Bartow County School System

LET'S HAVE A LITTLE FUN: Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and we want to know... Did you meet your forever love in Bartow County Schools? Whether you were high school sweethearts or reconnected later in life, we want to hear your #BCSSLoveStory! Share your story below or email it with a PICTURE, and we may feature it on our social media channels this FRIDAY! Thank you! Let's have fun with this! #HeartfeltHistories #BCSSBuildsBeautifulStories #WhereLoveGrows Email: alisha.evans@bartow.k12.ga.us

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: While Superintendent Terza was at the College & Career Academy for a meeting, he couldn't resist stopping by to say hello to the preschool class! They were absolutely thrilled to see him—and, of course, to discuss why chocolate milk is the best. Just one more reason (#98,347) why we have the best superintendent around! Students and their learning are at the heart of everything he does.

BIG BCSS ANNOUNCEMENT: Four Bartow County LEGO Robotics teams returned with trophies from the Chattanooga Regional Championship—and TWO are advancing to the international stage! Emerson Elementary’s Encoders earned 1st Place Champions, securing a spot in the Western Edge Open Competition in Long Beach, California, from May 30 to June 1. They’ll compete alongside 90 teams from 24 countries! Mission Road Elementary’s Robocats took 2nd Place Champion, advancing to the Florida Sunshine Invitational in Daytona Beach, Florida, from June 24-28, at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus. They’ll face off against 96 teams from 24 countries! Clear Creek Elementary’s Team Blaze earned 1st Place for Robot Game performance with an impressive top score of 340 points! White Elementary’s Great Warrior Sharks claimed 2nd Place for Robot Design! Additionally, Hamilton Crossing Elementary’s RoboKnights and Euharlee Elementary’s Mecha Cats earned strong scores, showing their incredible talent! Mark your calendars to see all 13 Bartow County LEGO Robotics teams in action at the Bartow Robotics Showcase at Georgia Highlands College in Cartersville on March 8.

IT HAS ARRIVED: Our donated Porsche from Sam's Garage rolled into the Bartow County College and Career Academy today and our students COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! Thank you! We'll continue to document the work on this vehicle and share with you all! Who knows, maybe it could end up in the Savoy one day 😉

FUTURE FOCUSED: Our very own Superintendent, Clint Terza, has been named to the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce's incoming 2025 Board of Directors! A well-educated population contributes to a strong, competitive local economy. Superintendent Terza will do a great job highlighting the importance of investing in education as a driver of economic growth! The Board announcement was made today at the Chamber's annual meeting and quarterly luncheon. We love working with our Chamber!

MUSICAL MILESTONE: The Cass Middle School Honor Band makes history with its first-ever performance at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Conference! Selected as one of the top middle school bands in the state, they showcased their dedication, musicianship, and passion for excellence on a prestigious stage. This milestone performance not only highlights the students' hard work but also cements Cass Middle School’s reputation as a premier band program in Georgia. The honor of performing at GMEA reflects the program’s growth, commitment, and the unwavering support of its students, director, and community.

COUNSELOR CELEBRATION: As National School Counseling Week comes to a close, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our 34 school counselors and to Brent Shropshire at Central Office for his leadership. Today, they enjoyed a special luncheon with keynote speaker Ms. Veronica Owens from Georgia Agricultural Education, where we honored their invaluable role as mentors, listeners, and champions of every student’s potential. Their unwavering dedication is key to our students' success, and we couldn’t be more thankful for all they do. Cass High School Counselor Andrew Griffin said it well, "Through our support, we create a safe space where students can grow, reflect, and build resilience. When a student feels uncertain about their path or struggles with balancing school and personal challenges, counselors are there, providing not just solutions, but hope. We help students see that their dreams are possible and encourage them to embrace their uniqueness, strengths, and talents." THANK YOU: Wendi Rood Tara O’Dell Marcia Guse Holly Bishop Niki Patterson Danielle Monroe Crystal Heim Stephanie Hadaway Claudia Adams Megan Trevino Francie Livingston Kaye Matthews Amy Morgan Laura Over Edson Pierre Tracy Moore LaToia Carter (Social Worker) Jonathan Campbell Heather Pezzello Melissa Hulsey (Social Worker) Dina Donato Hannah Dodd Kellen Martinak Bren Lewis Dr. Jessica Holt Twilya Toombs Michelle Jenkins (Social Worker) Alison Whitehead Andrew Griffin Torriann Willis Tarah Akins Monal Nabulsi Ashley Saddler (Homeless Liaison)

CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND: Join us in cheering on our six Bartow County Robotics teams as they compete tomorrow at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for the FIRST Lego League Region Championship! Best of luck to CCES Team Blaze, Emerson Encoders, Euharlee Mecha Cats, Hamilton Crossing Robo-Knights, MRES Robocats, and White Great Warrior Sharks. The event is free and open to the public — come out and support these amazing teams!

PORSCHE DONATION: We are excited to share that the Bartow County College and Career Academy has received an extraordinary donation of a Porsche from Mike’s Garage! The car will arrive at the Academy on February 11, 2025, at 9:11 a.m. This remarkable gift offers our students a unique, hands-on opportunity to collaborate and restore the vehicle. As part of our Automotive/Technical program, students will hone their skills in car maintenance, repair, and problem-solving, all while working as a cohesive team. A heartfelt thank you to Mike from Porsche, Bruce at Savoy, Joshua Johnson from Lake Point, Sam at Sam’s Garage, Dr. Lance Berry from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Board of Commissioners, CTAE Director Lisa Diprima, Automotive Instructor Aaron Almaguer, Jennifer Stratton, and Tamika Brundidge from Chattahoochee Technical College for their unwavering support of our students' growth and learning! The Chattahoochee Technical College dual enrollment film class, led by Instructor Mike Beavers, will document and share videos of this exciting project, and Mr. Jonathan Wallin’s engineering class will be fabricating parts for the restoration. Thank you to everyone for making this incredible opportunity possible!

STAR STATUS: The Cartersville Rotary Club celebrates the Cartersville-Bartow County STAR students and teachers! Adairsville High School's Levi Heim, Cass High School's Cindy Muniz, and Woodland High School's Talal Tariq achieved the highest SAT scores at their respective schools, earning them the title of STAR students from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. Additionally, being in the top 10% of their class, these students selected the educators who have had the most significant impact on their academic journeys. Heim chose AHS Engineering Teacher Ryan Torrence as his STAR teacher, Muniz selected CHS AP U.S. History Teacher Julian Woodward, and Tariq nominated WHS Physics Teacher Jacquelyn Brennan. The Rotary Club of Cartersville also honored Heim as the DISTRICT WINNER for achieving the highest SAT score in the county! Heim and his STAR teacher will now compete for regionwide honors next month.

STAR STATUS: Introducing Adairsville High School's 2024-2025 STAR Student, Levi Heim, and STAR Teacher, Mr. Ryan Torrence! Levi Heim has been honored as a STAR Student by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) for achieving the highest SAT score in his graduating class. He has chosen Mr. Torrence, his Engineering teacher, as his STAR Teacher, recognizing him as the educator who has had the most significant impact on his academic journey. Congratulations to both! They will be celebrated at a special luncheon tomorrow at the Cartersville Country Club, where the winners of the District STAR Student & STAR Teacher Award will be announced.

STAR STATUS: Introducing Woodland High School's 2024-2025 STAR Student, Talal Tariq, and STAR Teacher, Mrs. Jacquelyn Brennan! Talal Tariq has been honored as a STAR Student by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) for achieving the highest SAT score in his graduating class. He has chosen Mrs. Brennan, his former Physics teacher, as his STAR Teacher, recognizing her as the educator who has had the most significant impact on his academic journey. Congratulations to both! They will be celebrated at a special luncheon tomorrow at the Cartersville Country Club, where the winners of the District STAR Student & STAR Teacher Award will be announced.

STAR STATUS: Introducing Cass High School's 2024-2025 STAR Student, Cindy Muniz, and STAR Teacher, Mr. Julian Woodward! Cindy Muniz has been honored as a STAR Student by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) for achieving the highest SAT score in her graduating class. She has chosen Mr. Julian Woodward, her AP U.S. History and AP Seminar teacher, as her STAR Teacher, recognizing him as the educator who has had the most significant impact on her academic journey. Congratulations to both! They will be celebrated at a special luncheon tomorrow at the Cartersville Country Club, where the winners of the District STAR Student & STAR Teacher Award will be announced.

BRIGHT IN BARTOW: Adairsville High School Senior Braden Mathis is among the elite 15 recipients worldwide to receive the prestigious 2025 Cameron Impact Scholarship! These scholars, selected from a pool of 3,000 applicants, will receive a four-year, merit-based scholarship covering full tuition and educational expenses at any U.S. university. This prestigious award recognizes young leaders committed to making a positive impact in their communities and the world. A Cameron Impact Scholar must demonstrate positive engagement in community service, exhibit strong leadership qualities, be active in extracurricular activities, and show strength in academics. Most notably, those identified as Cameron Impact Scholars must show the ability to make real, tangible contributions to their families, friends, and the greater society using their own individual gifts and talents. Congratulations, Braden! We are so incredibly proud of you, and we can't wait to see how you change the world!

SINGING HIS PRAISES: You are looking at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Music Educator of the Year for District 7 -- Mr. Seth Bates from Adairsville Middle School 🎼🥇👏 Congratulations! This is MUSIC to our ears! "His passion for teaching and enthusiasm for music are truly contagious," said AMS Principal Sarah Callaway. "While in his first year at AMS, Mr. Bates has already made a tremendous impact on our Fine Arts department, creating an engaging and dynamic classroom environment for his Band students. His leadership extends beyond music, as he sets a positive example for education as a whole. It's a joy to watch his dedication to fostering a love for music in his students." #betterinbartow #supportingfinearts

TECH TITANS: Bartow's tech savvy students celebrate success at the Regional Technology Competition in Rome! Our talented students excelled in various categories, including 3D Modeling, Animation, Device Modification, Digital Game Design, Internet Applications, Project Programming, Robotics, and Video Production. Bartow proudly secured first place in 15 projects, the second-highest number among all districts in our region. These projects will now advance to the state-level competition on March 1st. Congratulations to the following students and a huge thank you to their advisors: Cloverleaf Elementary: Juan Cifuentes, 3/4 Project Programming (Advisor: Angie Gravitt) Hamilton Crossing Elementary: Trent Howell, 5/6 Robotics (Advisor: Scarlet Collett) Adairsville Middle: Katie Martel & Mekenzie Moss, 5/6 Video Production (Advisor: Kelly Abernathy) Cass Middle: Connor Mohesky & Liam Broome, 7/8 Game Design (Advisor: Cheryl Camp) Adairsville High: Levi Heim, 11/12 3D Modeling (Advisor: Dr. Kelly Ratcliff) Adairsville High/Bartow College & Career Academy: Keira Woodside, 9/10 Animation (Advisors: Dr. Kelly Ratcliff and Mike Beavers) Adairsville High: Brian Hardy & Levi McStotts, 11/12 Device Modification (Advisor: Dr. Kelly Ratcliff) Adairsville High: Jordon Goodwin, 9/10 Project Programming (Advisor: Dr. Kelly Ratcliff) Adairsville High: Nathaniel Fortier, 11/12 Project Programming (Advisor: Dr. Kelly Ratcliff) Adairsville High: Gabriel Greenway, 11/12 Robotics (Advisor: Dr. Kelly Ratcliff) Cass High: Maria Mejia-Matias & Mia Lara-Garcia, 9/10 Internet Applications (Advisor: Melissa Womack)

ICE CREAM WITH A COP: To protect and serve...ice cream? Absolutely! Thanks to Bartow County School Resource Officer Donnie Scott, this delightful initiative is back and better than ever. Today, multiple law enforcement agencies joined the fun at Pine Log Elementary School, treating second graders to ice cream and important reminders that officers are here to help. What a fantastic way to support and invest in our littlest learners! SPECIAL THANKS: Billy Henson, Bartow County School Police Chief Donnie Scott, Bartow County School Resource Officer Alan Chester, Bartow County School Resource Officer Katelyn Flowers, Georgia Bureau of Investigations Sgt. Page, Euharlee Police Department K-9 Blue, Euharlee Police Department Deputy Caleb Black, Bartow County Sheriff's Office (Official)

HANG TIME: White Elementary sure "sticks" to creative fundraising! Principal Amanda Elrod is gearing up to dance in Cartersville's Dances with the Stars alongside her husband, Eric. But before they hit the dance floor, Principal Elrod found herself in a "sticky" situation—taped to the wall! The week-long fundraising efforts culminated with this event, raising an impressive $1,500. Now that's dedication!

YOUNG LITERARY LEGENDS: Drumroll, please! 🥁 The winners of the Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition are announced below! Next stop: the regional level! The YGA competition aims to inspire students to develop a passion for writing, celebrate their literary achievements, and acknowledge their excellence in both the arts and academics. Kindergarten - Zariya Grice, Allatoona Elementary 1st Grade - Amy Macedo Munoz, Allatoona Elementary 2nd Grade - Jackson Yohe, Taylorsville Elementary 3rd Grade - Sophie Mason, Taylorsville Elementary 4th Grade - Dylan Ayala-Mendoza, Allatoona Elementary 5th Grade - Emmett Schilling, Pine Log Elementary 6th Grade - Madalie Furey, Adairsville Middle 7th Grade - William Teasley, Red Top Middle 8th Grade - Josephine Rae Williamson, Woodland Middle XXX 10th Grade - Keira Woodside, Bartow County College and Career Academy 11th Grade - Ava Alston, Bartow County College and Career Academy 12th Grade - Keeghan Bevars, Woodland High School

The Bartow County Board of Education votes to postpone the called meeting originally scheduled for February 3, 2025, to vote on HB 581. This extension will enable the Board to conduct thorough due diligence in investigating the following areas before making a decision to opt into or out of HB 581: Current legislation has been proposed to extend the deadline for making a decision from March 1, 2025, to May 1, 2025. The extension could provide legislators with additional time to amend the Bill, particularly by incorporating a sunset clause. A sunset clause is a provision in a law, contract, or regulation that sets an expiration date for certain terms or conditions, after which the terms or the entire agreement become void unless extended. This would render the Bill non-permanent. The extension may also allow for the Bill to be classified as a state exemption, which would result in a smaller impact on local fair share and less money taken by the state from local school systems. To ensure clarity, local fair share refers to the portion of funding or resources that a local government or entity is responsible for contributing, based on its capacity and needs. This concept ensures that each locality pays its equitable share towards a larger regional or state initiative. In summary, we appreciate the efforts of our local legislators as they consider the aforementioned bill amendments to create a mutually beneficial outcome for our taxpayers and public education.