Great First Two Weeks - 8/13/18

Great First Two Weeks

8/13/2018


Week 2 was a very good week in BCSD! A majority of my time was spent visiting schools and seeing school operations take place. My view is teachers are continuing to teach their expectations for routines and procedures, principals are doing the same, and parents and students are letting the thoughts of summer go and focusing on the new learning for this year. High school football is taking front stage as well. All indications are we are up and running for the new year.

 

One Macon met last week, and Chief of Staff Keith Simmons and I were able to attend. Middle Georgia State University hosted and shared the highlights of their strategic plan. For BCSD, we have followed up and are working to improve our dual enrollment implementation with them and other post-secondary institutions. 

 

Ben Bridges, Director of Fine Arts and Magnet Programs, was the Kiwanis guest speaker last week. He and Principals Kristy Graham and Jim Montgomery shared where we are in implementing our fine arts magnet programs. Ben did a great job, and Kristy and Jim were great ambassadors for BCSD. I am a member of Kiwanis and this was one of the best programs I have seen in three years. It was also one of the best attended meetings, at least double the normal number. We hope to present at Rotary as well.

Gary Black, the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, visited with us to learn more about the agriculture efforts in the Rutland zone, and the grant we applied for last year. Dr. Cassandra Washington, Executive Director of CTAE, and Lauren Goble with Georgia Farm Bureau did a great job of sharing what we are doing and our vision for moving forward! We should hear about the grant award sometime next month.

The Business Education Partnership (BEP) conducted its first meeting of the year and had its largest attendance in a very long time. More than 80 business partners and educators met in our board room. The focus for the year is to have middle and high school counselors and principals better understand what jobs are available in Middle Georgia. Additionally, the goal is to fill half the new jobs that come with Middle Georgia residents. I was extremely impressed with the counselors – Ingrid Woolfolk of Lane Elementary, Desia Selby of Weaver Middle, and Karen Evans-Daniel of Ballard-Hudson Middle – who shared their summer experience with local businesses. We are doing more than the business community thought, but we will be better because of this BEP focus.

 

You’ve heard of our efforts to raise funds to support Bibb students who will receive the REACH Georgia scholarship. For this year, our goal was $15,000 so our six new REACH scholars would have funded scholarships. It was shared with me last week that we exceeded our goal! We have collected more than $30,000, meaning we have enough for this year and next! I am beyond thrilled and thankful!

 

On a personal level, last week was a special week for me – Friday was my birthday. Many wished me a happy birthday and shared best wishes. Great tasting cakes, nice cards, emails and small gifts made the day special. My good fortune was to visit some schools, like Northwoods and Vineville, and have students sing happy birthday! Many thanks to all for making the day special!

 

Additionally, we received some exciting news from AdvancED! Georgia AdvancED presents a state-level award to one individual each year. The award is the Educator in Excellence Award, and we were notified that the Georgia AdvancED State Council has named me the 2018 recipient. I am very honored and humbled. Our good work is being recognized!

 

I’m excited with how this school year is starting off. Thank you all for your hard work and focus in making this a great year!

 

- COL DR

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