A message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
 

STAR students named for high SAT scores
This week, the Kiwanis Club of Griffin recognized our 2011 STAR students and STAR teachers. I thank board of education member and Kiwanis member James Westbury for his support of the Kiwanis STAR student/teacher program. As you know, the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce works with PAGE to co-sponsor this event, and the Kiwanis Club has been the venue for announcing our winners. Congratulations to:

• Griffin High STAR student Kristen Tuggle & STAR teacher Elizabeth Todd
• Spalding High STAR student Taylor Colwell & STAR teacher Josh Todd

GHS STAR student Kristen Tuggle with Principal Keith Simmons

Also, additional congratulations to GHS STAR student Kristen Tuggle and STAR teacher Elizabeth Todd for being named the Spalding County winners. They will represent our region and school system at the next round of competition. It is interesting to note that this year's STAR teachers from both high schools were also our STAR teachers last year.

SHS STAR Teacher Josh Todd and STAR Student Taylor Colwell

GHS STAR Teacher Elizabeth Todd and STAR Student Kristen Tuggle

Breakfast with a National School of Character
This was also National School Breakfast Week, and I was able to enjoy breakfast with Orrs Elementary School. I arrived there at about 7:45am and was joined by our board chairman, Mr. Pete Graham.

As we met students and teachers, it was interesting to see the culture of Orrs Elementary, which is a National School of Character. You can see character education materials displayed on the walls; you can hear character education in the words of the faculty, staff, and students. As students arrived at school, the teachers stood at their doors, greeting students as they came in. Hugs were given and received. Inside classrooms students were doing work to prepare for the day.

After we met with teachers and students, Mr. Graham and I were able to enjoy a very tasty and nutritious meal in the cafeteria. We saw our nutrition team dressed in their department shirts displaying our new logo and motto - Daring To Do Better. They had a great sense of pride that the board chair and I were there. We were happy to participate, and it was a good event!

State-level PreK funding discussion on-going
And lastly, I want to talk about the PreK funding situation. As you know, the Georgia lottery-funded PreK program has received a great deal of recent publicity. The Governor's initial plan was to make PreK a half day program. He has now revised the plan to keep it a full day, but at 160 days, it's shorter than the current 180 days. Click here for frequently asked questions and answers from Bright From the Start.

We're continuing to monitor the PreK program situation. We will work with principals and schools to implement PreK for our system, so it can be the very best program it can be. A lot of changes are coming as we continue to deal with the economic downturn.

So stay tuned, and if you have good ideas please share them with us. Continue to Dare To Do Better, and have a great weekend.