On Dec. 7, District PBIS Rewards Coordinator Curlandra Lightfoot-Smith was surprised with a pair of awards from Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support. First, the Bibb PBIS team received the Innovative Practices Award, which recognizes a group "that has show creativity and innovation in its implementation of PBIS."

Lightfoot-Smith was also honored with the Dr. Garry McGiboney Outstanding Leadership Award. This award recognizes "an individual who has shown outstanding leadership in moving the GAPBS initiative forward."

Under Lightfoot-Smith's leadership, multiple schools have reached operational or distinguished status for their PBIS implementation. Additionally, the District has been host to leaders across the state, who come here to see how PBIS can be implemented effectively.

On Dec. 3, leaders from other districts as well as Middle Georgia RESA and the Georgia Department of Education visited Northeast High School to learn about PBIS implementation. This visit allowed them to hear from school leaders about the practices in place, and the guests also receive a student-led tour of the school to see these ideas in action

On Thursday, December 16, the Board of Education approved for the District to offer a Student Device Insurance Option for second semester 2022 as outlined in the Student Device Insurance Option Form beginning on January 6, 2022. The Technology Department has fully implemented the District’s one-to-one device program. Currently, students/parents are responsible for all damages incurred to or due to loss of a student’s device. The cost of the insurance will be a nonrefundable $25 per semester.

The Student Device Insurance Option will be available for purchase for second semester from January 6-31, 2022. The insurance will cover allowable expenses as outlined in the chart above. As indicated in this agreement, damage or loss to chargers and device cases are not covered by the Student Device Insurance. For more information, click here.

In January, all students will be issued a Bibb County School District ID card. Students will scan this ID card each time they ride a school bus, receive a meal for breakfast and/or lunch, when they check out books from the school media center, and more. Please look for these ID cards in students’ belongings. (See sample.) Students will begin using the ID cards February 1, 2022.

Two District schools were recognized by "U.S. News and World Report" recently. Alexander II Magnet School was named one of the top five magnet elementary schools in Georgia, while Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School was named one of the top five magnet middle schools in Georgia. Way to go!

On Dec. 9, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, the District's Title I and III Departments partnered with Catholic Charities Association, Yumi Kim from Central Georgia Technical College, and Family Advanced Ministries, to support our Congolese Refugee families. This support effort is expected to continue and expand in the future.

Dr. Tanzy Kilcrease, the District's Chief of Staff, paid a visit to Central High School's Cavalli Woods on Dec. 7. This Central senior designed the District's holiday shirt, and the proceeds from the sale of the shirt will go toward Relay for Life.

"You actually were creating something that is going to impact others' lives positively," Dr. Kilcrease said.

Ensuring students are reading on grade level is a team effort, as demonstrated by the Bibb County School District's Campus Police Department! "Thanks again for welcoming Campus Police into Southfield Elementary, and for the opportunity to make an impact in these young men and women's lives," said Campus Police Officer Angelo Bellamy, pictured here with students from Southfield. Campus Police team members have continued their dedication to helping students develop literacy skills this year with regular visits to elementary schools to read with students. Our team is "all in" for students!

On December 13, the Bibb Retired Educators Association donated boxes of toys for students at Ingram-Pye Elementary School. This donation is just another example of how special this partnership has been for our District!

On Dec. 17, Springdale Elementary School celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Leadership Day with a theme of “50 Years of Lighting the Way.” Invited community partners and stakeholders took part in the Leader in Me morning meeting, heard from students about their service learning at the school and enjoyed a special music program.

Lunch is again being served at the Compass Rose Cafe at W. S. Hutchings College and Career Academy. The student-run cafe is back open on Fridays, with reservations and more information available at www.compassrosecafe.com.

Recently, the District's technology department donated toys, gift cards and more to the Brookdale Warming Center to help the residents there have a happy holiday season. This is a great example of how community partnership is a benefit to the whole community.

Central Fine Arts & International Baccalaureate Magnet High School recently received a very generous gift from Eleanor Lane. She donated a baby grand piano for use by students and staff in the Auditorium at the school. Having this caliber of piano at Central will allow the school and the Bibb County School District the capability to host student talent showcases in competition for scholarship awards at this school location. A very important part of Victory in Our Schools is partnering with the community, and Eleanor Lane has become part of that.

On Dec. 6, Robins Financial Credit Union donated 771 pairs of socks to Elam Alexander Academy for students who need new socks. These socks were collected at local branches as part of a partnership with United Way of Central Georgia.

"Our staff really enjoys being able to give back and get involved," said Hillary Bobbitt, a representative of Robins' marketing department.

We appreciate these community partners and their dedication to our students!

Springdale Elementary School first grade teacher Lea Mitchell was recently named a Georgia Outstanding Mentor Teacher Awardee by the Georgia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. This comes after previously being honored with a Middle Georgia P-20 Collaborative Mentoring Award. Congratulations!

Last month, Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller declared November 17 to be Family Engagement Day at L.H. Williams Elementary. He described the school as a "hidden gem" for parental involvement and said that community change couldn't be accomplished by government officials without help.

"It takes the buy-in of our parents, our grandparents and the caretakers of our children," Miller said.

Congratulations to the five Central High DECA members who competed at the DECA Region Conference on December 3 at Middle Georgia State University. The following students advanced to State competition in January:

• Faith Beamon - Hospitality (3rd place)
• Jasmine Howard - Retail Merchandising (4th place)
• Carter Voiselle - Food Marketing Series (5th place)
• Jocelyn young - Apparel & Accessories (3rd place)
• Robert king - Marketing Communications (5th place)

On December 15, students at Sonny Carter Elementary School enjoyed a "Holiday Sing-Along" during their activity time. These events help get students excited for this joyous season!

On Dec. 3, students from the culinary arts pathway at W. S. Hutchings College and Career Academy were presented with a toque, or chef’s hat, and thermometer. In all, 22 students will receive this honor after completing the requirements for the ServSafe Manager Certification, which included passing an exam in October.

Bibb Ctae Executive Dr. Cassandra Washington highlighted how the accomplishment fit into the District's vision of getting students "college or career ready" before graduation.

"You are truly the example of what that looks like," Dr. Washington said.

Recently, Eddie Montgomery, the District's Director of Maintenance, partnered with Kelvin Epps Painting to provide donations to Burdell-Hunt Magnet School and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School. These $1,000 donations will help provide Christmas presents to children at the school. What a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Lester Miller, Mayor of Macon-Bibb County, declared Dec. 6, 2021, to be Savion Wright Day. Wright is a graduate of Rutland High School and member of the United States Air Force, and he served in Qatar earlier this year. During that time, he assisted with the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan. Savion Wright continues to give back to the District, speaking to students about choosing the right path in life. This is an honor well-deserved!

On October 28, the BCSD Before and After School Programs hosted a variety of events in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of Lights On Afterschool, a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. Currently, these programs provide a safe encouraging space for over 1700 BCSD students to learn and discover new skills such as —such as STEM, cosmetology, culinary arts, dance, tennis, and Tae Kwon Do.