Posted by Sybil Barkley on 10/18/2024
Superintendent’s Welcome
Dr. Pace provided an update on his Entry Plan activities. The plan consists of three phases, with Phase One focusing on Opportunities, Phase Two focusing Access, and Phase Three focusing on Outcomes. He has completed 81% of the actions identified in Phase One, which includes culture and climate visits to all Henry County schools. You may access additional information on the Superintendent’s Entry Plan here.
October is National Principal’s Appreciation Month to recognize the vital leadership of our school principals. National Custodians Day was celebrated on October 2nd and we thank all of our custodians for their hard work. National Coach Appreciation Day was on October 6th to recognize their support of student athletics. World Mental Health Day was celebrated on October 10th, to include our Mental Health and Wellness Facilitators. We proudly celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the contributions of Hispanic Americans. National Bullying Prevention Month is recognized this month as we support safe and supportive learning environments. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month, which we recognize to honor survivors and bring awareness for prevention.
The Teacher of the Year (TOTY) Ceremony was held on Thursday, October 4th at the McDonough Performing Arts Center. The six District TOTY semifinalists and 3 finalists were:
Elementary Semifinalists
IA: Christine Jones
MCE: Bonita Stewart (Finalist)
Middle School Semifinalists
OMS: Sarah Nell-Griffis (Finalist)
WMS: Dr. Adrienne Glass
High School Semifinalists
AAS: Elbretta Carpenter
MHS: Brandi Neal (Finalist)
Congratulations to Brandi Neal from McDonough High School, who was names the District Teacher of the Year!
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
- Strategic Plan
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- Strategic Plan Year 4, Quarter 1 Report, Mrs. Summer Cox, Chief of Staff
Ms. Cox provided the Year 4, Quarter 1 report to highlight recent accomplishments in implementing the community inspired 5-year strategic plan. Highlights from this quarter include the development of a student profile for the new STEM high school, professional development for teachers in literacy and research-based instructional strategies, the expansion of orchestra programming to 2 new high schools (DHS and LGHS), and ongoing efforts to increase dual enrollment opportunities for students. The Henry Partners program has been redesigned and implementation is underway to improve connectivity with community partners. We have also continued to build partnerships with colleges and universities to offer courses for adult learners, as well as local businesses to support employee wellness. Staff members are enhancing their ability to support students through the development of resources such as the Advisement and Counseling Toolkit and by participating in professional development aimed at supporting students with specific needs.
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- Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Update, Mrs. Termerion McCrary, Chief Learning and Performance Officer
Mrs. McCrary provided an update on Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), which provides learning pathways to equip students for real-world careers, higher education, and technical fields. We continue to partner with local businesses and post-secondary institutions to provide internships, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. HCS has the fifth largest CTAE program in the state of Georgia, with over 47 pathways in areas such as healthcare science, engineering, business management, agriculture, programming, and teaching as a profession, just to name a few. We are seeing increases in enrollment for these programs, and many students are able to earn industry recognized certifications or licenses prior to high school graduation. Youth apprenticeship enrollment is also increasing, where students can transfer their skills to a supervised work placement while receiving academic credits. Partnerships with Piedmont Henry Hospital and Gordon State College support our Tomorrow’s Healthcare Today and Tomorrow’s Teachers Today programs to provide both educational opportunities for HCS students as well as a proactive approach to addressing economic development needs within the Henry County community.
- Core Business of Student Learning
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- Henry Cares Check-In, Mr. Antonio Mattox, Chief Family and Student Support Services Officer
Mr. Mattox presented an update on Henry Cares, which is a district initiative aimed at supporting staff and students by identifying areas of need related to connectedness and overall well-being in the learning environment. Given twice a year, Henry Cares Check-Ins provide information on relationships, well-being, and belonging, and are used by school teams to ensure supports are provided in areas such as attendance, as well as academic and behavioral needs.
We also utilize the Georgia Student Health Survey (soon to be replaced by the Georgia School Climate Survey) to obtain insights into how staff, students, and families are feeling. This statewide survey helps identify safety, climate, and health issues that impact student achievement and well-being.
Continued partnerships with community agencies also allow us to provide site-based health services such as immunizations, wellness checks, and sports physicals. Initiatives aimed at providing a holistic approach to employee wellness are also being implemented. Together, the supports in place for staff, students, and families are creating an environment that values connectivity across the community.
- Ensuring Operational Effectiveness
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- September 2024 Financial Reports, Mrs. Shanika Clay, Chief Financial Officer
- September Financial Report
- General Fund Assets and Total Cash on Hand - The total value of general fund’s assets at the close of September totaled $105.9 million, while Cash on Hand across all funds during this reporting period totaled $286.5 million.
- E-SPLOST VI - There were expenditures of $2.7 million in the month of September with the majority of those funds toward construction projects.
- Capital Accumulation - There were expenditures of $7,772 dollars with investments in furniture growth and replacement being the key driver in the month of September.
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- Comprehensive Policy Review, Mrs. Summer Cox, Chief of Staff
Mrs. Cox presented information on the Comprehensive Policy Review, which will occur throughout the 2024-2025 school year in alignment with Board Policy BD, which states the Board will conduct a review of policies every 5 years. Of the ten policies reviewed for the month of October, three are recommended for revision: Policy DFC- Federal Funds, Policy DFK- Gifts and Bequests, and Policy JBCB- Nonresident Students. All three policies are available for public review and comment here.
BUSINESS ITEMS
- Comprehensive Policy Review
The Board of Education approved the revised policies (HCBOE Policies DFC, DFK, and JBCB with a vote of 5 to 0.
- 2025 Board Meeting Time and Place
The Board of Education approved the 2025 Board Meeting Time and Place with a vote of 5 to 0.
- Instructional and Technical Infrastructure: K-12 Visual Arts
The Board of Education approved the purchase of pottery wheels and iPads for visual arts with a vote of 5 to 0.
- Monitoring Services for FY24 Cyber Incident
The Board of Education approved the purchase of monitoring services with a vote of 5 to 0.
INSPIRATION
Inspiration for the October Board Meeting was provided by the Locust Grove Middle School Orchestra. The students performed, “Exhilaration”, by Cooper Ford. Locust Grove Middle School’s orchestra teacher is Mr. Austin Cruz, and the principal is Ms. Melissa Thomas.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
View Full album Here
Superintendent’s Art Gallery
Austin Road Elementary:
- Marley Cantrell
- Iliana Marroquin
- Jada Jackson
- Dennis Gardner
- Lois Barney, Principal
Bethlehem Elementary:
- Star Gerald
- Isabella Torres
- SeTia Freeman, Principal
Cotton Indian Elementary:
- Katy Sitthideth
- Andrew Austin
- Makayla Abel
- Mahoganey Jackson, Principal
Dutchtown Elementary:
- Kailey West
- Nova Smith
- Douglas Fletcher, Principal
East Lake Elementary:
- Isla Zbuckvich
- Izrielle Griffin
- Dana Flowers, Principal
Fairview Elementary:
- Cali Ferguson
- Stephanie Lin
- Bernard Watts, Principal
Flippen Elementary:
- Brystol Long
- Nyoko Bennett-Harris
- Victoria Grubbs, Principal
Hampton Elementary:
- Alexander Quiles
- Rony Vasquez Perez
- Michelle Williams, Principal
Hickory Flat Elementary:
- Erica Hii
- Joslyn Stokes
- Dawn Blackwell, Principal
Locust Grove Elementary:
- Maddisyn Navita
- Khoury Canty
- Sparkle Smith, Principal
Luella Elementary:
- Mildriana Blake
- Kyrielle Batta
- Twyla Barkley, Principal
Mt. Carmel Elementary:
- Christian Johnson
- Madeline Pierce
- Allison Van Tone-Foles, Principal
New Hope Elementary:
- Wyatt Toms
- Elliot Summers
- Anna Smith
- Micki Foster, Principal
- Julie Toms, Art Teacher (Retired)
Oakland Elementary:
- Isabella Ambriz
- Arianna Bendross
- Andre Johnson, Principal
Ola Elementary:
- Ryan Stubbs
- Summer Atkinson
- Carrie Edwards, Principal
Pate’s Creek Elementary:
- Gabriella Salmon
- Sparrow Tanks
- Jennifer McCrary, Principal
Pleasant Grove Elementary:
- Harold Stanley*
- Andy Pike, Principal Mr. Parkhill
Red Oak Elementary:
- Tommy Dang
- Kennedi Stanciel
- Jermaine Ausmore, Principal
Rock Spring Elementary:
- David Walcott
- Dafne Rubio-Castellanos
- Annalise Velez-Ortiz
- Julie Mosley, Principal
Rocky Creek Elementary:
- Liam Colson
- Arianna Uribes
- Sonya Ayannuga, Principal
- Art Teacher
Smith-Barnes Elementary:
- Merab Nabi
- Tirth Patel
- Carolyn Flemister-Oliver, Principal
Stockbridge Elementary:
- Abigail Carver
- Mauricio Perez-Miranda
- Cedric Peeples, Principal
Timber Ridge Elementary
- Freya McGirt
- Paisley Allread
- Holly Williams, Principal
Tussahaw Elementary:
- Kamryn Withers
- Addison Aguilar-Renteria
- Jocelyn Lakani-Jones, Principal
Unity Grove Elementary:
- AnnaBelle Garrison
- Lydia Jones
- Elyse Durden, Principal
Walnut Creek Elementary:
- Laila Lakes
- Kyndall Houston
- Tamika Knighton, Principal
Wesley Lakes Elementary:
- Amyah Williams
- Kristen Blash
- Jodye Callaway, Principal
Woodland Elementary:
- Alia Armine
- Jemari Sawyer
- Nia Lacey
- Makisha Williams, Principal
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
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District Board Member |
Comments |
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District 1, Dr. Pam Nutt |
Dr. Nutt recognized Termerion McCrary and Summer Cox for hosting the annual Teacher of the Year event. Congratulations to Ms. Brandi Neal from McDonough High School for receiving the Teacher of the Year Award.
Dr. Nutt congratulated Luella High School Girls Varsity Softball team for winning the 5AAA Regional Championship.
Dr. Nutt congratulated the Locust Grove High School football team for their win over McDonough High School.
Dr. Nutt highlighted the recent school visits and acknowledged all of the great teaching that was witnessed during the visits.
Dr. Nutt recognized Locust Grove Middle School Wildcat orchestra for their performance for the October board meeting.
Dr. Nutt highlighted the Hispanic celebration at the Fairview Performing Arts Center.
Dr. Nutt thanked McDonough High School for the gift of an alumni shirt. |
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District 2, Annette Edwards (Vice Chair) |
Mrs. Edwards shared her appreciation for those attending the October board meeting.
Mrs. Edwards recognized HCS Nutrition Department for National Lunch Week October 14-18.
Mrs. Edwards invited the community to Henry’s Night Out on October 26th at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Mrs. Edwards recognized HCS Principals, Coaches and Mental Health and Wellness Facilitators. |
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District 3, Holly Cobb |
Mrs. Cobb congratulated Rock Spring Elementary for earning the 2024-2025 National Beta School of Merit.
Mrs. Cobb recognized HCS Principals for their hard work in Henry County.
Mrs. Cobb recognized HCS School bus drivers/monitors for National School Bus Safety Week.
Mrs. Cobb recognized Ola High School Varsity Girls Softball for their Region Championship. |
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District 4, Sophe Pope (Chair) |
Mrs. Pope recognized the HCS Principals and the leadership that has been shown on the school climate visits. Also, thank you to the School Custodians for always keeping Henry County Schools clean.
Mrs. Pope recognized Michelle Wiggins from Red Oak Elementary for winning a $1,000 grant from Delta Community Credit Union that will support the Drone club and the student broadcast team (Red Oak Kids News).
Mrs. Pope recognized Stockbridge Elementary School Instructional Effectiveness Facilitator Ms. Cynthia McClammey for being awarded a $10,000 grant which will enhance the STEM lab curriculum.
Mrs. Pope recognized the Stockbridge boys’ Cross Country team and the Ola girls’ Cross Country team for winning the Henry County Cross Country Championship. |
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District 5, Mackenzie McDaniel |
Mr. McDaniel recognized HCS Principals, Custodians, and Coaches and thanked them for their hard work in Henry County Schools.
Mr. McDaniel recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month and wished blessings for those to continue to heal.
Mr. McDaniel congratulated the Pates Creek Elementary Robotics team lead and STEM teacher, Ms. Charlisa Dixon for being awarded a $1,700 robotics grant from Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. This grant will allow the team to purchase more competition gear and the ability to attend competitions.
Mr. McDaniel congratulated Hampton Elementary School for earning the status of National Beta School of Distinction.
Mr. McDaniel congratulated Ola Middle School Softball team for winning the regional Championship, and to Union Grove Middle School for placing as runner up.
Mr. McDaniel congratulated the following Cheerleading Competition placements:
Ola Middle School
Union Grove Middle School
Eagles’ Landing Middle School
Mr. McDaniel recognized Austin Mosby Weems from Dutchtown High School on his basketball commitment to Georgia College and State University.
Mr. McDaniel announced upcoming cluster meetings:
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