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The Bibb County School District Newsletter
January 31, 2023
District Kicks Off 'Show Up!' Initiative to Support Student, Staff and Parent Engagement
New Board Officers Elected
Class of 2027 REACH Scholars Announced
Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims surprised middle school students around the district by letting them know they are REACH Scholars! Take a look at how that went with the video above.
A REACH Scholars Signing Day was held on January 30 for each new REACH Scholar and their parent to sign a commitment to the program. Congratulations to Darrell Bell Jr., Appling Middle School; Taleeyah McCrea, Ballard-Hudson Middle School; Yazmine Simms, Howard Middle School; Aiden Elise Redding, Miller Magnet Middle School; A'Miracle Stubbs, Rutland Middle School; and Montaevious Howard, Weaver Middle School!
The REACH Scholarship Program was launched in 2012 and is a needs-based mentorship and scholarship program designed to encourage students, starting in middle school, to persist in their educational pursuits. Students are provided with the academic, social and financial support needed to graduate from high school, attend college, achieve post-secondary success and be prepared for the 21st century workforce.
The REACH Foundation provides 75 percent of the funding for the scholarships and local school districts must raise the remainder. This means that upon their graduation from a Bibb County high school, each REACH Scholar will receive a $10,000 scholarship for college. Some partnering colleges and universities in Georgia will even match or double-match this amount for REACH Scholars.
Design Team Begins Work on Next Strategic Plan
The Bibb County School District’s Strategic Planning Design Team began working with Engage2Learn on Tuesday, January 24, and Wednesday, January 25. Design Team members represent various stakeholder groups, including parents, students, teachers, principals, assistant principals, district leadership, and community partners. During the next few months, the team will work together to develop a comprehensive five-year strategic plan that will help shape the future of Bibb County Schools. To read more, click here.
Union Elementary Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Union Elementary celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Bibb County School District with a FUN Dance Party on January 20. They enjoyed a perfect day to go outside and dance with friends, teachers, parents, principal, and even newly elected School Board President Juwan Jackson.
Veterans Students Experience Traveling Exhibit
Veterans Elementary School students experienced social studies content through a traveling exhibit shared by Kennesaw State University! Students gained knowledge and experienced displays from a community partner in learning. The goal was to expose students to content through various modes of knowledge transmission. The standing exhibits covered the following topics:
• Beyond Rosie
• Never Forget: An Introduction to the Holocaust
• Tuskegee Airmen
• Tragedy of War: Japanese American Internment
• World War II: The War That Changed the World
Student leaders were there to offer more information about the exhibits as well!
Westside High Celebrates Opening of New Tennis Center
Westside High School hosted a ribbon-cutting for the new tennis center on its campus. This center is home to six new courts, bleachers, sheltered areas and even pickleball markings on some of the courts.
"I know athletics saved me as a kid, and I'm just glad that we have this opportunity today," said Westside athletic director Dr. Candice Roberson. This project was completed by Sheridan Construction.
Hartley Elementary Grant Supports New Little Free Library
Matilda Hartley Elementary School held a ribbon cutting for the Little Free Library at the school! The Little Free Library allows students to borrow books to read at any time by simply walking up and choosing one from the shelves.
Community partners are invited to donate their favorite books to the library, which is part of the school’s selection for the Impact Library Award, which funded this Little Free Library.
New Barn Will Support Agriculture Program in Rutland Zone
The District officially opened the new barn for the agriculture departments at Rutland High School and Rutland Middle School. This barn was funded through the American Recovery Plan and will support an ongoing partnership with Newberry Dairy as well as other livestock initiatives.
"We're not just here to cut a ribbon on a building," said Rutland High Principal Dr. Wendy Pooler. "We're here to signify that an investment has been made for our students."
The agriculture programs at Rutland are a continuation of a sustained effort throughout the schools in the Lower Bibb County zone. The barn was designed and built by SP Design Group Architects & Engineers and ICB Construction Group.
Mentors Project of Bibb County Calls for Mentors During National Mentoring Month
January is National Mentor Month. The Mentor's Project of Bibb County held a news conference to recognize National Mentoring Month. With the support of Anita R. Howard, District Attorney, Macon Judicial Circuit and others, Director June O'Neal highlighted the importance of new mentors joining the cause. https://www.mentorsprojectbibb.org/ for more information.
CTAE Highlights Rutland High FFA Winners
Dupree Named Region 2-AA Athletic Director of the Year
Vineville Academy Student Wins Georgia Conservation Poster Contest
Bernd Educator Installed as Georgia Junior Beta State Sponsor
Students Qualify for National Jr. BETA Competition
Additionally, Jr. Beta students from District schools compete in a variety of disciplines against students from across the state as part of state Jr. Beta Convention. This year, several students from Bernd and Springdale elementary schools placed high enough in these competitions to qualify for national competition in Louisville, Kentucky, this June. These students participated in the state convention, located in Savannah, both in person and virtually.
BERND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Ben Shoultz, Naomi Pope, Allanah Ware, Passion Solomon - Musicology, Third Place
Ben Shoultz, Messiah Brown, Grace Sinyard, Passion Solomon - Quiz Bowl, Fourth Place
Naomi Pope - Spelling Bee, Fourth Place, Bernd
SPRINGDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Addie May, Lorelai Wall, Siler Hall - Book Battle, First Place
Siler Hall - Fifth Grade Language Arts, Second Place
Ashley Ouyang - Onsite Art Painting, Second Place
Corbin Pendergrass - Performing Arts Vocalist, First Place
Addie May, Lorelai Wall, Piper Reynolds, Ethan Spann - Quiz Bowl, Second Place
Tucker Gilbert - Fourth Grade Science, Fifth Place
Ray Timmerman - Fourth Grade Social Studies, Third Place
Schools Earn PBIS Distinguished School Awards
Proper implementation of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiative has been a central part of what we do as a District. Each year, schools are recognized by PBIS for various levels of achievement, with Distinguished School being the highest honor. This year, 18 Bibb County schools were honored as PBIS Distinguished Schools, which reflects exemplary PBIS implementation, as exemplified through data review, school visits and more. Additionally, three of just seven high schools that received this honor statewide are located in Bibb County.
Alexander II Magnet School
Bruce Elementary School
Carter Elementary School
Central High School
Elam Alexander Academy at Burke
Elam Alexander Academy at Southwest
Hartley Elementary School
Ingram-Pye Elementary School
John R. Lewis Elementary School
Taylor Elementary School
Rutland High School
Skyview Elementary School
SOAR Academy
Southwest High School
Union Elementary School
Veterans Elementary School
Vineville Academy of the Arts
W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Hosts Leadership Day
Bibb County School District
VISION: Each student will demonstrate strength of character and will be college or career ready.
MISSION: The Bibb County School District develops a highly trained staff and an engaged community dedicated to educating each student for a 21st century global society.
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Website: www.bcsdk12.net
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Twitter: @bibbschools