Three GMS Students Earn State Recognitions

Duke TIP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented students. The organization works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students reach their highest potential. 

Now in its thirty-sixth year, the 7th Grade Talent Search identifies bright seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are invited to take the ACT or the SAT college entrance exams as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, students gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students.  Students who qualified for state recognitions scored approximately at or above the national average of recent high school graduates on at least one part of the ACT or the SAT. 

Congratulations to these students for their outstanding achievement!

Since 2009, Gainesville High School has conferred honorary diplomas to  individuals who support the school's mission, who enhance the quality of life for the greater community and who are not graduates of the city's high schools.  GHS became the first public high school in America to confer honorary diplomas in 2009. Twenty-seven have been conferred through 2016.

 

On Sunday, May 15, GHS principal Tom Smith conferred three honorary diplomas  at a reception held at First Baptist Church honoring Dr. William L. Coates, Jr., Mary Ellen Murray and Jackie Wallace.

 

William L. Coates, Jr., who graduated from Andrew Jackson High in South Carolina, was  president of the student government at Coker College where he earned a degree in English  and religion.  He earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary  and doctorate in English from the University of South Carolina.  He is the senior pastor of  First Baptist Church of Gainesville.  Coates is an outstanding and popular leader of the  community, hosting community-wide events of interest and challenge, active with Habitat  for Humanity, integral supporter of community events and Rotarian.

 

Mary Ellen Murray spent the majority of her professional teaching career at GHS teaching  American history and senior law.  She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of  Georgia and master's degree from Emory University.  For 31 years, Murray taught, nurtured and nudged students to excel.  Twice named Teacher of the Year and STAR teacher six times,  she also received the Kiwanis Youth Service Award and the Liberty Bell Award from the  local bar association.  Her nominator wrote, "she bleeds red elephant red."

 

Jackie Wallace graduated from Winder-Barrow High and Brenau University.  During a  productive banking and finance career, she volunteered for United Way via committees and  the annual campaigns.  She left banking to become the CFO of the United Way and, in 2007,  was named president and chief professional officer.  As such, she helped raise, manage and  grant millions of dollars for education, health and family financial stability initiatives.  She  also leads the Read-Learn-Succeed project encouraging reading and realizing that readiness  translates into academic successes.

 

Principal Tom Smith said, "These are remarkable people who have shaped a vibrant community; it is our pleasure and honor to confer these honorary diplomas to those who make Gainesville an enviable place to live, learn, work and play."

 

Sports physicals are so important to our athletes. Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine had a great time offering free physicals and helping students get ready for game day. Keeping our Red Elephants healthy and in the game -now that's a valuable partner.  A big thank you to NGPG for all that you do for our student-athletes!

The Gainesville City Board of Education meeting was held on Monday, May 16 at the Public Safety Complex.  Special guests were recognized by the Board.  The Board reviewed and approved agenda items as submitted by district personnel.  To view the board agenda and reports, please click the links below.

• Board Agenda
• Facilities Request
• Overnight Field Trips
• April 2016 Financials
• Facilities Update and Capital Projects Status Update
• Personnel Report
• Guaranteed Maximum Price Contract - Centennial Arts Academy Classroom Addition
• Tentative Adoption of Fiscal Year 2017 Budget - All Funds (General Fund Summary, Special Revenue Fund, Budget Advertisement)
• Recommended Policy Revisions, Deletions, and Additions
• Board of Education Operating Protocols
• Superintendent's Strategic Plan Report