Gordon County Schools -

SERVING UP SUCCESS: Today, Gordon County Schools Nutrition Director Nicole Head accepted the Golden Radish Award for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years! The Golden Radish Award publicly recognizes Georgia school districts for best practices in farm to school programs. These best practices include local food procurement, exposing students to new foods through taste tests, and incorporating cooking and gardening activities in the curriculum. GET the full story at www.gcbe.org/news #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily #GoldenRadish

HAPPENING NOW: REACH Scholar interviews are currently underway! Have you heard about the REACH Scholarship Program? REACH Georgia is a mentoring and scholarship program providing promising students the support to graduate from high school and achieve postsecondary success. REACH scholars will be paired with a mentor who models positive behavior and provides the student with knowledge, advice, guidance and support related to education and beyond. Academic Coaches will help ensure scholars are on track to succeed through monitoring student progress, helping students develop education and career plans, and identifying academic and social supports. REACH Scholars who complete the requirements of the contract will be awarded a financial scholarship upon graduating from high school. #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

🌟WORK-BASED LEARNING SPOTLIGHT🌟 Members of the Gordon County Schools Work-Based Learning Advisory Council met today to discuss all the great things happening in the GCS work-based learning program. Did you know that WBL students make a significant impact on the local economy and workforce? Gordon County Schools students are working hard with local companies and in jobs that closely match their careers of interest! Interested in learning more about the Gordon County Schools work-based learning program? Visit www.gcbe.org/workbasedlearning #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #WorkBasedLearning #CTAE #OneBIGFamily

WELCOME FALL: Sonoraville Elementary School's fall festival was a big hit! Students visited the petting zoo, played games, got their faces painted and had a blast! Check out some of the activities students Annistyn, Macauley, and Callaway Greeson participated in at festival! Is something good happening in your school or your child's school that the community should know about? Do you have good news to share about a class project, school activities, or student/staff achievements? Help share the #GoodNewsinGoCoSchools by emailing kpannell@gcbe.org to be featured today! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

ONE BIG FAMILY: Each Friday, athletes from Gordon County high schools and middle schools spend their mornings greeting students at the local elementary. These Ashworth Middle School athletes recently spent time welcoming students in the car rider lines at Tolbert Elementary and W.L. Swain Elementary! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH: What to do when my child is absent? Send a written note with the child’s name, reason for absence, and parent’s contact information within 3 days of student returning to school. Gordon County Schools must comply with the Georgia’s Compulsory Attendance Law, which states that 5 or more unexcused absences constitute a condition of truancy. Sending notes and communicating with the school is imperative to avoid further consequences. To celebrate Attendance Awareness Month, we will have a friendly competition among our schools. The school with the highest attendance percentage during the month of September will be awarded ice cream for all students! The school with the highest attendance on September 30th will receive a trophy! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TIP OF THE WEEK: Encourage creative problem-solving with your children. Problem-solving is the basis of good mathematical thinking, and the problems don't have to involve numbers. Ask questions like, "How many different ways are there to walk to school?" or "How many different ways can I measure flour to get half a cup?" Try to come up with more than one solution for everyday problems. Visit www.gcbe.org/pfe to learn more about GCS Parent & Family Engagement today. #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

TOTY CELEBRATION: We have some amazing teachers at Gordon County Schools. Please help us to celebrate the 2022 Red Bud Middle School Teacher of the Year, Brooke Roberts! Roberts currently serves as the Reading Connections teacher at Red Bud Middle School and has served in multiple roles in education over the course of the last 23 years. Ms. Roberts has always admired the field of education and was eager to follow her passion to become an educator. “I come from a long line of educators. I have always admired them and thought it was a noble profession,” said Ms. Roberts. “I've always had the desire to impact children in some way.” Wanting to make a positive impact on her students, Roberts always encourages each student to “try for their personal best and not compare themselves with others,” reminding each student that they are unique and special in their own way. When reflecting on the teachers that made a positive influence in her life, Roberts recalled, “I had a 6th grade teacher who worked with me when I was struggling in math. She made me realize I can accomplish anything with a little hard work.” “I am so honored to represent Red Bud Middle School as the Teacher of the Year,” said Roberts. “I am extremely thankful to work alongside the RBMS staff and administration.” Congratulations Ms. Roberts!! #GoCoSchools #OneBIGFamily #GETGCS #TOTY

We are so proud of the dedicated administration inside of each Gordon County School. Throughout the year, we will be introducing our Principals and Assistant Principals that serve as school leaders in our #OneBIGFamily Please help us to celebrate Ms. Amy Beason, Principal at Sonoraville Elementary, by getting to know more about her below: Q: Why did you want to join the field of education? Ms. Beason: “I have always loved working with and taking care of children. I loved school when I was growing up and wanted to continue being in school working with children as a profession. Q: Did you have a teacher (or teachers) who made an impact on you as a student? Ms. Beason: “I had many teachers impact me as a student. My kindergarten teacher at Red Bud Elementary, Mrs. Laura Holland, made my first school experience fun and memorable. We went on a pretend field trip by riding on an airplane. I learned letters and sounds with inflatable letter people. I still remember their songs! In middle school, Ms. Judy Peterson inspired me to love science! At Gordon Central High School, Ms. Darlene Callan brought literature to life.” Q: What advice would you give to new teachers? Ms. Beason: “Take one day at a time and remember why you wanted to be a teacher. Enjoy every minute spent getting to know students and letting them know you care about them. Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to give to your students? Ms. Beason: “Make good choices and try your best in everything you do.” Q: What motivates you each day? Ms. Beason: “Making a difference in the lives of students by creating a positive school experience where they are known and treated with kindness.” Q: What is a memorable moment that stands out to you since being in this position? Ms. Beason: “I received a heartfelt thank you card from a group of teachers sharing how much they love working at Sonoraville Elementary School because of what I have done to make this a great school. I will keep this note to remind myself of the kindness and appreciation they showed to me. It makes every challenge I face on rough days worth it.” Q: Is there anything that you would like the GCS community to know about you? Ms. Beason: “I love Gordon County Schools and I am proud of the work everyone at Sonoraville Elementary does daily to put our students first.” #GoCoSchools #GETGCS

LOOK, LISTEN, AND LEARN TOUR: Members of the Gordon County Schools Board of Education recently participated in the Look, Listen, and Learn Tour, visiting all GCS middle and high schools. While touring the facilities, board members had the opportunity to meet with students, staff, and administrators to learn about what is working in our schools and potential areas of improvement. Thank you to our Gordon County Schools Nutrition Team for providing us with a delicious lunch! #GoCoSchools #OneBIGFamily #GETGCS

ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH: Did you know that by 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores? Help your child build and maintain daily routines, such as doing homework and getting a good night’s sleep. Talk to your child about the importance of showing up to school every day and on time – Good attendance is a life skill! To celebrate Attendance Awareness Month, we will have a friendly competition among our schools. The school with the highest attendance percentage during the month of September will be awarded ice cream for all students! The school with the highest attendance on September 30th will receive a trophy! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

ONE BIG FAMILY: Each Friday, athletes from both Gordon County high schools spend their mornings greeting students at the local elementary and middle schools. These Sonoraville High School athletes recently spent time welcoming students in the car rider lines at Red Bud Elementary and Red Bud Middle! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

Gordon County Schools Technology Coordinator, Whitney Prather, has been hosting collaborative work sessions with teachers at Belwood Elementary to explore the student engagement opportunities offered when using #BrainPop and #BrainPopJr! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily #GCSTECH

PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TIP OF THE WEEK: Help your child get to know your local public library and what you can find there, including books, audio books, magazines, and DVD's. Libraries also offer homework resources and a quiet place for students to work. Visit www.gcbe.org/pfe to learn more about GCS Parent & Family Engagement today. #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

The Calhoun-Gordon Retired Educators Association visited the Gordon County College and Career Academy of Design and Advanced Manufacturing for their first meeting of the 2022-2023 year. It was a fantastic day of fellowship! Thank you so much for joining us today! #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH: We all play a role in promoting good attendance! Help your child develop good attendance habits by: ·Setting a bedtime and morning routine ·Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before ·Know your school start time and/or bus schedule #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

SHS SPOTLIGHT: 4 Sonoraville High School students have been named as awardees of CollegeBoard’s National Recognition Programs for Achievement in School and on College Board Assessments. The Recognition Program helps students stand out during college admission and connect them with universities nationwide. From left to right: Carter Sampson, Paul Duhaime, Hoyt Darnell, and Jesus Trenti Learn more about all 15 Gordon County Schools National Recognition Programs awardees by visiting www.gcbe.org/collegeboardnationalrecognition #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES: Did you know we have a virtual learning academy in Gordon County Schools? Gateway Virtual Learning Academy is designed for high school students who desire a non-traditional route to a high school diploma. The program contains both an in-person and online component with flexible scheduling option for students. Learn more about the Gateway Virtual Learning Academy by visiting www.gcbe.org/o/gvla/. #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily

On this day of reflection, we pause to remember and honor the victims and first responders of the 9/11 attacks. #WeRemember #WhereWereYou #GoCoSchools

REGION TOURNAMENT HOST: Red Bud Middle School has been selected to host the 2022 BGMSAA Region Softball Tournament this September. On September 17th, middle school softball teams from Bartow and Gordon County schools will compete at the Sonoraville Recreation Department for the Region Championship Title. The games are scheduled to begin at 9:00 A.M. with the championship game starting approximately at 1:00 P.M. For more information about the tournament or the Bartow Gordon Middle School Athletic Association, please visit https://www.bartowsportszone.com/bgmsaa #GoCoSchools #GETGCS #OneBIGFamily