East Fannin Elementary – February 2020 Calendar of Events

East Fannin Elem, Rebel's Corner

EFES to host Literacy Night

News, Press Release

MORGANTON, Ga. –

The temperatures are (finally) cooling down, and fall is in the air! East Fannin Elementary School’s faculty, staff, and parent teacher organization (PTO) would like to invite you to attend their camping themed 2019 Literacy Night on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. The evening’s events will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Families and children of all ages are invited to attend this celebration of Wildcat reading. Reading stations will be available every half hour with our own Media Specialist Gary Baxter in our new outdoor classroom or with the Craddock Center, who will be working with our smaller readers.

Between reading times, children and their families can take advantage of a number of activities, including a book walk, a STEM activity, and a photo station. Free books will be given away at the book walk, and everyone who plays will have a chance to win! Also, our new STEM teacher will engage your innovation in a fun STEM competition. A photography station, complete with a variety of camping and reading props, will be assembled so you can make photos to document the memories you make on this night celebrating literacy!

A hearty, free camping meal of hotdogs, chips, and drinks will be available for hungry readers and their reader families. Also, no camping themed event would be complete without everyone’s favorite ─ s’mores!

If you would like additional event details or information about transportation assistance, please feel free to contact Sheena Rymer, Parent Liaison, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 706.374.6418.

Please tag us with your event pictures on Facebook, or use #FanninReads, #EFESWildCats, and/or #FanninsFuture on Twitter to share your experiences from this event!

FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected].

East Fannin Car Show

Community, East Fannin Elem

A Polar Express Literacy Night – December 13th!

Community, Rebel's Corner

Calling all believers! Blue Ridge Elementary, East Fannin Elementary, West Fannin Elementary,
and Fannin County High School will be co-hosting a free literacy event on Thursday, December
13 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the Fannin County High School campus. Students, families,
and community members are invited to come immerse themselves in a joyous holiday
experience. Following the festival, the Swan Drive-in will present a showing of The Polar
Express at 6:15 p.m. as a fundraiser for literacy programming at the schools.


Pick up your map to the North Pole at the FCHS main entrance to guide you around the campus to our various activities; if you get lost along the way, a wandering elf will help direct you to your destination. If you are lucky, the conductor himself might even stop to punch your ticket!

Some of the interactive experiences offered will include themed crafting projects and a book walk. Wal-Mart and Ingles have generously donated a cookie decorating station and a hot chocolate bar. Home Depot will host a Holiday Builder’s workshop! Along the way to the Elf Workshop, where eager elves will assist with letter writing to Santa, feel free to peruse the artistic creations presented at the FCHS Gingerbread House Contest. The Fannin County Regional Library will also host on-site library card sign-up booth!

Also, various guest readers will provide dramatic readings of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar
Express. Santa Claus himself will be there for free pictures and to hear all your holiday wishes.
Community and PTO partnerships have also generously donated several door prizes to reward
the attendance of these avid readers. Please join us for this magical evening!

All children fifth grade and under will receive free admission into the film. All other tickets will
go on sale for the film at the Swan Drive-in on December 2, and ticket prices are $5 each. On
December 13, you will be able to purchase tickets to the Swan’s showing of the film at FCHS or
at the entrance to the Swan. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit future literacy projects.
Various other corporate and community sponsors are working together to help make this event a
success, and they will all be recognized at the event.

This event is designed to welcome all ages. If you would like more information, please feel free
to contact Sarah Welch, Literacy Coordinator, via email at [email protected] or by phone
at 706.632.2081 ext. 125. Follow event details on Facebook with Fannin County Schools, or use
#literacyexpress or #fanninreads on Twitter to share your experiences. Fannin County, a Get
Georgia Reading community, was awarded the L4GA grant at the end of last year, and we have a
lasting commitment to sustainably impact literacy at all levels!

Fannin County opts to remain a Charter School District

Community, News, Rebel's Corner

Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously for the Fannin County School System to remain a charter school district.

Fannin County schools officially became a charter school system July, 01, 2015. According to the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE), a charter district must renew their intent and contract with the state every five years.

Fannin County, Blue Ridge, Georgia, Fannin County School System, Fannin County High School, Fannin County Middle School, East Fannin Elementary, West Fannin Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary, Board of Education, Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Chair, Dr. Michael Gwatney, Betsy Hyde, Lewis Deweese, Chad Galloway, Bobby Bearden, Terry Bramlett, Mike Cole, Georgia Department of Education, AdvancedEd, Charter, SGT, School Governance Team, QBE

Deputy Superintendent Betsy Hyde spoke with the BOE on what it means to remain a charter district.

Deputy Superintendent Betsy Hyde spoke to the BOE, “They (GDOE) asked us if we would amend our charter and say that we would review in 4 years.”

Upon Fannin County looking to obtain AdvancedED accreditation, the Georgia Department of Education asked administration to review their charter application a year early.

AdvancED is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of schools and school systems. Every five years a school system must participate in a targeted self-reflection process.

The AdvancedED helps to evaluate purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing for learning, resources and support systems, as well as engagement with stakeholders.

The charter renewal as well as the AdvancedEd accreditation are expected to have coinciding site visits to Fannin County Schools.

Hyde explained that during 2015, when Fannin County officially entered into the charter system, the state of Georgia offered three flexibility options for districts to pick from.

The first of these options was Status Quo. Under this option the school system would not be allowed waivers and have limited flexibility on the local level to customize the school learning environment.

The second option presented was the IE2/Strategic Waiver. This gave districts the ability to ask for specific waivers, but did not allow for School Governance Teams (SGT) to be established.

Lastly school systems had the option of becoming a charter district. This option did not restrict waivers and required the formation of SGT. With this option Fannin County would be provided more flexibility in exchange for maintaining at or above state levels in reviews.

“One of the things that we do in our system is we had to have waivers for instance to do block scheduling, class size, different things like that,” Hyde said explaining the benefits of being a charter district.

The decision to initially become a charter school system was not one that was taken lightly, Hyde explained that countless hours of research went into the decision, including speaking with other charter systems and visiting different districts.

Some of the advantages to being a charter district include flexibility to innovate educational opportunities, financial savings from waivers, and possible additional funding in Quality Basic Education (QBE) if appropriated.

One of the outstanding characteristics is the creation of SGT within each of the Fannin County schools. The first SGT was established in June of 2015. These teams, comprised of 7 members, each meet on a regular basis and include school system faculty as well as parents.

Hyde explained the role of SGT more in depth,”Student Government Teams kind of help us distribute our leadership instead of you all being the only board in the whole system. You all are still over the whole system, but this gives some government back to the schools.”

BOE Chair Lewis Deweese admitted to being skeptical of the formation of SGT in the beginning but said of his feelings now, “I think what we’ve really created are some advocates for public education.”

Before taking vote, board member Terry Bramlett questioned, “Whenever we chose to become a charter system it seemed to be the fairer choice of offering the most flexible options and the greatest opportunity for our students. Would you agree that that’s still the case?”

Hyde replied that she still felt very strongly that being a charter system is the best option for Fannin County and added that it also allows the school system a wider range of options as future needs within the district arise.

The BOE took the first step in renewing its contract to stay a charter district by passing a resolution updating their procedures. While there are still many steps to take before this renewal is official, administration is confident in their choice and ability to continue with charter district status.

 

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Acccomplishments told, retirees honored at Fannin Schools end-of-year meeting

Rebel's Corner

The Star Teacher and Student of the Year for the Fannin County School System were Sarah Welch, left, and Jordan Newman, respectively.

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Several school system accomplishments were mentioned and this school year’s retirees were honored at the end-of-the-year meeting of Fannin County Schools at the Performing Arts Center Wednesday, May 30.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney kicked the meeting off by announcing 198 students recently graduated from Fannin County High School.

“That’s reflective of the wonderful work that is done by the faculty and staff and leadership at Fannin County High School,” Gwatney added, “but it also speaks volumes for what happens at elementary and middle schools to prepare the students to get them to these levels.”

Gwatney also thanked the Board of Education for a 1 percent across-the-board permanent pay increase for school system personnel.

“And as I stand here before you today, always remember that you are a member of the greatest and most honorable profession,” the superintendent told the countless number of educators and school employees in attendance. “Ladies and gentlemen, ours is the one profession in which all professions must pass.”

Later, Board of Education member Steve Stanley praised Gwatney’s own leadership asking everyone in attendance, “Don’t you guys think that Dr. Gwatney did a great job this year?”

To this, the audience responded with a resounding round of applause for the superintendent.

Lewis DeWeese, BOE chairman, also spoke of the change he saw this year under Dr. Gwatney. “I’ve been saying it for the last year or so, our system has a new spirit, a new friendly, open, honest willingness to share (and) work together,” DeWeese stated.

BOE member Bobby Bearden also took a moment to thank the employees of the school system saying, “It’s been a blessing and an honor to work with people like you.”

Several awards and achievements, received both for schools and individuals throughout the school year, were recognized at the meeting.

This school year’s Teachers of the Year were also mentioned again during the meeting. Those educators included Erin Colbert, from Blue Ridge Elementary, Kathy Culpepper, from East Fannin Elementary, Amber Mitchell, from West Fannin Elementary, Nathasha Anderson, from Fannin County Middle, and Shan Culpepper, from Fannin County High. Culpepper also held the distinction of being Teacher of the Year for the entire school system.

The Star Teacher and Student of the Year for the Fannin County School System were Sarah Welch, left, and Jordan Newman, respectively.

Sarah Welch and Jordan Newman were also recognized this past school year for being the Star Teacher and Star Student of the Year for 2017-18, respectively.

Regarding the high school, Fannin County High School (FCHS) was also ranked statewide and nationally in U.S. News’ annual Best High Schools rankings. According to those rankings, FCHS was ranked 63 in the state and 2,593 in the nation. This was the third time in the last four years FCHS has been ranked by U.S. News in this category with the previous years being 2015 and 2017. The high school also earned a Silver Award for falling in the top 12 percent nationally.

Fannin County Middle School (FCMS) was also praised for its accomplishments, most notably in that the school placed first in an online Reading Bowl and fourth in face-to-face competition. FCMS also earned an honorary degree in life science.

Blue Ridge Elementary received recognition for earning a High Progress Award among Title 1 schools. High Progress Award schools are among the top 10 percent of Title 1 schools based on the three-year average of College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) progress scores.

East Fannin Elementary held the distinction this school year of being one of only five Family-Friendly Partnership Schools in the state of Georgia.

Also, West Fannin Elementary enjoyed the success of becoming the 36th Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) certified school in the state.

Twenty-five educators in the school system became certified as Level 1 Google Educators this school year. This status indicates that an educator is able to successfully implement Google Suite for Education into their teaching practice in order to enhance teaching and learning.

The Fannin County Schools nutritional program participated in the Shake It Up initiative this past school year.

The school system’s nutrition program participated in the Shake It Up initiative, which is a state-wide initiative to change the culture school nutrition in three areas: tasty meals, friendly cafeterias and happy schools. The nutrition programs at all five county schools received the Gold Award in this initiative.

The school system also took time to honor this year’s retirees throughout Fannin County Schools. Those retirees included:

· From Blue Ridge Elementary, media specialist Robbie Callihan and nutritionist Mildred Johnson;

· From East Fannin Elementary, teachers Katie Holloway and Lynn Weeks, academic coach Crystal Cooke, and paraprofessional Sandra Ross;

· From West Fannin Elementary, nutritionist Wanda Stewart and teacher Betty Holsonback;

Fannin County Schools honored 27 retirees from the school system at its end-of-the-year meeting Wednesday, May 30.

· From Fannin County Middle, teachers Cindy Wood and Linda Nave, and nutritionists Judy Glasgow, Sue Postell, and Gayle Queen;

· From Fannin County High, secretaries Robin Kirby and Gail Bennett, paraprofessional Phillip Nastyn, teachers Terry Callihan and Kim Kribbs, and nutritionists Amanda O’Neal and Leslie Perenich;

· System-wide deaf/hard of hearing teacher Marcie Harper and speech therapist Pam Lapham;

· School bus drivers Margie Kolesky and Sheryl Campbell;

· From the school system maintenance department, Archie Bice; and

· From the Central Office, accounts payable bookkeeper Connie Grindstaff and Associate Superintendent Betsy Hyde.

“What an honor this has been,” Gwatney told the retirees. “I wish you all the best.”

Following the ceremony, the rock band Apollo, which is comprised of three Fannin County students, played a spirited version of the Foo Fighters’ classic anthem “My Hero” as a tribute to the retirees as well as the existing educators and employees of the Fannin County School System.

Concluding the day’s event, Gwatney stated, “Ladies and gentlemen, we aspire to guide and lead the future, but most of all, you remember why we’re here. It’s for the kids. Everyone have a great summer.”

 

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

Breakfast Week March 5th -9th

East Fannin Elem

White Christmas Schedule 2017

Community, Rebel's Corner

Breakfast & Lunch Menus for November

East Fannin Elem

Teaching as a Profession Pathway at FCHS

Fannin County High, Rebel's Corner

The Teaching as a Profession pathway (TAP) prepares students for a career in education. Students enrolled in these courses don’t just learn about teaching from sitting in their classroom at Fannin County High School; they see first-hand what it’s like to teach young children by working with mentor teachers in various grade levels across the county.

Jill Dyer, TAP Program Coordinator, says, “Research shows that there will be a significant shortage of teachers in the next few years. There are many more teachers who will be retiring than there are students who will complete college degree programs in education. We are growing our own teachers here in Fannin County by offering these students an opportunity to see what a great career it can be.”
Students in the first course of the pathway, Examining the Teaching Profession, recently volunteered their time at Fannin Head Start in Mineral Bluff and the TAP students aren’t the only ones that benefit from these visits. Mary Beth Deal, Curriculum Director of Fannin Head Start said, “Our preschool students get so excited when the high school kids visit because they look up to them as role models. The biggest evidence of their excitement is the smiles on their faces.”

The TAP program consists of three courses that include FCHS classroom instruction and mentoring with teachers who work with ages PreK – 8th grade. In the 2 nd and 3 rd level courses, students work with a mentor teacher several days a week. By the time they finish the pathway, they are actually teaching real lessons that they have written and developed on their own.

Senior Victoria Keaton recently taught a class of 2 nd graders at East Fannin Elementary. “Having the
opportunity to work with these precious children has encouraged me even more to become a teacher and make a difference in the generation of tomorrow,” said Victoria.

Her mentor teacher, Lauren Seber said, “From the time I had Victoria in 2nd grade, I knew she was born to teach. I believe that good teachers are born and not made. Over the years I have watched her as a student and her poise, personal dedication, and determination prevails. She was born to make a difference, and it takes a special person to have the strength and compassion needed to nurture each and every student that walks through the door. Victoria will change the world and positively affect the lives of young children. When Victoria says, ‘I love kids’, she really means it!”
By completing the courses and passing the state-wide assessment, students earn college credit. The classes are open to all high school students in grades 9-12.

 

Emily Ingle (high school student) with Bailey, Rylee and Hera (preschool students)

 

Junior, Dylan Walton takes time with Copper at
Fannin Head Start in Mineral Bluff, Georgia.

 

FCSS SY 17-18 Veterans Program Schedule

Community, Rebel's Corner

Elementary Schools are Celebrating: World School Milk Day

Blue Ridge Elem, East Fannin Elem, West Fannin Elem

Fannin County Elementary Schools are celebrating World School Milk Day on September 27, 2017.

Mayfield is bringing in their 14 foot cow for students to see and have photos taken.  It will be at East Fannin Elementary in the morning, Blue Ridge Elementary for lunch, and West Fannin Elementary in the afternoon.

There are many activities going on within the schools too.  Our media specialists have selected books related to cows and milk to display and read to the students.  Art projects have created cow faces on paper plates. Students will dress up in “cow” colors.

First Lady Sandra Deal Visits Fannin County

Community, Featured Stories
Blue Ridge, Fannin County, Georgia, First Lady Sandra Deal, West Fannin Elementary, East Fannin Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary

First Lady Sandra Deal reads to students at Blue Ridge Elementary.

BLUE RIDGE, GA – Elementary students were treated to a visit from Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal, wife of Governor Nathan Deal.

Mrs. Deal has made it her mission to show the importance of education and literacy. Having been a 6th grade teacher for more than 15 years before retiring, Deal now travels the state of Georgia reading to elementary school children in hopes of inspiring these young students to “work hard and never give up.”

Blue Ridge, Fannin County, Georgia, First Lady Sandra Deal, West Fannin Elementary, East Fannin Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary

Students and staff of Blue Ridge Elementary pose for a photo with First Lady Deal.

The First Lady stopped at Blue Ridge Elementary first on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. She was met by awe struck first graders who had many questions for her, including “How did your dog die?” which got uncomfortable laughs from everyone in the room.

Deal took the time to thoughtfully address and answer each question before letting the children vote on which book they would like to have read to them. The children chose “Will Powers : Where There’s a Will There’s a Way” by Coy Bowles.

This book stuck close to the First Lady’s theme of hard work as it chronicles a little boy who was able to achieve his goals through practice and a strong work ethic. Deal “loves this book because it insists on practicing to be good at something.”

Blue Ridge, Fannin County, Georgia, First Lady Sandra Deal, West Fannin Elementary, East Fannin Elementary, Blue Ridge Elementary

Curriculum Director and Principals at East Fannin Elementary welcome Deal to their campus.

She kept the children engaged as she read. Asking questions after every page and allowing for the students to participate in the reading process.

Deal has been reading to students across the state of Georgia for seven years. She hopes to promote literacy and wants children “to realise that they have to do their part.” She went on to say that “it’s not just the teachers. Teachers can do all they can but the children have to do their part. They have to work at it.”

First Lady Deal started her morning reading to the students of Blue Ridge Elementary. She then traveled to West Fannin Elementary and ended her day at East Fannin Elementary. East Fannin Elementary marks the 763rd school that Mrs. Deal has visited to spread her message of hard work and the importance of doing your part to achieve a good education.

Fannin County Teacher of the Year Nominees

Rebel's Corner

2017-18 Fannin County Schools Supply List

Community, Education

Fannin County Schools Supply List 2017-2018

 Blue Ridge Elementary, East Fannin Elementary, West Fannin Elementary

 Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade: 

Crayons, Glue Sticks, Pencils, Scissors, Paper, Pencil Box or Pouch

 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade:

 Colored Pencils, Pencils, Loose Leaf Paper, Spiral Composition Notebooks, Pencil Pouch

Fannin County Middle School

6th Grade, 7th Grade, and 8th Grade:

 2” Binder with Divider, Notebook Paper, Composition Books, Pencils, Pens, Highlighters, Colored Pencils

Fannin County High School

9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, and 12th Grade:

 #2 Pencils, Black or Blue Pens, Binder, College-ruled Notebook Paper Colored Pencils, Highlighters (2 colors), Calculator

 

 If you have any question, please call your child’s school. You may also talk with your child’s teacher at our Open House on Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. The first day for students is Friday, August 4, 2017.

May School menu for East Fannin Elementary School

East Fannin Elem

east-fannin-menu

 
The Fannin County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, creed, or disability in admission to its programs, services, and activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. For additional information or referral to the appropriate system coordinator, contact the system superintendent’s office at 2290 East First Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513 or 706-632-3771.

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