SWEET SENIOR CELEBRATIONS: White Elementary School alumni and 2023 high school graduates had the honor of leading the iconic fifth grade walk at WES! "Full of pride is an understatement," said WES staff!
SWEET SENIOR CELEBRATIONS: Lots of smiles, laughter, and tears as these seniors walk down the hallways of their elementary school, Hamilton Crossing, ONE LAST TIME before starting a brand-new chapter in their lives!
NEW: Wide eyes and even wider smiles; that was the reaction from Red Top Middle School students today when they saw their new Learning Hub for the first time. Many called it “futuristic” and gasped when they saw the media center transformed into a modern space with a focus on literacy, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
“The new Learning Hub at RTMS will be far more than just a freshly designed space,” said RTMS Principal Wes Dickey. “Our Learning Hub will foster education geared toward the future, incorporating STEM processes and ideals.”
In the RTMS Learning Hub, you will find new drones, 3D printers, computers, robots, a clear touch panel, and green screen in standards-based learning zones.
“We now have a Makerspace and specific areas for Robotics, television production, formal research, presentations, collaboration, remediation, and extension group work, just to name a few spaces,” said Principal Dickey. “Our updated Learning Hub will foster critical thinking, problem solving, design, engineering, and other employable skill sets. We are very excited to embrace the future of educational best practices!”
This is the second media center transformation this month. Before the start of the new 2023-2024 academic year, the Bartow County School System anticipates new Learning Hubs in all elementary and middle schools. White Elementary is slated to unveil its transformation next.
All projects are fully funded through federal coronavirus relief efforts.
PROJECT SEARCH GRADUATION & REUNION: Nine interns completed Project SEARCH this year! Congratulations!
Timothy Bell
Aaron Black
Ashley Brown
Chloe Character
Craigory Chatman
Barry Edwards
Skye Hancock
Jake Wright
Will Wright
Project SEARCH is a business-led, high school-to-work transition program for students with disabilities. Our interns work primarily at Piedmont Cartersville.
Three of our interns currently have jobs, and four interns have interviews scheduled over the next several days!
Over the past 10 years, 62 interns completed Project SEARCH in Bartow County.
Last night, a plaque was presented to Piedmont Cartersville for their 10-year partnership with Project SEARCH and to thank them for their support.
A special bench, honoring three interns who passed away over the years, Baronica Lopez, Callison Howell, and Frank Clemmons, was also donated last night by Piedmont Cartersville. It will be placed in the Physicians Center in their memory.
THANKFUL: Our faithful Read to Grow volunteers and mentors from our faith-based community, businesses, and schools always do OUTSTANDING work! This year, the students they worked with started at 20% proficiency on their first grade word lists and ended the year 93.7% proficient! Amazing work! We are so thankful for each and every one of you! Read to Grow and Mentor Coordinator Kristy Mitchell held a luncheon today in their honor!
NATIONAL NURSES WEEK: “When you’re a school nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life, or a life will touch yours.”
We have the best in Bartow and beyond! Thank you for your service! 👩⚕️
[not all pictured]
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: CMS students! Today, seventh graders learned about clean water solutions for the people in Sudan. In the research process, they read the book called "A Long Walk to Water." As you can see in these pictures, other STEM activities were in full swing too!
A-TEAM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Cass Middle School and its eighth grade English Language Arts team, which consists of Stephanie Brant, Miller Barnett, Justin Carver, Megan Gannon, and Jenna Johnson with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award!
Stephanie Brant, Miller Barnett, Justin Carver, Megan Gannon, and Jenna Johnson 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 eighth grade ELA 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 Kristy Arnold and Cass Middle School's 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!
Stephanie Brant, Miller Barnett, Justin Carver, Megan Gannon, and Jenna Johnson will now present at a school board meeting this summer, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system.
This is our 21st collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!
BARTOW COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM - BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND🍎🫐🌽🍔🥗🌮🍽
A-TEAM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Woodland Middle School and its eighth grade English Language Arts team, which consists of Jennifer Mayer and Abbey Yohe with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award!
Jennifer Mayer and Abbey Yohe 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 eighth grade ELA 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 Michael Blankenship and Woodland Middle School's 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!
Jennifer Mayer and Abbey Yohe will now present at a future school board meeting this summer, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system.
This is our 20th collaboration team to earn an A-Team Award!
SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Bartow County School Police Officer Donnie Scott is hard at work with his Cass Middle School Men's Leadership group! Today, they were cooking up waffles for #TeacherAppreciationWeek2023 with the help of Cartersville Police, Public Safety at Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center, Cass coaches, Deputy Superintendent David Chiprany, Michael Nelson, and Dr. Brent Shropshire! The way these individuals invest in the lives of our students and community is nothing short of extraordinary! #betterinbartow
CAN YOU SAY AHHH-MAZING: Cary Eldridge will be our new System Lead Nurse next academic year! Nurse Eldridge has more than 20 years of experience, five with the Bartow County School System! She started at Taylorsville Elementary before moving over to Red Top Middle. Nurse Eldridge is top notch! Hit that "love" button; let's give her another warm welcome as she takes on a new role within the BCSS!
Adairsville Elementary School Tigers roared with excitement as the Bartow County School System unveiled a new Learning Hub in their school – the first of 16 countywide!
From media centers to Learning Hubs, they are an extension of the classroom with a focus on literacy and collaboration in all things Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM),” said Paula Camp, director of Advanced Learning, STEM, and Gifted programs.
The transformation at AES included 3D Robo printers, Marty robots, drones, desktop computers, tablets, color printer, charging cart, clear touch panel, collaborative and makerspace tables, reading couch, book theater, recording area, and an updated morning announcement desk.
“Our book theater, as our second graders have named it, is a tiered reading area where we teach reading lessons with a class of students,” said AES Principal Melissa Zarefoss. “It is exciting to have the updated and added technology so that all students can be exposed to technologies that are vital for success in today’s marketplace. It is our goal that all students will have a general working knowledge and firm technological foundation before they leave for middle school.”
Last year, while in the fourth year of STEM implementation, the BCSS saw a need to extend standards-based STEM instruction into media centers. A subcommittee was formed, post-secondary visits were made, and the design stage began.
“We anticipate new Learning Hubs in all elementary and middle schools by next academic year,” said Camp. “Each space is individualized and a direct reflection of the schools STEM implementation plan. These spaces will facilitate a new level of learning that is not just inviting and updated but allows students, community members, parents, and teachers access to digital spaces, content creation, and STEM integration in a collaborative and social environment.”
The next transformation will be unveiled May 16 at Red Top Middle School.
All projects are fully funded through federal coronavirus relief efforts.
FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: White Elementary School 5th Grader Joshua Fuentes worked hard for several months to fulfill a self-goal and earn a visit from his HERO, Sacovie White! Joshua did it and Sacovie graciously stepped up and made it happen!
Sacovie is a junior at Cass High School and will play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs after graduation!
These smiles literally SAY IT ALL!
SCHOOL NUTRITION HERO DAY: Take a look at these superheroes; the ones who make sure our students are fed, loved, and ready to learn! Who needs a cape when you have an apron?!!
[Several superheroes present, but not all👩🍳]
SERVING UP SUCCESS: Look who served up dozens of waffles today! In appreciation of our teachers at Hamilton Crossing Elementary, the HCES Leadership students, Bartow County School Police, Bartow County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol, and Cass coaches dished up deliciousness to many deserving educators! Special thanks to BCSS Officer Donnie Scott for showing our young men how to be leaders in our wonderful community!
THE MOST MEMORABLE MEET UPS: A story as sweet as these sugar snap peas! White Elementary School kindergarten students grew delicious strawberries and peas for the Tiger Lily Estates Assisted Living and Memory Lane Family! ESOL Teacher Jennifer Martin connected the two communities, and now, guess what? The TLE family is planning a "field trip" to meet our amazing students and garden!
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 Clint Terza, our Chief Leadership and Learning Officer! Clint brings decades of experience and knowledge in education, but moreover, he ALWAYS brightens the workplace with his positivity and friendly demeanor! He makes us all better! Congratulations, Clint!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: Bartow County College and Career Academy students! The Academy is such a rare find! Open its doors and you might just see welding, CPR training, pig dissections, cosmetologists, and so much more! It's such a unique experience!
A SUMMER OF STEM: Didn't get into our Summer STEM Camp? Don't worry! Check out these AMAZING STEM camps offered by Georgia Highlands College!
