MoCo Ag Students Celebrate Board of Education
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The Montgomery County Board of Education received a plethora of handmade and handgrown gifts from the Montgomery County Elementary, Middle, and High School Students in honor of Board Appreciation Week at the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 21.
As the students marched into the room with goodies for the Board Members, Superintendent, and School Attorney, Montgomery County Elementary School Agriculture Teacher Dahlia Smith, Middle School Agriculture Teacher Nicole Smith, and High School Agriculture Teacher Brittany Braddy each told the honorees about the work which their students had put in for this act of appreciation.
According to the teachers, the younger elementary school students had worked to fingerpaint the clay pots, with which they had filled with flowers, while the older elementary school students had made the Board homemade strawberry jam, during which they learned about fruit preservation. The middle school students grew the potted flowers in the school greenhouse, and the high school students built and stained the frames for the hanging baskets.
Communications Director Michael Lane showed the Board a slideshow presentation, which featured photos of the students working on the projects throughout the preparation for the event.
SOAR Student Recognition The Montgomery County Elementary School SOAR Student of the Month Award Winners also had the opportunity to be recognized during the monthly board meeting. Those students include: Pre-K SOAR Stu dents: Titus Lumley, Harper Fernandez, and Valerie Narvaez Kindergarten SOAR Students: Gunner Adams, Lilly Gillis, and William Griffin 1st Grade SOAR Stu dents: Payton Brown, Sara Wallace, and Walter Johnson 2nd Grade SOAR Students: Savannah Lee Powell, Ashli Mathis, Aiden Brown, Elijah Yawn, and Rose Pineda 3rd Grade SOAR Students: Kalise Carswell, Gavin Ferguson, Junior Mezquititla 4th Grade SOAR Stu dents: Jordyn Brown, Carter Rodgers, Isaac Serrano, and Cayden Horton 5th Grade SOAR Stu dents: Fernando Rodriguez IV, Asaf Ortiz, and Makayla Mathis RESA Winners Recognized Recently, Montgomery County Elementary School participated in the Heart of Georgia RESA Writing Contest, in which Carter Rodgers and Adasyn Mc-Coy both received 4th place for their grade level.
Joshua Hong was recognized for his 1st Place RESA Art Drawing Contest finish, along with Devonte Crapps, who also placed in the competition. Emergency Roof Repair
Assistant Superintendent Brian Barnhill gave the Board an update on the emergency roof repair project at the Eagle Academy facility, which additionally houses the Special Education Department offices, Alternative School, Communications Division, and Technology Department.
Previously, the Board authorized the ability of the Assistant Superintendent to bypass the rule of obtaining 3 bids for a project to allow the issue to be dealt with immediately in case of an emergency. Barnhill informed the Board that he had found a company that could immediately begin work on the project upon approval.
Board members unanimously approved Watertight, a company from Odum, to complete the repair, which will begin soon.
Erin’s Law
At the monthly work session on Thursday, March 16, The Refuge RN Heather Williams presented her expertise to the Board on the implementation of Erin’s Law in the school curriculum.
Erin’s Law is legislation that went into effect in 2018 which requires students from grades kindergarten through 9th to receive ageappropriate training on sexual assault and prevention.
Assistant Superintendent Faircloth told the Board that she had reviewed the curriculum that Williams had proposed, which she found to be very age appropriate. “It is basically two classes a year; one will be first semester, the second will be second semester. It is very user-friendly. Heather Williams will actually be here to do the training,” she explained. “It’s very safe; it just helps them learn when it’s OK to have a secret, not a bad secret but a good secret, and protecting our bodies. Once it gets up into middle and high school, it will even address social media and how dangerous that can be, dating violence, and more. It’s very safe, it’s very well thought out, and the curriculum that [Williams] is going to use is approved by the state.”
The Board reviewed sample lesson plans of the curriculum, and unanimously approved the program.
Personnel Changes
Resignations were accepted for Izell Stephens, Candace Medlock, Patrick Jordan, Jenny Gilreath, and Ann Dixon.
The Board hired Jenny Steverson as Surveillance Monitor/Technology Assistant, which is effective currently. New hires that will begin their jobs next school year include Catherine Vanarsdale, Catherine Dupree, Ansley Hartley, Presley May, Madison Grimm, Autumn Espinsosa, and Shelby Shiver.
Montgomery County Elementary, Middle, and High School’s principals and assistant principals, Pre-K Director Leigh Anne Helms, and Athletic Director Don Vandygriff’s contracts were also renewed for the next school year.
Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Stan Rentz began his report by sharing his gratitude for the Board. “I’m so thankful for this Board and the work which you all have done so far, and what you are continuing to do. I do appreciate y’all every day, and not just on days like this when we celebrate it. I know it can be a very thankless job, but it is important work, and I know myself and the staff are very thankful for you and all you do.”
He reminded Board members and attendees that Spring Break will be April 3-7, and that only 6 weeks of school will remain after this school holiday.
Elementary School
The school hosted parents and friends of 2nd grade students for the grade’s annual performance on Thursday, March 23.
The Little Eagle Learning Center has continued to grow in popularity among teachers, according to Rentz.
Students and parents are invited to participate in STEAM Night on April 13, during which they can join in hands-on activities related to science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Georgia Milestone Assessment tutoring will occur for two weeks after Spring Break. Sessions will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. Testing begins April 25.
The school is working to plan the annual Eagle Alliance parent-input meeting, which will be held later in April.
Kindergarten registration begins April 17;Pre-K registration is currently ongoing.
Middle/High School
Woodmen Life recognized Middle School Teacher Abril Mills and High School Teacher Melissa Barrow through their Teacher Recognition program, which is based on community input. These teachers received gift boxes with supplies for this honor.
Junior Beta Club celebrated Pi Day on March 15 by serving pie to all teachers during lunch.
Communications Director Michael Lane is highlighting students in the Class of 2023 through his weekly Senior Spotlights on the school’s social media pages. These spotlights are based on a Google form the students have filled out and acknowledge every graduate in the class.
Georgia Milestone Assessments are coming up after Spring Break, and afterschool tutoring will occur from 3:30-4:30 p.m., on Monday through Thursday for two weeks after the holiday.
Junior/Senior Prom and the annual Middle School Dance were held on Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18. Rentz said the dances were well attended and students and staff thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.
Georgia Power recently had a representative speak to the 8th Grade Science and High School Personal Finance Classes to inform students on careers with the company.
Montgomery County High School graduate Calvin Nobles returned to the school on Friday, March 24, to speak to students on cybersecurity and the careers in that field.
Curriculum
Teachers have provided feedback on current educational supplies and needed educational supplies for their curricula. Assistant Superintendent Beverly Faircloth will be meeting with the teachers in small groups to hear further feedback, as planning continues for the upcoming school year.
Facility
A new sign has been installed at the Track & Field facility on campus to display the years which the team has won a state championship and the names of individual state champions.
A water line will be repaired at the track following the end of the current Track & Field Season.
AGRICULTURAL GIFTS – The school system’s agriculture department worked to grow, make, and decorate gifts to give the Board of Education during Board Appreciation Week. The Montgomery County Middle School FFA, High School FFA, and several elementary students surprised the Board with the gifts at its meeting on March 21.
RESA AWARD – Carter Rodgers was one of four students recognized for excellence in the Heart of Georgia RESA Writing and Drawing contests. Here, she stands with Montgomery County Elementary School Principal Eric Burns. L to R: Principal Eric Burns, Carter Rodgers. Not pictured: Adasyn McCoy, Joshua Hong, and Devonte Crapps.Photo by Makaylee Randolph
