationships with staff, teachers, administrators, and the families she serves. In just a few short years, Mrs. Bezerra has made a meaningful impact at Woodland High School, Mission Road Elementary, and the Bartow County College and Career Academy.
Beyond the classroom, she serves as a mentor to her colleagues—always ready with encouragement and support. Her dedication, leadership, and compassion make her an invaluable member of our ESOL team.
We are truly grateful to have Mrs. Bezerra representing excellence in education across our district.
AERO APPRENTICES: Stacy Smith’s 8th grade STEM students spent the year building model airplanes in partnership with the Bartow County Aviation Club—and last week, they took to the skies✈️
Thanks to a $1,000 grant from the club, students built two fully functional model planes, which they successfully flew at Kingston Downs. Club members Mike Viscosi, Richard LeClaire, and Duane Knight worked side-by-side with students throughout the year, bringing real-world aviation experience into the classroom.
This project is a powerful example of what’s possible when education and community expertise come together!
Thank you, Bartow County Aviation Club!
CENTRAL OFFICE CELEBRATIONS: When you work in a school system and community like this, you have a lot to celebrate!
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Jamie McClain, our Courier and Records Officer. From her early days in Registration to her current role in Records, Jamie brings precision, efficiency, and a vibrant spirit to everything she does. She seamlessly juggles multiple responsibilities and consistently goes above and beyond. We’re grateful to have her as a vital part of our team.
BIG BCSS NEWS: White Elementary School has earned the 2024 Gold Award for Greatest Gains from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement—PLACING IN THE TOP 3% OF ALL GEORGIA SCHOOLS FOR ACADEMIC GROWTH OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS!
Only 19 schools statewide received the Gold Award this year, and White Elementary is one of just 146 schools recognized for Greatest Gains overall.
This achievement reflects the sustained academic progress of our students, made possible by the collaborative efforts of our teachers, staff, and families!
Congratulations, Warriors! What a milestone worth celebrating!
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: The countdown to summer break is on, but Cass Middle students are making every moment count!
From tug-of-war to dodgeball, the past few days have been filled with laughter, teamwork, and just the right amount of friendly competition. Field Day brought out the best in our students — high fives, big smiles, and memories that will last long after the final bell rings!
STRONGER TOGETHER: With a generous $1,000 donation, PlaceSmart Agency becomes the first official sponsor of the CMS RCA House System at Cass Middle School!
This support will help us strengthen student connections, celebrate positive behavior, grow leadership opportunities, and so much more. Thank you!💙💛
PRAISE PARADE: Mission Road Elementary gave their beloved principal, Mrs. Sherrie Hughes, a surprise parade to celebrate her incredible 35 years of service!
While everyone agrees that 35 years still doesn’t feel like enough, they are sending her off with cheers, smiles, and one final message: “Enjoy the beach, Mrs. Hughes!”
A WALK TO REMEMBER: Before stepping into their future, these seniors took one last stroll through the halls of Adairsville Middle School! They wandered the familiar halls, tracked down their former teachers, and shared hugs, laughs, and a few heartfelt thank-yous. It wasn’t about looking back — it was about recognizing the people who helped them move forward!
MILESTONES, MEMORIES, & MOVING ON: Woodland High School Class of 2025, you're up next! Please remember, the graduation ceremony has been moved to 7 p.m. due to the possibility of inclement weather. Additional details below! We can't wait to celebrate our Wildcats!
A WALK TO REMEMBER: With tears, tissues, and a trail of posters and pictures, seniors made their final walk through the halls of Euharlee Elementary—returning to where it all began. This emotional send-off was filled with pride, nostalgia, and celebration. A moment they—and their former teachers—will cherish forever.
MILESTONES, MEMORIES, & MOVING ON: Colonel Nation, you're up first! We can't wait to see you tonight, Class of 2025!
If you cannot make the graduation ceremony in person, you can view it here at 8 pm:
https://bit.ly/CassGrad2025
GEARING UP FOR GREATNESS: Something extraordinary just happened at Kingston Elementary School—something that’s never been done before. Thanks to the generosity of one incredible organization, every single fifth grader is now the proud owner of a brand-new bicycle—more than 70 bikes in total!
It all began when Christopher Sosebee, owner of Sosebee Cycling Park, visited KES as part of the Encourage Kids to Greatness initiative—a youth development program that inspires fourth and fifth graders through leadership, character-building, and community engagement. Moved by the experience, Christopher and his wife, Chandra, knew they could do even more.
With the support of their cycling community, the Sosebee's launched a campaign that went far beyond bikes. Through generous donations, students also received helmets, gloves, pumps, sunglasses, backpacks, and more. But the impact didn’t stop there.
The Sosebee's and fellow cyclists hosted hands-on workshops, teaching students about bike safety, maintenance, and riding skills—from brakes and gears to tires and trails. The grand finale? Kingston’s first-ever Bike Rodeo, where students put their new skills—and wheels—to the test!
A special thank you to the Sosebee family and every donor who made this dream a reality. You didn’t just give bikes—you gave confidence, freedom, and a ride toward a better future.
HEAVEN SENT: They say Heaven Henderson is truly heaven-sent—and once you hear the story of this remarkable fourth grader from Mission Road Elementary, you just might find yourself believing she was sent from above, too.
One ordinary day turned extraordinary when Heaven found herself in a life-or-death situation. Riding in a vehicle with her mother, Heaven noticed something was terribly wrong—her mother was having a medical emergency.
With incredible calm and courage beyond her years, Heaven took the wheel and safely steered the vehicle out of harm’s way. She then called 911, and thanks to her quick thinking, Cartersville Fire and EMS arrived right away to provide the critical care her mother needed.
In recognition of her bravery, Chief Hagen Champion and the Cartersville Fire Department honored Heaven with a Certificate of Bravery—a well-deserved tribute to a young hero who truly lives up to her name.
Thank you, Heaven, for being a shining light in a moment of darkness.
[PHOTO CRED: CITY OF CARTERSVILLE - CITY HALL]
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE: Our School Nurse of the Year is Ms. Darlene Brown from Euharlee Elementary School! Ms. Brown is known for her compassion, quick thinking, and dedication to the well-being of every student and staff member. Her calm presence and tireless commitment make her an irreplaceable part of the school community.
Also, we recognize our outstanding substitute nurse, Ms. Sharon Seabolt! She consistently steps in with professionalism, warmth, and a deep commitment to student care, making a lasting impact wherever she’s needed.
HISTORY MAKING MOMENT: Pine Log Elementary School has officially been awarded State STEM Certification by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), becoming the first elementary school in Bartow County to receive this distinction—and only the third school overall in the county to do so.
The certification process took a full year and required a detailed 71-page application, along with numerous STEM Walks to showcase how science, technology, engineering, and math are woven into everyday learning. The effort involved teachers, students, and staff working together to build a strong, hands-on STEM program that connects classroom learning to real-world challenges.
The GaDOE’s certification process looks for schools that go beyond traditional instruction, encouraging students to ask questions, solve problems, and collaborate on projects that matter. Pine Log’s achievement highlights how even young learners can thrive in a STEM-focused environment.
This milestone sets a new bar for elementary education in Bartow County and opens the door for more schools to follow in Pine Log’s footsteps.
