Butts – Fayette – Henry – Lamar - - Newton – Pike – Spalding - Upson

South Metro Regional

Spotlights

Serving South Metro County School Systems since 1966

Introduction: Regional Spotlights Page 1

Butts: Online Learning Opportunities

Henry: STEAM Academy Page 2

Henry: Two for Tech Page 3

National Merit Scholarships

Fayette: Sandy Creek Science Students

Fayette: Getting Mad About Science

G/S: Character Education Initiative Page 4

G/S: Education Celebration

Kyle Maynard - Keynote

Pike: CTAE program receives Page 5

Industry Certification

T/U: Bring Your Own Technology

Lamar: Lamar County Girls

“Pretty for Prom”

Newton: Eastside Graduate - Page 6

Gates Millennium Scholar

Newton: Fulbright-Hays Group Project

Abroad Program

BUTT COUNTY SCHOOLS

ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS In July 2012, Senate Bill 289 passed allowing students opportunities to take online courses. This legislation does not require an online course to graduate, but provides an online learning option should your student or you choose this option. In the 2013-2014 school year, Butts County Schools will be offering Georgia Virtual School courses online to any student at Jackson High School. A list of courses can be found at http://www.gavirtualschool.org/CourseInfo/Fall2013Courses.aspx. If you are interested in enrolling your child in an online course, please contact the counselor’s office of Jackson High School at 770-504-2300.

“Teaching is the one profession

that creates all other professions.”

-Unknown

Volume 1, Issue 3 June 2013

GRIFFIN RESA/SOUTH METRO REGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS

Congratulations to this month’s regional superstars! These

school and system team members really shined bright!

We are happy to celebrate great news from the schools and

systems in our region. If you have information that should

be highlighted, please send it to sgordy@griffinresa.net.

Due to space limitations, all submissions may not be listed.

However, we will publish as many as possible. Thank you

in advance for your willingness to share exceptional news

from our region with the rest of the world!

Congrats again to our regional superstars,

Dr. Stephanie Gordy

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Stockbridge High School’s STEAM Academy Set for 2013 Opening

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Several students at Stockbridge High School will be a part of the inaugural Stockbridge STEAM Academy program when the 2013-2014 school year starts in August. The newest “school within a school,” as Principal Eric Watson describes it, will aim to provide a student-centered interdisciplinary education, focused on science, technology, engineering, arts (visual and performing), and mathematics (STEAM), while engaging students to think critically and compete globally. The commonly known STEM focus is growing in popularity and importance throughout the nation, but add one letter to the acronym and it encompasses a greater segment of any school’s climate. “The school leadership team added the Arts (A) in STEAM to reflect its commitment to and recognition of the arts as a critical component of education,” said Watson. “Our parents indicated they think the STEAM Academy would benefit the students of the Stockbridge High School cluster. They were excited that we would be preparing students in critical areas like Biotechnology and Engineering as well as the technical side of the entertainment industry.” Approximately 40 select freshmen and sophomores will be the first to experience the STEAM Academy offerings. Juniors will be added to the mix the following school year. By 2016, all grade levels at the high school will be able to experience the STEAM Academy. The school’s STEAM advisory committee put in many hours of research to ensure that Stockbridge High School and its cluster would have a top-notch program in place. One example of a school they visited was Forsyth Central High School and its STEM Academy. The resulting partnership between Stockbridge and Forsyth has the local endeavor heading in the right direction according to school officials. The model school Stockbridge is using as an example recently scored well above the state average on the newly introduced College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). For students all throughout Stockbridge High School, there will be some level of introduction to the STEAM Academy and its offerings. Current students will have an opportunity to take some of the new courses that STEAM will bring to the curriculum. For example, the addition of a music technology pathway including a digital keyboard class, AP music theory and eventually a recording studio lab are features more than just STEAM Academy students will be exposed to. “Existing students will have an opportunity to sign up for these courses,” said Watson. “Additionally, every student will be exposed to an increased level of rigor and academic expectations. The entire school will be on a modified block schedule that will afford teachers more time for project-based learning in the classroom.” There are many goals for the classes and students participating in the STEAM Academy. Learning and working in a challenging, technologically advanced environment will provide students and graduates of the program and school with STEAM research and publication experience, international awareness and perspectives, and a commitment to lifelong learning, just to name a few. The focus of the academy also stretches down to its feeder middle and elementary schools. Students will begin to be exposed to a rigorous mathematics and science curriculum in the earlier levels of school to ensure they are ready for the demands and expectations that await them later in high school. Elementary and middle schools will engage students to pursue STEAM activities through summer camps and in-school field trips. According to Watson, the program plans to create a culture of high expectations, collaboration, and service that will prepare students to succeed in an increasingly complex global society. “Upon graduation, STEAM high school students will be highly sought after by select universities and industries, regionally, nationally, and internationally.”

HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Two for Tech – Henry County Schools Students Earn National Merit Scholarships

Two students from Henry County Schools have been chosen as National Merit Scholarship recipients for 2013. Charlie Campbell from Eagle’s Landing High School and Jerry Lin from Union Grove High School, both valedictorians for their respective schools, were recently notified they will be receiving National Merit Scholarships funded by the Georgia Institute of Technology. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation co-hosts the scholarship program with the College Board through the PSAT qualifying test. After being recognized in September as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, those students comprised of the top 16,000 scoring students in grades 9 - 11 from the previous school year’s test, become eligible for the scholarship if deemed a finalist. Being named a Semifinalist is a large accomplishment for any student, while being selected as a finalist and a recipient of the scholarship is one of the top academic recognitions a student can achieve. Both Campbell and Lin were excited to learn of the esteemed accomplishment while sharing that it means a lot to be recognized for their efforts in school. The extra financial support for college is a welcomed break for both. “This will provide a bit of relief for me as it is less money I have to spend to pay for college,” shared Lin. The plans of both students for the next phase in their academic careers began after graduation. High school was no easy ride for both students, as each took numerous Advanced Placement courses while also participating in scholastic groups and other extracurricular activities. Eagle’s Landing High School Principal Gabe Crerie knows Campbell as a stellar student and an accomplished musician in the school’s small guitar club. “It is a special and well-rounded person that can be a National Merit Finalist and flawlessly pull off a David Gilmour solo while entertaining a crowd of people,” said Crerie. “Charlie’s work ethic and ability will take him anywhere he decides to go.” Campbell has his sights set on a degree in electrical engineering. As for Lin, he is looking to embark on a career in medicine. And his principal, Tom Smith, knows the school’s top student has what it takes to be successful. He has seen Lin thrive as the leader of Union Grove’s student government while utilizing his familiar determination and commitment to help others. “Jerry is one of the hardest working and most committed students we have had at Union Grove High School,” said Smith. “Not only is he hardworking and committed on his own behalf, but as student government president, he has also committed himself to ensure the student body as a whole and the school has everything needed to remain a school of excellence.” Both students got a chance to address their classmates during graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 31.

Photo (L-R): Jerry Lin and Charlie Campbell

FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Sandy Creek Science Students Make Animal Books for Burch’s Second Graders

Environmental science students from Sandy Creek High took over second grade classrooms at Robert J. Burch Elementary to give students a special lesson on animal life and ecosystems. Permeil Dass’ environmental science classes at Sandy Creek were given the task of creating books for the second graders that explained the life and habitat of the animals, including adaptation, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, food chain and energy consumption. The students had to both write and illustrate the books by hand, no computers were allowed. Dass’ classes voted on the books they thought were the best and took turns visiting second grade classrooms at Burch on May 14 presenting and reading them to students. The books, eight total, were donated to the school’s media center for all students to read and enjoy. Animals featured in the books were the lion, seahorse, tick, giraffe and red panda. “I’ve been so excited to build a school-to-school partnership between Burch and Sandy Creek. This has been a wonderful experience for students at both schools,” says Felecia Spicer, principal at Robert J. Burch Elementary.

FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Students Get Mad About Science

Getting students mad about science is what Fayette County Public Schools After School Program hopes to achieve through an initiative with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. “Mad about Science” is the name of the scouting program that has made its way into 9 of the 17 after school sites around the county. Under the guidance of Amber Joseph, the membership specialist for the south region of the Scouts, students have been learning about the chemical reactions of combined matters through fun activities such as making ice cream and lava lamps. The county’s after school program provides students a safe and nurturing environment in which to learn while having fun. The Girl Scouts’ Mad about Science program matches this objective. “With this project, 100 percent of my children were actively engaged in learning, which is no small feat. This type of activity fits perfectly with the after school program’s philosophy of mixing learning with fun,” says North Fayette Elementary School’s After School Manager Sandy Jensen. The ASP offers quality supervision with plenty of fun activities to keep children busy including arts and crafts, games, computer classes and homework assistance. Hours of operation begin at the end of the school day and continue to 6:30 p.m. on days when school is in session.

SPALDING COUNTY SCHOOLS

“School system building a better Griffin

with launch of character education

initiative.”

When the Griffin-Spalding County Board of

Education developed a new mission

statement, members deliberately chose

the words character-based to describe the

education it wanted to provide. They felt

strongly that academics would be

enhanced by a focus on character-

building.

The district is no stranger to character

education in its practices or principles.

Orrs Elementary School had earned the

National School of Character Award

because of accomplishments its school

community made several years ago.

Now the principal of Orrs Elementary

School, Dexter Martin, is leading a district

team to develop a community-wide

character education initiative.

Martin says, “We have been examining

character education from the standpoint

of what affects it. We have found so far

that our schools are immersed in “school-

based outcomes.” The areas of “risk

behavior, pro-social competencies, and

general social-emotional functioning” are

those that schools see the effects of every

day. So does society.

“Our next step is to develop sub

committees for the elementary, middle

and high school levels. We want teachers,

parents, community and faith-based

representatives to help us continue to

delve into the causes of bad decision –

making, for example, and find better

solutions.”

“We ultimately want to “Build a better

Griffin.”

SPALDING COUNTY SCHOOLS

Education Celebration for Teachers

Kyle Maynard will keynote Education

Celebration for teachers August 7

“You are not in control”. . . . . “How one choice will

change your life”. . . . . “4 ways to make tough

decisions a little bit easier” . . . . . Kyle Maynard, our

Griffin-Spalding County School System Education

Celebration speaker, is blogging. Wait until you see

him in person and hear what he has to say on

Wednesday, August 7, when we gather in the Griffin

Auditorium for the Education Celebration.

“He’s inspirational,” said Superintendent Dr. Curtis

Jones. “When I heard Kyle speak at the December

Georgia School Boards Association meeting in

Atlanta, I knew he would be perfect to kick off our

focus on character education in August. One can’t

help thinking about everything he has encountered as

a congenital amputee.

When we look at social-emotional characteristics –

adapts easily to change, copes with failure, and

undertakes new tasks willingly – Kyle’s name is

written all over as achieving these and checking

them off his list.

“I am looking forward to our teachers discovering

the power within them as they hear Kyle during pre-

planning.”

We thank Norcom for sponsoring this wonderful

opportunity as we kick off the new school year.

PIKE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Pike County School System CTAE program receives Industry Certification

CTAE programs providing students with state of the art equipment, real world work experience, a vibrant CTSO, and true academic integration are the precursors to industry certification. Industry certification is the stamp of approval given to those CTAE programs that represent the apex of quality in Georgia. Pike County Schools is proud to announce the Healthcare Science program at Pike County High School earned industry certification this spring. Mrs. Erin Ison is the instructor of the Healthcare Science program in Pike County, she began the industry certification process in 2011. This included robust improvements to the Healthcare Science lab, rigorous project- based instruction and assessment of all standards, maintaining a meaningful advisory committee, and reaching a high level of student achievement on end-of-pathway assessments. Official recognition of the program’s industry certification will be awarded in July at the annual GACTE conference in Atlanta. This marks the third Pike County CTAE pathway to receive industry certification in two years.

UPSON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT)

Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all Thomaston-Upson Schools will launch a new initiative; Bring Your own Technology (BYOT). Students will be given the opportunity to bring their own digital technology devices to school. Approved BYOT devices will include smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, netbooks, and even Internet-capable portable gaming devices.

LAMAR COUNTY SCHOOLS

Leighton Jordan, Miss Georgia 2012, helped to make

Lamar County girls “Pretty for Prom”.

She assisted with make-up and offered words of encouragement

to all the participants. Yashica Webb, High School registrar and

teacher in the cosmetology department at Southern Crescent

Technical College recruited and organized eight professionals

to create a special day for 21 girls who took advantage of this

special day. A number of dresses, shoes, jewelry and tuxedoes

were donated and altered by community members.

Teachers will allow students to utilize these devices at certain times throughout the school day for collaboration, interaction, problem-solving, research, and more. Appropriate use of the BYOT devices during instructional time will be determined by individual teachers. While some teachers will encourage students to bring their own technology to enhance classroom learning, no student will be required to bring their own technology devices to school. All teachers will continue to provide technology devices when required by a classroom activity.

NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Eastside Graduate Named

Gates Millennium Scholar

Recent Eastside High School graduate Narissa Turner has been

awarded a Class of 2013 Gates Millennium Scholars good-

through-graduation scholarship which can be used to pursue

degrees in any undergraduate major at the accredited college or

university of her choice. She is one of only 1,000 students in the

nation to receive the prestigious scholarship.

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, funded by a

grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established

in 1999 to provide outstanding low income African American,

American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American,

and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete

an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose.

Continuing Gates Scholars may request funding for a graduate

degree program in one of the following discipline areas: computer

science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics,

public health or science. The goal of GMS is to promote academic

excellence by providing thousands of outstanding students, who

have significant financial need, the opportunity to reach their full

potential.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program also provides recipients

with leadership development opportunities, mentoring, academic

and social support. The Program is known for its recipients’ high

graduation rates—a six-year rate of 90 percent (45 percent higher

than the national graduation rates for all students) and comparable

to the rates for students from high-income families.

During her high school career, Narissa maintained a very busy

schedule as she was involved in the National Honor Society,

Junior Classical League and Art Club all while taking a total of

seven advanced placement classes.

“I was really excited when I found out I received the Gates

Scholarship,” said Narissa. “I never believed I would get it. I

think my parents were even more excited than I was.”

Narissa plans on majoring in biology and animal science in

undergraduate school at the University of Georgia and has already

determined she will study zoology in graduate school; the Gates

Scholarship will pay her way entirely. She hopes to one day

become a zoologist.

“Narissa is an amazing young lady who has fully devoted herself

towards achieving tremendous goals while at Eastside,” said

Eastside High School principal Jeff Cher. “Her energy and

enthusiasm are only exceeded by her talents and abilities.”

NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Career Academy Teacher Selected

for Fulbright-Hays Group

Project Abroad Program

Newton College & Career Academy Social Studies Trainer Rachel Jacobson has been selected to participate in Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program trip to Malawi, Africa in June 2013. Ms. Jacobson began her teaching career six years ago at Alcovy High School. She has taught World History, Current Issues, United States History, and Government. This is her first year at the Career Academy. She currently teaches World History, United States History, and United States History Advanced. Ms. Jacobson has a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences, Master of Arts in Teaching, graduated in May with an Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership from Mercer University. The Group Projects Abroad Program will begin with a one week workshop in May and then a four week field trip to Malawi, Africa in June. The goals of the trip are to collect data for use in integrating environmental awareness and cultural competency into curricula in the classroom and to establish an ongoing collaborative online exchange program with a counterpart Malawian educator. While in Malawi, the group will study the impact of ecology and environment on the culture and history of Malawi, work individually and in teams to develop lesson plans, and collect environmental and cultural artifacts in Malawi. The group will also have an opportunity to go on wildlife excursions, observe Malawian classrooms, local villages, and visit the US Embassy in Malawi. This prestigious opportunity is also an exciting one for Ms. Jacobson and the Career Academy. Upon her return, she plans to share her experiences with the Social Studies Department and faculty of the NCCA.