Last week, Pre-K students across the District were given the book "Ten on the Sled" as a gift for the holiday season. Each class had a special guest reader who then provided them their books.
At Vineville Academy of the Arts, Santa and Mrs. Claus came by for a visit and special counting activity after reading. The school also had Pajama Day, which went along with the focus on reading, Principal Kristy Graham said.
"Don't get caught sleeping instead of reading," she said.

The Bibb County School District would like to wish all students, faculty and staff a safe and happy Holiday Break. We'd also like to remind students to keep reading and keep learning!

The District's television station, which airs on Cox Communications Digital Cable on Channel 17, has been re-branded as WVIP Television. This student-run channel has content from a variety of district schools, including new programs like "Get to Know Your Principal," and is produced by the students in the Audio, Video and Film pathway at W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy.

Click here for more information about WVIP television.

Students across the District performed at their schools to celebrate the holiday season this month. From sing-alongs at the elementary schools to band and chorus performances at the middle and high schools, everyone got into a festive spirit.

"The holiday season is a wonderful time to showcase the skills and talents of Fine Arts students in the Bibb County School District," said Ben Bridges, Director of Fine Arts and Magnet Programs. "This year students enjoyed sharing their work with our community through 45 different holiday events."

For video from some of these performances, visit the District's ESE Networks page or watch WVIP Television.

The “Light It Up with Literacy Workshop” was held on December 11 at Bernd Elementary. The literacy night focused on the 5 Pillars of Reading (Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary Development, Fluency, and Reading Comprehension). Parents had an opportunity to actively participate and understand how the stages of reading progresses from Kindergarten through 5th grade and beyond by transitioning to stations that incorporated the stages in chronological order. Each stage of the 5 Pillars of Reading consisted of a Power Point presentation, ways for parent to help their children at home, and a hands on activity. At the end of each presentation literacy station cards were signed to signify that the activity has been completed.

On the last day before the Christmas break, 30 Union Elementary School students got a gift from Academy Sports and Outdoors. The store, located off Eisenhower Parkway, donated the bicycles, which was a much larger donation than the school is usually able to acquire.

"We always give bikes away to students, but we've never been able to give away 30," said Principal LaLisa Burston. "This is awesome."

Some of the bikes were given to students who achieved top scores in each grade in ELA and math. Others were drawn from a raffle, in which students earned tickets based on good behavior as part of the Positive Behavioral Initiatives and Supports effort.

"It's just a really great opportunity to partner with Academy and recognize students who have done well academically and behaviorally," Burston said.

The Appling Middle School Raider Robotics team recently won first place in Robot Performance at the STARBASE 2.0 First Lego League Green Competition at Byron Middle School. This victory qualified the team for the FLL Super-Regional Competition at the Museum of Aviation on Jan. 20, Team members include Eyaja Williams, Jayla Johnson, Nicolas Hodges, Tyler Terry, JaQuayla Fields, Ashton Smith, VanShun Green, Edreka Coleman, Devin Thomas, Brian Dennis and Chloe Vicks. Way to go, Raiders!

Congratulations to Westside High School teacher Pilar Wilder Lowden, who was recently named a Next Generation Leader by the International Association of Blacks in Dance. Way to go!

The Georgia Department of Education designates certain schools in the state as Focus and Priority schools based on low achievement data among Title I schools. Previously, McKibben Lane Elementary School had been among this group of Focus schools, while L.H. Williams had been considered a Priority school. Earlier this month, the Georgia DOE announced that Lane and Williams had improved enough to come off of these lists.

Last week marked the grand opening of Salon 360 at W.S. Hutchings College and Career Academy. This salon is operated by the second-year students in the cosmetology pathway.

Click here to make an appointment for one of the salon's services!

Students at L.H. Williams Elementary School recently participated in a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports celebration. This event provided students with the chance to spend their "bucks" in playing various games or watching movies.

Students at Central High School were treated to a special guest last month. Sasha Hutchings, who graduated from Central in 2007 and was recently a cast member in"Hamilton" on Broadway, visited theater and dance classes.
"It's really nice to be able to come back," she said. "These are skills that you can gather, and theater education can be a very integral part of your education."
Central theater coordinator Jennifer Bedwell said it was important for her students to see the success Hutchings has had first-hand.
"It gives them a goal for the future, what to look forward to," Bedwell said.

Bernd Elementary School recently recognized the following students as Students of the Month for November: Jacen Collins, Braylon Sanders, Bryson Adams, KeyAsia Freeman, Jonquavious Blount, Sage Young, Cherish Eason, Bentley Rogers, Chris Salas, Tyler Davis, Cesar Salas, Parker Shoultz, Tamara Ragans, Derrick Chaney, Melvin Thomas, Charity Latimore, Mikiyah McGuire, Amera Gattis, Jayvyn Thomas and Saphira Moss.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Macon Mayhem mascot paid a visit to one of Springdale Elementary School's physical education classes. While there, he taught the students a little about the game of ice hockey. It was a great opportunity for the students to learn about a sport that many of them have never seen before. Go Mayhem!

School administrators and community partners gathered for the VIP/Business Education Partnership breakfast this month, an opportunity to share and connect. Blake Sullivan, BEP co-chairman, said he saw a good energy among the District employees as the first half of the school year winds down.
“I just want to say I appreciate all the work that you do for the children of our community,” he said.

Vineville Academy of the Arts recently honored Students of the Month with their "Panda Paw" awards. These students were recognized for representing "kindness" to their peers and in the classroom. Way to go!

Each year, the Bibb County School District screens all students for possible referral for gifted education services. The gifted screening process is scheduled for January 4-19, 2018. During this two-week period, teachers will give particular attention to observing students looking for the typical traits, attitudes, and behaviors (TABs) of a gifted child as well as reviewing achievement data. At the end of the two-week period, students demonstrating exceptional achievement and performance will be referred to the School Gifted Education Eligibility Team for further consideration.

Parents, guardians, or other concerned individuals may refer students to the school eligibility team for consideration. Students may also refer themselves. All referrals must be written and sent to the child’s teacher no later than Thursday, January 12, 2018.

In Georgia, the various test scores used in the gifted evaluation process are valid and reliable for two years. Therefore, a student who is tested this year cannot be considered for gifted testing for two years. If you have any questions or concerns about the gifted screening process, please contact a gifted education teacher or counselor at your child’s school.