Gordon County Schools -

Today, we recognize and celebrate the incredible paraprofessionals who make a difference in our schools every day. Their dedication, compassion, and hard work support both students and teachers, helping to create a positive learning environment for all. Thank you to our paraprofessionals for your unwavering commitment to education and for the impact you make in the lives of our students. Your work does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate all that you do for Gordon County Schools. Join us in showing gratitude for these outstanding educators today and every day. #TogetherGCS #GordonCountySchools

Is your teenager ready learn how to drive? Our Driver's Ed Program classes are in full swing at Gordon County Schools! Enrollment is available now. We have several open and available program dates listed below: April 2025 Location: Sonoraville High School Dates: April 15-18, 21-25 Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM June 2025 Location: Gordon Central High School Dates: June 2-6 Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM July 2025 Location: Sonoraville High School Dates: July 7-11 Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM To enroll in the Driver's Education Program, fill out the form provided either online or by printing and submitting a copy of the application. Online program application: https://forms.gle/Enwf2UvgUKobNrXn7 Printable program application: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1898720/Gordon_County_Schools_Driver_Education_Application.pdf For the full list of information regaring our Driver's Education Program, please visit our website here: https://www.gcbe.org/page/driver-s-ed

Congratulations again to our GCS Teachers of the Year! Tolbert Elementary: Emily Rossberg, District Teacher of the Year Finalist Sonoraville High School: Nathan Schuster, District Teacher of the Year Finalist Sonoraville Elementary: Alli Smith, District Teacher of the Year Finalist Gordon Central High School: John Albright Fairmount Elementary: Sara Broom Ashworth Middle School: Justin Cole Red Bud Elementary: Lauren Gulledge Belwood Elementary: Stephania Hyde Red Bud Middle School: Matt Waters W.L. Swain Elementary: Sherri Wilson

Gordon County Schools and Calhoun City Schools are collaborating to provide students with soft skills and build community relationships with businesses and career opportunities. Today, they worked on creating and editing resumes at the Gordon County College and Career Academy. They did fantastic work!

Our April menus are full of Spring goodness: fresh strawberries, salads full of crisp lettuce and crunchy veggies, and a special flavor of our popular frozen fruit Sidekicks: Bloom, which is swirled watermelon juice and lemonade. We are ready to welcome Spring, and we will make sure all our students and staff eat well!

Congratulations to Sonoraville Elementary 2nd grade teacher Alli Smith on being named a District Teacher of the Year finalist! With 17 years of teaching experience, Alli is in her second year at SES after previously teaching 2nd and 4th grade at Belwood Elementary. She is passionate about mentoring future educators, working closely with SHS and college teaching programs. In 2018, she was honored as the Kennesaw State Collaborating Teacher of the Year. She also serves on the Helping Hands Committee and the SES Literacy Team, making a lasting impact on her students and school community. #TogetherGCS #TogetherSES #GordonCountySchools

Congratulations to Sonoraville High School social studies teacher Nathan Schuster on being named a District Teacher of the Year finalist! With eight years of teaching experience at SHS, Nathan serves as the social studies department lead teacher. In addition to his leadership in the classroom, he has an extensive coaching background, previously serving as head baseball coach at Red Bud Middle School and currently coaching as boys’ and girls’ golf coach and assistant varsity football coach at Sonoraville High. Nathan's dedication has earned him several honors, including 2022 Sonoraville High School STAR Teacher and 2022 4A Wide Receiver Coach of the Year. He is also the founder and recipient of the Lookout Mountain FCA Nate Schuster Courage Award. #TogetherGCS #TogetherSHS #GordonCountySchools

Congratulations to Tolbert Elementary 3rd grade teacher Emily Rossberg on being named a District Teacher of the Year finalist! With 15 years of teaching experience, Emily is in her second year at TES after spending 13 years teaching in West Yellowstone, Montana. There, she taught 2nd and 4th grade while also serving as Head Activities Director, assistant girls’ basketball coach, assistant volleyball coach, and positive behavior program director. At Tolbert, she continues to be a dedicated leader, serving as PTO treasurer and a member of the TES Literacy Council. #TogetherGCS #TogetherTES #GordonCountySchools

Gordon County Students Named Finalists for Prestigious Governor’s Honors Program Three outstanding students from Gordon County have been named finalists for the prestigious Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), an esteemed summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students. Pamela Aguilar (Sonoraville High School), Harrison Hughes (Gordon Central High School), and Anna Caroline Parker (Gordon Central High School) have achieved this distinguished honor, showcasing their dedication and excellence in their respective fields of study. The Governor’s Honors Program is a highly selective, four-week residential summer program hosted at Georgia Southern University. It provides an enriching academic experience for students who demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity, and passion in their areas of interest. Participants engage in rigorous coursework, collaborate with peers, and learn from experienced educators and professionals. Being selected as a finalist for GHP is a remarkable achievement, as the program seeks only the most talented students from across the state. The selection process is rigorous, requiring nominations, interviews, and evaluations to determine the most qualified candidates. Finalists are chosen based on their academic excellence, leadership abilities, and commitment to personal and intellectual growth. Pamela Aguilar, Harrison Hughes, and Anna Caroline Parker have exemplified these qualities, earning their spots in this elite program. Their hard work, dedication, and passion have set them apart, and their accomplishments are a source of pride for their schools, families, and the entire Gordon County community. Congratulations to these remarkable students on this outstanding achievement! We celebrate their success and look forward to seeing the incredible impact they will make in the future.

Gordon County Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Meghan Vess as the new assistant principal of Belwood Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year. Vess was officially approved for the position at the March 24th called board meeting. Vess has dedicated her entire career to Belwood Elementary, serving as an educator for 12 years across multiple grade levels, including Pre-K, 1st, and 4th grades. Since 2023, she has been the school’s Instructional Lead Teacher, working closely with teachers to implement curriculum, mentor, provide professional development, and analyze data to enhance student learning. Recognized for her excellence in education, Vess was honored as the 2023 Belwood Teacher of the Year. In her new role as assistant principal, she will continue to support the school's mission of student success while fostering a positive and productive learning environment for all. Gordon County Schools is excited to welcome Vess into this leadership role and looks forward to the continued contributions she will make at Belwood Elementary.

Our elementary, middle, and high school educators recently went to the annual Kennesaw State University ESOL Conference! This conference brought local, national, and international ESOL professionals together to learn about programs and pedagogies that serve English learners. They were able to learn about new ESOL instructional strategies, network with peers, and collaborate together on an awesome day of learning and sharing. Great job!

CHILD FIND REQUIREMENT NOTICE for Gordon County Schools: Gordon County Schools has a duty to locate, evaluate and identify any child residing in the district who are suspected of, or have a disability or developmental delay. Children eligible for special education include those children with disabilities who have autism, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, visual impairment or developmental delay and who, because of such an impairment, need special education services. If you suspect your child has a disability and may need special education services or if you would like additional information, please contact the District's Special Education Director, Amy Beason at 706-629-4474.

Four of Gordon County’s Gifted Teachers; Belinda Smith, Monica Nacey, Jennifer Farist, and Tim Gilreath, kicked off Gifted Education month by attending the Georgia Association of Gifted Children (GAGC) annual conference in Columbus. The GAGC conference is a time to network with other Gifted and Talented teachers from around the state as well as attend Professional Learning sessions to enhance the Gifted and Talented program in Gordon County. Additionally, Jennifer Farist and Monica Nacey led a session on Supporting Social Emotional Needs for Gifted Students. #TogetherGCS

Dear Gordon County Schools Families, As we approach the end of the school year, we invite you to participate in the Cognia Accreditation Family and Community Survey to share your insights and provide valuable feedback about our school district. Your input is essential in helping us assess our strengths and identify areas for improvement. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking the link below: https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/277370/p3228 Your feedback plays a vital role in our continuous improvement efforts and helps ensure that we are providing the best possible educational experience for our students. The survey is open until Friday, April 4th, so we encourage you to complete it as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and support in making Gordon County Schools the best it can be!

State Superintendent Richard Woods Visits Red Bud Middle School to Present Math Leaders Banners State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Red Bud Middle School to present prestigious Math Leader banners to Ashworth Middle School, Red Bud Middle School, and Gordon Central High School. The recognition highlights these schools' commitment to excellence in mathematics and their outstanding achievements in student growth and proficiency. Superintendent Woods was welcomed by Gordon County Schools Superintendent Alice Mashburn, along with Board of Education chairperson Charlie Walraven, co-chair Bobby Hall, and Marsha Wilson. Presented with the banners were Red Bud Middle School Principal Chad Moore, Ashworth Middle School Principal Danny Lowrance, and Gordon Central High School Principal Dr. Amy Parker. During his visit, Mr. Woods toured several classrooms at Red Bud Middle School and engaged with 8th-grade students, fielding their questions. RBMS 8th grade students Emma Osmanovic and Ethen Smith led the tour for Mr. Woods, providing insights into their classrooms and learning experiences in the classrooms of Tyler Lyles and Autumn Gibson, Cassie Bartley, and Sandra Cash. The Math Leader Awards celebrate schools that have demonstrated exceptional student achievement and growth in mathematics under the new K-12 Mathematics Standards: Ashworth Middle School – Recognized as a High School Outstanding Achievement Math Leader for its excellence in mathematics among 8th-grade students taking high school Algebra 1. The school’s high percentage of students performing at the Proficient Learner level or above showcases its commitment to academic success and numeracy skills. Red Bud Middle School – Awarded dual honors as both an 8th Grade Gateway Growth and High School Outstanding Achievement Math Leader. This distinction reflects the school’s remarkable student growth in eighth-grade mathematics and high levels of achievement among 8th-grade students taking Algebra 1. Gordon Central High School – Recognized as a Growth Leader for its significant improvement in mathematics achievement, as measured by the Algebra: Concepts and Connections End-of-Course (EOC) assessment. This award highlights the school's dedication to ensuring all students make measurable progress in their numeracy skills. The Math Leader Awards for the 2023-2024 school year acknowledge schools that have increased the percentage of students scoring at the Proficient Learner level or above. These awards emphasize the importance of numeracy in key transition years and require greater growth from schools with lower initial achievement levels. Mr. Woods discussed the prestige of this recognition and hoped to visit Gordon County Schools again next year with more achievements of academic success and growth. The event served as a moment of pride for Gordon County Schools, celebrating the collective efforts of students, teachers, and administrators in advancing math education and ensuring academic success. Congratulations to Ashworth Middle School, Red Bud Middle School, and Gordon Central High School for their well-earned recognition as Math Leader schools.

We are on an early release schedule Wednesday, March 19th and Thursday, March 20th for Parent Conferences. We hope families schedule time to meet with teachers to discuss your child's progress this year. Friday, March 21st is an At-Home Learning Day. #TogetherGCS

During School Board Appreciation Week, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your dedication and commitment to our students, teachers, and community. Your leadership, hard work, and unwavering support help create a strong foundation for success in our schools. At the Monday evening's Board of Education meeting, schools shared their appreciation and support for our BOE with student-made posters. Thank you to our Board for your tireless efforts in making a positive impact on the lives of so many. We truly appreciate all that you do!

Gordon County Schools recognized several students last night at the March Board of Education meeting for their achievements. Congratulations to the 2025 valedictorians and salutatorians of Gordon County Schools. These prestigious honors are awarded to the highest and second highest academic ranking among their peers. These students are: Gordon Central High School Valedictorian, Samantha Ruiz. Samantha’s parents are Patricia Reyes and Sergio Ruiz. She plans to attend UGA with an undecided major. Sonoraville High School Valedictorian, Ella Kate Walraven. Ella Kate is the daughter of Deron and Andrea Walraven and plans to attend Berry College to major in Biology. Gordon Central High School Salutatorian, Aiden Williams. Aiden's parents are Jessica and Cory Williams. Aiden plans to attend Oglethorpe University and major in Biology. Sonoraville High School Salutatorian, Braxton Coats. Braxton is the son of Johnnie and Marilyn Coats and plans to pursue basketball while majoring in Education at Reinhardt University. Congratulations again to our valedictorians and salutatorians! Next were the SkillsUSA state champions who recently won the opportunity to compete at the National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta later this June. These students are: Gordon Central High School SkillsUSA State Champions in Drywall, Wesley Garcia and Justin Johnson, with construction teacher Joshua Ensley. Sonoraville High School SkillsUSA State Champion in Video Production Commercials, Meadow Trimble, with video production teacher Brandon Hufstetler. Sonoraville High School SkillsUSA State Champion in Carpentry, Chapel Parr. His construction teacher is Bo Dooley. Congratulations to these students on their state championships!

MATT FOX NAMED PRINCIPAL OF BELWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gordon County Schools is proud to announce that Matt Fox has been named principal of Belwood Elementary School. His appointment was made official at tonight’s Board of Education meeting. He will begin his tenure in the 2025-2026 school year, replacing Monica Holt, who is transitioning into a district coordinator position at the central office. Fox has served as Belwood’s assistant principal since 2021. Before that, he was an assistant principal at Red Bud Middle School and Sonoraville High School. He began his career in Gordon County teaching 7th grade social studies at Sonoraville Middle and Red Bud Middle School, earning recognition as Sonoraville Middle’s Teacher of the Year in 2011. With a strong background in education and leadership, Fox is expected to build on Belwood Elementary’s tradition of excellence and student success. Gordon County Schools looks forward to his continued impact on students, staff, and the community in this new role.

Congratulations again to the Gordon County Schools Teachers of the Year! These teachers were nominated and voted for by their peers as exemplary educators who go above and beyond in everything they do. Their dedication, care, and support for students are evident daily, and their teacher leadership helps to inspire and uplift those around them. These teachers will go on to the next round of evaluation for Gordon County Schools to select its District Finalists for GCS Teacher of the Year. The winner of District TOTY will then compete at the state level. Congratulations to these amazing teachers: Gordon Central High School: John Albright Fairmount Elementary: Sara Broom Ashworth Middle School: Justin Cole Red Bud Elementary: Lauren Gulledge Belwood Elementary: Stephania Hyde Tolbert Elementary: Emily Rossberg Sonoraville High School: Nathan Schuster Sonoraville Elementary: Alli Smith Red Bud Middle School: Matt Waters W.L. Swain Elementary: Sherri Wilson