All six Bibb County School District high schools held commencement ceremonies at the Macon Coliseum on May 26 and 27. In all, about 1,300 students got their diplomas from Central, Howard, Northeast, Rutland, Southwest and Westside high schools.

The District is proud of each and every one of these graduates!

Becoming a Millionaire reader involves reading one million words, and Vineville Academy of the Arts had several students reach this achievement recently. These students were Oliver Jennings, Aliyah Dancy, Jacob Sawyer, Maria Simmons, Asher Balmes and Mary-Katherine Lewis. As a reward, these readers got to "pie" Principal Kristy Graham and some of their teachers!

The Peyton Anderson Scholarships continue Mr. Anderson’s dedication to education and support for students from Bibb County. During his lifetime, he provided funding for deserving young people to attend college. The scholarships, up to $7,500 annually, support promising high school students in Bibb County who plan to attend one of the following institutions: Central Georgia Technical College, Fort Valley State University, Georgia College and State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University, Mercer University, University of Georgia and Wesleyan College.

The following Bibb County School District students received a scholarship this year:

• Diamond Belgrave: Central High School / Georgia State University
  
• Mya Carter: Westside High School / Georgia Southern University
  
• Ravyn Chatmon: Rutland High School / Georgia State University
  
• Trinity Choo: Howard High School/ University of Georgia
  
• Hannah Elliott: Rutland High School / Kennesaw State University
  
• Kenterious Goolsby: Southwest High School / Georgia Southern University
  
• Tamara Horton: Howard High School / Georgia State University
  
• David Hudgins: Howard High School / Georgia Southern University
  
• Breanna Ivey: Central High School / Georgia Institute of Technology
  
• Skylar Logan: Rutland High School / University of Georgia
  
• Juliann Pham: Howard High School / Georgia Institute of Technology
  
• Ethan Rutland: Rutland High School / Georgia Southern University
  
• Leyla Slappy: Northeast High School / Georgia Southern University
  
• Mary Ellen Smith: Howard High School / University of Georgia
  
• Hailey Stephens: Howard High School / Georgia Southern University
  
• Danielle Tate: Westside High School / Wesleyan College
  

Thank you to Jones Cork LLP for sponsoring the annual Scholars’ Luncheon for valedictorians and salutatorians. Each of the valedictorians and salutatorians was invited to attend lunch with the Superintendent to discuss their experiences in Bibb County and their future plans.

Click here for more about our valedictorians and salutatorians!

With help from volunteers from the Rotary Club and MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union, the United Way of Central Georgia gave books to several Bibb County schools. Students at Alexander II, Springdale, Burdell-Hunt, Heard and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary Schools each got a book to take home and read over the summer. Our students, faculty and staff are grateful for United Way's continued commitment to reading in the District!

On May 1, members of L.H. Williams' Writing Team kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week by presenting teachers and staff with doughnuts, juice, coffee and a token of appreciation - an apple pin with the statement "Awesome to the Core." Additionally, each staff member received a personalized "Thank You" card. The students were excited to personally present each item to members of the staff.

Recently, the Bibb County School District and Communities in Schools honored volunteers at the Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition Breakfast. Volunteers were recognized for their service hours and commitment to improving Bibb County schools.

Daryl Morton, president of the Bibb County Board of Education, said that volunteers play a vital role and "fill the gaps" for students across the District.

"Volunteers make sure our schools can do the most we can for our children," he said. "The continued progress in our schools is a group effort, and volunteers are a integral part of that."

Among those recognized for their service was Jessica Rivers. She logged 1,960 volunteer hours at L.H. Williams Elementary School this year, the equivalent of 245 eight-hour shifts. We appreciate Ms. Rivers and all of our volunteers!

Heard Junior BETA Club members sold popcorn, cookies, and hot chocolate to raise funds to provide comfort to families struggling with sick children. On May 18, the Junior BETA Club served dinner and cleaned at the Ronald McDonald House in Macon.

The Bob Barnette Memorial Scholarship was established for middle and high school students in Middle Georgia to help students purchase an instrument, equipment, private lesson or other in-depth study. This year, several Bibb County School District students were chosen for the scholarship: Howard Middle School's Jetti Teirnan, Rutland High School's Hunter Gales and Anthony Pitts, and Weaver Middle School's Daylen Lomeli and Tatyana Royal. Tiernan is using her scholarship money to take private cello lessons, while Gales and Pitts are headed to University of Georgia band camp, and Lomeli and Royal got new instruments.

Bob Barnette graduated from Lanier High School and attended UGA on a full double-bass and trumpet scholarship. After graduation, Mr. Barnette spent over 30 years as a music educator. He was the band director at Central High School and conducted the highly-acclaimed Sugar Bear Band. At his passing on April 14, 2016, his family established the Bob Barnette Memorial Music Scholarship in loving memory.

A group of students in the third and fifth grade at Vineville Academy of the Arts gave Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones a special gift recently. Naomi Couch, Chris Kurtz, Abby Lathon and Skye Selby, along with teacher Joel Respess and Principal Kristy Graham, presented Dr. Jones with a painting to represent the District's commitment to "Victory in Progress." The artwork will hang in the administrative suite at the Central Office.

As the 2016-17 school year came to a close, students across the District were recognized for their achievements in the classroom. Many schools, like Porter Elementary School, also recognized students who were moving from one major phase to another.

While all Porter students got medals of completion for finishing a grade, the fifth-graders had a special ceremony at Lawrence Drive Baptist Church.

"It is particularly important to recognize fifth-graders and celebrate this rite of passage as they transition to middle schools," said Principal Cami Hamlin.

Other schools held similar events for kindergarten students, eighth-graders and others. At Vineville Academy, the kindergarten students put on a performance titled "Under the Sea" on their last school day before first grade. Best of luck to all our students in their next grade!

The following students were Students of the Month for April at Bernd Elementary School: Braylon Sanders, Jiya Gibson, Tavares Glover, Zy’Kira Holston, Tawrence Ferguson, Alisa Howard, Maneshia Roberts, Kamil Edwards, Jacariay Mims, Makiyah McGuire, Tai’gh Graham, Isaiah Thomas, Lekyraih Thomas, Aramis Singleton, Lyricnei Anderson, Ti’zion Barnhill, Jason Burch, Jadah McLin and Michael Rouse. Way to go!

Guests from across the state visited Howard Middle School earlier this month to hear about Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Since implementing PBIS, Principal Lindsey Allen told the visitors that the school has seen a decrease in discipline referrals. Visitors also were given a tour of the school, led by student ambassadors. These students talked about what goes on at Howard Middle and were excellent representatives for the District!

On May 2, W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy held a pinning ceremony for its Certified Nursing Assistant program. The pinning ceremony is a nursing tradition that is intended to honor the dedication of those committing to a career in the field.

To participate in this ceremony, 25 students completed 24 hours of clinical practice and successfully passed the state exam for certification as part of the Move on When Ready Program through Central Georgia Technical College. These students are now eligible to enter the healthcare industry as CNAs, the entry level to nursing.

The PTA at McKibben Lane Elementary School got a special treat at its April meeting, as several Pre-K students performed for the group. These students were Hunger Tucker, Javontae Earley, Karson Gordon, Alexander Dean and Amarion Jones.

Howard High School’s Advanced Placement Environmental Science students visited Plant Scherer on April 19. Plant Scherer is one of the largest power plants in the United States and is in the process of completing a $5 billion environmental construction program.