July/August 2008 Edition Mitchell County School System Teacher Academy at MCHS By Christy Wray Guest Speaker at System Meeting Alyce Kemp DeWitt Congratulations to Mr. Joseph White! On June 20, 2008, the State Delegate Assembly for the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) elected Mr. White as President Elect of GSBA. Mr. White will be a wonderful leader. The Mitchell County School System is proud of Mr. White's accomplishments and his commitment to education. Inside this issue: Share the News 2 MCPS/WIES Staff 3 Freshman Fest 4 MCMS, MAC, MCHS Staff 5 Central Office Staff 6 Telephone Numbers 7 System Calendar 8 The Eagle’s Nest Ms. Alyce Kemp DeWitt will be the guest speaker at the System-Wide Meeting on July 16. Ms. DeWitt is employed as a Community Resource Coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health at G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital Community. The theme is: STRESSED/DESSERTS—IT’S ALL IN THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT! Ms. DeWittt, who draws from her personal experiences, combines a wealth of knowledge to present to private, public and non-profit groups. She has received many awards including the 1997 Miss South Carolina Woman of Achievement. Special Thanks to Horace Mann Insurance Agent Joey Palmer for sponsoring the Breakfast for the System- Wide Meeting on July 16. District SACS-CASI Certification By Lynn Wilson The Mitchell County School System is seeking district wide accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Previous accreditation was at the school level only. District accreditation is a powerful system-wide approach to improving student performance results over time. The process recognizes that increasing student achievement involves more than improving instruction. It is a result of how well all parts of the educational system - the district, school and classroom - work together to meet the needs of students. District accreditation applies the three pillars of accreditation - high standards, continuous improvement, and quality assurance-to the entire district to ensure alignment and support between and among the district and its schools. The process provides a comprehensive framework for continually improving student achievement and district performance. The goal of this voluntary endeavor is to evaluate, verify, and improve each institution’s quality. All stakeholders are involved in the process. We encourage your full participation in this important initiative for Mitchell County Schools. During the week of July 7–11, the teachers at Mitchell County High School participated in the county’s first Teacher Academy. The purpose of the Teacher Academy was to enhance student learning and student achievement through extensive teacher preparation. Teachers participated in work sessions pertaining to grading practices in the standards-based classroom, hands-on instruction, standards-based report cards, classroom management, and differentiated instruction. The teachers were also given resources to help them in the development of their own acquisition lessons. The Teacher Academy supports student learning and higher-order/critical thinking through the use of Effective Classrooms and Best Practices. The academy also provides the resources teachers need to have a successful and productive year. Teachers Become Students! Above: Gail Hawkins, Jacqueline Ross, Gary Woodams, and Theresa Bishop discuss the new math standards. Parents, if you do not wish for your child’s picture to be placed in the newsletter or on the MCSS web site, you need to go to the Central Office to sign a waiver form.
Transcript
July/August 2008 Edition
Mitchell County
School System
Teacher Academy at MCHS By Christy Wray
Guest Speaker at System Meeting
Alyce Kemp DeWitt
Congratulations to
Mr. Joseph White!
On June 20, 2008, the State Delegate Assembly
for the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA)
elected Mr. White as President Elect of GSBA.
Mr. White will be a wonderful leader. The Mitchell County School System is proud of Mr.
White's accomplishments and his commitment to
education.
Inside this issue:
Share the News 2
MCPS/WIES Staff 3
Freshman Fest 4
MCMS, MAC, MCHS
Staff
5
Central Office Staff 6
Telephone Numbers 7
System Calendar 8
The Eagle’s Nest
Ms. Alyce Kemp DeWitt will be the guest speaker at the System-Wide Meeting on July 16.
Ms. DeWitt is employed as a Community Resource Coordinator with the South Carolina
Department of Mental Health at G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital Community. The
theme is: STRESSED/DESSERTS—IT’S ALL IN THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT! Ms. DeWittt, who
draws from her personal experiences, combines a wealth of knowledge to present to private,
public and non-profit groups. She has received many awards including the 1997 Miss South
Carolina Woman of Achievement.
Special Thanks to Horace
Mann Insurance Agent Joey
Palmer for sponsoring the
Breakfast for the System-
Wide Meeting on July 16.
District SACS-CASI Certification By Lynn Wilson
The Mitchell County School System is seeking district wide accreditation from the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School
Improvement. Previous accreditation was at the school level only. District accreditation is a
powerful system-wide approach to improving student performance results over time. The
process recognizes that increasing student achievement involves more than improving
instruction. It is a result of how well all parts of the educational system - the district, school
and classroom - work together to meet the needs of students.
District accreditation applies the three pillars of accreditation - high standards, continuous
improvement, and quality assurance-to the entire district to ensure alignment and support
between and among the district and its schools. The process provides a comprehensive
framework for continually improving student achievement and district performance. The goal
of this voluntary endeavor is to evaluate, verify, and improve each institution’s quality. All
stakeholders are involved in the process. We encourage your full participation in this
important initiative for Mitchell County Schools.
During the week of July 7–11, the teachers
at Mitchell County High School
participated in the county’s first Teacher
Academy. The purpose of the Teacher
Academy was to enhance student learning
and student achievement through extensive
teacher preparation. Teachers participated
in work sessions pertaining to grading
practices in the standards-based classroom,
hands-on instruction, standards-based
report cards, classroom management, and
differentiated instruction. The teachers were
also given resources to help them in the
development of their own acquisition lessons.
The Teacher Academy supports student learning and higher-order/critical thinking through the
use of Effective Classrooms and Best Practices. The academy also provides the resources
teachers need to have a successful and productive year.
Teachers Become Students! Above: Gail Hawkins,
Jacqueline Ross, Gary Woodams, and Theresa Bishop
discuss the new math standards.
Parents, if you do not
wish for your child’s
picture to be placed in the
newsletter or on the MCSS
web site, you need to go to
the Central Office to sign a
waiver form.
Page 2
The Eagle’s Nest is the
official newspaper for the
Mitchell County School
System.
All articles for publication in
this newsletter should be
electronically submitted to
the school media specialist by
the 15th of each month.
Visit us on line at
http://www.mitchell.k12.ga.us
Produced by:
Ruth Lee, Public Relations
Coordinator
Special thanks to Shirley
Hurd and Constance Lee for
proofreading this issue. It is the policy of the Mitchell
County School System not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national
origin, age, or disability in any employment practice, educational program, or any other program,
activity or service.
July/August 2008 Edition
Training for PEC Teachers By Fran Reynolds
The Program for Exceptional and Gifted
Children (PEC) Department is off to a
great start for the 2008-2009 school
term. The new PEC teachers received
training on the essential components of
an IEP and on Infinite Campus
Navigation (shown on right) during the
Teacher Academy Week. Our
enthusiastic and dedicated PEC teachers
will receive training throughout the year
as part of Mitchell County School
System’s Corrective Action Plan (CAP)
for compliance with the Georgia
Department of Education and IDEA
2004. Our motto and expectations remain the same: “Relevance + Rigor = Results.”
MCPS Principal’s Corner
Welcome to Mitchell County Primary School for the 2008-2009 school
year. I hope your family has had a great summer and that your child is ready
for a new school year to begin. We are very enthusiastic about Mitchell
County Primary School’s achievements. We have made Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP) for 10 consecutive years! This is the result of two things:
motivated students and the collective talents of an exceptionally well-trained
and dedicated staff.
As principal of Mitchell County Primary School, I pledge to create a safe,
positive learning environment, communicate positively with all parents
throughout the school year, support the partnership between home and school, and recognize students, parents and
teachers for their efforts. The teachers will provide motivating learning experiences, do their best to meet the
individual needs of the children, and work with parents to ensure each child’s success at school. Educating children
is the key to a bright future! Vicki Hicks-Jackson
July:
25 – MCPS AYP Celebration Day
31- Kindergarten Parent Night at 6 p.m.
August
7- First Grade Parent Night at 6 p.m.
14- Second Grade Parent Night 6 p.m.
15- MCPS AR Kick-Off at 1:30 p.m.
22- Sizzlin’ Hot Pre-K Literacy Social
from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Share The News!
The start of a new school year means a new beginning. Teachers are busy preparing for their classes, while
students are asking their parents to shop for new school supplies. We all have so much to share with each
Adine Dent, Jerona Edmonds, Sherion Harris, Barbara Keaton,
Fonda Hicks, Lucille Hill, Vivian Sheppard, Cornelius Mullins,
Kawanja Williams, Ashley Harris, Donnie Spooner, Kinsel Davis
PEC Paraprofessionals: Lamar Harris, Carrie Williams
Migrant Paraprofessional: Todd Merritt
Food Service: Mary King, Diane Shiver, Rebecca Sharp, Maxine
Edwards, Mary Jackson, Rachel Johnson, Walter Burns
Principal: Jacquelyn White
Assistant Principal: Keith Hose
The Mitchell County High School Freshman Academy will have its annual
Freshman Fest on Friday, July 18, 2008. The Freshman Fest will commence at
1:00 p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m. The Freshman Fest allows first time ninth
graders the opportunity to come to school a day early, to become acquainted with
the rules and regulations of the school and the academy, and meet their teachers
and other academy staff members. A parent meeting is scheduled at 5 p.m. Parents
will be given the opportunity to ask questions or make comments concerning their
child’s freshman year at Mitchell County High School.
Students will move through a mini-version of their class schedule to become
familiar with the classes. The theme for this year’s skit is: Keeping it Reel!!
Students will provide entertainment for parents by performing skits from movies.
The MCHS Freshman Academy is an extension of Mitchell County High School’s
focus on ninth grade as a pivotal year for students. The Freshman Academy is now
in its fourth year of operation at MCHS. Research confirms that if students
successfully complete the ninth grade, their chances of graduating from high school
are greatly increased. Academic performance, discipline, and attendance all tie
together; the main goal in the Freshman Academy is to reduce the number of ninth
grade failures. Our goal is to do whatever it takes to make sure students are
successful at Mitchell County High School. Transportation is provided for students
who might need a ride. For more details call 336-0970.
MCHS Grade Socials
Freshman Fest: July 18
Sophomore Social: August 19
Junior Jam: August 12
Senior Supper: August 7
Parents and students are invited to attend
the socials. Students, if you wish to be a
presenter at one of the events, contact
your language art teacher for more
details. The sophomore, junior and senior
socials will start at 6 p.m. in the MCHS
theater.
Page 4 July/August 2008 Edition
MCHS Calendar of Events for August
Aug. 7: Senior Supper at 6 p.m.
Aug. 7-8: Three week exams
Aug. 12: Junior Jam at 6 p.m.
Aug. 19: Sophomore Social at 6 p.m.
Aug. 28-29: Six weeks exams
Aug. 29: Home Football Game against Jones
County at 7:30 p.m.
MCHS Principal’s Corner School is starting; the race is on. The race to which I refer is the one that YOU are running. Yes, you are in the race of your life;
in fact, this race will determine your life or at least how you live your life. The decisions YOU make now will impact who you
become and how you will live your life. School is the place where you certainly “do” academic work. You never finish your work
just as you never finish learning to “learn.” This is just a part of the educational process. What we try to teach you as you “learn”
are the educational skills necessary for a minimum competency test. The BIG NEWS is that this is just a small piece of why we
“do school.” School is YOUR opportunity to experience the expectations that you will face in your future: how to follow the
“rules,” how to listen to and obey authority figures, how to get along with your peers, how to stay focused on an objective, how to
deal with the pressures and still do the right thing. WOW, that is a lot of stuff that most folks never think about when they think of
school.
However, it is dealing with all of these issues that will determine whether YOU will be successful in winning your race, or not.
How you choose to handle these issues at school is most likely how you will handle yourself in the future, when it really counts.
This is your chance to practice, to experience, to learn to “get it right,” while we are here to help and guide you. Here you can make a mistake and recover, not always so easy once you are working or in college. As we move through the year, remember
your purpose, your goals, and stay focused and true to yourself. YOU are responsible for YOU. Do not cheat yourself out of
your future. It is your race to win or lose. Take the opportunity to get ahead in the race and your life. You are EAGLES and
YOU are winners. Keep that in mind and I know that I will see you at the finish line.
EAGLES, SECOND TO NONE!! Robert Adams
MCHS Freshman Fest 2008 By Ossie Canidate
MCMS Principal’s Corner I would first like to thank you for an awesome school year last school term. I am proud, as well as privileged, to be a part of the
Mitchell County Middle School family. As the leader of such a great school, what am I proud of most? I am proud to say that
we have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the first time in the school’s history!!! CONGRATULATIONS!
This accomplishment is the result of your hard work, dedication, and willingness to adhere to the vision. We must continue to
make improvements, create a positive school climate/culture, and most importantly, continue to focus on student achievement.
Program for Exceptional Children Bus Drivers: Deming Adams, Georgia
Ann Beck, Veronica Sellers
Full Time Substitute Driver: Kay Hollingsworth.
Mitchell County School System
Superintendent: Mr. Beauford Hicks
Board of Education Members: Mr. Joe White, Chairman Mrs. Barbara Reddick, Vice-Chair Mr. Kevin Coker
Mr. Julian Marcus Mr. Robert McDaniel Mr. Randy Rigsby Mr. Robert Scott
ROTC Summer Leadership School By Michael S. Bland, Lt Col, USAF
Four members of the ROTC GA-946 Eagles successfully completed Summer Leadership School at Mercer
University in Macon, Georgia. This was the second year for Cadet Chris Whitlock (pictured). Cadets
Deshanasty Knight, Aschiaa Davis, and Quindarius Sharp attended as first-year cadets. All of our Eagles
excelled through this rigorous course, which included physical training, drill (marching), room inspections,
uniform inspections, and academics. Cadet Sharp earned the top academic award at the
school. Congratulations to these ROTC cadets from MCHS for a job well done!
Mitchell County School Nutrition Program By Julie Tucker
The Mitchell County School Nutrition Program strives to promote wellness by serving nutritious, enjoyable, high quality and economical
meals for breakfast and lunch. We provide breakfast to Mitchell County School System students at no charge. Mitchell County Primary
School, Walker-Inman Elementary School and MAC students’ price for lunch will be $1.25 for full price meal and $.40 for a reduced price
meal. Mitchell County Middle School, Mitchell County High School, 9th Grade Academy and Baconton Community Charter School
students’ price for lunch will be $1.50 for full price meal and $.40 for a reduced price meal. Free and Reduced Meal Applications will be
available during Open House on July 20 and on our website. It is important that each household fill out a family application. Only one
application needs to be completed per household regardless of the number of students you have enrolled in school. Please send money
for lunch for your student beginning the first day of school unless you have been notified that your child is classified as free.
Page 7 July/August 2008 Edition
Mitchell County School System—Phone Extensions/Numbers Dial the 4-digit extension (not the outside line) to reach any of the locations below from within the school sys-
tem. All school system extensions can be reached from outside the school system by calling 336-4543, then en-
tering the 4-digit extension below. The lists below for each site are alphabetized by last name.
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
July 2008
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
August 2008
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
September 2008
SUN MO TUE WE THU FRI SAT
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
November 2008
SUN MO TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
October 2008
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
December 2008
Mitchell County School System’s 08-09 Calendar
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
January 2009
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
February 2009
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
April 2009
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
May 2009
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
March 2009
Page 8 July/August 2008 Edition
July 20, 2008 Open House
July 7-11 Teacher Academy
July 16- 18 Preplanning
21-July 1st Day of School
1-Sept. Labor Day Holiday
3-Sept. Early Release/Parent Conference
22-Sept. End of 1st nine weeks
26-Sept. Professional Learning Day
Sept. 29-Oct. 3 Instructional Intersession
Oct. 6-7 Fall Break
22-Oct. Early Release/Parent Conference
Nov. 24-28 Thanksgiving Holidays
11-Dec. End of 2nd nine weeks
12-Dec. Professional Learning Day
Dec. 15-19 Instructional Intersession
Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Winter Break
5-Jan. Professional Learning Day
6-Jan. Students Return
19-Jan. MLK, Jr. Holiday
11-Feb. Early Release/Parent Conference
16-Feb. Holiday
6-March Professional Learning Day
11-March End of 3rd nine weeks
March 23-27 Instructional Intersession
30-March Intersession Break
1-April Early Release/Parent Conference
April 20-24 Spring Break
29-May End of 4th nine weeks
31-May Graduation
June 1-3 Post Planning
June 8-12 Instructional Intersession
2008-2009 Testing Dates
2008 July 16-18 GHSGT
July 16-17 GHSWT
Sept. 15-26 Fall GHSGT
Sept. 24-25 Fall GHSWT
Nov. 03-14 Winter GHSGT
Dec. 1- Jan. 9 Winter GHSWT
2009 Jan. 20-March 2 ACCESS
Jan. 21-22 Grade 8 Writing
Feb. 25-26 Spring GHSWT
March 4-5 Grade 5 Writing
March 16-20 Spring GHSGT
March 16-27 Grade 3 Writing
April 7-16 CRCT
May 11-15 Spring EOCT
June 24-26 CRCT Retest 3, 5, 8
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
June 2009
Summer School: June 15-26, 2009
Approved May 20, 2008
Pre/Post Professional Learning Parent Conference Day/Early Release
Holiday/Off Day Instructional Intersession Intersession/Break
