The District held its graduation ceremonies for all its high schools on May 23-25. In all, more than 1,300 students received their high school diplomas and will move on to the next phase of their lives.

To purchase a DVD of any of the high school graduation ceremonies, contact Cabiness Video Productions at (478) 256-3645 or send an e-mail to cabinessvideo@mac.com. Photos from each ceremony may be purchased through Creative Pro Studio at (478) 957-6606 or online at http://store.creativeprophoto.com.

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Alexander II Math and Science Magnet School

Howard Middle School

W.S. Hutchings College & Career Academy

Howard High School

Elam Alexander Academy

Lane Elementary treated 13 students to a mystery trip to Candytopia in Atlanta on May 10. The following students were recognized for reading over 1 million words each during the school year: Laela Freeland, Jamie Moon, Omar Jammeh, Nathan Miller, Cabrielle Fletcher, Aden Hall, Abigail Martinez, Jeremy Wang, Ja’Nyiah Moon, Jerell Clark, Kyli Jolly, Hadassah Antoine and Cameron Johnson.

Porter Elementary School held its Leadership Day last month, which was also a celebration of its 50th Anniversary. Community members, parents and past school administrators gathered to celebrate this milestone with current students, faculty and staff.

"This has been a wonderful community to serve this wonderful school," said former Principal Dr. Lisa Garrett, now a member of the Board of Education.

Students showcased the leadership skills they've learned through "Leader in Me" in a variety of ways. They led the opening assembly for the event, led visitors on tours and demonstrated several classroom activities.

Southwest High School and Southfield Elementary School partnered to have Southwest art teacher Dragana Cvorovic create paper mache items for Southfield's media center. The students from Southwest presented the items to fourth and fifth grade students and administrators. The students discussed the importance of viewing and not touching art pieces and how each student should take interest in the ine arts

On May 8, students from Rutland Middle FFA presented their "Commodity Museum" display to students at Heard Elementary School. This project recently won first place at the state level and advanced to the national competition this fall. Students also got to see and feed baby ducks and chickens.

In addition, Georgia Sen. John F. Kennedy and Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones Jr. visited Heard to see the presentation. Dr. Jones said that the Rutland students exemplified the "leadership, scholarship and citizenship" that the District emphasizes.

"This is the way it is supposed to be, so you're so impressive," he said.

Physical Education Program Grant staff Jena Derzi and Lynn Jones joined P.E. teachers Amanda Maddox, April MacNeil and Sherri Marks at the Shape America National Convention in Tampa, Fla. These representatives for the District are committed to learning about ways to keep our students healthy and active!

Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. Under the guidance of social teachers Dinah Redding and Stephanie Pekarek, seven students at Howard High School applied for a charter to establish Rho kappa at the beginning of this school year: Jordan Rozier. Garrett Patterson, Eunice Chon,Ben Giglio, Andy Lin, Nik O'dette and Peter Chon. The official charter was received in October 2018.

The mission and purpose of Rho Kappa is to promote scholarship and to recognize academic excellence in social studies, to provide opportunities for exploration in the social studies and to encourage interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies in secondary school environments and the community.

During their inaugural year Rho Kappa students routinely volunteered at the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds and the Tubman Museum where they served as docents to visitors. In March, they participated in a walking tour of downtown Macon, led by Dr. Eichhorn, history professor at Middle Georgia State University, where they learned about Macon’s role during the Civil War.

The Bibb County School District is partnering with the Middle Georgia Regional Libraries for the 2019 Summer Reading Program. When students don’t read during the summer months, they lose educational ground. In fact, research shows that students can lose up to three months of reading ability over the summer. To ensure that Bibb County students don’t fall behind while school is out of session, we are asking all students to read every day during the summer for a minimum of 20 minutes. Students have access to many books through a variety of local resources as well as resources provided by the Georgia Department of Education. This makes it is easier than ever for all to find great books.

Click here for more information!

The Howard Middle School team won the 2019 Middle School Academic Bowl. This team of Huskies included Mitchell Zhang, Aidan Longacre, Anastasia Griffin, Amari Fannin, Liyahne Gumbs, Chloe Andayan, Alan Jaenz, Rebekkah Piro and Saige Lumpkin. Congratulations!

Last month, seniors from various area high schools came back to Alexander II Magnet School to walk the halls in their caps and gowns. This gave former teachers the chance to congratulate them, and it also allowed current Alex II students to see what lies ahead.

"Bibb County School District’s vision, 'Each student demonstrates strength of character and is college or career ready' was our reality today as former students who are now seniors walked the halls of Alexander II decked out in their graduation gowns," said Principal Walsetta Miller. "Today’s Senior Walk gave our students the opportunity to experience firsthand what they are working to accomplish."

Similar walks also took place at other elementary schools across the District. Way to go, seniors!

Students at Veterans Elementary received a visit from author and former NFL player, Malcolm Mitchell. He is the author of "The Magician's Hat." Through his book, Mitchell encourages students to follow their dreams and use reading as the key to uncover and reach their dreams. Students enjoyed a few magic tricks by a magician as well as a reading of the book by Mitchell, and each student received their very own copy of the book.

Gold Level Sponsors:

Midsouth Federal Credit Union

Wellcare Health Plans

PEP Program

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Macon Alumnae Chapter

Strayer University

Amerigroup Community Care

Riveredge Behavioral Health

Peach State

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Macon Alumnae Chapter

Silver Level Sponsors:

Navicent Health

Department of Family & Children Services

PBIS Rewards, Inc.

Just the Deposits

Miracle Houses, Inc.

Sky Zone Macon

Bronze Level Sponsors:

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Macon Alumnae Chapter

Bibb Retired Educators Association (BREA)

Publix

Friends of Bibb PBIS Level Sponsors:

Oriental Trading

Ms. Eliza Jackson

Be a sponsor! Call 478-765-8718

Bernd Elementary School Millionaire readers Parker Shoultz and Mikayla Arnold got to ride in style as a reward. They took a limousine ride to a local restaurant as well as Barnes and Noble. What a treat!

Springdale Elementary School held itsLeadership Day on May 7. Students showcased all the ways that the school incorporates "Leader in Me" every day and how famous figures put the "Seven Habits" into practice.

May 2 was Career Day at Ballard-Hudson Middle School. In addition to representatives from local businesses, the students got to interact with individuals from the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, Macon-Bibb Fire Department and Central Georgia Technical College.

"It's about exposure, letting them see that there are so many options for them when they get older," said Principal Eclan David.