Fayetteville: Citizens Police Academy

In an effort to increase the community involvement with the Fayetteville Police Department and offer insight into the services we provide we will be hosting the third annual Citizens Police Academy at the Fayetteville Police Department.

The purpose of the Citizens Police Academy is to foster better communication between citizens and police through education. The Academy will create a nucleus of well-informed citizens who possess greater insight into police practices and services. Graduates of the Academy can share their knowledge and experiences with the community as the opportunity arises. Everyone benefits from enhancing citizen understanding of the role and function of their police department.

The Citizens Police Academy will consist of 2-hour classes held each week on Tuesday nights from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, for a duration of twelve weeks. This instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the Police Department each week. Certified police officers, supervisors, and civilian instructors with particular expertise will conduct classes on each topic. Additional activities such as “ride-alongs” with officers and firearms training will be included in the Academy. The first class will be held March 17th, 2008 and will run each week until graduation on June 2nd, 2009. All classes are free.

Anyone interested in attending the Academy can pick up an application at the Fayetteville Police Department located at 760 Jimmie Mayfield Blvd, during normal business hours. The class is limited to the first 25 qualified applicants. The deadline for turning in applications is February 13, 2008 at 5pm.
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Fayette County Teacher’s Dog Attends Inauguration

Sixth grade social studies teacher Cindy Smith poses with Ike’s photo in front of the Washington Monument after the presidential inauguration.

Ike the dog has traveled with Fayette students and teachers to many exciting places over the years. He has toured Japan, sat on the beaches in Hawaii, flown on a charted flight with the New Orleans Saints football team and most recently made history attending the presidential inauguration.

Although Ike has not personally traveled to these places, his picture has. It is all part of a project created by J.C. Booth Middle social studies teacher Denise Anderson to encourage students to experience and explore geography first-hand. It started three years ago when her students asked if they could do something for extra credit.

“I had heard of elementary schools doing the Flat Stanley project so I decided to let students take Ike on a trip and then write about it,” says Anderson.

Students must get their picture made with Ike and submit a 3X5 index card with information about their trip. They are allowed to take Ike on a trip once every nine weeks throughout the school year.

Recently, Ike’s picture traveled to Washington, D.C. with Cindy Smith, a sixth grade social studies teacher at Booth, for the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States. He and Smith stood at the Washington Monument to watch the swearing in ceremony.

“When I learned that she would be attending the inauguration, I asked if she would take Ike. I knew that this was going to be a day that would be recorded in history,” Anderson says.

Not only did Ike witness history in the making, but he also participated at a military in-service day at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Smith, her husband, who is retired from the military, and their two daughters signed up to volunteer at “A Day of Service for Our Military.” Volunteers worked in one-hour shifts assembling care packages consisting of lip balm, snack foods and personal hygiene items.

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Fayette Recitation Winners Advance to District Festival

Reading and memorizing a poem is one thing, but making it come alive in front of an audience is a real feat and that is exactly what Fayette’s elementary students did at the county’s annual Recitation Festival.

After months of memorization and practicing pronunciation, enunciation and diction, not to mention the countless hours spent rehearsing voice inflexions and facial expressions, students dazzled audience members at the 2009 festival. They were vying for the opportunity to represent the county at the district festival taking place in Griffin February 3-4.

Students qualified for the county competition by placing first in their individual school recitation competitions. The first place winners from grades kindergarten through fifth advanced to the district level.

This year’s competitors advancing to the district competition are Elizabeth Wilson, kindergarten, Huddleston; Drew Bogumill, first, Peeples; Caryanne Wilson, second, Huddleston; Ethan Scheper, third, Oak Grove; Tahir Murray, fourth, Fayetteville Intermediate and Abby Scheper, fifth, Oak Grove.

“I want to extend my congratulations to all students who participated in our recitation festivals from the classroom to the system level. It takes great courage and discipline to memorize a poem and recite it in front of an audience. I am so proud of each and every one of our students. There were truly some amazing recitations,” says Debbie Wheat, coordinator of K-5 language arts and K-12 reading.

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Counselors Host Career Fair During National School Counseling Week

Nearly 2,000 eighth graders from the county’s five public middle schools will participate in the largest career fair held within the Fayette County School System.

Middle school counselors have organized the fifth annual 8th Grade Career Fair, slated for February 5-6 at Heritage Christian Church, in honor of National School Counseling week February 2-6. This special week honors school counselors for the important role they play in helping students examine their talents, strengths, abilities and interests.

The fair will feature more than 70 different and diverse career areas ranging from photography, food service and truck driving to environmental engineering, health science and occupational therapy. By combining their efforts into one centralized fair, the eighth grade counselors are able to expose students to a larger variety of career fields than they would by organizing individual fairs at their schools. Each school was responsible for inviting members from the community to take part.

This year’s National School Counseling Week theme is School Counselors: Making a Difference.

Fayette’s 67 school counselors make a positive difference in the lives of students everyday by providing a number of important services including character education, academic advisement and programs designed to develop personal and social skills. Their affect on the county’s educational program is evidenced by the high academic achievements, awards and honors earned by students throughout the school system.

School counselors are certified professional educators who work in conjunction with teachers and administrators to help reduce the barriers to learning and provide the support necessary for all students to achieve at their highest level. Fayette’s counselors provide the essential academic, career and personal/social skills to equip students with the knowledge and ability to excel in college and careers, and as parents and citizens.

“We are pleased and thankful for the efforts that our counselors make everyday. They are a vital support to our educational program here in Fayette,” says Barbara Serapion, director of pupil personnel services.

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The 1st Ever Summer Camp Expo Coming to Fayette County

South Metro Atlanta parents will find it much easier and faster to choose a summer camp for their child in 2009 with the LocalKidFun.com Summer Camp Expo on March 7, 2009 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Fayette Family YMCA on Huiet Road in Fayetteville. The camp expo will provide busy parents with a one-stop resource for information regarding availability, daily activities, cost, and more of many summer camps, all conveniently assembled under one roof.

"Many parents spend hours and hours calling around to area camps to find one that fits the needs of their child or children. Whether parents are looking for day camps, overnight camps, or camps with a special theme, parents will be able to talk directly with camp providers, compare camps, and register their child for the summer fun that fits the needs of their child" states LocalKidFun owner, Candace Robichaux. Parents are encouraged to bring the entire family to this free event where kids will enjoy playing in the LocalKidFun Zone, including inflatables from Shenanigans Toys, Inc.

Parents not able to attend the event can go to http://www.LocalKidFun.com to find a comprehensive list of summer camp options in your local area. A portion of the exhibitors' fees will be donated to Fayette Family YMCA's Partner with Youth Program, which benefits neighborhood children and families with scholarships to nurturing programs, like YMCA's summer day camp.

Camp providers interested in exhibiting at the Expo may go to http://www.localkidfun.com/CampExpo.php for exhibitor information or email sales@localkidfun.com .

LocalKidFun.com has been serving Fayette, Coweta and Henry counties since 2007, and provides on-line information to enhance the lives of families located in the southern counties of Atlanta. States owner, Candace Robichaux, "LocalKidFun.com unites local businesses with families by providing easy access to ideas, activities, sports, classes, and camps."
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Fun at the Fred begins with All-Star Lineup for 2009 Summer Concerts

Series Renewals begin January 26

The Fred will be rockin’ this summer with the songs you know and love showcasing beach music, country, pop, rock and more. The Fred, a 2500 seat outdoor amphitheater in Peachtree City will host a six concert series that will span May – August featuring a variety of music that will span the decades .

The six concert series schedule includes the following all-star lineup:
May 1 & 2 Kenny Loggins From Loggins & Messina classics like “Danny’s Song” to signature solo tracks including “Celebrate Me Home” and the Grammy-winning “This Is It”, Kenny Loggins expansive body of work speaks volumes with its warmth and directness.

June 5, 6 Leann Rimes Always mature beyond her age, she earned two Grammy Awards for “Blue”, her 1996 major label debut. Certified multi-platinum, the album has sold 8 million copies and the title track remains one of her signature songs. She followed that impressive bow with a series of best-selling albums and hit singles, (23 total for a combined sales of 15 million units) like the chart-topping “How Do I Live,” the longest running single on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.”

June 26 & 27 The Beach Boys featuring Mike Love and Bruce Johnston The Beach Boys first rode the waves of success in 1961 with their regional debut hit “Surfin.” By 1996 they had emerged as one of America’s top pop groups by releasing eleven top-10 singles in five year. They were made popular with hits like “Fun, Fun, fun,” “I Get Around,” Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls” and “Good Vibrations.”

July 17 & 18 The Spinners The Spinners have always made music that is at once timeless and also utterly in tune with the times. They possess a classic group sound and approach which never loses its universal appeal. In the past years they have acquired twelve gold records with their hits climbing to the top of both the pop and R&B charts. A partial list of their songs is “Then Came You”, “Rubberband Man”, “Games People Play” and “I’ll Be Around”.

August 14, 15 Hippiefest featuring Flo and Eddie of the Turtles, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, Brewer and Shipley, Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals and Joey Molland of Badfinger. This three-hour show is jam-packed with talent that will appeal to a wide audience including those who experienced the era as well as those who came later only got to experience the intrigue.

August 21 & 22 Peter Cetera As the lead singer and bassist of Chicago, Cetera wrote some of the biggest hits of the rock and pop music era including “If You Leave Me Now,” “Baby What a Big Surprise,” “You’re the Inspiration,” “Stay the Night,” “Feeling Stronger Every Day,” and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry”.

The price for a series ticket, (all six concerts) is $240 per person for reserved seating and $300 for Gold Seating. A limited number of Picnic Tables are available for $1800 for the series and Gold Tables are $3,000. Existing series ticket holders will be able to renew their tickets from January 26-February 20. New series tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, March 7 at the Fred Box Office from 9 a.m – 12 pm. Individual tickets will be available for purchase beginning March 14. For information about how to order tickets call 770-631-0630. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card.

Four additional spotlight concerts will be announced by the end of January, which will target various demographic audiences and genres of music. These spotlight concerts will be one night performances only and will be scheduled throughout the season. Additionally, The Fred will host a number of community events throughout the summer including “Flicks at the Fred”, “50’s Family Sock Hop” and “Open Mic” nights. A full schedule of events is expected to be released by the first week of February.

The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater is owned by the City of Peachtree City and operates under the Department of Leisure Services. For further information about the 2009 Summer Concert Series, call 770-631-0630 or visit www.amphitheater.org.

Fayette County Student Attends Inaugural Festivities and Ball

A McIntosh High student will get the history lesson of a lifetime next week as she attends Inauguration Day events and an Inaugural Ball in celebration of the 44th President of the United States.

Morgan Wright, a junior, will spend five days in Washington, DC as a participant in the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference where she will gain a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the rich traditions surrounding the presidential inauguration.

Participants at the conference will have the opportunity to interact with presidential candidates, White House officials, congressional staff members, political experts and other VIP’s such as former Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell and former Vice President Al Gore.

After witnessing the inauguration, Wright will view the inaugural parade and later that evening she will attend an exclusive Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball.

In addition to participating in inaugural events and festivities, Wright will also have the opportunity to explore numerous historical sites and monuments and participate in roundtable discussions, debates and other activities that will help expand her knowledge of democratic principals and the presidential election process.

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Community Awareness Seminar January 29 to Focus on Teen Issues

The second Community Awareness Seminar to be held this school year will provide information on underage drinking and driving and the consequences of a felony charge and its affect on teenagers.

The free seminar is slated for Sam’s Auditorium on January 29 at 7 p.m. Both parents and students are encouraged to attend. No preregistration is required.

The presentation is a collaborative effort of the Fayette County School System, District Attorney Scott Ballard, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, City of Fayetteville Police Department, Peachtree City Police Department and Tyrone Police Department.

Discussion topics for this session will be lead by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department (Underage Drinking and Driving) and District Attorney Scott Ballard (Consequences of a Felony Charge and Its Affect on Teenagers).

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Great Line Up at The Fred...

Line Dancine Classes in Tyrone and Fayette County!

Fayette County has a lot to offer for anyone interested in line dancing, whether you’ve never tried it before or if you’re a seasonal expert. Classes are offered at the Tyrone Recreation Center and the Fayette County Kiwanis Center covering levels from beginner to intermediate.

See below for classes that best meet your needs.

To register contact these recreation centers:
Fayette Classes – 770-716-4320 ALL CLASSES ARE 4 WEEKS
Tyrone Classes – 770-487-4694 ALL CLASSES ARE 4 WEEKS

Mondays - Fayette County Kiwanis Center - Beginner Classes at 6:30; Intermediate Classes at 7:30 p.m. Next Session begins February 2nd. $25.00 per person

Tuesdays - Tyrone Recreation Center - Day Classes - Beginners Only. Line Dance at Lunch - from 11:30 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. beginning February 3rd. $25.00 per personTyrone Recreation Center - Evening Classes - Beginner Classes at this time. Classes are from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. beginning February 3rd. $25.00 per person. Intermediate classes may be scheduled on a different night based on demand. Contact Cynthia Baldwin at 770-487-3730 or cell 404-317-4779 if you are interested in an Intermediate Class in Tyrone.

Thursdays - Fayette County Kiwanis Center -Day Classes - Beginners only. Line Dance at Lunch - from 11:30 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. beginning February 5th. $25.00 per person

Fridays - Fayette County Kiwanis Center - Open Dance Party. Next scheduled party is the third Friday on February 20th at 8:00 p.m. $5.00 door fee. This party for class members and non-class members.Tyrone Depot - Dance Classes to be held from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. $5.00 fee paid to me.. Open Dance is scheduled from 7:45 - 11:00 p.m. $10 fee paid to Tyrone Depot for party. Classes & dance parties will be held on Friday, February 27th; Friday, March 27th, and Friday, April 17th. Monthly classes & parties will continue throughout the year based on participation.

All locations (except Tyrone Depot) require pre-registration through the recreation centers. Please rsvp to Cynthia Baldwin for the Tyrone Depot classes at 770-487-3730 or cell 404-317-4779 so they will know whether to hold classes.
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Peachtree City Church to Swing to Peachtree Jazz Edition January 31

First Presbyterian Church of Peachtree City will be hosting the Peachtree Jazz Edition in concert on Saturday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This is the fourth concert as part of the church’s 2008-2009 Concert Series season.

Peachtree Jazz Edition is heralded as one of the best jazz bands in Atlanta. This group features an 18-piece band comprised of talented musicians from the greater-Atlanta area. They will have you moving to the rhythm of the hits from the Big Band era of the ‘30s and ‘40s, and popular jazz tunes. This jazz ensemble will perform original arrangements from artists such as Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, and Natalie Cole, as well as original tunes written by band trombonist and Fayetteville resident Bill Greenhaw.

This concert is free to the community. A love offering will be taken with part of the proceeds going to support the church’s missions program. Childcare will be available for children ages 4 and younger.

First Presbyterian Church is located in Peachtree City at 206 Willowbend Rd. across from the library and city hall. For more information, please call (770) 487-7757 or email concerts@firstpresptc.com.

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Workshop for College Bound Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities in grades 9-12, and their parents and educators, are invited to attend a workshop, Transition to Post-Secondary Options, on February 10 at Sandy Creek High from 7-9 p.m.

The workshop, designed to help students make the transition from high school to college, provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about the Georgia college/university application process for students with disabilities. During the workshop, participants will review the application process, discuss criteria and support for accommodations, receive resources on post-secondary options and address concerns and issues.

The Regents Center for Learning Disorders and the Metro South Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) are sponsors of the workshop. For more information, call Fayette County counselor Amor Kok, 770-900-1110.

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30-Year Anniversary Celebrations Set for J.C. Booth Middle

A 30-year history rich in achievements and traditions will be highlighted February 9-13 as J.C. Booth Middle celebrates its milestone anniversary of serving the Peachtree City community.

Alumnae, former teachers and staff members and anyone in the community with ties to the school are invited to participate in two events rounding out the week’s celebrations. A school-wide assembly will be held February 13 beginning at 9 a.m. and will feature a video with past memories and present accomplishments and the creation of a time capsule for future generations. A reception will follow for guests. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to celebrate Booth’s anniversary.

A dinner and dance in recognition of Booth’s 30 years of service to the community will follow that evening beginning at 5 p.m. at Flat Creek Country Club. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by contacting Nancy Graham at graham.nancy@fcboe.org or calling the school, 770-631-3240.

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Rising Starr Student Places In Voice of Democracy Competition

A Rising Starr Middle student’s essay and recorded speech outlining how the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans benefits youth today took third place honors in the 2009 Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Peachtree City, Post 9949.

Sarah Graham received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond for her winning essay and was recognized during the VFW’s annual Christmas Party on December 12 at the Gathering Place in Peachtree City.

Also recognized at the party were two home schooled students who were the first and second place winners. Benjamin Horton took first place and received a $200 U.S. Savings Bond and Christopher Horton placed second and earned a $150 U.S. Savings Bond.

The contest gives students in grades 9-12 attending public, private, parochial or home school an opportunity to express their thoughts on a patriotic theme, allowing them the opportunity to improve both writing and speaking skills while competing for awards. This year’s theme was “Service and Sacrifice by America’s Veterans Benefits Today’s Youth by...”

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Fayette County Students Make the Cut as Governor's Honors Candidates

A total of 66 students from Fayette’s five high schools have been named candidates for the 2009 Governors Honors Program.

The selection process is lengthy and begins in the fall when teachers from each high school nominate students for outstanding performance in particular areas of study. The nominated students advance to county-level interviews where the candidates for state consideration are selected. Fayette’s candidates represent the following subject areas: biology, communicative arts, dance, design, French, German, mathematics, music, physics, social studies, Spanish, theatre and visual arts.

The next step for the candidates will be interviews with state officials to determine who will participate in the six-week summer study program in Valdosta. Thousands of students from throughout Georgia will compete for the coveted spots. Results from the state-level interviews will be released in March or early April.

The Governors Honors Program provides intellectually gifted and artistically talented high school students challenging and enriching educational opportunities not usually available during the regular school year. Activities are designed to provide each participant with opportunities to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to become independent, life-long learners.

A reception is being held in honor of the 66 candidates on January 20 in the McIntosh High cafeteria beginning at 7 p.m. with the presentation of the students following at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

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Fayette County School Employees to Give Input at After Hours Event January 15

Employees are the Fayette County School System’s most valuable and important resource. In order to serve students in the best possible way, the system works hard to attract the most highly qualified, innovative and dedicated teachers and staff.

Retaining these talented employees is a top priority for the school system’s human resources department. That’s why “HR After Hours, New Hires: Give ‘Em Something to Talk About” was implemented last spring to help foster two-way communication between employees and the school system. It was so successful that a second session has been scheduled for January 15 at the Fayette County Public Library.

The program provides an open forum for employees to learn more about specific aspects of the human resources department as well as share their perspectives and needs.

Information will be gathered about participants’ job experience views including what they like about their job, why they are looking forward to next year, things they wish their supervisor would do, what they need to be a better employee, one thing they would like to change about their work life and areas where they need help. The human resources department will use this information to make adjustments to its programs and services to better meet the needs of all employees.

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Father / Daughter Valentine Dance Feb. 6th

Girls don your party dress and grab your dad, then come and join us for the most fun you’ve ever had. The annual Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance for girls age 6 to 12 will be held one night only, Friday, February 6 in Peachtree City.

The evening will be filled with music, dancing, food, photos, souvenirs, and much more. This event will be held from 7-9pm at The Bridge Community Center, 225 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269. This facility is located directly across from First Baptist Church of PTC). The price is $30 per couple and $15 for each additional daughter. You can register at the Recreation Administration Building, Kedron Fieldhouse, The Gathering Place or online at www.ptcrecreation.org.

For more information, contact Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department’s special events hotline at 678-364-6633. This event fills up fast and space is limited so REGISTER NOW!!!
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