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The Bibb County School District Newsletter
March 31, 2021
Sen. Ossoff Visits Heritage Elementary
On March 31, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff visited Heritage Elementary School and got a chance to meet faculty and staff there. He also toured the school and learned about safety and technology upgrades in the District.
In addition, the visit gave him the opportunity to announce that the District would be receiving about $106 million as part of the recently approved American Rescue Plan. This funding will reach schools in the coming months and can serve a variety of specific purposes.
"What we're aiming for is a safe and swift full reopening of our schools," Sen. Ossoff said.
Community Partners Help Employees Get Vaccinated
On March 11 and 13, the District partnered with the North Central Health District and Atrium Health Navicent for vaccination events for our teachers and staff. Assistant Superintendent of Student Affairs Jamie Cassady and Board President Daryl Morton were on hand on March 13 to extend our gratitude for the partnership, thank our school nurses for their commitment and to congratulate teachers and school staff as they received their first dose of the vaccine.
As of Spring Break, at least 52 percent of District teachers and staff had received at least one dose of vaccination for COVID-19!
Both North Central Health District and Atrium Health Navicent were presented with resolutions at the March 18 Board of Education meeting as a small token of thanks for their support in vaccinating employees. Thank you, Atrium Health Navicent and the North Central Health District for your commitment to our staff and to our community!
District Recognizes 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year
"Without you, our children would not have been able to achieve as much as they have under these incredibly trying circumstances," Morton said.
The event also celebrated District Teacher of the Year Dr. Eric Fuller of Howard Middle School. The runner-up was Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School's Erin Kelly, and other finalists were Heritage Elementary School's Thomas Cote, Central High School's Keywon Harvey and Rutland High School's Amanda Maddox.
Hutchings Student Named State's Top CTAE Student
Daylen Lomeli, a third-year student at W. S. Hutchings College and Career Academy, has been named Georgia’s College and Career Academy Student of the Year. This award, presented by the office of Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, is part of an effort to recognize the important role these schools and programs play in the state.
In Lomeli’s three years at Hutchings, she has moved from the English and Math pathway to the CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) pathway, with hopes of one day becoming a doctor. The president of the school’s HOSA chapter (Future Health Professionals, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America), she has advanced to state competition in nursing assisting, CPR/First Aid and EMT categories. Additionally, she has earned 45 dual enrollment credit hours and serves as an ambassador for Hutchings, leading tours for prospective students and community members.
“From the moment she walked through our doors, we knew there was something special about Daylen,” said Healthcare Science Instructor Avery Durbin. “Not only is she extraordinarily bright, she exudes joy, confidence, and leadership. We have seen her grow and mature over the past three years, and she is one of those students who makes all the sacrifices of teaching worth it.”
Lomeli is also an active student at her home school, Westside High School. She is president of the school’s marching band, and she also participates in service projects like food drives and reading to younger students.
SOAR Academy Staff Forms Fitness Club
Faculty and staff at SOAR Academy have teamed up to form a Fitness Club. Team members spend time together walking and cheering each other on in the District's Wellness Center. The health of our faculty and staff is a high priority!
District Represented at National At-Risk Youth Conference
Join Our Team as a Substitute!
Southwest Students Participate in Capitol Day
On Tuesday, March 2, Southwest High School teacher Elizabeth Martin and her senior Current Issues students participated in the Chisholm Leadership Academy’s “Day at the Capitol." The Chisholm Leadership Academy is a nonpartisan organization providing all-inclusive programs that support a diverse cohort of girls in grades 6-12. This day was organized to give students the opportunity to engage elected officials, to learn from advocates and political journalists and to be provided with a step-by-step guide on the legislative process in our state. The event was led by the founder of CLA, Ashlyn Shockley Martin.
During the virtual event, the students were able to hear several speakers share their stories. These speakers included: State Representative Yasmin Neal, State Senator Tonya Anderson, State Representative Zulma Lopez and Deanna Hamilton, a representative from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.
The Southwest High students also had the opportunity to meet with State Senator David Lucas and Judge Verda Colvin. Judge Colvin is a founding member of the Chisholm Leadership Academy and serves on the Court of Appeals. The students were able to hear what inspired both Senator Lucas and Judge Colvin to become involved in the ways that they are today.
Bibb CTAE Grad Rate Exceeds State Average
Students in the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways of the Bibb County School District had a graduation rate of 97.83 percent for the Class of 2020. This exceeds the state average of 97.18 percent for CTAE students and the overall District graduation rate of 76.1 percent.
CTAE students from each of the District’s six high schools graduated at rates of at least 95 percent. Northeast High School led the way with a 100 percent graduation rate for CTAE students, followed by Howard High School at 99.25 percent and Rutland High School at 98.97.
“Career Technical and Agricultural Education makes education relevant and essential for all students. When students participate in CTAE, they are more likely to walk across the stage for graduation,” said Dr. Cassandra Washington, Executive Director of CTAE and CEO of Hutchings College and Career Academy.
Congratulations to Middle GA RESA Young Georgia Authors!
Congratulations to these students, who also placed first through third in the 2021 Middle Georgia RESA Young Georgia Authors! First place winners advance to the STATE competition!
- 1st place, 1st grade – Dylan Floyd, Springdale Elementary School
- 3rd place, 2nd grade – Jacouri Fields, Veterans Elementary School
- 1st place, 3rd grade – Aria West, Vineville Academy of the Arts
- 2nd place, 5th grade – Angelina Wang, Springdale Elementary School
- 1st place, 7th grade – Kendren Williams, Howard Middle School
- 1st place, 8th grade – Elena Jackson, Rutland Middle School
- 3rd place, 9th grade – Marcelle (Kiya) Williams, Northeast High School
- 3rd place, 12th grade – Jameel Walters, Howard High School
Frazier Named Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Congratulations to Emanuel Frazier on being named Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at a called Board of Education meeting in March. Frazier has most recently served as principal of Central High School.
The following other appointments were announced at the March 16 meeting:
- Dr. Chendra Dupree, Principal of Central High School
- Demetria Thomas, Principal of Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School
- Kizzie Lott, Assistant Principal of Burdell-Hunt Elementary Magnet School
- Dr. Endirka Williams, AP of Heard Elementary School
- Edgar Ray, AP of Veterans Elementary
- Dr. Eric Thompson, AP of Central High
- Tamara Serls-Morrison, AP of Westside High School
CLICK HERE for more information from the meeting.
Jones Named Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
CLICK HERE for more information from the meeting.
Springdale Teacher Honored With Mentoring Award
The District would like to congratulate Springdale Elementary School first grade teacher Lea Mitchell for receiving the Middle Georgia P-20 Collaborative Mentoring Award! She was nominated by Mercer University, as she has mentored current Springdale teacher and Mercer graduate Kasey Thom and others.
“Ms. Mitchell went above and beyond as a mentor teacher to prepare me for having a class of my own," Thom said during the nomination process. "She supported and encouraged me while also challenging and helping me reach outside of my comfort zone. She is an incredible teacher with a heart for students; Ms. Mitchell selflessly serves and supports the people around her. I could not have been more blessed with a mentor teacher to guide me through my student teaching.”
Mitchell also presented at the National Professional Development School Conference (NAPDS) last year with Thom, Dr. Vicki Luther, and Dr. Sybil Keesbury. She continues to mentor another student in the holistic child cohort this year. We are proud to have teacher leaders like her in our District!
Mentor's Project Continues Support of Community
District Students Pick Up State Science Fair Wins
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen as winners at the elementary school state science fair, recently hosted by Georgia College!
1st Place
Bre'Zyeh Carlisle -- Vineville Academy of the Arts
Ashlynn Poarch - Springdale Elementary School
Madisyn Yarbrough - Springdale Elementary School
Madison Jameson - Springdale Elementary School
Angelina Wang - Springdale Elementary School
Anthony Horton - Heritage Elementary School
2nd Place
Elijah Evans - Veterans Elementary School
Ava Walker - Vineville Academy of the Arts
Zeus Cabanday - Springdale Elementary School
Steven Tillery - Springdale Elementary School
Adelie Jourdan - Springdale Elementary School
Camron Hoff - Heritage Elementary School
3rd Place
Kaleb Robinson - Heard Elementary School
Roderick Wilson - Heard Elementary School
Makayla Rozier - Vineville Academy of the Arts
Alexander Villareal-Flores - Vineville Academy of the Arts
Wilandria Breziel - Vineville Academy of the Arts
Kaylee Jones - Vineville Academy of the Arts
Saraya Singh - Springdale Elementary School
Demetria Ellison - Springdale Elementary School
Shashwat Mathur - Springdale Elementary School
Joy Doctor - Springdale Elementary School
Messiah Williams - Heritage Elementary School
Bruce Elementary Teacher Named to State Council
Congratulations to Bria Smith, a fourth-grade teacher at Bruce Elementary School, for being selected to State Superintendent Richard Woods' Teacher Advisory Council. This group includes 50 teachers from across the state, who will meet twice a year with the superintendent to discuss educational issues affecting the classroom.
"It really means a lot because I like impacting my students' lives," Smith said. "Just coming from a long line of educators, I always felt like this was my calling."
This is an excellent way for Smith to represent the District and its students. The meetings will be held in the spring and fall, and are currently held in a virtual setting.
Rutland High Teacher Gains U.S. Citizenship
Marissa Rondina, a biology teacher at Rutland High School, is officially an American citizen!
"America represents what I believe to be the best ideals and it's the best country in the world," Rondina said.
She was celebrated by her fellow teachers in a socially-distanced ceremony where she was presented with personalized gifts, American flags and flowers. She joined the Rutland family in 2008 through the International Teacher Program. She was also Rutland’s Teacher of the Year in 2016-2017 and one of the District’s five finalists.
Congratulations!
District CFO Announces Retirement Plans
After serving 24 years with the Bibb County School District, Chief Financial Officer Ron C. Collier - lovingly known as "The Money Man" - has announced his plans for retirement at the end of this fiscal year. Before joining the Bibb County School District, Mr. Collier worked with the Knight-Ridder Newspaper Corp. in Miami, Fla. and Macon, Ga.
Mr. Collier is responsible for overseeing the Accounting and Procurement Departments. He manages the District’s finances, which includes a $300 million annual budget, approximately 22,000 students and approximately 3,500 full-time employees. Under his leadership, the Bibb County School District has been awarded the coveted Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the past 20 years for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)!
Mr. Collier is an active member of his church, St. Paul AME, where he served as Chairman of the Finance Committee for over 25 years. He has volunteered and served with several local organizations including the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Adopt-A-Role Model program, the Optimist Club, the United Way of Central Georgia, the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the River Edge Foundation Board. His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Association of School Business Officials, the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association and the National Association of Black Accountants.
Mr. Collier and his wife, Karen (also a Certified Public Accountant), are the proud parents of two sons and two daughters who are all graduates of Bibb County Schools.
Congratulations, Mr. Collier!
Check Out This Opportunity!
Astronaut Pays Virtual Visit to Alex II
Astronaut Ron Garan recently visited Leslie Brown's class at Alexander II Math & Science Magnet School virtually. Garan, who selected Brown as part of a nomination process, has spent more than 178 days in space and has traveled on both U.S. and Russian space crafts.
CLICK HERE to nominate a teacher for this opportunity!
Howard High Student Receives Coca-Cola Scholarship
Congratulations to Howard High School's Eunice Chon for being named a Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation scholar. Only 150 students nationwide receive this $20,000 scholarship each year.
Chon is also a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Winner and National Advanced Placement Scholar who self-studied for five Advanced Placement exams last year. She will receive her associate degree in Core Curriculum from Middle Georgia State University this spring. Chon is an aspiring journalist who plans to study sociology, religion or politics in college.
Join the Superintendent on April 9 for an Update
Tickets are available for in-person attendance and online attendance!
Share Your Thoughts, Concerns with State BOE Vice Chairman
The State Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing for citizens in the Eighth Congressional District on Thursday, April 22, 2021. The Eighth Congressional District is represented by Jason Downey, Vice Chairman of the State Board of Education. The meeting will be held from 7-8 p.m. in the Auditorium at Howard High School, 6400 Forsyth Road, Macon, Georgia 31210. The event will be live streamed as well at www.youtube.com/bibbschools.
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.
Email: communications@bcsdk12.net
Website: bcsdk12.net
Location: 484 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA, United States
Phone: 478-765-8548
Facebook: facebook.com/bibbschools
Twitter: @bibbschools