Dear Students, Parents, Teachers & Friends of Education,
 
              
Future Problem Solver
"Coach of the Year"
Pictured L-R top row: Elizabeth Rice, Addison Clapp, Kayla Eplin, Jess Roginski, bottom row: Jacob Baughcum, Blake Phillips, Angel Swancey, Jessie Thompson, and Coach George.

Samantha George, art teacher at Westside Middle School, led two teams in the Future Problem Solving Program's State Bowl at the Classic Center in Athens Georgia. While there, Ms. George received the high honor of the Future Problem Solvers Frieda Thomas 2015-16 "Coach of the Year" award. Ms. George has a long history with the program (as a student competitor in high school, a graduate assistant at UGA, a Scenario Writing evaluator for the state, and a coach at Westside) and for having maintained a program at Westside for many years as an extracurricular activity and now as an ELT class.

Ms. George said "Receiving this award was a very meaningful honor for me. Future Problem Solving has been the most valuable academic experience of my life, and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to share it with my students. The best attribute of FPS is that it shows students that they have the ability to make the world better, and they have a responsibility to do so." 


Another team from Bear Creek Middle School was led by 6th grade teacher Robin Dotterweich. Pictured L-R is Isabella Avalos, Kathryn Cushing, Abby McDonald, Alyssa Johnson, and Coach Dotterweich.

All three teams finished in the top ten in the state. FPS engages students in critical thinking and creative problem solving, while encouraging students to develop a vision for the future. The Global Issues Problem Solving competition revolves around a six-step problem solving process with 4 person teams.


2016 Boys Tennis 8-AAAAA
Region Champions

The Apalachee Boys Tennis Team won the Region 8AAAAA Tournament for the first time this spring. The Wildcats won the Championship match over fellow Barrow County School, Winder-Barrow, 3-2. Not only did The Chee win the tournament, they ran through the Region regular season undefeated. The boys team finished with a 17-3 overall record and a 10-0 Region record. They went back to the State tournament for the second season in a row, but were upset in the first round by visiting South Paulding 2-3.

The Wildcats were led by a pair of brothers: Chandler & Eli Hagan and Trey & Davis Hayes. Chandler (jr.) was a team leader and went 19-1 at #1 singles while breaking the school record for career wins. Eli, only a freshman, ran the table with a 20-0 undefeated season at #2 singles. Trey (sr.) and Davis (so.) Hayes anchored our #1 doubles team (11-9), and Trey set the school record for career doubles wins. Cristian Perez (jr.) was 15-3 at #3 singles, and Preston "Smiley" Marlowe (jr.) and Luke Woschitz (fr.) had a winning record at #2 doubles (10-9). Other members of the varsity team are juniors Jonathan Fuller and Jackson Wadsworth.

"Victory requires payment in advance." This quote by Vince Lombardi exemplifies the work ethic and heart of this Championship Team. These boys have paid the price and positioned themselves to have all of the great success that they had this season. Not only was their play on the court excellent but so was their sportsmanship and leadership.



2016 Region 8-AAAAA Runner Up

The Winder-Barrow Boys tennis team has had one of their most successful seasons in the school's history. This year's team is made up of Jacob Lyle, Isaac Johnson, Jackson Scott, Xavier Daniel, Brad Hagin, Michael Colosimo, Bailey Brock, Gable Peacock, and Nic Tally. Winder-Barrow ended their season with an 8-2 record in Region 8-AAAAA. Going into the region tournament they were the #3 seed. After a couple rounds of great tennis from the team they finished as Region 8-AAAAA Runner Up.

The strong finish in the region tournament qualified the team for the State Tennis Tournament. In the first round of the state tourney Winder-Barrow hosted Allatoona High School (hosting a state match was a first in the school's history). The Doggs earned the victory with wins from Gable Peacock, Jacob Lyle, Bailey Brock, Jackson Scott, and Isaac Johnson. The second round of the state tournament will see the team travel to Peachtree City Tennis Center to take on Starr's Mill to find out who will move into the Elite 8. Going to the second round of the state tournament equals the school's previous best result. Go Doggs!"  

Cars Donated By US AUTO Sales  

The Automotive Technology program at Sims Academy of Innovation and Technology recently received a 2000 Ford Windstar Van and a 2000 VW Passat from US AUTO Sales in Lawrenceville. These vehicles will support student learning by allowing them to practice skills necessary for servicing, repairing and maintaining both foreign and domestic models.

Using these particular vehicles, automotive students will practice rotating and balancing tires and aligning them as well. They will inspect and repair vehicle systems such as air conditioning, diagnose NVH, noise vibration and harshness, and diagnose electrical problems.

Barrow County School System appreciates the support of US Auto Sales. Students will get under the hood, roll up their sleeves and gain technical skills professionals in the auto industry use every day. We look forward to building on this relationship as we prepare our students for the workforce.

Pictured above: L-R Jared Bagwell, Fredy Cortez-Navarrete, Jacob Browning, Steven Schmidt, Guillermo Gomez-Cacillas Jr., William Blake, Marshall Cox, Juante Peters, Cody Stinson, Emmanuel Santibanez, Dakota Lillibridge. 
 
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We welcome your input. If you have questions, suggestions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us and share them by clicking on the eNews email link below. 
 

Superintendent
Dr. Chris McMichael

Board Members
  
Debi Krause
Garey Huff Sr.
Connie Wehunt
Michael Shelley
Lynn Stevens
Rickey Bailey
Suzanne Angle
Rolando Alvarez
Mark Still 

 
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April 25
Teacher Planning
Student Holiday

April 26
BOE Work Session

April 27
Progress Reports

April 27-May 16
Kindergarten Registration 
 
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Vision
Barrow County
School System:
Boldly Committed to
Student Success

 
Mission
Ensuring an exceptional education that leads each student to become a high achieving and responsible citizen.


179 West Athens Street
Winder, Georgia  30680
(770) 867-4527
 

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