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The Bibb County School District Newsletter
July 31, 2020
Class of 2020 Graduates Virtually
To view these ceremonies, visit the District's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/bibbschools.
Board Approves Starting School After Labor Day
On Thursday, July 16, Board members voted to approve revisions to the 2020-2021 Academic Calendar to take into account the delay to the start of the school year until after Labor Day.
The revised 2020-21 Academic Calendar includes 163 student days and 190 teacher work days. The first semester includes 80 days of instruction and the second semester includes 83 days of instruction. The last day of school remains the same – Wednesday, May 26, 2021.
Employees who need to review work calendars should CLICK HERE.
For more information on Board actions, CLICK HERE.
Superintendent Discusses Upcoming School Year
District Keeping Schools, Facilities Sanitized
"We take this effort very seriously," said Keith Simmons, the District's Chief of Staff.
Congratulations to Golden Eagle Award Winners
Congratulations to the following individuals that won Golden Eagle Awards recently. These awards are given to area students in various disciplines based on an application process, and are a partnership through the United Way of Central Georgia.
- Kristen Gilbert, Central High School (Athletics, Runner-up)
- Cicely Jackson, Howard High School (Drama, Runner-up)
- Harley Yopp, Howard High School (English Literature, Runner-up)
- Cassidy Hall, Howard High School (Industrial/Vocational, Runner-up)
- Emma Quintal, Howard High School (Journalism/Marketing/Communications, Runner-up)
- Katharine Kosowski, Howard High School (Music, Runner-up)
- Jasmyn Perry, Howard High School (Science, Runner-up)
- Chef Stuart Hardy, W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy (Teacher Excellence Award)
- Jesse Williams, Rutland High School (Superintendent's Scholarship)
CLICK HERE to watch the Golden Eagle Awards Ceremony!
Schools Welcome New Teachers With Orientation
The Bibb County School District welcomed its latest cohort of new educators with New Teacher Orientation this week. The District is grateful for the contributions of sponsors in supporting New Teacher Orientation. Sponsors include PAGE, MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union, Robins Federal Credit Union, Equitable-MidSouth Financial Consultants, American Pride Bank, Valic and Center Hill Baptist Church.
"With everything we have experienced this year, it is even more important that we welcome our new teachers and prepare them for the road ahead," said Melanique Floyd, coordinator of talent management. "Our District departments have worked together, collectively to make this year’s virtual experience for our new teachers welcoming, comprehensive and meaningful."
Due to concerns related to COVID-19, the orientation for teachers that are new to the field, as well as those that are new to the District, was structured differently than in past years. The week began with on-site orientation at each school on Monday, July 27, during which teachers received technology devices and school-specific information. From Tuesday, July 28, through Friday, July 31, all sessions were hosted virtually.
Taylor Student Named Young Georgia Author Winner
Parents Urged to Update Contact Information
Miller Student Receives Scholarship
The Jazz Association of Macon has awarded the Spring 2020 Marc Whitten Memorial Music Scholarship to Mary-Katherine Lewis. She is a rising 8th grade student at Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School in Macon who started playing the cello when she was nine years old. She has performed in the Bibb District Honor Orchestra. Her orchestra director, Dr. Kuei-Fan Chen, says “Mary-Katherine displays great responsibility, teamwork and a positive attitude in my class.” She will use the scholarship for her cello and individual music lessons.
The scholarship is named in memory of Marc Whitten, a Macon artist and musician who suffered from Crohn’s disease and died in 2018 at age 44. The scholarship is available to area middle and high school and college students who demonstrate a love for and commitment to music through their school band or chorus.
“We created this scholarship as a tribute to Marc’s love of music and music education,” said Whitten’s parents, Rick and Sue. “Our goals are to help recipients enhance their understanding and appreciation of music and to honor the short life of Marc Whitten.”
Donated Calendars to be Used for Art Projects
The District is grateful that for yet another year, Navicent Health has donated magnetic academic calendars that were to be given out to students for use at home. Due to necessary changes to our academic calendar, these magnets could not be used for their original purpose but will not go to waste.
Instead, these magnets will be distributed to schools for use in art projects, which will be meet a need as art resource options will be limited due to COVID-19 concerns. The District is grateful for investments made by our partners, even when things aren't turning out as planned!
District Launches VIP Academy
“It’s time for secondary parents/students not currently enrolled in BCSD to take full advantage of their tax dollars by selecting VIP Academy," said Academy Administrator Dr. Julia Daniely. "We offer flexible and rigorous digital learning opportunities with scaffolded support to ensure the success of each student.”
Through the VIP Academy, students who may have previously been homeschooled would now be eligible for District extracurriculars, such as athletics and music programs at their zoned schools, as well as the career pathway courses at W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy for high school students. This program is limited to 100 students in its pilot year, the 2020-2021 school year.
The VIP Academy website can be found at vipacademy.bcsdk12.net.
Springdale Students Win National BETA Honors
Nine students from Springdale Elementary School placed in various events at the National Beta Convention, held virtually. These students are advised by Springdale faculty members Jennifer Johnston, Kate Lambert and Ann Oxford.
Two Food Giveaway Opportunities!
Weaver, Westside Students Participate in STEM Camp
Church Donates Instruments to Schools
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