Bartow County School System

JOIN OUR AWARD-WINNING TEAM: We have an opening for an elementary school nurse! Click the links below to apply and search other openings. https://bartow.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=902 https://bartow.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

KINDNESS CAUGHT ON CAMERA: A surprise text message from Carroll Daniel Construction, the company building the new Mission Road Elementary School, stopped MRES Principal Sherrie Hughes dead in her tracks. No, there wasn’t anything wrong with the new school. It remains on schedule. What left Principal Hughes wide-eyed were these words, “Can we buy Christmas presents for your students in need?” Being so close to Christmas when this was asked, many students in need already received assistance, all but one that is. Zach Nicholson and Cory Johnson with Carroll Daniel Construction jumped at the opportunity to provide for this student. Not only did they purchase presents for the child, but they also provided wrapped gifts for the ENTIRE family. We see them building a strong foundation in this community, in more ways than one, and we couldn't be more appreciative.

NEW: Due to extensive flooding, students and staff will be operating on a two-hour delay this morning, January 4. That means busses will arrive at stops two hours later than nornal.

POSITIVELY AMAZING: Adairsville-based Vista Metals donated another $10,000 to the Bartow Education Foundation Teacher Grant Program! Thank you, Andrew Primack and Vista Metals, for continuously investing your money, time, and resources into our award-winning school system!

BARTOW CARES CAMPAIGN: Acceptance; let's talk about it! It's our relational word of the month through our new #BartowCares4U Campaign! Bartow Cares is a countywide, year-long initiative through a partnership with Relational Values Alliance that unites Bartow County Schools, Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, Bartow Collaborative, government and media leadership, the faith community, and many others. Bartow commits to live out relational values such as respect, support, and appreciation in multiple places: at home, at work, and at school. With caring connections, great things happen. So, in Bartow County, we want to know everybody’s story and show that somebody cares! https://vimeo.com/197434604 MORE INFO: https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/783187

WORLD-RENOWNED WILDCATS: Special THANK YOU to the leaders of the GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED Woodland High School Marching Band - Michael Kobito, Holly Maldonado, and Eric Willoughby! Outstanding leadership!

CENTRAL OFFICE CELEBRATIONS: When you work in a school system and community like this, you have a lot to celebrate! And, if you know Superintendent Page, then you know he likes to celebrate the RIGHT WORK. In the Bartow County School System, the right work supports learning, collaboration, and results. That's what we value. This month, we celebrate and honor Michael Guthrie, our Network/Systems Administrator! Michael is thorough, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and dependable. He makes us all better! Congratulations, Michael!

WORLD-RENOWNED WILDCATS: Our Woodland High School Marching Band is on their way home from London! They did an amazing job representing the Bartow County School System and the state of Georgia in the London New Year's Day Parade and Festival! What a way to start the new year! If you missed the televised performance, click the link below, and fast forward to 2:45:49! Thank you to our chaperones, parents, and sponsors! Without your help, this life-changing trip would not have been possible! #LNYDP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j74UnBO84nU

WORLD-RENOWNED WILDCATS: The Woodland High School Marching Band continues to take in the sights and sounds of London! Top on the list today? Windsor Castle! #LNYDP

WORLD-RENOWNED WILDCATS: Less than four days until the Woodland High School Marching Band performs down the iconic two-mile parade route in LONDON! Check out what they've been up to before the BIG rehearsals... #LNYDP

TEACHER TRIBUTE: Euharlee Elementary School and the Bartow County School System Family mourn the loss of EHES Physical Education Teacher Brent Higdon. On Tuesday, his school family heard his special, signature sign off one last time, “bye, good buddy!” Good buddy: they are two words now etched in the minds of so many, not just because he said them every day, but because he was a kind, thoughtful, generous, one-of-a kind friend himself. “Coach Higdon was a perfect gentleman and friend,” said EHES Music Teacher Kathy Cater. “He was a family man who loved his wife, Tina, desperately and was proud to be her husband. Coach also loved his three children, mom, shop, cat, and fishing. He was a shining example of true friendship and kindness. He was one of the most giving people I have ever known, paying out of his pocket for things that were needed, bringing small tokens of friendship to show he cared, and checking on our children after hours. Coach made friends everywhere he went and was one of the easiest people to be around. Coach had a special way with kids and loved having fun with them. His ‘good buddies’ will greatly miss his kind, generous heart and his child-like grin!” Coach Higdon was well-loved during his 28 years in the Bartow County School System. He knew when to share his favorite Seinfeld clip, and he knew when to collect student data for his weekly collaboration meetings with colleagues. “As a coworker, Brent Higdon was the most kind and uplifting guy to be around,” added EHES Art Teacher Margaret Bearden. “He helped anyone in need and was quick to share a joke with us, his ‘good buddies.’ He spoke often of his family and had so much love for his wife and children. Students loved going to PE class to play medic ball or dodge ball to Coach's classic rock playlist. His kindness went beyond the walls of the gym. He would call to check on sick students, buy gifts for students in need, help a teacher change a tire on the roadside, or bring us donuts just because. He was generous, thoughtful, and kind, and I am lucky to have known him. It is a shock to our community and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Today, as a school community, we share a moment of silence. Additional counselors are available on campus to ensure support to grieving students and staff. Those services will also be available after the holiday break. In the coming weeks, PE teachers districtwide plan to celebrate their “good buddy” by organizing his favorite game – medic ball.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: What's more exciting than finding out Cass High School Senior Loren Montoya was accepted to Vanderbilt University? Finding out she received a QuestBridge scholarship that covers the FULL COST OF ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD, BOOKS AND SUPPLIES, AND TRAVEL EXPENSES! "I plan to major in Political Science because I find great interest in public policy and the direct reflection it serves to the American people," said Loren. "Climate change, the homelessness crisis, infrastructure bills, and so much more affect the lives of U.S. citizens every day. Through this major, I can effectively serve the American people to their best interest." Loren also plans to minor in Journalism and Spanish. Loren found out about this scholarship opportunity through her counselor, Donna Thomas, and received help completing the application through the new Etowah Scholarship Foundation's Future Shops! “Words cannot describe how elated and thankful I am in being awarded this scholarship," added Loren. "My acceptance validates that diligent work towards your passions does pay off. I am especially grateful for the support of my teachers, counselors, and family—all of whom inspired me to dare greatly.” Congratulations, Loren! --- Out of over 17,900 applicants, QuestBridge selected 5,613 Finalists to be considered for the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship (Match Scholarship). This year, QuestBridge’s 48 college partners matched with 1,755 Finalists, who are recognized as Match Scholarship Recipients.

BARTOW COUNTY SHOP WITH A HERO: Every year, the Bartow County Board of Education Police Department helps raise money for the Shop with a Hero event, held by the Bartow County Sheriff's Office. This year, their goal was $2,000. With the help of administrators, staff, parents, and students, they raised $13,082.86! Wow! What a holiday hundreds of children will have because of this community!

SHOP WITH A WILDCAT: Woodland High School sure has some caring and compassionate student leaders! In their 2nd Annual Shop with a Wildcat event, 120 high school mentors took about 50 local students shopping at Target, and that's not all! Participating children also enjoyed crafts and games! Great job fundraising and doubling the number of families you're serving, WHS! What an unforgettable experience!

TIS THE SEASON: We caught Bartow County School Police Officer Donnie Scott spreading that holiday cheer for all to hear at Hamilton Crossing Elementary School!

MAKING SCHOOL HISTORY: For the first time ever, the Cass Middle School Honor Band was asked to perform at the University of Georgia Middle School Band Festival, and THEY WERE INCREDIBLE! They brought the audience to their feet! The CMS Honor Band was chosen for this prestigious event from a blind audition tape of their Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE). Congratulations, CMS and Band Director Abigail Russom!

CAMP JEKYLL: Another great group of Gateway students received the opportunity to travel to Jekyll Island this week! Gifted students from Allatoona, Clear Creek, Cloverleaf, Emerson, Euharlee, Kingston, and Mission Road Elementary schools climbed aboard an Eco Boat to watch dolphins and examine various specimens, like blue crabs, shrimp, and other fish! They also handled snakes during a Herpetology class, among many other activities!

CHECK THIS OUT: Hamilton Crossing Elementary School ESOL Teacher Katie Cline is featured in the University of Georgia's newsletter as an EDUCATOR OF THE MONTH! Congratulations, Mrs. Cline! Staff from HCES and Allatoona Elementary School participated in a 30-hour intensive Instructional Conversation Institute with UGA. They learned how to empower students in every class, not just ESOL, to take the lead in their learning. A few weeks after completing the institute, a coach from UGA came out to each school and observed teachers implementing Instructional Conversations in their classes. Mrs. Cline was honored shortly after for her amazing work in the classroom!

BARTOW CARES CAMPAIGN: Encouragement; let's talk about it! It's our relational word of the month through our new #BartowCares4U Campaign! Bartow Cares is a countywide, year-long initiative through a partnership with Relational Values Alliance that unites Bartow County Schools, Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce, Bartow Collaborative, government and media leadership, the faith community, and many others. Bartow commits to live out relational values such as respect, support, and appreciation in multiple places: at home, at work, at school, and in faith. With caring connections, great things happen. So, in Bartow County, we want to know everybody’s story and show that somebody cares! MORE INFO: https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/783187

A-TEAM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present the Bartow County College and Career Academy and its U.S. History team, which consists of William Dooley, Mike Fitch, and Meghan Johnson with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award! William Dooley, Mike Fitch, and Meghan Johnson 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 U.S. History 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 Greg Doss and the BCCCA 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! William Dooley, Mike Fitch, and Meghan Johnson will now present at a future school board meeting, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system. This is our 16th collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!