Digital Newspaper for Tifton, Ga., and the Greater Tiftarea

TIFT BOE HALTS PLAN FOR NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

By BONNIE SAYLES

Tifton Grapevine

Plans for a new middle school on property called “The Farm,” on U.S. Highway 319, have been withdrawn, new Tift County School Superintendent Natalie Gore told the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce at its monthly luncheon meeting Thursday.

As originally planned, the proposed middle school would house 1,800 students, Gore said. 

“We have pulled back on that plan to build because the board (of education) is concerned about A., the location, and B., the idea of 1,800 students who are middle school-aged” being together at one school, she said. 

“We have just at this past board meeting retracted from the state our application to utilize advance funding to build that and are looking at different options for organizational structure and location of schools within the district,” Gore said. “We’ll have some additional information on that in the next three to six months.” 

Asked about the previously discussed demolition of Eighth Street Middle School to be a parking lot for the football stadium, she said that option is not currently in the works. Even demolishing the current building for another building would require new safety enhancements because of its proximity to railroad tracks, Gore said. 

Gore also said that class size in the schools needs looking at and adjusting. One of her skills, she said, is helping to leverage scheduling at the school level to maximize state funding. 

“I want to get as much money as we can from the state because it lessens the burden on local taxpayers,” the superintendent said. The schools will be making adjustments in their minimum class size. 

“If you don’t have the minimum number of students in a class, you don’t get funding for that class,” she said. “We had probably half of the classrooms in every school that were not at the minimum-funded class size.”

Also, she said “We are making adjustments to the online learning options that will be available for the 2024-25 school year.”

The online elementary school program has dwindled in size, post COVID, to such an extent that it’s not a viable option to continue offering online classes, “so that program will sunset after this year,” Gore said.

“We’re also making significant changes to how we are leveraging online learning options for students at the high-school level,” she said. For the past several years, if students did not pass a face-to-face course, they had the option to engage in online instruction.

“Our students are not being successful as a result of that,” Gore said. “They are able to pass the class, because it’s online and a little bit easier. But when we look at their test scores, their performance is significantly lower than students who are participating in face-to-face instruction."

So, there will no longer be the option for students who fail a class to retake it online.

“They will have to participate in face-to-face with a teacher to get that deep learning that they need, and that instructional support from a teacher,” Gore said. 

She said that in her first 90 days in office, she has worked to identify the strengths of Tift County schools and potentials for growth. She said she has spent time listening, learning, and discussing opportunities to lead, assessing strengths of the various schools, and has filled the positions of Tift County High School principal and the Blue Devil football coach.

She said that the system's strengths include the Board of Education, the district employees, and the support from community and faith-based leaders. The school arts and athletic programs are phenomenal, Gore added.

PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW

COL. PUCKETT OF TIFTON TO

LIE IN STATE AT U.S. CAPITOL

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Under a bipartisan resolution pending in Congress, Ret. Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., a Tifton native and a decorated hero of the Korean and Vietnam wars, would lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

Puckett, who was the last living Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War, died April 8 at age 97 at his home in Columbus. A public memorial ceremony is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus.

Puckett was one of the most highly decorated soldiers in the U.S. Army’s history. Among his military honors were the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with V device for valor, five Purple Hearts, 10 Air Medals, and the World War II Victory Medal. He received awards from two U.S. presidents.

In 2022, Puckett returned to his hometown for Tifton to honor him. Puckett’s name was added to Tifton’s Victory Drive.

TCHS NAMES TEACHER OF YEAR FOR 2024-25

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Pennie Williams has been named Tift County High School's Teacher of the Year for the 2024-25 school year.

She is pictured with Interim Principal Jerry Baker and Superintendent Natalie Gore, right.

"This is a well-deserved honor as your commitment to excellence sets a high standard for all educators. Your passion for teaching shines through in all you do, and we are grateful for you," the high school staff said on social media.

GASKINS FOREST CENTER'S 'DAY IN WOODS' SATURDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The eighth annual "Day in the Woods" event will be held from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at Gaskins Forest Education Center at 3359 Moore Sawmill Road, Alapaha.

The non-commercial community event includes interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities related to forestry, wildlife, and traditional crafts. The event is free; there are no food vendors so visitors must bring your own snacks. 

Wildlife activities include a focus on insects, birds, beekeeping, native plants, aquatic invertebrates, frog calls, and nature walks. Attendees will see live animals as well as skins and skulls of a variety of animals. Hunting-related activities include a BB range, an archery range, turkey calls, and trapping. Samples of venison will be provided.

Forestry activities include tree identification, tree measurement, paper-making, twig pencils, soils, riverkeeping, and a turpentine display. Several activities relate to using prescribed burning to improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and also how to prevent wildfires and control them. If the weather cooperates, there will be demonstrations of prescribed burning throughout the afternoon.

Traditional crafts will include food preserving, rug weaving, pine-needle basket making, and blacksmithing. Pioneer lifestyles will be demonstrated at the log cabin, and a video of local history will be shown in the main Education Center.

The event is co-sponsored by the Coastal Plain Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society and by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Presenters include local community experts, hobbyists, hunters, as well as faculty and students from Berrien Middle School, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Valdosta State University, and the University of Georgia.

In addition, the event relies on professional collaborators from the state Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission, Longleaf Alliance, Golden Triangle, American Tree Farm System, Georgia Department of Education, Birds Georgia, Tifton Arts Council, Berrien Historical Society, and WWALS Watershed Coalition.

For information, call Heather Brasell at 229-339-3966.

UGA TIFTON TO UNVEIL MURAL CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Tifton Grapevine Staff Report

The University of Georgia Tifton Campus is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of academic programs on the Tifton campus.

The university is hosting a commemorative mural unveiling and reception at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in the NESPAL-South building at 2353 Rainwater Road. 

Local artist Jill Whitley has created a mural representing two decades of learning and scholarship on the UGA Tifton campus. The NESPAL-South lobby is home to the new mural.

Whitley is also the artistic talent behind all of the "Dawgs in Tifton" statues around town.

TIFTAREA ACADEMY SENIORS GET LETTERS WRITTEN TO THEMSELVES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tiftarea Academy teacher Natalie Rippy gave seniors a surprise the other day. When they were freshmen, Rippy gave them an assignment on March 13, 2021 – which was the first anniversary of the 2020 pandemic shutdown –to write “A Letter to Me.”

She held onto the letters in sealed envelopes and this week presented the seniors with the letters their freshmen selves had written to their future selves.

Tifton Rotary President Bonnie Sayles, from left, stands with Cindy Marzen, ABAC international students Ana Pereira Gonzalez and Antonia Platzbecker, and Rotarian Andy Marzen. The Marzens were the Tifton host family for this year's Georgia Rotary Student Program, which sponsors foreign students to attend a year of college in Georgia.

FOREIGN STUDENT, SPONSORED BY

TIFTON ROTARY, ENDING YEAR AT ABAC

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Antonia Platzbecker, a student from Germany sponsored by the Tifton Rotary Club, shared with club members Wednesday her experiences of the past year attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. She also talked about her visits around Georgia and to other states.

She was joined by Ana Pereira Gonzalez, an ABAC student from Cartagena, Colombia, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Pelham, Camilla, and Bainbridge.

The Tifton club is one of 93 participating in this year's Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP), sponsoring 44 foreign students attending college around Georgia. Since 1946, Georgia Rotarians have promoted world peace through understanding by offering scholarships to international students for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities.

Rotarians believe that "Peace is Possible," and tthrough GRSP, Georgia Rotarians promote international goodwill through the bonds of friendship and understanding.

TIFTON ARTS GALA SOLD OUT

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Cheers! The "Tuscany or Ten Arts Gala" on April 25 is sold out. Tifton Council for Arts Chair Cindy Hammond, left, Gala Chair Lindy Bengstrom, and Arts Council Executive Director Bruce Green, toast the good news at a planning meeting Wednesday. All 300 tickets for the event, the biggest fundraiser for the arts in Tifton, are now sold. The ticket holders will have a chance to win their choice of either a trip to Tuscany, Italy, or $10,000 cash. Other prizes will be announced at the event as well.

BLUE DEVILS ARE BASEBALL REGION CHAMPS: The Tift County High Blue Devils baseball team clinched the Region 1-6A championship last week with a doubleheader win over Veterans High.

The Blue Devils will advance in the playoffs next week; their opponent is yet to be determined. This is Tift County's first region baseball title in nine years.

TIFTON SINGERS IN COMBINED CHORAL CONCERT: Two Tifton residents will be among among the singers when the Choral Society of Middle Georgia (CSMG), the Mercer University Choir, the Mercer Singers, and the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church of Macon combine to perform Duruflé's "Requiem." 

Mercer student Christian Massa of Tifton, son of Dr. and Mrs. Eric Massa, and CSMG President Donna Hellwig Rocker of Tifton will be two of the 120 voices in the 4 p.m. concert April 28, at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church in Macon.

ABAC SETS COMMENCEMENT MAY 9

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Georgia Supreme Court Justice John Ellington will address nearly 360 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College graduates during two commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 9. The ceremonies will be held at the college’s Gressette Gymnasium.

Ellington, an ABAC alumnus of the class of 1979, was elected to the Georgia Supreme Court in 2018. He was recently awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award at ABAC’s recent homecoming.

The 10 a.m. commencement event will include graduates from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the School of Arts and Sciences. The 3 p.m. ceremony includes graduates from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Stafford School of Business.

A pinning ceremony for nursing graduates will begin at noon, and the Agricultural Education pinning will begin at 5 p.m.

To Subscribe, Click Here!

Your free subscription allows you to receive our MidWeek and Weekender editions in your in-box, along with occasional Sponsored Editions.

Your subscription is free because of the support of local advertisers.

Please support the businesses and organizations who make this possible.

To Contact Us, Call 478-227-7126

Statewide influenza data released from the 

Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) as of week ending April 6:

Since Seasonal Tracking Beginning Oct. 23, 2023:

TOTAL INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS: 195 ............................................... LATEST WEEK: 1

TOTAL METRO AREA HOSPITALIZATIONS: 4,269 ............................LATEST WEEK: 14

TOTAL INFLUENZA-ASSOCIATED DEATHS: 57 ................................. LATEST WEEK: 0

In Georgia, influenza is not a reportable condition, with the exception of influenza-associated deaths and outbreaks.

YOUR GUIDE

TO ACTIVITIES

THIS WEEKEND

IN THE GREATER TIFTAREA

On today's date, April 19, in 1775, the American Revolutionary War formally began with an American victory in Concord, Mass., during the battles of Lexington and Concord. The battles marked the outbreak of armed conflict between Great Britain and patriot militias from America's 13 colonies. Early in the morning on April 18, 1775, Paul Revere had begun his "midnight ride" to Concord to warn that the British appeared to be planning an expedition.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

• "Little Shop of Horrors," Blue Devil Players Production, 6 p.m., TCHS Performing Arts Center, Tift County High School, Tifton
• Tiftarea House of Hope's "A Night on the Town: Black & White Gala," 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, Tifton

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

• Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
• Spring Artisan Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Downtown Adel
• Smokin' on Blackshear BBQ & Music Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club, Cordele
• Healthy Kids Day, 10 a.m.-Noon, Tiftarea YMCA, Carpenter Road, Tifton
• Autism Acceptance Celebration, 10 a.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton
• Sylvester Annual Car Show, 11 a.m. -3 p.m., Downtown Sylvester
• Stop the Violence Rally, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Mott-Litman Gym, 2425 Emerson O. Bynes Ave., Tifton
• A Day in the Woods, Noon-5 p.m., Gaskins Forest Education Center, Alapaha
• "Little Shop of Horrors," Blue Devil Players Production, 6 p.m., TCHS Performing Arts Center, Tift County High School, Tifton

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

• "Little Shop of Horrors," Blue Devil Players Production, 3 p.m., TCHS Performing Arts Center, Tift County High School, Tifton

YOUR YARD SALE

HERE!

TO ADVERTISE YOUR RESIDENTIAL

YARD SALE, CONTACT US at 

IHeardIt@tiftongrapevine.com 

or 478-227-7126

Fees are $1 per word, paid in advance

"Panda Blitz," a silly, loving, and entertaining pup is bursting with energy and charisma. He adores the company of other dogs and thrives on playtime and adventure. Panda Blitz is searching for his forever home, where he can share his affection and playful antics with a family. Come visit him and other pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, open between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For additional information, call 229-382-PETS (7387).