The Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department is currently accepting registration for the following programs (see below). Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Please register ASAP at least two business days before the first class. For more information about any program, call 770-716-4320 or visit online at www.fayettecountyga.gov.
IN THIS UPDATE:
§ Pottery (Ages 4 – adult)
§ Poet’s Corner *NEW PROGRAM! (Not in Winter Brochure)
§ “Mojo’s Bananas about Books” (stuffed animal workshop)
§ Acting Craze
§ Nature Hike with Mike
§ “Talking Friends Party - CAT” - A Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop
§ Watercolor & Oil Painting
§ Dog & Rally Obedience
The Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department office (980 Redwine Rd., Fayetteville) will be closed January 1 – 2 and will reopen on Monday, January 5 at 8:00 a.m.
YOUTH/TEEN PRograms
Pottery for children/Youth
Learn pottery, hand-building and wheel-turning skills for beginners through advanced students. Clay gives both the artist and engineer a medium for expression. You will make functional and/or decorative objects, such as cups, bowls, tiles, vases and birdfeeders. For additional information including additional classes, parties & parent/child workshops, contact us at the number below.
Youth Pottery
Day: Mondays
Date: Session I: January 5 – February 9
Session II: February 23 – March 30
Session III: April 13 – May 18
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fee: $75 + $20 supply fee payable to instructor at first class
Age: 10 - 14 years old
Location: Kiwanis Center Pottery Studio
Children’s Pottery
Day: Tuesdays
Date: Session I: January 6 – February 10
Session II: February 24 – March 31
Session III: April 16 – May 21
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fee: $75 + $20 supply fee payable to instructor at first class
Age: 4 – 9 years old
Location: Kiwanis Center Pottery Studio
“Mojo’s Bananas about bookS” – A Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop
Children will have the opportunity to stuff “Mojo” the monkey, decorate a t-shirt, and promise to read (10) books within 4 weeks. Each child will receive a book log. On the 5th week, participants will return for a ceremony to review their book log, make mini banana splits, and receive their certificate of achievement.
Day: Saturdays
Date: January 10 and February 7 (2 day class)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Fee: $27 per child
Age: 3 – 12 years old (ages 3-5 must be accompanied by parent)
Location: Activities House
Acting craze
Join the fun as we build theater skills such as projection and pronunciation in this exciting class. Students in the first session will develop
characters for a “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" presentation. In the second session, participants will create a “Talent Show Production.” A final performance for family and friends will be held immediately after the last class of each session.
Day: Fridays
Date: Session I: January 16—March 6
Session II: March 20—May 15
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fee: $56 per person
Age: 8 - 15 years old
Location: Kiwanis Center
*NO CLASS: February 20, April 3 or April 10.
Nature hike with mike
Join Mike Swanson, FCPRD Program Coordinator and amateur naturalist, as we explore the sights and sounds of nature. Children will increase their nature knowledge while creating an awareness and appreciation of the world around them. Destinations will include various parks and nature destinations in Fayette and surrounding counties.
Day: Saturdays
Date: Session I January 24
Session II February 28
Session III March 21
Session IV April 25
Time: 9:00 – 12:00 p.m. (actual times may vary)
Age: 6 – 12 years old (Parents may join the trip at the same cost.)
Fee: $8 per person (A $10 transportation fee will be added if the destination is outside of Fayette County.)
Location: TBA (A different destination for each session.)
“Talking friends party” - A Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop
Each child will receive an “un-stuffed” collectible cuddly friend, hand stuff it, “wish upon” and insert a rainbow star & zip it closed. Then you will name your friend, create a customized birth certificate and personalize your new friend by dressing it an adorable t-shirt. Finally, you will color & decorate your new cuddly friend’s “Take Home Bag.”
Day: Saturdays
Date: Session I January 24 (Cat with meowing sound chip inside the animal)
Session II March 14 (Dog with barking sound chip inside the animal)
Session III April 18 (Monkey with monkey sound chip inside the animal)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Fee: $25 per child
Age: 3 – 12 years old (ages 3-5 must be accompanied by parent)
Location: Activities House
cultural PRograms
Pottery Classes
Learn pottery, hand-building and wheel-turning skills for beginners through advanced students. Clay gives both the artist and engineer a medium for expression. You will make functional and/or decorative objects, such as cups, bowls, tiles, vases and birdfeeders. For additional information including additional classes, parties & parent/child workshops, contact us at the number below.
Monday PM
Day: Mondays
Date: Session I: January 5 – February 9
Session II: February 23 – March 30
Session III: April 13 – May 18
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $140 pre-registration + $40 supply fee payable to instructor at first class
Age: 15 – Adult
Location: Kiwanis Center Pottery Studio
Tuesday PM
Day: Tuesdays
Date: Session I: January 6 – February 10
Session II: February 24 – March 31
Session III: April 16 – May 21
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $140 pre-registration + $40 supply fee payable to instructor at first class
Age: 15 – Adult
Location: Kiwanis Center Pottery Studio
POET’S CORNER **NEW**
Whether you write you own poetry or simply enjoy reading and listening to poetry, you are encouraged to join this program. Beginning to advanced poetry writers and enthusiasts can bring either their lyrical artworks or the works of favorite poets. We will read these aloud and have positive discussion - no critiquing please! Descriptive, thematic & therapeutic writing exercises will be available to those wishing to practice and improve poetry skills outside of class. Bring a willingness to share and encourage others. Additional sessions will be added in February and March if there is sufficient interest.
Day: Thursdays
Date: Session I: January 8 – 29
Session II: April 2 – 23*
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $45 per person
Age: 20 years old & older
Location: Activities House
*April is National Poetry Month!
special PRograms
DOG OBEDIENCE
Teach your dog to be a canine citizen through obedience training. This class is based upon the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) course. Your dog will learn to walk on a leash, come when called, sit politely for petting, and much more. Most of all, they will learn good manners. Please do not bring your dog to the first class.
Day: Wednesdays
Session I: January 21 - March 25
Session II: April 1 - June 10*
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $85 per dog
Age: 10 - Adult
Duration: 10 weeks
*No class April 8!
RALLY OBEDIENCE
Rally is a sport in which dog and handler complete a course designed to demonstrate obedience training. Improve communication with your dog while developing a sense of teamwork. Rally can be used as a dynamic, enjoyable way to practice obedience commands, or as a link to obedience and agility competition. Pre-requisite: the dog should have successfully completed basic dog obedience and/or Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training. Please bring your dog to every class.
Day: Wednesdays
Session I: January 21 - March 11
Session II: April 1 - May 27*
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Fee: $80 per dog
Age: 10 - Adult
Duration: 8 weeks
*No class April 8!
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Fayette County Parks & Recreation Class and Program Update
Friday, December 19, 2008
Fayette County's Open Campus Confers First Diplomas
The Fayette County School System’s Open Campus High School program conferred diplomas to its first graduates Thursday evening at F.A. Sams Auditorium.
A total of 19 students representing four of Fayette’s five high schools donned their caps and gowns from their home schools and walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The Open Campus program was formed this year following the closing of the Fayette County Evening High School and the Voluntary Alternative Program. Qualifying students from all five of the county’s high schools can attend. Students remain enrolled at their perspective schools while completing their courses either online or through individualized instruction.
As a future tradition, commencement exercises for the Open Campus will be held the evening of the final day of classes prior to the December break. Students from the five high schools who are scheduled to graduate in December but were not enrolled full time in Open Campus can also participate in the graduation ceremony.
“We hope more students will be encouraged to complete their coursework each fall semester and participate in the mid-year graduation ceremony,” says Kaye Eubanks, Open Campus counselor.
Students who are 16 years old, living in Fayette and have successfully completed one semester in a Fayette County high school are eligible to attend Open Campus; however, they must be recommended by their high school counselor to obtain acceptance. Students can also attend the program to make up credits with the approval of their principal or counselor.
The following students participated in the first Open Campus commencement exercises:
(Fayette County High) Brenton Lee Briggs, II; Jerrah Ann Broxton; Ayla Hannah Buckner; Jeremiah Clint Cordeiro; Jocelynn Najite’ Jenkins; Tanja Natascha Niebergall; William Alfred Rogers, III; Trenton Andreas Siler; Ashley Thiravong and Steve Randall Thompson, Jr.
(McIntosh High) Andrew Bradley Dance and Kylen Jimmy Amadeus Kemp.
(Sandy Creek High) Michael Scott Bearden; Kayla Nicole Moreland; Zachary James Newsome; Chardon Franklin Rolle and Jared Raymond Ruohonen.
(Whitewater High) Dorian Lee Ivie and Nicholas Ryan Rasmussen.
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
Fayetteville Honors General William J. Livesey
Of the 38 general and flag officers produced by North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) over its 135 year history, General Livsey is the only four star general. General Livsey is a 1952 graduate of NGCSU.
Livsey is a native of Clarkston, Georgia. He is a 1952 graduate of North Georgia College & State University. Years later he served as a trustee for the university foundation. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army. He has a Masters degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. His military schooling includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College where he graduated first in his class, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
In May, 1984, and until his retirement on June 30, 1987, Livsey served as Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command/Commander-in-Chief Combined Forces Command/ Commander, United States Forces, Korea/Commanding General Eighth United States Army. Upon retirement, General Livsey and his wife Bena Sue became permanent residents of Fayetteville.
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Find it in Fayette! this Shopping Season
FL Note: Fayette County has a number of great stores to select from while shopping for Christmas. The added bonus is you can home in time for the school bus!
With the wide assortment of goods and services available in Fayette County, shoppers don’t have to travel far for their holiday shopping. The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and local municipalities are encouraging consumers to “buy local” to support Fayette businesses and help keep our local economy strong. The Chamber recently launched a new website, www.FinditinFayette.ORG, to highlight Fayette businesses and be the go-to place to find holiday events, bargains, and shopping destinations in Fayette County.
Buying local helps us all in the long run. Local businesses produce income, jobs and tax receipts and are likely to support services and non-profits in their own community. Spending our consumer dollars here is even good for the environment because it cuts down on fuel consumption by reducing the need for shoppers to travel long distances and ship goods from far away.
The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing tools and resources to help businesses grow and prosper. The www.FinditinFayette.ORG website is another effort to connect the community with local businesses for their mutual benefit and help sustain the excellent quality of life we enjoy here in Fayette.
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Friday, December 12, 2008
About 2,260 Eligible to Receive Degrees at UGA Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 19
FL Note: Special kudos to Katie Barter of Peachtree City for her stellar 4.0 at UGA!
About 2,260 University of Georgia students will be eligible to receive degrees at UGA's fall semester commencement ceremonies Dec. 19 in Stegeman Coliseum.
Some 1,650 seniors will be eligible to participate in the ceremony for undergraduates at 9:30 a.m. Donald Eastman, president of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., will be the speaker. Before going to Eckerd in 2001, Eastman was at UGA for 10 years where he served as vice president for development and university relations and vice president for strategic planning and public affairs.
An estimated 614 candidates for master's, doctoral and specialist in education degrees are eligible to participate in the graduate ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Harriet Mayor Fulbright, president of the J. William and Harriet Fulbright Center in Arlington, Va., will speak. The widow of the late U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, Harriet Fulbright is an educator and arts advocate who lectures worldwide on the importance of international education and collaboration.
The student speaker for the undergraduate ceremony will be Abi Oyegun of Lithonia, who will graduate with degrees in psychology and sociology. Oyegun volunteers with Students Helping Teachers, teaches in UGA's McPhaul Child Development Center and works with an organization called Invisible Children that helps raise awareness of underprivileged children around the world.
Also during the undergraduate ceremony, nine students will be recognized as First Honor Graduates for having maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average. They are Katie L. Barter, Peachtree City; Caitlin A. Burns, Duluth; Shannon Chen, Athens; Sarah M. Craig, Lawrenceville; Christina L. Dobbs, Calhoun; Sion Kim, Hartwell; Caryn D. Rosing, Atlanta; Channell V. Singh, Hinesville; and Lauren E. Williams, Athens.
Because Dec. 19 is a Friday, a normal workday, some of the usual parking patterns on South Campus near the coliseum will be adjusted. The South Parking Deck (zone S-11) and Carlton Street Deck (zone S-15) will be open at no charge for visitors and guests attending commencement. The Hoke Smith lot (S-12) will be reserved for handicapped guests with proper handicapped placards. The McPhaul Center lot (S-10) will be reserved for members of the commencement platform party.
Both the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on UGA's cable television station, channel 15 on the Charter cable system, and will be streamed in a webcast accessible via a link on UGA's Web site home page, www.uga.edu .
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Sandy Creek AFJROTC Cans Hunger in Fayette
Sandy Creek High Cadets (L-R) Dustin Gonzalez, Phillip Hays and Erica Gonzalez sort cans and prepare boxes for delivery. Cadets involved in the 2008 food drive made school announcements, distributed posters and collected donations for delivery to the Real Life Center. Other cadets involved but not in the picture include Liberia Flahn (project coordinator), Benjamin Pickard, Sarah Olson, Julia Anderson, Branden Bagley, Michael McColister, Chisom Onwumere, Codi Humphries, Linda Lehmann and Jerrrod Thomas.
Helping to can hunger in Fayette is the goal of the annual food drive sponsored by the Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) program at Sandy Creek High.
This year the cadets collected 4,000 food items from students at the school. The donations were delivered to the Real Life Center in Tyrone, an organization that helps families in the county who are going though a life transition and need temporary support such as counseling, clothing or food.
The AFJROTC has sponsored the food drive since 2002 and has donated over 45,000 food items to local organizations and food pantries. The cadets volunteer their time to organize the school-wide project that involves the entire student body.
Community service is an important part of the AFJROTC program. The cadets have provided over 1,100 hours of community service so far this year including supporting the Veterans Day parade in Atlanta, providing three color guard performances for Veterans Day, visiting veterans at two assisted living facilities and providing support for Fayette County’s Special Olympics and Honor Flight Fayette.
“I am very proud of the efforts from all of these outstanding young cadets. I often receive praise for their support to the community and they represent our program and the school in such a positive way,” says Colonel Douglas Pearson, AFJROTC senior aerospace science instructor.
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
Florida Resident Donates Flower Pens to Help Fayette’s Troops
Margaret Sullivan and her daughter Inda Tinney show off a basket of flower pens that Mrs. Sullivan made and donated to the transportation department’s annual fundraiser for the troops.
Six years ago after 9/11 the bus drivers and staff of the Fayette County School System’s Transportation Department started an annual cookout fundraiser for the county’s deployed military personnel. Word about the fundraiser has spread over the years, even to other states.
Fundraiser organizers just received a shipment of 100 flower pens from an elderly lady in Florida who donated them to be used as giveaways at the cookout in March 2009.
Margaret Sullivan, 93 of Pinetta, Florida, has a long history of community service. She was instrumental in bringing the first opera and theatrical play to her long-time community of Homestead, Florida, as well as securing free dental care for migrant children in the area. She served on various boards and service groups right up until her health begin to fail.
Now legally blind and living in an assisted care facility, she passes her time making flower pens for different groups, organizations and worthwhile causes.
“She has made pens for all of the ladies at our church and a sister church down the road, as well as for her two caregivers. She has become known as the Flower Pen Lady,” says her daughter Inda Tinney.
Cookout participants will have an opportunity to win one of the handmade pens at the event scheduled for March 11, 2009 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the school bus barn. Proceeds from the cookout are used to purchase gift cards for the county’s men and women serving in the U.S. military.
Anyone who would like to donate prizes or money to the fundraiser can contact the Fayette County School System’s Transportation Department, 770-460-3520.
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Berry College Model U.N. Excels at Regional Conference
FL Note: Congrats to the following Fayette County students for this achievement!
Taylor Smith, a junior international studies and English major, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith of Peachtree City, Ga.
Brin Enterkin, a freshman psychology major, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Enterkin of Fayetteville, Ga.
Lauren Wright, a sophomore communication major, is the daughter of William and Deborah Wright of Fayetteville, Ga.
Twenty-four students representing Berry College’s Model United Nations club combined to win three awards at the November session of the 2008 Southern Regional United Nations Conference in Atlanta. More than 630 students participated in this conference, representing 73 Model U.N. countries.
Under the supervision of Dr. Kirsten Taylor, associate professor of government and international studies, the Berry students represented Nigeria and Cuba on several Model U.N. committees. They won two Position Paper Awards for their pre-conference preparation; additionally, first-year student Brin Enterkin won an honorable mention for her individual work as a delegate for the Commission on Sustainable Development.
“I am very proud of both the work that the club members put into preparing for the SRMUN Conference and their efforts to negotiate at the conference,” Dr. Taylor said. “This is a really dedicated group of students, and it’s a pleasure for me to work with them.”
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Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Sandy Creek Financial Aid Night December 15
Seniors who will be graduating from Sandy Creek High and their parents can learn how to get funding for college during the school’s Financial Aid Night on December 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Calvin King of the Georgia Student Finance Commission will be on hand to discuss government funded financial aid programs that are available, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). He will also provide tips and strategies to get the most out of the federal aid opportunities available.
The program will be held in school’s media center.
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Friday, December 05, 2008
Our Lady of Victory Recognized at Junior Beta Club State Convention
National Junior Beta Club recognizes academic excellence and promotes the ideals of character, service and leadership among elementary school students. Through community service projects, students are encouraged to live the National Junior Beta Club motto “Let Us Lead by Serving Others.” Students are shown here photographed with Archbishop, Wilton D. Gregory.
Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, located in Tyrone, Georgia, was recognized for outstanding leadership and won four of the top awards at the annual Junior Beta Club State Convention in Macon, Georgia, on November 20th & 21st.
Morgan M., an 8th grade student, was recognized for her dedicated leadership as the Junior Beta Club State Secretary for the 2008-09 school year. She is the first student from Our Lady of Victory to serve as a state officer. In the Science competition, 8th grade student, Steven J., won first place. He competed in the Division II category, which includes 8th grade and 9th grade students. Tori K., an 8th grade student, placed 2nd in the Oratorical segment. She also competed in the Division II category. Cristina C., 6th grade, took 3rd place in the English - Division I competition. Duke K., 6th grade, received 5th place honors for his creative entry in the Wreath category.
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Thursday, December 04, 2008
McIntosh Students Open Hearts and Wallets to Help Disaster Victims
McIntosh students Morgan Ennis, Nathan Baca and Felicia Hoyt organized a two-day fundraiser to help replenish the American Red Cross’ depleted Disaster Relief Fund.
It only takes the efforts of a few to change the lives of many and three students at McIntosh High have worked hard to do just that.
Morgan Ennis, Nathan Baca and Felicia Hoyt were well aware that this was one of the most active hurricane seasons on record with hurricane Paloma forming as late as November 7 and causing major destruction on the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
The unusually high number of destructive hurricanes, five in all, resulted in the depletion of the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund, which provides help to people in disaster areas immediately after destruction. To replenish the fund, the organization established a $100 million campaign.
The students wasted no time in helping the American Red Cross by organizing a two-day fundraiser last month that netted $500.
“It’s amazing that these students were able to raise that much money in such a short period of time. Our students are very in tune with what is going on in the world and they are always very generous when it comes to helping others. I am very proud of them and what they accomplished,” says former principal Tracie Fleming.
A representative from the American Red Cross recently visited the Peachtree City school at which time the students formally made the monetary presentation.
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Transition Fair for Fayette and Coweta County Students with Disabilities January 13
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a time of anticipation, excitement, confusion and anxiety for students of all backgrounds and abilities. These emotions are often amplified for families of students with disabilities.
Special education students and their families sometimes face challenges in identifying resources in the community that can help them meet their needs and achieve their goals after graduation. That is why the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Department and Exceptional Ops are hosting a Transition Fair called Building Alliances at McIntosh High on January 13 from 7-9 p.m.
Admission to the fair is free and open to students with disabilities and their families from both Coweta and Fayette counties.
The purpose of the fair is to provide information about services that are available in the community. Coweta and Fayette organizations that provide services for students with disabilities, whether they are still in school or transitioning out, will be on hand to discuss the assistance they offer and how they can help meet the various needs of disabled students and adults. Support and advocacy groups, employment preparation, vocational rehabilitation, supported living agencies, tutoring and recreation are a few examples of the services that will be exhibited.
All attendees will receive a booklet listing service providers in the area. For more information about the fair, contact the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Department, 770-460-1309.
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Fayette County Art Students Create Memories for Orphaned Children
Advanced high school art students and teachers from throughout the Fayette County School System are creating lifelong keepsakes for orphaned children in Ecuador.
A total of 35 students and teachers are participating in the Memory Project, a nationwide initiative in which advanced art students create original portraits for children living in orphanages around the world.
Given that children who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused or neglected usually have few personal keepsakes, the purpose of the portraits is to provide them with a special memory of their youth, to honor their heritage and identity and help them build a positive self-image. The project also provides an opportunity for the high school students to open their hearts to children who have endured many hardships and to promote the value of sharing kindness with others.
Here’s how the project works. Art students receive pictures of children who are waiting for portraits and then work in their art classes to create the portraits. Once finished, the Memory Project organization delivers the portraits to the children and then the children are invited to create drawings or write letters to send back to the art students.
Although the program is for advanced high school art students, the county’s art teachers decided to participate in an effort to put a spotlight on the school system’s visual arts program.
“One of our art teachers heard about the project and sent me the information. This seemed like the perfect venue to promote visual art in Fayette County while simultaneously doing something good for underprivileged children around the world,” says Melissa Raymer, Fayette County’s visual art contact.
The portraits created by the students and teachers will go to children in orphanages in the cities of Quito and Cuenca, Ecuador. Before the artwork is sent, the portraits will be galleried in the media center of Fayette County High for one week starting December 2.
Both students and teachers say that participating in the project has deepened their appreciation for the people they have in their lives and has taught them that the best gift they can give is of their time and talent.
“Fayette County High School students and I felt the project was a rewarding experience in that we gave a little part of ourselves through our individual creativity to someone who we hope will cherish it, almost like a long-distance hug,” says Pamela Woodworth-Watkins, visual arts teacher at Fayette County High.
The Memory Project is a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. This is the fourth year of operation and already more than 10,000 portraits have been produced by high school students around the country.
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