Shannon Gipson joined Long Cane Elementary (LCES) seven years ago. Now, as a first grade teacher, she says she still loves the family atmosphere that drew her to Troup County School System. “I previously worked with a small school system that embraced a family atmosphere. I saw that among the staff at Long Cane Elementary when my family and I moved here in 2008,” she said. Coming from a small town in Arkansas, Gipson added, “My own personal children were loved and encouraged. I could see myself as a member of that kind of group which is why I am teaching in Troup County.”

Read full story here

Weather update: At this time, all school related activities are to be complete by 6:00 p.m. this evening. TCSS officials attended a meeting with local emergency management systems at 12:30 pm. Troup County is not under the Governor’s Emergency Declaration. At this time, all Troup County School System offices and schools are on a regular schedule.

If there are any schedule changes, we will send communication via One Call Now, Facebook, and troup.org.

Chanelle Foster never imagined she would learn Forklift Driving skills as a participant in her paid 12-week Career Ready Workshop, but she learned that - and more - thanks to a partnership brought to Troup County School System (TCSS) between Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GoodwillSR) and West Georgia Technical College (WGTC). “Driving a forklift was fun. I was able to bond with everyone in the class and that was a new experience for me. It was better than I thought it would be,” said Foster.

Read entire story here. 

When Amanda Wilson walked into her interview at Hogansville Elementary almost three years ago, she was surprised to find two students sitting across the table from her. She knew at that moment Hogansville was the place for her. She says, “I was very moved by the value the school was placing on their students’ opinions. I knew immediately that this was where I belonged.”

Read entire story here

This year, TCSS saw a lift in graduation rates - over six percentage points from 2017. In addition, we witnessed a rise in student sub-group graduation rates such as economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, black, and multi-racial students. Altogether, 84.1% of students who entered 9^th grade in the fall of 2014 earned their high school diploma in 2018. 

Read entire story here

Congratulations to Trissa Nerowski of Clearview Elementary and Beverly “Nikki” Crawford of Hogansville Elementary. Both special education teachers were recently honored at a Junior Service League meeting when they received the 2018 Mollie Lukken Memorial Scholarship.

Nerowski is nearing completion of a doctoral program at Northcentral University and Crawford is pursuing her master’s degree at the University of West Georgia.

This month, TCSS is joining a nationwide force of school districts across the country to celebrate Attendance Awareness Month. It is designed to raise community awareness about the value of regular school attendance in hopes of reducing chronic absenteeism.  The school system recognizes that good attendance is essential to academic success and enhancing learning potential. let’s all work together to make sure all students attend today so they can achieve tomorrow!

The Troup County School System is conducting an analysis for a Superintendent Search Firm to facilitate the Board of Education in their interviewing and employing of a dynamic Superintendent who will manage the school district of approximately 2,000 employees, 12,000 students, and a progressive community. 

Qualified firms should download the Request for Qualifications document here. Responses must be submitted no later than September 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. to be considered.

Download - RFQ Document

Here are five more reasons why TCSS is the best!
 

Troup County School System has tons of different reasons why our school system is the best. Here are five:

Was anyone else anxious about Day 1 of school? Our employees, students, parents, and community members were full of hope, smiles, laughter, and hugs as the doors opened. Here is what that looked like around our district!

This week while preparing classrooms and lessons for students, teachers had the chance to sit in some of the same seats that will be occupied when school is back in session as all Troup County School System (TCSS) educators gathered at LaGrange High for the technology-driven TCSS Custom Summit led by EdTechTeam.
 

Welcome back Tiger Cubs!  

We are so happy to have our staff back prepping the classrooms for students, hosting transportation and nutrition employee meetings, learning about incorporating technology into lessons, and having an all around good time!

Select the photo to see the video of B2S for TCSS Employees.

 

It's registration time in Troup County School System. Elementary registration is Friday, August 3rd and Middle School Registration is Tuesday, August 7. Click through for a video of High School Registration:

Clearview Elementary School is ready to welcome staff tomorrow and students on August 9th. Click through to view a video of the new facility!

Thanks to the Caterpillar ESAT Team (Employee Satisfaction Action Team). They are a plant-wide group composed of employees from all support areas who look for opportunities to plan fun events that encourage teamwork and allow employees the chance to give back to the community.

During the month of July, they hosted a School Supply Drive. The employee's children decorated the boxes that held the many supplies. TCSS appreciates our business partners!

Read entire article here

It was not too long ago that Nichole Jones was seen in the hallways of LaGrange High School as a member of the cheerleading team, step team, and Grangerettes. Now, she has put up those blue and white pom-poms in exchange for a whiteboard and badge to teach at Callaway High School.

Nichole said her future starts today because, “You always have to build forward and take the next step. It can be in your career, in your personal life, in your family choices; no matter what, you have to find that place and build upon for your future. Troup County School System is doing that for me.” 

Read entire article here.

When the Georgia Department of Education released assessment scores for school systems throughout the state today, Troup County School System (TCSS) leaders were already in discussions about improving student achievement.  TCSS uses the summer months to review Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) results and make instructional adjustments.

Read entire release here 

This week, over 120 teachers and staff descended upon Troup County School System (TCSS) to begin New Staff Orientation (NSO). The purpose of NSO is to acclimate new employees to the TCSS mission, goals, culture, and rules and procedures. For new teachers, two out of the four days were focused on Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. The remaining days covered items such as benefits, curriculum, new teacher induction, evaluation instruments, and an overview of the school system.

Welcome to all new TCSS Employees. We are glad you are here to help provide educational opportunities that inspire learners to be Independent, Successful, and Happy!!!
 

When eight teachers from across Troup County School System (TCSS) trekked into the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to participate as members of Outward Bound, they had no idea how their backpacking experience would impact their physical strength, emotional fortitude, or classroom teachings.
 

Read entire article here.

Troup County School System is offering the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) as an extension of the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. It allows for school districts to continue to feed students while they are out of school during the summer. 

Seamless Summer Feeding Sites

The Troup County Board of Education has tentatively adopted a 2018 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 0.95 percent.
 

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at  Administrative Services Center Board Room, 100 North Davis Road Building C, LaGrange, GA on June 18, 2018 at 10:00 A.M.
 

Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at Administrative Services Center Board Room, 100 North Davis Road Building C, LaGrange, GA on June 18, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. and June 28, 2018 at 6:00 P.M.
 

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 18.850 mills, an increase of 0.178 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 18.672 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $125,000 is approximately $8.54 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $125,000 is approximately $8.90.
 

Current 2018 Tax Digest and Five Year History of Levy
Press Release Announcing a Proposed Property Tax Increase

The Troup County Board of Education is not proposing an increase to the current millage rate of 18.85.  The millage rate last year was 18.85, and the millage rate being proposed for this year is also 18.85.  If the assessed value of your existing real property remains the same as the previous year, then you will see no change in taxes for school purposes.  The language used in an advertisement with the Troup County News and on troup.org (below) is a state requirement and can not be altered.  If you have questions, please feel free to email info@troup.org or attend one of the public hearings.

Press Release Link

Troup County School System parents and legal guardians of kindergarten through twelfth grade students may request a transfer to another school in the district under House Bill 251. If granted, the transfer will be in effect for the 2018-2019 school year. 

All applications and supporting documentation must be received by July 6, 2018. All mailed applications and supporting documentation must be postmarked by July 6, 2018. 
 

HB 251 Parent Information Letter

HB 251 Transfer Form

HB 251 Availability Listing

The Office of Student Assignment is open for registration all summer Monday-Thursday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm. 
 

In February 2018, the TCSS was visited by an external AdvancED team consisting of professional educators trained in conducting organizational reviews of educational institutions on an international level. The team’s visit to TCSS was a culminating review of the district’s improvement process and compliance with legal and ethical policies and standards.

During their visit, the AdvancED team interviewed 421 individuals including board members, administrators, teachers, other school personnel, students, parents, and business representatives. District and school administrators spent nearly a year preparing for the AdvancED visit. This work included engaging stakeholders in reflecting on performance and processes as well as providing compliance documents through a digital portal according to an established timeline.

AdvancED recently provided their findings in a preliminary Engagement Review Report.  An AdvancED committee will finalize the report later this month; however, we do not anticipate significant changes.  Commendations and recommendations for improvement can be found in the below documents.   

AdvancED Engagement Review Summary
AdvancED Engagement Review Report (Preliminary)

The Troup County School System will purge records of gifted students who graduated in May, 2017.
 
Gifted students/their parent or guardian may claim their gifted records by calling the Exceptional Education Center at 706-812-7939 by June 30, 2018.  Unclaimed records will be destroyed after July 1, 2018.
 
Records will be released to former students or their parent/guardian only.  A photo ID is required.

Due to forecasted evening weather conditions, TCSS is moving the Troup High School graduation time to 6:30 p.m. at Callaway Stadium. Graduates will need to report to the stadium by 5:45 p.m. to line up for the ceremony.

If it is lightly raining, we will move forward with the ceremony at 6:30 p.m. If the weather is inclement at that time, we will delay the ceremony until it clears.

We will be updating the Troup County School System Facebook page with details as they become available. 

As TCSS continues to monitor weather conditions as it relates to holding graduation at Callaway Stadium, every attempt will be made to host the ceremonies in the stadium. We understand this is an important milestone in the student’s life so moving the ceremony to an indoor location is a last resort. This will limit the number of family members who will be able to attend.

At graduation practice, each senior will receive a limited number of tickets in the event the location is moved indoors due to weather conditions. The decision to move or delay the ceremony will be made at the last minute (appx. 2 hours before ceremony).  

Read entire article

Application Link:   Click Here

Now that the 2017-2018 school year is ending, we are preparing for employee retirements. We will miss them and we know the students will, too. So, we reached out to the students to get their thoughts on retirement. This is what they had to say!

When Tracey Stribling was playing tennis with some of her teammates, she didn’t know it would lead to a revitalization in her nursing career. Having graduated from LaGrange College as a recipient of the George E. Sims, Jr. Nursing Scholarship, she had a nursing job lined up at West Georgia Health. After 32 years, she retired as an Operating Room Nurse (OR).

Read entire article 

The Troup County Board of Education announces the dates of two public hearings to discuss the Fiscal Year 2019 Tentative Budget.
 

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tentative budget to be held at the Administrative Services Center Board Room, 100 North Davis Road Building C, LaGrange, GA on May 7, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.

The time and place of the additional public hearing on this tentative budget is at the Administrative Services Center Board Room, 100 North Davis Road Building C, LaGrange, GA on May 14, 2018 at 6:30 P.M.
 

The Fiscal Year 2019 Tentative Budget is set to be approved at the regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting on May 17, 2018.

FY 2017-2018 Budget (Current Budget)

FY 2018-2019 Proposed Budget Updates (Tentative Budget)

Some organizations consider branding as ordering business cards and t-shirts with a new logo and font design, but for Troup County School System (TCSS), branding is more than a logo. It is a visual story that creates conversations about a particular brand’s culture – and in this case Yolanda Stephen said that brand is now Troup County School System.

Read entire story here.

When Kayla Yeargin, Troup High School Mathematics teacher, was informed of her interview for the 2019 State Teacher of the Year (TOTY) finalist, she was on her way from Iceland back home to Georgia. “I had to just let it sink in. I had this amazing experience in Iceland and then I was on a layover coming back home when I received the message I was selected,” said Yeargin.

Read entire article 

Franklin Forest Elementary was proud to represent Troup County Schools at the 12^th Annual International Jet Toy Competition in Detroit, Michigan! Kia (KMMG) provides resources for this lesson in all TCSS elementary and middle schools. It focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math principles.

The students had great results in the three areas that they competed in; jet toy accuracy, distance, and time. They also received a medal for good sportsmanship. These students represented our county well at the competition and during their time traveling and touring the city!  

Several members of the Whitesville Road Empowerment Group spent their spring break on a trip to New York City where they spent four days and three nights touring the city. They visited the Statute of Liberty, escorted by the NYPD Harbor Unit, who carried the students out to the island on one of their boats. Other highlights of the trip included a visit to One World Trade Center, a three hour dinner cruise on the Hudson River, and touring the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church.

One of the most memorable highlights of the trip was when the group landed a spot on Good Morning America and were interviewed by Michael Strahan. The bow ties and vests worn by the Empowerment Wednesday students caught the eye of Mr. Strahan who left the set of the show and came out to speak with the group. According to Mr. Jerome Cofield, who sponsors and mentors the group, this trip was life changing for the entire group. 

On Tuesday, April 10th, TCSS held a Public Hearing for Student Attendance Boundaries. The school system also provided an email address for the community to ask questions. This Question & Answer document contains answers to those comments and questions. The email address info@troup.org is still open and is checked daily. The Board of Education will vote on the recommendation for Student Attendance Boundaries Thursday, April 19th.

Question and Answer Document - Student Attendance Boundaries

This is a friendly reminder that as students begin completing Georgia Milestones testing beginning April 23rd, no electronic devices are allowed in the testing area. This includes; but is not limited to, cell phones, smartphones or watches, electronic recording devices, or any electronic device that provides playback or cameras.

If these items are brought into the testing environment, they will be collected and secured by the employees administering the test until testing is complete. 

In August 2018, Troup County School System (TCSS) will open the new, state-of-the-art Clearview Elementary School (CVES). Thanks to Education SPLOST, this new facility will replace Whitesville Road Elementary School.

Click here to download the Public Hearing presentation
Click here for more information on Clearview Elementary and Attendance Boundary Maps

The LIFT (LaGrange Industrial Fellowship for Teachers) is now accepting applications for a paid business externship that will take place June 4-8. Each of the externships will provide real-world business experience through local companies that partner with the LIFT program. Chosen applicants will learn about Troup County's workforce projections, post-secondary options, and local businesses. To apply, submit your applications by Monday, April 9th. 

Teacher Externship Application

Teacher Externship Flyer

Each year when TCSS opens the budget email address for employee and community feedback, we post the responses here. Please see the attached list of questions and responses dated Thursday, March 22nd. The budget email address will remain open until Friday, April 13th. 

Budget Questions Answered - 3/22 

All afterschool activities are cancelled today due to potential severe weather. Elementary ACE programs will continue as scheduled.

Please select this link to see the latest responses to budget-related questions. 

Troup County School System (TCSS) is currently preparing Performance Based Budgets for FY2019. For the last few years, the community has given suggestions and asked relevant budget-related questions via email during this process.

Beginning now, community members can send budget inquires and suggestions to budgetquestions@troup.org to inquire about the TCSS FY2019 budget. Responses will be posted on troup.org within 5-7 business days.

The email address will remain open until Friday, April 13th.
 

On Friday, March 9th, Troup County School System schools and offices will be open. This is designated as an inclement weather make-up day. Classes are in session and we will be working a normal school day schedule. 

For the sixth consecutive year, the Dernell Renauld Stenson Foundation is providing scholarship opportunities to high school seniors. In addition, for the fifth year in a row, The Foundation also announced it will provide STEM awards to elementary and middle school students.

To apply, students must return completed applications and proper documentation to The Foundation by April 30, 2018. Email all completed applications to: Mrs. Marion Tate at contactusdrsf@gmail.com.

Elementary and Middle School STEM Achievers Information

High School Scholarship Information

Scholarship Application - 2018

Parental Consent Form

To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available for school breakfast, Troup County School System (TCSS) schools will celebrate National School Breakfast Week.

Diane Pain, Director of School Nutrition for TCSS, said, “School Nutrition is making an effort to increase breakfast participation at all schools. We recognize that a healthy breakfast plays an important part in a student's ability to effectively learn and behave properly.”

TCSS was recently notified that they received the highest recommendation of ‘unmodified’ once again. In addition, the firm verified there were ‘no findings’ within the reviewed finances. Byron Jones, Chief Financial Officer for TCSS, stated, “This audit period was for the 2017 fiscal year. This now makes two years in a row that TCSS has no findings. Due to both the no findings and unmodified audit opinions, we will now be considered ‘low risk’ going into the next school year."

The external audit report contains three sections:

• Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
• Financial Statements
• Notes to Financial Statements; following this section is the firm’s opinion of the audit and if there were any findings.  

Read entire article here

We will celebrate Read Across America March 5 - March 9, 2018.  

Monday wear green!

Tuesday wear a shirt you can read!

Wednesday wear your crazy socks!

Thursday wear your RED and BLUE!

Friday wear your favorite hat!

Hope to see you participating and reading.

Today, Laura Banks' 10th grade Biology classes explored DNA, chromosomes and extinct animals through the new Google Augmented Realty Pioneer Program. TCSS employees Ginnie Walker and Mary Casey applied to have Callaway High as a beta testing group for the new 3-D learning apps. 

Students took 'tours' inside of hurricanes, chromosomes, and cornea's. In this video, Beyounce Williams, steps inside of a T-Rex.
 

As more details arise of yesterday’s tragic event at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl., we want to take this time to offer our thoughts and prayers to the students, faculty, families, and entire community that were impacted.

As a school system, we take safety very seriously. We have measures in place at each of our schools to make TCSS a safe learning environment and we want to share some of them with you.

1. We employ School Resource Officers (SRO) for each of our middle and high schools. If a student feels their safety is being compromised, they can talk to the SRO.
2. We have placed new or updated camera equipment and glass security doors in several of our buildings using Education SPLOST funds. We will continue the work until all are updated.  
3. We work directly with the Sheriff’s Office and LaGrange Police Department on security related matters within our buildings.

Candace McGhee, Principal of Ethel W. Kight Elementary, couldn't wait to share her favorite children's book for I Heart Literacy Week, a week designed for TCSS educators and students to share their favorite books in support of the Troup County School System's priority on increasing literacy rates for students. Literacy is a larger concept that encompasses skills like reading, comprehension, writing, and vocabulary. McGhee said:

"My favorite children's book is Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. The story is about a little girl named Grace who tries out for the role of Peter Pan in the school play, even though her classmates say she cannot play Peter Pan because she is black and a girl. Grace is determined and believes that she can do anything she sets her mind to.

I love this story because it truly has an inspirational message about believing in yourself no matter what other people say, following your dreams to become whatever you want - regardless of what others think - and remembering that you are capable of doing and becoming anything you want no matter your gender or race."

One of Troup County School System's top three district priorities is to increase the literacy level of our students. This means we want to help them become better readers and increase their vocabulary and comprehnsion skills. In this video, some of our students from West Point Elementary School shares their Lexile Reading Levels and why they 'love' to read. 
 

Over the past week, TCSS has seen an increase in the number of absences due to students experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms. Please select this link to read a letter from District 4 Public Health on guidelines and steps to help prevent the spread of germs. 

Troup County School System (TCSS) is preparing for the upcoming Pre-K and Kindergarten registration scheduled March 12-16. Registering Pre-K students are guaranteed entry into the Pre-K lottery drawing. Parents will be notified of acceptance by the middle of May. Registering Kindergarten students will be assigned to a classroom in their attendance zone.

Read entire article 

One TCSS priority is Literacy. This means the school system wants to increase reading levels for all students. TCSS implemented three reading programs (iRead, Read180, System44) to help achieve this goal. These programs allow students to learn elements of literacy that help increase reading, comprehension, and writing skills. Students who participate in these programs have seen reading gains as shown in this video.

Thanks to Christy Nolan and the students of Berta Weathersbee Elementary for sharing your Lexile (reading) levels! Please 'click' the photo to access the video. 

We look forward to seeing all TCSS employees and students tomorrow, Monday, January 22nd. All TCSS schools and offices will be open and on a regular schedule. 

Due to continued reports of lingering weather impacts from snow and ice in Troup County, all TCSS schools and offices will be closed Friday, January 19^th. There are still many areas that are covered in large patches of ice and the areas that have thawed are expected to re-freeze with the drop in temperatures tonight.

In addition, the Board of Education meeting scheduled for today at 5:30 p.m. has been rescheduled to Monday, January 22^nd at 5:30 p.m.

Please refer back to troup.org or our Facebook page for future updates.

After reviewing road conditions throughout Troup County and the impending weather forecast, all Troup County School System schools and offices will be closed Thursday, January 18^th. We will post updates concerning Friday as we know more.

Weather Update for TCSS: We are continuing our work with Emergency Cooperations and local law enforcement to monitor road conditions. A determination for school opening or closing tomorrow will be made around 5:00 p.m. today. Please refer back to troup.org or our Facebook page for future updates.

Due to reported winter weather advisories that are expected to impact Troup County tomorrow, Wednesday, January 17, all Troup County School System schools and offices will be closed. In addition, all afterschool activities for tomorrow are cancelled.

We will observe weather reports before a decision is made for Thursday. Please check back here or on the official Troup County School System Facebook page for updated information. 

All Troup County School System schools will be open on Tuessday, January 9th. We will be operating on a regular schedule. 

We hope students and their families had a happy and restful break!

Students will resume school on Thursday, January 4, 2018.  We can't wait to see you!

Troup County School System is looking for qualified teachers, SLP's, and to fill other certified positions. Areas of immediate interest are in the critical fields of Math, Science, CTAE, and Special Education. There are interviews on the spot for those that qualify!

Troup County School System offices and schools will be closed for the winter break on Thursday, Dec. 21st. There will be a professional learning day on Wednesday, Jan. 3rd. Students will return on Thursday, Jan. 4th. 

Have a Fun and Safe Holiday! 

Thank you to Troup County for your support of Education SPLOST (ESPLOST) 5. This is a summary of current ESPLOST updates and future projects. 

ESPLOST 5 Updates Summary

Earlier this month, each third grade student in Troup County made a graduation pact with Debbie Burdette, Troup County CLCP Executive Director, before she handed each one of them a free dictionary. Better known to the young learners as 'Mama Jama the Storytelling Mama', they enjoyed the story of how the individual dictionaries made it to their school. 
 

To submit a request for the New Elementary School located on South Davis Rd., please complete the Naming of Facilities Request Form by Friday, January 12th @ 5:00 pm.  The form must be completed in its entirety and submitted to:

Troup County Board of Education

Attention: Naming of Facilities Requests

100 N. Davis Road, Building C

LaGrange, GA 30241

Fax: 706.812.7904

Moving the needle on student achievement may seem like an easy feat, but if you ask Debra Brock, Principal of Whitesville Road Elementary, she can tell you that it takes an entire community for a school to show gains.

Just two years ago, the school received a score of 55.8 out of 100 on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). This score placed them on a Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) watch list. Today, after the GaDOE released the 2017 CCRPI scores and climate star ratings, the students and staff of WRES can celebrate because they are now the second highest scoring school within Troup County School System (TCSS) with a total of 80 out of 100 points. 

Read entire story here

Today, the TCSS received the air sample analysis results from our third party vendor, The Culpepper Group. Testing results indicate that following the remediation process of cleaning, using engineering controls, and structural drying inside of Rosemont, there is not an elevation of airborne mold. Later this week, we will be meeting with our mechanical engineer to discuss permanent solutions to keeping the air dry and we will continue monitoring humidity levels within the building.
 

Select this link to read the Executive Summary Report. 

Flu season is upon us and there are a number of ways to protect students and staff from passing this virus to others. The easiest and most under-used protection is through hand washing. The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year about 20,000 children younger than five are hospitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia. 

In this GUIDE FOR PARENTS, there is some valuable information that can help you recognize symptoms and learn how to protect yourself and your child. 

 
School begins Thursday, August 9 and Troup County schools are preparing for students. If you are ready to shop for your child(ren) school supplies, here is the list:   

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST