BOARD RECOGNITIONS: PINE LOG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Pine Log Elementary continues to lead the way in elementary STEM education! Congratulations to the entire school community for earning State STEM Certification, a MAJOR accomplishment that reflects hard work, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. This rigorous process is already paying off in big ways, and we couldn’t be prouder!
Pine Log Elementary continues to lead the way in elementary STEM education! Congratulations to the entire school community for earning State STEM Certification, a MAJOR accomplishment that reflects hard work, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. This rigorous process is already paying off in big ways, and we couldn’t be prouder!
DON'T DELAY, SIGN UP TODAY: The 9th Annual Downtown Cartersville 5K & Fun Run is happening this Saturday, and we’d love for you to be part of it! This popular event supports our Backpack Buddies program, which provides meals to over 1,000 food-insecure students each week in both county and city schools throughout the school year.
Your participation makes a real difference, so lace up, sign up, and help us feed hope one step at a time!
https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cartersville/TheDowntownCartersville5K
Your participation makes a real difference, so lace up, sign up, and help us feed hope one step at a time!
https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cartersville/TheDowntownCartersville5K
MILESTONE MOMENTS: There’s no doubt about it; Bartow County students are making impressive academic gains! The latest Georgia Milestones Assessment results show strong performance across multiple grade levels and subjects, especially MATH!
✏️ 3rd Grade Math – Above the state average
✏️ 4th Grade Math – Matched the state average
✏️ 5th Grade Math – 5% above the state average
✏️ 6th Grade Math – Increased for the third consecutive year
✏️ 7th Grade Math – 5% above the state average
✏️ 8th Grade Math – 13% above the state average
✏️ Grades 3–8 Overall Math – District average exceeded the state average
✏️ End-of-Grade ELA (Grades 3–8) – Scores aligned with the state average
✏️ Middle School Science & Social Studies – Steady improvement for three consecutive years
✏️ High School Algebra Concepts & Connections – Score matches state average and ranks highest in Cartersville-Bartow County
✏️ 3rd Grade Math – Above the state average
✏️ 4th Grade Math – Matched the state average
✏️ 5th Grade Math – 5% above the state average
✏️ 6th Grade Math – Increased for the third consecutive year
✏️ 7th Grade Math – 5% above the state average
✏️ 8th Grade Math – 13% above the state average
✏️ Grades 3–8 Overall Math – District average exceeded the state average
✏️ End-of-Grade ELA (Grades 3–8) – Scores aligned with the state average
✏️ Middle School Science & Social Studies – Steady improvement for three consecutive years
✏️ High School Algebra Concepts & Connections – Score matches state average and ranks highest in Cartersville-Bartow County
NEW FACE FRIDAY: We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Emily Kobito to Bartow County Schools! She joins us from a neighboring district and is now teaching fourth grade at Allatoona Elementary School. If her last name sounds familiar, it’s because her husband, Mr. Michael Kobito, was named Georgia Teacher of the Year and now serves as our district’s Talent Acquisition, Induction, and Retention Specialist. We’re thrilled to have both Kobitos contributing to our Bartow family!
"I am so excited to be joining Bartow County this year! Everyone has already been so welcoming, and the support from the community is evident. It's clear that Bartow cares about its students and teachers, and I'm thrilled to be joining such a tight-knit community that values education!" ~Mrs. Kobito
"I am so excited to be joining Bartow County this year! Everyone has already been so welcoming, and the support from the community is evident. It's clear that Bartow cares about its students and teachers, and I'm thrilled to be joining such a tight-knit community that values education!" ~Mrs. Kobito
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: Pine Log Elementary!
STEM journaling on the second week of school? Yes, please! Plus, add story time with our amazing School Resource Officer, Daniel Anno, and learning with pollinators and chickens! #betterinbartow
STEM journaling on the second week of school? Yes, please! Plus, add story time with our amazing School Resource Officer, Daniel Anno, and learning with pollinators and chickens! #betterinbartow
NEW SAFETY REPORTING TOOL: The Bartow County School System is now using the See Something, Send Something mobile app to strengthen school safety. This secure app allows students, staff, and community members to anonymously report concerns about school safety or student well-being directly from their mobile device.
All tips are received and processed 24/7 by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Watchdesk, ensuring timely attention and response.
Download the free See Send app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Your voice can help keep our schools safe.
All tips are received and processed 24/7 by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Watchdesk, ensuring timely attention and response.
Download the free See Send app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Your voice can help keep our schools safe.
SERVING UP SUCCESS: If there’s an award to be won, the Bartow County School Nutrition team is leading the way!
We’re proud to announce that our team has received the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award from Action for Healthy Kids and the USDA.
This national honor celebrates our innovative efforts to improve the quality and nutrition of school meals. It’s a reflection of the dedication and creativity our staff brings to the table every single day!
We’re proud to announce that our team has received the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award from Action for Healthy Kids and the USDA.
This national honor celebrates our innovative efforts to improve the quality and nutrition of school meals. It’s a reflection of the dedication and creativity our staff brings to the table every single day!
TOP TEN: Congratulations to Adairsville High School’s Riley Pope (11th grade) and Morgan Perry (10th grade) for earning a spot among the Top 10 in the Nation with their Agriscience project focused on livestock diets and food labeling!
This October, they will represent AHS and Georgia FFA on the national stage in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievement! #tigersontop #betterinbartow
This October, they will represent AHS and Georgia FFA on the national stage in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievement! #tigersontop #betterinbartow
FUN FACT: Guess what school in the entire county has the highest number of 4-H participants? Woodland Middle 👏👏
CONGRATULATIONS! #betterinbartow
CONGRATULATIONS! #betterinbartow
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Adairsville Elementary, Allatoona Elementary, and Pine Log Elementary are the first in the district to launch their own Broadcasting/Production Rooms, giving students hands-on experience in media, AV tech, podcasting, and more!
📚 These innovative spaces connect directly to CTAE pathways and STEM-integrated curriculum, aligning with Governor Kemp’s High Demand Career List.
🎙️ With training led by Cooper Fiscus-van Rossum from the Georgia Film Academy, school leaders are preparing students for future careers in writing, graphic design, IT, and media broadcasting.
👀 Want to see future leaders and problem solvers in action? Visit one of these schools and check out their student-led media productions!! #betterinbartow
📚 These innovative spaces connect directly to CTAE pathways and STEM-integrated curriculum, aligning with Governor Kemp’s High Demand Career List.
🎙️ With training led by Cooper Fiscus-van Rossum from the Georgia Film Academy, school leaders are preparing students for future careers in writing, graphic design, IT, and media broadcasting.
👀 Want to see future leaders and problem solvers in action? Visit one of these schools and check out their student-led media productions!! #betterinbartow
ROLL CALL 2025: These Hamilton Crossing Knights are READY for the BEST YEAR EVER! Can't you tell?! Between photo ops with Superintendent Terza, fist bumps, and mascot encounters, we'd say this was one AMAZING day! Sure, there were some tears, but they never last long with a staff like this! #backtoschool2025 #betterinbartow
"BEE" THE CHANGE: You might notice a BEE popping up around our schools and community soon, and it has everything to do with our Bartow Cares 4 U campaign! You’ll learn more about it soon but know this: the initiative is gaining even more momentum following another powerful community collaboration meeting today. As discussed, we have a meaningful opportunity to shape our community culture through the values of kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and hope. Will you join us? Together, we’re building a culture that supports our students’ well-being and academic success!
NEW YEAR, NEW FACES: From the softball field at the University of Georgia to the classroom at Hamilton Crossing Elementary, we’re excited to welcome Miss Sydney Chambley to the Knight family!
"I am thrilled to be a part of the Bartow County community because of its goal of excellence and care for the individual needs of students, faculty, and staff. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing school district."
#NewTeacherSpotlight #betterinbartow
"I am thrilled to be a part of the Bartow County community because of its goal of excellence and care for the individual needs of students, faculty, and staff. It is an honor to be a part of such an amazing school district."
#NewTeacherSpotlight #betterinbartow
WE'RE READY: Our K-8 educators continue diving into the new school year with purpose and energy! Check out this full day of professional learning centered on our new reading curriculum, Arts and Letters. Rooted in the Science of Reading, this rigorous program is designed to build deep background knowledge by weaving science, social studies, and the arts into daily literacy instruction. We’re excited to bring this integrated approach into classrooms and strengthen the foundation for every learner!
BIGGER THAN BALL: What a turnout for Cass High School student-athlete Brodie McWhorter’s School Supply Drive! Long lines of families from across the community gathered to receive free school supplies, thanks to Brodie’s new initiative! His commitment to helping others off the field is a powerful reminder that true leadership starts with service!
Kudos to Brodie and all the standout student-athletes across the county who stepped up to support their community! Your teamwork off the field is just as inspiring as your performance on it!
Kudos to Brodie and all the standout student-athletes across the county who stepped up to support their community! Your teamwork off the field is just as inspiring as your performance on it!
ROLLING INTO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR: White Elementary School hit the road in style to kick off the new school year with the WES Welcome Back Bus Parade, and the excitement was contagious!!🚌
Neighborhoods lit up with colorful signs, cheerful waves, and smiling faces as students and staff were welcomed back!
Even Superintendent Terza and Central Office staff joined the fun, stepping outside to soak in the celebration and share in the joy! 👋
This wasn’t just a parade, it was a joy ride into a year full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Let’s go, WES! 📚 #betterinbartow #StartStrong #weswelcomeback
Neighborhoods lit up with colorful signs, cheerful waves, and smiling faces as students and staff were welcomed back!
Even Superintendent Terza and Central Office staff joined the fun, stepping outside to soak in the celebration and share in the joy! 👋
This wasn’t just a parade, it was a joy ride into a year full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories! Let’s go, WES! 📚 #betterinbartow #StartStrong #weswelcomeback
RESPONSE READY: What began as a conversation between Bartow County School Police Chief Billy Henson and local emergency responders has evolved into a countywide emergency preparedness drill, a level of coordination and commitment unmatched by any other school system or county in the region.
Today’s exercise at WHS brought together multiple public safety agencies and included life flight helicopters landing on campus, all in the name of strengthening response protocols and protecting our students.
This is more than a drill, it’s a reflection of a community that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child.
***These images feature school leaders and first responders who observed and learned from today’s emergency preparedness drill.
To maintain the integrity and confidentiality of our safety protocols, photography, videography, and the sharing of specific details related to the exercise or our security systems were strictly prohibited by the BCSS***
Today’s exercise at WHS brought together multiple public safety agencies and included life flight helicopters landing on campus, all in the name of strengthening response protocols and protecting our students.
This is more than a drill, it’s a reflection of a community that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child.
***These images feature school leaders and first responders who observed and learned from today’s emergency preparedness drill.
To maintain the integrity and confidentiality of our safety protocols, photography, videography, and the sharing of specific details related to the exercise or our security systems were strictly prohibited by the BCSS***
HISTORY-MAKING MOMENTS: A huge congratulations to these outstanding Bartow County School System student-athletes for representing our community at the Southeast Region Tournament in Warner Robins!
⚾️ Baseball
Hayden Stewart (WMS)
Messiah Carter (CMS)
🥎 Softball
Maci Walker (CMS)
Paislee Rooks (AMS)
Madison Evans (AMS)
Remington Sewell (AMS)
Lily Wilson (AMS)
Zaylee Hudson (AMS)
The Cartersville Little League 12U Boys hit the field tomorrow at 4 p.m. Catch all the action live on ESPN!
Meanwhile, the Bartow County 12U Softball Team made us proud earlier this month with an unforgettable performance and memories that will last a lifetime!
⚾️ Baseball
Hayden Stewart (WMS)
Messiah Carter (CMS)
🥎 Softball
Maci Walker (CMS)
Paislee Rooks (AMS)
Madison Evans (AMS)
Remington Sewell (AMS)
Lily Wilson (AMS)
Zaylee Hudson (AMS)
The Cartersville Little League 12U Boys hit the field tomorrow at 4 p.m. Catch all the action live on ESPN!
Meanwhile, the Bartow County 12U Softball Team made us proud earlier this month with an unforgettable performance and memories that will last a lifetime!
BIGGER THAN BALL: This is what leadership looks like! Cass High School senior Brodie McWhorter is making a real difference in our community!
📅This Friday at 6 PM
📍 Hamilton Crossing Park
He's hosting a School Supply Drive, and you're invited! Swing by for FREE school supplies and a chance to have fun with some local football stars:
✨ Bear McWhorter (committed to Michigan!)
✨ Xai Gilbert (Adairsville)
✨ Solly James (Woodland)
✨ Brady Marchese (Cartersville)
🙌 This kind of student-led effort is a first of its kind -- kids helping kids in the best way possible. Proof that young people can lead big change!
📅This Friday at 6 PM
📍 Hamilton Crossing Park
He's hosting a School Supply Drive, and you're invited! Swing by for FREE school supplies and a chance to have fun with some local football stars:
✨ Bear McWhorter (committed to Michigan!)
✨ Xai Gilbert (Adairsville)
✨ Solly James (Woodland)
✨ Brady Marchese (Cartersville)
🙌 This kind of student-led effort is a first of its kind -- kids helping kids in the best way possible. Proof that young people can lead big change!
HONORING HECTOR: The Bartow County School System and Red Top Middle School deeply mourn the loss of Hector Arostegui Rodriguez.
He was a beloved presence within the Miner Family, consistently putting others before himself.
Each morning, before beginning his Exceptional Education classes, Hector greeted everyone with a fist bump and a pat on the shoulder, then helped students find their way to homeroom.
But his day didn’t stop there. Hector also made time to assist guidance counselors, school resource officers, and other staff members, often before the first bell even rang.
“Supporting others was important to Hector and I believed it to be the highlight of his school day,” said Ms. Vicky Neal, Hector’s Exceptional Education teacher. “He was truly an angel in disguise, and I know that my life was made better the day Hector became my student.”
Ms. Neal wholeheartedly considers Hector one of the greatest success stories in the world of education.
“Watching Hector grow tremendously in every domain of development has been the biggest highlight of my career,” said Ms. Neal. “He worked so hard over the years to exceed the limitations that were placed on him.”
Hector was excited to become a Cass High Colonel next week.
Today and always, we honor his legacy of compassion, empathy, and selflessness.
“Because of Hector, we are reminded that angels walk among us, sit next to us, watch us in the community, and even reside in our homes,” added Ms. Neal.
He was a beloved presence within the Miner Family, consistently putting others before himself.
Each morning, before beginning his Exceptional Education classes, Hector greeted everyone with a fist bump and a pat on the shoulder, then helped students find their way to homeroom.
But his day didn’t stop there. Hector also made time to assist guidance counselors, school resource officers, and other staff members, often before the first bell even rang.
“Supporting others was important to Hector and I believed it to be the highlight of his school day,” said Ms. Vicky Neal, Hector’s Exceptional Education teacher. “He was truly an angel in disguise, and I know that my life was made better the day Hector became my student.”
Ms. Neal wholeheartedly considers Hector one of the greatest success stories in the world of education.
“Watching Hector grow tremendously in every domain of development has been the biggest highlight of my career,” said Ms. Neal. “He worked so hard over the years to exceed the limitations that were placed on him.”
Hector was excited to become a Cass High Colonel next week.
Today and always, we honor his legacy of compassion, empathy, and selflessness.
“Because of Hector, we are reminded that angels walk among us, sit next to us, watch us in the community, and even reside in our homes,” added Ms. Neal.
