Today, after an extensive application, review, and search process, Troup County School System (TCSS) Board of Education has narrowed the list of Superintendent applicants down to three finalists.
 

• Margaret ‘Peggy’ Aune, Ed.D. - She is the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction of Collier County Public Schools in Naples, Florida.
• Larry E. DiChiara, Ed.D. - He is President of SOY Education Associates, Inc., Consulting Firm in Auburn, Alabama. He was previously a Superintendent in Alabama for 11 years. 
• Brian T. Shumate, Ph.D. - He is currently Superintendent of Medford School District in Medford, Oregon.
   

The Board began working with McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., an executive recruitment and development firm, in October 2018 to begin the search process. A total of 52 qualified applications from across the nation were received over a two-month period. McPherson & Jacobson consultants reviewed, screened, and conducted extensive background checks on all applicants. They then presented their findings to the Board of Education. From the 52 initial applicants, the Board narrowed the list down to twelve. After more consideration and reviewing submitted video introductions, the Board selected five candidates who were interviewed via video conference. 
 

Now, they are down to the final three. The next steps in the process include in-person interviews with each finalist that will be conducted the week of February 11-15. The Board’s plan is to make a decision and recommend a Superintendent by the end of February. 

Download the Online Registration Parent Guide

TCSS is aware of possible inclement weather Tuesday early evening into Wednesday morning. We are currently working with local officials and the Emergency Operations Center to gauge the weather impact for Troup County.

Currently, all TCSS SCHOOLS ARE OPEN. There is a briefing late this afternoon that will provide us with more details. We will share an update later this evening. Please note, all official school closings will be posted on our Facebook and Twitter pages, on the district's website, and sent via One Call Now.

The transition from middle school to high school can be a bit overwhelming for both students and parents. That is why Troup County School System (TCSS) invited all rising high school students to the Callaway Conference Center earlier this week to attend the 8^th Grade Transition Fair. 

Emmanuel Reddish, TCSS Literacy Coach, headed the program. He said, “This event had two major purposes. One was to encourage literacy around Troup County, with the school system taking the lead. The second purpose was to bring the community together, as a whole, for unity.”

Communities In Schools of Georgia in Troup County is part of the nation's largest stay in school network. The mission of CIS Troup County is to surround students with a community of support, empower them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS Troup County has developed both girls and boys mentoring programs at all 3 local middle schools.

“Today's visit was extremely important because we must introduce our students and rising leaders to their community and educate our students on who their elected officials are, what their roles are, how they became an elected official and even how our students can become an elected official one day,” said Communities in Schools Site Coordinator for Callaway Middle School Stephanie Williams.

As the head of the public relations department for KMMG, Corrine Hodges was also a familiar face in Troup County School System (TCSS) and especially at THINC College & Career Academy (THINC) where her advocacy for education extended as the Board Chair of THINC. Last month, she accepted the position of CEO for the Association of Women’s Business Centers in Washington, D.C. Her last gavel drop as THINC Board Chair was in late December, and she took a moment to share, via email, her hopes for the future of TCSS and THINC.

Read entire story here. 

appy Veterans Day to all of the brave men and women who have served our country. Thanks to the staff and students at Berta Weathersbee Elementary for honoring our veterans! 
 

If you are unable to attend a Superintendent Search Stakeholder meeting this week, please take a moment to complete this short and anonymous online survey powered through SurveyMonkey. 

Stakeholder Input - SURVEY

Thanks to all of our men and women who have served in the armed forces. 

Rep. Randy Nix and the Georgia House of Representatives are all sharing how teachers make all the difference. He shares his memories of his 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Avis Tidwell, in this video:

Rep. Nix - Mrs. Avis Tidwell

BWES Grandmother, Cynthia Blackmon, is posing with her grandsons Zycorious Dandy and Marquez Anderson.  Cynthia stays involved as a grandmother by serving as Berta Weathersbee Elementary School's PTO Secretary.  She also comes to as many school events as possible and encourages other families to be involved, too!

Shannon Lawson is the proud mother of Harrison Lawson, a senior at Troup High School.  Shannon shared that she has followed the words of Proverbs 22:6 when raising her children - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  She feels that these words are her most important job as a parent. She knows that partnering with her children's schools over the years has paid off in great dividends!

Communication is key when it comes to parent engagement says a group of over 30 parents who rolled out of bed to have their voices heard at an early morning meeting sponsored by Troup County School System (TCSS). Once a month, the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meets to share ideas and information that helps parents and the school system maintain an open line of communication between the two groups.

Read entire story here. 

“When a fire alarm is activated in your building, what is the protocol? Do all the students jump up and run outside or do they wait for an all clear from administrators before being escorted out of the building?” That was the question Lt. Eric Lohr with the LaGrange Police Department (LPD) asked over 45 Troup County School System (TCSS) employees at a recent Safety Table Top Exercise.

Read entire story here.

A few years ago, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) was looking for a tool to measure how well its schools, districts, and the state are helping students succeed. The tool that was chosen is the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). Today, GaDOE released the 2018 CCRPI scores for Troup County School System (TCSS) and other public education systems around the state.

Read entire article here.

Congrats to the 18 Ault Academy students that were a part of the October PBIS Celebration. They ate at Your Pie in LaGrange. The event was sponsored by American Home Shield, their Partners in Education. Ault administrators said, "Despite the rain, the students were excited to get off campus. We thank American Home Shield (AHS) and Mrs. Lori Smith from AHS for sponsoring the event for our students."

Thank you to all our wonderful TCSS Principals! 
 

Thanks to all of our TCSS Bus Drivers!

Thanks to the City of LaGrange for their partnership of this School Bus Safety Video! 

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. 

This week, Troup County School System (TCSS) joins Voices for Georgia’s Children in celebrating the 25^th anniversary of Georgia’s Pre-K Week.

This program was the brainchild of Governor Zell Miller in 1992 and has grown from serving 750 children in its first year to approximately 81,000 annually. Launched seven years ago, Pre-K Week draws attention to Georgia’s Pre-K Program by giving hundreds of state, business and community leaders a chance to visit Pre-K centers and witness quality early learning in action.

Read entire story here.

Troup County School System's Finance Department will host Open Enrollment Benefit Sessions for all interested TCSS employees. Discussions will cover the 2018 SHBP plan designs, rates, how to select the proper coverage, wellness, telemedicine, and a general overview of Troup County Schools’ benefits and plan updates on other benefits. The full list of dates, times, and sessions are below.
 

TCSS Open Enrollment Benefit Education Sessions List

Thank you to our Partners in Education! Your support of the Troup County School System help us reach our goals and students reach success. Some partner activities include mentorship, providing funding for literacy initiatives and positive behavior initiatives, allowing students to tour work facilities, and providing externship opportunities for our teachers. We appreciate you! 

The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) released its 2017 Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rates today. Overall, Troup County School System (TCSS) saw a 1.1 percent increase from 2016. The system rate showed a greater rate of increase, at 6.6 percent in three years, while the state of Georgia has a 1.7 percent increase in the same amount of time. There were a total of 898 TCSS graduates.

The TCSS graduation rates are as follows:

Read the entire story here. 

The Troup County School System Human Resources Department is implementing a new HR Management system called Munis. While this system is being implemented, our HR specialists are working to improve the Career Opportunities webpage. It will be available on October 23rd. 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Troup County School System (TCSS) nurses decided to ‘Go Gold’ to tackle awareness. Christy Mason, RN Health Care Coordinator for TCSS said a door decorating contest would be a powerful conversation starter to help bring childhood cancer awareness to student and adults.

According to Mason, cancer is the third most common cause of death among children between the ages of 1 and 19. In addition:

• TCSS currently has ten students that are battling cancer.
• The most common form of childhood cancer is leukemia.
• Cancer accounted for seven percent of all childhood deaths in Georgia from 2001-2011.

Read entire story here

September is Attendance Awareness Month and Nicole Kennedy, TCSS Parent Engagement Coordinator talks about why attendance is important; especially in the lower grades. 

Troup County School System will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, September 13th. All schools will be on a regular schedule. 

Due to the expected weather impact from Hurricane Irma, Troup County School System will close schools on Monday, September 11^th and Tuesday, September 12^th.

The Maintenance and Custodial staff will report both days to assist with clean-up efforts at the schools. You should expect a call from your supervisor with further details.

Please refer to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency website for weather preparedness and safety information.

If you have a power outage or gas leak, please call the City of LaGrange utilities department at 706.883.2130. If you experience flooding or a fallen tree on your property, please call the City of LaGrange public works department at 706.883.2100. If anyone is hurt or in danger, please call 911.  

Troup County School System (TCSS) is carefully monitoring the potential weather impact from Hurricane Irma with local emergency operation divisions. We are alert to possible changing weather conditions over the weekend and are working with our state and local emergency management systems.

As more information becomes available, we will make a decision about school closures to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and their families. Our course of action through the weekend is dependent on the track of the storm.

When a final decision has been made, we will notify the community through a One Call Now phone call, update the district and school websites, and update the TCSS Facebook social media channel. In addition, we will notify the local media through a news alert. 

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

Everyone plays a role in reducing student absences. September is Attendance Awareness Month and TCSS is encouraging schools and the entire community to remember that engagement matters for attendance. We are working hard to create a welcoming and engaging school environment that motivates students and families to come to #schooleveryday.

Do you know a student in grades K-8 who loves art? Here is a chance for them to do something creative, fun, and possibly win! The Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation (GAPT) is hosting a School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme is: My Driver – My Safety Hero!

The purpose is to help students learn about school bus safety through art. Submissions must be received by Friday, Sept. 22nd so they can be sent to Ga Dept. of Education. Rules and submission information is below. 

2017 Georgia School Bus Safety Poster Contest

2017 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest

Send all submissions to:

turnerjp@troup.org

Dr. Jeffrey Turner, Transportation

100 North Davis Rd., Building B

LaGrange, GA 30240

Happy Labor Day! No school on Monday, September 4th. 

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New TCSS Elementary School has been postponed due to tomorrow's anticipated inclement weather. We are currently discussing an alternative date and time and will send a new invite when a decision has been made.

TCSS welcomes the new school year with Academic Success Under Construction! 
 

On Thursday, the Board of Education voted to accept the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Package from Carroll Daniel Construction Company for site work at the New Elementary School to be located on South Davis Road. This package includes site work in preparation for roadways, foundation work, electrical, water and sewer, and site improvements for the new school.

The New Elementary School, which has not been named, is scheduled to open August 2018. The construction and building of the facility was approved in the Education SPLOST 5 which was approved by Troup County residents in May 2016. 
 

In order to bring clarity to the Troup County School System (TCSS) community members, the district is listing August 21^st dismissal times. After TCSS reviewed a solar eclipse simulation, it indicates the event is scheduled to have the most impact in Troup County between 2:30 pm - 2:40 pm. That time frame overlaps TCSS elementary school release times; therefore, the district has adjusted schedules to reflect optimal student safety. For the safety of students and staff, TCSS is providing age-appropriate and relevant indoor educational resources and activities to optimize this historic event.
 

If a student is absent or receives early check-out to witness this rare occurrence with family, an excused absence will be granted upon a written consent from the parent or guardian. Parents should follow their child’s school procedures for early check-out times. 

State School Superintendent Richard Woods is seeking middle and high school students to serve on his 2017-2018 Student Advisory Council. These students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom, along with other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools.

Applicants must be enrolled in a Georgia public middle or high school for the 2017-18 school year. To apply:

• Click here to download an application: http://www.gadoe.org/Documents/2017%20-%202018%20Student%20Advisory%20Council%20Application.docx
• Send applications by September 1, 2017 at 5 p.m. to students@doe.k12.ga.us    

Troup County School System recently rolled out a new Employee Self Service (ESS) system. With the new ESS, employees can now view information on their mobile phone through the Munis ESS App. Directions for downloading the app onto your cell phone is below:

Munis Employee Self Service App

Tomorrow starts the first day of school!  We can't to see you!

Improving student attendance will be one area of focus for the Troup County School System for the 2017-2018 school year. Last month, the Board of Education voted to revise policies relating to student absences, excuses, promotion, and retention.

These revisions in policies enable high school administrators to hold students accountable for school attendance. The two policies are IHE and JBD. Parents should go to Board Policies and read the new policies. A summary states:

When a student has five (5) unexcused absences from first period, the school will notify the parents and juvenile authorities. When a student in grades 9-12 has more than seven (7) absences in a specific class in a semester course, whether excused or unexcused, the student is in danger of losing credit for the specified class unless approved by the waiver committee.

For any student with more than seven (7) unexcused absences, a waiver will not be granted. Ignorance of the rule shall not be considered sufficient cause for setting aside its effects.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER TRAINING

Applications Accepted Online

July 14 – August 23, 2017

Workshop Date

September 13, 2017

Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

    Administrative Services Center (Board Room)     

Before students walk through the halls for the first time this school year, Troup County School System (TCSS) wants all students, parents, businesses, and community members to know that Attendance Matters – and here’s why.

During the summer planning months, district leaders took a hard look at root causes for student test scores. One of the underlying factors was student attendance. When local high schools were polled about the percentage of students missing seven or more days unexcused, the numbers were staggering:

• 31 percent of LaGrange High students missed seven or more days unexcused.
• 36 percent of Troup High students missed seven or more days unexcused.
• 40 percent of Callaway High students missed seven or more days unexcused.

Read entire story here. 

As students return to school, the Georgia Department of Education and State School Superintendent Richard Woods are urging motorists to use caution when approaching a school bus and to brush up on the law regarding passing a school bus.

According to Georgia law, vehicles traveling in BOTH directions must stop when a school bus activates its stop-arm on a two-lane road or a multi-lane road with no median or barrier. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as a school bus must always stop, but motorists traveling in the opposite direction can proceed (with caution) when there is an unpaved median or concrete barrier separating the opposing lanes.

Read entire release here. 

Troup County School System is proud to offer a new employee self service portal (ESS) through a Tyler Technologies program called Munis. Within the ESS portal, employess will be able to view and print paystubs, change information on W-4 or G-4 forms, and view leave information. Employees must access the new Munis ESS portal for information after July 1, 2017.

The link for the new ESS is above, but will be accessible from the 'Quick Links' under 'Employees' after August 10, 2017. As we transition from the old benefits system portal, there will be more access to different features in the new ESS. We will communicate those options as they become available. The previous benefits systems portal will be available until October 1, 2017. 

Accessing ESS One Pager
Accessing ESS - PPT

the Georgia Department of Education released assessment scores for school systems throughout the state. The Georgia Milestones (GMAS) is a more rigorous assessment than the previous CRCT evaluation system. GMAS End of Grades was administered in grades 3-8 and GMAS End of Course was given in grades 9-12. GMAS results are not comparable to CRCT results.

GMAS assesses student learning on four performance levels, compared to three on CRCT. These designations aim to shift the focus away from just test scores, instead capturing the progression of students’ learning:

Beginning Learners

Developing Learners

Proficient Learners

Distinguished Learners

Read entire story here

The Bringing Innovative Best Practices to Scale project recently tapped Troup County School System (TCSS) as a district to study as part of their country-wide project initiative. TCSS is the first district in the nation to be selected for this honor based on the district’s system-wide dedication to innovative practices focused on student learning and achievement.
 

Recently, Ethel W. Kight elementary school in Troup County was given kudos as a Georgia Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) operational school from the Georgia Department of Education.

PBIS is a school wide approach to creating a positive and safe climate in which all students can learn and grow. This is the second full year of implementation of PBIS at Ethel W. Kight and the tiered system of support for discipline and positive behavior reinforcement is making headway. 

Read entire story here. 

Earlier this month, Governor Nathan Deal announced 39 awardees for the Innovation Fund Tiny Grant program. Troup County School System’s (TCSS) Jungle Bus, headed by the Parent Engagement department, along with Long Cane Middle School have received three of those grants amounting close to $30,000.

“As we move further into rigor and relevant learning this school year, these funding opportunities will help us provide a greater school choice experience for middle school students and it will impact a community of future students through literacy,” said Dr. Cole Pugh, TCSS Superintendent.

The Innovation Fund Tiny Grant program is a competitive grant opportunity that provides funding to traditional public schools, charter schools and school districts to help implement small-scale programs that directly engage student.

Read entire story here. 

Recently, robotics students from THINC College & Career Academy were ranked among the top in the nation after competing against thousands of teams in the SkillsUSA National Championships in Lexington, Kentucky. The THINC team of Devin Joyce and Shay Griffin earned second place in the Humanoid Robotics category. And the team of Grace Ingram and Savanna Scott – the first all-female Mechatronics competition team in history – took 5^th place in Mechatronics. 

Read entire story here.

This summer, Troup County School System (TCSS) hosted the English Language Learners Summer Academy for over 50 English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students within the county. Within TCSS, 18 languages are spoken so it is important to provide a learning environment where students of other languages can learn together in various settings while using engaging methods to help them connect to the English language. 

Read entire story here.

Berta Weathersbee is hosting two Stakeholder Gatherings for families and community members. This will be a great opportunity to share strengths and opportunities for growth for Berta. 

• Tuesday, July 11 
• 6 pm
• LaGrange Memorial Library

or

• Tuesday, July 18
• 6 pm
• Troup Co. Baptist Association

Earlier this month, Chief Human Resource Officer Sequita Freeman, provided an update on Troup County School System Employee Trends. Within the report, it was noted that:
 

• In Georgia, 47% of teachers leave the profession within five years. 
• TCSS exit survey results noted retirement was the number one reason for leaving the district (41%).
• TCSS exit survey results noted 87% of employees were satisfied with their position.
• There is no significant difference between TCSS and GA retention rates. 
• Some schools showed an increase in attrition more than others.
   

Read the entire report here.

Over the past two weeks, close to 200 rising 6^th thru 8^th grade Troup County School System (TCSS) students roamed the halls of THINC College & Career Academy as they participated in the Junior University Summer Enrichment Program (Junior University). The purpose of Junior University was to enhance middle school student learning through advanced studies and hands-on experiments.

The enrichment experience, led by TCSS employees, fostered collegial support for students who are pursuing a more rigorous course of study throughout the regular school year. The curriculum focused on science, technology and robotics, engineering, math and foreign language. In addition, a new course in Technical Theatre was offered. The students designed a set, set up a stage, and placed lighting for a play. 

Read entire story here. 

Last week, close to a dozen Troup County School System (TCSS) high school students got to SLAM into summer learning during the week-long Students Learning About Manufacturing camp hosted by local businesses and held at THINC College and Career Academy.

Duracell, Mountville Mills, KIA, and Milliken all stepped up and opened up their doors for SLAM students to learn about the manufacturing field. Each day when students arrived at THINC, they received an introduction to Robotics and had an opportunity to work on their robots, which would be in a friendly week-ending competition.

Read entire article here.  

Who said teachers didn't work summers??? Well, some of the Troup County School System (TCSS) Science and Social Studies teachers are getting prepared to teach new elective courses and state standard changes. Starting in August, middle school students will have student choice class options that are geared to their interest. Classes like Medical Detectives, Chess, and SAT Prep will be offered. In TCSS's high schools, a renewed focus on career pathways like Robotics, Fine Arts, Engineering, and Healthcare will be offered as well. 

Here, middle school teachers Lisa O'Neal, Courtney Agurs, and Tiffany Graham are participating in a "Testing the Senses" lab during training at Auburn University for the new TCSS elective class, Medical Detectives. This is just one of the exciting new programs that will be offered in TCSS schools in the fall!

Late last week, an article highlighting Top 10 Schools for fighting listed one Troup County School – Berta Weathersbee Elementary. While the listing highlighted 2016 data, the Troup County School System (TCSS) is responding in a resounding way through ‘We Back Berta’.

Under House Bill 251, a state law enacted in 2009, a parent or legal guardian of student in Troup County Schools may request to transfer the child to another Troup County  Public School for the upcoming school year. Before the transfer is allowed, the school district must determine that classroom space is available, that teacher allocations at the school are appropriate and all assigned students have been enrolled and scheduled. Please see the attachments below for details. 

Applications are due by Friday, July 7, 2017. 

TCSS Space Availability

House Bill 251 Parent/Guardian Information

House Bill 251 Application

When Debra Brown made the decision to become a Troup County School System (TCSS) bus driver six years ago, she already had the training and knowledge due to her former employment in New Hampshire. She enjoyed taking her son to school with the other students she transported. For Brown, it was more than a job, it was an opportunity for her to make a difference while also enjoying a flexible schedule.  

Read the entire story here.

The Troup County School System will purge records of gifted students who graduated in May, 2016.
 
Gifted students/their parent or guardian may claim their gifted records by calling the Exceptional Education Center at 706-812-7939 by June 30, 2017.  Unclaimed records will be destroyed after July 1, 2017.
 
Records will be released to former students or their parent/guardian only.  A photo ID is required.

Last week the Troup County School System (TCSS) hosted their annual Retirement Reception at Rosemont Baptist Church. With over 150 friends, family and co-workers in attendance, the church donated the facility, provided the food and set up the venue with decorations. During the event, 44 school employees were honored for their time and expertise in improving the lives of Troup County students. The total years of these individuals in education mounted to more than 1,150 years combined.

Read entire article here.

Today, the fourth and fifth grade students at Rosemont Elementary gathered in the gymnasium, along with the family and friends of Lynn Thrailkill, Rosemont Elementary fourth grade teacher. They were there to celebrate Mrs. Thrailkill’s win for the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 180 Educator Award.

Earlier this month, Troup County School System (TCSS) received the news that Mrs. Thrailkill was one of five teachers across the country being recognized for this award. What made this honor so outstanding is that the school system implemented Read 180 only nine months ago. 

Read the full story here

In April, the TCSS Board of Education approved The Seamless Summer Option program, which is a partnership between the Troup County Parks and Recreation and TCSS. This program will allow for an extension of the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. With this, students will be able to receive breakfast and lunch in selecct locations during the summer months. Locations and times vary throughout the county.

Seamless Summer Option Feeding Location and Times

“I’m driven and I’m determined to be the best me I can be despite my difficulties,” said ROTC’s Major, Freshman Flight Commander, Expected General, and Executive Officer; Edwina Basilio. As a member of Troup High School’s JROTC, Edwina knows that pushing through will get you through. As a young girl, she began having medical complications. Later, she was diagnosed as having two bone marrow issues, Aplastic Anemia and PNH. These are rare disorders that causes red blood cells to break down sooner than they should. The person she credits as helping her through these difficult health times is her mother, Yolonda Basilio Smith.

She credits Ms. Nichelle Wimbush for being a good mentor, “Both women play a huge role in my life. Ms. Wimbush is always there for me. When I was in the hospital, she came to see me. When I’m at school she makes sure I’m eating right and not slacking in my classes. That is important to me, because she shows she cares.”

Read Edwina's story here

When looking at Norma Fannin’s petite stature, one would never guess she was a former truck driver, but when the 18-wheeler she was driving broke down in the middle of nowhere, she knew it was time to get back to nursing. Of the experience she says, “I always loved big trucks, so I took a break from nursing to do something different. When that truck broke down, I knew it was time to start back practicing nursing again.”

Read Norma's Story Here

Te’a Winston stands out among her peers and it’s clear to see why, with her infectious smile and clear decision on studying Communications while minoring in Biology at Kennesaw State University.

The avid softball player credits the Biology spin to her LaGrange High Anatomy Instructor, Dr. Russell Murphy. Of Murphy, Winston says, “I love learning and he is always there to remind me there is always more to learn. That pushes me to want to learn more. He made me like Science.”

Read more about Te'a Here

When Iyanla Mosley is in Mr. David Curtis’ Callaway High School science class, she feels at home. “Mr. Curtis has helped me to understand and really like science. He is a good teacher and he cares for his students.” 

She has been playing the trumpet since she was in the 6th grade, but plans to hold off her first year of college when she will be yelling ‘Roll Tide’ in the fall as she heads to the University of Alabama where she will major in Biology. 

She plans to continue into the medical field as she hopes to one day become an optometrist and open her own practice.

Read Iyanla's Entire Story Here

When Jadarius ‘JD’ Young talks, you can tell he is grateful for his family and friends. He thanks them for where he is today. 

After four years of playing linebacker for the Grangers, he received a scholarship to Point and will continue to play football and major in Criminal Justice. When he is not on the field, he volunteers with youth groups at church and Camp Viola.

Coach Dialeo Burkes is a standout mentor for him. “I have a lot of teachers that stand out to me, but Coach Burkes has been there for me. His mindset is to always keep going, always push yourself. I can go and talk to him about anything. He has been a good role model to me and I can talk to him about anything.”

Read Jadarius' Entire Story Here

Named Troup High School’s Star Student, Joshua Wreyford has been focused on his goals for a while. He challenged himself early on to be a full-time dually enrolled student during his senior year. And he’s taken on the challenge with no hesitation.

Of the decision to take advantage of courses on the campus of Columbus State University, he says, “I wanted a head start (of going to college) because it is a lot of money and dual enrollment is a free program offered by the state of Georgia.” He is currently enrolled in five college courses and last semester, he was enrolled in four. The workload does not bother him because he knows the more he gets done now, the less he will have to pay for later. 

Read more of Joshua's story here.

Today Lynn Thrailkill, Rosemont Elementary fourth grade teacher, learned she was named a recipient of the 180 Educator Award.

This award recognizes five teachers across the United States for helping struggling students build their literacy, vocabulary and word recognition. The 180 Educator Awards, now in its eleventh year, honors educators who help children overcome personal and academic obstacles to achieve reading literacy. The chosen teachers also demonstrate an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of struggling learners.

Read entire article here.

Mollie Lukken Memorial Scholarship applications are now available. This grant is open to any Troup County School System teacher pursuing graduate studies in special education. Past recipients are eligible to apply again. This scholarship is in honor of the memory of Junior Service League member Mollie Lukken, a League founder and leader in the field of learning disabilities.

All applications are due May 5, 2017. 

Mollie Lukken Scholarship Cover Letter

Mollie Lukken Scholarship Application

Thanks to a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Education and Stanford University, Georgia parents of pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners have access to a FREE texting program to help prepare 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds for kindergarten.

Ready4K GA provides tips, facts, resources, and regular reminders about how parents can excel in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher by maximizing existing family routines in fun and easy ways. Research shows that these types of texts increase parent involvement at home and school while leading to significant child learning gains.

Access the Ready4K Ga Link Here

On Friday, representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and Troup County School System (TCSS) Transportation department gathered at the bus shop to showcase new security cameras designed to protect students as they enter and exit school buses.

Thanks to Gatekeeper Systems, Inc., and the partnership between local law enforcement and TCSS, cameras were installed free of charge. Currently, 10 school buses are outfitted with the new security cameras.

Read entire article here.

Six Troup County School System (TCSS) teachers were excited to learn they were selected to attend the Harvard Graduate School of Education this summer. On July 19, they will spend one week immersed in the Project Zero Classroom experience on the notable campus.

For the second year in a row, The Community Foundation of Troup County, an affiliate organization of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc. (CFCV) helped spur funding to send Troup County educators for this significant professional learning opportunity. Other community organizations joined the effort as well: 

Read entire article here.

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Technology) curriculum is an important part of all levels of education. To provide hands on learning and to better prepare all students, the Makerspace has become an important addition to schools and public libraries. According to Makerspace.com, it  is a "collaborative workspace that uses high tech materials (3-D printers, sewing machines) to low tech materials (Legos, cardboard) for making, learning, exploring and sharing."  

This awareness month was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

As the parent/guardian of a student who receives exceptional education services in the Troup County School System, we wanted to inform you about your options regarding public and private school choice. Under the state law passed by the Georgia State Legislature in 2007, parents/guardians of students who receive exceptional education service may choose to transfer their child to another public school or private school in Georgia.  

Letter to Parents

Earlier this week during the monthly THINC College & Career Academy board meeting, The Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium (GEICC) awarded two LaGrange High School students who attend THINC $500 scholarships each.

Receiving the inaugural scholarships were seniors Karan Lakhwani and Bailey Painter. Lakhwani is involved in school and extracurricular activities such as the Science Bowl, Academic Bowl and tennis team. He has held leadership positions and achieved numerous honors, including being inducted into the National Honor Society with a weighted 4.96 GPA. In addition, he is a Georgia Certificate of Merit Scholar and AP Scholar of Distinction. 

Read entire article here. 

This past Saturday, 31 of Troup County School Systems (TCSS) bus drivers and transportation employees gathered at the bus shop for some friendly competition as the annual School Bus Road-e-o started early in the morning.

After all scores were tallied, Mark Siersma was named the first place winner. With nine years of experience, he has qualified to attend the state competition each year he has been on the job. He has also competed in the Special Needs Road-e-o for two years. Last year, he was first place in the state of Georgia and he went on to compete in the National School Bus Road-e-o where he placed 6^th in the nation.

Read entire article here.

Troup County students and parents will be reading in the jungle this summer. ‘The Jungle Bus’ will begin routing through neighborhoods soon thanks to students who attend THINC College & Career Academy who named and designed the exterior wrap for the bus.

As a part of the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the idea for the community bookmobile birthed out of Troup County School System (TCSS) personnel and Gail Gordon, United Way Success by Six Coordinator, wanting to make a larger impact on literacy and reading with students before they reach Pre-K.

read entire article here.

Troup County School System will be observing Spring Break Monday, April 3 - Friday, April 7. All schools and offices will be closed during this time. 

Yesterday, Georgia’s State School Superintendent Richard Woods, along with other Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) representatives, visited Troup County School System (TCSS) to bestow an award for the Title I Parent Engagement Program.

The recognition comes from a November 2016 video and written entry into the GaDOE’s Parent Engagement contest. For the video and written submissions, TCSS showcased the theme Parent Engagement Rocks! Both items showcased programs that TCSS has implemented to include and garner support for parental involvement. In late November, the district was named one of the top four in parent engagement within the state.  

read entire article here.

Recently, students in Troup County School System (TCSS) received some encouraging news when asked to write essays about overcoming obstacles – their writings would be entered into a contest with Scholastic Publishing. The completed works would be shared with Sharon Robinson, the daughter of Jackie Robinson, before a winner was named.

Teachers and students focused on the book Promises to Keep; a story chronicling Jackie Robinson’s rise to prominence in Major League Baseball amid breaking the color barrier for the popular sport. The prompt asked students to show how they use Jackie Robinson’s values to face their own barriers, making the writing relevant to their personal lives. While the essay was a perfect addition to the TCSS curriculum, it was also a rigorous lesson that made students think beyond the classroom. 

read entire article here.

Anticipation filled the room as Troup County School System employees and friends gathered for the annual Teacher of the Year reception at Del’Avant Event Center. In the end, the honor was given to Kayla Yeargin, a ninth grade Accelerated Algebra I and Algebra I teacher at Troup County Comprehensive High School.

When entering Yeargin’s classroom, one can feel the warmth and open environment she has built with her students. They freely come to her with questions and enjoy the relevant lessons that she provides to help them learn about advanced mathematical concepts.

On the day when out-of-system judges observed Yeargin, students teamed in pairs of two and while using Chromebooks, played each other in pool. The object of the lesson was more than a game, it was for her students to win using mathematical reasoning.

read entire article here.

This is a friendly reminder that as students begin completing Georgia Milestones testing, 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. 

Please take a moment to take this Title I Parent Survey.

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This past week, the TCSS Finance Department received three questions about the FY18 budget. The answers to these questions are contained within the below link. The budget email address is still open for additional questions. If you have an inquiry, please submit to them to budgetquestions@troup.org. 

Budget Email Questions - Week 1

Troup County School System (TCSS) is currently preparing Performance Based Budgets for FY2018. 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 FY2018 budget. Responses will be posted on troup.org within 5-7 business days.
 

The email address will remain open until Friday, April 14. 

Troup County School System (TCSS) is joining a statewide celebration saluting the efforts of local school board members. Governor Nathan Deal has proclaimed March 13-17 as School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. This weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education.
 

“Our board works together to fulfill its duties and obligations to continuously help improve learning opportunities for students in Troup County,” said Dr. Cole Pugh, Superintendent of TCSS. “They visit schools each month, ask questions of our educators and employees, and provide relevant feedback as they make decisions that impact the students and staff within the system.” 

Read full article here. 

Troup County School System (TCSS) is currently preparing Performance Based Budgets for FY2018. 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 FY2018 budget. Responses will be posted on troup.org within 5-7 business days.

The email address will remain open until Friday, April 14^th. 

For students who ride Bus #06-90 from Callaway Elementary, Callaway Middle, and Callaway High School's, we have just been informed that Georgia Department of Transportation will close the bridge located between Leonard Rd. and Hightower Rd. beginning Monday, March 13th. Please note schedule changes in the link below. Some of them are significant. 

We strive to keep you notified in a timely manner. We appreciate your understanding for any inconvenience these pick-up times may cause. 

Bus #06-90 Pick Up Times

Today, Troup County School System (TCSS) received some great news when the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) released the Reward Schools listing – six local elementary schools were named as 2016-2017 Title I Reward Schools. This number is up four from last year.

“To see our schools making progress and being recognized is an honor. This year, we have six schools on the list. This shows the tremendous work our staff and students are doing to make Troup County a stand-out district,” said Dr. Cole Pugh, Superintendent of TCSS. 

Read Article Here   

Congratulations to the Rosemont Elementary Academic Bowl. They had a very successful season. Fourth and fifth grade students were chosen for the team based on responses from a written test. They were then called in for tryouts using the buzzer system that is commonly used in Academic Bowl meets. To start the season, the team placed 4th. At subsequent meets, they placed 1st both times. To round out the Southern Division A area, they came in 2nd place. Thanks to their team of coaches for preparing them for meets; Mrs. Krista Bowen, Mrs. Mary Ann Keck & Mrs. Ashley Strickland.

Applications are now available for The LaGrange Industrial Fellowship for Teachers (LIFT) Externship Program for educators. All externships will take place June 5-9, 2017 and is open to 21 teachers and counselors. Participants will be chosen through an application process and they will receive a $1,000 stipend. Applications are due to Dr. Penny Johnson by March 15. 

Click Here for Externship Application - Due by March 15

For the 5th consecutive year, the Dernell Renauld Stenson Foundation is providing scholarship opportunities to high school seniors. In addition, for the 4th 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 March 31, 2017. Winners will notified by April 21, 2017. Email all completed applications to: Mrs. Marion Tate at contactusdrsf@gmail.com.

Elementary and Middle School Scholarship Information 

High School Scholarship Information

Scholarship Application

Last week, Troup County School System (TCSS) third grade students experienced “The Thrill of the Orchestra!” for their annual LaGrange Symphony Orchestra field trip.

Before the symphony played a note, students were given activity books in their classrooms that contained information about various composers, Concert Host Carol Cain, and Dr. Richard Prior, Music Director and Conductor. In the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Moments of Music booklet, eight pages of age-appropriate activities engaged student learning about instruments, words associated with music, a crossword puzzle, and even a writing section entitled ‘Critic’s Corner’. 

Read Article Here

Troup County School System (TCSS) first graders are learning and making music thanks to a generous contribution from KMMG via SAE International. While upper elementary and middle school students are familiar with the A World in Motion (AWIM) competitions, the Making Music arm of AWIM extends Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning into lower grades.

Read Entire Story Here. 

The Rosemont Academic Bowl Team had a successful season.  They came in 4th place at the first meet, 1st place at the second meet and 1st place at the third meet.  They finished in 2nd place for the Southern A Division and were invited to the finals on Feb. 28 at Elm Street Elementary in Newnan.

Five students and teachers were honored during the 2017 Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club. Before the event ended, Seungju (Jason) Lee from LaGrange High School was named Troup County STAR Student.
 

For the past 58 years, a top academic senior in each participating Georgia high school is named the STAR student for that high school. Created to focus public attention on Georgia’s outstanding students and teachers, this program showcases the academic achievement of students and a chosen educator who was instrumental in their development. 
 

Read Entire Article Here

On Friday, teachers at Troup High School were surprised when the Celebration Cart wheeled through the halls before the President's Day holiday. Dr. Cole Pugh, Supt. of TCSS, along with Cabinet members stopped by to recognize every school employee while giving them bags of snacks and drinks. 

This is one of the awesome ways TCSS shows appreciation to employees while saying, 'Thanks for all you do!'  

Last week, TCSS Superintendent Dr. Cole Pugh surprised three teachers during the annual Teacher of the Year Surprise Patrol. During this time, the three Teacher of the Year (TOTY) finalists learned they made it to the next local round of competition.
 

The three division finalists are:

• Michal Bush: 4^th Grade English/Language Arts at Hollis Hand Elementary
• Marie Curtis: 6^th – 8^th Exceptional Education at Callaway Middle School
• Kayla Yeargin: 9^th Accelerated Algebra at Troup High School 

Read entire article here

Are you ready to register your child in TCSS? You can start by completing the ONLINE APPLICATION. After completion, bring documentation in for verification. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student Assignment @ 706.812.7900.

Registration Online Application

Earlier this month on Groundhog Day, the groundhog was not the only one to see shadows – businesses throughout Troup County welcomed Troup County School System (TCSS) students as they took interest in their possible career paths by job shadowing at local companies. 

Doors were opened for students to spend a portion of their day receiving firsthand experience in the work place. During this time, TCSS students were seen interacting with children in the classroom, assisting customers in the pharmacy, observing a dental hygienist clean a patient’s teeth, and troubleshooting mechanical issues via computer.

Read Entire Article Here

We are proud to give thanks for all our wonderful counselors and what they do for our school system and students during this year’s National School Counseling Week (Feb 6-10). They encourage students to fight for success and to do their best. We are grateful for everything they do.

At the next Exceptional Education seminar, attendees will find out more information about guardianship and obtaining guardianship for a person with a disability. In addition, The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) will be highlighted. The ABLE Act of Georgia allows families to save a limited amount of money for disability related expenses without impacting Medicaid or SSI. Come and learn how to set up an account.

When:  Monday, February 27, 2017
Time:  6:00pm*
Where:  New Community Church, 1200 South Davis Rd, LaGrange GA**
Presenter:  Kim Harris, Attorney at Law

*Childcare will be provided
*Walmart gift cards will be given to a lucky winner

Pre-K and K Registration is Feb. 13-17 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. For faster service, TCSS has implemented an online registration process (link will be available later this week). Parents/Guardians still have to appear in person to submit required documents at one of the registration locations listed on the flyer. 

Any retired teacher who would like to become substitute teacher can now apply on-line until February 20. 

Substitute Workshop Date

March 1, 2017 @ 8:00 am - 1:30 pm 

Location: Administrative Services Center - Board Room
 

*Before leaving the workshop applicants will schedule a date for fingerprinting. A $45.00 money order is required for fingerprinting.

Read Entire Article Here.

The 2017 Rosemont Geography Bee Winner is Karsen Pearson and the Runner Up is Noah Whaley.

Congratulations to the 2017 Rosemont Spelling Bee Winner:  Jackson Hester and the Runner Up:  Claire New Matthews!

Last week, the students of Troup County School System (TCSS) celebrated 100 days of learning. Many of our elementary schools like Rosemont, Franklin Forest and West Point celebrated by hosting 100 day activities in the classroom. For example, some students dressed up as a 100-year-old, classes read for 100 seconds or recited 100 sight words. Other students created t-shirts and hats with 100 items. The day was a blast for everyone to celebrate a milestone in the school year.

Today, the Georgia Department of Education released the 2016 School Climate Star Ratings and Financial Efficiency Ratings for each public school and district in the state. The ratings are based on the 2015-2016 school year.

Each school received a 1-5 star rating, with five stars representing an excellent school climate and one star representing a school climate most in need of improvement.

Read entire article here

After reading the book, If I Were President by Catherine Stier, students at Hollis Hand Elementary discussed things they would do if they became President of the United States. Students shared their ideas with their peers through words and graphics on paper. For instance, 5th grader, Mayley Hester wrote, "I would give food and water to the homeless," while her classmate Kristiyounna Sims wrote, "I would be fair and make sure the country was good."

The ideas continued to flow as 3rd grader, Hugh Kersey, wrote, "I would build an indoor golf course in the White House," and Amelia Rockwell, also in the 3rd grade, wrote, "I would care for the poor." Third grade student Daniels Durand wrote, "I would improve our parks." Connecting current events to classroom activities makes learning relevant for TCSS students. 

Congratulations to the Rosemont Academic Bowl Team!  They came in 4th place at the first meet of the season.

Berkley, Jackson, Brantley, Hogan, Karsen, Hayden, Emma & Maddie!!

For the safety of our students and personnel, all extra-curricula activities (academics, the arts, & athletics) including but not limited to conditioning, practices, and workouts are canceled at school and at other community locations for Friday 1/6 - Sunday 1/8.  If this extends into Monday, we will notify you via our website and Facebook page.

Currently, all TCSS schools are still on a regular schedule for Friday, January 6th. Parents of elementary students, please be advised that After School Enrichment (ASE) is cancelled and you must be prepared to provide transportation for your child/ren.

School officials are still working with local officials as they monitor road conditions throughout the evening. If the status changes, we will update you via the website, Facebook and/or One Call Now.

School officials are monitoring weather reports from the National Weather Service and Georgia Emergency Management Agency concerning winter storm Helena. In addition, we will be attending a weather briefing at 4:00 pm for more information about Helena's possible impact on Troup County. 

Currently, TCSS schools are on a regularly scheduled program for Friday. If there are any changes, we will keep you updated via our website, Facebook page, and/or One Call Now. We will issue posts about after school activities as they become available.

There will be no school due to the Christmas Holiday Break.
Staff returns to school on Tuesday, January 3rd.
Students return to school Wednesday, January 4th.  

Earlier this month, Troup County School System’s (TCSS) School Board received the designation of 2016 Quality School Board according to the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA).

The recognition program was designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement. TCSS School Board met and or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn this honor. The criteria may be reviewed by clicking here for more information. Read the entire press release here. 

Today, the Georgia Department of Education released the state-wide College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores. Troup County School System (TCSS) once again outpaced the state.

Out of 100 possible points and based on data from the 2015-2016 school year, over 70% of TCSS elementary schools scored above the state on CCRPI and each TCSS middle school increased their achievement scores. In addition, TCSS elementary schools outpaced state elementary schools by 5.8 points. Read the full release here. 

Last week, two classes of first grade students from Lafayette Christian School (LCS) started their morning by praying over back packs. These were not any regular back packs; they were filled with food and snacks for students in Troup County School System (TCSS) who were in need of weekend food items.

According to LCS Business Manager Wanda Peterson, each year the school hosts a community work day service project. “We work with the teachers, students, parents and community to arrange designated service projects. This year, the first graders decided to give food items to others in Troup County. The items were donated by families of students that attend Lafayette Christian. We want them (the students) to see and understand the importance of giving back to the community.”

Recently, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) released its 2016 Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rates. The outlook for Troup County School System (TCSS) is promising with a 5.5 percentage point increase over 2015. Read entire story here.
 

Yesterday, TCSS hosted close to 130 attendees at the annual Partnership in Education Appreciation breakfast. The LaGrange High School Bandits opened the meeting with a number of songs to get the guests rockin' before the event began. Students from each high school spoke about the importance of business partners, what they mean to learning and student activities, and how business can become more involved. Superintendent Dr. Cole Pugh gave an update on rigor and relevance, Opportunity School District, and partner activities. 

Congratulations to Mrs. Jessica McClendon, a 5th grade teacher and former Rosemont student!  She has been chosen the 2016 - 2017 Teacher of the Year!

Developing lifelong readers starts early. The United Way Women’s Leadership Council understands this, which is why the organization recently approved a grant for Troup County School System (TCSS) to purchase early learning books for the Pediatric Community Collaborative program.

This outreach targets local pediatricians because they see children for immunizations before children even start their first day of school. Nicole Kennedy, Parental Engagement Coordinator for TCSS said, “We see where students starting Kindergarten are not reading at the level they should. We had to be strategic and think of a way to reach students who have not yet made it to Troup County Schools. That is how the collaborative was born between the school system, Success by Six, and local pediatricians.”

Read Press Release Here

It may be a day off for students, but elementary teachers throughout the district are continuing their education about rigor, relevance, relationships and higher order thinking. Today, across the district, media centers and parent contact centers were abuzz with Troup County School System (TCSS) educators participating in group work, hands-on learning and professional coaching from the International Center for Leadership Excellence. They spent the day sharing information and helping educators complete hands-on exercises that can be used in lesson planning and classroom learning to make classroom learning more engaging and relevant for students. 

Troup County School System Benefits Education Sessions are now underway at various TCSS locations between today and Wednesday. Discussions will cover the 2017 SHBP plan designs, rates, selecting proper coverage, wellness, etc.
 

For more information visit: http://www.houze.org/index.php/troupboe. Benefit Education Session dates and times are: 
 

Indian in the Cupboard is more than a book to Barbara McCain and the students in her West Point Elementary classroom. It’s an avenue to a higher order of thinking.

This summer, McCain, along with each teacher and school administrator in Troup County, received professional learning from an executive coach connected to the International Center for Leadership in Education. She believes this training provided resources to aid her and other educators in preparing students for the future by encouraging them to move past what they already know. Two areas of training stuck with McCain: The Rigor Relevance Framework and The Thinking Continuum. 

Read more here.

Students and staff at TCSS become a part of September's Attendance Awareness Month in this PSA video. 

The students at West Point Elementary are all clamoring to the new makerspace located in the media center. After the International Center for Leadership in Education summer conference and when all teachers received training on the rigor/relevance/relationships framework, the employees decided to create a makerspace community center for students. 

Makerspaces are creative station for students to gather, invent, create, and learn in an alternative environment. The leaders at West Point Elementary chose to start the space with a Boggle Board. At the Boggle Board, students come together, collaborate, and are challenged to create words out of letters placed on the board. Letters are changed monthly to keep the space fresh and inviting while maintaining a rigorous learning environment for the students. 

Last week, elementary principals walked into a room full of lego’s. During the Lego We Do 2.0 meeting, the administrators switched roles and were actually the students. The meeting, facilitated by John Garrett of Lego 2.0, was a walk into the robotics world for elementary students. The purpose of the session was to introduce ways to ignite a young learners desire to enhance their science, engineering, technology and coding skills. Simply put, it’s an introduction to robotics for kids.

During the two hour class principals worked in groups or by themselves while using Milo, a coded lego car, for demonstration purposes. They learned how to navigate his direction from going to stopping and turning. They enjoyed the car sound effects that came equipped with the program. Bret Bryant, Hogansville Elementary Principal said, “This goes right in line with what we want to teach our students, and what some of them are already learning.”

In November, the language on the OSD referendum will read:

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?

Stay informed - OSD Resource Links Available Here

Recently, the Troup County Board of Education passed a resolution to oppose Amendment One - Opportunity School District (OSD). We are one of many Georgia school boards that has taken this stance. There are several reasons for opposition to this legislation. Some of our employees and community members may not be familiar with OSD, and as a vehicle of information between the school system and public, TCSS has posted resources to help keep you informed. 

Amendment One (Opportunity School District or OSD) is a proposal that will be on the ballot November 8. It allows the state to take over schools that have scored 60 or below on the CCRPI for three consecutive years. This new proposed takeover would institute a state plan for those selected schools on the OSD list. TCSS urges you to take a moment and learn what this proposal means to you and the community at large. 

OSD Resource Link

 

Kristen Carter, 8th Grader at Gardner Newman Middle School says she loves reading, playing in the band and science. She knows when she attends school she will see all of her friends and get to learn more about anatomy and biology.

Kristen hasn't missed a day of school since she was in the first grade at Franklin Forest. She says her mom encourages her to attend school every day because she would have to go to work every day and be on time. 

For school districts across the country, September marks a nationwide effort to highlight the importance of student attendance. Aptly titled Attendance Awareness Month, it is designed to raise community awareness about the value of regular school attendance in hopes of reducing chronic absenteeism. 

Troup County School System (TCSS) recognizes that good attendance is essential to academic success and enhancing learning potential. “We have made great strides in improving our curriculum,” said Dr. Cole Pugh, Superintendent of TCSS. “Our teachers work diligently to incorporate rigorous instruction, provide relevant learning, and build relationships with each student. Having students in school on time every day matters to make the connection between these three elements.”

Read the entire press release here

Troup County School System will be closed Monday, September 5, 2016 for Labor Day Holiday. This holiday includes all students and staff.

Last night at the monthly Troup County Board of Education meeting, Mr. Joe Franklin was sworn into the District 6 post after winning the election this past May. Probate Judge Donald Boyd recited the oath of office before Franklin's family, current board members, and guests at the meeting. 

Mr. Franklin has been involved in the current rigor and relevance training to learn more about how the district is moving forward. You can read more about Mr. Franklin from this article in the LaGrange Daily News. 

As students return to school, the Georgia Department of Education and State School Superintendent Richard Woods are urging motorists to use caution when approaching a school bus and to brush up on the law regarding passing a bus.

According to Georgia law, vehicles traveling in BOTH directions must stop when a school bus activates its stop-arm on a two-lane road or a multi-lane road with no median or barrier. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as a school bus must always stop, but motorists traveling in the opposite direction can proceed (with caution) when there is an unpaved median or concrete barrier separating the opposing lanes.

Read the press release here

Today, the staff at Gardner Newman Middle School prepared for the second day of professional learning in the school cafeteria. Each staff member gathered at a table, or in groups, to continue their executive coaching on making learning rigorous and relevant for students this coming fall and beyond. Gardner Newman was one of three middle schools throughout the district who is on day two of the training headed by representatives from the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE). 

Staff were paired together as three coaches took turns providing feedback and  offering tools and techniques to advance learning for all students. The sessions will continue in high schools and elementary schools later this week. In addition, throughout the year, ICLE coaches will return to observe the implementation of the rigor/relevance training as each teacher adds the techniques to their current classroom model. 

High School, Middle School and Elementary Registration Dates for Enrolled Students

For those parents waiting to purchase back to school supplies, the state of Georgia and Alabama are both offering free tax weekends before school starts. The dates are:
 

• Georgia: Saturday, July 30 - Sunday, July 31
• Alabama: Friday, August 5 - Sunday, August 7
   

There will be no sales tax on clothing, electronics, school supplies and other back-to-school items.

On Saturday, February 4th, Troup County School System is looking to hire teachers and other individuals for certified positions. This includes the critical fields of Math, Science, CTAE and Special Education. Chief Human Resources Officer Sequita Freeman, says, "It is important to start the hiring process for these critical fields earlier so we can have the best of the best in Troup County schools."

If you, or anyone you know, meets the qualifications for a certified position, please apply online through the APPLITRACKS portal. Click here for the Job Fair Flyer. 

The Troup County School System 2014-2015 Annual Report to the Community is now available by clicking the link below:

2014-2015 Annual Report to the Community

Troup County School System is offering two special registration dates for Korean and Hispanic families. The flyer is attached below:

• 100 North Davis Road, Building C
• July 20 @ 8:00am - 12:00 noon
• July 21 @ 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm

Registration Flyer - Spanish

Registration Flyer - Korean

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 LaGrange Daily 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.

PROPERTY TAX INCREASE PRESS RELEASE

TCSS is using a new automated service that greatly simplifies and streamlines the process of finding and managing substitute jobs in the district. This service, called Aesop, utilizes both the telephone and the Internet to assist you in locating jobs in this school district. The Aesop system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

To use the program, training is required. Please choose one of the following dates to attend training:

Training Dates Below - Please select one session to attend (THESE SESSIONS ARE FOR CURRENT SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS ONLY)

Training will take place at:

Administrative Services Center 

100 North Davis Rd. Bldg C

LaGrange, GA 30241

Are you interested in becoming a part of a dynamic team of education professionals who know that rigor, relevance and relationships help student achievement? Then Troup County School System is the place for you. We are currently hiring for teaching positions. Go to teachgeorgia.org to see available positions and to apply.

The “Summer Slide” is NOT a good slide!  It refers to the fact that children will often LOSE much of their academic gains made during the school year because they are not as busy, active, and involved during the summer, especially in reading! You can go to the Georgia Department of Education for additional resources and a summer reading program!
 

Summer Slide Pamphlet 

From now until Friday, July 8th, parents can submit HB 251 transfer requests for their child/ren to schools with space available. All applications must have proof of current addres. Applications can be returned to:
 

TCSS Administrative Services Building

100 North Davis Road

Building C

LaGrange, GA 30240
 

• HB 251 Application
• Schools and Space Available
• HB 251 Parent Information Guide

Summer is a great time for kids to learn and play outdoors. Here are some summer safety tips to make sure kids have fun and stay safe while playing!

Playground Safety

Summer Skin Safety

LaGrange High conferred over 235 diplomas on Saturday. Christine Yin, class Valedictorian says, "I'd like to thank my family friends and teachers that I have had throughout my years in Troup County schools. I feel like they really prepared me for the future and I am really excited to go to Georgia Tech and move on to the next part of my life." 
 

Best of luck to each one of you in your future endeavors! 

Congratulations to Troup High and all graduates. Elizabeth Wheeler, class Valedictorian says, "The most amazing thing about Troup High School is how many great teachers there are. Every single year I have gone through school I have had great teachers. They are great people and they actually care about the students. That's one of the biggest things that helped me throughout my high school career." 
 

Best of luck to each one of you in your future endeavors! 

Last night, we honored 161 Callaway High School graduates. Chaehee Kim, class Valedictorian says, "One of the best things I learned in Troup County School System is how to open my eyes to new opportunities and try out new things. My friends and teachers have pushed me to do that and I have created great relationships here." 
 

Best of luck to each one of you in your future endeavors! 

Thursday, May 26 - Callaway High School @ 8:00 pm

Friday, May 27 - Troup High School @ 8:00 pm

Saturday, May 28 - LaGrange High School @ 8:30 am

All graduations will be held at Callaway Stadium.

Last night, over 63% of Troup County citizens voted to support the continuation of Education SPLOST for 2017-2022. This is an exciting time because it solidifies education as a priority for the community. Our stakeholders have placed their confidence in us to provide a quality education with each dollar received, and for that, we are proud. This is a win for the students, staff and the entire community as we move forward with preparing the children we serve to be college and career ready. On behalf of the Troup County Board of Education, thank you for believing in the future of our students.

LaGrange High's Athletic Director, Coach Michael Pauley, talks about the spirit of excellence and how the proposed athletic facilities can help provide that for students and the community.

Amy Crites has a background in psychology and a degree in music therapy that she puts to good use as a school nurse for Troup County School System (TCSS). Just being named 2016 TCSS Nurse of the Year is only going to help her touch more lives through the work she does.

Originally from St. Louis, Crites migrated to Georgia when she had to complete a six month music therapy internship in Milledgeville. She has served in therapy or nursing roles throughout this region ever since. As a four-year employee of the school system, she splits time between Berta Weathersbee Elementary and Gardner Newman Middle School. Serving vastly different age groups keeps her engaged and excited about her craft.

“I love the diversity and being able to go from one school to the other. You can have different conversations at each level. In middle school, the students ask deeper questions and become more involved in maintaining their health. For example, I can have more in-depth conversations - especially with the girls - at the middle school level because their bodies are going through so many changes,” she noted. 

Mr. John Radcliffe, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, takes a minute to explain how he and his family came to Troup County. He also discusses proposed Education SPLOST projects.

Troup County School System (TCSS) received some positive news from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) when the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores were released earlier today – the county outscored the state by 2.8 points.

Based on data from the 2014-15 school year, and out of 100 possible points, TCSS notched above the state in all divisions. 

Because of changes to the way CCRPI is calculated – including but not limited to a new assessment system, changes in weights, and recalculated performance targets – a direct comparison between 2014 and 2015 CCRPI scores is not possible.

Monday morning, immediately before a classroom observation, Michelle Ashmore received a phone call from State Superintendent Richard Woods. While she wasn’t sure what the phone call was about, it became clear that it was some news she had been waiting to hear for months: she has been named a 2017 State Teacher of the Year Finalist in Georgia.

Full of tears, she thanked Superintendent Woods for the great news…but there was a catch. She had to wait a full day to share it because all of the finalists had not been notified. Clearing up her face and bottling the excitement, she carried on throughout the day as if everything was normal. 

This document explains the misconceptions of Education SPLOST in bullet point format.

Professional Learning is important to our growth as an organization and to student learning. In this video, Bret Bryant, Principal of Hogansville Elementary, talks about professional learning opportunities, how the findings impact students and staff, and the upcoming Model Schools Conference in Orlando. 

Eligible students who live outside of Troup County can now pay tuition to attend the Troup County school closest to their home address. Troup County School System (TCSS) is now accepting applications for non-resident students. The application and parent information sheet are now available on troup.org.

Students living in Georgia, but outside of Troup County, will be assessed a $300 yearly tuition fee and students residing outside the state of Georgia will be assessed a $5,500 yearly tuition fee. 

Application and parent information forms are available HERE.

On a cool windy Saturday morning bus drivers showed up on their day off to demonstrate their safe driving skills during the annual School Bus Road-e-o Competition. Thirty-one Troup County School System (TCSS) bus drivers gathered to compete on a complex driving obstacle course. During the course, they were judged on proficiency, accuracy, attention to details and other elements that emphasize their skill set.

Bus drivers maneuvered through the 11-course trail as if they drove the same route every day. For them, the number one daily priority is safety and this competition gave them another platform to showcase their expertise and to also learn areas of improvement. 

Today, Troup County School System (TCSS) announced town hall meeting dates for information on Education SPLOST. These meetings are open to the public. In conjunction with the grassroots Your Change Makes Big Changes in Troup County Schools efforts announced in February, the following dates and times have been established:

Tuesday, April 19 @ 7:00 pm                                    

Rosemont Baptist Church

3794 Hamilton Rd., LaGrange, GA 30241

Wednesday, April 20 @ 12:00 pm

Troup County School System Administrative Services Center

100 North Davis Rd., LaGrange, GA 30241

Tuesday, April 26 @ 6:00 pm

Boys and Girls Club of LaGrange

115 East Cannon St., LaGrange, GA 30241

Tuesday, May 3 @ 5:30 pm

Boys and Girls Club of Hogansville (Hogansville Elementary)

611 East Main St., Hogansville, GA 30230

Thursday, May 5 @ 6:00 pm

West Point Elementary School

1706 East 12^th St.

West Point, GA 31833

Kim Skiff says making our schools safe and providing enough space for our children to learn is what Education SPLOST gives to TCSS. 

Did You Know...Over half of the student body population at Troup High School participate in athletic extracurricular activities - that's around 600 students! During these valuable times, students build relationships and work together as a team.

On the proposed Education SPLOST project list, state of the art athletic facilities will be constructed at both Troup and LaGrange high schools. This photo is a depiction of the proposed THS Athletic Facility.

According to Sabrina Hayes, Owner of two early learning academies in LaGrange, "Education SPLOST gives kids a chance to learn using new technology and teachers a chance to teach in a positive learning environment."

Every five years, TCSS asks Troup County registered voters to help us extend the one-cent Education SPLOST sales tax. It provides funding for operational expenses such as technology, facility upgrades, and new buildings. 

Some TCSS parents and students joined in to learn more about ESPLOST. Here are some of the things they know this one-cent tax helps fund. Thanks Troup County for supporting TCSS through this educational tax! 

This Spring Break, while on the road or hanging out at the beach, here are some family-friendly websites and apps to keep the kids engaged in learning while having some fun. They range in interests from math games to CIA science-inspired sites. There is also an App building website for the inventor inspired child. 

Family-Friendly Websites and Apps

The Georgia Department of Education recently named the Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools and all three Troup County School System high schools received this distinguished honor! 

• Callaway High School received the AP Challenge Schools Award
• Troup High School received the AP Humanities Schools Award
• Callaway, LaGrange and Troup High Schools all received the AP STEM School Award
• Callaway, LaGrange and Troup High Schools all received the AP STEM Achievement Schools

Congratulations to all three high schools on these outstanding accomplishments!

Anticipation filled the room as Troup County School System employees and friends gathered for the annual Teacher of the Year reception at Del’Avant Event Center. In the end, the honor was given to Jill Gay, 2^nd grade teacher at Hollis Hand Elementary.

Gay holds a Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Education and has been an educator for 23 years. Ten of those years have been with Hollis Hand Elementary in Troup County. During the event honoring all 25 nominees, the Troy University graduate was elated as she accepted the award from Superintendent of Troup County School System, Dr. Cole Pugh. 

Through Education SPLOST, your change makes changes for Troup County schools! This one-cent sales tax is a continuation of a current Education SPLOST 5 sales tax. It is paid by all who shop, live, work, and play in Troup County - even visitors who are passing through. You can:

Download the ESPLOST Brochure

Learn About ESPLOST 

Check Out ESPLOST Videos

Find a List of FAQ 

Find a List of Proposed Projects

Find Did You Know Information

Download the ESPLOST Audit Report

Download the Employee and Board Ethics Brochure

For the 4th consecutive year, the Dernell Renauld Stenson Foundation is providing scholarship opportunities to high school seniors. In addition, for the 3rd 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 March 25, 2016. Winners will be announced in May. 

Email all completed applications to: Mrs. Marion Tate at mstate63@att.net or call the Dernell Renauld Stenson Foundation, Inc at 770.337.4414.

Elementary and Middle School Scholarship Information
High School Scholarship Information 
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Troup County School System (TCSS) is joining a statewide celebration saluting the efforts of local school board members. Governor Nathan Deal has proclaimed March 14-18 as School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. This weeklong 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 and must study, evaluate and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.

Troup County School System (TCSS) has received several questions from the budget email address. Responses to those questions can be downloaded by clicking here. They are also located under the Finance Department's webpages. 

For the last few years, the community has given suggestions and asked relevant budget-related questions via email during the budget process. The email address budgetquestions@troup.org is still currently open.

Responses will be posted on troup.org within 5-7 business days.The email address will remain open until Friday, March 25. 

Each student throughout the TCSS benefits from ESPLOST. While there are a number of proposed projects in ESPLOST V, a short list of some of the projects include renovation and expansion of facilities, safety and security related projects, equipment and software upgrades, etc. A complete list is available by clicking this link.

ESPLOST voting day is May 24th. Early voting begins May 2nd.

Zoo Atlanta welcomes educators and administrative support staff with FREE admission at Educator Appreciation Day presented by PNC Bank on Saturday, March 19. Accompanying guests will receive $2 off general admission. Have fun exploring the Zoo and finding out what we can do for you and your classroom this year. Kids will enjoy animal encounters, face-painting and more.

You must bring:

- Employee ID that includes a photo

- Pay stub or name badge imprinted with school name or county AND a state-issued photo ID

Tuesday, March 1st is Georgia's Primary Election date. Many of our schools will be used for polling so there will be no school for students.

Teachers!!! The Georgia Retired Educators Foundation will be awarding fourteen $500.00 grants/scholarships to fourteen educators. You can use the funds in a manner most suited to your individual need in pursing advanced certification or while adding a field.

Any educator who is certified and employed in Georgia, Pre-K through 12, is eligible to apply for the scholarship. 

Please submit applications by April 23. 

GRE Foundation Scholarship Application

Troup County School System (TCSS) is currently preparing Performance Based Budgets for FY2017. 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 FY2017 budget. Responses will be posted on troup.org within 5-7 business days.

The email address will remain open until Friday, March 25. 

Today, during the 2016 Annual School Council Meeting, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Cole Pugh, shared past and proposed projects for ESPLOST V.

Click here to see the presentation of past and proposed projects.

On Wednesday morning, Dr. Pugh surprised the system Teacher of the Year Finalists. See their reactions in the video!

Last Saturday, job seekers from Troup County and surrounding areas gathered in the halls of the Troup County School System (TCSS) administrative services building before the doors opened to the first ever TCSS Job Fair.

Overall, 60 employees greeted and screened 79 applicants. Forty-seven interviews were conducted on-site. 

Sequita Freeman, TCSS chief human resource officer, said, “As we enter our recruiting season, it’s important to be in front of potential candidates. Showing them what the school system, and the county, has to offer as they consider future employment or relocation opportunities is key in getting the right people for the jobs we have available.” 

Dr. Cole Pugh, Superintendent of Troup County School System (TCSS), surprised three teachers this morning when he delivered the surprise announcement that they were named TCSS Teacher of the Year Finalists.

With a bouquet of flowers in hand, and a balloon with the written statement ‘It’s Your Day’, Dr. Pugh visited each finalist’s classroom and said, “Today is one of the days I enjoy the most about being superintendent of schools because we are announcing the three finalists for Teacher of the Year.” Their students listened intently as he continued, “Out of over 700 teachers, we were able to narrow it down to the top three, and one of them is your teacher, so that is a big honor.” 

During last Wednesday’s weekly Rotary meeting at Highland Country Club, Dr. Cole Pugh, Superintendent of Troup County School System, gave a 20-minute presentation on projects related to past, present, and future Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) items.

The 45-slide presentation highlighted photos and figures showing previously voter approved ESPLOST projects and the respective costs, such as:

• LaGrange High School addition
• Callaway Elementary construction
• Ethel W. Kight Elementary construction
• Franklin Forest and Callaway elementary school classroom additions
• Technology upgrades throughout the school system
• Re-roofing and HVAC projects

Click here for a complete list of projects. 

Below are some items that show how your change makes a big change for Troup County students.

Today, Troup County School System (TCSS) announced plans to unveil an initiative that seeks to educate the community about Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). The initiative, Your Change Makes Big Changes in Troup County Schools, is designed to help the community:

1. Differentiate ESPLOST funding versus general operating expenses
2. Distinguish previously funded projects such as additions at LaGrange High and the new Ethel W. Kight Elementary School.
3. Identify future capital outlay projects like a new elementary school and state-of-the-art athletic facility

It has been 100 days since the first day of school and classrooms around the district are celebrating in different ways. Some students dressed up as 100-year-olds while others made T-shirts with 100 items on them. 

Only 80 more days left! 

Troup County School System is hosting a substitute teacher workshop. 

Any retired teacher wanting to become a substitute teacher must apply on-line during this time frame. 

Applications accepted online January 11 - February 2

Workshop Date: February 10
Workshop Flyer 

All TCSS schools promote parent involvement through various activities, newsletters, Remind 101's and other communication. Here are some quick tips to keep parental involvement in student learning top-of-mind. 
 

Student Engagement - English

Student Engagement - Spanish

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration will be open February 1-5 at locations throughout TCSS. Please see this flyer and click through the story link for more information. 

Earlier today, Rosemont Elementary opened its doors to welcome State School Supt. Richard Woods and State Board Chair Helen Rice. The students and staff greeted them with smiles, waves and thanks for all they do to support education.

Here, Supt. Woods presents Principal Natalie Givins with a certificate for being named a National Blue Ribbon School

Troup County School System is currently seeking applicants for all teaching positions, including those in the critical fields of CTAE, Math, Science, and Special Education. See the flyer for additional details. 

TCSS Job Fair Flyer

If your child is home schooled, in private school, or is in preschool, there are potential services TCSS's Exceptional Education department can offer. Please see THIS FLYER for more details. 

This month, students and employees throughout the district have been preparing for the holiday season - and having fun doing so! We were able to capture some of those times in photos. Click the video to see! And we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday break!

The 2015-2016 school year has seen several changes.  We worked over the summer to make changes to the district Benchmarks. These changes were made to more closely resemble the Georgia Milestones Assessment in rigor, length and content. Students recently took the first of these benchmarks.  A district analysis from the fall administration indicates that additional modifications are needed.

For this reason, we have decided to use the fall benchmark tests as a hold harmless administration. That means we will not use these scores as a grade for this semester. 

Click here to read entire letter to parents.

Troup County School System continues to work and share Georgia Milestone score information with parents over the upcoming weeks. During the first week of December, individual scores will be sent home. Georgia Milestone Zone Meetings will be held to help parents read individual score reports and answer questions. Parents and guardians can attend any meeting to learn more. 

Monday, December 7 @ 6 pm - Callaway High School

Tuesday, December 8 @ noon - Administrative Services Center (this is a lunch and learn session so feel free to bring your lunch)

Thursday, December 10 @ 6 pm - LaGrange High School

Monday, December 14 @ 6 pm - Troup High School
 

Zone Meeting Flyer - English

Zone Meeting Flyer - Spanish

Zone Meeting Flyer - Korean

After a long-anticipated month, Troup County School System (TCSS) received scores from the 2014-2015 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS). Georgia Milestones was administered in grades 3-8 and Georgia Milestones End of Course was given in grades 9-12.

In September, after receiving state-wide scores, State School Superintendent Richard Woods released several statements warning the public that students may do poorly on the test. The scores showed that in language arts and science, no grade or course had more than 10 percent of students scoring in the top category of distinguished learner. 

GMAS results are not comparable to CRCT results. All individual student reports have not been received. 

(Select Read More)

Today, TCSS hosted a National Blue Ribbon Celebration for over 650 students and staff at Rosemont Elementary School. Earlier this week, Principal Natalie Givins and Carla Cook traveled to Washington, D.C. to receive the official honors. After their return to the school, the celebrations began. Teachers were met with Blueberry muffins and coffee, students will receive a Blue Ribbon lunch followed by a Blue Ribbon Fudgescicle for dessert. Before going home, all students and staff will receive a Blue wristband and Blue lollipop to help remind them how special an honor this is for the school and Troup County.  

Yesterday, 132 Troup County fifth graders filled the Atlanta Convention Center at the AmericasMart in celebration of STEM learning. They joined close to 350 other students from surrounding counties thanks to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) and SAE International as they hosted the A World in Motion (AWIM) JetToy Challenge. 

(Select Read More)

On October 20, Rosemont Elementary School’s gym was transformed into an afternoon reception venue when Troup High School (THS) Alumni Association and Troup County School System (TCSS) saluted the entire staff for the 2015 National Blue Ribbon School designation. Earlier in the month, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named 335 public and private schools throughout the country with the title. Nine of those schools were form Georgia and seven were elementary schools.

Students from Troup High School’s Choral Department, many who were once students at Rosemont, recognized familiar faces and hugged their elementary school teachers before serenading them with their rendition of Eye of the Tiger. It was like a reunion as over 100 guests gathered to pay honor for a job well done. 

Involvement in a child’s education is important, especially for parents, grandparents, and guardians. That’s why during the month of November, Troup County School System (TCSS) is recognizing the month of November as Parent Engagement Month.

In November 2012, Governor Nathan Deal declared the month’s theme in a proclamation from the State of Georgia. To celebrate, TCSS will highlight the role parents, grandparents and guardians play in a student’s education. For example, a list of quick tips and various local success stories will be shared on the district’s website and Facebook page. Also, the Department of Education is hosting a parent video contest as a way to increase awareness of involvement in education.  

Parent Engagement Calendar
Parent Engagement Video Contest Information


 

Recently, Georgia received state scores from the 2014-15 Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS). Local school districts have not received individual scores, yet. Troup County School System (TCSS) is expected to receive results later this fall.

Troup County School System is launching a series of videos and social messages to help educate staff, students, parents and the community about GMAS and soon-to-be-released individual student scores.

Since this is the first administration of GMAS, as expected, the statewide results show a steep drop in student achievement levels. According to State School Superintendent Richard Woods, “These results show a lower level of student proficiency than Georgians are used to seeing, but that does not mean Georgia students know less or that teachers are not doing a great job – it means they’ve been asked to clear a higher bar.” 

Recently, schools in Troup County surprised teachers with flowers and other gifts when they announced the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year for each school. Twenty-five teachers will now move on to the essay portion of the nomination process.

Each year, this program recognizes teachers who display excellence and high standards for the teaching profession. Each elementary school, HOPE Academy and THINC College & Career Academy designate one teacher for the honor while all other secondary schools designate two teachers each.  

Read More About the Nominees Here

In honor of National School Bus Safety Week, here are some tips to help parents and community members take part in keeping students and staff safe. 

This week is National School Bus Safety Week. The students and staff are celebrating with the theme: Be Smart - Be Seen, I Wait in a Safe Place! Throughout the week, bus drivers will be recognized for the great job they do in keeping Troup County School System students safe. 

Earlier this year, bus drivers were commended for having zero school bus stop fatalities. In addition, TCSS has one of the highest safety records in the state. During the annual inspection of the Department of Driver Services, TCSS school buses yielded an impressive 98.7% first-time passing rate. 

The state results of the first year (2014-2015) of the Georgia Milestones test are here. The Georgia Department of Education will release all district and school level results later this fall.  

As expected, the statewide results show a drop in student achievement levels. There are four achievement levels with Georgia Milestones: Beginning Learner, Developing Learner, Proficient Learner and Distinguished Learner.

Click here to read the Top 10 List. 

October is Energy Awareness Month and wise decisions and planning has helped Troup County School System save over $5.2 million through use of its Energy Conservation Program over the past five years. 

The slogan known throughout the system is, If it Glows, It Goes! This program includes energy conservation tips for employees, regular energy saving checks where employees receive a thumbs up or thumbs down for following protocol, and email blasts that share easy-to-use energy tips. 

This week, school nutrition workers and Chartwells will be going around the district taking a ‘snapshot’ of how school lunch has changed. In recognition of the National School Lunch Program and the 30 million children it serves every day throughout the country, Troup County School System schools will recognize National School Lunch Week this week. The theme, School Lunch Snapshot, is all about sharing the best images of today’s school lunches.  

Elementary early release is on October 9 @ noon. 

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER TRAINING

Applications** Accepted On Line

     October 2 – October 16, 2015

**Applications will be screened

Workshop Date

October 28, 2015

   Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

    Administrative Services Center (Board Room)

Applicants are asked to provide a copy of their highest earned educational information, electronically, with their application or bring at the time of their appointment. (i.e. diplomas or transcripts or teaching certificates).

To find out how apply, click here. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recognized Rosemont Elementary as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2015 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Dr. Cole Pugh joined Rosemont Principal, Natalie Givins, to make the announcement to staff while they celebrated with ice cream sundaes and cake.

Nine schools from Georgia were recognized, with seven of those being elementary schools. A total of 335 public and private schools throughout the country received the 2015 National Blue Ribbon School designation. “This honor recognizes your students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” Duncan said in a video message (hyperlink video message) to the awardees.  

Troup County School System is conducting an International Center for Strategic Leadership (ICLE) study. This study is an assessment of the school system. One component of the assessment is a Lexile study of reading demands in Troup County. 

There are two categories of requested reading materials: Entry-level Occupational Reading Materials and Personal Use/Adult-level Reading Materials.

1. Partner in Education Lexile Study Information Sheet

2. Simple Personal Use Collection Sheet

3. Entry-Level Occupation Submission Sheet

4. TCSS Lexile Study Information Sheet

Click article heading for more detailed information...

For two weeks, Evie, the mobile technology bus, will be rolling to middle and high school campus' throughout Troup County. The bus is for teachers - not students - as they continue learning ways to actively engage students in lessons by utilizing technology. 

This year, Operations placed Promethean Boards in 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th grade classrooms to continue the trend for students of learning while using technology. Future plans are to add boards to the remaining classrooms in Troup County. Elementary classrooms are already outfitted with the latest Promethean technology. 

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. 

The Troup County School System (TCSS) increased security today in response to social media rumors aimed at the anniversary of September 11, 2001.

Upon the notice of the rampant rumors late yesterday afternoon, District officials consulted local and state law enforcement officials, including the LaGrange Police Department, Sherriff’s Office, and Joint Terrorism Task Force, regarding these nationwide rumors.

All of the agencies confirmed that they received no credible evidence to warrant these threats regarding Troup County School System, our students, or staff.  

As a heightened precaution, there is an increase in security at each school, administrators and staff are aware of the non-substantiated threats and are prepared to handle if necessary, and police officers will continuously monitor school activity throughout the day.

TCSS takes security and student/staff safety very seriously. We work to obtain all details and consult necessary parties before issuing a statement as not to cause unnecessary confusion. Thanks for your support as we continue providing a safe and secure learning environment for the students and staff of TCSS. 

Do you know an innovative teacher who advances student achievement every day? If so, then nominate a teacher for the Governor's Office of Student Achievement's Innovation in Teaching Competition! The winning teacher will receive: 
 

• $3,000 stipend for serving as a model educator,
• $4,000 grant to support innovative practices in his/her school, and
• Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) will film his/her classroom and make this video, along with his/her unit plan and supplementary materials, available online for other teachers.
   

Nominations end September 15, 2015.  Teachers must be nominated by a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach, district staff member, GOSA language and literacy specialist, or GaDOE staff (Teacher and Leader Effectiveness, School Improvement or Curriculum).  Based on these nominations, GOSA will invite select teachers to apply.  

On Wednesday, August 26, Troup County School System will be hosting a job fair. Some of the positions include bus drivers, custodial workers, nutrition workers. 

Date: Wednesday, August 26

Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm

Place: 100 North Davis Rd., Building A

TCSS invites you to attend the Ethel W. Kight Elementary School Dedication on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at 3:00 pm.

Please RSVP by August 21st to Jamie Haines at hainesjl@troup.org or (706) 812-7943.

Recently, Curriculum Management Solutions, Inc., a nationally recognized curriculum auditing corporation, promoted Cole Pugh, Ed.D., Superintendent of Troup County School System, to Senior Lead Auditor.

In this position, he will lead teams of educators to conduct thorough examinations of school systems. After the examination, the team presents findings and recommendations for improvement. This is a useful process for school systems seeking improvement in the design and delivery of curriculum that ultimately pushes student progress and achievement. 

Representatives from Kia of LaGrange, Jackson Heating and Air and Loy’s Office Supplies gathered with Troup County School System (TCSS) employees to unload a bus and van full of school supplies donated by community members and partners.

Parked under the awning of the TCSS Administrative Services Center, the bus was soon unloaded as pencils, paper, notebooks, backpacks, posterboards, mats, crayons, glue, and hand sanitizer spilled over onto the sidewalk. The supplies, worth over $5,000 will be given to teachers and students throughout the system.

This week, the Georgia State School Superintendent, Richard Woods, selected 19 local superintendents to serve on his newly created Superintendent’s Advisory Council. One of those members tapped as an advisor was Dr. Cole Pugh, Troup County School System Superintendent.
 

“It is an honor to be named to the State Superintendent’s Advisory Council. I will be working with colleagues across Georgia, bringing concerns of Troup County to the forefront and continuing to provide solutions that positively impact student achievement at the local and state level.”  

National Fire Prevention Week is October 4 - 10. This year, Georgia's Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is hosting several statewide fire safety contests for students. The contests are designed to help bring awareness to fire safety and prevention. The theme for this year is: “Hear The Beep Where You Sleep; Every Bedroom Needs A Working Smoke Alarm".

Click through story for contest details and entry forms..

FREE ACCESS TO DIGITAL BOOKS ALL SUMMER!

myON Reader has partnered with the Get Georgia Reading Campaign to provide every child in Georgia FREE access anytime, anywhere to a library of more than 8,000 enhanced digitalbooks with multimedia supports — over the entire summer!

These digital books really bring stories to life and provide audio support that creates a truly magical experience for kids and teens, making the joy of reading fun for all!

Go to: http://thefutureinreading.myon.com/GetGAREADING

Login information:

School Name: Get Georgia Reading
Username and password: read

 
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
   

Are you looking for a way to supplement your income? Come join us as a substitute teacher. Troup County School System is holding a substitute teacher workshop on June 24 @ 8:00 am. Applications are accepted online between now and June 16. 

Substitute Teacher Information Flyer

"Each year the Georgia Dept. of Education releases the Georgia School Parent Survey seeking input from parents in regard to the climate of your child's school.  The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions that parents will be able to complete using their personal computers, smartphones or iPads.  For parents that do not have access to the Internet, please feel free to complete the Georgia Parent Suvey at Rosemont Elementary School either in our Media Center or one of our Tech Labs.  Data from the parent surveys will be used to calculate the School Climate Star Rating.  Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Dept. of Education for analysis.  Data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will be available to the public and will not be posted online.  The URL address for the Georgia Parent Survey is posted below."

http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp

 Please complete this survey by March 27, 2015.  Thank you!

Teacher of the Year

/userfiles/362/my files/boe honors teachers of year - lagrange daily news - lagrangenews.com.html?id=1735

/userfiles/362/my files/rosemont students collect over 700 cans for salvation army - lagrange daily news - lagrangenews.com.html?id=1734

High School:
July 30th 12 pm to 6 pm-- Grades 9 and 12
July 31st 12 pm to 6 pm-- Grades 10 and 11

Middle School: 
August 6th 10 am to 6 pm

Elementary School: 
August 4th 12 pm to 6 pm

*School starts August 8, 2014

For more information about school registration or enrollment, please contact the Office of Student Assignment at 706-812-7900.

Growing up in a small town in Alabama, football was the highlight of this former band majorette’s high school days. They took football seriously. Naturally, the football pride transferred to her days as an Auburn Tiger where Christina Grace went to pursue a degree in pharmacy. While her allegiance to the sport didn’t waver, her devotion to pharmacy eventually did.

“When I got ready to go to pharmacy school – the professional component of it – I had a little break so I substituted in a Kindergarten classroom. And I fell in love,” said Grace. She soon told her husband and family that she was changing her major, even though she had a pharmacy job awaiting her after she completed school. Reflecting on this decision, she said, “Even though I changed my major, I have not ever regretted it…Seeing these kids bright faces everyday makes me a better person.”  
 

Read her story here

Title I Parent Workshop

Recently, the District Attorney's Office employees showed up at the school system's Administrative Services Center with four carloads full of backpacks and school supplies for students. The first ever Backpacks 4 Kids drive was a success as a total of 700 full back packs were donated. 

Assistant DA’s Brett Adams and Drew Case headed up the project back in July. Hundreds of the bags were handed out during a community event on the square before the first day of school. Troup County School System is appreciative of the DA’s office, Partners in Education, and community members that have been generously donating items for back to school. 

Troup High Biology teacher and former Troup County School System Teacher of the Year, Nichelle Wimbush, posted a video on her social media page to show how she starts the beginning of all her classes. Little did she know, that one post would go viral and thrust her into the national spotlight - in a positive way. From Troup County to California, her post of students affirming who they are in her classroom has been broadcast on news media and talk radio. 

Recently, she sat down with producers from public radio station NPR's Closer Look series to discuss her career as a teacher and mentor. You can listen to her interview by CLICKING HERE. Her interview starts at 0:56.

Congratulations to Matthew Graham, Long Cane Middle School 8th Grade Georgia Studies Teacher because earlier this summer he was named to Governor Nathan Deal's State Teacher Advisory Committee. As a member of the committee, he will review recommendations from the 2015 Education Reform Commission, will provide feedback and guidance to the governor, legislators, and policy makers.

Last week, Troup County School System employees showed up in numbers when it came time to start the new teacher mentorship program. Close to 40 TCSS staff gathered in the board room as district employees went through the mentorship agenda and answered questions.

The purpose of the orientation was to introduce the mentorship program to the attendees. On the agenda, they discussed team roles of a mentor/teacher, presented the induction website, forms needed as a mentor and the Google classroom training. When asked how many were already logged on to the Google classroom platform, almost ten were set up within the system used to track their mentorship.

In addition to the Google classroom training, mentors can use the virtual classroom to share ideas and encourage each other as they prepare to start the journey of a mentor/teacher.

Troup County School System is rockin' into the new school year! Students and staff around the district help celebrate by giving us their best 'Rock and Roll' sounds! 

Anyone interested in becoming a substitute teacher with TCSS can now apply online by September 9, 2016. Retired teachers are encouraged to apply. 
 

WORKSHOP DATE

September 28, 2016

8:00 am - 1:30 pm

Administrative Services Center (Board Room)

After the workshop, applicants will be contacted to schedule an appointment for fingerprinting (need a $45 Money Order) and to complete paperwork. Applicants are asked to provide an electronic copy of their highest earned educational information with their application, or bring it during the fingerprint appointment. (i.e. diplomas or transcripts, or teaching certificates).

Please apply on this website under: Employment Opportunities < Non-Certified Employment < Select the 'Substitute Teacher' link

CLICK HERE FOR TO VIEW THE FLYER

5th graders and their families will soon make the exciting transition to MIDDLE SCHOOL!  Helpful information is attached below to make this transition easier for everyone!

Click here for English Version

Click here for Spanish Version

You will find this helpful if your child is getting ready for KINDERGARTEN!

Troup County is a great place to work, live and raise a family. Our school system has a long-standing history of partnership within the community and learning within the walls of each school. If you are here to learn more of what Troup County School System (TCSS) has to offer for your family or employees, you've started in the right place! 

Here is a quick overview of our district highlights and Points of Pride. After reading through this short document, learn more about your new school system by clicking here.