Bartow County School System

For the first time in system history, Bartow County students beat the national average on the ACT, but that's not all, their composite score reached an all-time high! The Class of 2021 recorded an average composite score of 20.9, compared to the national average of 20.3. All three high schools saw individual gains as well. Adairsville High School boasts the highest composite score systemwide with 21.1. The AHS Class of 2021 also saw a record high score in the Mathematics category. The data for Cass High School is equally impressive. Last year’s class recorded the highest scores the school has ever seen in English, Reading, and Science. They matched last year’s score in the Mathematics category. Woodland High School also saw record high increases in three out of the four categories: Mathematics, Reading, and Science. Its average composite score of 20.9 beat the national average of 20.3 “First we see historic increases on the SAT this year and now the ACT, even in the middle of a pandemic,” said Bartow County School System Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page. “The ACT examination assesses general educational development and the ability to complete college level work. I’m excited to see the preparedness from this class and the tremendous effort from our teachers!”

BIRTHDAY WISHES: Join us in wishing the legendary Bartow Education Foundation Executive Director, Ms. Dot Frasier, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She has touched the lives of countless children (and adults) in the Bartow County School System for the last 63 years! We love you, Ms. Dot!

JOIN US: Superintendents Dr. Phillip Page and Dr. Marc Feuerbach team up to help children and families through the support of two programs offered by Advocates for Children. Hope in Your Home is a free, home visitation program that teaches simple and practical strategies for parents and caregivers to confidently manage their child's behavior and build strong relationships. Rainbows is a grief counseling program that helps children heal from painful family transitions, including separation, divorce, death, illness, and military deployment. Marc and Phillip invite you to join their support of these wonderful programs by donating at this link https://app.mobilecause.com/vf...

REMEMBERING OUR OWN: The sweet, sentimental tributes keep pouring in for our own Mrs. Renee Turner...#242Strong #DriveTribe

REMEMBERING OUR OWN: Bartow County School Bus #242 now sits empty outside of Taylorsville Elementary School. Its sudden quietness matches the somber community. The woman once in the driver’s seat, Mrs. Renee Turner, unexpectedly passed away last week. She had only been with the Bartow County School System for three years, but she surely had one of the most vibrant busses in Bartow County. From “Mrs. Renee’s Ghost Crew” decorations to strategically placed inspirational messages, Turner’s bus was one to remember. The vibrancy of her bus was only surpassed by the vibrancy of her personality; hugs, smiles, and even crafts were commonplace on #242. Turner’s co-workers fondly remember her as a kind, happy, fun-loving person who truly enjoyed her work with Bartow County school children. In the days leading up to her passing, she told her co-workers, “Show them love, kindness, and respect, and it goes a long way. I treat them like I do my own child.” Black bows now adorn several bright, yellow busses. A team of counselors console children, and carefully, handcrafted cards are waiting on the Turner Family.

CROSS-TOWN RIVALRY: Cass High School Principal Steve Revard and Woodland High School Principal Dave Stephenson at this weekend's big cross-town rivalry football game! The Colonels came away with the "W," but it was a great game, and it was filled with Bartow County Parks and Recreation football players and cheerleaders!

MCDONALD'S FIVE DAY GIVEAWAY: Teachers, school staff, and administrators can get a free “Thank You Meal” next Monday through Friday (Oct. 11-15) at participating restaurants nationwide during breakfast hours! Valid ID required. Limit one per person per day. Not available with Mobile Order & Pay or McDelivery®. Includes Egg McMuffin®, Sausage Biscuit, or Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, plus Hash Browns and a medium soft drink or Premium Roast or Iced Coffee. The Bartow County School System found two local participating locations! 226 N. Dixie Ave. 1130 West Ave.

CELEBRATING NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: Cass High School concludes its celebration of Hispanic Heritage month with its first-ever Hispanic Heritage Spectacular! Student members of the Hispanic Organization Promoting Education (HoPe) club designed and implemented several Latino cultural events this month. From an informational table in the cafeteria with Latino historical trivia, traditional candies, crafts, music, and artwork to four live performances in the theatre today. Students in all world language classes received the opportunity to attend a cultural performance of Latino music, Quinceañera dress fashion show, dance lessons in Bachata from the Dominican Republic, Cumbia from Colombia, and traditional Mexican dances. The event ended with a lively Spanish karaoke! This celebration provided an opportunity for Cass students to have an extracurricular experience with a global theme in the Spanish language and culture, while also allowing students to achieve one of the many requirements to earn the International Skills Diploma Seal upon graduation.

FULL CIRCLE: This is a special, one-of-a-kind, full circle kind of moment for fourth-grade Kingston Elementary School Teacher Shannon Graham. In her own words: "These two ladies made me fall in love with learning, reading, and teaching. It all started in 3rd grade with Heather Moulder (left) and continued into 4th grade with Jenn Martin (right). I now have books in my classroom library that I read while in those classes and I get to share that same experience with my students today. Teachers leave such an enormous impression on children. These two just so happen to be my favorite! I glean a lot from them: their successes, their methods, their interaction with the children at school & within the community." So powerful. What wonderful educators for the Bartow County School System! We are so glad they could meet up once again during professional development this week!

GA PRE-K WEEK: Let's celebrate all our pre-K kiddos and teachers! The foundational work teachers are doing now is setting them up for success! We are PROUD! Check out these cuties from Mrs. Crystal Hill's class at Hamilton Crossing Elementary!

'ACTIVELY' WORKING TO EDUCATE: Our Physical Education teachers are learning interactive games in order to incorporate additional literacy and math into their curriculum! These games promote critical thinking, the understanding of angles, communication skills, and so much more!

LITTLE GREEN THUMBS: White Elementary School students and teachers have been busy getting their fall grade-level gardens ready! Thank you to the Bartow County UGA Extension office for continuously providing WES with new growth each season. Local master gardeners donate their time, experience, and plants to White Elementary's expansive gardens, and at this time, they have a raised garden bed for each grade level! L👁👁k at what’s growing…Pre-K =collards, Kindergarten = broccoli, 1st = cabbage, 2nd = fall tomatoes and kale🍅, 3rd = cauliflower, 4th = herbs/flowers🌻, and 5th = sugar

MYSTERY DINNER: As an incentive to read independently, sixth-grade ELA teachers at Woodland Middle School invited students who met their reading goal to a Mystery Dinner! You can see about 50 smiling faces AND a delicious cake! Next reading reward? Reindeer Games!

MEET YOUR NEW REACH GEORGIA SCHOLARS: Hard work pays off for these five eighth-grade students! They were chosen today for the 2021-2022 cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars! Sam Gardner, Lakota Cummings, Aiden Pledger, Josue Granados, and Raleigh McCain were nominated by their teachers and counselors, completed an application and interview process, and were selected by a team made up of school and community leaders. Our scholars will officially commit at a Signing Day celebration later this month! Let's give them a hand! Upon successful completion, each student will receive up to about $30,000 in college scholarships! Wow! AMS - Sam Gardner CMS - Lakota Cummings and Aiden Pledger RTMS - Josue Granados WMS - Raleigh McCain

THANK YOU: RTMS surprises Officer Smith today with the Red Top Miner Award! "He goes above and beyond every day with a great attitude. He never fails to lighten our most hectic days with his big smiles and silly sense of humor." RTMS Cafe

CODING & CREATIVITY: It's always impressive to see our fifth-grade students using Spheros to code animal and plant cells! #HandsOnLearning #BetterInBartow

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 Albert Zielke, our purchasing specialist. Albert selflessly helps others every day, usually without even being asked. He has a kind demeanor, a smile on his face to match, and a focus on the right work for all students! Congratulations, Albert! You make us all better!

NEW: Pine Log Elementary School becomes the sixth Bartow County school to be named a Model Professional Learning Community for its sustained success in raising student achievement! “When I received the Model PLC School acceptance letter, I felt like shouting,” said PLES Principal Tracey Alford. “I was ecstatic that the staff of Pine Log Elementary was going to be recognized for their hard work in carrying out our daily mission.” The school’s successful implementation of PLC’s was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. PLC’s are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to: 1. Focus on learning. 2. Build a collaborative culture. 3. Create a results orientation. “We received this designation through an ongoing process approach to student and adult learning,” added Alford. “I attribute our success to our staff having an open mind and embracing a culture of collaboration, data-driven instructional decisions, and ensuring all students meet proficiency on essential standards. During the past three years of implementing the PLC process, our staff has grown exponentially in understanding student learning and implementing best practices. This, in turn, has benefitted our students in all academic areas. I can’t say enough about the ‘right work’ that is taking place at PLES.” Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture, and then submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee. “The ‘right work’ will continue to take place at PLES through strengthening our collaborative process, enhancing staff knowledge of best practices in all three tiers of instruction, and ensuring that rigor is taking place in our guaranteed and viable curriculum,” said Alford. “Moving forward, we are focused on being intentional and purposeful in every area of instruction.” PLES, Emerson Elementary School, Cass Middle School, Adairsville Middle School, Cloverleaf Elementary School, and White Elementary School now join the Bartow County School System as they celebrate Model PLC School and Model PLC District status.

BCCCA BLOOD DRIVE: Give blood tomorrow at the Bartow County College and Career Academy between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and not only will you save lives, but you will receive a free t-shirt and Sports Clips haircut coupon, too!

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: Jimmy Lopez, Paraprofessional, Kingston Elementary School Ciara Scott, Paraprofessional, Adairsville High School Kayla Burnett, Paraprofessional, Cass Middle School Anna Catherine Moore, Registrar, Woodland Middle School