CHOA VISIT: Sara Sutz, Andrea Diaz, and Elise Hackett, from Children's Hospital of Atlanta, visited Cass High School's American Sign Language and ESOL students today! There is definitely a need for interpreters and translators, and students were able to learn more about these positions. Thank you, CHOA, for taking the time to visit us!
SAVE THE DATE: NACAC NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR
More than 200 colleges will be there! Register today using the QR code below!
Thirty-one Bartow County students are named 2023-2024 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program District Nominees!
Congratulations to Adairsville High School students Lilith Affolder (Agricultural Research, Biotechnology, and Science), Avery Black (Science: Biology), Ella Goble (Theatre Performance), Gabriel Greenway (Engineering), Levi Heim (Engineering), Dutch Hernandez (Engineering), Lucas Long (Dance), Braden Mathis (World Languages: Spanish), Emma Phillips (Theatre Performance), Allison Potter (Dance), Vivian Reyes-Martinez (World Languages: Spanish), Skyla Rowland (Visual Arts), Brock Slocumb (Science: Biology), Cass High School students Jackson Armona (Communicative Arts), Jayce Bradford (Computer Science), Emma Brown (Music: Oboe), Josue Granados (Music: Flute), Caydi Hyde (World Languages: Chinese), Brandy Jordan (Theatre Performance), Charlotte Langhans (Music: Flute), Cindy Muniz (Computer Science), Connor New (Mathematics), Damaya Norwood (Music: French Horn), Savannah Plumley (Visual Arts), Hailey Sullins (Social Studies), Natalie Tucker (Theatre Performance), Kaitlyn Zimmerman (Visual Arts), Woodland High School students Makai Messier (Music: Euphonium ), Talal Tariq (Mathematics), Hylan Westberry-Davis (Music: Saxophone), and Madi Ann Taff (Science: Biology).
These intellectually gifted and artistically talented students are now invited to complete an online state-level application by January 8, 2024. Semifinalists will be named February 2, 2024, and have the opportunity to interview or audition at Georgia Southern University on February 24, 2024. Finalists and Alternates will be announced March 22, 2024.
Upon acceptance, finalists will participate in the elite, four-week, summer residential program at Georgia Southern University starting June 16, 2024. Students will attend classes in the mornings and afternoons in specific areas of study and discover life-changing instructional opportunities not found in a traditional classroom.
“This group is about half sophomores and half juniors,” said GHP Coordinator Paula Camp. “Also, about half of our students advancing in the program were also nominated on the district-level last year. The nomination areas vary greatly, from Agricultural Research, Biotechnology, and Science to World Languages (Chinese and Spanish) and Music. Our musicians will be showcasing their passion for a wide range of instruments, like the oboe, flute, french horn, saxophone, and euphonium. Not only is this group passionate, but they are also polished, and I am so excited to see who emerges as a semifinalist. They all deserve the opportunity to experience this unique program at Georgia Southern University!”
The Governor’s Honors Program remains fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly.
STEM SHOWCASE: It's always nice to see dozens of educators from around the area, like Calhoun City and Rome City, along with Bartow County administrators and student STEM ambassadors, learn STEM instruction from Adairsville Middle School! AMS is one of the only schools in the area that is State STEM Certified! Great job on your STEM Showcase, AMS! #leadingtheway #betterinbartow
MUSIC & MEMORIES: GMEA District 7 Elementary Honor Chorus...a night of beautiful music and memories! Twenty-nine schools from around the district, including our 12 elementary schools, performed at Tabernacle Baptist Church Thursday night under award-winning Clinicians Rick McKee and Tiffany English and Accompanists Angee McKee and Jennifer Williams!
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 Jennifer Kastensmidt, our Certification and Personnel Support Specialist. Jennifer is sociable and as funny as she is friendly! She knows her job and does it well. She definitely makes us all better! Congratulations, Jennifer!
WAIT, THERE'S MORE: GHSF Daily also presented these COLONELS with the Georgia High School Football Daily State “Team of the Week" Award after defeating Kell! Congratulations! Now, let's go get another win tomorrow in Atlanta!
LET'S GOOOO: It was ELECTRIC this morning at Cass High School as FOX 5 joined us for some SHOUTOUTS and to deliver the HIGHLY COVETED HIGH 5 HAND TROPHY to the Cass High School Football Team! They're the TEAM OF THE WEEK for the SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR! Who's ready to FIRE THE CANNON Friday as the COLONELS take on MAYS during the second round of the playoffs?!
SURPRISE: Tune in to FOX 5 tomorrow between 8:35 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. to see FOX 5 present the coveted High 5 Hand Trophy to the Cass High School Football Team! Not only will you see our players, but you’ll also see our coaches, cheerleaders, and band!
Congratulations, CHS, on being named the SPORTS TEAM OF THE WEEK! They were chosen after defeating a #1 seed in the playoffs! Up next...Lakewood Stadium!
FALL COLLEGE TOUR: Our three-day trip continues with visits to Clemson, University of Georgia, and Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville!
While at GCSU, Adairsville High School Student Emma Ridley was presented with her acceptance letter during the admissions briefing by the director of admissions! How about that! The college was releasing their first round of decisions today at 5! They knew Emma was on the trip and wanted to surprise her!
Congratulations to Emma on her acceptance to GCSU! This is how we do things in Bartow!!!
EXCELLENCE IN FARM-TO-SCHOOL INITIATIVES: Bartow County School Nutrition earns the Golden Radish Award for the ninth consecutive year!
“In order to win the Golden Radish Award, school districts must have locally grown items in school meals, facilitate farm-to-school promotions and marketing throughout the school year, plant edible gardens, and adopt farm-to-school language into policy or procedure,” said Bartow County School Nutrition Director Betsy Roam. “The Golden Radish Award recognizes districts that do an excellent job meeting each of the criteria listed above.”
Bartow County is one out of only 47 districts in Georgia to receive this award through the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Department of Agriculture, University of Georgia Extension, and Georgia Department of Public Health.
“I attribute the success of winning the Golden Radish Award to working collaboratively with all Bartow County school staff and Bartow County's community leaders,” added Roam. “I view this award as a huge success for our district because it not only shows our farm-to-school efforts but also our ability to work as a team for the overarching goal of eliminating food insecurity and increasing sustainability in our district.”
Other recent notable achievements for the nutrition department include National recognition for hosting a weekly series called “Takeover Tuesday.” During the school events, they teach educational lessons and enhance the farm-to-school experience for all students. The school nutrition department works to engage students on everything from chicken coops to learning about pollinators and edible gardens.
FALL COLLEGE TOUR: A group of our Adairsville, Cass, and Woodland high school students are on a three-day college tour! First up...Berry College and Young Harris College! On both campuses, students were given admissions briefings by admissions officers!
APPRECIATION POST: We are so thankful for Amanda Elrod's 20 years of service in the Bartow County School System! Over the last two decades, she has been an integral part of the teams at Euharlee Elementary and White Elementary! Mrs. Elrod currently serves as the Warriors' outstanding principal!
RIGHT WORK: Let's recognize our new Ms. Dot STAR Award winners for going above and beyond in their line of work. Their impact can truly be felt districtwide!
CONGRATULATIONS:
Tracy McDowell, Title 1 Paraprofessional, Clear Creek Elementary School
Reagan Doss, Exceptional Education Paraprofessional, Emerson Elementary School
Ann Ward, Head Custodian, Adairsville High School
NEW: The Bartow County Board of Education votes to nominate Bartow County School System Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Clint Terza as the sole finalist for the position of superintendent of Bartow County Schools.
Monday night, Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2024.
“I am truly humbled and honored,” said Terza. “If this opportunity comes to fruition, I look forward to continuing the work of our Professional Learning Communities while working with the System Guiding Coalition to focus on Tier I instruction. Together, with our dedicated educators, staff, parents, students, and our faith and business communities, I am eager to contribute to the continued success and growth of our schools. I look forward to the opportunity to lead and serve, working collaboratively to ensure that all students remain focused on our fundamental purpose of learning.”
Terza came to the Bartow County School System in 2019, filling the chief leadership and learning role left vacant by Dr. Kimberly Fraker when she was named the sole finalist for the superintendent’s position in the Gordon County School District.
Terza has more than 28 years of experience in public education. Over the last 20 years, he held many leadership roles, including principalship positions in Cobb County elementary, middle, and high schools. In Bartow County, over the last five years, Terza’s responsibilities included principal and school-related operations, safety and security, capital improvement projects, transportation, athletics, and evaluation systems.
By Georgia law, the school board is now required to wait at least 14 calendar days. Final action on the position could come as early as December 11, 2023. If Terza is appointed, he will assume his new role June 1, 2024.
NEW: Bartow County School System Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page announces his retirement after successfully serving 33 years in education.
Over the last five years, Dr. Page led a culture shift in Bartow County through the implementation of Professional Learning Communities. Standing at the forefront of reform, he helped raise student achievement and earn National recognition.
From a Model PLC District to a Cognia System of Distinction, Bartow County recently recorded a near perfect score during the rigorous Accreditation Engagement Review process. It is one of only eight systems in the world to achieve this.
Since Dr. Page took the helm in 2018, the graduation rate, which is another key indicator of success for a system, skyrocketed from 87.1% to 95% today.
Dr. Page supported the creation of Magnet Programs in Bartow County, along with several other key community-based programs, such as ContinUed Bartow, Read to Grow, and Bartow Cares.
He also supported Bartow County’s first-ever mass communication system and app to reinforce a strong connection between home and school.
Under the leadership of Dr. Page, employees saw one-time pay supplements and raises to support teacher recruitment and retention efforts and remain competitive in today’s workforce.
The list of notable achievements over the last five years is innumerable, but if you ask Dr. Page, he will simply say, “there’s still work to do.” The Bartow County School System will miss that never complacent, forward-thinking attitude when he retires on June 30, 2024, but excitement is building as current Chief Leadership and Learning Officer Clint Terza looks to build on this foundation as sole finalist for the position of Bartow County School System Superintendent.
NEW: After 30 years of dedicated service in public education, Bartow County School System Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Chiprany announces his intent to retire on June 30, 2024.
Dr. Chiprany served as the chief academic officer in Bartow County for one year before being promoted to the newly created position of deputy superintendent in 2019.
Dr. Chiprany is a relationship-oriented leader. Connection-building is truly the foundation of his role. While creating a collaborative culture, he naturally inspires group decision making and innovation. Those skills led to the Model Professional Learning Community District designation and subsequent National recognition. He also assisted 18 out of 20 Bartow County schools to achieve similar status.
If you are an employee of the Bartow County School System, you know the most prestigious award you can receive is an A-Team Award. Dr. Chiprany has been very involved in the process of celebrating collaborative teams that are focused on the right work. From idea conception to interviews and awards, Dr. Chiprany mentors teams and assists with board meeting presentations.
Dr. Chiprany also played a major role in the extensive internal preparation for Cognia’s Accreditation Engagement Review process. He carefully worked through survey data and more from students, parents, and teachers. It earned the system one of the best scores in the world.
Dr. Chiprany leads professional learning in all schools, at all levels, and Central Office. He models exactly what is expected and is always looking for ways to improve the learning process.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, along with Advanced Placement participation, have grown exponentially under the leadership of Dr. Chiprany. All schools are District STEM Certified and one middle school is State STEM Certified. College Board’s newly released AP Scholar roster includes 193 Bartow County School System students earning 236 awards – the highest numbers ever recorded in Bartow County.
It is not all “business,” though, when it comes to Dr. Chiprany. You may remember, last year, he endured countless hours of choreography to embody the one and only Maverick from Top Gun in Cartersville Dances with the Stars to support Backpack Buddies and the Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter. This is yet another example of Dr. Chiprany’s “whatever it takes” attitude that we will miss when he retires at the end of this academic year to focus on his family and farm.
BOARD RECOGNITIONS: Ms. Dot Frasier, Bartow Education Foundation Executive Director
“The North Georgia Community Foundation has an incredible fundholder who is passionate about the educational work of Dot Frasier in this community,” said Michelle Prater, President and CEO of the North Georgia Community Foundation. “To honor the legacy that Dot has begun, our fundholder created the Dot Frasier Educational Enrichment Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide resources to the educators of the Bartow County School System for support in creating unique educational opportunities and experiences that will directly impact students in grades K-12 through curriculum development grants. The Dot Frasier Educational Enrichment Fund was established as an endowment, which means the educational impact will continue today, tomorrow and in perpetuity. I am honored to be here today, on behalf of our fundholder, to present this check in the amount of $12,291.87 for the educators of the Bartow County School System.”
“Wow, I am speechless,” added Ms. Dot. “This money will help fund a lot of classroom supplies that our teachers would not have been able to fund otherwise. I am incredibly thankful for this fundholder’s generous contribution to the Bartow County community.”
BOARD RECOGNITIONS: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH – Ms. Wanda Williams, BCSS Bus Driver
“She never complains or has discipline issues on her bus. The students are packed out on her bus and Ms. Wanda has a very orderly system, just like a classroom. Ms. Wanda has been driving over 37 years and still going strong. I can remember when my own kids would ride her bus from White Elementary every afternoon to Cass Middle, and I never worried about them or their safety. She is our point person for athletics and after school transportation. Ms. Wanda schedules the buses to take the athletic teams, band, chorus, and any other field trips we may have at Cass Middle.” – Gregg Hedden, CMS Assistant Principal
THANK YOU, VETERANS: It's always standing room only at Woodland Middle School's Annual Veteran's Day Ceremony, and this year was no different! Administrators planned for months and executed yet another power, poignant program filled with the Presentation of Colors by Adairsville High School's JROTC, chorus and band performances, slide shows, POW/MIA Table Ceremony, and several student reflection stories. Students also presented cards to our local Veterans, and at the end, the building erupted in applause and a much-deserved standing ovation!
