WHAT A WAY TO SPEND VALENTINE'S DAY: Celebrating Cass High School's Pablo Novales as he moves up the ranks in our ROTC program from Private to Private First Class!
Thank you to First Sargent Hornback and First Sargent Moctezuma and his fellow cadets Tyree Clark, Jonathan Swinford, Adam Jenkins, Matheu Chambers, William McBroom, Jocelyn Vicznesky, Britney Silva, Kira Lalla, Heli Patel, Hugo Enriquez, Cameryn Chappelle, Madelyn Van Shjn, and Aniya Stallings for supporting him!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Jorden Edens, a senior in Woodland High School's Medical Sciences Magnet Program, has been named the sole semifinalist in Bartow County for the Cooke College Scholarship!
This year, they received their largest pool of applicants to date, and Jorden was chosen as one of 558 students nationwide!
This scholarship provides any remaining financial aid needed to cover a student’s college tuition and fees after other institutional aid has been used.
We are so proud of Jorden, and we will find out in late March if she is a finalist for the scholarship!
BIG BARTOW NEWS: Woodland Middle School becomes the second State STEM Certified educational institution in Bartow County!
“I cannot describe the feeling I had when Cherri Nix, the Georgia Department of Education STEM program manager, shared the news that we were approved as a State STEM Certified School,” said Woodland Middle School Principal Michael Blankenship. “Pure elation. A lot of emotion. There has been a lot of work, energy, emotion and sweat equity poured into this journey. I am so happy for our students, teachers, staff, and community partners. So many people have contributed to this achievement. Most of all, our students and community have and will benefit from this recognition. Our students deserve the very best instruction we can provide. This recognition is one way to show we are committed to providing that for our students. We want to make learning relevant and prepare students for jobs of the future. Being a State STEM Certified School helps us do exactly that.”
The journey to State STEM Certification began nearly seven years ago for WMS. They started the process by visiting other STEM schools and hosting their first “Science Night” during the 2017-2018 academic year.
“That lit the fire for us,” added Principal Blankenship. “Of course, the process nearly came to a screeching halt when COVID-19 hit in 2020. We actually had a STEM Walk on that fateful Friday the 13th of March 2020, which would be the last day of in-person learning that year. We actually went forward with that STEM Walk and continued the journey. We've had virtual STEM Walks, in-person STEM Walks, and hybrid STEM Walks since then. We've learned so much along the way and I wouldn't change any of it. Through it all we are continuing to learn how to integrate STEM into daily Tier 1 instruction and make learning relevant for our students.”
The Georgia Department of Education will present the official STEM Certification in the coming months.
“The feedback we received from the Georgia Department of Education was overwhelmingly positive,” said Principal Blankenship. “They were impressed with the level of commitment we had to the process, as it was a lengthy one. Our focus on moving from a teacher-centered classroom to a student-centered and learning-centered classroom is starting to have a strong impact.”
On November 20, 2020, Adairsville Middle School was the first school in Bartow County to earn a STEM Certification from the Georgia Department of Education.
BARTOW ROBOTICS: This is shout it from the rooftop news! We can FINALLY announce that Clear Creek's Team Blaze will be GOING BACK TO WORLDS APRIL 17-20 IN HOUSTON, TEXAS!!!! Out of the 23 teams at the Chattanooga - North Georgia FIRST LEGO League Championship last weekend, they were, once again, the only team to advance to the INTERNATIONAL LEVEL! Fundraising for this amazing opportunity is now in full swing! Good job, Team Blaze, and Bartow Robotics!
MEET THE ELITE: Seventeen Bartow County School System students advance in the highly competitive and prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program – the highest number ever recorded in BCSS history.
The semifinalists include Adairsville High School juniors Lilith Affolder (Agriculture), Gabriel Greenway (Engineering: Mechanical & Electrical), Skyla Rowland (Visual Arts), and Braden Mathis (World Languages: Spanish), and sophomores Allison Potter (Dance), and Vivian Reyes-Martinez (World Languages: Spanish); Cass High School juniors Jayce Bradford (Computer Science), Caydi Hyde (World Languages: Chinese), Brandy Jordan (Theatre Performance), and Damaya Norwood (Music: French Horn), and sophomores Charlotte Langhans (Music: Flute), Emma Brown (Music: Oboe), Josue Granados (Music: Flute), and Savannah Plumley (Visual Arts); Woodland High School junior Talal Tariq (Mathematics), and sophomores Makai Messier (Music: Euphonium) and Hylan Westberry-Davis (Music: Saxophone).
“This year, approximately 4,200 students across the state were nominated to the state-level competition, and nearly 1,500 of them have been selected as semifinalists for the state interviews and auditions,” said BCSS GHP Coordinator Paula Camp. “From music nominations to mathematics, this is a very talented group of Bartow County sophomores and juniors. This is also a record-breaking group. Never before have we seen 17 BCSS students selected as semifinalists in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. That’s a testament to our academically rigorous schools and a sharp focus on results.”
The 2024 GHP semifinalists will now have the opportunity to interview or audition at Georgia Southern University on February 24. Finalists and alternates will be announced March 22.
Upon acceptance, finalists will participate in the four-week, summer residential program at Georgia Southern University starting June 16.
The Governor’s Honors Program remains fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly.
SUPPORTING OUR YOUNGEST STORYTELLERS: Congratulations to the WINNERS of the Young Georgia Authors (YGA) writing competition! Each first-place winner will move on to the regional level!
YGA is a platform to inspire and cultivate students' passion for storytelling. It provides an opportunity to showcase their skills, celebrate their achievements, and recognize excellence in the fields of arts and academics!
KINDERGARTEN
1st - Levi Wilson, CCES
2nd - Bosch Brique, CLES
3rd - Katie Willoughby, ALES
FIRST GRADE
1st - Abbey West, EHES
2nd (tie) - Khloe Hardin, ALES, Collin Harris, MRES
SECOND GRADE
1st - Maximo Magana, ALES
2nd - Daxtin Woody, AES
3rd (tie) - Kylie Clance, EHES, Ferrin Hovarth, CCES
THIRD GRADE
1st - Pola Anthony, WES
2nd - Annalee Pond - EHES
3rd - Jackie Mercado Pineda, ALES
FOURTH GRADE
1st - Victoria Vasquez, ALES
2nd - Noah McDurmon, EES
3rd - Aubrey Schuster, CCES
FIFTH GRADE
1st - Gabi Fortier, PLES
2nd - Azaan Muhammad, CLES
3rd - Amery Jones, WES
SIXTH GRADE
1st - Isabel McCaffery, WMS
2nd - Cash Gendron, RTMS
3rd - Wade Szweda, AMS
SEVENTH GRADE
1st - Kimberlin Smith, WMS
2nd (tie) - Katie Fears, CMS, Brielle Ross, WMS
EIGHTH GRADE
1st - Juliann Elderstone, AMS
2nd - Jessica Wigley, WMS
3rd - Allison Snead, WMS
NINTH GRADE
1st - Jaylin Simpson, AHS
TENTH GRADE
1st - Sidney Lucas, BCCCA
ELEVENTH GRADE
1st - Victoria Collins, AHS
2nd - James Barnette, BCCCA
3rd - Alexus Long, AHS
TWELFTH GRADE
1st - James Ray Smith, BCCCA
BOARD RECOGNITIONS: DISTRICT SPELLING BEE
RUNNER-UP – Madalie Furey, fifth grade student from Clear Creek Elementary School
WINNER: Azaan Muhammad, fifth grade student from Cloverleaf Elementary School
Azaan will now compete at the GAE Region Spelling Bee on February 24th!
Congratulations, Madalie & Azaan! You two represent us well!
BOARD RECOGNITIONS: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Rebecca Dundon, White Elementary School Paraprofessional
“Mrs. Dundon takes on every challenge with kindness and a never-quit attitude. Mrs. Dundon began her connection with WES as a parent and transitioned into a paraprofessional position in 2018. Since then, she has served as a kindergarten paraprofessional and currently our Title1 paraprofessional at WES. Staff and students know it is going to be a good day when they see her rolling her orange toolbox down the hall onto her next mission. She understands the value of relationships with staff and students and invests in time with both. You will often find her sitting in the hall helping students strengthen their math skills, facilitating reading interventions during WINN time, or pushing into a class to offer support. She works hard to find strategies that will help each of the students. Her ability to strengthen their confidence in their abilities is remarkable and students have shown tremendous growth. Her dedication to our school, students, and staff is one of the many things that make her such a strong asset to our school. Mrs. Dundon has recently filled the role of Director of the WES Afterschool Program and has done a marvelous job with that as well. Her fair and calm presence puts everyone at ease. Mrs. Dundon is always striving to be better, and she inspires everyone around her to raise the bar and be better as well.” – WES Staff
NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK: Special THANK YOU to our dedicated school counselors! They work tirelessly to support students on their educational journey. Their wisdom, empathy, and guidance are truly invaluable!
A NIGHT TO SHINE: Bartow County students, like Molly, are ready for the red carpet Friday night!
A Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted locally at Tabernacle Baptist Church, will provide an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs, ages 14 and older.
In addition to the "Honored Guest" signs, attendees will enjoy a hair, makeup, and nail session, shined shoes, a catered meal, limousine ride, and more! We hope everyone feels loved, seen, and spoiled!
Special thanks to our local volunteers who are selflessly dedicating their day to honor the KINGS and QUEENS of our community!
HURRY: Registration for our spring college tour closes on Friday! This trip includes UGA, GA College, Valdosta State, Jacksonville University (FL), College of Coastal GA, and GA Southern! Additional details below!
PARENT WORKSHOP: Check out this great opportunity for our parents, grandparents, teachers, and community members! #betterinbartow
STATE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) will honor Adairsville High School Junior Braden Mathis with the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation 2023 Lynn Cobb Student of the Year Award this spring! The nonprofit will present the distinction at its annual affiliate conference on Jekyll Island on May 7.
Each year, KGBF celebrates individuals, groups, and organizations that exemplify efforts to protect the state’s environment through litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification.
Braden was chosen for the KGBF 2023 Lynn Cobb Student of the Year Award following a local nomination process and the recommendations of a team of representatives from multiple environmental agencies. In total, nine individuals or organizations were selected in unique categories.
“We’re immensely proud to honor all of our recipients this year,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of KGBF. “Their dedication to improving our environment is truly inspiring, and we’re amazed by their collective accomplishments.”
Congratulations, Braden! You are an exceptional Environmental Magnet student!
BARTOW BELIEFS: Our district mentor program is unique to this area and highly beneficial to our new teachers!
BARTOW BELIEFS: Energy, passion, and support; these are all things you'll find in the Bartow County School System!
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT: The new Mission Road Elementary School is looking great! Crews are now working on the stage in the Cafetorium, interior painting, and ceiling tiles, just to name a few tasks! We can't wait for this building to really come alive next academic year when our students join us for Open House!
SWEET SOUND OF SUCCESS: Congratulations to our high school students selected to participate in the prestigious 2024 Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Chorus!
Terrianna Flowers, Cass High School
Hannah Willoughby, Woodland High School
Shyla Pruitt, Woodland High School
Annabelle Card, Woodland High School
John Sprayberry and Solomon Gardner, Adairsville High School
NOW OPEN: Our school choice application window is open! Details below!
BARTOW BELIEFS: Excelling within the Bartow County School System could mean an opportunity to attend one of the most elite colleges in the Nation!
BARTOW BELIEFS: From academics to athletics, it's always #betterinbartow
