Gordon County Schools is excited to celebrate Family Engagement Month with our “We Did It!” Family Challenge, taking place October 26 through November 20!
Strong families help build strong schools, and we know that even small moments spent together can make a big difference. Throughout these four weeks, we are encouraging families across our district to participate in simple, meaningful activities that help them grow, connect, and succeed together.
Each week features a different family challenge:
Week 1: Read Together
Spend 20 minutes reading together as a family. Whether it is a favorite book, a bedtime story, or something new, take time to enjoy reading with one another.
Week 2: Get Moving!
Get active as a family! Take a walk, play outside, or complete a family exercise challenge. Find a fun way to enjoy physical activity together.
Week 3: Talk Together
Make time for a family conversation using conversation starters that will be provided. This challenge encourages families to communicate, share experiences, and strengthen their connections.
Week 4: Give Together
Do something kind for another person. Whether it is helping a neighbor, supporting someone in need, or finding another way to show kindness, families are encouraged to make a positive difference together.
Participate for a Chance to Win a Family Prize Pack! Families who complete a challenge can enter for a chance to win a Family Prize Pack! Each school will select a winner through a random drawing from the entries received.
Families can submit their participation in one of two ways:
1. Take a selfie of your family completing the activity while holding a homemade “We Did It!” sign.
OR
2. Send a brief written description of the activity your family completed together.
Be sure to include your student's name and school with your submission. Email your entries to Kerri Chatman at kchatman@gcbe.org.
We encourage all Gordon County Schools families to take part in this special month of activities. You do not need elaborate plans or expensive experiences to make meaningful memories. Reading a book, sharing a conversation, getting outside, or showing kindness can help strengthen family relationships and support student success.
We look forward to seeing how our families participate throughout Family Engagement Month!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools


Pictured are just some of the many bus drivers who serve our students and families across the district. From early morning routes to afternoon drop-offs, our drivers provide safe, dependable transportation while helping students start and end their school day on a positive note.
We appreciate every Gordon County Schools bus driver for the patience, care, and commitment they show each day. Thank you for everything you do to keep our students safe!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools







After a whole-group lesson from student teacher Ms. Cochran about neighborhoods, locations, and special places, students returned to their desks to draw a meaningful place from where they live. They will use those drawings to help them write about that special place.
These early writing experiences help kindergarten students build the foundation for expressing ideas, describing their surroundings, and developing a stronger understanding of their community.
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #RedBudElementary

Mrs. Land wrapped up a mini-lesson on nouns and subjects before students shifted their focus to informative/explanatory writing. Students identified important places in their own lives and used those meaningful connections to help generate ideas for their written piece.
It was a great example of students connecting personal experiences to strengthen their writing!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #SonoravilleElementary

Mrs. Santos modeled how to write a body paragraph, and the class created a shared template for stating opinions and supporting them with clear reasons. Students had already completed their introduction paragraphs the day before and are now learning how to strengthen their writing with solid reasoning and transition words.
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #FairmountElementary

Drivers should always stop when a school bus has its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. Students should wait a safe distance from the curb, remain alert when getting on or off the bus, and never walk behind a school bus. Making eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of the bus is another important safety habit.
School bus safety is a shared responsibility. Thank you to our students, families, drivers, and community members for helping protect children on the road each day.
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools

Students explored the important parts of this type of storytelling, including characters, setting, and plot, while learning how these elements work together to create an imaginary story. By identifying each part in the text, students strengthened their reading comprehension and their understanding of how stories are organized.
It was a great day of literacy learning at WLS!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #WLSwainElementary

Mr. Allee shared the story of Barnum Brown, the eccentric paleontologist known for discovering the Tyrannosaurus rex, and brought history to life for lower grade students. 1st grade students especially enjoyed getting involved in the presentation as they learned more about Brown’s discoveries and the world of paleontology.
It was a great way to combine history, science, and storytelling into an engaging learning experience at BES!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #BelwoodElementary

Heather Aycock and Theresa Spence helped make the celebration special as TES teachers, staff, and administrators took time to recognize one another. Moments like these help build a positive school culture and strengthen the relationships that make Tolbert such a special place.
We love seeing our staff celebrate, support, and encourage one another throughout the year!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #TolbertElementary

Sonoraville Elementary School and Tolbert Elementary School were recognized as 2026 Georgia Title I Reward Schools. This prestigious recognition identifies schools among the top 5% of Title I schools in Georgia that have demonstrated the greatest progress in improving academic performance. Schools are selected based on growth in content mastery scores over the two most recent years of statewide assessment data.
Sonoraville Elementary School was represented by Principal Kelly Rampy and Assistant Principal Nicole Burgess. This recognition adds to the school's recent accomplishments, including being named a 2024 Georgia Title I Distinguished School and earning Apple Distinguished School recognition in 2025.
Tolbert Elementary School was represented by Principal Dr. Rebecca Owen and Assistant Principal Melissa Vincent. Tolbert has also celebrated several recent academic achievements, including being named a Georgia Literacy Leader school and receiving Beating the Odds recognition for outstanding achievement and exceptional growth.
The Board also recognized the Gordon County Schools School Nutrition Department for earning the USDA's 2025 Turnip the Beet! Gold Award. This national recognition celebrates summer meal programs that go above and beyond to provide nutritious, appealing, and high-quality meals to children when school is not in session. Gordon County Schools was among 170 summer meal program sponsors nationwide to receive a Turnip the Beet! award and among just 47 programs to earn Gold recognition.
School Nutrition Director Nicole Head shared the importance of the district's summer meal program and recognized several team members whose hard work contributed to this achievement. Those honored included Kim Franks, Summer Meal Coordinator and School Nutrition Operations Specialist; Kristin Cronk and Stacey Lemmermann, Site Managers; and Maria Bruno and Tina Benfield, Site Assistant Managers. Their dedication helps ensure that children throughout our community have access to nutritious meals during the summer months, while maintaining the same quality and care provided throughout the school year.
Gordon County Schools congratulates all of these outstanding schools, leaders, and staff members on their well-deserved recognitions. We appreciate their continued commitment to academic excellence, student growth, and meeting the needs of our students and families!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #SonoravilleElementary #TolbertElementary



Our bus drivers and transportation staff play an important role in safely transporting students to and from school each day. Their work requires patience, responsibility, and constant attention as they care for students across our district.
National School Bus Safety Week is a reminder for everyone to stay alert around school buses, follow traffic laws, and help keep students safe at bus stops and on the road.
We are especially grateful for our Gordon County Schools bus drivers and the dedication they show to our students and families each day. Thank you for keeping our students safe and Gordon County moving!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools


Our School Nutrition team has planned special menu items throughout the week, including Popcorn Chicken and Soft Pretzels on Monday, Ringmaster Riblet Sandwiches and Chicken Sliders on Tuesday, Chicken Tenders with Dutch Waffles on Wednesday, Loaded Cheesy Tots and Smoked Turkey Legs on Thursday, and Dill Pickle Pizza or Hot Dogs on Friday. Students can also enjoy themed sides, fruits, and special treats throughout the week.
National School Lunch Week is a great opportunity to recognize the important role school meals play in helping students stay fueled, focused, and ready to learn. We appreciate our School Nutrition employees for the creativity, preparation, and care they bring to serving students every day!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools


Sonoraville High School is away this week at North Murray, while Gordon Central High School hosts Christian Heritage at Ratner Stadium. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Good luck to the Phoenix and Warriors tonight! GCHS competes again next Friday at Gordon Lee while SHS has a bye.
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #SonoravilleHigh #GordonCentralHigh

It was great to see our high school students interacting with the younger students, helping guide activities, and building connections across schools. Students also had the opportunity to paint in Ciera DeFrench’s class and had so much fun expressing their creativity.
Experiences like this give future educators valuable practice while giving our youngest learners a memorable day of learning and connection. We love seeing our students come together as one school community!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #BelwoodElementary #GordonCentralHigh


Students worked together, discussed techniques, and focused on the precision and discipline required to improve their performance. Their training also supports their progress toward earning medal recognition through the JROTC program.
Senior Army Instructor Col. Steinbrecher guided students throughout the activity, helping them build confidence, responsibility, and attention to detail.
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools

From helping students find the right book to supporting learning throughout the school day, the SHS media center is a great resource for our Phoenix students.
As Fall Break begins, we hope everyone finds some time to relax, enjoy a good book, and come back refreshed and ready for the weeks ahead!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #SonoravilleHigh

Amy Stewart is in her 31st year as an educator and her 6th year back as principal of Sonoraville High School. She has served eight years as a principal overall.
One of the greatest sources of joy for Mrs. Stewart continues to be interacting with students. Those daily conversations, funny moments, and unexpected interactions remain one of her favorite parts of the job. Over the years, she has also enjoyed seeing former students return in new roles, whether as parents, teachers, or staff members within the school system.
Mrs. Stewart believes one of the things that makes Sonoraville High School special is the way people care for one another. Members of the Phoenix Family support each other during difficult times, step in when someone needs help, and celebrate one another’s successes. That sense of community is something she values greatly.
She is proud of the major accomplishments of SHS students and staff, but some of the moments that mean the most are often the ones that never make an announcement. Watching students and staff grow, show kindness, work through challenges, and mature over time is a big part of what makes the role rewarding.
Mrs. Stewart wants every student at Sonoraville High School to know that they are loved, they matter, and they have something valuable to offer. She also reminds students that many of the things that feel overwhelming now will eventually become stories they can look back on with perspective and, sometimes, a little laughter.
Outside of school, Mrs. Stewart enjoys spending time with her family, especially camping or being on the lake. She also enjoys watching football, cooking, singing 80s music or worship songs in the car, and watching Ted Lasso. One talent people may not know about her is that she enjoys singing harmony. She can also write in cursive backward and takes a very organized approach to everything from M&Ms to packing a dishwasher or suitcase.
For Mrs. Stewart, being a principal means understanding that some of the most important parts of the job are not found in a formal job description. It means listening, serving others, remaining steady during difficult moments, and carefully considering how decisions affect the people around her.
During National Principals Month, Gordon County Schools is proud to recognize Amy Stewart for her leadership, care, and commitment to the students, staff, and families of Sonoraville High School.

Leah Newsom is in her 27th year as an educator and her 5th year as principal of the Gordon County Schools College and Career Academy.
One of the things Mrs. Newsom values most about serving as principal is the opportunity to support both students and staff in a caring and encouraging environment. She especially enjoys leading a school where students choose to attend based on programs that connect directly to their career interests and future goals.
Mrs. Newsom believes the College and Career Academy is special because students are able to focus on relevant, hands on learning in an environment where they feel comfortable and supported. She is proud of the relationships within the school and the way students and staff genuinely care about one another.
A message she wants every student to know is that she believes in them and wants to support them throughout their journey. For Mrs. Newsom, being a principal means helping students and staff recognize their potential, encouraging them to grow, and supporting them as they work toward becoming their best.
Outside of school, Mrs. Newsom enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their grandson, Caleb, who is a 2nd grade student at Sonoraville Elementary. Their family enjoys traveling and taking both small and large adventures together. Mrs. Newsom also grew up on a large farm, showed horses, and has experience with row crops, cattle, and farm life. She also enjoys offshore fishing.
Although Calhoun and Gordon County were not originally her hometown, Mrs. Newsom has called the community home for the past 27 years. She remains grateful for the opportunities she has had throughout Gordon County Schools and for the people who supported her early in her career.
During National Principals Month, Gordon County Schools is proud to recognize Leah Newsom for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to the students and staff of the College and Career Academy.

Sonoraville Elementary earned this recognition with an outstanding attendance rate of 96.5% throughout the month of September. The school is also celebrating an impressive 320 students who achieved perfect attendance for the entire month!
Regular school attendance plays an important role in student success. Every day in the classroom provides valuable opportunities for learning, building relationships, and developing skills that support academic growth. Being present and actively participating helps students make the most of these opportunities.
We are proud of Sonoraville Elementary for this achievement and appreciate the efforts of all our schools, staff, students, and families who work together to make attendance a priority. Thank you for encouraging students to show up, stay engaged, and make every school day count!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools #SonoravilleElementary

This prestigious recognition from the USDA celebrates summer feeding programs that go above and beyond to provide children with nutritious, appealing, and high-quality meals. Gordon County Schools was among just 46 Gold Award recipients nationwide and one of 22 Georgia summer meal program operators recognized!
Summer feeding programs play an important role in ensuring children have access to healthy meals when school is not in session. To earn Gold Award status, our program demonstrated excellence in nutrition, quality, and variety by incorporating locally produced foods, offering hot meal options, providing a variety of fruits and vegetables, and ensuring at least 50% of fruits and vegetables served were fresh.
A special congratulations to School Nutrition Director Nicole Head and our outstanding School Nutrition team for earning this national recognition! We also extend our appreciation to Stacey Lemmermann, Kristin Cronk, and Kim Franks for their dedication and hard work in making our summer feeding program a success. Their efforts make a meaningful difference for children and families throughout Gordon County!
#GrowConnectSucceed #GordonCountySchools

