A Message from the Superintendent
Soon we will be one of only five school systems in the state to undergo a SACS District Accreditation Review. Our Review Team will consist of four members to be chaired by Don Teel. Dr. Taylor and I recently met with Mr. Teel to prepare for their upcoming visit March 19-22. I firmly believe that Calhoun City School’s teachers, students, parents and community members are striving daily to ensure that we achieve our mission which is to inspire students to become life-long learners in the pursuit of excellence. Thanks to all of you for remaining focused and steadfast in this quest.
Proposals for the 2006-2007 School Year Calendar are being reviewed by all schools and we hope to have the selected calendar ready for Board approval at the February Board Meeting.
School Board Bulletin
Becky Mathews was recognized at a reception prior to the January Board Meeting for seventeen years of dedicated service. The Board also welcomed Eddie Hall as a new member to the Calhoun City Schools’ School Board. We truly appreciate all of our Board’s support.
Professional Learning Opportunities
CARTEL I and CARTEL II Assessment Teams have met several times throughout the past couple of months with Georgia Leadership Institute’s Consultant Beth Reynolds. Mrs. Reynolds has been extremely supportive of our teachers and administrators as we’ve tried to unpack the new Georgia Performance Standards and plan units of instruction.
All System Administrators will participate in Learning Focused 5 x 5 Training on February 23rd.
Gifted Endorsement Classes are offered onsite by instructor Michelle Knight. The first course “Characteristics of Gifted Students” is being offered for five weeks on Mondays and Thursdays. If you would like more information about the Gifted Endorsement, please contact Mrs. Knight at knightm@calhounschools.org.
A Day with Gerald Anderson – Several teachers will attend a day long session with Gerald Anderson, former Superintendent of the Brazosport Independent School District in Texas. Dr. Anderson has co-authored the book, Closing the Achievement Gap, No Excuses and will share his former school district’s success story with leaders across the state.
Students to Speak with System Leaders
Students from every grade level K-12 have been selected to serve on a System Student Better Seeker Team. These students will have an opportunity to share their ideas on how we can improve our schools. The team includes: JaBresia Evans, Joey Ulibarri, Kade Wright, Tori Trimble, Ethan Woodard, Breanna Guiterrez, Ella Holden, Desmond Harrison, Grace Johnson, Carolina Antunez, Trevor Gregory, Erick Bautista, Davis Jordan, Adam Gordy
Brooke Dixon, Grant Dodd, David Collins, Madison Bunch, John Robert Barton, Xia Moorehead, Ty Frix, Erica Mays, Angelina Del Rosario, MacKenzie Washington, Anthony Audino and Chris Wilson.
Curriculum Connection
Grade Levels and Departments continue to unpack the new Georgia Performance Standards. Please visit Georgia’s Department of Education to find out the latest information about curriculum support for GA’s teachers.
A system-wide task force has been formed to look at Homework in Calhoun City Schools, Wesley Roach, CMS Teacher is spearheading this task force. If you have thoughts regarding homework or would like to be a part of the Homework Team, email him at roachw@calhounschools.org.
Tech. Talk
Calhoun City Schools will earn a whole new look with a user friendly updated website to be unveiled on Wednesday, February 8, 2006. Thanks to all who have contributed their expertise to the project and a special thank you to Jason Brumbelow for his dedication and support.
The Technology Department would like to welcome Ryan Burney who joined the Central Office Staff in December. Jody and Ryan report that the
Technology Department currently has less than 50 open Help Desk Tickets and they have resolved approximately 550 support incidents this year. They thank everyone for their support. Our Tech. Team is particularly excited about the recent acquisition of Altiris Deployment Solution which will help them manage the 700 plus machines on the Calhoun City Schools’ network.
Exhaustive research is almost finalized on the future of our technology equipment and pricing. The Tech. Department has looked at different technologies from only Tier One manufacturers (Dell and HP) and believes that due to pricing and quality Dell is still the way to go. They have a couple of new projects that they are preparing to rollout. One is outfitting the REP lab at CHS with new equipment and the second is installing and configuring four new 21st Century classrooms.
New 21st Century Model Classrooms have been selected from each school. Instructors will include Rebecca Richardson, Misty Holt, Laurie Brown and Amelia Lord. Promethean Training will be scheduled soon and the systems should be up and running in classrooms within the next couple of months. We are excited about implementing more of this type of technology into classrooms. Our goal is to equip as many classrooms with the latest technology as funds become available.
Online Technology Assessments Sessions are scheduled for all who have not met the Georgia PSC Technology requirement. Luree Echols, Instructional Technology Coordinator, will be available to assist staff members at the complex on the following days and times: February 20, 2006 8:30 a.m.; February 20, 2006 1:30 p.m.; and April 13, 2006 4:00 p.m. All sessions will be offered in the Computer Lab at Calhoun Elementary School. Luree is available to assist with technology projects in your classroom as well. Need some help? Email Luree at skaggsl@calhounschools.org.
Our Tech. Department would like to thank all who have contributed to the New Technology Plan for 2006-2009. The media specialists from your school and Luree have been working with teams to pull this comprehensive plan together. Please contact them if you have more suggestions.
Student Information: Just an FYI, the GaDOE has implemented an identification system that will supplant the use of Social Security numbers for student testing identification and other purposes. These (GTID) numbers have been imported into our Student Information System.
Student Support Services
The Calhoun City Schools’ Special Education Department was recently recognized by the Georgia Department of Education for their achievements in three areas: Increasing the percentage of students who graduate with a regular education diploma; decreasing the gap in performance between students with disabilities and their regular education peers; and, increasing the percentage of students who meet or exceed the standards on state-wide achievement tests. The Special Education Team includes: Sandra Allen, Jana Bell, Karen Canon, Christi Chauncey, Tommie Darnell, Scott Dorsey, Paula Gunter, Lesley Harrison, Shelley Lipsey, Davina McDaniel, Anne McGee, Kathy Parker-Adams, Addie Perry, Ann Piscitelli, Ginger Reeves, Michael Roberts, Katherine Roland, Mary Rosevear, Ricky Ross, Sandy Ross, Brenda Rossier, Jason Shriner, Nelson Shiver, Melissa Shriner, Clay Stephenson, and Pam Thomas.
Counselors Share Mission: All of our counselors K-12 have worked together to align national counseling standards with our program goals. They developed a counseling program mission which states: The Calhoun City Schools’ Counseling program, in conjunction with other stakeholders, strives to enable all students to acquire the educational, occupational, and social competencies necessary to pursue individual excellence. The School Counselors in the Calhoun City School System believe that the counseling program should: 1) Offer each child the opportunity for personal/social, academic achievement to reach their individual potential 2) Recognize that regardless of personal, socioeconomic, or home environment, all students, with support, can achieve success. 3) Be geared toward individual learning styles of students and that varied communication techniques should be used to meet the students’ needs. 4) Support/augment the overall academic, career, personal/social goals of the school. 5) Strive to instill appropriate personal values through character education as prescribed by the state. 6) Be continually evaluated and adapted to meet the students’ needs. 7) Identify students’ strengths and weaknesses based on a variety of assessments to promote their individual academic achievement. 8) Link identified students and families with appropriate school and community resources. 9) Assist in preparing students for the next level of academic, personal/social, and/or career development. We appreciate the continued support that our counselors provide to students, teachers and parents!!!! We thank them for helping us move Calhoun City Schools from “Good” to “Great!”
Pre-K Press
Calhoun City Schools Pre – Kindergarten Enrollment For 2006-2007 School Year: Applications for Calhoun City Schools’ Pre-Kindergarten Program will be available from February 1, 2006 - March 3, 2006. Children who are four years old on or before September 1, 2006 are eligible. Also, children who are five years old can attend if they have not previously attended a Pre-K Program. Applications will be available at Eastside School on 380 Barrett Road. To complete the application process, parents should attach a copy of the child’s birth certificate, a copy of the child’s social security card and Georgia Immunization Form #3231. Applications will not be accepted without necessary documentation. Students will be selected by a lottery to be held on March 10, 2006. Parents will be notified if their child is selected for enrollment or placed on a waiting list. Questions may be directed to the Pre-K Office at 706-629-6563.
Financial Focus
A 2006-2007 Budget Calendar has been adopted by the Board. Directors and Principals are presently compiling information to submit to the Superintendent for review. If you have specific needs, please see your principal.
Notes from the Nutrition Department
A System-wide Wellness Policy is being developed by a task force of nurses, nutrition personnel, teachers, administrators, doctors, health department personnel, parents and community leaders. Our focus is to support the well-being of each and every child in our school system. We hope to have our plan finalized and implemented by July 1, 2006. Together, we can truly make a difference. If you would like more information on the Wellness Plan, please contact Martha Moore, Nutrition Director at moorem@calhounschools.org or Sandy Benton, CMS Nurse at bentons@calhounschools.org.
The Nutrition Staff at each school are committed to the health and well-being of all the students and staff. The menus have been planned to lower the sugar, salt, and fat, and increase fiber in foods being served. The following changes have taken place: serving of high fiber white bread, low sugar/high fiber cereals, variety of fruits offered daily, reduced fat pizza on whole grain crust, whole milk eliminated from choices offered, baked Chips, etc. The Nutrition Staff is committed to making a difference in the lives of students.
Community Education
Community Education Director Jerry Carroll, The Community Engagement Team and C.L.A.S.S. Cohort One Leaders are preparing to strengthen our Partners in Education Program by recruiting business / organization partners from across our community. Plans are underway for a special “Lunch and Learn” session to be held on Friday, February 10th. P.I.E. (Partners in Education) participants will have an opportunity to share how Calhoun City Schools can support their business or organization while in turn we can share with them how they can help us move Calhoun City Schools from ‘Good’ to ‘Great.’ If you know of a potential Partner, please notify Michele Taylor at taylorm@calhounschools.org.
Human Resources Reporter
System Recruitment Day Planned: A Recruitment Fair will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Participants may arrive at any time during these hours. The Fair will be held at the Calhoun Educational Complex (Primary / Elementary). Possible positions available will include paraprofessionals, clerical positions, bus drivers, teachers, counselors, nutrition/food service positions, custodians, substitute teachers etc. Please share this information with friends and family members. We are seeking highly qualified positive individuals to join our team.
State Health Insurance changes were made in December and Open Enrollment begins in April for other insurance benefits. Susan Roland wanted to remind all CCS employees that beneficiaries can be changed at any time for any reason. Email Susan to find out more: rolands@calhounschools.org
An Employee of the Month Committee has been developed to review “Employee of the Month” Nominations and make a final selection prior to each month’s board meeting. If you would like to nominate someone in the Calhoun City School System, nomination forms are provided in your school’s office. Employee of the Month Recipients will receive an “Employee of the Month” pin, certificate and gift from one of our Community Sponsors.
A revised Bee Line Newsletter is being developed and distributed monthly to all employees with information about employees who have earned advanced degrees, gotten married, had a new baby or grandbaby, announced an engagement etc. This is an opportunity to “toot your own horn,” pat yourself on the back, or share a classroom anecdote. If you have any items that you would like to be included, please forward these to Julie Stephens at stephensj@calhounschools.org. All entries must be received by the 20th day of each month.
Special Projects: The Bailey Report
Larry Bailey, Special Projects Coordinator is preparing summer maintenance project plans. If you have a specific request, please forward these to your building principal or assistant principal. Planning is key to a productive summer schedule.
Emergency Preparedness Planning – Calhoun City Schools is working closely with David Carroll and USA Prepare to ensure that our Safety Plans are aligned and communicated to all employees of Calhoun City Schools. Online training will take place soon. Once our plans have all been completed, we will have them GEMA certified. We recognize that a Safety Plan is a valuable tool and one that we will continually update and revise to keep our students and schools safe. If you have any concerns about school safety issues, please discuss these with your building level principal and/or assistant principal. Congratulations to all schools who have conducted regular fire / tornado drills and who ensure that students and teachers know what to do in the event of an emergency.
Maintenance Memo
Harvey and Randy continue to support our schools with a “can do” attitude. They are presently completing general maintenance projects and “lighting” up the complex.
Transportation Talk
Our Transportation Department has made many changes over the school year. Our Transportation Director, Chris Johnson and all of our drivers wish to convey their appreciation for the support given from each school.
One of our many changes was the enforcement of the Change of Transportation Forms at every school. The motto “NO NOTE NO RIDE” has helped many times to ensure that students are provided with a safe ride home. There have been many instances where a student was stopped from going to a place where they should not have been going. When investigated further it has been found many times that the parents did not know where their child was going. This alone has made such a tremendous impact on improving the safety of our students. Safety is first priority and we will continue to adjust our policies to improve it.
The Ride Guide a Calhoun City Schools’ Transportation information booklet for parents and students is being compiled to provide parents and students with the policies of Calhoun City Schools and state and federal guidelines. We hope to ensure that all of the schools’ policies and procedures are aligned for our system. We will certainly address the disciplinary procedures for each of the different schools. Drafts are being compiled at this time and teams will come together to make final corrections and additions before press time.
Central Office Communication
If you have specific information that you would like addressed in the next edition of the Central Office Communicator, please email taylorm@calhounschools.org. This newsletter will be published the first day of each month.
Our mission is to inspire all students to become life-long learners in the pursuit of excellence.