Recognition

October 2017:  Rollin' & Reading on Eagle Express Mobile Bus,  Footsteps 2 Brilliance
Calling all readers!!!!! Have you ever wished that a magical bus would come to your neighborhood and allow you to read, play games and select a book to take home. Well, guess what? Your dream has come true. Get ready to see Mrs. Anita Paulk aboard Mitchell County School System’s own version of the Magic School Bus.-The Eagle Express. Footsteps2Brilliance is a comprehensive literacy app that includes digital interactive books and games, to all Pre-K - 3rd grade students who live in Mitchell County. We also invite students of all ages K-12 to come on board. Rollin' and Reading goes throughout the community promoting literacy, that includes digital, interactive books, music, and games, for all ages. The programs include Footsteps2Brilliance (Prek-3rd), a comprehensive, research based app that provides instruction on 3 different levels. Each level has books, games, and projects based on ability. Rollin' and Reading visits Southfork on Monday's from 4-6 and the Neighborhood Service Center and Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday's from 4-6. 

 

Master Sergeant (MSgt), United States Air Force retired, Scott Griggs and Master Sergeant (MSgt), United States Air Force retired, Gil Harbach  have been selected as Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) Outstanding Instructors for 2017 by Headquarters, AFJROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. Colonel Bobby Woods, AFJROTC Director, said, “I am very pleased to announce the 2017 AFJROTC Outstanding Instructor Awards. Those selected represent the “Best of the Best” in AFJROTC."  Only fifteen AFJROTC instructors in the state of Georgia and one hundred seventy-three AFJROTC instructors nationwide were chosen for this distinct honor. Almost two thousand AFJROTC instructors serve in more than eight hundred eighty units worldwide.

 

On October 17 and 18, the MCHS Eagle’s Media team (advisors Beau Sherman and Leigh Twitty and students Wendy Escalante and Edgerin Williams) traveled to Moultrie to the Sunbelt Ag Expo and produced the 3rd Annual Ag Youth Symposium held on October 18. On October 17, the students used their press credentials to conduct radio interviews for WMCZ LP 94.5 FM, the school's radio station. They also attended the Farmer of the Year ceremonies.  On October 18, the students produced and aired the annual Ag Youth Symposium. The guest speakers were Dr. Kent  Wolfe representing UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic development; Donnie Carter for the Georgia Young Farmers Association and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black. (Right: Edgerin, Dr. Wolfe, Mr. Carter, and Mr. Black)  Eagle Media Crew member Edgerin Williams hosted the show and asked the questions submitted by students from around the state. MCHS communicated remotely with Stone Mountain Middle School’s Mr. Marshal Chambers class where students asked about the new trends in Urban Agriculture. Mr. Austin Reams  from CNS assisted in directing the event. Special thanks to Kubota for providing the tractor as the backdrop.  In the past the students have helped with the filming, but this was the first year that they hosted,  produced, and filmed the entire event.  

 

December 2017:  Charles Grissom, First Valdosta Sullivan Scholastic Student
Charles Grissom, a student at Mitchell County High School, was selected by Valdosta State University to become the first Valdosta Sullivan Scholastic Student, based on his desire to become a teacher, and his excellent academic record in the first two years of high school. By becoming a Valdosta Sullivan Scholastic student, Charles will receive a Debt-Free college experience at Valdosta State University to pursue his teaching degree. This “full ride” scholarship was made possible by Mrs. Ruby Sullivan, a long-time resident of Mitchell County

 

March 2018:  Luellen Tucker Receives  Telehealth Certificate of Excellence  for Second Time
On February 8, 2018, MCHS Telemedicine Coordinator Mrs. Luellen Tucker received the Telehealth Certificate of Excellence in school-based telehealth for the second time.    Mrs. Tucker was chosen by the GA Portal for Telehealth for her creative ideas that can be use to help increase telehealth services and for the number of telehealth visits she had. Loren Nix, Director of School Based Telehealth with Georgia Portal for Telehealth and Jennifer Murphy, Account Manager, School Based Telehealth came to Mitchell County High School to surprise Ms. Tucker to give her the award.

 

-Mitchell County School System is one of 31 systems to receive the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts for Fiscal Year 2015. This award was established three years ago to recognize excellence in financial reporting and controls, to encourage governmental organizations to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles, and to recognize individual organizations that are successful in achieving this goal. To receive this award, the organization’s timely annual financial report must also be free of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses and comply with all Transparency in Government requirements. Lucy Conine, MCSS Finance Director, accepts the award presented at the July 19, 2016 MCSS Board of Education Meeting. Congratulations to Ms. Conine and her staff on their terrific performance.
 

October 2016  New Culinary Arts Restaurant
The Mitchell County Board of Education held its regular board meeting in the new Mitchell County High School Culinary Arts Restaurant-Eagle's Cafe on September 20, at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant will be opened to the public starting January 2017 (Tuesday and Thursdays for lunch and 2 days a month for dinner) and is be supervised by Mrs. Lillibel Wingate, Culinary Arts Teacher. Meals will be prepared and served by the students. After the meeting, the members toured the newly renovated Career Academy. 

MCSS School Board is a 2016 GSBA Quality Board  

December 7, 2016– Mitchell County School District is proud to announce the achievement and status of the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2016 Quality School Board recognition.  The recognition program was designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership.  GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement.   Mitchell County School System’s School Board met and or exceeded the criteria set forth by GSBA to earn this honor of a 2016 Quality Board.  The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed to recognize quality leadership. The GSBA Board recognition program is a three-year, three tiered program.  For more information on the program you may visit the GSBA website.

 

March 2017:   MCSS – Camilla Rotary Club  District Scholarship Recipient
The Mitchell County School System was selected as the District Scholarship Recipient of the Camilla Rotary Club. With these scholarship funds, the system was able to purchase 9 chrome books for the Magic School Bus program. The Mitchell County School System’s Magic School Bus is like a bookmobile, but features the latest and greatest educational technology. The bus currently has 24 laptops, a Promethean board, an overhead projector, and internet service. A special thank you to Ms. Joy Mobley, Rotary Club President and Mrs. Ondrea D. Peoples for providing the technology needed to create an additional Magic School Bus. Because, according to Mr. Adams, “…we have to do school differently. We’ve been doing everything we can to give our students and their parents the opportunity to reach their potential.” By offering non-traditional learning opportunities and partnering with local civic organizations, the MCSS will continue to produce students who excel in and out of the classroom.

 

Mrs. Luellen Tucker received the 2016 Georgia Telehealth Champion of the Year Award given during the 8th Annual Georgia Partnership for Telehealth Conference on Jekyll Island, March 22 – 24, 2017. The award is given for the best school based Telehealth presenter/coordinator in the State of Georgia. She was selected by a committee consisting of members from the Global and State Partnerships for Telehealth. Telehealth is a modern concept using computers and Bluetooth instruments that allow a student or staff member to be seen by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant in the school based clinic. The student or staff member does not have to leave school to see a doctor or health care provider and medications can be ordered at the time of the visit and called into the Pharmacy that is chosen by the staff member or student’s parent/guardian.

 

April 2017:  Georgia Department of Education Recognizes MCMS   “Beat the Odds”  Five Years in a Row
“We view these schools as major success stories,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “In fact, it’s difficult to fully express the magnitude of what they’ve achieved. Statistically, a high rate of poverty presents multiple barriers to achievement, but these schools are beating the odds and doing excellent work on behalf of Georgia students.” More than 1,000 Georgia schools beat the odds in 2016, performing better than statistically expected on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). The CCRPI is Georgia’s statewide accountability system. It measures schools and school districts on a 100-point scale based on multiple indicators of performance. The Beating the Odds analysis predicts a range within which a school’s CCRPI score is statistically expected to fall – given the school’s size, grade cluster, student mobility, and student demographics (including race/ethnicity, disability, English learners, and poverty). If an individual school’s actual CCRPI is above the predicted range, then that school beat the odds. Most (731) of the schools that beat the odds had poverty rates of 25 percent or more, and 437 had poverty rates of 40 percent or more. And of the 1,037 schools that beat the odds last year, 271 including MCMS beat the odds in each of the past five years. Eighty-one of these schools had a 2016 poverty rate of 40 percent or more, and more than half – 157 – had poverty rates of 25 percent or more. (Matt Cardoza, GaDOE, 2017)

 

May 2017:  Mitchell County High School Graduating Class of 2017 - 29 Also Received Associate Degree-Bainbridge State College and 10 completed their freshman year of college

 

September 2015:  MCSS Receives Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting
The Mitchell County School System was recently given the Award of Distinction for Excellent Financial Reporting by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts for Fiscal Year 2014. This award was established to recognize excellence in financial reporting and controls. It encourages governmental organizations to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and recognizes individual organizations that are successful in achieving this goal. Mrs. Luci Conine, Finance Director for the school system, is very appreciative of the recognition for the efforts of the school system. “We are one of 25 systems in the state to receive this recognition,” said Mrs. Conine. She grants the bookkeepers, directors, and principals for being extremely mindful of internal controls and accurate reporting to ensure compliance and accuracy of financial reporting for the school system. This award was created in 2014 and is presented to organizations that submit quality financial statements and supporting documentation in a timely manner. To receive this award, the organization’s annual financial report must also be free of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, comply with all Transparency in Government requirements, and be given an unmodified audit opinion. The Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts exists to provide independent, credible audit services promoting improvement in government

 

December 2015 Telemedicine Coming to MCSS
What is Telemedicine? Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Dr. D. Patel is working with the MCSS to be the local provider. Students can be treated by the doctor without leaving school. This will be a tremendous benefit for the student and the parent. Dr. Patel met with CNS Educational Coordinator Beau Sherman (shown right) to create a video about telemedicine and how it works. The video was shown at the MCHS Scavenger Hunt on December 15 and was also be shown on the local CNS television station. 

 

February 2016:  MITCHELL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL IDENTIFIED AS A 2016 TITLE I HIGH-PROGRESS  REWARD SCHOOL!
CONGRATULATIONS To Mrs. Patricia English And MCMS Staff!   Based on 2013-2014 data,  MCMS has been identified as a 2016 Title I High-Progress Reward School.  A High-Progress Reward School is among the top ten percent of Title I schools in the State that are making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over a number of years on the statewide assessments, and, at the high school level, among the top ten percent of Title I schools in the State that are making the most progress in increasing graduation rates.  A school may not be classified as a high-progress school if there are significant achievement gaps across subgroups that are not closing in the school. 

 

 

The  MCHS Graduating Class of 2016 had  20 students that also received their Associate’s Degree from Bainbridge State College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cadet Ronnie Saxon, Aerospace Science Fourth-Year Cadet (AS4), assigned to GA-946 Air Force Junior ROTC at Mitchell County High School, flew a Cessna 172 for his solo flight on 15 August 2014 at the Mitchell County Airport in Camilla, Georgia!Cadet Saxon flew the Cessna 172 by himself for the first time without the instructor, Mr. Art Morris! Cadet Saxon taxied the single-engine aircraft to the end of the runway, pushed the throttle all the way in to maximum power and released the brakes. As the aircraft gained airspeed (around sixty miles per hour), Cadet Saxon slowly pulled the yoke (steering wheel) back toward his torso and the aircraft leaped into the air! Cadet Saxon made a left-handed turn to the South, then another turn to the East and entered the “downwind” flight pattern. Adjusting the throttle (engine speed) and flaps, Cadet Saxon turned to the “base” leg of the flight, reduced the throttle (engine speed) to idle and made one last turn, entering into the “final” approach to runway two six! Cadet Saxon guided the aircraft to a safe landing and taxied to the parking ramp. Mr. Morris congratulated Cadet Saxon on successfully flying the Cessna 172 by cutting his shirt tail off, a tradition afforded to less than one percent of all high school students worldwide! This tremendous achievement reflects credit upon Cadet Saxon, GA-946 AFJROTC and Mitchell County High School! Cadet Saxon will wear the Air Force Junior ROTC Solo badge and the Air Force Junior ROTC Ground School badge. WAY TO GO CADET SAXON! CONTINUE TO SOAR AMONG THE EAGLES! Who will fly solo next? Ten other students are now in the process of obtaining their licenses.

 

October 2014:  Congratulations to Mitchell County High School Named as one of Georgia’s Title I Highest Progress Schools
A High-Progress Reward School is among the top ten percent of Title I schools in the State that are making the most progress in improving the performance of the “all students” group over a number of years on the statewide assessments, and, at the high school level, among the top ten percent of Title I schools in the State that are making the most progress in increasing graduation rates.  A school may not be classified as a high-progress school if there are significant achievement gaps across subgroups that are not closing in the school.

 

December 2014:  Taking Learning on the Road with a Mobile School Bus
On December 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 and 16, 2014, the Mitchell County High School Faculty and Staff took to the road every evening from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and traveled around to various parts of the community. This first time event allowed both the parents and the students to become aware of the resources available on the bus, and the concession stand was brought along in order to serve drinks, hot dogs and fries to the participants. Parents also picked up a Parent Involvement Survey to fill out and return to school. The results from the survey will be used in the revision of the Parent Involvement Program and the School Improvement Plans.  

 

May 2015:  Darius Hicks Receives  State FFA Degree
Darius Hicks, Mitchell County High FFA president, received his State FFA Degree at the 87th Georgia FFA Convention, on April 25 in Macon Georgia in front of over 6000 of his fellow FFA members. The State FFA degree is the highest degree that the State FFA Association can award.

August 2013:  Congratulations to the Mitchell  County Program for Exceptional Children Pre-School Program!
On May 17, 2013, the GA Head Start Association Spring Conference took place in St. Simon Island. It was here the Pre-School program was awarded the 2013 Local Educational Agency of the Year Award for collaboration and outstanding work with our local Mitchell County Head Start. Special thanks to Mary Beth Morris, Mary Alice Buckner, and Elizabeth Stubbs who ensure these students’ needs are met accordingly.

December 2013:  “The Eagle’s Nest” Received 2013 GSBA Beacon Print Media Award
And Mitchell County School System’s Board of Education Recognized as a GSBA Quality Board

On December 6 at the Georgia School Board Association Conference, the Mitchell County School System’s “The Eagle’s Nest” newsletter was one of five recipients of the 2013 Beacon Award winners for Print Media. Ms. Ruth Lee, editor of the newsletter, accepted the award on behalf of the school system. This award recognizes print and electronic media representatives or organizations whose coverage over time has created understanding of public education issues by informing the general public about programs, policies and/or issues affecting the public schools, students, and/or communities. “The Eagle’s Nest” newsletter is a collaborative effort between all the schools-administrators, staff, teachers and their students, the central office, the Board of Education and community stakeholders.
The MCSS Board of Education was recognized also a GSBA Quality Board recipient.

 

 

 

June 2014:  MCHS Students Complete Requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration's Certified Ground School
Cadets Neal Aldavera, Xavier Aytch, and Ronnie Saxon completed all requirements for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Certified Ground School and were awarded a Certificate of Completion and their Air Force Junior ROTC Ground School Badge! These cadets are the first ever GA-946 Air Force Junior ROTC cadets to complete the FAA certified ground school and to proudly wear the ground school badge (wings) on their uniforms. Each cadet completed several hours of flight instruction provided by Mr. Art Morris, an FAA certified flight instructor from Moultrie, Georgia, a three-day ground school course conducted at Mitchell County High School and completion of the FAA Ground School test, which was administered in Valdosta, Georgia. We congratulate each cadet and wish them continued success as they continue their ambition to fly solo (without an instructor in the airplane) within the next few weeks.

 

 

 

November 2011:  For the Fourth Consecutive Year, All Mitchell County Schools Exceed AYP Requirements!
According to the originally released data from Georgia’s 2011 AYP reports, only 31 of the state’s 179 school systems had 100% of their schools make AYP. The Mitchell County School System is proud to be a part of the 17.3% of schools systems with this outstanding distinction. Also, it is important to mention that only 30% of the high schools in Georgia made AYP, with Mitchell County High School being one of them!

 

December 2011:  GLISI Cohort 33 Team  Receives Top Honors
On September 12, 13, 14 and October 24, 25, 26, the Mitchell County School System’s Cohort 33 Team attended the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) training in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The goals of the GLISI program include: developing leader capacity, improving organizational effectiveness, and creating conditions that support the improvement of student achievement. This is the fifth year Mitchell County has sent a team to GLISI. Throughout the past five years, all principals, assistant principals, academic coaches, and curriculum coordinators have been trained. During the past two years, GLISI teams have been comprised of lead teachers, grade level chairs from all schools, and Mitchell County Board of Education members. This year’s team is comprised of two representatives from each school and the system: SMCES – Rosemary Sanders, Tanya Thomas * NMCES – Janie Mullins, Selena Montgomery * MCMS – Ashley Martin, Lynn Dunbar * MCHS – Rodney Conine, Constance Lee * MCBOE – Christy Wray, Tholen Edwards. The focus objectives and goals of this year’s team are: continuing to close the achievement gap, improved monitoring and implementation of current programs, facilitating open lines of communication, and increasing parental involvement. As a result of their hard work and efforts, the MCSS Cohort 33 Team was chosen as GLISI’s Overall Best Team, earning a combined 161,000 points throughout the months of August, September, and October for their GLISI work on behalf of the Mitchell County School System

 

March 2012:  FY12 Georgia Title I Distinguished Schools:
South Mitchell County Elementary School ,North Mitchell County Elementary School
Mitchell County Middle School, Mitchell County High School
Congratulations to South Mitchell County Elementary School, North Mitchell County Elementary School, Mitchell County Middle School, and Mitchell County High School on being named a FY12 Georgia Title I Distinguished School! This is South Mitchell County Elementary School’s 11th year as a Georgia Title I Distinguished School and the 13th consecutive year making AYP. It is North Mitchell County Elementary School’s, Mitchell County Middle School’s, and Mitchell County High School’s 2nd year as a Georgia Title I Distinguished School and the 4th consecutive year making AYP. South Mitchell County Elementary School will receive a monetary award and North Elementary, Middle and High Schools will receive certificates.