AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM YOUR EXCEPTIONAL ED DEPT: Click the link below to learn more about available Waiver Application assistance.
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RSVP: ESOL Parent Instructional Meeting
NEW: Christmas officially came early for White Elementary School, Cass High School, and the Bartow County School System! School and district leaders were presented with a $100,000 check this week from Mr. Harry E. Kitchen, Jr., Mrs. Charlotte S. Kitchen, and The Foxfield Company.
“What a tremendous gift from our partners in education!,” said Bartow County School System Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page. “We are incredibly thankful! The money will be used to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math initiatives at WES and strengthen the football, athletics, and band programs at CHS. Additionally, a portion of the money will be allocated for professional development. The key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students.”
The Foxfield Company, based in Hilton Head, South Carolina, is a family owned commercial real estate company. Their scope of work covers commercial land development, brokerage services, and general construction. Nearly four years ago, The Foxfield Company purchased 724 acres from Anheuser Busch in Bartow County and received the green light to build five million square feet of industrial buildings. Some of those facilities are in close proximity to WES and CHS.
“When we decide to invest our capital and time in a community, we look for opportunities to make an impact, outside of our real estate project,” added Foxfield Company President Harry Kitchen. “Quality education is vital to the development of our children and their future. The Foxfield Company is very pleased to make a $100,000 donation to the Bartow County School System. Our wish is that the money will benefit as many students as possible and that it will make a lasting impact on their lives.”
TOP-NOTCH LEADERS: Superintendent Page is back in the classroom, this time speaking to Kathy Shofner's Leadership class at Cass High School!
This dynamic class historically organizes pep rallies, campus wide clean-ups, toy drives, and many other events throughout the academic year. These students also serve as administrators "go-to's" when they look for guidance on school issues.
Recently, they've looking into how their values drive their leadership style. That's where Superintendent Page steps in. He spoke to the class about how to value the right work and lead your team to the highest point of success. Students said the discussion was motivating and inspiring!
REMEMBERING OUR OWN: Calm, gentle, and patient; they’re all characteristics that made Taylor Hammonds an extraordinary special needs pre-kindergarten paraprofessional at Pine Log Elementary School. Her unexpected passing instantly left a void in her classroom and school community that can never be filled.
“She was a young mother and loved her daughter, Lennon, more than anything,” said Sharon Hibberts, Hammonds’ friend and colleague. “I think her strong maternal instincts helped her with her relationships with the pre-K children.”
“Taylor was so good at what she did,” added Jannell Atkins, another close friend and colleague. “Being a natural nurturer to these sweet kids and our team is what completed our team. Taylor loved these kids as her own.”
Hammonds, an Adairsville High School graduate, had roots in Bartow County and quickly found her second home at PLES this year when she was offered the paraprofessional position.
PLES Principal Tracey Alford remembers her sweet, soft-spoken demeanor and unconditional kindness.
If there was a need, she jumped in to help without asking.
Those closest to her say, “To know Taylor was such a special treat.”
“We loved her and quickly became close to her,” said Hibberts. “She will be missed, but we all know she is where she would have wanted to be...with her baby girl.”
Four extra counselors helped staff care centers Monday morning at PLES so students and staff had extra support during this difficult time. Additional resources will be available as needed throughout the week.
HELPFUL HANDOUT: Need help checking grades in PowerSchool? Follow this step-by-step guide!
NOW HIRING: Be a part of an award-winning school system! Details below.
LETTERS TO SANTA: Get them in before Dec. 14!
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR: Polar Express Day at Clear Creek Elementary School wouldn't be complete without a golden ticket punched at the door, hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and SANTA!
THE BUZZ AROUND BARTOW: And the 2021 District Spelling Bee winner is...Ethan Rollax! He is unstoppable! Ethan also won last year, so this makes him our back-to-back district spelling champ! Today, he spelled wakame and allelopathy to win! Congratulations, Ethan!
THE BUZZ AROUND BARTOW: Our 2021 District Spelling Bee runner-up is Coulson Stegall from Pine Log Elementary School! He is just incredible! Congratulations, Coulson!
SMALL TOWN TRADITION: Our Division of Student Achievement and Academic Support is at it again! They're playing the role of "Santa's Helper" and handing out FREE books tonight at the Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade! Come visit; they're located downtown by Santa!
COLLEGE BOUND: Nearly 30 Cass High School Magnet students attended college visits this week at Georgia State University and Oglethorpe University!
Students participated in admissions information sessions and campus tours at both schools.
Georgia State is a large public university, while Oglethorpe is a small private university. By visiting these schools, students were able to compare and contrast to see which size campus is a fit for them.
Students also had lunch at the iconic Mary Mac’s Tea Room, where they learned some Atlanta history!
LEADING AND LEARNING: Meet our new Aspiring Administrator Leadership Academy!
William Dooley - BCCCA
Michelle Edwards - WHS
Bake Fallin - CMS
Melissa Garland - KES/MRES
Lauren Gentry - RTMS
Tracy Pulliam - EHES
Kristen Stevens - EHES
Candace Turner - WES
Matthew Bowen - ALES
Emily Blankenship - CLES
Adrian Bagley - CCES
Leigh McClure - CLES
GEORGIA CRISIS & ACCESS LINE: Always good information to share.
GATEWAY TO SUCCESS: Our Gifted teachers are so good at what they do that many were invited to present at the National Association of Gifted Children Conference in Denver, Colorado!
Robin Morrow (CCES), Amanda Segars (EUES), Brittney McCord (AMS), Leigha Ellis (AES), Angie Pinkard (AES), and Jennifer Martel (CCES) shared their expertise on STEM for Gifted students and the Mensa reading list! Not only did they educate their other counterparts around the Nation, but they also learned from other experts in the field! #BetterInBartow
REMINDER: Our Magnet Program application deadline is December 6! Eighth-grade students can apply to one, two, or all three programs. Out-of-district students can apply. However, only a select number (up to 10%) will be accepted. So, get those applications in, and good luck!
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=noJuhJQ2vkKeh2y7PidlyzIvF1fqMjxCuyX3A5Jr7eZUOUM5REtLNkxOMVlUVDUzSkc1WFkwQ1pYMC4u
MOST PRESTIGIOUS SYSTEM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Emerson Elementary School and its third-grade collaboration team, which consists of Linda Garcia, Amber Graham, April Lanham, and Janna Scheff with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award!
Linda Garcia, Amber Graham, April Lanham, and Janna Scheff 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 third-grade 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 Tracy Mulkey and the Emerson Elementary School 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!
Linda Garcia, Amber Graham, April Lanham, and Janna Scheff will now present at the December school board meeting, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system.
This is our ninth collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!
MOST PRESTIGIOUS SYSTEM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Euharlee Elementary School and its fifth-grade collaboration team, which consists of Whitney Crumley, Stephanie Hardy, Catherine Hill, and April West with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award!
Whitney Crumley, Stephanie Hardy, Catherine Hill, and April West 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 fifth-grade 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 Jim Bishop and the Euharlee Elementary School 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! Whitney Crumley, Stephanie Hardy, Catherine Hill, and April West will now present at the December school board meeting, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system.
This is our eighth collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!
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.
Today, we celebrate and honor Beth Groom, our assessment and accountability specialist. Beth works behind the scenes to support our entire school community. She is always quick to respond to any request with a calm and confident "can do" attitude. Beth pulls together mass amounts of information in a way that you can understand and use to improve instruction. Congratulations, Beth! You make us all better!
