A monthly publication highlighting work session and regular monthly meetings of the Board of Education
Board Briefs
February 2020
The Barrow County Board of Education is composed of nine members. Board members serve a four-year term, with three districts elected at-large and six elected by district. The Board is the official governing body of the Barrow County School System.
Highlights of Presentation and Discussion Items
BCSS FFA Farm Receives Grant
In partnership with the Winder Housing Authority and the Barrow's Roots Project, the BCSS Ag program submitted and received a USDA Farm to School Grant to enhance activities in Barrow County. Ty Brooks from the Barrow's Roots Project joined Dr. Jennifer Wood to provide an update to the Board.

A portion of the grant funds are allocated to improve BCSS FFA property off Hwy 53 (that was deeded to the school system previously). The grant will provide farm access improvement with a driveway and school farm cattle fence installation for 20 acres of pasture land for cattle.

Future plans for the property include environmental agriculture systems, classroom lab space, beef to school program, chickens and honeybees.
GMAP Partnerships Continue to Grow
Jennie Persinger and Dr. Matt Thompson provided an update on the GMAP Consortium.

In August, the U.S. Department of Education approved Georgia to implement two innovative assessment models described in the state’s application – the Georgia Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Partnership and the Putnam County Consortium. Barrow County School System is part of the MAP Partnership.

Barrow County has implemented MAP testing the past three years with the goal to ultimately replace Georgia Milestones Tests with GMAP testing. GMAP testing is conducted 3x a year and helps teachers target instruction in real time. GMAP is currently used in English Language Arts and Math, with science starting next year.

BCSS is providing leadership on this initiative and is working to inform other districts of our progress. To date, thirteen other districts have joined the MAP consortium.

Superintendent's Recognitions
Elementary Junior BETA Club President

Holsenbeck Elementary is proud to bring home the Georgia Elementary Junior BETA Club President. Fifth grader Lindsey Bevard ran against eight other elementary candidates from across the state and was elected by the 1,500+ students who represented chapters across Georgia!

Lindsey is pictured with her Elementary Junior Beta Club sponsor April Balenger. Ms. Balenger was also selected as the Georgia Sponsor of the Year.
2020 Spelling Bee Champion

After 20 exciting rounds, the 2020 Barrow County School System Spelling Bee ended with Russell Middle School 7th grader KJ Long correctly spelling the word "hurriedly" to become the champion.

The runner-up is Keely Schmook, a 6th grader at Haymon-Morris Middle School. 
February is National Career Technical Education (CTE) Month
To kick off the month-long celebration, Dr. Jennifer Wood presented the recent accomplishments of the FFA students in the Barrow County School System.
Apalachee High School

AHS earned a 3-Star National Chapter Award.

Megan Parks and Ethan Harrison were national finalists for the Premier Chapter in Strengthening Agriculture.

The Farm Business Management Team was the area winner. On the team: Emily Hale, Joy Shaba, Chevelle Jett, and Sarah Bieri.

Hunter Couch earned the American Degree.
Winder-Barrow High School

WBHS had the most American FFA Degree Recipients in one year. Congratulations to Caleb Lee, Mariah Lynn, Kerrigan Royster, Katie Sonntag, and Shana Tuggle.

The AG Technology and Equipment ID team earned 1st in Area 2 and 4th Place in State. The team included Luke Lynn, Caleb Harris, Alex Ayers, and Johnny Arguetta.

With Farm to School, Trinity Dismuke sold three show hogs to the BCSS nutrition program and served them as a part of the Farm to School program on Jan. 24 at WBHS.

Alysa Wright was elected as the Area 2 FFA Treasure.
Middle Schools

Russell Middle School FFA earned the 3-Star National Chapter Award.

In addition, a new FFA chapter is starting at Haymon-Morris Middle School this year.

Presentation of Colors

Cadets from the JROTC Program at Apalachee High School presented the colors (not listed in photo order):

  • Cadet Tyler Woodland
  • Cadet Angel Romero
  • Cadet Kathryn Bedenbaugh
  • Cadet Catherine Vue
January Attendance Awards

Student
ES – Bramlett Elementary
MS/HS – Bear Creek Middle

Staff
ES – Kennedy Elementary
MS/HS – Haymon-Morris Middle
Program – Alternative Education Program

Transportation
Kennedy Elementary

School Food & Nutrition
Sims Academy
January Clean School Award

Each month, board members visit schools and evaluate which school is being kept neat and clean.

This month, Haymon-Morris Middle School was selected.

Congratulations to their custodial staff for this recognition.
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The regular business meetings of the Barrow County Board of Education take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the Professional Development Center (PDC) located at 179 W. Athens St., Winder, GA 30680.


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