SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION WEEK 2021
The Baldwin County School District is joining in a statewide celebration to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 15-19 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The week-long observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education. As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system, and disbursing school funds. As community leaders, school board members serve as advocates for the children in local public schools. They must study, evaluate, and decide what actions are in the best interest of students.
The Baldwin County Board of Education has been recognized by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) as a 2020 Exemplary Board. This is the fourth year in a row that the Board has received this recognition for exceeding the criteria set forth by GSBA and showcasing best practices in school governance and leadership. Baldwin County was one of 56 school boards in Georgia to earn this prestigious award. Please join us in thanking our school board members for their dedication and commitment to the Baldwin County School District.
The Baldwin County School Board consists of the following school board members:
Mr. Wes Cummings, Chair (District 5)
Mr. John Jackson, Vice-Chair (District 4)
Dr. Gloria Wicker (District 1)
Ms. Shannon D. Hill (District 2)
Mr. Lyn Chandler (District 3)
NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH
The school board recognized the month of March as National Social Work Month in which we take the time to learn more about the many positive contributions of the profession as well as show our appreciation for the wonderful work our local school and community social workers provide for Baldwin County children and families. The theme for 2021 is "Social Workers are Essential." The purpose of the theme is to highlight the invaluable contributions social workers make in our society, especially as this nation addresses the coronavirus pandemic.
Within National Social Work Month, we also recognize the important work performed by school social workers during National School Social Work Week (March 7-13). This year's theme is titled "Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers - Lighting the Way."
BCSD honored and thanked our school social worker, Ola Scott-Little, for her time and commitment in cultivating a positive environment for students and families in the Baldwin County School District. We also thanked Donna James (not pictured) and Willie Mae Wright who work very closely with our social worker to support our families. Together, they are able to light the way, emphasizing the whole child, collaborating with other professionals, linking students and families with needed services, and advocating for the needs of our students.
SERVSAFE CERTIFICATIONS
School nutrition employees were recognized by the school board for becoming ServSafe certified. The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination Course meets the new Certified Food Safety Manager (CFSM) state requirements and is designed to provide participants with viable information on potentially hazardous foods and safe food handling practices, the HAACP system of food safety; establishing, purchasing, and receiving standards and procedures; designing facilities and selecting appropriate equipment and guidelines for working with regulatory agencies. Participants are trained, tested and certified with the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination.
UNITED WAY FUNDRAISER RECOGNITION
United Way representative Brandi Rozier came to recognize the Baldwin County School District United Way District Coordinator Ola Scott Little and Baldwin's team of United Way coordinators for raising a grand total of $21,018.20 for the 2020-2021 school year as well as being one of the top 50 Most Generous Workplaces in Georgia for United Way in 2019 with a grand total of $19,647.54 in the 2019-2020 school year.
GEORGIA SCHOOL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION AWARDS
The school board recognized the Baldwin County School District and the district's School & Community Relations Coordinator, Felicia Cummings, for awards won in the Georgia School Public Relations Association's Annual Publications, Photography, & Electronic Media Contest. The GSPRA Publications, Photography, & Electronic Media Contest acknowledges school public relations professionals in Georgia who demonstrate exceptional communications skills by producing outstanding publications, photography, and electronic media. This evaluation program is designed to provide recognition and professional support for those who do great work in communicating with parents, staff, the media, community members, business partners and other specialized public.The BCSD secured a total of 8 awards in the following areas:
Gold Awards:
Excellence in Writing
Videography
Silver Awards:
Image/Identity Package
Newsletter/Newsmagazine
Bronze Awards:
Photography
Website
Marketing Campaign
Handbook
MARCH PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
The school board recognized the March recipients of the Baldwin County School District Pursuit of Excellence Award. The Pursuit of Excellence award is presented monthly to employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. The winners are Ms. Kristie Blizzard, Teacher at Lakeview Primary School; Ms. Shyvonna Jones, Cafeteria Manager at Oak Hill Middle School; Ms. Charlene Dunn, Teacher at Lakeview Academy; and Mr. Joshua Fields, Paraprofessional at Baldwin High School. To view the March winners please click the following link: March Pursuit of Excellence.
MAINTENANCE WORKER APPRECIATION DAY
The school board recognized the school district's maintenance department in honor of National Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day. Each employee in the maintenance department received a certificate of appreciation along with a gift card to Longhorns restaurant. The BCSD maintenance department is under the direction of Bruce Knighton, Director of Maintenance & Facilities. The following employees are part of our wonderful maintenance department: James Boyer Jr., Carter Webb, Henry Simmons, Tommy Reeves, James Gardner, Charles Wright, John Davis, Robert Duggans, Jerry Clark, Edward Cox, John Taylor, Kentavious Anderson, Richard Cox, Jared Sheley, Jonathan Sheley and Warehouse Manager Lola Solomon.
NATIONAL MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH
For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation.
The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. Our music educators consists of the following instructors:
Midway Hills Primary-Brad Bell-General Music
Midway Hills Academy-Cameron Hamby-General Music, Lyndsey Hamby-Band
Lakeview Primary-Leanne Hallmark-General Music Lakeview Academy Elizabeth Yorker-General Music, Lyndsey Hamby-Band Oak Hill MS, Ben Gibson-Chorus, Christie Edwards-Band, Trent Henderson-Band Baldwin HS-Ben Gibson-Chorus, James McMillan-Band, Christopher Ryles-Band
GHSA STATE COMPETITION IN WRESTLING RECOGNITION
The school board honored two of our very own Baldwin High School students who made history in the world of high school wrestling. Catherine Mullis, a senior at Baldwin High School, brought home the Georgia High School Association's State Championship title. Not only is she the first Girls State Champion in Baldwin High School history but she is also our first wrestling champion of the 21st century. Chavis Watson, a junior at Baldwin High School, finished in 3rd place in the state competition, making him the highest Baldwin High School male placer in the last 15 years. These history-making accomplishments are truly amazing and an outstanding feat. The board also recognized Coach Lindsay and Coach Canty for all their hard work and dedication to the wrestling team.
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