GROUNDHOG SHADOW DAY: On this Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and Woodland High School CTAE classes participate in a Groundhog Shadow Day! That means more than 680 students from all grade levels receive the opportunity to walk through a college and career fair today at WHS and excitedly ask questions about what local businesses and schools have to offer for jobs and postsecondary opportunities! The level of engagement is incredible! Thank you to our community parters that are participating. This morning, we saw the City of Cartersville, Chick-fil-A, Mister Softee, Georgia Highlands College, Chattahoochee Technical College, Dress for Success, and all branches of the military, just to name a few!
"GRANTING" WISHES: The Bartow Education Foundation awards 196 Bartow County teachers grant money to transform their classrooms and provide unique educational opportunities for hundreds of students.
“The Teacher Grant program is the largest project we fund,” said Bartow Education Foundation Executive Director Dot Frasier. This year, we disbursed $92,301.82 in grants. While that’s a little less than in years past, I am very happy with the outcome considering these unprecedented times. The grant money is introducing our students to materials and lessons that I never thought possible in Bartow County!”
Adairsville High School received $18, 621.59 in grant money – the most out of any school districtwide. Grants, which support learning, collaboration, and results, include the intent to purchase drones and 3-D printers to push the boundaries of innovation. Adairsville High School’s Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Technology, and Math will use its well-deserved money to erect a four-tier portable greenuse for a one-of-a-kind outdoor classroom. Math teachers will now be able to teach a Personal Finance class so students will be able to make sound financial decisions for life, and administrators will be purchasing paint to create encouraging, inspiring, and uplifting messages in restroom areas to make a positive impact on the school’s climate and culture, just to name a few grant proposals.
“So many teachers reach into their own pockets every year to supplement student learning,” added Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page. “So, we are very thankful for Ms. Dot and the Bartow Education Foundation, teachers, and community members who contribute annually to this worthy cause. Our students are learning at higher levels because of them.”
At the middle school level, teachers are spending their grant money on multi-sensory spaces for Exceptional Education students, tools to aid in graphic design, and even materials for community service projects, like mercy mats, made for distribution to the homeless population.
Many schools build upon projects started last year. At Cloverleaf Elementary School, teachers used grant money last year to purchase materials for a chicken coop. Cass High School students built it, and now teachers are utilizing additional grant money to purchase baby chickens and supplies for their garden area. Students from all grade levels will be able to complete many investigative projects and problem-based learning (PBL) tasks centered around the chickens, their needs, life cycle, and habitat.
In addition to the Teacher Grant program, which is now in its 27th year, the Bartow Education Foundation helps fund programs that benefit BCSS retirees, teachers of the year, and bus drivers.
[Pictured: Ms. Dot holding materials purchased through grants]
SAVE THE DATE: Join our world-class educators!
SCHOOL CHOICE: The Out-of-Zone/Out-of-District window will be opening on Monday, Feb. 7 at 8:00 a.m. and will close on Feb. 25 at 3:00 p.m. Please see the flyer below for more information!
FREE FAMILY NIGHT: The Booth Western Art Museum is hosting another fun Family Night this Thursday from 4-7:30 p.m. with a "Presidential Pet" theme! It's completely free with no registration required. Check out these activities!
* Pocket pet craft
* Oval office pocket pet photo shoot
* Selfie station
* Presidential pet matching game
* Balloon animals with a balloon artist
* Visiting artist
* Animal drawing activity
* FREE PRIZES
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=677876873238526
In accordance with 34 CFR 300.573, the Bartow County Board of Education will be destroying the Special Education records of students born in 1998. All records prior to this year have already been destroyed, as per Federal guidelines. Anyone interested in obtaining his or her records should notify this office in writing by March 1, 2022. Please include the following information: student name, date of birth, phone number, and last Bartow County school attended.
Please mail requests for records to the Exceptional Education Department, Bartow County Schools, 65 Gilreath Road, P.O. Box 200007, Cartersville, GA 30120-9026.
MOST PRESTIGIOUS SYSTEM AWARD: Superintendent Page and system leaders present Woodland Middle School and its seventh-grade ELA team, which consists of Lucy Costello, Joley Neubert, and Jody Taylor with the most prestigious award given by the District, the A-Team Award!
Lucy Costello, Joley Neubert, and Jody Taylor 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 seventh-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 the Woodland Middle 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!
Lucy Costello, Joley Neubert, and Jody Taylor will now present at an upcoming school board meeting, New Teacher Institute, and serve as role models for future A-Teams throughout our school system
This is our 11th 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 Janine McEwen, our Central Office Receptionist and Secretary. She's often the first voice our families hear when they call the school system. Janine is extremely organized, highly energetic, and has a true passion for the BCSS and all its families! She is also the first to help with many projects, including the Bartow Education Foundation Teacher Grants. Congratulations, Janine! You surely make us all better!
TRIPLE E SUCCESS NIGHT: Wow, you don't see this very often! Please take advantage of it if you can!
WOW: Bartow's Wrestlers continue to make a name for themselves! Take a look at these highlights from over the weekend!
* Cass High School - 5A State Wrestling CHAMPIONS
* Woodland High School - 5A 4th Place Overall
* Adairsville High School - 3A 4th Place Overall
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:
Ida Jewell, Paraprofessional, Cloverleaf Elementary School
Tracy Lee, Administrative Assistant, Euharlee Elementary School
Billy Henson, Campus Police Supervisor, Bartow County School Police
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: View the new Chamber Community Guide below! It features so many amazing BCSS students, like Noah McDurmon, Mya Moffitt, Colton Bennett, Charlotte Crumley, Thaddie McClendon, and Hunter Owens! http://digital.peachstatepublications.com/publication/?i=733015
REDISTRICTING INFORMATION: The Board of Education will review the draft map prepared for the district by the State Reapportionment and Redistricting office at the Work Session on Monday, February 7. Public comment regarding the redistricting is welcome. For the new districts to take effect in the 2022 election, they will have to be approved by the Board at the Business Meeting following the Work Session on February 7.
*This is redistricting for the election of school board members. It does not impact where children will attend school*
*CLICK LINK FOR ADDITIONAL MAPS AND INFORMATION*
https://www.bartow.k12.ga.us/article/635863
TRANSPORTATION SPOTLIGHT: We cannot say enough about our Transportation Department! When there is a shortage of bus drivers, like there has been lately, these woman in the Transportation office (and their director!) jump on the busses and run as many routes as needed - day or night! Thank you, Mikala Davis, Natalie Ingram Miller, Wendy Carringer, and the entire Transportation staff!
Again, if you're interested in becoming a BCSS bus driver, call 770-606-5873, or apply online at https://bartow.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
CARTERSVILLE DANCES WITH THE STARS: Bartow's own Lynn Hedden joins Cartersville Dances with the Stars to benefit Backpack Buddies and Good Neighbor Homeless Shelter! Check out the t-shirt she designed! Order deadline is January 31! Again, all proceeds help feed food insecure families in our county and support our homeless population.
https://app.mobilecause.com/f/3ne5/n?vid=pexf2
TRANSPORTATION SPOTLIGHT: The need for school bus drivers is real, not just here but across the nation. In our small community, no one feels that more than those in the Transportation Department.
Our employees need to be commended. All of them. They step up, exhibit pride, love, and unparalleled commitment to the transportation of our children.
Since the beginning of the academic year, Ms. Raeliene Smith has been running DOUBLE bus routes in the morning and DOUBLE bus routes in the afternoon. She is just one example. Licensed office workers in the Transportation Department are running routes. Licensed retired teachers are running routes. Licensed retired coaches are running routes.
This community is filled with superheroes! They're one of the first faces kids see in the morning and truly have an impact on lives.
If you want to be a world-changer, too, please fill out an application here https://bartow.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
STAR STUDENT AND TEACHER: Congratulations, Mark Brunson! Highest SAT score in his graduating class at Adairsville High School!! Mark advances in the Professional Association of Georgia Educators STAR program!
Mark picked AHS Teacher Summer Erickson as the teacher who has been most instrumental in his academic development! Congratulations, Ms. Erickson!
All three STAR Students and Teachers in Bartow County will now compete for System honors on Feb. 2 at the Rotary Club Luncheon.
OPTIONS & OPPORTUNITIES: Life-changing week for Cass High School Construction and Healthcare students!
With CHS Teacher Deanna Boughton leading the charge, students were able to experience the following activities thanks to Be Pro Be Proud Georgia:
- Test hand/eye coordination using a tool developed by NASCAR
- Utilize virtual reality goggles provided by Georgia Power to experience what a lineman does
- Utilize a welding simulator
- Construct a plumbing wall
- Explore human anatomy and agriculture through 3D devices
- Drive and deliver a commercial load using a driving simulator
- Operate a robot
Be Pro Be Proud, sponsored by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, is a hands-on workshop available to Georgia middle and high schools to introduce them to skilled professions.
The workshop highlights careers that are in high demand and pay approximately $16,000 more per year than the average paying job in Georgia!
REMINDER: The Bartow County School System will be closed Monday, January 17, 2022, in observance of the Martin Luther King Holiday. Classes will resume Tuesday, January 18.
The BCSS is also monitoring the possibility of inclement weather this weekend. Should any schedule changes occur, as always, we will communicate them to you quickly and efficiently through phone, text, app, and social media.
Enjoy your long weekend, and please stay safe if a winter weather event does occur 🌨
HOW ‘BOUT THEM DAWGS: Among a sea of red and black at the National Championship game, you’ll find our very own Micayla Moffitt!
This 2020 Woodland High School alumna plays the clarinet in the Redcoat Band!
Current WHS Band Director Michael Kobito said, “Micayla was always a spirited student at Woodland, and we are proud that she brought that spirit with her to UGA!”
