Bartow County School System

BOARD RECOGNITIONS: SPELLING BEE REGIONAL WINNER – Ethan Rollax, Adairsville Middle School Even though Ethan did not advance to the Scripp’s National Spelling Bee, state leaders were blown away by how well he did in the state spelling bee competition, and we sure are proud of him here in the Bartow County School System! Ethan is doing BIG things and will continue to do so – mark our words – and look at that contagious smile!

BOARD RECOGNITIONS: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH – Ms. Stephanie White, our outstanding volunteer at Adairsville Elementary School! “Stephanie White is the most dedicated volunteer at AES. She started mentoring a student when he was a second grader, and he is now in fourth-grade. Their relationship has helped him become a better student, both academically and behaviorally. She gives of her time on a weekly basis and shows him what true dedication is. Stephanie also volunteers in multiple classrooms, including the rooms of her two daughters. She supports the Gateway teachers with any projects they do and makes sure nothing is left undone. We look forward to seeing Stephanie come into the school, and we know with her, our students are extra blessed.” – AES

CANCEL CANCER COLOR RUN 5K: If you missed the Red Apple Run this weekend, have no fear, Cass High School is here! The school's Cancel Cancer Color Run is this Saturday! Meet us at the reconstructed Colonel Trail and wear your favorite white t-shirt! Use the link below to sign up for the most COLORFUL run in Bartow County! Half of the the proceeds benefit the Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation! https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/White/CancelCancerCOLORRUN5K

You're invited to join us for a virtual Coffee with the Principal on Thursday, April 21, at 10:00 am. We will be giving important updates on our goals for this year and our progress towards them, upcoming events for the remainder of the school year, and important dates regarding next school year. Use this link to sign up for the meeting: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F45A8AD23AAF94-coffee5 Use this link to join the meeting on Thursday: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NmU5ZTZiZTktNzljZC00NzE2LWFkNjYtYzA3NGNlNGU2Mzk5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22846e829e-3694-42be-9e87-6cbb3e2765cb%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%220c6a3437-466f-467b-b9b7-1ea58e40d6db%22%7d

The Bartow County School System will once again host its Summer Intervention Program May 31 - June 23 for all students who do not show proficiency on one or more of their identified essential standards by the last day of school. If it appears your child may need this additional assistance, you will be notified by letter before May 9. This in-person Summer Intervention Program is required, not optional for all identified students. Through our Professional Learning Communities process, each grade level and subject area collaboration team work through a rigorous process to identify essential standards or critical knowledge your child must acquire while in class. Students work on these essential standards all year and are provided ample intervention time if they do not show proficiency. This program is only for students who still need extra assistance on their essential standards at the end of the academic year. The Summer Intervention Program is specifically for elementary and middle school students who have not met proficiency on all their essential standards in English Language Arts, Reading, and Math by the last day of school and high school students who earned between a 50 and 64 for their final grade in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. If required to attend the program, Monday through Thursday sessions will be held at your child’s school. Breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be available. Students who qualify for summer intervention will exit the program once they have met proficiency on the identified essential standards even if completed before June 23. Elementary and Middle School: Kindergarten – 8th Tuesday, May 31 – Thursday, June 23 (No Friday Sessions) 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ELA and Math Location: All Schools Lunch and Transportation Provided High School: 9th – 12th Grade Tuesday, May 31 – Thursday, June 23 (No Friday Sessions) Available for English, Math, Science, and Social Studies 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Location: All Schools Lunch and Transportation Provided

Adding up the accolades for all three Bartow County high schools, as they have been named Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by the Georgia Department of Education! There are 239 AP Honor Schools this year in 88 districts. They are named in eight categories based on the results of 2021 AP courses and exams. Adairsville High School received the AP STEM School Award, AP Humanities School Award, and AP Expansion School Award. Cass High School earned the AP STEM School Award, AP Humanities School Award, AP Expansion School Award, and AP Access and Support School Award. Woodland High School gained the AP STEM School Award, AP Humanities School Award, and AP Expansion School Award. The following describes the categories in detail: AP Access and Support Schools Schools with at least 30% of AP exams taken by students who identified themselves as African-American and/or Hispanic and 30% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher. AP Challenge Schools Schools with enrollments of 900 or fewer students and students testing in English, math, science, and social studies. AP Expansion Schools AP schools with 25% growth in AP student participation from May 2020 to May 2021 and a minimum of 25 students testing in May 2020. AP Humanities Schools Schools with a minimum of five students testing in each of the following AP categories: one ELA course, two history/social science courses, one fine arts course and one world language course. AP Humanities Achievement Schools AP Humanities schools (see above definition) with at least 50% of all AP Humanities exams earning scores of 3 or higher. AP Schools of Distinction Schools with at least 20% of the total student population taking AP exams and at least 50% of all AP exams earning scores of 3 or higher. AP STEM Schools Schools with a minimum of five students testing in at least four AP STEM courses. (AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles) AP STEM Achievement Schools AP STEM schools (see above definition) with at least 50% of all AP STEM exams earning scores of 3 or higher. “We are very excited to increase our AP Honors School awards from two recognitions to three this year: AP Expansion, AP STEM, and now also AP Humanities,” said AHS AP Coordinator Beth Payton. “This is confirmation of the focused work put in by both our teachers and students in participating in the most rigorous academic opportunities available to them. Not only do our AP course offerings continue to grow, as we now offer 19 different advanced placement courses, but our AP student population has reached an all-time high as well, making up nearly 30% of the total student population. This growth continues to be reflected in our AP Expansion award, which we have earned over the last three years. We look forward to seeing continued growth in our AP program and the impact this will have on the lives of our students.” We are proud to see the hard work of our students and staff recognized with the distinction of an AP Honor School,” said CHS Principal Steve Revard. “Cass High has quadrupled our number of Honor School awards, going from one award in 2020 to four awards in 2022. Our achievements are due to AP students taking full advantage of additional course offerings. Last year, we noted a need for AP opportunities within Fine Arts. We added AP Music Theory and earned the AP Humanities award this year. That growth will continue with an additional AP Fine Arts course (3D Art) for next year, as well as three additional new AP courses. These additions come after expanding our AP opportunities by four new courses in 2021. There is also an increasing level of support for our students through study resources, peer tutoring opportunities, and one-on-one time with teachers. We are committed to an AP program that will continue to grow, not only in opportunities for our students, but also in testing results and data.” “We are excited to grow our AP program,” added WHS Principal Dave Stephenson. “We have worked to build an understanding that a child can access AP learning at any point in high school, and that has created a sense that AP is more open and accessible to all learners. For example, although a school is named an AP Expansion School by growing its program participation by 25% in a year, Woodland’s AP participation grew by 71.5%!” Each high school will be honored for its achievements at the Bartow County Board of Education meeting on May 16, 2022.

WOW: Two Bartow County students have been named REGIONAL WINNERS in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition! Congratulations, Samantha Lusian (AHS) and Joseph Loh (CHS)! We cannot wait to read your literary works, "The Ink on the Wall," and "Perspective."

RED APPLE RUN: It's almost time to lace up your running shoes for the 2nd Annual Red Apple Run 5K and 1.5 Mile Walk this Saturday! However, today is the last day to register to ensure you receive a t-shirt! About $20K was raised last year! Let's surpass that! All proceeds benefit teachers and students in Bartow County through the Bartow Education Foundation's Teacher Grant Program. Register online at RedAppleRun.org.

WOW: Three Bartow County seniors are named 2022 Georgia Scholars by the Georgia Department of Education! Congratulations, Ashton Phillips (AHS), Mark Brunson (AHS), and Rylee Evans (WHS)! Only 216 graduating seniors from across the state were awarded this prestigious title! Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for their diploma!

SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES: It’s Family Open Studio at the Booth Western Art Museum during Spring Break! LOTS of fun art projects included with admission Wed-Friday, and Thursday, April 7, is FREE admission and Open Studio from 4-7:30 pm! Children 12 & under are always free! https://fb.watch/c6ZKwl-jaA/ https://fb.watch/c6ZKwl-jaA/

BARTOW'S BEST: Dreams are coming true for Jaylee Kilgo! This Woodland High School senior won the Miss Gateway of the South title and is advancing to the Miss Georgia contest in June! Jaylee participated in seven local preliminary events before being named Miss Gateway of the South. Judges were impressed with her pom jazz routine, 4.0 GPA, and involvement in the National Honor Society, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, National Technical Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, BETA Club, HOSA, and 4-H, but there was something else that stood out a little more - her Social Impact Initiative called the Happiness Project, which provides mental health resources to the elderly community! We are all so proud of Jaylee's heart and unbelievable character! Let's wish her well as she takes on the Miss Georgia pageant in the coming months in Columbus, Georgia, and hopefully the Miss America competition!

MODEL BEHAVIOR: Adairsville High School had the opportunity to host a team from Lakeside High School in DeKalb County to share its knowledge on Tier 2 intervention time, which occurs when students have not yet met proficiency on their identified essential standards. We are honored that so many systems around the U.S. are calling, visiting, and inquiring about what we’re doing here in Bartow County!

MEET THE ELITE: Two Cass High School students earn coveted seats at Berry College this summer as they have been named finalists in the highly prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program! Three additional Bartow County students were named alternates. Congratulations to Cass High School junior Sydney Orr (Visual Arts) and Cass High School sophomore Lillian Taylor (Music: French Horn). Alternates include Adairsville High School sophomore David Tarver (Engineering: Computer Science) and Woodland High School juniors David Drennan (Music: Trombone) and Jenna Bassler (Music: Flute). "I am extremely proud of our finalists and alternates as they have demonstrated the maturity, passion, and scholastic achievement to do very well in this prestigious program,” said Bartow County School System Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page. “Sydney has been a commissioned artist since middle school, and Lillian is among the best French horn players in the state of Georgia. Both students will represent Bartow County well as they participate in the four-week summer residential program at Berry College." Nearly 1,400 semifinalists from across Georgia participated in state interviews this year and approximately 650 students were named finalists on March 25. The Georgia Governor’s Honors Program is a summer residential program designed to provide intellectually gifted and artistically talented sophomores and juniors new and challenging educational opportunities in a unique setting on the campus of Berry College. The program is offered June 19-July 16 and remains fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly.

PROM PROMISE: Bartow County truly cares. The Bartow County College and Career Academy in coordination with Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center, Bartow County Sheriff's Office, Bartow County Fire Department, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service, Air Life Georgia, Bartow County Coroner, and Martin's Wrecker Service teamed up today with one message in mind for high school students: Do not drive under the influence or drive distracted! With prom fast approaching, our community staged this car accident and scenario to show students the stark reality of poor choices behind the wheel. By the looks on students' faces, the message hit home. Thank you to our community for investing, once again, in the lives of our young people. **Please note: This is a mock car accident. Use caution when viewing pictures. These images can be disturbing to readers.**

STEM WALK: On a quest to obtain District STEM Certification, Hamilton Crossing Elementary School participated in its second STEM Walk! STEM experts and community leaders walked from grade level to grade level to see students engaged in hands-on learning experiences that ultimately enrich their understanding of standards in the classroom!

SURPRISE: State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Woodland High School this morning to award our very own Michael Kobito, state Teacher of the Year finalist, with a Distinguished Service Award! If you've followed Mr. Kobito's journey, you know he was interviewed by a panel of state leaders last Friday and is waiting to see if he earned the top spot in the state of Georgia! We'll know next month! "He was the first teacher we interviewed last week, and he set the bar high," said Superintendent Woods. You can tell he has a true connection with students and is definitely a top teacher in the state of Georgia. He's impressive." While Superintendent Woods was at WHS, he also toured the Magnet Program facilities and used our state-of-the-art Anatomage Tables, which are exclusive to our system! What a great time to be a part of the Bartow County School System Family!

STEM INNOVATION ACADEMY: We brought in our STEM partners this week, like UGA Cooperative Extension, to introduce our schools to brand new STEM practices! The Adairsville Magnet Program and its students even brought new technology for our teachers to try out and loan!

STEM CERTIFICATION: Kingston Elementary School is now District STEM Certified! Hit that "like" button! These staff members deserve it. They achieved this BIG honor in only 2.5 years! Impressive!

GHP FINALISTS: It's the moment we've been waiting for! Your Georgia Governor's Honors Program finalists are: Lillian Taylor, CHS, French Horn Sydney Orr, CHS, Visual Arts Alternates: (only about 20 selected statewide) David Tarver, AHS, Engineering David Brennan, WHS, Trombone Jenna Bassler, WHS, Flute CONGRATULATIONS! The application process for this prestigious program is exceptionally rigorous, and all of our students who applied should feel very proud of their accomplishments! Additional details to come!

MEDIA AWARDS: The Bartow County School System earned multiple Georgia School Public Relations Association Publication Awards in the following categories: Gold Award Website: Custom Website Design and Marketing Silver Awards Videography/Electronic Media: Historic School Shutdown Video Excellence in Writing: Daisy's Donation Photography: AMS STEM Creek Congratulations!