As first semester of the 2019-2020 school year is drawing to a close, I wanted to take a minute to reach out to our community and tell you how much we appreciate your support of our school system.

This semester has been one of transition. However, even with the changes occurring at the central office, our schools have not skipped a beat. We have so many great things happening in our schools and for our students.

My plan is to send a community e-newsletter at the end of each semester to highlight some of the opportunities available for our students. The newsletter is just the tip of the iceberg. There is no way to capture every moment that helps “Grow Clinch.”

On a final note, I want to make sure you all know the great leadership team we have in place throughout our system. I have listed our administrative team at the end of the newsletter. This group has over 200 years dedicated to the Clinch County School System. I think I can speak for them when I say we all want to “Grow Clinch.” Together, with our teachers and staff, we are a team. We are all in this together to support the students of Clinch County.

It’s a great time to be a Panther!!

Clinch County High School was one of 22 area schools to compete in the South/Southwest GA Workforce Development Alliance Skills Challenge in Moultrie. Students were able to compete in skill categories that included blueprint reading, carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing and welding.

Area contractors helped sponsor the event. "We're trying to show them the opportunities there are in this career path. We've got an aging workforce and for every four people that retire, there's only one person that can take over for them," said Lyndy Jones, president of JCI Contractors. Several competing students were awarded cash prizes and even job offers on the spot.

CCHS teacher Dustin Philpot took two students to compete in this year's event - Kyle Hendricks and Lee Williams. Both boys competed in the carpentry event and had to construct a raised floor with a corner wall and window space within a two hour time frame. Philpot said, "I'm really proud of them. They worked hard and did great. This was our first year competing. We wanted to see what it's all about. Next year, we hope to bring even more kids." Williams placed an impressive fourth out of over 30 students.

As of August of 2019, our STEM and gifted students of CCEMS have partnered with Superior Pine Vice President Robbie Lee, Superior Berries General Manager Mike Bruorton, and Superior Berries Farm Manager Timmy Manac.

Robbie Lee has introduced students to sustainable and renewable resources by planting longleaf pine trees and detecting forest fires with drones. Partnering with the Georgia Forestry Foundation and Georgia Public Broadcasting will allow students to experience life behind a skidder with the use of virtual reality goggles.

Mike Bruorton and Timmy Manac donated three types of blueberries for students to care for and plant their own farm of 180 blueberry bushes. Mike Bruorton is also helping CCEMS revamp our greenhouse to care for our blueberry bushes.

Superior Pine and Superior Berries are both one hundred percent on board with our approach to Growing Clinch and implementing STEM career pathways for the students of Clinch County. We are excited about this new endeavor and cannot wait to see what the future holds. Not only is STEM providing a potential workforce for students here in Clinch County, it is broadening students’ horizons outside of the classroom with hands on experiences through Superior Pine and Superior Berries.

On November 5, 2019, CCHS Physical Science students took a learning trip to Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The trip focused on STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Agriculture, and Mathematics. Students took what they learned in class concerning gravitational forces and Newton's Three Laws of Motion, then applied it during a 90-minute interactive tour of the Benz. The tour was designed to go along with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.

The tour allowed students to see all four levels of the state-of-the-art facility and learn about:

• What makes Mercedes-Benz Stadium a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certified Building

• Their partnership with Savannah College of Art and Design and the art pieces throughout the building

• The remarkable Architectural and Engineering elements

• What makes the stadium one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the U.S.

CCHS students are taking advantage of Georgia’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school students to earn college credit while working on their high school diploma. CCHS students are currently enrolled in classes at Coastal Pines Technical College, Wiregrass Tech, Georgia Military College, and South Georgia State College.

Students may elect to take academic and career classes without ever leaving our campus. Academic courses available to juniors and seniors include English 1101, College Algebra, Psychology, and Biology. We also offer a CNA program that is taught by our school nurse Emily Tomlinson.

Lee Container has recently made it much easier for students to travel to colleges for courses not offered at CCHS. Through the support of Lee Container, students who carpool to college campuses may be eligible for gas cards to assist with transportation costs. Students may see Chasity Luke for more information about this opportunity.

During fall semester, 27 students were enrolled in dual enrollment classes; we currently have 65 students registered for spring semester DE classes. The purpose of dual enrollment is to increase college access and to prepare students to enter the workforce with the skills they need to succeed.

CCHS added a Financial Services Pathway to the CTAE department this year. These classes teach students to understand the financial world and how it affects them. Topics include the basics of banking and credit, negotiable instruments, and the creation of credit. Students will also gain insight into sources of income, budgeting, banking, consumer credit, personal bankruptcy, insurance, spending, taxes, investment strategies, savings accounts, mutual funds, and buying a vehicle. Instructor Lori Thompson recently took students to visit the Federal Reserve office in Jacksonville, Florida.