Being responsible stewards of the precious tax dollars we're entrusted with to teach our students is one of our highest priorities here in Baldwin County. The BCSD Finance Department, led by Chief Financial Officer Byron Schueneman, recently cleared the comprehensive and exhaustive required yearly audit by state officials with a perfect score. This accomplishment is significant as BCSD operates a nearly $50 million annual budget and our finance team was able to accurately account for every single penny without a single error in our entire accounting for the previous year. We would like to extend a very special thanks to our entire finance team for their hard work and dedication to the community trusting us with their investment. From left to right in the picture above, Byron Schueneman, Donna Epps, Margie Brawner, Margaret Wallace and Christopher Dominy. #Finance #Audit #ChiefFinancialOfficer #TaxMoney

This Thursday, students of our Programs for Exceptional Children from all across the district will be putting on their spring performance, "Shake, Rattle & Rock!" The performance is part of Music Therapy, a partnership between the Baldwin County School District and Georgia College, and provides our students, and our community, an opportunity to showcase their incredible talents. Check out the flier below for more details and we hope to see you there!

The Baldwin County School District (BCSD) has been named one of the 2017 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. BCSD is one of only six districts in the entire state of Georgia, and only one of 4% of all districts in the country, to receive the prestigious recognition for 2017. “The faculty, staff and students of our Fine Arts programs are some of the most talented individuals that you will find in the entire country. This recognition is an incredible achievement and reward for all of their hard work and dedication. It also demonstrates the high commitment and access to music education we offer our students and their families here in Baldwin County,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price. The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This award recognizes that BCSD is leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, and awaiting state implementation designates music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children. “This recognition brings attention to the importance of keeping music education part of our curriculum offerings and available to all students. We appreciate the support of our Board of Education for their strong commitment to music education through funding, staffing, and access,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood. Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel. A 2015 study, “ Striking A Chord” supported by the NAMM Foundation, also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum. About The NAMM Foundation The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by The National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. Its mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

A well rounded education means the chance to learn and grow both inside and outside of the classroom. Take a look inside our nationally recognized extracurricular programs that challenge our students creativity and athleticism!

Mrs. Foreman's third grade class participated in planting cabbage in the school garden. Mr. Wells provided a helping hand to the class. Mrs. Evelyn Pearson, the cafeteria manager, is sponsoring the school garden along with the Eagle Ridge Wellness Committee. Click here to view more pictures.

The Baldwin County School District will be on spring break from Monday, April 3rd to Friday April 8th. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and relaxing break!

Mrs. Morris' students reviewed adding and subtracting two-digit numbers. The students wrote addition and subtraction problems on their desks. After they finished, each student had a turn to go up to the board and teach the rest of the class their steps and methods of thinking in order to solve the problem. This allowed the students to learn different ways of solving addition and subtraction problems. Click here to view more pictures from this lesson!

Please click here for a downloadable and zoom-capable pdf version of the map.

The "Shake It Up" campaign is an initiative from the GA. Department of Education to promote the use of herbs and seasoning that are salt-free. Students at Midway Elementary are preparing their own salt-free spice blend during a program emphasizing heart health. Students from GCSU were on hand to assist with instruction and other fun activities to ensure our students understand the risk of heart disease and how to avoid the potential killer. All schools now have Flavor Stations with the Shake It Up spice blends for all students to try during lunch.

We are incorporating GA. items on all of our menus after doing taste testing with the students. Students and staff are delighted to see we are supporting GA. Farmers and the GA. agricultural industry. Baldwin County Schools currently purchase 60% of our food and beverages from GA. companies and we're far exceeding the GA. Dept of Agriculture expectation of 20% of the students meal be GA Grown. These cinnamon rolls were created with whole wheat flour from Cochran, GA.

Parents interested in exploring school choice options provided to them via H.B. 251 within the BCSD are encouraged to submit a Transfer Request Form by no later than Friday, April 28, 2017. For your convenience, all schools in the district have 50 available classroom spots for the 2017-2018 school year. If more than 50 applications are submitted for a particular school, a lottery will be held. The lottery will be conducted by grade for all spots. All applications must be submitted between March 27 - April 28, 2017 at the Board office. In May, a lottery will be held to select H.B. 251 transfers at the Baldwin County Board of Education, 110 N. ABC Street, Milledgeville, Georgia 31061 Please complete and submit the “Transfer Request Form” by Friday, April 28, 2017. The lottery will be held on Monday, May 1st. If you have questions regarding HB 251, please contact Allen Martin at 478-457-2916 or by email at allen.martin@baldwin.k12.ga.us. Download Transfer Request Form Here

"The Drowsy Chaperone" opened last night revealing a stunning performance both in terms of scale and quality. The students and staff of the BHS Fine Arts Department have been working tirelessly over the past several months buildings sets, learning choreography and making all the final touches to get things just right. If you missed Thursday night's opener, there will be two other showings starting at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday so come out and enjoy the show!