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A Little
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Vineville Academy
Students Create Art
for Macon Symphony
Artwork created by students at Vineville Academy of the Arts will be on display at Or‐
thoGeorgia, 3708 Northside Drive, throughout the month of October. Students created the artwork in honor of the Macon Symphony Orchestra’s new educational endeavor, "What Music Looks Like," which asks students to illus‐
trate a piece on an upcoming program. In this case, stu‐
dents created a piece to illus‐
trate Gioachino Rossini's "William Tell Overture," which will be featured in the MSO’s next program, "Fanciful Fanta‐
sia.” The concert event takes place Saturday, October 13, at the Grand Opera House. October 12, 2012 * Page 1
Save the Date for
Rutland Middle’s
Science Night
All Bibb County students and their families are invited to attend as Rutland Middle School hosts Science Night on Tuesday, October 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. Rutland Middle sci‐
ence teachers and representa‐
tives from Macon State Col‐
lege, Wesleyan College, and Georgia College & State Uni‐
versity will present hands‐on, real‐world science activities. Rutland Middle is located at 6260 Skipper Road in Macon. For more information, contact the school at (478) 779‐4400. Photos Courtesy of Public Relations Crew members from ABC’s World News shoot footage of a class at Morgan Elementary School on Thursday, October 4.
ABC Highlights Mandarin
Have You Ever
Thought About
Becoming a Mentor?
The Mentors Project of Bibb County will host a Meet and Greet for individuals inter‐
ested in becoming mentors. The event will take place Tuesday, October 16, at 5 p.m. at the Buck Melton Cen‐
ter, 150 Sessions Drive, Macon. For more information, contact The Mentors Project at (478) 765‐8624. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Romain Dallemand speaks to reporter Dan Harris
of ABC’s World News.
The District is scheduled to be featured nationally on ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer for its decision to incorpo‐
rate Mandarin Chinese instruction into the Strategic Plan, also known as “The Macon Miracle.” Reporter Dan Harris spoke with Superin‐
tendent of Schools Dr. Romain Dallemand at Morgan Elementary School on Thurs‐
day, October 4, about "The Macon Mira‐
cle" and the decision to implement a Man‐
darin Chinese program. The segment is currently expected to air next week. The District will send out no‐
tice of when the program will air as soon as the final air time becomes available. To view the segment after it airs, visit http://
abcnews.go.com/WN/. The Mandarin Chinese program has also been featured by other national news organizations, including CBS, The New York Times, National Public Radio, Time Magazine, and China Daily USA. October 12, 2012 * Page 2
Campus Police Reinstate Random Searches
During several interviews with local media last week, Chief Russell Bentley said Campus Police were going to be proactive in eradicating weapons and drugs from Bibb County schools. One of the measures he revealed was the reinstatement of unannounced, random searches on school campuses. This week, he be‐
gan to implement those searches. Rutland and Westside High Schools were arbitrarily selected Monday, October 8, for weapon and narcotics searches by Campus Police and Bloomfield Middle School was searched on Tuesday, October 9. The Bibb County
School District
will not tolerate
weapons or drugs
at our schools.
- Bibb County School District
Campus Police Chief Russell Bentley
Howard Middle School was also searched on Thursday, October 11. During the searches, Campus Police used handheld metal detectors and visual inspections of book bags, purses, and other personal items. Classrooms at each school were se‐
lected by chance for searches. As a result, a 15‐year‐old male Rutland High School student was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance on school grounds. The student was taken to the Macon Regional Youth Detention Center for processing. “There is no question we will con‐
tinue to work to keep our schools safe,” Chief Bentley said. “The Bibb County School District will not toler‐
ate weapons or drugs at our schools. This week’s activities demonstrate our commitment to not turn a blind eye to illegal activities. We will hold offenders of any age accountable for their actions, so I strongly encourage parents to partner with us and take an active role in making sure that their children are not bringing pro‐
hibited or illegal items to our cam‐
puses.” Chief Bentley said Campus Police will continue to randomly search schools throughout the year. Princi‐
pals may also request a search of their school at any time. State Representative Visits School for Ga. Pre-K Week
State Rep. Nikki Randall visited with Pre‐K students at Brookdale Elementary School on Thursday, Octo‐
ber 4, in celebration of Georgia Pre‐K Week, which was held October 1‐5. While there, Rep. Randall read to students, toured the school, and got an up‐close look at the many ways Pre‐K classrooms are support‐
ing early learning. Rep. Randall said she was honored to visit the school for Georgia Pre‐K Week. “I am always eager to spend time with the children in my district,” she said. “Reading is so important to a bright future and we as community leaders, parents, and any adult that is a part of their lives should take time to read to them and, more importantly, encour‐
age them to read more.” This is the state’s second year acknowledging Geor‐
gia Pre‐K Week, which is hosted annually by Voices for Georgia’s Children and its partners to celebrate the important work being done to get students ready for school success in Pre‐K classrooms across the state. During the annual celebration, legislators are invited to visit classrooms so they may witness first‐
hand the quality education Georgia students are receiving in lottery‐funded Pre‐Ks. Photo Courtesy of Public Relations State Representative Nikki Randall visits with students at Brookdale Elementary School on Thursday, October 4,
during Georgia Pre-K Week.
Western-Themed Activities Highlight Heritage Literacy Event
Students and parents at Heritage Ele‐
mentary School participated in a Reading Roundup for Family Literacy Night on Tues‐
day, October 9. Heritage students and staff dressed in Western‐themed clothing to celebrate the event. Dressed in his own Western attire, Deputy Superintendent of Student Affairs Ed Judie, at right, kicked off the fun by reading “Just Like You” to students. As part of Family Literacy Night, kinder‐
garteners read aloud to "Cowgirl Rosie and Her Five Baby Bison" by Stephen Gulbis. They learned songs and new vocabulary words. First‐graders read aloud to "Cowboy Small" by Lois Lenski before writ‐
ing a few sentences about the book and drawing horses. Second‐graders read "Dusty Locks and Three Bears" by Susan Lowell and used lassos as Venn diagrams to compare and contrast the story to other books. Third‐
graders read "Thunder Rose" by Jerdine Nolen and illustrated the characters by drawing exaggeration. They also discussed the meaning of tall tales. Fourth‐graders read "Pecos Bill" by Ste‐
ven Kellogg and discussed tall tales. They also played a "Jeopardy!" style game about the book. Fifth‐graders, who have been reading the book "Holes" by Louis Sachar, and performed scenes from book. Photo Courtesy of Heritage Elementary School October 12, 2012 * Page 3
Varsity
Games
Photo Courtesy of Athletics Department Rutland High Girls Win in First
Round of Softball State Playoffs
Rutland High School’s softball team won the first round of state playoffs at Mercer University on Wednes‐
day, October 10, in a double header that ended 16‐0 and 16‐1 over Burke County. The girls will play next on Wednesday, October 17, in the state quarter finals in Macon. This year’s Region 2‐AAAA Tournament win, above, was the girls’ fifth region championship title. Football Friday, October 12:  Northeast vs. Taylor County, 7:30 p.m. at Thompson  Southwest vs. Pike County, 7:30 p.m. in Zebulon Friday, October 19:  Howard High vs. West Laurens, 7:30 p.m. in Dexter  Northeast vs. Macon County, 7:30 p.m. in Montezuma  Rutland High vs. Mary Persons, 7:30 p.m. in Forsyth  Southwest vs. Carver, 7:30 p.m. at Henderson  Westside vs. Baldwin, 7:30 p.m. in Milledgeville  Central vs. Peach County, 8 p.m. in Fort Valley *All games are subject to change. Please consult with the individual school for up‐to‐date schedule information. About This Newsletter
This newsletter is created and distributed by the De‐
partment of Public Relations as a means to inform the community of the events, announcements, and highlights of the Bibb County School District. Permis‐
sion to reprint unaltered photos and/or stories in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided the Bibb County School District Department of Public Relations is cited. Send Us Your News!
Tell us about events happening at your school! Send an e‐mail with photos and details to Stephanie Hart‐
ley at [email protected]. Meet the Team





Dr. Donald Porter, Director of Public Relations, [email protected] Josephine Bennett, Webmaster/Public Relations Specialist, [email protected] Stephanie Hartley, Public Relations Specialist, [email protected] Kim Pelt, Secretary to the Director/Facility Use Coordinator, [email protected] Daniel Daniels, Intern Follow Us on the Web
www.bibb.k12.ga.us * Facebook.com/bibbschools Twitter.com/bibbschools * YouTube.com/bibbschools Photo Courtesy of Public Relations Students Receive Flu Vaccinations
The Bibb County School District, in partnership with the North Central Health District and the Macon‐Bibb County Health Department, offered the flu vaccine to students October 1‐11. Above, students at Springdale Elementary School receive vaccinations on October 1. "This partnership has been growing the past few years and has been very successful," said Director of Risk Manage‐
ment David Gowan. Flu vaccines that were given during the school‐based flu vaccine campaign were filed through insurance and were available at no out of pocket expense to the parent. October 12, 2012 * Page 4
Rap Artist Visits Northeast High School
Photo Courtesy of Northeast High School Fletcher Batts, founder of Smart is the New Cool of Macon, and Rashad "Lil Chuckee" Ballard of New Orleans took time out of their busy schedules to visit Northeast High School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students in September. They spoke with FBLA students about leadership, bullying, and the importance of an education. Lil Chuckee is a rap artist with Young Money Records who has been featured in more than 35 major videos – some with major performers including Lil Wayne, T.I., Nelly, Yung Joc, Juvenile, Young Dro, Dem Franchise Boyz, B.G., Huey, Jodey Breeze, and others. He also has been featured on numerous talk shows includ‐
ing "Ellen” and "Sally Ann Roberts." Lil Chuckee is also one of the youngest known philanthropists performing at more than 250 shows for charity events and even started his own charity called S.O.C.K. (Save Our Community Kids) in New Orleans. Lil Chuckee has appeared in dozens of magazines including Vibe, Ozone, Grip, Juice, Down South, Auc, Street Talk, Breaks, Rollin' Out, and many others. He also was chosen to be in a book called "100 Young Americans" released in late October 2007. Northeast FBLA members were allowed to ask questions, and take pictures with Lil Chuckee. “Our students were thrilled that Lil Chuckee took time to encour‐
age them,” said FBLA Adviser Jacqueline Bowman. Bruce Elementary Participates
in National Oral History Project
Bruce Elementary School third‐ through fifth‐graders participated in a nationwide oral history project on Friday, September 28. The day marked the third annual Back to School with The HistoryMakers event during which African‐American commu‐
nity members visited schools throughout the nation and shared with students their own experiences and struggles and, most importantly, their commitment to excel‐
lence and finishing their education. R&B trumpet and trombone player Newton Collier was the featured guest at Bruce. The HistoryMakers’ Founder and Ex‐
ecutive Director, Julieanna Richardson, launched the Back to School with the HistoryMakers initiative to respond to President Barack Obama’s call for public service by helping youth recognize that there are alternatives to violence and the challenges they confront. The HistoryMakers is a 501 (3) non‐
profit dedicated to recording and pre‐
serving the personal histories of well‐
known and unsung African Americans. According to its website, the organization has interviewed more than 2,000 History‐
Makers to date with the goal of creating an archive of 5,000 interviews for the establishment of a one‐of‐a‐kind digital archive and priceless educational re‐
source. Photo Courtesy of Bruce Elementary School Weaver Middle
Honors Students
of Month for
September
Congratulations to Weaver Middle School's September Students of the Month. These students were recognized from their home‐
room classroom for showing strength of character and working hard. They each received a coupon for a free Jr. Frosty, courtesy of Wendy’s. Photo Courtesy of Weaver Middle School October 12, 2012 * Page 5
Howard High Musicians Kick Off Year with High Notes
Photos Courtesy of Howard High School Above, Howard High
Orchestra students at
“McDuffie Loves
Macon.” Left,
Howard Chamber
Orchestra students
at Liberty United
Methodist Church.
Below, Chamber
Orchestra students
at the Rock & Soul
Benefit.
Students and parents from the Howard High School Orchestra attended the “McDuffie Loves Macon” concert on August 30 at the Grand Op‐
era House. Howard Orchestra members were the special invited guests of musician Robert McDuf‐
fie for this event featuring Mr. McDuffie and the faculty and students of the McDuffie Center for Strings. Students had the opportunity to go back‐
stage after the performance to meet Mr. McDuf‐
fie and the other performers. Earlier in the month, on August 25, members of the Howard High School Chamber Orchestra performed the National Anthem and other vari‐
ous music at Rock & Soul Benefit honoring Sgt. Rodney Davis. The funds raised from this event at the Terminal Station will be used for a memo‐
rial to Sgt. Davis as well as to endow a scholar‐
ship in his name. The Chamber Orchestra also performed for a reception honoring Mrs. Elizabeth Grace, organ‐
ist at Liberty United Methodist Church. Also at the event honoring Mrs. Grace, who is seen front row far right, was her daughter and CNN star Nancy Grace, second from right on the second row. Rice Elementary Students Visit Fort Valley State University
On Monday, October 8, members of Rice Elementary School's Student Lead‐
ership Association, headed by Amaris Hawkins, Debra Searles, and Shonta Fuller, visited Fort Valley State Univer‐
sity. The Student Leadership Association is a student club at Rice Elementary with the goal of actively involving students in leadership responsibilities within the school. These students must maintain good grades and exude leadership char‐
acter at all times. The association con‐
sists of safety patrol officers, morning news anchors, student teachers, peer mediators, and event coordinators. During their visit to FVSU, the stu‐
dents learned about college life, work ethic, and how much hard work it takes to be a college student. The students also attended the opening ceremony of Fort Valley State University's Homecom‐
ing Week where they had the opportu‐
nity to hear FVSU President Larry Rivers speak. Photos Courtesy of Rice Elementary School October 12, 2012 * Page 6
Hutchings Students Learn About Fire, EMT Professions
Hutchings
Career
Center
sophomore
Deirdere
Mains, a
student in
Intro to
Healthcare
Science,
second from
left, was able
to try on a
fire uniform
during a visit
by members
of the
Macon-Bibb
County Fire
Department.
Photo Courtesy of Hutchings Career Center Members of the Macon‐Bibb County Fire Depart‐
ment visited Hutchings Career Center on Friday, September 21. Dante Stephens, Latoya Woodford, and Jeremy Webb ‐ from various fire stations ‐ shared information about their profession as fire‐
fighters. The firefighters presented to students who are part of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the Career and Technical Instruction (CTI) program. HOSA is an organization that provides students with the opportunity to develop into young leaders and pursue a future in the healthcare profes‐
sion while CTI ensures students with exceptionalities receive assistance with transitioning in addition to entry‐level job skills. “Our students now have a richer understanding of the prerequisites to become a firefighter as the guests shared information pertaining to the training, job outlook, and expected salary of a firefighter,” said Career Technical Instruction Coordinator John‐
Bernard Roberts. “As a bonus, our students were privy to the fact that firefighters are also trained Emergency Medical Technicians.” Central, Westside FBLA
Students Learn About
Leadership and College
On Wednesday, September 26, Nedra Hobson, Vice President of Macon State College’s Future Business Leaders of America ‐ Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA‐PBL) organization, spoke with FBLA officers of Central and Westside high schools at Central High School. Ms. Hobson dis‐
cussed the dos and don'ts of being an officer and answered questions about being college ready. Students who participated were, from left, Ciara Long, Alexis Gundy, Tiara Lucas, with Nedra Hobson, Kanan Patel, Chancelynn Ridley, Tierney Ridley, and Anecia Wooten. The following students attended, but are not pictured: Danielle Mathis and Kaelin Tharpe. Photo Courtesy of Central High School FBLA Heritage Elementary
Fourth-Graders
Present Research on
Native Americans
While studying last month about Native Americans, fourth‐graders at Heritage Elementary School used objects they found in their environment to make shelters. Students had to describe the shelters and the climate best suited for the shelter they con‐
structed. They also shared with classmates the type of clothing and crops that were available to the tribe they had researched. Photo Courtesy of Heritage Elementary School October 12, 2012 * Page 7
Lane Students Participate in Statewide Fire Drill
Photo Courtesy of Public Relations Since 1922, the National Fire Protec‐
tion Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week. During the week of October 7‐13 students across Geor‐
gia focused on fire safety and learned how to get out of a burning building alive. This year’s theme was “Have 2 Ways Out!” On Wednesday, October 10, stu‐
dents from across the Peach State participated in a statewide fire drill. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens traveled from Atlanta to address a third grade class, and observe students at Lane Elementary as they evacuated their building in a safe and orderly fashion. He reminded them to take everything they learned home. “You need to talk to your parents about making a plan to get out of your home in the event of a fire," he said. "You also need to have a meeting place. Also, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detector.” Hudgens also commended the stu‐
dents for their exemplary behavior during the fire drill. “I was very impressed with the stu‐
dents from Lane," he said. "They were well‐organized and there was no push‐
ing, shoving or talking. They knew what they were doing.” Students were also paid a visit from the Macon‐Bibb County Fire Depart‐
ment. Firefighters demonstrated their safety equipment and handed out fire hats to all of the students. Jones Elementary Family Festival Focuses on Common Core
Jones Elementary School hosted a family activity called, “JonesFest, Neighborhood Common Core Festival,” on Saturday, October 6. The event, which was designed to promote learning at school and at home, featured games and activities cen‐
tered on the Common Core curriculum. Students had the opportunity to dress up as their favor‐
ite literary character and many joined a parade led by the famous children’s character, Curious George. The Jones Elementary Chorus also performed. To watch a video of highlights from JonesFest, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BjXtS6w0u8. Curious George
plays with students
during JonesFest at
Jones Elementary
School on Saturday,
October 6.
Photo Courtesy of Jones Elementary School Photo Courtesy of Public Relations Photo Courtesy of Public Relations Barden Gets Fit with Radio Disney
McGruff Visits Riley Elementary
Fitness was on the agenda Tuesday, October 9, at Barden Elementary School as Radio Disney presented their “Move It!” campaign. This upbeat and ener‐
getic event stressed the importance of strength, flexibility and endurance in the everyday lives of students. The “active” program was sponsored by Geor‐
gia Families. McGruff the Crime Dog paid a visit to students at Riley Elementary School on Tuesday, October 9, with Officer De'Lana Flowers of the Macon Police De‐
partment. McGruff emphasized Halloween safety and preventing bullying in his message to students. Once the assembly concluded, each student had the opportunity to meet McGruff.