School Notes August 2022

SCHOOL NOTES August 2022

Back to School Issue

Your Guide to

THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

2022-2023

C A M D E N

C O U N T Y

S C H O O L S

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT The 2022-2023 school year will be an exciting time for Camden County Schools. We are excited you will be joining us on our journey to motivate, inspire, and challenge the students of Camden County Schools. If you are new to our school system, we welcome you and look forward to getting to know you better. If you are a returning family to our schools, welcome back. We are so glad you have chosen to make Camden your home, and we look forward to a new school year filled with opportunities for learning and personal growth.

May this year be your best year yet.

Dr. John Tucker

Contacts

At-A-Glance Central Administrative Offices 311 South East Street Kingsland, GA 31548 PHONE: (912) 729-5687 Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

WEBSITE www.camden.k12.ga.us Follow us!

Upcoming Events 5: LABOR DAY 11: PARIOT DAY 11-17: ARTS IN EDUCATION WEEK 17: CONSTITUTION DAY CITIZENSHIP DAY 28: WORLD SCHOOL MILK DAY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Jimmy Coffel Vice - Chairman District 3

Jonathon Blount District 4

Jane Brown Chairman District 2

Mark Giddens District 5

Jason Chance District 1

Regular meetings of the Board of Education are held at 6:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Board Conference Room of the Camden County Schools Administrative Office located at 311 South East Street in Kingsland, Georgia. A work session may be held on the Thursday preceding the regular meeting, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Visit www.camden.k12.ga.us to view the Board of Education meeting agendas and minutes.

SCHOOL HOURS Elementary Schools 8:30 AM-3:30 PM Middle Schools 7:40 AM-2:40 PM High School 7:25 AM-2:25 PM A Back to School routine is important for school-aged children.

Expectations, at home, help students feel more comfortable and confident. Setting consistent bedtime routines can help children sleep better and promote their cognitive, language, emotional, and social development. For a quick reminder on creating routines to help students remain successful,

PowerSchool Mobile App Get Grades, Assignments, and Parent Alerts Sent Straight to Your Phone.

Free Download for Apple and Android Devices.

County Code:

HJCG

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION Our goal is to provide safe, dependable, professional, and cost effective transportation services for our students. Each day our school bus fleet travels approximately 4,000 miles. We want the students' ride to be part of a positive educational experience.

However, in spite of our best efforts, we know that buses will occasionally be late due to traffic, vehicle breakdowns, substitute drivers, and student management issues. We are committed to make every effort to reduce these problems. The Department of Transportation looks forward to working with parents and students to ensure safe ridership to and from all of the schools.

The Camden County School System makes all employment decisions without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability.

Visit www.camden.k12.ga.us or call 912-729-8374 to apply!

Who can ride the bus?

Children who live more than one and onehalf miles from their home school or who live in a hazard area are provided bus service.

Bus service for students attending special education classes outside their home schools will be provided as indicated on the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Parents may ride as chaperones on field trips if the school authorizes them to do so.

Who can answer my questions about bus transportation?

Many questions can be answered at the schools. Each school has access to internet based bus assignment information for each student. The Transportation Department may be contacted at 912-729-8374 if there are questions that the schools are unable to answer. Concerns about student discipline should be referred to the school principal.

TRANSPORTATION CONTACT MIKE WHITE TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR MWHITE@CAMDEN.K12.GA.US

912-729-8374

How are bus routes determined?

Bus stops are assigned by the nearest practical route. Stops are designated by the Transportation Department and are placed at specific locations based on distance to the next stop and safety of the location for pickup and drop-off.

Normally, stops are placed at least twotenth of a mile apart and at intersections.

The bus driver cannot change bus stops. Any requests for changes or additional stops must be made through the Transportation Department. A staff member will survey the area and notify the parent of the decision.

Can bus drivers wait for students at the bus stop?

Students should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. Once a bus has departed a stop at the designated time, it must proceed to the next scheduled stop before picking up students. Safety factors prohibit drivers from making unscheduled stops to pick up latecomers.

What should students do if the bus doesn't show up on time?

Traffic situations or mechanical breakdowns occur from time to time, causing buses to run late. If there is a delay of more than 15 minutes, parents

may call the transportation office.

Parents may be notified by an automated telephone call for buses that are running more than 10 minutes late. Installing the Here Comes the Bus app will help families know when the bus is scheduled to arrive.

May a student ride a bus other than their assigned bus?

Based on their home address, each student eligible for school bus transportation shall be assigned to a particular bus route and bus stop and shall ride the bus assigned to that route. Changes in stop locations or bus assignments based on personal preferences or are not allowed.

In an emergency situation which is approved by a school administrator, your child may receive a temporary bus pass, provided that a note from the parent is submitted to the school for such a request. If approved, the school will provide the student with a Temporary Bus Pass allowing them to ride a different bus or get off at a different bus stop. Temporary Bus Passes are only to be used for one-time events and cannot be issued for recurring events. In the case that the requested bus is at capacity and cannot safely transport any additional students, the request will not be granted.

HERE COMES THE BUS! Have you ever wanted to know how close your child’s bus is to your bus stop? Now there is an app for that. “Here Comes the Bus” gives parents the ability to track their child’s school bus from their phones.

Available for free for Apple and Android users, this new app will put you in the driver’s seat.

Camden County Schools has partnered with Smart Mouth Pizza to provide our students with healthy, delicious pizza and calzones! Smart Mouth Pizza provides fresh, nutritious ingredients.

The crust is a special honey wheat recipe, so it's crisp on the outside but soft on the inside. The sauce is real tomatoes, never canned paste, and lots of herbs to give students that real Italian taste.

The cheese is 100% mozzarella, which is nice and gooey but never greasy. As for the toppings, the meats are top quality with no filler or additives, and there are also vegetarian options so there's something for everyone. Smart Mouth Pizza also donates meals to children in need.

As of right now, Smart Mouth Pizza is only being served in the Camden County High School's 10-12 cafeteria and Ninth Grade Center cafeteria.

of the month

Please visit www.camden.k12.ga.us or call 912-729-8374 to apply.

We are featuring watermelon as our Harvest of the Month item at all of our schools in August! We partner with the Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Department of Agriculture to bring free resources to our students and schools!

The Camden County School System makes all employment decisions without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability.

In any emergency, it is important for everyone to rely on timely and accurate information directly from the school system and local and state officials. All official announcements regarding schools will be made through SchoolMessenger automated calls, emails, or texts.

Information will also be shared on Camden County Schools’ website and Facebook page, local radio stations KBAY 106.3 and WECC 89.3, and the Tribune and Georgian website. Rely on these sources for official updates regarding all emergency notifications.

Keeping your information up-to-date is the best way to ensure you receive official messages. Ask friends and neighbors with students to be sure they are receiving our messages. If not, they can easily update their contact information in PowerSchool by logging into PowerSchool and choosing the Year Round Update option to enter current contact information.

Would You Like Important School Messages Texted Right to Your Phone?

Text YES to 67587

CAMDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 6300 Laurel Island Parkway Kingsland, GA 31548 CCHS Phone: 912-729-7318 Ninth Grade Center: 912-576-2900 Camden County High School is the only high school in Camden County, offering comprehensive curriculum (9-12) with a variety of classes for both College Preparatory and Career Technology Preparatory serving 2,500+ students.

Thriving Advanced Placement, Career Academy, and work-based learning programs stimulate academic rigor and graduation employment readiness.

Serving a diverse population, opportunities for interaction are nurtured among students from across our country and around the world. The shared experience of global perspectives and cultures broadens and deepens the CCHS education.

An outstanding Special Education program accounts for frequent Kings Bay Naval Base assignment requests by families of children with special needs.

Twenty-eight co-curricular activities, 23 varsity sports, a 1,285 seat auditorium, and state-of-the-art athletic facilities complement the well-rounded education offered at CCHS.

Dr. Steve Loden Principal

James Phillips 10-12 Deputy Principal

Joi Martin Joi Martin 9th Grade Center 9th Grade Center Deputy Principal Deputy Principal

Keisha Walker Head of Guidance

CAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL 1300 Middle School Rd Kingsland, GA 31548 Phone: (912) 729-3113 Camden Middle School is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of over 1000 middle school students in grades 6-8. In addition to gaining a solid foundation in their core academic classes, Camden Middle School students have the opportunity to pursue interests in visual arts, STEM career prep, business, music, and agriculture through our enrichment classes. Home to the Camden Middle School Cougars, we pride ourselves in developing student-athletes who excel both on the sports field and in the classroom. Our mission is to ensure a safe and caring environment where all students develop skills and gain the knowledge necessary to be successful in life. The administration, faculty, and staff of CMS are deeply committed to fulfilling our mission and preparing all students to be successful in high school, to be good citizens, and set lifelong goals.

Dr. Heath Heron Principal

Leatha Massey 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Joi Martin 9th Grade Center Andria Brimhall 7th Grade Deputy Principal Assistant Principal

Mitch Coley 8th Grade Assistant Principal

ST. MARYS MIDDLE SCHOOL 205 Martha Drive S.t Marys, GA 31558 Phone: (912) 882-8626 Home of the Bobcats and one of only four Georgia STEM Certified Middle Schools, St. Marys Middle School (SMMS) is known for our exemplar history of academics, extracurricular programs, and community involvement. With an average enrollment of 1130 6th -8th grade students, SMMS uses project-based learning and hands-on experiences to fully prepare our students to be capable, productive citizens.

MISSION SMMS will ensure educational excellence in a safe and nurturing environment to prepare students for success in rigorous high school courses and ultimately, for graduation, transition to college, technical training or the workplace in order to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.

Dr. Angela McManigal Principal

Dr. Malcolm Fuller 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Joi Martin 9th Grade Center Dr. Leigh Dougherty 7th Grade Deputy Principal Assistant Principal

Grant Wise 8th Grade Assistant Principal

CROOKED RIVER ELEMENTARY 3570 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy St. Marys, GA 31558 Phone: 912-673-6995 Home of the Dolphins and a Georgia Military Flagship School for it's exemplar history of academics, military family outreach, and community involvement, Crooked River Elementary School (CRES) first opened its doors to students on August 29, 1986. Named for its proximity to the Crooked River on the northern border of St. Marys, CRES provides a motivating learning environment for Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade with an average enrollment of 585 students. Serving students from the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base and surrounding area, the CRES faculty is composed of approximately 42 certified professionals, 12 paraprofessionals, 3 clerical employees, and a registered nurse.

If it is to be, it is up to me. If I believe, I can achieve.

Dr. Mark Lang Principal

Danielle Pocernik Teaching & Learning Specialist

Ellen Graw School Counselor

DAVID L. RAINER ELEMENTARY 850 May Creek St. Kingsland, GA 31548 Phone: (912) 729-9071 David L. Rainer Elementary is the home to the DLRES Tigers. We work along with our students every day to be respectful, responsible, and safe.

David L. Rainer Elementary has been honored numerous times by the Georgia Department of Education for being a Distinguished Title I School and a Greatest Gains School.

We believe teachers, parents, and students working together achieve more. We encourage to partner with our faculty and staff to encourage and support student success for all DLRES Tigers!

We are proud of our students and their accomplishments, and we strive everyday to inspire and challenge all students to succeed.

Dr. Deborah Milstead Principal

Dr. Lori Thomas Teaching & Learning Specialist

Emily Eversman School Counselor

KINGSLAND ELEMENTARY 900 West King Ave Kingsland, GA 31548 Phone: 912-729-5246 KES has approximately 450 students enrolled in grades Pre-K through 5th grade. We encourage parents and other stakeholders to become involved in our school! The KES PTO is always looking for parent volunteers to help with school fundraisers and other projects. If you would like to become involved in PTO, please call Dr. Karon Ellis, Principal. Kingsland Elementary School’s mission is to provide all students with a challenging academic program in a nurturing environment that equips them with fundamental skills for lifelong success.

VISION Kingsland Elementary School will prepare all students to achieve academic excellence and become life-long learners.

Building Minds and Memories

Dr. Karon Ellis Principal

Brad Booker Teaching & Learning Specialist

Liz Wilder School Counselor

MAMIE LOU GROSS ELEMENTARY 277 Roberts Path Woodbine, GA 31569 Phone: 912-576-4800 Mamie Lou Gross Elementary is the home of the MLGES Bulldogs. At Mamie Lou Gross, we are proud to be MLG! Our pride is felt in our classrooms where we work every day to support our student's academic growth.

We encourage our students to be responsible, respectful, and safe not only while they are at school but in all areas of their lives. We are grateful for our partnership with parents in encouraging these positive traits at home and we appreciate the support of our MLGES families and our community!

PROUD TO BE MLG!

Daniel Davis Principal

Christine Adcox Teaching & Learning Specialist

Samantha Yourstone School Counselor

MARY LEE CLARK ELEMENTARY 318 Mickler Drive St. Marys, GA 31558 Phone: 912-882-4373 Mary Lee Clark Elementary School is an exciting place for Camden County students to learn and grow. Our teachers and staff work diligently to plan effective instruction to help students acquire the skills needed to achieve mastery of a more rigorous curriculum. In addition to the regular classroom activities, we offer learning support services and several fun-filled after-school programs. There are many opportunities for students to excel at MLCES. We are truly proud of our students, faculty, and campus.

MISSION Mary Lee Clark Elementary School, in partnership with parents and the community, will provide a safe positive learning environment nurturing every student’s potential. .

Gerald Fegel Principal

Rika Dow Teaching & Learning Specialist

Dr. Demaris Cullen School Counselor

MATILDA HARRIS ELEMENTARY 1100 Lake Boulevard Kingsland, GA 31548 Phone: (912) 729-2940 Home of the Jaguars, Matilda Harris Elementary School (MHES) is named after Matilda Tompkins (Ann) Harris. Matilda Harris was the first female African American teacher in Camden County who began her 60year educational career in 1871. Admired for her personal qualities and her leadership abilities, the General Assembly of the State of Georgia designated the Camden County Training School as the Matilda Harris Elementary School on February 18, 1964. Today, the Matilda Harris Jaguars carry on the tradition of excellence begun by our namesake. We are committed to the success of every student both inside and outside our classrooms.

VISION The faculty and staff of Matilda Harris Elementary encourage and motivate all students to be successful, lifelong learners.

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Sykora Cobb Principal

James Workman Teaching & Learning Specialist

Melissa Armentrout School Counselor

ST. MARYS ELEMENTARY 600 Osborne St. St Marys, GA 31558 Phone: 912-882-4839 Home of the Sharks, St. Marys Elementary continues a tradition of excellence as we prepare students to become lifelong learners and positive contributors to society. Members of our faculty and staff are committed to providing effective instruction to help our students master content across our curriculum.

St. Marys Elementary is focused on developing "the whole child". In addition to our classroom lessons, we also provide numerous enrichment activities, physical education, and extracurricular activities in the STEM and service fields which give students the opportunity to learn and grow in many different ways.

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Dr. Robert Narvell Principal

Melissa Halstead Teaching & Learning Specialist

Shelby McCaskill School Counselor

SUGARMILL ELEMENTARY 2885 Winding Road St. Marys, GA 31558 Phone: 912-882-8191 Sugarmill (SES) has had a long‐ standing tradition of success. We promise to uphold that tradition and meet the needs of all students. .

Our mission is to ensure educational excellence in a safe and nurturing learning environment where all SES students are empowered to reach their goals and become productive citizens. We are dedicated to doing what it takes to place our student’s future educational success at the cornerstone of all school‐based decisions. Our teachers and staff work diligently to plan effective instruction to help students acquire the skills needed to achieve mastery of a rigorous curriculum the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).

Exceeding Goals Empowering Tomorrow

Terri Slattery Principal

Corey Wilson Teaching & Learning Specialist

Dr. Lori Trednick School Counselor

WOODBINE ELEMENTARY 495 Broadwood Rd. Woodbine, GA 31569 Phone: (912) 576-5245 At Woodbine Elementary, our mission is to create successful learners in a safe and nurturing school community. We are dedicated to doing what it takes to place our students’ future educational success at the cornerstone of all school-based decisions. Our teachers and staff work diligently to plan effective instruction to help students acquire the skills needed to achieve mastery of the academic curriculum as well as the social skills needed to excel in life.

Parental involvement is crucial to our success and there are many ways that parents can become involved. We invite all parents to attend school functions, receive text updates from teachers, and volunteer in the school. We are delighted and grateful for the opportunity to play such a crucial role in the lives of each of our Woodbine students along with their families.

Denise Milan Principal

Keith Ellis Teaching & Learning Specialist

Daydra Roberts School Counselor

SPOTLI GHT

FCCLA STUDENTS STRIKE GOLD IN CALIFORNIA!

At the end of June, Camden County High School students, Kennison Blackerby, Jake Ryan, and Asher Bograd attended the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California.

Jake Ryan and Asher Bograd were junior level competitors, both upcoming sophomores. While they did not place at nationals, their overall score was in the 90th percentile, scoring them GOLD! Kennison Blackerby, a 2022 graduate, was the senior level competitor.

She placed in the TOP 10 in the NATION, coming in with an almost perfect score of 98! She also scored GOLD!

St. Marys Middle School Bobcat ONE READ On Monday, August 15th, St. Marys Middle School kicked off their annual Bobcat ONE READ event! All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall is this year's novel. The Bobcats have decorated three pillars in the rotunda to represent a different character and will be building one big tetrahedron made up of 1,024 small tetrahedrons by the end of the event! They will have dress up days as well as competitions throughout the event. Students will aim to finish reading the book by Labor Day weekend!

Based on a true story, All of the Above is the delightful and suspenseful story of four inner city students and their quest to build the world's largest tetrahedron. Weaving together the different personal stories of the kids, their teacher, and the community that surrounds them, award-winning author Shelley Pearsall has written a vividly engaging story about the math, life and good-tasting barbecue. Filled with unexpected humor, poignant characters and quiet brilliance, All of the Above is a surprising gem.