THE BEAT
December 23, 2020
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This year has certainly been one to remember, and we all can agree that it has definitely provided many challenges along the way. Despite the challenges each of us has had to endure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Baldwin County School District is thankful for the opportunity we are afforded to partner with our parents/guardians and community to collaboratively develop the best educational opportunities for our students.
As you make plans to take part in holiday festivities with loved ones and friends, please continue to protect those around you by wearing your mask, washing your hands, staying six feet apart, and maintaining a small social bubble. These simple measures are crucial in combating the spread of this virus in our community and schools.
The District will be closed for Winter Break from December 21st through January 3rd. Staff Professional Learning Days are scheduled for January 4th and January 5th. Students return to school on Wednesday, January 6th if conditions are safe to do so. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic situation in our community and will release any updated plans as we get closer to the start of the second semester.
We would like to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and look forward to 2021! Have a safe and restful winter break!
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Baldwin County School District Gets in the Holiday Spirit |
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Students, faculty and staff got into the Holiday Spirit during the last day before Winter Break. To view a collection of photos click the link below.
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REACH Scholar Signing Ceremony |
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Congratulations to the new cohort of REACH Scholars: Heymi Arguello Espinoza, Hannah Dawson, Eboni McKnight, Nasir Giles, and Kaitlyn Teague! Students along with their parents participated in the ceremonial signing of commitment documents, promising to meet or exceed the rigorous academic and behavioral standards that are outlined in the program.
Governor Nathan Deal launched the REACH Scholarship (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen.), a state’s first needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program, in 2012. The REACH Scholarship continues the state’s commitment to providing access to higher education for all Georgians, regardless of their income. The mission is to ensure that Georgia’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college and achieve postsecondary success.
Beginning in the 8th grade and through high school, REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor and an academic coach. Scholars must maintain good grades (2.5+ HOPE Calculated GPA), behavior and attendance. Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year) that can be used at a HOPE-eligible University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, or private postsecondary institution. If the REACH Scholars attend a partner college or university such as Georgia College, Central Georgia Technical College or Georgia Military College, they will receive a $20,000 scholarship. The scholarship is in addition to any other grant or scholarship the student receives.
If you or your organization are interested in exploring the many ways you can support the REACH Scholarship Program, please contact our board office or visit the Baldwin Charter School System Foundation for Excellence online at www.bcsdfoundation.org.
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Baldwin County School District Wins
Leading Edge Award
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The Baldwin County School District is pleased to announce that it was selected by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) for the Leading Edge Award. The Leading Edge Award highlights school districts leading the way in ensuring students are competitive in an ever-changing global market. The award recognizes unique achievement in innovative design and implementation of projects and programs by local school boards that have a significant positive impact on students’ achievement and engagement.
The nomination for the GSBA Leading Edge Award highlighted the Bee Well Clinic and the innovative initiatives that have been put in place, such as the telehealth service that the clinic now offers at all of our schools.
The Bee Well Clinic came into being through a partnership with Communities In Schools and Georgia College. It is part of a $2.3 million ‘Wraparound Baldwin’ Federal Grant. The clinic offers healthcare for Baldwin County School District students, their families, and district employees. The school-based health clinic is in operation four days a week and is staffed by Community Health Care Systems, Inc. (CHCS), which is a federally qualified health center that provides quality care regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
This year we are excited to offer telehealth capabilities, so our students can be seen from home using a phone or other smart device or from the school nurse’s office via telehealth diagnostic equipment provided through the Communities In Schools Reaching Rural Communities Grant.
The telehealth services work in conjunction with the Bee Well Health Clinic. This will allow students, parents, and district staff to have access to the clinic and other professionals without transportation. These services include sick visits, medication refills, emergency dental exams, mental/behavioral health services, access to specialists, and more.
Due to the pandemic, the award presentation for the Leading Edge Award was presented virtually on Friday, December 4. The event was live-streamed on the GSBA Facebook page.
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December's Pursuit of Excellence Winners |
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Congratulations to the following employees who are the December 2020 recipients of the Pursuit of Excellence Award for the Baldwin County School District. |
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Mrs. Erica Jackson
English Teacher
Baldwin High School
Mrs. Jackson joined the Baldwin County School District in 2015, and over the years, she has proven to be an asset to the school system. She received two separate nominations from her co-workers, whom both commend her on her hard work in school and extracurricular activities. She is described as being helpful, supportive, energetic, a good listener, and willing to volunteer to help out wherever needed. Mr. Thompson illustrates an example of her willingness to help,
“The other day, Coach Ricks said at an Academy meeting that he desperately needed someone to help with the volleyball game. After no one responded, Erica did, even though she is tired of all her other responsibilities, including coaching cheer after school.”
She is described as a wonderful co-worker with a bubbly personality who goes above and beyond the daily tasks. Mrs. Jackson, thank you for modeling excellence!
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Mrs. Timmy Raley
Media Clerk
Baldwin High School
Mrs. Raley is working in her 16th year with the school district. Before working at Baldwin High School, Mrs. Raley worked in the media center at Midway Hills Academy. She is commended for the ease in which she transitioned from the elementary grade level to the High School grade level. She is described as a hard worker who is willing to learn new things. Mrs. Pam Longino represents an example of her willingness to help others in the nomination:
"Mrs. Raley is willing to work after hours to make sure everything is completed. She helped get over 1,000 devices ready for the Chromebook distribution at the high school. She always has a smile and is ready to help, no matter how stressful things maybe."
In addition to her work in the media center, during the school closure due to the pandemic, Mrs. Raley volunteered her time to help distribute lunches. She helped the BCSD technology department distribute Chromebooks at the central office. She also helps parents and students by answering their questions about remote learning.
Mrs. Raley's dedication to the students, faculty, and staff at BHS is deserving of recognition, particularly during this time. She has been positive and adaptive in the ever-changing environment we find ourselves in. Mrs. Raley, thank you for your example of excellence!
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Ms. Dessarae Milner
Cafeteria Manager
Midway Hills Primary School
Ms. Desserae Milner began her career with the school district in 2018 as a school nutrition assistant and was promoted to the manager's position at Midway Hills Primary School in 2019. In just one year, she proved her ability to lead and manage the school cafeteria's daily operations at MHP. Mrs. Burney had the following to say about Ms. Milner.
"She has worked hard to serve our students with delicious meals each day. She has been supportive of the many changes that have taken place this year. She has been diligent in enforcing the rules and regulations outlined by the Department of Public Health."
Based on the current pandemic and the strict guidelines from the DPH, the MHP kitchens received a rating of 100 is truly commendable. Mrs. Burney describes Ms. Milner as being a blessing to the school and the entire district. Ms. Milner, you are a shining example of excellence!
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Mrs. Jennifer Charnes
Early Intervention Teacher
Lakeview Primary School
Mrs. Charnes joined the Baldwin County School District family in 2014 after teaching in the Savannah-Chatham School District. She is serving in her sixteenth year, and Mrs. Clark notes her as one who goes above and beyond what is asked of her. Mrs. Clark describes her as a continuously working person to improve all aspects of Lakeview Primary School. In addition to serving LVP as the EIP teacher, Mrs. Charnes is also the school's PBIS coach and has taken the LVP team in a whole new direction. Her soft skills as a relationship builder have helped tremendously in the classrooms. Her innovative ideas have spearheaded a new initiative at LVP, the Positive People Classroom Incentive. The teachers love the direction she is taking the school, and her hard work has helped build a classroom and school community.
Mrs. Charnes is also commended for her work with revamping the T2 process at LVP to make sure that the students' needs are met, and no student falls through the cracks. Her dedication to the students, staff, and school is like no other. Mrs. Clark is honored to have Mrs. Charnes as part of her team. Mrs. Charnes, thank you for being a shining example of excellence!
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December Board Recognitions |
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Mr. Rahul Bali
2020 Georgia School Boards Association Beacon Award
The school board recognized Mr. Rahul Bali of the Oconee Radio Group for receiving the Georgia School Boards Association's (GSBA) 2020 Beacon Award. The Beacon Award recognizes print and electronic media representatives or organizations whose coverage over time (rather than a one-time project or article) has created an understanding of public education issues by informing the general public about programs, policies, and problems affecting the public schools, students, and communities. The Beacon Award presentation was delivered virtually at the GSBA virtual awards ceremony on Friday, December 4. Congratulations to Mr. Bali!
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Georgia School Boards Association Partnership Commendation Awards
The Georgia School Boards Association Partnership Commendation is a recognition program for local boards to use in honoring those organizations and individuals involved in supporting public education at the local level. This support may be in the form of program activities, contributions, etc., and/or support of their employee(s) in carrying out their duties as a school board member. The Baldwin County Board of Education recognized the following businesses and organizations with a GSBA Partnership Commendation honor:
- Baldwin County Family Connection
- Century Bank & Trust
- Citizen's Bank of the South
- Communities In School of Milledgeville-Baldwin County
- Exchange Bank
- First Methodist Church
- Freedom Church
- Georgia Power
- Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
- Montpelier United Methodist Church
- Northridge Church
- Robins Financial Credit Union
- Rotary Club
- The GEO Group
Representatives from each group were presented with a GSBA Partnership Commendation award. The pictures were shown in a virtual presentation during the school board meeting. Click the link below to download the virtual presentation of all GSBA Partnership Commendation Award recipients.
In addition to the GSBA Beacon Award, the GSBA Partnership Commendations, the school board also recognized the Baldwin County School District for being selected as a GSBA Leading Edge Award recipient, and our December Pursuit of Excellence winners.
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Javon Bullard Signs With University of Georgia |
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Congratulations to Javon Bullard on his official commitment to the University of Georgia. Javon is a four year starter for the Baldwin Braves and has garnished interest from colleges and universities from across the country. He is ranked among the top 100 players in the peach state, received over 20 offers from some of the top D1 schools in the country. He choose UGA from a top 7 which included Louisville, NC State, Pitt, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. His decision was announced at his National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at the Baldwin High School Fine Arts Center. To view a gallery of photos from the NLI Signing Ceremony click the link below.
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Baldwin High School Basketball Season Starts With Senior Night |
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Baldwin High School Basketball season officially began Tuesday, Dec. 1, with a home game against Putnam County High School. Senior Night was held Tuesday, Dec. 7, where this season's Senior Braves and Bravettes were recognized. To view a photo gallery of photos from Senior Night, click on the link below.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, preventative protocols and safety measures have been put in place during home basketball games. Only 400 tickets will be sold at each game this year to assist with social distancing. Fans will not be allowed to sit on the lower level behind the teams. Seating will be limited to 100 people on each upper-level side of the gymnasium, with 200 people allowed on the lower level across from the teams. Temperature checks will be taken, and masks are required. Baldwin's clear bag policy and the use of metal detectors will be in place for each home game as well.
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Baldwin Success Academy Business Partner Makes School Supply Donation |
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Baldwin Success Academy (BSA) received a new business partner: Rechard Larkin Ministries/Mitchell Zion Baptist Church. The group donated school supplies for the students at BSA. |
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Oak Hill Middle School Girls Basketball Team Secures Third Championship |
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Oak Hill Middle School's Girls Basketball Team has been undefeated this year. On Friday, December 18, they secured their third Championship win. Congratulations! What a great season! |
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Midway Hills Academy Students Cook While Studying Heat Energy
Students at Midway Hills Academy had a delicious learning experience in the month of December. Mrs. Sills' 3rd-grade science class learned about heat energy. Students saw conduction, convection, and radiation heat energy in action when Midway Hills Academy Food Corps representative, Jenna White, visited the class. They cooked up a nutritious lesson with sauteed vegetables.
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Midway Hills Primary Maker Space STEAM Lab Helps Students Learn About Magnets |
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The Midway Hills Primary Maker Space STEAM lab introduces students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math careers through hands-on activities. Mrs. Hopkins’ class had a blast in the MHP Maker Space STEAM lab working with magnets. They used magnets to explore, race, build, create, and play, proving that science can be fun! |
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New York Scientist Visits Lakeview Academy Students |
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Mrs. Craddock's class received a special visitor. On Dec. 4th, scientist Nancy Morabito who lives in New York visited with the students virtually and shared with the class everything there is to know about being a scientist! Her visit followed the class reading of the book "Ada Twist, Scientist." The book, written by Andrea Beaty, features Scientist Ada. Ada has a boundless imagination and has always been hopelessly curious. When her house fills with a horrific, toe-curling smell, Ada knows it’s up to her to find the source. Not afraid of failure, Ada embarks on a fact-finding mission and conducts scientific experiments, all in the name of discovery. |
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Lakeview Primary Hosts Pod Winter Wonderland Contest |
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In the spirit of the holiday season, Lakeview Primary School hosted a friendly Winter Wonderland competition between the pods. The intricate decorations were judged by staff of the Board of Education. There was a tied winner: What do Snowmen Do at Night and Holiday Parade. |
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Baldwin County Early Learning Center Students Build a Snowman |
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Mrs. May and Mrs. Miller's students talked about things you see in winter during class yesterday. After discussing various options, the students voted to "build" a snowman! They cut out circles and used glue and markers to "build" their own snowman with paper in place of snow.
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Georgia College Early College Students Get a Jumpstart on Capstone Presentations |
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Georgia College Early College (GCEC) students have been spending the month of December perfecting their Capstone Presentations by revamping self-introductions they created in October. Students were asked to make updates on their basic introductory information like their grade level and interests and add one new self-discovery element: character strengths. After taking a research-based survey through VIA, students were able to find out about the positive parts of their personality so that they could reflect on how they currently use them in their academic and personal lives and make goals to use them in novel ways in the future so as to capitalize on their naturally positive traits. Research shows that understanding and applying their strengths can help:
- Boost Confidence
- Increase Happiness
- Strengthen Relationships
- Manage Problems
- Reduce Stress
- Accomplish Goals
- Build Meaning and Purpose
- Improve Work Performance
To view GCEC student Capstones Self Introductions click on the link below.
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First Responder Information Form for Students with Disabilities |
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In an effort to improve community relationships among first responders and people with disabilities, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, the Baldwin County School District, and the Baldwin County 911 Center are collaborating to assist families that may have communication concerns in the event of an emergency. The Baldwin County 911 Center would like to offer our families the opportunity to keep information about their children on file if he/she has special needs. This information would assist first responders in knowing that there is an individual with special needs present in the home who might respond differently in a different manner to an unfamiliar person. The badge can be worn in the community, and it can be personalized to add any information that would help comfort the individual when they are upset or scared.
If you are interested in your family member taking advantage of this service and receiving a lanyard with a badge from the Baldwin County 911 center identifying them as a person with a disability, please notify Deputy Stephanie Holland, School Resource Officer, via email or telephone. Deputy Holland’s email address is: sholland@baldwinsheriff.com, and the phone number is (478)- 457-2478. The attached form can be returned to Deputy Holland’s email address or mailed to her: Deputy Stephanie Holland at 220 North ABC Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061.
When the COVID -19 pandemic is over, we hope to host an event that would allow your family to meet the first responders. This would help your family member to become familiar with the first responders, their uniforms, and vehicles. We look forward to partnering with you to continue to support our children with special needs.
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Donate Now to Support our Schools! |
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The Baldwin Charter School System Foundation serves as the primary fundraising tool to fund the REACH Scholars program, providing thousands in scholarship opportunities for students who represent the first of their families to have the opportunity to attend college. The foundation also supports employee and student recognition programs. Please support our schools, students, and teachers by making your tax- deductible contribution today.
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Infinite Campus is the Baldwin County School District's new student information system and gaining access is easier than ever before. Simply follow the link to two videos that provide step by step instructions on how to create an account and login. You can also find this information by clicking the "Infinite Campus" link under the parents tab on www.baldwincountyschoolsga.org.
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Download the MyStop App Today! |
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Never worry about where your child's bus is ever again! Thanks to the new and innovative technology that the Baldwin County School District has invested. As a result, parents of our students can now get real-time updates of their child's bus location through the MyStop app, which is available for download in the iTunes or Android marketplaces.
MyStop provides parents, and parents only, a live look at their child's bus while in transit using GPS technology. Parents can see the exact location of the bus as it's moving along its route and can even provide an estimated time of arrival.
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District Social Media Links |
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Follow the links below to all of the social media networks for our respective schools in the district. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are the best ways to stay up to date with the latest news and happenings in all of our schools. Give us a like or a follow and help share all the good news that is happening in the district every day!
Click the link below to access the Baldwin County Board of Education Board Meetings, Policies, Communications, and About Us. Our District Strategic Plan/School Improvement Plans are currently being revised for 2018-2023.
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Georgia College Early College |
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