Public School Staff Meets; Class Starts Friday

As the first day of school nears, the Jasper County School District held a convocation at Jasper County High School on Monday morning.

All faculty and staff assembled to focus on the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. Dr. Mike Newton, school superintendent, welcomed the large veteran group while recognizing new personnel and the Counseling, Assistance and Resources for Education (CARE) staff. The latter is a result of a $1 million grant received by the school system for mental health services.

Dr. Newton began the program by congratulating each school in the system with its “Redesign Challenge” creativity. Jasper County Primary won top honors with its version of “Junk Gypsies” and even demonstrated the theme with a constructed vehicle driven by Pam Edge, principal.

After applauding all the schools for their efforts on the challenge, Dr. Newton introduced Dan Kelley, Executive Director of Technology, as he addressed the updated data systems and also introduced the IT personnel in his department.

As the program continued, the group heard from Jehan El-Jourbagy, community partner and Jasper County Mentor Program Director. She brought out the program’s impact in the community and recognized existing mentors in the assembly while expressing the need for more mentors as 37 new students have applied for the program.

Mrs. Cora Whidby was the next to speak as she represented Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy. Free books are sent to children from birth to five years of age and currently over 350 books per month are delivered across Jasper County.

“It’s Showtime” declared Dr. Newton as he referred to Friday morning, the first day of school. While teachers rose in their seats, he introduced the local Teacher of the Year, Angie Lee Willis.

She delivered inspiring and energetic remarks for the upcoming school year as well as fun conversation between her and Dr. Newton, as he was a former student of Mrs. Willis. Presently a Math Connections teacher at the middle school, Mrs. Willis spoke of TEAM, Together Everyone Achieves More, as well as “we won’t forget the faces” a phrase to remember as teachers head back to the classroom.

Dr. Newton then moved off the platform and among the theater seats to speak about “where are we as a school district.” The school district is developing into a charter system school after a two and a half year study showing benefits such as…flexibility, innovation, increases in school level governance and further grant opportunities.

The faculty and staff listened as he walked the room explaining a collage of slides on many points defining the charter system and how it applies to the school district. He introduced a panel of educators, Peyton Proctor, Regina Nance, Yelberton Frazier and Dionka Jackson, to further explain the Redesign Challenge. Each educator had points and possibilities to share concerning how the “challenge” will benefit the system.

As the program came to a close, Dr. Newton reminded the assembly that “your voice matters” and also of the schools’ motto “Our Children, Our Community, Our Responsibility.