Three Burke schools receive state recognition
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com
      Three of Burke County's public schools have been recognized for high achievement. Waynesboro Primary, SGA Elementary and Blakeney Elementary schools were all announced as Title I Distinguished Schools by State Superintendent Kathy Cox last Wednesday.
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Blasting off into careers
     The stars were shinning bright as ever as they led the way to Waynesboro Primary School's Career Week. Career Week helps students experience different job choices and helps them understand the importance of their education for the career choices they will later make. The study included fun activities and visits by community volunteers representing a variety of career options. Waynesboro Primary concluded their Career Week celebration with guest speaker, Bruce Petitt of the Waynesboro Police Department. Petitt spoke to all first- and second-grade students about duties and responsibilities as a police officer. His presentation also addressed safety issues, which coincided with their word of the month, which was "safety." Pictured, from left, are Deputy Dewayne Christy of the Richmond County Sheriffs Department and Petitt with some of the WPS students.
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From fire safety to the farm
     Edmund Burke Academy kindergarteners have been busy. The classes visited Burke County EMA, below, to learn about fire safety, then topped off the month of October with a field trip to Kackleberry Farm, right, where they played old fashioned games and learned about barnyard animals and crops.
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SGA Positive Behavior/Character Bears for October
     "Good Restroom Behavior" was the Positive Behavior/Character Trait at SGA Elementary School for the month of October. Students chosen by their peers and teacher received a T-shirt from Planter's EMC, a certificate, a button that says, "Paws-itively SGA's Best, and were treated to a special lunch and dessert while dining on stage along with Principal, Sam Adkins and the school's mascot. The winners from each grade level are, from left, front row: Jeffrey Conner, Taylor Clark, Jakira Perkins and Sharmayne Jordan; and back row: Adam Tarver, Kentriez Jackson, Sarah Callison and principal Sam Adkins.
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BES Character Students
     BES Character Students for the month of September are, from left, Spencer Southerland for the fifth grade, Calvin Payne for the fourth grade and Luke Key for the third grade. These students were chosen based on teacher observation of the studied traits of school pride, tolerance, self-control and dependability. Grade-level Character Students of the month are chosen from the classrooms' nominees. Classroom nominees for the third grade are Tiara Dixon, Mariah Jenkins, Lazavier Whitehead, Johnathan Hobb, Ariana Bellamy, Sebastian Prowse, Brenadia Bonner, Jasmine Haulk, Jaylon Glisson, Antionette Savoy, Latia Harris, Gabriella Cohn, Cody Templeton, Bryson Brown and Jacob Long. Classroom nominees for the fourth grade are Keyona Jones, Benjamin Farrow, Jametric Heath, Mallory Flowers, Darion Irvin, Tamar Frazier, Faith Edwards, Kameron Moore, Kamaya Thomas, Heaven Stone, Christiyuana Lovett, Marla Ramirez, Daije Lewis, D'Asia Mutch and Rufino Ramos. Classroom nominees for the fifth grade are Jemesha Rhodes, Jessica Burrows, Uh'Myha Boykin, Dejah Davis, Monquavious Williams, Cameron Hartle, Jamael Roundtree, Nadiyrah El, Jennifer Guerrero, Samantha Mallard, Tatyana Parrish, Cameron Barefield, Shelby Seigler and Megan Lindsey. Each student receives a T-shirt provided by Planters Electric.
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Fire Safety Poster Contest Winners
     Blakeney Elementary fifth graders Logan Jensen and Ronesha Nestfield won the annual Statewide Fire Safety Poster Contest. The contest provides an opportunity for Georgia students in grades kindergarten through fifth to learn about and contribute to fire safety through an art project. Logan and Ronesha were honored during the 2009 Life, Fire and Safety Awards luncheon at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot on Oct. 29. Their artwork will be displayed in the 2010 Fire Safety Tips Calendar. Ronesha's artwork will be displayed in May, and Logan's artwork will be displayed in July. BOE - Amy J. Nunnally
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Hallow Reads
     More than a hundred students participated in the annual Hallow Reads, an America Reads Program sponsored by Burke Community Partnership at Blakeney Elementary School each Halloween. To help with the fun and games, nearly 60 parents and volunteers from AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Augusta Technical College and local elementary schools donated their time and talents. Above, Shemika Gordon assists Ashton Cole, a student from Blakeney's after-school program, with a fishing game while, below, AmeriCorps tutor Victoria Reeves shares a spooky tale in the Reading Corner.
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Red Ribbon Week
     Proud to be "PAWS-itively Drug Free" was the theme of this year's Red Ribbon Week Campaign sponsored by Burke Community Partnership (BCP) at Waynesboro Primary School. The event was designed to encourage the more than 1,100 students to remain drug-free, and dozens of community volunteers jumped on board with songs, skits, dances and cheers to get students excited about saying no to drugs. Students also took a drug-free pledge stating that they will live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Pictured are community partners from the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta Technical College's early childhood education classes, Enterprise Community Healthy Start, Pecan Chase Apartments, First National Bank of Waynesboro, Best Office Solutions, Burke County EMA, AmeriCorps, City of Waynesboro, Burke County Extension Office and BCP staff and board members.
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