newsroom
April 2011
Troup County School System archives news articles for approximately one year on this website. To read an article from a previous month, click on the date link at left.
NASA Astronaut Shares Stories from Space with Students and the Community
April 29, 2011
If
a day in space is as active for Col. Alvin (Al) Drew as his recent
day spent visiting the students of Troup County, this NASA
astronaut certainly earns his credentials. Col. Drew, who just
returned from a mission aboard the last flight of Space Shuttle
Discovery in March, started bright and early Monday morning meeting
Callaway High School Principal Janet Greer before classes even
began. His day ended well after school adjourned with a community
“Meet the Astronaut” event on the campus of Hogansville Elementary
School.
Engaging with hundreds of students, Col. Drew shared details of his experiences as an astronaut and the path that led him to space. The day’s agenda included small group sessions with Air Force JROTC cadets, physics classes, and Callaway High School honor students. In between, Col. Drew visited the school’s early childcare class and read a space story to the preschool aspiring astronauts and dropped by the high school exceptional education class to answer student questions about the temperature in space and the recent experiments conducted on the International Space Station.
Community
leaders and students were invited to a large assembly mid-day where
Col. Drew received keys to the cities of Hogansville and LaGrange
and a proclamation declaring April 25th Col. Benjamin Alvin Drew
Day in all of Troup County. During his presentation, Col. Drew gave
vivid details of what it is like to travel into space and
encouraged the students of Callaway High to take advantage of their
education.
“Everything it takes to become an astronaut is being given to you right now,” said Drew.
At the more informal “Meet the Astronaut” event Monday afternoon among an audience of elementary-aged children and their parents, Drew continued to encourage and inspire students with the story of his own decision at five years old to become a pilot and an astronaut.
“It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want to do,” said Drew.
For the remainder of the program, Drew answered questions submitted by the children of the Hogansville Boys and Girls Club. When asked if kids had ever travelled into space, Drew answered, “No, but there’s no reason they couldn’t.” When he continued by asking if any of the children in the audience would like to be the first, almost every young hand rose high.
With only a limited number of active astronauts in the country,
school visits are rare events. Callaway High School was able to
secure this unique opportunity for its students and the community
through a friendship forged many years ago. Col. Drew and Callaway
High JROTC instructor Chief Arnold Lamb served in the Air Force
together years ago. In a reunion of their squadron last year, the
two reconnected and began making plans for the visit.
“The day was extraordinary,” said Greer. “I could see the amazement in our students’ eyes as space and science came alive for them through Col. Drew’s stories and interaction. Who knows, he may have inspired one of our students to become the first NASA astronaut from Troup County.”
State Changes Graduation Testing Requirements
April 26, 2011
As high school seniors across Troup County are counting off the days until graduation, the students coming up behind them will earn their diplomas based on a different set of expectations. The state Board of Education recently amended graduation testing requirements. Troup County School System administrators have been hard at work deciphering the new rules to share with students and parents.
The new graduation requirements go into effect July 1, 2011 and do not apply to students who entered high school prior to July 2008 (students who should be graduating this year). For all other students, two sets of requirements will apply, based on when each student entered high school. (see chart)
Students in grades 9, 10, or 11 who entered 9th grade for the first time after July 2008 can meet graduation testing requirements in one of two ways. The first way is by passing the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) in all subject areas including English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, Social Studies, and the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT). The second way to meet graduation testing requirements for this group of students is to pass the GHSWT and one of the two End of Course Tests (EOCT’s) in each core subject area (Biology or Physical Science, 9th Grade Literature or American Literature, US History or Economics, and Math I or Math II). As in the past, EOCT’s will continue to count 15 percent of the final class grade.
For students who enter 9th grade for the first time after July 1, 2011 (upcoming freshmen and all those who follow), the GHSGT will not be administered. Instead, they will have to pass all required courses, including those courses which have required EOCT’s. For these students, EOCT’s will count 20 percent of the final grade. These students will also have to pass the GHSWT.
In addition to state requirements, all other graduation requirements of Troup County School System must be met in order to graduate.
“While it can sometimes be complicated, navigating the pathway to graduation is the ultimate goal for our students during this part of their education,” said Dr. Tonia Contorno, director of secondary curriculum for Troup County Schools. “As these changes are implemented, school counselors are ready and willing to assist students and parents with any questions that arise. We cannot stress how important it is for parents to keep the lines of communication open and work in partnership with their child’s school, especially in light of changing requirements.”
As students prepare to take 2011 EOCT’s during the first week of May, school officials stress the importance of these assessments. “For students in grades 9, 10, and 11, passing their EOCT’s is even more important now, as a passing EOCT grade may now be used to satisfy graduation testing requirements,” said Contorno.
For additional information, parents are encouraged to contact their student’s counselor or the Secondary Curriculum office at 706-812-7900.
Fewer Classes, More Students for Pre-K Program
April 26, 2011
Troup County School System received good news and bad news in late April from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. A total of 306 Pre-K classrooms across the state will be eliminated as part of the Governor’s budget reductions. Troup County School System will lose one class. A private daycare provider in the county will lose one as well. Off-setting this reduction is the decision by the state to increase the number of students in each Pre-K class from 20 students to 22.
During the current school year, Troup County School System had a total of 24 classes among its 14 elementary schools. With 20 students in each class, the public school district served 480 students. When the new school year begins in August, 23 classrooms of 22 students each will serve 506 Pre-K students.
“Pre-K plays a significant role in early learning within Troup County,” said Dr. Pat Barton, director of Pre-K – 5 Curriculum for Troup County Schools. “Our goal would be for every 4-year-old in the county to be able to take advantage of this valuable learning opportunity. But if we have to reduce classes, at least we are increasing the number of student spots.”
The decision as to which Pre-K class would be eliminated in the school system was determined based on the closure guidelines from the state. Due to the reduction, the state will not consider any class moves at this time. With the system’s recent decision to combine Cannon Street with other elementary schools next year, initial thinking was that the current Cannon Street Pre-K class would move with the students. This is no longer possible under the state’s guidelines.
Pre-K registration for Troup County Schools took place in
February. Parents will receive Pre-K assignment letters in early
May.
Energy Education Reduces Energy Consumption by 16%, Saves $331,671
April 26, 2011
While the world celebrates Earth Day this month, Troup County School System faculty, staff and students can participate as well, each one with a strong sense of satisfaction at having done his or her part to control energy use.
Troup County School System has an active energy conservation program that has already achieved more than $331,000 savings through a 16% reduction in energy use over 9 months. That savings translates into significant numbers for Earth Day, too.
Since Troup County School System began the program, energy consumption has been reduced by 14,226 million BTUs (electric and gas). That reduction translates into the equivalent of 1,881 tons of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, or 338 passenger cars removed from the road for one year, or 48,122 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
For Earth Day, Troup County School System plans to continue its efforts, and invites the public to join in. Sandy Melton, Energy Education Specialist (EES), said there are a number of resources available on the Internet that can help individuals learn how to save energy in their own homes.
“It’s important for all of us to save energy. While most of the time we discuss it in terms of saving money, for Earth Day we encourage you to be concerned with our natural resources. Being good stewards of both our money and our environment gives us a great sense of satisfaction,” said Melton.
The cost of utilities is the second largest budget line-item for Troup County School System, and the prices for electricity, natural gas, heating oil and water have steadily increased over the past few years. To combat these rising energy and utility costs, the district entered into a partnership with Energy Education to implement a comprehensive people-based energy conservation program throughout all its buildings and campuses. Energy Education guarantees the conservation program will save taxpayer dollars, save jobs and preserve important programs while saving vital natural resources.
Troup County School District’s energy conservation program is projected to save $7.6 million through the first ten years of its energy conservation program. That amount is equal to two Leave Without Pay days per year for 10 years, or 14 teachers’ salaries per year for 10 years.
The Troup County School System program utilizes Energy Management’s innovative Transformational Energy Management® process which trains personnel to implement behavioral and organizational change that substantially reduces energy consumption without the purchase of new equipment. The program is funded solely and rapidly by the savings it generates, allowing the system to redirect saved energy dollars to other priorities.
Teacher of the Year Finalists Featured on School System Television Program
April 18, 2011
The newest episode of "It's About Learning" is airing now. The show features the three finalists for Troup County Schools Teacher of the Year:
System Teacher of the Year and High School Teacher of the Year Lori Slay of LHS
Middle School Teacher of the Year Rachel Hooten of CMS
Elementary Teacher of the Year Amy Taylor of EKMS
The show also includes recognition for all school nominees for Teacher of the Year.
Here's how to watch the show:
If you are a Charter Cable customer, tune in to LGTV Channel 19. The show airs at the following times:
Mondays at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Fridays at 6:30 a.m.
Saturdays at 12:00 noon
Sundays at 12:00 noon
You may now also watch the show any time you like by going to the LGTV website. (Due to our video streaming restrictions, this option is not available on networked TCSS computers.)
Go to http://www.lgtv.org/
Scroll down and click on the LGTV icon (right side of screen)
Choose "Watch Full Shows"
Click on "It's About Learning"
Depending on the speed of your connection, you may need to allow time for buffering and even drag the progress ball back to the beginning for an uninterrupted show
A third option for viewing is You Tube (also not available on TCSS networked computers).
http://www.youtube.com/LGTV19lagrange#p/u/3/zkH4zWFnr-s
Transfer Guidelines Established for Cannon Street Students
April 18, 2011
In order to balance the 2011-2012 Troup County School System budget and address the issue of under-enrollment at Cannon Street Elementary School and Mountville Elementary School, last week the Board of Education approved combining the two schools at the Mountville location. Based on feedback from parents and the community, parents will be allowed to request that their child attend one of five schools next year as space is available with transportation provided. These schools are:
Berta Weathersbee Elementary School
Ethel W. Kight Magnet School
Mountville Elementary School
West Side Magnet School
Whitesville Road Elementary School
All Cannon Street parents are being asked to come to the
school or the Office of Student Assignment at 100 North Davis Road
this week to indicate their choice by completing a form ranking
their preference of schools. The deadline to apply for the transfer
is Friday, April 22.
The following transfer guidelines will apply:
Students who registered to attend Pre-K at Cannon Street next year will be included in the Whitesville Road Elementary School drawing due to space availability. If your child is selected to attend Pre-K at Whitesville Road, his/her siblings will be able to attend Whitesville Road also.
Students who live in the Cannon Street Elementary School proximity will be given transfer placements before those students who do not.
Anyone who does not complete a transfer application by the deadline of April 22nd will attend Mountville Elementary School.
Requests for transfers will be accepted at Cannon Street Elementary School or the Office of Student Assignment at 100 North Davis Road during the following times:
Tuesday, April 19 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 20 9:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 21 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 22 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
If parents have questions, they are asked to contact the Office
of Student Assignment at 706-812-7900.
Board Approves Preliminary Budget Recommendations and Plans for Cannon Street and Mountville
April 15, 2011
At a special meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the Board approved the preliminary budget recommendations to be used in developing the tentative FY12 budget which will be presented at the May Board meeting. The major components of these recommendations included no leave without pay days for all employees next year, returning to the 180 day calendar, and over $3 million in cost savings. As part of the cost savings recommendations, a plan was proposed to deal with the budget impact of two under enrolled schools: Cannon Street Elementary and Mountville Elementary. Four scenarios were presented to the Board based on feedback. The Board approved Scenario #2 which combines Cannon Street and Mountville at the Mountville location but allows for Cannon Street parents to request transfer of their student to one of the following schools based on space availability: Berta Weathersbee Elementary, Ethel W. Kight Magnet, West Side Magnet, or Whitesville Road Elementary.
The proposed timeline for implementing the changes is as follows:
-by Friday, April 15th, the system will set the guidelines for the transfer process
-on Monday, April 18th, Cannon Street parents will receive instruction on how to apply for a transfer if they do not want their child to move to Mountville next year
-Friday, April 22nd is the tentative deadline for Cannon Street parents to request a transfer to one of the designated schools
-on May 6th, the system will notify students and staff of school assignments
While this timeline is tentative, every effort will be made to meet these targeted dates.
Click here to view the budget presentation made to the board on
April 13.
