Calling All Bargain Hunters! 8th Annual Spring Yard Sale March 14th

Visit over 100 yard sales on two different weekends at the 8th Annual Spring Yard Sales. Due to popular request, the Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department will be holding two spring yard sales this year. The first sale will be held at McCurry Park (150 McDonough Rd., Fayetteville) on March 14. The second event will be held at the Kiwanis Park (980 Redwine Road, Fayetteville) on April 4. These community wide yard sales will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (rain or shine). The Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department holds community yard sales bi-annually (Spring and Fall). All vendors are local residents from Fayette and surrounding counties. Past sales have attracted bargain-hunters from Norcross to Macon, Locust Grove to Newnan, and everywhere in between. FREE admission and parking for all bargain hunters!

Expected items for sale include:
· Clothing (infant – adult), baby & early childhood items, and toys!
· Home interior décor, vintage collectibles, and photo prints!
· Sports equipment, tools, music, TV, videos, and electronics!
· Antiques, books, bags, baskets, furniture, and jewelry!
· Gourmet food products, kitchen tools, and household items!
· Plants, vegetables, lawnmowers, and garden items!
· Fayette County Humane Society booth with cat & dog items!
· Fayette County Special Olympics fundraiser!
· Food, drinks, and much more!

« The Kiwanis Park Yard Sale (April 4) is now FULL (all booths have been reserved). However, there is a limited number of booths available for the McCurry Park Yard Sale on March 14!

Call 770-716-4320 or visit www.fayettecountyga.gov (under Parks & Recreation Department) for more information and vendor registration form.

The Spring Yard Sales will feature a fundraising booth for the Fayette County Special Olympics. The goal of the Fayette County Special Olympics is to help bring persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens. When we achieve this goal through our sports program, we demonstrate that Special Olympics has a unique value: to show the world that every person counts and that every person can be something good when we work together.

Fayette County Special Olympics invests in people with intellectual disabilities, helping them to develop athletic skills, while also promoting the abilities of the athletes off the field. When our athletes succeed, attitudes change, the community develops, health and self-esteem are built, and the eyes of the world are focused on all that is good and hopeful and positive. Athletes gain skills for employment, learn independent living skills, form relationships and help others understand their extraordinary capabilities despite health issues they experience daily. Twenty-three different sports are offered on the state-level for athletes to experience; Fayette County actively participates in 18 of those sports - ranging from badminton, swimming, soccer and gymnastics. Our athletes range in age from 8 years old to 61 years old!

Only through volunteers are we able to fulfill our mission in serving our athletes and continue to grow. The volunteers are dedicated to providing the highest quality programs and services to the athletes and serve as certified coaches, event staff, unified sports partners and fundraisers. The continuing success of the organization depends on the ongoing support of the community.
You can help these athletes in the Fayette County Special Olympics in various ways; by volunteering, coaching, donating or sponsoring an athlete or event. For more information about the Spring Yard Sale or Fayette County Special Olympics, please call the Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department at 770-716-4320 or visit www.fayettecountyga.gov.
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Fayette County Math Students Sweep Top Awards

Math students in Fayette’s middle schools swept first place awards in all three divisions of the 2009 Griffin RESA Middle School Math Contest.

The first place winners are Bennett’s Mill (Division I: Smaller Schools), Flat Rock Middle (Division II: Medium Schools) and Rising Starr Middle (Division III: Larger Schools).

In addition to the first place finishes, Whitewater Middle placed third in Division II and Logan Austin of Bennett’s Mill placed second in the overall individual winners category.

The Griffin RESA Middle School Math Contest is a regional competition among middle schools in the Griffin RESA region, which consists of Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties. Over 22 middle schools participated in this year’s competition.

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A Fayette County First: High School Mock Trial Team Heads to State Finals

The mock trial team at Starr’s Mill High has made history by becoming the first team in Fayette County to compete at the state level.

The team competed in the high school Region 12 championship round against Ola High School in Henry County, securing a second place finish and the opportunity to participate in a wildcard draw for the state finals.

A random drawing was conducted from the 2nd place winners in the seven southern mock trial regions with Starr’s Mill receiving the Southern Wildcard and the privilege to advance to the state finals tournament March 14-15 at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville.

As the Southern Wildcard winner, the Starr’s Mill team will compete on equal footing with the 14 regional champion teams and the Northern Wildcard team. Starr’s Mill will have the same opportunity to advance to the semi-final and on to the final found of competition for the state championship as every other team at the tournament.

“We are very much looking forward to having the Starr’s Mill team join us at state this year and hope that the community will join us in congratulating them on this achievement and in wishing the Starr’s Mill team the very best as they prepare for the state competition,” says Stacy Rieke, Georgia mock trail coordinator of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia.

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Braille Readers Win Top Placements at Challenge

Four Fayette County students from the elementary and middle school level competed in the third annual Georgia Regional Braille Challenge with two of them earning top three finishes.

Fifth grader Justin Heard of Sara Harp Minter Elementary took first place in both the 5th and 6th grade division. As a first place winner, his score will be compared against other Braille readers from 12 regions throughout the country for the opportunity to advance to the national competition this summer in Pasadena, California.

Also placing in the competition was Katelin Sinkfield from Whitewater Middle. She finished third among middle school competitors. Other participants included Henry Hall, first grade, Sara Harp Minter and Blake Smith, third grade, also from Sara Harp Minter. All participants received a Braille book so they can continue to improve their Braille-reading skills.

The Braille Challenge is a competition for school-age children who read and write Braille. Braille readers from all over Georgia participated in the one-day event that was held at the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon on February 12. There are 12 sites throughout the country that host regional competitions. The 12 highest scorers from around the nation are invited to participate in the national competition.

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Fayette County Kindergarten Registration Day Set for March 26

Fayette County parents with children entering kindergarten for the 2009-2010 school year can register their students at their schools of attendance on March 26.

All county elementary schools will register students from 9-11a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Kindergarteners entering Fayette schools after March 26 will register at the Welcome Center located at the LaFayette Educational Center in Fayetteville.

Students must be five years old on or before September 1, 2009 to register for kindergarten. To verify a child’s school of attendance, contact the Welcome Center, 770-460-3990, ext. 450.

Parents must bring the following documentation to registration:

1. Proof of Residency

a. Homeowners: A current residential property tax statement (if there is not a tax bill, then the purchasing/closing information for the residence can be used). The record must include the name of the parent/guardian, a current electric or gas utility bill/initiation of utility service and a photo ID.

b. Renters: A current lease or rental agreement consisting of the written evidence that the agreement is valid. The record must include the name of the parent/guardian, a current gas or electric bill/initiation of utility service and a photo ID.

c. Non-Renters or Occupants of another person's home/residence: A designated Fayette County Schools Property Affidavit signed by the parent/guardian, as well as by the home's occupants and the property owner. The record must include the name of the parent/guardian, the student(s) being enrolled and a photo ID. The property owner must also provide the documents noted above. If help is required, please call the residency officer at 770-460-3990, ext.221.

2. Copy of Birth Certificate

Birth certificates with the biological parents noted can be obtained from the Georgia Department of Human Resources Vital Records at 404-679-4701. Birth certificates for children born in other states can be obtained by contacting the Vital Records Department within that state (hospital certificates are not acceptable).

3. Immunization Certificate

A current and completed Georgia Department of Human Resources Form 3231 is required by state law showing immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B and varicella. This form may be obtained by taking the current immunization record to the Fayette County Health Department or a Georgia physician.

4. Certificate of Ear, Eye and Dental Examination

A current (within one year of school entry) and complete Georgia Department of Human Resources form 3300 (ear, eye and dental exam) is required by state law. This form is available from the Fayette County Health Department or from a private physician.

5. Social Security Card

6. Student Emergency Contact Information

This includes emergency contact names as well as physicians and dentist names and telephone numbers.

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Poet's Corner Now Forming in Fayette County

The Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department is now forming a Poet’s Corner group. Beginning to advanced poetry writers and enthusiasts, ages 21 and older, can bring either their lyrical artworks or the works of favorite poets. We will read these aloud and have positive discussion! Whether you write your own poetry or simply enjoy reading and listening to poetry, you are encouraged to join this program. Advance registration is required. Call 770-716-4320 for more information.

Booth Middle School's Annual Spaghetti Dinner Set for February 27

The Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament is set for February 27 from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Booth Middle School in Peachtree City.

It is all you can eat for $7.00! Children under 5 are FREE! Tickets must be purchased in advance from Booth Middle School. Call 770-631-3240 for more information.

To-Go trays are also available. The dinner supports the Kiwanis Club of McIntosh Trail and the Acts of Random Kindness Club at BMS.

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Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Hosts Webinars

The Fayette Chamber has begun a series of webinars in an effort to help members navigate a variety of business challenges in 2009. The first two webinars, presented by Fisher & Phillips, LLP, were related to understanding the legal issues related to workforce reductions and helping employers keep up-to-date regarding rapidly changing workplace legislation. Upcoming seminars will address other issues of interest to employers such as marketing and finance.

The goal of the Chamber is to help strengthen businesses and the community. This new webinar series is just one of the tools provided by the Chamber to help member businesses weather the tough economy. For more information about how the Chamber helps businesses grow and prosper, call 770.461.9983.

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Braelinn 14U Intermediate Tennis Team Smashing Fall Season

The Braelinn - Holleman team recently won the 14 and under intermediate division of the USTA Southern Crescent Junior Team Tennis program. The team, based at Peachtree City's Braelinn Golf Club, competed against opponents from the Newnan Country Club, Woodcreek and Highgrove subdivisions during the Fall 2008 season. Pictured(l-r) are Cassidy Sparkman, Sofia Perez, Catherine Millea, Cassie Eldredge, Coach Randy Rye, Will Farr, Adam Brown and Will Holleman. Team members not pictured are Andrew Bourg, Abbie Farr, Chase Humber and Austin McKeand.

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Assembly Brings Back Great Memories for J C Booth Educators and Students

Sara Goza, the school’s first principal, opened the school in 1978 and remained principal until 1991. Booth has only had four principals in its 30-year history. Goza’s successor was Mel Hunt, 1991-1997, followed by Lyn Wenzel, 1997-2003. The school’s current principal is Ted Lombard.

Both former and current students, teachers, administrators and staff members of J.C. Booth Middle enjoyed an hour-long assembly on February 13 in honor of the school’s 30-year anniversary.

Among the notables in attendance were Fayette County School Superintendent John DeCotis, who taught physical education at the school 20 years ago, and retired administrator Harry Sweatman, who served as assistant principal from 1982-85. Booth’s first principal, Sara Goza, was unable to attend the celebration. Sweatman, the guest speaker, recognized her accomplishments and contributions to the school but not before setting the stage of 1978, the year the school opened.

“This was before schools had PCs [personal computers], there were no cell phones and a new pair of Nike tennis shoes cost $15,” Sweatman told the students who gasped in disbelief over the price of the shoes.

The Warrior cheerleaders entertained former students from the late 70s and 80s as they performed routines from the time period. The crowd of current and past students laughed as they watched and listened to the old cheers that were basic and simple compared to the routines performed today.

A big moment in the celebration was when the contents of a 1988 time capsule were revealed. Sandy Parrin, a former Booth teacher who is now a counselor at McIntosh High, had been in charge of filling the time capsule that was buried behind the library.

“I just told students to throw things in. When I learned that they were digging it up, I was really nervous because I couldn’t remember all of the contents,” she said.

The plastic box that had been used to house the items suffered some damage over the years, allowing water to seep in and destroy numerous letters that Parrin remembered students writing. Items intact included a rubber pencil, yo-yo, coins with 80s dates and a bottle of hairspray.

“The hairspray represented the big hair that everyone had back then,” explained Parrin.

Current students and staff presented contents for a new time capsule that will be buried in the school's courtyard and opened in 30 years. Among the contents were newspaper clippings from the 2009 inauguration, DVDs of popular songs and TV shows, programs from band and chorus concerts, a flash drive of pictures of current students and one of the National Science Olympiad gold medals won by the Science Olympiad team.

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Science Olympiad Team Clinches First Place at Invitational

The Science Olympiad team at J.C. Booth Middle has been busy practicing and preparing for upcoming rounds of competitions which will hopefully have them returning to the national tournament again this year.

The Booth team officially placed second but took first by default out of 45 teams in a recent invitational hosted by Solon Middle in Solon, Ohio. The host school placed first but did not take the trophy so it went to Booth.

Teams represented the states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and the District of Columbia. Five of the teams placed in the top eight at the National Science Olympiad last year, making it a very competitive event.

“It was an awesome tournament and a wonderful experience for the students. We all came back with the dedication to work very hard and to learn from our mistakes,” says team sponsor and Booth science teacher Mary Wilde.

In addition to brining home first place, the team also won the spirit trophy.

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Annual Career Fair a Success

Jeffre Fay (right) and Joe Thomas of ClubZ! Tutoring talk to Bennett’s Mill Middle students about careers as tutors and small business owners.

Nearly 2,000 eighth graders from Fayette County’s five public middle schools had an opportunity to explore future job opportunities during the fifth annual Fayette County Schools Eighth Grade Career Fair.

Students from each school spent an hour at the fair interviewing and talking to professionals from more than 70 different career areas. Professionals represented ran the gamut from photography, food service and truck driving to environmental engineering, health science and occupational therapy.

The fair was held at Heritage Christian Church February 5-6 in conjunction with National School Counseling Week. All eighth grade counselors in the school system helped coordinate the event. By organizing one large fair for all eighth graders, the counselors are able to expose students to a wider variety of careers than would be possible with individual school fairs.

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Fayette County Students Win Awards at Regional Literacy Competition

After months of rehearsing and winning school and county-level competitions, students from Bennett’s Mill Middle, Fayette Middle, Oak Grove Elementary and Rising Starr Middle brought home awards from the 2009 Griffin RESA Regional Literacy Days Festival.

A total of five students placed in the poetry recitation portion of the festival. They are Ethan Scheper, Oak Grove Elementary, third grade, first place; Abby Scheper, Oak Grove Elementary, fifth grade, third place; TaNia Nash, Fayette Middle, sixth grade, first place; Diana Ricketts, Rising Starr Middle, seventh grade, third place; and Lexus White, Bennett’s Mill Middle, eighth grade, third place.

In addition to the poetry recitation winners, Livi Cote’, a seventh grader at Rising Starr Middle, took second place in the ready writing portion of the competition.

The Griffin RESA Regional Literacy Days Festival is a regional competition among elementary and middle schools in the Griffin RESA region which consists of Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties.

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Fayette County Teachers of the Year Finalists Named

Board of Education Member Dr. Bob Todd presents Dr. Lisa Gonzalez with balloons and flowers as she learns she is a finalist for the county’s teacher of the year.

From 29 contenders to three finalists, the journey to find Fayette’s 2009 Teacher of the Year has begun.

Three unsuspecting teachers were surprised on February 6 as the Teacher of the Year prize patrol made its way around the county announcing this year’s finalists: Pamela Kinzly, Whitewater High; Dr. Carol Taylor, Rising Starr Middle and Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, Robert J. Burch Elementary.


A panel of independent judges, including last year’s winner, Kim Fisher from J.C. Booth Middle, chose the three finalists based on applications they submitted after being nominated Teacher of the Year at their respective schools.

The next step in the process involves a classroom observation and one-on-one interview with the judges. The judges independently score each finalist and then their scores are added together to determine the winner. The 2008 Teacher of the Year will be announced on April 23 at a ceremony at New Hope Baptist Church, North Campus. Here is a brief overview of the finalists.

Although she says she made the decision to become a teacher while a college sophomore, Pamela Kinzly says she spent her days as a young child teaching a classroom full of imaginary students as she completed her homework assignments.

Kinzly, a math teacher, says she doesn’t teach math because she has an extreme love for the subject, but because she has an extreme love for people. By teaching math, she says she is also teaching important problem solving skills that students can use in real life.

“While we are solving quadratic equations the underlying life skill is problem solving: the ability to set up a problem, weigh options, choose a solution and use resources to find the answer,” she says. “Not every student that I teach will go into a profession that requires calculus but every student will need problem solving skills.”

One way Kinzly teaches these life skills is through an activity she calls group grades. Students work in groups to help each other master a particular topic. She encourages students to use their resources instead of simply asking for the answer.

“Students have admitted that, at first, this process is frustrating because they do not get a quick answer, but I have heard numerous times that they are later grateful for these activities when test day comes and they feel confident to complete the questions,” she says.

Kinzly has been a teacher for six years and has taught in Fayette for five.

Dr. Carol Taylor, also a math teacher, says it was a high school English teacher who influenced her decision to become an educator. She says her teacher had a passion for learning, expected and received a high level of commitment from her students and enjoyed a great rapport with them.

“I have worked hard to model her level of exemplary teaching and learning to affect my students the way she affected my life. She instilled my own passion for learning and that passion is reflected in my teaching,” she says.

Like fellow math teacher Kinzly, Taylor likes group work because of the higher-level thinking that occurs as students collaborate and communicate with each other. The groups also help her understand the knowledge of students as she listens to their discussions and watches their actions.

“My classroom abounds with noise from student inquiry, argument, agreement, clarification, challenge, explanation and collaborative checking which all contributes to students’ understanding of mathematical concepts,” she says.

For Taylor, teaching encompasses more than the one year she has with her students. She says teaching for her means building relationships and affecting students’ lives for a lifetime by caring, encouraging and supporting them in all aspects of their lives.

Taylor has been an educator for 19 years, all with the Fayette County School System.

Unlike her fellow finalists, Dr. Lisa Gonzalez, ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) teacher, always said she would never be a teacher. Many members of her family were educators, so she wanted to be different. However, education found her when, as a sophomore at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, she decided to pursue a major in Spanish through a new Bilingual Bicultural Education program.

“It appears that teaching was in my blood. My first entrance into a classroom convinced me of that,” she says. “I love to see my perfect students, my wonderful students, my hardworking students progress socially and academically.”

Gonzalez says she believes in giving students the tools they need to find what they want to know, combining as many skills as possible into each activity, and getting students to take ownership of their learning. All of the techniques and activities she uses in the classroom are geared toward building students’ confidence. Dr. Carol Taylor

“We [teachers] have the ability to make or break a child’s spirit. We have the ability to instill a love of learning or a disdain for any thing academic. It is our responsibility to make sure our actions encourage students to want to do their best,” she says.

Students know if they are learning and if a teacher is being effective. That’s why Gonzalez feels it is important for teachers to get feedback from their students about how they are doing. Using a report card format, she has asked past classes to rate her performance as a teacher.

“The results were always very interesting because I was able to see how I had impacted each child. Students know if a teacher likes them and wants the best for them. We, as educators, should not fear feedback from the ones we affect the most,” she says.

Gonzalez has been an educator for over 30 years. She has taught in Fayette for 13 years.


Board of Education Member Marion Key congratulates Pamela Kinzly during the middle of a math lesson.


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PALS Program Participates in Transition Fair

Starr’s Mill High student Rachael Booker (center) helps PALS co-sponsors Cindy Hartpence (left) and Shannon Ggaliano explain the program to interested parents and students attending the Transition Fair at McIntosh High.

The PALS (Peers are Linking Students) program at Starr’s Mill High was just one of the potential resources available for families of children with special needs to learn about at the recent annual Building Alliances Transition Fair sponsored by Exceptional OPS and the Fayette County School System’s Exceptional Children’s Department.

PALS is a national club aimed at fostering friendships between special needs and regular education students. The focus of the club is to allow students of all ability levels to experience the benefits of friendship, dedication and responsibility. Social interaction among students is fostered through one-on-one group activities such as bowling, eating out, skating and attending chapter meetings. Club activities are held both during and after school.

Starr’s Mill was the first high school in Fayette County and Georgia to start a PALS program in 2006. Since then, other high schools in the county have followed suit.

The Transition Fair was a great opportunity for one-stop information and resource shopping for families of students with disabilities.

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Schools Help Relay for Life Fayette Win 100 Percent Involvement Award

Every Fayette County public school had at least one Relay for Life team participating in the 2008 relay, a requirement to receive the 100 Percent School Involvement Award from the American Cancer Society.

The announcement was made last month by the relay’s county organizers during a meeting of principals and other administrators at the LaFayette Educational Center. At that time, an award was presented to Superintendent John DeCotis for his support and five schools were honored with a Top 10 All Star Award for their fundraising efforts and participation.

Schools receiving the All Star award were Peeples Elementary, McIntosh High, Cleveland Elementary, Spring Hill Elementary and East Fayette Elementary. The schools raising the most money at each level were Peeples , $15,454; Whitewater Middle, $8,841 and McIntosh, $14,946.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in Fayette an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising funds to fight cancer and awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. Teams camp out at the local fairgrounds and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the overnight event.

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DECA Club Going Strong in Second Year at Whitewater High

The awards are mounting up for Whitewater High’s DECA Club, a student business and marketing club, which is only in its second year of existence.

Last year 16 DECA members placed in the top three of various events at the regional competition. This year, 15 members earned top four placements in different areas and will be moving on to compete at the state level March 6-7 in Atlanta.

A total of 20 members competed at the 2009 region competition held on January 29 at the Rockdale Career Academy. Earning first place wins were Devon Lomax in Business Administration, Sean Curtis in Internet Marketing and Megan McDowell in Travel and Tourism.

Students placing second were Andrea Campuzano in Accounting, Katie Cassidy in Travel and Tourism, Darryl Forges in Marketing Decision Making, Daniel Pulliam in Buying and Merchandising, Chelsea Register in Selling and Madison Stanford in Free Enterprise/Economics.

Taking home third place wins were Chris Frame in Free Enterprise/Economics, Jessica Gibbs in Restaurant and Food Service and Audrey Thomas in Apparel and Accessories.

Earning fourth place honors were Andrea Glavosek in Hospitality Services, Jenna Johnson in General Marketing and Robert Mills in Entrepreneurship.

The Whitewater chapter has 179 members and is the only DECA chapter in the school system. Krystin Glover is the club’s coach.

DECA is a business marketing, management and entrepreneurship organization that strives to educate its members about general marketing, entrepreneurship and general business strategies and decisions. DECA aims to prepare members for future careers in general marketing and business.

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Registration Day Set for Pre-K Program

Parents of students who are eligible to attend the Fayette County School System’s pre-K program can register their children for the 2009-2010 school year in February-March.

Pre-K programs are being offered at Brooks, Crabapple Lane, Hood Avenue, Inman, North Fayette, Oak Grove, Peachtree City and Robert J. Burch elementary schools. Students must be four years old on or before September 1, 2009 to be eligible for the program.

Registration for the lottery drawing will begin February 26 at the schools offering Pre-K programs. The hours to register are 8-10 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. After February 26, parents can continue to register their students from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. through March 23. The lottery drawing will be held on March 24.

Parents must present residency information and their child’s birth certificate to be eligible for the lottery drawing. Also, parents must be living in the county on March 24, the day of the drawing.

Upon notification of admission, parents will need to provide the remaining documentation for registration. These documents are posted on the school system’s website, www.fcboe.org, under “school information” in the blue bar at the top. Select “frequently asked questions” from the dropdown menu.

For more information about the school system’s pre-K program, contact Clarice Howard, 770-486-0149 or visit the Bright from the Start website, www.decal.state.ga.us.

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Young Scientists Showcase Experiments

Sunscreens that work best, the efficiency of bleach cleansers compared to environmentally friendly ones and base layer clothing that insults the body most effectively are just some of the examples of experiments conducted by Fayette’s budding young scientists at the 2009 Fayette County Science and Engineering Fair.

Students from middle and high schools across the county submitted projects for the fair. A total of 25 projects were awarded first place and will now advance to the Griffin Regional Science and Engineering Fair scheduled for February 27 at the University of Georgia Experimental Center in Griffin.

Students entered projects individually or as teams. Middle school winners advancing to the regional fair are (Bennett’s Mill) Leslie Perez and Sydney Roberts, Ryan Hogan, Monica Schwingshakl, Catherine Delage and Elena Jordanov, Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Roshelli; (J.C. Booth) Adah Griessbach, William Nase and Adam Sheikali; (Fayette Middle) Rebecca Otwell; (Flat Rock) Karson Bobbitt; (Rising Starr) Shannon McKillip, Stephanie Clark, Rebekah Livingston, Iris Colendrino and Emily Myers; (Whitewater) Griffin Arnall and Oliver Watkins.

High school first place winners heading for the regional competition are (Fayette County) Sonika Reddy and Sonya Jooma, Michael Martin and Tuure Pasto, Sarika Reddy, Krishan Bhaghat, Brett Gaglion and Julian Urrego, Loreal Leaks; (McIntosh) Hannah Chambless and Brahma Natarajan, (Sandy Creek) Ashton Johnson, Janae Strother; (Starr’s Mill) Matt Waples and Justin Buchanan, Ryan Kitchens, Aubrey Edkins, Hannah Feltner and Regan Chewning.

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Review Committee Recommends Fayette County School System for District Accreditation

The Quality Assurance Review Team of AdvanceED has recommended the Fayette County School System for District Accreditation as a quality school system.

The announcement was made last Wednesday at 3 p.m. during a called session of the Fayette County Board of Education. The team announced its decision to recommend the school system for District Accreditation after spending three days reviewing documents, interviewing stakeholders and observing classrooms.

The accreditation team will submit its recommendation to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission for review. If the commission agrees with the committee’s findings, the school system and all of its schools will be granted a five-year term accreditation.

During the presentation of its report, the committee commended the school system for its “strong and positive academic learning climate in which teaching and learning are actively supported.” The report also commended the positive and productive working relationship among both external and internal stakeholders, the accessibility and openness to input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders and invaluable resources and support services that the system provides to schools.

Part of achieving and maintaining accreditation is implementing a continuous improvement process. The committee issued five recommendations that it feels the school system needs to address to maintain accreditation. The full report outlining the recommendations is on the school system’s website under eBoard. The public can also listen to the committee’s report on the podcast page of the website.

The school system will submit a report in two years detailing the progress it has made toward addressing the recommendations. This is a requirement to maintain and keep accreditation.

The school system started preparing for the accreditation committee’s visit a year ago by compiling a report that addresses the seven standards needed for accreditation. An explanation of how the district is meeting each of the standards, along with supporting documentation, is outlined in the complete report.

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