West Fannin Spelling Bee
Community, Rebel's Corner, West Fannin Elem December 27, 2020
Congratulations to Abby Pickard for placing first place in our West Fannin Spelling Bee. Congratulations to our runner up, Elaina Davis.

Mrs. Rice with 5th grade: Bea Painter, Trinity Parker, Abby Pickard, and Tucker Griggs, Mrs. Danner. Front row 4th grade: Mahlon Lunsford, Kaydee Parris, Elaina Davis, and Ava Curtis.
The spelling bee went seven rounds and the winning word was combed.

Abby Pickard and Elaina Davis
Abby will be competing in our county-wide spelling bee at the PAC on January 14th at 1:00.
BRES & Constitution Week
Rebel's Corner September 16, 2020
Today Tekia Cunningham and Donna Reece from the Captain James Kell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution joined us today to sign a proclamation to designate September 17-23, 2020 as Constitution Week.


Pictured in pictures:

Dr. April Hodges in between students
Students: Left- Gaddis and Cannon Holloway
Teacher, Kelly Castro (to the right)
DAR members behind the students: Tekia Cunningham, Regent (right) and Donna Reece, Historian (left)
Rumors of Rebel name change untrue
Community, News, Rebel's Corner June 24, 2020
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Rumors of a Rebels name change have taken social media by storm and those involved in the school system say that right now, it is nothing more than rumors.
With the current political climate, the Fannin County Rebels have once again been thrust into the community spotlight due to the school’s mascot.
Some on Facebook vow that the name has already been secretly changed to the Fannin County Raiders and that new uniforms have been the works, while others are simply joining the debate on whether there should be a change at all.
Head coach of the Gilmer County Bobcats, Kevin Saunders, chimed in via Twitter.
While not mentioning the rival Fannin Rebels specifically, Saunders did share in part: “Once again I hope schools decide to remove very explicit racial traditions. High school and Colleges, examples would be Dixie, Nickname Rebel or reb and the Confederate Flag. Some schools are but there is no need for this to be carrying on in this day and time”.


Fannin County school officials say that there have been no meetings for the purpose of changing the school’s mascot.
“I am a board member and there have been no meetings concerning a name change,” Fannin County School Board Member Mike Cole posted to Facebook, adding, “All you are seeing is what we called “rumor control” in the Marine Corps. None of this is factual.”
Cole also pointed out that a name change usually goes through the School Governance Team (SGT) and not the board.
Assistant Superintendent Robert Ensley spoke with FYN and confirmed Cole’s remarks. Like Cole, Ensley said that there have been no meetings regarding the Rebel name. Ensley also stated that a change in name would need to be addressed to the high school SGT.
Ensley stated that in order for there to be a change to the mascot it must first be brought before the SGT and then options would be given to be voted on. Student, faculty, and guardian input would all be considered if such a change were requested.
“There have been no agenda items to date for either the board or the SGT that have mentioned a change in the name,” Ensley said adding that all meetings are public and agendas are available to the public.
The next SGT meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 15 at 4:15 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Those who are in favor of or opposed to a change in the Rebel mascot are encouraged to contact the SGT.
BOE looks to reopen schools in August
Board of Education, News, Rebel's Corner June 14, 2020

Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County School System (FCSS) is moving forward with plans to reopen the district in August.
“Our goal remains to have school in August,” FCSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney spoke at the recent Board of Education meeting, adding, “Now, it’s impossible to say right now exactly how school will look in August, as so much will depend on the health of our community at that time.”
Gwatney, along with district personnel and the Board of Education, are looking to find a balance for the upcoming year, weighing both the needs of the students and the needs of the community.
The Georgia Department of Education released guidelines on Monday, June 1, 2020 for districts moving forward. This advisement breaks up reopening recommendations into three categories:
- Low/No Spread (of Covid-19)
- Minimal/Moderate Spread
- Substantial Spread
Each category has specific guidelines and recommendations for operating a school system based on the health of the community, and can range from traditional operation (in person) to hybrid operation (alternating schedules) to distance/remote learning.


The beginning guidelines from the GaDOE defining the categories to consider when reopening schools.
You can read the guidelines released by the Georgia Department of Education by clicking here : Georgia’s K-12 Restart and Recovery
“The great thing that I love about the plan is that it is actually giving communities back control of how their schools function,” FCSS Assistant Superintendent Sarah Rigdon said of the new recommendations.
While the district is preparing and hopeful to have children back in the classroom this fall, they are also preparing for a worst case scenario, where distance/remote learning is the only option once again.
FCSS Director of Instructional Technology, Heather Finley, gave the public a brief overview of how the statewide closure was handled in March of this year.
During the past nine weeks, 68,000 meals were still served to students, over 700 Google Classrooms were created, approximately 900 virtual meetings and classrooms were attended, WiFi Hotspots were provided to families throughout the county, and those with special needs were still provided services.
“If we can do this in 3 days,” Finely said of the district’s quick response to the pandemic crisis in March, “we can plan for August and figure it out.”
The school system is sending out a survey to parents, guardians, facility, and staff regarding their feelings on moving forward with the 2020-2021 school year. This survey will be based on the low to moderate guidelines recommended by the State.
“This has been a very polarizing issue, and so it should be interesting once we get some of this data back to how the community feels,” Rigdon said of the survey.
The hope of conducting the survey is to get genuine feedback from those with an invested interest in the operations of the school district on a variety of topics that will need to be addressed before moving forward.
An example of such a topic was given as to whether or not children should be required to wear masks in school.
The school system has also been seeking guidance from a wide variety of professionals in the medical, legal, economic and emergency management fields.
Rigdon will share the findings from the survey at the July Board of Education meeting so that plans can be made for the reopening of Fannin County schools in August.
“We are excited that we are going to be able to go back to local control. It’s our kids and our community,” Rigdon stated and added, “Educators have missed their kids.”
Board member Lewis Deweese shared his feelings on how every obstacle has been met so far by the Fannin County School System: “The demonstration of love and the compassion that our teachers have for students, it goes above and beyond the call of duty by far.”
How to Cook A Turkey
Rebel's Corner November 5, 2019

Ms. Adam’s Pre K class were asked how to cook a turkey, and these were their adorable responses! One student was out sick, but I can send that when she gets back.




EDUCATION SHOULD BE RUN BY PARENTS AGAIN
Opinion August 22, 2019

One of the key issues today is education. Everyone should be interested in all children getting the best well rounded education available. Children are the future and it is concerning to have a growing populace that purposely remain ignorant due to the cookie cutter approach to public schools.
My question is why have the American people allowed education to become a government led agenda?
Initially, when America was young, there was no guideline for schooling. In England, schools were available for the privileged, but not the masses.
The American spirit formed its own brand of education. Children were taught at home or in the homes of neighbors. As communities grew, the one room schoolhouse was brought into play. This building housed the school, served as a community center and often a church on Sunday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-room_school
There was usually a home or a “Teacherage” close to the schools, so that male teachers’ families were close to the school and able to assist the teacher with his duties. Unmarried female teachers were usually boarded with someone in the community.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House” books, became a schoolteacher two months before her sixteenth birthday. She taught in a one room schoolhouse.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ingalls_Wilder
The one room school system allowed for the parents and the community to decide on the curriculum and the values taught in the schools. The community that sponsored their own school would have been up in arms if anyone from the government had tried to interfere with their wishes. They accepted some guidelines, but interference would not have been tolerated.
The one room school allowed for a child to go further than his or her own age level. If the child was advanced, they could finish their lessons and listen to the next age level’s work. The community school usually only went up to the eighth grade. This provided basic education.
If a student wanted further education, they could go to a central high school within the county or state.
Standardized tests did not come into play until much later, if you went to school and attended and passed all of your classes, you could graduate.
This system spawned many a leader within the United States.
My maternal Great Grandfather John Thomas Jones donated land for a two room schoolhouse here in Paulding County, Georgia. My Grandmother Clara M. Jones and her older brother Hershel Jones taught there for a period of time.


Though his scholastic career was interrupted by family needs on the farm, my Uncle Herschel returned to school later. He later completed all of his studies and graduated from Oglethorpe University. He went on to be the principal in the Paulding County school system.
Herschel Jones Middle School in Dallas, Georgia is his legacy to education, and a tribute to the power of the one room school.
Instead of relying on the government to educate children, parents need to be in charge of the local educational system. More thought needs to be given to how each parent is personally is going to provide education to their children. In this way, the values of the parents, not the government are instilled
Taking back the power of education is key to developing free thinkers.
The Federal Government’s interference has led to teaching to tests and leaving students behind on important basics, especially American History. It is an indictment of the public school system every time some reporter asks college age students questions, like who is on the $ 20 bill. The school systems have taught our young people to be ashamed of our great nation and have misled them on how our country was founded.
When school systems insist on teaching values that are contrary to the values taught at home, it is unacceptable.
It is time to take your children and their education back from those who are running their own agenda.
GDOT Pleads for Safe Back to School Driving in Northwest Georgia
Announcements August 5, 2019

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Fannin County Schools Start Back This Wednesday!
News, Rebel's Corner August 6, 2019

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Fannin County Schools start back Wednesday, August 7, 2019!
The official calendar 2019 – 2020 calendar is as follows!
Note: Days for Spring Break and holidays can be used to make up days missed due to inclement weather or other reasons.
7:30 – 8:00 Students report to the cafeteria with breakfast being served starting at 7:40 am.
8:05 – 9:30 Block 1 Class
9:36 – 11:01 Block 2 Class
11:07 – 1:04 Block 3 Class and Lunch
1:10 – 2:35 Block 4 Class
2:40 – 3:10 FLEX Time/Block
West Fannin Elementary School Daily Schedule:
Pre-K
8:15 – 8:40
Breakfast
8:40 – 10:50
Academic Time
10:50 – 11:45
Lunch/Recess
11:45 – 1:30
Academic Time
1:30 – 2:00
Gross Motor Skills
2:00 – 2:45
Academic Time
Kindergarten
8:15 – 9:50
Academic Time
9:50 – 10:40
NBI/Intervention
10:40 – 11:20
Academic Time
11:20 – 12:20
Lunch/Recess
12:20 – 1:15
Activity
1:15 – 2:45
Academic Time
1st Grade
8:10 – 8:55
Academic Time
8:55 – 9:50
Activity
9:50 – 10:40
Academic Time
10:40 – 11:30
NBI/Intervention
11:30 – 12:25
Academic Time
12:25 – 1:25
Lunch/Recess
1:25 – 2:45
Academic Time
2nd Grade
8:05 – 8:55
Academic Time
8:55 – 9:50
NBI/Intervention
9:50 – 10:45
Activity
10:45 – 11:40
Academic Time
11:40 – 12:40
Lunch/Recess
12:40 – 2:45
Academic Time
3rd Grade
8:00 – 8:55
Activity
8:55 – 11:00
1st Block
11:00 – 12:00
Lunch/Recess
12:00 – 12:55
NBI/Intervention
12:55 – 3:00
2nd Block
4th Grade
8:00 – 8:50
NBI/Intervention
8:50 – 10:55
1st Block/1st and 2nd Period
10:55 – 11:50
Activity
11:50 – 12:50
Lunch/Recess
12:50 – 3:00
2nd Block/3rd and 4th Period
5th Grade
8:00 – 9:55
1st Block/1st and 2nd Period
9:55 – 11:50
2nd Block/3rd and 4th Period
11:50 – 12:35
ELA Block
12:35 – 1:25
Lunch/Recess
1:25 – 2:10
NBI/Intervention
2:10 – 3:00
Activity
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].
BoE Approves West Fannin Elementary Paving Project
Board of Education, News July 18, 2019

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The Fannin County Board of Education approved a West Fannin Elementary School paving project during their called meeting on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.
There was only one bid for this project which came from local vendor Johnson Paving, LLC. in the amount of $197,383.00 for the replacement 10,650 square yards of overlay and 4,314 square yards of mill and replace. The plan does include striping.
The board discussed how these repairs have been much needed for quite some time now, and none of the board members were opposed.
The project is said to be paid for with special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST) funding.
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].
WFES Honor Roll and Principal’s List – 4th Nine Weeks
West Fannin Elem June 3, 2019

Principal Lucas Roof announces the West Fannin Elementary 4th nine weeks Principal’s List and Honor Roll.
West Fannin Elementary Principal’s List students must have a 93 or higher average in all classes, Honor Roll students must have an overall average of 90 or higher.
Fifth Grade Principal’s List:
Ava Acker, Castle Barnett, Abbie Dillard, Kinzlee Elrod, Chase Graham, Derek Greene, Hollyanna Greene, Reid Hilton, Kylah Imhoff, Carlee Klinesmith, Reese Lewis, Kalyn Martin, Casi Mealer, Natalee Reeves, Sadi Salat, Fox Sharp, Harley Stanley, Graham Sutherland, and Keton Wilson.
Fourth grade Principal’s List:
Katelyn Clark, Albany Cole, Avery Collis, Christopher Correa, Lillie Dean, Peyton Grindstaff, Benjamin Holsonback, Aiden Jones, Will Jones, Logan Long, Cayson Mitchell, Roni Oyster, Garrett Pittman, Ava Twiggs, Isaac Watkins, and Sawyer White.
Fifth grade Honor Roll:
Erik Acevedo-Bustos, Drew Barfield, Trinity Bell, Lei’Loni Brunjes, Aiden Bryant, Hunter Byrd, Adrian Cartwright, Michael Chastain, Johua Cheatham, Keira Cook, Lexy Cook, Trystan Davenport, Austin Erwin, Joshua Flores, Vince Foster, Magdalena Garcia-Leal, Jacob Green, Brody Hawkins, Lily Hawkins, Amelia Holbert, Jorja Kernea, Diana Leal-Diaz, Kyanna Levy, Yamilet Lopez-Garcia, Matthew Marlow, Isaiah McConnell, Karis McIver, Nevaeh Morgan, Obe Mullins, Danica Padrutt, Charity Partin,Gavin Payne, Knox Puckett, Skyler Queen, Tucker Rhodes, Nadia Rosas-Leal, Joshua Runions, Lauren Sherbert, Sam Smith, Bill Stiles, Caden Strickland, Kierce Trammel, William Valla, David Waddell, Halle Walton, and Judah Wood.
Fourth grade Honor Roll:
Lesly Alvarado, Brayden Barker, Alyssa Bolling, Cayden Cantrell, Moriah Carter, Matthew Cash, Eli Coffey, Colin Daugherty, Madison Earley, Mailey Gibbs, Alexis Green, Baron Harry, Dawson Hawkins, Meredith Hedden, Garet Hughes, Izzy Jabaley, Ashley Kinard, Braxton Lawrence, Kaieda Lenz, Grahym Maloof, Easton Mathis, Luke McFarland, Star Morris, Sadie Navarro, Delilah Naylor, Ella Oliver, Reid Patterson, Chance Raymer, Grayson Rhoads, Ruby Rhodes, Caiden Riehl, Joseph Riendeau, Michael Robertson, Braedan Rose, Brooklynn Siler, Evan Smith, Dalton Stiles, Evan Thurman, Kaylee Trotter, Yarley Vargas-Garcia, Trenton Vaughan, Morgan Worley, and Jeremiah Wyrick.
Fannin County Schools Registration and Open House Schedule 2019-2020
Board of Education, News July 15, 2019

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The Fannin County Board of Education released their 2019-2020 Registration and Open House schedule during their meeting held on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
New Student Registration day is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 2019 from 8 am until 4 pm.
Currently enrolled students, as well as other new students, including upcoming Kindergartners, who have already registered for SY 19-20 do not need to attend.
Open House at Elementary Schools and Middle School will be on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 from 1 pm until 5 pm.
Fannin High Schools Open House for 9th grade students will be on Monday, August 5, 2019 from 5 pm until 7 pm.
Open House for Upperclassmen students will be on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 from 1 pm until 5 pm.
Any Fannin County High School student needing a parking permit needs to be at the PAC by 2 pm on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 7, 2019.
If you are planning to enroll your child in any Fannin County School for the 2019-2020 school year, the following documentation is needed:
Birth certificate, Current Immunization Record (Must be on a Georgia form), Eye/ear/dental examination record, Proof of custody (as noted in a divorce decree), Georgia Department of Public Health Form 3300, Social security card, and proof of residency (two documents, i.e., utility bill, paperwork, etc. verifying your 911 address; P.O. boxes are not proof of residency).
Also helpful in making your child’s transition smooth are copies of your child’s last report card and the withdrawal from the previous school.
To enroll a child in school, you must be the parent or legal guardian of the child.
For bus information, please call 706-632-7802.
Blue Ridge Elementary – 224 East Highland Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. 706-632-5772
East Fannin Elementary – 1 Elementary Circle, Morganton, GA 30560. 706-374-6418
West Fannin Elementary – 5060 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. 706-492-3644
Fannin Middle School – 4560 Old Highway 76, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. 706-632-6100
Fannin High School – 360 Rebel Circle, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. 706-632-2081
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].
Giant Mars Map Awarded with Robot
Fannin Middle May 9, 2019

Students in the Fannin County Middle School STEM class got to experience walking and observing on a giant Mars map accompanied by a robotic rover that was awarded through a grant submitted by Mrs. Pack, the STEM Teacher. The grant was sponsored by Buzz Aldrin and the ShareSpace Foundation. To purchase the giant map and robot, this would have costed the school $5,000.00. However, with the grant, the school was able to receive it for free. The grant included a 25’ x 25’ giant Mars map, a set of books about the mission to Mars co-authored by Buzz Aldrin and Marianne Dyson, a remote controlled robot, as well as the curriculum to accompany the map and robot.
TAP Pathway Completers
Fannin County High May 6, 2019

This year twelve students completed the Teaching as a Profession pathway, earning college credit. In order to receive the credit, they demonstrated mastery in many topics by passing a very difficult national assessment. The exam included laws that govern education, instructional strategies, history and philosophies of education, and theories of childhood development. In addition, they worked many hours with an elementary or middle school teacher. This program helps them see what it’s really like to be an educator and gives them the opportunity to be a positive role model to younger students in our community.
Pictured from L to R (Back Row) – Olivia Akins, Briana Mathews, Jase Huff, Blake Rogers, Hunter Gray, Kayleigh Russell, Kendall Postell
(Front Row) – Macy Greene, Faith Swartzell, Jessica Westcott, Kaelyn Hensley
Not Pictured – Emily Ingle
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND EARNS FIRST PLACE
Fannin Middle April 15, 2019

The 7th and 8th grade band from Fannin County Middle School traveled to Douglasville, Georgia on Saturday, April 6 to compete in the Music in the Parks festival. Middle school and high school bands, orchestras, and choruses from Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina participated in the event sponsored by Six Flags Over Georgia and hosted by Douglas County High School. The FCMS Band earned the highest score out of the bands in Middle School Class A and brought home the First Place trophy.
Fannin County School System Kindergarten Registration For Fall 2019
Announcements, Rebel's Corner April 2, 2019















